Monday, February 28, 2011

Best and Worst Foods

     I know that I wonder sometimes if everything I eat is really good for me to have, especially with having diabetes.  Does it have too many carbs?  Is it low-fat?  Will it raise my blood sugar?  We have to think about this constantly, and it can get confusing.   Well, to help take a little confusion out of it, I searched some of my resource sites to find some information on what the best and worst foods for blood sugar are.  I hope you find this helpful.  I did. 

     Best and Worst Foods for Blood Sugar from dLife

Heart Risk Assessment

     I hope everyone had a good weekend.  It was beautiful here in PA yesterday!  It's the end of another month and I thought I would finish out February and Heart Health month with a Heart Risk quiz.  I know, I'm no fun at all, but this is very important for a diabetic to think about.  As I have previously posted, heart disease is one of the most prevalent complications of diabetes.

     Before starting this quiz find out your Body Mass Index or BMI.  This quiz is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.  There is a disclaimer link on the site you can read. 

     Heart Assessment Quiz

Thursday, February 24, 2011

More Favorite Budget Foods

     In a previous post, I gave you some of my favorite budget foods.  I wanted to add a few more to the list.  Keep in mind, these foods are not just budget friendly, they are also very versatile in their usage also. 

     1.  Dried Beans and Legumes-What a great food!  So good for us too.  This food gives us plenty of fiber and so much more.  We can make great soups with dried beans; such as white bean chili, ham and bean soup, lentil soup.......the choices are endless.  Let's not forget the great baked beans we can make too.  Just use the sweetner-brown sugars available instead of white sugar.  I love this food. 

     2.  Quick-Cooking Oats-No, not instant.   Oatmeal is always better for us made from quick-cooking oats and the longer cooking ones than instant, which has been so processed.  We can make enough for a couple of days at a time.  There is so much we can add to it too.  This is a great food to add that oh so good for us cinnamon.  I like to add sliced or slivered almonds or I add chopped apples while the oats are cooking.  Then before I eat it, I like to add a little fat-free milk too.  To heat it up the next morning, you can make it nice and creamy in the microwave, simply by adding a little fat-free milk; stir, and heat.  Excellent food for us. 

     3.  Sugar-Free Gelatin-I know you might laugh at this one or maybe you don't consider this a real food.  Well, maybe not, but it is definitely budget-friendly and very versatile.  Not only that, but in most diets, this is considered a free-food.  We can follow the directions and just have it as a gelatin dessert or snack, we can add fruit to it and get some of those servings in for the day, or we can mix it with other ingredients to make great sugar-free desserts.  What is better than that.  My favorite sugar-free flavor is black cherry.  YUM! 

      Let me know what your favorite budget foods are.  If you have any favorite recipes using some of your favorites, feel free to share.

More Stress Management

    This is a subject I don't think can be covered enough.  Stress, if not properly handled, can lead to serious health problems.  Diabetics do not need any more stress than is necessary.  With this disease, there is so much risk for complications, we need to know how to destress when necessary.  Heart disease is one of the major complications of diabetes, so please check out these articles from The American Heart Association.        

    How Does Stress Affect You 

    Fight Stress With Healthy Habits

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Sue's Fruit Smoothie and Meat Loaf Recipes

I thought it would be nice to share a couple of my own recipes with you for a change.

Sue's Fruit Smoothie 

1 1/2 cups of fat-free milk
1 cup frozen fruit ( I usually use mixed berries, but works well with frozen peaches also)
1/2 a medium banana
Splash of vanilla
3 Splenda packets

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 
This recipe usually makes 2-3 servings. 


Sue's Best Meat Loaf
Makes about 8 servings

2/3 cup fat-free milk
1/2 cup refrigerated egg product, or 3 egg whites 
2 cups soft whole wheat bread crumbs 
1 small onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef
3/4 cup ketchup, divided ( 1/2 and 1/4 cups)
1 tsp. garlic powder

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 2-quart rectangular baking dish or small roaster with foil; set aside.  In a large bowl, combine milk, egg and 1/4 cup ketchup.  Stir in bread crumbs, onions, Worcestershire, and oregano.  Add ground beef; mix well.  Shape mixture into a loaf and place in baking dish.

2.  Bake 50 minutes.  Spoon off fat.  In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup ketchup and 1 tsp. garlic powder; spread over meat loaf.  Bake 10 minutes more or until meat is done.

3.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.  Spoon off any fat.


I hope you enjoy these recipes.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A Great Diabetic Fudge Recipe

This recipe is from a great site I found on Facebook.  It's called Diabetic Healthy Eating & Free Recipes.  Just click on the link and click like and they will post updates to your wall. 

                      
DIABETIC FUDGE
1 14 1/2 oz. evaporated milk
3 tbsp. cocoa
1/4 c. oleo
Liquid Sweeter to equal 1/2 c. sugar
......1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c. nuts
Combine milk,cocoa in saucepan. Beat well. Add oleo,sweetener,salt. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients except 1/4 cup graham crackers. Cool 15 minutes. Divide into 32 balls Roll in remaining crackers and chill.   
 
Tomorrow I will talk more about some of my favorite budget foods and will give you my smoothie recipe.  If you have something you want to see in my blog, please feel free to give suggestions.  I will try to find any information or recipe if I can.

Heart Health

    February is Heart Health month and according to American Diabetes Association/Diabetes Forecast Magazine American adults with diabetes are doing a better job at managing their blood glucose levels and fewer are developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). 

    This is particularly important because more than 65% of people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke; they also develop heart disease at least twice as often as adults who don't have diabetes. 

     It is very important that we eat healthy, exercise, take our medications as prescribed, and of course, don't forget to monitor our blood sugar by testing as your doctor recommends.  Cardiovascular Disease is just one of many complications we have to worry about, but it is one of the most likely to occur in a diabetic along with a stroke.  Talk to your doctor about what more you can do to prevent CVD.  Here's to our health!

Fitting Exercise into Your Day

We all have hectic schedules and it makes it difficult sometimes to get the recommended thirty minutes of exercise a day.  There are ways to get our thirty minutes in by simply breaking it up throughout the day.  You can take two fifteen-minute walks or break it up however it works for you.  Diabetic Living gives 14 Ways to Get More Exercise into Your Day.  Just follow the link below and follow the instructions in the slide-show.

Diabetic Living-Easy Ways to get Moving

Monday, February 21, 2011

Natural Remedies For Diabetes-ALA, Chromium Picolinate and Cinnamon

     I know this may not be the most exciting thing to be writing about, but unfortunately, this is a subject we, as diabetics, need to be informed about.  Foot problems are common in people with diabetes and they can be serious.  Neuropathy symptoms include pain and numbness in the feet or legs.  Do natural remedies for neuropathy work?

     According to Diabetic Connect's Community Advocate, Susan Sloane, they can be beneficial and can help decrease the dose of some prescription medications that can have debilitating side effects at higher doses.

     Topical treatments for neuropathy that include capsaicin and hypericum....and/or essential oils can be soothing for patients.  Another treatment option for neuropathy that has been shown to be beneficial is alpha-lipoic acid (ALA).  ALA is a potent antioxidant shown in a study at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms of neuropathy.  The ALA supplements that can be bought contain a racemic mixture of two isomers of lipoic acid, the R form and the S form.  The R-form is the only form of lipoic acid that occurs naturally and is the only form that can be readily recognized and used by cells in the body.  Recently it has been discovered, that the R-form provides all of the beneficial effects of the ALA, while the S-form has little beneficial and may actually hinder the effects of the R-form.  For example, a recent study has shown the R-lipoic acid treats all the major effects of insulin-resistance, while the S-form may make things even worse.  This is why pharmaceutical companies have developed a more effective lipoic acid supplement that contains only the R-form of ALA which appears more effective.

     Chromium picolinate is a popular mineral supplement that helps the body metabolize blood sugars, proteins, and fats.  It improves the action of insulin and can reduce the risk of insulin resistance.  Some lab results even suggest chromium may be able to slow down the progression of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics and in some cases begin to reverse the progression all together.

      As little as a half a teaspoon of cinnamon has been shown to lower blood sugar an average of 20% more than a control group and decrease the prevalence of complications in diabetics.  In order to ensure the highest level of care for diabetic patients, all avenues of treatment must be explored including supplements used in conjunction with prescription medication.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Some Sweets for the Weekend!

How about some nice dessert recipes from The Diabetic Skillet.  I really like this site.  It is so easy to navigate and they have some great recipes too!        

Strawberry Cheesecake Dip                     
Chocolate Muffins with Walnuts and Chocolate Chips   
Blueberry Smoothie                        
Strawberry Cream Cheese Bites

Thursday, February 17, 2011

10 Ways to Stay Safe in the Hospital

It's a scary thought, but the truth is, the doctors and nurses in our hospitals do make mistakes.  They are human, after all.  But there are ways we can protect ourselves and stay safe during a stay in the hospital.  This is a very good article with some much needed information.  10 Ways to Stay Safe in the Hospital/Diabetes Forecast Magazine

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

By 2050, Up to 1 in 3 Could Have Diabetes

Wow!  This is scary.  This is our children and grandchildren we are talking about.  Those are the projections, though, according to Diabetes Forecast Magazine.  Currently, about 1 in 10 adults in the US have Diabetes.  The new projections are based on the outlook to the aging of the population, the fast-growing populations of minorities who have above-average rates of diabetes, and the longer life spans of people with diabetes.  This is why it is important to get this disease under control in this country.  We have to get our own diabetes under control first.  Then we have to work to see that our family is eating healthier too.  Like I wrote in last night's post about meals, we can incorporate healthier foods into our family's meals and most of the time, they won't be able to tell the difference.  Just by changing certain elements of a dish can make it much healthier.  There is so much I still need to learn about this disease and I am always looking for ways to make this disease more manageable for me and I am sure alot of you are too.  Food is just one aspect of managing it.  What are some of the things that have helped you? 

Paul Sorvino Discusses How He Gained Control

Law & Order (the original) was a favorite of mine from the first episode.  One of my favorite actors from those first years of the show is Paul Sorvino.  He also starred in the movie Goodfellas and others.  In this article from Diabetes Forecast Magazine he discusses how with the support of his Oscar-winning daughter, Mira Sorvino, he gained control of his Type 2 Diabetes.  He also talks about the importance of family and friends to help keep him from straying.  A very good article.  Hope you enjoy.  

Paul and Mira Sorvino: The Power of Support

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Mexican Recipes

Great Mexican recipes from  The Diabetic Skillet             

Easy Chicken Soft Tacos                                  
Mexican Chicken and Corn Soup                        
Grilled Fish with Cilantro Chile Cream                                

Diabetes Q & A

This is a very informative Q & A from the American Diabetes Association's blog-Diabetes Stops Here.                                           

Don't Ask Me, Ask the Expert

Why Make Two Meals?

Let's face it, with rising food costs and dwindling paychecks, it's hard to feed a family right now.  It's even harder when one or more members of your family have to follow a special diet.  But there are things you can do to incorporate dietary needs into your food without having to make two meals.  Let's say, for example, you are making a Tuna-Noodle Casserole for your family's dinner tonight and you are making something else for that member of the family who is diabetic or dieting, etc.  We can make that casserole suitable for each member of the family.  It's really not that hard.  Just by making a few simple changes it can be a healthy dish for all.  Instead of using white pasta, use a whole-wheat or whole-grain pasta.  There are even some now that are whole-grain and low-carb too.  Use fat-free cream of mushroom soup and fat-free milk.  Make sure that you always use canned tuna in water only.  Add some veggies to the casserole.  Use low-fat or fat-free cheese.  This makes the Tuna-Noodle Casserole much healthier and everyone in the family can eat it.  Now I don't suggest eating casseroles every night for those who are diabetic.  It does make keeping track of your food exchanges a little more difficult, but it is fine on occasion and just make sure to eat a smaller portion and add a green salad to the meal.  This can be done with many types of casseroles.  Just swap the gravies, sauces, and cheeses for low-fat or fat-free replacements and use whole-wheat or whole-grain pastas and you have a much healthier meal that the whole family can eat.  Simple replacements or additions can be made to any meal to keep you from having to cook two.  If making tacos, use the soft, whole-wheat tortillas or some of the low-carb ones instead of the crunchy ones that have usually been fried.  Use lean ground beef, white-meat ground turkey or white-meat chicken.  If using the lean ground beef, make sure to use less meat and fill the tacos up with lettuce, tomatoes, onions or other types of veggies your family likes to use.  Use fat-free sour cream, low-fat or fat-free cheese.  Add a green salad or a vegetable and you have a healthier taco meal for all of you.  If you are making the kids baked french fries or tator tots for dinner, put some sweet potato fries on the baking sheet too.  You can find them in the frozen-foods with the other fries.  You never know, they may like the sweet potato fries too.  These are just some of the many things you can do to make it easier at meal time and healthier too. 

Saturday, February 12, 2011

A Valentine's Day Message

Valentine's Day is just a couple of days away and I would like to take this moment to send out a message to all of you.  They say that, "In order to love another, you must love yourself first".  I do believe this is true...to a certain degree.  I also believe that, when you are loved by another, you love yourself even more.  But, that love can come from anyone. You are loved by your family, by your friends and most of all, by God.  Yes, it is wonderful when you have a special someone in your life and it is hard when you don't.  I know, because I am single.  Being a diabetic adds another hurdle too.  It can make others afraid that they can't handle the problems that may come with loving someone with this disease.  But, if you are taking care of yourself and are confident that you can handle it, it will show them that it is manageable.  Take some time for yourself and think about all of the things you love about yourself and write them down.  Do you have a talent?  Are you a good cook?  Are you a giving person?  Are you a great parent?  Don't stop until you have written everything down that you can think of.  Write down your blessings too...everything you are grateful for.  Then, put this somewhere you can easily find it.  Then, when you get disheartened or discouraged, read it.  Look in the mirror:  What is your best feature?  What compliments have you received?  I've always been told that I have pretty eyes.  I love that compliment, because they say, "The eyes are the windows to the soul".   So, when I put on makeup, I try to concentrate on my eyes and try to make them stand out even more.  So, find your best feature and find ways to bring it out.  These are things that will make you feel more confident about yourself.  Most of all, smile.  That makes you and everyone else feel good.   Remember, we were created in God's image....there is nothing more beautiful and no one loves us more than he does.  Happy Valentines Day and much love to all of you.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Diabetes and Your Job

Ways to Help Yourself                                    
Diabetes on the Job          
Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your diabetes at work.    
  • Eat meals at the same time every day.  Try not to skip meals or snacks.
  • Take your medicines and test your blood sugar as directed by your doctor
  • Describe the signs of low blood sugar to close co-workers.  You may need their help if your blood sugar drops.
  • Keep sugar snacks or glucose pills in your desk at work in case your blood sugar get's too low (less than 70 mg/dl) and carry some with you too.
  • Tell the company nurse you have diabetes.
  • Keep tabs on your stress.  Try deep breathing, relaxation or take a short break from the office if you can.                      
     You can find more of this information on http://www.1on1health.com/

It is hard for me to keep to a schedule as far as meals are concerned.  My job pays us for our lunch, therefore, we don't actually get to take a half-hour or hour to just sit down and eat.  We have to wait on customers in-between bites.  Certain days of the week I work 11 hours, and every night except Saturday, we are open until 7 pm, so that means a late dinner.  I have to adjust how I eat so this does not become a problem.  What I try to do is take a bigger lunch and divide it in half, when I can.  I eat part of it at lunch time then later around 4 or so, I eat the other part.  Then when I get home at 8, I try to just have something small for dinner.  I always have snacks and fruit with me too.  I guess it just depends on your work schedule as to how you work in your meals.  That's the only way I have been able to figure it out so far.  Share any tips you may have as far as meal schedules or how you get through your day at work.  I will also be posting a Valentine's Day message tonight, since I don't post on the weekends, so I hope you read it as well.

Valentine's Day Recipes for You and Your Sweetheart

American-Pie Chicken                                           
Valentine Apple-Mint Salad                                         
No-Bake Valentine Cherry Cheesecake

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Dealing with the Stigmas of Diabetes

I touched on this a little in a recent post, but feel it is well worth further discussion.  As I said before, there is a belief that people with Diabetes are just lazy and eat too much and have basically brought this disease on themselves.  I, for one, like many of you, I'm sure, am not lazy and never have been.  Yes, at times I have eaten too much and haven't always taken such good care of myself as I should have.  But, that is in the past and now I am taking much better care of myself.  I have dealt with being overweight most of my life and have dealt with other's prejudices and at times still do.  But, I have lost close to 60 pounds and am losing more every day and if anyone else can't see what kind of person I am and how hard I am trying to improve my health, then they will never be truly worthy of my friendship or any kind of relationship with me at all.  I try really hard every day to forgive and forget, and I pray for those who can't look past their prejudices and see how truly special we all are.  We are to love each other as God loves us...........AS WE ARE, and that is the only thing I will accept.  That is the only thing we should all accept.  God made each of us beautiful and special.  We need to remember this when we get discouraged.  Please, if you have comments, I really would be interested in reading them.  Sorry to be so short tonight, but am going to go hang out with some friends tonight at Dilly's for some good music.  Have a good evening.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Great Egg Recipes

Eggs are a diabetes superfood. Low in calories and carbs but rich in protein, they also contain more than a dozen essential nutrients. No wonder they're called the incredible edibles
dlife-12 Eggs-quisite Breakfasts                                      

Just click on the dish name in blue under the photo to get the recipes.

Monday, February 7, 2011

A Weekend In My Life

I hope everyone had a good weekend!  Mine was pleasant, even though I had to work on Saturday.  My son, Zack has technically been back home now for awhile.  I say technically, because he eats here some and occasionally he sleeps here, but usually he's not home.  Every other weekend, though, he get's his 4-year old daughter, AbbieLynn.  Yes, I'm a Grandma.  AbbieLynn is beautiful and she can light up your whole world.  When she's here I have no problems.  She can be sassy, but I love that about her too.  This was our weekend to have her.  To add to the fun, my son was puppy-sitting for a friend of his.  AbbieLynn was ecstatic.  My cat, Bart, was not.  He wasn't happy at all.  He went into hiding for hours after Zack brought the puppy to the house.  When he did finally come out, he wanted nothing to do with this puppy.  He didn't mind eating it's food or drinking it's water (the puppy was eating Bart's food too) but if that six-week old Chocolate Labrador came within two feet of him, off he went, running.  It was hilarious.  I think we all had a good time.  AbbieLynn and the puppy played and played.  Last evening, though, life returned to normal.  It was just me and Bart again.   Zack took AbbieLynn home and returned the puppy and he was off to his girlfriend's house.  These are the times I forget that I am diabetic.   I forget all the aggravations and complications that go along with this disease and just live.  It's easy to do when everyone is here and we are having a good time.  I hope you all have joys like this to help take away the harshness of this disease.  It makes going through those hard times so much easier.

Friday, February 4, 2011

The Winter Blues

Winter is not my favorite time of year.  It's too cold, it get's dark too early, and let's not forget, the snow and ice.  It keeps us inside way too much and way too often.  I do tend to get the blues during the winter months.  I don't know if it is the lack of sunlight or maybe just that I feel more isolated during this time.  Although, I am trying to socialize more, I do still spend a lot of time alone.  The weather makes it hard to make or keep plans with others right now.  I have found that having hobbies and trying to do other things has helped.  I can crochet, I read, I love movies, I am learning to play a new musical instrument, and of course, now I am writing this blog.  I have also signed up to volunteer once a month at a center that provides free food, free clothing and even a little conversation to the homeless and people in need.  It always feels good to help someone else.  These things don't always chase away the blues completely, but they do help.  One thing that really helps is spending time with family and friends when I can.  My Mom and I like to go play Bingo when it's possible.  That get's us both out of the house and allows us to spend time together too.   My job doesn't help much either.  The type of work I do means that when I go inside that building in the morning, I can't come out, for any reason, until I lock up at night.  And except for two days a week, I work alone.  My long days start at 8:30 am and end at 7:15 pm.   So I am shut in most of the time.  I can't wait until it get's a little warmer and it's nicer out to go for walks.  Getting outside and breathing fresh air is always a mood-lifter.  I am always aware of the possibility of becoming depressed and really try to do as much as possible to stay positive.  Winter only last a few months.  The rest of the year, I am fine.  It is twice as likely with someone who has diabetes to develop depression.  So, the winter blues can be damaging to a diabetic.   I touched on this a little in last night's post, but am going to add some information tonight for anyone who thinks they might be depressed but aren't sure.  Some of the signs of depression are as follows:                                                   
1. Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood                                                       
2. Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism                                                                
3. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness                                            
4. Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex                                                                                            
5. Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"                                                 
These are just a few.  For more of the signs of depression, and to learn more about treatment options, just click here: Signs of Depression and Treatment Options and scroll down until you see the list.  Under the list of signs is the link in blue for the Treatment Options.  People with diabetes who have a history of depression are twice as likely to develop diabetes complications, such as eye, kidney and nerve diseases.  For a list of other complications, click here:  Complications with Diabetes and scroll down to the list.  Please if you have five or more of the signs of depression and they last for at least two weeks or more as this link advises, seek treatment.  We have to love ourselves and take care of ourselves first before we can take care of anyone else.   Here's to our Health!

Nature's Perfect Food and Some New Recipes

I will admit, that the only greens in this slide-show presentation that I have ever eaten, are arugula in my salads, and dandelion.  Yes, I have eaten dandelion.  No, I didn't like it.  My great-grandmother, who was diabetic, used to pick it from the yard and cook it and she made me eat it a few times.  I guess we should try to eat more of these greens, being that she lived so long with this disease.  dlife-The One Food We Should Be Eating.                                                                                                                            

Beef Steaks with Tangy Corn Relish                                         
Lemon Baked Shrimp                                                       
Unbelievable Chocolate Cake

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Diabetes and Our Relationships With Others

This is something I have thought about a great deal since being diagnosed.   I think because this disease seems to run rampant on both sides of my family, and everyone is pretty much aware of the causes and treatments, I have no problem talking to them about having diabetes.  What about friends, though, or other relationships?  I believe we should be completely honest with everyone we have regular contact with.  What if something happens when we are with them and we need emergency care?  They need to know that we have this disease.  I mentioned in my last post that I had recently started dating again.   I'm not right now;  but until recently,  I was dating someone.  I told him on our first date that I am diabetic.  I felt that if he was someone I was going to spend any amount of time with, I needed to be honest from the start.  I've heard other diabetics who are overweight say they feel ashamed because they did this to themselves.  But, that's not necessarily true.  I've known thin people who have developed the disease as well.  There seems to be this stereotype associated with Type 2 Diabetes patients that they are just lazy and eat too much.  But I'm sure all of you know, that this isn't true.  Yes, I can be lazy if I want to be at times, but I can work really hard too.  I wasn't just sitting around eating all these years;  I was a single mom and I had a son to raise.  This is how my doctor explained it to me:  Yes, being overweight does not help.  But, they are finding that there are genetic links to obesity and there are definitely genetic links to Type 2 Diabetes.  So, I don't think we should feel ashamed or guilty at all and we should never be embarrassed to tell our family, friends or love interests that we have this disease.  We need all the support we can get.  Even if our bad habits contributed, we can't change that now.   We can only do our best to take care of ourselves and love ourselves now and in the future.  

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Great Recipes!

1. Low-Carb Chili Recipe from Diabetic Connect                   
2. Healthy Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe from Diabetic Connect                                                                                    
3. Apple Dip Recipe from Diabetic Connect

Blessing in Disguise

I have said many times that being diagnosed with diabetes has been, in many ways, a blessing in disguise.  I truly believe that it has been.  Do I like pricking my fingers with those lances twice a day, having to take medication, or not being able to have certain foods?  No, of course not.  They aren't the blessings, they are the aggravations of this disease, and there are many more too. The blessing is that it has forced me to look at many things in my life.  The most obvious, of course, the weight I had gained and the food I was eating.  But, more importantly, why I ate the way I did.  I am an emotional eater, which a lot of us are.  If I became upset or stressed out, I either didn't eat and then when I got so hungry that I couldn't take it, I would eat way too much.  Other times, I would just eat too much.  I also ate when I was bored too.  I kept telling myself that one of these days, I will lose the weight.  I had tried diets and different types of exercise many times through the years, but was never able to stick to anything.  When they told me that I was going to have to take the medications I am on and probably have to take them for possibly the rest of my life; that was enough for me.  I hate taking medication.  I don't want to be on it for the rest of my life and I definitely don't want to have to take insulin shots.  I'm one of those types of people who only went to the doctor when I was sick and I would put it off as long as I could even then.  Do I have bad days?  Yes, of course I do.  Do I always stick to my diet?  No, I cheat every now and then.  But I really am trying to keep a positive attitude.  I'm trying to get out more and do more things with my family and friends and am trying to date again too.  I think if I keep busy and not isolate myself, it will help a lot.  That's one of the reasons I started this blog.  It always helps to know there are others with the same disease and some of the same problems.  It can help to have a support system.  So, please feel free to share your experiences or feelings if you would like.  If you find yourself getting depressed and can't seem to come out of it, talk to your doctors.  They will be able to offer a variety of options.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

More Coffee, Please

Anyone and everyone who knows me is very well aware that I LOVE COFFEE!  So check out this bit of news.  There does seem to be some disagreement, though, from some of the comments listed below this piece, as you can see.  dlife-The Coffee-Diabetes Connection.

My Favorite Lower-Cost Foods

What a day!  I hate ice!  I am scared to death of it. I went in to work late this morning.  The main roads weren't bad, but my street and sidewalk were nothing but ice.  Now, they are talking about it being worse tomorrow morning.  We will see.  Well, anyway, I wanted to write about the cost of eating healthier.  The doctors don't tell you how much some of the food cost that we are supposed to be eating, when they diagnose us with diabetes.  Some of it is outrageous!  It's even worse if you are on a low-fat diet as well as a low-sugar one.  But there are some foods that are good for us that we can eat that don't cost an arm and a leg.  1. Eggs-are a cheap source of protein that we can use in a variety of healthy ways.  I like to make a nice veggie-omelet.  They are good hard-boiled on salads.  If you use a fat-free mayo, you can make a nice egg salad and add celery and onions.  You can do a lot with eggs.  2. Peanut Butter-another good source of protein that we can use in many ways too.  This is one of my favorites because I love peanut butter.  You can dip your apples or your celery in it.  You can put it in smoothies with bananas.  You can have it on a nice piece of whole wheat toast in the morning.  There are so many ways to enjoy this lower-cost food.  Now, I know we are supposed to be using the natural kinds of peanut butter, but honestly, I can't eat them.  They are okay to mix in with something, but just to eat it....no.  I use a reduced-fat peanut butter that is pretty low in sugar too.  You just have to check the labels.  3. Fresh in-season vegetables are another lower-cost food.  When in season and especially, if they are locally-grown, they are delicious.  I grow my own tomatoes in the summer and usually some peppers too.  Of course, growing them yourself is always best, if possible.  There are an unlimited ways to use them.  4.  Frozen Vegetables are really low-cost and a great way to get all the vitamins and nutrients we need when we can't get seasonal vegetables.  They are easy to cook and already cut up for us, so there is no prep.   5.  Fresh, in-season fruit is always nice.  I will admit, I'm not much of a fruit person.  I like apples, bananas, pears and a few others raw.  The rest of them I have to use in smoothies and other kinds of preparations.  I use a good bit of frozen fruit for smoothies.  But, still, seasonal, fresh fruit is always best.  Berries are very good for us too.  6.  Canned tuna is a really cheap source of protein too, plus you get your fish oils in there too.  I use a lot of tuna.  I put it on salads, I make tuna salad sandwiches on whole wheat.  I use it in cooking too.  There are many ways to use this food.   These are some of the foods I have found to be budget-friendly.  I'm sure there are many more I could list.  Please, if you have any favorites to add, leave a comment.  Here's to our health!!