That is so great to hear!  I am trying to give up the sugar, too.

Yes sugar cravings are difficult at times… especially See’s Chocolate..lol  My husband bought me a box for V.Day and I only ate 2 of them.  That is the last refined sugar I’ve eaten.  We found an organic ketch up that uses agave for sweetener that is really good!!  I found a organic peanut butter that is sugar free.  Wasn’t sure how it would taste, but found it is good as well!!  I have celiac sprue so I am gluten-free as well!!  I just feel so much better since i eliminated sugar!!  I have so much more energy and i’m not jittery or anxious anymore!!  There are so many people on our church prayer list, and i feel like a lot of them could benefit from Dr Amen program!!  Do you have a any suggestions how to talk with people about this??

Wow, you are awesome in self-discipline to only eat two of See’s Chocolates!  But, that is the addict in me speaking.  Maybe it’s not as hard as I think.  (It’s not as if we have to give up chocolate, since Dr. Amen makes chocolate bars that are gluten and sugar free and so does “Lily’s Sweets”.) As for the people you wish you could help, I see the same here.  I’ve probably annoyed family, friends, and general acquaintances by trying to share the good information I’m learning.  In the past, when others have tried to give ME helpful information, I have been resistant, too.   But, maybe you could get a copy or two of THE DANIEL PLAN into your church library and talk it up a little. —  Or, maybe that’s what I should do. 

I had the same experience when I overcame my Type 2 Diabetes 4 years ago.  I found 2 kinds of reactions from those who saw it happen — intense curiosity and encouragement to teach others to do the same; and some were just curious.  I followed the encouragement of those who said I should teach others how to do it, so I became a Health Coach with training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.  I have been teaching others how to get over the sugar and other simple carb addiction issues for 2 years now.  What I have found is among the population of those with Metabolic Syndrome, Pre-diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, there are basically 3 subgroups — (1) those who are in denial and don’t want to do anything about it, (2) those who just want to manage it using the usual Standard of Care (Crap). big pharma approach (my sister-in-law actually said she would rather have the cake and ice cream at a birthday party and take more Metformin, that change her lifestyle), and those who really are sick and tired of it and will do what it takes to get over it. Those are the people I help.  You have to remember, not everyone really wants to fix it in themselves.

I like your suggestions of Dr. Amen’s products and the Lily’s Sweets.  I not only use Lily’s, but I have learned to make my own chocolate bars from raw cacao paste, erythritol, stevia and whatever mixed nuts and/or seasonings I like as well.  I guarantee you essential oils like cinnamon, tangerine, and or peppermint are great additions.  I have also made a scrumptious cumin/coriander version that went over very well with my family.

What quantities do you use?  Will you share a recipe?

I haven’t tried baking with stevia yet – I’ve read that brown rice syrup is also a sweetener that does not play around with blood sugar.  How is sugar free making you feel?  I’ve heard that there can be a withdrawal process.

Not sure about the taste.  Maybe so.  (I like coconut.)  As for the cup for cup part, I am ignorant on that, too.  I’ve used recipes that call for it.  Sometimes I use a little for sweetening something in an experimental way.

Yes unrefined coconut sugar tastes like coconut!

They sound good.