'Oy- Vey, Gobble, Gobble, It's A Special Time Of Year…..'

This video cracked me up and made me smile!

I'm so very thankful for my entire #diabetes #doc #dsma family!
 Wishing you all lots of laughter, love & boatloads of 
thankfulness for family & friends of all faiths & cultures~ 

Also: Keep an eye on the boy who plays the Narrator - He's going places! 

Being Thankful & Paying It Forward~

Insulin was discovered in 1921 and in 1922, Leonard Thompson
was the first person with diabetes to receive the gift of life via insulin.
Since then, insulin has saved millions of lives -Including mine & yours.
I'm incredibly thankful for the discovery of insulin & equally thankful to have access to insulin. 

Unfortunately 92 years later, there are still people in this world who don't have access to insulin, mind-blowing & sad, but true.
If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and check out Kerri's blog today & see how you can help change that.
Pay it forward and save a life - You'll be thankful you did - And so will the people whose lives you help to save~

Medivizor & AmazonSmile: 2 Companies Supporting 2 Diabetes Non Profits During The Holidays

So as the holidays approach (can you believe that Thanksgiving is in two days?!) and I’m so thankful for the Diabetes Online Community and the people in it.

Thanks to the DOC and organizations like Diabetes Hands Foundation & Insulindependence & I’m becoming a better version of myself as a PWD and as a person general. 

In the past 24 hours I’ve been informed of two ways, two different companies are helping to support the above mentioned diabetes orgs during the holidays. 

 Medivizor.com will donate 1$ to The Diabetes Hands Foundation for every new sign up  they get from a person with diabetes, now through New Years Day, 2014.  

I think it’s a really positive way to give back to a diabetes organization that does so much for so many living with diabetes. 

I love the Diabetes Hands Foundation and really like Medivizor and I've written about them in the past. 

I like that Medivizor keeps all the latest diabetes articles in studies in one place - And out of my overflowing inbox. 

I like that signing up for Medivizor is free - And you bet I like to see a health related company give back to the very patients that they say they’re trying to help. 

Next: The Holiday season means many of us will be buying gifts online, including me. 

Except this year I’ll be making a lot of my purchases on Amazonsmile where 0.05 percent of my purchases (and yours too if you sign-up,) will go to Insulindependence. 

I LOVE the folks at Insulindependence and I learned so freaking much about diabetes and exercise when I attended their Philly event last weekend - And I had a great time!

Diabetes and exercise can be a tricky blood sugar dance, regardless of whether your athletic abilities are hardcore or weekend warrior.

And I love that even though I’m not the greatest athlete in the world Insulindependence inspires me & helps me get my diabetes game on - And the people are awesome!

Little donations make huge waves  & Bravo to AmazonSmile for supporting patient non-profits!

Here’s the Amazonsmile order/ donation breakdown by the numbers: 

5% of 25.00   =  1.25

5% of 50.00   = 2.50

5% of 75.00  = 3.75

5% of 100.00 = 5.00

5% of 125.00 = 6.25

5% of 150.00 = 7.50

5% of 175.00 = 8.75

5% of 200.00 =    10.00

And so on…. I’m stopping at $200 because: 

A. I'm on a budget

B. Math tends to hurt my head after a while. 

More companies helping more diabetes orgs to follow - I plan on posting about this subject weekly during the holiday season~ 

You Know That Black Bean & Chorizo soup I Mentioned Yesterday? Here It Is!

So this is the Black Bean & Chorizo soup that I mentioned in yesterday's post.   

I made the soup at the end of October and it was AMAZING - And not terribly difficult to make. 

It was quite filling and easy on the blood sugars and the leftovers froze really well. 

You can also skip the chorizo and make a completely vegetarian by adding more veggies into the mix and sautéing said veggies in olive oil. 

I changed the original recipe and made it my own - And I hope you like it!

INGREDIENTS: 

8 to 10 ounces of mexican chorizo sausage

1 large yellow onion diced in medium chunks

1 large yellow/red/orange or green sweet pepper diced into medium chunks

3 to 4 cloves of minced garlic 

2 or 3 Bay leaves to remove the musical element from the black beans

Three to four 15 ounce cans of black beans - drained & rinsed

One 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes - fire roasted if you can find them

One 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes (drained) 

a few tables spoons of tomato paste 

2 to 4 cups of vegetable broth (I use organic) depending upon the soup consistency that suits your palate. 

1 whole chopped chipotle chili pepper in adobe. 

I used one and a half, but I like things REALLY spicy.

Chipotle chile in adobe is really spicy & salty - I chopped and added the first chili to the mix and then as the soup simmered I added more to taste. 

Also, no need to add salt to the soup - the adobe chili has enough salt for the whole soup.

1 teaspoon of cumin

1 teaspoon of coriander 

1 teaspoon of turmeric 

Fresh squeezed lime juice to taste - It gives it pop! 

guacamole or diced avocados 

Chopped cilantro generously sprinkled as a garnish!

In a frying pan, remove the chorizo from it's casing ( it's that membrane type of thing that hold the sausage together) and saute  until cooked. 

Remove chorizo with a slotted spoon into a separate dish and leave about 2 tablespoons of the chorizo fat in the pan, reserve the rest. 

Add the chopped onion, yellow pepper and garlic into the pan,sautéing over medium heat until the onions are translucent - And don't forget to stir up the mixture - Add the reserved chorizo fat as needed

Here's a picture of how the veggies should look~

Next, take all the ingredients ( except for the lime, cilantro and guacamole/diced avocados) and put into a dutch oven or a big, deep pot and simmer on medium for about 15 minutes - stirring intermittently. 

After 15 minutes, switch to a low simmer for 45 minutes - Stirring occasionally.

I partially covered the pot - but you don't have to.

Also, you can simmer the soup on the lowest of the low, for a couple of hours as long as you stick around to give the soup a good whirl when needed.

THIS IS WHAT the simmery deliciousness like: 

When you're ready to eat, transfer some soup into a bowl, add a tablespoon of guacamole on top (FTR: I had every intention of using diced avocado, but when I sliced into the sucker it had gone bad,) a generous dusting of diced cilantro and fresh fat lime wedge lavishly squeezed into the mix!

TA- DA!!!

I had no blood sugar issues with this soup. 

I did add a couple extra tablespoons of vegetable broth to the mix every time reheated it.

When I froze the leftover soup and then reheated it, I found a slight change to the texture, but the taste was still amazing. 

As far as a nutritional breakdown, I don't have one - I loused for between 30 and 40 carbs depending on what soup bowl I was using. 

Grazing, As In: I'm Guilty!

I wounder if Kung-Fu-Cow has grazing issues? 

Grazing while making dinner, it's a thing and I'm guilty of it a lot as of late.
I normally don't graze throughout the day - Actually, I'm not that hungry during the day.

I have coffee at breakfast and sometimes a yogurt with fruit or a kind bar, maybe a yogurt or a half of sandwich at lunch and sometimes, something light around 3. 

But for the most part - I'm not hungry.

Dinner as of late, well that's a different story. 

By the time I get home, I'm hungry - And have absolutely every intention of creating a fabulous meal. 

But then I start grazing (and bolusing for) cheese and crackers or pita chips and hummus, and as long as I'm being all honest, peanut butter and jam piled up high on a spoon with vanilla almond milk is really starting to become a problem.
And by the time I'm done grazing, I just don't feel like cooking - or eating for that matter. 

It used to be easier when I lived with someone - I love cooking for others, but for some reason it feels like a chore for just me.
The Spring,  Summer & Summer into Fall are so much easier - I seem to crave healthy foods and cooking and I make all sorts of delicious from the garden salads, bbq 7 fish dishes.

Winter - Not so much.

Yep, I'm in a grazing food funk.

Still, I try and making a big pot of homemade & healthy soup or chili every Sunday throughout the fall and winter for many reasons: 

A, I'm really good at making homemade soups - like REALLY GOOD - Stop by the tomorrow for my blackbean & chorizo soup recipe.

B. Soup covers a good two or thee dinners in a row for me, sometimes more. 

C. Soup cuts the grazing time substantially because all I need to do is make a prepare something veggiful and reheat my soup.

D. Soup tastes even better the next day - And the day after that

E. When I do get tired of the soup, I freeze what's leftover & am usually inspired to make a meal - Like a quiche or  Or I go out.

F. Did I mention I'm really good at making soups? 

But the past 3 weeks between traveling, day trips for work and on the weekend, my soup making has gone to the wayside - Along with healthy dinners.

I used to be all about the dip and veggies when it came to grazing  - And for some reason - that's stopped to. 

But after a graze fest of epic proportions last night that were followed by bitch blood sugars - This dinner time grazing must come to an end. And I want to get back to 

I can't be the only one  - Anyone have any advice when it comes to grazing? 

Also: MOO

I Can't Walk Away From Diabetes…...

I wish that people would take the time to get diabetes right in all its dimensions - And remember that it's not what you say, but it's how you say it - And that diabetes, regardless of the type, isn't a choice or a character flaw~
######

I can’t walk away from diabetes, but if I could, I totally would. 

Hell, I’d run away from diabetes and and never look back if it were physically possible. 

I’d climb Everest and scream from the top: SO LONG DIABETES (and probably do my "Ricola" impersonation) - And I’d dive into the deepest depths of the ocean where the really scary shit lurks, if it meant leaving diabetes behind for good.

Nope, type 1 diabetes walks with me - Sometimes I’m in the lead, other times diabetes is. But regardless of who’s leading and like it or not, we are always walking together.

When I was little, I did walk away from diabetes in a round about way. I didn’t test like I was supposed to, I snuck food - And I’d hop on my bike and ride to the end of the island just to get away from hearing my family talk  about me and my diabetes - or their diabetes for that matter. 

And I have a strong suspicion that you might feel the same way about walking/running away from your diabetes as I do - and regardless of your diabetes type. 

Yeah man, we’d all be diabetes expatriates if it were possible, but it’s not. 

We can’t walk or run away from our diabetes, and we can't hide from it - We have to grab it by its proverbial balls and face it head on. 

I find it much easier to  walk/run towards people with diabetes and by doing so I find strength in my community and in myself. 

Together we run towards support and comfort and and find both in others who are living the diabetes life - And in all diabetes forms and types.  

And I am so grateful for that. 

So when I received a PR pitch from a big university inviting me & other diabetes bloggers to 'walk away from diabetes’ yesterday, I gotta admit, I was ticked off on many levels. 

Here's the thing: People living with diabetes don’t have the luxury of walking away from diabetes.  

And those who do “walk away from diabetes” usually do so in the metaphoric sense - As in walking away from caring about their diabetes and those folks end up very, very sick - Or worse. 

I was offended because the title of the campaign stemmed from one of the institutions own studies (which makes total sense) but was based on people who didn’t have diabetes but who were hoping to prevent type 2 diabetes by walking.

Turns out, the campaign was really focused preventing diabetes - And that irked me.

Not the prevention part (OK, some of the prevention part,) but what really irked me was the whole “preventing diabetes is as easy as walking,”vibe that was being given off.
I think we can all agree that exercise helps with all sorts of stuff, including blood sugars - But diabetes in all it's forms isn't so cut and dry.  

I couldn’t have prevented my type 1, and I have a whole boatload of friends with t1, t1.5 & t2 who couldn’t have prevented their diabetes either. 

And I’m a walker - Always have been. I walk for my body and my mind - not to mention my ass. 

So I emailed the PR Person back with my number and he gave me call a few minutes later. 

I basically told him that I couldn’t walk away from my type 1 diabetes and neither could my t1, t1.5 and t2 family couldn’t either. That people with diabetes are more often than not blamed for having diabetes - And that IMHO, the phrase ‘walking away from diabetes’ makes the majority of the public think that having diabetes is a choice and a character flaw - And it is neither.

I mentioned that diabetes is complex and if walking allowed us to be free of diabetes, we’d all walk from New Jersey to China without stopping or complaining & mentioned the fact that t2 has a strong genetic link.  

The phrase, 'once a PWD, always a PWD' crossed my lips, and then I shared that all sorts of problems occur when people stop thinking their diabetes (t2 or otherwise,) is no longer an issue. 

 And if they were going to present a campaign based on one of their studies re: diabetes and during Diabetes Awareness Month, they should strongly consider a study that was done on people currently living with diabetes and use a title for the campaign that doesn’t perpetuate diabetes myths and stereotypes.

PR guy said they were looking for all sorts of diabetes tales, not just type 2, and that they'd make some changes and he thanked me for talking with him.

Today I received an email saying that changes had been made to the websites original wording - And to their credit, they did make some changes . 

They used the term “diabetes prevention” more and they gave the prevention part a type 2 slant. 

But that still didn't sit all with me because I still felt that people with t2 were being blamed. 
There was no mention of genetics and type 2 or how type 2s (just like other people living with diabetes) are not one size fits all.
I know so many people with type 2 who refuse to come out of the 'Diabetes Closet' because they are afraid of the stigmas associated with type 2 - And my heart aches for them.
(((SIGH))) 

As for me, I’m going to keep walking and running towards others with diabetes in all dimensions - And I will continue to walk for my health, (both mental and physical) as well as my ass. 

But I can't walk away from diabetes. 

Good Times, Good People, Good Words, Good Tears~

Life ain't a track meet - It's a marathon.  - Ice Cube

Knowledge is in the end is based on acknowledgement~  Ludwig Wittgenstein

#########

I was playing catch-up with my sister on the phone Sunday night, we hadn’t talked in a few weeks and it was good to hear her voice. 

I was telling her about my last minute decision to attend the Isulindependence Philadelphia Weekend/Sports Symposium on Saturday & how I’d had a wonderful time & had learned a lot. I also mentioned how great it is to meet-up with old D friends in real life and to finally meet a few D friends I’d only previously only known online, and how inspiring being in a room full of diabetes sports-heads had been.  

,

 I said to my sister: It’s hard to figure out the dynamics of working out and not having your blood sugar crash - And don’t even get me started on the whole weigh loss aspect of working out with diabetes, of diabetes with pretty much everything. It’s such a delicate scientific clusterfuck of a diabetes dance - And It’s hard. 

Hearing other PWDs who not only 'get it', but share my same frustrations made me feel so better about myself and my potential. And Cath, a lot of them were kickass endurance athletes! And the speakers at the conference had so much great info on how to handle diabetes when it comes to working out . 
The whole thing seriously inspired me to get back to my former BrickHouse Status. 

My Sister: I bet it did - I don’t know how you do it - How you juggle diabetes with everything - I give you and your friends so much credit for that.

My sister's my biggest fan and one of my strongest supporters - She’s always there for me and is always proud of me, but hearing her say those words make me choke up.

And then she said: And I’m so glad you have other people who understand what you go through when it comes to diabetes. I’m here for you, ALWAYS, but I’ll never know what it’s like to have diabetes - They do.  

And then my bro-in-law called my sister from the other room and apparently their dog (who's been having some major health issues,) got into the kitchen trash and most likely had eaten a bunch of things she shouldn’t have & my sister had to join him and figure out just how much potential gastrointestinal damage to the pup was done. 

So we said our goodbyes & our “I love you's" and hung up. 

I stared at the phone for a minute and then the tears started to fall down my cheeks.

Not sad tears, not joyful tears, but good tears. Tears of.... I don’t know... maybe tears of gratefulness for the acknowledgment & understanding. 

Anyway - It was a great end to a weekend that was chock full of good times, good friends, good words, good info and yes, good tears.

Also: If Insulindependence hosts a weekend in your neck of the woods, GO. 

I guarantee that you’ll learn a few things and meet a lot of awesome pwds in the process! 

#SFBatkid

It's Diabetes Awareness month and I'm all about that - But today I also want to acknowledge the coolest super hero on the planet!

######

#SFBatkid in action
badass photo courtesy of @realtimwilliams

I know it's National Diabetes Month - But I can't stop thinking about #SFBatkid today!
So I'm asking you to keep up with your Diabetes Advocacy for sure, but please take a moment of your day to checkout the  #SFBatkid ( otherwise known as leukemia fighter Miles Scott) hashtag on the twitter and other social media outlets as he protects Gotham with the love and support of it's fine citizens and the Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation. @SFWish
#SFBatkid isn't only protecting the city of San Fran, (I mean Gotham) from the bad guys, but he's bringing together a city and a country and it's pretty damn amazing. 
Talk about an empowered ePatient! 
#Kapow!!
UPDATE: Rumor has it #SFBatkid & Co just captured The Riddler! 
UPDATE: Mashable has a great play-by-play - Including video of #sfbatkid saving a damsel in distress! #Myhero!

A Love Letter Revisited on World Diabetes Day~

I originally posted this on January 19th, 2010 - But I wanted to repost it today because I'm so grateful to Doctors Banting & Best - McCloud to for that matter - And I'm thinking about them a lot today. Because lets face it, if it wasn't for them the Diabetes Online Community wouldn't be here - And the world would be a far less vibrant, interesting & empathetic place. 
Yep, insulin isn't a cure, but it's our elixir of life - And because of these brilliant and caring men who didn't do it for the money, but who did for the people whose lives were slipping away - We must always remember who they were, what they did, how far diabetes care has come and how far it still needs to go~
Bottom line: I love these guys for giving me and the people love the gift of life and the Diabetes Online Community~ 
######

Dear Doctors Banting & Best:

I just wanted to take a moment to Thank-You for giving me the gift of LIVING.

Because of you and your efforts, I've lived past the age of 8.

Instead of being yet another sad memory for parents who lost their child or loved one to an illness that offered no hope, I became a girl who not only lived, but grew up to be a woman who is becoming.

Because of your diligence and hard work, I had many firsts.

My first kiss

My first love

My first heartbreak

Too many firsts to list without leaving so much out.

Because of the gift of your discovery, I was able to live and learn and continue to do so everyday.

I became an Auntie multiple times and learned to love others more than myself.

I attended and graduated college.

I traveled to Europe and saw the wonders of Venice and Paris.

Because of you I was able to discover that I loved books, writing, performing, helping others manage their life with diabetes, and every shade of the color green.

I’ve swum with manatees, and I've climbed the Mexican pyramids on the longest day of the year.

I've worked at jobs I've loved, and I've worked in jobs I haven't.

I was able to see my niece perform on Broadway and cried tears of joy and pride.

And was incredibly grateful and proud.

If you never discovered insulin, I never would have met her, let alone watched her shine on “The Great White Way.”

I've been granted the gift of 12 wonderful nephews and nieces and have been know the joy of seeing each of them grow and become the wonderful & individual pieces of art that they are.

If you hadn’t had your own burning passion to save those of us with diabetes,

I never would have been able to discover my own passions.

I never would have lived, let alone blogged.

I wouldn't have a job helping others with Diabetes.

By your discovery of insulin, I was able to learn what I don’t like - which is also a great gift.

Reaching adulthood has taught me that I’m no fan of FOX News or MTV’s The Jersey Shore.

And that I prefer wine over beer, V-Necks over Crew Necks, and my GPS over a map any day of the week!

Because insulin was discovered, my father was able to have children, and my siblings and I were not only conceived, but saved by your discovery - THANK YOU.

Thank you for not allowing my parents to lose three children and a grandson.

Thank you for giving my oldest sister the gift of motherhood 3 times over.

Thank you for allowing my nephew to graduate Berkley with honors and become a Professor of Literature.

Thank you for allowing both my Aunts and one of my first cousins to become mothers.

Thank you for giving every single one of my friends with diabetes the gift of living life and every single person with diabetes the opportunity to do so!

Thank you for my gifts of strength, tenacity,humor and empathy. 

I strongly believe those traits were greatly enhanced by being a person who lives her life every single day with diabetes.

Sometimes I think in the bustle of life and looking for the cure, we forget that it wasn’t until 1922 that children and adults no longer died when being diagnosed with diabetes.

Up until then, diabetes was a death sentence.

Today diabetes a life sentence- and by “life sentence” I mean the ability to live life to the fullest EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I will admit, there are times in my life when I haven’t taken advantage of the act of living fully.

But now, I relish every moment big and small.

Little moments have just as much meaning as big ones – because I am here to experience them.

Do I want a cure in my lifetime? ABSOLUTELY!

I don’t want anyone else to be diagnosed with my disease. I don’t want another person to suffer mentally or physically because diabetes has entered their lives.

I am ready to say GOODBYE to Diabetes for good!

BUT I am so grateful for the gift of living that was given to me because of you both and

I love you without every having had the privilege of meeting you.

I think of you both everyday- and I say a prayer of thanks.

I want to live my best life not just for me and those I love, but for you.

You're the reason I'm alive.

To not live a great life would be a disservice to me and you - And all those who didn't make it!

I will continue “becoming," and not just for myself, but because really, who am I not to?

I am the girl who lived and is now a woman who IS....and is BECOMING.

And I owe the fact that I am living to you both!

THANK YOU.

Kelly K

This letter was inspired by Drs' Banting & Best. They saved millions of lives and with out them, none of us would be here. Click HERE to read more about them.

But this letter was also inspired by a truly wonderful blog post written by Natural Born Cyborg that you MUST READ. Click HERE and check it out!

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Almost, As In.......

It was totally worth it - And now that I know I need to bolus more for late lunch Korean BBQ tacos, I will~
#dulynoted
#Liveandlearn
#whenyouknowbetteryoudobetter
#YUMMY

Of Wands Choosing Wizards & Powering Down Insulin Pumps

I sat on the plane tired and ready to go home from what surely had been the shortest trip to Orlando, ever. 

It was 9pm and the plane was filling up with sad children and tired adults  - Including this one - I'd been in an air conditioned conference room for 1.5 days, my throat was sore & it hurt to swallow and I just wanted to get home and sleep in my own bed. 

The two seats next to me were empty, until two little boys in blue shirts slid into them and immediately began fighting with one another over the iPad. 

I gave them a sideways glance that said: Figure it out or I’ll figure it out for you. 

And they did. 

I was checking my emails on my iPad and the little boy next to me kept glancing over and watching. 

I’m a “kid person” and I felt bad that I’d played the Bitch Card with them, so I leaned over and said: You boys have fun at Disney? 

And the little one said: Yeah, but we didn’t go to Disney. We went to Universal Studios and Busch Gardens and Sea World and Epcot - no princess stuff. 

Me: Wow - you guys did a lot.

Older Bro: Yeah, it was awesome!

And then Older Bro promptly went back to reading his 'Captain Under Pants' book.

Little Bro: What parks did you go to and when do you go back to school? 

Me: I’m not in school anymore and I went to Florida for work - but thanks for thinking that. I managed to hit DownTown Disney for a few hours today before I came to the airport.

Little Bro: You don’t go to school anymore and you came here for work?? 

Me: Yep. 

Little Bro: We went to Harry Potter World.

Me: I  REALLY want to go to Harry Potter World - Did you try Butter Beer? 

Little Bro: Oh yeah, it was so good! And I got a wand - It’s in my backpack.

And that would be the point where I leaned in, smiled and whispered: 'The wand chooses the wizard Mr. Potter - It’s not always clear why... But I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you~'

Little Bro’s eyes got big and he whispered back: My name is Joe - I’m 8~.

Me: Hi Joe, my name is Kelly - I’m not 8. 

Joe: Hi Kelly - This is my brother Jack, he’s 10. 

Me: Hi Jack. 

Jack: Hi. 

Joe: So you like Harry Potter? 

Me: Yep. 

Joe: Me too. 

And then Joe began talking about Harry Potter and school and how he loved to play Space Invaders and Call of Duty. 

And that would be when the little girl in the seat in front of us looked between the seat cracks and said: I love Call of Duty!

Joe just looked at me and rolled his eyes and completely ignored her. 

Soon it was time to power down all the electronics because the plane was finally going to take off in a few minutes. 

I begrudgingly powered down my iPad and arranged my carry-on bag under the seat in front of me just so. 

Joe gave me the once over, pointed to my insulin pump and said: You’d better power that down now - It’ll affect the flying instruments if you don’t. 

I smiled and explained that it wasn’t that kind of electronic - that I had diabetes and how  my belly no longer made insulin to turn food into energy so I had to wear an insulin pump to give insulin - yada, yada, yada.

Joe: Are you sure? I don’t want the pilots to have any problems.

 Me: I promise  - This is battery operated.

Joe: Oh, so it’s a battery like a triple AAA battery, not like an iPhone/ iPhone Battery  - those kinds you can’t replace and they mess with the flying instruments. 

Me: EXACTLY. 

Joe: So, the inulin turns food into energy. SOK, so how did you know you’re stomach was broken.

And this would be the point where Jack  put down his 'Captain Underpants boo'k and started listening.

Me: I got sick and I didn’t feel good and I didn’t get better so my parents took me to the doctor and they figured it out.

Joe: But how did you get diabetes?

 Me: I don’t know - But I do know that I didn’t ‘catch it’ from anyone, because you can’t catch diabetes. 

Joe looked over at his brother and than back at me and said: Ohhhh..... that’s good.

Me: Yep.

Joe: Sooooooo..... You can’t swim with that thing.

Me: It’s an INSULIN pump & yes I can. 

Joe: You can’t get electronics wet - So you can’t jump in a lake with that thing.

Me: Actually, some insulin pumps are waterproof - And the ones that aren’t you just unplug yourself from.

Joe: How do you get the plug in yourself?

Me: Through an infusion set needle - and I lifted up the corner of my shirt and showed him my infusion site. 

Joe: Does it hurt to plug it in? 

Me: Good question - Sometimes it pinches hard - other times you don’t feel it. 

Joe: Do you have to wear it all the time? 

Me: I can take it off when I swim or take a shower - but for the most part I wear it all the time. 

Joe: Do you have to watch what you eat? 

Jack: Yeah, do you? 

Sidebar: I think Joe & Bro knew more about diabetes then they were letting on.

Me: Nobody can eat whatever they want all the time without feeling sick, right? 

Joe: Right.

Me: I can eat what I want, but I try & stick with the healthy stuff & have treats every now and then. 

Joe: Why don’t you have a case for your iPad? 

Me: I do.

Joe: I mean a case that it stays in at all times, even when you're on it - So you don’t break it if you drop it by mistake.

Me: Well said and it’s on my list.

Joe: Well you should get one soon.

Me: Thanks for pointing that out  - I will. 

And then the plane started to move in earnest and Joe looked at me and said: Are you sure your insulin pump won’t damage the flight instruments. 

Me: I’m sure  - And I would never, ever put you, Jack, your family, myself  or anyone else on this plane in danger. 

Joe: I know - But I just wanted to double check. 

And then he leaned closer to our shared arm rest as the plane started to rise up - And all was quiet until we were up and flying high. As soon as we reached cruising altititude & "Fasten Your Seatbelts" sign went dim, the questions started again.

Joe: So... Do you like the Iron Man movies? I do.

Me: Yeah - I do.

Joe: What about Thor.

Me: He’s OK, but Loki's more my style~

Joe: REALLY?

And then we started talking Marvel Heroes  -  But that’s for another post entirely.

Guest Post: Tips & Tricks For Traveling With Diabetes~

Tonight I'll be flying out to Orlando for a conference where I'll do a presentation about doctors/patient  communications & working together as a team - And I'm really looking forward to it!
OK, I'm looking forward to the conference part, not the whole traveling with diabetes part.
Everyone in the Diabetes Online Community has had issues with traveling with their diabetes  - And I certainly haven't been shy about sharing mine. 
The getting 'to and from' a destination tends to ruffle all of our feathers diabetes or not - and it causes my blood sugar to elevate just thinking about it! 
Which is where my friend friend Susan Weiner, Registered Dietitian, nutritional guru, CDE extraordinaire and author of the newly published book, "The Complete Diabetes Organizer - Your Guide To A Less Stressful & More Manageable Diabetes Life, comes in.  
Susan is very much tuned-in to travel issues for those of us with busted pancreases, autoimmune challenges & wonky metabolisms. And being all in the know, she wrote a simple, but detailed travel list in the form of a post for all of us. Enjoy & thanks Susan!
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Do you travel for work or pleasure? If you’ve traveled before, you know how important it is to have all of your diabetes supplies with you when you’re away from home. 
Would you attempt to board a plane, train or bus without a ticket? 
Would you dress in ski gear for a beach vacation? Of course not! While diabetes is part of your life, you can still enjoy your time away from home and manage your diabetes. 
You just need to take some time to plan and organize your diabetes supplies so you can go on your trip with confidence!

Here are a few tips and tricks when you travel:

 Before you go

·  Visit your doctor or Certified Diabetes Educator before your trip, especially if you are crossing time zones. Discuss medication or insulin adjustments if necessary.

·  Ask your doctor for a letter explaining that you have diabetes. The letter should include a list of the diabetes essentials that you’ll require for travel.

·  Make sure to take additional insulin and medications along with you for travel. Also bring extra written prescriptions with you. Update your prescriptions in national pharmacies if traveling within the United States, and contact the International Diabetes Federation (www.idf.org) if you need prescriptions while traveling in other countries.

·  Keep up with your blood sugar testing! Make sure your blood sugars stay are within range before you travel. You’ll be glad you did!

·  Check out the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Regulations before you travel. 

Call TSA Cares 1-855-787-2227 or go online before your journey. We know that people with diabetes may still run into problems going through security, but make sure you are aware of the regulations and possible snags before you travel. Hopefully it will help make travel a little less stressful.

While on the journey

·   Use a travel organizer for your medical documents. Keep all your documents at your fingertips, in case you need them in a pinch. Of course, you can also store documents in a smart phone or other device. 

It’s not just at airports – major tourist attractions will ask to search or x-ray your bag, so having a doctor’s note with you can save time and awkward conversations when your testing supplies or sharps are discovered.

·  Wear comfortable footwear. If you have problems with your feet, make sure to visit your podiatrist before you travel. He or she may have specific recommendations to help make travel more comfortable.

·  Bring along glucose tablets or another fast acting source of carbohydrate, and healthy snacks. 

One of my patients has a “go kit” of snacks including almonds in single-serving bags, instant oatmeal, single-serve peanut butter and baby carrots. Bring an empty water bottle that you can fill after passing security. Travel is often delayed. Travel breakfasts can contain nutritionally empty calories along with generous servings of fat and sodium. Being prepared can keep you fueled and even. 

· Call your hotel in advance to request a refrigerator. You’ll be glad you did!

· Stay active when you travel. Try to pick a hotel with a gym, or take a walk outside when possible. You’ll see much more on foot and getting fresh air will make long hours in a convention hall or endless meetings more bearable.

·  Make sure you have extra testing supplies and extra batteries.

·  Let your travel agent or travel companion know you have diabetes. Most importantly, let them know what they can do if they sense there is something wrong. Many non-diabetics would not be able to recognize a low-sugar reaction, or know what they can do to help you if you suffer a low. If you have an emergency and can’t communicate, you will be grateful for their ability to speak on your behalf.

·  Check out travel apps for car service, restaurants and alerts. These can be very helpful resources when you’re away from home.

You can enjoy your time away from home and manage your blood sugars. Remember to stay organized, eat well, stay active and take your medications as prescribed. Above all, have fun! Bon voyage!

Susan Weiner, MS,RDN, CDE, CDN
www.susanweinernutrition.com
@susangweiner
The Complete Diabetes Organizer: Your Guide to a Less Stressful and More Manageable Diabetes Life, Spry Publishing Fall 2013