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Home ยป Blog ยป Book of the Week

Book of the Week

by Sarah Turner Books, Clover Lane

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Well I did it!  Two weeks in a row with my weekly book!  (I just know this is not going to last.)

The book I read this week was on the recommendation of my friendStephanie, whose book-taste I trust like no other.

Year of No Sugar by Eve O. Schaub

When I first saw the title I was not too interested-it seemed extreme and just some made up idea to write a book about.  But something about Stephanie’s review drew me in and I ended up with this book on my big stack, interrupting my WWII binge.  

And I loved it-is was nothing like I thought it would be.  She is an ordinary person (meaning lives a normal, non-extreme way of family life when it comes to food) and after watching a You-Tube video (this one-it’s long and I didn’t make it all the way through but far enough) she decided she wanted to make some changes. She also LOVES dessert and is a baker-her description of herself when she was little I could just totally relate to. Once she did something naughty and the worse things her parents could think to punish her with was no desserts for a month.  She described it as torturous.  Chapter 1 is titled, “I Love Sugar.”  

She chronicles the year, the exceptions she made (which gave me some great guidelines for myself) and the things she observed.  The book is also super informative but not in a boring way.  She is so funny. 

Eye-opening:

Sugar is added into almost everything.  If you want to be frustrated, go to the grocery store and look at most ingredients (I had to remember to bring my glasses) in all packaged food.  Sugar in pesto? Sugar in all bread? Sugar in spaghetti sauce?  Sugar in all snack food but one type of pretzel (Snyder’s Hard Pretzels) and plain potato chips?  Sugar in soup?  Sugar in “healthy” yogurt? EVERYTHING.  Maybe one or two types of cereal?  HELLO!!! It’s gross, seriously gross.  And sometimes it is disguised by a bunch of different names, but it’s still the same old sugar.

Add on top of all that the obvious desserts-this is not even considering the sugar-laden fast food and pop-and here we have the health crisis we are facing today.

TWO AND A HALF POUND OF SUGAR per WEEK is the average amount ingested per person. I picture cutting the 5 pound bag we buy in half and spooning that into each of our mouths-double gross.  

Another eye-opening thing-how much our kids ingest-how much is given to them in treats every day at school, at every function, at every holiday.  (I think I have written on this before-just general overkill in every area of raising kids today-‘a cupcake and juice box after a soccer game, don’t forget your Gatorade syndrome’ it could be called.)  

“My sugar-distant vantage point was giving me a unique view of the holiday season, and I was shocked at what I saw.  I realized that is had become SO cheap and SO easy to hand a child a treat that inflation had set in. No longer is it sufficient for the teacher to bring the kids each a doughnut-there had to be a pile of candy next to it. No longer is it sufficient for kids to get a single treat at each house, now many houses go to the trouble of packing little paper candy bags full of several treats each. No longer is it sufficient to have a treat of two (or fourteen) from the candy bag that night; we have to provide dessert on top of that. Because what else do you do?  It’s Halloween! Or Christmas! Or Valentine’s Day! Or somebody’s birthday! Or you’re just feeling depressed! Or happy!”

If our body processes sugar like it would a poison, are we not poisoning our kids (and ourselves) slowly?

The cool thing with this book, believe it or not, is I didn’t walk away feeling panicked and like I had to start tossing everything in our cupboard and freaking my kids out, giving away all their Halloween candy and never baking cookies again.

Our sugar consumption as a country has risen  dramatically-when sugar was once a very occasional treat, is now us dumping it down our throats every day…  

Image result for graph of sugar consumption in the US

…and I wanted to get back to the “treat’ stage after reading this book.  Taking it out of every day things that weren’t even meant to be sweet, and making it something to look forward to occasionally with something very special.  

And then maybe when we lose the constant sweetness in our diet we become more sensitive to that sweet taste like the author and her family did, so we don’t need so much of it (cups and cups!) in the cookie or the banana bread or the cake, which is also a great way to cut down.  The author did such a good job describing this-how her taste buds changed and how she came to think of that special treat she allowed them once a month as something really special-not some store-bought cookie, or junkie piece of candy, but took the time to make it “worth” it-


“I had come to understand that while sugar is fun, it is nutritionally expensive-why would I want to waste my allotment of it on vending machine candy or breakfast cereal?  Why not save it for something truly special?”

So that is what I am doing here.  I have a set of rules for myself that still allow me to have my special treats, just very occasionally on holidays and birthdays, (back to a modified whole30 after August wreaked havoc) and I’m reading labels at the store and searching for better alternatives for my family. I keep giving the kids little facts that I’ve read in the book and they are working with me to get even more health conscious than ever.  I still have a few transitions to make (Jif and grape jelly) but I feel like we are heading in the right direction.

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September 15, 2016 ยท 14 Comments

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  1. stephanie says

    September 15, 2016 at 7:09 pm

    I'm so glad it made a positive impact on you, too! But if you are ready to get back into your WW2 binge, add Everyone Brave is Forgiven to your list. I just finished it and loved it.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 17, 2016 at 11:53 am

      Sounds good, I'll look for it!

      Reply
  2. MEGAN says

    September 16, 2016 at 2:25 am

    Thanks for the book reviews. I have enjoyed many of the titles that you have recommended. If there is an Aldi food store by you, I have found that their SimplyNature line provides many Wholeo30 compliant items, at great prices.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 17, 2016 at 11:53 am

      I'll check it out thank you Megan!

      Reply
  3. Janine says

    September 16, 2016 at 6:05 am

    For the Jif and grape Jelly – here is a simple solution. Skippy has less sugar in it. Not a whole lot but it's a start and I buy smuckers low sugar grape and strawberry jelly. They have marmalade too but that is harder to find. It's made with real sugar (no artificial sweeteners) and is half the sugar of regular jelly. We use light slice bread too. I made this change to cut back on carbs and a pbj sandwich is now half the carbs it once was. My son does not know the difference. These changes are more expensive but worth it for me health wise.

    Reply
  4. Unknown says

    September 16, 2016 at 1:13 pm

    I would love to know what your modified whole30 rules are. I am trying to tweak it myself, and I am having trouble deciding whether legumes are that harmful for us after all, and if a little cream in my coffee now and again is such a bad thing…
    I love your blog. Thank you for being such a voice of reason and for sharing your beautiful family with us!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      September 17, 2016 at 8:05 pm

      Hi Mary! Here is what I am doing:

      My exceptions to Whole30: ketchup, pita bread only at my one favorite restaurant (we go about once a month) and any restaurant vinaigrette dressing (again only when out to eat, which isn't often.) I also found great sweet potato chips at the grocery store that aren't strict whole30 as they are fried in vegetable oil, but I have a small handful of those at lunch. I will also eat beans if they are in healthy recipes that are Whole30 compatible. (And am working on replacing a few meat dinners with just beans for the family.) And butter-I am not making ghee for the rest of my life, although I don't really use it much for cooking, preferring olive oil.

      So I can do this long term, and the no-sugar thing also, I am going to do a 'once a month any treats I want on one day rule', which will coincide nicely with holidays and birthdays. (That way I am not depriving myself of my favorites but having them just one day, not all season long.)

      I love baking cookies, and it's sort of a weekly or bi-weekly tradition here, something that would make me sad to give up, so when I do that, I am allowing myself up to five cookies, not more than ONCE a week, on that day. (I am trying to adapt recipes to have a little less sugar also.) That might seem like a lot but it's not to pre-whole30 me. ๐Ÿ™‚

      This is what I came up with recently after doing a strict whole90, going backwards a little bit slowly, and then realizing I crave and need the structure and boundaries and rules and nutrition of Whole30, but also want to be slightly adaptable so as to not feel I'm missing the special occasions and treats that I adore.

      I am hoping this works for me long term-we will see.

      Reply
  5. Keri Ronk says

    September 16, 2016 at 5:01 pm

    I want to read that book! I'm sure you will get tons of comments about this but homemade peanut butter is super fun for littles to make! I buy roasted salted peanuts in bulk. I let my 5 year old pour the peanuts in my food processor and then she gets to put the lid on and press the buttons. It's takes about 5 minutes to get it really smooth but she likes pressing the high/low buttons and is easily entertained with that! Homemade peanut butter does take a bit of getting used to compared to JIF but once your tastes bud acclimate it is truly a treat! Also she loves that everyone is eating the peanut butter that she made so it's extra special ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  6. Sleen says

    September 16, 2016 at 7:16 pm

    You two are my favorite bloggers. I guess I should go find that book! No-sugar PB is wonderful. You taste the peanuts–imagine that–and not the sugar. I hope you'll blog about switching "this" for "that"…I'd be very interested!

    Reply
  7. Unknown says

    September 16, 2016 at 9:21 pm

    The sugar habit is so bad! I remember a couple years ago realizing how much sugar my kids eat every day–especially when they drink a Gatorade during a soccer game, then get some "treat" afterwards–all before lunch! I was horrified! So, now we almost always do water during sports, because unless they are really intense athletes, that's all they really need.

    I can't get my kids to eat natural peanut butter, although I eat the Smucker's version. I love it. So tasty. I did buy Skippy because I had a coupon, instead of Jif, and one of my kids said they like it a lot better than Jif. It's so hard to break old habits!

    Reply
  8. John and Anna says

    September 16, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    I cringe every time I look at the jams and jellies in the store, they are so full of junk. This year I have a goal to make all the jam/jelly we will need. Freezer jam is super easy and much lower in sugar than most cooked jams, and I've read great reviews of Pomona's Pectin, which is for regular cooked jam/jelly and doesn't require any sugar to set up. It might cost a little more (money and time) to buy the berries or other fruit and make it yourself, but to me it is worth it–both for the health benefits and because the quality and taste are so much better than you can buy in the store. And it really doesn't take that long, just a few hours and you can have a year's worth set aside in your pantry or freezer. I would love to find no-sugar peanut butter that doesn't cost a fortune! We go through it so fast around here!

    Reply
  9. Sarah says

    September 17, 2016 at 11:52 am

    Thank you everyone! I will try some of the peanut butter and jelly solutions…it might be a slow transition but I've already made one with the bread and so far I don't have massive rebellion. The spread ability of the PB will be the challenge-it seems like the real stuff always tears the bread apart? I'll take all your advice I can get-PB and J is all the kids will pack every day so it's a "big deal"…not in the grand scheme of life but at least at lunch. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  10. Jacelyn says

    September 24, 2016 at 10:53 pm

    Hi Sarah, If you find some good baked good recipes with less sugar, I hope you will share them with us! I have wonderful memories of baking with my mother throughout the year, but especially for holidays and birthdays, and I also do not want to sacrifice those moments together. Our family has also tried to reduce the sugar in PBJ. We now use Skippy Natural (3g sugar/serving) and a dime sized amount of Smuckers Fruit & Honey, which is a strawberry jelly sweetened only with honey.

    Reply
  11. Unknown says

    October 10, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    Hi,
    We overcame the hardness of natural PB by buying a small bottle of plain peanut oil. Once a little bit of extra oil is stirred into the jar, we found It heats (from the cold of the fridge) enough to spread easily by opening it on the counter for a few minutes while grabbing the other ingredients.

    Reply

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Welcome!

Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
๐Ÿƒ
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
๐Ÿƒ
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
๐Ÿƒ
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
๐Ÿƒ
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
๐Ÿƒ
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
โ˜€๏ธ
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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