Blog - The Aligned Life

Welcome! This blog is a space where I share my journey toward creating alignment in my life—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I'll be exploring a wide range of topics including nutrition, fitness, mental and physical health, mindfulness, intentional living, minimalism, and so much more. My goal is to live with purpose and clarity, and I hope what I share here inspires you to do the same, in whatever way feels right for you.

Confessions of a (Former?) Sugar Fiend

June 5, 2025

If you’ve ever been to the local chocolate shop in my town, chances are you’ve heard of the drinking chocolate lady. Yep — that’s me. I’ve developed such a reputation for showing up, savoring their richest, thickest sipping chocolate (with zero shame), that I’m practically on a first-name basis with the truffles.

At parties, I’m that friend — the one quietly eyeing the dessert table long before the main course is cleared, nudging the host with a “Sooo... is that cake homemade or bakery?” My inner circle knows to expect the sugar siren song from me. Jokes fly. “You’re only here for the cupcakes, aren’t you?” And honestly? I usually am.

For years, sugar has been my comfort, my ritual, and sometimes even my reward system. I’ve tried to quit before — a few short stints of sugar sobriety here and there — but like any sweet love story, we’ve always found our way back to each other.

That is… until recently.

I recently took a routine food intolerance test (food intolerance is a part of my life), and what came back was basically a personalized breakup letter from my favorite things: cane sugar, maple syrup, and honey. Apparently, my body sees them less like treats and more like invaders. Suddenly, that post-cake bloat and foggy fatigue made a lot more sense.

So now, I’m standing at a real turning point. Not a temporary detox. Not a “just for Lent” kind of break. This is about long-term change — not out of punishment or perfectionism, but because my body is asking (maybe even begging) for it.

Giving up sugar — really giving it up — is going to take intention, humor, support, and probably a few deep breaths at future parties. But I’m ready to rewrite the story. Maybe not as the drinking chocolate lady, but as someone who chooses energy, clarity, and health over a sugar buzz… most days, anyway.

Quitting Sugar Details & Resources (Part 1)

June 6, 2025

Day 1 of quitting sugar.

I have quit lots of things in my life, both permanently, and temporarily.

• Alcohol (temporarily, and now permanently)

• gluten & oats (permanently)

• dairy (temp)

• all animal products (I was vegan for 12 years)

• sugar (temp)

• and so much more

I have been working with functional medicine specialists for many years because I developed terrible gut, hormonal, sleep, autoimmune, and focus problems many years ago. I slowly chip away and have moments of beautiful mental and physical clarity. In 2017, when this journey began, I had leaky gut, SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), H. Pylori, low thyroid hormone production, and more. Thus the beginning of routine food intolerance tests, elimination diets, and supplement protocols.

This is normal for me.

I’ve recently had another flare up of symptoms:

• sharp abdominal pain

• bloating

• brain fog

• poor memory

• ADHD-like symptoms

• poor sleep

• mood swings

• fatigue and low energy

• psoriasis

• belching

• and other gross stuff

It was time for another food allergy test. The main offenders?…

• Cane Sugar

• Dairy (all dairy! Even goat and sheep.)

• Maple Sugar (i.e. maple syrup)

• Coffee Beans

• Oats (always - oats are my nemesis)

Now, I am mustering resources for going sugar-free for a minimum of 8-weeks, preferably 6 months. What if I became sugar free forever!?

Quitting Sugar Details & Resources (Part 2)

June 7, 2025

I have stumbled upon lots of wonderful resources to quite sugar:

• Sarah Wilson and her books: I Quit Sugar and I Quit Sugar Cookbook

• The Huberman Lab podcast - Controlling Sugar Cravings & Metabolism with Science-Based Tools, episode #64

• Life After Sugar podcast with Netta Gorman

• And many articles online

Here is the summary of what I will do to curb sugar cravings or swaps I’ll make:

• Increase fat - coconut milk, nuts, eggs, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil

• Bone broth - the glysine helps regulate dopamine

• Green tea before meals can reduce the glycemic impact of the food. So can Apple Cider Vinegar in a cup of water.

• Licorice tea - supports adrenals and is naturally sweet so it can curb a sugar craving

• Cinnamon helps the body modulate blood sugar

• Use green stevia leaf powder in moderation

• Improve sleep hygiene

• Meditation

• Cacao nibs - for my chocolate cravings

I will also reduce fructose-rich fruits like pineapple, mango, apples, pear, watermelon, any dried fruits, etc. I will stick to blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, and limit them to 1-serving per day.

I already have a clean diet! But when the “drinking chocolate lady” shows up and enjoys the benefits of dark chocolate, she pays the price with the sugar attached.