Numbers don't lie

As a result of some recent allergy testing (http://www.elisaact.com/test/nonhc/), I found out that I am allergic to sugar. See more here. While I am only specifically allergic to beet sugar and maple sugar (along with 20 other items!), due to the fact that I reacted strongly to two things in the same category it is advised that I avoid the entire category.

I eliminated sugar two weeks ago, and while at first it wasn't easy, there have been some very positive side effects. First of all, my thinking is much clearer. Secondly, my clothes are fitting better and I lost 4 pounds in just the last two weeks without a change in my activity level! Add that to the 4.5 pounds I lost after removing inflammatory foods as well as the 10 I lost after going gluten and dairy free and you have one happy girl. Hey maybe I'll go have a cupcake and a glass of champagne... oh, that's right, I can't. I suppose that's how I'll keep off the 18.5 pounds that are gone already then!

Power smoothies are my new best friend

In order to get enough veggies in this body of mine I have taken to smoothies. This bright green cup of goodness is made from:

3 cups spinach
1 tablespoon flaxseed
1 small banana
4 strawberries
1/2 cup water
4 ice cubes

The flaxseed slows the release of the sugar from the banana and strawberries so it doesn't spike my blood sugar and cause inflammatory issues. It tastes surprisingly un-spinach like and I got a whole salad's worth of veggies in my body. Another point for Team Stacey!

My new secret weapon

As long as I have these babies prepped in the fridge I'm ready to go. I just saute them and throw them on salad, salmon or eggs and I have a great protein/complex carb meal ready to go.

In order to have meals that are healthy, allergen and sugar free it takes a little creativity. It's the little things that are keeping me motivated right now and I'm good with that!

Goodbye Sugar, Parting is such un-sweet sorrow

As if the dietary no-no column in our house wasn't long enough... I just found out that I am allergic to sugar! Any kind of sweetener is now taboo: cane sugar, beet sugar, maple sugar/syrup, molasses, honey, agave nectar and artificial sweeteners. The only safe 'sweet' things are low glycemic fruits and stevia. That doesn't leave much. However, the side benefit to all of this no sugar nonsense is a smaller number on the scale and that makes me happy. Stay tuned for my tales on my no sugar adventure.