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Stuffed Dates
1 lb. dates, pitted [preferably big fat medjools!]
1 cup walnuts 1 tbsp. tahini 1 tbsp. barley malt, or maple syrup 1 tbsp. miso Put nuts, tahini, sweetener, and miso in food processor, blender, or whatever and grind together until nuts are very well chopped and everything holds together. Stuff this mixture into the dates and enjoy! This recipe is worth trying--Ive been making these for years. Very good as a dessert after an Indian, Greek, or middle Eastern meal. They taste very exotic, and have that great sweet/salty taste that I love so much! :chef: Amarantha, if you're avoiding raisins, you're very likely avoiding dates too. The date filling is very good on it's own too, maybe spread on ww pita and I'm sure easily whizzed up in the old Magic Bullet! ;) |
Hi! I was out of town for the last couple of days, so that's why I've been MIA. Welcome, Arabella! Danicomia, Eydie, and Amarantha, good to see you're doing well!
Amarantha, good for you for how you handled the Target temptation. Just a thought--could the fruit you're eating be contributing to your recent sugar cravings? I think I posted here that my sugar cravings came back when I started eating an apple or orange with breakfast. I've been eating one fruit with lunch on most days now, and that seems to work much better for me (no cravings!). And I only eat one a day-I guess I'm sensitive to fructose. I'm sorry to hear that you're having digestive problems. Yesterday I had my Valentine's treat--two sugar free pecan clusters! Oh, they were SOOO good! I had digestive trouble all night then, and am not sure if it was from the sugar free candy or from the black bean soup I ate for dinner. Maybe a combination of both. In any event, I decided that sugar free chocolates should be a very rare treat. I think if something tastes too much like the "real thing," it's setting me up for trouble. However, I was satisfied with my two clusters (that's all I bought). PLEASE wish me luck...we're celebrating my son's birthday tomorrow, and I plan not to eat cake or ice cream. I'll report back how I do on Monday. |
Day 28 ...
Hi, guys!!! And good to see ya back, Gypsy!!!
Re the fruit, I don't think it really contributes anything to my cravings, actually, it's the opposite :) ... I'm following the Sugar Busters advice to get all my sugars from milk, fruit and vege, which are healthy foods for me. But again re Sugar Busters, I don't eat beets (no problem there), white potatoes, ripe bananas, corn or corn products, or pineapple, as these likely would cause cravings (not to mention make me sick from insulin spikes). So mayhap it's the type o' fruit that could be causing your cravings? Dunno. We are all different. I know one thing that Sugar Busters mentions and that I've read in other popular "fad" diets is that it's best to eat fruit by itself, not with other food, as it's digested in the small intestine or something (????) ... I may try that. Actually, sorry if I gave the impression I was having cravings. Other than a little for milk (which I've always craved because of the cold sensation at the back of the throat ... sorry if this is a gross description, but that's what makes me want it) I don't have cravings anymore. I haven't had cravings since the second day with no sugar or white flour. But what I'm having is the "situational desires" previously discussed. I want to eat cupcakes, candy and dulce de leche because that's what made me happy before and got me through the work days that I no longer enjoy and that I don't expect ever to enjoy again. I believe, contrary to some diets and not meaning to offend the propononents of those diets, that it is GOOD to eat fruit and vege unless, as Gypsy saith, one is particulary sensitive to something in it. I just need to get the balance right. I'm working on some easier to digest fruits and vege right now, though, such as unsweetened applesauce in lieu of whole apples, canned vege instead of fresh or frozen and taking enzymes to aid digestion. Later, I'll go back to more whole items. BTW, unsweetened applesauce has got to be the most detestable substance on earth, but I am determined to get it in as I need the nutrition. I'm going to try mixing it with whole wheat coucous. :) |
Sorry, don't know how to spell couscous. :)
Edited, added this later: E, thanks for the date recipe. I forgot to say that earlier. Funny, because I spent the afternoon reading "Sugar Blues" by William Duffy. It's an enjoyable book about the author's views on sugar. I don't agree with all of his facts, but his train of thought is revealing ... anyhow, he has some recipes ... actually descriptions of things to eat without sugar ... near the end of the book and tahini is mentioned a lot. I know how much almond butter has meant to me lately in furnishing something even more delicious than cupcakes, et all :devil: ... so I think I'm going to give tahini another look. It's been very revealing that I can now eat nuts without guilt ... I was raised to consider them unhealthy. Mmmmm, was very down and went out to health food store on an almond butter run ... just bought a little and ate it ... perfect. I really like a quote that Duffy uses: "I'll buy a huge piece of meat, cook it up for dinner, and then right before it's done. I'll break down and have what I wanted for dinner in the first place~bread and jam ... all I ever really want is sugar. ~ Andy Warhol, New york Magazine, March 31, 1975 Yup. |
Amarantha, I love "Sugar Blues"--I must read that again. I love the story at the front of his meeting with Gloria Swanson!
I also remember that quote from Andy Warhol. I always thought it was so poignant, but we've all been there, haven't we? :^: Am, tahini is great stuff, but rememebr that it has a much different consistency than the other nut butters, not really spreadable at all. I've been meaning to rant here about how difficult it is to find a salad dressing without sugar, or those creepy 'sugar-free' sweeteners. A couple of Newman's dressings pass the test, and a few at the natural food stores pass, but even there you really have to look close at the ingredients. My current favorite is Annie's Goddess Dressing. I've eaten it on salads, rice, pasta, it's really good. It's mostly tahini, garlic and lemon juice. Yum! And once again I'm amazed at how different my attitude toward food is since giving up sugar. Before I would've been so concerned about the fat content of my salad dressings, and would've always selected a fat-free one, but now I'm more concerened that it be real food, know what I mean? |
Hello all!
How is everyone ?? Am really trying to do 15 minutes at a time this morning including meals, tea, water, etc especially since DH went to work for awhile-- Its easier when he isn't here to vaccuum, toss, etc uninterruppted... So, I actually am ashamed to admit this but I got my heart pounding vacuuming the stairway... of course, I was lugging the upright vac up at the same time... another reminder that I need to do some real thinking about strength /fitness training.... but as for the sugar..... The date recipe sounds decadent-- even scary-- hmmmmmmmmm----- And the sorbet reminds me we DO have an icecream maker in the freezer and should use it! Our grocery store is bursting w/ V Day's sugar stuff and there are big skids still wrapped in plastic w/ the E Bunny sugar stuff waiting....I have decided there is no reason to look in that direction... its like the baby food aisle... I don't need anything there so I don't go down that aisle...Of course, sugar is hiding in so many things that my baby food aisle analogy is not the perfect answer but it is a lightbulb moment for me... I sure wouldnt stand in front of the tobacco display anymore ... no matter what is being offered... same w/ gerbil, hamster, chinchilla food.... My point I guess is this... I shared last week about "averting my eyes" to the choc cake a coworker brought to work.... I was embarrassed to admit it then... that somehow I was admitting weakness that I couldnt look at the cake... BUT now that I really think about it, my own good common sense was kicking in and saying " DON"T LOOK, You're better off if don't look"..... Instead, I'd rather be a martyr and all the glory that implies.... But... why do I need to put myself thru that?? So, if I don't look, and save all lot of stress energy for something really important.... hmmmm ----------- Very glad this thread is here. How is your Sunday going? |
Weight same but the bodyfat reading's down a bit ... don't know how accurate that is. Have lost weight every week on Sugar Busters until this week when I maintained instead of gained, all in all an unheard of feat for me for this length of time.
WORKS! |
On day four! :cb: Eydie, those dates sound wonderful! I often serve Indian or middle eastern food when I have company and it will be fantastic to be able to serve something that everyone will love and I'll be able to eat safely. I do find that dates give me a very satisfied feeling that I almost never got from sugar treats.
Amarantha, I'm inspired by your success! You sound so strong! How do you eat the almond butter? I've never actually had it... Going to try a variation on your granola recipe. |
Just dropped in to post a few more replies here.
E, I'm going to look for Annie's Goddess dressing. I loved "Sugar Blues" also. It reads like a novel almost, also gave me some ideas about food I could prepare. Oddly, it made me nostalgic for my own old-time "sugar blue" days before the family cut me off when I was told I could eat it anymore (which I began to make up for with a vengence as an adult) ... I remember being very little and pouring sugar in a napkin, then sitting on the front porch and eating it ... nobody stopped me ... sheesh! And the taste of cold grape soda in the summertime, just as Duffy describes it when he's swiping nickels from his mom's purse to support his pop-a-day habit. Guys, every Sunday when I sit here doing the paying writing (I'm done now but sitting here nevertheless), I'm interrupted by the sound of an ice cream truck. It plays tinkly and annoying tunes (LOUDLY when I'm trying to write) and has the sound of a woman's voice chuckling, "HEEEEELLLLLLLO!" I can hear the sound of the little neighborhood kids getting all excited as usually they seem to be given the wherewithal to go get ice cream. Now ice cream is nice. I want buy an ice cream maker and make REALLY SUGARFREE (as opposed to the dextrose containing substance so labeled in the store). But it makes me wonder ... if refined, additive sugar is this insidious substance that's EVERYWHERE and if it's harmful, WHAT are we teaching our children when we let laugh and encourage them to go running after the ice cream truck. Do we really think there's anything HEALTHY in that truck? Wouldn't we be upset if it was the neighborhood drug peddler playing merry tunes and luring the kids in like a pied piper? Anyhow, I digress. :) Wood Nymph, when I'm traveling I just pack the almond butter in my big purse and eat at a rest stop with a picnic spoon. And I usually have a bottle of ff milk in a cooler or an apple to go with it. This week it'll be the unsweetened applesauce as I'm trying to calm down my digestion. I ate too much of the almond butter yesterday, but it sure got me through my "situational desire" to go get something sweet after finishing the story from heck. Darline, I forgot to wish ya luck yesterday on ds' birthday. I know you'll do ok!!!! Ok, here's my recipe for a Sugar Busters "legal" dessert: Four servings 100-percent whole wheat couscous Water (see package directions) 2 individual cups UNSWEETENED (no additives of any kind) applesauce Butter spray (with NO additives such as dextrose) Cook couscous in water according to package directions (I used the microwave). Mix with applesauce (could add Splenda and/or vanilla or whatever also, I don't see any reason not to) and some sprays of the butter spray. Put one rounded ice cream scoop of mixture in 8 serving dishes, accompanied by two dark unsweetened frozen cherries (this amounts to an 8th of a serving of cherries). Cover with foil or whatever, freeze and heat before serving. This is really good. I will pack some with me tomorrow as I'll be in the mountains until late. |
Various
Hello everybody,
What a busy couple of days. Yesterday I took my 16 y/o to CorePower Yoga a class in a 100 degree room. I have been meaning to take him to this class with me for months, but I always got the NO WAY answer. Yesterday there was no argument, You are coming with me and that is final! :high: Well, it was very rewarding to see him doing the poses and trying to follow the hard class. It seems he is as flexible as I am. He loved it, finally something he can do with me! and get stronger. He is a 5'10 kid with a small frame, extremely skinny. It made me sad to see his ribs showing through the wet t-shirt. After seeing this I decided no more school lunches for him. I bought healthy snacks, lunch meat, etc and I packing his lunch starting tomorrow. I also got flavored water that I found it excellent! I got some at Costco and Target, so I have Mango, Strawberry, Lime, Cherry, etc. I will not have excuse not to drink the 70 oz daily anymore. Today there was a lot of driving with our 5 children. My oldest had to be in our Church by 11 to go to Mass and we had to get my 2 stepchildren. We took our 4 while my oldest was in Church to Home Depot so we could buy some fencing to put around my Rose Garden that it has been chewed down/8 roses gone by our Lab Puppy. Then we had to go to the Cathedral in downtown to get Nicolas again to another Mass and meet the Archobishop to get ready for his Confirmation for Easter. Needless to say I drove all day with 5 children and Husband, about 100 miles. Today in the morning, I got up weighed myself and Surprise!!! I lost 4 lbs in 1 1/2 weeks, :D. I assume eating protein shakes for lunch and carefully at night has its rewards. So, I will continue having the shakes for lunch and food at night. BTW, I remember seeing Dr. Agaston in Regis and Kelly the other day and saying Raisins and Datels are not good because they cause or have a very high GI. So, although I love them I am not going near them. Anyway, I am going to have Coffee and seat in front of the TV to watch the Grammys and then Desperate Housewives. Take care you all! :wave: |
Yesterday a co-worker was giving out her yearly Valentine's Day goodies to everyone. She gives out little gift bags with chocolate, chocolates and then more chocolate. I found mine on the counter in my kitchen, opened it up and there was a bag of soy nuts, a bag of sunflower seeds, and some flaxseed sesame sticks. I thought that was so dear that she'd carefully made sure to get me things without sugar.
I'm lucky that everyone I work with has been so supportive! |
Eydie, how sweet of your co-worker! How is everyone doing on this "candy" day? UGh.
Yesterday I was strong and I didn't have any cake or ice cream at my son's birthday! Yay! He ate his piece, then grabbed half of his father's piece and ate that, so unfortunately I guess he's inherited my sweet tooth. Tonight we're having another party with the other side of the family, but we're buying the cake, and I don't like the kind of cake we're getting, so I have no worries. I did, however, eat 4 Pillsbury crescent rolls with dinner yesterday. They had 2 g of sugar in each roll, so I wasn't perfect, but I think eating them was a better choice than cake and ice cream. Wishing you all a sugar-free happy Valentine's Day! |
Yo, Happy St. Val's Day to all!!!! Everyone seems to be doing fantastic on this day devoted to sweetness, but not necessarily SUGAR!!!! Huzzah!
Danicomia, CONGRATULATIONS on your FOUR POUNDS lost forever to the stratosphere!!! WTG!!!!! D'ye mind my asking your brand of protein shakes ... I'm looking for a sugar-free variety. The one I used to use was supposed to be sugar-free but it had sugar in it I didn't notice on the ingredients list. Gypsy, it really is pretty well nigh impossible to get bread with no sweeteners as it's necessary to activating the yeast, so I'd say you're DOING GREAT!!!! Good idea about buying a cake ya don't like ... :) Eydie, IMO, your coworker is a real keeper. That's really thoughtful. Kaylets, I love your "don't look" idea ... that's not weakness at all, IMO, it's total strength. You've decided where to put your focus and so why even bother lookin' at the cake. Who needs it anyhow? Reading "Sugar Blues" made me remember some years back (dating myself) how when there was a backlash against sugar and the sugar industry took out TV and magazine ads. There was a jingle: "Every livin' lovin' critter, feels a little fitter, when they add a little sugar to their life ..." I did not make this up. Sheesh. I'm on Day 30! |
:hat: on 30 days, Amarantha! There's no stopping you now!
I read Sugar Blues many years ago, and tried to give up sugar at that time, but wasn't able to. I wonder what's different now. Whatever it is, I'll take it! I LOVE being sugar free! |
I also love being sugar-free, Gypsy!!!! :wave:
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