Sugar Free Beverage Option

One of the most common questions I get is "what do you drink besides water"? Generally, I answer with "Tea or Coffee".

Yes, I drink coffee and while I have thought about eliminating it for optimum health, I have since realized that I don't depend on it for energy and the research seems pretty solid on the anti-oxdidant value of a good organic bean.

I am so often amazed at our affinity for carbonated beverages most specifically, soda pop. I drank my fair share of soda and readily admit that Pepsi was my absolute favorite. Quite honestly, other than a small taste sampling of Zevia, I haven't had a soda in at least 10 years. When I began my journey 12 years ago, I drank a few diet sodas here and there. Fortunately though, I have never been able to acquire a taste for the artificial sweeteners. That "after taste" always prevented me from truly enjoying the taste of it so my options were then reduced to water and tea.

Carbonated water always tasted far too bland so I never chose that option either.

My daughters came up with a nice lower carbohydrate option. Now this isn't a beverage you want to consume much of if you're in a weight loss mode so proceed with caution. The ingredients are very clean and when you utilize pure cranberry at about 2g of carbs per oz., the antioxidants are incredibly high.

From cranberryjuice.com:

• Rich in phytochemicals – You probably heard the term on TV, but what does it do exactly? Phytochemicals do a lot of good stuff for the body. Cranberry juice is a good source of polyphenol antioxidants and phytochemicals, both of which are possible deterrents against cancer and disorders of the cardiovascular and immune systems. That's a lot of benefits coming from a small fruit.
• Prevents urinary tract infection – Cranberry's anti-adhesion properties—or the proanthocyanidins minerals found in the fruit—help rinse the body of urinary tract infections caused by E. coli bacteria.
• Reduces dental plaque – Unless you're drinking sweetened cranberry juice, this beverage has nothing but good news for the teeth and gums. Experts say cranberry juice inhibit the growth of mouth bacteria that causes plaque. So drink up. A healthy dose of cranberry juice ensures your teeth are fresh and clean all the time.
• Prevents formation of kidney stones – This is still under active medical research, but the presence of quinic acid have experts saying it is possible for cranberry juice to help prevent the development of kidney stones. It makes sense since cranberry rid the body of wastes and bacteria—anything that doesn't belong there.
You can also use a pomegranate juice but the sugar is much higher at about 5g carbs per oz. This beverage has approximately 5 grams total carbohydrates in a 20 oz. cup and the news for the "Adult Beverage" crowd? Add a little vodka or tequila and you've got a well drink!
• 1 oz. Pure Cranberry (I use Lakewood brand)
• 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• Fill with ice
• Pour plain sparkling water over top
• A few drops of stevia to taste

Each of us have varying palates so let your taste buds be your flavor guide with the stevia. My family uses about 10 drops in their cups.

I hope you enjoy this powerful antioxidant cooling beverage!

12 Years Ago Today!

Today I celebrate one of the most important days of my life. Other than the birth of my children and the day I married my soul mate, today signifies a monumental celebration.

I celebrate 12 years of turning a diet into a lifestyle.

If you haven't read my story, check it out so you understand how significant it is for me. While the layers have peeled from my body like an onion, I have made some awesome self discoveries along the way. I am frequently amazed at the person I am now and the amount of strength I have over the food. It no longer rules me and I have figured out why.

During my dieting and subsequent self discovery I have learned the following:

• I was fat deprived therefore fatty acid deficient which affected my learning and behavior.
• When I am properly nourished, I have no cravings or desire to eat the refined foods that are so abundant in today's world.
• When I am properly nourished, I think more clearly, have more motivation and less erratic behavior as an ADHD person. Being fed does not mean being nourished. We can be overfed and under nourished, hence cravings.
• When my digestion is working properly, my whole being is at peace. GERD, constipation, frequent illness and headaches no longer exist.
• My blood sugar is now stable therefore my moods are also stabilized. Previously, when my blood sugar dropped, I would become agitated and impatient.
• I can eat to nourish my body and not feel deprived. I found that the food I craved most was higher fat which I was deprived of on a low fat plan. The more I reduced my fat intake, I found the cravings to be more and more severe. Now, I can eat flavorful full fat foods and obtain more nutrient in less food. Though if I over eat the foods included in my dietary plan, I don't gain an ounce. What a concept!
• The taste buds can be trained to enjoy and explore new foods that reach beyond our comfort zones and everything is better with butter!
• I am not unique. So many of us suffer the same cravings, fears and even physical and emotional symptoms of poor dietary advice of the last 50+ years and it's not from lack of trying rather the canned low fat advice.

As a food addict, every celebration was a fix for me. I am now the person that everyone passes with the "Don't bother she doesn't eat it" rather than being the person who tries to eat as much as they possibly can without being noticed.

I have been a dieter my whole life so to reach this monumental celebration for me is one of the biggest achievements of my life. I don't have to be stronger than the food. Let the food do the magical work of nourishing rather than feeding and the rest really does fall into place.

12 years and it's been a great journey! Thank you for sharing it with me.