During one of my glutenous reading sessions before bed, I came across a fellow blogger, Locke Hughes, who posts a 15 Minute Morning Yoga Routine Wakes You Up Better Than Coffee. I have yet to try it, but plan to test this theory next week once this blasted head cold has left my body. I can only take so much and waking up to yoga vs. my morning java might be a stretch. (more…)
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On the second episode of the Real Life Diabetes Podcast, John Brandenburg joins the DDG Founders Ryan and Amber. His honesty, commitment, and outlook on life and type 2 diabetes was beyond refreshing. Imagine watching your father pass away from diabetes complications, your mother succumb to Alzheimer’s disease with diabetes, and then be given the same diagnosis in your 40s. Talk about terrifying. He felt the fear but then found empowerment. On no insulin, no medications, owning a near perfect A1c, and living out his best life, John outlines a path for how to catalyze your best life as we look back on his journey. (more…)
Last night marked a celebration of sorts for the plant-based community and Chipotle–the masses were duped into eating tofu. Chipotle ran a promotion for a free burrito later, if you first bought their new plant-based, vegan option called sofritas, basically spicy tofu.
I was on pins and needles. During class, I daydreamed of tofu. While on the bike, my friend Michael had to listen to me imagining a widespread, vegetable takeover of the OKC metro. Then, we got to Chipotle. (more…)
The date was January 28th, 1984 and I was on my to way to Dr. Abbott’s office because my mom was worried. I’d lost 8 lbs. and word on the street, I went from being an obedient, sweet child to a total nightmare. I demanded eating and freaked out if I was denied food or drinks. I have NO recollection of this part of my life. My 600+ blood sugar confirmed my doctor’s worst fear, I had Type 1 diabetes. Dr. Abbott cried as she explained what this meant. My only response was, “You mean no more Snickers?” My mom was given two choices:
There was no time waste – I was coma bound. (more…)
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Lunch is over. You just scarfed down your kale, blueberry, chia seed, sprouted black bean, and quinoa salad. Yay you. After leaving the break room, feeling quite proud of your lunch choice in comparison to your coworkers’ chicken fingers, you take some insulin. This does happen to be your first time packing and eating this meal, after breaking the chicken finger habit, yesterday.
Anyway, emails popping up in the corner of your computer monitor catch your attention. You answer a few. Feeling good. Then, you begin to feel overwhelmed. Here come the thoughts sneaking into your consciousness: “How can I possibly answer all of these emails? Why don’t these people take care of their own $hit? I hate this job. I’m not very good at this. I’m going to get fired. It’s over.” (more…)
I’m NOT a parent and after my behavior today, it might be a good thing. My sister and nephew are in town and I made a point to have quality one-on-one time with Greg (a.k.a Grandpa Henry). GP Henry is four and 100% boy – fearless, somewhat stubborn and off the charts a cutie pie. We like to sing songs, eat vitamin C organic lollipops and solve the world’s problems.
During our recent adventure on a playdate with Sara and her daughter Stella, I had my first T1D “wait a second” experience. The kids were loud, jumping on things and doing what any active three and four year old would be doing. While sitting there watching the little ones, I found myself festering. WTF???? The day started a little rocky so I was contributing my lack of tolerance to the previous days events. I should be happy, patient and over the moon about my quality time… I sprang up and told Sara I was headed downstairs to test my blood sugar. (more…)
Last week I was introduced to a fellow health conscience site ALOHA, and challenged to share a healthy and tasty dish I would bring to my next party. Game on! They have an amazing recipe page with loads of healthy ideas, so my recent discovery of The Oh How She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon was serendipitous. I cracked it open and was stoked to prepare my first meal, Portobello Fajitas. As many of you know, I’m not much of a rule follower so I tweaked the recipe a bit, BUT as a planner (it’s the T1D in me), I’m always looking for meals I can eat over the course of a few days. This recipe was a no brainer – I could have breakfast, lunch and dinner options using the portobello fajita “meat”. I hope you enjoy my newest culinary discovery and feel confident fine tuning it to meet your upcoming party needs.
My bruised right hand has an IV port continuously putting something called insulin in my body. This is first time in weeks where I haven’t had to take a leak. A nurse just told me that I will be pricking myself and taking shots for the rest of my life – pretty sweet news as a nine year old. My parents look completely distraught, drained by the question, “Is this our fault?” Some diabetes educator hands me a book on how to have courage and count carbohydrates. That’s a cool word but I have no idea what it means. Now my endocrinologist reenters the room asking an important question, “Ryan, now it’s time to test your blood sugar. Would you like to prick yourself or would you like your parents to do it for you?” I look up into the caring, worried eyes of my parents. I gaze down at my hands. I make eye contact with my physician and say, “Give me the damn needle.” (more…)
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It’s official. Diabetes Daily Grind has a podcast! If you’re familiar with the content offered over on site, you’ll understand what’s coming in a podcast. Real support! The first podcast gives an intro to the passion behind the DDG and what lies ahead for the show. (more…)
Every so often, we at the DDG like to explore and breakdown what’s being presented in the nightly news, when diabetes-related. In the last week we were ambushed with this little tid-bit, “People with T1D have shorter life-expectancies”. Wonderful news right? Shocking? Not at all. Here’s the key background info: Scottish study, Dundee University, and studied 24,000 T1Ds over 20 years of age from 2008 to 2010. (more…)