Merry Christmas!

Dear Readers,

I hope you have a blessed Christmas! Enjoy good food and drink, exchange gifts, and reflect on all the awesome people in your life.

Love, Rachel

It's a Girl!

Welcome to the world my angel! Check it out on my transracial family living blog.

So long, farewell.....

I recently read an article in a diabetes magazine that one shouldn't keep a meter too long. Just like anything else, older equipment isn't ideal for accuracy. So, after four and half years, I tossed my first meter. I have GOBS of meters, but I decided to go from my UltraSmart (One Touch) to a slimmer version of the same meter---just to keep things simple.

Then I got eager and cleaned out my medicine cabinet, which for someone with diabetes like me, is a daunting task. I laid out all my supplies on the counter and got to work. I recycled old manuals, tossed outdated medications, and organized what was left. Ahhh! A job well done!

Cleaning and tossing and organizing isn't just something I do for the sake of space. I do it as a way to prepare myself for the coming days with my disease. The disorderly times with diabetes are in the past, and the new me, the one who has grown into a comfortable routine with my disease, is ready to face each day with clarity, understanding, and education. Tossing the old symbolizes my readiness for the new possibilities tomorrow brings.

Yum Yum! Cheeseball!

I found an easy, diabetes-friendly cheeseball recipe and modified it. Not only does it look festive (red and green), but it tastes amazing!

---goat cheese (as much or as little as you like)

---dried cranberries (to taste)

---pistachios (minus the shells---and again, as much as you want)

---1 block of low-fat cream cheese

Soften the cream cheese and then mix (I used a mixer) with the goat cheese.

Stir in the nuts and cranberries.

Form into a ball.

Stick it in the fridge until ready to serve. Serve with whole wheat crackers.

The protein and fat balance the carbs (in the cranberries) well. Pistachios, I learned, are the lowest calorie nuts---yet they are just as high in protein than their peers.

Enjoy!