Life Sans Sugar

It has been just over two weeks since I have had enjoyed a meal with sugar as an added ingredient. In an experiment designed to wean me off of my favorite sweet treats (ice cream, cookies, pastries, pie, etc.), Jenn has agreed to join me in steering clear of added sugar for 30 consecutive days. Ironically, this has coincided with us participating in two programs which deliver fresh, local sea food and vegetables each week. Furthermore, we have planted a small set of garden boxes to grow some of our own produce. We did not plan to overlap all of these changes, it just sort of happened as a result of us wanting to feel more healthy (whatever that means). I find that I nap more than perhaps I would like and I have always attributed that to a) being a man (for some reason we burn out mid afternoon) and/or b) a diet which lends itself to peaks and valleys in energy level. Furthermore, I have thus far fully enjoyed a diet with essentially no restrictions based upon perceived health benefits. I am fortunate that sodas candy (for example) hold little or no appeal for me. It is worth mentioning that this is likely due in part to our upbringing. Although it wasn't until my teenage years that I first learned of terms like organic, partially hydrogenate oils, free-range, saturated fats, high fructose corn syrup, it didn't mean that I went out of my way to modify my diet now that I was armed with this new knowledge. I literally eat whatever I want in the quantities I desire. Unfortunately for my mother growing up, and now Jennifer living together, this can at times lead to high expenses in the food department. Still, I felt great and have always been very active so why change anything? The reason, it occurred to me a couple of years back, why I might want to take a closer look at what I eat is because maybe I could feel even better and do even more if I focused on certain types of foods and avoided others which I understood to be less than healthy for me. Thus, I came up with the no-sugar-for-a-month plan. And although 16 days is probably not long enough to fully see and feel the results of this strategy, I actually think that something is happening. I wish that I had kept a log book of food consumed, daily activities, and energy because it seems to me that my energy levels have been somewhat more sustained. Jenn and I went rock climbing for 5 hours this past weekend and it didn't occur to me to get tired until we had gotten all the way back to the car. That may be the fear-induced adrenaline talking, but then again maybe not. Anecdotally, I feel a little different. A little better. A little healthier. The funny thing is that although I still have mild cravings for sweets, this results in me snacking more on fresh fruit, berries, homemade smoothies etc. in order to get my sugar fix. Case in point: after a dinner of fresh sanddab fish, steamed greens, and baked squash, I just rewarded myself with a banana. Nevertheless, in 14 days I think I will bake a plate of cookies to celebrate the milestone achievement. Because if there is one thing I believe in, it is moderation in moderation!

SPRING into Action!

Although it is a bit misleading to call this the spring season after the amazingly warm and dry "winter" we had, still each day is a bit longer and warmer and in general more inviting. To that end, it's been a really fun start to the year as I've been able to be more active than I have in a long time. I'll be joining a newly created soccer team in an over-30 league which I am really looking forward to. It has been my experience that guys past their physical prime (like myself, if I must admit) are prone to becoming whiny, argumentative, and generally unpleasant to play casual soccer with. Maybe it's the frustration of knowing that your legs aren't as quick, your shots not as powerful, etc. Regardless, I am looking forward to joining this new team as our manager is hand-picking players from various teams in order to bring together a group of respectful, positive, supportive guys and gals to represent the fair play concept. No foul language (okay, maybe a little), no cheap shots at the opposing players, no bitching at the referee. Just good old fashion hard work and fun on the field. More recently, Jenn and I have started rock-climbing together. It's been a really fun challenge for us both. She has more experience and has been instilling a safety-at-all-times approach at every step. I used to think that climbing was no big deal because if you fall off then the rope catches you. While that can be true, I am learning that this is really only the case if you are following someone else who has set the ropes into the anchors for you. When you lead-climb though, you bring the rope up to an anchor and then climb above it to the next one to repeat the process. Thus, if you are 10 feet above one anchor and lose your grip, you will fall that 10 feet PLUS an additional 10 feet before the rope begins to slow your descent. It is dynamic (aka: stretchy) and so it may be another 5 feet or so beyond that before you actually come to a stop. Thus a fall from 10 feet above an anchor translates to a drop of 25 feet. This is all fine and dandy if you manage to avoid smearing the rock on the way down which is really my greatest mental challenge at this point. As crazy as it sounds, I need to learn how to fall by jumping away from the rock and swinging back down into it at the bottom of the drop, hopefully feet first. Anyhow, we climbed the Citadel yesterday and it was awesome. It is a 4-pitch climb rated at just 5.4 (basically a beginner route). When we got to the top though, the view was amazing. We even saw a condor!

Next up? I've just today gotten a call to complete a 25lb, 3-mile pack test in order to qualify to volunteer with the Monterey County Sheriff Dept's Search and Rescue team. With any luck, Jenn and I will be able to help some wayward travellers out of the tricky (or deadly) situations they find themselves in this time of year down in the rugged Ventana and Big Sur wilderness. I am not really sure what to expect or how much I will be able to participate but it sounds like a great way to serve the local community in a fun and rewarding capacity. Oh, and we built and planted a couple of veggie garden boxes and they're doing GREAT. Check it out...