Like many kids and adults, I liked life sweet.
But just like any drug, my bliss and sugar high always brought me lower than I started, and yearning for more.
Of course, at a young age, we do not make this connection. As an adult, we attribute these feelings to being “normal.”
Had I fully realized the actual detriments of my diet, however, I would have saved myself a lot of trouble.
My constant insecurities were generally along the lines of stubborn baby weight, (which was more like a puffiness I never could sweat off), and later down the road, hormonal imbalances, acne, anxiety, and depression.
There were many things about my genealogy that were imperfect and contributing to my predicament, but I was never able to fully accept that DNA was the root cause for my problems, and where diet was concerned, there was not one piece of information I read that did not contradict itself. Fats, low fats, low calorie, sugar-free, exercise, pills, medications, and beauty products all seemed to be the “solution”—or never-ending solution, that is.
It was all absurd.
Regardless of whether I feasted on regular sugar, or the diet stuff, my body, moods and skin were left in a constant limbo. Neither “regular” or “diet” products contributed to my well-being, and instead: stressed hormones, left me sleepless, or exhausted, and unable to stay away from sugar without feeling like I was missing out, or depriving myself.
I had no idea that, aside from the other “food,” and processed and refined flour I was also enjoying regularly (which converts to simple sugar also), sugar was not just something that would tick off the dentist, but rather— poison me.
Sugar, refined, processed, and the diet stuff too, all leave an acid “ash” residue in the body. That is, after the body has used, or most likely– been unable to use for energy, the “waste” residue remaining lowers the body’s internal pH. When the body is “out of balance,” it invites bacteria, yeasts, and weakens the immunity. These yeasts (like Candida) which further contribute to the problem, thrive on sugars, refined foods, and foods that are not readily broken down (ground chicken tacos with cheese, etc.). These imbalances, or toxins, affect everything from our complexion, and weight, to our body’s ability to fight against aging and disease, as well as find happiness.
While I would be lying to say that the removal of sugar itself is the answer to everything (baked potatoes and rice are converted to sugar also), it can be extremely difficult to get that jump-start on a healthy “diet” without feeling deprived, or remorse for the attachment you had to some foods, when you decide to cut out the “bad”– cold turkey.
I certainly had emotional attachments to foods, and food groups, but one of my biggest issues was leaving alone the sweeter things. I liked life sweet.
And low and behold, I still do… because life is meant to be sweet.
Though I consider the best source of sugar is via carrots (juiced, or raw) and beets (juiced, grated raw, baked, or roasted), this would be like suggesting everyone use bicycles as their main mode of transportation.
Healthy,
Beneficial…
and… Unrealistic.
I get my fair share of carrots, but in between, I have to say I am still a fan of stevia. Stevia, an herbal sweetener, is very low calories and highly concentrated making it sweeter than sugar. While I would not go as far as to check it off as a “miracle food,” I do think that it is a great alternative to highly processed and chemically altered sugar, and faux-sugars. It is also extremely helpful in transitioning to a lifestyle focused on whole foods.
I must say that I am loyal to NuStevia because I know the product fairly well, and have been using it for 5 years now. While I now stray away from most powdered sweeteners, as I do not love the additives that prevent the stevia extract from caking, and such, I absolutely love the liquid versions that NuStevia has to offer (it also comes in an alcohol-free version also– I like these best!).
(With all of the brands of Stevia making it to the market, I also like that NuStevia is not owned by our dear “friends” that also happen to mass produce sodas).
Which is why I am always excited when NuNaturals asks me if I would like to hold a NuStevia giveaway.
Of course!!
Why?
I like this brand for their honesty, and taste. I also enjoy it in many of my recipes, and I want you to be able to enjoy it also.
How to win?
Just comment, tweet, Facebook, and get the word out. Then come back and comment below to let me know that you did! Why do you want to try NuStevia? Have you ever tried Stevia before? Are you excited to try it for yourself and your family? Any recipes that you would like to enjoy?
~ FOUR (4) WILL WIN! ~
4 readers will win a box of 50 NuStevia white packets, and 1 Liquid Vanilla NuStevia (my fav product!).
If you like life sweet, YOU WILL LOVE NUSTEVIA.
Can’t wait to hear from you all!
In addition: SAVE MONEY!
Save 15% on your entire order when you type in the code: BLG0612 at checkout! and receive FREE SHIPPING to the CONTINENTAL U.S. on all orders TOTALING $35.00, and over, AFTER this special discount.
Contest starts now! Winners will be announced on Monday, January 23rd, 2012!
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