This is the dilemma that I am often faced with: exercise or something else. In this case, it happens to be a glass of red wine. The day has been long and less than desirable and more than anything I want my thoughts to disappear for awhile, to decompress. I can achieve this by attending an hour long session of yoga. I like the instructor and if I attended the class I know that I would be satisfied when I completed it. I would walk home with my shoulders back and chest lifted a little. I would lift my chin, slow my breaths and feel superior to everyone crossing the street. I would applaud myself for attending the class and be rewarded with a noteworthy blood sugar. However it requires pants, leaving my home where I have just arrived and walking 5 blocks to the athletic center.
OR, I could have a glass of red wine. I could easily walk from my living room to kitchen, without pants, and pour myself a glass of pinot. I could let my mind disappear in the rivulets running down the glass. My body and mind would relax and I would be content. I could eat a pasta dinner and still be rewarded with an ideal blood sugar. Tonight I have chosen the glass of pinot. So why does it feel so wrong?
9.18.2010
Pesto
Ah! I'm not doing very well. It's now Saturday and I haven't posted my Friday Food Blog. I love pesto. The flavor is rich and the texture is smooth with a little crunch. It goes on anything, a turkey sandwich, pasta, crackers, vegetables, bread and so on. It's super easy to make, especially if you have a food processor. I like to pick up a giant batch of basil from the farmer's market and make enough to freeze for the winter. Put all ingredients in food processor or blender. 2 cups basil, 1/2c parmesan, 1/3c pine nuts, 2 garlic cloves and 1/2c olive oil. Salt and pepper as you wish. 
9.10.2010
How Low Can You Go?
I just ran into a T1 friend while walking my pup and it has inspired me to write a blog post. He had just started on a dexcom and I cheered for him. It started me thinking about the beginning of my summer, so I thought I would let ya'll know how I got my A1C from 7.0 to 6.0 in a little over 3 months. Not in a I-know-it-all way, but in a this-is-what-worked-for-me-maybe-it-will-work-for-you way. These are the top 10 things that made a difference.
1. First, I admitted that I needed help. I needed frequent blood sugar review and support from my medical team. I also needed emotional support from those that know what a low blood sugar feels like.
2. I very proudly proclaimed #1 to my endocrinologist and when she did not respond, I went shopping for a new endocrinologist.
3. We sought out a Maternal Fetal High Risk clinic to chat about all of the risks and benefits involved in being pregnant as a Type 1.
4. The result of #2 and #3 were that my new endo and my new high risk APN both wanted to review my sugars weekly via carelink and email. A...MA...ZING! I actually had to choose which one I wanted to review my life.
5. I told myself I had to be completely honest with myself and all medical persons involved. Thus when I had a near perfect week of blood sugars with the exception of one spike into the 300's I explained, "Margarita" Take it or leave it.
6. I became willing to try new things and trust my health care team, which I haven't always done.
7. With some prompting, I became friends with the dual-wave and discovered that I can actually eat pizza. (I had been avoiding pizza for the last 14 years.)
8. My husband and I (mostly him) began a monthly meet up for T1's in the Chicago area Young and Type 1, I became a part of the DOC and I started this blog.
9. I have to exercise consistently. If I go one week without any exercise, sugars start to rise. Long walks. Yoga. Biking. Pilates. Anything will work. Just MOVE your booty!
10. Reluctantly I began bolusing 15 minutes prior to meals (I find it really inconvenient) No more post prandial spikes. No double up arrows on the cgms. No stress after meals.
As a result of these 10 changes, #4 and #8 have been the most significant. To be able to have a physician and an APN that actively participate in my effort to lower my A1C and care about ME has not only given me confidence to try new things, it has inspired me to try harder. Along with my health care team, I have met so many Type 1's from being a part of the DOC and this blog. I have learned from you and have been comforted by you. I can now speak about what is like to live with diabetes, instead of what diabetes is.
1. First, I admitted that I needed help. I needed frequent blood sugar review and support from my medical team. I also needed emotional support from those that know what a low blood sugar feels like.
2. I very proudly proclaimed #1 to my endocrinologist and when she did not respond, I went shopping for a new endocrinologist.
3. We sought out a Maternal Fetal High Risk clinic to chat about all of the risks and benefits involved in being pregnant as a Type 1.
4. The result of #2 and #3 were that my new endo and my new high risk APN both wanted to review my sugars weekly via carelink and email. A...MA...ZING! I actually had to choose which one I wanted to review my life.
5. I told myself I had to be completely honest with myself and all medical persons involved. Thus when I had a near perfect week of blood sugars with the exception of one spike into the 300's I explained, "Margarita" Take it or leave it.
6. I became willing to try new things and trust my health care team, which I haven't always done.
7. With some prompting, I became friends with the dual-wave and discovered that I can actually eat pizza. (I had been avoiding pizza for the last 14 years.)
8. My husband and I (mostly him) began a monthly meet up for T1's in the Chicago area Young and Type 1, I became a part of the DOC and I started this blog.
9. I have to exercise consistently. If I go one week without any exercise, sugars start to rise. Long walks. Yoga. Biking. Pilates. Anything will work. Just MOVE your booty!
10. Reluctantly I began bolusing 15 minutes prior to meals (I find it really inconvenient) No more post prandial spikes. No double up arrows on the cgms. No stress after meals.
As a result of these 10 changes, #4 and #8 have been the most significant. To be able to have a physician and an APN that actively participate in my effort to lower my A1C and care about ME has not only given me confidence to try new things, it has inspired me to try harder. Along with my health care team, I have met so many Type 1's from being a part of the DOC and this blog. I have learned from you and have been comforted by you. I can now speak about what is like to live with diabetes, instead of what diabetes is.
9.01.2010
Gazpacho, Another Blender Wonder
Gazpacho. Refreshing and cool in the heat of the summer. My favorite thing about this recipe is that all ingredients can come from your local farmers market. tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley, garilc, jalapeno (if your spicy). Put it all in a blender and presto! It's done.
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