So You've Got A Sugar Addiction...

Been there. Actually, I'd be lying if I said I still wasn't there. I have a MAJOR sweet tooth, and before I became more aware of the dangers of consuming too much sugar, I practically ate everything that was fat-free and high in corn syrup. As long as it was low calorie, I ate it. 

So, you'd be surprised how devastated I was when I found out Special K and Clif bars weren't healthy (yes, I'm serious). Are they the worst thing for you? No, not necessarily. You're not exactly downing a gallon of soda, but there are definitely much better options on the market. 

Sugar is dangerous for two reasons (or at least the two reasons I found most harmful to me):

-Natural fats (such as those in nuts and avocados) do not make you gain weight. Sugar does. Sugar, ultimately, is converted to on-the-spot energy for your body to use. If you do not use it, it's stored as fat. 

-My skin was downright awful. I had no idea what I was doing wrong, as I always assumed my diet was "nutritious"

The only sugars you should be consuming should come from fruit and dairy, not refined or processed foods. This past year I've been making a lot of changes to my snacking. After a lot of experimentation, I was able to find low-sugar foods that still taste like my favorite treats. Here are just a few of the substitutions I've made:

1) Clif Bars have a whopping 20+ grams of sugar in each bar. Although it's "organic" sugar, it's still raw cane syrup (and therefore, not good). I used to eat one of these for breakfast every morning, and sometimes I still crave them, because let's be honest, they taste like cookies. However, I've found a new love, and it comes in the form of Quest bars. I'm obsessed! They all have 1 to 2 g of sugar, and they still taste great and are packed with protein. They've even become so popular that's there's pratically a cult dedicated to working them into your favorite dessert or breakfast recipes (see here). Personally, cookie dough, white chocolate raspberry, and double chocolate chunk are my favorite. You can find them at any GNC, or purchase them in bulk on Amazon.com .

2) Basically every variety of Special K cereal is a major no-no, as is the case with a lot of cereals. I've stuck to eating plain (NOT honey-nut) Cheerios with unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Although I kind of feel like my grandpa eating them, it doesn't make me feel gross after having a cup. For an added  artificial sweetness, I'll sometimes sprinkle Truvia (i.e organic stevia) over them.

3) Unless it's in a crepe you're indulging on in Paris, I would avoid Nutella at all costs. Not only is it packed with sugar, but it's also grossly high calorically. Pb & Co. makes a dark chocolate peanut butter that I've found to be addicting and a worthy substitute. Spread over whole wheat toast with sliced banana = perfection. You can purchase this at any Whole Foods. 

4) I love trail mix, and I never follow the suggested serving size (1/4 of a cup, seriously?!). Previously, I often bought the trail mix with fruit and chocolate (because, uh, yum) and never thought about how much sugar was packed into that small handful. Even the dried fruit manufactures tend to pack with sugar, so I'd be careful of that next time you go to grab trail mix. On the other hand, Kind bars have been a fantastic replacement. There are a couple that are only 5 g of sugar, and they label it nicely on the front so you know which ones are a-okay to buy. Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt is my personal favorite.

5) I'm forever in a love affair with Chobani. I can't stay away from it -- but, as you guessed, many of them are filled with sugar. The plain ones aren't bad sugar wise (because it's only lactose), but it obviously doesn't taste as good. I allow myself to buy one Flip Chobani a week (peachy pistachio dark chocolate...mmmm) and all other days of the week I eat coconut milk yogurt, which is a flavored cultured strain of coconut milk. Most of them are less than 10 g of sugar, as compared to Chobani's 20+ grams.

This all being said, just remember that you cannot always deprive your body from sugar, so go ahead and have that dessert every Saturday (or ya know, pancakes every Sunday morning). But these small changes in your every day life will make a big difference in the long run for your skin, energy, weight, and overall health, so do take a stab at it!

Do you guys have any low-sugar desserts you'd recommend? Let me know in the comments below!

More Pastels, Pretty Please

I spent my spring break doing three things: netflixing, baking, and yes, prepping my warm weather wardrobe. Back in Pennsylvania, this past Saturday (aka, yesterday) reached a record breaking 64 degrees, and it was glorious. My mother treated me to a spa day complete with mani, pedis, massages, and lunch served to us right at the salon. Needless to say I left relaxed and ready to shop. I stocked up on skirts, shorts, and even purchased the infamously stylish child of the two, a skort (one of my braver fashion moves).

The trend I'm hooked on? Pastels. Baby blues, rose pinks, washed-out yellow. I got it all. Between online shopping and hitting up Soho today, I can't wait to share this beautiful haul with you.






Everything in this picture was purchased online (minus all of the makeup, which I already own). I discovered a website called Unidays which gives up to 30% discounts on major online retailers to college students, and I highly recommend it. All you have to do is input your student email address, and you save money on sites like ASOS (my absolute favorite e-commerce), Missguided, Motel Rocks, Ann Taylor, and even Apple. Needless to say I put this use to ASAP and purchased the above pink midi skirt and peachy embellished jumpsuit from ASOS. Obviously I needed a matching top (hence the rigged yellow jumper) and sandals, so I followed through with Topshop. Unfortunately, those additional luxuries were full priced (sad face), but totally worth it.

When the sun hits the sky, I plan on pairing these outfits with my favorite Mac nude lipstick, beige Marc Jacobs nail polish (color: Baby Jane), and a light blush for a quintessential summer look.

I also purchased a necklace from the store I work at back at home, Van Heusen. I'll admit that I normally do not find anything in that store to be of my taste (it's all adult business attire), but recently their jewelry has taken a turn for a Kate Spade vibe. I'll probably end up wearing this gem a lot (see picture below) -- the soft colors practically match with anything, and it dresses up a plain shirt well.

And this week's nail color? Appropriately a powder blue (as seen with my ruffled pj shorts, because why not?!)

And lastly, I purchased a pair of heeled sandals at C Wonder that I'm absolutely obsessed with. However, they're not pastel-colored, so perhaps I'll share them with you in a later post :) hehe.

Happy official spring everyone!

Currently Coveting: Spring Essentials

Hi lovelies! I've decided to start a (new) blog, and with April right around the corner, what more fitting than a spring essentials shout out as my first post?

I've been making my summer plans, and it looks like I'll be staying in the city to take summer classes (yikes) and possibly continue interning (double yikes). While it all feels a bit overwhelming right now, thinking about basking in the summer sun ala iced coffee in hand is making it just a little bit more desirable. And we all know that a new season means a new wardrobe, so if I could buy anything right now it would be said items above (and yes, the dark chocolate is essential to surviving a few more months of unpaid labor).

1) A bucket bag, aka the next big accessory on the market and a slap in the face to the tote bag. This cute lil guy holds practically everything (except a laptop -- I'll give my tote bag that one), and it's a reformed model of the cross-body bags that have become trite since the clock struck 2014. I nearly screamed when I saw that yes, Old Navy of all places, was selling this bag for only 33 bucks.

2) Mom jean shorts. Because they're trendier than the average high-waisted shorts that make your butt hang out and your gut suffocate. I, being the 44-year-old mom by soul that I am, imagine these as being adorably comfortable. However, considering they're made by Rag & Bone (and therefore crazy expensive) I will be saving up for these until the day I can walk into Scoop NYC and purchase them.

3) Catbird NYC Rings --> I've been saying that I will hop a train to Brooklyn and get these, but I have yet to find the time. Although I have to admit, I dream of these every. single. night. because I imagine my long and lanky fingers would be best accessorized with stacks on stacks.

4) Silky camis are my go-to for spring and summer tops. They're light, breezy, and always look polished no matter what you wear with them. This one is from Dorthy Perkins (and only $28!).

5) I will never in a million years own these Valentino Espadrilles because I am a broke college student, but when I saw them on Elle.com, I nearly drooled on my iPhone. Unrequited shoe love is definitely the worst of loves. Sigh.

6) Because dark chocolate is an essential for any season, really. (And I just happen to really love when it's organic and gourmet, of course).

What are your spring essentials? Let me know in the comments below!