What I Eat

Organic cheese, whole wheat crackers, sliced organic tomato (from our garden) with basil

Pasta with homemade, organic spag sauce, grated cheese, and a salad loaded with olives and tomatoes

My go-to easy meal: sweet potato fries, an organic egg, and diced mango (which I buy frozen from Trader Joe's)

My goal is to eat balanced meals----carbs (including fiber), protein, and healthy fats. I honestly don't feel any guilt eating dessert each night because I've done the "right things" all day long. I start my day with a good breakfast and a workout, and then I eat as healthy as possible the entire day. I also try to make my meals colorful. I do not take any vitamins (even being a vegetarian), because I don't have to. Plus, I'm pretty skeptical that vitamins are even what they claim to be. (I'm supposed to take B6 for my feet....and I keep forgetting). I guess I'm always aiming, as many people with diabetes are, that perfect balance. :) I'm not sure any of us will ever get it perfectly right, but the point is to make those right, small choices everyday.

Happy eating!!!

Diabetes Meme

In celebration of Fall INTO Fall, please visit my friend Kerri's blog to learn more about life with diabetes. Kerri shares her own answers to the Diabetes Meme in one her September 8th entry.

Here's mine:


What type of diabetes do you have: Type 1

When were you diagnosed: March 2006

What's your current blood sugar: IDK but I'm about to eat dessert, so I'll need to test. Homemade apple pie and ice cream, anyone?

What kind of meter do you use: One Touch Ultra

How many times a day do you test your blood sugar: 8-10

What's a "high" number for you: Anything over 200.

What's do you consider "low": Anything under 85.

What's your favorite low blood sugar reaction treater: Glucose tablets work the best, but if I'm really low, think 45, I'll eat cereal, cookies, juice, and the kitchen sink. :)


Describe your dream endo: I have my dream endo---he's supportive, kind, honest, and practical.

What's your biggest diabetes achievement: Claiming and owning my disease as one of the better parts of my life. Without it, I wouldn't have adopted my daughter.

What's your biggest diabetes-related fear: Amputation.

Who's on your support team: My husband and daughter (inspiration), my doctors (oh so many) and their staff, my dietitian (awesome!!!), and my family.

Do you think there will be a cure in your lifetime: Lord, I hope so, but I want it most for the precious young children who have diabetes and their parents who struggle daily to manage. My endo gave me great advice---that I have to do what I can now, because if there's a cure, it won't undo diabetes damage.

What is a "cure" to you: No testing, no carb counting, no injections, no insulin pump---my body, healed, completely.

The most annoying thing people say to you about your diabetes is: Oh, so you can't have sugar?

What is the most common misconception about diabetes: That my diabetes is easy to control. Try controlling an entire system! My diabetes is a 24/7 job that doesn't get a vacation...ever!

If you could say one thing to your pancreas, what would it be: "Thanks for giving me 23 years without diabetes. Maybe we can someday add 23 more years to that number."

FALL!!!!

I'm so relieved that fall is slowly rolling in. To celebrate and inspire, I wrote an article on fall foods and fun for Diabetes Health. Please check it out and leave a comment!

Something New

I've gotten into a pretty boring workout rut, mostly because this summer it was 100+ degrees outside for weeks on end, so my only workout option was the gym.

I'm a believer in the benefits of cardio and weight lifting, so I do both. However, I was quickly losing my motivation. I don't want my gym routine to ever become a chore.

So I've resolved to do one new thing during my workout every day. For example, the other day in aerobics class, I used two risers under my step bench instead of one. Today, after it finally stopped raining, I took my daughter for a walk in her stroller. I despise running, but I decided to add four jogging bursts into my walk. My daughter loved it, by the way. Must have been the change of pace and the wind on her cheeks.

I'm also trying to be more mindful of portion sizes. We always serve our food from the stove, not the table, because I've read (and believe it to be true), that people who eat from the table (family style) eat 30% more calories than those who serve their food from the stove. But because I eat so mindlessly and quickly, mostly because I'm always meeting the demands of my toddler, I tend to just toss food onto my plate, eat, and be done. How sad considering I spend a lot of time preparing healthy meals and so little time enjoying them.

I'm not baking nearly as much as I used to, mostly because baking is a recipe for total loss of blood sugar control. I love love love raw cookie dough. Sigh. So when I do bake, I make sure my sugar is under control and that I bake double batches (so I bake less often).

Small changes do make a difference for anyone, but especially those who have diabetes. I encourage you not to wait until January 1 to make better choices. After all, Halloween starts a long and tempting season of eating.

FALL INTO FALL

Dear Bloggers,

It’s hard to believe that the summer season is quickly ending. If you’re anything like me, you’re ready for change.

Fall more in love with reading this fall. Embrace the new season with a refreshed mindset. Learn to open your mind and heart to something and someone new while supporting fellow bloggers.

The goal: Promote your favorite blogs by writing about them on your own blog. Link your readers to the bloggers who inspire and empower you. Interview other bloggers if you wish. Share your favorite posts. Cultivate a season of refreshed minds!

Fall Into Fall begins September 1st and continues until November 15th. Feel free to cut and paste pieces of this message into your blog. And be sure to tell your favorite bloggers that you are sharing their blogs with others. Hopefully, they’ll return the favor!

Happy reading, and let’s get to writing and celebrating!

Rachel