Fruit-Fruit- and More Fruit

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide:


Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients. Many are excellent sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, folate or potassium. They are low in fat and sodium and high in fiber. The Food Pyramid suggests 3 to 5 servings of vegetables each day. One serving of vegetables can be:

• 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables
• 1/2 cup of other vegetables, cooked or raw
• 3/4 cup of vegetable juice

The Food Pyramid suggests 2 to 4 servings of fruit each day. One serving of fruit can be:

• One medium apple, orange or banana
• 1/2 cup of chopped, cooked or canned fruit
• 3/4 cup of fruit juice

Count only 100% fruit juice as a fruit, and limit juice consumption. Many commercial bottled juices come in containers that hold more than 2 servings which can add lots of sugar and calories to your daily diet. Punches, ades and most fruit "drinks" have only a bit of juice and lots of sugar. Fruit sodas are sugary drinks, and they don't count as fruit, either.

Hmmm....somewhere else I read that you were supposed to have 5 fruits a day.  This sounds much more doable!!   Today I have had at least 3 servings of fresh fruit so I'm counting that as a success!!  I am still sugar free!!!  But I did not walk tonight, no bible study so far and the kids had to forage for themselves tonight while I went out with my sweetheart.

Someone asked me what I meant by sugar free...basically I mean no sweets of any sort, no white rice, bread or pasta and no potatoes.  That's a good start for me.  I did this last year from about March to December and I remember thinking "I don't eat that much pasta" until I actually gave it up, I didn't think I did.  Then I got to looking at all my recipes and I realize, actually I do.  And my favorite restaurant is Olive Garden where I love the PASTA!  Oh well...it has not been as hard to give up as sweets.

My goal is first and foremost to not have to take medication for diabetes.  I had gestational diabetes with both my kids and obesity runs in my family.  Obviously I'm a prime candidate.   I have had my blood checked every year since my last child's birth and began seeing a problem several years ago.  Have been able to keep it somewhat controlled with diet and exercise but last March it was looking bad.  The Dr. wanted to start three different medicines and I declined!!!

Most of you know me well enough to know I'm fairly blunt and I just told him we are not going to treat the symptoms.  You have to help me treat the cause...weight.  So with an appetite suppressant (1 medicine vs three) and my GREAT walking buddy...I was able to lose 43 lbs last year.  I've slacked off on walking and watching my diet and the weight is thinking about coming back but my blood work still looks good.   I still have another 30 lbs to loose to get me within what I consider a normal weight for me (what I weighed before I gained 20 lbs my first year of marriage and then two kids).  It's what I weighed until I was about 30 yrs of age...yes I know that is still 20 year ago but I'm not shooting for my college weight now am I?

Now the kicker with the fruit thing is to not always choose the most calorie rich fruit....we'll see.

Lord I thank you for the many wonderful fruits and vegetables you have provided us with.  I thank you for LE's victory over french fries and my popcorn free movie date.  Thank you Lord for your Son.  Bless us Lord as we exercise the FRUITS of the Spirit...Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness, Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness and SELF CONTROL!  You have filled us with your Holy Spirit and we call on His Fruits for our life.  In Jesus name...

DLG