Low Opportunity

Lately I've been turning away from the humble hypoglycemic favourite, the jellybean. Mostly because they come in big bags, and that big bag causes all sorts of problems! Mostly I find it really hard not to stick my hand in for one when I totally don't need to and added to this, I don't seem to be going low much at all lately, so there's even less reason to have an open bag around.

Another problem with jellybeans is ants. Living in Tropical North Queensland means the buggers get into everything, in what seems like seconds. So I can keep them in the pantry in a superdupper air tight container or in the fridge. The second option is flawed. The jellybeans sweat as soon as they come out and it just looks horrible.. plus they are ridiculously hard to eat in the time of need.

Carrying jellybeans in my bag is also problematic, as again, once the packet is open they are not only hard to resist but it seems it is an open invitation for the ants to come to a party. My mother and I have been known to quickly snatch our bags from public view after looking down to see a trail of ants coming out!

So! I've been on the hunt in the candy section of the supermarket to see what else is on offer. Preferably something that is individually wrapped and has 10-15g carb per serve/packet. Also it would be great if the packet was flexible and water proof. Today I found these:

Monsters Inc Character Marshmallows. Now, yes may be they are for kids, buuuuut they have 10g fast acting carbs, are individually wrapped, waterproof, safe from ants, relatively easy to chew (no harder than jellybeans), flexible (can be jammed in my run belt), probably won't melt in my bag, have a long expiry date, and at $3 for a bag of 20 they are a bit of fun and very economical considering they seem to match everything on my wish list.

While I will not be eating these every time I go low, they seem very practical for certain situations. I'm not a fan of highly processed foods consisting of sugar, preservatives and colouring, but when I'm on the go and need a quick hit, I just want straight forward convenience. Plus sometimes it's nice to have a break from the jellybeans.

The only thing missing from here is taste.. I haven't gone low yet to try one... I'll have to post a review later!

I'd love to hear if anyone else feels the same about hunting for convenient low foods and if you've found some nifty ones that don't brake brake the budget.

Blood Glucose Monitors: Do you love yours?

As some of you may have noticed, I was very excited about picking up the new Accu-chek Multiclix at the EXPOsing Diabetes event last weekend. I have a few finger prickers which are exactly that, pricks! I know many of you can sympathise with me when I recall on the times that one has hurt like crazy, resounding through my whole hand. As I'm shaking the pain away in a violent flicking action and dancing on my tippy toes (a proven pain relief technique I'm sure), I've pushed into the pain, only to get enough blood for a flea to test. Even though the lancet was fresh (surprise!).

When I threw it over to you for some feeback I was pleasantly surprised to hear many of you already had the multiclix and loved it. It got me thinking: Why do I use what I use? Do I love my monitor and pricker? Does it make my life easier than a different one would? Well as much as possible... coz quiet honestly I will be very happy to jump on it, smash it and set it off out to sea on a little floating wreath when that cure arrives! - though I imagine I will still have to monitor from time to time... so I really should be working with products I like... we're in this for the long haul.

I have an Optium Xceed, and love it because its relatively small, can test ketones and is so reliable. It doesn't have a fancy coloured screen, carb tacking, iphone capability or a direct link to NASA, but it makes me feel secure. However, I do also use the iBGStar, and it does have most of the above which does actually help me keep by blood sugars on track better. The iBGStar app really is very helpful, when I use it. The iBGStar pricker though, well I found it a bit rough to say the least.

I recently tried the Accu-chek Mobile, but it wasn't for me, too clunky. Though many people love it and for those with spare meters stashed everywhere: home, work, car, school, beside the bed, I hear this one is fantastic as everything is stuck together and nothing can go missing. 

I also have the FreeStyle Lite. It's cute, small and blue and the pricker is tiny (great for running). But, I probably wouldn't pick it over the Optium Xceed, simply because the blood strips are in a barrel... so hard to squash into my handbag and run belt. Whereas the Optium Xceed strips are in individual flat foil packs - also good for longer term freshness if its the spare meter.

The Accu-chek Aviva Expert caught my eye at the expo over the weekend. It did have a fancy coloured screen, a bolus advisor, tracking graphs and alarm capabilities. Best of all, it is from a company that I trust, as it has been an on-and-off part of my whole diabetes journey thus far (in fact, one of the first prickers I ever had was an Accu-chek). I've already heard people singing the praises of Aviva... so maybe that is the meter for me? I'll need to investigate!

As for the Multiclix, I love it. No pain so far - and I find that exciting. Anything to make checking my blood sugar levels easier is warmly welcomed. My only wish would be that it was just that little bit smaller so I can jam it in my bag better... I just can't seem to do without any of that other junk in there...ipod, hand sanitiser, tissues, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, pen, eyeliner, lip balm, wallet...yeah you get the picture - I'm a bit of a girl! (A well prepared girl!)

So what do you use as your Blood Glucose Meter and pricker? Does it make life easier? Do you love it? Why?

Love the size & iphone compatibility, but I have a lack of trust in this one!

This pricker is nice and small.. but the blood strips are hard to run with

I was bored with the grey so took to this meter with pink glitter nail polish... there may be some warranty issues

Blue for diabetes, the FreeStyle Lite

Insane

Who's heard of the Insanity DVD workout? Yeah, well who's then felt the pain that is Insanity!?! For two days now, my new personal trainer, Shaun T has been yelling at me to 'keep going' and 'Dig Deeper'... and well I'm in pain already. No, actually I was already in pain yesterday.

I have been known to buy an exercise DVD before... but more along the lines of 'Just Dance' for the Wii and I think I may have a pilates DVD and a Rock 'n' Roll one which were given to me when I completed programs in the past... but this is nothing like that. It literally starts with a scrolling WARNING almost like the beginning of a Star Wars Movie...just I read it with my jaw dropped to the floor and occasionally giggling 'coz they can't be serious'. Oh yes, yes they are serious.

'The hardest workout ever put on DVD', 'Must check with your physician before starting the program', 'You may need another program to get you in shape before you start'....

So far, diabetes doesn't like Insanity. I've had nothing but high blood sugars. I think though that this is part due to the shock my muscles are in and also I may have a bug, so I'm just going to have to monitor closely over the next few days to decide how to adjust (that's if I can even move properly after another couple of days of this!)

I am however, going to start an exercise log to share with you. I can already tell it won't be perfect and will be marred by ups and downs! If you decide to check it out and have some words of wisdom, please by all means share. There's nothing better than living a level life of great blood sugars while being active!

The exercise log will be a separate tab up the top of this page. It should be up by the end of the week.

When I need to get back on track I... My top five tips

Sometimes life just gets crazy hectic! You know, those days you knew would be busy, but then they run into a week and spill in the the next all while extra jobs, errands and responsibilities seem to pop up from nowhere. The days when I just can't seem to catch a break.

They're the times when, despite my best intentions, I seem to slowly but surely slip out of my good habits (read as 'good diabetes management flies out the window'). There was a time, when I was younger, and had had diabetes a few less years that I seemed to be able to get away with a bit more, but now blood sugar swings are nothing but utterly exhausting, stressful and put me in a downright dumpy mood where everything falls on top of me. So I've identified a couple of steps I take to help me prevent or get out of that downward spiral into diabetes negativity, which I thought I'd share with you:

Fresh Air: The most simple step, yet sometimes it seems insanely difficult to take a couple minutes break I know! Step outside, walk around the block, down the street or to the corner shop. Taking a few deep breaths and specifically concentrating on releasing the tension as I exhale works wonders. Personally, I think walking around the supermarket or shopping centre doesn't count, as it's about 'stepping away' and finding a bit of peace. But if shopping calms and clears your mind, and its the only exercise you think you'll get all day - go for it!

Music: Even just one song can make a difference. It might be a vocal belter, an old school love ballad, nature sounds, or the pan pipes of Peru. I have chosen a song or two for whenever I need to de-stress my mind and let go. Whether singing at the top of your voice (I only do this in car!) or closing your eyes to let the notes wash through you, music is a great way to separate yourself from the issue at hand and defuse the stress.

Schedule Downtime: This is one that I probably consider the most important: a personal must, something that I do every week, whether I know its going to be a busy one or not (because usually it just ends up busy anyway!). The trick though is to act as if the period of time I have selected is taken, as if it were a meeting or an appointment. Really I am making an appointment with myself. Knowing I definitely have some time that is just for me, in which nothing will be expected or demanded of me, helps negate stress when those unexpected things start piling up. My preference is to have a day a week that is just for doing 'whatever', but splitting it into an hour or two a couple of afternoons a week also works well, as it provides little 'pit stops' to refuel as the week goes on.

Drink Tea: Confession time... Sometimes... when I get busy... I eat foods I wouldn't usually (and really really shouldn't)... the typical, evil, on-the-go type processed foods. It doesn't help that I have an account at the office cafe.. which really only sells chips, chocolate & nuts... oh and cans of sugary soft drink... and despite my little food draw at my work desk, when I'm tired, my will power crashes too. So! Tea. Tea helps kill that sweet-toothed, processed food craving monster. I have a whole selection on hand depending on the time of day (caffeine levels): Green, Rooibos, English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Camomile. It is also very calming to sit there sipping, breathing in the hot steam (if you also clutch the cup with both hands and close your eyes, you may get lucky enough that people will think you're a bit odd and actually leave you in peace for a few moments too. Combining with a low hum or rocking motion is optional)

The Big Guns: Time Out & Lifestyle Mapping

Hanging out with your best friend helps too!

These two are for when I really need to stop and take a look at why my blood sugar levels are behaving the way the are. Majority of the time I am out of sync because I have been working unusual long hours, so I am able to take an afternoon or day off as soon as reasonably possible... remembering that health comes second to none. Apart from catching up on house stuff and unwinding, I sometimes also use the time to start lifestyle mapping, which I continue for 1-4 weeks at a time. This is a detailed 'diary' of not just my blood sugar readings, carbs, and insulin (coz' as if that wasn't tedious enough) but also my energy levels, hunger levels, mood, activities (such as work, meetings, new exercise regimes etc etc) & nutritional intake (total calories, fat, protein, sodium, supplements) throughout each day. Sounds involved I know, which is why I can't seem to bring myself to do it everyday of the year, but its great for identifying little adjustments that need to be made, which make a big difference to how I feel overall.

That's my top five!

What do you do to relax? What would you add to my quick tips?

EXPOSing Diabetes Cairns

Yesterday was a big day out for diabetics, Type 1, 2 & 3, in Cairns. Diabetes Queensland hosted 'EXPOSing Diabetes', a one day event with specific programs for Type 1s and Type 2s (and their carers/supporters). So along Fiance and I went.

Topics for Type 1s included Exercise, Mental Health, Travel, Sick Days, Current Management, Carb Counting, Pumping and info about DAQ's services. As much as all the educational stuff sounded interesting, I was most looking forward to seeing which companies had come to set up stalls as well as meeting new fellow T1Ds and their families. Well there wasn't many stalls and the day was so jam packed with presentations that there wasn't much time get to know new people unfortunately!

I have to thank Diabetes Queensland for bringing the event to Cairns though, and I hope that it can grow and develop into an annual or bi-annual date claimer. This might be stating the obvious, but I enjoyed the presentation on exercise the most. The presenter, Allan Bolton was engaging and positive about living well with diabetes through exercise, AND he was a Type 1 himself! If you're interested in making exercise work better for your life with Type 1, I recommend checking out his website: www.ext1d.com.au.

An area which in my opinion could have been discussed much better, was mental health and diabetes. Unfortunately the presenter almost made me feel as though I should be more down about having diabetes and I don't think she spent enough time on how to actually be happier. Some quick everyday tips for better mental health would have been a good starting point.

On a fantastic upside though, I LOVE a freebie and a new free diabetic product is actually pretty exciting to me lol so when Accu-chek gave me their Multiclix lancing device yesterday it quiet simply just about made my day! I'm sure I'll be updating you on my thoughts soon and thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with it on facebook last night. A horrible pricker that feels as though its just shot through the other side of my finger and which at the same time seems to resound through my whole body all the while set on just 1 or 2 sets me off into a right ol' cranky mood of hating diabetes and swearing like a trooper. I'd rather take to my finger manually with a lancet!  I've heard only good things about this one so far.

The pumping sesh was also good because, guess what?!?... I'm seriously considering crossing over and have even booked in for my first real education session (this week!)... the first step before making the change...

All in all a great opportunity with plenty of room to grow. I'm looking forward to next time!

Annnnd just to finish my post off... my WTF moment this morning... 

Still racking my brain as to how I woke up to this! Doesn't diabetes just love keeping everyone on their toes!

One Year Without

June 11th 2013 marked the first year since the passing of Mum. While it was a bit of a tough day to say the least, it was also a timely reminder once again of what's really important in life.



So in memory of Mum, here's some of her words of wisdom and life lessons she left with me.

Be kind to others

Don't take life too seriously

Be fit and active

Fall in love

Surround yourself with good friends

Travel, explore and learn

Find your style and rock it

There's no bad day that can't be fixed by a tiara, a smile & some sparkle

One year has gone by so fast, so much so that I almost can't believe it. I still stop and think that I haven't even really yet got my head around the fact I can't just call Mum when ever I want to. But, I'm in a good place. I'm proud of where I am one year on, and the journey from last June to this June has in many ways been rather incredible. Most importantly I am much better at letting go of matters and people who are draining on my life, which has lead to me to met and connect with many new, beautiful and caring souls. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this blog and the facebook page over the last year. Your support and encouragement has meant the world to me!

Funday Friday

 So SO glad its Friday! And what a way to end a full on week but with a Fun Run! Every time I've gone to blog this week I've felt a bit tired and stumped. So much as gone on since I last blogged, just lots of little things, but it's also a strange time of year for me - having lost Nanna in May 2011 and Mum in June 2012.

Mum with Nanna when she was a teen

This week started well but but soon became hectic when I became full time (unprepared, ill-equipped) doggie sitter on top of unexpected extra hours at work. With dad & brother in China for 2 weeks, my fiance & I have been checking in on the house 2-3 times a day. Unbeknown to us, the dog was barking...all day. The little terror was always quiet as a mouse when ever we arrived, I can only imagine she heard us coming and stopped! A neighbour finally called as they were worried something had happened to dad. I, just like the next person, hate barking dogs, but the thing is, the owners probably just don't know its happening. I wish someone had of said something before it had gone on for 6 whole days! I sincerely apologise to all neighbours of barking dogs, its horrible!

So, I've been juggling work & dog sitting since Wednesday. Mistakenly I thought I could leave her alone for 3 hours yesterday...WRONG!... came home to a note on the front door...

Still had to go to work that night though, and with no where else to take her or anyone to look after her at such short notice, to work she came. She did well, no barking... but alot of pacing the parking lot... dog pee in the car is not what I needed!

Amidst the juggling, Fiance also boarded a plane to Tasmania, requiring a 4.30am drive in (dog came too of course) after an 11pm finish the night before and a ahead of a 10pm finish that night. 'When it rains it pours!'

A beautiful surprise came Thursday though when the love of my life sent a huge bunch of gorgeous flowers to keep me going and 'just because'.






And here we are, finally! Its Friday and what a day already! The fun run kicked off at 7am and I was so excited to be join by the beautiful Julie and Jordana, who had even made their own shirts! We stuck together as a team and finished in about 30mins. No lows or highs!

Old School: Made a shirt with an Iron-on transfer last night.

Run belt ready: Blood meter, strips, pricker, jellybeans, phone & car key

With fellow T1D Jordana and lovely mum Julie

Found another T1 at the finish line, he'd missed the start of the run!

Almost the same as when I started! Very happy, but starting to feel it was going to drop...quick.

Fun run over, time to pick up Bella, a skinny cap & a treat.

The treat! A naughty French Pastry.

Arriving home, a beautiful rainbow appeared! A perfect start to the day.

Check out what runs are coming up next, there's always room for more!