For over a year now it has seemed like every book I have picked up has talked about how sugar affects the body, especially for women, and how much better we off if we cut out the sugar. Everyone says sugar is a poison.

Then i started reading about how sugar affects specific health problems I have experienced. (Infertility, fatigue, weak immune system)

I read enough about it in enough different places to start to think that God might be trying to speak to me about this.

But I didn't want to switch over to "fake" sugars or sugar "substitutes," as I'm more concerned about the health dangers of most of them.

I have slowly been making the switch to more of a whole foods approach, and I definitely prefer anything that is more natural, or in a more natural form. So I started looking to things like honey, maple syrup, and Rapadura to substitute for most of the sugar, although I don't want to overdo any of those items, either.

Well, I finally found the discipline to cut out most of the sugar (especially sodas, which were initially hard to give up), and I couldn't believe how much better I have felt. The fatigue that has been haunting me for years now is vanishing. It's not that I have a huge burst of energy, but I'm no longer dragging around my house, with a foggy brain, finding it impossible to concentrate or to work on anything. I never even realized how "foggy" my brain felt until that feeling finally lifted. It is truly amazing. You know, I have asked God for wisdom with these things many times, and I believe He has given it to me. This is a huge change for me.

I also keep reading about how the foods we feed our children can affect their behavior. We give them all this junk and sugar and preservatives, etc., that throws their whole system out of whack, then we get frustrated when their behavior is not so good. We fail to realize that sometimes we do this to them. I certainly believe it now that I can feel the effects on my body after cutting out the sugar and most preservatives and additives.

For years I thought there was no way to get around all the additives and preservatives, because that's just the world we live in now. But I am learning that it is possible if we just invest a tiny bit of effort. It would be difficult to completely cut these things out, but we can significantly reduce them in our diets.

Also, this past week my diet has suffered due to being busy with Easter get-togethers, my birthday, and some work I've been doing. I slipped back into eating some junky Easter candy and having some sodas, and I have really paid the price. I have felt so light-headed and un-energetic, and it is just awful. I can relate it to how I used to drink alcohol (yes, I hate to admit it, but my past is not without blemish) and enjoy it, but now I HATE that out-of-control feeling and would never want to experience it again. That's how I'm starting to feel with this sugar thing. It really affects my brain chemistry, my energy, etc. I don't want to feel lousy anymore, when I know that a little bit of discipline and planning can prevent it to a large degree.

One of my internet friends, "Daisey," has a saying: Nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels. I am finding that statement to be so true.

Also, since our diet has slipped so badly this week, and I have given in and allowed my daughter to eat a lot of "junk," she has now - sure enough - come down with a cold. Happens every time I let her go crazy with the junk food. But I am quickly getting it under control with natural remedies - but she shouldn't have had to experience this if I had better controlled her diet this past week.

So...this road to better health is a wonderful, rewarding journey! I love feeling better, and knowing that I'm doing great things for my family's health!