Healthy Sugar Substitutes

My kids have sweet tooths and so do I and my husband. Still we all know how sugar is supposed to be bad for you.
The first thing that you have to do is cut the level of refined sugar that you take on board every day. This means that you must cut right back on sugar rich foods such as cakes, cookies, candies, chocolate, jellies and the like and if you currently ladle sugar all over your breakfast cereal in the morning, stop doing it right now.
In addition, if you take sugar with your tea or coffee, try to wean yourself off sweetening your drinks or if this is something that you cannot imagine doing, try a natural sweetener like stevia or sucanat as alternative.
The first of these natural sweeteners is somewhat controversial in that it is approved by the FDA as a dietary supplement but not as a sweetener. Nevertheless, even though it is a little expensive, the extreme sweetness of stevia means that a little goes an awful long way, so the cost per cup of tea or coffee is probably no different to cost of the sugar you are currently buying.
On the other hand, sucanat is a one-for-one direct replacement for processed sugar and as always, there are plenty of places on the net where you can obtain both of these substances.
The point about having too much sugar in your diet is that not only does all of that instant energy tend to get piled on as fat if it is not used, processed sugar is bad for your immune system and particularly for your skin. Consequently, if you consume too much processed sugar or products made from sugar, it is pretty much a given that you are going to suffer boils and other skin problems.
Of course, this does not necessarily mean that you have to cut all sweet foods from your diet, but what you should do is replace the sweets that you used to use with natural sweet substances wherever possible. For example, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables is an essential of any well-balanced diet, and if you want to boost your immune system, then you can replace some of the sweetness that you have lost with the sweetness of fruit.
Furthermore, there are lots of other entirely natural sweet substances that you can use to satisfy your sweet tooth. The sweet syrup that is commercially extracted from Agave comes in three different variations, ranging from a ‘light version' that has little traceable taste of the plant (just sweetness) to the version that carries a noticeable taste of the plant itself.
You then have reliable old standbys like maple syrup as well as less known but entirely natural sweeteners such as barley malt, date sugar, fruit juice concentrate and sorghum syrup.
There is also honey with some varieties such as manuka honey from New Zealand having acknowledged antibacterial qualities as well as being stunningly sweet as well. Indeed, as you can read on the website, the antibacterial qualities of this particular honey are so pronounced that you can even apply it to wounds for its antibacterial qualities!

Quick Three Day Fast for Moms

A regular three day detoxification cleanse at the beginning of each season can be a practical approach to detoxifying your body as many moms are too busy to do a longer cleanse.
However the objective of the shorter cleanse is the same as the longer cleanse – to give your body a rest and allow your inner system to regenerate. The Three Day Cleanse is ideal for moms as sooner or later you have to deal with your kids and other pressing responsibilities.
During a three day cleanse you will be eliminating all acidic foods and replacing them with foods that are alkaline and easy to digest such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seeds, legumes, and raw foods. You may also drink raw juices.
Practice deep breathing, taking lots of walks outdoors, and indulge in gentle stretching, yoga or Pilates. Be sure to go easy on the cardio.
Enjoying a steam room is beneficial if you have access to a fitness club, and always try to get some extra sleep. An average weight loss of a pound a day is common when you are on a short term cleanse.
Most women notice an increase in vital and mental clarity and feel themselves to be rid of inflammation, bloating and pain. People also feel themselves filled with a greater sense of vitality.
By the fifth, sixth and seventh day of a cleanse strength returns and most people feel and look great! The skin starts to glow and the whites of our eyes get brighter.
Here are some good tips for preparing for the cleanse …
Pick a specific beginning and end date, and then begin to prepare yourself mentally for it for a few weeks before
On the Saturday prior to your start day, make sure that your grocery list is in order and that you have the supplies you need
Begin to cut back on red meat, white sugar, and soda pop five to seven days prior to any fasts
Gradually reduce your caffeine intake for five days prior to the fast avoid headaches.
Reduce your work load in preparation to take it a bit easier the week of your detox.
If you are a smoker who is looking to quit, begin to slowly reduce the number of cigarettes per day. When we alkalize the body, the cravings for nicotine and other substances lessen…there is no point in smoking during a fast as you will only retoxify your body.
Do not eat after 7:00 PM.
Start going to bed a little earlier and rising earlier – be in bed by 11 am and up by 8 am.
Once you are ready to go into full swing these are some general food guidelines for you to follow just a few
Eliminate the following from your diet as well –
• White sugar
• Soda pop
• Red meat
• White flour products
• Gluten, wheat and yeast products
• Soy products with the exception of miso
• White vinegar
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Recreational drugs
• Dairy products (with the exception of non-fat yogurt in moderation)
• White table salt (replace with Himalayan salt)
• Artificial or processed foods
Be sure to also add the following habits to your diet —
• Drink lots of hot water with lemons
• Drink lots of plain water – at least eight cups a day
• Drink decaffeinated herbal teas
• Wheatgrass and fresh sprouts if you have access
• Homemade vegetable juices if possible
• Brown rice, oatmeal
• Dressings made with olive oil (good fat) and lemon
• Miso and non-fat yogurt (in moderation)
• Gluten-free, wheat-free products
It's also a good idea to get rid of the kids for the days you are on the fast as you can get quite irritable!