You All Know What They Say About Absence

Here I am on the first day of week three of my sugar-free/bad carbohydrate-free lifestyle. In stead of getting easier, it seems like it's getting harder. *U_U* How does that work? Isn't all of this supposed to get a little easier as I go along? I mean, sure, it's an addiction and I'll always have a difficult time walking past the pastries in the bakery window, but come on!
At any rate, I'm sticking to it and don't really feel any different. The only thing I can honestly say has stopped is my obsession and constant thoughts of food. Now, when I'm working or wasting time online or even just reading my mind stays focused. Maybe this is because I'm finally getting all of the vital nutrients I should have been getting these twelve years past as a vegetarian? I'm certainly eating more fruits and veggies and whole grains than I ever did before. But now, all of the lovely things my body needs to function properly aren't getting all muddled up and overshadowed with refined sugars (any sugars but natural fructose, really) and empty calorie carbs. I love my body. It supports me in everything I do. It deserves to be treated better now that I have an idea of what I'm doing to myself and, finally, the willpower to change! I want to be able to trust myself, and I want my body to be able to trust me to make the right decisions to keep it healthy and strong for many, many, many years to come. If I'm going to live with a health problem, I will only allow hypothyroidism. I have no control over that, but I can live my life to the fullest while adhering to its rules. Obesity, diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure; these are all issues I have complete control over in my body. I am not obese and never will be because I can control it. I have never had diabetes and, as long as I am careful of what I put into my mouth as well as how active I am, I needn't worry about that. Heart problems follow bad lifestyle choices. So far, so good! *^_^* Being a (mostly) centered and calm person, going with the flow and smiling/laughing a lot, blood pressure has never been an issue, either. In fact, every time I go to the doctor, the tell me how perfect my vital signs are! (Not bragging, just sayin'.)
All in all, my life is what I make of it. My health is good. My soul is good. My life is good.
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I was tooling around in Hulu the other day when, by odd chance, I came across a show called The Dresden Files. Having only read the first book, but looking forward to reading the entire series, I was intrigued! I had no idea that SciFi had turned the books into a program. Granted, it only lasted a twelve episode season, but thus far I have enjoyed it! The eighth episode, by the way is actually the first book. So everything's a bit out of order. For anyone who enjoyed Buffy: The Vampire Slayer or even Big Wolf on Campus, I highly recommend the show. For those of you who are fans of the books, you might be in for a few let downs. However, if you disassociate it from the novels, it really is very entertaining. I was looking forward to seeing their rendering of the pixie in the woods and the final fight scene in Storm Front, but, since it wasn't in full length feature form, I had to let those items go. But, I digress, I really have fun watching the show and still look forward to reading the rest of the series.
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Work is hectic, as usual in these warmer months. I still adore it, though!
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The old hole in the gums is healing nicely. I turned down the pain meds when they offered, so have been taking two ibuprofen whenever the dull throb gets to be too much. Other than that, the wound is closing and all is well. As for the extra dental trip to Boston next month, I'll find out tomorrow exactly if and when I'll be going. Nothing major, though; if my x-rays are accepted, I'll be getting a minor filling in a matter of two hours. Since it's an exam it won't be quick. But that's okay. No big. Besides, I say again, free night in Boston. The hotel room (from what the online site says) would be the same price for two people as it would for one. I'm thinking that I might mention bringing a friend so I won't be in Boston alone. I'm not afraid, but it's just not as much fun by myself!

I suppose that's enough for now. Type at ya later! *~_^*

Out of the blue!

Today is Sugar Free Day # 8, also known as Day #1 of Sugar Free Week #2!
...
That statement has many numbers.
So! I also had a tooth pulled today. It was a molar that, supposedly I had had a partial root canal done on in my early high school days. Though, today, I found out that this isn't so. My parents may have been charged for and paid for a partial (if not full) root canal, but my new dentist showed me the current x-ray. There was no root canal. Never was. No wonder I didn't think it was that bad. Huh.
At any rate, I had this tooth pulled today and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I wasn't put under; only local anesthetic was used, and, ultimately, they had to break it out. This didn't bother me a bit, seeing as I had broken the tooth (stupidly) the night before the filling masquerading as a root canal happen upon my mouth. My dentist and his assistant are very sweet people. In fact, I never have any issues with doctors, nurses, dentist and assistants in the clinic where I am a patient. I find that my nervously cheery attitude carries very well into medical situations. If any of them are ever having a bad day when they're treating me, I've never noticed!
My kitchen is lightly stocked with juiceable items as well as soft foods. I don't want to over-stock, as I'm afraid of eating myself into oblivion. What I have, though is all naturally sweet (frozen orange juice and grape fruit concentrates and frozen blueberries, blackberries, mangoes and pitted cherries, Tazo Cinnamon tea with licorice root, Vermont applesauce(sans added sugars) and pure carrot juice) or savory but not salty (Cream of Wheat and organic veggie broth.) Difficult to get used to, but not impossible. *^_^*
Then, just as the numbness wore off, my dentist called to ask me if I'd be willing to be his patient for an exam he has to take in June.
"Sure! I wouldn't mind!"
"It's in Boston."
"That's fine."
"The exam is at seven in the morning."
"Ok." Was he trying to talk me out of it, now?
"I'll pay you for your time and, if you'd like, I'll book you a room in the area of the exam. It's in downtown Boston."
"That's fine." I smiled through the phone.
"You are such a nice person!"
Did I mention how sweet my dentist is? :P So, he's coming to talk to me about it on Wednesday at the farm. We've scheduled for lunchtime, so I won't be doing it on my bosses' dimes. I wouldn't anyway, but this makes it a little more appropriate if he's coming on a day that I'm working. We'll settle things then (he'll tell me what to expect and, I'm assuming where he'll be putting me up.) Pretty sweet! A night in Boston paid for by my dentist and more free dental work! If only I could bring someone with me. I wonder, if he's offered all of this already if he'll mention that I can bring someone. *shrugs* It's already a pretty sweet deal; I don't want to push my luck with Lady Fortuna.

And Five.

Thank you for the support and recommendations! Knowing that I have a little network of supportive friends and family really means a lot as I nervously navigate through the choppy waters of sugar addiction.
Today, I wanted bread and pastries so bad! But I held strong and stayed true to myself. I had a small bowl of black bean soup for lunch and it was incredibly delicious! When I got out of work I had a plum, and dinner will be brown rice and red kidney beans. I've only got a few days left of solid foods, anyway, since I'll be having a tooth pulled Monday morning. I'm going to turn down the pain killers (except for the over the counter stuff) and stick with liquids for a week. There are a couple of juice recipes I'm interested in trying out and tasting. Also, I'll have bananas to mash and veggie broth with barley. If it's cooked for long enough, I can enjoy the barley in "soup form" without feeling the need to chew it.
All in all, this is still hard, but it's getting better as the days roll by. This month, in general is nothing but a big ball of stress. So, if I can make it past June 1st without giving in, I think it will get much easier. I'd like to think that I could have a cookie in a year, but, knowing the severity of my addiction, I don't think that will ever be an option again. Maybe I can come up with some sort of sugar free(including honey and agave), totally natural fruit cookie sans flours and other bad carbs...
Maybe...

Day Four

Wow! Resisting was really hard, today. Well, in the morning and during the day it isn't really difficult. But once I get home, the cravings are pretty wicked. I can only hope that after I've got a couple of weeks under my belt that this will get a bit easier. I could really go for some pizza and ice cream and brownies right now.
But! I've been good! Even at work, instead of a cup of coffee with sugar and cream, I've been having herbal teas straight! The Tazo Cinnamon Spice (I think is the name of it) has a pleasant, naturally sweet after taste that becomes an "all over the palette" sweetness the further into the cup you get. Thank you, licorice root! Who knew your amazing ability?!
On Monday I'm having a dead tooth pulled. I don't anticipate needing the strong pain killers or having to take time off of work. However, I won't be doing any heavy lifting there or eating solid foods for a week. I'm looking at it as the opportunity it is! If I can't drink it, I can't eat it. I've got a few lovely smoothies planned, a barley soup (really just barley and spices in veg broth) and various mashed fruits in mind. Maybe it'll make this whole thing a bit easier...?
I certainly hope so!