The Man With the Cherry Pie

Yesterday was the day - the day that I went to the Mayo Clinic for my first diabetes consultation appointments since I have had diabetes. It was a rather long day for me. As much as I wanted to listen and take in all of the interesting information they had for me concerning my diabetic health, I found myself just smiling and nodding, but not really paying attention. Oh well. That had been my morning.



Lunch Time: My parents and I decided to eat at the Mayo cafeteria since I had an appointment right after lunch. We got our food (including the biggest portion of tater-tot hotdish I have ever eaten...and consequently, my number was 228 later) and looked for a place to sit. There was a middle aged lady sitting at the end of a table and across from her sat her father, as I later discovered. She quickly invited us to sit with them and we gladly accepted. Her father, an elderly gentleman, sat in a wheelchair and was wearing a plaid, collared shirt with suspenders. I sat next to him. He was intently eating his soup and I noticed that he had a piece of cherry pie on his tray as well. Of course, the sugar-lover that I am, I commented to him that his cherry pie looked tasty. He commented that he wanted chocolate ice cream on it - NOT vanilla...he got chocolate. :)

This man's voice was soft and seemed worn through years of use. His face sported quite a few wrinkles. And I'm sure his hands didn't move as smoothly or effectively as they had in years past. But one thing remained: his faith.

With him and his daughter, my parents and I had some interesting conversations. The daughter asked what my dad did for a living. He responded that he was a pastor. Instantly, the man seemed to light up. He told my dad that that was the most important job in the world. I was surprised by his passion in that statement. But what he said afterward I hope I never forget. He said, "Everyone has a gift to give - it doesn't matter what it is. It's a part of how we were made." He went on talking about this for a minute or two and I was so amazed by what he was saying. His body was failing in different areas, but is his spirit shone through.

After some more conversations and the completion of our meal, it was time to go to the appointment. We bid our farewells and expressed that it was nice to meet them. I spent some time thinking about this short meeting. And as I looked back upon it, I didn't remember the worn, hoarse voice or the wrinkles. I remembered the words and the passion. I remembered the encouragement to my dad that his job was important. And I remembered the encouragement to everyone that no matter who they are, God has given them an incredible gift; a gift that can be used to bring others closer to God. Gifts, as this man put it, are different for every person and we were made for them to be different.


I don't even know this man's name or his life story. But I do know that he must have been going through some tough times for him to be at Mayo at this particular time. Through this experience, I was able to see firsthand exactly what he was talking about. I could see that he had an incredible gift to share as well. His body seemed frail, but nothing was going to stop his passion for his Savior to shine through.

My day was pretty much the same after that. But the words this gentleman spoke stuck with me throughout the day. It affected my outlook on some things and got me thinking. I am so grateful that I got to meet this incredible man and his daughter. I will never forget that man with the cherry pie.

Leslie's Walk At Home

As I've said in previous posts, exercise is a must for not only controlling diabetes, but also in any lifestyle. Here are some reasons why moving in your day is so important: (some are just for diabetics, and some are for everyone :) )


1. Improve blood glucose management. Activity makes your body more sensitive to the insulin you make. Activity also burns glucose (calories). Both actions lower blood glucose. 

2. Lower blood pressure. Activity helps your heart pump stronger and slower.

3. Improve blood fats. Exercise can raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. These changes are heart healthy.

4. Take less insulin or diabetes pills. Activity can lower blood glucose and weight. Both of these may lower how much insulin or diabetes pills you need to take.

5. Lose weight and keep it off. Activity burns calories. If you burn enough calories, you'll trim a few pounds. Stay active and you'll keep the weight off.

6. Lower risk for other health problems. Reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke, some cancers, and bone loss.

7. Gain more energy and sleep better. You'll get better sleep in less time and have more energy, too.

8. Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Work out or walk off daily stress.

9. Build stronger bones and muscles. Weight-bearing activities, such as walking, make bones stronger. Strength-training activities, such as lifting light weights (or even cans of beans), make muscles strong.

10. Be more flexible. Move easier when you are active.

But getting into an exercising routine can be difficult to do. "Easier said than done" seems kind of like an understatement for many of us when it comes to this area in our lives. I believe the most important thing when it comes to physical activity is to just do what is comfortable to you. Find something that works and stick with it. I've experimented with a few different exercise videos, styles, and atmospheres. But some just don't work for me. I've found one that I really like. It provides a good workout for me and sometimes challenges me. It allows me to go at a pace that is safe and comfortable and it is easy and enjoyable for me to get a break in my day to move. 

Leslie Sansone offers a variety of videos which are entitled: "Walk at Home." She usually does miles (I have a five mile DVD) and I choose how many miles I want to do on the particular day. I encourage you to go to her website: http://www.walkathome.com/ She has a blog where you can read about exercise, healthy foods,  healthy lifestyles, and more. There are videos available online if you want to get acquainted with her program. Check it out! :)

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

It would be the understatement of the year to say that I love chocolate. I ADORE chocolate! However, I am a diabetic, so I have had to do a little extra looking to find cookies with high chocolate content but low carb content. I am proud to say that I have found such a cookie! :) These are so good (whether or not you're diabetic)!

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup ( 1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Sugar substitute equal to 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup flour
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons skim milk
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- In medium bowl, beat butter, sugar, and sugar substitute until well blended. (That should take about 3 minutes.)
- Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Alternately add milk and flour mixture to butte and sugar mixture, beating until well blended between additions.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Press flat.
- Bake 7 to 9 minutes or just until set.
- Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack and cool completely.

Nutrition Information: (Per cookie)                        
- Calories: 50
- Protein: 1 gram
- Fat: 3 gram
- Carbohydrate: 5 gram
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
- Sodium: 50 mg

Exchanges:
- 1 vegetable
- 1/2 fat

Peace and Rain

TWO DAYS IN A ROW! Two days in a row it has been cloudy, rainy, and even thundering a little. I love cloudy days...with a passion! These types of days energize and motivate me to get things done. When I wake up in the morning, look out my window, and discover that the sun in nowhere to be seen, it makes me even more excited than usual to face the new day ahead.



Cloudy days are the perfect opportunity to spend the day indoors, unless you like to dance in the rain as I do. :) Probably my favorite part about these dark, exciting days is when I sit in my favorite chair, with my cozy blanket, sipping on my warm, fresh cup of coffee. Usually I have my bible or my current pleasure book (in this situation, The Hobbit) in hand. When small lights and candles are lit all around, it gives me a sense of peace and comfort.


" Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6-7

These are one of my favorite verses. What an amazing promise to us! God gives us the freedom to make our "requests made known to Him." No matter what we are facing today, whether it be stress, fear, or uncertainty, He offers us peace to "guard our hearts and minds." To me, cloudy days are a reminder of that promise. God has given me that sense of peace right when I wake up and look out my window. Thanks be to God for the gift of peace and the blessing of rain!

Low Glycemic Food List

Shortly after returning home from the hospital after discovering that I had diabetes, I did a lot of research into the disease and important foods to incorporate into my "new" diet. I came across this list of low glycemic foods. These things are helpful to keep in mind for those who are diabetic because it can help improve glucose control. This is because all of these foods take a longer time to digest, so the blood sugar levels rise slower than with other foods.
* This article/list was written by Dominique Brooks in 2010. However, most of the information comes from the American Diabetes Association.


Whole Grains
- Causes blood sugar levels to rise more slowly because they contain significant amounts of fiber
- Pasta and converted rice also have a low glycemic index
- Examples: barley, bulgar, and rolled oats

Foods with Protein
- Beans (Ex: peas and lima beans) are high in fiber and protein
- Lean meats and fish have lower glycemic values

Vegetables
- Most vegetables contain fiber
- Selecting fresh or raw vegetables may offer additional benefits for people with diabetes
- Examples: spinach, turnip greens, zucchini, okra, brussel sprouts, and eggplant

Healthy Fats
- Monounsaturated and omega-3 fats
- When consumed in moderation, these foods offer additional health benefits
- Examples: olive oil, flaxseed oil, fish, and nuts

Dairy Products
- Low-fat or nonfat
- Examples: Skim milk, low-fat yogurt (with or without fruit), low-fat cheeses, sour creams, and cottage cheese

Count It All Joy

The bible tells us again and again to be joyful; joyful in...

~ Our Relationships

   - "For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you."                                                                             Philemon 1:7

~ Activities We Participate In
   - "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

~ Serving One Another
   - "For seven days you shall keep the feast to the Lord your God at the place that the Lord will choose, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful." Deuteronomy 16:15

~ Our Lives
   - "Nehemiah said, 'God and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

   ~ Our Heavenly Father
   - "Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!" Psalms 47:1


One of my favorite quotes is as follows:

~ "Joy is that deep settled confidence that God is in control of every area of my life." - Paul Sailhamer

God gives us such an amazing gift: that is that we have the freedom to be joyful in all situations-no matter the circumstance. This doesn't mean that we are laughing and smiling every moment of every day, but it does mean that deep in our hearts we have a contented joy that comes from Jesus Christ alone. This gives us the confidence to face each day with the knowledge, hope, and excitement that comes from following in our loving Father's footsteps along this, our lifelong journey.

Golden Peanut Butter Cookies

Today I tried this new recipe. These cookies are so good! They don't taste at all like diabetic cookies and they are quite healthy. Enjoy one or two on these nice sunny days!


Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- 3/4 cup oat flour
- Sugar substitute equal to 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 2/3 cup peanut butter ( I use all natural Smuckers peanut butter)
- 6 tablespoons margarine or butter
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar ( I used 1/4 cup brown sugar substitute and 1/2 cup regular brown sugar)
- 1/4 cup fat-free egg substitute
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine the flours, sugar substitute, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl and stir to mix well. Set aside.
- Combine the peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer to mix well. Beat in the egg substitute, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture and beat to mix well.

- Shape level teaspoonfuls of the dough into balls and arrange 1-1/2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten each cookie to 1/4 -inch thickness by crisscrossing the tines of a fork. Dip the tines of the fork lightly in sugar between each cookie if desired.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the bottoms of the cookies are golden brown. Remove the cookies and let sit for 2 minutes. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Makes 40 cookies.


Nutritional Information: (Per Serving: 1 Serving = 1 Cookie)


- Calories: 77
- Protein: 2 grams
- Sodium 82 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Fat: 4 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 0.9 grams
- Carbohydrates: 9 grams
- Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat

" Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth." ~ Psalm 50:2