In September 2014, Tim and I decided to go sugar-free for a month. We cut out refined sugar, fake sugar, and white flour for 28 days. It was a great experience and we have since been living a selectively sugar-free (because we will still eat white flour and refined sugar sometimes…) lifestyle ever since.

If you’re curious about cutting back on your sugar consumption or you’ve already begun to live a sugar-free lifestyle, this is the place for you. You’ll find recipes, resources, and inspiration for wherever you are on your sugar-free journey.

Have fun exploring and feel free to share your your experiences or ask questions in the comments or email me at emgardner8@gmail.com!

Our Journey

• The 5 W’s (and and H) behind No Sugar September: Get the backstory and specifics of our decision to go sugar-free for a month.
• A No Sugar September Update: Thoughts after two weeks of the sugar-free life.
• Emily’s Favorite Resources: A list of my favorite resources for sugar-free recipes and inspiration.
• A Month of Meals: The low down skinny about what we ate during No Sugar September.

 My Costco Shopping List

We went over our food budget during No Sugar September. There were several non-NSS contributors to the overage (like going on vacation at the beginning of the month), but it’s definitely an area I want to focus on as we continue this lifestyle.

Buying many of our sugar-free staples in bulk is a way we did save money and will continue to save money. Here are the items we use on a daily basis that we get from Costco.

• Coconut Oil – I bought that mondo jar before starting No Sugar September and thought it would take me eons to finish. I ran out before NSS was over…
• Half & Half – I used to drink my coffee black, but after having James, I switched my tune. Both Tim and I drink our coffee with half & half.
• Cottage Cheese – A big tub of high quality cottage cheese for under 5 bucks is quite the steal. Especially when it’s a key ingredient in several NSS favorites (chile egg puff, caprese egg puff, and cinnamon power pancakes) and is a great snack.
• Eggs – Also a key component in the egg puffs and various baked goods. A fantastic breakfast or snack (hardboiled).
• Cheese – I took a leap of faith and bought a 6lb loaf of mozzarella cheese. Great decision. It made its way into grilled cheese, mac and cheese, eggs, pizza, egg puffs…
• Vanilla – If you’re not going to make your own vanilla extract, this is a phenomenal deal (even if it does have trace amounts of sugar).
• Old Fashioned Oats – Between granola, oat bars, and oatmeal, oats are a hot commodity in our household.
• Cinnamon – If you don’t have a WinCo around, get your oft used spices at Costco.
• Greens – I’m never able to eat Costco greens quick enough to buy them, BUT if you like greens in your smoothies or eat salad often, Costco is you friend.
• Natural Peanut Butter – Kirkland brand is my current favorite peanut butter. I will cut my gushing short by saying it. is. awesome.
• Honey – When honey is one of your only sweeteners, you buy it in bulk.
• Maple Syrup – We’re lucky enough to have friends who make their own maple syrup, but if you don’t have a syrup hookup, Costco is the cheapest I’ve seen REAL maple syrup.
• Coffee – Tim and I drink too much coffee to buy fancy brands. Kirkland is good quality for the price.

Listen Up

I love listening to podcasts. Here are a couple that touch on real food.

• Trina Holden on Inspired to Action podcast talking about simple steps to better nutrition.
• Maggie McDaris, a registered dietician and chef, shares her thoughts about Whole 30 (which cuts out sugar, among other things) on Around the Table Podcast. Also, I just really enjoy Around the Table Podcast…

 Sugar-Free Recipes on EmilyCGardner.com

• Shauna Niequist’s Blueberry Crisp
• Carrot Cake Oat Bars
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Oat Bars (coming soon!)
• Chile Egg Puff
• Caprese Egg Puff
• Honey Whole Wheat Quick Bread (coming soon!)
• Simple Blonde Granola
• Weeknight Macaroni & Cheese (coming soon!)
• Pumpkin Greek Yogurt
• Crockpot Apple Butter

Honey Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

I’m not sold on this being the best honey whole wheat pizza crust, but it was good. The dough is a bit high maintenance and makes a soft, chewy crust. Bake your topped pizza for 20 minutes. I used flax meal instead of wheat germ.

Crockpot Marinara

I can’t remember how I stumbled upon Jenny Barker‘s instagram feed, but I”m so glad I did! She had posted a photo (and recipe) of this crockpot marinara and I made it the next week. Just make sure the brand of crushed tomatoes you buy doesn’t have sugar. I used fresh basil, oregano, and left out the garlic. Makes a TON and I used it multiple ways.