SUGAR SHOCK! Blog

5 Tips to Soften Halloween Sugar Shock

Since we're days away from Halloween, here are 5 Tips to Soften Sugar Shock after your night of candy hoarding (let's face it -- that's what most children (and their parents) will do.

It's also safe to assume that your kids and you are going to indulge -- or possibly
over-indulge.

So, given the fact that it's pretty much a given that most Americans will go into do sugar overloading,  here are
5 tips to Soften Sugar Shock.

1) Treat Yourself to a Good Meal First.

Before you or your kids head out for trick or treating,
make sure to eat a nourishing meal of quality protein (free-range chicken, fish, etc.), some healthy fats (like a little olive drizzled over your meal), and quality carbs (a salad, veggies and maybe whole grains). You could even eat a small slice of pumpkin -- not the pie but the actual cooked pumpkin!

2) Boogie On!

After you get back from trick or treating, put on your and your children's favorite tunes -- as high energy as possible -- and dance. (This can help to bring your kid "down" from the sugar rush.)

3) Cut Yourself & Your Kids Some Slack!

When you go into sugar shock, expect some behavioral changes immediately after all the
candy eating. Please do NOT hold that against that person! For instance, they or you may snap with no
good reason, may lack focus or direction, and may even konk out despite already having had 8 hours of  sleep. These sugar shocked symptoms will pass -- provided you stay away from sweets in the days after harrowing Halloween.

4) Ration & Then Toss the Sweet Stuff

Candy in the house can be dangerous! Do you know anyone who can just have one tiny little
piece and then stop? So ahead of time, decide that you or your kids will allow x number of
pieces per day -- I recommend 2 to 4 tops (and we're talking TINY pieces after eating
a good meal. But save only 1 or 2 days' worth. Then take the rest and toss it down the
disposal. Yeah, you may think it's simply awful to be so wasteful, but it's more dangerous to your body to keep shoving it full of empty-calorie sugar-filled treats.   

5) Become a Cautious Candy Detective.

If # 4's suggestion to Toss the Sweet Stuff bothers you, then inspect the food
labels on your favorite candies. I guarantee that you'll be stunned at what your favorite sweets contain.
That'll make you more inclined to want to Toss the Sweet Stuff, because your body deserves
better, right?

Have a sweet, safe Halloween.

And remember, Halloween is about fun, dressing up (costumes), laughter, friendship and NOT
candy!


Warmly,

 

 

Connie Bennett
Your Sugar Liberator & Sweeter Life Coach and Author, Sugar Shock!

Candy-Obsessed Nation?

As someone who has been seduced by candies galore -- to the point of having my health comprised -- and who now helps sugar addicts worldwide Break Free of their addiction, I found this New York Times article by Julia Moskin about candy and the Candy Professor quite compelling.

How fascinating that this professor, Samira Kawash, is so intrigued -- or shall I say obsessed -- about the subject of candy.

But, let's face it -- add a self-mocking chuckle here -- you could also say the same thing about me given that I've written an entire book (extensively researched, too) about sugar (Sugar Shock) and am now writing my next book (Beyond Sugar Shock)!

Sure, go ahead, laugh with me, because I'm offering  this "candy obession confession," if you will, by playfully poking fun of myself in a good-natured, now-knowing, self-deprecating tone.

I even invite you to check out this cartoon I commissioned a few years back to make light of my former, over-the-top red licorice habit. (Please note that this is an exaggeration. I never cowered in closets with my bags of red licorice.)

But let me ask you this: What made this Candy Professor, Yours Truly and millions of candy-chomping, overweight, obese or evern average-weight Americans so intensely interested in sugar-loaded candies of all flavors and sizes?

Clearly, if we were living in the 1700s or 1800s, we wouldn't be so fascinatinated by candies or sugar, for that matter, because it wasn't available in such over-abundance?

Bags and bags of candies are overrunning us, fattening us up and making us and our kids sick, especially at this harrowing time of year, Halloween week, the Season of Sugar Shock.

By the way, did you kow that there's an organization, the National Confectioners Association (www.candyusa.com), that is dedicated to spreading information about sweets and snacks and "fostering industry growth," as you can listen here. (You'll learn, for instance, about the current economic sea changes, the "lens of affordability" and shopping stats.)

The NCA even uncovered a a new study, that finds Candy Consumption Not Associated with Negative Health Outcomes. Excuse me, but how many people do you know who can eat only small amounts of candies? Moderate candy eaters are the exception, not the rule. So I wouldn't pay attention to this conclusion.

What it comes down to is that we are Candy-Obsessed Nation -- make that world -- because of a variety of reasons.

1. You cannot hide from candies. It's almost ubiquitous. o matter where you go, from drug stores to grocery stores to even hospitals, you'll find machines and people, all to happy to dispense huge amounts of the stuff to anyone of any age. There's no carding you if you want to buy sugary "treats."
2. Candies are easily and quickly manufactured. Since we're products of this technological age, nutrient-lacking candies of all sizes, shapes and flavors using lots of sugar, particularly high fructose corn syrup, are produced at warp speed, especially for this most scary night and week of the year, Halloween and beyond.

Check out the fascinating New York Times article now.

Speaking of candies, you have to read the blog from my friend, the self-described "candy addict/journalst" Dana Kennedy, A Year Without Candy. (It's quite the compelling read.)

And now a word for our conscience -- not our sponsor. Before you start chomping on candies during this Season of Sugar Shock, ask yourself what you're really seeking. Do you want candies or are you just yearning for joy, excitement, love and fun?

Get Motivated by the Spiritual Cinema Circle

Do you find yourself getting blue, discouraged or frustrated at times?

What you need is a regular inspirational boost. And you can get that, thanks to my friends at the Spiritual Cinema Circle.

Being a member of this movie club is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself or your loved ones.

You get the most amazing movies. For instance, this month, I received the wonderful films, "The Bling of Being" and "Do You Wanna Dance?" Plus, I got the shorts, "Gaiam Portraits with Marcia Wieder" and "Nativity."

You'll be intrigued by "The Bling of Being," which is about a modern day Holy Man, who has advised celebrities, presidents, rock stars and elderly people.

I strongly recommend that you check out the exciting Spiritual Cinema Circle.

What's cool is that you can even join for a free trial.

Join Spiritual Cinema Circle now and please let me know what you think. 

Make sure to tell your friends or gift a gift membership. Just send them to http://tinyurl.com/SpiritualCinemaCircle-Connie

Disclosure: Please note that I'm a hearty affiliate of the Spiritual Cinema Circle so if you order, I'll get a small commission so I can kept bringing you quality information, programs and services that sweeten your life.

Meet Me in Tampa for the I Can Do It! Conference with Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Cheryl Richardson, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Mona Lisa Schultz, Greg Braden & Other Inspiring People

As I've mentioned here recently, I'm thrilled to now be part of the Hay House family. They're publishing my next book, Beyond Sugar Shock.

Anyhow, I'm excited that I'll be in Tampa from Nov. 12 to 14 for the exciting I CAN DO IT! WEEKEND CONFERENCE! so that I can get inspired by such amazing Hay House authors as Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Carolyn Myss, Sonia Choquette, Dr. Christianne Northrup, Cheryl Richardson, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Mona Lisa Schultz, Greg Braden and many others.

Plus, I'm thrilled that I'll get a chance to meet many of them, too. (Well, that's my intention.).

Which brings me to my offer: If you come to the I CAN DO IT! WEEKEND CONFERENCE in Tampa, Florida from Nov. 12 to 14, I'll have lunch or drinks with the group of you. (Bear in mind that when I say drinks, I mean sparkling water or healthy teas, not booze!) Over lunch or drinks -- whatever time permits, I'll answer your questions, give you a free mini-coaching session or chat with you about whatever you like.

So join me in Tampa for the I CAN DO IT! WEEKEND CONFERENCE!

Please make sure to let me know in advance if you're coming so I can get your cell phone number and set up our lunch or drinks together.

Still on the fence as to whether or not you should go?

The I CAN DO IT! WEEKEND CONFERENCE! is the event you’ve been waiting for! The I Can Do It! conference has it all:

• A host of dynamic speakers to entertain and educate you.
• An onsite bookstore with a variety of books, CDs, DVDs, and other products from your favorite authors.
• Dozens of fascinating seminars and workshops.
• An exhibit area offering wares from jewelry and clothing to crystals and massages.
• Book-signing events with the authors after each session.
• Live radio broadcasts from the conference on HayHouseRadio.com
• The companionship of new friends who share your interests.
• Most importantly, special appearances by Louise Hay.

I Can Do It! is sure to energize your mind, body, and spirit—the event has all you would ever want and more! Not to mention the breathtaking venue right on the waterfront in fabulous downtown Tampa. Once you attend your first ICDI conference, it won’t be your last!

Plan your trip now. By the way, when you sign up, mention that Connie Bennett referred you. (Yes, I'm a proud affiliate thrilled to be associated with the amazing Hay House.)

See you soon? Sign up now.

I CAN DO IT! WEEKEND CONFERENCES!

Make Money While You Sleep or Play: Become a Stop Sugar Shock Affiliate

Anyhow, to help you out as my affiliate, I've prepared a special affiliate site to help you learn how can make money by referring people to my Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction Program™ (and other programs). 

via www.sugarshockaffiliates.com

It's Official: Publisher's Marketplace Announces The Beyond Sugar Shock Diet for Hay House

It's official!

My next book, Beyond Sugar Shock (now called The Beyond Sugar Shock Diet), is on the way, thanks to the amazing publisher Hay House, which brings you a remarkable array of empowering self help, inspirational and transformational books, products and events. (Although I'm a trained writer, I can't even begin to describe my excitement at being with them! It's a dream come true! This remarkable company will help me to serve you better!)

Anyhow, on Oct. 20, Publishers Marketplace, which provides news for publishing professionals, posted this announcement. (FYI, you can't access link anymore unless you're a member.)

Diet
Sugar Shock author Connie Bennett's BEYOND SUGAR SHOCK: The 6-Week Plan to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction & Get a Slimmer, Sexier & Sweeter Life, to Patricia Gift at Hay House, for publication in Winter 2012, by Wendy Sherman (world).
wendy@wsherman.com

It bears repeating that I'm really honored, grateful and thrilled to be with the amazing Hay House, which can inspire you anytime, thanks to its amazing the amazing Hay House Radio and its Heal Your Life website.

By the way, in The Beyond Sugar Shock Diet, you'll get a simple, fun, guided mind/body/spirit plan that gives you oodles of juicy, empowering, inspiring information, strategies and systems.

Learn here about how a tweeter named my book!

If you haven't read my first book, Sugar Shock, yet, I invite you to get it now.

If you're frustrated that your addiction to sugar or refined carbs has kept you from being the remarkable person you can be, let me help you achieve Sugar Freedom Now™! You'll be surprised at how just this one change can help you, as I like to say, Get a Life that Rocks!™

Tired of being controlled by your sugar habit? Join liberated (or soon-to-be-liberated) Movers & Shakers at www.Facebook.com/SmartHabitsFans.

And get even more empowered on the Facebook page for Gab with the Gurus, which celebrates its 3rd anniversary in June 2011.

Not Enough Sleep Can Trigger Weight Gain

Yet another study was released, which reveals that if you skip  on sleep, you may gain weight.

This new research, which was discussed in the Annals of Internal Medicine, looked at two groups of people -- those with 5 1/2 hours of sleep and those with 8 hours of sleep.

The researchers concluded that "The amount of human sleep contributes to the maintenance of fat-free body mass at times of decreased energy intake. Lack of sufficient sleep may compromise the efficacy of typical dietary interventions for weight loss and related metabolic risk reduction."

Clearly, the message here is to get enough sleep, and if you do, it'll be much easier to peel off those pounds.

What an easy way to shed excess weight.

Share your tales of sleep leading to weight loss.

Sugar Shock Blog Now Promotes Quality Foods, Products & Services

As you may have noticed, recently the Sugar Shock Blog began promoting certain foods, products or services with affiliate links or banner ads.

I've resisted doing this since the Sugar Shock Blog made its debut on June 7, 2010 because I was focused on bringing you great information and I wanted to maintain the quality of this blog.

Furthermore, I grew weary of being asked to review or comment on various foods or services that did not meet my rigorous standards. You never heard about this before, because I've been refusing to write about these sub-standard (in my opinion) foods and products. For years, however, I have, recommended many books I like.

In retrospect, I realize that Ii've been doing you a disservice by not seeking out and recommending foods, products and services that I love or respect.

So now, on this Sugar Shock Blog, you'll find ads or affiiate banners for foods, products, services and events that I consider to be of the highest caliber.

This means that for foods, NONE of them will ever contain sugar, fructose, maltodextrin, agave (which I consider worse than fructose), honey, artificial sweeteners or even organic cane sugar. (At least, as far as I now.) Meanwhile, I'll also strive to tell you about superior self-growth and other programs and services. 

Anyhow, I intend to continue to behave like a woman and blogger of high integrity. To that end, I'd lke to share with you my Sweet, But Stringent Standards.

Thank you for supporting fabulous companies such as Vital Choice, U.S. Wellness Meats, the makers of the amazing X-iser and Hay House, which is publishing my next book, Beyond Sugar Shock. Speaking of my new publisher, will I see you at the upcoming I Can Do It Conference in Florida?

I also invite you to visit my new Sugar Shock Shop on Open Sky, where you can find organic nut butters, chia seeds, colorful Buddha Bowls, organic shea butter, organic lavendar bath salts, organic cacao nibs,  a yoga mat cover and much more.

If you'd like to recommend a company, food or product to advertise here, let me know. But first, please read my Sweet, But Stringent Standards.

 

Check Out Tasty NuttZo

I'm always on the lookout for healthy, unsweetened, organic foods. that won't put you into Sugar Shock. People often ask me for foods to recommend.

Well, I'm delighted to report that I found Organic NuttZo, a yummy, crunch nut butter that has no sugar or sweeteners added.

Recently, I had some, and it's really tasty! Having a tablespoon of that, I believe, can help to help you (or many of you) to quit thinking about sweets.

Try some yourself, and let me know if you like NuttZo as much as I do.

My Sweet, But Stringent Standards: FYI, I'm pretty careful as to what foods or beverages I'll recommend on this Sugar Shock Blog. For instance, whenever possible, I'll suggest organic foods. In addition, I will NOT recommend anything that contains any sugars or sweeteners, including agave, honey, maltodextin or raw cane sugar. And I will NOT advocate foods containing artificial sweeteners. Learn more here about my Sweet, But Stringent Standards.

Remember to let me know what you think of NuttZo.