First Day of Work, Sugar Detox Info, and Revolve Student Discounts

Hi all!

Um, so apparently it's October today? That's what my calendar says. 2013 is going way too fast!

Thank you so much for all the well wishes yesterday, both on the blog and via social media. I had a terrific first day of work. It was almost exclusively orientation-filled, but my firm also held a small reception so we could catch up more. It was great to see so many friends from last summer's program!

And I got to see my office! For the first year or so I'll be sharing with an office mate. My friend Hana is my office mate (woot!), but she won't start until October so it's all mine for now. Muahahaha!

Today I get my first assignments, so things will officially start getting busy. I'm excited! I know, I'll be eating those words soon, but for now, I'm ready to get started.

And now, I've got a few things to share!


Sugar Detox with Laura

I had the opportunity to take part in Laura's sugar detox telecourse in early September, and it was an awesome experience. Laura talked about the history of sugar, its physiological effects, and ways to cut back on sugar in our diets. I learned a lot, and feel much better equipped to make smart decisions about my sugar intake. I also participated in one of her sugar detoxes (those are free) this past summer, and it was amazing because I realized how much added sugar is in everything!

For example, on the telecourse, we learned that sugar used to be considered a very special treat and a drug. It was rare for people to have sugar every day like we do now. This reminded me of reading the Little House on the Prairie books -- remember how Laura Ingalls looked forward to Christmas because it was one of the rare times when they cooked with sugar and got candy?

I highly recommend this course and doing a sugar detox, especially if you feel like you have a toxic relationship with sugar. I learned a lot and will definitely be doing another sugar detox in the future!

If you're interested in participating in a telecourse, Laura is doing another one October 3 at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. It's $22, but she's generously offered readers a $5 discount with the code "sugar"! Let me know if you participate and what you think.


Student Discounts at Revolve

I've mentioned my love of student discounts before, although sadly I am no longer a student so can't take advantage. Oh wait, that means I'm making money and don't need to use them... but now I don't have as much time for classes, so I guess it all evens out?

Anyway, Revolve is one of the boutique spin studios in New York, and they've started offering fantastic student discounts!

1 Student Walk-in Ride:  $15

5 Student Walk-in Rides:  $70 ($14/ride)

10 Student Walk-in Rides:  $120 ($12/ride)

20 Student Walk-in Rides:  $200 ($10/ride)

Plus, they have a 5 rides for $50 deal for students, and a student flex unlimited membership plan that's $90 a month on a walk-in-only basis to any class at Revolve with available bikes.

Have you ever done a sugar detox? Did you use student discounts when you were a student? Do you get excited about your first assignment at a new job?

Sugar Detox Recap and Zola Coconut Water Review

Last week, I took part in Laura @ Mommy Run Fast's sugar detox. The challenge called for no added sugar for one week, meaning sugar could not be an ingredient; there could be sugar in something, it just had to be naturally occurring.

I wasn't perfect. A few times I ate out and had some soy sauce-based sauces that I'm guessing had added sugar. But I didn't eat any baked goods, candy, etc. from Monday to Sunday and I only moved on from the detox on Sunday by having a splash of maple syrup on my oatmeal and a square of dark chocolate.

What I realized from the detox is that I don't need sweets. So often when we're hit with a craving, it feels like we absolutely need something sugary. But since cookies and sweets weren't an option at all, I had to just take a deep breath and move on.

What I realized was that my cravings would subside. I didn't spend all afternoon thinking about cookies and baked goods if I didn't grab a sweet when I was in a coffee shop. In fact, the craving would be gone fairly quickly. It was all mental based on seeing or reading about sweets rather than being an actual message from my body.

The one time my sugar craving didn't disappear. I made a batch of my peanut butter balls sweetened with dates and shredded coconut, and that hit the spot perfectly. It's something I'm going to make again for future sweets cravings!


Zola Coconut Water Review

A couple of weeks ago, I was sent a sample of Zola coconut waters and acai juice (and some sweet shades). I drank one of them during the week leading up to the Nike DC Half Marathon and I loved it. I often don't like coconut water because it tastes a bit stale, but this tasted incredibly fresh. Both coconut waters also have no added ingredients -- it's pure coconut water.

I  polished off the second bottle this past week during the sugar detox. Since I couldn't drink nuun because it has added fake sugar, I used coconut water for electrolyte replenishment after particularly sweaty workouts. Both the regular and "with pulp" versions tasted great! I'll be getting these at the store if I see them.

I also loved the acai juice, which I'd actually never tried before. This one does have some added sugar in the form of organic evaporated cane juice, but no more than your average juice bottle, and it has otherwise stellar nutritional stats. I don't buy juice very often, but if I were looking for an antioxidant boost, I would definitely purchase this.


Do you drink coconut water? What's your favorite brand? Have you tried a sugar detox before? What were your results?


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I received a free sample of these juices and coconut waters. As always, opinions about the products are my own.

Recipe: No Sugar Added Coconut PB Balls

Last week, I impulsively signed up for Laura @ Mommy RunFast’s sugar detox. I signed up for the challenge, without much thought or preparation, because while I go through periods where I don’t really want sugar very much, I also go through some insane sugar cravings. And if I think about a certain sugary item, then I immediately want it. 

Monday and Tuesday both went relatively well, except for a few swallows of kombucha and a bite of Kim’s birthday dessert at her surprise dinner Monday night. But Wednesday morning I was absolutely dying for some sugar, so I made these coconut peanut butter balls using dates to add sweetness. They remind me of something my mom used to make when I was little and they're a great sweet snack without a hit of refined sugar.

Ingredients

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 tablespoons oats

2 tablespoons flax seeds

2 tablespoons chia seeds

20 dates

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to food processor and blend until it sticks together. 

2. Form mix into balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Have you ever done a sugar detox or other kind of cleanse?