Category: Beyond Sugar Shock

Begin Your Day With Positive Thoughts to Create an Exceptional Life, Louise Hay Urges

How do you begin each and every day?
What are the very first thoughts you think?
What ideas fill your head as you get out of bed, hop in the shower, make breakfast, and prepare for the day ahead?
Do you dread the projects and duties that lie ahead of you? Or do you approach your day with happy anticipation?
No matter what challenges you are facing — whether it’s sugar addiction, financial issues, or other family situations — If you begin your day joyously and gratefully, you’ll have a fabulous day — and life.
Lately, I’ve been giving quite a bit of thought to how I begin my day, thanks to the fabulous new book, You Can Create an Exceptional Life, from two of my heroines, Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson, both mega-best-selling authors, who’ve helped millions around the world. (Follow these amazing ladies on Facebook — just click the links I just gave.)
Both of these remarkable women are living proof that the spiritual principles they discuss in their new book really do work. As you read You Can Create an Exceptional Life, you’ll discover that you, too, can create an exceptional life, too.
In fact, I now follow their wonderful advice religiously, and I urge you to do that, too.
In You Can Create an Exceptional Life, which features the collective wisdom of Louise and Cheryl, you get many wonderful tidbits of advice on how lead a glorious life.
For instance, Louise suggests that you begin your day by looking at yourself lovingly in the mirror and telling yourself how much you love yourself and how awesome you are. Try it! You’ll find that this simple little tool works amazing wonders!
Also, see this wonderful YouTube video with Louise and Cheryl.
Anyhow, in this fabulous new book, You Can Create an Exceptional Life, you get many wonderful affirmations to use as you begin and go through your day. (There’s an amazing Collected Affirmations section in the back of the book, which you’ll love, I predict.)
By the way, another one of my absolute favorite CDs/books is, I Can Do It: How to Use Affirmations to Change Your Life, also from Louise Hay.
Since June — after getting quite exhausted, rundown, headachy, low on energy, and really burnt out (I developied electropollution from working long hours on my book, Beyond Sugar Shock) — I’ve been listening to I Can Do It or another Louise Hay CD every morning.
My daily Louise Hay booster shot helped to quickly bring back my natural energy, enthusiasm and joe de vivre. Wow! If you’re facing any kind of challenge, I urge you to check it out!
Let us know here what you think of both of these fabulous books, You Can Create an Exceptional Life and I Can Do It: How to Use Affirmations to Change Your Life.
Stay tuned for photos of me with Louise and Cheryl at Louise’s recent 85th birthday party.
So what new affirmations and thoughts are you having as you begin your day?
(Full Disclosure: My next book, Beyond Sugar Shock, is for Hay House, which is the same publisher for both You Can Create an Exceptional Life and I Can Do It: How to Use Affirmations to Change Your Life, but just because we’re in the same publishing family does not affect my thoughts about these books. Both of these books are amazing, and I’d be raving about them no matter what. Get them now to change your life, and tell us what you think!)

My Next Book: Beyond Sugar Shock

Readers of this Sugar Shock Blog may have noticed that lately I’ve been referring to my next book, the follow-up to Sugar Shock, as The Sugar Shock Diet.
We’re now back to the original title.
So ny next book — which my publisher, Hay House is releasing next spring — is now officially called Beyond Sugar Shock.
The subtitle is The 6-Week Plan to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction & Get Slimmer, Sexier & Sweeter.
I’m now in the middle of doing more editing on it, but you’ll learn more about it later. Also, stay tuned for a free, upcoming teleseminar.
As noted earlier, this is the follow-up to Sugar Shock, which is more of an expose about sugar’s dangers. My new book will give you a guided plan to you can easily, effortlessly release your sugar or carb habit and get a better life and body in the process.
If you haven’t read my first book yet, I invite you to get Sugar Shock now. Please let me know what you think of it.

Is There Any Comfort in Comfort Foods?

Lately, while editing (finishing) my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet (for Hay House), I’ve been thinking about comfort foods.
I came across this fascinating Top 25 Comfort Foods list from www.About.com.
Apple Pie
Baked beans
Banana pudding
Beef stew
Brisket pot roast
Chicken & dumplings
Chicken pot pie
Chicken soup
Chili
Chocolate chip cookies
Corn on the cob
Fried Chicken
Gelatin
Green bean casserole
Hot dogs
Ice cream
Macaroni & cheese
Mashed potatoes
Meatloaf
Potato salad
Pumpkin pie
Shepherd’s pie
Spaghetti
Tomato soup
Tuna casserole
I’ll write more later about comfort foods, when I’m off deadline, but for now, tell us: What are your favorite comfort foods?
By the way, I’ve now decided to create recipes for a number of Healthier Comfort Foods so you can enjoy them knowing that you’re treating your body well. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, tell us: Do you enjoy any of these comfort foods? And what do comfort foods do for you? What do you get from them?

Today’s Feel-Good Tune is Waka Waka! Get A Fun Song Every Day in Smart Habits Fans on Facebook!

Today’s Feel-Good Tune is “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” from Shakira.
This Feel-Good Tune of the Day is a new fun feature in the Smart Habits Fans on Facebook.
Every day, in Smart Habits Fans, you’ll find another upbeat, exhilarating, cheery, confidence-generating Feel-Good Tune that at cheers you up, empowers you, and lifts you to a great place!
Shakira Waka Waka Dance (1) Right now, when you can, take just a few minutes — the song’s only a quick break — and get up and boogie!
So how does this amazing song, Waka Waka make you feel?
It’s far better and sweeter than food, junk food or sugary chocolate, isn’t it?
Join us now in the Smart Habits Fans to get Daily Feel-Good Tunes.
By the way, I’m posting on Facebook — at http://www.facebook.com/smarthabitsfans — instead of here, on this Sugar Shock Blog, because it’s easier, quicker, and it allows us to become more interactive. Also, you can easily share the tunes from friends and fans.
By the way, I got the idea for posting a Feel-Good Tune of the Day on the Smart Habits Fans page on Facebook, because I need to come up with ways to get away from the computer — I need to cut back on my constant exposure to those harmful EMFs or electromagnetic fields from my computer, etc. (When on deadline, as I cam now for my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet, I tend to put in 10, 12, 14 hours a day, and all that electropollution has been dragging me down. So it’s time for Feel-Good Breaks! Learn more about the dangers of electropollution on my recent Gab with the Gurus Radio Show.
Like this post now, and share it on Facebook with your friends or fans. Then get up and boogie!
Been writing too long on the computer. Time to get away from those EMFs. It’s dancing time to Waka Waka!

Institute for Integrative Nutrition: Should You Go?

IIN – n25111276360_3734 This month, as usual, more people have sought me out to quiz me about the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I went to school.
Often, special, positive-thinking, health-minded folks track me down to ask me if they should attend this world’s largest nutrition school.
Given that I’m on deadline for my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet (that’s the official announcement), I’ll quickly answer some of your questions.
Please note that while I can share my personal experiences, I’m not an IIN staffer. I am, however, an Ambassador though now — a very part-time thing I took on so people can ask me about the school.
What I’ve found is that inevitably, people ask the same questions over and over again. That’s why I’ve prepared a number of blog posts to to help you out.
First, let me refer you to perhaps the best place for answers about IIN.
Get your IIN questions answered here: http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2010/01/institute-for-integrative-nutrition-deepak-chopra-dr-andrew-weil-more.html
You can find even more replies here: www.sugarshockblog.com/2008/02/
You can even listen to me participate in a special IIN program here: http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2010/01/institute-for-integrative-nutrition-listen-to-yesterdays-program.html
And you can get yummy recipes for kale chips and scallops here: http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2009/12/recipe-kale-chips-from-the-institute-for-integrative-nutrition.html and then here: http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2010/09/recipe-iin-winner-frank-giglios-seared-scallops-with-cucumber-salad.html
As you can tell, I’ve written about IIN a lot over the years. I even ecstatically shared when I graduated from the schoole in 2006: http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2006/06/its_official_i_.html
Of course, you’ll have more questions, too. So get your questions answered liveinstance on July 21 or July 28.
Here’s how to attend an Info Session.
By the way, I also found this post, which includes a little info about me at the bottom.
And I just noticed that I’ve been added to the Notable Alumni list. Cool!
One thing that I loved about IIN is how people are encouraged to follow their passion and find one area where you can most help people.
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m a Sugar Freedom Expert. My mission is to help people release their sugar or carb addiction. You can sign up for the self-guided program here).
By the way if you’ve “fallen flat on your face” by making dietary goofs galore, here are some tips to get you back on track that appear on my Huffington Post blog.
If you’re an IIN grad or someone considering attending IIN, feel free to write to us. And make sure to let me and them know if you attend!
Disclosure: Yes, if you attend and give my name, I will receive a little something, which, of course, goes to help me continue to serve people around the world.

Sugar Shock Readers: What Would You Like in My Next Book? (Last Call)

Attention, readers of my first book, Sugar Shock.
Amazon Sug Sh 51RDZ7DBVAL._SL110_ This is the last call for any ideas on what to include in my next book.
I’m now making last-minute changes and editing to my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet,which will be released next year by Hay House. (Here’s the original announcement.)
My next book will provide you a simple, six-week mind-body-spirit plan that will allow you to easily cut back on those quickie carbs so you can shed excess weight, boost your libido, increase your energy, and much more.
Please, dear readers of Sugar Shock, as I’m doing final rewriting and editing for Sugar Shock Diet, tell me what you’d like to see included.
What would make your life easier and sweeter?
Please tell us now, on this Sugar Shock Blog, and on the Facebook Smart Habits Fans Page what you’d like to see in this next book.

Connie’s Super Cacao-Chia-Moringa Shake to Begin the Day

Lately, Facebook friends and other fans have been intrigued when I said I start my day with a Super Cacao-Chia-Moringa Shake.
For the past week or so, I’ve been creating and revising this tasty concoction, adding or subtracting ingredients. Now, people have been repeatedly nudging me to share my recipe.
First a bit of background. Recently, I’ve been recovering from adrenal fatigue (worked too hard and didn’t play enough!), and I’m now doing all I can to boost my energy, concentrate better, improve my stamina, be in my best shape ever, and write a fabulous book (my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet) to help many.
To that end, I’m now on Day 24 of detoxing, thanks to the program outlined in Dr. Jeffrey Morrison’s exciting new book, Cleanse Your Body, Clear Your Mind. (He recently appeared on my Gab with the Gurus Show. I’ll be reposting as soon as I hit Day 30.)
6-24-11 283Anyhow, these days, my goal is to cram lots of superfoods and healthy ingredients into my first meal of the day.
My breakfast helps me remember that we eat to live and to thrive, remember?
So here’s the healthy way I now start the day. Usually, I’ll work out right afterwards, too, and it’s easy to prepare this Super Cacao-Chia-Moringa Shake.
It fills you up, too, and doesn’t send your blood sugar bouncing all over the place.
Here are the items that go into my breakfast shake:
— 2 T. The Ultimate Life, Ultimate Meal. What’s really wonderful about this powder is that it contains no gluten, no soy protein or fiber, no whey, no nuts, no MSG, no corn, no yeast, no dairy, no maltodextrin, sugar, honey or fructose, no colors, no preservatives, no fillers, and no animal products. (This is very hard to find in protein and health powders.)
– 2 T. organic cacao nibs. Adding these gives your shake a chocolate burst–plus you get the superfood benefits. Love these nibs!
– 1 tsp. Ribose (Just started to add this today to use before an intense workout – the one I use is Ribose from Jarrow. (As the description indicates, “Ribose is one of the necessary building blocks for the formation of ATP; the `universal’ energy molecule in the body.* Physical stress can deplete ATP stores in cardiac and skeletal muscles.* As the rate-limiting substrate in the synthesis of nucleotides; including ATP; ribose plays a vital role in replenishing ATP; thus; enhancing energy production; improving muscle recovery;and thus Muscle Edge.
I also add to the shake:
– 1 tsp. Psyllium Husks Powder (I’m using this because I’m now detoxing. I use the one from Yerba Prima)
– 1 T. ground Nutiva organic chia seeds (or whatever brand you can find.)
– 1 T. ground plain organic flax seeds (I like the Spectrum that you can find at Whole Foods.)
1 tsp. Glutamine Plus from Daily Benefit
1 tsp. It’s Moringa powder (*The Moringa plant has been called “The Miracle Tree.” I just started taking this today and am noticing a difference. Believe it or not, but I started adding this today, because my intuition told me to include this superfood, which I learned about months ago. See info below to learn more about this amazing product of nature.)
A big dash of Simply Organic cinnamon
Some clove powder if I’m in the mood for that
About 10 frozen organic strawberries from my friends at Vital Choice. (Or, I may use a combo of strawberries and blueberries that I’ve bought fresh and frozen.)
Sometimes I’ll add a tiny pinch of green powdered stevia from Navitas Natural . (Sometimes no sweetener at all. I never use the white powder though. It always has to be naturally sweet.)
About 8 ounces Water (after my Brita water filter has purified it)
Coconut milk (about 1/3 cup/Soy Free/Dairy Free/Unsweetened from SoDelicious. (I may also or instead of the milk take a tiny taste, about 1/4 tsp., of refrigerated Organic Coconut oil.)
(At the beginning of the day, I also take two or more Ogganic Royal Maca but do NOT put this in the shake because I don’t want it to ruin the taste.)
Blend until all ingredients are ground up and your shake is thick and creamy. Then enjoy!
FYI, I also save about a third of it in the fridge to finish when I get back from working out.
Let me know what you think of this recipe. What other great super ingredients would you add?
Moringa-Oleifera Now, let here’s more info about Moringa oleifera, which has been hailed as the most nutritious leafy green in the planet today.
As I mentioned, I began adding it to my shake today. It did not make it taste extra green-y, which was nice.
* Please bear in mind that these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease.
According to my new friend, Jude Ken-Kwofie, founder of It’s Moringa, “just one scoop of our moringa dried leaf powder in your favorite meal or beverage helps you achieve your recommended 5 to 9 daily servings of vegetables.”
Moringa can be used by people in average or poor health, Jude says. Some reported health benefits of Moringa include:
Increases and sustains energy naturally
Gives a feeling of general wellness
Nourishes that body’s immune system
Promotes healthy circulatory system
Increases the natural defenses of the body
Heightens mental clarity
Provides nourishment to the eyes and the brain
Promotes metabolism with bio-available ingredients
Promotes natural serum cholesterol
Known to enhance weight loss
Promotes healthy digestion
Acts as an antioxidant
High alkalinity helps balance your body’s pH level
Has natural anti-aging benefits
Anti-inflammatory support
Supports the normal sugar levels of the body
Jude tells me that It’s Moringa products contain a high concentration of chlorophyll, which is also known as the “blood of the plant” and gives plants their green color. Chlorophyll, which is rich in magnesium, is also known to fight infection, cleanse the body of unwanted toxins, promote the healing of wounds, improve the body’s circulatory, immune, digestive, and detoxification systems. Due to its similarity to hemoglobin, chlorophyll is easily absorbed into human blood, which transports nutrients effectively and efficiently to every cell of the body. Incorporating chlorophyll into one’s diet, Jude says, is equivalent to consuming the energy of life. It’s Moringa products reportedly contain 4 times (4X) the chlorophyll content of wheatgrass.
What appeals to me about It’s Moringa and why I chose to become an affiliate even though other companies also sell this superfood is that this particular company donates 10 percent of its sales to support malnutrition around the world. In fact, did you now that one third of all childhood deaths are caused by under-nutrition? Sad to think about that given our country’s obesity problem.
Anyhow, to fight malnutrition, It’s Moringa has partnered with Vitamin Angels or www.vitaminangels.org and Nourish America or www.nourishamerica.org..
So, what do you think of my Super Cacao-Chia-Moringa Shake? Let me know know what you think aftter you try it out.
Is there anything else I should add?

Sugar Shock Readers: What Would You Like in My Next Book?

Amazon Sug Sh 51RDZ7DBVAL._SL110_ Attention, readers of my first book, Sugar Shock.
Please give your feedback!
I’m now wrapping up my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet, which will be released next year by Hay House, which brings you empowering self help, inspirational and transformational books, products and events. (Here’s the original announcement, and yes, the title of my book may be changing.)
Please, dear readers of Sugar Shock, as I’m rewriting and editing The Sugar Shock Diet, please tell me what you’d like to see included.
What would make your life easier and sweeter?
We’re eager to get your feedback now!
So what would you want included in my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet? Tell us now here, on this Sugar Shock Blog, and on the Facebook Smart Habits Fan Page.

Gab with the Gurus Presents Experts Galore for 3-Year Anniversary

This week marks the three-year anniversary of my show, Gab with the Gurus on BlogTalkRadio.
Here is a press release now being distributed about the show.
World-Renowned Sleep Doctor Dr. Michael Breus, Love Expert Lauren Frances, Emotional Wellness Guru Deborah King, Social Media Wizard, Mike Stelzner Begin Celebration of Gab with the Gurus Three-Year Anniversary
Experts Regularly Empower Listeners Around the World on the Gab with the Gurus Show
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2011
NEW YORK–Starting week, world-renowned “Sleep Doctor” Dr. Michael Breus, love coach Lauren Frances, emotional wellness expert Deborah King, spiritual leader Marianne Williamson, and social media wizard Mike Stelzner appear on the Gab with the Gurus Show (www.GabWithTheGurus.com), which is celebrating its three-year anniversary.
The Gab with the Gurus Show—which is hosted by internationally recognized speaker, bestselling author, journalist, and Freedom Coach Connie Bennett—regularly presents internationally acclaimed guests, who are bestselling authors, celebrities, and recognized experts from a variety of fields.
Gab with the Gurus guests give worldwide listeners valuable, life-changing information about a variety of subjects, including health, fitness, wealth, social networking, business development, self-help, personal empowerment, the Law of Attraction, business, blogging, social networking, relationships, human potential, self-growth, celebrities, and more. The show–which airs on the acclaimed BlogTalkRadio.com–also features popular TV and film stars, as well as best-selling fiction writers.
“Every week, we’re pleased to present internationally recognized gurus and celebrities, who are here to educate, empower and motivate listeners to Get a Life That Rocks™,” says Gab with the Gurus founder and host Connie Bennett.
“Each guest gives listeners one or more simple tips that are easy to implement immediately,” adds Bennett, who normally hosts the Gab with the Gurus Show every Wednesday at 2 pm EST.
As part of the three-year-anniversary celebration for the rest of the month, Gab with the Gurus shows will air every weekday at 2 pm EST. (Most shows are live interviews.)
People from around the world can listen to Gab with the Gurus Show on BlogTalkRadio several ways:
Listen live at 2 pm EST on the BlogTalkRadio site, www.GabWithTheGurus.com, or download later, a podcast
Listen after the show airs on Bennett’s blog, www.SugarShockBlog.com
Later, on the Gab with the Gurus Facebook fan page, www.Facebook.com/GabWithTheGurus and also Bennett’s Smart Habits Fans page
Download or subscribe via iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/gab-gurus-with-connie-bennett/id290617732
During the Gab with the Gurus three-year anniversary celebration this month, these best-selling authors and world-renowned experts are scheduled:
Transformational teacher Marianne Williamson, author of A Course in Weight Loss
Love coach Lauren Frances, author of Dating, Mating, and Man Handling
Deborah King, emotional wellness expert and author of the new book, Be Your Own Shaman
Happiness and love expert Marci Shimoff, author of Happy for No Reason and Love for No Reason
Social media wizard Mike Stelzner, author of the new book, Launch: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition
“Sleep Doctor” Dr. Michael Breus, author of the new book, The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan
Renowned love expert Dr. Diana Krischner, author of the new book, Sealing the Deal
Dave Kerpen, CEO of Likeable Media, a social media marketing firm and author of new book, Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (& Other Social Networks)
Stress Relief Expert Lauren E. Miller, author of 99 Things You Wish You Know Before Stressing Out
Positive change advocate Brian Vaszily, author of the new book, The 9 Intense Experiences
World-renowned Lauren Mackler, author of the new book, Soleness: Master the Art of Aloneness and Transform Your Life
The late “Grandfather of Fitness” Jack LaLanne (this is a replay of a previous show)
Equinox Group Fitness Manager Mark Hendricks on the value and fun of exercising
Michael Port, author of Book Yourself Solid and the Think Big Manifesto
And more