I had plans to spend the day with my brother, but unfortunately, he was sick yesterday. It started with one of his girls on Monday, his other daughter got sick on Tuesday, and yesterday, it was Charlie’s turn. I can’t afford to get sick – especially today when I work both jobs, so Tony and I ended up spending the day together. After getting up early with a low blood sugar yesterday and after writing yesterday’s post, it was only 8:15 so I decided to go back to bed. I didn’t wake up until after 10! And then Tony and I just watched t.v. in bed until probably 11:30. I wish every day could be like that!
We had to pick up our prescriptions and run a couple errands, then stopped for lunch at our local Italian restaurant. We can’t not get a Boddington’s on tap when we go there!
I actually went in thinking “I’ll get a nice salad” when out of my mouth came “I’ll have an Italian beef on garlic bread with marinara sauce on the side with tater tots please.” It was nearly 1:30 and I was hungry! I didn’t even take a picture of it, but this will give you an idea. Um, and dipping an Italian beef sandwich into marinara sauce doesn’t suck. I also mixed in hot gardiniera into my coleslaw and that didn’t suck either!
I had another beer with lunch and by the time I got home I was so full. I only ate half the plate, but with the beer it just was weighing me down. I am so out of my routine it’s not even funny. I’ve worked out only once in a week. and I am started to feel . . . puffy. Do you know what I mean? I’ve had a nice time off from work, but it’s time to get back into the game. Happily, this is the first time in YEARS that I am not starting January 1 off with “this is the year I’ll lose weight!” My final WI for the year is next week – my hope is that I have maintained my WI from December 1 – 155. My hopes were to lose another 5 pounds in December, but with my erratic work schedule this month, I’ll say maintaining would be a victory. I just need to get it in gear. One thing that I fail at miserably when not at my desk job? Drinking water! I don’t think I had two full glasses of water each day I was home off from work.
Which brings me to my next challenge. Blog reader Peggy and her husband Brian do a 21 day sugar detox. Brian has the sugars just like me, and she said it was remarkable how his blood sugars stabilized while on this 21 day sugar detox. He is not on insulin, so he has to manage his diabetes through diet and exercise. He’s done a terrific job handling diabetes – so proud of him (and for Peggy who preps most of their food!).
Starting January 6, she has a page on Facebook for this 21 day sugar detox challenge. Here is a snippet of what to expect.
While I don’t advocate keeping foods out of a healthy diet permanently, I am actually looking forward to changing things up for a few weeks and for this to give me inspiration in the kitchen again. Luckily I still have Sunday’s completely off from work, so that will be my food prep day for the week. It’s funny because I haven’t meal planned for a whole week. It always boggled my mind that people go to work without food and just wing it every day. Well, now I know that without a plan, it’s easy to eat like crap, because it’s convenient!
Have you ever done this plan before? Did you see any results? Let me know if you want to join the group and I’ll provide Peggy with your information to add you to the 21 day detox board for daily inspiration and motivation. I’ve LOVED having my Healthy for the Holidays page on FB. So many great ideas! And one idea that I didn’t even think of came from Peggy. On days I work at the restaurant, I am usually so hungry by the time I get home, it’s easy to pick up fast food or reheat leftover pizza. Why did I not think to just make a pot of vegetable soup to reheat?! It’s easy, healthy, and especially since I go to bed shortly after I eat, it won’t weigh me down like pizza will!
Basically its taking a step away from refined carbohydrates (bagels, English muffins, potatoes, ALCOHOL, and replacing that with lean protein (beef, chicken, scallops, shrimp), veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, peppers, spaghetti squash, etc. It also includes nut butters and nuts (almond butter, tahini, flax seeds) and dairy. Although I’ll have to get the plain Greek yogurt and add honey and cinnamon to it on my own. I can only use stevia and honey for sweeteners. Um, pretty sure I’d never use molasses as a sweetener!
So I am excited about this. I hope that 2014 brings me closer to my goal. I don’t have an “end date” per se, just need to get my ass back in the gym and fine tune my nutrition. Is anyone interested in joining this group? Just shoot me an email at mybizzykitchen@gmail.com with your Facebook name and Peggy can add you to the group – since she’s done this a few times, she’s got some great ideas!! Like Greek burgers and crock pot cheeseburger soup!
Alright, I have to get my ass in gear. I have to iron my work shirt for tonight. I also am bringing my Buffalo Chicken Chili to the restaurant tonight – if the chef likes it, he’s going to put it on the special menu!
It feels weird that it’s Friday – yesterday felt like Sunday all day. Make it a great day!
I can’t believe how many of your blog posts I missed… I actually bought myself the 21 Day Sugar Detox box for Christmas, but I haven’t read very much of it yet. I try to think that I stay away from carbs and added sugar for the most part, but I know that there is a lot of room for improvement… I won’t be joining the challenge this time, but it’s something I’m definitely interested in in the future.
Good luck, and the soup you made that fits the plan sounds delicious!
Ooh this is a great idea. We got back from vacation last night and I stepped on the scale this morning. HUGE MISTAKE! I’ve heard of the sugar detox but never seriously considered it; will let you know what I decide!!
The no sugar challenge sounds interesting and I think it’s a great idea. I’m not joining in though, I have my own agenda for the beginning of the year and that’s: no more wine except for a glass on Saturday evening and one at dinner on Sunday. This will be challenging enough for me to start with 🙂 I’ll start on January 2nd.
Well – NO doubt the chef will like it, it’s an awesome recipe!!!! Good luck, can’t wait to hear!
the link for your friends 21 day detox didn’t show up, can you put a link up so I can join and follow thank you
Connie, see if you can link to this – if not, let me know your name on facebook in an email to mybizzykitchen@gmail.com and I’ll have her invite you.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/122740301263239/
It will be interesting to hear about the sugar detox program. I will look things over and see if it is something to tackle. I have been trying to stay away from “diets” that restrict any one food group, however, I have done the low carb high protein thing before and dropped weight instantly with little effort. Yeah for your chili. How can Chef not love it? I keep trying to get my family to let me make some. I guess I need to figure out a single serving or two just for me 🙂
For the record Kym, the chili freezes well, so if you make a pot, you can freeze portions for your lunch!
I agree, I am not into “diets” as a whole, but I think a detox to shake things up a bit is good every once in a while!
Ugh, I feel so puffy from all the holiday food (and booze!). I got back at it today, though, in an effort to not let it go on longer than necessary. 🙂
Good luck with the sugar detox – I’m excited to hear how it goes!
Thanks Heather – I’ll keep you posted!
How AWESOME! You’ll be a star Chef! 😉
I haven’t done a sugar detox as such, but I quit sugary stuff cold turkey and it’s been 14 days now! I feel better, but I still want it :p
See, it’s not just sugar I am skipping but unrefined carbs – carbs is my nemesis, because 100% of carbs turns into sugar – so you always look at the grams of carbs, not the grams of sugar. I’d much rather have salted peanuts or pretzels to a donut!
Oh first of all I have to tell you….I was at Festival Foods today….and guess what they had??? Naturally I thought of you, then I wondered how I could ship it, but then that would be dumb, that’s the Chicago area (close) surely they have this on the grocery shelves….International Creamer….Vanilla HEAT… I was going to buy it and taste it, but I already have 3 bottles in other flavors in the frig. Soooooo, keep an eye open for it, has little halopeno peppers on it 🙂
As for the challenge, I think I was doing it the first of this month….with plans of doing again the first of the month. But I would like to see the different meal you come up with….that would be good. On my 7 day cleanse, it’s fruit day 2, vegies day 2, fruit and vegies day 3, bananas and milk day 4, add rice and tomatoes to vegies day 5, day 6 and 7 fruit and vegies, vegie soup….I noticed no bread and starches I really began to feel better and had more energy, drank lots of water. I am going to do it again the first of the year.
Who knows, you may become the next sous chef at Zeal 😉
Glad to hear Tony is well and it was nothing too serious….hope he enjoys the Bear and Packer game this Sunday……Aaron will be back…..YAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!
*** fruit day 1, vegies day 2, fruit and vegies day 3 etc
Got it – I think by just having more complex carbs and more protein it will help with the long days – we’ll see! It will inspire me in the kitchen, that’s for sure! Can’t believe Aaron will be back – with a broken collar bone no less!
Hmm, that detox sounds interesting.
I’ll have to try that chili – sounds awesome!
Let me know if you try it – the chili always gets two thumbs up!
I knew it was just a matter of time before you had stuff on the menu!!! So exciting!
Your 21 day sugar detox sounds awesome!!!
Thanks Kim – hope you had a great Christmas!
I have both books and the 21 day sugar detox cookbook has some amazing recipes:)
Oh, that’s good to know Connie! I am going to hit up my library next weekend. 😀
First, your Buffalo Chicken Chili, then your cherry salsa…and then? You’ll be a full-time chef in the restaurant! Mark my words – this is your gateway to doing what you love and being paid for it!
Ha – love your optimism Shelley!
The 21 day sugar detox sounds pretty awesome. I would join if I didn’t suck so much at challenges :/ Just finding out about PCOS with myself, I need to learn to control my carbs, kind of like a diabetic would. I know that the chef will love the chili and it will be awesome to have on the menu!
Aw, sorry about PCOS – Sam, check out my friend Nicole’s blog – may give you some insight?? Hugs!
http://www.preventionrd.com/pcosinsulin-resistance/
Merry Christmas Biz!! Interesting about the 21 day sugar detox. Worth giving it a go I think! Yay! about your chili! I’m sure he will love it!!!
Happy Holidays to you too Renee!
The chef is gonna LOVE the chili. You should negotiate a percent of the sales. 🙂 My son and his friends almost ate through the last pot I made in one sitting. The blue cheese cornbread was great crumbled on top. Sorry you did not get to hang with your brother, what a bummer trip for them! Have a great Friday.
Yep, next time I make it – blue cheese cornbread is definitely going on it!
I think it’s great to eat less sugar, but…. Be very carful restricting carbs for a diabetic! A few years ago I tried south beach diet and was in DKA in about a week. I was taking my insulin still but my blood sugars were extremely HIGH! My correction dosages were never enough. I felt terrible! My husband is a Dr. and warned me not to do it, he was very upset to say the least. So cutting back on unhealthy sugars (pie, cookies,cakes…..) is a great idea, leave grains that have some carbs!! =) Good luck!
Yep, I’ll be careful Tammy – my diabetic blogger friend Nicole said the lowest I should go for low carbs is 125 grams – no worries! 😀
OMG, OMG!!!! YOUR GONNA BE ON THE MENU!!!!! (cause duh, of COURSE he will like it….as if, pft!) That is so exciting!!! ‘Winner, Winner, Buffalo Chicken Chili Dinner’ has a great ring to it for the menu 😉 HA! that is awesome!
and YEAH!!!!!! you are on for the detox!!!!!! Whoop Whoop!!!! watch for the week one meal plan w/ hyperlinks…..in case you need any ideas/help for meals 🙂
I hope Charlie and his family feel better soon!!!! being sick sucks.
starting p90x3 today, soooooooo, I will likely feel like I have been run over by a mack truck by Sunday, BWAHAHAHAH!
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!! 😉
Looking forward to the challenge Peggy! Hugs!