What June Taught Me.
Sometimes you celebrate because of life, and sometimes you celebrate in spite of life. Both are important.
I can survive without sugary creamer. Every now and then, I decide to really get serious about eating healthier, and I always start with my creamer. And I always fail about two days in. Because I love flavored creamer.
The problem here is that since the addition of Jack, I have been drinking copious amounts of coffee in the mornings. When I realized how much sugar I was drinking first thing in the morning, it suddenly made sense that I wasn't feeling the best.
So instead, I made my own creamer with coconut milk, almond and vanilla extract, and cinnamon and it is delicious. This has 40ish calories and ZERO grams of sugar per cup as opposed to 40ish calories and FIVE grams of sugar per teaspoon of the other stuff I was drinking (and let's be honest, no one puts a single freaking teaspoon of creamer in their coffee).
I'm nine days without my beloved creamer and it hasn't even been hard this time. And wouldn't you know it, I feel so much better.
There is good in every day. There were some days in June that were just rough. Chris started residency, and that just so happened to line up with Jack getting sick for the first time, and man that was a really hard week.
But even on the hardest day(s), there was at least one thing each day that just made me feel so happy. Friday morning it was hearing Jack coo to his little fox mobile when he woke up. Wednesday it was realizing that I can do yoga in my den without having to move anything out of my way (totally impossible in a studio). There's something good in every single day. Sometimes you have to look for it, but it's there.
What did June teach you?
Such a good idea! I use vanilla almond milk creamer and I think it has 4-5g for a tbsp, when I get iced coffee out now I have it with just milk so I know I like it without the added sugar-- it's just so good!
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you on the creamer. I thought I'd hate coffee without vanilla creamer but I've been trying vanilla almond milk and it's not quite the same but I'm dealing. I'm going to have to try your way though!
ReplyDeleteMmmm I'm going to have to get that creamer recipe from you. I'm a flavored creamer junkie so I definitely need to break that habit. Ha!
ReplyDeleteAlmond milk in coffee is my JAM! Now caramel syrup in my coffee is also my jam, but sugar. And being old. And metabolisms. And stuff.
ReplyDeleteReading your meaningful, lovely posts definitely brightens up my days so I'll count that as the good in my days :)
Ohhh you're so good for switching creamer out! I use Coffee Mate's Natural Bliss because it's at least "real" ingredients... But I'm right there with you on the "no one puts just one teaspoon in their coffee" kind of thing... Too much added sugar is definitely a problem I need to work on fixing!
ReplyDeleteI broke up with the International Delights stuff a long time ago. Now if I do buy the creamer, it's the Natural Bliss since it's actual milk instead of oil.
ReplyDeleteI love the line about celebrating in spite of life!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a creamer that I can make at home! Thank you so much for the idea!
ReplyDeleteThat creamer sounds delicious. I feel like the blog-world is full of good vibes today. I'm glad you're finding the positive in every day. I think that's the only way to get through life with a little sanity :)
ReplyDeleteI started making my own creamer this month too! I read the ingredients and saw Polysorbate 80 and was like K I'm good. Mine is milk, cream, vanilla and honey. I'll need to try yours out.
ReplyDeleteThat creamer sounds delicious, yay for finding the good in everyday, I love being able to do that!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that you made your own creamer- how brilliant is that?! and yes, there IS good in everyday- even if some days it's hard to see it.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an amazing switch that you made! Proud of you!
ReplyDeleteLove these simple, but necessary lessons! Except the creamer - that might be hard for me to give up ;) But celebrating no matter what and finding the good in every situation - so, so true. I'm learning that more as a mama than ever before.
ReplyDeleteyoooooo lemme get that creamer recipe! haha i definitely need to cut back on the sugar as well
ReplyDeleteYES! I couldn't agree more about finding happiness every single day. It doesn't have to be all day, but there usually is a little daily light to make you happy.
ReplyDeleteooooh, I want that creamer recipe girl! I could use that!
ReplyDeleteOf course I read about your healthy creamer the day after I buy creamer for the first time ever because I've convinced myself I deserve a little (sweet) treat in my coffee. UGH. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh, man, that does sound like it'd be a rough week. But it's so great you were able to find, and concentrate on, the good things!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely post. You are completely right- there is good in every day, sometimes it just takes a bit to find it.
ReplyDeleteFor me, June has been a month of trying to be shamelessly myself. (Harder than it seems, ahah)
Love your blog!
Julia | Julia in Bluhm
Girl, I am right there with you with the coffee creamer! I just found your blog for the first time, and absolutely loved reading about the good things in your month. Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteThe creamer you made sounds delicious! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteI need to try your homemade creamer! I'm guilty of the same thing.
ReplyDeleteI don't do flavored creamer, but I definitely use cream.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally going to try that creamer hack! I love cream in my coffee, but I've gone without it cold turkey for nearly 3 months now. Though admittedly, if I'm treating myself out at a coffee shop I add half and half.
ReplyDeleteI love flavored creamer too! I had to give it up/find an alternative about a year ago when I had to give up dairy. I tried making my own, but nothing worked for me. I finally found an almond milk creamer that has substantially less calories and sugar than the one I had been using. The other day I got a drink from Starbucks and holy moly, it was so stinking sweet! I'm loving my almond creamer and am so glad I found it!
ReplyDeleteI would love your recipe for creamer. I stopped using the flavored stuff awhile ago because of all the creamer and I started using coconut milk coffee creamer. I tried an almond milk one and didn't like how that mixed with coffee at all. I also use actual coconut cream sometimes... like from the can. Anyway, I like flavored creamer, though, but I really don't like the flavored coconut milk creamer. It's way to sweet and just... gross. So I'd love to know how you make flavored creamer with coconut milk because that sounds like something I'd love. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd that was a long, rambly comment. Sorry about that! :)