Day 10 #HAWMC: Comfort Food

Comfort food...I LOVE me some mashed potatoes!! It took me a while to perfect my potatoes but it was worth the lumpy wait. They are the ultimate in fluffiness and taste. I try not to make them too often as I tend to have them as my main course instead of a side dish.

I also LOVE to bake. Many times I will bake something and not eat any of it. It's just the act of making something for someone that makes me happy. I remember when I was dating my hubby and this new cake mix had just come out. I was dying to try it. So I ended up making it when I got off work one night and drove it to his house 35 minutes away at 10pm to share it with him and his roommate.

I enjoy trying new recipes and cooking. There is something satisfying in creating a meal and having it come out great and it also gives us memories of dinners that maybe didn't turn out that great. I wish I had more time to craft our dinners but let's face it...many nights I'm lucky to get something cooked in time for my family to eat before we are out the door for sports, school events or meetings. In fact my eldest  daughter just asked me to teach her how to cook. I decided that she could plan a menu for one night. Let me know what I need to buy at the grocery and she can own the meal. This should be interesting!! I guess that cooking reminds me of family as we are usually able to gather together at night and enjoy as a family. Sharing our days, our hopes, goals, laughter gathered around a table of love.

Thanks to Google images for this cute diner clip art! 

WEGO blog challenge Day 9 - 'Challenger' #HAWMC

WEGO blog challenge Day 9 -  'Challenger'

Today we are prompted to write about a time we had to overcome a daunting challenge. 

One word...Cancer. 

Skin Cancer as in Basal Cell Carcinoma to be exact. 

The word stigma comes to mind defined as "a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person".

I don't agree in my case as a mark of disgrace. It was and still remains as a mark on my face, but no disgrace.

Twenty one days of radiation therapy kicked it's little ass big time, and as of my last dermatologist appointment was still GONE. Only thing remaining is a scar on my face to be reminded of the battle. The battle I won for now.

One of the hardest parts was getting to the radiation appointments. THAT was a battle that was overcome. The actual hardest part was being the Patient not the Caregiver. I was not used to being on that side of things. 

Surrounding myself with people I love who's advice I take was the key. Not very different with any diagnosis for any reason.

I made it because of them...

WEGO blog challenge Day 8 - Things Remembered #HAWMC

WEGO blog challenge Day 8 - Things Remembered

Today we are asked to write about 'Things Remembered'. What is an item you have kept with you that reminds you of an important time in your life? Whether it was a good day, a stressful time, or a happy moment… why does this item remind you of that period of your life?

One of the few items I have to remember my Dad is a shell casing from one of the 21 rounds fired during his Funeral. One of the few things I have from my Mom is a spitoon. These items have significant meaning to me and how my Parents lived their lives.

My Dad joined the military at the age of 17. He had to get a waiver for his age in order to enlist. He was honored at his funeral services with a 21 gun salute. I had the honor of being able to salute him for real, not just in spirit. This is significant because we  were raised to NOT be violent towards any other human or animal. So having the shell casing is a reminder to treat others as I would want to be treated by them...the "Golden Rule".

My Mom was a chain smoker for most of her adult life. One of the items she left behind is a spitoon, An antique worthy of remembering for after 40 years or so my Mom quit smoking...cold turkey. The importance of remembering that living as healthy of a life as possible is what I get from that. And in fairness to my Mom it was never used for it's intended use.

Day 6 #HAWMC: World Health Day

Today is World Health Day and I am to share with you how diet and nutrition changed after diagnosis. When my middle daughter was 4 years old and we were in the hospital learning how to care for her new diagnosis of T1D we were given the option of bolusing before or after meals. Thinking about her being 4 and a somewhat picky eater I opted for the bolusing after meals. I never wanted food to be a fight meaning I didn't want to have to force her to finish her meal because I had just bolused for the full meal nor did I want to give her smarties or some fast acting carbs instead of her eating her healthy meal. Bottom line I didn't want food to control us. Almost 10 years later she will only bolus before meals if she knows she will eat all of her meal and it ends up being about 1-2 meals a day that she knows she will finish. The others she will bolus immediately after she is done eating. I know it isn't the best as the insulin is behind in working but it works for her. Also, I have never restricted food. She can eat whatever she wants. Both of my T1D girls can. When my middle daughter was younger I may have delayed when she could have a treat but she always was able to get it. So what do I mean by delay? Let's say her blood glucose had been on the higher side throughout the day and we've been pumping insulin in her and have switched out her pump site but for whatever reason her BG wasn't cooperating I would push the water and carb free snacks (if she was hungry) to get her BG down but then when she was in range she was allowed to have her treat. As she has gotten older she makes these choices by herself. She realizes how she feels like total crap when her BG is higher and having a 1/2 cup of ice cream isn't make her feel any better until she is in a good range. My thought is I never wanted her to feel ashamed of eating or sneak food because I restricted it. She's educated enough by living with diabetes for almost 10 years that she knows what to eat and when to delay a higher carb treat. So in our house our kids can have their cake and eat it too with a nice bolus...we call that #bolusworthy. I usually have a nice selection of fruits, veggies and proteins in the house...although not at the moment...I need to go to the grocery! My kids are also very active and exercise is important to them....even if it's just walking around college campus...my kids are always moving. It takes a good balance of nutrition and exercise to help achieve good BG numbers, HOWEVER, you all know that sometimes it just doesn't matter and you will still have funky numbers. But eating right and exercising never hurt anyone!! I am by no means a doctor or dietitian but it works for our family...do what's best for yours!

WEGO blog challenge Day 6 - My hero[s]

WEGO blog challenge Day 6  - My hero[s]

Today's prompt is to write about my hero[s].  Who are they and what makes them awesome in m eyes?

This one is always a tough one for me, as there are many. My Parents, my Father in law, and even a bigger one for all the Parents of children with diabetes.. So as I sat here thinking, I was having a rough time  to come up with just one. Until....

I realized the obvious choice was clear...My fellow partner in crime, [blogger] Jen Hamilton Loving. 

Let me give a couple reasons why. Not only is Jen the Blue Heel Society's Chief Content Manager, she is a Mom. And not just any Mom.

Jen is the Mom of two Type 1 Diabetic Daughters's. That is impressive enough except for this. Jen's Son is a Hemophiliac. So being the Parent of all three extra awesome children should be the icing on the cake.Jen is my hands down favorite for my choice as my Hero. On top of all that...

Jen is writing two blog post's for this years Wego #HAWMC Blog Challenge. One for Blue Heel Society and the other on her Hemophilia Blog , many day's a double posting. 

Did I mention Jen has a 'regular' job, AND works with her local  JDRF as well? Jen also participates in various Community Event's including, running, racing, showing off her Blue Shoes every chance she can.

And lastly for now, Jen is a very awesome Wife to a very awesome Husband. Joe is right there with Jen every step of the way. 

Again, it is hard not to pick all the Parents of Children with diabetes, as well every Child that requires a little extra love. They are my daily hero's, but C'mon...JEN ROCKS!!!!

p.s. all the usage of the word "awesomes" comes with my SoCal language thing I have going on