Healthy Changes for Life

BG Reading Update

2008-09-23T08:45:00.001-05:00

For the past month, I have had the healing touch of Jesus Christ helping me fight diabetes.

This morning, my BG reading was 100. I will make another post later today with the other readings from this past month.

May everyone have a Blessed Day!

Another Step closer ....

2008-08-19T07:27:00.001-05:00

Another Step Closer
(8-18-08)

For the past few weeks, I have wondering why I had those visions or dreams about my health. Was it because of anxiety? Was it because I was scared? I didn’t know.

After last nights dream, I know now why.

Let me describe you my dream I had:

It started out with my being awoken to my dad. Yes, he passed on in 2000, but I saw him again last night. He was in my bedroom and he tapped me on my shoulder and said “Get up son, we have to talk. There are some important things I need to say to you.” So I got up and went with him to the dining room table, where he and I sat. And we talked, or I should say, he talked and I listened.

First off he told me thanks. Thanks for showing him the right way to the light. Secondly he talked about my health. He said that he did want me to die the way he did. He said: “You will change your diet, you will change you’re your fitness level, YOU WILL CHANGE!” I asked him about my two dreams and his response was – “I Put those in your thoughts to show you that if you don’t change, this will happen.” But I said – I had 2 dreams like that, both different. Why?, I asked. “Because you did not listen the first time, I made a second one to show you what would happen if you did not believe me and change.” I promised him right and there, “I will change; I will change my diet, my fitness, my lifestyle.”

Secondly, you were wondereing why you were sent to Holly Pond. I asked Jesus to put you there. I want you there. I knew Wes before you met him. I told him, indirectly, that he will meet a person who needs guidance, spiritual guidance, and that he knew where to direct him to get this spiritual guidance.

I told my dad, when I got to know Wes for the first time, it is as if I new him already. He and I started talking and over a couple of weeks, he started talking about his great Church. He started talking about scriptures and how they reference today’s life with the past. He peeked my curiosity so much I had to go and see. I had to go and get more. My dad said – “That was me wanting you to find this great home. You will, through time, find out why you are there and what your mission is.”

“But now I have to go, my dad said. “I will be with you always, in everything you do. You are never alone, nor will you ever be alone. You have made me proud. I thank you again for showing me the way to the light. I should have reconciled earlier. Thank You, son.”

And then I was awake and new what I had to do. The dreams I had about my health – they were there for a reason. They were a warning. Shape up and change or this will happen to you.

So this morning, I got on my air rower (which I have not used in weeks). And I did my 20 minute exercise. All this week I will do 20 minutes each morning. Next week I will improve to 25 minutes and up and up over the coming weeks to a 45 minute workout. I will not waver on the diet – no junk food PERIOD. I will get my weight down. I will get my sugar in better control. I will get my cholesterol down. I will improve my fitness and health.

I also will continue to go to my new church home. I will open my mind to the Lord. I will let him take control of my life. I am asking for Spiritual Fulfillment. For Spiritual Nourishment.

I will change. I have to. There is no going back. I have seen what can happen if I waiver. I don’t want to go there and don’t intend to. Never again.

Visions or Warning?

2008-08-11T08:34:00.003-05:00

Last night I had a dream - the dream started with me waking up in a hospital bed at UAB after open-heart surgery. I had a bunch of tubes in me and thru my mouth. I was very groggy. I remembered Jock being there, as well as my mom. I also had Dr. Varquez there. A few minutes later, my neighbor Dave Hassell walks in.

Apparently I had had a heart attack at my house in the middle of the night. I was sent to UAB for surgery.

After Dr. Varquez tells me that she opened 2 blockages and that I am better now, she also told me that I am to stay even more focused on the program.

Once I realize that I am ok, I suddenly wake up.

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This was the second time I had a vision of recovering from a heart attack. The first one I had a few weeks ago, but it was different. That one happened while I took a catnap in the car. That vision showed 2 scenarios happening - (1) I cam up from my desk to the front to ask the secretary something and experience chest pains and collapse. The secretary calls 911. (2) This scenario shows me walking into the waiting room of Cullman Family Practice where I again feel chest pains and collapse.

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Ever since those visions, I now have my cell phone next to my bed within 6 inch reach from me. I sleep light at night - where I can be in a deep sleep yet I can hear the birds and insects all night chirping.

Is God trying to tell me something here? Is He trying to warn me?

I don't know.

To date, I have had a lot of visions come true.

These are becoming scary.

Any input would help.

Costs for the 2 day hospital stay in June 2008

2008-08-07T07:24:00.003-05:00

For those of you wondering how much this 2-day stay costs in a local hospital for a person without insurance, here is the summary. I got lucky, though, in that (1) I did not have major surgery done and (2) I was able to apply for financial assistance. This financial assistance helped me with my bill. For thos going to the hospital, and do not have health insurance, I urge you to apply for financial assistance at the hospital. You never know what you may get.

Books I have been reading

2008-08-06T17:38:00.002-05:00

Here is a listing of books I have read lately. I am including the Title, Author, Publisher, ISBN and a brief description of the book’s contents. As I read more books, this list will grow, no doubt.

Have any books you recommend? Let me know and I will look at them too.

Title: The First Year: Heart Disease – An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed
Author: Lawrence D. Chilnick
Publisher: Lifelong Books
ISBN: 978-1-60094-029-3

Summary:

“A diagnosis of heart disease can be a blessing in disguise. It can provide the impetus for a healthier you. It’s all about implementing a disciplined and sustainable heart-healthy game plan. You, too, can achieve this.”
--- From the forward by Curtis M. Rimmerman, MD

A longtime health writer and editor, Lawrence Chilnick was stunned and terrified when he suffered a heart attack at age 48 – but assumed his medications would take care of the condition. They didn’t. Soon, Chilnick needed a quadruple bypass. At that point, he set out to turn his health around by educating himself on all aspects of this life-threatening disease. Now as a patient – expert, Chilnick shares his story and the latest medical, dietary and lifestyle advice for stabilizing and reversing a heart condition. In clear and accessible language, The First Year: Heart Disease shows you how to take an active role in your treatment to manage coronary and cardiovascular disease. This unique guide prioritizes the information for you, walking you through everything you need to learn and do day-to-day, week-by-week, and month-by-month in the crucial first year after diagnosis.

Title: Take a Load off Your Heart
Author: Joseph C. Piscatella and Barry A Franklin, Ph. D.
Publisher: Workman Publishing
ISBN: 0-7611-2676-7

Summary -
Increase the odds of living longer with this bold, broad approach to cardiac health. A medically up-to-the-minute and easy-to implement program, Take a Load off Your Heart sets out four key steps to cardiovascular fitness, from assessing risk to managing stress, from improving diet to making habit of exercise. It demystifies predictive markers such as triglycerides and Syndrome X, and offers 109 simple, practicle lifestyle tips - #22 Breathe deeply, #97 Drink black tea, #3 Increase your HDL Level, #54 walk briskly, #75 Give up dieting - for preventing, stabalizing, and, yes, reversing heart disease.

Title: Heart Attack - A Cleveland Clinic Guide
Author: Curtis Mark Rimmerman, M.D.
Publisher: Cleveland Clinc Press
ISBN: 1-59624-031-8

Summary -
There is no other medical center more qualified to write a book on this subject. The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center has been selected as the best Heart Center in America, according to U.S. News & World Report's annual survey for the past 11 years. Our doctors are leaders in cardiology, cardia surgery, cardiothoracic anethesia, and research into the heart and its diseases. No heart program has more experience, more knowledge, or better access to technology. Cardia angiography and the coronary artery bypass were developed at the Cleveland Clinic.
Heart disease is a tremendously frustrating condition. It progresses silently and makes its presence known - if at all - only well after it is established in the heart's arteries. When there are symptoms (significant chest pain, for instance, or sensations of indigestion), they aren't always recognized or acknowledged as being associated with heart disease or heart problems. Worse, sometimes the first sign of a heart disease is a heart attack, and a lethal one.
Told through case histories, this Cleveland Clinic Guide provides what anyone at risk of a heart attack needs most: real, substantive information from a source that is trusted by people all over the world. The author understands what patients are going through and knows that with more information - like this Cleveland Clinic Guide - they will understand they are not alone and that they can have hope.

Heart disease myths addressed:
* If I have symptoms, I'm not at risk
* If my parents had heart disease, I'm doomed to get it also
* Heart disease begins in adulthood
* Only those who are overweight or obese are at risk
* Normal cholesterol levels = no risk for heart attack
* Women don't have heart disease or heart attacks
* Smoking only hurts the lungs (and cigars are "safe")
* If you're taking cholesterol-lowering agents (statins), you can eat anything you want

Other topics:
* Heart anatomy (cardiac plumbing "101")
* What can go wrong (anatomy of a heart attack)
* Telltale signs / warnings
* Risk factors
* Women and heart disease
* Patient's role in managing heart disease
* Life after MI / cardiac rehab
* Medical and interventional therapy
* Choosing a heart doctor

Title: You and Your Cardiologist
Author: Curtis Mark Rimmerma, MD
Publisher: Cleveland Clinic Press
ISBN: 1-59624-081-0

Summary -
Your visit to a heart doctor will be less stressful once you read You and Your Cardiologist: A Cleveland Clinic Guide, by Curtis Mark Rimmerman, M.D. This book will teach you how to work closely with your cardiologist, whose goals are to treat heart disease and help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
"Heart disease is one of those conditions that stimulate great fear and anxiety in patients and families. The antidote to fear is knowledge," writes Dr. Steven Nissen in the forward to You and Your Cardiologist. "This book is essential reading."
Using simple language and real-life examples, this comprehensive guide helps you prepare for your heart exam, walks you through the actual office visit, and shows how doctors proceed from intake to diagnosis to treatment. Its descriptions of heart disorders are clear and easy to follow. In addition, You and Your Cardiologist answers questions often asked by heart patients, including:
* Why do I need a cardiologist?
* Which important details does my cardiologist need to know about me?
* Are all these heart tests really necessary?
* What are my medications for, and how to they work?
* What if I need surgery?
* Aftere my heart attack, will my life ever go back to normal?

As Medical Director of Cleveland Clinic Family Health Centers in Westlake, Lakewood, and Avon, Ohio, Dr. Rimmerman sees both sides of the doctor-patient relationship. In this book, his observations to underscore the importance of strong partnerships: Improved communication saves lives.

A NOTE ON DR. RIMMERMAN:

Dr. Curtis Makr Rimmerman is a cardiologist with more than 14 years' experience in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. Board-certified in internal medicing, cardiology, and echocardiography, he holds Cleveland Clinic's Gus P. Karos chair in Clinical Cardiology, serves as an Associate Professor of Medicine at Clevelenad Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, and is the author of Heart Attack: A Cleveland Clinic Guide (Cleveland Clinic Press, 2006). Owing to the work of Dr. Rimmerman and his colleagues, Cleveland Clinic cardiac care consistently ranks No. 1 in the United States, as reported in "America's Best Hospitals," the annual survey made by U.S. News & World Report.

The 2 4 1 Proposition

2008-08-06T14:43:00.001-05:00

According to the American Heart Association:

Did you know that you will gain 2 hours of life expectancy for every one hour of regular exercise that you do? According to a Harvard Study, by exercising regularly you will live longer. Start! today.

Diary Entry for 8-6-08

2008-08-06T07:38:00.003-05:00

Weight this morning = 299.6! Next goal: 280

Slept good after last night's walk. Made breakfast and lunch and took clothes with me to change to go walking in at end of day.

BG before breakfast = 116
BG at bedtime =

Menu Planned:

Breakfast = 2 sandwiches each of:
2 slices 40-calorie bread
1 tsp promise spread on each slice
1.5 slices tomato
2 thin slices cheese
decaf coffee w/ skim milk

Lunch =
bowl of soup from either Sweet Peppers Deli or Rumor's Deli
water

Dinner =
3 cups spring mix salad greens
1/2 tomato, sliced
1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced
1/4 white vidalia onion, sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, large dice
1/4 homemade vinaigrette
water

Planned exercise:
(4) 1.5 mile loops at Heritage Park

Diary Entry for 8-5-08

2008-08-06T07:33:00.002-05:00

Had a good long day today. Worked from 7 am to 6 pm, then went walking in Heritage Park. Had a good walk. Went home and went to bed at 9 pm.

Breakfast:
2 slices 40-calorie bread w/ 1 tsp promise spread on each slice, 1 slice tomato, 2 slices cheese.

Lunch:
1 bowl of spicy chicken baha soup from Sweet Peppers Deli
2 cups tortilla chips w/ spicy cheese dip
water

Dinner:
3 cups spring mix salad mix
1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced
1/2 tomato, sliced
1/4 red onion, sliced thinly
1/4 cup homemade vinaigrette

BG:
before breakfast = 135
at bedtime = 106

Walking was good - I went for (3) 1.5 mile loops in 60 minutes. Got my heart rate up to 132 beats per minute max. I have to have my heartrate between 117 and 153 for it to be efficient. The walk has to be a minimum of 40 minutes at this rate for the walk to be benificial.

Walking Log for July 2008

2008-08-06T07:32:00.002-05:00

Diabetes Treatment & Insurance

2008-08-05T16:13:00.000-05:00

Millions With Chronic Disease Get Little to No Treatment

“Study: Sugary Fruit Drinks and Diabetes

2008-08-05T15:21:00.002-05:00

An Article in a recent USA Today Newspaper:

“Study: Sugary Fruit Drinks and Diabetes

A common belief is that consuming too much sugar gives you diabetes, when actually not much is known about how specific nutrients affect people’s risk of the disease. But a new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine adds to the evidence that sugar-sweetened fruit drinks might be as much to blame for higher type 2 diabetes rates as sugary soft drinks. And while sugary soft drinks appeared to raise the risk of type 2 diabetes by helping to pack on the pounds, the fruit drinks seemed to raise diabetes risk independent of weight gain.
Harvard and Boston University researchers followed 44,000 African-American women from 1995 through 2005. In 1995, the women were ages 21 to 69 and did not have diabetes. They completed questionnaires about what they ate and drank in 1995 to 2001. In addition, they provided updated information every other year about lifestyle factors such as smoking status and new diagnoses of serious illnesses.
Compared with women who drank less than one a month, the women who reported drinking two or more sugar-sweetened soft drinks a day had a 24% higher risk of diabetes, while those who drank two or more sugar-sweetened fruit drinks had a 31% high risk of diabetes.”

Thin Mint Blizzard’s far from thin

2008-08-05T15:21:00.001-05:00

An Article in the USA Today Newspaper recently:

“Thin Mint Blizzard’s far from thin”

“According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a large Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard contains more than 1,000 calories, a day’s worth of saturated fat and 31 teaspoons of sugar. CSPI says its like drinking two Big Mac’s.
Based on a calculation of a whole box of the mint cookies that the Girl Scouts sells: Eating an entire large thin mint cookie blizzard nearly equals eating a whole box of thin mints, which tops out at about 1,350 calories and two days’ worth of saturated fat”

Getting Blood Drawn - Relax your hand

2008-08-05T15:20:00.000-05:00

From a recent newspaper article in the USA Today:

“If you’ve ever had blood drawn from your arm, you know the drill: Tourniquet in place around your upper arm, you clench your fist a few times to get the blood flow going.
That might not be such a good idea, says a new study in the Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, Fist clenching seems to be one of the main reasons for falsely high potassium levels, a situation called pseudohypercalemia.
Fist clenching does improve blood flow and make veins stick out, lead author Vanessa Thurlow told the BBC. But a lot of good that does if it results in a high potassium level that really isn’t, because that finding could mistakenly lead to further tests or treatment for impaired kidney function.
A phlebotomist, someone who draws blood, told the BBC that a better technique is to ask patients to gently close their hand when the needle is being inserted and then open it. Oh, and tourniquet should be loosened once the blood starts flowing.”

New Menu based on the "TLC Diet"

2008-08-04T13:05:00.002-05:00

Since my meeting with the Cardiologist, I have been using the "Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet. This literally means -

Eat lots of fruits and vegetabls and fish
Limit chicken to 3 servings per month
Limit pork to 2 servings per month
Limit beef to (1) 4-oz serving per month

In addition, I have been getting daily exercise for at least 60 minutes each day since that meeting.

I have noticed =
* increased energy
* hungery not all day
* loss of weight

I also have to continue limiting myself to 200 mg of diatery intake of cholesterol each day, in order to reduce my cholesterol levels. this means that if I want an egg, it will have to be either the egg whites only or an egg substitute, since the yolk of one egg contains 249 mg of dietary cholesterol by itself.

Benign Essential Tremor and Blood Sugar

2008-08-04T13:00:00.002-05:00

Ever since Junior year in High School, 1986, I have been dealing with a symptom called "Benign Essential Tremor". This condition hinders me to only being able to write my name in script. Everything else I have to print. It gets worse if I am under stress. Caffiene does not affect the syndrome.

Oddly enough, I have noticed that since I am lowering my blood sugar and also my weight, my nervousness tended to get worse. I find that strange.

Anyone else have this happen to them?

Blood Glucose Log for July 2008

2008-08-04T07:38:00.001-05:00

This is the log of my blood glucose readings I took for July 2008.

These changes are good!!

2008-07-31T07:39:00.001-05:00

You can tell if you are losing weight - when you can fit into smaller clothes.

I went to Target in Fultendale last night and found a pair of relax fit jeans size 42/32 and they fit great. My 2 other pair are sized 44/32 and 46/32.

That can tell you a change right there.

Now about the abdominal area. I gotta use my air rower more to slim the belly down. Then I can work on getting 2XL shirts instead of 3XL.

The Top 10 Heart Centers

2008-07-28T17:24:00.001-05:00

The Top 10 Heart Centers

http://hmatter.blogspot.com/2008/07/top-cardiac-centers-in-usa.html

Diary for 7-25-08 to 7-28-08

2008-07-28T17:06:00.002-05:00

These past 3 days have been a change. Gone are the days of eating 3 meals per day. I switch over to 5 smaller meals now.

Gone are the days I don't go walking. I have walked each morning for 3 miles and each evening for 3 miles, except for 7-26-08, due to rain. But I worked inside the house all day.

This mornings weight was 296.6 lb. Saturday, 7-25-08, the weight was 302 lb.

My goal is to get down to 280 and then add jogging to my walking routine. I am going walking for 3 miles in the mornings out at my house and then am doing 3 miles at Heritage Park after work each day. Friday's, Saturdays and Sundays I go out by my house both times. Once it gets cooler during the daytime, I will go walking at lunch time as well - I know a route here at the office that I did last fall.

Drinking lots of water, and eating small meals - the weight is coming down.

I intend to have more weight off by the time I go back to the doctor's in October and November 2008.

Daily post for 7-25-08 Day 1

2008-07-25T15:35:00.002-05:00

Day 1:

This is my first full day on a new plan. It started with me getting up at 6 am and taking my sugar reading. It came in at 128. I then got myself ready, ate a simple sandwich, took my medication and then went for a brisk walk. The walk was good. It was a little cool, a little humid. There was a light breeze blowing. I got interesting looks from the neighboring cows as they watched me walk past them on the road. A few people zipped by fast this morning, but a few others actually slowed down to pass me. That made me happier seeing them slow down to pass me. Anyway, the walk lasted a brisk 60 minutes. I covered 4 miles round-trip. After returning from the walk, I took a shower and then did a blood pressure check. Following that, I read the newspaper from yesterday. Then I got ready and went on my errands in Town, including a light lunch. After checking a few things here on the internet, I will stop at Food World to pick up a few items for dinner. Then it's off to home, with more meds for high blood pressure. Planned on doing some reading, then taking my cholesterol medicine. Bedtime is around 10 pm.

Breakfast:
2 slices 40-calorie bread, toasted
1 tbsp meat spread
1 slice low-fat cheddar cheese
4 oz. pomegranite juice
16 oz. water

during walk = 16 oz water w/ crystal light

after walk = 1 whole peach, 16 oz water

Lunch:
2 slices 40-calorie bread
1 tbsp meat spread
16 oz water
3 cups chicken tortilla soup (from Sweet Peppers Deli) in a bread bowl
32 oz water w/ lemon

Dinner:
2 cups mixed salad
1/2 white sliced onion
1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
1/2 tomato, sliced
homemade vinaigrette
1 filet tilapia fish (4 oz)
steamed vegetables
brown rice pilaf w/ onions and bell pepper
1 tbsp diced tomatoes
1 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese
1 glass red wine

Dessert:
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Blood Sugar Reading:
Pre-BK: 128
Pre-L: 102

Exercise:
60 min brisk walking this morning, 4 miles

A Reason for everything

2008-07-25T15:26:00.002-05:00

There is a reson I called yesterday's blog "Day 1".

My reason is this: That is the first day I fully understand what my decisions over the past 10 years have done.

Now, my goals are to:

1. Walk briskly every day at least 60 minutes.
2. Eat a healthy menu consisting of: bread, grains, dairy, vegetables, fruit, protein.
3. Lose weight to better my Blood Sugar Control.
4. Lose weight to get my High Blood Pressure down.
5. Eating a healthy menu will also help me to reduce my cholesterol.

But the biggest goal:

Enjoy Life!

So that is why I am writing an article, which I hope will be published in the local Cullman Times. I will also post it here.

I find that by writing down what I eat, how much I walk, what my sugar is, what my blood pressure is - all of these things hold me accountable. But just writing them down on a sheet of paper is not enough. At the beginning I did a daily blog noting these things. Then I strayed away from it.

But now I am committed to going back to doing a daily blog.

By blogging about what I do every day, not only do I hold myself accountable with what is written, but I hold myself accountable by the fact that others can see what I write. And that is what I am after.

In addition, I want others to be aware of their medical conditions and to make the decision to go the doctor and get checked. Don't wait 10 years before something happens to go to the doctor. Don't wait until you have a heart attack or mini-stroke before you go. Go Now!!!!!

Stay tuned.

Day 1 for new health & Fitness

2008-07-24T16:46:00.002-05:00

Here are the results of the Cardiologists meeting today:

My poor diet 8-10 years ago here where I ate the typical American Diet, finally caught up to me.

She basically stated to me that she sees me as someone who, without diabetes, is a prime candidate for by-pass surgery. That scared me.

So here are her requirements:

Per Requirements of the Cardiologist:

Lose weight NOW!
Watch what you eat and portions!
Keep Dietary Cholesterol less than 200 mg each day.
Walk 1 hour each day briskly!

Why -
I am currently at 299 lbs, officially.
I have a possible problem with sleep apnea (this was back when I was 375). A portion of the heart shows some thickening. This could be a result of sleep apnea. A study will be done at a later time.

I have to get better on my sugar control, try to get the morning number down closer to 100.

I have to get my cholesterol down to less than 100 for the LDL. It currently sits at 148.

Also, when I have insurance for a few months, Dr. Varquez recommended I get an MRI done, to rule out a mini-stroke. She says CAT scans are not that good in detecting mini-strokes and are a general hospital diagnostic test.

Use the TLC Diet for my diet.

That is it.

Next meeting with the cardiologist is in November 2008.

Echocardiogram Clarification

2008-07-23T07:41:00.002-05:00

This is the type of Echocardiogram I had done in the hospital:

Transthoracic echocardiogram. This is a standard, noninvasive echocardiogram. A technician (sonographer) spreads gel on your chest and then presses a device known as a transducer firmly against your skin, aiming an ultrasound beam through your chest to your heart. The transducer records the sound wave echoes your heart produces. A computer converts the echoes into moving images on a monitor. If your lungs or ribs obscure the view, a small amount of intravenous dye may be used to improve the images.

Update

2008-07-23T07:34:00.002-05:00

This morning my sugar was 118, with a reading of 89 yesterday evening before dinner. I am trying to eat mainly salads with no carbs for dinner to see if I can get my sugar down in the mornings.

My weight is still holding at 299.

As for my appointment with my Cardiologist, that is tomorrow afternoon at 1:45 pm. Yesterday at my lunchtime, I gave Cullman Family Practice, who is my primary care doctor group, authorization to send a copy of my medical records to Dr. Varquez's office. Dr Varquez is my cardiologist.

I also asked my mom yesterday about heart disease in the family and she told me that it runs all on my dad's side. Her side has no heart disease. To date, my dad's youngest brother Martin Baeuerle, was the youngest to have a heart attack. My dad started taking meds for hypertension, cholesterol and tryglicerides around 39-40. He died of a heart attack at age 60. I don't know if he had any warning signs as he never spoke openly about his health.

I will do another post tomorrow after the meeting for the update.

Fitness for this week 7/14 to 7/20 2008

2008-07-17T14:54:00.002-05:00

So far this week, I have gone walking 2 times for about 2-3 miles each time. I also have used my indoor Air Rowing machines 2 times for 10-15 minutes each. I am working on getting back up to 30 minutes in one session.

My goal is to go walking each morning for a minimum of 30-40 minutes and up to 1 hour. Also, I am setting a goal of using the Rowering machine every night for 30 minutes.

My overall fitness reward: To do the Cotton Row 5k in Huntsville next year. At a bare minimum, I will run the 2 mile fun run. I am doing this with a friend of mine together, so that is keeping me going.

Heart Rate Monitor

2008-07-17T14:52:00.002-05:00

Last night at CVS, while waiting on a prescription refill, I talked with the Pharmacist about Blood Pressure Monitors and also about Heart Rate monitors found in these watches by "Lite Fitness".

After talking about what I have been going through and what I am needing to do, I decided to purchase a watch that contains the functions of a regular watch and also a heartrate monitor. The heartrate, or pulse, is measured in an EKG form.

I will let you know how it goes.

Next Doctor's Appointment

2008-07-15T16:44:00.001-05:00

My next appointment is coming up on July 24th at 1:45 pm with Dr. Varquez. I will find out the results of my tests done back on June 25, 26 at CRMC.

Keep tuned for results.

Weight Update

2008-07-15T09:29:00.001-05:00

This past Sunday, July 13, 2008, I weighed in at 302 lbs.

This morning, July 15, 2008, I weighed in at 299.5

Finally under 300!

Next stop = 260.

Stay tuned.

Comments from friends

2008-07-08T16:55:00.002-05:00

Comments from friends I got about my recent cardiac event:

Dirk,

Sorry to hear about your health struggles. I want to give you some links you might find helpful, simply because it has helped a lot of people in our family and amongst our friends. Actually, Jennifer is working on becoming a life/nutrition coach because of how this approach changed her life alone.

Links to websites that can help you completely cure heart disease:

http://www.heartattackproof.com
http://www. diseaseproof.com
http://www.DrFuhrman.com

Books worth reading:
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease (Caldwell B. Esselstyn)
The China Study (T. Colin Campbell)
Eat to Live (Joel Fuhrman)

These resources are so much better than the "traditional" MDs' treatments, which don't actually cure anything and really just slow down the damage to the heart that continues over time. Esselstyn and Fuhrman's plans actually heal the heart, and Esselstyn works at the Cleveland Clinic, which invented the heart bypass, and yet his dietary method is actually the preferred treatment over anything else. Also, Fuhrman has an amazing plan for diabetics that also happens to be very heart healthy and gets people completely well from heart disease.Anyhow, just some thoughts in case you want to research something different from the conventional approach (or simply in addition to it!).

Hope you're feeling better!

Jochen
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Dirk,

What in the world happened? I read this e-mail and have been very concerned about you.

Carri
===================================================================
wow young man, watch it !! Listen to your body. Sleep more and sleep healthy. Are you snoring? If so, you don't sleep healthy. Study about that!! Sometimes the heart works too hard when you sleep......anyway don't be crazy with the diet and exersice, do it slow and keep your mind filled with positiv and happy things, eventhough life may not be sooo perfect. Us Germans like to worry about everything and in the end all turns out just fine. Why worry then?
Anyway, hope you have good weekend!
Monika
===================================================================
A few other people sent emails telling me they were concerned and keeping me in their prayers.

I feel blessed to have so many friends.

Lowering Cholesterol

2008-07-08T10:37:00.002-05:00

Use the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet to lower your cholesterol. Following are helpful links for more information on lowering your cholesterol:

Welcome to the Cyber Kitchen

Introduction to the TLC Diet

Step I, Step II and TLC Diets

Ultrasound of the Coratid Arteries

2008-07-07T16:08:00.001-05:00

For more info on "Ultrasound of the Carotid Arteries", click on this link:

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=us-carotid&bhcp=1

Diary entry for 7-7-2008

2008-07-07T15:50:00.002-05:00

Well, this morning started off good. I first woke up at 4:30 am but went back to bed and slept another 30 minutes. Then I got up, did my BP reading, Sugar reading and got dressed. Went walking for 2 miles. Felt good, even though it was somewhat humid and foggy. Come home 45 minutes later, took shower and got ready for work. Made lunch and then ate breakfast. Left at 6:50 am. (Note to self - leave earlier).

Got to work - have been dragging all morning. Don't know what it is. Just feel energy drained. Drinking a lot of water, no coffee. Had one decaf tea, but it did not taste, so I did not finish it.

Dropped off paperwork at CRMC and then ate lunch, thinking I would feel better. Helped for an hour, but now am dragging again.

Just got done with afternoon snack, but still lacking energy.

Here is my menu:

7-7-08 menu

bk:
1 cup cheerios w/ ¾ cup blackberries and 1 cup fat-free milk
1 slice whole wheat bread w/ 1.5 tbsp white chicken spread &
1 tsp creamy horseradish sauce
5.5 oz can v8

L:
1.5 cups mixed green salad
½ cup sliced mushrooms
½ sliced white onion
3 tbsp Italian dressing
kebobs – 4 pieces beef sirloin, squash, zucchini, mushrooms
5.5 oz can v8

snack:
1 can tuna
1.5 tbsp mayonnaise
1.5 tbsp creamy horseradish sauce
½ onion, sliced
dill weed
dash sea salt
dash black pepper

Lots of water today.

Dinner planned:
1 filet tilapia - oven baked
1/2 cup brown rice w/ bell pepper, onion and tomatoes
1/2 cup lentils w/ bell pepper

Walking Log

2008-07-07T12:34:00.002-05:00

Every day I go walking. I now am logging the exercise I do. I do my walking in the mornings, when it is the coolest outside.

Prescription Drugs & Supplements & Vitamins

2008-07-07T12:32:00.001-05:00

Here is a listing of my current medication, vitamins and supplements.

Blood Pressure Log 6-30-08 to 7-6-08

2008-07-07T12:29:00.003-05:00

Description of Echocardiogram

2008-07-03T16:21:00.002-05:00

Description of Cardiac Catheterization (Angiogram)

2008-07-03T14:59:00.002-05:00

For a description of cardiac catheterization (angiogram), click on the following link:

http://www.heartsite.com/html/cardiac_cath.html

Coronary Angiogram

2008-07-03T14:17:00.002-05:00

Here is a diagram and brief description of what was done to me last Thursday afternoon at Cullman Regional Medical Center (CRMC), by Dr. Varquez:

Next Doctor's Visit in 4 weeks

2008-07-02T10:51:00.001-05:00

In 4 weeks I go see Dr. Varquez for an update on her and the tests and angiogram she performed last week on me.

Stay tuned for those results and, hopefully, a reason as to what happened on June 25th.

Lab Work of June 6/19/08

2008-07-02T10:32:00.004-05:00

Update on Doctor's Visit this morning

2008-07-02T10:30:00.002-05:00

I just came back a few minutes ago from the Doctor's office and everything is fine. The Doctor doesn't know what happened last week. When I asked him if I should call him or 911 again if it were to happen again, he said to call him.

I also got the results of my blood work done 1 week ago. Those will be in the next post.

Next visit to D.r Bostick, if nothing else happens, is in 3 months.

Cholesterol Medicine

2008-07-01T14:36:00.001-05:00

Simvastin is the generic name for 2 brands: Vytorin and Zocor.

Check up with Primary Doctor

2008-07-01T13:08:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow, July 2, 2008, I have a check up with my primary care doctor. It will have been 1 week since the event.

Stay tuned for those results.

The Power of Prayer

2008-06-30T14:21:00.002-05:00

This I can say - during the entire time I was in the hospital and the time I spent at my mom's afterwards, I got a warm feeling of friends keeping me in their prayers. During my stay in the hospital, I actually talked with my dad, who had passed away 8 years ago, ir should I say he talked to me. He told me to not slack off and to commit to the changes that I said I would do.

Even this morning aroudn 5 am, I heard his voice in my head telling me to get up and go walking.

Amazing.

Have most of my energy back

2008-06-29T12:54:00.002-05:00

This morning I have gained most of my energy back. I was still a little drained yesterday morning. I felt as if someone was pressing down on my shoulders.

I went with my sister and her family to the Airshow at Huntsville International Airport. It was hot but windy. I did drink a lot of water, but also did get a little light-headed or dizzy at times. I can feel the blood thinner changing the way the blood pressure medicine works.

This morning I started taking my sugar pill again. I will do a reading tonight before dinner and then at bedtime. Tomorrow mornings starts 30-40 minutes of walking before work and then hopefully this week I can meet with the dietitian to plan out an 1800 calorie menu. Its not so bad to spend $100 or so to get this done. Once I can figure out how to make a simple, consistent, and low-cost, yet, healthy 1800-calorie menu, then I can work it out from there.

I will write the menu up here when I have it.

For the next few hours, I will hang out here at my mom's place and then, after the soccer game get driven by my mom back to the office in Cullman, so I can get my car. It has been sitting there since Wednesday early afternoon.

More updates coming ............

Dirk

A Life-Changing Event

2008-06-27T10:43:00.004-05:00

Here is another life-changing event, but on a more serious note:

On Wednesday, June 25, 2008, My day started off normal like other days. I had a good breakfast and a good sugar reading. Went to work at 6:30 am and then started working on projects. At 12 noon I started my lunch period, first going over to Sweet Peppers to get half of my lunch. As I was finishing my lunch around 1:20 pm, I noticed a burning sensation in my left wrist. Over the next few minutes this sensation moved from the wrist up to my elbow. When it started going to the shoulder I got concerned. I got up and left the office, telling the secretary that I was not feeling well, or something like that. As I got outside and started walking to my car, I felt bouts of light-headedness and slight nauscua. About 5 minutes later I made it to my car. I unlocked the car door and opened it, letting hot air get out. While that was happening I leaned against the car, trying to catch my breath. Then I sat in the car and tried to match my breath. I then drove to Cullman Family Practice and immediately upon entering, told the receptionist what happened and then explaining it again to another nurse.

A few minutes later, the nurse called me back. The Doctor that would see me is Dr. Coccis. He asks me what my symptoms were. I give him all the details and he then does a few basic tests, like listening to the heart and lungs. He then orders an EKG. A few minutes after the EKG is done, Dr. Coccis comes back and gives me the results. He says the EKG was not good and not bad. In other words, abnormal. He then recommends me to stay overnight at Cullman Regional Medical Center (CRMC) to have more tests done and keep me under observation. So now I get my boss to drive me over there, once I drive back to the office.

Once at CRMC, after I am checked in and in my room, the nurses and assistants immediately prep my right arm for an IV for later and then go about getting me ready for my first, of many, blood draws. Once I get settled in on the bed, the nurses and assistants hook me up to en EKG. They then tell me that an EKG will be done every 3 to 3 1/2 hours, with the last one around 11 or 11:30 pm. My boss stays until about 4:30 pm, and a little while later my mom arrives. She stayed until nightfall and then went home. That evening, they also do a cat scan of my head, to make sure I did not have a mini stroke.

Needless to say, I watched a little TV for the evening, until Jock came back and brought me a magazine. Every hour I either had a blood sample done, or my sugar was checked, or my blood pressure was checked. But I was kept in excellent care constantly. The last test completed by midnight, I read another 2 hours before falling asleep for some deep sleep, until 4:30 am. At that time, another blood draw was done. I was told it was the last one.

I continued to nap afterwards until about 7 am, when my sugar was tested and an update done. Breakfast was at 8 am, which tasted better than dinner the night before. I only ate half the meal. Around 8:30 to 9 am another nurse came in and prepped me for the echo-cardiogram of the heart and the ultrasound of the carotid arteries in the neck. This procedure lasted about 45 minutes.

Afterwards the assistant to Dr. Varquez arrived and sat down to talk with me. She asked me how I was feeling and then started to ask me what my symptoms were. After explaining to her what started Wednesday after lunch, she then explained to me that it was called an "angina"
She then stated to me that Dr. Varquez has, based on my family history and the symptoms that I already have, requested an angiogram be done to make sure that none of the blood vessels surrounding the heart are blocked.

So around 1 pm I was taken to a lower room to have the procedure done. At the end of the procedure, I was told by Dr. Varquez that all the arteries were clear. I was relieved.

I was sent back to my room to stay flat on my back for 3-4 hours and waited on the Dr. Schendle to come in and start the discharge process. Around 8:45 pm, I was discharged.

Now, in addition to the blood pressure medicine and sugar medicine I am taking, I have to take a baby asperin each day, a blood thinner and also some medication to lower my cholesterol.

This coming week, I will be meeting with my Dietician to work out an 1800 calorie diet given with the items I cannot eat due to my diabetes. I need the dietician's help for this, as I cannot work out a menu myself.

In 1-2 weeks I go to my doctor, Dr. Bostick, for a follow-up visit. Also, in 4-6 weeks I go to see Dr. Varquez for a follow-up visit. By that time, she will explain to me the results from the echocardiogram and the ultra-sounds of the carotid arteries.

Yes, this is a life-changing event. Was I scared? Yes. Was I nervous? Yes. Was I worried? Yes.

But now, knowing some of the results, a sense of calm is falling over me now. I know now what I have to do for the rest of my life to change. Heart disease can be reversed. It is up to me to change.

There is not enough thanks I can give you for listening, caring, praying about me during these past few days. I am indebted to you always and am for ever grateful.

I ask you to leave comments and well wishes on this blog post. If you want to send me a card, my mailing address is:

Dirk Baeuerle
835 County Road 684
Holly Pond, AL 35083

Thanks for caring and listening to my story. A life-changing event.

Now stay with me for the changes to come.

Until then ..............

God Bless,
Dirk

Changes need to be made

2008-06-24T07:52:00.002-05:00

I have noticed that I have gained weight back over the last few weeks.

Therefore, my menu is changing.

I have to get strict again about what I eat and how much and also how much exercise I get.

I was doing so good back when I did control those items, so I am back to the drawingboard on those items.

Stay tuned ...........

Official Readings

2008-06-24T07:49:00.003-05:00

This morning I went to the Doctor's Office to find out my official A1c readings and weight reading.

Officially, since Dec. 6, 2007,

Weight = 312 (up 2 lbs)

Ac1 = 5.8% w/ a sugar reading of 120 at time of test

Back on Dec. 6, 2007 the sugar was 372, so you can see how much I got it under control.

Also, I asked my Doctor about the ranges the sugar needs to be in.

Pre-Breakfast = between 100 and 120

Post meal = between 150-175, although lower is also ok. But no lower than 100.

Diary for 6-23-08

2008-06-23T16:54:00.002-05:00

Well, this morning after sleeping only 5.5 hours, due to watchign a very interesting documentary on Discovery Channel, I checked my sugar after taking a shower and getting dressed. Then I made my breakfast and lunch and left for work.

Had a coffee this morning to try to wake up.

Did not have a rush day this morning at work. Got me a small salad t o have with my lunch that I brought. Good Lunch.

Mid-Afternoon had a snack and a coffee.

Tonight have to drop off an item at Walmart, before heading home to take sugar reading and then have dinner.

Food Intake for today:
Breakfast =
1.5 cups honey-toasted cheerios w/ 1/2 cup fresh blackberries and 1 cup fat-free milk
8 oz of water to take my medication
16 oz. decaf cafe latte w/ whole milk and whipped cream (had this at work this morning)

Lunch =
1.5 cups salad mix with thousand island dressing and 2 small butter crackers
1 cup steamed squash and steamed zucchini slices
1.5 cups homemade stir-fry
16 oz. water

Mid-Afternoon Snack =
grilled cheese sandwich on whole wheat
16 oz. ice coffee w/ milk and whipped cream

Dinner (Planned) =
3-4 cups mixed salad greens, bell pepper, tomato, onion slices, vinaigrette
1 glass red wine

Tomorrow I will start again on my rower - Have to get back into it.

Sugar Readings:
Pre BK = 7:00 a.m. / 127
Pre L = 11:27 a.m. / 100

Note: Sugar reading was higher than normal for me this morning because I had a piece of Jack Daniel's Tipsy Cake last night around 11 pm.

Update on Readings

2008-06-21T19:20:00.003-05:00

Below is a list of readings taken from the last couple of weeks. I am catching on to having lower readings in the mornings and have this happen when I generally eat only salad with a vinegar - oil vinaigrette.

Next week Tuesday Morning (6-24-08) I will meet with Dr. Bostick to go over my blood test results and find out what my first A1c test is, among other tests. I will post those results here when I get them.

For now, though, here are the latest readings, starting with today's:

6-21-08:
5:44 am, 114 (before BK)
3:55 pm, 107 (after lunch)
7:16 pm, 99 (before dinner)

6-20-08:
7:23 am, 116

6-19-08:
5:21 am, 118

6-18-08:
5:56 am, 126
Had too much fish the night before for dinner and not enough salad.

6-17-08:
6:21 am, 96

6-16-08:
6:06 am, 104

6-15-08:
7:25 am, 113
7:11 pm, 123

6-14-08:
6:32 am, 113
5:00 pm, 104

6-13-08:
5:55 am, 102
5:49 pm, 120

6-12-08:
5:57 am, 112

6-11-08:
7:00 am, 110

6-10-08:
5:35 am, 115
5:57 pm, 122

6-9-08:
6:07 am, 100
5:22 pm, 111

6-8-08:
6:57 am, 103

6-7-08:
6:09 am, 105
7:03 pm, 108

6-6-08:
6:07 am, 101

6-5-08:
6:03 am, 100
6:14 pm, 121

6-4-08:
6:45 am, 97
11:54 am, 100
5:00 pm, 137

6-3-08:
6:05 am, 111
12:32 pm, 98
4:58 pm, 114

6-2-08:
6:29 am, 130
5:31 pm, 96
9:29 pm, 118

6-1-08:
6:57 am, 108

5-31-08:
7:14 am, 119

5-30-08:
6:27 am, 118

5-29-08:
7:04 am, 128

5-28-08:
6:33 am, 101
12:22 pm, 98
5:29 pm, 103

Diary posting for 6-3-08

2008-06-04T08:22:00.002-05:00

Well, this morning I felt better. The numbness in my toes was a lot less, which tells me my sugar was down low this morning.

So after taking a shower and dressing and after giving the cat her breakfast, I did a sugar test.

It was 97 this morning. Normally it runs between 111 and 130 in the mornings.

Today's breakfast was a sandwich made with = 2 slices whole wheat WASA Crisp Bread, 1 tbsp horseradish sauce, 1 slice roast beef, 2 slices swiss cheese. I also had a pre-bk snack of 2 slices of smoked turkey breast w/ horseradish sauce and 2 slices of roast beef with horseradish sauce. Also for breakfast was 1/2 a kielbasa sausage.

On my way to work this morning I stopped at a local coffee house and got me a hot tea combination made with Jasmine Green Tea and White Tea.

For lunch today I will have a salad w/ water or tea. More on that later.

For dinner a sandwich like this morning but turkey breast instead of roast beef. I will trink unsweet decaf tea.

Diary Entry for May 28, 2008

2008-05-28T12:40:00.002-05:00

This morning, I felt better. I have noticed my blood pressure get calmer ever since getting a cat as a pet this past Saturday.

This morning my sugar was lower too, although I don't know if that is due to the calmin affect of the pet or because I had a small simple salad with vinaigrette last night.

Here is what my readings have been so far:

Pre-BK:
6:33 am, 101

Pre-L:
12:22 pm, 98

My menu for today is:

Breakfast:
2 sandwiches w/ 2 slices each of 9 grams carb whole wheat bread, 2 slices of cheese (sharp cheddar), 1 slice of bologna, 1 tsp mayonnaise, coffee w/ non-fat cream

Lunch:
Hearring filets marinated in a stone-ground mustard sauce w/ 1 slice WASA Whole Grain bread and 1/2 cup no-sugar added apple sauce for desert

Dinner:
1/2 cucumber (peeled and sliced), 1/2 tomato (cut into wedges), 1/2 bell pepper (sliced) - all with seasoning.
1 cup low-fat mango mousse.

Lots of water between meals.

Diary Update for April 14 to May 27, 2008

2008-05-28T12:25:00.003-05:00

Here are my readings:

April 14:
6:53 am, 129
12:04 pm, 122
3:05 pm, 109

April 15:
6:32 am, 121
7:11 am, 60 (control)
7:12 am, 118 (control)

April 16:
6:47 am, 142
12:32 pm, 121

April 17:
6:39 am, 135
12:05 pm, 129
6:19 pm, 99

April 18:
7:04 am, 118
12:24 pm, 109

April 19:
8:11 am, 126

April 20:
8:35 am, 114

April 21:
7:00 am, 115

April 22:
6:46 am, 117

April 23:
6:24 am, 122

April 25:
6:13 am, 129

April 26:
6:46 am, 135

April 27:
8:06 am, 129

April 28:
7:24 am, 122
11:38 am, 112
11:48 am, 117

April 29:
7:09 am, 129

April 30:
7:43 am, 135
7:45 am, 129

May 1:
7:39 am, 17

May 2:
8:13 am, 136

May 3:
6:52 am, 144

May 4:
7:51 am, 112

May 5:
6:28 am, 98

May 6:
6:10 am, 126

May 7:
6:32 am, 122

May 8:
6:24 am, 130

May 9:
6:25 am, 116

May 10:
8:28 am, 117

May 11:
6:16 am, 144

May 12:
6:19 am, 127

May 13:
6:43 am, 120

May 14:
5:25 am, 111
5:21 pm, 135

May 15:
7:06 am, 118

May 16:
6:09 am, 129
6:35 pm, 113

May 17:
7:35 am, 122

May 18:
6:48 am, 117

May 19:
6:25 am, 127
5:20 pm, 103

May 20:
6:18 am, 130
10:58 pm, 122

May 21:
6:30 am, 133

May 22:
5:45 am, 130

May 23:
7:10 am, 126

May 24:
8:22 am, 120
8:41 pm, 105

May 25:
8:33 am, 122

May 26:
6:08 am, 129

May 27:
6:13 am, 129

NOTE: From April 26 to May 4 I went on vacation to Hilton Head, S.C. with my mom. Ate mainly fish. Had 2-3 sandwiches w/ whole grain bread and cheese. Went bike riding each day for 2 to 2.5 hrs.

Simple Fresh Bean Salad

2008-05-07T16:33:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:

1/3 cup SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1/4 cup capers, drained
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup artichoke hearts, drained
1 (15 ounce) can lima beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup red onion, minced
1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

Directions:
1 Whisk the SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener, vinegar and oil together in a medium mixing bowl. 2 Combine remaining ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add dressing and stir until ingredients are coated. Refrigerate a minimum of 3 hours or overnight before serving

Nutrition Info (per 1/2 cup serving)
Calories 160
Calories from Fat 35
Fat 4g (sat 0g)
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 540mg
Carbohydrate 25g
Fiber 7g Sugar 3g
Protein 7g

Asparagus Slaw

2008-05-07T16:28:00.003-05:00

Asparagus Slaw with Onions
Source: dLife
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Yields: (6) 1/2 cup servings

Ingredients:
1 lb Asparagus
very finely shredded (equal to 4 cups) 1 cup each of both red and white Cabbage
very finely shredded 1/3 cup carrots
chopped parsley
1/4 red onion thinly sliced
2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil, toasted
1/4 tsp white pepper, ground

Directions:
1 To prepare, snap off and discard woody bases from asparagus. Scrape off scales (if desired).
2 In a medium saucepan bring 1 inch of water to boiling. Place asparagus in steamer basket; cover and steam for 4 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Gently rinse with cool water, drain well. Set aside.
3 Combine in a large bowl the green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot, parsley, and onion. Add vinegar, sesame oil, and pepper. Toss gently to coat.
4 Divide asparagus spears among six salad plates. Top with cabbage mixture

6 Servings
87.2 calories / serving
13.1 g carbs/ serving

Vacation results coming

2008-05-07T13:13:00.001-05:00

I will post my vacation results soon.

Fresh or Pre-packaged?

2008-05-07T13:04:00.002-05:00

You know, a lot of people think I eat gourmet because I make every dish fresh and vary my ingredients. Well, I look at it this way - I would rather eat dishes made with fresh ingredients than to get pre-made or fast-food dishes. Why, you might ask? By going fresh - you know what is in there. There are no preservatives, no added sugar, like high-fructose corn syrup, no added salt, no added fats.

Only heart-healthy goodness.

For example, the menu for this week and next consists of - 2 salads = asparagus slaw and 3-bean salad, meat patties with cheese and steamed fish and veggies. The asparagus slaw has asparagus, red & white cabbage and carrots in it, while the 3-bean salad has 3 types of beans, artichoke hearts, capers and onions in it. The meat patties are made from equals parts of veal, turkey and lean beef and will have a filling of goat cheese.

The steamed fish and veggies are just that - simple dishes.

The cost for the items for the salads and patties ran me $53.00. That is cheap in today's prices, yet still allows me to eat healthy.

So my menu is this:
BK = 2 slices of whole wheat bread w/ a slice of cheese / de-caf coffee w/ fat-free milk
L = 1/2 cup salad w/ 1 pattie, 1/2 cup no-sugar added apple sauce, water w/ lemon
D = 1 steamed fish filet w/ 1 cup steamed veggies, 4 oz. wine

Simple, yet I get a variety of servings in each meal.

So am I eating gourmet? Call it gourmet if you want. I call it delicious and different. Why be boring? Why be plain? Spice up your life. Have fun!!!

Comments welcome.

New Update

2008-04-22T14:25:00.001-05:00

New Update coming on April 25, 2008. Stay tuned .......

Diary Entries for April 7 to April 13, 2008

2008-04-10T12:09:00.005-05:00

Here are this weeks entries:

NOTE: All readings taken prior to meal, unless noted

Monday, April 7:
6:40 am, 123

Tuesday, April 8:
6:39 am, 119
5:58 pm, 113

Wednesday, April 9:
7:10 am, 123

Note: I did 15 minutes of air rower before bed. This may have caused me to not sleep well that night.

Thursday, April 10:
7:28 am, 143 (after taking pills and drinking 16 oz. of fat-free milk) (before BK)
12:04 pm, 106

NOTE: I did 25 minutes of Air Rower this morning.

Friday, April 11:
6:32 am, 122
11:58 am, 111
5:53 pm, 106

Saturday, April 12:
7:49 am, 122

NOTE: Saturday was busy running errands trying to get my supplies for the vineyard dripline system.

Sunday, April 13:
7:43 am, 130

NOTE: I worked in the yard for 2-3 hours doing pruning work.

Vacation and BG

2008-04-04T18:53:00.001-05:00

One might think that when one goes on vacation, one also stops taking readings of their sugar. But, as a Diabetic, whether T1 or T2, you cannot do that.

I am planning on going to Hilton Head, S.C. with my mom for one week from April 26 to May 3, 2008. During this time, to which I will not have internet access, I will log everything I eat, quantity and also the BG readings. I will post these results after I get back from vacation.

A1C Test coming up

2008-04-04T18:49:00.002-05:00

On April 24, 2008, I have an appointment with my doctor to find out what my A1C reading will be. It has been 3 months since my diagnosis. I am holding well to the portion control plan, getting exercise at least 1/2 of the week and checking my BG reading daily. To date, unofficially I have dropped from 320 to 297. My BG readings are generally good, except for the mornings where they are still a little high, but I think this is due to the allergies - hayfever. I will ask my doctor at the appointment if he can give me a prescription. I will post the results after that meeting.

broke 300

2008-04-04T10:10:00.002-05:00

As of this morning, the scale in my bathroom showed 297 lb!

I am finally under 300 lb.

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Diary entry for March 31 to April 6, 2008

2008-04-03T12:08:00.003-05:00

Well, this week stars the lawn mowing season. For now, I am using a push mower, not because I am nuts to mow 1.75 acres with a push mower, but because of 2 reasons; (1) The riding mower needs work on the deck and new blades and a new battery and (2) I need the exercise.

Continuing my battle with hayfever allergies, BG readings may be higher than normal. I am getting exercise daily now. Even have a new update on my weight to show this week.

Menu has been simple: cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread for BK, HB egg in mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacktime, salad (cucumber / tomatoe / cheese) & 1/2 roasted chicken for L, 1 pork chop and veggies for dinner. Lots of water and some decaf tea. No coffee.

Here are the BG readings I have so far:

March 31:
7:29 am, 128

April 1:
7:16 am, 116

April 2:
7:48 am, 132

April 3:
6:33 am, 140
11:56 am, 114

Weight as of April 3, 2008: 300 lb.

Note: January 1, 2006, my weight was 375 lb!

My next goal is 280 lb, when I can start adding jogging to my exercise routines.

April 4:
7:18 am, 126 (before BK)
10:15 am, 108 (after BK)
12:58 pm, 104
5:33 pm, 140 (pre-dinner)

April 5:
8:56 am, 115
6:39 pm, 113

April 6:
6:56 am, 125

Diary Readings for MArch 24 - 30, 2008

2008-04-03T12:03:00.002-05:00

This week has been hectic at work, but I am trying my best to get exercise, what how much I eat and what I eat. Here are my BG Readings for this week:

All readings were done pre-meal, unless noted.

March 24 - none were taken this day.

March 25:
7:05 am, 134
1:17 pm, 103

March 26:
6:58 am, 132
12:10 pm, 119

March 27:
7:54 am, 125
11:55 am, 114
6:04 pm, 108

March 28:
7:38 am, 145
12:06 pm, 120

March 29:
6:52 pm, 116

March 30:
8:41 am, 115

Higher readings in morning due to hav fever medicine.

Diary Entry for March 26, 2008

2008-03-26T14:14:00.004-05:00

Today took a break at lunch and went walking - did 2 miles in 34 minutes. That is a record for me. My goal is to do 15 minutes / mile. The terrain I walked on was not all f lat. It was rolly, being that I walked around the Cullman High School Bldgs and ffootball / baseball fields. Temps were around 67-70 degrees, but it felt like 72. Sunny with a slight breeze.

Will go again tomorrow at lunch.

My Menu for today:
Breakfast:
1 cup cereal
1 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup no-sugar added apple sauce
8 oz V8

Mid-Morning Snack:
Hot Green Tea at work

Lunch:
1 slice bread* w/ meat
1 slice bread* w/ goat cheese
1/4 cup tuna (plain)
1/4 cup no-sugar added apple sauce
24 oz. water

*Note: both slices had 1 tsp promise butter

Mid-Afternoon Snack:
raisins, more water

Dinner
small salad
8 oz. salmon filet
8 oz. red wine

March 17 - 25, 2008

2008-03-26T14:05:00.002-05:00

Here is the weekly update:

March 17:
7:07 am, 119
12:08 pm, 100
no evening reading

March 18:
6:48 am, 119
12:00 97 (before walking)
12:57 pm, 112 (after walk / before lunch)
5:30 pm, 110

NOTE: I Walked 2 miles today in 40 minutes time during lunch.

March 19:
6:43 am, 119
12:08 pm, 117
5:45 pm, 103

NOTE: Did a 2 mile walk again at lunch in 35-40 minutes at lunch.

March 20:
7:26 am, 114
12:14 pm, 92
6:05 pm, 96

NOTE: 2 mile walk in 35-40 minutes at lunch.

March 21:
7:17 am, 125
12:06 pm, 101
5:06 pm, 105

NOTE: Started feeling affects of hay-fever today, hence my reading in morning being higher.

March 22:
7:40 am, 120
12:45 pm, 114

March 23:
9:40 am, 132

No readings on March 24

March 25:
7:04 am, 134
1:17 pm, 103

Note: Hay Fever affects BG in mornings.

March 8 - 16, 2008

2008-03-16T17:05:00.002-05:00

March 8:

11:17 am, 121 (after breakfast)

3:02 pm, 111 (after lunch)

6:33 pm, 102 (beforre dinner)

March 9:

8:30 am, 122

5:28 pm, 133*

* Had 1 cookie at lunch

March 10:

6:48 am, 110

12:08 pm, 128 (had 2 mints 1 hour prior to lunch)

1:12 pm, 102 (this after 45 minutes of moderate walking at lunch)

5:00 pm, 98

6:07 pm, 99 (after dinner)

March 11:

6:58 am, 110

12:03 pm, 90 (before exercise and lunch)

Took reading 1 hour after walking moderate (1.97 miles) and BG was 95

March 12:

6:30 am, 139

11:59 am, 105

5:10 pm, 120

9:34 pm, 123

Note: Don't know why so high before bk.

March 13:

6:58 am, 113

11:59 am, 105

5:57 pm, 106

March 14:

6:55 am, 114

11:40 am, 91

3:40 pm, 107

March 15:

8:57 am, 108

March 16:

9:29 am, 130 (I slept longer - also snacked last night on a little raw cabbage & 1/2 cup yogurt)

When the body fights an illness or a cold ....

2008-03-07T12:10:00.002-06:00

Since getting over the flu and now battling sniffles, sneezing and a mild cough, the body can raise the sugar levels just from this fight. So, here are my readings to represent that fight.

Monday, March 3, 2008:
6:08 am, 118
3:07 pm, 102 (after lunch)
5:27 pm, 100

Tuesday, March 4, 2008:
6:40 am, 111
12:07 pm, 102
5:40 pm, 108

Wednesday, March 5, 2008:
648 am, 132
12:06 pm, 106
5:25 pm, 106

Thursday, March 6, 2008:
6:412 am, 146
6:03 pm, 85

Friday, March 7, 2008:
6:49 am, 128
12:10 pm, 108

As for the food, my menu has been rather simple this week. I eat eight 2 slices of WASA crisp bread with a meat spread or cheese slice OR 1 bowl of cold toasted cheerios w/ 2% milk OR 1 bowl of hot low-sugar oatmeal w/ 2% milk for breakfast, then either a tuna salad w/ crackers & apple sauce OR a home-cooked meal for lunch and for dinner usually a home-cooked meal. I have been drinking mainly decaf tea or coffee and lots of water.

I have slowly increased my exercise again. Yesterday morning I did 15 minutes rowing. The day before, I did 15 minutes rowing in the morning and evening, in addition to a 30-minute walk during lunch.

I plan on doing exercise again tonight, as well as this weekend.

Diabetic Supplies

2008-03-03T06:46:00.002-06:00

I found a place yesterday on the internet where I can get my Ultra Touch 2 testing strips cheaper than where I currently get them.

The website is: www.americandiabeteswholesale.com

I currently get my test strips in boxes of 100 at CVS. Using the discount I get from the program MedcoRxDiscountprogram.com, I pay $100.25 for one box of 100 strips.

The site I found, listed one box of the same strips at $69.30. Add $6.95 for shipping and handling and that totals $76.25.

That is a $24 savings.

For a person without health insurance, that is $$$ in the pocket.

March 3, 2008

2008-03-03T06:43:00.002-06:00

This morning is day one of the strict menu and exercise control.

My sugar this morning was where it is normally without exercise in mornings. I feel good today. I feel my energy and strength again. Tonight after work, before dinner, I will do my 30 minutes of rowing exercise. Then continue to clean up house and organize.

BG:
6:08 am, 118

Mennu for today, see prior post. Check back tonight for update on sugar readings and exercise log.

Game Plan for March 3 to March 9, 2008

2008-03-03T06:27:00.005-06:00

This morning I am going back to strict menu control and daily exercise. I am rid of the cold bug I had and have my energy back. My reading this morning is where it normally is without exercise. I also am listing my current weight. My goal is to get my weight down to 300 or less by the end of the month, which would mean a 2 lb drop per week.

Starting weight this morning: 308 lb.

Menu for this week (March 3-9):
Breakfast:
2 slices WASA Crisp bread w/ 1 tbsp meat spread
2 slices WASA Crisp bread w/ 1 tbsp goat cheese & freshly ground black pepper
8 oz. hot green tea
1 small can of low-sodium V8

Mid-Morning Snack:
8 oz. low-carb hot cocoa made with water
1 oz. whole almonds

Lunch:
1 can tuna fish salad w/ whole wheat crackers,
1 small container (1/2 cup) of granny smith apple sauce (no sugar added) by Motts
hot green tea

Mid-Afternoon Snack:
1 oz. whole almonds
hot green tea

Dinner:
1 salmon filet (broiled) w/ cajun spices, steamed broccoli, steamed asparagus
or
1.5 cups of chicken pieces w/mushrooms, leeks & cream (pan-sauteed dish), steamed broccoli
served with hot tea

Exercise:
30 minutes of rowing machine every day, either in morning prior to breakfast or in evening prior to dinner.

Water: 3-4 liters of water during the day, in addition to other meals and beverages.

Weekly Update for Feb. 25 to March 2, 2008

2008-03-03T06:21:00.002-06:00

This week was, I hope, the last week of battling the remnants of the flu / cold bug. The food was low to moderate in intake quantity, mainly being salads and soups. My weight rose by 3 lb since I had no strength to do any significant exercise.

Feb. 25:
7:20 am, 106
12:01 pm, 96
6:48 pm, 94

Feb. 26:
7:07 am, 115
12:59 pm, 92
5:15 pm, 94

Feb. 27:
7:22 am, 127
11:55 am, 109
5:28 pm, 96

Feb. 28:
6:51 am, 129
12:54 pm, 97
5:30 pm, 153

Feb. 29:
6:12 am, 116
11:35 am, 141 (after lunch)
5:56 pm, 104

Mar. 1:
7:58 am, 111
5:27 pm, 99

Mar. 2:
7:18 am, 130
9:33 pm, 109 (after dinner)

All readings, unless noted, were before a meal.

Feeling Different

2008-02-24T08:01:00.002-06:00

They say that one feels different or better when one's BG is in the range in the mornings where it should be. I don't know about feeling better when this happens. I have only once had my morning fasting BG in the range. I did not feel any different then than when it is between 100 and 120 in the mornings. The only difference I feel is that my feet have more feeling and less numbing. This includes more aching pain and less numbing.

Hopefully when my weight goes down some more that the morning fasting BG readings will also go down more in the range.

Last week's weight was staying at 305 pounds. My goal is to get another 20 pounds off before the next doctors meeting in April.

By the way, here are the BG readings since Feb. 22:

Sat, Feb. 23: 8:00 a.m., 135

Sun. Feb 24: 8:02 a.m., 102

I still have a few morning readings that are in the 130's, but this is due to the fact that I am still trying to get rid of the remnants of the flu. I have stopped taking the medication since the coughing is hit and miss now and the sniffles are very minor. But I still get BG readings in the mid-120's to mid-130's in the mornings. I am not eating differently nor have I been eating more than I should have nor do I eat anything I should not eat.

Hopefully, as my body recovers from the flu, the morning readings will get better too. I also am hoping to start exercise, although slowly, again on Monday, Feb. 26, in the mornings. Now that I don't have to be in to work until 8 am, I don't have to get up at 5 am. I noticed that when I was younger, I could get up that early, but now that I am just under 40 yrs old, getting up at 5 am is a little harder. I tend to be more of a late night person than a morning person.

Anyway, today I have to finish moving my computers to the new computer desk location in the middle of the house. This will be the central location for both of my computers (Mac and PC). I will be building a shelf above the computers where I will be storing all things Diabetes, in addition to having a shelf for my architectural information.

Diary Post for Feb. 22, 2008

2008-02-22T06:29:00.001-06:00

Had a long sleep. Feel a little better than last night. Sugar was high this morning but that is because I am still taking the flu medicine. Menu today will be the same as yesterday.

BG:
6:34 a.m., 134

Diary Post for Feb. 21, 2008

2008-02-22T06:27:00.002-06:00

Slept a little better last night. Still battling the flu. Had same menu today as yesterday.

Here are my BG Readings:

6:48 a.m., 109
11:56 a.m., 100
5:01 p.m., 89

Am tired and coughing still. Going to bed early after taking my flu medication.

Diary Entry for Feb. 20, 2008

2008-02-20T09:42:00.003-06:00

Well, slept a full night last night. Went to bed at 9 pm and got up at 6 am. Started doing exercise again in the mornings with the rower machine. I only did 9 minutes 40 seconds this morning and was out of energy but am working my way up to 30 minutes again. Had a good BG reading and a good breakfast. At lunch today it is planned for me to go walking. Lunch is simple. Dinner will also be simple.

Here is my BG:
6:33 a.m., 97 ****

My menu is:
BK = 1 cup plain toasted oats w/ 1 cup plain 2% Kefir and 1 cup 2% milk, hot tea

L = 1 small can Bumble Bee Tuna Salad w/ Crackers, 1 small container (1/2 cup) Granny Smith Apple Applesauce, 1 container 0% Kefir, hot tea

D = 1 bowl (2 cups) homemade beef stew, containere Kefir, hot tea

Lots of water today and hot tea. Maybe a 5g carb hot cocoa.

I will update tonight on BG readings.

Update in BG:
12:05 p.m., 104
12:57 p.m., 91 (after 30 min walk)
5:43 p.m., 81

Diary Entries for Feb. 18 & 19

2008-02-20T09:40:00.002-06:00

These 2 days I was starting to feeling better from the flu. I ate minimal foods, mainly oats for breakfast, soup for lunch and salad for dinner.

My sugars stayed in their normal range for what I had prior to being sick with the flu.

Here are the readings:

Feb 18:
6:53 a.m., 114
12:@6 p.m., 98
6:02 p.m., 87

Feb. 19:
6:35 a.m., 135
5:56 p.m., 110

News Info on eating fruits

2008-02-20T09:35:00.001-06:00

Most citrus fruits have a low glycemic index so if you are trying to lower post-prandial blood glucose levels, they can be a great choice when selecting fruit. As with all carbohydrate foods, you need to count the carbohydrate in your meal plan.

Serving sizes for 15 grams of carbohydrate are:
1 small nectarine or orange (5 oz)
2 small tangerines (8 oz)
1/2 large grapefruit (11 oz)
3/4 cup canned mandarin oranges
1/2 cup of orange or grapefruit juice

Found this great Hot Chocolate Mix

2008-02-18T09:51:00.002-06:00

Made by Nestle
Carb Select, Fat Free with Calcium
Serving Size: 2 tbsp
makes 6-8 fl oz.
5 g carb / serving

Ingredients:
Dairy Product Solids, nonfat milk, cocoa processed with alkali, calcium carbonate, cellulose gum, salt, and less than 2% of artificial flavors, sodium aluminosilicate, sucralose, sodium phosphate, acesulfame potassium

Takes good for a low-carb hot chocolate mix.

I make it with hot water at work.

An Article written by David Mendosa

2008-02-18T07:51:00.001-06:00

Here is an article that David Mendosa wrote on the website: www.healthcentral.com:

http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/20506/announcing-weight/

Check it out!

Thanks David!

Your support continues to guide me each and every day!

Diary Entries for Feb. 16 & 17

2008-02-17T16:12:00.002-06:00

Well, yesterday I was still feeling quite sick, but around the afternoon felt somewhat better. I went out to go walking in the local park and decided to check my sugar. I did not notice that there were a few other people out in the park as well and when I did my sugar check, got reactions such as "Gross!!!" and "Can't you do that at home in private?"

With Diabetes so common now-a-days, I am amazed that these kinds of reactions are still given when someone decides to check their sugar.

I even got this kind of a remark: "If you had taken care of your body when you were younger, you would not have this problem now."

And these remarks came from a person who also had T2 Diabetes.

My hope is for people to get more aware and become more public about diseases like Diabetes. Only thru knowledge and openly admitting that this is a problem can we better treat Diabetes and find a cure.

Knowledge is Power.

Ignorance is dumbness.

Diary Entry for Feb. 14 & 15

2008-02-16T09:10:00.002-06:00

Due to this mild flue / cold, I am getting behind on postings. Here is a posting for 2 days in one.

My food came in pieces, i.e., 6 smaller meals instead of 3 main meals. I had plain oats for cereal, tuna fish for lunch and soup for dinner. Snacks were either nuts or tuna fish or plain kefir.

BG Readings:

Feb. 14:

5:56 am, 116

3:01 p.m., 104

Feb 15:

6:48 a.m., 109

12:32 p.m., 112

3:21 p.m., 99

6:33 p.m., 111

Diary Entry foe Feb. 13, 2008

2008-02-14T06:21:00.003-06:00

Well, after another night of battling this cold, here are my readings for the 13th of February. I went to CVS at Lunch time and got a cough supressant and a decongestant for diabetics. Both are helping slowly. But, as you can see, the body's defensive measures are keeping my BG a little higher than they would be when I am feeling fine and not sick.

BG:

6:13 am, 118

10:05 am, 105

12:23 pm, 105

5:33 pm, 100

9:12 pm, 129

Menu:

BK = bowl of plain cheerios w/ milk

L - smoked turkey and bacon sandwich with lettuce & tomato, bag of sun chips, water

D - grilled avocado & chicken quesadilla, white chicken chili soup, new orleans seafood platter: 1 fillet tilapia, 5 shrimp (both grilled), 1 cup sauteed mushrooms, 1 cup brown rice, water

Diary Entry for Feb. 12, 2008

2008-02-12T07:07:00.000-06:00

I just noticed how hi my sugar was this morning. And I know why - I have a cold. I have been coughing, sneezing, have a stuffed up nose and higher sugar in morning than normal.

BG:

7:06 a.m., 138

I feel like the energy has been drained out of me. I am going to take some cold medicine and go to work, hopefully feeling better at the end of the day.

My weight this morning dropped to 305.8 lb. I weighed 309 lb when I was at the doctor's office on Feb. 1, 2008.

More info later.

8:28 p.m. update:

Lunch today was a green salad w/ grilled terikyaki chicken and ranch dressing and a grilled cheese. I had not tea with that.

Dinner was tomato soup, 1 packet of star kist tuna creations, 4 slices of pot roast w/ johnny's bbq sauce dip.

BG Readings:

10:02 a.m., 104

12:23 p.m., 93 (after walking 10 minutes to and 10 minutes back for getting lunch)

2:30 p.m., 115

5:25 p.m., 115

8:27 p.m., 122

By these readings you can see how a cold affects the BG readings. Normally my BG readings are lower than this.

During the daytime I took Dayquil. Tonight I am taking Nyquil - just so I can sleep and not wake up so much to cough. My voice is about gone.

Diary Entry for Feb. 11, 2008

2008-02-11T08:02:00.000-06:00

Well, after a night dealing terrible skunk odor and going thru nausea and a lot of coughing, I am having to wash my clothes again. If I feel better by noon and the clothes are done by then, I may go in to work.

BG:

7:48 a.m., 115

BK = Beef Broth

I will try to eat something later as I am trying to keep stuff down this morning.

7 p.m. Update for this blog: I did not feel like eating much today. I drank some hot tea, had beef broth twice and had some pot roast in cubes with bbq sauce prior to going into work. I got home around 6 pm, checked my bg and decided to try to make dinner.

BG: 6 p.m., 101

Dinner:

1 packet star kist tuna creations

1 bowl soup

1/4 cup cream cheese

hot tea

Bed will be early tonight, as I did not sleep but not more than 1-2 hours last night. It still smells like skunk, but it is bearable. I hope that the skunks don't have a pow-wow again tonight. As for that problem, I have a person from Critter-Ridder coming tomorrow to investigate if there are skunks under the house. I am hoping that he will find nothing, which would then only cost me $185, but if he finds skunks, then it is and additional $135 per skunk for trapping and removal.

Lovely.

But I still won't move from here. The country has too much to offer for me to leave that easily.

ewwwwwwwwwwwwww

2008-02-11T00:12:00.000-06:00

Skunks!

They look cute, but oh do they stink.

I went to bed at 9:30 pm and light's out at 10 pm. Woke up, first thinking the skunk aroma was strong in my dreams, but, nooooooooooooooooooo.

IT was strong in the house.

Here it is middle of February and I have the doors and windows open and the fan on trying to get the skunk aroma, or at least the stronger aroma, out of the house so I can sleep. I am sitting here in from of my MAC type this blogger, dressed in jeans, a thick pullover shirt, and a winter jacket, because it is very cold outside.

I have had skunk aromas in the past, but never as strong as this. It is so strong it makes you want to puke. I tried to sleep in the car, but the entire outside is also this, so it begs to question - why have the windows open and fan on, right?

The life in the country. The cleaner air and simpler life is good for a diabetic who also has high blood pressure, but this is rediculous.

I went around the house to check for skunks, but did not find any. They probably are having a skunk pow-wow in the woods. They are probably thinking how strong they have to make it to get me out of the area. I don't know what I did to deserve this??

But, it makes for one long night. Not only am I going to lose precious sleep tonight, but now ALL of my clothes smell after skunk. And I just washed some clothes last night. I don't have $$$ growing out of my hair to afford the water and detergent price that I will be incurring to re-wash my clothes. Not to mention the funny looks on my co-worker's faces should I come to work with the state my clothes are in currently. What a lovely excuse for work tomorrow. At least it is a new pay period for me and won't affect what I get this time.

Slowly I can tell the air getting very slightly better here in the living room. But my bedroom is where my bed is, not the living room.

Oh well, I might have to sleep in the living room again.

This is ridiculous. If we would have had ac old winter all the way thru, this skunk problem would not be so bad. But, nooooooooooo, we have to have cold, then warm, then cold, then warm.

It is getting colder in the living room. The air is still skunky, but slowly, and I mean ever-so-slowly, getting to a point where it is not so strong I want to puke. Once that happens I can go to sleep - on the sofa!!!!

healthy & simple snack

2008-02-10T15:45:00.000-06:00

Here is a simply & healthy snack I have been making. Take a slice of WASA crisp bread, spread 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of goat cheese on top. Season with freshly ground back pepper & freshly ground sea salt. Peel a fresh Avocado. Slice it. Place a layer of these slices on top of the cheese. Reseason with the same salt and pepper. Enjoy!

This is delicious. If you don't like goat cheese, use fat-free cream cheese instead. Or use Greek Yogurt or Yogurt cheese.

Try it.

You'll fall over for the taste.

Diary Entry for Feb. 10, 2008

2008-02-10T09:34:00.000-06:00

Well, slept good last night. I can sleep better without the heater on, unless it gets so cold at night that the heater has to stay on for the pipes. I slept until 9 am. Made a simple breakfast and checked my sugar before. It was good. Made the hot cocoa and, you know what, it can really warm your soul up. Today's game plan is to finish the cabin plans. Also work in vineyard pruning the vines. If time left over, then do some cleaning in kitchen. I have a load of laundry going as I type this.

BG:
9:18 a.m., 108

Menu:
BK = 2 slices WASA crisp bread w/ 1 tbsp. cream cheese, hot cocoa (see recipe)

L & D not planned as of this writing. Will update later today.

Hot Cocoa Recipe

2008-02-10T09:31:00.000-06:00

I have just tried a new recipe and it tastes great. I had been looking for a hot cocoa recipe to make, since I love hot cocoa w/ milk. Now I have one.

Ingredients -
3 level tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons of water
1 level tablespoon of Splenda

Directions -

Mix all 3 together into a smooth paste. Add 1/2 mix for every 8 ounces of milk.

Delicious!

Curious about Avocados???

2008-02-09T10:16:00.000-06:00

Since I eat avocados on most days, I decided to post a few links to a site where you can get more info on them.

Enjoy and add them to your menus.

A New Low Carb Food => Avocados

Avocados

Hass Avocados

Diary Entry for Feb. 9, 2008

2008-02-09T08:52:00.000-06:00

This morning, after first getting up at 7 am, was still tired, so I slept for another hour. I got up at 8:15 a.m. Checked my sugar and the started planning my day. I have to go get some eggs, since I am out of milk and milk cost more than eggs. Today I have to finish a house plan for a friend and then get it emailed to another friend to be printed. Then its on to cleaning the house - moving trash out and moving recyclables to the shed for sorting. Tonight I want to start scanning in photos that I have been collecting from past trips. I am working on a website at dot mac and want to post the photos there. Tonight I might watch a movie or read a book.

Menu for today =

BK: 2 eggs, scrambled, with swiss cheese and diced onion, hot green tea

L: salad, tuna flakes, chevre cheese, vinaigrette, hot tea

D: pork and mushroom ragout, veggies, hot tea

During the day - plenty of water

BG =
8:31 a.m., 131

February 5th to 8th, 2008

2008-02-09T08:43:00.000-06:00

This week has been busy at work. On top of that, I have been fighting either a cold or a very slight touch of the flue. All-in-all, I have been keeping my BG in good control. I am still working on getting the reading in the morning down to the range I need and think that that will happen as my weight comes down even more.

Menu has been light = Breakfast has been the fiber one & 2% millk & 1/2 cup fruit bowl, Lunch has been a salad with tuna fish, black olives, blue cheese and a vinaigrette and Dinner has been either fish with veggies, pork tenderloins and veggies or a pork & mushroom rague.

BG Readings for the week:

Feb. 5 = 6:18 am/ 112; 9:32 pm/ 110
Feb. 6 = 11:58 am / 103; 5:31 pm / 98
Feb. 7 = 5:26 am / 129; 7:07 pm / 102
Feb. 8 = 6:33 am / 108; 4:47 pm / 92; 10:28 pm / 122

Diary Entry for Feb. 4, 2008

2008-02-04T06:38:00.000-06:00

Well, this starts a new week. I had a great weekend. I spent time with my mom in Huntsville. She enjoyed having me there. We worked in the backyard together cleaning up from the last storm and from the kiwi cuttings. I helped get her computer running faster as well. Last night I started working on my taxes. I might actually get something back this year, which will go into savings.

My weight this morning showed 306.1 lb. My goal is to get down 20 lb before the next office visit in April.

This mornings glucose was good for me to start with. All this week, fish will be on the menu. I want to eat more fish than other meats.

Menu =
BK: fiber one, 2% milk, 1/4 cup diced fruit, 1 cup kefir, hot tea

L: herrings in wine sauce with white onions, 2 slices wasa crisp bread w/ cream cheese, hot tea

D: salad w/ tuna fish, 1/2 diced avocado, vinaigrette, hot tea

BG:
6:30 a.m., 117 (pre-bk)

Exercise: none this morning.

2/9/08 Update: My BG this evening was 110 at 6:14 p.m.

Diary Entry for Feb. 1 & Doctor's Visit

2008-02-01T07:24:00.001-06:00

Today is the day I go to the doctor. Went out last night. Due to no exercise this morning, my sugar was higher than what I normally have.

Bk and L will be the same as yesterday. Dinner tonight is at mom's. Tomorrow's BK and L are at mom's. Then I am back home for dinner.

BG:
7:15 a.m., 135

I will update this later today on results from Doctor's visit.

10:25 a.m. Update:

Here is the update from the Doctor's visit. As for the HbA1c test, that will be done in 2 months. Doctor Bostick wants to see a 4 month track. My cholesterol is ok. When that test is done, I will also get my cholesterol numbers. Dr. Bostick also told me the ranges I need to be in:
Fasting Glucose Reading: 125-135, but if I can get it closer to 100, that is fine as well.
2 hrs. post meal: 150 or less, with absolute max 175 or less.

He still wants me to have between 45-60 grams carbs per meal. This is needed to make the medication work.

As for my weight update: Officially I have dropped 19 lb. since the last visit, which was Dec. 6, 2007.

As for my ideal weight goal: Dr. Bostick told me 230 lb.

So now my next visit is in 2 months. I go in and get blood work done - HbA1c, cholesterol, etc., and then come back 3 days later to talk to Dr. Bostick.

Update for today @ 9:21 p.m.:
Lunch Menu =
1 tilapia filet, broiled
5 grilled shrimp
1/4 cup parmesan cheese sauce
1 cup steamed broccoli florets
1/2 cup steamed brown rice
1/8 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup grated cheese on top of tomatoes
1.5 cups spinach & artichoke dip
1 handful of tortilla chips
water with lemon (3 glasses), approx. 12 oz. each

Dinner:
1 duck breast
1 duck leg
1 cup cauliflower w/ 1 tbsp butter/bread crumbs sauce
1/2 of a whole sweet potato, peeled and baked
(1) 12 oz. glass of water

Also had 12 oz. of water prior to dinner and one 12 oz. glass of water after dinner.

Diary for Jan. 31

2008-02-01T07:20:00.000-06:00

Jan. 31 was relatively calm at work. Since I did not due exercise this morning like I should have, my BG was up higher.

I had a good salad for lunch and went out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's.

The fish was good but I gotta not eat those pot stickers. I think they increased the sugar some.

BG:
5:45 a.m., 129
9:26 p.m., 129

Menu -
BK = fiber one, milk, orange sections
L = salad with grilled chicken breast, ranch dressing, water w/ lemon
D = asian potstickers, tilapia, grilled shrimp, broccoli, sauteed mushrooms, water w/ lemon

Effect of exercising on BG

2008-02-01T07:18:00.000-06:00

I have noticed that when I don't do my rowing machine in the mornings for 30 minutes how much the sugar goes up. This morning it was 135. Yesterday morning it was 129. When I exercise it is usually between 100 and 110.

You learn thru trial and error.

Exercise update for Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 08

2008-01-31T06:04:00.000-06:00

This weeks exercise has been using air-resistant rowing machine. My gazelle is squeeking too much and is not being used at the moment.

Monday: 30 minutes rower in morning.
Tuesday: 30 minutes rower in morning, 30 minutes in evening
Wednesday: 30 minutes rower in morning
Thursday:
Friday:

Diary Entry for Jan. 30 & 31, 2008

2008-01-31T05:50:00.000-06:00

It is so hard for me to get my morning fasting number down. I can eat practically nothing (basically only protein) the night before and my morning number is still in the range of 100-110. According to the diabetes educator, I should have my glucose in the mornings between 65-99. Maybe it gets better as I drop weight. I have not noticed any reduction yet when I came down from 313 to 307. Tomorrow I am going to the doctor at 8 am to get a full bloodwork done - A1c, cholesterol, tryglycerides, sodium, you name it. I need this info and will post it here.

Yesterday was a little sad. I found out in the morning from my boss that one of the engineers that did drawings for us has died. He was a good friend and fun to talk with. I enjoyed talking with him. I will go to the memorial service on Sunday afternoon. Other than that, it was relatively calm for me at work. I checked my sugar only 2 times yesterday. Same goes for today.

Yesterday, I started with a new breakfast and loved it. For lunch had a salad w/ chicken and for dinner had fish and veggies. Today is same breakfast, a salad for lunch and dinner is not yet planned.

Jan. 30:
Menu -
Breakfast:
Fiber One (1/2 cup) 11 net carbs
2% milk (1/2 cup) 6.5 net carbs
hot tea

Lunch:
Sweet Peppers Deli Grilled Chicken Salad w/ ranch dressing
hot tea

Dinner:
Asian Pot Stickers
Grilled Tilapia
4 Grilled Shrimp
broccoli (steamed)
creamed cauliflower
sauteed button mushrooms
water

Jan 30 BG:
6:36, 107 (after 30 minutes rower)
9:24 p.m., 124 (2 hrs after dinner)

Jan 30:
Menu:
Breakfast:
1 cup Fiber One
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup orange wedges

Lunch:
Salad like yesterday

Dinner:
Fish
veggies

Jan. 30 BG:
5:45 a.m., 129

Weight Loss Update

2008-01-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

This morning's weight was 307.6 lb.

1 week ago, it was 313 lb.

Slowly it is coming down, all due to reduced calories, reduced carbs and exercise daily.

Diary Entry for Jan. 29, 2008

2008-01-29T05:58:00.000-06:00

Did not sleep well last night. I was too tired. This morning after getting up at 5:45 a.m., I checked my sugar. Too high for the morning. I also know why. When you make a dinner later than scheduled and you don't exercise, then the morning BG is up. I could tell that last night before going to bed. I was tired from a long day at work, ate my dinner later than normal, had a higher than normal BG reading post dinner, and this morning the BG was higher than normal. Now I have to get back on track and schedule. I also have to plan to have $10 in my wallet in case dinner is running late again, so I can grab a bite to eat and keep the sugar down.

Today is a good day for me, as it is payday. I have a lot of bills to pay. But that is life. I guess if you don't have bills and a job, you don't have a life. But onward we must go .....

Menu Planned today:

BK - hot oatmeal, hot green tea

L - same as BK

Updated 1/31/07) D - lettuce w/ grilled shrimp & steamed veggies and salsa. a little cheese. water.

5:51 a.m., 133 (way too high) - result of having eaten dinner too late last night & no exercise

11:55 a.m., 115 (pre-lunch)
5:31 p.m., 111 (pre-dinner)