The average German citizen consumes a roughly 35 kilograms of sugar each year and I used to be pretty good at boosting that average with my own excessive consumption. There was a reason the “sweets drawer” in our home had a classwide reputation. Ah, home sweet home!
But let’s take a moment to think about this number: It’s been six years now since I quit sugar for good. Six years, which amounts to a total of 195 kilos of sugar that never got pumped through my body. Sadly this also made me realize that, during the other ⅘ of my life, I already consumed four times the amount without even blinking an eye. Holy caramel!
But hey, at least I’m on the right track, don’t you think?
Actually, being aware of your own sugar consumption or even making an effort to reduce it, is further down the road than most of the people around you will ever get. No matter if you are quitting sugar by choice or for health reasons, it’s time to give yourself a proud pat on the shoulder here, because you’re doing a pretty awesome job! …
Now and then I get invited to talk on other blogs by other inspirational bloggers, who also happen to be affected by fructose malabsorption, IBS or allergies of some sort. Before every interview I worry that I won’t have anything new to tell. But I’m always surprised at how much I learn about myself and my own habits, when asked the right questions. Eva (individualisten.at) and Danée (lucyvstheglobe.com) know their craft and I’m particularly proud of being featured on their blogs this month.
The word is out: Last week I gave my final approval for my very own cookbook to go into print, but my small chipmunk heart is still pounding like mad. Between writing posts, testing recipes and the usual chaos here in Istanbul, I somehow forgot that the real excitementis only just about to begin. Writing a cookbook on the quiet is one thing. But waking up everyday to your good wishes, knowing that there are people now actually waiting for my cookbook to bet published, that’s pretty absurd.
Seeing lettuce heads hanging low, mere pale shadows of their former selves, while all the iridescent and plump berries have retired to the freezers emphasizes the writing on the wall: Winter in Turkey has arrived. Not only are the temperatures dropping, so is the availability of fructose free fruits and veggies. But don’t despair, there are still some fructose friendly gems around just waiting to be turned into warming soups and stews, hearty casseroles and fondues. All we need to do, is to switch our focus from green to white: Wake up dear celery roots and parsnips! These days we require more nutrients and energy to keep us warm than during any other time of the year. …
Last week I was eating myself through several spelt products to test my personal level of tolerance. What can I say? I’ve fallen in love with it. I didn’t experience any side effects no matter what sort of spelt product I was eating. What’s more, spelt or “Dinkel” in German is a very popular grain here in Germany. That is why you can find a gazillion spelt products in almost any supermarket and, even better, freshly baked spelt bread at any bakery that sells quality bread. Wohoo!
It’s been seven months since we left our home in Berlin in an attempt to grow roots in Istanbul. A few days ago we arrived back in Berlin. It’s our first time home since February. I was looking forward to these upcoming three weeks. Looking forward to all the breakfasts, lunches and dinners with friends and loved ones, to happy bike rides in the city and enjoying morning runs in the park close by. Other than that, I must confess, there is not much I missed about Berlin. Who would, considering the numerous hours of sunshine Istanbul provided us with, all the Turkish food and fresh seasonal goods grown on the fertile lands of the rough Black Sea, the thousand plus different views of the Bosphorus or the seemingly endless supply of new and one of a kind impressions. Istanbul has not failed to keep us entertained. Needless to say the Gezi Park protests and the surprisingly violent response by the police caused quite a stir in our daily lives.
Willkomen in Fructopia! In dieser kleinen Welt dreht sich alles um ein gesünderes Leben ohne Fructose, ohne Zucker, ohne Weizen. Schön, dass ihr da seid! 
