Nixing my Sugar Habit

This lady – Emily, here! –  is kicking her sugar habit to the curb for more reasons than just a whittled waistline — in fact, I don’t even think my size will change much. Thankfully my goals are founded in more than just “If I don’t do this, I don’t think I’ll ever feel better”. Sugar can be a serious life impediment and is scientifically proven to be just as addictive as cocaine. Crazy chick said what!? Yesssssss. It’s not something to be taken lightly.

Now, I love sugar. In all forms. Give it to me in frosting, in fruit, rimming a margarita, in candy, chocolate, you name it, sugar and I are in a deeply committed relationship. But I’ve gotta let sugar go, because it’s not me, it’s him, and I’m tired of the roller coaster. I’m nervous about it, yes, but I’m sparked by a need for change. And I’m excited to share that change with all of you over the next several weeks.

It’s slowly been taking over my life in all of the ways that matter. It’s making me overly emotional with highs and lows, making me hold onto water, destroying my teeth, affecting my taste buds, and making my brain kick into high gear and then crash hard and fast. Does any of that resonate with you? Well stick around, because below you’ll read all about an upcoming free teleseminar I’ve got coming your way next month.

On September 9th, I decided that for 21 days I was going to kick my sugar habit.

Why 21 days?
They say 21 days makes a habit. I don’t know who “they” are or why it’s 21 days, but it works. When you do something habitually, 21 days in a row, the body latches pretty tightly in all of it’s scientific ways and helps the choice become more ingrained in your mind and routine. I also chose 21 days so that way the last day fell on the last of the month, and October would be a healthy, rejuvenated, and fresh start.

So you don’t ever want to eat sugar again?
Not true at all. I love sugars in all forms, it’s the reason why I’ll still be eating some kinds (see below). Also, Halloween is my faaaavorite holiday, and in honor of my 21st birthday and my favorite holiday falling side by side, I’m making classic Halloween candies with a personal twist for the month of October (sharing them with all of you, of course) and ringing in the new year of me with classic cocktails turned on their heads — oh yeah, we’re going there. Get ready.

My goal is not to give up sugar completely. It’s to learn how to have the right sugars, in the right amounts, for my individual body without going crazy.

So what ‘sugars’ did you give up? They aren’t all the same, you know.
Yep! You’re right! They aren’t all the same, but unfortunately they all have the same affect on my body. I’ve given up all sugars except fruit sugars, because our bodies can digest fruit sugars more efficiently with the added fiber content, and I also need fruit to survive on campus. So yes, sigh, that means honey and maple syrup, too. But that’s okay, I’m armed with the facts, the knowledge to carry it off, and the determination to turn my health around again.

So that leads me to …

| Sugar Blues |
a live (free) teleseminar with Emily Friend,
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach!

When?

October 13th, 2015 at 6:00pm EST

How do I reserve a space?

Slow your roll, beautiful. Registration starts the 25th! Limited space available, too, so make room for it in your calendar and sign up as soon as the doors open.

+What do you think? Want to kick your sugar habit?


Catch me on periscope with live broadcasting around 5:30 pm tonight! I’m talking about 50/10, one of my favorite productivity tips — which you can read more about here.


+ want to join me on this sugar free challenge,
but not quite sure how? Reach out, and contact me! Xx.

Want easy recipes & tips for a vibrant glow
powered by greens style? Join the newsletter.

Be sure to tune into my snapchat (@efriend216) or
follow me on instagram or twitter  or periscope (all @yourfriend_em)
for my adventures and foodie finds! xx

Foods I Take to Wake: First Edition

Avocados, Carrots, & Hummus

Welcome to another new series (don't you love them?)! I've (Emily, here!) received a lot of questions around how I eat on campus and survive my days of being a gluten-free vegan without dying of lack of protein (doesn't happen, folks) or only eating cardboard-flavored foods. I promise it's not impossible. The food I eat is tasty, delicious, and absolutely INCREDIBLE. I love food, and I love sharing my passions with you. Every other week, I'll be dishing out three of my go-to foods for everyday life, especially when I'm away at school. Let's get to it!

img_8584.jpg

AVOCADOS

Avocados are incredible. Forget the outdated, fats-make-you-fat idea, because it does not apply to healthy fats like what's packed into these bad boys. Monounsaturated fats are not an enemy. Nope. In fact, they actually help regulate belly fat, carving and toning that belly from the inside out. The majority of the fat is oleic acid which reduces inflammation and has beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer. Did you know avocados have more potassium than bananas? Say goodbye to cramping. They are loaded with fiber, too, which is great for digestion, contributing to weight loss, and reducing blood sugar spikes. Also, notice how there is no cholesterol or sodium making these additionally amazing. Eat your avocados, okay? Okay.


img_7968.jpg

CARROTS

Carrots aren't only good for purifying and stepping up the eye sight -- courtesy of the vitamin A and carotenoids content. Thanks to being rich in antioxidants -- alpha and beta-carotene, anthocyanins, vitamins, and minerals, carrots are anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and have cardiovascular benefits worth bragging about. I love this root vegetable and eat it so much that sometimes my skin turns orange on my palms - no joke; this is totally normal also. In addition to Vitamin A, they also rock out in the vitamins and minerals department with vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B8, pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese.


img_8598.jpg

HUMMUS

Hummus is a serious babe. Chock full of protein, healthy fats, heart-aiding benefits if made with certain oils (like olive oil), hummus can be an ideal snack with the aforementioned carrots or with a sliced apple. It's also great in Avocado Toast or stirred into a stir fry or pasta to make a creamy yummy goodness. Garbanzo beans, a main component of this hummus you see above, are packed with fiber, helps regulate fat levels in the body, and lowers levels of LDL-cholesterol. They also help regulate blood sugar levels, too! They pack a punch in terms of vitamins and antioxidants: vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, as well as concentrated supplies of antioxidant phytonutrients. I add hummus wherever I can. Seriously. It's too good not to!

+ what are your favorite foods that you couldn't live without? share below or on facebook!

 

 

Grilled Peaches with a Twist

img_8427.jpg

This recipe is so amazing, loves. You all know how I (Emily, here) live for easy recipes - smoothies, tonics, avocado toast - so this is another great one for the books. And did I mention so versatile? The other night I had this as a simple appetizer beside a nice crisp white. But this bad boy could served over some massaged kale with avocado and sliced almonds or beneath a beautiful scoop of vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of balsamic and a crank of sea salt. See? Serious deliciousness. Throw a peach party, and have a full menu right there.

Why do we love peaches? They help fight obesity related diabetes and cardiovascular disease, keep the skin glowing with its healthy dose of vitamin A & C, are an aphrodisiac (cue the eyebrow waggle), can calm upset stomachs, and are an amazing stress reliever - nicknamed the "Fruit of Calmness" in Hungary. These benefits in addition to at least a dozen more. Oh, yes. Too good not to eat.

Recipe and steps after the jump ... 

img_8428.jpg

Grilled Peaches with a Twist!

+ any number of Peaches (around one a person)
+ balsamic vinegar
+ Himalayan sea salt
+ grill or indoor grill (I used a George Foreman Grill)

Turn on grill. Halve the peaches, and throw out the pits. Place them in a baking pan. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Crack some salt on top. Let "marinate" at least 10 minutes. Place on grill. Grill for about 10 minutes until caramelized, or you see those nice grill marks, and they're hot to the touch (depends on temp of grill; I just had one setting). If on regular grill, flip midway through. Take off grill, place on plate, and dig in. Enjoy! Xx.

+ have you ever grilled fruit? what's your favorite? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below or on Facebook. 

Want easy recipes & tips for a vibrant glow powered by greens style? Join the newsletter.

Be sure to tune into my snapchat (@efriend216) or follow me on instagram or twitter (both @yourfriend_em) for my adventures and foodie finds! xx