My Diabetic Journal - Week 1

I was really overwhelmed by all the love and support I received from my previous blog.  It's really heartwarming to see that people care.  Thank you all so much!

I think journaling is an important part of this. It helps me know how I feel after eating a certain way or what I may have done "right" or "wrong".  I type it that way because I don't think there is a right or wrong in what I am doing.  This is all about changing habits and my lifestyle to live with my diabetes.  Also, maybe I can help inspire someone else.  I am not an expert and if you have suggestions for me, please let me know.  My current goals are to stay under 2500 calories a day, stay between 30 and 45 carbs for meals and under 25 for snacks and exercise for 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week..

Sunday January 11th, 2015:
Last night we went to the Eagles with some friends and family for Steak Night and to watch the Seahawks game.  I had salad, steak and sauteed shrimp.  The food was so good but I also had at least 5 drinks plus a few shots.  On the way home I don't remember if it was me or Roger who suggested it but we ended up going to Jack In The Box.  Being not of sound mind, I ordered a Munchie Box.  A big fat greasy sandwich, fries and tacos.  I don't even remember if it tasted good.  What a waste.

I woke up really disappointed in myself.  I should have made a better choice.  This morning's blood sugar reading was 147, the highest it has ever been.  Damn you Vodka and Red Bull!!  I am going to have to cut back on drinking, or cut it off.  Saturday we have a Company Party for Roger's work so I will test out having 2 drinks.

We have a Sunday ritual which includes breakfast at 9 at the Silver Star, grocery shopping, chores and either Football or NASCAR.  I'm very predictable.  I always have the Rib Eye steak, eggs, hash browns and toast.  Now, I have to change that.  I've traded out the hash browns for tomato slices and my toast is dry whole wheat.  We went grocery shopping after and I got some chicken thighs on sale so I made Crispy Baked Chicken around 2.  I had 2 pieces of it and then took a nap.  For dinner around 7, I had a salad and another piece of the chicken.  We went to bed around 7:30.  We may be 33 and 37 but we kinda act like 70 year olds.

Monday January 12th, 2015:
Back to work and back on track.  My morning blood sugar was 140.  I think it may still be from the drinking or could be from the lack of food from Sunday.  Information online is sketchy.  It's easier for me to stay on track when I am at work because I am on a schedule.

My new favorite foods are Wasa Light Rye Crackers with sliced cheese and Turkey Pepperoni.  I can have 4 crackers, 2 slices of cheese and 17 slices of pepperoni for 350 calories and 28 carbs.  I can add a clementine or a 1/2 cup of berries for an extra 10 carbs and 40 calories.  For me, this makes a perfect breakfast when I get to work around 7.  I try to have a snack around 9:30 or 10.  Usually a piece of fruit.  A Honeycrisp apple has 110 calories and 29 carbs.

For dinner I made a Seafood Soup with a little rice.  It had scallops, shrimp and cod in it.  It was filling and delicious.  Next time I make it, I will share the recipe.  It made six servings so we will have leftovers for a few days.  We both love having leftovers for lunches.

Tuesday January 13th, 2015:
Woke up a bit late this morning but still took the time to make sure I brought good food to work.  My morning blood sugar was down to 126.  Alcohol really affects the blood sugar obviously.  I am also feeling a bit out of control.  I am feeling really hungry and craving "bad" foods.  It's been difficult to resist but so far I have been.

I recently signed up for a NatureBox subscription.  NatureBox is a company that sends a box of snacks to you once a month.  It's great for me because I have them sent to my work and always have a healthy snack on hand.  It's $20 for 5 different snacks a month.  If you'd like to sign up, I can email you a referral and you will get a discounted box.  I tried the French Vanilla Almond Granola and the Strawberry Greek Yogurt Covered Pretzels today.  They were both really good and low in carbs.

I didn't have a plan for dinner tonight so I gave Roger the options of fending for ourselves, me making something or ordering in.  He hemmed and hawed for like 20 minutes not making a decision so I finally just got up and made a beef stir fry with zucchini and mushrooms.  I know it's not his plan to put off the decision until I just make it, but it worked out.  I secretly wanted him to choose to order in so I could blame him.  I feel guilty about that now, but at the time, all I could think about was the food.

Wednesday January 14th, 2015:
When I first started this, I told Roger that I never wanted to feel guilty about eating something.  It was about making healthier choices but not depriving myself.  So far, I don't feel deprived.  In fact, my lunches seem like a lot of food.  Because it is mostly leafy green vegetables, I can pile on more and still stay under my calorie goals.  I have brought a 1/4 cup measuring cup and a Tablespoon to work in order to keep portions in check.  I emailed my doctor today to see if I could get an appointment with a nutritionist.  I think it would be helpful to show someone my food log and get their "professional" opinion.  My doctor gave me kudos for being so dedicated so that made me feel good.

I gave myself a treat tonight and ordered Chinese food.  Before I even started eating it, I portioned it out so I wouldn't eat too much.  I felt good about the decision, however, I immediately got a headache after eating it.  Besides the fries from Saturday night, this is the only deep fried stuff I have had in over a month.  I will have to remember this when I get this craving again.

Thursday January 15th, 2015:
I am regretting my decision to have that Chinese food now.  I don't want to waste it so I am eating it for breakfast and lunch today.  I am in a terrible mood and finding it hard to get motivated to do anything today.  I am tired and just feel sluggish.  What a lesson I have learned.  Back to eating good and keeping on this healthier path.

Along with changing my eating habits, I also have given up soda and coffee.  Soda wasn't really that big of a deal but coffee has been hard.  I think it's one of those things that I will have every once in a while.  I still have $30 on my Starbucks Gold Card to use.  They have healthy food choices too so on a day where I am running late, I have a back up plan.

I made Ahi Tuna steaks for dinner tonight.  I also threw together a cheesy rice side dish for carbs.  I had leftover rice from Tuesday so I added some peas, smoked sausage and cheese.  I am trying to rid the fridge of stuff left over from the holidays.  I had a package of Lil' Smokies that I had planned to make as an appetizer for a New Years Eve Party but I got sick and was unable to go.  I have been trying to use those when I can because they are full of salt.

Friday January 16th, 2015:
I have been doing this change for a little over a month now and for the most part I am really happy with it.  I feel good, I have more energy and I'm focused.  The only thing negative is that things are getting a little monotonous.  I have a salad every day for lunch at work.  I can change up the protein, the dressing or other toppings so that's fine.  It's at home, for dinner, where things are boring.

Roger isn't much for vegetables.  He has opened up a lot more over the past few years and added some vegetables to his list but mostly not.  I can't really have corn anymore and canned green beans are so full of sodium that I am trying to avoid them if possible.  So for now, roasted broccoli or stir fried zucchini and mushrooms is about the limit.  I spent a few hours yesterday going through low-carb side side dish recipes and I think I have came up with a good list.  Next week will be my trial week for them.

This morning I stopped at Starbucks on my way to work and got an iced tea. I also ordered the Spinach and Feta Wrap with Egg Whites and the Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon Sandwich.  I ate the wrap for breakfast at 7 with some blueberries.  It was really good but not very filling.  I ate the other sandwich at around 9:30.  Both were less than 300 calories and less than 30 carbs so for "eating out", they weren't bad.  I think I would get the wrap again and add something but not the sandwich.

You Have Diabetes

Back in early December I went to the doctor for a check up because I hadn't been in over 2 years.  It was a Tuesday morning.  We did the normal check up stuff and then I had to go get some blood drawn for some tests.  No big deal.  Then, Wednesday afternoon I got a call from the Nurse saying I needed to take another blood test because they say something on my blood work.  She said, "Now don't freak out, but they think you have diabetes".  WHAT?!?  I did freak out.  I immediately went online and started researching diabetes and it's effects.  I decided right then and there that I had to change.  I didn't want to lose my eyesight or any limbs.

History
I have been fat my entire life.  I was always the biggest kid in school.  I learned to deal with it.  There were some nasty kids but mostly I wasn't picked on too much.  I learned to use humor to gain friends and get through life.  After High School I gained even more weight.  I was working during the day and going to school at night which meant that most of my meals were fast food.  I was 19, I could fix it later, right?  WRONG!

I ballooned to 510 lbs.  My Mom suggested we check out this place called The Wish Center.  It was a bariatric surgery center.  We went to an informative meeting, went through all the insurance hoops and finally I was able to start the process.  There were multiple sessions with a dietitian, therapist and doctors.  I had to set some weight loss goals before they would schedule my surgery.  I lost 30 lbs before my Gastric Bypass in June of 2003.

The recovery was tough.  I had to be on a liquid diet for 6 weeks, then soft foods for another 4 weeks.  I could only each about 1/4 cup of food at a time.  I had fantastic support from my Mom, Dad, Sister and extended family.  I completely changed how I ate and the pounds dropped off.  By December 2003, I had lost a total of 140 pounds.  I was feeling great.  I finished college and began looking for a more permanent job and a partner.  I found my partner in January of 2004.

Roger was amazing.  He was everything I wanted in a boyfriend.  The only problem was, he lived 70 miles away.  I began staying at his house for multiple days and in May of 2004, I moved in.  I was lucky that most of my job could be done over the computer so it was fine to move away.  But, I needed something else.  I worked odd jobs until I got a pretty good part time job in September which turned permanent and full time in March of 2005.  We were married on February 12th, 2005.  That's when the weight started creeping back up.

As a new wife, I wanted to please my husband so I made sweets, big dinners and treats.  I began to figure out ways around only eating the small amount of food and without the watchful eye of my support system, I totally sabotaged myself.  The weight crept back up without me really noticing until I finally did.  For the last 5 years, I just ignored it.  Until that phone call in December.

Wake Up Call
I guess I always knew that I needed to lose weight.  I just never found the time.  Or, I would try for a few months, get a little off track and then just completely derail.  So the call that I had diabetes flipped a switch in my head.  It was the motivation I needed to change my habits and get myself healthy.  My readings were borderline.  My Doctor wants my A1C to be below 6 and mine was 6.9.  My morning glucose/blood sugar was 133 and she wants me to keep it between 80 and 120.  There was 2 weeks before the call and my second doctor's appointment.  In that time I had lost 8 lbs.  That also was a great motivation to keep going on the path I was on.

Diabetic Diet
I immediately cut out carbs. I was eating vegetables, lean proteins and small amounts of fruit.  I cut off soda and caffeine completely.  I haven't had fast food for a month.  My wallet and my waistline are thanking me.  I began journaling my morning blood sugar and my food.  I joined MyFitnessPal.com and downloaded an app called OnTrack that helps me track my blood sugar.  I was eating awesomely.  I was eating vegetables at every meal and salads for lunch.  But, my blood sugar was completely erratic.

Here is an example:
7am:  1 tomato, 1 avocado, 4oz mozzarella cheese
12pm:  4 cups lettuce, 4 oz chicken, 2 tbsp oil & vinegar
5 pm:  chicken breast, sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli and kale
The next morning, my blood sugar was 139.

8am:  6 oz sirloin steak, 2 eggs, 1/2 a tomato, 2 slices of whole wheat toast
1 pm:  6 oz chicken, 4 oz mozzarella cheese
6pm:  4 slices of thin crust chicken and spinach pizza
8pm:  3 bread sticks
The next morning, my blood sugar was 109.

I was getting super frustrated.  I didn't understand why on a day I ate so well that my sugar was high and on a day where I wasn't as good, it was lower.  After a week of this, I finally called the advice line of my medical facility for some help.  She explained to me that you need to have some carbs.  By me not eating any or very few carbs during the day, my body was making up for it by releasing extra glucose into my bloodstream to make up for the lack of carbs/glucose/sugar in my system.  I was harming my progress without even realizing it.

I am back on track and staying the course.  I will continue to update on my journey.  I will share what works for me and what foods I find helpful.  I am now in-taking between 25-45 carbs per big meal and no more than 30 for snacks.  I don't plan on weighing myself very often.  I am going on how I feel and how my clothes fit.  So far, I have much more energy and am able to actually do things after work without coming home and just laying around.  My next goal is to add some exercise into my routine.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask them here or you can message me.

Key Lime Cupcakes with Blackberry Frosting

Here is the second cupcake that I made for the Surprise 50th Birthday Party.  I already made Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting, so I wanted something fruity.  I am a huge fan of Key Lime flavor anything so I had been wanting to try these for a while.

Key Lime Cupcakes
1 cup softened, unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
4 tbsp key lime juice (I use Nelliie & Joe's Famous Key West Lime Juice)
zest of 2 limes plus the juice
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sour cream
Cream the butter and sugar in the stand mixer and then add the eggs, vanilla, lime juices and zest.  In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Alternatively combine the dry ingredients with the sour cream into the mixture.  Mixture will make around 24 cupcakes.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Blackberry Frosting
1 cup softened, unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup seedless blackberry preserves
6 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
Beat the butter and vanilla until smooth.  Mix in the blackberry preserves and slowly add in the powdered sugar.  After all the sugar is combined, slowly add the milk in, a tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency.

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

Two of my aunts turned 50 this year and we threw them a Surprise Party earlier this month.  I was asked to make cupcakes and I used it as an opportunity to try something new.  I tried 2 new cupcakes.  I will post the second one next week.

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
1 Devil's Food Cake Mix

(Add an extra egg and change the water to milk according to the box directions)
1 cup Chocolate Chips
Make the cake mix according to the package directions with the noted changes.  Stir in the Chocolate Chips and bake according to the package.

Peanut Butter Frosting
1 8 oz. block of Cream Cheese
4 tbsp of softened, unsalted butter
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup Cool Whip
Whip the cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Add in the peanut butter to combine.  Slowly add in the powdered sugar until fully combined.  Finally, add the Cool Whip and mix until desired consistency.

I had extra frosting left over so I made a pan of brownies and topped them with it.  They were so delicious.

Garlic Gravy Chicken

When Fall hits, I seem to become more domesticated.  I focus more on new recipes and I am much better about keeping up the house.  It's only Thursday and I have already tried 4 new recipes.  Earlier in the week I made this Scallop Chowder.  My husband loved it.  Last night I made Garlic Gravy Chicken.  I got the recipe here and tweaked it for my own tastes.

It is so hard to make Chicken and Gravy look delicious, but I promise you, it was so flavorful and moist.  I served it with mashed potatoes.

• Garlic Gravy Chicken
• 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 8 Chicken Thighs, Skin-On
• Seasoning Salt
• 20 Garlic Cloves
• 2 tbsp Flour
• 1 3/4 cup Chicken Broth
• 1 tbsp Fresh Thyme
• Preheat the over to 400.  Heat the oil in a dutch oven or oven safe pot.  Season the chicken pieces with Seasoning Salt.  Once the oil has heated up, place 3-4 pieces, skin down, in the pot.  Don't overcrowd the pan.  Brown the chicken for about 4 minutes on each side, then place on a separate plate.
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• Once all the chicken is done, reduce heat and add in the garlic cloves.  Cook the cloves for about 3 minutes, until it starts to brown.  Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and stir until it's all combined.  Return the chicken to the pot, put on the lid and bake in the over for 15 minutes.
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• Remove the pot carefully from the oven and place back on a medium burner.  Again, remove the chicken from the pot.  Stir in the broth and thyme, scrapping the bottom of the pot for all the goodness.  Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed.  Stir until it thickens.  The garlic will be soft and combine really well into the sauce.  Add the chicken back in, cook for a few more minutes and then serve.

Finding Nemo Ornaments

I have been so busy that I have had no time to craft and honestly it had me depressed.  When we cleaned out our Mom's house, she gave my sister and I a whole bunch of crafting supplies.  I finally got them all organized and was chomping at the bit to try this craft I saw on Pinterest.  I wasn't able to find the clear ornaments in town so I ordered a set of 12 on Amazon.  Unfortunately, when they came Friday, there was only 1 in the box and it was broken.  But, as always, Amazon came through and fixed the issue.  I got them today and came straight home and plugged in my glue gun.

These adorable ornaments are for a Christmas gift but these would be cute for any occasion.  You simple glue your toy and flotsam and jetsam inside and decorate the outside.  They were fun and easy.  I'm only showing a few on the blog since the little girl's Mom may read this blog.

Have you started your Christmas shopping?  You know, there are only 93 days left!

DIY Superhero Shoes

 

I'm BACK!!!  I may still be recovering from my surgery, but at least I can do more now.  Here in the Bryant house we have several birthdays in the fall.  We start with mine, which is TODAY, and then 20 days later my oldest turns 4, and then 12 days after that my baby will be 1 year old!  So we have been busy planning a superhero themed birthday party for the boys.  My next several post will probably all be superhero related...just a fair warning.

My first craft was a pair of batman shoes.  We bought a pair of plain canvas shoes from WalMart for $5.  To start the transformation I cut a logo on my silhouette cameo.  I just used a scrap piece of vinyl that I had lying around.

Then I stuffed the toe of the shoe with paper scraps so that it would stay firm and in place when I started painting.

Next I placed the vinyl on the shoe and just started to dab paint on until it was completely covered.  I used left over Behr house paint but you could also use acrylic paint.  Once the paint had dried I peeled back the stencil to reveal the logo.

The logo didn't turn out perfect...the paint leaked under my stencil just a bit.  I used a black sharpie to make the lines more crisp and defined.  I didn't use any kind of seal over the paint because well, my son is almost 4 and the shoes won't fit long before the paint will wear off...that or he will move onto loving another character and leave batman in the dust.

This was a simple, fast, and cheap way to make superhero shoes.  Logan loved them so much that he wore them to his first day of preschool!  :)