Round 2: Day Twenty-seven - Day Thirty.

The end feels a bit anticlimactic due to a week long internet blackout after my computer quit on me. However, I have been keeping up with the project, despite the lack of updates.

The final verdict? The results aren't quite as dramatic as last year. This is probably due to the fact that I was much less stringent this round, for my own personal sanity. In round one, I had the motivation to be strict with my diet for the sake of the ending article. I refused to write about a project unless it was fully realized and the results untainted. But for this round, my only motivation was the improvement of my own health, which frankly, isn't as strong as my urge for chocolate. That being said, even with my Miracle Whip cheating and my mid-work candy slip ups, my health and well being has improved. I'm not a part of the super immune like last year, but it is much more possible for me to wake up in the morning and I certainly don't have the overall ickiness that all the junk food was causing me before [not eating potato chip sandwiches on a daily basis probably helped].

So, in ending, I feel as though I should share some of my favorite non-sugar sweets that have gotten me thru the past thirty days.

1. hot tea: usually green and fruity flavored, hot tea has been my best unsweetened indulgence. There really is something to be said for relaxing after dinner with a warm cup in hand...even if it means cranking up the AC to do it in the summer.

2. sugar-free french toast: I've heard many recipes for french toast over the years, some including sugar, some not. Personally, my own method has always been a simple egg + cinnamon mixture to soak the bread, topped with pancake syrup. This recipe on it's own would be project approved with the simple substitute of pure maple syrup for the sugar-laden pancake syrup. However, after deciding on a whim to include the last few drops in the bottle, I made the discovery that adding pure vanilla extract in the mix makes this breakfast even more delicious. I suggest you try it if you haven't.

3. agave nectar: in anything you'd normally put sugar in, really. Throughout the month, I used it in baked goods, and any recipe from my mother. [My mother uses sugar in everything.] It worked particularly well to sweeten deviled eggs while only adding to the creaminess of the texture [since it's liquid instead of granule].

and of course,

4. organic dark chocolate: I prefer 85% or higher, but in a pinch anything above 70% will do. Enjoy it a square at a time and pair it with your hot tea for a melt in your mouth experience.

Now the ultimate question: am I sticking with the project after the 30 days?

Last year, I was obsessed with the positive results and vowed to continue indefinitely [we see how long that lasted though, right]. This year, I made brownies on day 31 and had two for breakfast this morning. So, no, I'm not sticking to it. BUT I am going to keep moderation in mind. The beauty of this project is that it makes you realize the fact that giving up sugar isn't just about an issue of weight or too many cavities, it really does improve your whole well being. As someone who often indulges just because I can, it's good to keep in mind what kind of harm I'm doing to my body. I will continue to shop for organics, continue to try to pacify my sweet tooth with cups of tea, and continue to ask myself if dessert is really what I need...but I'll also enjoy my ability to have a brownie for breakfast when the occasion calls for it.

Round 2: Day Fourteen.

Currently Watching: Eco Trip Season1, Episode 1: Chocolate

It's quite an impressive little series, following the travels of David de Rothschild to find out what the impact certain aspects of daily living have on the environment. In this particular episode, the subject is chocolate. From the cacao farm to the chocolate factory, the environmental impact of all the main ingredients are covered. But what interested me most [other than the delicious shots of chocolate] was the coverage of sugar. Apparently, sugar causes more biodiversity loss than any other crop. No only that, but the drainage of water sources and massive amounts of chemical runoff from cane production is causing an ecosystem collapse in the Everglades. The episode even recommends buying chocolate sweetened with raw organic sugar or organic agave nectar to help prevent such damages to the environment.

Think perhaps I'm on to something?

Round 2: Day Four.

Day four was not exactly laden with healthy foods. After day three's slip up, the dessert cravings did return and I scrambled to my kitchen to find something to satisfy my sweet tooth without cheating. I settled for organic strawberry yogurt, and eventually an organic PB&J.

In case you haven't noticed, my salvation for this project is organic sugar. In round one, I deemed it allowable without reason and I continue to allow it in round two. However, deep down I know it's still cheating.

Unfortunately, in today's society EVERYTHING is sweetened. Unless you have the time and money to slave over a home cooked meal, there's really little you can do to cut out sweeteners entirely. The only way I've found to avoid refined sugar and corn syrup [sugar's evil twin] is to shop organic. But even us health nuts like things sweet. We did, after all, grow up in America where the largest fast food chain puts sugar in even their meat. So most organic foods are sweetened with 'organic raw sugar' or 'evaporated cane juice' which are basically two apples from the same tree. Occasionally you'll get lucky [and pay more] when a company sweetens with agave nectar.

Agave nectar is heaven sent for a health conscious sweet tooth. Not only is it almost twice as sweet as sugar, it also has no effects on the blood's glucose levels, making it safe for diabetics, and avoiding the sugar crash for the rest of us. But, as I said, this is a rare find in the grocery section [try Amy's Kitchen if you're interested though] so I have to make an argument for the organics.

A little creative web searching tells me that organic sugar IS a healthier alternative. Because it is un-refined, it still maintains some nutritional value and is 50% less processed than regular white sugar. It is also metabolized in the body slower than the processed alternative [aka less spike in blood sugar levels].

For me, that's enough to ease the guilt.