Today, I ate these things.
grapes, strawberries, and a toasted hamburger bun with almond butter.
We were out of bread.
Delicious Meeker-made veggie pasta.
As I was mmming and ahhhing, he said, Don’t even ask how much butter I used.
Sweet potato fries on a bed of spinach. Balsamic vinegar and mustard on top.
veggies and brown rice
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Beyond (for the month of July), I’m giving up sugar for a few reasons.
First, I want to pay more attention to what’s in my food. My hope is that searching that ingredients list for any added sugar is going to open my eyes as to other weird things as well.
Secondly, I’ve been eating way too many cookies lately. My sugar-snacking needs to come to an end. My post-baby-belly needs to disappear. End of story.
I know, I know…Elise was the first to point it out: the name of my blog is Yes, I want cake. I still plan to love cake. I’m not giving all sweet things, just added sugar. Agave, maple syrup, stevia, and of course, fruit are all fair game. I’m not trying to make myself miserable, just more aware.
Anyone out there want to join me?
i already don’t eat white sugar, and usually only use agave/maple syrup – so I suppose I’m with you!
You are awesome! I’m going to be hitting you up for inspiration/ideas.
Since my husband has been home, we’ve averaged two batches of cookies a week, so I’m really looking forward to your future posts on avoiding added sugars.
We’ve had a little bit too much lately!
That sweet potato spinach salad looked good. Actually all your food looked good. I would join you in the sugar thing if I knew I could last more than a day. I’ve tried it before and the second I tell myself I’m cutting it out, I just want it ten times more. I wish I had that kind of will power though!
Well, we’ll see how I do…I’m not entirely sure I can do it the whole month, but I’m telling everyone just to keep myself accountable!
Ahh I’ve been thinking almost the exact same thing lately! My sugar cravings have been out of control and I just really need to learn to be more aware of how much added sugar is in things… natural sugars are sweet enough! I’d love to join you on your challenge.
EEKS, I don’t know if I could, but I’m willing to consider it. I’ll let you know friend! Sugar is a tough one for me, especially since this is my birth month! Maybe August would be better for me….
I’m with you, you have to have some indulgence on you birthday! It’s going to be realllly difficult for me.
all of these eats look fantastic! I’m really digging the looks of the sweet potato fries-spinach salad. I guess you can make up for your lack of sugar with those suckers?
My hats off to you for doing no sugar! I do not have that kind of strength. I love chocolate and frozen treats wayyyyyyy too much. Wishing you luck on this challenge!
Katie….Graci and I had FroYo today and thought of you….I had coconut with vanilla bean and added a bit of banana froYo! It was our lunch. Our sweet Uncle who has been so sick will be pulled from his vent on Friday. Pls keep us in your prayers.
Also what BOOK are u using for NO sugar! Also you can get real sugar ‘kisses’ all day from that sweet baby cakes! Luva her sweet face. I do not add sugar to anything…ok oatmeal but come on…..I had no idea brown sugar was not clean either!
Oh, Tona…so sorry to hear about your uncle! You are definitely in my prayers! And that Babycakes cookbook is AWESOME for no sugar. I’ll have to bake something and have you all over.
I just won some nunaturals so I was thinking to make an effort to eat less added sugar this month. With a birthday in a week I know I would crash and burn on zero sugar pretty quick!
You definitely have to have cake on your birthday. Cake and ice cream, preferably.
I’m definitely with you on this – I’m already keeping any eye out for ‘sneaky’ sugar, like in sauces, yoghurts and cereals.
I have tried giving up sugar in the past and was really successful with it. I didn’t carefully examine the ingredients of every since thing I ate, but I definitely cut out things that are obviously full of sugar (sweets, cookies, ice cream etc) and tried my best to leave out other kinds of hidden sugars in processed foods as well. I counted the days and I think I made it over 100 days without sugar. Recently I stopped drinking Diet Soda and coffee at the same time, so I don’t know if I could swing no sugar either..haha…it’s a great goal though and I am looking forward to some of your sugar free recipes!
Whew! Coffee and soda?! I’ve given up soda as well, but i have a serious love affair with coffee.
Props to you!
Haha, I’m DEFINITELY not giving up coffee…I just happen to like mine black, thank goodness. I have to have at least one vice.
100 days!! You’re my hero!
Oh boy, this challenge has been calling my name for a while.. I’ve been thinking about doing something like this, so sure- I’ll jump onboard with you! It may have to wait til Tuesday, though, when Penpal and the corresponding mountain of baked goods I have for him leave my apartment.
yay! Glad you’re with me…and I completely support your baking oodles of good things for penpal.
All of those meals look super tasty!
I’ve been doing fairly well of late with limiting my sugar. Trying to weed out all processed white stuff. Agave is definitely one of my fave sweeteners. Even with all these options it can be rough! But i think the longer you make it, the more your body adjusts and stops craving sugar as much.
You can do it! And if you mess up, don’t stress, just start a brand new day.
I try really really hard to avoid white sugar whenever possible (and started checking labels after I was informed that as women we should stay under 50g/day!) but every now and then I just need my peice of dark chocolate or frozen yogurt. You will do great though, going veg is no easy feat and you kicked ass!
Yikes I wish I could join you but I don’t think I’m strong enough! Too many ice cream cone opportunities in the month of July for this girl!
I could maybe do a week!? A day?? I know, I suck.
I’m excited to see you do it though and see the results (even though I don’t think you have any post-baby belly!!). Is Meeker not taking part in this one? Haha. He’d be another 9 pounds down and wasting away!
That thing meeker made looks AWESOME as do those sweet potato fries
And I totally use hamburger buns when I’m out of bread…and hot dog rolls.
Happy Friday friend!! Give Baby A lots of hugs and kisses for me – she’s just too precious!
First off, I think your post baby belly is already gone…you look great!
I usually crave sweets, but for the last two weeks or so, I just haven’t wanted very many of them.
Not sure that I could give up sugar fully, but I rarely use [organic raw] sugar when I cook. We go through a lot of honey and maple syrup in our house.
I’m with Cait–too many ice cream opportunities… maybe October would be better for me?! Haha!
I don’t think there is anything wrong with wanting to be aware of what you are eating! I am all about keeping mindless eating to a minimum while still ensuring you allow yourself some sweet indulgences!
Hahaha ‘don’t ask how much butter I used’. I’ve definitely heard things like that from my boyfriend before!
I toast hotdog and hamburger buns when I’m out of bread, too! It does the trick!
I’ll admit it; I just don’t have the want/willpower yet. maybe I’ll save it for my post-baby days?
Yum, yum and more yum!
Ha, ha. Laughed out loud about the butter being added to the pasta, and your husband telling you not to ask how much. Definitely something my hubby would do!
Well, I already said I’d join you and I’m definitely still on board. However, today’s my (20th–AHHH I’M OLD) birthday, and if I didn’t eat sugar today I’d be worthy of a trip to the looney bin. SO, sugar-free July starts TOMORROW. And, surprisingly, I’m really excited!! I like knowing that I’m starting my 3rd decade with healthy intentions!
I fully support this decision. But more importantly, happy birthday!!
Thanks!
I totally love your idea of cutting back a bit on the sugar. I’ve been trying to take better note of these kinds of things too. Sugar is in SO many different products and it’s always a good idea to be conscious of it and to cut back where we can. Good for you!!
Sugar ruins me at times!! I still need little “treats” now and then, but sometimes its hard for me to stop, bc I don’t eat it that often. Last night I decided it was time for a big ol’ bowl of icecream, and it was delish going down, but I am feeling it today! I don’t think I can totally jump on the “sugar free” boat, but I’m looking forward to reading your ideas.
im totally behind you! i hope you didnt think my comment was anything but an observation because i completely get your feelings about wanting to make a change to feel your best. and i think you are fabulous with or without cake in your diet.
maybe a raw cake is in your future. or mine. i made a chocolate pudding tonight. it needs some tweaking still, but its virtually sugar free (maple syrup and vanilla stevia were used).
Your comment was right on…I do want cake, I do like sugar – it is going to be a major switch for me! But I’m up to it, especially if there is raw date-filled chocolate cake involved! I want that chocolate pudding recipe you’re talking about, too.
What do you use to sweeten your coffee? I am a HUGE sweet eater but I am trying to make changes so I can rave to my family about how great all these healthier alternatives are. the Babycakes book is definitely in my future!
I actually prefer black coffee…sorry to be such a square! But, Nunaturals Stevia has the BEST sweetener I’ve found. Their vanilla drops are awesome for coffee…so I’ve heard.
I think I want to go sans sugar too! I know I eat/drink a ton of it (so this will be tough!) and I’m hoping to see positive things from eliminating added sugar. Sooo no sugar for me starting now (besides the vanilla almondmilk I have, but will go for unsweetened next time)!
Whohooo! SO glad you’re joining me…you can help keep me accountable.
[...] else! I’m excited to discover and taste new treats! And drooling over what sugar-free stuff lovely Katie is making this [...]
Hey Katie just want to say that Adrienne gets more adorable everyday!
I’ve been following your blog for several months and now that I’ve started my own I had to come here and comment!
I have actually decided to cut out added sugar too, I ate so many sweets and biscuits during my exams (whoops!) and I know I’ll feel much better without them, I’ll definitely be coming back for ideas
I will let you in on a little secret. Sometimes I eat a hamburger bun toasted even when we do have bread. Sometimes they just taste better!