Hey there!

How is everyone this fine thursday?

So, this weekend I have the joy of creating a wedding video for my friends Lindy and Trong (also my new pool teammate!!), at a beautiful venue on Hornby Island.

Trong and Lindy

I’m very excited to see everyone, and to see the union of two really cool people who I look up to in many ways…and also to make a kick ass video for them!!  So today is a clean up day and tie up loose ends at home, and prep for the weekend.  Again, congratulations Trong and Lindy!!

Since my last post was about goal setting, I have set a new one regarding my diet.  I’ve been trying really hard this week to cut out all known sources of un-natural sugars from my diet.  I’ve been shocked to see just how many foods I eat, that I didn’t even think to have sugar in them, do!  For example; the little single serving cans of Tuna I like to eat for snacks and the frozen chicken breast I like to buy from costco.

Of course, like everything, sugar in moderation is okay, especially when it’s natural sugars found in fruits.  But excessive amounts of sugar, especially processed sugar can lead to diabetes and obesity.  With the health ramifications that we know can occur from regular, and large amounts of processed sugar intake, I truly believe that refined sugars should be regulated such as tobacco or lottery tickets.  Not only is it an extremely addictive chemical which can lead to unnecessary food and sugar cravings, large amounts of sugar on a regular basis can cause insulin resistance, a state in which the body does not respond to the hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar correctly.

Insulin resistance is a significant step towards adult onset diabetes. The resulting chronic high blood sugar is usually converted to fat, leading to obesity. Of course insulin is a hormone with many factors affecting it, not just sugars in the diet. Things like binge and starve eating patterns (including eating only one or two meals a day), stress and lack of sleep can all cause problems with blood sugar, which lead to the seldom-diagnosed hypoglycemia.

Bags of sugar stored in Cuban warehouse awaiting shipment to US.

As far as finding the best foods for an all natural only sugar diet, I find that home cooking meals ensures that you know exactly what’s going into your food.  I’m lucky enough to have a girlfriend who has been trying recipes in the vegan field of diet out on me, so I’ve been surprised with many meals of; quinoa and stir fry veggies, home made salt and vinegar chick peas, and my ultimate new favourite…Kale Chips!!  Check out how to make those on Amanda’s blog. Super easy to make!

So what are your thoughts on sugar?  Should I be as concerned about it’s consumption as I am?  Is dairy worse than sugar for our bodies?  Do you have any recipes for “sweet treats” that don’t use sugar?   As always, I appreciate the feedback, and look forward to hearing from you!

Well I’m off to check out a new potential home out in Port Moody, B.C. with Amanda, I’ll let you know how that goes.  Have an amazing rest of your thursday, and an amazing weekend as well!  Don’t forget about my special sunday coffee at Tim’s!!  Bye for now : )