Starting Off Healthy

If you’ve read my blog at all over the past 40 days, you probably noticed that I gave up added sugars for Lent… and whined about it a LOT.

It was really difficult to resist temptations at first, but got suprisingly easy by the end of the second week or so.  They say it takes 60 days to make a new habit, right?  So I missed it by 20.

Let me say yes, I’m a dietitian, and yes, I agree with (most of) the article that’s floating around about sugar being toxic.  I know all about practicing moderation.  I know all the different strategies to limit unhealthy foods and enjoy so many natural foods that are the best kind of fuel for your body.  Like Amazing Grass’s products, which I so kindly was sent some samples of (thanks Teri Jo!).  Reviews will come as I try them.

But anyway, I knew I’d be gorging myself on Sunday.  Eating sweets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Stuffing my face with cupcakes, cookies, cake, candy, and chocolate until my belly hurt.  And then I’d eat more.  So I started the weekend off with a healthy dinner.

Quinoa caprese – with stewed tomatoes, fresh basil, and goat cheese

My poor fiance’ thought we would snuggle on the couch Saturday night, but I had baking to do!  Carrot cake cupcakes, courtesy of the recipe makeover in last month’s Cooking Light.

Topped with to-die-for cream cheese frosting

Funfetti mini cupcakes, courtesy of Aldi’s boxed mix! =)

I would like to meet the person who had the genius idea to top cakes with more butter and sugar. 

Also the Einstein who thought that icing was not enough – we needed to add more (colorful and crunchy) sugar!

Yes, they did taste as good as they looked.  And no, I didn’t even LOOK at the nutrition facts.

And Jessica’s No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies.

With her magical addition of chocolate.

Since the fiance’ gave up sugar with me (mostly), we played Easter bunny and exchanged baskets.  Never to be outdone, he gave me two huge baskets, filled with the treats below plus about 30 plastic eggs filled with Ferrero Rocher and other mini treats.

He said, “When I saw the running bunny I just knew he was perfect for you!”

Too bad my ankle is still too messed up to run.  But I was able to walk (in bangin’ heels) most of the weekend.

So this morning I woke up with a sugar hangover, but still started the day with two malted milk ball eggs, bites of leftover coconut lemon cake and a cookie (or two).  But I was also really craving some fiber and protein in the form of whipped banana oats.  I had to use a piece of frozen banana since we didn’t have any fresh, but it gave the oats an even creamier texture once it dissolved.  As I was topping them with a bit of maple syrup, I promised myself I would not try on my wedding dress today.

Happy Monday, all!  Anyone else have a food hangover today?

xox

C