Toast to the Weekend — Halloween #diabetes #halloween #ketoacidosis pic.twitter.com/470NYBgVqu
— Diabetes Daily Grind (@DiabetesGrind) October 31, 2014
Toast to the Weekend — Halloween #diabetes #halloween #ketoacidosis pic.twitter.com/470NYBgVqu
— Diabetes Daily Grind (@DiabetesGrind) October 31, 2014
If you have diabetes, you know the Dawn Phenomenon. Perhaps you haven’t been mindful of its occurrence, unconsciously adjusted for its presence, or have just thrown your hands up in the air in frustration. Before we get into the research behind its existence–close to 200 research articles have been published on this–let’s look at how this usually evolves in a diabetic day. Continue reading
Yes. It matters. It runs us. We live that number. We feel that number. We basically are that number.
Could something else matter more thought? I think so. Have we been deceived the whole time? Not exactly. To explain, I’ll use a situation: Continue reading
Last week was a busy one with tours of the new gallery and the Oklahoma Arts Conference in town. Blood sugars and stress levels were all over the map, making my attention span and ability to rally each day rather tough. For the first time, I actually took a mental health day midweek, but more so to get my diabetes under control by focusing on my mind and my body.
Final day of the conference kicks off at 8am and the first session is an important one so I’m sure to be up extra early, eat a hearty breakfast and pack plenty of snacks so I don’t crash while engaging in conversation. Two sessions later and my stomach is growling, I’ve consumed as much coffee as humanly possible and head into lunch. I scarf down the spinach salad and eagerly await the main course before a fellow arts friend warns me of the vegetarian options. She is a fan of the DDG and knows that I constantly bitch about the lack of low carb options in a buffet or conference setting. Word on the street, the lunch option for vegetarians was pasta and grilled potatoes. NO THANK YOU! Continue reading
As most of you know via a previous post, Kale Chips, I have a slight addiction to this leafy green. I came across a fellow blog, COOKIE and Kate, who seem to share my love for all things kale. This blog has a number of kale recipes I plan to try out, but Feta Fiesta Kale Salad is top on the list. Take a moment to check out the recipes on their blog and shoot me some feedback.
This recipe yields four medium-sized salads.
INGREDIENTS Continue reading
Toast to the Weekend — Diabetes Lotion? pic.twitter.com/86iCVGpvEw
— Diabetes Daily Grind (@DiabetesGrind) October 24, 2014
With the CGM alongside, I now understand the speed at which insulin operates. Yesterday evening, my glucose trended up towards 200. I corrected with a unit of insulin. At the moment, I was attempting to study, which invariably leads to a search for any excuse not to study. Insert CGM. I kept looking to see if the insulin was working. It didn’t initially. Fifteen minutes later, I could see the readings crest and begin trending downwards. This is the indicator to stop giving insulin unless you enjoy being low, or well… crazy. Continue reading
I’m not going to lie, I was never really a Poison fan when all of my friends were plastering their bedroom walls with posters of Bret Michaels and fellow bandmates. I may not understand his style of music, but I can relate to his positive attitude about living with Type 1 diabetes. In this Oprah LifeClass clip, he hits the nail on the head with choosing to get busy living or get busy dying. Attitude is everything and some days are better than others.
In a previous post, Backlash of a Constant Adrenaline Low Blood Sugar, I share my recent discovery of how adrenaline and cortisol can make your blood sugar your worst enemy. I can’t imagine what Bret has gone through as a Rock Star Continue reading
The past couple of months have been an absolute whirlwind of events leading up to the Grand Opening of my baby, Dreamer Concepts: A Community Art Space. My close friends and family, for the most part, know how to handle me in times of utter chaos by subtlety bringing or offering to bring me food. I often refuse for some odd reason because I’m kind of a meal planning nazi, but after hearing the the word, “hangry” more than once I throw in the towel and allow others to help me.
This new adventure brought on something I had never consciously recognized until meeting Ryan Fightmaster. In a conversation earlier in the week, I mentioned I didn’t have to give a single unit of insulin throughout the day while still consuming plenty of food (fruit, veggies, protein and a few carbs here and there). I immediately think of my hormones. I won’t freak you out by talking about my period, but this is a huge factor as to when my blood sugar starts to go crazy. I contribute the constant low to the insane amount of adrenaline and not taking a moment to actually slow my mind or body down for more than 4 minutes. I literally ate while walking around delegating tasks.
Fast forward 48 hours – Continue reading
For the past 12 years or so, my diabetes management has been monotonous–test sugar, bolus, change out site, be pissed at canula kink, go high, go low, eat the whole kitchen, etc. It all changes tomorrow. That’s probably a bit dramatic to be honest but who doesn’t like exaggeration?
The newest Minimed 530G with Enlite technology arrives on my doorstep tomorrow. With it comes the ability to know my blood sugar anytime, just by looking at my pump. Before I ramble on about how great this is, I’ll organize the excitement/apprehension into three thoughts: Continue reading
I received the Type 1 diagnosis 15 years ago. Since, announcements about an artificial pancreas, pancreas transplants, and various stem cell developments, have disappointed. I understand that these have all been important developments. I get that we’re getting somewhere. Yes, the future is bright. How about today? Still filled with diabetes. It’s been easier to casually follow the research without getting invested, attempting to appreciate what’s happening in research. Continue reading
It’s 38 minutes until kickoff for the biggest game of the year in college football, the Red River Rivalry. Most of us began celebrating this glorious game day weekend last night and are now regretting that last glass of wine, but the adrenaline kicks in so I scrape myself together with thoughts of OU dominating Texas. First item up – BLOODY MARY.
As a T1D, a moment doesn’t go by where I don’t think about what I’m putting into my body and how it’s going to effect me. Bloody Marys are pretty standard, vodka and bloody mary mix, salted rim and something pickled. Well, I’ve put a healthy spin on this delicious beverage.
Ingredients: Continue reading
Diabetes Toast to the Weekend–To the full moon! pic.twitter.com/flyS4GusIF
— Diabetes Daily Grind (@DiabetesGrind) October 10, 2014
Last night a Tweet caught my attention and sparked a bit of rage just from the title. The article, 60 Minutes Just Attacked High Drug Prices – Here’s What You Should Know, was written by Forbes and addressed the absolutely absurd cost of life-saving cancer treatments.
The article quotes an example from a Bloomberg story by Robert Langreth: Continue reading
Halloween is just around the corner and I’m willing to bet you’re scrambling to find the PERFECT costume and need to stock up on all things sugar. Even though this particular holiday is a T1Ds worst nightmare, we want to remind you that your online purchase via DiabetesDailyGrind.com could throw a couple $$$ back our way. We’re all about making your life easier so this friendly reminder should light a fire… you don’t want to be the laughing stock of the party or the house on the block handing out oranges.
Start Shopping – Amazon.com. For future purchases, you can always click on DDG’s banner ad running along the right side of this page. Each time you buy, we get some spare change back to keep this site afloat!
Toast to the Weekend — In honor of those jackhammer prickers at the doctor's office. pic.twitter.com/Wtz7d11ucG
— Diabetes Daily Grind (@DiabetesGrind) October 3, 2014
I’m feeling good. My energy is solid. I’ve been focused all afternoon. All around, it’s been a real nice day. My perspective is nothing but positivity.
As I glance around my kitchen, I catch a glimpse of my tester. Previous to that moment, blood sugar hadn’t been in my thoughts. When I feel good, blood sugar takes a back seat to the moment. Now, I think, Why not? I feel pretty good. Let’s just give it a quick test before I eat dinner. I prick, I squeeze, my meter sucks up the blood, and there the unbelievable displays: 275 mg/dL. Continue reading