I was raised on sugar. Now with all I know about food and how the body works, I find it amazing that I survived as well as I did with the amount of sugar and other non-food foods that I used to eat on a daily basis. Granted, I wasn't well, but I was not all that different from what most Americans subject themselves to each day. In fact, I read some statistic that said in the 1800's the average American ate about a pound of sugar per year and now it is something like 2-5 pounds per week. Astounding. So how does this tie into one of the best years of my life? I happen to be committed to my personal growth and health. I discovered that I had a problem with Candida one year. While searching for the best way to clear this problem, I did not eat anything sweet for an entire year. If I had started out with that thought or goal, I never would have done it. Sweets, even just simple fruits, have always been a favorite thing of mine. I used to look at the dessert section of a menu or a cookbook before deciding if it was for me or not, first, before looking at the main selection of foods.

Since I was determined to clear the Candida condition I kept telling myself that it would just be a couple of months until I could start having some fruit or good quality desserts again. If I got frustrated at not being able to have even an apple, I just kept reminding myself how great I'll feel when the problem is gone and I can have more variety. The months ticked away and I did start feeling better and the more time went on, the less I really wanted "treat" foods anyway. By the end of that year when I felt it was perfectly safe and fine for me to be eating fruits and cookies and things again, I enjoyed them, but they no longer had much of a pull on me. I was free of my need for dessert. I felt empowered by this discovery and I also had gained a skill that has lasted with me, of being able to create other positive changes for myself by taking them one day at a time and continually reminding myself of what I really want instead of the un-supportive thought, word or action. It was one of the best years of my life because even now, many years later all I gained from that year is still helping me today and each year gets better and better and better. Look at where you want to make a new commitment to yourself this year and make it your best year ever!!!