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Diet Sodas – Not Such a Sweet Deal

by Jeanne on March 10, 2010

Do you realize..I mean really realize that one 20 ounce soda everyday for a year can result in enough additional calories to add around 15 pounds during that twelve month period?

Wow!  Even the diet sodas as discussed in this recent article from Earth Fare are not any better and according to research, can cause even greater weight gain compared to regular sodas.  Even though the claim is sugar free and zero calories, we may consume more because we think we have more in our calorie budget to spend.  Maybe not such a sweet deal after all.

As a diet coke lover for many years, I tried for a while to eliminate altogether after a fitness instructor told me one of the most effective changes I can make in my diet is to give up soda.  And it’s not easy for many of us to give up.  Somehow I managed to quietly slip a daily diet coke (or two..shhh) back into my routine.

Now after hearing, reading and finally really realizing the impact of just one can of diet soda, I have now given up that daily dose.  I don’t miss it and I feel better.  So I really believe there is something to this not to mention, less waste and recycling.  Plus there are links to erosion of tooth enamel and loss of bone density as additional risks of heavy consumption.

Moderation is key so I may allow myself a diet coke once in a great while.  In the meantime if you need to reevaluate your soda habit, try this instead.  Add a little 100% fruit juice like cranberry or pomegranate to club soda or mineral water over ice with a twist of lime for a refreshing pick-me-up.

And finally, here’s a quick overview of the added sugar in several popular drinks.  Where are you and what have you done, or can you do, to be successful in your efforts to improve the quality of your beverages?

Drink Type Size Amount of
Added Sugar
Soda 20 oz 16 tsp
Juice Drink (10% juice) 20 oz 16 tsp
Sweet Tea 16 oz 10 tsp
Sports Drink 20 oz 9 tsp
Chocolate Milk 6 oz 1.5 tsp
100% Fruit Juice 6 oz No Added Sugar
Plain Milk 8 oz No Added Sugar
Water 8 oz No Added Sugar

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With warm weather approaching, the yard sale signs will start to sprout giving my Saturday mornings new life.  Therefore my Monday post will feature my yard sale/thrift store/second-hand shop and even crazy curbside pick ups in this new series, “Thrill of the Hunt – Treasure of the Week”.  In some cases I might uncover some things so fantastic or something that is so interesting for another use, I just might put up for bid on Ebay so make sure you check in each week.

To kick things off, I’m highlighting  a great little find from a past excursion. Read the full article

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Eco-Resolution for March: Reuse and Refine

March 5, 2010

Continuing on with a monthly eco-resolution for the year, in March the goal is to begin and/or increase the practice of using reusable items such as bags and bottles and when possible, shop for pre-owned items.

Let’s start with moving from disposable to reusable with a few suggested items to get you started.*
Plastic water bottles/juice boxes [...]

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From T-shirt to Tote Bag – Easy DIY Project

February 26, 2010

So many great ideas out there in terms of being creative with items and here is one that is easy and fun.  Turning an old t-shirt or event t-shirt you’ve worn just one time into a functional reusable tote bag.  I first came across this last summer when a resourceful North Carolina Girl Scout contacted [...]

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Learn and Look Your Best with EcoTools

February 18, 2010

As a big fan of mineral makeup, a favorite find I came across last year when needing to replace my brushes was EcoTools.  Earth-friendly cosmetic brushes incorporating bamboo handles, recycled aluminum and taklon bristles – a synthetic versus a natural animal hair bristle.  Best of all, I didn’t need to order online, wait or spend [...]

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Eco-Resolution for February: Hot heating conservation ideas for cold winter months

February 10, 2010

As stated in January, I’ve listed a resolution for each month to help improve our environmental habits.
February’s resolution is to turn down the thermostat a few degrees and check my home for areas where heat could be escaping.  While it may be difficult to do so in all of this frigid winter weather going on [...]

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Kick the Habit – 7 Steps to Becoming Paper & Plastic Bag Free – Steps 5, 6, 7 + Final Giveaways!!

February 3, 2010

To recap, we’ve acknowledged, recognized, and purchased.  Then in step four we mastered the four phases of environmental consciousness.  Now we wrap it up with the final steps.
5. Forgive yourself of those past eco-sins.  The past is the past, let go and move on.  Now better equipped with both knowledge and tools, you should never [...]

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Kick the Habit – Seven Steps to becoming P & P Free – Step 4 + Giveaway!

January 30, 2010

So far we’ve reviewed the first three steps – Acknowledge, Recognize and Purchase. This next step is probably the most important of all and where many often give up in frustration and fall off the wagon.
4. Take it one trip at a time. During this critical step, you need to understand that there are several [...]

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Kick The Habit – 7 Steps to becoming P&P Free + Giveaway

January 27, 2010

One thing I feel pretty strongly about is bringing along bags for any kind of shopping excursion.  It took me a while but I got there and overall have a pretty good success rate. With still such a small percentage of  the population who actually bring their bags, this is an area that still needs [...]

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It’s about being kind to your environment

January 23, 2010

Welcome to our new site!
With a continued desire to learn and improve coupled with a passion to share, going forward I’ll be talking about a lot of things I’ve always done in the past – like shopping for home furnishings at antique and second hand stores and finding creative uses for old items.  As well, [...]

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