The Cup Of T

Category: Lifestyle

  • The Truth About Becoming A Mom

    The Truth About Becoming A Mom

    Twins. We were expecting twins. Oh my, what an overwhelming feeling of joy. I remember being so over the moon I couldn’t stop smiling for days. Our dream was coming true, and instead of one baby, we were having two. And so the journey began towards becoming a mom. 

    Being an overthinker, perfectionist, and total control freak, I did a lot of reading, learning, planning, and preparing. But as it turns out, nobody can truly be ready for motherhood. You can read all you want, take online courses, and workshops, or talk to friends who have children. The truth is, the only person who will teach you how to be a mother is your child. 

    The Story

    My pregnancy was smooth and healthy, but delivery and postpartum were hard. Having twins was the most divine blessing, and yet the hardest journey of my life. I always knew motherhood was underrated, but not as much. I started to admire my mom even more than I ever did. I saw her differently. She was this superhero who was never under the spotlight. How could I make her feel more appreciated? Loved? Adored? Idolized? How can I ever be thankful enough? At this point, I could do anything to make her happy. 

    And yet, I was still the one who needed her. I was in pain, exhausted, worried, sleepless, and I needed her support, her strength, her wisdom, her love, and her light. And so she carried me, again, as she always did. She shared my sleepless nights, my worries, and my rock-bottom moments. How can someone be so strong? How does she do it? Well, it’s because she’s my mama. I found the answer in my daughters. I’m simply their mama, and that’s enough for my body and mind to be constantly entirely present for them. 

    Nevertheless, there is a price that comes with that strength. There are things a mother goes through that are rarely discussed and that nobody prepares you for. It’s not all happy Instagram moments, fit mamas who look like they’re getting full nights of sleep, and who apparently have time to put on makeup every morning. We are so bullied by an online illusion of motherhood, that when we start to struggle, we think we’re definitely doing something wrong.

    You feel disappointed in yourself. I personally felt horrible for needing help, up until I discussed with a friend her similar struggle, and there I was, listening to my own thoughts through someone else’s words. That felt reassuring. It meant the rollercoaster of emotions I was experiencing was valid, and I wasn’t so bad a mom after all. Whether you relate to what I’m saying or are curious to know more, I hope that by the end of this post, you feel understood.  

    The Rollercoaster

    You think you’re failing 

    Why can’t I feel in control? I thought I was ready for this. I got them everything they need, so why on earth is it so challenging? Why are they crying so much? Why aren’t they sleeping well? Why aren’t they eating well? How on earth did they catch this virus? Why did they get this rash? I thought I was being careful!

    You think you’re doing something wrong, but in fact, it’s just how babies are, especially during the first few months. Crying is how they communicate their needs, and they’re going to get that flu whether we like it or not. I remember crying the first time I saw my tiny babies wheezing and struggling to breathe. What I’m trying to say is: You are not failing. You’re actually doing an amazing job tending to those needs every hour of the day. You are there for them, and that’s what matters. 

    Are you doing things right?

    Methods, sleep consultants, baby diets, etc. Everywhere you look or don’t even mean to look, you’re bombarded with information, do’s, don’ts, and “correct” ways of caring for your babies. Sleep training, crying it out, soothing them to sleep, or holding them to sleep? What about solids? Do I go for a traditional introduction to solids through purees, or adopt the new baby-lead weaning method? Maybe it’s best I take that paid online course so that I don’t mess things up. And of course, let’s not forget some online mom influencers who share with the world their easy flawless pregnancy-through-delivery journeys and their expertise in perfectly taking care of babies.

    I felt tired from all that noise, which made me shut off completely any input I was receiving. I turned to my babies, listened to what they wanted, and took things step by step, giving them time to accept changes, while I discovered their likes and dislikes. I learned that there are no rights or wrongs. I mean unless you’re putting your child in danger or mistreating them, which you’re not, right? Cool.   

    Your body betrays you

    After nine months of pregnancy and then going through delivery, your body needs a break. The thing is, there’s no time for a break. The post-delivery phase is actually experienced differently among women. Some may feel good, some struggle a bit, and some others are in for a rollercoaster ride. Yeah, I was part of group number 3. 

    There was this feeling of nothingness when it comes to me, and a feeling of wholeness when it comes to them. It’s like you feel totally stripped of everything and can’t find it in you to look after yourself. You are too concerned about their needs, their moods, and their feelings. Even when they’re totally fine, you want to be there for them, which makes you less there for yourself. And regardless of how much everyone keeps telling you to take care of yourself, it seems like the most impossible thing in the world right now. “It’s not the time, I’ll do that later”, I’ll take my vitamins in a bit”, I’ll have lunch later on, or I’ll take a shower when everyone’s asleep”. And then when everyone’s asleep, you pass out on the couch. 

    You’re moody & emotional

    Blame it on the hormones. Right? But is it just that? They’re major contributors to your sharp mood swings, but so are many other reasons. Hello? Sleep deprivation? I never imagined sleep deprivation could affect people so much. Lack of sleep actually causes moodiness, clumsiness, forgetfulness, demotivation, lack of ability to focus, and decreased mental stability. What I felt was beyond “tired”. I far exceeded my limit of physical endurance and there were no words to explain what I was actually experiencing. It was a mix of pain, heaviness, and weakness. 

    I was distraught because I felt like I lost all control over my life and didn’t know how I was ever going to get it back. I used to cry and couldn’t explain why. As it turned out, this was a direct consequence of my lack of sleep. It did cross my mind, but I felt bad because after all, intense sleep deprivation is something that all new parents deal with. So I became hard on myself, pushing myself beyond my emotional and physical abilities in order to get a grip, be in control, and manage the situation. However, I was losing myself in the process and no longer recognized myself. 

    You don’t recognize yourself 

    Most mornings, I felt exhausted and thought to myself: I can’t go through the day. I just can’t. But I did, and in the evening I used to look at them sleeping and think: I did it. I felt proud of myself and this encouraged me to try to find my sense of normality again. So I started saying yes to outings and went back to work, only to realize it wasn’t the same. I wasn’t the same. And this new version of me wasn’t ready. I didn’t recognize myself physically because I had lost so much weight (yes, this exists), that I wasn’t comfortable dressing up anymore. Mom jeans to the rescue, sweatpants, and big sweatshirts, which basically meant I wanted to stay home. 

    Even emotionally, I was irritated, edgy, and felt down most of the time. I didn’t recognize myself but was trying to find my peace. The worst part is when some people don’t understand what you’re going through so you feel like you always need to explain yourself. I hate to break this to you, but you will be judged for the person you become at your lowest. With time you learn to disregard comments, avoid some interactions, and dismiss any thoughts that cost you your peace. 

    Conclusion

    I feel you mamas, and I hope you are all experiencing the best of motherhood. But whenever you feel lonely, remember you are your baby’s whole world. How amazing it is to have someone love you this much. Notice the sparkle in their eyes when they look at you, their laughter when you play with them, their calmness when you hold them, and their smile when you cuddle. This is what keeps me going. Their happiness, well-being, and love are my motivation, my strength, and my whole life. 

    What I’m trying to say is that if you feel it’s hard, it’s because it is hard. It’s not because you are failing. Mothers, expecting mothers, and women trying to conceive should know that what our bodies and minds go through is extraordinary. So take all the help you can get, acknowledge your feelings, and give yourself the time you need to get back on track, however long that is. Be proud of yourself, and know that you are never alone. There are always women and mamas out there feeling lonely, judged, questioning themselves, doubting their judgments, and feeling like they can’t do this. Reach out, talk to someone you trust, and if you’re not well-surrounded, search for mama communities online that would hear you out and support you. Who thought I would be part of a “moms of twins and multiples” group? Today, I proudly wear that badge.

    Happy Mother’s Day to all you super mamas out there. 

  • Spiders Are Out!

    Spiders Are Out!

    I hate spiders. Can’t stand them, can’t look at them, let alone have them in my house! But let’s face it, they exist and we’ll probably encounter them every once in a while. I usually spray my house with pesticides at the beginning of summer but realized that it worked on all insects except spiders (They’re actually “arachnids” not insects, go figure). So, I thought I should make my house a very unappealing place for them, by knowing what attracts them in the first place. Here are a few tricks I found very easy and useful to get rid of those intruders.

    1. DIY Spider Repellent

    I put this mixture to the test and can honestly say it works like a charm! All you have to do is put 2 cups of water in a spraying bottle, add to it 1/2 tsp of washing soap powder or liquid, and 10 to 15 drops of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, or Citrus oil. Spiders hate their smell the most.

    Shake the bottle and spray the mixture directly on cobwebs, around the house entrances and windows, and most importantly on your plants! I sprayed it on my balcony plants and you won’t believe the result! So many tiny spiders suddenly started coming down the leaves. Shoo! It was creepy but satisfying to watch. Ever since I do this once a week, and sometimes use it to wipe the dust off around the house. I mean, it’s a spider repellent, with soap and a very pleasant aroma. Need I say more? Just remember it contains drops of oil so don’t use it on cloth furniture. Use it on wipeable surfaces.

    2. White Vinegar

    I already use white vinegar to clean surfaces around the house. Turns out it can also serve as organic pest control! The acetic acid it contains gives a sour odor that spiders are highly sensitive to. Mix equal portions of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and spray around. But be careful, there are some surfaces that you shouldn’t use vinegar on. Here are a few:

    • Granite, marble, and quartz countertops. Acids make natural stones lose their shine.
    • Stone floor tiles. Natural stones don’t do well under acidic cleaners like vinegar and lemon.
    • Wood surfaces. It leaves watermarks and the acid might damage some wood finishes.

    3. Organize Your Home

    Do not give spiders a reason to stick around! Since they like dark, dusty, and cluttered spaces, keep your floors clear, organize your belongings neatly, and seal your storage areas perfectly. You also need to dust and vacuum often. They seek out sheltered places like woodpiles or leaves, and from there find ways into your home. I recently removed a pile of leaves on the terrace outside my kitchen and cleared the area out. A number of them ran out of their hiding place. Bottom line, the cleaner your house and outdoors, the fewer reasons you give spiders to stick around.

    4. Cut Their Food Source

    This comes in the form of other pests. For example, if you have a bad smell issue due to piping problems, you will see flies or other pests flying around. Fix such problems as soon as you can to avoid inviting spiders in. Several bugs are attracted to damp areas and moisture, hence the perfect hunting grounds for spiders in search of food. I cannot stress this enough, the cleaner and dryer your home, the fewer pests, the fewer spiders.

    5. Keep Them Out

    Try and keep them out in the first place. I know spiders can get in through anything, but you should simply do your part of the deal by making sure your house is sealed. Fix any openings, cracks, broken pipes, or holes spiders might be using to get inside.

    There are plenty of ways to get rid of spiders, but I found those ideas to be pretty simple and effective. And if once in a while I find one of those creatures lurking around, I can always call out my husband for help, or use the broom in case he was not around and I really really had no other choice.

    Voila! I would love to hear your feedback, and let me know what other tricks you have tried!

  • Drink Your Water! 6 Steps to Increase your Water Intake

    Drink Your Water! 6 Steps to Increase your Water Intake

    You probably heard it a million times but simply can’t get yourself to drink more water. I’m not a big fan of water in general. Spare me the looks, you haven’t heard it all yet! I hate being cold, wet and dislike drinking cold water (unless it’s really hot out there). I’m more of an earth person who rushes to get dry after a shower, dreads first pool dips, and loves hot beverages. I also forget to drink because I’m an anxious person who usually prioritizes finishing my to-do list before giving myself time to eat or drink. So there were days when I literally had way less than 1 Liter of water/day. There you go. Phew.

    Needless to say, I learned the hard way that I HAD to change. This post is for those who know they should drink more but find it hard to do so.

    I’m sharing with you the red flags that made me start drinking acceptable amounts of water, how I did it, and what I learned along the way.

    My Symptoms

    Extreme Fatigue

    I felt SO tired and didn’t know why. I later learned that not drinking enough water makes your body lose fluids, which decreases the volume of blood. This puts pressure on the heart because it has to work harder to deliver oxygen to organs and muscles. As a result, I felt tired and had low energy levels because my body was doing its best to function without enough water.

    Poor Skin Health

    My skin was dry and dull, I had dark under-eye circles, and I noticed some fine lines that, I swear, were never there before! The lack of water causes the skin to lose its plumpness and elasticity. Water also helps reducing acne by flushing harmful toxins from the body (that sounds so satisfying). You can use hydrating creams and skin treatments all you want, but drinking more water achieves better results and gives you a fresher appearance.

    Sugar Cravings

    My oh my! I used to crave sugar ALL the time! I wrote an article about how I overcame that as well. No matter how full I was feeling, there was always a place for desserts and sweet snacks. The truth is that dehydrating your body interferes with its ability to reach stored glucose for energy. That is why start craving food high in sugar and carbohydrates. So next time you experience sugar cravings or sudden hunger, drink more water to rehydrate your body!

    Decreased Urination

    It’s pretty simple. Low water intake makes the kidneys retain as much fluid as possible to maintain their function. This means less urination and darker urine with a stronger odor. Those are mega-huge red flags because you face the risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI) because your body isn’t flushing out toxins and bacteria. Ouch! You really don’t want to go there.

    How I Increased My Water Intake

    1. Set A Daily Goal

    My doctor advised me to drink 8 cups (2 Liters) of water/day. Tell me about impossible goals! However, I eventually got there! And let me tell you, I do feel different. Setting a daily goal motivates you to do your best to reach it. I use half a liter reusable bottle that I refill 4 times a day as soon as it’s empty. This makes it easier to track my intake and makes it look more like something I could drink. It’s working pretty well so far. Do whatever is easier for you, whether it’s putting those 2-liter bottles in front of you, using 0.5-liter bottles, or drinking by cups.

    2. First Thing In The Morning

    Drink 1 cup of water as soon as you get out of bed. As simple as it might seem, it was super hard for me at first. My doctor’s advice was to drink 1 liter before noon, so I trained myself to drink my first 0.5-liter bottle while getting dressed, and another 0.5-liter bottle throughout the morning while getting things done. Now that your first liter is done, it’s easier to drink the remaining one during the rest of the day.

    3. Log your progress

    There are many mobile apps you can download that send you reminders and keep track of your progress. The satisfaction you feel when you log your progress or reach your goal is amazing and it will motivate you to keep at it! I personally used my sports watch at first, to log the number of cups I drank. Then stopped using it when it became easier for me to drink using my 0.5-liter bottle.

    4. Infusions

    There are plenty of tea flavors and herbal infusions that help your body get rid of toxins, not to mention their soothing effect. So have a cup or two a day and log them as part of your water intake! It’s a win-win situation. Who needs a boring cup of water when you can have a warm, exotic, cozy cup of herbal delight instead?

    You can also add flavor to your water by adding fruit like strawberries and lemon, veggies like cucumber and celery, or herbs like basil and mint. It’s a refreshing idea, especially during summer! As long as it’s healthy fluids, drink up. Easy on juices though they’re loaded with sugar!

    5. Exercise

    I rarely exercised. I used to start a routine and then quickly lose motivation. However, I recently started exercising regularly with the help of an amazing coach and plan on sticking to it! Exercising makes you thirsty and you’ll end up easily drinking a good amount of water.

    6. Drink Water After Bathroom Breaks

    I learned this habit a long time ago and find it actually very smart. Think of it this way: Every time you flush toxins out of your body, refuel with water to keep that toxin-cleaning process going and keep your body hydrated. The more water you drink, the more you’ll have to go to the bathroom, the more your body will thank you for it. Making this a habit easily contributes to your goal!

    It wasn’t easy. There were days when I forced myself to finish a cup and days when I couldn’t reach my goal. Drinking 2 liters of water a day became a new healthy habit with time and persistence. So you have to keep at it. Give yourself time to slowly increase your intake and soon you will notice that your body will start asking for more water.

    Salud!

    xoxo

  • Planning On Getting Married? 8 Things To Expect

    Planning On Getting Married? 8 Things To Expect

    Are you planning your wedding? Or have you just gotten married? Then I feel like sharing with you some of the things you might experience in your first year of marriage. I’ve written this right after our 1st anniversary and feel like sharing it today because as much as you think you know, there are things you learn first hand. One would think how hard could it be right? It’s not hard, it’s just different. While I was still savoring the post-wedding hype, the honeymoon, and the adrenaline rush of a new adventure with my partner in crime, I found myself facing a new reality. It’s a beautiful reality, but one that requires you to adapt. Here are 8 things to expect:

    1. A Rollercoaster Of Emotions

    You might feel super emotional during the first period. There are days when you’ll feel super excited, especially that you’ll be busy preparing the home you imagined. You will also be adapting to a new routine which will definitely take your mind off everything else. On other days, you will miss your old house, your old routine, and your family if they live far. On those days, hang in there. You will soon find your balance.

    2. Rough Return to Reality

    The wedding hype makes it hard to detach yourself from the wedding phase. You will not get enough of going through your wedding and honeymoon pictures, clinging to those happy times that you do not want to let go of. I must say considering a wedding to be the most beautiful day of one’s life is overrated. This is the reason why people stress so much about it and also have a hard time moving past it. Unintentionally, you will feel that the best time of your life is over. The truth is: Every milestone in life is a happy one because each brings with it new elements. A wedding is simply the launch of a new milestone. You will eventually let go when you accept that other adventures lie ahead!

    3. You Will Get Used to Discussing Your Finances

    Getting used to having common finances and possessions is new. It’s during your first year of marriage that you will start making significant purchases as a couple. This means finding common ground between your respective likes, dislikes, and different perspectives. For example, if one partner already has a place, it may be hard for the other to consider this house/apartment their own until they purchase new additions to it. This way, they feel they have contributed to this now common property. This is an important bond you’re creating. Buying a living room, a dining table or other items you will both use gives you the opportunity to take into consideration each other’s taste, enhances your ability to find common ground, and learn to compromise.

    4. You Will Fight, And Will Learn How to Avoid it.

    Each of you is used to a certain lifestyle with habits that you find nothing wrong with. Whether it’s the habit of telling your friends and family everything, having them drop by unannounced, rsvp-ing to a gathering without talking to your partner, spending more time with your loved ones than theirs, and other examples. Most people will avoid discussing those issues, considering it’s no big deal. However, bottled-up feelings eventually explode into a fight. Remember you both form a team, so both opinions count. Also, I cannot stress this enough: Sharing your thoughts and feelings with each other helps you understand each other better and act accordingly. This will avoid misunderstandings and facilitate decision-making!

    5. You’ll Realize It’s Never 50/50

    We all think the perfect scenario calls for the division of tasks. But will it always be so? No, and it’s okay! There are days when either of you have had a super long day, don’t feel well, or are simply busy. The other will have to carry out what needs to be done out of sharing responsibility. Keeping track of who did what is like building up the next argument. Be more concerned with what you give rather than what you’re getting out of it. The best approach is to keep it simple and outgoing, meaning whoever of you is free to check a task off the list, do it. You will both appreciate each other’s efforts and this will create balance and harmony within your household.

    6. You Learn

    The first years of marriage teach you things you had no experience with and will make you grow on a personal level. I learned to express my feelings more, became obsessed with organizing, became more knowledgeable regarding healthy habits (it’s now my thing), and learned to kill insects (because I just can’t ask my husband every time). You also learn new skills because hey, you have to know it all. You also learn through the experiences, the hardships, the good times, the losses, and the challenges. But above all, marriage reveals a new side of love. It teaches you that in order to love your partner, you should first love who you are and always yearn to become a better version of yourself. I believe one should always work on improving him/herself for their own sake. As a matter of fact, you will know they’re the “one” if they push you forward no matter what.

    7. You’ll Appreciate Relationships in Your Life

    YOU WILL APPRECIATE YOUR PARENTS MORE. Some days I think: How on earth did they do that?! They make everything look so easy! I respect them so much for that, and for the sense of safety and carefreeness they gave us. Until you become independent, you will not truly understand what they went through. You will also appreciate your friends more. Life gets busy and you will live farther apart. Make the time to see them, go out, check on them, be there no matter the circumstances. Your friends eventually become your spouse’s friends too. But remember, your friends need your undivided attention sometimes and you need your quality time with them so don’t compromise this.

    8. A New Meaning For Happiness

    I will always feel happy partying, traveling, going out, achieving something, etc. and promised myself I will not allow myself nor my partner to lose the fun side of our relationship. I honestly believe it’s up to you to decide what changes and to what extent. Things change because there are suddenly new responsibilities to tend to. I mean, believe me, there are days when you just want to crash on the sofa and stare at the wall. But despite that, you will find new sources of happiness you may not have considered before. Afternoon coffee on the balcony, caring for your plants, cooking together, family gatherings, date nights, and the list goes on. Bottom line, your perspectives change, but it can still be exciting.

    Enjoy and embrace your first years of marriage with their ups and downs. The worst that could happen will be an opportunity to learn and do better. There is no right or wrong. You both put the boundaries, goals, and plans together. As long as you love and value each other, respect each other’s opinions, personal space, families, relationships, and each other, you’re going to be more than just fine.

    Take the leap!

    xoxo

  • Clueless In My Kitchen – 6 Tips To Get You Motivated

    Clueless In My Kitchen – 6 Tips To Get You Motivated

    (Haha “My” Kitchen) If only my younger self knew. One of the main challenges I faced when I got married was beginning to cook. The first couple of weeks, my parents and in-laws spoiled us with our share of lunches, snacks, dinners, etc. One day, I felt famished and realized if I don’t step into my kitchen and prepare something to eat, we weren’t going to eat at all! Regardless of the delicious meals we gratefully get from our families, I wasn’t always going to depend on them right? But as much as I felt like preparing all the best recipes out there, I also thought it was going to be very difficult. I was clueless in my kitchen! I mean I never really cooked anything all by myself, but I chose to turn that into motivation as I refused to maintain that status. And so it began! If you want to start preparing your own meals, here are 5 tips to get you motivated.

    Choose Your Motivation

    If you are anything like me, I advise you to start with something your family loves. Preparing something that will make them happy is a HUGE motivator to get in there and do your very best! The first meals I prepared were actually my husband’s favorites: “Kebbe bl Saniyeh” (Lebanese dish that consists of minced lamb meat mixed with Bulgur and spices, spread in a tray), and “Kousa Mehshe” (Zucchini stuffed with rice, tomato, and minced meat). Also, the first cake I made was my family’s favorite: Double chocolate cake. And they were a big success because they were made with lots of love and anticipation!  

    Find Some Inspiration

    Follow cooking pages online especially on Instagram where you can find pages that you relate to based on the cooking style you want. There are plenty to choose from: different cooking styles, chefs, dietitians, healthy living, as well as cooking enthusiasts that share awesome recipes. The short step-by-step recipe videos, as well as all the healthy recommendations out there, inspired me and I immediately felt like trying things I’ve never prepared before! 

    Try Familiar Recipes

    The best gift I ever received is my remarkable grandma’s recipes notebook. In addition to its emotional value, it includes recipes and tastes that I absolutely love and am familiar with. The same goes for my amazing mom’s cooking. I always ask her for recipes and ask a ton of questions every time I try one. It felt so good to find the same taste and smell of my mom’s cooking in the dishes I prepared. It actually smells like hugs and good memories. This honestly gave me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction because, to me, I learned from the best.

    Go Easy On Yourself

    There are days when the last thing you feel like doing is step into your kitchen. Sometimes you’re just too tired to make a healthy meal that takes forever to prepare. It’s totally fine. If like me you try your best to cook and eat healthily, don’t be too hard on yourself. On days like this, simply prepare some pasta (carbs to the rescue) or get that pizza out of the freezer. You can also pass by your parents, your in-laws, see what’s cooking, or just order some delivery. Give yourself a break and you’ll feel more motivated sooner or later.

    The Magic Freezer

    I SO underestimated freezers. Let me just say I discovered it takes a LOT of work off your back! You can freeze anything. This includes chopped fruit and vegetables, raw or cooked meat, herbs, stock, pizzas, desserts, etc. The list is long and I will definitely elaborate on those in a separate post later on. Meanwhile, what you need to know is that stacking up your freezer helps you save time when cooking. Instead of spending so much time washing, chopping, and getting all your ingredients ready every time, you will simply defrost and cook. Knowing you have everything ready motivates you to get meals done. Also, as mentioned earlier, meals that are ready in your freezer are perfect for lazy days. Get that pizza out, that Kebbe tray, and those pancakes. Heat and eat!

    To sum things up, if I was capable to make it in my kitchen, you absolutely can! Hey, the worst that could happen is you burning lunch! Overcome your fear of kitchen fails by accepting that you WILL fail sometimes. God knows I did! Laugh it off, get your back up dish out of the freezer, and try again tomorrow. The only way we learn is by making mistakes. Now go have fun being as clueless in your kitchen as I still am in mine! (What? It’s a long learning process you know and I still got a lot to learn!) Let’s do this together and feel free to share with me your favorite motivation tips!

  • I Broke Up With Sugar – 6 Tips To Help You Do The Same

    I Broke Up With Sugar – 6 Tips To Help You Do The Same

    Now that the holidays are over, I think it’s an excellent time to set some health goals. I used to have a hopelessly sweet tooth. I still LOVE a good dessert, but I learned to balance my sugar intake because I simply decided one day that I wanted to lead a healthier lifestyle. So if like me you’re determined to control your sugar intake, this post is for you! Saying no to sugar is easier said than done, which is why I’m sharing with you the little changes I made that personally helped me ditch the horrible effects of sugar on my body. Here are some of those effects:

    • Feeling tired all the time.
    • Skin problems – acne around my mouth and chin.
    • Felt moody, irritable, and stressed out.
    • I sometimes couldn’t get a good night’s sleep.
    • Lost motivation to work out.

    It’s important I mention first that when we talk about too much sugar, we mean added sugar. The main difference between the two is simple: Processed sugar is added to food like white sugar, fructose, and corn syrup (there are so many others too), while natural sugar is naturally found in some food like dairy products, fruit, and vegetables.

    1. Cup of Tea, Sugar Free

    Don’t freak out. In fact, adding sugar to tea ruins the initial taste! I used to add 3 tsp of sugar to any kind of tea I was having. I gradually started decreasing the quantity to 1 tsp and eventually started drinking my tea with no sugar at all. It was only then that I realized how many tea flavors I was missing out on! If sometimes I feel like adding a sweetener, I throw in half a cinnamon stick which gives a naturally sweet taste, or 1/2 a tsp of honey. You can also add milk for the creamy feel. It’s all a matter of time until your taste buds get used to natural sweetness and will no longer ask for added sugars.

    2. Frothed Milk With Your Coffee

    Coffee is a bit harder for me to swallow without sugar. Although I already used to have my occasional coffee with milk, it was still hard for me to enjoy it without sugar. I later learned that it actually tastes sweeter when frothed! Nevertheless, I ended up reducing, even more, my coffee consumption because I didn’t feel excited about it anymore. I can live with that. I’m more of a tea and herbal infusions enthusiast but I suppose you already figured that one out.

    3. Chocolate? Go Dark!

    I’m a HUGE chocolate craver, but I always preferred dark chocolate. And, it’s much healthier! 100 grams of dark chocolate with more than 70% of cocoa contains iron, magnesium, and zinc. While some brands can contain up to 90% cocoa, I usually stick to 70% or 80% ones. The higher the cocoa content, the lower the sugar levels, and the less you need to satisfy your cocoa cravings. This way you will be reducing your sugar intake! Try it!

    4. Homemade Desserts

    I decided to limit my purchase of sweet snacks. This way when I crave something sweet, I have to prepare it myself or eat fruit instead of binging on unhealthy added sugars! I always search for low sugar recipes or add less than the amount indicated in one. Doing so, I enjoy homemade desserts guilt-free, because I know exactly what’s in there. When you prepare your desserts yourself, you control the quantity and kind of sugars you include. Furthermore, it can be super helpful in case you, a family member, or a friend coming over has food allergies or dietary restrictions. You avoid the risk of any allergic reactions, and everyone can enjoy a dessert baked with love!

    5. Watch Out For Hidden Sugars!

    Sugar is everywhere! There are hidden sugars in canned food, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, Teriyaki sauce, pizza sauce, Sriracha, salad dressings, crackers, chips, and granola bars to name a few. Added sugars are present in almost all ready-to-use products and we buy it because it’s convenient. However, many dressings can easily be homemade including ketchup, salad dressings, chocolate spreads, etc. Believe me, there are so many things you can prepare yourself and they don’t take time! I will share some ideas in later posts. If you really need to buy something ready-made, then make sure to read the nutritional facts label and choose the one with no “added sugars” or the least sugar quantity.

    6. Eat Fruits

    I admit I personally used to prefer dessert over any fruit up until I realized how bad the effects of sugar were on my health. Therefore, I started to eat more fruits instead. Doing so satisfies your sweet cravings with natural sugars instead of running after the unhealthy ones. Oh, and don’t replace whole fruits with juice, dried fruits, and smoothies because those contain higher levels of sugar and it’s more concentrated! For instance, one cup of orange juice consists of three medium oranges! Moderation is key. Let’s just say I make sure not to drink it very often. As for dried fruits, I save them for hiking trips or long rides when I need that extra energy boost.

    I hope this helps! I can honestly say I’m over my relationship with sugar. It was difficult at first but gradually became easier, so don’t be too hard on yourself. You will feel so much better when you control your consumption! But hey, I still enjoy every bit of my occasional Caramel Mocha and indulge in delicious desserts, but that just became less frequent. Let me know what you think, how it goes, and if you found other ways to avoid added sugar, share your ideas with me in the comments I would love to hear from you!