Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Sugar Strike -- ummm, reduction!

A couple weeks ago, someone mentioned in church something about great miracles taking place because of sacrifice.

I immediately thought of my sister, settled in Colorado, so far away from me, and wished that could be the miracle… a change in our proximity to each other.

I thought about what kind of sacrifice I could make. And if it would really make a difference. But, the more I thought about it, I figured why not?

What is one thing that I love almost as much as my sister? Sugar. Junk sugar. Pastries, candy bars, brownies… all that good stuff.

So, my brain put together a plan. Why not have a sugar strike? I decided that I would go without JUNK SUGAR until we were living close to each other. What's the worst that can happen? I could get healthy, right?

On many levels it is kind of silly. Really, do I think withholding an Almond Joy is going to make my sister and her family move here? Will giving up lemon bars cause her hubby’s work to promote him to a far better position here in the Phoenix area? Probably not. And realistically, they are quite happily settled in those cold Rocky Mountains. As we are here in Sunny Arizona.

But, if by some strange chance, saying no to a brownie would mean I get to live by my sister, I am going to totally give up the brownie. Because, really, I do love my sister more than chocolate.

Now, I am not going crazy… I am not talking about ketchup, peanut butter and fruit. I am talking about downright sugary junk food. Those yummy things I pick up in the checkout line at Wal-Mart or at the bakery.

And, knowing myself too well, I have given myself two “give-in” foods. Pure maple syrup (for our traditional weekly waffles) and chocolate covered strawberries (half of them are good for you)! And of course Amish Friendship Bread is OK too.

I forgot about the strike when we went to the movies the other night. I ordered a Sprite and Red Vines… thankfully Hubby reminded me. I quickly asked her to change the Sprite to a water and took the Red Vines off. It confused our teenaged cashier, but I did it.

So, wish me luck. Who knows, maybe someone will need a rocket scientist in Arizona.

10 comments:

Brooke said...

Wow, a sugar strike? That would be miraculous here at my house. I eat way too much junk food, too. Maybe I need to do this.

That Girl said...

I can't do a 'real fast,'since I'm nursing, so I often fast from sugar for a week.

It's HARD. Which is rather sad.

Anonymous said...

you go girl! I do it for weeks at a time and it does make a difference, but I'll probably never do it to be phyiscally closer to extended family LOL

Anonymous said...

Oh and guess what my word just was?

DING like ding dong... LMBO

heather said...

Good luck. If you can keep it up long enough you'll never go back. :) And who knows... IF it does work for you I'll have to figure out something to give up and see if I can't make it work for me too. :)

queenbee4 said...

wow. you're my hero.

Jen said...

Wow! WOW! That's amazing! Now THAT is true love...giving up something you truly love in thoughts (hopes) of the one you love will move nearby. I'm impressed! You have more willpower, stamina, and love than me!

Natalie said...

Good luck with the no sugar thing! I have been trying on and off for a while. I can do it for a short time but eventually cave. What can I say, I can't resist it!

Laurie said...

Awww....Thanks so much Kathy. You've always been such a good example to your little sis! You have so much faith.

Sarah and Scott said...

You are so incredibly motivating. I am glad I know you. Healthier is better right? Well I am loving reading your blogs as I haven't checked in on anyone forever since we switched computers at Christmas and I lost all emails and blog sites. Your hiding in your room one made me smile so big since I did the service star workshop/challenge. I continue to hear the sweetest stories about that activity and it seriously warms my heart. The entry about your mother passing away made me cry. I am not super close to my parents. I mean they live in Utah and I love them and appreciate them but we can go weeks with out talking or emailing but I know they are there for me if I need them and vice versa. I know I will be so sad when they pass away. Scott says everyone dies but it is still heartbreaking I think. I am so very excited to have you serve in Primary with us. Reading your posts I can see your sweet face looking back at me at our Team Leadership Mtg. today. Scott enjoys rubbing shoulders with your husband a little after church. We look forward to getting to know you all better. I just love your family. By the way, I too finished my degree after having many little children and it was so hard but so worth it to me. Thanks for sharing your real life stories. Love ya!