I got an award

From Patricia at Subjective Soup we received the award.


I have to list 10 honest facts about myself.

1. I've battled with weight issues all my life. This is probably the most significant cause of my diabetes.
2. I used to drink heavily. This didn't help.
3. Through eating properly, I got off diabetic meds. But it was too little, too late.
4. I started to gain significant weight when I stopped exercising. I failed to see the correlation until much later.
5. I was told I would die at age 30.
6. The amputation of my toe was more devastating than the failure of my kidneys.
7. I was so afraid of doctors, I put myself at serious risk. I filled up with 12 gallons of fluid, at last measure. More to go.
8. While the root cause of my problems can be blamed on others, it really sits with me. There were opportunities to correct the past, they were ignored.
9. I should see a psychiatrist, but the fear of doctors.....
10. Years ago, I was put on valium. It increased my anxiety.

That's 10. I am supposed to nominate others, but I'll pass.

Diabetes is kicking ny butt

The diabetes is really doing a number on me. Although my sugar has been under control for some time, it has done its damage.

My kidneys have been compromised, and I had kidney insufficiency. It has now turned into renal failure and I'm on dialysis. While in the hospital, very high blood pressure was diagnosed, and while trying to lower it, I had a stroke.

All because of the damage done by diabetes. This disease works slowly, but is devastating.

Keep your sugar under control, not by using a bunch of substitutes and artificial junk, but by eating fresh foods. That 5 servings of fruits and vegetables is a good start. And that doesn't mean 5 servings of potatoes.

Substitutions

Diabetics know all about substitutes. Personally, I hate most of them. That "tastes like sugar" doesn't to me. I can detect any artificial sweetener immediately, and I don't like how any of them taste. I prefer to do without than to consume something that tastes like crap.

At least Snapple is doing something I like. They have added a few new items that are better for diabetics, although they don't advertise them as such.

But, one of these products, red tea peach pomegranate flavor is billed as an all natural, low calorie anti oxident drnk.

Sweetened with fructose and fruit juice, it is about half the calorie total and sugar of most drinks. It does not have a really sweet taste, but instead is nore like a sports drink, which are not really sweet to me.

It's not perfect for diabetics (that would be water) but it is better than regular sweetened drinks, and much better (taste wise) than artificial junk.

Some helpful herbs

I was looking at a recent Issue of Women's World, and found a nice article on diabetes. One of the things that is often overlooked is that things work together in our bodies. Rather than a "magic bullet" to target a specific problem treating the body as a whole produces better results.

And here is how these herbs help: they contain compounds which increase the effectiveness of one's liver to convert blood fat and sugar into fuel according to researchers at Stanford University Medical School.
As little as 1 tsp ata meal can increase metabolism for up to 3 hours. It is suggested to try this at only one meal per day.

What are these "magical spices?"

Cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, turmeric, and cilantro. Simply incorporating these into a regular diet can be useful, and tasty. Add some cinnamon to your oatmeal, and work cayenne into different dishes like your pasta. Ginger can be added to vegetable dishes to create an Asian influenced specialty.

I've been slacking off

Haven't posted for a while, and have been a bit lax in following my food plan.

Well, the glucometer doesn't lie.

My sugar has been up, so tomorrow morning, I need to get back on the program.

Please explain this to me

Every commercial for diabetics seems to include several different cookbooks.

Since Type 2 Diabetics are the target market, why, oh why, do they offer slightly healthier versions of the same crap diet that caused the problem in the first place?

The pictures on TV are for desserts and meals like macaroni and cheese. There is no way in hell to make these foods safe for diabetics. Nope, can't be done.
The desserts are sweetened with chemicals like Nutrasweet or Splenda, which are poison. A safe dessert for a diabetic is a piece of fruit.
If one just absolutely has to have something like cake or pie, have some, but count the carbs. And obviously, it should be on the rarest of occasions. We, as diabetics, don't need cake with our coffee every night. It's a small price to pay to maintain our health.

And as far as mac and cheese--have you ever read the ingredients and nutritional content of either?

Get back to me when you do.

Food is always an issue for diabetics

Yeah, I know, it's an issue for so many of us, but it seems to be a bigger one for diabetics. After all, most of us, if we don't count carbs, at least have to be aware of them. And too much protein wreaks havoc for those of us with kidney issues. So, I have to count carbs, and protein. Which means, all I don't count is fats, and that doesn't lead to anything good. So, basically, I spend my day counting everything.
This disease sucks.

An Update

Just a reminder:
I've noticed more readers have been getting involved. Any person, either diabetic or a caretaker for a diabetic, or a medical professional, is invited to write a post here.
Simply contact me jwlreebiz@aol.com.

Also, anyone wanting to share general health tips, news, or a story is also welcomed.

My kidney stone post

This is not a paid post.

This is not a diabetic problem, per se, but as many of us have kidney troubles, I guess it fits the general catagory.

From time to time, I get kidney stones. Right now is one of those times. It is annoying as hell, and occasionally painful. All day long, I feel like I have to urinate, but can barely do it.

I started taking kidney and bladder products from Dr Schulze and it seems to be helping so far. Especially if helping means I'm peeing out lots of gravel and who knows what else. It took a couple days, and it is far from over, but at least it's a start. The company has a lot of other products, and they seem to do what he says they do. He uses organic or wild harvested products and I'm satisfied with anything I've ever used. My sister is also a big fan. Dr. Schulze is a proponent of a healthy lifestyle (yeah, like I'm going to start that now) and believes that with proper nutrition, the body can cure itself of almost any disease.

I can say that since embracing a healthier lifestyle, I am off all diabetic meds after being on them for over 20 years, so there may be something to all this.

Just wanted to let everyone know about this company and the options.

In a slightly related matter, a friend of the family was warned by the Mrs. not to use all the artificial sweeteners, etc. The woman tried to get Mrs. to come over to the dark side, and embrace Splenda, and even went so far as to call the company and ask the rep if it was safe. Here's a surprise--the company said it is perfectly safe.

Mrs. refuses to use any of that junk, and rather than drink her coffee sweetened with chemicals, she drinks it with just some naturally sweetened flavored soy milk, or regular cow juice. Yes, we can get used to it. I love sweet stuff, and nothing makes me happier than those flavored coffees that are loaded with sugar. The deli I used to go to had a machine, and I could mix a bit of chocolate, with some French Vanilla. It was heavenly. But, I now drink regular coffee exactly like the Mrs. does. We can retrain our sense of taste.

Long story short, and so I don't get sued, there is no known link, and it is simply a coincidence, but Chemical Lady now has cancer.

Not for nothing, but I'll take real food over chemical enhanced crap any day of the week.

Diabetes and Depression; a follow up

I have suggested before, based upon personal experience and many conversations with other diabetics, that a link exists between these two conditions.

I Googled, and found that very little research has been done concerning this, but here is what I have found: Numerous studies have been conducted, and plenty of anecdotal evidence indicates that sugar causes depression, so it would be pretty logical to presume that one who has excess sugar in the blood system could also suffer from depression related to sugar.

Yes, it's a stretch, and has no basis in scientific data, but my hypothesis is as good as any scientist's.

I also find the connection could be based upon the feelings that high sugar usually elicit: tiredness, crankiness, and generallly unpleasantness.

Anyone know where I can get a major grant to study this?

More helpful foods for diabetics

In addition to dill, and cinnamon, coriander has been found to be helpful in controlling sugar levels.

Now, what does all this tell us?

Nature holds the key to solving the diabetes issue. By eating better, and using some of these additions, it is possible to gain control without meds.

By the way, these are based upon anecdotal evidence. No way should it replace a doctor's advice, nor should anyone stop taking medications without the approval of a doctor. However, some diabetics (especially type 2) have found that incorporating these foods and spices in their diet have proven beneficial. And it has made their food taste better without fat or sugar.

Oatmeal--It's what's for breakfast

I just did a post on my toast site about oatmeal http://thejoyoftoast.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-breakfast-recipe.html

As most diabetics know, this is a great way to start the day. But one of the secrets of nature is that many different herbs and spices are beneficial to diabetics.

Doc Nicole has examined the research and she agrees that cinnamon has proven to help lower blood sugar in us. And it doesn't take a lot. About 1/8 teaspoon sprinkiled on your oatmeal in the morning has shown to be the amount that helps. But please be careful with spices. While they are helpful, it is possible to do damage with too much. Keep in mind, in nature, spices are usually accompanied by other things so they are difficult to take too much, but when we use the spice jar, they are concentrated.

Another spice that has proven useful to diabetics is dill. So, when you have that potato, spice it up a little and you are going to make it taste better and be better for you.

Doctor's appointment

I had one yesterday, and I got a good yelling at. Apparently, it did some good, because today my blood sugar was 106 in the mornng. That's the best it has been in a few weeks.
Yesterday, I did very well food wise, and I have been for the last few days. I plan to continue to do that.
The doctor did say one thing to me that really hit home. It is probably the entire reason my health is so bad.
He said I am stubborn.
Yeah, me, stubborn.

And I gave that a lot of thought since.

Despite all the evidence to the contrary, I do whatever the heck I want to do.
That's stubborn.

I shouldn't have cookies, candy and other sugary stuff. Really, no one should as any more than a very rare treat. I certainly limit my intake, but still have way more than I should. About the only thing I do right is not seek out the crappy alternatives like all those sugar free chemical laden foods.

I eat too much, even though I have been on so many diets.
That's stubborn.
Is food stronger than me? I say to myself that I'm weak, when the truth of the matter is that I am strong, to the point of being, uhhmm, stubborn.
Damn, could the doctor have been right?

For today, I'm working on that. My blogging buddy, Doc Nicole of Kitchen Table Medicine, has a bunch of information on diabetes. I know all about the disease. It's time to deal with it.

Update

My sugar was good this morning. It's at 119, which is ok. I am working on keeping my diet clean, and trying to limit my carbs a bit.

I expect tomorrow to be better.

I've started a little exercise program, but have to do more

Update

My food has been good. I've been eating a really healthy breakfast, then some fruit for lunch and a healthy dinner (Usually)

I have been taking an organic onion, and saute it. Add a cooked potato, then two eggs. I scramble it, and it tastes really good.

It's not a perfect meal for diabetics, but it's not bad. I'm going to take my sugar tomorrow and see what has been happening. It has been a bit high lately (130 or so.)

Quick update

Been struggling with all the Holiday hoopla. But it's over, and I'm back on track.