Tag: health

Am I A Sugar Addict?

My diet has changed drastically over the past few weeks. All of the artificially sweetened snacks I consumed excessively have been cut out of my life. Last month, I got a bad toothache after ordering Insomnia cookies three times in one week.

Yeah I know what you’re thinking. I have a problem. Maybe I do.

I love sweets. I love the way freshly baked sugar cookies and snickerdoodles melt in my mouth. I remember the first time I tried an Insomnia cookie. My friends and I had visited a friend at UGA during our spring break. Six years later, I almost crashed into a curb when my sister noticed Insomnia opened a new location two blocks away from me.

I know eating too many sweets can lead to tooth sensitivity and enamel erosion. However, I’ve struggled with eating them in moderation due to emotional eating and coping with loneliness during the pandemic.

Okay. So why the change?

I realized I didn’t want to experience gum disease, tooth loss or have to get my leg amputated like Big Mama in Soul Food when she battled diabetes. I knew I had the ability to refrain from artificial sugar consumption. As a result, I quit cold turkey and researched alternatives.

Photo Source: Daily Sabah

I bought plain Greek yogurt that my taste buds aren’t accustomed to. I bought carrots and pumpkin seeds to snack on throughout the day. I also purchased rutabaga aka yellow turnips, one of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes.

Photo Source: Trader Joe’s

But I’ve been craving sweets lately. I miss the rich, buttery taste of Trader Joe’s brookies which have a perfectly even amount of chocolate chip cookie and brownie. I miss biting into a freshly baked sugar cookie. I thought about buying Grandma’s Peanut Butter Cookies from the Chevron two miles away and the questionable Keebler M&M cookie packs located in my complex’s leasing office.

If I give in to temptation, I’ll feel more guilt than satisfaction. So now I’m researching which nearby stores sell garlic knots. I keep envisioning thick, juicy garlic knots drenched in olive oil and sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese. If I buy them, it won’t be a guilt-ridden pleasure.

Honestly, I’m waiting for berries and cantaloupe to get in season to pair them with plain yogurt.

What foods do you eat to curb your sugar cravings? What are your go-to healthy snacks?

Let me know in the comments below.

How to Stay Productive During COVID

We’re all processing the coronavirus. Everyday, news stations are reporting on both the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the death toll. We’ve all had plans delayed amid the pandemic. However, we can still be productive.

Think about hobbies or passions you want to spend more time on. Think about the things you’ve been pushing back for days, weeks or months. In a world where it seems like there’s not enough time to accomplish everything we want, it now feels like we have nothing but time.

Here are some ways I am using my time and some ways you can use yours.

20902144_290801231327696_6310587901755260928_n
Health in Her Hue by Jovonni R. Spinner

Create a Vision Board

As a creative dreamer, I always fantasize about different stories I want to tell via blogs, films and television series. Since I wrote down my desires, I found pictures that mirrored my short-term and long-term goals including travel, screenwriting and my cultural influences.

If you are still figuring out what you want for yourself, write down what comes to mind. Find pictures in magazines or search Google Images. You can purchase a poster board at your local Walmart or Target store. You can also purchase it for $1 at Dollar Tree. If you have an empty box laying around, cut a piece off and use it.

Continue reading “How to Stay Productive During COVID”