DC Conversation - Tuesday, April 29

Welcome to the Diabetic Connection!!!!

Our post -   A place to connect with other BBer's who have diabetes and those who know or care for someone who has it.

Our purpose -    To share our stories, thoughts, questions, concerns, victories, and problems regarding the challenge of living with diabetes.

Our goal -   To learn together and to support one another.

Morning all. Uff da, what a busy couple nights. Sorry I didn't get a chance to pop in Sunday night. I didn't finish my ordering until almost 0600!

Nancy, they got as much snow as almost 7 inches yesterday just south of us. I ran into flurries on the way home but woke up yesterday afternoon to cold (38) and sunshine. I hope the snow overlooked your area too. Could you imagine??? The remainder of the week is looking wet (rain) and cold. Sigh, maybe next week.....

Mary, sorry I've missed our coffee meetings. I was thinking of you over the weekend. I was up early and thought "Wonder if Mary has the coffee on?" LOL. I've  got to find a way to save for a lap top!!!

Joyce congratulations on your surgery approval. Good luck with that.

I have a working drain!!! Yipee. We worked on it Saturday for a couple hours. Because of how weird the drain is, we could only go so far and it split. Well, my DB had the brilliant idea of blowing it free with the shop vac. Well, together we got the job done - mind you I had a nice mess to clean up but so far so good. What a relief!!!!

A hearty warm welcome to the newbies who are posting. I hope you all enjoy our company and feel as supported as I do. No matter the situation, whether everyone agrees or not, everyone does support each other.

Well, I got work to do. Mary, coffee around 0500?? Sorry, no muffins or cookies.

Love and fuzzies

Michele

  Good Morning Everyone!! 

  The coffee is ready, Michelle!! Gosh that first cup, tastes so good.  There are no donuts, or other goodies in this house....shucks!! When Ron quit smoking, he ate alot of candy. It was so tempting coming into the computer room and grabbing some chocolate....LOL  I decided not to keep replentishing the supply....LOL But a piece of breakfast cake sounds great!! LOL  Glad you got the plugged drain cleared. I am sure it was quite the mess, but hopefully it stays cleared now. I slept later yesterday morning, so I posted a little later than usual.  Sure hope your weather warms up...Pretty soon you will be mentioning the "heat wave"....but if you are like me....bring it on!!  LOL

  I want to welcome  Cricketsshift and Zonebrat to DC.  I just saw your post this AM and like Michelle said, consider yourself waved at and welcomed. We have a recipe thread on this site, which has alot of really good recipes.

  I saw a recipe for Baltimore hash that sounds really good. Lots of veggies in it and just sounds tastey.  It is not high in calories and sounds pretty healthy.  I will have to post the recipe.

  Doris a week free of Doctor appointments sounds wonderful, doesn't it.  This week Ron gets his catroid artery test and goes to the doctor who performed his  prostrate surgury.  We never have a week free either it seems.

   Joyce, Congradulations!!  I am sure you feel like your prayers were answered with being approved for the surgury.  I am very happy for you and you can count on me to support you each step of the way!!!

   I guess today, it is back to cleaning.  I want to change Mom's curtains and bed....do the spring clean in her room.  I am so amazed when I open a closet I cleaned and it looks straightened up....I have neglected alot of closet cleaning for years....LOL  The two bathroom closets need cleaned too and things need to find a new home...LOL

   Wishing you ALL a GREAT Tuesday!!! We are at 38 degrees today!! Gosh what a difference from last week!!

Hugs,

Mary

Baltimore Hash

Taste of Home Ground Beef Cookbook

My mother-in-law created this recipe while living in Baltimore. I make many batches of it with our garden vegetables and freeze in serving-size portions for later—Betty Cannell, Reading, Pennsylvania

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup cubed peeled potatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add tomatoes, carrots, celery and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Yield: 4-6 servings. The canned diced tomatoes in Baltimore Hash can be replaced with a quart of fresh tomatoes that have been peeled and diced.

Good Morning Mary. So good to see you again.

It's around 14 here this morning not 24-15 as I thought but the sun is shining. Did I tell ya all that Johnny Depp is making a movie here in Wisconsin?? He plays John Dillenger. They've been shooting about a half hour north of me at an actual resort that Dillenger had. I went thru it once and it still had a lot of old cloths and bullet holes. Exciting stuff LOL.

Well, I'm about outta here. I've an appt with a financial advisor this morning to see if I have any other options.I'm hoping there is although I really want to sell - now. Sigh.... All will be well, I know this.

Have a great day everyone!!

Michele

Mary - I love my new short hair cut.  Unfortunately I have no natural curl in my hair.  But I could use a small curling iron on it.  Good for you for getting the drawers cleaned out.  Yes, as a reward, you need to go shopping at Penney's.  *lol*   started crying when the insurance lady told me I had been approved for the surgery yesteday.  Yes, a big load is lifted, but I still have lots of worries and concerns.  Thank you for your continued support.  I really appreciate it.  Thank you for the hash recipe.

Nancy - You had a busy day yesterday, so I'm sure you needed that nap.  As I headed to work yesterday, I noticed that our gas had droppd a couple more pennies.  I was surprised.  I hope you didn't get any snow.  I heard the weatherman said Indiana had hail and sleet but I wasn't sure where he was talking about.  I hope the doctor appointments this week go okay.  Thank you for the good wishes for the days leading up to the surgery.

Deb - Congratulations on the great BP.  Good luck with the blood tests this morning.  I hope they all come back good.  Have fun getting your hair cut.  I bet the highlights will look nice.  When I got my hair cut yesterday, a man was there with his two little boys (probably ages 2 and 4).  They were so cute and both were so good.  Neither one cried or fussed.  Thank you.  I'm hoping the days before surgery go fast.

Sandy - I was trying to do a graph from Excel.  I'd never done one.  But I just started clicking on different things and found exactly what I needed.  Thank you.  Yes, I hope things go well with the surgery.  Our weather is going up and down too.  So strange.  Enjoy your quiet week.  You don't get many of those.

Doris - I laughed so hard when you talked about Deb's "ironing the jugs".  I'd never heard that before, but that's exactly what a mammogram is.  I'd never thought of my hair cut and the surgery.  But I think you are right.  When she was done cutting, she said "It's a whole new you."  So I guess she knew what she was talking about.  If I could get rid of the diabetes, that would be wonderful.  The new thought is that the surgery is a cure for it, that some people go off their meds even before they leave the hospital.  I can only hope!  The CD your cousin did sounds wonderful.  I bet that was so much fun to watch.

Hauke - Hope you are doing well and you have recovered from your busy weekend.  Have you heard from Heather, if she made it safely to Chile?

Michele - Thank you for your good wishes with my surgery.  I'm so glad you have a clean drain.  How nice that you can once again do laundry at home while doing other things.  I hope the financial advisor can help you out.  Good luck!

A number of people commented on my new hair cut, but one was a security guard at work.  We've talked over the years.  He said he liked it.  He said "It really shows off your youth".  How sweet.  Yeah, I would go out with him if he asked.  Unfortunately, he's never asked.  But maybe if I lose the weight he will!  *lol*

It was so chilly when I got home from work last evening.  The outdoor thermometer said it was 37.  The forecast says we are to get to 52 and be sunny, but it seems pretty cloudy right now.

A Smoothie Path to Better Blood Sugar

Tart apple and spicy cinnamon can sure get your taste buds tapping. But help control your blood sugar, too?

It very well might. Turns out that a daily dose of cinnamon may help improve insulin receptivity -- an important part of blood sugar control. Slip a little more cinnamon into your day with a Double Apple Cinnamon Smoothie (recipe below).

A Little Does a Lot
You may need only a little bit of cinnamon -- as little as a quarter teaspoon a day -- to reap blood sugar rewards. Just don't overdo it -- highly unlikely with a typical diet, but loading up via supplements could be toxic. Another cinnamon bonus: When you add it to high-glycemic-index foods, it can help lessen their impact on your blood sugar.

Double Apple Cinnamon Smoothie
This cinnamon-inspired smoothie recipe is brought to you compliments of the YOU docs -- Mehmet Oz, MD, and Michael Roizen, MD -- and their newly updated and expanded YOU: The Owner's Manual. To be sure you get enough cinnamon -- this recipe serves two -- we suggest topping your drink with a generous sprinkling of the fragrant spice.

Ingredients
1/4 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, not thawed
1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce
3/4 cup vanilla or plain fat-free or light soymilk
3/4 cup low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt
1/8 teaspoon apple pie spice

Combine all ingredients in a blender container. Cover; blend at high speed for 1 minute. Pour into frosty mugs, if desired, and top with powdered cinnamon. Makes 2 servings.

Nutrition information (per serving): 204 calories; 3.4 grams fat (1.3 grams aging fats); 5.6 milligrams cholesterol; 34.9 grams carbohydrate; 9.1 grams protein; 2.7 grams fiber; 266 milligrams sodium; 566 milligrams potassium.

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This sure seems like a lot of carbs per serving, but I thought I would post it any way.

 I am sure the Smoothie recipe could be revamped to make it more diabetic friendly. I like Smoothie's too, but rarely make them for myself.  I like soy milk and strawberries...yum.

  Joyce, the hairdresser cuts my hair with a razor.  I never had a razon cut till last year and now, I wouldn't want anything else.  My hair has body, but not curl.  The razor cut makes my hair real curly with scrunching....I was in total shock because it looks like I have natural curly hair.  They are pretty short though, but I love the cut.

  I thought that hash recipe sounded pretty good too and a good one for summer and the fresh veggies.  I need to lose about 12 pounds....yuk!! I am off the Chantix now.  I decided last  week to go off of it, thinking it might be the reason I feel so depressed.  I am feeling so much better now, and that black mood left me.  It is over 90 plus days since I quit and I think I had enough Chantix.  I am off to clean Moms room, bed and do a quick house cleaning.

Mary

Morning,  I'm waiting for my coffee pot to finish brewing... so I figured I'd come have a cup of Mary's!

Joyce, according to the Air Canada website, Heather's plan landed 10 minutes ago.  The have a couple of hours to get connected and over to the hotel.  They have their first tour in 5 hours and then some fancy welcome dinner.  I sure hope they all managed to sleep on the plane because whoever planned this trip didn't give them much time to get settled, rested, showered and so on.  It's check into the hotel, grab some lunch - and the tour begins.    But then, they are all young and probably don't need as much time to settle as I would.  

Mary, congrats for getting off the Chantix.  As for the hash recipe, I have only ever know hash as hash browns and that's with potatoes and fixings.  I'm always fascinated as to how different regions call different combinations by different names.

Welcome to our newcomers Cricketsshift and Zonebrat .  We hope you stop in often - we're here chatting everyday and will try an answer any questions.  If we don't know an answer then the challenge is on - to find an answer for all of us.

Doris, a free week!  WOW - that's almost as good as a vacation - you've had such an incredible journey over that past 9 months - so enjoy this free week.  Enjoy being home!

Michele, good luck discussing financials.  Hope your planner is a creative one.

Not totally sure what my plan is for today.  I know it's getting to month end so that means some extra work.  Mom called to say she's going out to buy cabbage - we're entering May so that means 3 birthdays to plan and cook for... I suggested making some cabbage rolls as we can make a whole bunch up ahead of time.  I sure love that freezer!  I can't imagine life without one!  So I guess we're taking an afternoon of cabbage rolls either today or tomorrow.

I smell coffee.... so I'll wave at everyone who's stopping in this morning.

SYAL

Hauke

Hi, everyone.

Back from the doctor's and all is well. Blood test will be tomorrow morning. So, those numbers will come in a couple of days. Was going to get a shingles shot, but Medicare and my ins. don't pay for that. And, the shot costs $239.00. So, we are waiting.

MICHELE, the snow never showed up here. But, cousin in Fairchild said they got 5 inches. Good that your drain is finally repaired. The big deal around here was the $1500. tip Johnny Depp left at a restaurant.

MARY, no goodies here, either, but Russell is hinting for oatmeal cookies. And, let me tell you, I will never have an empty drawer. Freshening up mom's room will help with the spring feeling.

JOYCE, it would be nice if you kept a diary, written and photo, with your endeavor. Continued good wishes coming to you, every day. The smoothie sounds good, but I would say the juice and applesauce make for the high carbs.

HAUKE, hoping the flight was uneventful and the group is in for a busy day. Good planning for the party food.

Welcome, to ZONEBRAT AND CRICKETSSHIFT. Paula sorry to hear DH now has diabetes, too. As you mentioned a nutritionist will help.

Just gave Russell a haircut, time for a light lunch and he is off to see the Dr.

Have a good day, everyone.

Nancy Z.

Good Morning everyone,

 DH was taken off work for 2wks, he has a ulcer on the tip of one of his toe's.

The doctor's want him to have an angio done for the circulation in his leg's.

Have any of you gone thru that?

He's had type 1 for 46yrs now.

We don't get much time together, so even though it is not for good reason, I'm going enjoy having him home in the evenings.

Well back to work for now.

Hope to talk to you later.

Zonebrat.

Thanks for all the welcomes,and the links,

It will take me quite sometime to get to know the names,

Yes, I have gone to a dietation for myself, last yr, I do eat 6'x ,a day, but I know I still need more infro on myself. I was not happy w/that dietation, and did lots of infro on the internet. but it is all individual? I followed her advise, only to only again 10 # in a week, and to the tune of $100. an hrs, she wanted to see me again, so I did not go back.

Now dh is a big boy, and I cook for him low fat/ low cholo,. but he is loves to cheat & thinks it cute to do so,  , he is not to eat beef, for his colon resection , thus it is high in fats, and I on other hand have to watch the same , but I know beef  is protein, and fish, tuna,,

I feel it more so now, I am so disappointed in dh right now, I was going to leave him last week and start a new page in my life,

but decided I did not like what area & home to live in. so My GF prayed for me, she was widowed at an early age 53, and i could see the look in her eyes, asking me is this what you really want?

gosh your guys have been married for long 46 yrs,

Hi Nancy Z. ((((NANCY)))) good luck w. Russell today at dr.s, and thinkin dh is not as yet, ???

a diebetic but heading that way closely. 

so this is his life, I cook for us healthy, but when we eat out, he love to eat the beef and the deserts. I do not.

I am so stressed out & i know I need to calm down for me...

thanks, everyone for listening.

 time for my snack, in a few.

I'll want to thank , forgot the name who put on the links for the recipes, thank you.

Paula

Hi Everyone!!

  Hauke, I would love to have coffee with you too in the AM!!!  I hope Heather has a wonderful time in Chili, but I am sure she will be really tired out too.  So much to see and do!!  I am glad she had safe travels too.  Cabbage Rolls??? Gosh I love those!! My kids loved when I made them years ago...always one of our favorite foods.  I just thought that Hash recipe sounded fairly healthy and something I could make fairly quick.

   Zonebrat, Ron had a ton of tests in the last year after his two strokes last year, but I do not think he had an angio.    He goes tomorrow to have his catroid artery checked tomorrow evening.  I hope the ulcer on his toe heals properly too. 

  Cricketshift,  I do not watch my DH eat anymore.....He uses so much salt, it is disgusting.  I put the no salt in the shakers, but that doesn't stop him from using salt.  My DH is on coumadin, so he pays pretty good attention to that part of the diet.  I know what you mean though.  When we go out to eat, he orders bacon, sausage gravey and biscuit....things he just shouldn't have.  He doesn't think "grilled or broiled" when ordering either....it is usually fried.....He has quit smoking, (both of us have) so that in it self in quite an accomplish and if he over eats the wrong foods there is not alot I can do about it. 

  Nancy, that is an awful price for a Shingles shot!! Wow! Mom had shingles a few years ago and she always said how painful they are.  My Aunt had the shingles in her head and near her eyes and it took forever to clear up.

  I got Mom's room all perked up and cleaned today.  Tomorrow, I am starting the bathroom closets...believe me they, need it!!!  I find things I forgot I had...LOL  I didn't get much done in the fall, so now I have to get busy before its time to plant the garden.

   Hope everyone is doing well.

Hugs,

Mary

Good evening friends!!

hauke, what a schedule for Heather, but you are right about her  being young enough to go without much rest.

Mary, isn't that a good feeling to get more cleaning done?  Bet your moms room looks very nice all cleaned up.  Cleaning out those bathroom cupboards will be an accomplishment for you.  Danny actually does a better job following a lowfat/salt free diet than I do.  But, he is gaining weight cause he is really eating alot of candy lately.  Oh well, I can't stop him, can just watch what I eat.

Doris, I have an appt to have my "jugs ironed"(geez I love that) on Thursday morning.  At least then I'll be done for another year.  I hope you enjoy your free week!!LOL

Joyce, what a good idea to keep a journal for yourself of the before and after.  Maybe even foods and amounts eaten?

It's going on 7pm and dinner still isn't ready.  Guess I should have started earlier.  I ahve Cornish Game Hens on the rotissiers and they are smelling so good.  Also have garlic herb rice going and will steam some broccoli next.  Made a jello/fresh strawberry pie for dessert.  Yummy!!

Michele, so glad you were able to get your drain cleaned out.  Amazing how we struggle to get along having to do things the hard way.

I just got an email from my friend who was in town last week.  She flew home on Monday, and this morning, her brother called to tell her her mom had died this morning.  She said her mom was fine all weekend.  At least it was quick, but sad that Diane has to fly back so soon.

 Waving to the rest of the gang.  Looks like the hens are done so I'd better get the broccoli going.  Have a good evening.

Deb

Hi gals,

I just wanted to welcome Zonebrat and Paula to the DC.  This is a great place for support, recipes, and just good ole conversation.

Zonebrat, you asked if anyone had had an angiogram ~~ well, I did when I was hospitalized the first week in March.  I was admitted with respiratory failure, and the doctors were afraid there was a problem with my heart.  So I had an ultrasound, EKG, Echocardiogram and finally an Angiogram.  I don't know what questions you had about the procedure, but it wasn't bad.  I was taken to the 'Cath' lab where the cardiologist did the procedure.  First you are given an injection to relax you, then they go into the artery in the groin, and inject dye that goes up around and thru the heart.  It didn't take long for me, then they closed up the artery, and took me back to my room.  I had to then lie flat on my back and not move that leg for 6 hours.  Although I guess it's possible, I had no pain or discomfort when I could finally move around and get out of bed.  Hope this answers any questions you had.

Paula, I can sure understand your frustration with your DH.  My DH is very healthy, but it still bothers me to see him always eat 'fried' food (when we go out to eat), and salt everything in sight.  I live in fear for the day he is forced to really watch his diet.

Well, it's past time for me to call it a night................................

'til later, Sandy