T Minus Two Type Two Diabetes and Other Passions

Mr. Crankypants

When I’m feeling cranky, I get irritated by loud noises, irregular noises, crowding, getting jostled, almost getting run over (wait, that one’s reasonable!), my phone ringing, stupid opinions, these kids today, and the prophecies of Nostradamus.  As I age, the word “curmudgeon” has been known to show up in descriptions of me.  Can I help it that I have Andy Rooney eyebrows?  Someday I’m going to have to get a place with a lawn just so that I can yell at little kids to get off of it.  (A corner lot is probably the best value in that respect.  Even when the kids aren’t actually ON my lawn, I could fume about the “cow path”.)  OK, I really wouldn't yell at little kids.  But apartment living might be a good plan anyway. 

I do find that meditation (or focused breathing, as I sometimes call it) sometimes helps.  It would probably help a lot more if I practiced more regularly. 


Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll close this post -- that ice cream truck is making me NUTS!

Recipes and Cookbooks for Diabetics: Know Your Needs

I have no problem with the publication of cookbooks or recipes intended for diabetics. (Sometimes, collections of such recipes are called "diabetic cookbooks", but as my Twitter friend Tina pointed out, cookbooks can't get diabetes.)  Recipes like this can be very helpful for many, but as with so many issues with diabetes, we need to be thoughtful and informed in choosing what to cook and eat.

The issue is this: people with diabetes (PWDs) have a very wide range of dietary requirements, depending on treatment, other medical conditions, personal philosophy, and other factors.  Some folks on insulin require a small, tightly controlled portion of carbs, while others have more flexiblity as long as the carb content is known.   Because of the vastly increased risk of heart disease that diabetes brings, some folks may need to restrict saturated fat or total fat.  And, of course, many diabetics need to keep an eye on total calories.  Because of diabetes and conditions such as celiac disease can go together, some diabetics may need to avoid wheat flour or other conditions.  And, of course, some PWDs are choosing to avoid some or all animal products.

The key to finding recipes or recipe collections appropriate to you is to know what your needs are and to be able to recognize ingredients that may be a problem for you.  If you feel unsure about this, a visit with a dietician or diabetes educator might be helpful.