Sugar &
Spice
Most people
naturally gravitate towards sweeter things and it brings joy to most faces. But
the joy can be short lived when it turns into rollercoaster emotions, tantrums,
lack of concentration and decreased performance levels. Never mind the
exhaustion, feelings of depression, muscle pain and cravings the next day.
Most people
think twice before they pay for a ripe, juicy mango or paw-paw. How many of you
put the same thought into it when buying a chocolate? Society has moulded us
and taught us to have sugar from as young as toddler age. It is a mindset. We
grow up on rewards of sweets, prizes are chocolates, special occasions are
cakes. What about not totally removing it from your diet and being left with
feelings of deprivation and rather looking at healthier alternatives or
substituting ingredients?
I’m aware of
many adults that enjoy treating children and grandchildren with sugary treats.
Why not change the treat to a heathier alternative, a day out somewhere or a
saltier snack?
The sad part
for me is that many adults and grandparents don’t even eat the sugary treats
themselves, but give it to those little ones. What they don’t realise, is that
they are doing more damage than harm, creating addiction and associating love
with sugar.
Our nation
is addicted to processed, refined sugar. What example are you setting as parent
and grandparent for the younger generations? Look at all the tv commercials and
marketing strategies, who is their target market? I’m not talking about the odd
indulgence here and there, I’m talking about cereals, snacks, lunch boxes,
milky drinks, toys in the sweets etc.
What many
people don’t realise, is that you can re-train your tastebuds into not wanting
the same amount of sweetness as usual. Instead of replacing sugar with 1:1
ratio sugar alternative, try to reduce the level of sweetness in order to re-train
your tastebuds. Change 3 tsp of sugar in your tea, coffee or breakfast to 2
tsp. You can reduce it to 1 tsp the following week. Things might taste bitter
or bland the first week or so, until you realise that you were actually after
the sugar and not the food or tea in the first place.
By enjoying
whole fruit and increasing your fruit intake, you will be getting the right
kind of sugar for your brain. Yes, your brain needs the sugar, but in the
correct form. Whole fruit also contains fibre, which helps to fill you up, and
it acts as a slow release for the sugar. Remember that different fruit have
different sugar levels.
Did you know
that refined, processed sugar temporarily disrupts your white blood cells that
must fight off sickness and disease?
Did you know
that sugar disrupts your hormonal system, which is in charge of most functions
and systems in your body? Never mind the havoc that it creates on your
emotions.
Did you know
that disrupted hormones contribute to bad PMS, skin breakouts, weight gain,
aggression, irritation, exhaustion and short temper?
Did you know
that Candida overgrowth increases with sugar consumption?
What is the SUGAR
ADDICTION CYCLE?
*The sugar
in your blood spikes.
*Then you
feel good, have energy, speak more than usual, feel confident and have a
wonderful time.
*The downer
sets in. You feel emotional, tantrums start manifesting, you become demanding.
*Exhaustion
sets in, short temper and irritation sets in, a feeling of being “hung over”.
*You need
more sugar to feel good and capable again.
A must read
is a book called “Sugar Shock” by Connie Bennet. It is such an eye opener and
you will be able to identify with it in more than one way.
Cinnamon is
warming, comforting and a natural sweetener. Cinnamon is my favourite spice,
and is not just made for pancakes and Christmas! It can kick a punch in many
areas of the body. The oil can be a very potent oil, so use it wisely.
What can
cinnamon oil do for you?
*Anti-inflammatory,
eases joint pains
*Anti-microbial
*Cleansing
*Helps with
neurological disorders
*Helps to
regulate blood sugar levels
*Fights
parasites
*Stimulates
the immune system
*Alleviates
menstrual cramps
*Helps with
blood circulation
*Warms the
body
*Natural
acne treatment
*Natural
aphrodisiac
A had a
Russian friend in a previous town where we stayed who taught me to drink
Cinnamon tea. You place cinnamon sticks in a flask and then cover it with
boiling water. You then enjoy it a few hours later. Now I have tweaked it a
bit. I use 2 Rooibos tea bags with 2 cinnamon sticks in a litre flask. Let
everything infuse and steep for at least 2 hours. Enjoy a quarter to half a cup
every now and again. If you have too much at a time, it can dry out your mucous
membranes. You won’t believe how sweet it tastes!!
Sugar is
addictive, and advertising campaigns are fuel on an existing fire. Break the
cycle and don’t let sugar break you. In my next blog, I will be helping you to
transition to a sweeter life, without sugar.
If you would
like to order my favourite essential oil, you can go to my Ancient Biblical
Oils link:
Ancientbiblicaloils.co.za?ref=lizellecillie
AIM’s
GlucoChrom helps to support healthy blood sugar levels. This is a unique
combination of chromium, bitter melon etc, to alleviate fatigue, irritability
and cravings. These natural ingredients make cells more receptive to insulin
improving the overall processing of insulin.
AIM’s
Barleylife, Just Carrots and Redibeets are all-natural plant powder
concentrates packed with enzymes, essential amino acids, anti-inflammatory
support, immune boosting to give you a good foundation, especially when
transitioning to a healthier lifestyle.
You can
order the above AIM products from my AIM store here:
www.myaimstore.com/healthamplified
If you would
like to ask me any questions, need advice, would like to book a consultation
privately or online, you are welcome to send me an email at healthamplified@outlook.com
Many
blessings.
Lizelle
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