Yes We Did!

There’s no denying it: change is coming, and it’s coming fast. I first heard it on the morning news and it was reaffirmed when I read these beautiful words in today’s New York Times, “President-elect Barack Obama is poised to move swiftly to reverse actions that President Bush took using executive authority, and his transition team is reviewing limits on stem cell research and the expansion of oil and gas drilling, among other issues, members of the team said Sunday.”

Hell yeah! And that’s about as eloquent as I’m going to get. Change is coming!

What a whirlwind this past week has been. It started on Tuesday when Matt and I were lucky enough to stand about 20 feet away from the stage at the Obama rally in Grant Park. When President-elect Obama walked onto that stage chills ran up and down by body. I was jumping so high and screaming so loud that I ended the night with extreme leg cramps, no voice, and a blood sugar of 50 (anticipating this I was well prepared with an endless supply of Smarties) . But man, was it worth it. Michelle Obama is the epitome of style and grace. Her love and devotion to her husband is so real, and so normal. It was spectacular to witness them embrace. I wanted nothing more than to be part of their little hug. And those girls! Don’t we all wish we could explore the nooks and crannies of the White House right along with them?!

Many of us have been fighting for federal support and funding of embryonic stem cell research for many years. By declaring his intention to reverse Bush’s policies, Obama is making a bold statement about the power of science and technology. We are about to embark on a new era-- one that will hopefully include a cure for Type 1 diabetes…

Check out some of my up close and personal photos:

Winners & Losers at the Food & Nutrition Conference

I work at the American Dietetic Association (ADA): not the American Diabetic Association (ADiaA). (People always think I say diabetic, when it’s actually dietetic.) Yes, I am a diabetic who works in dietetics. And being diabetic in dietetics often means life and work intersect. I just spent four days at the American Dietetic Association’s annual food and nutrition conference where diabetes was the number one topic of discussion. After all, being overweight makes you more prone to Type 2 diabetes. It’s that simple – eat healthy, watch your weight, lower your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.

As many of you well know, our nation has a food problem. We talk healthy, but we eat unhealthy. Many of us would rather take a magic pill then take charge of our lives by eating healthy and exercising. Let me tell you, after walking the aisles of the exhibit hall, there is no shortage of healthy and nutritious foods disguised as bad for you options. Take for example the gluten free, low fat, glazed donut that I sampled at one booth. Okay, I can’t tell you the last time I ate a normal glazed donut, but this gluten free one was pretty darn tasty….

If I had to guess, I probably tasted a full day’s worth of calories. I know this because I gave myself way more insulin for simply ‘tasting’ samples than I do when I eat my normal lunch. Since I can’t let all those calories go to waste, I’m going to share some of the highlights:

Winner of the yummiest healthy sample: Bread pudding made with Glucerna.
-Surprisingly moist and sweet, topped with blueberries. I tasted it twice!
Winner of the healthiest healthy sample: mango salad
-A favorite of my husband who came to experience the healthiness. The salad was sweet and crunchy. Mango was sliced super thin. Looked easy to prepare and great for a summer bbq.
Winner of the tastiest dried fruit: cherries
-Dried cherries make anything taste better. I added these to my sample of fiber one yogurt for breakfast.
Most valuable giveaway: It’s a tie: VitaTops AND Wrigley’s Extra sugar-free Fruit Sensations in Watermelon.
-With 100 calories and 6 grams of fiber, VitaTops are my favorite treat and they come in flavors like Blue Bran and Banana Fudge. At $7 a box for only 4 muffins, I tend to leave them off my grocery list. Luckily I took about 20 muffins from the exhibitor so I’m good for a while!
Biggest loser: Lean Pocket's sausage and egg pockets. Blech!
-Nothing worse than fake frozen cheese with frozen sausage. I tasted and immediately spit this out.
Another stinker: Amy’s Organic Chili
-I know people LOVE Amy’s Organic, but her chili wasn’t up to par. In general, I don’t think chili from a can is ever too tasty.

Bottom line: With a little education and a dab of experimentation, eating healthy can be so easy.

Denied!

In the next day or so my brand new pump should be arriving at my doorstep. A Minimed rep called me a few weeks ago to say my warrantee was up on my 503, making me eligible for their latest model, the top-of-the-line 522. Aside from one major component, the new pump isn’t that different from the old pump. The distinguishing feature of the 522 is it actually communicates with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), if a person were to be wearing one. A continuous glucose monitor is a pretty cool device. It monitors your blood sugar on an ongoing basis so you know where you are at all times. It’s a great way to learn about the highs and lows you might not otherwise be aware of. Overall, it’s a fantastic tool to help reduce your A1C.

Back to my story….As fantastic as the CGM is, it is also really, really expensive--apparently too expensive for my insurance company to bear. A few days after my friend at Minimed called to tell me about my new pump, she called back to tell me that my insurance company had denied my request for a CGM. Excuse me?! Yes, in a few days I will have a new pump designed to communicate with a CGM, but no CGM. Every time I reach for my 522 to bolus or make a change to a basal rate I will be reminded of what could be. If only Blue Cross valued my health as much as I do. If and when that day comes, my 522 is fully ready to communicate.

Walk for the Cure!

This past Sunday I rallied the troops (my family) and participated in JDRF's annual Walk for the Cure. I was home in New York for the Jewish holidays so the timing was perfect. It's amazing to see what a huge event this walk has become. With all the hoopla that accompanies the walk--the entertainment, the food, the music--it's easy to forget why you got out of bed to walk in the first place. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a toddler with a shiny Medic Alert bracelet and a pump clipped to his pants. I felt so sad for him, and I felt bad for his parents. How does a 3-year-old communicate the feeling of highs and lows? And how do his parents not worry 24 hours a day? I managed, and so did my parents, but it took so much work.


Funny enough, I reconnected with an old friend who is now the President of the JDRF Westchester chapter board. It's interesting to see my generation moving up in the ranks and taking on leadership roles in the organization. As he put it, the pay (of $0) is too good to refuse.


Here are a few photos from the day!


My family



















Matthew and his pals Paige & Riley




















David & Cami walked and walked!

Studies show...

A new study published in the journal Diabetes Care found teenagers with Type 1 diabetes may get an emotional lift from discussing the problems and worries they have in managing their condition. In general, they reported fewer behavior problems, improved self-esteem and mental health, and more quality time with their families.

I would say the same holds true not just for teenagers but for all Type 1 diabetics. I rarely talk about how having diabetes make me feel. For the most part I internalize it. I view diabetes as a personal challenge that I must concur. Still every so often I get really grumpy and the tears of frustration all come out…

That’s why I’ve found being a member of the Chicago associate board of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to be particularly therapeutic. The meetings are a once in a while opportunity to talk to others about where they hide their pump, new technology, and simply the ups and downs of Type 1 diabetes. I’m currently debating whether or not to get a continuous glucose monitor and was able to get first-hand reviews from members of the committee who currently have CGMs or used one in the past. Whether you have Type 1 diabetes or if affects someone close to you, talking about it will help you more than you know.

For young professionals in the Chicago area who are interested in joining the associated board or want to learn more about some of exciting events we have coming up, please click here:
http://www.jdrfillinois.org/help-cure-diabetes/associateBoard.html

Today's lesson: Embryonic Stem Cells

I’m fired up about this election for so many reasons. One of the main reasons is because of the itty-bitty, almighty stem cell. Here’s a little lesson for you:
· Embryonic stem cells are cells derived from four- or five-day-old embryos, or fertilized cells. Opponents of embryonic stem cell research, which often uses embryos discarded by fertility clinics, want it to be severely restricted or banned outright as inhumane.
· Embryonic stem cells are the key to making neurons to treat Parkinson’s disease, cardiac cells to repair the damage caused by a heart attack, or pancreatic islet cells to replace those destroyed by diabetes.
· And now… “some scientists say an early therapeutic use of such cells might be more prosaic: making red blood cells for transfusions (Pollack, New York Times, 9/8).”

What about cord blood or adult stem cells, you ask?
· You’ll hear many politicians tout the value of cord blood. The cells in cord blood can be useful, for example to make red blood cells, however those cells cannot reproduce indefinitely in culture like embryonic stem cells.
· Adult stem cells can be harvested from blood or bone marrow, and while they are currently being used to treat some diseases, they do not have the versatility of embryonic stem cells.

Where do the candidates stand?
According to the New York Times, Obama and McCain both acknowledge the potential benefits and social concerns related to genetics research. Both candidates also support expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research (Broad, New York Times, 9/15).

According to the candidates' responses from Science Debate 2008, Obama says, “Stem cell research holds the promise of improving our lives in at least three ways—by substituting normal cells for damaged cells to treat diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, heart failure and other disorders; by providing scientists with safe and convenient models of disease for drug development; and by helping to understand fundamental aspects of normal development and cell dysfunction. For these reasons, I strongly support expanding research on stem cells….”

McCain says, “While I support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, I believe clear lines should be drawn that reflect a refusal to sacrifice moral values and ethical principles for the sake of scientific progress. Moreover, I believe that recent scientific breakthroughs raise the hope that one day this debate will be rendered academic….”

To quote Theodore Roosevelt, “Those who often speak highly of morals are those who often lack them.”

Class dismissed.

Everyone has something

My mom always says everyone has something. No one is perfect. She says of all things to have, diabetes isn’t so bad. It's controllable after all and a lot of people have to deal with a lot worse. I always think about those words when I need an extra boost. Of all things to have, diabetes is manageable.

A conversation I had at work today has left me feeling really down. While everyone has something, some people just really have it rough. This morning I was talking to a girl on the phone whose insurance company has denied thousands of dollars worth of claims to her registered dietitian. This girl told me she is an anorexic. She’s in a wheelchair. She has no steady income. She used to be a lawyer, but has gone through so many surgeries that she can’t move her hands fast enough to write down her thoughts. Can I help her, she wants to know?

I work at the American Dietetic Association where I advocate for coverage of nutrition services. We live in a society that pours money into procedures but won’t spend a dime on preventive medicine. The government will pay for CT scans, MRIs, and surgeries galore, but try to see a registered dietitian for nutrition counseling because you have cancer and throw up everything you try to swallow, and you're on your own.

This particular insurance company is denying an anorexic girl from receiving nutrition counseling. Can you fathom that? They want to her to see an “in-network” provider 15 miles away from her home. Did I mention she’s in a wheelchair? She can’t make it 2 miles down the road to get to her physical therapy appointment. She’s asked me to talk to her dietitian - to help build a case as to why her claims must be paid. Sure, everyone has something, but no one should have to face something like this.

From day 1 of the DNC

For those of you who’ve been watching the Democratic National Convention hopefully you caught the video tribute to Sen. Edward Kennedy last night. And hopefully you caught one of the most poignant segments of that tribute—the part in which Lauren Stanford, a type 1 diabetic, spoke of being invited by Sen. Kennedy to testify in front of Congress on the promise of stem cell research. In Lauren, I saw myself. She’s a teenager with hopes and dreams including a life without highs and lows. I am a twenty something, with the same hopes and dreams. Sen. Kennedy has been a true champion for stem cell research. We need more like him in Congress.

“In this new century of the life sciences, we see benefits of discovery all around us. Leading scientists agree that the potential of stem cell research is extraordinary. We should stop delaying the hope and the help that stem cell research can bring.” – Sen. Edward Kennedy

Better for you breakfast?

How many of you buy breakfast on your way to work? Personally, I don’t. Yet, I’ve noticed this push towards healthy, fast-food breakfast lately and I’m tempted to try it out. Most mornings I eat a Dannon Light or a packet of low-sugar oatmeal and some almonds. Maybe I’ll have a cup of Kashi Mighty Bites or Puffins every now and then. Without fail, my morning routine involves a stop at Dunkin Donut’s or Corner Bakery for a cup of hazelnut coffee. And some days I think about how yummy a fresh coffee cake muffin would taste, but I never bite the bullet.

A few weeks ago Dunkin Donuts introduced its “DD Smart” menu which includes “better for you” breakfast items such as egg-white veggie flatbread sandwiches, egg and cheese on an English muffin and reduced fat blueberry muffins. With 9 grams of fat and 290 calories per serving, I would not suggest having the veggie flatbread every day, but I certainly applaud DD for including egg-whites on the menu. It sounds safe, but I would avoid the reduced fat blueberry muffin. Recognizable by its sugar crystal-coated top, this reduced-fat muffin has 4 grams of fat (not bad), 400 calories (ouch), and a whopping 78 carbohydrates (holy cannoli). Talk about a sugar high! Similarly, don’t let the words 'multigrain bagel' fool you. With 6 grams of fat, 380 calories and 68 carbohydrates, this bagel is not the best choice for those, like me, who sit in front of a computer all day. Rather, I’d stick to a whole grain English muffin with egg whites and maybe a slice of low-fat cheese.

Just this morning I read that Starbucks is trying to reinvent its breakfast menu yet again. Let’s not forget it was only a few months ago that Starbuckers complained how the smell of their morning coffee experience was being ruined by eggs. Thus, out went the stinky egg sandwiches and now Starbucks is back with more of an aroma-free menu. Starbucks doesn’t provide us with the carbohydrate count of its items so I can’t do my full analysis, but at first glance I think there are some decent options—especially the oatmeal. I have absolutely no clue what a Baked Berry Stella is. I’m guessing some sort of berry muffin created by a nice lady named Stella. Here’s the menu at a glance:

To put things in perspective, nutritionists suggest that Type 1 diabetics eat approximately 40 carbs at breakfast to keep blood sugar levels in check. That means taking that scrumptious blueberry muffin and dividing it in less than half. How sad.

Burritoville

Chicago’s obsession with Chipotle baffles me to no end. Come 12:00pm the lines go out the door, down the block, around the corner. And this is consistent from location to location. Do people realize what they’re waiting for? Well, I’ll you what they’re waiting for and it ain’t pretty…

I love, love Mexican food—chips, salsa, quesadillas, beans (both black and refried), the whole enchilada. I just have a really hard time when I have no idea how many carbs are in my tortilla. A 13” tortilla shell alone can have 50 carbs. 50 carbs equals about 3 pieces of fruit…So, last night my husband and I made grilled mushroom and onion burritos with yellow rice, black beans, a sprinkle of low-fat cheese and non-fat shells (as usual I played the role of menu-planner/sous chef and cleaner-uper). Knowing exactly what I was eating, where it came from, and the nutritionals, made it all the more delicioso. And three hours post dinner my blood sugars rocked.

A quick visit to http://www.chipotlefan.com/ allows me to see what I would have subjected myself to had I opted not to cook at home and decided to fast-food it instead. I enter my ingredients into the calculator: tortilla shell, rice, beans, veggies, cheese, salsa. Holy guacamole! Check this out…

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 815	Cal from Fat 269
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g	48%
Saturated Fat 9g 45% Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 30mg	10%
Sodium 2628mg	110%
Total Carbs 105g	35%
Dietary Fiber 15g 60% Sugars 10g
Protein 29g
Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% • Iron 0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
INGREDIENTS: 13" Tortilla,Rice,Black Beans,Fajita Veggies,Cheese,Tomato Salsa,Lettuce

I’d have to swim for 2.3 hours to burn that off (we’re talking leisurely pace, not like Michael Phelps). Or, if I were my father, vacuum the house for 3.9 hours straight. Now there’s some perspective for you.

An apology

I would like to sincerely apologize to Allison of Lemonade Life. It was wrong of me to criticize her publically without getting a chance to know her. I am really a nice person, just unfortunately a frustrated diabetic. In response to Allison’s comment on my first blog entry, I’d like to applaud her for the success she has had to date. Perhaps it was out of jealousy, frustration, and need for some “drama” that I wrote such negative words. I am in no way a perfect diabetic, each day is a battle, which is why I am constantly seeking all the tips I can to improve my health. So, Allison, cheers to you for being in Sunday Styles. Cheers to you for having thousands of page views. You clearly are dedicated to your work and I have a lot to learn. I hope there will come a day when neither of us have to blog about Type 1 diabetes.

And for those of you wondering about Lollapalooza, it was a blast. There is no better way to keep your blood sugars in control and your spirits high than two straight days of dancing.

Barack-N-Roll!

Today kick's off Lollapalooza here in Chicago. It’s a massive 3 day music festival featuring some really awesome acts like Radiohead, Wilco, G Love and Kanye. Rumor has it that Senator Obama is scheduled to introduce Wilco on Saturday night!!

Like most festival goers, I’ve been sorting through the lineup and planning out what stages I’m going to visit at what times. But unlike most festival goers, I'm actually nervous about what I'm going to eat. Sounds funny, I know. You see, festival food is notoriously bad for you and the last thing I want is for a low or high blood sugar to ruin my festival experience. Knowing how serious I am about staying on the healthy track, and how crabby I get when I feel sick, my wonderful husband emailed me the Lollapalooza menu earlier in the week. What a guy!

Now, my culinary expectations aren't too high. I’m just looking for something fairly low-carb, fairly low-fat and something that won’t leave me with stomach pains. And it looks to me like i'll have some options. There's grilled chicken, portabello wraps (assuming not too oily), veggie chilli (assuming it's not too hot out), chicken sauage, watermelon...I won't go hungry after all. And my husband won't have to listen to me complain. It's a win-win.

Gotta run, Matt is calling me live from Grant Park...Jeff Tweedy is playing an acoustic version of Heavy Metal Drummer on the kiddy stage!

Take 2

Welcome readers! Those of you who followed me here from Sunday Stylin know of my failed bid to make it into the pages of the New York Times Sunday Styles section. Well, I have a new plan… I was inspired by an article in this past Sunday’s Times called Blogging’s Glass Ceiling which quoted a woman whose personal blog called Lemonade Life is about living with Type 1 diabetes. I ventured onto her site with the intention of adding it to my list of favorites—I love all forms of literature that promise to make me a healthier me. Instead I was pretty appalled. Somehow this chick is getting freelance gigs left and right, gets quoted in the Sunday Styles AND her A1c isn’t even below 7% (More on what that means later. Just trust me, it’s bad). She doesn’t write down her blood sugars, eats fast food and doesn’t floss! Eww.
So here is attempt #2 to be in the New York Times. I will write a blog so brilliant, wonderful and insightful that one day I will get the quote that will drive thousands to read what I have to say.

And I actually do have a lot to say. You wouldn’t know it by looking at me, but I have Type 1 diabetes, high cholesterol (as of last Friday, yikes!) and other fun health issues that have forced me to develop this interesting love/hate relationship with my body. If I listen closely to my inner self, I tend to be ok. But when I do things like drink a large, extra-sugary frozen margarita, we don't get along so well. Generally I’m a pretty motivated, portion-controlled young lady...with a little bit of self-pity thrown in every now and again. Through this blog you can read about my quest for eternal healthiness and hopefully learn a thing or two.

So, I introduce you to You Had Me At I’m Low. (More on the background later).

Tip for the day #1: Go get your cholesterol checked. Even if cheese isn’t a staple in your diet, sometimes your diet is irrelevant. Genetics and cholesterol go hand in hand. Luckily, medications such as Lipitor can quickly reverse the bad stuff, and you can go back to eating steak and eggs in no time. Call your doctor to make an appointment for a blood test. Go.