Molly Monday: Lets play catch up!

Hi everyone, Molly here. Its been a few weeks since I took over Mom’s blog. Mom and I have been running around a lot. October and November seemed to be filled with stuff we planned and stuff, well, nature planned. Hurricane Matthew was hard, Mom packed Judd (my brother) and I up and we had to evacuate and we went all the way to Maryland from Florida. I was able to keep an eye on Mom while she was stressed out. Afterwards, my brother had to be left at my Auntie Soly’s house for a few weeks while Mom and I flew back to go back to work. I got to stay in a hotel when we got back. I’m not sure I like those places quite yet. Mom was pretty stressed after that, but all is normal now.

A portrait of me, my Aunt Soly took when we visited Maryland.

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. Mom got to visit with the human side of the pack, and I got to hang with my canine pack friends. Mom always tells me that I bark too much and I am bossy  with them. What can I say? I know all the answers to all the questions.

Thanksgiving was hard for Mom, apparently her insulin line got pinched off so she wasn’t getting her medicine so I had to rescue her to tell her she was smelling weird. I sat in her lap until I knew she felt better. It took a long time that night, but that is what my job is, and I will do it!

Speaking of blood sugars, what is going on? Mom (and therefore me), have been riding a roller coaster lately with her blood sugars. Mom told me she went to her endocrinologist and they made some tweaks, but dang it, its been hard having to be on call all day long. Since the change though, things are going back to normal and I do get a little break. She seems less stressed too.

Mom is doing a lot more reading lately, and a lot of picture taking. I think these things make her happy. Personally? I think I make her the happiest, even more than my brother Judd. I just want her to be happy.

What have I been doing? Outside of helping Mom out, I have hidden a few more things like toilet paper rolls, tin foil and Judd’s favorite stuffed animal in my secret hiding spots. I can’t tell you where they are because they wouldn’t be so secret, now would they?

I also had a photo shoot with my Auntie Soly when we saw her. Did you like one of the pictures? I don’t look too shabby, huh? Thanks Auntie!

I hope everyone is doing good. I will see you guys next week!

❤ Molly

 

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Happy Anniversary to my……… pump!

My  anniversary with my insulin pump was this past week. I used this time to reflect on my diagnosis and the progress I’ve made in thriving with diabetes. My insulin pump is a big a part of this journey and so I’d like to talk about how and why it is so important to me.

(Photo from ShutterStock)

My pump removed my leash to my needles and constant ties to eating on a 2 hour block.

My pump gave me the freedom to live a relatively normal life. I can eat within reasonable times.

It granted me freedom from constant needle pokes each time I put something in my mouth.

My insulin pump gave me the confidence to learn the needs of my body and allow me to customize my insulin needs to my current state, which could be impacted by oral surgery, illness, stress, hormone cycles and travel.

My insulin pump gave me the confidence that I had some means of control over this diabetes monster. It may drive me mad most days but I had a tool that fit my needs.

Do I hate diabetes? Yes. Do I wish it away? Yes. But there are bigger burdens and crosses to bear.

So, as long as I need insulin, I am grateful for my insulin pump.

My Top 3 Chia Pudding Recipes

Chia seeds are growing in popularity and rightfully so. They are jam packed with omega 3 fatty acids and fiber. They provide a blood sugar managing punch to any regimen.

You our can eat it as a breakfast or a side/snack. There are a gazillion ways to prepare and enjoy chia seed pudding.

There is a little magic that happens when you make chia seed pudding. You need the right combination of liquid to chia seed to form that perfect texture. Experiment and enjoy.

You our can eat it as a breakfast or a side/snack. There are a gazillion ways to prepare and enjoy chia seed pudding.

3. Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 2 servings, about ¾ cup each

Ingredients:
1½ cups unsweetened almond milk
1 Tbsp. raw honey
⅓ cup chia seeds
½ tsp. pure vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation:
1. Combine almond milk, honey, chia seeds, and extract in a medium bowl; mix well.
2. Cover bowl; refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, mixing after 2 hours.
3. Divide evenly into 2 servings.

(Source: Beachbody Blog)

2. Raspberry Chia Seed Pudding

(Source: Beachbody Blog)
Prep time
10 mins
Serves: 4 servings (⅔ cup each)

Ingredients
2 cups unsweetened almond milk beverage
2 tsp. raw honey
½ cup chia seeds
2 cups fresh (or frozen) raspberries (reserve 8 for garnish)
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish; optional)

Instructions
1. Combine almond milk, honey, chia seeds, and raspberries in a medium bowl; mix well.
2.Cover bowl; refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, mixing after 2 hours.
3. Place chia seed mixture in small serving glasses or bowls; garnish with raspberries and mint leaves if desired.

 

1. Strawberry Cheesecake Chia Seed Pudding

Serves 1

Ingredients

1/4 cup cottage cheese
1 tbs greek yogurt
1 cup chopped strawberries, divided
1/2 cup almond milk
1/8 tsp vanilla
2 tsp raw sugar or other natural sweetener of your choice
2 tbs chia seeds

Instructions

1. In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, greek yogurt, 1/2 cup strawberries, almond milk, vanilla and raw sugar and blend, blend, blend until the mixture is completely smooth and adorably pink. You may have to scrape down with a spatula once in between.
2.Pour into a lidded container and add the chia seeds, stirring well. Let sit overnight (at least 24 hours, the longer it sets, the thicker it gets!) in the refrigerator.
3. The next day when you are ready to eat it, stir it again to distribute the seeds evenly and serve with the remaining 1/2 cup chopped strawberries. Yum!

(Source: The Foodie and The Fix)

 

Have you ever made chia seed pudding? Share your recipes in the comments:

 

My *Sweet* Regards,

❤ Suny

Diabetes: A “Cleanse” with The Ultimate Reset

Really? A cleanse? Suny, have you lost your mind?

No, of course not. The Ultimate Reset is one of Beachbody’s premium programs I tried prior to my diabetes diagnosis and loved. It broke my addiction to caffeine, the drive thru and convenient food. I slept the deepest, and felt the most vitalized. I even lost 9.4 pounds too. It was by far not an easy program if you struggle like I do, but it was certainly worth it.

Fast forward 2 years….

I have been struggling managing my addiction to caffeine, and sugar again, but now I am on insulin. I didn’t want to commit 21 days to pure elimination of all the above, but one day of blood sugars over 300 forced me to face the truth. I needed to break the above and complete a”Reset” before I cause permanent damage.

I made the commitment. 21 Days, the Ultimate Reset and I, me and my meter.

The supplements and foods are based on whole foods. This is the cleanest food regimen one can get. The only problem is, because it is a total reset of my system, many protein sources are eliminated and no caffeine, no coffee, and definitely no pure sugar. As a result, I needed to be glued to my meter to make sure my insulin needs are met.

Whew. This has been an interesting 16 days. Week 1 was very difficult. Not only did I see a major drop in my insulin use (woohoo!), I was withdrawing from caffeine and sugar. To say things were complicated is to say the least. Was it worth it? YES! Look at my numbers on Days 1-7 below:

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7
Fasting	97	99	94	103	96	98	101
Post-Bk	114	122	117	121	110	111	123
Pre-Lunch	101	110	98	82	72*	95	102
Post-Lunch	133	126	118	129	105	130	122
Pre-Dinner	85	99	102	80	98	82	78
Post-Dinner	122	134	121	156	118	144	111
Bedtime	118	122	105	133	112	134	105

* Symptomatic for low

Those are beautiful numbers aren’t they?? (My goal is to have tight control of 70-140. Your goals may be slightly different.)

Well the magic is in The Ultimate Reset. Good vegetable based food. Good supportive supplements and massive lifestyle change. I am determined to make this permanent.

I have 5 more days, and I look forward to sharing my results.

I have had a significant decrease in insulin use and so far have lost 7 pounds. I feel fantastic and super pumped for the last few days.

If you can’t wait for my results to look at the Ultimate Reset, click here.

Do you HAVE to do the Ultimate Reset to get the above results? No, but it sure helps. Keep your eyes peeled on Thrive with Diabetes to learn how to incorporate clean foods daily to manage your blood sugar. It doesn’t have to be the Ultimate Reset, but you do have to commit to changing your habits. It IS worth it, I promise.

My *SWEET* Regards & Thrive On,

❤ Suny

 

Striving to Thrive

(Image by: SistersForTheJourneyDotcom.com)

Everyone with diabetes don’t always remember the day they were diagnosed. Some were diagnosed when they were very young and some just have had the day become a blur in their mind. I think the reason my Diagnosis Day is so vivid is that its been less than a year!

I woke up one Monday with one of the worst migraines I have experienced. I administered my first dose of migraine medication and went to bed. (I worked Tuesday-Saturday.) Come Tuesday, the headache did not relent, but I had to go to work. I pushed through the day, hoping for relief on Wednesday.

Wednesday, a few compassionate coworkers sat me down and took my blood pressure. The readings were outrageous: 190/115, 175/100, 205/105. As dangerous as those numbers are, we all attributed it to the pain level I was experiencing.

The pain continued until finally Friday, I called my doctor. I have experienced unrelenting migraines, called cluster migraines before and believed this is what it was.  Once they heard what my blood pressure numbers were, they sent me to the ER. My boss found coverage for Saturday and I left work early that Friday.

Once in the ER, I was quickly seen due to my blood pressure. The bloodwork came back. Surprisingly, for once in a long time, I was not anemic, kidneys looked good, EKG looked good, but my blood sugar was through the roof. The doctor came in and forever changed my life. I was a diabetic, and my sugar was so high, my blood pressure was high.

The next few months were so difficult. Coping, bargaining, dealing and just finding balance. Once I was put on the proper insulin regimen and the insulin pump, I was able to achieve that balance I needed to gain perspective. As tragic as the diagnosis was, I was determined to not allow it to consume me. I was determined to thrive.

I am lucky. I have the education and resources to equip myself immediately to prevent long term complications and even achieve a non-diabetic A1C with the supervision of my endocrinologist. 8 months after diagnosis, my A1C was 5.5. I was thriving. What I did realize was that thousands and millions of people do not have access to the same information as I do.

My daily goal is to strive to thrive. Thriving is living a fullfilled, happy and contentful life. Daily choices, daily actions and daily thoughts are a part of this road of diabetes. I certainly struggle on some days, lows, highs, crazy numbers, but in the end I strive to thrive. I want to share this message of thriving, and therefore this blog Thrive with Diabetes was born. I want to be an avenue for education for my fellow diabetics.

I hope your Dia-Journey is filled with thriving, if it isn’t, do something to start striving for thriving. I appreciate you joining me on this adventure. I hope I can serve as support, advocacy or a resource.

My Sweet Regards,

❤ SB