Seeing so many June resolutions out there, I finally decided I need to eliminate my Splenda habit. Let me tell you, I AM AN ADDICT to artificial sweeteners and I love to guzzle my Fresca and sweeten those hazelnut lattes multiple times a day. This is day 3 of detox. 
If you like, I got some tips to share at the end of the post for those who wanna share.
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Brunch Date!!! I met up with a bunch of girlfriends (after my Guardasil Booster – Don’t forget to GET yours!) to catch up at one of my favorite Chicago brunch spots West Egg! The wait at noon was 35 minutes for 4 people, but it was WORTH IT!!!! I ordered a…
Veggie Eggs Benedict
That came with potatoes and fruit on the side! (I was starving by the time my dish came and devoured every last drop on the plate. Oh, and also because it was delicious!!)
I love eggs with KETCHUP, and lots of it too. So unpictured is a disgusting amount of ketchup…yum.
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Needles Galore!
The weekend also included a trip to get me some accupuncture!! I am a 100% believer in Traditional Chinese Medicine because to me, herbs are a much better (and natural) way to take care of your health than chemicals and injections. These were not to curb Splenda cravings, but more for long-term health purposes (I have super-cold extremities and a REALLY crappy digestive system). I will spare you the 16 needles and leave you with one on my wrist.
The boyfriend was super fascinated that the needles were so thin…and that I wasn’t in any pain. hehehe it was actually really cute.
All those needles required some natural energy from Amazing Grass in the form of a chocolate bar! I was INCREDIBLY surprised at how delicious this was – particularly how well the chocolate and date-based filling combined together to make a bar that was literally, a healthy chocolate candy bar.
However, if I could change anything, i would make this not as sweet because I was close to hurling toward the end of this guy…no matter how good it was. It was definitely an “energy” bar, for 230 calories, but everything was raw, organic, and made my tummy feel good!
Nomm nomm, check out all the little bits of sunflower seeds, nuts, and fibrous date-based filling!
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After a visit to Hmart (where I uploaded on kabocha and more greeneries) the bf and I hit up our old favorite, Joy Yees!!
Yup, Joy Yees AGAIN!
The bf ordered a much-craved appetizer…Lemongrass Chicken wings!
And between us we shared this FANTASTIC Shrimp and chicken pineapple fried rice. DEFINITELY one of the best dishes at Joy yees…among many! The shrimp were giant, sweet, and fresh…plus it came in the coolest bowl ever!
A Buddists delight, which came with a side bowl of white rice. I don’t know what they do to the sauce, but…it’s delicious!
Joy Yeees is never complete without a taro bubble tea smoothie that we shared!
Sooo good….Joy yees hits the spot with its giant portions and decent prices. That’s why it’s in a college town I guess!
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To conclude a fabulous meal, I went home and made THIS delicious dessert! You can guess what it is first, and then I’ll decompose it to show you all the glorious components.
If you guessed Oikos with rhubarb strawberry butter & vanilla almond butter, eaten atop a blueberry-bran Vitatop, then you were RIGHT!!!!
GLORIOUS spotlight on the best toppings EVER!!!
I cannot do plain greek yogurt, but with some fruit butters and my Naturally Nutty, I am SET! (Naturally nutty is most definitely my favorite almond butter brand!! )
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Splenda Talk Continued!
I have been on and off sweeteners multiple times, but every time I quit (usually because there is no soda in sight) it’s not too bad. Now that I want to quit for LIFE, let me tell you…temptation seems to lie on EVERY SINGLE CORNER. (I however, believe th little strips of sugar-free gum are essential for life, so that’s not going anywhere anytime soon. )
I decided to ask Heather for her advice on artificial sweetener and sugar replacements, as she seems to be a queen of health and rawness. Here’s what she recommends! (*warning* It’s not a short read, but it’s educational!)
“If you want to use an all raw sweetener, I recommend soaked blended dates, raw agave nectar, or stevia drops/powder. If you do use stevia liquid drops, read the label carefully as some of them contain alcohol.
On Sunday, I Bought my first mini-box of Truvia. What sweeteners do you use?!
When I’m baking I use white sugar. Other than that, I have turbinado sugar on hand for smaller batches of food or when I make a big jug of sweet tea. If I’m making a smoothie, sometimes I’ll drizzle some honey in to help out not so ripe fruit.
If I get a smoothie, coffee, etc. out I’m sure it’s some kind of syrup or artificial sweetener, I just don’t pay attention b/c it’s not that often at all. I try not to drink soda at home, although every couple of months I’ll get hooked again and drink them straight for a few days. I usually kick myself in the butt and quit when my skin starts breaking out and I feel dehydrated and headachy. For those reasons, I try to stick to water or tea (sweetened with the turbinado), occasionally fruit juice from a reliable company (aka no “corn syrup” as 2nd ingredient).
I use brown rice syrup, and honey occasionally, but that’s pretty much it. I do sprinkle brown sugar on top of kabocha sometimes. Not ideal, but whatever. I don’t touch artificial sweeteners. I hate stevia. I never eat white sugar (but brown sugar is just as bad – but this is very rare). I would use maple syrup but it’s so darn expensive. I basically just try to not use sweeteners at all.
I like maple syrup and honey. I use white sugar and brown sugar in small portions.
I believe in Chinese Medicine (as does my husband who’s an M.D.). I know acupuncture is extremely powerful, but I don’t think I could ever have it. I saw a demonstration of it once and got queasy when they just showed me the needle, let alone stick it in someone.
I use a little agave nectar, but mostly I use stevia. The BEST brand is the now foods stevia. I love their french vanilla flavor, but their original is awesome, too. It doesn’t have that nasty bitter taste that a lot of stevias have. It also sweetends a LOT more than truvia. Definitely look for it! I found mine at whole foods. This is it: http://www.nowfoods.com/Products/M103566.htm
I used to be a total artificial sweetener addict (especially splenda! I put it in everything), but I feel so much better now that I’ve stopped. I know it’s crazy hard, though!
I only use brown, white sugar or syrups, I have never been able to stomach artificial sweeteners at all! Love the pineapple fried rice and bbt, 2 of my favs!
Ahhh, your dinner+the smoothie look soooooo good! I love lemongrass!
haha i could never give up sugar free gum!!!! but I applaud you in getting over your addition!! It IS HARD, and I definitely have diet soda as a treat every once in a while. I just try to ignore the thought of what I’m putting in my body!! I’ve done a lot better though!!! switching to plain green tea has helped for me too.
lovely chicken wingsssssss and i want to try that vanilla almond butter!
ooh i love the chinese medicine stuff. my uncle does the acupuncture and makes the chinese herb medicine, i’ve had the herb medicine but not the acupuncture cause i don’t like needles! but i do want that gardasil booster though haha im in such a dilemma!
pineapple in fried rice? i’ve had pineapple in pasta salad, i don’t tlike it at all haha. good luck with your detox michelle!
I actually don’t like the aftertaste of stevia products – I tried them at a health show, and wasn’t impressed, that’s for sure. I use a variety of sweeteners – maple syrup, honey, molasses, brown sugar, white sugar, and I just bought some agave. I don’t really sweeten most of the food I eat though – I might put some in oats depending on what flavour combo I’m going for, or in something that has cocoa powder as it can be a little bitter. Otherwise, I use the sweeteners for baking and recipes. I’m not a coffee drinker, and I never sweeten tea, so I guess that helps alot as well. Plus I like plain yogurt, so I don’t feel the need to sweeten that either.
I used to use splenda for everything (hot drinks, baking) and recently I took a final quit of it and use more agave nectar and stevia.
acupuncture? wooo…. I’ve been under treatment for sleeping problems and hear great things about it for other cronic disease. But I’m too anxious to wait for the long term effect of it! Did you notice improvement? HOw long it takes?
your breakfast combo sounds heaven!!!! Can u believe that I’ve never tried vitatop yet? I really want one to re-create your combo now!
I am a fellow Splenda addict, Michelle. I kicked it for three days at the begining of the month but I’m back on it again. I just can’t let it go yet! I’m working on it. We’ll see!
I am trying to stay away from those little yellow devil packets myself so this was very helpful at this time. I’m curious about apucunture and have debated whether to try it myself. My mom loved it. Is is expensive?
wow. As a dietitian I have always been under the impression that sweetener is fine, in moderation. I try to stay away from Aspartame, since it is all 100% synthetic (basically) but Splenda is made from sugar, so I feel better about it. Not to mention I have worked with the man who invented Splenda! He’s a brilliant man and he’s actually more of the “holistic type”…yet he eats Splenda! So, I don’t feel bad using Splenda. If I feel like I’ve had too much sweetener, I use real sugar!!! I mean, we have been brainwashed into thinking sugar is awful, but again, in moderation there is nothing wrong with it.
You are awesome, girl!! I admit…this is one area in which I am TERRIBLE. I have one diet coke a day.
It used to be 3 or 4, so that’s better…right? It’s the only artificial sweetener I have all day, but I know it still should go. I’m anxious to see how you do/what your thoughts are!
Do you like tea? I love iced tea and actually after awhile you kind of get used to it without sweetener. Sounds crazy, but you do!
I’m TOTALLY trying to get off Splenda too! I’ve been using Stevia but its super artificial tasting! blah. But you’re doing great
i love my vanilla stevia drops. it’s perfect when you just need a little sweetness.
i use RAW honey a lot too, but only where it’s not going to be heated (because that ruins the beneficial properties of it being raw).
i also use 100% pure maple syrup because i LOVE the flavor, but it’s so expensive that i practice restraint and try to only use small amounts.
the first challenge for getting off artificial sweeteners is really just adapting to things being LESS sweet than you’re used to. splenda and the like totally ruin your taste buds for the subtle sweetness of natural things. people who hate stevia usually try to use too much, and then it can get quite bitter.
I’m a splenda addict with you! This is day 2 and im going nuts!
I don’t use Splenda anymore, either. I read some studies that made me think it’s not so great. Then again, as Gina put it…sugar in excess is just not good for us. I use real sugar when I bake. Heck, cookies are not healthy and should be eaten in moderation, so might as well use what tastes good! I use Almond Breeze in my coffee, but I might use stevia drops if I think it needs extra sweetener.
Hooray for you for cutting out Splenda! I cut out Sweet n’ Low, and I really do notice a difference. My BF got me a latte the other day and out of habit, put in two packets. It was DISGUSTING. I couldn’t even drink the whole thing!
You’ll feel so much better, I promise!
Wow, this post is full of all kinds of topics!
On the Amazing Grass bars, I like the ones that aren’t chocolate covered way better – not as sweet either.
Good for you on kicking the artificial sweetener habit! We are simple folks here. I do use a pure stevia powder (seriously the tiniest amount) once in a while when the smoothie fruit isn’t quite sweet enough. Otherwise it is honey, maple syrup, or organic brown sugar (for special treats). One thing about honey, the brands/types really differ. Some have a smooth finish that is ideal in recipes, while others can taste a bit molasses-y or too rich. Experiment around a bit. We actually love some of the desert honeys. The tend not to be as powerful, but still full bodied.
That’s a good addiction to kick! I am currently a big addict as well. I am not ready to give it up yet…in time
Good luck! I hope you do well!
Amazing looking eats! I think I would love that brunch place! I could eat eggs at every meal!
Have a good one!
No Splenda – you can totally do it. I promise promise promise that once you give it up, you will prefer your eats/lattes not as sweet. You might even learn to love plain Greek yogurt.
Everything looks so delicious, especially that veggie eggs benedict. I would have eaten every single bite as well. Oh, and your vanilla almond butter looks pretty tasty as well. Never met a jar of Naturally Nutty I didn’t like.
Thanks for the shout-out and for your sweet email today. Hope you’re having a good day my friend!
I’m SO HAPPY you’re kicking splenda to the curb! I did it a few months ago and I can definitely tell a difference in the way I feel. I used to get HORRIBLE headaches and stomach aches but now that I’ve cut the crap, I’m fine! I haven’t had any problems!
So you really can’t feel the needles? Maybe I’m just so scarred from getting shots at the doctor that not feeling needles just sounds like an oxymoron to me
Ahhhhh I am a splenda hoe too! I really need to stop! Is truvia good?? My mom and I are diet coke and fresca guzzlers!
I LOVE your dessert! Naturally nutty..where can I buy thee? I see it everywhere!!
how is truvia different from other artificial sweeteners? I’m a splenda addict myself, but I just can’t make the change because I don’t feel any negative side effects of splenda just yet…but I guess you never know 20 years down the road…
haha, acupuncture! it hurts in some places…I used to get that weekly because just like you, I also have super-cold extremities and my digestive system was wrecked from long-term starvation.
haha, I’m a ketchup addict, too…I used to dip chocolate-chip cookies in ketchup!
Good for you for having a June goal!
I use raw (turbinado) sugar unless I’m baking, then I used the white processed stuff. I wonder what baking with raw sugar would be like??
I use TRUVIA! The first time I tried it, I thought it didn’t stand up to Splenda at All!! But after a few tries, I would never know the difference…and I only use ONE packet! Love it!
Good for you for giving up your artificial sweeteners! I’ve done it recently and found I can no longer stomach them. You will feel so much better for it. I use white sugar in some of my baking, but otherwise it is muscavo sugar (cane sugar I get here in Brazil) and honey. I’m not a big fan of stevia simply because the new products are packaged and processed in a way of commercial use meaning it is not like eating it directly from the herb. I don’t believe it is as natural as we are led to believe. I’m not a fan of agave either because of the fructose content. There are a lot of options out there, but aside from muscavo, honey and maple syrup I don’t feel that any of them are much better than white sugar.
Oh and I love bubble tea! I haven’t had it since college at Purdue. We had a cool little bubble tea shop there.
I love those Amazing Grass choc. bars!!
I’ve always wanted to try acupuncture- could you tell a difference/any improvments?
I too am a splenda fiend… it is hard to feel guilty when it is calorie free! I like truvia as well, but haven’t committed to it. Good luck with your detox!
I use waaaay to much splenda, but I’m cutting back. I bought some raw honey thats just delicious!
Joy Yee’s and West Egg in one post?! Must hit Joy Yees soon, as I need a watermelon tapioca smoothie SOON
Hi! I found your blog through Burp & Slurp and just wanted to introduce myself before commenting because my mother instilled a very strict attention to proper etiquitte at a very young age. I’m Emily.
Now that I’ve satisfied my inner Emily Post I just have to say that I too am a Splenda addict. I LOVED this posts. Your interview with Heather was so helpful. I’ve found that Stevia is the best replacement for my beloved yellow packets…
It was so nice to have “met” you!
With Love,
Emily
im so glad you found my blog! i just clicked over to yours, and i am going to be returning! i am so embarassed to admit that i share the fake sugar addiction. i bought stevia so now atleast at home i am being more responsible with my sweetener. but i cant say the same for my out of the house choices! i dont do splenda bc it seems scarier (sure elise whatever helps you sleep at night…) but when in starbucks (which is an entirely other problem in and of itself) my coffees are not safe from the blue and pink packets!
Hi there! I love your blog!
That egg benedict looks yummy. I love ketchup with eggs too, I grew up with that combo and can’t do without it.
I agree that acupuncture & herbs are a better way because it gets down to the cause of things, and not just the symptoms. I have many strange health problems for such a young age, and have gone so many times. You just have to find the doctor that fits with you
. For digestive issues, I found that Kombucha does wonders! I will do a post on it soon enough.
I cut out Splenda last November, as well, and use agave nectar, honey, and stevia. The agave nectar tastes the best–it’s neutral and no aftertaste (not as expensive as maple syrup too). The honey is great for baking, but as Heather said, does have it’s own flavor. Stevia can only be used in certain things for me because it tends to have a bitter aftertaste. I can only use it in smoothies.
Hope you have a fabulous day!
-Maria
props to you girlie for trying to kick the sweetener habit! im starting to realize i use it a little too much so i would like to lower the amount but i dont see myself cutting it completely any time soon. i love splenda in my coffee, and having the occasional diet coke. i will be very impressed tho if you can knock out that schizz!!!!!
dinner looks amazing, esp that fried rice with pineapple!!!! mmmm!
I use maple syrup (love the REAL kind, it’s the best tasting and I feel better about eating it verse the light kind) and white sugar while baking (but sometimes cut down on the amt) I am looking to incorporate other things like agave which I really want to try. I rarely use sugar in any other form. If I drink tea, I’ll put honey in it and I don’t use splenda/stevia/etc. I am interested in Truvia. Heather’s a genius.
That dinner looks DELICIOUS. Esp. the smoothie!
<3 jess
xoxo
yhave you tried giving up dairy (not eggs) to fix your digestive issues? i’ve been alive 27years and had digestive issues for 26.5 years – until I became vegan and i fully believe the main culprit is dairy. its horrible for you! do some research. worth noting that even when I was a kid a doctor told me to give up dairy and anything containing dairy products liek whey, casiein, etc.
I’ve found whey in some kettle cooked chips!!! wtf is whey doing in my chips?!?! its in everything!
I have heard about that bubble tea adn I really need to find where they are around here, looks interesting but good!!
I am addict to splenda like marjuina brownies