Mindfulness and diabetes go hand in hand. The actual definition = a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique. Your mind is a powerful tool and one I hope you use in your daily diabetes management.
Anhh.Anhh.Anhh. There goes the alarm. I turn over and hit snooze. Fifteen minutes later I’m up and feel like I can eat a horse (since I eat plant-based we’ll say a field of tempeh). I stumble my way down the stairs and test my blood sugar; 66. I immediately snag an apple off the counter and demolish it. Drink a glass of OJ soon after and polish it off with a bowl of granola. All in about 5 minutes.Before I can even truly wake up.
Obviously, this is not the ideal solution. I just took in about 75 carbs. Sure, it knocked out the low blood sugar sluggishness but I’m set to be looking at a blood sugar over 200 by mid-morning – then potentially a corrective low after lunch time. It’s a vicious cycle. (more…)
A little over five years ago I had this strong desire to get a tattoo. I’m a fairly rational person and could not justify putting something on my body that I might regret when I am 87. What would be a part of the rest of my life….. type 1 diabetes.
A few weeks later while at lunch with my mother, a group of firefighters entered the restaurant. While standing in line, I approached the handsome group of men and inquired as to what they would do if they found me unresponsive. “We would check your left arm for vitals.” BINGO!!! (more…)
For the love of God, the Oklahoma weather keeps me on my toes. Over the past couple of months, we have been terrorized by the local media that we will not be able to leave the house – stock up. Grocery store(s) seriously looked like a war zone and one of them was actually out of chicken breasts. ???
I have created a check list of the “must have” items for a number of Oklahoma weather scares for a diabetic.
Tornado: candles, battery operated radio, flash light, cell phone charger, insulin, blood testing machine, mouth guard and red wine.
Ice or Snow Storm: books, games, popcorn, plenty of medicine, blood testing machine and red wine. (more…)
Count your carbs – take your insulin. This is the mirage we chase tirelessly every day.
Here’s how the situation usually places out. Tuesday I wake up and my blood sugar is say 80. Not where I like to wake up but not a low blood sugar that slows down my mind all morning. I make a blueberry banana smoothie with a scoop of protein powder. Looking at bolusing for about 45-50 carbs by my count. I send 3 units in through the pump. Feel great all morning. Blood sugar looks good at lunch. I OWN THIS DISEASE!
Flash forward to Wednesday. I wake up. Make the exact same smoothie. Blood sugar is at 123 this time. Given the higher blood sugar, I take 3.5 units of insulin. By 9AM, in mid-lesson, I feel that wave of anxiety and insecurity move through me. Words and coherent thought escape me. You guys know how that sweat feels. Here we go – blood sugar is at 70. What just happened? (more…)
