Diabetes Firsts

Posted on by
15

For the first time in my 6 years living with diabetes I want to take my insulin pump off. While, it may not seem like a big deal to some, it is to me. I’ve reached a new point in my diabetes life and am experiencing another diabetes first.

I long to roll around on my sides and not get tangled in tubing or have to move the pump. I want to get a massage without having my therapist work around my site and not having an area massaged. I want my chiropractic adjustments to not be awkward and feel the cannula poking my muscle. I want to be able to put lotion on in the morning, without having to work around an infusion site, I want to be able to rub and itch my skin like anybody else does. I want to not have an abdomen and sides that look like pin cushions from bleeding, bruising, painful sites.

A couple weekends ago, Seth and I laid low and stayed in, relaxing at home. We went to bed early on Saturday, I crawled into bed, got cozy, then said, “fuck, I have to change my site.” I ripped it off, and felt this sudden freedom; I started giggling, rolling around and rubbing on my sides like I haven’t done in years? I laid there for a while, before finally dragging my ass out of bed and changing my site, since you know, I have to have insulin or I’ll die and I’m a responsible adult. This insertion stung a little more than usual, perhaps because my 10 minute freedom was no more. Since that night, I’ve been thinking about it constantly.

I know my feelings are normal, but they’re not normal for me. It’s an odd feeling to want things you’ve never wanted before and in a million years, I would have never thought I’d be saying, “I’m really tired of having this fecking medical device attached to me 365/24/7!”

Interesting when the pump itself has provided me with so many freedoms, yet I want freedom from it.

Stir-fry, Asian Style!

Posted on by
2

I love stir-fried veggies, all different kinds. Throw them in a pan, let them cook and eat. So easy. I have been craving an Asian style flavored stir-fry, without the soy/sodium, so I threw one together last night (also inspired by the veggies that needed to be used).

Asian Stir-Fry

  • Veggies of your choosing
  • Chopped garlic cloves
  • Dried ginger
  • Kosher salt/pepp
  • Coconut oil
  • Coconut aminos

I started by melting a little coconut oil in the pan, and adding the more firm veggies-chopped garlic and onion. I sauteed until half-way cooked, then added the two kinds of zucchini and mushrooms. I seasoned with kosher salt/pepp/dried ginger, and let cook:DSC_0113It didn’t take long until they were done, so I threw them in a bowl and tossed them in coconut aminos, a substitute for soy sauce. Lower in sodium, organic, gluten free, non-gmo, dairy free, soy free, etc. It satisfied the craving without being over-powering.DSC_0115

 

African Memories, Part 2

Posted on by
3

Table Mountain

The picturesque flat-top mountain that sits in the background over Cape Town, South Africa. There’s an old wives tale about a duel with the devil, and pipe smoking…which often flows over the table top, and is also called the tablecloth. The weather changes very quickly and dramatically (very windy) in Cape Town, so if you have the chance to ride or hike to the summit of Table Mountain, you have to take your first chance. Because our trip was jam-packed, it ended up being one of the last things we did. The 360 degree view of Cape Town, Camp’s Bay, Lion’s Head (and rump), the Twelve Apostles, is breathtaking. We went first thing in the morning to beat the rush, and it was well worth it 🙂

See why it’s called Table Mountain? This is from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront:

079The tablecloth:740428_4573568291032_1073419813_oLooking out toward the table:035 Cape Town, and the Lion’s Rump (his head is to the left out of the photo), see the 2010 World Cup Stadium (donut)?:343Lion’s Head:029 Selected as one of the new Natural 7 Wonders of the World!036 Seth and me at the top:352

So long, Nightshades

Posted on by
3

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had digestive issues. I’ve gone through every diagnostic test available, tried every OTC and prescription medication possible and not one thing has helped. Where does that leave me? Food (because what else is there and why didn’t I realize all this sooner? Aaahhh well.).

I’m getting more and more into Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo, which might be the best book ever. Her approach to healing through food is absolutely fascinating. The book is extremely user-friendly and not overwhelming at all (P.S. I’m attending her workshop with a friend here in San Diego, this coming Sunday and I am beside myself!).

Anyway, back to nightshades, this is how she explains them: “Nightshades are a family of plants that contain specific alkaloid compounds that can be irritating to those suffering from joint pain and inflammation. Tomatoes, white potatoes, peppers (all kinds, bell and hot), and eggplants are the most commonly consumed nightshades. Black pepper and sweet potatoes are not nightshades, however…some other, less frequently consumed nightshades include tomatillos, tobacco, goji berries, cape gooseberries (not normal gooseberries), ground cherries (not regular bing or rainier cherries), garden huckleberries (not blueberries), and ashwagandha (an herb)…if you suffer from joint pain, joint inflammation, arthritis, cracking, or any other joint-related issues, eliminate nightshades from your diet for at least thirty days.” She goes on later in her book to talk about how you should avoid nightshades if you’re trying to heal your gut, which is exactly what I’m setting out to do.

I begin the journey to healing my gut (with the added benefit of helping my joints), by eliminating nightshades today (surprised with my consumption of tomatoes from the garden, I haven’t turned into one yet…). Why did I pick nightshades? Because there are a handful and it seems less overwhelming to me than say, FODMAPS. Baby steps. It isn’t about deprivation; it’s about health and feeling good.

Reference: Practical Paleo, Diane Sanfilippo, BS, NC, Victory Belt Publishing, 2012.

I Can’t Resist

Posted on by
4

The gardening. I ran a couple errands earlier, put stuff in the car, then said to myself, “well, maybe I’ll go back in and just look to see what they have in the garden center.” Right…just look…my garden was cleaned out for a whopping ONE WEEK.

I came out with kale, 2 different kinds of cabbage (red and ornamental), broccoli, and cauliflower. Figured I’d give my hand a try at winter gardening in SoCal 🙂DSC_0106