No Sugar Troubles

Oh boy - it seems that this is one of the bigger challenges on my list, and it really shouldn't be!! I have gone 40 days without sugar before. :( Here was my downfall this time. I went to visit my good friend who had a baby girl about 3 weeks ago. She made apple crisp. How could I not have the apple crisp that a new Mom made to serve to her guests?? I kinda threw in the towel at that point; Halloween would be within those 30 days if I started again after the first....

I am going to start this again. BUT, I am going to wait until the 10th. I will make it through Halloween! I know I can.

Here are the rules: No white sugar, no food products with white sugar as an ingredient, no high fructose corn syrup, no food products with high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient. I can have honey, maple syrup, fruits, etc.

Latharia - if you feel like joining me, I would LOVE the company!! I am sure it would help.

Yesterday - Day 1 NO SUGAR

I will try this one again now. I have been gradually decreasing the amount of sugar I have been eating, and I feel much more confident I can handle the 30 days.

Yesterday I made it through the day with only one small temptation - my co-worker brought apple cider donuts into the office to share. I ate my oatmeal with pears instead! I think I can, I think I can....

Also, I have started the 42 days of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Day one complete as of yesterday! Whoo hoo!

Long Time without updating

Shame on me for not writing more! However, the crisp autumn air always gets me focused back on lists, so here I go again!

Since I last wrote I:
- Have eaten 80% local foods in September (29/30) (though I did let myself off the hook for my Chicago visit) (#11)
- Gone to the gym 4x (#54)
- Organized the Kitchen (#59)
- Organized the Bedroom (#60)
- Organized the Living Room (#65)
- Released 4 books via bookcrossing.com (#72)
- Visited Chicago (#86) - It was SO much fun meeting Kim and Latharia - it was one of my highlights of the trip.
- Visited my Mother (#87)
- Read a book about a work topic (#89)
- Incorporated at least one idea from the book (#90)

I guess I have not been quite so lazy as I thought. That is quite a list.

Getting some things done...

This past week I was traveling for work, which really puts a damper on the 101 things, but I have updates anyway!

The top picture is of a baby quilt top that I am making for my friend's future daughter. She is expecting sometime in September. So even though this quilt is not on my list, I felt like making note of it here.

The second picture is of some of the items we picked from our garden yesterday. We got about a pint of cherry tomatoes, 8 regular tomatoes (4 of which were yellow), a green pepper, a purple pepper, a "cherry bomb" pepper and some lettuce! We had some FANTASTIC tomato sandwiches for dinner last night.

While in Manchester, NH, I did manage to use the gym in the hotel twice. So two more for item #54. I brought books with me to release, but I did not release them - oh well. When I came back, my husband and I had our first "date night" of my 21 consecutive weeks (#74). We have decided to alternate the planning of what to do for date night. So next this next Friday I will decide what we will do (I am fiendishly plotting....). I also finished the first book about work while traveling. I have not yet decided what idea to implement and how.

I am glad this week is over, and I am looking forward to next week!

This past week

The garden work has been going quite well (#6 & 7) . We have harvested and enjoyed lettuce, tomatoes and chard so far. (Better than I had ever hoped!) The above picture is of me and our totally crazy tomato plant "Matt". Matt's posture isn't the best, but you get the picture of how big he is!! The really big leaves in front of me are the cucumber plant.

Went to the gym 3 times this past week (#54) and am really glad about that. Three or four weeks of no gym was making me quite miserable. I have much more energy and am much happier when I am going regularly.

"The Positive Coach" (#89) is the first book that I am reading on a work topic. It seems really good and full of excellent ideas to try.

Next week, I will be in Manchester, NH (for work). I will be taking a pretty good pile of books with me to release (#72).

"Ender's Game" was on my Goodreads "to read" list, so I have finished 1 of 5 of item #73. On that note, I have just started to read "Hotel Pastis".

I returned all the books I had borrowed, and that completes #71.

All in all a fairly productive week!

Moving Forward

I am paper list girl! I find that I am more inspired by my list when I see it on paper then when I look at it on this blog. So, to that end, I have printed my list, and will keep it with my calendar. When I read it, I get really excited and want to get going on multiple items. (YEA!!)

So, I have rewritten another item on my list. I changed #6 from "Weed twice a week for the summer" to "Weed as needed during the summer". How was I to know that I would not need to weed twice a week?

This is a picture of one of my favorite tomato plants in the garden - it has gone completely crazy! Parts of it are taller than I am! It is a cherry tomato plant and we have already harvested and eaten 5 tomatoes! (ha ha)

I am planning a trip to Chicago (#86) in September. I am going to stay with one of my sisters, and take one of my neices to the American Girl Doll Place to celebrate her 7th birthday!

Today I finished "Ender's Game", which is the last of the "borrowed" books that I have to read and return (item #71) - now all I need to do is return the books. I wrote a review of the book at Goodreads.com.

Only 2 left now for item #71

# 71 - Finish and return books borrowed prior to May 1st, 2008.

I finished Ursula LeGuin's, The Lathe of Heaven today. It was a super fast read, but it was very fascinating! It is a science fiction book about a person who dreams things into reality. When he dreams things into reality, it changes the past and recreates the world into this new reality. Quite an interesting topic.

I think it is about time for me to take on some bigger things, and I am feeling like I have the energy for it.

Reworking the list.

Today I reworked the wording on some of my list. I removed all of the "each week" and made a grand total number of times (took the # of weeks, multiplied it by the number of times each week I was to do the item, and put that total in for the goal total.) This way, even though I did not do these items each week, I still have the potential for reaching these goals.

9) Write in garden journal 1x per week through garden season 2/21
Changed to: Write in garden journal 21 times

54) Continue going to gym at least 3x per week 2/143
Changed to: Continue going to gym 429 times 25/429

57) Practice yoga at home 1x week 1/143
Changed to: Practice yoga at home 143 times 1/143

58) Keep weight at or below goal, weigh weekly 3/145
Changed to: Keep weight at or below goal 143 times 3/143

78) Take a day off from the computer, TV and Cell Phone 1x mo 0/33
Changed to: Take a day off from the computer, TV and Cell Phone 33 times 0/33

Since I did not complete these tasks as originally written, I feel I should be held to 101. Since I still expect to partially finish the items, I will impose 1/2 of 101 on these tasks. So I will donate $25 to Community Friends and donate 2.5 hours of volunteer work to a non-profit.

Back

Okay - enough down time for me! It's back to the list...

I have struggled quite a bit about not doing some of my "daily" or "weekly" or "monthly" items. I think that the added time pressure caused me to rebel against doing them. I need to decide if it is okay for me to change the wording of items on the list after posting it, or if I need to just say that I failed that item... I would love your comments on this!!

Items #1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are all completed as my garden is well under way. I have had two green salads from my garden already!

Item #6 - there has not been a need to weed 2x a week yet.

Last weekend I had a fantastic dinner at a restaurant in Waterbury, VT that has a focus on local seasonal food. I had a fantastic pork dinner! And I was able to write it up for the Vermont Fresh Network. (One more down for items 20 and 21).

I had to travel for work a few times over the last few weeks, so I found it necessary to purchase new work clothes (item 92).

A Break from the List

I don't know if it is the crazy days at work, the long hours, or sheer laziness that has caused me to avoid the list for a few weeks. I feel guilty, but I am telling myself it is okay, just get back on track.

We will see how I will do. Unfortunately I have now not been able to complete some of the items on the list as they were things to do weekly.

Wooh

Crazy few days - getting up at 5:30 to get to the gym, shower there and get to work by 7:30 then working 9-10 hours, doing errands, running home for dinner, the off to bed! Exhausted, wide awake.

I am completely spent - but really wanted to update this blog!!

#54 - The Gym - I managed to go Saturday and Sunday - making 3 for that week. I have been both Monday and Tuesday of this week.

#58 - weighed early this week (on Monday) but, just below goal. Phew.

#57 - uh oh. I gotta do this soon! I bet it would help me sleep.

#72 - Released "Double Shot" at Rhapsody (a restaurant in Montpelier) - My Mom was with me, it was very cool. We were very discreet about it.

#78 - Intended to get this done on Mother's day - but needed to rely on the cell phone to make the three way call to my Mother-in-Law. This will just wait for another day.

#87 - Spent the day with Mom - it was fantastic. We had a great brunch, took a long walk, browsed book stores and an antique store, and went to a movie (What Happens in Vegas). The movie was okay. A little immature, but fun none the less.

Maybe next month

Okay. It has become obvious that I will have to wait on the avoiding sugar thing for a bit. Apparently I do not have the inner strength to do this at this time.

Yesterday we planted Spinach, Swiss Chard and Lettuce in our garden!


They were planted in the middle bed of this picture. I have been assured it is okay to plant these items at this time of year. I can't help but be concerned though, because we are the only ones (out of 10 community gardeners) who have planted anything.

# 6 is Weed twice a week, but I have not seen any weeds yet!

#58 - Weighed myself on Thursday. Right on goal. 2 out of 143 done.

#78 - Planning on going without computer, TV or Cell phone tomorrow. I don't expect any issues. I will be going to visit my Mother in Barre for the day. Oh! That will give me one out of 11 for #87.

# 54 - Gym - I did not make it to the gym on Thursday or Friday - but I am headed there this morning - so it looks like I will have succeeded in moving the week from Thur - Wed to Tue - Mon.

#72 - I released 5 books into the wild yesterday on Bookcrossing.com. I love releasing books into the wild! So much fun. I think that my "30" for a goal was too low. When I was handwriting my list I wrote 50 books - but when I posted the list on my blog, I changed it to 30. I am going to change it back to 50.

All in all, the list is looking pretty good today - even considering the avoiding sugar debacle.

30 days left on my quest for 30 days with no sugar

Alas! The addicts call of "life is too stressful to be doing this now" took hold and I thoroughly enjoyed a TWIX at about 4pm.

I will start again tomorrow.

Here are my rules for the no sugar. Alternative sweetners are okay, as long as they are not processed - so honey is fine, fruit is fine. I am avoiding products that have sugar (or high fructose corn syrup) in them.

I have given up sugar before (a couple of years ago - gave it up for 40 days) so I should be able to do this.

I came home to this today, so I know there is hope!

Sugar Sugar Sugar

Oh lovely sugar, how I miss thee. My mind is brought back to thinking of your lovely sweetness in mere moments after thinking of something else....

A major struggle, this sugar thing. Day one down, 29 to go. Really, sugar is an addiction of mine. Sugar was my first thought after getting out of bed. I cannot even describe exactly how much I want a chocolate glazed donut and a dunkin donuts coffee with cream and extra sugar right now.

Yesterday, my husband and I finished the Plan for the garden (#1). To be honest, I helped work on the first plan, but then my husband really took off and finished the plan. I love how involved in the plan he is! We shoveled the beds for our garden last night. I was hoping we would get the swiss chard, lettuce and spinach planted but the bitey bugs were finding us so we ran away.

I just came home from the gym. So, Thursday, Monday and Tuesday make up the 3 days for the first week (starting on 5/1) and in an effort to get my weeks to go from Monday - Sunday, I will count today as day 1 for the next week.

Good progress so far! I will savor every fruit I can get my hands on.

Sugar Freak

I am a sugar freak. I love sugar. I cannot seem to get enough. I have now, just a moment ago, finished eating all of the candy/chocolate in the house.

Tomorrow I start #10. Avoid sugar for 30 days. And I start it not a moment too soon!


Today I did make it to the gym. That is two times since I started this list (the first was 5/1), so I am almost done with the 3 times a week item!

Yoga

I practiced yoga today (#57) along with a podcast from itunes. It went well - my legs feel all stretchy. One down, 142 to go.

Fun in the Mud

Yesterday was the first "Community Work Day" for my community garden. I have been given a garden site at a local park along with 9 other gardeners. We met at the site to spread and rake in compost and then to mark off our plots.

As I am a brand new gardener - I had to go make some garden tool purchases first thing in the morning. I bought a shovel, a steel rake and a pair of gloves.

After working in the garden, I was amazed at how dirty everything was. It had been raining until about 1 hour before our work began. The dirt had caked onto my shoes (my clogs had been magically changed into platform shoes). I now wish I had taken a picture.

After working, I wrote in my garden journal (#9 - 1 of 21). I love my garden site. I am dreaming of fresh tomatoes!

Off to a Good Start!

I finished making my list yesterday morning over breakfast (I was not able to post it at that time as my husband was on the computer). So off I went to work.

At work I weighed myself (#58) and I was a tad below my goal weight. Whoo hoo! Week 1 of 143. I am actually worried about this item on the list, I think it might be one of those that does not get completed. But at least I am off to a good start!

After work, my friend invited me to go out to dinner with her and a visiting friend. We went to Smokejacks. I suggested it because I had heard they have a localvore item on the menu daily. The localvore item was a Flatbread made from locally milled flour, local cheese, local tomato sauce, local greens and mushrooms. It tasted okay. It was great to get one of three of these done (#20)!

This morning, I wrote up the dinner and submitted it to the Vermont Fresh Network! Well on my way to completing #21!

101 Things to do in 1001 Days - The List

My first goal (not on this list) was to get this list completed for May Day! Happily, I succeeded.


Items in italics are done. Items in blue are currently being worked on.

1. Plan garden for 2008
2. Buy seeds
3. Buy seedlings
4. Harden seedlings
5. Plant an organic garden
6. Weed as needed during the summer
7. Maintain garden throughout the summer
8. Eat ONLY local foods for at least 4 weeks (consecutive or not)
9. Write in garden journal 21 times 2/21
10. Avoid sugar for one month 0/30
11. Every day in September, eat 80% local foods 0/90
12. Eat 5+ servings of fruit and vegetables daily for 42 consecutive days 0/42
13. Visit Jericho Settler's Farm
14. Try a new food
15. Attend a Vermont Fresh Network Farmer's Dinner
16. Find a source for raw milk
17. Take another gardening class
18. Get sunflower oil from Butterworks Farm
19. Visit Stony Pond Farm
20. Eat an all local meal (w marco polo exception) at 3 restaurants 2/3
21. Write up info on meals for the Vermont Fresh Network 2/3
22. Make Dad quilt for Mom
23. Make Dad quilt for B
24. Make Dad quilt for B
25. Make Dad quilt for me
26. Make tote for L
27. Make tote for E
28. Make tote for J
29. Make tote for M
30. Make tote for M
31. Make tote for J
32. Make tote for B
33. Make tote for B
34. Make tote for R
35. Make tote for B
36. Make tote for K
37. Make tote for G
38. Make tote for G
39. Make tote for J
40. Make tote for D
41. Finish B quilt
42. Update N's scrapbook
43. Update A's scrapbook
44. Update A's scrapbook
45. Update I's scrapbook
46. Start N's scrapbook
47. Update all scrapbooks yearly 0/3
48. Make Christmas cards one year
49. Update E'sT scrapbook
50. Make appointment for physical
51. Ask Dr. at least 3 questions
52. Get cholesterol tested
53. Get blood sugar tested
54. Continue going to gym 429 times 15/429
55. Commute to work by bike at least 10x in summer 0/30
56. Take another yoga class
57. Practice yoga at home 143 times 1/143
58. Keep weight at or below goal 143 times 3/143
59. Organize Kitchen
60. Organize Bedroom
61. Organize Home Office
62. Organize Bathroom
63. Organize hidden areas
64. Organize Photo Albums and pictures
65. Organize Living Room
66. Organize Holiday Season items
67. Organize travel items
68. File daily (as needed) for 63 consecutive days 0/63
69. Go one week without spending any money
70. Go one month without spending money (except for food and gas)
71. Finish and return books borrowed prior to May 1st, 2008 5/5
72. Release 30 books (bookcrossing.com) 13/30
73. Read 5 books on "to read" list (goodreads.com) 1/5
74. Make and keep date night for 21 consecutive weeks 0/21
75. Do 33 new things with K 1/33
76. Go to the beach this summer
77. Take a class about something I don't know about
78. Take a day off from the computer, TV and Cell phone 33 times 0/33
79. Take a day off of all obligations 2x year 0/6
80. Visit a location I have not been to before
81. Re-read Jane Eyre
82. Re-read Cold Mountain
83. Re-read Time Traveler's Wife
84. Visit family in Syracuse
85. Write letters to nieces & nephew w/return envelope
86. Go to Chicago at least 2 times 1/2
87. Visit Mom at least 1x every 3 months 4/11
88. Write 6 letters to family members 0/6
89. Read 3 books about work topics 1/3
90. Incorporate at least 1 idea generated by book into the work place 0/3
91. Journal the success/failure of the idea 0/3
92. Buy new work clothes 2x year 2/3
93. Plan and work with K to succeed in taking another trip
94. Create a date book system that works for me
95. Play tourist locally and see or do something I have not before
96. Complete 3 SF0 tasks
97. Make someone feel special (do this 21 days in a row - can be different people) 0/21
98. Re-work weekly chore list
99. Find 4 new ways to be more frugal and try them out
100. Decide whether or not to make a second 101 list when this is done
101. Donate 1 hour of volunteer work to a non-profit, and $10 to Community Friends, for each item not completed on this list by 1/26/2011.


Some of the items on my list seem mundane. Some seem like they will push me a little. Most I am looking forward to!

101 things to do in 1001 days

I am creating my list of 101 things to do in 101 days. I would like to begin my list on May 1st.