Diabetes Daily

Boring

Cherise Nicole — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:30:37 -0600

Today, I started preparing for my trip to go Kansas City, MO (home) on Wednesday. I have a pretty full week coming up! I am flying home to participate in a World Diabetes Day luncheon. I am excited to be apart of the event. I will also be meeting a few bloggers for the first time while I am there! WOOT! I love d-meet ups. I am excited about going home and eating at Gates BBQ. I also decided to have Niya's birthday party while I am there. So much planning and so little time.

Well this is a boring post but I don't have much to say...

Be Blessed

Cherise
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Do You Know Diabetes?

Scott K. Johnson — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:40:51 -0600

I keep thinking about the Heart of Diabetes initiative that the American Heart Association has been working on. The more I think about it, the more I believe in what they are doing. This is a large national nonprofit organization working very hard to help better overall heart health.

You might think "why is that important here, at diabetesdaily.com?" - and it is a fair question! It is important because the statistics around diabetes and heart disease are scary. Yet many of us don't really think much about heart health. I know I don't give it as much thought as I do the other scary complications. Yet it is more dangerous AND more likely than all of the other complications.

We talked a bit about why that is, but I'd love to hear all of your thoughts on diabetes and heart disease. I'm hoping that it will be alright for me to ask some questions here?

1) Do you think about diabetes and heart disease? If so, how/what? If not, why not?

2) What do you know about heart disease? Do you know what routine tests (both lab tests and or other tests) can give you information on your heart health?

3) Have you talked with your doctor about heart disease? Did you bring it up, or did your doctor?

I have a ton more questions, but this is a good start. Let's get some discussion going! Heart disease is a big deal for us. It deserves a bit more of our attention! The folks at AHA have put together a great website called "Heart of Diabetes" aka iknowdiabetes.org, which has a lot of great information. I encourage you to go check it out.

Their website is focused primarily on type 2 diabetes. I have mixed feelings about that. For one, it is nice to see a big organization specifying which type of diabetes they are talking about (instead of grouping all of us together). On the other hand, heart disease is a huge deal for us living with type 1 diabetes as well. With that in mind, anything that someone with type 2 diabetes does for their heart health (exercise, smarter diet, etc) is also very beneficial for those of us living with type 1.

I also want to touch on something that some might be wondering. I was hired by the AHA to provide input and feedback on the "Heart of Diabetes" initiative. I was not hired to blog or promote anything. I am blogging and promoting because I really feel this is a good thing for us. You can count on my backing and support, both in terms of feedback and input AND in blogging and promoting them and the program every chance I get.

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A Recipe For Fantastic Brussels Sprouts: Become a Believer

Elizabeth Edelman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500

I may be one of the few people in the world who loves Brussels sprouts. I believe that they have a bad wrap. I was raised in a house where they were cooked properly so we always had an appreciation for them. Not only are they delicious, but they're good for you. With only 1 carb per sprout, they're a great option for people with diabetes. Still not a believer? Try the recipe that I have below and let me know if you still don't like them.

One of my favorite things about them is the way they look. Itty bitty cabbages? Yum! You can't deny that they look fun. If food looks good, you'll want to eat it. Another great thing about Brussels sprouts is the taste. You may argue with that, but I assure you again that if they're cooked properly they'll taste great. You wouldn't boil a filet mignon, would you? No you wouldn't. It's all about technique. And trust me, cooking Brussels sprouts is easy.

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts

1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 oz. Pancetta, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Heat a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook until just tender, 6 minutes. Transfer the Brussels sprouts to a bowl of ice water and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the Brussels sprouts from the ice water and pat dry.

Meanwhile, heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat with the olive oil. Add the pancetta and cook until crispy, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until soft, about 2 more minutes. Remove the garlic and pancetta from the skillet and set aside. Add the Brussels sprouts to the pan and saute for about 8 minutes, until the sprouts are browned and tender. Stir in the pancetta and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Servings: 4
Carbohydrates per serving: 6g
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Whatcha doing on 11-14-09?

Cherise Nicole — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0600

I am not sure if you know this or not but I am going to tell you again;I hope you don't mind. I love to see good things repeated, if you follow me on twitter you already know. So, as we all know this month is Diabetes Awareness Month..WOOT! I am excited. I love seeing all of the diabetes awareness going around. I love to see the Youtube videos! I love to read the blogs! I love to see the stat's being on twitter, I LOVE IT!

On November 14, 2009 we will be celebrating World Diabetes Day. Manny Hernandez (President of the Diabetes Hands Foundation) organized "The Big Blue Test" on World Diabetes Day. I am excited to see what the world can do. I will be participating. Will you?

The Big Blue Test

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Be Blessed
Cherise
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Why I'm Glad My Parents Don't Pray Much

Amylia Grace — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:06:07 -0600

You might know the story: Two local Wisconsin parents prayed instead of seeking medical help for their frail and sickly daughter. She died of untreated type 1 diabetes and they have recently been charged with murder and sentenced to prison time. Apparently, family and friends had urged Dale and Leilani Neumann to get help for their daughter, Madeline, but it fell on deaf ears. Madeline's (undiagnosed) type 1 diabetes emerged at the same time in her life that mine did: age eleven. So her story hits close to home for this Wisconsin girl and type 1 diabetic. However, contrary to Madeline's folks, my parents (not being overly-religious) didn't pray for me. Well, they may have (in fact, they surely did), but they also knew enough to take me to our pediatrician who promptly insisted I go to Children's Hospital after realizing my bloodsugar was off the charts. I was treated for juvenile or type 1 diabetes and am healthy and living well twenty years later. But the Neumann family decided upon a different trajectory for their daughter and her illness, one that ultimately killed her.

Just hours after her daughter died of untreated diabetes, her mother told police she never considered taking her tired, pale and skinny daughter to a doctor for what she believed was a spiritual attack, considering the illness "a test of faith" and thinking she was under a "spiritual attack." So, without treatment and without anyone to advocate loudly enough of her behalf, little Madeline died March 23. This was, as irony would have it, on Easter Sunday.The little girl died at her family's rural home in Weston, Wisconsin, and anyone who has gone through a type 1 diagnosis knows how awful you feel in the days and weeks before being treated. I can imagine how awful she felt before death. And while I feel for the parents, I am also angry at them for their neglect from blind-faith and ignorance. Neumann said her husband thought briefly about getting their daughter to a doctor. "I said, 'No, the Lord's going to heal her.' I believed that God was going to just restore our daughter.

Stories like these make me angry and sad and frustrated. I believe in the freedom of every American to worship freely and believe as they wish. I know there are times when as parents we do what we think is in the best interest of our children and fall flat on our faces realizing only in retrospect how misguided a choice or decision may be. I get that. I really do. But in this case, I have to admit I am glad that the parents were brought to trial for the error of their ways. Last month they were sentenced to six months in prison. It isn't much, but it's something.

It is said that no one escapes childhood unscathed, and I think that's true. However, needless deaths at the hands of one's own parents and in honor of a blind faith that has the power to kill when in the hearts and minds of those too stubborn or misguided to see clearly really make me angry. Children can't speak up for themselves a lot of the time. They need advocates. They need informed parents. They need people to pay attention. They need to be listened to and more than that, they need to be heard. They need to be treated not as second-class citizens but as human beings with the same rights as anyone else, no matter their age and no matter what religious beliefs their parents hold. [photo of Madeline]

As an aside, and perhaps for a bit of comic relief after such a sad tale, comedienne Roseanne Barr had her own interesting relationship with her parents' faith when she was a child, as well, though she survived it. It is a slightly disturbing but ultimately funny story that ended much better than this one. Scroll down to her story here beneath the poem to read it. Read more at Diabetes Daily!

Six Steps to A Great Marriage

Traci Wennerholm — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:15:28 -0500

I worked in the medical field for years before my husband and I got married. I didn't anticipate the work it would take, and I certainly didn't know as much as I thought I did about diabetes. Living and working with diabetes are two very different things.

My husband and I came up with six steps to living and having a great marriage with alittle bit of diabetes thrown in to the mixture. While it's mainly for those just getting married, the advice is applicable for all married couples.

1. Educate Yourself...

One of the best things my spouse did when we first got married is include me in one of his exams to see what goes on during a typical exam for him. The minute we walked into the office, he was very proactive on introducing me to the staff he worked with and telling them that I was here to learn. And I did...

I sat down with a dietitian in the diabetes clinic and learned how to count carbs and prepare meals. I learned about carb to insulin ratios and sliding scales. I took home loads of information. I was told to spend a few days going through recipes I planned on using once we got married and count the carbs and figure out serving sizes so when I served these meals I could tell my husband how many carbs the meal had in it and he could take the appropriate insulin dose to cover. Recipezaar is a great, free on line resource for this. I could type in my recipe, and once I uploaded it, I received my recipe with carb counts and nutrition facts.

The nurse sat down with me and talked about insulin pumps. I was shown the parts of the pump, how to insert a pump, the items I would probably be in charge of ordering--reservoirs, infusions sets, prep pads, etc. She then showed me how to stop the pump and how to check the settings. The nurse let me know that many doctors and nurses working in the hospital weren't familiar with insulin pumps, and in the event my spouse ever became hospitalized it might fall to me to tell or show the doctors and nurses what his pump settings were at. I was also showed how to use test strips and check a blood sugar using the meter. I also learned how to use a glucagon kit, the signs of a low and high blood sugar, and what steps I needed to take in the event of a low blood sugar.

The doctor, soon to gain the appropriate name "Dr. Diabetic Doomsday", talked to us candidly about my husband's condition and the fact that he had had diabetes since he was a young boy. He talked about the things that he looked for at each exam and what he expected to see as he got older. He talked about kidney failure, heart attack, amputation, and more equally depressing things. It was good to know, but depressing to learn that twenty years from now I could expect my husband and I to share a sexless, legless, and kidney less relationship as we share a kiss in the dialysis room because his kidneys have failed.

I'll admit it. I walked out armed with pounds of information and a prescription for depression. Is this really what marriage was going to be like? Is this really what I had to look forward to? On to step 2.

2. Don't Nag...

Some trips to the doctor would be so depressing. My husband's A1C would be higher than the doctor wanted. Other times, the doctor would switch his bolus or basal rates, only to send my husband into several days of low and high blood sugars. I would get mad if I didn't see my husband checking his blood sugars consistently or get upset at him because of the highs and lows he experienced and the mood swings that came with it. But then I realized that all of this was causing me more stress than him. I quit nagging, and our marriage started doing better. Ultimately, he has to be the one at the end of the day to check his blood sugars and take care of himself. I only need to step in when he can't do it himself. I can't imagine what it is like to live with diabetes, therefore I shouldn't complain about something I can't control or understand. However, I am always there to help, support, and remind him if asked.

3. Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle by Example...

My husband is always telling me that the worst time of the year for him being diabetic is from Halloween to Christmas. One doctor stated, "you can't be chowing down on ice cream in front of your spouse then yell at them when they eat it." One rule of thumb? Set a good example for each other. And don't get mad at spouses who may fudge from time to time. Remember they live with diabetes 24/7, we don't. Everyone is bound to have a bad day at times. Just be an encouraging spouse and help each other get back on the right track.

Exercise is also key. Take a walk after dinner, or get out in the backyard and play with the kids in the evening. If your wife has diabetes and stays home with the kids during the day, encourage her to go out and hit the gym while you stay at home and play with the kids. Or head out together. My husband and I used to hit the gym together in the evenings while our daughter slept comfortably in her car seat. Invest in a jogging stroller and go running together in the evenings. Exercise is one of the greatest keys to staying healthy.

4. Money and Stress is the Root of All Evil...

I don't think a lot of people outside the diabetic world realize the toll that stress plays on a diabetics body. In addition to handling a career and raising a family, adult diabetics also have to worry about always having insurance, having the money to pay for co payments and deductibles for supplies, and every few years coming up with a thousand dollars or more for a new insulin pump and associated supplies. When you add several children, a mortgage, and the stressors and payments that come from that, it can become a big factor.

One suggestion is to look at the stressors you have in your life and find a way to eliminate them. (No, I'm not talking about getting rid of your mother in law). Are you eligible for help at the pharmacy? There are several programs available to those who do have insurance. Does your diabetes clinic have samples or new meters they are giving away? We've also learned that when stress and finances really start to eat away at our marriage, it's time to get some help.

5. Brush it Off Then Cry to Your In Laws

One of the hardest things about living with a diabetic? Mood swings, low blood sugars and high blood sugars. While most low blood sugars might just cause my husband to get a little crabby or snap a little more at me, on very rare occasion one will catch me off guard. And the mood swings aren't always the same. Sometimes they are easy to tell, other times it's hard to tell if he is low. My husband, a very mellow, patient and laid back guy has his alter ego come out during extremely low blood sugars. One time, he hit our wall leaving a beautiful hole in it. Another time, he made a particularly nasty remark to me, only to not remember it when he came out of his low blood sugar. He couldn't understand why I was mad and crying when he came around. Then there are the times his pump kinks and he is sick from a high blood sugar and you've got your loan officer coming over in 15 minutes to sign papers. Rare, but it can be annoying at times when the timing isn't right.

It can be extremely hard to learn to "brush it off." Especially as they sleep for several hours after a low blood sugar and you are left to clean up, check his blood sugars for him, and take care of children after spending an exhausting evening up with him. It's also hard to have him snap at you or say something mean only to have him claim he "doesn't remember it." Whoever said that "words will never hurt me" was not living with a diabetic during a low blood sugar. While everyone experiences and reacts to a low blood sugar differently, it isn't easy to brush off their mood swings and be calm all the time.

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I feel that the world truly revolves around him. The very few times he's been hospitalized have been testament to that. As nurses and doctors surround him, talk about him, and poke, prod and find an answer for him, you are in the insignificant ant in the corner. Rarely do you get asked about yourself. No one brings in a meal for you after your ordeal. While he slept, you called an ambulance and sent him to the hospital, shuffled your kids off to various houses' until the grandparents arrived, grabbed his overnight bag, rushed down to the hospital, went through several hours of tests and nail biting until you found out everything was going to be okay. And they just slept through it the whole time.

I can count the number of times on one hand my husband has had a really low blood sugar. And only two of those have ever landed him in the hospital. But I learned in these few times that in laws are a wonderful shoulder to cry on. They lived with your spouse, went through all of the first ups and downs and finally got to a point where they know what to do. Appreciate them, ask for advice, and let them lend you their shoulder. They understand. Of course, my doctor gave me permission to punch my husband when he made a comment like, "Where's my Mom, she knows what to do" after I spent several hours playing nurse at his hospital bedside and making sure he was taken to the hospital instead of being left to enter a coma at home. Thanks for the appreciation my new husband!

Working in the hospital was also a good thing for me. Someone always had it worse than me. And learning to serve others and stop thinking about myself made it a whole lot easier to deal with for me. Other friends have sought out professional help while others adopt a hobby outside of the house that seems to help them deal with things. You may not always be able to brush it off, but you can learn how to make it easier.

6. Make a Pact...

There will be problems (health and emotional) that rise in your marriage. Make a pact early on in his diagnosis or in your marriage that you will be each other's eyes and ears. There are problems you may notice that he may not. Increased mood swings are one. Perhaps you will deal with kidney problems, heart problems or sexual dysfunction down the road. Make a pact now that if your spouse notices something isn't right, they will go in to get the help they need as soon as possible and not ignore it. Also make them aware that if you notice a problem they won't ignore you, discredit you, or fail to seek help until they themselves realize it is a problem. You are a couple, and working together is the only way to solve the problem. Seek out professional counseling if problems are interfering in your marriage or family life. But make a pact that you will work together to recognize and fix any health or relationship problems immediately when you recognize them.

--Taken from "Marriage" on DiabeticParents.org

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Total Knock Out

Cherise Nicole — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:11:43 -0600

I had a topic I wanted to blog about but I went to sleep at 8:30 pm last night. I was trying to stay up a little longer but my body wouldn't allow me to continue to tweet or allow me to blog. I never listen to my body; I really need too. In the end sleep won. One more day until Friday. 9 more days until World Diabetes Day! The video below is amazing! I hope you all enjoy.

World Diabetes Freeze

Be Blessed
Cherise
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My First Week On the Dexcom 7 +

Elizabeth Edelman — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500

I have been using the Dexcom 7+ for a week and a half so far. I didn't want to write much about it because I wanted to know how I really felt about it before I discussed using it. As you may or may not know, I used the Medtronic CGM while I was pregnant last year. I hated it. In fact, I gave up using it in the middle of my third trimester. I found it was much easier to simply test frequently than all of the insertion problems I was having and the false low alarms it was giving me. Plus, I was paying out of pocket for the sensors and at $300.00 a month, it was adding up. But I plugged on for the sake of my baby.

In hindsight, I wish I would have shopped around CGM's, especially at that critical time of being pregnant. While we were at ADA Scientific Sessions earlier this year in New Orleans, I looked at both the Freestyle Navigator, and the Dexcom. What drew me to the Dexcom was that I found out that soon (hopefully) it will be integrated with my OmniPod and will be all in one. Also, I have heard great things about it from fellow Dexcom users.

Truthfully, I decided to give the Dexcom a try because David and I are thinking about trying again for another baby soon. Not now, but in the coming months. After knowing what to expect with pregnancy, and all of the lows that I got early on, I want to have everything possible on my side that I can.

Since I've been using the Dexcom, I've loved it. I know, in the beginning of my Medtronic days I said the same thing. But this thing is WAY more accurate than the Medtronic one was, plus, the insertion is much easier than I remember the Medtronic one being. I was even able to change my Dexcom with a one year old tugging on my leg.

What I appreciate about it most is that it's caught many lows that I've had at nighttime that I don't believe I would have noticed. It's scary how you can just sleep through a low blood sugar and not know. Being on a CGM has helped so much in these few days. I absolutely love it.

Better yet, insurance finally covers it so I won't be breaking the bank using it. Do you have any experience with Dexcom or the Navigator? Any tips for a new CGM user? Read more at Diabetes Daily!

I Can Be Wrong (Sometimes)

Rachel Baumgartel — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:40:20 -0700

It turns out that I CAN work out on weekday mornings.

To be honest, I hadn't tried in a couple years. And a couple of years ago, I was still having breakfasts that contained more than 15 g carbs. You know, whole grain cereal or waffles, things that seemed more like breakfast to me than the cheesy sausage I have these days.

No wonder I was struggling to make it to work without having to stop to urinate, right? Between the carby goodness wreaking blood sugar havoc and the 20 oz of water I need when I work out on the elliptical, that was a recipe for disaster in the mornings.

Still, I was pushing it yesterday. Even though I felt it was against my better judgment, the need to exercise won out. I limited my water intake to about 12 oz and did just fine on my way to work, though my first destination was the bathroom, not my desk. And I did end up feeling a bit dehydrated for a few hours until I replenished myself enough with water.

I'll have tweak it, of course, but I am thrilled that morning workouts are open to me again. So much easier to get up a few minutes earlier than to motivate myself after a long day's work!

Read more at Diabetes Daily!

How To Cook Perfect Salmon

Elizabeth Edelman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500

The other night for dinner David and I wanted to make salmon. Salmon is one of my favorite fish to eat. It goes with so many different cuisines and holds up to most everything. I have a bunch of different recipes in my arsenal, but I was craving Asian food and decided to go with a soy sauce marinade that we eat a lot.

I never buy pre-made marinades. They don't taste very fresh and always have too much salt and preservatives. Yes, they're quick and easy. But so is this marinade that I'm going to give you.

To make the easiest and most delicious marinade for salmon, you won't need much time or ingredients.

2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
6 tablespoons olive oil
3 pounds salmon, skin on

Combine the mustard, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and olive oil. Pour over the salmon and let marinade for 15 minutes.

Heat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Place the salmon, skin side down, on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes. Flip the salmon and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the salmon and let sit for another 5 minutes or so, until cooked through.

Because it's November and I live in Cleveland, you probably won't find me grilling outside. I have a really great cast iron Le Creuset grill pan that makes this salmon perfectly. The trick is making sure that the pan is seasoned properly and that it stays the right temperature. You don't want it cooking too quickly or too slowly, as you want a crispy outside but a moist inside.

How do you grill in the colder months?
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Wilted Spinach Saute

Elizabeth Edelman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500

One of my favorite things about this meal is that it can be made with almost any kinds of veggies you have on hand. I eat it on it over rice for a healthy meal, but you can enjoy it as a side dish to grilled chicken breasts or salmon.

1 pound fresh spinach, washed and dried
1 zucchini, chopped
1 red onion, sliced
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup feta cheese
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat a skillet with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the red onion and saute for a couple minutes, until just starting to get tender. Add the zucchini and saute for another 4-5 minutes, browning slightly. Add the tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes, heating through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the spinach to the skillet and continue to cook until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, and taste for seasonings. Top with the feta cheese.

Servings: 4
Carbohydrates per serving: 7g

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If my fingers could talk....

Cherise Nicole — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0600

If my fingers could talk
by Cherise

If my fingers could talk, they would say, "Why do you thank God for eyesight to see, feet to walk and mouth to eat? Why don't you ever thank Him for me? Stop taking me for granted"

If my fingers could talk, they would say, "What would you do without me?"

If my fingers could talk, they would say, "Stop poking me, Stop making me bleed. Can't you see the callus? I hurt. Your causing me pain."

If my fingers could talk, they would say, " Sorry, if you tested high or low. I am sorry if I ruined your day."

If my fingers could talk, they would say, " I do a lot for you! Please wash your hands, change your lancets and handle me with care."

If my fingers could talk, they would say, "Don't hide your black holes. Don't be ashamed of me. I'm not ashamed of you. Be proud of your diabetes war wounds. My foundation supports you. I've kept you a live many times."

If my fingers could talk, they would say, "Continue to use me to test but please use me to write letters and educate the world about diabetes. Hopefully, You won't have to use me 4-5 times a day."

If your fingers could talk, what would they say?

Be Blessed
Cherise

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What I Know For Sure

Amylia Grace — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:48:31 -0600

I had recognized for a long time that I was responsible for my life, that every choice produced a consequence. But often the consequences seemed out of line with my expectations. That's because I was thinking one thing but intending another. I wasn't aware of the consequences of my deepest intentions. My intention of always trying to please other people, for example, produced an unwanted consequence: I often felt taken advantage of and used.

So I decided to become aware if my every intention in order to create a different outcome. That meant doing only those things that came for the truth of who I am�and only doing for others what pleased me to do.

What I know for sure is that whatever your situation is right now, you have played a major role in setting it up. It is you who have created your circumstances. With every experience, you alone are painting your own canvas, thought by thought, choice by choice. And beneath each of those thoughts and choices lies your deepest intention. If you are feeling stuck in your life and want to move forward, start by examining your past motivations.

*This reminder, one I so needed today, courtesy of O. Read more at Diabetes Daily!

Burn-A-Thon? Gold's Gym & The ADA

Scott K. Johnson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0600

I picked up a flyer about this at the local ADA Expo last weekend. I think it is a great thing that Gold's Gym and the ADA are doing, so I wanted to help spread the word a bit.

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, Gold's Gym will be hosting a "Burn-A-Thon Challenge". Every Gold's Gym in the world (!) will be open to everyone, members and non-members, to allow people to come in and burn some calories.

There is more detailed information available at the ADA's Burn-A-Thon page. The ADA & Gold's Gym have set the bar high, pledging to burn 180 million calories in 24 hours, to demonstrate the need to "do a 180" on the diabetes epidemic. Fitness professionals will be available to demonstrate equipment and answer questions.

This is a fund raising initiative, and I'm not 100% sure about details on how the donations and pledging works. In addition to this event, there are special membership rates for people affected by diabetes.

I like the idea of this, and as I have experienced, exercise is a huge part of feeling good. It's also just good for you, and is another powerful tool to have for managing blood sugars (even though managing blood sugars during exercise is one of the toughest things to do).

Speaking of the ADA, I recently received an e-mail from one of the communication managers telling me about a new site they are launching. It's called stopdiabetes.com. I like what they are looking to do with this. They are (finally) looking to more actively engage with those affected by diabetes. They are looking to put a face on all of the lives they talk about working for. This is a step in the right direction for them. They've got a long way to go to win back the hearts of many of us living with type 1. This is a good start.

Read more at Diabetes Daily!

Enjoying a Glass of Wine

Elizabeth Edelman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500

There is nothing like a glass of wine at the end of the day. After being sick for a few days, I hadn't been able to enjoy one in a while. But last night, while watching TV with my husband, we both enjoyed a glass of red.

When I was first diagnosed with diabetes almost five years ago I thought I wouldn't be able to drink much wine. I am not talking about going out and drinking bottles upon bottles, I'm talking about a glass or two with dinner or while I'm on my computer. After discussing it with my endocrinologist, and some discovery on my part, I found that a glass of wine can fit very nicely into my evening.

Personally, I enjoy a full bodied red, like a Bordeaux. Depending on what the weather is like and what I'm eating it can range from a nice light red, like a Pinot Noir, to even a glass of Pinot Grigio if the mood is right.

Growing up in a family like mine, a glass of wine is more than just a delicious drink. When I was young, my grandparents used to give us a tiny glass of wine watered down considerably. Now, most people would frown on this, but I promise that it was very benign. When I was in Europe we were shocked to see that wine was cheaper than water and soda at cafes. That is one of my favorite parts of going to Europe!

If you have diabetes, how do you enjoy a glass of wine?
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