Swapping cancer sticks for carrot sticks

I am on day two of no smoking, and it hasn't been too bad. I have to constantly keep myself busy, which is kind of coming naturally. Since I'm not smoking, one of the methods that stop me from noticing the cravings to badly is by keeping my hands busy. I keep on cleaning, pottering around the house cleaning this, cleaning that, folding washing which is one of my pet hates, and I have been spending a lot of time cutting up and preparing vegetables and fruit for my natural diet. I am doing quite well even if I do say so myself.

I have been to the gym ever day so far, I have been feeling really tired by time late afternoon arrives, but I know it will only be temporary. I have also gone back to sleeping at least 8 hours a night and it being unbroken, uninterrupted sleep, where in the  last few weeks of Uni, I had been averaging about 5 hours sleep a night. I am someone who does not function on less than 7 hours sleep, so those last few weeks with trying to get 5 assignments completed were a huge struggle to say the least. But here I am, the changes starting to be evident and keeping me on track.

To defy cravings, which I must admit have not been too bad, I have been eating a lot of carrot sticks. Carrot sticks with lemon, herb and garlic yogurt sauce, and carrot sticks with guacamole. I have substituted mayonnaise with yoghurt, and it just isn't the same. Where I once loved my lemon, herb and garlic mayo, it is now just bitter and not so rewarding - one of the dietary changes that I will just have to get used to. However I love guacamole, and have been eating carrot sticks and guacamole daily. I have even started eating celery sticks with it, and I hate celery, my taste buds are changing. I have not had any sugar past my lips in the past four days, and I can notice the difference. I am definitely getting those extra servings of fruit and vege this week.  

One of the disappointments of dietary change is swapping mayonnaise for plain natural unsweetened yogurt. Carrot sticks and Lemon, herb and garlic yogurt sauce.

Lemon, herb and garlic yogurt sauce recipe

1 Cup of Natural plain unsweetened yogurt
The juice from one lemon (or 1.5 Table spoons of vinegar)
2 Tablespoons of dried herbs of your choice (mixed herbs, or I used oregano and parsley)
1 clove of garlic finely diced
1 Teaspoon of melted honey

Method
Mix all ingredients together, and let sit for 15 minutes before stirring again and serving. 
Serve with vegetable sticks, crackers or bread.

(if you are not on a natural diet like myself, then swap the yogurt for mayonnaise, omit the honey, and this recipe is delish)

100% Natures goodness! Guacamole with carrot and celery sticks.

Guacamole Recipe

1 Ripe avocado
1 Clove of garlic finely diced
1/4 of a red onion finely diced
Juice of one lemon (or 1 tablespoon of vinegar)
1 small chilli fine diced (optional)
Salt and Pepper to season

Add to a bowl the avocado, and mash. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Poor into a serving dish.
Serve with vegie sticks, corn chips, or crackers.