Diabetes – So How Do I Lose Weight?

Although I did lose 34 pounds a month and ½ before I found out I had diabetes-I still have 50 (according to me) or more (according to the doc) to lose. The problem is—although I have gotten my blood sugar down with the help of the medicine and eating low carb, low calorie, low fat foods—not a single additional pound has come off!! I am getting frustrated!! I remember way back when-I had joined Jenny Craig, they were always telling me I did not eat enough to lose weight----Maybe the same thing is happening now?

Luckily I am also finding that if I cheat just a little I’m still okay. I went out to lunch with my Mom yesterday to the Outback Steakhouse (2 for 1 lunch deal-you gotta love it)-while I was browsing the menu for something I could eat I noticed they now have SALADS—and 1 of them was a steak salad—it was delicious and humongous!! My Mom loved the salmon salad she had as well!! I also indulged and had a couple of pieces of the bread—I tested my blood sugar once I got home and it was 168 –by that evening it was back to 138 (remember I started this journey at 400).


Today I have to go food shopping and maybe besides salad and flax cereal I will buy avocado, imitation crab meat and a couple of steaks—I am also tempted to go back to the Outback Steakhouse and order that steak salad to go!! In reality—that is like 2 meals!!

Taking off weight may take me a while longer then it took me to lower my blood sugar-but I am determined!!

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of the Naughty or Nice hop at Miki's Hope is...

This contest is officially over. Out of 53 entries (Thank you everyone who entered!) the winning comment, selected by Random.org is #19

Yvette said... 19

I have not read any of the books yet but they look wonderful.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
September 23, 2012 7:22 PM

Congratulations Yvette!! Bow all you have to do is reply to the email I will be sending you in a few minutes within 48 hours with your full name and mailing address and I will get this really good book The Pleasure of Your Kiss out to you.

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of the Eclipse Spa Products is......

This contest is officially closed. I just got back from Random.org and out of 250 comments the winning entry is number 55

Erin said... 55

I tweeted! https://twitter.com/EMakingMemories/status/248842524607774720
September 20, 2012 1:57 PM

Congratulations Erin!! Now all the winner has to do is reply to my email within 48 with which sugar scrub, lotion and fragrance she would like (www.eclipsespa.com/micheleb) and her full name and mailing address and I will go in and order for her-these items will be shipped direct from the company.

Thank you again everyone for entering!!

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

This story is told through the memory of a bed ridden gentleman named Jonathan. He and his partner loved each other deeply for many, many years. Their life was perfect until an old college mate of Philip’s named Angie suddenly reappears in their life. Jonathan originally does not like her but she wins him over.

Angie wants Philip to donate his sperm so she can have his baby—however, Philip is sterile due to chemotherapy. After much discussion they decide to use Jonathans sperm.
What occurs after this is ultimately a nightmare which ends in Philip being murdered.

I don’t want to give away the entire storyline—just know that I give it a 10 star rating—the ending is—well just one more lie!!

Here is part of what is written on the back cover:

Philip and Jonathan have had the perfect life together, fulfilling every dream except that of raising a child. Along comes Angela, Phillip's college friend who apparently, conquered . her old demons of obesity and manic-depression.

After reacquainting and becoming good friends, the three decide to have a child together through artificial insemination of Jonathan's sperm

From that point, Phillip and Jonathan's idyllic life begins to unravel. Angela's mask of deceit gradually slips as her pregnancy awakens psychological, and physical problems leaving Philip and Jonathan regretting ever allowing her into their lives.

To see what Rob Kaufman has to say about WHY he wrote this book go to the guest post I did --click here

You can purchase this book - which I highly suggest you do at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other fine bookstores.




I received a paperback copy of this book for review-the opinions are all mine!!

Book Review/Kindle Fire Giveaway-Bottled Abyss–Benjamin Kane Ethridge Ends 10/31

Weird is the only adjective I can use to describe this book and maybe spooky as well!! Herman and Janet Erikson have just lost their daughter. They are devastated and each is grieving in his or her own way. Their dog gets loose and does not return. Herman, who can not face another tragedy goes out to look for his dog-afraid that the dog may have met up with a coyote or other mishap. It is what happens when he finds the dog when things start to get weird. Suddenly we are not in modern times—we enter the realm of Gods and Goddesses and the River Styx—and never return---

That is all I am going to say—this book is well worth reading if you enjoy horror and fantasy combined. It gains momentum as it progresses-and the ending—well----------

This book is sold at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other fine bookstores.

For a chance to win a Kindle Fire from the author-just fill in the the rafflecopter below!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

This contest is officially closed! Congratulations Tabitha-your number 24 was picked by Random.org from a total of 39 entries. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter!

Tabathia said... 24

I am a child of the light
October 2, 2012 8:36 PM

I have to get your full name and address to the publisher by the 18th or the prize (Johnny Depp in Dark Shadows CD) is forfeited!! I will send you an email momentarily which you should respond to quickly!!




Would you like to win a free DVD? Warner Bros Home Entertainment is promoting the release of the film DARK SHADOWS with Johnny Depp.Just click into the are you creepy enough quiz and write your answer in the comments (remember to put your email address in case you are the winner)

Baby Zoe- FREE app for Android and Apple smartphones

I just wanted to let you know about a great new app called Baby Zoe.
Baby Zoe is a free app available for Android and Apple smartphones and
tablets. Baby Zoe is designed to be a parent’s best friend to track
the health and developmental progress of their children while also
documenting the day to day joys of growing up.

The husband and wife team of Rusten and Karen Gomez are putting their
life experiences of raising two energetic and often wild boys to use
to make sure Baby Zoe is a fun and rewarding tool that will help
parents and doctors alike.

Baby Zoe tracks your children’s eating, sleeping and growth progress.
You can also manage photos, associate them with events, and share
information with doctors, babysitters, daycare, and family members.

Baby Zoe can also be used during pregnancy to help moms keep track of
all the important information about the pregnancy and growing baby.

Rusten and Karen are working tirelessly to improve Baby Zoe and
connect it to your doctors’ offices so that the information gathered
can help improve the struggling healthcare system. (Just a small goal
right ☺ ).

Download the app today and check it out. (it’s free!)

Google Play/Android download:

iTunes download:

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

The law requires you to inform the Social Security Administration (SSA) of any improvements in your medical condition over time. This is a necessary step to determine your continuing eligibility for social security disability benefits from the government.
The medical charts your doctor submits during the initial application process usually indicates the prognosis for your condition. It summarizes your health status in three ways namely: expected to improve, possibility of improvement, and unlikely to improve. Therefore, the SSA reviews your disability status periodically based on those three scenarios.

It is possible for the SSA to suspend or reduce your benefits after its first review of your case. Any significant improvement in your condition is grounds for adjustment of disability benefits. The SSA may also revoke your disability benefits if you manage to earn substantial income from other sources.

Nonetheless, the decision by the SSA to adjust or cancel social security disability benefits does not go down well with everyone. You might feel that the action is erroneous and unjustified depending on your current physical status. The good thing is that the department provides for an appeals process to anyone whose disability benefits are suspended.

Disability Benefits Appeals Process
You should contact the local SSA offices immediately when you receive notice of benefits suspension or significant reduction. You may also notify your representative attorney about the situation. The importance of immediate follow-up is that the SSA has specific deadlines for its appeals processes, and any delay could prove detrimental to your case.
For instance, if you want your supplemental security income (SSI) to continue during the appeal stage, the SSA requires you to notify them within ten days of receiving the suspension letter. Failure to submit this request within the stipulated period means that you will not receive SSI until a judge delivers a ruling on your appeal case.

Levels of Appeal
The appeals process aims to review the decision for SSI suspension or reduction, and determine whether it is legally justified. You should communicate your intention to appeal by writing to the SSA within three months of receiving the cancellation letter.
Typically, the appeals process follows the chain below although some states have now removed the first step:

• Reconsideration
• Administrative Law Judge Hearing
• SSA Appeals Council Review
• Federal Court Hearing

If one level fails to settle your case satisfactorily, it progresses to the next one until you exhaust every possible appeal mechanism available. You are entitled to legal representation at all levels of appeal, and the local SSA offices can help you out with this. You can either represent yourself or hire a social security disability benefits attorney for assistance.

One of the big materials in event décor right now is ostrich feathers. They can impart so much style, texture, and sophistication it's easy to see why they are so popular.

If you are thinking about using ostrich feathers at your next event, consider building them into your centerpieces. It doesn't matter if you're planning a wedding, a birthday, a gala they make a glamorous addition.

From the Top
First off, you will want to start with a fairly slender glass vase, roughly two feet tall. This way, even with such a dramatic centerpiece, event attendees won't be visually blocked from other people sharing the table. You will also want the glass to be fully colored internally, so that if you use Floralytes in the stem you'll get good illumination while covering up the “hardware.”


When looking at feathers, color choices are absolutely endless, so it's really up to you if you want to go for a mix of the event’s colors, a bright uniformity, or something more neutral, like white black or beige.


Feathering the Details
Now the fun part, creating your centerpieces. Place a foam bouquet holder at the top of the stem. Then, turning the vase as you go, start pushing the feathers into the bouquet holder. Begin the first layer at the base at a 45-degree angle from the vase, and then switch to a 90-degree angle for the second layer.

The final layer should be somewhat more vertical. Use any remaining feathers to fill in the gaps, and that's it. Each centerpiece should use a minimum of 15 feathers, but you can use as many as 40. If you want to opt for a high number of feathers, use different sizes to achieve the ideal aesthetic. If you want to make sure you're getting the best price and quality for your materials, think about purchasing Do It Yourself centerpiece kits online. Wholesale Event Solutions is a great online vendor. Visit them at http://www.eventswholesale.com.

Keep in mind you can reuse the centerpieces for all kinds of events.


Event planners will definitely want to invest in several, with plenty of additional color choices, but even brides who look forward to entertaining for family and friends will find countless uses for them. By using quality materials, and a simple technique like this, your centerpieces will be truly beautiful and professional, sure to amaze your guests and clients, year after year.

The Pleasure of Your Kiss-Naughty or Nice Giveaway Hop-Ends 9/29

This contest is officially over. Out of 53 entries (Thank you everyone who entered!) the winning comment, selected by Random.org is #19

Yvette said... 19

I have not read any of the books yet but they look wonderful.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
September 23, 2012 7:22 PM

Congratulations Yvette!! Bow all you have to do is reply to the email I will be sending you in a few minutes within 48 hours with your full name and mailing address and I will get this really good book The Pleasure of Your Kiss out to you.

 
The Naughty or Nice Giveaway Hop was organized by Nat @ Reading Romances!

I love Teresa Medeiros' books-they are both a little naughty and a little nice!! The Pleasure of Your Kiss from the back cover:

Legendary adventurer Ashton Burke has roamed the globe for ten years trying to forget the spirited woman he left behind in England. His devil-may-care pursuits are interrupted though, when he reluctantly agrees to retrieve his broyther's kidnapped fiancee from a sultan's harem. Too late he discovers his quarry is none other then Claurunda Cardew, the very same girl who made off with his jaded heart.

]

What you can win here: A paperback copy of The Pleasure of Your Kiss

Number of winners: 1

Open to (INT, US or US/CAN): US only

How to enter
Mandatory: In a comment tell me whether you have ever read any of Teresa Medeiros books
Extra: Follow me on GFC, Twitter, Facebook Like this post, Tweet this post (once daily)-PLEASE MAKE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL IN EACH AND EVERY COMMENT YOU MAKE)

Hop and enter the other giveaways!

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

My Mom can be stubborn. Since she was approx 85 (or before, I forget) she had been complaining about not hearing all the words when she went to the movies or the theatre (which she does a lot!). I told her to go get her hearing checked, which she did. She definitely had age related hearing loss but “was not ready” to get hearing aids. All of her friends who had them really had problems with them-and then there was the cost----well I guess that last year she finally got tired of missing words when people spoke, and having to ask them to repeat themselves. And not hearing what actors were saying REALLY bothered her.

So off to the audiologist she went. I distinctly remember her hemming and hawing about the price (for weeks on end)-the price was steep. I convinced her to go for it anyway-maybe between Medicare and her insurance a lot would be covered. Then she called me—her insurances would cover it all so now she would get the hearing aids (did I mention she is stubborn?) My Mom kept fighting it—they didn’t work—they were uncomfortable—and I had to hear it the entire time. All she kept saying is “if these weren’t free I’d tell her to forget it and take them back”. Her audiologist must have the patience of a saint! Finally the hearing aids were adjusted properly, and my Mom began to wear them more frequently.

Because of hearing aids my Mom can now hear the words in the movies and most other places. She does not have to ask most people to repeat themselves. I say MOST because it seems that I have a very soft voice and she can still barely hear me (wonder if that is actually selective hearing?) Of course she still complains about the background noise in restaurants or while driving. But she did listen when I told her to take them out in a restaurant which was particularly noisy since she can’t hear me anyway—she agreed it worked. Maybe one of these days she will stop fighting them and realize just how much she was missing without them.

Many people agree that loading up on carbohydrates before a trip will help to keep your stomach settled. Bagels, buns and croissants are tasty alternatives to over-the-counter motion sickness drugs, which also contain carbohydrates.
The meals you have before you travel are also important. You should avoid foods that are greasy, salty or spicy, as well as dairy products. In addition, you should also refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol, both of which have been known to trigger motion sickness symptoms.

Take Control of Your Environment

Your view when traveling in a car is crucial to managing your motion sickness symptoms. The front seat is best for adults and the middle of the backseat is a good place for children who are prone to motion sickness when traveling. This allows you to look through the front windshield at sites in the distance, as opposed to watching trees and road signs zipping by the car.

Disagreeable odors can also increase the likelihood of experiencing motion sickness when you travel. Make sure your vehicle is clean and free of unfavorable odors. Use the inside air only option on your air conditioner to prevent outdoor odors from entering the vehicle, and choose your air fresheners wisely.
Breathing exercises are a great way to manage motion sickness and relieve nausea. Take deep breaths, inhaling sharply and exhaling quickly. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Yawning is also an excellent way to open your ducts and let in fresh air, which will help to calm your symptoms.
For many people, motions sickness scares them from the very thought of going on a trip. Yet, one of the best aspects of life is traveling, so it is crucial that you learn how to take control and manage your motion sickness symptoms. By following these few tips and a little planning, you can help keep your dream vacation from turning into your worst nightmare.

Author Maryellen W. hopes that all your travels are safe and enjoyable with your family. She invites you to learn more about staying safe on the road at fullcoverageautoinsurances.com.

And the winner of the Under the Sea Giveaway is...

This contest is officially over. Out if 357 comments the number chosen by Random.org is #6

Vesper Meikle said... 6

Subscribe to via rss

September 13, 2012 9:03 AM



Congratulations! Now all the winner has to do is reply to the email I will send him in just a few minutes within 48 hours and include their paypal url and I will send the $25 to their paypal account.

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Eclipse Spa Products (apr $60)-Gifts for my Girlfriends-Ends 9/27

This contest is officially closed. I just got back from Random.org and out of 250 comments the winning entry is number 55

Erin said... 55

I tweeted! https://twitter.com/EMakingMemories/status/248842524607774720
September 20, 2012 1:57 PM

Congratulations Erin!! Now all the winner has to do is reply to my email within 48 with which sugar scrub, lotion and fragrance she would like (www.eclipsespa.com/micheleb) and her full name and mailing address and I will go in and order for her-these items will be shipped direct from the company.

Thank you agaun everyone for entering!!

Welcome to the Gifts For My Girlfriends Giveaway Hop hosted by BloggerPR! September is Women’s Friendship Month. This event was put together to highlight some of the best gift giving ideas for our girlfriends! Our bloggers have some amazing giveaways that your girlfriends or you will love!

What better gift could you give your girlfriend then relaxation or a day at a spa? Well, since that is way too expensive-how about some luxurious spa type products.
For this giveaway Miki's Hope is giving one lucky winner Eclipse Spa products. You will be able to choose one sugar scrub, one lotion and one fragrance roll-on in your choice of scents! This has an approx retail value of $60.00.

To win this Eclipse Spa gift pack - here is what you have to do

Mandatory: In a comment please put your name and email address

Extra: Follow me in as many ways as you wish-put each in a
separate comment which will increase your chances of winning
that includes your name and email address- GFC, Twitter, RSS/email.
You may also tweet once a day!

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Diabetes – A Continuing Saga

Well, I went to the Doctor today. My blood Sugar was 212 –lots better then the 400!! And my blood pressure is back to normal. I still have a long way to go-The blood sugar should be around 125 I think. At least that is what my client (she is a nurse told me)-She also told me that I should be eating around 1800 calories a day (I neglected to tell her I am coming no where near that amount!) The doctor finally told me I could eat approx 100 Carbs a day. They both told me to eat high protein foods so there are 9 eggs being hard boiled at the moment. (72 Calories each 0 Carbs) I am not really an egg eater but can eat them hard boiled. Thankfully the FDA changed their directive-Used to be that eggs were no good for you—now they are good for you and won’t hurt you!! Live long enough and everything changes back!! I figured out by myself that I have to eat something about every two hours so I don’t feel like I am starving.

So now I am going to have to figure out how to increase my caloric intake (so I can lose weight) while watching carbs. I know from way back when that if you don’t eat enough you will NOT lose weight—back to the drawing board I go.

Till next time----------------

She better find sumting I like!!

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Amd the winner of the Milk Unleashed Giveaway is...

This contest is officially closed. Random.or picked #4

Mnemosyne said... 4

We are the Ready Freddy Fam

September 13, 2012 9:02 AM

Congratulations!! Now this winner has to get back to me FAST with their full name and mailing address!! Milk Unleashed needs the info by the 20th in order to send the winnings!!

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Guest Post -When You’ve Heard The Three Dreaded Words, “You Have Cancer!”

My cousin, Sharon, just went through diagnosis, treatment and surgery for Breast Cancer-I saw her today-she is home. I just want to say that she had the best attitude throughout this entire ordeal and I believe it made a world of difference. This book will help you do the same!

I asked Catherine L. Doughty to write a guest post -she did a marvelous job-and I suggest you go get a copy of her book!!

When you’ve heard the three dreaded words, “You Have Cancer!” At the very least, you are tortured and twisted up with a thousand different thoughts and spiraling down as many dead end paths. Let me give you a glimpse of your new reality, “You have just fallen into the cosmic cancer bunny hole. Cancer is now your prism and you need to deal with decision making in an uncertain decision space.” You need to know where to start and quickly begin to navigate your way out of this medical nightmare, get your life back in control, and have a rocking hot good time! Am I right? Of course, I am! I have been right where you are, I was the guy that heard the three dreaded words, and this is what I did about it!

Stay with me because you are going to be able to solve your cancer situation, laugh your head off, and feel mighty and powerful throughout the entire process as you step out into the unknown, unknown and begin to live your life through the prism of uncertainty. You will learn how to use a state of the art thought provoking strategy known as scientific methodology which anyone with any stage of breast cancer who wants get their life back in control and look absolutely stunning can implement.

I am Catherine L. Doughty, MS, CCHI, affectionately known as Cat, an award winning author, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a Director of Diagnostic Imaging and mother of two young children. I am also a breast cancer survivor who has secured significant physician endorsements and laudatory applause for the brand new award winning book, Breast Cancer! You’re kidding…right? Living Life Through The Prism Of Uncertainty And Having A Good Time!

Why did I write this book? I have done so much volunteer cancer coaching and needed my story in book form. Along with the story, the step by step approach with all of the forms, discussion documents, matrices, and clinical consultation worksheets and how to implement them in a breast cancer crisis. To let overwhelmed, exhausted peeps know that there is a proven strategy. I tell them for right now this second, “Quit your crying!” “This will take you ninety minutes to read from cover to cover and it will give you the conduit to the catnip to solve your cancer situation.”

After a while the news began to hit the wires, and I had received significant laudatory applause and physician endorsements. Everyone began seeking the science behind this Earth-shattering new award winning book. “Honestly, it’s the simplicity – no scholarly science, just pure scientific methodology and remarkable craftsmanship.” I have prepared one of the most dramatic revealing books for anyone dealing with this dreaded disease and expertly designed it to make the reader pause and reflect on their brilliance, and ability to defeat the disease with a proven strategy.

You will be on the edge of your seat with every single word. It captures the reader from beginning to end, and makes them want to live their life through the prism of uncertainty and have one rocking hot good time. This is an adrenaline thrill ride from start to finish, that you cannot put down.

The book is available worldwide, including Amazon.com, both paperback and Kindle versions
Barnes and Noble, and through your favorite online or brick-and-mortar bookstore.

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

$100 Cash Giveaway-USA, Canada, UK and Australia-Ends 9/23

Welcome to the $100 Cash Giveaway!

Hosted by Giveaway Promote.

Sponsored by RewardIt.

In just three months, RewardIt has made over 100 people winners. They are looking forward to launching their full site very soon so that they can make even more people winners.

RewardIt will allow users to earn virtual currency called Reward$ just by searching the web, playing games, watching videos, redeeming coupons and much more!

---

Enter to win $100 Cash via PayPal.

Open in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia.

Ends at 11:59pm EST on September 23rd, 2012.

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of The Serpents Bite by Warren Adler is...

The contest for The Serpents Bite by Warren Adler is officially over. The number picked by random.org is #7

Carol M said... 7

https://twitter.com/CarolAnnM/status/239728380310863873
August 26, 2012 10:18 AM

Congratulations Carol! Now all you will have to do within 48 hours is respond to the email I will be sending you in just a few minutes with your full name and mailing address. Once I receive it I will forward it on to the publisher who will be sending you the book directly!

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of Portrait of a Spy is...

This contest is officially over. I just got back from Random.org and the winning number is #21

Lily @MilitaryFamOf8 said... 21

following David's page on twitter from @militaryfamof8
August 22, 2012 10:33 PM

Congratulations Lily! Now all you have to do is respond to the email I am about to send within 48 hours with your full name and mailing address and I will send you my copy of Portrait of a Spy!

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Happy 62nd Birthday-You Have Type 2 Diabetes

Yup, that was the news I heard from my doctor the day before my 62nd birthday. My blood sugar reading was 400! He handed me a prescription for Glucophage, test strips and lancets and a meter that I will have to return to him because my insurance would not cover the test strips for that one. He also wrote down what I could eat—unfortunately it was not enough for my body weight and for a day or so I was constantly dizzy. More about that later. He told me to come back in a week. I was in a semi state of shock and did not ask any questions. Additionally, probably because of the diabetes, my once too low blood pressure is now too high. The only good news is that I have lost 34 pounds. The bad news-I lost it in 1 ½ months. 1 ½ months ago I suffered extreme heat stroke when the fan in my car stopped working and I was stuck in traffic for 2 hours without air conditioning-the temp outside the car was about 101. My doctor will not rule this out as the trigger that set off the diabetes.

Once I finally got home and attempted to read the instructions for just how to use the meter and put it together etc-I knew I was in trouble!! I am not mechanical by any means of the imagination and the pics they used, for me at least were worthless!! I was going to work in NJ the next day and I knew there were at least two people there who could help me, so I stashed the meter and accessories in my pocketbook! No sense getting my blood pressure any higher then it already was! I called a couple of the people there to warn them—and to please do not buy me a birthday cake-but it was too late—I had let a group of friends in a private FB group know I was going to the doctor and they wanted to know how it went—so I told them. Help was being offered all over the place-websites to visit-offers to help me-what a great bunch of ladies! I asked then to please give me a day to let it sink into my head that I was diabetic and my life style was about to change literally overnight. This had happened once before-I have a bad gallbladder but control it by diet-I could do this again.

So I got to work on my birthday 9/13-my boss actually made it in before me-he was scared that I would end up in the hospital like a previous employee—the smile on his face when I walked in was priceless!! It took a while to get to my office-had to keep explaining along the hallway—then I unlocked my office door to a gigantic box on my desk—the accounting department had bought me a mini refrigerator-it was supposed to be for my apt but I have no room for it (they knew that my big refrig doesn’t work too well anymore). I looked at it and said—this will save me!! I had them set it up in my office and then I went shopping and stocked it with skim milk, yogurt and fresh fruit and a big box of Cheerios!! The refrig that is in the kitchen has to be cleaned out every Friday-this way I could keep things there over the weekend. Now all I have to worry about is Mondays and Wednesdays (and the weekends). I did manage to do a little shopping last night—bought some frozen veggies, a can of tuna and some Wasa bread (which the doctor said I could eat.)—So last night I shared the can of tuna with Baby and ate a box of brussel sprouts-it was almost too much for me—but I was very happy when I took my blood sugar 2 hours later and it really hadn’t gone up (still can’t convince myself to record anything)—Then this morning-before I ate—297!!!

(she dint offer--I had to hep meself)

For my next post in this continuing saga I will tell you what I learned about body weight and the amount of carbs AND calories you should be consuming if diabetic. Turns out I was eating too little!!

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Gifts to Bring Your Thanksgiving Hostess or for Halloween!

It is not often easy to decide what you should bring your hostess on Thanksgiving or at any other time of the year or for any other occasion for that matter! I have decided to share some of my affiliate links with my blog followers, some of which have only been seen on my website Betterthenthebest.

I Love SWEETS------not so good for my lifelong diet----but what the heck—we all gotta cheat sometimes!! I LOVE pies, but I think I’ll let our hostesses bake them, or I’ll head over to Grandma’s ( a store) and pick up the best pumpkin pie ever!! If I had to pick a favorite dessert—JELLO comes first and then pumpkin pie!! Candy is a definite weakness of mine as well as my fellow workers in NJ!!

For all the coffee lovers I have (I do have coffee sites on my website)

Coffeecakes.com-these look really good!!




Tea Lovers?

Adagio Tea-some of the best tea I have tried!!




Candy & Chocolate Lovers?

Lindt's Chocolate-can you spell Truffles?




Sendfudge.com –this site has over 40 varieties of Fudge-will make your mouth water



Jelly Belly-my fav is the Sunkist Jells




Old Time Candy- all those candies you loved as a kid




Dan’s Chocolate-always good, and I recommend their Truffles!!




Want something a bit more healthy?

Hale Groves




I have lots more on my website including Gifts and stocking stuffers and will be cleaning that up and adding more as the season progresses.

Want to learn more? Just click on the pics above and they will take you directly to my affiliate link!!

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.