Kicking Sugar to the Curb

Kick Your Sugar Cravings to the Curb

As a sugar addict, I felt completely broken. But I couldn't resist reaching for a cookie or a chocolate bar, even if I knew it was not good for me.

When I learned about how destructive sugar is to our cells and energy levels, I made the choice to kick it to the curb. My days of riding the sugar addiction roller coaster are over and I’m here to support you in ending yours as well.

Because I know that liberating feeling of not having to rely on something external to make you feel good.

People may not realize the damage sugar causes and the importance of giving up sugar. We may have to get the desire to give up sugar to want to give up sugar. I teach them how to break up with sugar without feeling lost or deprived (which is the worst feeling). Believe it or not, it is possible.

The key to overcoming sugar addiction is to address the root of the issue so that you can be truly free from sugar cravings. I'll help you have more energy and achieve your goals by helping you end the madness of sugar addiction.

There's no need to run to Starbucks hoping they don't run out of Frappuccinos or hoping there's one more M&M in the bag. Maybe you're a sugar lover and eat goji berries covered in chocolate? Yummy. But, sugar is sugar.

Sugar leads to sickness, and it ages you well beyond your years. In an acidic environment, cells cannot thrive, and sugar creates one. A recent study even showed that sugar lights up the same brain areas as cocaine, causing you to glow and be happy. It feeds bad bacteria in your body and throws off the delicate symbiosis that keeps you healthy. It destroys our brains and is highly addictive.

Sugar depletes the body of energy and causes weight gain or extreme weight loss due to malabsorption. If you have digestive issues like acid reflux or candida overgrowth (imbalanced gut bacteria), then sugar is likely to be the cause.

As soon as my body craves sugar, I know I'm out of balance. Sugar is a sign of deeper nutritional deficiencies, but it can never make up for these deficiencies. Listen you are not giving in or giving up - you are taking control. What you choose is up to you but this is your rules and you are the one making them up!

Let Jesus be your guide as you map out the way!

Sugar started for me by asking what I need to change to be a better person. The response I got back was that I needed to take care of myself and be a better version of myself. That journey began with changing my health and how I lived each day. It has been a long and difficult road, but it has been the best decision to empower me to be a better me. I feel more confident. I look better than I have without belly fat. I can honestly say I did this and know that I worked hard to get here. The battle is to keep going and not give up with the results.

Did you know that sugar is a toxin? Too much glucose in the blood leads to digestive issues, blood sugar imbalances, fatigue, and even diabetes.

When sugar is NOT depleting your beautiful body, you’ll experience:

• Glowing skin

• Less bloat

• Better sleep

• Improved sex drive

• No more bags under the eyes

• Stabilized blood sugar – which means fewer cravings

• Weight loss

• Less cellulite - fewer toxins in the body

Are you ready to get started?

We have arrived to the point where we no longer have to say goodbye to trips to Starbucks with their 500+ calorie drinks or their sugar-laden "healthy smoothies."

We are Enough!

Hi there!

My name is Julie Spears and I am with you for the week. My sugar driver started as a kidney disease coach but I did not look at sugar as the same. It was not until through stress and my own journey of grief that disease started that ignited the desire to change. Years of failure to years of success - I did this and so can you! We hold the desire within each of us. What is that for you?

The grief is the driver. Picking up to survive grief is the needle mover. If I have to live I do not want to live in more pain than necessary.

I work with fellow grievers to find joy again in life by who they were meant to be - sugar destroys who we are - sugar frazzles our gut which attacks the brain which goes against what we are fighting for.

Before we start this journey, here are some cold hard facts:

Do you know just how much sugar that yummy Starbucks drink contains?

A Grande Caramel Brulee Latte has 52 grams of sugar and a whopping 430 calories.

The Frappuccino version contains 63 grams of sugar and 410 calories.

A Venti contains 82 grams of sugar and 510 calories.

Take a look at the next soad you see in the store. Look at fruit juice.

Every. thing. every thing that we pick up almost has sugar. Test yourself.

OH NO, right?

SUGAR IS EVERYWHERE

Sugar occurs naturally in nearly all foods. When in its most natural state, for example honey or maple syrup, it contains enzymes, vitamins and minerals.

But refined sugar depletes the body of its minerals and enzymes and creates an acidic environment leading to digestive problems, sinus congestion, cellulite, headaches, mucus in the stool, and allergies. Sugar causes belly bloat. Sugar steals your thunder!

When we consume refined sugar, it has a negative impact on our blood sugar, which leads to irritability, anxiety, wrinkles, poor sleep, hormonal imbalance and can also lead to more serious health problems.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

In addition to feeding inflammation in the cells and suppressing immunity, sugar can also:

• Increase the risk of cancer

• Lead to gastrointestinal problems

• Cause reactive hypoglycemia

• Interfere with your absorption of protein

• Cause food allergies

• Hamper weight loss

• Increase cholesterol

• Accelerate the aging process

• Increase anxiety and make you moody

• Complicate ADD, ADHD, and spectrum-related issues

• Weaken eyesight

Here are some of the ways I add sweetness to my life instead of consuming sugar:

• Meditation

• PRAYER

• Exercise

• Dancing to music

• Calling a best friend

• Taking a walk

• Taking a bath or sauna

• Play my Playlist to empower

• Hugging somebody I love

• Getting a massage

My favorite naturally sweet recipes that won’t throw you off balance:

The Best Protein Balls

1 cup cashews

1 cup protein powder

1/4 cup cacao powder, plus extra for dusting

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons coconut oil

5 tablespoons honey

1/2 cup light coconut milk

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup coconut flakes, plus more for coating

Blend all ingredients, then form into balls and roll in coconut and raw cacao powder.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

2 ripe avocados

1/2 cup almond milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)

3 tablespoons raw honey

2 tablespoons coconut oil

¼ dropper peppermint extract or peppermint essential oil (2 drops)

2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped or shaved

*Peppermint extracts may vary by brand, so be sure to start off with a smaller amount of extract and adjust to your taste.

Throw all ingredients, except the chocolate, into a high powered blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape down the blender container, as necessary until smooth. Mix the chocolate chunks in by hand and place in the fridge or freezer to chill for at least an hour before indulging.

Banana Coconut Chia Pudding

Makes 2 servings

1 ripe banana, mashed

1 cup dairy free milk

1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

2 tablespoons chia seeds

½ teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Mix the ingredients. Place ingredients in a sealed container. Shake well. Place in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours or overnight.

Chocolate Mousse

Makes 2 servings

1 avocado, mashed

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

2 tablespoons chia seeds

1 cup dairy free milk

1 tablespoon maple syrup or another sweetener (optional)

*You can use stevia instead of maple syrup

Mix all ingredients together in a blender or food processor until smooth, let sit for 15 minutes in the refrigerator, then serve.

READY TO DITCH THOSE CRAVINGS FOR GOOD?

Take time to think about how sugar affects your body. I reach for sugar when I’m not putting myself first and when I’m nutritionally depleted. Sugar cravings tend to get really bad when I’m over-tired and not making enough time for self-care. What is it you're looking for when it comes to your health?

• How do you feel about the topic of sugar?

• Have you ever felt like you mastered the sugar addiction?

• Did you realize sugar was a controlling health burden addiction?

• What is your desire for change?

• You’re doing a good job. Write that down.

You are here and that is huge. Your journey alone has been a challenge and you take a second to stop for you is not always easy. Welcome to the start of change and that is awareness. We can hear what is needed but taking action is the start.

You here, today, is a start that deserves a high five. We start when we wake up. Take account of how you are waking up. What does that first step look like, What are those first thoughts?

It's not just what we eat that nourishes us, but also what we digest emotionally and spiritually. When we clean up our diet and rid ourselves of sugary foods that drag us down, we make space for more positive intentions. We can start to imagine how we want to feel, and the results this will bring to our lives. For example, if we want to feel more energetic, we can fuel our bodies with nutrient-rich foods that will give us sustained energy throughout the day. If we want to feel more connected to our intuition, we can eat foods that promote clarity and peace of mind. And if we want to manifest more abundance in our lives, we can photosynthesize those intentions by eating plenty of leafy greens. When we decide to change our eating habits for the better, we open up a world of possibilities for who we can become.

Regardless of your goals, cutting out sugar is a powerful way to take control of your health and start setting the intention of who you want to be. When you cut out sugar, you are not only choosing to fuel your body in a healthier way, but you are also making a commitment to yourself to become the best version of yourself. So start today by setting the intention of who you want to be and choosing foods that will help you get there.

Get you a fight song!

Mine lately has been Fill My Cup Lord!

What is your song to fight through the week!

Let’s do this!