Things are looking up around here!
After a night of R&R, Ben and I both finally felt well enough to run errands this afternoon, including a stop at Jimmy John’s for vegetarian subs for lunch. Neither of us are vegetarians, but both agree that JJ’s v-sub is the best thing on the menu. It’s the garlicky avocado spread, me thinks. 
A Costco run was next so Ben could pick up The Help (my copy was a Kindle loan from the library, and he refuses to use a Kindle anyway…) and we could get some dessert. 
A mini sample of Krusteaz’s Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookie Supreme did the trick. Seeeriously, one of the best cookies EVER!!
Ben took a turn for the worse after a hefty kielbasa sample (The Code bit him in the butt,) so I dropped him off at home and went to the gym to crank out this 42 minute, 4.6 mile treadmill routine while watching the Travel Channel’s Top 10 Caribbean Beaches countdown. By the end I was tired, sweaty, and more than ready to move to White Bay Beach!
| Time | Speed |
| 0-1 | 4.0 |
| 1-6 | 6.5 |
| 6-11 | 7.0 |
| 11-16 | 7.5 |
| 16-21 | 6.5 |
| 21-26 | 7.0 |
| 26-31 | 7.5 |
| 31-41 | 6.0 |
| 41-42 | 4.0 |
| Total: | 4.6 Miles |
After a quick change, I got to workin’ on dinner – Chicken Pot Pie Soup.
I knew I wanted to make soup tonight, because a weekend without a batch of soup feels somehow incomplete these days, but also wanted something semi light after a good run. This skinny Chicken Pot Pie Soup recipe was just the ticket.
Thick and totally decadent-tasting, without weighing me down.
Start the soup by slowly bringing milk and water up to a boil in a large soup pot, stirring pretty much the entire time. Make sure it’s slow and low heat, otherwise the milk will scald on the bottom of the pot.
Once boiling, add in celery, red onion, and frozen mixed veggies.
Add a few pinches of black pepper and thyme,
and a couple chicken bullion cubes, then simmer ’til the veggies are soft.
Next add in small diced potatoes,
poached-then-chopped chicken breast, and a quick slurry of water and flour to make the soup uber creamy.
Then watch it go from liquid to luxurious before your eyes. Mmm!
This soup tastes exactly like chicken pot pie filling, but has a fraction of the fat and calories.
Ben said things I cannot even repeat about it!
Since we ditched the calorie-laden pie crust that usually tops a chicken pot pie, I made us Parmesan Garlic Bread for the side. That’s just a piece of bread spread with a little Earth Balance, dusted with parmesan cheese, then broiled ’til golden brown.
Oh-so satisfying! 
In other news…
I’ve decided to get rid of excess sugar in my diet during the week. My sugar consumption is borderline ridiculous, and it’s really just time to get real and stop the madness.
I’m not going completely sugarless – I’ll still eat my Chobani, which has added sugar, and fruit for instance – but from Monday to Friday I’m going to do my gosh darn best to say no to baked goods, CANDY, and the like, saving treats for Saturday and Sunday instead.
Why the change? Well for one, it’s just not healthy. Also, I’m at an age where I can definitely tell things are not bouncing back quite like they did when I was in my lower 20s. Finally, I’m mindful to not eat a lot of pre-packaged, over-processed foods in my everyday life, so why shouldn’t that include the sweet stuff?
The trial run is from tomorrow (I was supposed to start today, but popped that damn cookie at Costco before I even realized what I was doing…oh well, worth it,) until Valentine’s Day – one month.
I’m calling it Sugar Free Jebruary, because half the time will be in January, and the other half in February. Get it?
…crickets…
Anyways, I’ve stocked up on healthy options for when my sweet tooth starts screaming, including:
- Apples
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Frozen bananas –> for banana ice cream
- Green Monster Spinach Smoothie ingredients
- Flavored Tea
- Carrots (these actually do taste sweet to me)
- Pomegranate seeds
I’ll still use powdered stevia from Trader Joe’s in my morning coffee, along with skim milk, but other than that it’s time to practice a little self control. I’ll keep you posted on my progress, and please join me if you’d like!
With that, I’m off to not eat graham crackers during The Bachelor.
Toodles!
~~~~~
Do you feel you eat too much sugar? Have you ever tried to cut back? How did it go?
I eat WAY too much sugar! I went low sugar 2 winters ago and lost a lot of weight (coupled with healthy habits and lots of exercise). Even natural sugar can be bad for you in excess, which is crazy! GOOD LUCK!
Sugar is definitely what makes me feel crappy. I’ve been eating a clean diet for a little over a week now and feel FANTASTIC with no cravings at all! Clementines are my sweet treat:)
I should really try and join in…I feel like I’m still on surgar overload since the holidays. I just bought two movie size boxes of Starbusts and can’t get them out of my mind…maybe I’ll start tomorrow! Good Luck!
I cut out sugar recently and it really wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. (This is coming from a sugar addict.) It might be because I am acutally motivated, but either way, I am on week 2 of no sugar snacks.
My go-tos have been Whole Foods apples, they are seriously THE BEST, cuties (who knew these could be so good?), and Whole Foods Blueberry Almond granola. Not sure if you have a Whole Foods near you, but I am sure your local market has something just as good!
Low sugar really does make one feel amaaazing! I just returned from a week of vacation that included major overeating and TONS of sugary, tropical drinks. I’m detoxing a bit this week too, including majorly reducing my sugar intake. I like the idea of Sugar Free Jebruary!
That soup looks delicious! I love chicken pot pie, it’s one of my favorite comfort foods!
I’m waiting for The Bachelor too, it looks like it will be a train wreck tonight!
Oof, no sugar. I want to join you! Dried fruit is my replacement for sure…sounds gross, but dried figs are lovely- and full of fiber.
Dried figs and apricots are my kryptonite – love them!!
I’ve avoided processed sugar for almost two weeks and I’m feeling great!
Good luck! Sugar is tough. I try my absolute hardest to only have desert on Friday and Saturday nights, but I have been so bad for the past several months. Once I’m in the habit of not eating it much, I don’t miss it, but when I’m used to having it, I want it ALL. THE. TIME. My guess is that if you are successful at limiting sugar to weekends for the next month, you will continue after that without too much difficulty.
I tried cutting out evening dessert a couple months ago and have done really well. I limit myself to dessert on Saturdays and Sundays only (well, most of the time). It was definitely hard at first to break the habit, but now it’s a lot easier. This month I’ve been trying to cut way back on added sugar as well. That plan got squashed for today though when a coworker’s wife brought in fresh, homemade cinnamon rolls with frosting. Oh well, we all have setbacks here and there. Bounce back tomorrow!
good luck with cutting back the sugar!!! I liked Jebruary! clever!!
This is a great plan! I’m super paranoid about developing type-2 diabetes. I do OK with sugar but need to be more mindful. I may even do a food log for a couple weeks, to see how I’m doing. Good luck!
Eek I know – me too!
Good luck! I’ve been trying to keep my sugar consumption under control lately also. I have a major sweet tooth and was way overboard in my intake. I’ve been trying to eat more healthy snacks that will distract me from skittles and Starburst!
Frozen grapes have been one of my saving graces while cutting back the sugar!
I don’t eat sugar before 6 p.m…. but I eat dessert after every dinner! I always had dessert growing up, so a dinner doesn’t feel quite “complete” to me without it. I am not feeling very motivated to give up my evening sugar just yet. I’m working on some other health goals first. Hopefully I will eventually get to a point where I reduce sugar, though. My girl scout cookies just came in…. WAHAHA!! YEESSS!! Thin mints!!
That soup looks great! I love making healthier version of cream soups. Actually, I have one for a creamy crab chowder that kicks butt!
Good luck with the no sugar thing. I’ve never really been huge into processed sugar but I do enjoy a good piece of dark chocolate from time to time. I wonder if Adora disks have a ton of added sugar because I do have one of those every day.
I love that sugar free Jebruary!! Might join you even though I’m kind of in it now!! Love your blog!!!
I have the exact same issue! I actually just wrote about it on my little blog – I called it my “dessert detox”. Except I’m not as brave as you. I only did it for a week. It was tough, but I did it sooner than I had hoped! By the end I realized that I was completely fine without the added sugar and treats, and that when I finally did have some, it tasted so. much. better.
Can’t wait to hear how it goes for you! And thanks for the ideas for sweet treats that don’t contain lots of sugar!
The Help is so good!
I did a few days last month of cutting out sugar … and bread, and meat, and dairy.
It was tough.
Good luck!
I just picked up a HUGE bag of chocolate covered Acai Berries at Cosco yesterday. I have chosen 1/4 cup of these a day as my sweet if I choose to have a sweet, but that is it. =( No more cookies, cakes, pies, you name it its gone. Bouncing back in your early thirties is even harder! You’ll do great!
Love it! I will definitely give it a go for Jebruary as well! Can’t wait to see how everyone does.
I just love sugar too darn much! I will try to decrease the amount though.
Do you switch up your incline when your speed changes on the treadmill??
Sometimes – when I do I usually indicate it in the routine I post!
OK! I’ll take a look at that next time! I’m looking for a new routine on the treadmill – so easy to get bored with it. Thanks!!
I know what’s for dinner tomorrow night! So excited to see that recipe, I have been wanting to make a chicken pot pie but this soup looks sooo good!
Sugar….can’t talk about it. Trying really hard to wean myself off of Mt Dew. Baby steps I keep telling myself.
Totally! One thing at a time.
sugar, sugar, sugar…love/hate relationship! I will attempt to join you on this journey! Add frozen grapes to curb the craving!
I feel SO much better (hate that bloated, out-of-control feeling) when I don’t do sugar or a lot of carbs. Have replaced almost every need for sweetener with stevia. I do keep the Trader Joe’s 72% dark chocolate on hand for a treat a few times a week. When it’s that dark/rich, I’m not tempted to eat too much!
UGH! You and me both. I too have noticed that my body is acting different with food/exercise than it did 5 or 6 years ago. I never worked out in college, yet I feel bigger now and I work out all the time and eat way healthier.
I am not cutting ties with sugar but I can totally relate to the early 20s vs. mid to late 20s body issues.
I am totally 100% obsessed with sugar. And yes, I have found this to be an issue as well! I am looking forward to seeing how your sugar cut back goes…as I may have to do this as well. I think we must be about the same age, so I can agree with how things have been affecting my body! UH! Good luck, and I will look forward to seeing the progress!!!
You’re going to rock the “Sugarless Weekdays”!! I think it’s great that you have a goal and a plan to achieve it!
About 2 months ago now, I drastically cut back on my sugar even though it meant baking had to take the back burner. This past weekend, I finally caved and baked some cookies. After taste testing a few cookies, I felt pretty crappy. It was like my body said “whoa, lady…don’t try giving me sugar now!”
I’m lucky that even as I near closer to 30(!), my metabolism is pretty good to me but that doesn’t mean I can make unhealthy choices like having too much sugar all the time, just because I do triathlons and run all the time. Sugar: I feel better without it and when I feel a craving, fruit always satisfies it just fine.
Good luck with kicking that sugar. I need to join in on the no sugar Jebruary!!! I had to laugh at your JJ vegetarian comment. I ordered it once on accident and have been addicted now for 5 years. Every time we hit Jimmy Johns my husband laughs at me and tries to convince me to try something else and I just can’t resist the #6!!
Love your BLOG!!!
Good luck! I have been working on cutting out sugar for a few weeks now too. It was amazing how much I was eating, and not just because of the holidays. Like you, I still eat my Chobani (but only in smoothies for now). I also wanted to tell you how much I love your blog. I saw your Green Monster smoothie post on Pinterest a few weeks ago, and it is my new addiction. I can’t believe how filling and oh so yummy it is. Thanks for sharing!
Good for you! Two summers ago I basically eliminated all unnatural sugars from my diet for 2 months! I allowed myself one treat a week and that was about it. I was surprised at how much less I craved it once I wasn’t used to having it daily.
Ohhhhh sugar! Lara bars are still a go, right? I mean there’s no added sugar…just all fruit! Unless you get one of the chocolatey ones…
Yes – I think non-chocolate Larabars are in!
Sugar Free Jebruary-I’m in!!
I’ve seen that recipe on Pinterest, now I want to try it even more!
I have quite the sweet tooth, but when I’m trying to be healthy that’s usually one of the first things to go. It’s things like cheese and carbs that are really hard for me to kick in a more substantial way.
I’m 16 days into sugar-free January… in addition to “dry” January. No bad carbs and no alcohol. Hot tea has become my best friend – morning, noon and night. Good luck! It’s tough, but you can do it!!
I’m in. I did a sugar and alcohol free week back in August and felt so good. I think you’ve given me the motivation I need to turn it into a month! I need to stay focused with a very busy time at work and grad school – avoiding alcohol should help with that too.
Once you start looking into all the sugar in foods, it really opens your eyes to what you eating.
I am pretty good where sugar is concerned. I really don’t buy any packaged cookies/treats or anything like that. I’ll buy pistachios if I want a treat when I go grocery shopping. That being said, if I do want something sweet, I’ll make a 1/2 batch of cookies from scratch but that’s not very often. Overall, sugar puts on weight quickly for me so I try to steer clear of it.
On the flip side, I’d never eat a pot pie without crust, lol. The crust is the best part.
I’m in! I struggle with my sugar intake and feel SO much better when I limit it. Good luck!
Glad you are feeling better! Your site is inspiring me to make more soups! I live in Phoenix, and it totally doesn’t feel like soup weather, but I am bookmarking this and so ready to make it tomorrow.
I too am a sugar addict!! I need to stop the madness! Maybe knowing others out there are trying too will help me. Love my cookies, cake, frosting and anything sweet! Try being close to 40 and that body really doesn’t change no matter how much you workout if you are still eating badly. Starting tomorrow!
BTW, LOVE the Green Monster!
I consume sooo much more sugar than I should! I’m taking baby steps… I cut out pop 6 days ago and it is killing me! But I’m pushing thru
Good luck!
Oh goodness I gave up dessert for lent one year and I think I lost 8 pounds (and on a 5’2″ lady that’s a lot)! I didn’t change anything else but that. So I definitely know it would change my body if I did it…but I love to bake so it’s kinda tricky.
Good luck in Jebruary!! (haha love it!)
oh god during winter break i went to my friend’s house which was FULL of sugary treats! even after i got back to university, i found myself craving sweets ALL.THE.TIME. cookies, candies, ice cream, you name it! i know this isn’t for everyone but cold turkey is the way to go for me so that’s what i did and honestly, it feels great! when i want something sweet, i try to satisfy it with a larabar or something and i ask myself if i want to eat like cookies and feel like crap like i did when i was eating sugar!
My weakness would be nutella. I can eat that stuff by the spoonful, mmmm. But good luck to you girl! I have faith
You can do it!! I have these low blood sugar freakouts and my doctor suggested I really watch my sugar intake… including sugar subs. Full disclosure: I never really had a big sweet tooth. After not having sugar for a couple years except on rare holidays I no longer want it at all!!! Anything with sugar is way too sweet… The moral to the story is that I really think it is an addiction. The first couple days are bad but it gets better.
What a great post! First off, I LOVE me some Jimmy Johns! I usually stick with the Plain #4 with lettuce, but that veggie does look enticing!
I’m not cutting out excess sugar (I try to keep it pretty low aside from a treat for dessert after dinner!) but I am doing detox Jebruary! No alcohol from Jan 8 – Feb 8! I’m a week in and feel great!
Definitely stock up on pomegranate seeds… those little babies are SO sweet and always satisfy my sweet craving!
I’ve been doing no added sugar since November last year. The first few weeks were the most difficult. Now, I honestly don’t really desire sugary things… though I still like snacky stuff and cannot get away from tortilla chips to save my life (I eat Food Should Taste Good and similar varieties… which helps the guilt feeling… and use as much portion control as possible), but still… chips daily? Cannot be good for me. Any suggestions for lowering salty cravings?
You’ll be great. Just a suggestion: I think you might find it easier to cut out added sugar (that appears in the first four ingredients of a food)completely for two-three weeks, and then start adding it in where/when you want it. It’ll give your system a reboot, and help you get over those cravings more effectively. Painful, though… especially because it looks like you can bake, girl!!
Favorite sweet snack that isn’t sugary that helps me stay true to low sugar (I try to not eat things with sugar listed in the first 4 ingredients): Mrs. May’s Classic Crunches (http://www.mrsmays.com/products_classiccrunches_mrsmays.html?GoCate=1). My current craving goes to Cran Blueberry Crunch. Only 3 grams of sugar per serving.
Okay… enough talking your head off.
Just want to let you know, it does feel better without the sugar. You’ll be happy once you trudge through the first few weeks of battle!