Beyond Sugar Shock: Why I’ve Been Away a Lot — Coming Soon

You may have noticed that I haven’t been super active on this Sugar Shock Blog during the past few months.
That’s because I’ve been quite busy writing, rewriting, and wrapping up work for my next book Beyond Sugar Shock.
The subtitle is: The 6-Week Plan to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction & Get Slimmer, Sexier & Sweeter.
This book is the follow up to my first book, Sugar Shock! How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life– and How You Can Get Back on Track.
Earlier, I announced Beyond Sugar Shock here and also here. And here is my my recent post about it.
Hay HouseBeyond Sugar Shock, marks the culmination of more than 13 years of researching and helping sugar addicts. (Of course, I also learned a lot by quitting sugar myself in 1998, on doctor’s orders.)
Beyond Sugar Shock is coming to you, thanks to my publisher, Hay House, which is the international leader in self-help and transformational publishing.
This book is designed to help you if you’re a sugar addict of any size or shape — overweight, obese, or even slim.
It’s also for you if you’ve been plagued by headaches, anxiety, crazy cravings, brain fog, fatigue, low libido, severe PMS, or other unexplained symptoms.
Beyond Sugar Shock will provide you with a simple six-week program, which allows you to release your sugar addiction easily and effortlessly.
For instance, in Beyond Sugar Shock:
You’ll get simple, fun Mind-Body-Spirit techniques to break free of your sugar addiction.
You’ll undertake simple, interactive adventurcises™ (my word for adventurous exercises), which will drive you to important self-discoveries.
You’ll get several dozen ways to stomp out your sugar cravings.
You’ll discover your sugar color code. (Yes, we’re all different in our relationship with sweets, and this knowledge will empower you to make the right choices for you.)
You’ll detox gradually so that your body, mind and spirit won’t go into shock as you move beyond your sugar obsessions and towards a better life.
You’ll get healthy meal plans and tasty recipes from a nutritionist and exercise physiologist.
And much more.
Hay House is releasing Beyond Sugar Shock on May 1, but in the meantime, you can sign up for a pre-recorded Sugar Freedom Now Course, in which you’ll get to learn some amazingly simple techniques to help you break free.
In addition, stay tuned for some special programs.
Stay tuned for a sneak peek at the gorgeous cover! And I invite you to get excited and spread the word to friends.

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.

The Sugar Shock Diet: Finished Editing!

I’m thrilled to announce that I finally finished editing my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet (formerly called Beyond Sugar Shock).
It’s kind of embarrassing to admit that I’ve been busting my bedtime bigtime to finally finish all my rewriting, etc.
So it’s time to recuperate! Desperately need to give my body and break and get some fun me time!
Wait, that’s not entirely true. Some interns and I are wrapping up the quite extensive bibliography.
Anyhow, I’m pleased to have time now to read and appreciate my friend Ann Louise Gittleman’s hot new book, Fat Flush for Life.
Check it out. It’s quite amazing!
Oops, forgot to say she’ll be on my Gab with the Gurus Show next Wed. at 2 pm EST. Join us! Stay tuned for details. I need to collapse!

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?

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.

Sugar Shock Blog Turns 5 Today! How Shall We Celebrate?

Today is the Sugar Shock Blog’s five-year anniversary! Wow!
I may have missed this birthday, but I had to look it up, because today, someone requested more information about me and what I do.
As long-time fans may know — and newer visitors can discover — this Sugar Shock Blog began dedicated to providing health and wellness information, with a focus on providing tips to quit sugar, updates about sugar research and ifnormation about artificial sweeteners, etc. Now its mission and goal has expanded greatly. Over time, we’ve enlarged our focus to help you live a happier, more fulfilling life.
My intention here is to give you content that:
Helps you improve your health and activate your wellness
Shows or tells you how to become personally empowered
Helps you lead a better life, or, as I like to say, Get a Life that Rocks™
Gives you info so you can master social networking and realize your dreams
Tells you about inspiring guests, who will appear or have entertained and educated you on my Gab with the Gurus Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio. These gurus — many of whom have written bestselling books, have a revolutionary product or are appearing in exciting movies or TV shows, etc. — can help you a lot! In fact, there’s nothing like hearing people’s voices to help you. (By the way, Gab with the Gurus turns 3 next week — actually it’s 4 years (because the show began as the Stop Sugar Shock Radio Show.) Stay tuned for an exciting week of shows, which, as usual, you can listen to live or later.
Educates you about cutting edge studies related to sugar, nutrition and more
Helps you improve your relationships
Lets you catch up with me and connect with me
Updates you about my free teleseminars and my Sugar Freedom Now program.
And so much more
For those of you who are new here, let tell you about myself. I’m:
A trained-journalist-turned blogger.
Author of the book, Sugar Shock (from Berkley Books, part of the Penguin Group).
Author of the upcoming book, The Sugar Shock Diet (from Hay House), which I just finished writing. (I’m taking it easy a little before we go into major editing mode shortly.)
A certified life coach (who studied at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching or iPEC), and certified health coach (who trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition or IIN).
Host of the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show, which is how I bring to you many experts from a variety of fields, including health, wellness, personal empowerment, social networking, relationships, dating, fitness, forgiveness, celebrities, etc. Some of my guests have included Dr. Mehmet Oz, Montel Williams, Lisa Rinna, Suzanne Somers, Chris Brogan, Mari Smith, Marianne Williamson, Gretchen Rubin and many more.
People refer to me as a “Sugar Shrew No More,” a Sugar Freedom Coach or Freedom Coach, Sugar Liberator or Smart Habits Girl (which is my handle on Twitter).
So how do you think we should celebrate the Sugar Shock Blog’s five-year anniversary? Please share your ideas here.

Tips to Deal with Ticks and/or Lyme Disease

This is the season for ticks, which means you may be at risk of getting infected with Lyme disease, as well as Babesia, Erlichia, Bartonella and other associated diseases.
If you get Lyme disease and/or a related disease, you may get some or more of the following ailments: fatigue, muscle or joint pain, headaches, mental confusion, fever or chills and swollen lymph nodes.
Why am I bringing this up now?
Well, in the past week, two people (one friend and one acquaintance) sought me out to discuss Lyme disease. They both know that back in 2008, one of those teeny-tiny bugs got far too cozy with me (burrowing under my skin — yuck!) and gave me this Modern Menace. So now I know a bit about this devastating condition.
In 2008, after being afflicted with Lyme disease, I plunged into investigative journalist mode. (My background is as a reporter.)
So I began holding Gab with the Gurus shows to help others, reading books, etc. Therefore, here are some Lyme disease resources for you and your loved ones:
First I invite you to read and comment on my op ed piece on AOL News last year about Lyme disease — http://tinyurl.com/LymeDiseaseOpEdConnieAOL10
Then listen to my Gab with the Gurus Shows about Lyme disease. I’ve done several. Here’s my last show about Lyme in 2010: http://tinyurl.com/LymeDiseaseGabGurus2010Connie
Now, listen to links to two Gab with the Gurus shows with Lyme experts in 2009 http://tinyurl.com/LymeDiseaseGurus07-09Connie and http://tinyurl.com/LymeDiseaseGurus08-09Connie
And check out my very first Gab with the Gurus Show right after I got Lyme disease in 2008. I was joined by more amazing experts. (Bear in mind that I wasn’t feeling well when I did this show and was kind of spacey and wiped out.) Listen here: http://tinyurl.com/LymeDiseaseGabGurus08-08Connie
Watch this trailer for the dramatic, eye-opening film, “Under Our Skin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxWgS0XLVqw
See this blog post about Lyme disease, too, and how you can get Bitten in the City.
Now, for a few pointers if you’ve been out near nature and aren’t feeling right:
Get some help right away!
Bear in mind that fewer than 50 percent of people know they were bitten by a tick.
See what’s called a Lyme-literate doctor pronto. You can find one through ILADS (that’s the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society at www.ilads.org or the Turn The Corner Foundation at ww.turnthecorner.org.
If you do have Lyme disease, I believe that one week or 10 days of antibiotics isn’t enough. Of course, bear in mind that I am NOT a doctor, and I’m not giving medical advice. This is my perspective based on my own experiences and the considerable research that I did. That’s why it’s imperative to see a Lyme-literate doctor.
Purify your diet big time. Get on what I call a Quality Diet. You don’t want your body to be a hospitable host for those nasty spirochetes.
In particular, cut out all processed carbs and sweets. This is very important! (After being diagnosed with Lyme disease, I started laughing when the doctor told me to quit sugar. For some reason, in my fatigued, fuzzy-headed state, it struck me as humorous. I’m not sure why, but bear in mind that I felt awful and I’d already been off sugar since 1998.)
Educate yourself. You need to learn about this scary disease. I highly recommend Pamela Weintraub’s book, Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic. You also may want to read Coping with Lyme Disease and User’s Guide to Treating Lyme Disease.
Meanwhile, if you haven’t been bitten by a tick, here are some ideas what to do when you go out outdoors:
When you go into nature, wear long pants! Then, make sure to tuck your pant legs into your socks so those little critters can’t crawl up under your pant legs. Apparently, some ticks even can crawl down into your shoes. They’re even small enough to crawl through socks.
If you don’t wear long pants or if you do, make sure that every time you come back from nature, especially tick-infested areas such as in the Northeast, very, very carefully check your and/or your loved ones’ bodies body for ticks! This is imperative! (You can even whip out a mirror and a magnifying class to inspect under your arms, near or even in your ears, inside your belly button, between your legs, on the back of your knees, and even near your hair. (One Lyme expert found a tick washing her hair after being out in nature!) That’s why, with my long curly hair, I usually hide it under a hat under my helmet if I’m out bicyling.
When you’re back home, take off your clothing and toss everything in the washing machine and the dryer. Make sure to put the the dryer at high heat, because that’s how ticks are killed.
Bear in mind that your pets may be tick carriers, too, so inspect them, too. Just think — they often frolic about in nature so when you hug or pet them, those ticks could be transferred to you.
If you do find a tick attached to your skin, pull out a tweezer and pluck it out. Do not pull it out with your hands. At that point, you may even want to get the tick checked for Lyme disease. (URL coming of places that do that.)
Read more extensive information at www.turnthecorner.org or www.ilads.org.
Would you like to chat about ticks and Lyme disease? Post comments here, on this Sugar Shock Blog and on my Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/smarthabitsfans
Look forward to connecting.