Will the real Cookie Monster please stand up.
Have you made giving up sugar your New Year’s resolution year after year? Have you tried giving up the three c's (cookies, cakes and candy) for Lent? Were you upended by a deep and inexplicable craving for Dulce de Leche Caramel Haagen Dazs ice cream? Are you a sugar addict?
Sugar addiction is no joke. For many years, researchers and doctors did not believe that you could get hooked on an innocent piece of candy or sugar-filled cookie, but now studies that scientists have been compiling over the years are pointing to addiction.
While it is true that Chocolate Cheese Cake is not in the same league as heroin, alcohol or nicotine, it appears that some brain responses may overlap. All of these addictions produce a pleasurable response that fuel a desire for more. Can you stop at just one chocolate chip double fudge cookie supreme? I don’t think so.
Did you know that sugar addicts tend to be depleted of key vitamins and minerals, which may weaken their immune system? The average American consumes approximately 24 teaspoons of sugar each day. What’s your intake? How much of an addict are you? Do you want to get off the stuff?
Here are a few Our Lady of Weight Loss approved suggestions to help you bust your sugar habit:
Never skip breakfast. (see KICK 27) Those who eat breakfast are less likely to crave sugar. Your body wants that energy boost first thing in the morning to get all your gears in motion. If you skip your morning oatmeal, you’re likely to start craving that chocolate chip cookie come afternoon. Low sugar breakfasts include eggs, whole-grain unsweetened cereal, fruit, and unsweetened yogurt.
Never skip any meal! Skipping meals in general is a bad idea. Eating balanced meals at regular intervals keeps your brain and body fueled, so you don’t crave heavy starchy or sugary foods for energy.
Get enough sleep. Rest. (see KICK 30) Once again, the body starts to crave starchy and/or sugary food for energy - for fuel. When you feel the need to nap, do so. Listen to your body.
Excessive salt can trigger sugar cravings. Fast food restaurants and processed foods use salt to stimulate your appetite. They want you to eat more! Read labels (I did a little pantry reading this morning. They had to get out the smelling salts!). Make low-sodium choices.
Eat whole foods (not refined carbohydrates). Refined foods a.k.a. empty calorie foods such as white bread, cookies, cake and candy, don’t satisfy your body because they lack nutrients and fiber. Try eating more fruit, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, winter squash! They're loaded with the good stuff.
And sorry to say - there's no donut in the world that's going to take away your emotional tugs, pulls and pain. Try yoga, walking, talking to a friend.
I know - easier said than done - but no one said bustin' sugar would be easy.
LINKS:
Are you a sugar addict? Take this quiz!
For the kids: Cookie Monster speaks.
The Straight Scoop on Sugar.
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Righteous Recipe - Winter Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
4 large prunes pitted, sliced in 2
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon all-spice
2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into pieces
1 medium banana, sliced
1 small red apple, cored and diced
1 small orange, peeled and sliced
Optional: low-fat yogurt or low-fat ricotta
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Instructions:
In a small pot, combine prunes, water and all-spice.
Bring to a boil; simmer 10 minutes over low heat.
Set aside.
Slice remaining fruit over a large bowl so that juices fall in it.
In same bowl, combine fruits with prune preparation, gently stirring.
Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered.
Can be served with low-fat yogurt or low-fat ricotta.
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Fruitful Contest ~ What color is Cookie Monster?
The first to enlighten Our Lady wins an Our Lady of Weight Loss prize!
Write Our Lady.
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Last week's Fruitful query: A three-part quiz!!! Challenging!
True or False: Only humans and horses have hymens.
True or False: Our bodies are recreating themselves constantly. We are capable of reversing the Aging Process!!
True or False: Your ears and nose continue to grow throughout your entire life.
Congratulations to Glorianne G., CT. and Anniepie, Michigan! TRUE, TRUE and TRUE from Deepak Chopra's "Magical Mind, Magical Body."
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Chewing the Fat -
How you doin'? Write Our Lady.
Dear OLofWL, I'm in need of the Cheering Squad and would love another hurrah. I haven't lost any more weight over the holidays, but I haven't gained any! You are so sweet to send cheers and hurrahs. It's nice to know you really care about those you help. BTW - I loved the Thanksgiving card! I still have it hanging up above my desk. Thanks!!! ~ Gayla, Reno, NV
Dear Gayla, Hurrah for Gayla!! Not gaining weight during the holidays is FANTASTIC.
Hip, hip, hurrayLA forGayLA. Here's to a healthier, thinner New Year. May all your dreams come true - and thanks so much for your kind words. ~ OLofWL
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Dear OLofWL, My mom says my new year's resolution is "very mature." and I think it might be a good one to share with other "Our Lady" devotees...basically it is my new mantra:
"Food is not the source of my happiness." This year I am focusing on having a good time with friends and family and not shoving food in my face at social gatherings...so I repeat the little mantra when faced with cookies, candies, and all things fattening...(go away devil food cake go away!)
Also, a good movie to rent in the season of dieting is "Super Size Me." It definitely inspired us to lose those couple pounds we all gained after a Christmas in North Carolina! ~ Abigail, PA.
Dear Abigail, Fantastic mantra! Mantras are a great way of coming up with a 'pause' - creating space between our thoughts and our actions. Coincidentally, mantras are something we discussed just this week in the Art of Weight Loss Workshop. You're a smart cookie. Thanks for writing and inspiring us! ~ OLofWL
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Forgive me, for I have sinned.
I went to the supermarket hungry. Picked up a bag of chips. When I got to the check out line, it was empty. Crumpled up the empty bag, tossed it and did not pay.
(oh, you paid, all right)
All is forgiven * Move On!
Send your confession to info@ourladyofweightloss.com.
No Names - Strictly Anonymous.
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The Art of Weight Loss Workshop -
Curious about what transpired during The Art of Weight Loss Workshop Week One?
Interested in participating in the next Six Week Workshop?
The Art of Weight Loss is a six week workshop that is dedicated to approaching weight loss from a new angle. We will share weight loss thoughts, frustrations, successes, recipes, and think of creative ways, both literally and figuratively, of how to redirect our feeding frenzies. You need not have an artistic bone in your body - just the desire to have some fun and keep it light while we stay steady the weight loss course together.
IF YOU ARE NOT able to attend group meetings but wish to be a part of it, please read on.
There will be a weekly goodie bag filled with some very cool handouts that can be snail-mailed to you.
For more info... click here or
contact: info@ourladyofweightloss.com
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The KICK in the TUSH Club provides a weekly reminder in the form of an Art-KICK for those who wish to anchor themselves to their weight loss and/or health goals (or for those who need to satisfy their craving for a quirky kick). It's fun, fab and fat-free. Sign-up now (there's no charge). Click here! Our Lady. (Or send an email to: info@OurLadyofWeightLoss.com) and say, "YES! I need a KICK in the TUSH.
 
Sign up now!
It's fun, fab and fat-free -
no charge either.
This way to the boutique!
Volume II, KICK #2™©
Janice Taylor
Thiwww.OurLadyofWeightLoss.com™®
a Division of Oy-Caramba, Ltd!
Interested in reprinting the KICK in the TUSH or licensing the art?
Contact: info@ourladyofweightloss.com
Our Lady of Weight Loss has been recommended by:
The New York Daily News,
The Arizona Republic Newspaper,
SKIRT! Magazine,
Energy Express, Tribune Media Co., Herbs for Health,
Good Housekeeping and more...
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Disclaimer: This column is for information only and no part of its contents should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, recommendation or endorsement by Our Lady of Weight Loss, Oy-Caramba, Ltd! or Ms. Taylor.
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