I asked my Mom 2 Mom Connection readers how in the world a mom can get started improving children’s eating habits. My big concern is sugar substitutes — are they OK for kids? If I eat sugar-free yogurt and jello, is that all right for them? My instinct tells me no. In fact, my instinct tells me I should stay clear of those as well. So I’m still on a mission to find what’s natural and best.

After reading the South Beach Diet, I’m convinced that I have a problem with my insulin levels responding too fast to high-glycemic carbs. This affects my moods, my energy levels, my WEIGHT around my middle, and my long-term health. So I just have to stay clear of pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, and baked goods. But my family can still eat them. For example, I can prepare regular tacos for them, while I eat the meat, cheese, and salsa on a huge bed of lettuce.

I can cook everyone a spaghetti dinner and eat my spaghetti sauce on slender green beans instead of noodles. And eat nuts instead of bread. They can have chicken and rice, while I have chicken on salad. They can eat black beans and rice, while I eat black beans and salsa.

It’s a slow transition for me, but I’m hoping to cook more healthy all around. What mom can give up cooking mac & cheese? Not me! I can cook it, but I just can’t eat it.

Post from: Blisstree

South Beach Diet … For the Family?

Here’s a post with good news: Chocolate Promotes Cardiovascular Health Among the Elderly. Ruth says to “opt for the high fat dark chocolate.” Mmmm … always nice to hear an excuse for eating chocolate.

Right now, I’m still working through Phase II of the South Beach Diet, so I’m meeting my chocolate cravings with soy protein bars. I just really have to stay clear of the sugar because once I start, I can’t stop. But after I drop another 20 pounds (thinking positive here), I’ll be able to indulge in occasional scrumptious treats like dark chocolate. To help with insulin levels, it’s best to eat a piece of dark chocolate after a meal, not on an empty stomach.

Post from: Blisstree

Dark Chocolate Is Good For You

I found some ankle weights … and something else. This dumbbell set caught my eye. I don’t know what’s happened to my upper arms over the years, but they look like tree trunks. Nary a muscle in sight. So I’m going to add some bicep curls and arm exercises to see if I can tone up — and quit all that jiggling when I wave. haha.

Lucky for me — this set comes with a 30-minute Strength and Toning DVD. So hopefully, I’ll pick up a few moves and then be able to work out on my own. I put my ankle weights and dumbbells in a plastic box on a shelf in my closet. Is it possible to tone up at home without a fancy schmancy personal trainer? We’ll soon see. Anybody got any tips?

Post from: Blisstree

My New Home Gym — In a Box

I didn’t realize there’s actually a word for this: satiety. In this article, I learned certain foods help you feel full more than others. For example, people say oatmeal helps you feel full because it “sticks to your ribs.” But if you eat a doughnut in the morning — a couple hours later, you’re starving again.

Here’s why, according to Susanna Holt, PhD, who developed a satiety index using popular foods and ranking them compared with a slice of white bread (100). She claims oatmeal has a satiety level of 209, while a doughnut’s rank is 68. Aha! I’ll be studying this fine art of eating.

Post from: Blisstree

Satiety — The Art of Feeling Full