3rd Annual Diabetes Blog Week

I didn't realize it, but apparently its diabetes blog week. Perfect timing too, since my birthday is this week!

Below are the topics...
Created by Karen Graffeo at Bitter-Sweet Diabetes Blog.
http://www.bittersweetdiabetes.com/

I need to get some errands done, but I hope to tackle this tonight. If not tonight, I will for sure start it tomorrow!


"Find A Friend - Monday 5/14
It seems the most popular thing about Diabetes Blog Week is that it helps us find blogs we weren’t reading yet and connect with some new blog friends. With that in mind, let’s kick off Diabetes Blog Week by making some new connections. Think about the d-blogs you read that you think we may not know about and introduce us to one that you love!! Let’s all find a new friend today! (Special thanks to Gina, everybody’s Diabetes BFF, for helping me title this post!)

One Great Thing - Tuesday 5/15
Living with diabetes (or caring for someone who lives with it) sure does take a lot of work, and it’s easy to be hard on ourselves if we aren’t “perfect”. But today it’s time to give ourselves some much deserved credit. Tell us about just one diabetes thing you (or your loved one) does spectacularly! Fasting blood sugar checks, oral meds sorted and ready, something always on hand to treat a low, or anything that you do for diabetes. Nothing is too big or too small to celebrate doing well!

One Thing to Improve - Wednesday 5/16
Yesterday we gave ourselves and our loved ones a big pat on the back for one thing we are great at. Today let’s look at the flip-side. We probably all have one thing we could try to do better. Why not make today the day we start working on it. No judgments, no scolding, just sharing one small thing we can improve so the DOC can cheer us on!

Fantasy Diabetes Device - Thursday 5/17
Today let’s tackle an idea inspired by Bennet of Your Diabetes May Vary. Tell us what your Fantasy Diabetes Device would be? Think of your dream blood glucose checker, delivery system for insulin or other meds, magic carb counter, etc etc etc. The sky is the limit – what would you love to see?

What They Should Know – Friday 5/18 
Today let’s borrow a topic from a #dsma chat held last September. The tweet asked “What is one thing you would tell someone that doesn’t have diabetes about living with diabetes?”. Let’s do a little advocating and post what we wish people knew about diabetes. Have more than one thing you wish people knew? Go ahead and tell us everything.

Saturday Snapshots - Saturday 5/19
Back for the third year, let’s show everyone what life with diabetes looks like! With a nod to the Diabetes 365 project, let’s grab our cameras again and share some more d-related pictures. Post as many or as few as you’d like. Feel free to blog your thoughts on or explanations of your pictures, or leave out the written words and let the pictures speak for themselves.

Diabetes Hero - Sunday 5/20
Let’s end our week on a high note and blog about our “Diabetes Hero”. It can be anyone you’d like to recognize or admire, someone you know personally or not, someone with diabetes or maybe a Type 3. It might be a fabulous endo or CDE. It could be a d-celebrity or role-model. It could be another DOC member. It’s up to you – who is your Diabetes Hero??

Something Good To Eat Wildcard
Inspired by DFeast Fridays share a favorite recipe with us. It can be healthy, or it can be a yummy indulgence. Extra points if you can include carb counts and other nutrition info!! If it’s not an original recipe, be sure to properly credit your source.

Diabetes Creativity Wildcard
Creativity comes in all shapes and forms, so take this where ever it leads you. Write a diabetes poem. Create some D-Art. Record a vlog. Write a diabetes song parody. Scrapbook, collage, sew, knit, crochet . . . . use your favorite creative outlet to create a diabetes project!"

Diabetes and Physical Activity

I am generally a very organized person, but sometimes my organized life gets a little backed up. Today I am working on sorting mounds of papers I have managed to collect over the past couple months. I sort all my papers into different binders. Some of the binders include: Bills, Student Loans, Weight Watchers, Our Health, Pet's Health, and Health. My Health binder has different tabs for different subjects including: Healthy Weight, Food, Nutritional Values, Diabetes (of course), Heart, Skin, Mental, Women's Health and Men's Health.

While sorting all my health related paperwork I came across this and I thought I would share.

"10 Helpful Things to Know About Physical Activity"

1. Why its good to get moving.
           Physical activity can help you burn calories and sugar, and lose weight if necessary.

2. Lower your blood sugar levels.
           Exercise requires your muscles to work harder, pulling the stored sugar out which results in
           lower blood levels.

3. Help your body use insulin more efficiently.
           Your muscles and other tissues are able to use insulin more easily because of exercise. Less
           insulin is needed to move sugar out of the blood and into the muscle cells because of physical
           activity.

4. Improve your overall health.
            Regular physical activity has been shown to help protect against heart disease and stroke.
            Exercise also helps reduce stress and manage your weight.

5. Be smart and play it safe.
             Discuss with your doctor and health care team an exercise program that's right for you.
             Don't over do it, you should be able to talk while exercising. Stop if you don't feel well or
             feel pain. Drink plenty of water. Carry glucose tablets or other snacks with you in case your
             blood sugar drops too low. And do an exercise you enjoy.

6. You've already got what it takes.
             Even a little bit of physical activity can improve your health.
             Take the stairs, park far away in the parking lot so you have further to walk, exercise during
             commercials, take a walk around your neighborhood.

7. Walk whenever you can.
              Walking is one of the best ways to improve your healthy and get in shape. Walk with a
              friend or your dog. Wear a pedometer to track your steps. Set a goal for yourself, once
              you've met that goal, set another higher goal!

8. Put together a plan.
               Determine your current fitness level. Eat healthy and properly. Set realistic goals.
               Monitor your blood sugar levels and you may need to adjust your insulin amounts.

9. Watch your blood sugar levels.
               Exercise, if you are not careful (and even when you are careful!) can cause hypoglycemia.
               Make sure to test your blood sugar level before engaging in any physical activity. Also be
               aware of how you feel during exercise, you may need to check it while you exercise. It is
               a good idea to check it again after exercise.

10. Keep track of your results. 
               Keeping track of your daily exercise will be a great motivator to keep going.

Birthday cake alternative

Today is my mom in law's birthday! (Which means mine is only a week away!) What do you diabetics out there do for your birthday? Do you load up on Insulin so you can eat a piece of cake?

I have had diabetes since I was four years old, so my mom got creative early on regarding what to do when it comes to birthdays and all the sugary food that comes with them.

My mom created, copyright pending :) the watermelon birthday cake.

Okay, NOT this--although this does look pretty awesome.

THIS!

My mom literally cut open a watermelon and stuck birthday candles in it.

Writing this blog post makes me realize (although I already knew) just how awesome my mom is. I had to scroll through pages of google pictures to find my mom's version of the watermelon birthday cake.

I've always been pretty lucky when it comes to food and my diabetes. Well what I mean is that I'm not a sweet nut. I don't even like cake. I didn't used to like ice cream till just recently (when I discovered Cold Stone) and I'm not into candy. I do however LOVE cookies and my stress food is powered donuts (thanks Jordan). But generally I would say I don't have a sweet tooth (salt tooth is another story).

Please share if you have any healthy birthday desserts--diabetic or not, we could all celebrate our special days a little more healthier. Happy Birthday Mom in Law!!!