AHhhhh, Sugar!

We all crave it. We all want it. Most of us have it at the worst time of the day, or just too much in a day. Just having processed food with added sugar, is unhealthy any day. Sugar is a killer in many ways. I have successfully stayed away, bit the bullet, used my strong inner willpower...and I have fallen off the wagon for a piece of candy, a pretty cupcake or sugary cookie. It always proves to never be worth it. I get so mad at myself!

Sugar. It comes in many forms, but ultimately they all have the same ingredient...fructose. Just ask Dr. Robert H. Lustig.  He is the one that shouted out the dangers of fructose. (Check out his 90-minute lecture on the science and dangers, here.  Yes it's long, but well worth your time.)

Why is sugar bad for you? Here are 10 reasons why, that I found at Authority Nutrition:

1. Added sugar has no nutrients
2. High in fructose, which can overload your liver
3. Fructose/Liver overload can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
4. Can cause insulin resistance, leading you to Diabetes
5. Insulin resistance can lead to Type II Diabetes
6. Sugar can give you Cancer
7. Due to the effects of Hormones and the Brain, it has fat promoting effects
8. Sugar is highly addictive
9. Sugar is a leading contributor to obesity
10. It's the SUGAR that raises your cholesterol and give you Heart Disease

Make a reminder note, put it on your refrigerator or your pantry/cabinet door.  

All the added sugar is added trouble to our body. It's the worst ingredient in The Diet. Period.

This is why I try to have 95% of my daily eating as a RAW food diet.  I'm not perfect, heaven knows, but I do good in trying to keep my body healthy with what I put into it.  I crave sweet smoothies or a pear or a bunch of strawberries with almond butter and toppings.  I feel healthily satisfied.

This is the sugar I crave! 

So think about it, the next time you want to shove that Twinkie or heavily processed sugary food into your mouth.  It's going to places in your body, to make you unhealthy.  Hey, I like to be blunt! 

Treat yourself good.  Read up! Eat healthy! 

The Coconut Pull

A month ago I posted,  Pulling for Me.  For those of you that don't know what Oil Pulling is, it's when you take a teaspoon or two of oil, I prefer coconut, and swish it around your mouth for up to 20 minutes a day. The benefits are described as follows:

• Migraine headache relief
• Correcting hormone imbalances
• Reducing inflammation of arthritis
• May help with gastro-enteritis
• Aids in the reduction of eczema
• May reduce symptoms of bronchitis
• Helps support normal kidney function
• May help reduce sinus congestion
• Some people report improved vision
• Helps reduce insomnia
• Reduced hangover after alcohol consumption
• Aids in reducing pain
• Reduces the symptoms of allergies
• Helps detoxify the body of harmful metals and organisms

I can't relate to any of the above 'cures' or supposed benefits above.  I do have sinus issues, and I haven't seen any difference there.  My vision surely hasn't improved :(  I won't bore you.

What I DID notice, while being this Pulling Fool, was the whitening of my teeth!  I am so excited to report my pearls have become pearly white!  Sorry I didn't do a before and after but, believe me, it did work. I've used the strips, and they work well but leave my teeth sensitive. Since most mornings I do have the time to swish around for 20 minutes, I'll keep this up many days during each week.  It's cheaper and more effective.

While I can't personally claim all the great benefits of Pulling being touted, I'll hope that all of the above and below (if and when relevant), become closer to the possible.

Other possible benefits of oil pulling for oral health include:

• Overall strengthening of the teeth and gums and jaws
• Prevention of diseases of the gums and mouth, such as cavities and gingivitis
• Prevention for bad breath
• Potential holistic remedy for bleeding gums
• Prevention of dryness of the lips, mouth and throat
• Possible holistic treatment for TMJ and general soreness in the jaw area

In the mean time, I'll be very satisfied with my whiter teeth,

#Ask Away Friday!

I thought this was week 36...?  Either way, it's been a great run all these weeks, even the ones I've missed.  Ms. RHOCC is taking a break, understandably so with babe #3 coming.  Congrats to Penny! She promises to return in the near future, so we will all look forward to that.

This week I am swapping the Q&A with the busy mom Christy, over at Uplifiting Families.  You can't feel anything but 'uplifting' on this blog, it covers everything a mom and family could search for.  So after reading my answers to Christy's questions below, go over to UF and check out her answers to my questions.  Don't forget, grab your tea or coffee and head over for some daily encouragement.

1. I see that you have a child that is grown and gone now, my daughter is 17 and in two years it is possible that she will be ready to move out and go to college. What advice do you have for parents to deal with their child leaving home? I won’t have an empty nest but I am not looking forward to my daughter moving off yet. My son went to Florida for college, and I was shocked he wanted to go so far away! He wasn't the kid that spent weekends away at friends, they were always at our house. I flew down as often as I could, and he surprised me many times making me cry. It's hard at first. Of course now I see him nearly everyday, he's not far, haha! I enjoy it. Not sure if that is advice, haha, but keep communication and trust between each other alive and healthy!

2. What advice would you give to a mother of a teenage boy? My oldest son turned 13 last October. That is a tough age, but not as hard as the many changes coming around the corner. Definitely keep communicating, keep boundaries with freedom. Communication and involvement in their interests and dreams.

3. I remember when I was growing up that my parents let me play outside unattended with my friend as long as I told her where I was going. I never let my kids go outside unattended, did you allow your son to play outside by himself? Would you still allow him to play outside by himself as a child? NO! I never let him out alone. Even back in the 80's I was terrified to let him out of my site. I never had babsitters, he was with me or my mother. Today, I would be even more overly protective. I am that way with my 8 year old nephew, he gets annoyed with me but...

4. If you could win a brand new car of your choice, what would you choose? I think an old split bumper convertible Corvette, when they were hot and good looking! 

5. What is your favorite vegan dish? This week, all about beets, beet salad, beet hummus, you name it with beets!

6. What is your favorite brand and color of nail polish? Zoya, "Dot"

7. If you won a $500 shopping spree and you could only spend it on yourself, where would you go shopping and what would you buy?Louis Vuitton, "Neverfull", enough said.

8. Advice for a new blogger: If you could start blogging all over again, would you continue to use blogger or find your own self hosted domain? I started with the free Wordpress, then used BlueHost with it (self hosted) but it was too much back then. It depends what you want to do with it. Basic blogging like me, Blogger is easier. I think if you want to do more, you should consider a self hosted. I don't know all the ins/outs to say for sure, sorry.

9. Are you currently reading a book? If so, what are you reading? YES! Still trying to finish Measure of Love. It's book two, all about Rachel. I've written about it here! Great story.

10. As a single mom for 8 years(before I was blessed with a wonderful husband), what is the best advice that you have for a new single mom? I know finances were always my constant struggle, if it weren’t for huge tax refunds I wouldn’t have survived. I always put my tax refunds into my savings account and I would dip into it when I needed extra money to make ends meet or to handle surprise expenses. It was definitely hard as a single mom. Although I wish it had been easier, I wouldn't change much because it gave me the strength to push forward. Just love yourself, be proud and be sure you take care of yourself.  Think first, and long if you have too. You just have to believe in yourself.  

Happy Friday peeps, see you when #AAF returns! 

Pulling Fool!

Well, I don't have an April Fool's joke to pull on you. Yes, today is April Fool's! Does anyone ever really remember this day? Usually I do a day or two later.  It's a strange day, and I can't remember anyone ever trying to fool me with anything drastically crazy in the past. Not that I can recall anyway.

However, I do have an update on my Oil Pulling, no fooling! 

I have mostly been using coconut oil.  One day I used walnut, then realized it was toasted.  Not a good idea.  So I've stuck with coconut because I really like the light-subtle taste. Especially for first thing in the morning, prior to anything else. I only do this once per day.  I've read others doing it twice per day. Personal choice. I am happy to report that I haven't had any gag sessions, or gross experiences.  NOTE: Don't try to talk while pulling, you will dribble and possibly let out some drops on your shirt or floor!  Yes, I did that. 

TEETH

Although I haven't taken before/after photos of my teeth to show-off, I have seen a difference in them in these past two weeks of pulling.  I am very happy to report that, so I'm hoping for whiter in another two weeks.  I wish I could see, or feel a difference elsewhere, like in the list below. (This was in my original post.)  It would be great if it helped with bloating! Do I hear a 'heck yeah' from my girls? Maybe I didn't focus on these areas.  Maybe they seem too 'unrealistic'? They say some people have experienced these changes, so I'm going to stay positive and try to pay more attention to some of the items.  I'll keep you posted!

Other possible benefits of oil pulling for overall health include:

• Migraine headache relief
• Correcting hormone imbalances
• Reducing inflammation of arthritis
• May help with gastro-enteritis
• Aids in the reduction of eczema
• May reduce symptoms of bronchitis
• Helps support normal kidney function
• May help reduce sinus congestion
• Some people report improved vision
• Helps reduce insomnia
• Reduced hangover after alcohol consumption
• Aids in reducing pain
• Reduces the symptoms of allergies
• Helps detoxify the body of harmful metals and organisms


Do you have a good April Fool's story? Given or received?
Would love to read about them in comments, below. 

Happy Foolin' Around :)