Sugar Shock

It all started innocently enough...my boss passing a handful of candy on to me from her grandson (who isn't allowed to eat such garbage). Thanks.  I sat at my desk and ate my way through it in about 2 hours. Not surprisingly, I got a headache. Then there was the ice cream, the Oreos, Dr. Pepper, and southern apple turnovers (featuring butter and lots of sugar). Enter blood sugar peaks and valleys likened only to the Swayze-killing waves in the final scene of Point Break. This up and down triggered the first ocular migraine I've had in months.

Utah: I'm taking you back to the States and prison!
Bhodi: I think I'd rather get crushed by these massive waves.

I haven't eaten that much sugar in such a short time since probably Christmas, and man oh man, I am paying for it. I'm tired, twitchy, achy, grouchy, HUNGRY, and generally ill-tempered. All due to a moment of weakness and a handful of candy. 

Let's look at some of the things sugar does to our bodies. I found this list on the Mercola website. I left the citation links intact.

1.             Sugar can suppress your immune system and impair your defenses against infectious disease.[6] [7]

2.           Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in your body: causes chromium and copper deficiencies and interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.[8] [9] [10] [11]

3.           Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline, hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.[12] [13]

4.           Sugar can produce a significant rise in total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad cholesterol and a decrease in good cholesterol.[14][15] [16] [17]

5.           Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function.[18]

6.           Sugar feeds cancer cells and has been connected with the development of cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, rectum, pancreas, biliary tract, lung, gallbladder and stomach.[19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

7.           Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose and can cause reactive hypoglycemia.[26] [27]

8.          Sugar can weaken eyesight.[28] 1

9.           Sugar can cause many problems with the gastrointestinal tract including: an acidic digestive tract, indigestion, malabsorption in patients with functional bowel disease, increased risk of Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.[29] [30] [31] [32] [33]

10.      Sugar can cause premature aging.[34] In fact, the single most important factor that accelerates aging is insulin, which is triggered by sugar. 1

11.        Sugar can lead to alcoholism.[35]

12.       Sugar can cause your saliva to become acidic, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.[36] [37] [38]

13.       Sugar contributes to obesity. [39] 1

14.       Sugar can cause autoimmune diseases such as: arthritis, asthma, and multiple sclerosis.[40] [41] [42]

15.       Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections) [43]

16.       Sugar can cause gallstones.[44]

17.       Sugar can cause appendicitis.[45]

18.      Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.[46]

19.       Sugar can cause varicose veins.[47]

20.     Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.[48]

21.       Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.[49]

22.      Sugar can cause a decrease in your insulin sensitivity thereby causing an abnormally high insulin levels and eventually diabetes.[50] [51] [52]

23.      Sugar can lower your Vitamin E levels.[53]

24.      Sugar can increase your systolic blood pressure.[54]

25.      Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.[55]

26.      High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs),which are sugar molecules that attach to and damage proteins in your body. AGEs speed up the aging of cells, which may contribute to a variety of chronic and fatal diseases. [56] 1

27.      Sugar can interfere with your absorption of protein.[57]

28.     Sugar causes food allergies.[58]

29.      Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.[59]

30.     Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.[60]

31.       Sugar can cause atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.[61] [62]

32.      Sugar can impair the structure of your DNA.[63]

33.      Sugar can change the structure of protein and cause a permanent alteration of the way the proteins act in your body.[64] [65]

34.      Sugar can make your skin age by changing the structure of collagen.[66]

35.      Sugar can cause cataracts and nearsightedness.[67] [68]

36.      Sugar can cause emphysema.[69]

37.      High sugar intake can impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in your body.[70]

38.     Sugar lowers the ability of enzymes to function.[71]

39.      Sugar intake is higher in people with Parkinson's disease.[72]

40.     Sugar can increase the size of your liver by making your liver cells divide, and it can increase the amount of fat in your liver, leading to fatty liver disease.[73] [74]

41.       Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney such as the formation of kidney stones.[75] [76]Fructose is helping to drive up rates of kidney disease. 1

42.      Sugar can damage your pancreas.[77]

43.      Sugar can increase your body's fluid retention.[78]

44.      Sugar is enemy #1 of your bowel movement.[79]

45.      Sugar can compromise the lining of your capillaries.[80]

46.      Sugar can make your tendons more brittle.[81]

47.      Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.[82]

48.     Sugar can reduce the learning capacity, adversely affect your children's grades and cause learning disorders.[83] [84]

49.      Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves, which can alter your ability to think clearly.[85]

50.     Sugar can cause depression.[86]

51.       Sugar can increase your risk of gout.[87]

52.      Sugar can increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease.[88] MRI studies show that adults 60 and older who have high uric acid are four to five times more likely to have vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's.1

53.      Sugar can cause hormonal imbalances such as: increasing estrogen in men, exacerbating PMS, and decreasing growth hormone.[89] [90] [91] [92]

54.      Sugar can lead to dizziness.[93]

55.      Diets high in sugar will increase free radicals and oxidative stress.[94]

56.      A high sucrose diet of subjects with peripheral vascular disease significantly increases platelet adhesion.[95]

57.      High sugar consumption by pregnant adolescents can lead to a substantial decrease in gestation duration and is associated with a twofold-increased risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant.[96] [97]

58.     Sugar is an addictive substance.[98]

59.      Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.[99]

60.     Sugar given to premature babies can affect the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.[100]

61.       Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.[101]

62.      Your body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch.[102]

63.      The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.[103]

64.      Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[104]

65.      Sugar adversely affects urinary electrolyte composition.[105]

66.      Sugar can impair the function of your adrenal glands.[106]

67.      Sugar has the potential of inducing abnormal metabolic processes in normal, healthy individuals, thereby promoting chronic degenerative diseases.[107]

68.     Intravenous feedings (IVs) of sugar water can cut off oxygen to your brain.[108]

69.      Sugar increases your risk of polio.[109]

70.      High sugar intake can cause epileptic seizures.[110]

71.       Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people.[111]

72.      In intensive care units, limiting sugar saves lives.[112]

73.      Sugar may induce cell death.[113]

74.      In juvenile rehabilitation centers, when children were put on low sugar diets, there was a 44 percent drop in antisocial behavior.[114]

75.      Sugar dehydrates newborns.[115]

      76.   Sugar can cause gum disease.[116]

I think I'll be going back to a super low sugar way of life immediately. If tempted with more "free candy," I'll be sure to put it where it belongs...in the trash. 

DON’T PANIC…Know Where Your Towel Is

Seriously. Don't panic.

If you know where your towel is, and are currently serenely calm, you probably read the same literature I do…namely, ridiculous but observant science fiction. These are two of the most well-known phrases from the book, “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by late author Douglas Adams. “DON’T PANIC” was written on the cover of the often referenced, complicated-looking and very thorough Hitchhiker’s Guide (think a galaxy-wide Google/Wikipedia). Possessing a towel while traveling the galaxy implies a general togetherness and causes other travelers to assume someone so together as to have remembered their towel deserves a bit of latitude when borrowing other toiletries (not to mention its obvious practical uses). After reading this book, I philosophically wished there was a similar handbook for dealing with everyday pre-demolished Earth life situations (ok, and how to survive a Vogon poetry reading a.k.a. conference calls, government documents, etc.).* 

The Hitchhiker's Guide Entry on Vogon poetry,
3rd worst poetry in the Galaxy.

Then I heard two phrases that revolutionized the way I thought about life. They were: “Do not initiate or accept force,” and “keep your word.” I first heard these “Two Rules” just after ending a serious codependent relationship. I was trying to figure out what went wrong, to heal my emotional wounds, and learn how to avoid similar situations in the future. I came across a podcast series entitled, “A User’s Manual For The Human Experience” by Michael W. Dean. Intrigued (and thinking back to The Hitchhiker’s Guide), I started listening, and realized that it was what I needed to hear. These rules simplify all social rules and laws into a manageable life philosophy. True, it’s a very libertarian view of life, but I like it, adopted it and apply it to my current and future relationships.

The first rule, “Do not initiate or accept force,” applies to people and situations that create stress, chaos, drama, or actual violence in your life. It also reminds me that exerting my will on someone else is an unhealthy relationship habit. For the most part, I have rid my life of toxic people and situations. I am much more selective about the people and situations I willingly allow or invite into my life, and more recently, from whom I take advice.

I was reminded of the first rule two weekends ago when I was run out of our pool by someone’s crazy ex-girlfriend (for those who see my Facebook statuses, this is Kevin’s wackadoodle girlfriend) who showed up uninvited and immediately destroyed the peacefulness and enjoyment of my afternoon. I was also nervous about my personal safety, because she was, well, crazy, and accusing me of being a “wild woman” and “fixing my eyes” on her ex. Luckily, I had a sudden thunderstorm and the excuse of a barbecue elsewhere to give me an escape. As I was barricading myself in my house and cranking up my music for plausible deniability, I remembered that I did not and should not have to put up with “force” in my life, especially from someone else’s crazy person. Boundaries are important, even with casual acquaintances, but especially with people who tend to cause chaos and disrupt your Serenity (oh, another sci-fi reference).

Oh the pain!!

In my next entry, I’ll go more into the second rule. Until then, how do you feel about sci-fi? What’s your favorite book? Your policy when dealing with wackadoodles is…? My advice? Don't panic. 

*Obviously, I believe the Bible is the best source, but sometimes I want something more condensed. Vogons write notoriously, tortuously awful poetry, and take great pleasure in reading it aloud to captives. 

Well, hello there...

Yeah, so it’s been a while since I posted anything. In my defense, I’ve been a bit busy. It seems like I’ve had non-stop social engagements, work, or heat waves to keep me occupied. I guess now that things have calmed down a bit, I’ll get back to the writing.

I started this blog for several reasons:

1. Lyme’s disease really did a number on my writing and speaking skills. Sometimes when I’m talking, I cannot find the word I’m trying to say. It’s like it’s gone, and I am left with a gaping hole in my vocabulary. I am hoping that by writing regularly, my vocabulary will be restored.
2.  I run across interesting stories, recipes, and websites. I like to share.
3.  I like to shamelessly brag about my cooking, gardening, and other exploits.

At any rate, I’ve got some blog topics in mind. Stay tuned.

Be As You Are

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. " - Maya Angelou


"Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see." - C. S. Lewis 


"I hope I didn't bore you too much with my life story." - Elvis Presley 

Tuesday night my small group did something they haven't done since I've been attending. Everyone there told their story...the story of who they are and have been, what events and afflictions have affected their lives and how the testimonies of others have impacted them.

I've known most of the people there for a year now. These are people I truly like to spend time with, love for who they are and respect. We talk before and after small group, use Google Chat during the week, stalk each other and share links on Facebook and occasionally text but for the most part, their individual, personal stories have remained a mystery.

As a person who is pretty open about my life, I was fascinated. I guess I always assumed that people have and keep it together better than I do. I assumed that people have always been what they are and are content where they are, like they are static individuals, not the dynamic people that I now know them to be. In the midst of my own junk and struggle sharing my story, I forgot that everyone else has a story, and most of the time, I just see a page or two.

Knowing yourself is important, but there is a life beyond you (and me). I believe that life is about helping others, going beyond yourself, becoming more than you are through service to others. Everyone has different gifts and callings, so this looks different for everyone. Knowing the stories of others is an important part of life. It allows us to see more of the "pieces,"  more than just our storyline. Seeing the stories of others, especially those who have lived longer than we have allows us to see the broad strokes, the larger picture, the God of the universe and His larger plan.

I'm currently between courses in my Master's program, so I've had a little bit of time to work on my family genealogy, which has been an ongoing project for the last three or four years. My father's father's side has been a source of frustration since I began. I could not track farther than my great-grandfather, and I began to suspect something fishy in the records, but it turned out to be a matter of the census pages not being available until this month. So far, I've traced my father's father's family (Harris) back to the time they crossed the Atlantic from England to Isle of Wight, Virginia. My father's mother's side (Renn) came from England through Jamestown in the very early years of the colony. My mother's father's side (Baker) have been traced back through Jamestown to England, and my one of my ancestors served the Tudors as national treasurer. I'm not sure I'm fond of his nickname though, "Bloody Billy Baker." Oh well, nothing I can do about five centuries worth of history. My mother's mother's side (Hurdle) has yet to be unraveled beyond a few generations. Some of the ones who crossed the Atlantic show up on ship manifests. I know that two of my ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, one of them rising to the rank of Colonel. At least four of my great-great grandfathers fought in the Confederate Army. I have a copy of my great-grandfather's WWI draft card, and my grandfather's ship's log from the destroyer he served on in WWII. I have uncles who served in Korea and Vietnam, and we lost a cousin in Iraq in 2004. My family has a long history of military service, and I am very proud of that tradition. There are some really interesting names, like Henry Augustus and Green Lafayette (pronounced la-FATE).

Knowing where you are from has some benefits. Family stories reinforce family ideals. Remembering where you've been personally and what you've come through will give you the strength to continue through present struggles. Sharing your story with someone else might make a difference in their story and the story of countless people you've never met and may never meet this side of eternity.

So I encourage you to share your story. Don't be afraid to open up to others. Your story may be salvation for someone else.

Be blessed, and be a blessing.

Always,

Sarah

Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, O ye seed of Israel his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. - 1 Chron 16:12-13 (ASV)

Music Therapy Is Good For The Soul...

WARNING: This blog contains lots of links. They are in orange. You should check them out.

I know it's been a week or two, but I've had a lot going on. Lent, Shamrockfest and the mysterious 5-day fever of '11 have kept me in bed, but I'm back finally, just in time for the BIG 29 birthday this week. Yikes. Anyway, I've been wanting to write this review for several weeks, but I just haven't been able to get it done. If you've been following my Facebook/Tweets, you know I've been on a Dierks Bentley kick for a few weeks. Usually I'm a listener of rock music, and I prefer to leave music reviews to Brandee Nichols and her Philly Mostly Vegan blog, but I couldn't let this one go without comment. This is due mostly to my discovery of this AWESOME (not-so-new, 2010) album by Dierks. (I suspect he is getting ready to release a new album in the very near future, as he just today released a song that is not on any existing album or his website.)    

When I was a wee lass, dad and I used to go to this bluegrass bar in Chesapeake. At least, I suspect it was a bar. I don't remember us drinking anything but A&W Cream Soda, probably because I was so short...and seven. Anyway, it seems like my dad's favorite song of all time is "Fox On The Run," but I have no idea why he thinks it's a bluegrass song, except that a couple of well-known bluegrass bands covered it. The earliest version I can find is by Manfred Mann in 1968. To hear the Zac Brown Band version, click here. It's pretty epic, and even features a dog yip. But back to the story...so dad and I used to go to a bluegrass bar and occasionally Doc would take me square dancing. My mom also sang in a church quintet, and we sang hymns with the actual music on the pages of the hymnals when I was growing up, so I learned the value of singing parts and fell in love with high harmonies. (I know having the words up on the jumbotron for contemporary worship is fun, but knowing which way the music is going in the future keeps control freaks like me happy.)  Add a good dose of Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, The Eagles, and Ray Stevens, and I couldn't escape the pull of bluegrass as an adult. Now we have great groups like Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, the aforementioned Zac Brown Band, Sara Evans, and long-time bluegrass superstar Alison Krauss bringing a hint of bluegrass into mainstream country. Even Steve Martin, the great comedian from old-school SNL has a new bluegrass album out...he plays a mean banjo, and apparently that was how he started his show biz career.

I've been a fan of Dierks Bentley since his first song "What Was I Thinkin'" was released in 2003. I follow country music off and on, as rock music is really my favorite genre, but occasionally I go back and catch up on my favorite country artists. I found his song "Up On The Ridge" on YouTube and immediately downloaded the album. I read one review that asked something to the effect of, "Who releases a bluegrass album at the height of their career? Dierks Bentley." If you only buy his chart-topping songs, I can possibly understand the incredulity expressed by some reviewers. If you buy entire albums like I do, you probably won't be surprised. Some of my favorite songs are the unreleased bluegrass tracks hidden at the end of each album: "Train Travelin'" from his self-titled album, "Good Man Like Me" from Modern Day Drifter, "Prodigal Son's Prayer" from Long Trip Alone, and "Last Call" from Feel That Fire.

Up On The Ridge is a 12-song album that I quite honestly played for a week straight. My favorite songs are "Rovin' Gambler, " which starts by checking the readiness of "Critter,""Gabbers," "Arkansas," (all guys from the band Punch Brothers) and "Tenacious Dierks"; "Down In The Mine," a sad shout-out to the miners of Harlan County, West Virginia (the county made famous by the show Justified starring Timothy Olyphant); and an AMAZING cover of U2's "Pride (In The Name of Love)" [Live/Album]. Side note: the mandolin player in the live video looks kinda like Jude Law.

Anyway, I said all of that to say this: If you like bluegrass, or Deirks Bentley, or good music, you should check out this album. I love it. And if you want to go to a DB concert this year, hit me up. All of my concert-going-Dierks-Bently-fan peeps' schedules conflict with his concert dates.

The Fasting Function

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them,and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." - Isaiah 58:6

For Christians, yesterday was Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. It also mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert before he began his public ministry. Traditionally, Lent is a time of fasting with emphasis on self-reflection, self-denial for a time, and purification in preparation for Holy Week. Today I want to look at the purpose fasts serve in our lives, both food-based fasts as well as fasting "things."

In ancient Israel, the people of God observed fasts for different reasons. Let's look at a few here: Observed on occasions of public calamities (2Sa 1:12), Afflictions (Ps 35:13, Dan 6:18), Private afflictions (2Sa 12:16), Approaching danger (Esth 4:16), Ordination of ministers (Acts 13:3, Acts 14:23), Accompanied by prayer (Dan 9:3), Confession of sin (1Sa 7:6, Neh 9:1, Neh 9:2), Humiliation (Deut 9:18, Neh 9:1), Forty day fasts of Moses (Deut 9:9, Deut 9:18, Ex 24:18, Ex 34:28) and Jesus (Mat 4:1, Mat 4:2, Mark 1:12, Mark 1:13, Luke 4:1, Luke 4:2), Habitual fasts (Mat 9:14, Luke 2:37), Mat 9:14, Mark 2:18, Luke 18:12, Acts 10:30, 2Co 6:5, 2Co 11:27); In times of bereavement (1Sa 31:13, 1Ch 10:12, 2Sa 1:12, 2Sa 3:35)


People tend to fast a variety of things for Lent. Some people choose to fast a specific food. For example, I have fasted fast food (say that three times) or sodas. This year I am fasting all sweets and unnecessary sugars. Some people choose to fast time wasters or distractions, such as social media or television. In more drastic cases, some may choose to fast from certain unhealthy relationships. The idea is to abstain from something and refocus on God. I find that a structured fast is also useful for breaking bad habits and addictions, and many (including myself) participate in a Lenten fast for this purpose. 


Fasting can also be a part of a healthier lifestyle. Fasting all food for a day (some sources even encourage 40 day fasts, but I do not unless you have heard a clear call from God) gives your body a chance to rid itself of accumulated toxins, as your body has a rest from digestive processes and energy is directed towards healing. Again, I do not recommend complete fasts for more than a few days, and not at all if you are taking medications requiring you to eat. Partial fasts can still be beneficial. Consider the "fast" that Daniel requested in Daniel 1:8-16: 
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. Now God allowed Daniel to receive favor and compassion from the palace master. The palace master said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and your drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king." Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: "Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe." So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days.  At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations. So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
To me, this sounds more like a lifestyle choice, one that excludes rich foods in favor of simpler, plant-based meals. Hmmm...


Have you chosen to fast this year? If so, what are you fasting?