You Have to Let go of Pride

I had two experiences this week that have caused some introspection.  Both left me thinking about Pride and how it holds us back.  I'm not talking about the "I'm so proud of myself," stuff.  I'm talking about the deeply held beliefs that we have about ourselves.  The little things that we secretly gloat over.  The way we make excuses for ourselves.  For instance, I am not very strong.  I really never have been.  BUT, I will always tell you, that I have endurance.  I can't run fast, but I can run for a long time.  This is true, but it is a pride that holds me back.  By saying this, I justify not trying to run faster.  I don't have to do it, because what I can do is equal or better than what I can't.  Pride in one is holding me back from trying and quite possibly failing, in the other. The thing is, you can't get better while you hold onto this type of pride.

So today, I ate the worst tasting crackers of my life.  Not because of the crackers, but because of what those crackers represented.  I've been working out at a fitness center for the past few weeks.  (This is new for me, for numerous reasons, that will have to go in another post.) Today, during the workout, I had to stop twice and sit down. Once because I was working too hard, and once because I didn't eat and my body didn't have anything more to give me.  I was so angry with myself.  I didn't prepare properly, that is my fault.  But more than that, my body didn't do what I told it to do.  My endurance, didn't save me.  I have NEVER had to sit down in a work-out before.  NEVER!  As I sat there, those crackers were a dry, crumbly reminder that I am not where I want to be. They were the illusions I had about myself, just crumbling and cracking in my mouth.  The idea that I could do anything, shattering with every crunch. My pride dissolving with every swallow. It pretty much stank!

A couple of days ago, I met with a nutritionist.  A good thing to do when dieting, combating diabetes, or just trying to be healthy.  There was a small group of us.  We asked questions, and she gave some advice based on her observations of our needs.  We are all adults.  We all know what to do.  And we don't like to be told what to do.  That is human nature.  But I noticed that some people were very open to her advice and some had their backs up.  I started with my back up.  My Pride.  I am an adult, I know what to do.  But here again, that pride was holding me back.  I may know what to do, but I'm not doing it.  I had to step back and look at myself. Was it important that I already knew what to do, or was it important that I change?  I chose change.  And then the meeting changed, at least for me.  I did learn a few things.  Wow! You mean someone with a Masters Degree in nutrition might be able to teach me something?  What a concept!  Seriously, I did learn some things, but I also became more willing to do the things I already knew. 

Things like, "eat breakfast." Which takes us back to the crackers.  Why didn't I eat a handful of nuts on the way out the door?  Because I don't need it?  Guess what? I was wrong.  That didn't even hurt to type.  I was wrong.  Others know more than me. Duh!

Do I sort of feel like crying over this morning?  Yes.  However, knowing where you are weak is the only way to change. Forced to see the truth, you can start to rebuild and reshape, literally and figuratively. But the ideas we have about ourselves are painful to release.  So, yes, I may be the one sitting in the back of the class. I may be that one every day. (I really hope not, but I may. --- For a while.) But I won't be the one to quit. How would I become better if I did that?

I'm Not Losing Weight, I'm Leaving it Behind

Having gestational diabetes changed me.  It changed my mentality toward food and it changed the way my body deals with food.  I know that the diabetes went away once I gave birth.  I know that I am perfectly healthy.  I also know that I crave sweets in a way that I didn't before.  I can't lose weight as easily as before.  That is actually the point of this blog post. 

I've been thinking about the phrase, "lose weight."  And I kept thinking 'this is wrong.  I don't want to lose it.  That indicates I might find it again (as I have many times before). I don't want it back.'  I pondered this for a few days, and then a friend wrote something on her facebook page that clicked with me.  She said, "I left 15 pounds behind in July."  That's it!  That's the phrase!  She left it behind.  She doesn't intend to go looking for it.  It is not something lost.  It is something given up!  Given up for something better.  Doesn't that ring truer in the ear?

 Isn't that a statement of determination and strength. " I'm leaving it behind." This is on my terms.  Not because of a fad diet, or a sense of loss, or any inability on my part. "I'm leaving it behind" indicates that I am in control.  This is not a matter of begging the scale to cooperate.  This is me telling my body how it will act. 

I am actively working on eating in a more healthful way.  I am working on exercise.  I am working on leaving some weight behind.  But more than that, I am working on understanding that I am in control.  I can, at any point, leave this behind.  It may take practice, but it really is up to me. 

Top Ten Things You shouldn't say to a Diabetic

Let me start by saying that I have made all of the comments below.  I can remember really getting after my dad for not taking care of his diabetes that way I thought he should.  I remember telling him that I wanted my kids to have a grandpa and he needed to do better at controlling the disease.  I don't think I said it that nice.  Hello!!!!  Guilt trip city.  I got after my older brother for not taking care of himself.  I did it out of love, because I love them.  Because I don't want this disease to take them from me.  I thought I was right. Then I got gestational diabetes.

For only 5 months I needed to follow a diabetic regimen.  It was hard.  I was lousy at it.  I hated it.  I felt deprived.  And it dawned on me, I was wrong!  My dad and my brother were doing the very best they could.  It is hard. And while my diagnosis would reverse as soon as I gave birth, they have no end in sight.  They live with the disease everyday. 

I have changed my responses.  My diabetic friend was eating a piece of cake and a friend walked up and said, "don't eat that, it's not good for you."  My friend said, "don't tell me what to do."  Can you blame her?  

We all want to help our friends who are diabetic.  We find ourselves thinking, "they shouldn't eat that."  But should we really say it?  Well, probably not.  Here are the most common comments that I have heard, or made and a better way to say it.  :)



1) Should you be eating that?  ---  My response, in my head, is usually, "what's it to ya?"  This is one that you shouldn't say period.  There is no sweet way to say it.  Leave it alone and trust that a diabetic knows what they can or can't have.

2) I made everyone this for dessert, but I made you this. ---  Really?  I'm not a child who is unable to abstain if needed.  But you were trying to do something nice.  How about this instead: (announce to everyone) "for those who would rather not have so much sugar, I have made this.  For those who would like to splurge, I have made this.  Please enjoy."  Now, don't get upset if the diabetic splurges.  They spend most of their life going without, once in a while it's okay to have that beautiful dessert you made.

3) You aren't taking care of yourself. ---  If you are a spouse, a parent, or a doctor you can say this.  If you are a buddy that meets for lunch once in a while, uh uh.  Don't say it.  Better is this:  "I don't know much about diabetes.  Please tell me what you have to do to manage the disease."  Mostly this is reserved for close friends.

4) Don't eat that. ---  this is usually followed by a grab for the offending food item.  Again, unless you think the item has been poisoned, don't say this.

5) Oh, you can't eat there can you.  We'll pick a different restaurant. --- Diabetics live in the real world and learn how to navigate menus.  If you want to be sensitive to where a diabetic will enjoy a meal, a better way to ask is: "Do you have a preference for where we eat?" 

6) Wow, I've heard of all the problems diabetes causes, like blindness.  Does that freak you out?---  YES!!!!!!!  Yes they are very freaked out.  They never get to stop worrying about it.  If you are close friends, you can ask this.  But time it well and start with, "I know there are some complications with diabetes, if you ever want to talk about that, I'm here for you."  Or even " Are you worried about your eyesight and all the complications that go along with diabetes?" Most of the time, they don't want to think about the disease, but trust me, 4 times a day, when they are pricking themselves with a needle to test their sugars, they are very well aware of what the disease is doing to their bodies.

7) I know you're diabetic, but I just had to share this plate of cookies with you.  ---   Better: "Hey, I really wanted to share some cookies I made, so I brought you 2, just so you would know I was thinking of you."  Or even better:  "I made you some bath salts, or I made you a card, or a phone call ahead with a "I just made some cupcakes that I would like to share with you, can I bring you one or a dozen?" and let them say- "oh just one." or "oh I'm so glad you thought of me.  I don't need treats, but I'd love a visit.  or even "heck yeah!  I've been so good this week.  I want the whole dozen." (As an aside, the diabetics I know, don't love sugary treats dropped off to temp them, but they love loaves of wheat bread with low sugar jam, or a quart of strawberries with a bit of whipped cream.)

8) You are so amazing, I could NEVER go without sugar. (sometimes followed by stuffing the face with a giant cupcake.) ---  Um, they didn't get diabetes on purpose.  No hero worship necessary.  Try: "I admire how you have handled this."  Enough said. 

9) If you lose weight will the diabetes go away? ---  Let me answer the question first.  Maybe, maybe not.  There are a lot of things that contribute to diabetes.  Weight is only one of those things.  However, for a diabetic, losing weight is soooo hard.  They have to eat on a schedule.  They have to eat!  And they have to eat enough.  Their bodies hold on to the weight.  Don't remind them of their shortcomings.

10) Is it contagious? --- No no no no no!  It is not contagious.  However, for many in America, it is preventable.  You can't catch it, but you can develop it, so keep working on becoming the healthiest you possible.

BLTs - Bites Licks and Tastes, plus a quick weekly menu

 

I have noticed that what really gets me, are BLTs. Bites, licks, and tastes. A bite of my child's cookie, a taste of my husband's dinner and lick- okay a tablespoonful of ice cream, 3 cheetos, and 4 chips... after a while they start adding up. I think if I avoided all BLTs, I might not even need to diet. I think a lot of my calories are coming from that. My goal has been to track everything. My goal now is to track everything and avoid BLTs.

 I do really well with my exercise. I am even working super hard to cook healthy.  I have tried diligently to add more vegetables and I've come up with some delicious dinners.  But I really think that one of the biggest changes I need to make is a small change- the BLTs.  That's the goal.  Wish me luck. :)

  How about you.  What small changes could you make to get healthier?

So here is a quick list of the dinners that I made this week.  I'll get recipes up soon.  

Sunday -- Pork Sirloin Roast with mashed potatoes and salad.  I almost always serve salad. It's so filling and good for you.

Monday -- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas. (I made some with whole grain tortillas and some with white tortillas.  My kids loved the whole grain tortillas!) They were amazing. and Salad.

Tuesday -- Very Veggie Lasagna Casserole.  You can find the recipe Here. and of course, salad.  We also had whole wheat garlic bread

Wednesday -- Grilled Cheese (on whole wheat, of course) and Tomato Soup for the family.  I had a left-over quesadilla.

Thursday -- Lower Fat Stroganoff, fresh veggies with dip and green beans.

Friday -- Husband cooks-- will probably be burgers.  I will most likely eat mine bunless with yummy avocado added.

Saturday -- oh Saturdays are always a toss up.  so Free day.  :)

 Here is a list of Breakfasts that I made this week. Recipes soon.

Sunday -- I didn't eat breakfast.  :)

Monday -- Whole grain Breakfast Burrito

Tuesday -- Whole Grain Breakfast Burrito (what can I say- if I like it, I'll eat it 2 days in a row)

Wednesday -- 1 egg

Thursday -- 1 egg, 1 buttermilk, dollar sized pancake

Friday -- 1 egg, 1 pancake

 Okay so breakfast hasn't been exciting this week.  However, I will get the recipe for the breakfast burrito up soon.  It really is tasty, fast and low cal.  

7 Steps to Having a Sane Halloween - Keeping Sugar in Check

Caramel apple

  This is diabetes on a stick.  It's caramely, chocolatey yumminess is also what diabetics and dieters most love and fear- Sugar!  Sugar, to a diabetic, and actually to most of the United States, is crack!  Sugar is our drug of choice.  But to a diabetic, and eventually to all of us, sugar is as dangerous as crack.  So how does a diabetic, or a dieter, or even a reasonably sane person get through Halloween? Halloween, the one day a year in which we ritualistically devour our body weight in pure sugar; except for the part that is pure corn syrup.  How does a person navigate rivers of soda, mountains of flour and days of nutritional desert?  I, for one, need a plan.

Here are my 7 Steps to Having a Sane Halloween.  

1) Share. Do not hide from food.  Be actively involved in your food decisions. Diabetes on a stick is manageable, but only if you are proactive.  I am going to take one caramel apple, cut it into slices and share! I will allow myself a taste, but not the whole thing.  Deprivation doesn't work, and you can't hide from the world.  So have a taste, and then give the rest away.

2) Repackage.  People are going to "Boo" you, leaving yummy treats on your doorstep.  (They are probably Sharing.) Take one cookie off the top of the plate for your dessert and repackage the rest with sandwich baggies, or better yet, the little snack sized bags.  Take the baggies and throw them in the freezer.  You can have a cookie, or a brownie once in a while, but not the whole plate.  So don't let the whole plate sit in front of you.

3) Exercise.  Exercise combats a little of the sugar damage, although you can't out exercise a bad diet.  Still, a bit of exercise will make you think twice about that extra cookie.  Why would you want to undo all the good you've done.  One hour of exercise doesn't even cover the calories in a large piece of chocolate cake! So have 2 bites of cake and push it away. You've worked too hard!

4) Make it not "all about the food." Why does every Holiday have to be all about the food?  Who made that rule? Make crafts, decorate the house, spend time,  talking on the phone to a friend. (You would have spent that time baking naughty treats anyway.)  Go on a nature walk.  Make it about the fun of the holiday, not the food.  Halloween is hard, because, let's face it, it really is all about the candy, but try to think about other ways to enjoy it.

5) Don't pass out candy.  I know, I know.  This would not seem to be the correct approach for a sane person.  My mom handed out little toys, necklaces, and pencils from the dollar store one year.  I thought she was nuts and no one would want to go to her house.  Guess what? She was the most popular house on the block.  The kids were thrilled.  How weird is that?  But, if you buy candy you hate, you'll just sit and eat bad candy.  If you buy candy you like, you'll sit and eat good candy that isn't good for you.  So just don't pass out candy- pass out toys or gift certificates from McDonalds, or Krispy Kreme.

6) Choose wisely.  You know you're going to steal some candy from your kids, so be picky about what you will eat.  If you love peanut butter cups, decide ahead of time that you will have 2 and then don't bother with the other stuff.  Remind yourself that the candy doesn't all go away on November 1st, so you can have more later.  You don't need more than 1-2 pieces, you really don't.

7) Track your calories.  Or track your sugars. Or both.  Do it. Even if it's not convenient, do it.  Pay attention to what is important.  And if your sugars are high- no candy.  And if your calories are high- no cookies.  Don't allow yourself to take this day off.  Be aware of what you are putting in your mouth.

These are my strategies.  I'm sure you've noticed that I am having sugar.  I am giving myself permission to do that.  I do believe that you will be more successful if you give yourself permission to have a little treat.  You can learn moderation.  You may not lose weight at lightning speed, but you will still lose weight.  And slower weight loss is likely to be permanent weight loss, because it is about changing your lifestyle.

Good luck- it's a sugar cube jungle out there!

Sneaking in the Veggies

I am making tacos for dinner tonight.  I bet you are wondering why I'm showing a photo of carrots.  Well, I have a secret. When I brown ground beef, I add carrots.  I sneak them in so that my kiddos eat them without knowing it, and I don't have to hear them whine.  I sneak them in so that I can reduce the amount of meat that we eat without anyone missing it.  I sneak them in, because they really enhance the flavor of the meat.  I sneak them in because they are healthy!  Let me show you how.
(I'll post a recipe for lasagna casserole that uses this trick later this week.)

I have this little unit for small chop jobs.

It chops my carrots pretty fine.

I add the carrots and onions to my meat and cook all together.

Yummy ground beef and barely noticeable carrots.

I use:

2 lb. Beef
1 onion
3 extra large carrots
salt and pepper to taste (I actually don't add any. Whatever I am using the meat in will have enough salt)

Finely chop your carrots and chop your onions medium fine.  Combine and cook as you would normally cook your meat.  This is enough meat for 3 meals for my family of 6!

Use for tacos, spaghetti, casserole, hamburger stroganoff, . . . the  possibilities are endless.  Use this same trick for meat loaf and hamburger patties. 

Taco Salad Too

 

I know that I have already posted my favorite Taco Salad recipe, but I thought I would add another that I also enjoy.  

Taco Salad
1lb. ground beef (Or Turkey or chicken- whatever makes you happy)
1/2 fajita seasoning packet
1/2 ranch seasoning packet
2 Tbl. Ketchup (I know, back with the ketchup, but this is a kid friendly recipe)

Cook your meat till it's all nice and brown. Drain. Add 2/3 cup water and the seasoning packets and ketchup. Cook until the liquid has reduced. Set aside.

Shred a head of Romain Lettuce and place in bowl. Add any of the following:

Tomato
Black Beans/kidney beans
green onions
1 c. cheddar cheese
1/2 c. pepper jack cheese
1 can corn, cooked and cooled
1 avocado

I also added some "Mexican" rice. Meaning, I had cooked rice in the fridge, so I added some salsa to it and heated it up and added it. Honestly delicious.

I also had pity on my family. I took 1 bag (the size you put in sack lunches) of Doritos. I crushed them and added to the salad. I mean the small bag- the really small bag. This is supposed to be healthy but easing a family into it is easier than all that change at once. ;)

Mix it all up and serve. Makes a delicious salad, and not delicious leftovers, so if you want left overs, keep everything separate and allow people to load their plates buffet style. :)

Peanut Butter Smoothie & Chocolate 'Malt' Smoothie

This is a great smoothie.  It tastes like Reese's Pieces in a glass.  So good.  More than that, it is also healthy and less than 300 200 calories!  Sounds like a great breakfast to me.  It also keeps me full all morning.

Peanut Butter Smoothie

1 scoop Vanilla Attain Powder. (You could substitute SlimFast powder or any meal replacement or protien powder.)

1 Tbl. Creamy peanut butter

8 oz. or 1 cup Coconut Milk

1 Cup crushed ice

1 Medium Banana

Blend all ingredients until smooth.  Pour into 2 glasses.  Enjoy with a friend.  :)

 This tastes like a chocolate malt shake, only it's not a shake, and there isn't any malt.  How is this possible?  Nutella.  Oh yeah!  My friends know that I have a slight obsession with Nutella, but I had never considered adding it to a smoothie.   After all, it is a high calorie treat.  But- it's only 10 calories more than peanut butter.  I can work with this.  :)  Turns out, it is delicious and I still came in around 200 calories. And it seriously tastes like a creamy, yummy ice cream shake. Decide for yourself.  Make this soon!

1 cup Vanilla Soy milk
1 small to med. banana
1 Tbl. Nutella
1 scoop vanilla Attain powder
1 cup ice

Blend well and pour into 2 glasses, if you can stand to share.  But you must share, or it's not 200 calories. lol.

Calorie breakdown--

1 scoop attain powder -- 120 cal.
1 banana 90-105 cal. depending on size
1 cup soy or coconut milk 70-90 cal. depending on brand
1 Tbl. Peanut butter 90 Cal.
1 Tbl. Nutella 100Cal.

Each shake averages 190 Calories, based on 2 servings per recipe, or 380 calories for the entire recipe. :)

I'm Still Kicking

So I logged onto the computer for the first time in 2 weeks and was rewarded with more hits on my blog.  It is so great that so many people have followed my journey.  I have been officially declared NOT DIABETIC!  It has been an amazing feeling!  I am still committed to the diabetic diet, however.  For one thing, I now like fruit more than chocolate.  Who knew that was even possible?  I also ate yogurt instead of ice cream last night.  It was an automatic response.  I won't complain about that.  Don't get me wrong; I am enjoying the freedom to eat a candy bar, but it isn't a craving, it's a choice.  I will continue to post, but it will be a week or two longer before I can maintain a regular schedule.  So please enjoy my past posts and check back in with me in a few weeks.  Thanks for your support.  :)

Another Meal Option

Time is short for me these days and keeping a food log is hard.  Still worthwhile though.  At the same time, since I have a shake almost every morning and the same things for lunch every day, it is a little repetitive to post here.  I still want to show what meals are helpful to my sugars though.  I also find it helpful to my own nutrition goals to keep posting, so although I may not post full days of food logs here, I will still post meals and options that have helped me.  :)

A few weeks back I told you that a friend of mine has the most amazing recipes.  Last night I used one of her most delicious.  It is a version of Caesar Salad, that does not have fish in the dressing.  This is really important to me since one of my family members is allergic to certain types of fish.  It is a little like Russian Roulette to find a Caesar dressing for him, and yes it is his favorite.

This is not a low cal food, but it is good for a diabetic or someone following the South Beach diet (which happens to be the diet that 3 doctors have recommended that I live on and the lady at the Diabetes Center also recommended).  The marinade for the chicken does not have sugar, and the dressing, while made with mayonnaise, also is low on the sugar scale.  Additionally, if the croutons are too much for your sugar levels, they are easily removed.  The meat is grilled, not fried and the cheese is Parmesan so a little goes a long way.  It is my family's favorite salad.  :)  We had it with sugar-free jello.

A Diabetic Meal Broken Down

I thought I would put up some examples of some meals that don't raise sugar levels to outrageous levels and try to explain why.  I'm not a doctor, or nurse, so I may be wrong on why, but I have tried to understand this illness and how it works in my body, and this is what I think.  If you want to correct me- PLEASE DO!  I want this blog to be helpful to those who are struggling with diabetes, pre-diabetes, and gestational diabetes.

Mini-wheats with a little fruit in the middle.  Served with unsweetened Almond milk rather than regular milk.  Why this works: While this cereal does have 29 grams of carbs, it only has 10 of those from sugar.  Additionally it has 6 grams of fiber which slows the digestion process.  The unsweetened almond milk does not have any sugars and has between 1-5 grams of protein, depending on what brand you buy.  The whole grain wheat, protein and fiber combine to keep you full and slow the digestion process enough to keep your sugar levels in check. Cheerios work great too, as does oatmeal (not instant) and whole grain toast with peanut butter and 1/2 a banana. 

This is an all American picnic meal.  A hamburger, potato salad and a green salad.  Why this works: protein from the burger and cheese slow the digestion process.  The bun should ideally be whole wheat or only 1/2 a bun, but once in a while a full out burger is okay.  However, there are no chips, jello salad, sweet baked beans or fries on this plate.  Instead there is a green salad, (and no I didn't use dressing, but you could) and a small helping of potato salad made with real mayonnaise.  I have also stacked the burger with lettuce, and tomato.  The more veggies you add the better.  The veggies add a complex carb to your plate.  I did add sliced almonds to the salad, as they are tasty and add just a bit more healthy, fatty protein.  I like to be full.  There was no need for seconds, this plate was plenty. 

A diabetic can have pasta?  Really?  Yes really.  The ravioli is filled with cheese and the sauce is a meat sauce.  That is plenty of protien to counteract the carbohydrates provided in the pasta.  Portion size is, of course, critical with pasta, but the sauce and filling really help.  Also, I chose a vegetable that is more difficult for the body to digest.  A complex carb.  I don't cook the broccoli until it's mushy, just tender crisp.  That way my stomach does more work and I get more vitamins.  If this doesn't look like enough food for you, add a big green salad.  It is amazing how satisfying a good salad can be.

So there you have it.  Some examples of meals that I have eaten that haven't destroyed my sugar levels, and haven't required me to eat differently than the rest of the family.  It takes a bit of thought but the more you do it the easier it gets. :)

It's a Series of ReStarts

So I have been very complacent this week.  My sugars have reflected this the last two days, so has my weight.  3lbs this week.  Yuck!  Well, I will just have to restart.  Isn't this the way it always is?  With diets, To Do lists, exercise and all worthy goals there are set backs and restarts.  The successful just restart.  I think that what I previously thought was will power, is actually restart power.  It is the ability to not beat yourself over the head, but instead to recommit yourself to the goal.  So here I go again.  :)

I started out great on Thursday with a shake.

Then for lunch I had a turkey avocado sandwich.

swim lessons kill me.  Sitting outside in 106 degree weather for an hour and 10 minutes, weakens my resolve.  An ice cream float was necessary.

Dinner. A corn Dog, potato salad and watermelon.  This is not a diabetic meal, but it is what had to happen.  I am too tired to cook.  Hopefully now that swim lessons are over, I'll be better this week.

The next morning I started with a shake again.

for lunch I had a baked potato with cheese, ham, butter and gravy. I know, I know.  Not the best choice.

Swim lessons got me again.  It is sooooooo hot!!!

For dinner, there was no way I was cooking.  Frozen pizza and watermelon.  I had 4 slices of watermelon and 2 slices of pizza.

late night snacking killed me.  chips and dip, a snickers bar, a diet soda and a piece of my son's bar cookie.  Then I was sick all night.  Lesson relearned.

This is Getting Old

Eating is getting old.  I'm serious.  I look at my lunch options, and they are yummy, but I walk away because I just don't feel like eating.  I'd rather grab a handful of chips and be done.  I will measure my sugars, but I still don't feel like eating, even when I know I should.  I think it's the weather.  It is hot, and I mean hot outside.  108 is not weather to eat in.  I am, however, perfectly happy to drink anything!  I want shakes, smoothies, soda, ice cream floats, water, water and more water.  I think it is probably a normal reaction to a hot summer, but when you are diabetic, it isn't an option.  My husband brought me home all the fixings for turkey, avocado sandwiches to entice me.  He's a good man.  I'll have one today.  I know that it keeps me from eating all the stuff I shouldn't.  M&Ms are fast, as are chips and cookies, and when you haven't eaten, because it is hot, you find yourself snacking - at least I do.  Today will be better.  :)

shake for breakfast

a whole 3 chicken nuggets at lunch.  No Sauces.

a Cheese stick for a snack.

ravioli and broccoli for dinner.  I know the portions are small, but I am so tired of heartburn that I refuse to eat a full portion of anything at the moment.

chips and dip for a snack.

snacked on these too.

and my son made bar cookies- yup, snacked on these too.

Back Again

I took a break last week.  It was a rough week, and blogging just wasn't in the cards for me.  But I am back this week. My sugar levels were pretty good yesterday and this morning, so even though the end of day snack was a bit high in sugar, it was still alright.  Here is yesterday's food log.

I tried the vanilla Attain for the first time.  Sooo delicious.  I love this stuff.  I used coconut milk and a banana and it was a little tropical happiness in a glass.  And sugar levels stayed low and hunger stayed low.  Nice, huh?

Don't let the picture fool you.  I had a nice big helping of strawberries.  I did not add more cream, as I am getting used to eating without adding sweetness, but I did have triple this amount of strawberries.

Watermelon.  It is so hot where I live.  I seem to want fruit and that is it.  Watermelon is that fruit that hydrates and satisfies.  It is very sweet, but hasn't affected my sugar levels thus far, so I happily chow down.

Okay- when you only have strawberries and watermelon for lunch, you will get hungry very quick.  About an hour after lunch, I had some yummy potato salad. Only about a cup.

My sweet hubby bought me Rolos.  Because they are individually wrapped I can have just 2-3.  I get my chocolate/sweet fix and don't eat a whole candy bar.  It is a nice compromise.

Thanks to Pinterest I learned that you can bake potatoes in the slow cooker.  It was 108 degrees yesterday.  Being able to make dinner in the slow cooker was awesome!  I had one potato with broccoli, (actually, I ended up adding more broccoli after taking this photo- it was so yummy).  I also topped it with cheese, ham, gravy and yes, some sour cream.  It is an odd thing, but baked potatoes turn to sugar in the body really fast, so if you are going to eat one, putting fat on it is a GOOD thing.  Weird huh?  But the fats slow the absorption of  the sugar by slowing the digestion process.  It is also a small potato with lots of broccoli.  As a diabetic, you can eat anything- but you must understand what the food does in your body and how to compensate for undesirable effects. 

It is vanilla ice cream and raspberry soda.  No I did not opt for sugar free this time.  I could have, but it isn't as good.  Plus, I have a theory, that at some level, sugar is better for our bodies than substitutes.  It gets back to that whole moderation thing that I keep bringing up.  One soda float, once in a while, will not hurt me.  Seconds are not an option.  It also can't be a daily occurrence. 

Food Log - a Little Late

This food log is from last week.  I wasn't able to get it up, so you get it now.  Aren't you excited?  My sugars were low, so I didn't watch what I ate.  I also didn't feel well.  I talked to my doctor, and she is having me increase my protein.  She thinks I am spiking fast from all the carbs and then dropping low. She is probably correct.  So the last few days I have been much better, but I don't record my weekends, so I won't have a log until tomorrow.  :)  For now, here is my very very naughty Wednesday.

Cupcake.  I only had one.  My friend brought it to me, and it was yummy.

This is a cherry shake, not a strawberry smoothie.  Made with ice cream and everything.

burrrito for lunch.

hamburger helper for dinner.  I think we have this once a year.  It is tasty. 

love my shasta.

snack

and almond milk

and a serious chocolate craving.

Food Log- again. lol

If you have suggestions for topics you would like me to blog about, let me know.  Mostly, if you have questions about what it's like to be diabetic; or what changes have been hard or easy to make; or if you want to have a recipe changed up so that it is more diabetic friendly- please let me know.

Until then, here is another food log. :)  I had a hard time eating yesterday.  I was so tired, and just really didn't feel like I wanted any food.  I did force myself to eat some, because it is important that I do.  It is actually important that anyone does.  Skipping meals is not healthy. 

Shake for breakfast.  Tell me you're surprised. :)

A few steamed veggies started my lunch.

A handful of grapes.

A cheese stick.

and 1/2 of a sugar free pudding and lunch was over.  I didn't feel like eating, the small amounts I had, were all I could handle.

Easy dinner.  Soup over rice.  

I actually had vanilla ice cream with toffee bits and some caramel topping, but I didn't have a picture, so this is the picture I am using.  Later I had a healthy handful of cashews.