Healthy Days Ahead - Get Off Sugar

Diabetes runs in the paternal side of my family. My grandmother and great aunts have all passed away due to complications related to diabetes. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and avoid any and all foods that could compromise my health and longevity. (I want to be around to see grandbabies!)

Many of you know I decided to swear off sugar and processed foods when I was about five months into my fourth pregnancy. That was a year and a half ago and I'm still going strong. I am amazed how much better I feel, how keeping weight off is no longer a struggle and how clear-headed I've become about my food choices. I think taking the sugar out of my diet has fostered a better relationship with the food I eat. I've noticed I never over eat any more. My body has a much better sense of what it needs and when it's full.

I love healthy food. I love to make it, talk about it, and most of all — eat it! So, as the second blog on creating a healthy 2011, I offer my adaption of a healthy granola from a book called The Green Diet by Mary Jolley. Since I believe in making big batches, this one makes a lot more than you'll use in one day.

3 3/4 cup regular rolled oats

1/2 cup flax meal

1 cup chopped nuts (almonds or pecans are my favorites)

1 cup fruit-juice sweetened dried cranberries

3 teaspoons cinnamon

pinch of sea salt

3/4 unsweetened apple juice

6 Tablespoons agave

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking oil. 

Combine all dry ingredients together.

Mix all wet ingredients in a seperate bowl. Combine the dry and wet mixes and stir until well blended and moistened.

Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Stir. Bake mixture for an additional 10 minutes or until lightly toasted and golden brown.

While still warm, pour some into a bowl and enjoy with some milk. Mm..mm..mm...warm goodness.

Take remaining granola, once cooled, and store in an airtight container, preferably away from everyone else so there's plenty for you!

Just kidding.

Not really.

If you're worried about how to eliminate sugar and not be an ogre with your family or forbid your children from eating sugar...watch for future posts. Feel free to ask me questions about giving up sugar. I'm more than happy to answer.