Sugar-Free Stumbling

In typical me fashion, my New Year's resolution for 2015 is a complicated system of health and fitness goals, whereby each month I set a fitness goal(s) and healthy eating/living goal(s) as well as a reward for myself at the end of the month. January was great, I went to Barre method class three times a week and drank at least 64 oz of water a day. When January 31st came around, I treated myself to the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette . . . and a bacon cheeseburger and peanut butter stuffed brownies. February, started off great, I met my goal of running 3 times/week in addition to Barre method 3 times/week. However, I set too subjective of a healthy eating goal - not to overeat, allowing myself 3 "mess up" days. Valentines Day, Law School Formal, Chick Fil A, and a Vacation in Jamaica later, I had failed to meet my goal - no new Kate Spade sunglasses for me.

For March, my health goal is 4 no added and non-natural sugar days a week. I am going farther than necessary and excluding "clean" sugars such as honey and agave nectar as well. No, I am not starving, fruits and veggies and all whole foods are in, just no honey, agave, brown, white, confectioner's sugar, etc. For a list of names that sugar goes by check out this link 56 Names of Sugar, I keep a screenshot on my phone for easy reference.

Now, here is the problem basically EVERYTHING has some form of sugar in it. I am not holding myself accountable when I negligently ingest a small amount of maltodextrin, but the number of foods is quickly dwindling. For example, my Publix Brand Full Fat Small Curd Cottage Cheese (the natural lactose is okay) contains Maltodextrin - COTTAGE CHEESE REALLY?! I thought I was safe on that one. Admittedly, it is my fault for not checking the label and assuming it would be added-sugar-free. Daisy and Friendly's are free of maltodextrin, which leads me to point out a place where store-brand goods are not an equal substitute for brand name.

Other foods with sneaky sugars I have come across:

• Chicken Bullion Granules 
• Thomas English Muffins - even the "healthy" ones
• Bread Crumbs - even whole wheat
• Canadian Bacon, Turkey Bacon, Bacon - not really surprised as much as saddened
• "All-Natural" Nut Butters - Check the label, most of these have sugar added to them. Look for "Raw" and "Unsalted" and "No Sugar" instead. 

Now, I hate wasting food, so I had to wait until one of my 3 off days this week to try what is otherwise a no-added sugar recipe for  Oatmeal Cottage Cheese Pancake - Ambitious Kitchen. It was well worth the wait, these were fantastic and a much more balanced way to enjoy pancakes. The first time I made these I added frozen berries and since it was a sugar-friendly day, topped my pancakes with light agave nectar. The frozen berries caused the pancakes to too turn a little to mush on the inside and made them difficult to flip. The second time I made these I loved them even more. I cooked two plain and added cacao nibs to the inside of one. Then topped with frozen berries that I had let thaw and a tablespoon of melted peanut butter. Finished off with a cup of hazelnut coffee, this was a delicious, almost indulgent, breakfast that I could feel good about. See the difference in the pictures below. 

Some added-sugar free ideas I am excited to try:

• Apple Butter (try this recipe, it is magic: Sugar-Free Apple Butter)
• Cacao Nibs and Raw Nut Butter
• Cacao Powder and Raw NutButter
• Berries and Toasted Wheat Germ
• Fresh Fruit and Raw Nuts
• Flaxseed and/or chia seeds in batter

If you think of any other great combos let me know in the comments!

Successful second try - berries on top, not inside.

Sad looking attempt 1 with frozen berries inside the pancakes (Still delicious though)

Recipe Notes: the batter is thin and runs all over the pan, but thickened up as it cooked. I use 1 tbsp of the almond milk, add a pinch of salt to the batter  and cook them one at a time in my smallest skillet so that they would have a traditional pancake shape. These can be made ahead in large batches and frozen by laying them flat on a baking sheet covered with freezer, wax, parchment paper or aluminum foil then placing in freezer until frozen. After they are frozen through, toss them in a freezer ziplock. Reheat in the microwave, starting with 30 seconds.