Yummy Experiments

Day 4 - and still no cravings - YAY!!! 😊👏🏾

My daughter, Aspen, and I went to Aldi’s this afternoon to pick up a few food items for her. It is the home of our “special chocolate,” which, of course, was on the shelf. I was able to point it out to her and not desire to share in it - that is PROGRESS (for me). She added a few more items to the cart & all I walked away with was some feta & sun-dried tomato basil cheeses.

Cheesecake is my dear, dear friend. It is welcome as my birthday cake, more so than any other type. There have been many videos on Vegan “cheese”cake made with cashews that I have desired to see if I could successfully duplicate ... well, today I did! - I am super proud that it tastes soooo good!

Here is a picture of it:

It is so creamy and delicious - and not “nutty” tasting at all. I am also excited about the crust - or my new homemade “fruit & nut” bar treats (in the spirit of a LaraBar).

Here is the crust - aka “Cutressa’s snack bar treat”

It may not look like much in the bowl - it is fresh out of the VitaMix - but it is Delicious!!

The true test will be once the “cashew” creme cake has set and the taste test. I will share the results tomorrow.

Today’s recording also mentions the yummy (now frozen) Fruit I prepped yesterday - so here is a picture of the pineapple chunks & grapes - YUM!!

Not even tempted ... Food Prep Day

Today was my 3rd artificial sugar-Free day - and I feel great! Everyone’s body is different - along with expectations. My expectation is for change! For my body, mind & desires to be different than they are today. Today my waistline is non-existent, brain fog is an altogether too familiar, yet unwelcomed fiend and my “sweet desires,” may not still be solely mine. How exciting that (some) tomorrow, the direct opposite of these current facts will be my Amazing Truth. My Expectation if that Truth is worth it - even if a small, temporary amount of displeasure - and even pain, are required. My mind is made up - it is empowering!

My daughter's candy haul.

I was not tempted by these little treats - YAY! That is a triumph. Usually, I would have asked her for a few pieces, just because I saw them. In and of itself, there is nothing wrong with this “ask,” yet because I am on my FREEFITFAB Quest - it felt tremendously empowering to see it and not have the desire to ask for any.

Instead, I enjoyed the God-approved sweetness of Granny Smith Apple and pineapple juice, delicious plump and seeded Red grapes - YUM!!! I chose to freeze some of the pineapple chunks, along with some of the grapes for future use in my special lemon-limeade.

Today was enjoyable - getting ready for many days to come. This journey is exciting! 

Here is today's audio 

So Far, So Good

It is day 2 of my FREE, FIT & FAB Quest - and, so far, so good! I feel great and have not felt the urge to consume a sugary treat. I experienced a slight bit of disappointment this evening as I prepared to order my favorite go-to veggie plate from Jake’s Soul Food Cafe (Hoover location). My default meal is the green beans (love those little potatoes), mac & cheese ..and, sweet potato casserole (YUM)!!! Regrettably, I had decline to follow through with my order after I confirmed that indeed brown sugar is in the mix 😩😳🤦🏽‍♀️. I wanted to order it anyway, yet, I resisted - it is only my 2nd day after all.

Just in case the withdrawals try to plague me - I am ready 😊

The excitement of the challenge still looms large and strong is my determination. My body, mind and ultimate future depends on my firm decisions of today.

Here is today’s recording

DO IT - even if a little afraid

OK, it is that time again - and I am SUPER EXCITED to BE, DO & Blog - Like Crazy! I knew this day would come, yet, even up until I awoke this morning, I still had not fully settled on my exact blogging path(s) [for this challenge]. There are some life, health, business/financial goals I am pursuing, yet I was unsure which one would be my #BlogLikeCrazy theme.

Finally, I made up my mind. Just as I DECIDED and Stopped eating meat. I DECIDED to stop consuming artificial sugar and ingredients I cannot pronounce. Despite Purposefully choosing healthier options - with the exception of the “great white, tempting, yet satisfyingly delicious devil” - I have gained a LOT of weight lately 🤦🏽‍♀️😩😱😬🙄.

This is how my midsection looks Today 😩😩😩

Yet, this is how I will look (some) Tomorrow - I WILL eventually look this way 😉

It is NOT merely for physicality that I desire this body - but for Overall FREEDOM, FITNESS and FABULOUS (ness)! The dangers of visceral fat are real - along with stress and general dissatisfaction with One’s present life. Thankfully, I am able to Decide and Make necessary changes.

For me it is ABC: At the Beginning Cleanse. Why put fresh delicious food on a filthy plate? To begin my Quest to My Ultimately Desired, Free Fit & Fab Body and LIFE - it is imperative to start Clean & Fresh - thus this journey...

I will chronicle my journey - the Highs, Lows and Whoas, that are bound to happen, as I FREE my Life from the evil, addictive clutches of artificial sugar.

All God made natural sugars are mine to enjoy and reach satiety.

Oh, I forgot to share my slight fear 😬😳... I am 99.99999% Happy, Friendly and Pleasant - although it is natural, it is also My Choice .. yet, as I set out on my Freedom Quest, I am very concerned, the grumps of withdrawal may slightly plague me and pleasing personality .. but, I am moving forward. IF I feel “less-than-stellar,” I will remove myself from people’s presence as much as possible to avoid possible catastrophe 😅.

I will also be recording my journey - so please listen along:

FREE FIT FAB Day 1