Don't know about you, but that, my friend, is a big truck!

And this is about how overwhelmed I felt while in the middle of a recent dilemma with low blood sugars. I have found that it could be dumping...yep...dumping. Not just that, but it is about the same description of what it feels like when this gi-normous "dump" hits my body! Plows me right to the ground...then it runs over me...then backs up, just in case I missed it!

Ok...I know they tell you not to eat carbs...especially the simple, sugary ones...so, ok on that front...got it covered...watch the sugar. And it was pretty smooth sailing for about three years, with an occasional "dumping" episode, some events unexplainable and seemingly out of the blue. But these recent episodes became a daily way of life this spring when my exercise and activity increased.

I really felt like I had been hit by a truck...a really big one at that! Weight gain, near fainting spells, the shakes and overall - no energy, I just didn't feel well. Worst of all, the tighter my clothes got the more out of control I felt. The very worst, most people just don't quite understand the desperation of not being in control of your weight, unless they have been where I was three years ago. Clothes that don't fit, scales going up, having to move the "big bar", you know the one on the bottom of the scales that goes up by 50 pounds, uuuhhhggg, and not being able to exercise for fear of hitting the pavement. HELP!

It's no fun to mess with your blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. I tried eating more calories, less calories, less carbs, more carbs, and no carbs...nothing seemed to work.

So long story short, here is what I tried next,at least, so far has seemed to work...still a little cautious. I cut out carbs completely, with the exception of low sugar fruits such as berries and apples, and an occasional bite of whole grain but only eaten with a protein. Also I purchased ALA from GNC. This is code...no, it's Alpha-Lipoic Acid. It is an anti-oxidant that is suppose to help improve your cells. Has something to do with insulin resistance. You can read about it online, or at GNC. Paul, the local owner of GNC can help tell you more about it. I just know it has helped, at least for the last month...but will it last?

I'm back to my walking and yard work anyway, with a little drop in the scales. Hoping the ALA will at least hold out for an upcoming wedding in a few weeks! Got lots to do in the yard and house and don't need to be "dumping" around!

Here is the deal on the dumping...we have all heard of the dreaded dumping...when you eat too much fat or sugar you get cramps and uncontrollable diarrhea. That is what is known as early dumping. But they don't tell you about late dumping. That is what I've been experiencing, (self-diagnoses, until I see Dr. Miles later in the month). It seems that when food leaves your stomach too fast and enters into your intestines even if its complex carbs, you get a drop in blood sugar. It happened, what seemed to be, out of the blue and it felt like a gizillion ton truck hit me. So when they say, no carbs, they mean it...

Dumping syndrome can be separated into early and late forms depending on the occurrence of symptoms in relation to the time elapsed after a meal. Both forms occur because of rapid delivery of large amounts of osmotically active solids and liquids into the duodenum. Dumping syndrome is the direct result of alterations in the storage function of the stomach and/or the pyloric emptying mechanism.  (eMedicine at Web MD)

Cause of early dumping syndrome include: rapid entry of food and fluids directly into the small intestine, producing decreased blood pressure and increased blood flow to the intestines.
Cause of late dumping syndrome include: low blood sugar caused by excess insulin produced in response to sudden dumping of food and fluids into the intestine.

Early dumping syndrome leads to generalized weakness. Fainting, irregular or rapid heart beats, and dizziness may occur. Sweating, low blood pressure, flushing of the skin, shortness of breath may occur. Vomiting, abdominal cramps and explosive diarrhea may occur. Symptoms of late dumping syndrome include profuse sweating, anxiety, and tremors. Headache, exhaustion, faintness, particularly with changing positions, may occur.

Ok...so it sounds easy, but truth is I had to do a mental evaluation on myself. The one where you give yourself a big lecture about what is really important in life. My health and contentment with myself can not be sabotaged by food. So I got away with eating a few carbs now and then with great weight loss and no dumping, but when it hit, it hit big. Believe me you don't want to try it. It took what seemed like an eternity to get my blood sugar under control, about 14 pounds around the waist and now a lot of hard work to gain back those favorite jeans and most of the other clothes in my closet. I really had to come to the mindset to give up those carbs completely, once and for all and steer clear of anything that results in lowering my blood sugar. At least that is my plan, to control what I can...if this can't be controlled with diet, I may have to seek another avenue when my next doctor visit comes due.

Moral of this story...comply with the rules, even if it looks like you can eat anything, it will come up behind and "dump" on you, right when you least expect it. DON"T EAT CARBS! Eat healthy, but don't eat carbs. That would be anything white, bread, pasta or rice. I also have cut out a lot more Splenda. I only allow myself two or three packs a day at the most, and working on cutting it to "0". Artificial sugars can raise your blood sugar...no matter what the package says!

More later...for now...it's not good to be early or late...when it comes to dumping and yes, we can, we have many more miles to go.

ok...so it's 80 degrees outside, humid...

...and blueberries are ready for picking

...the calendar may say summer starts June 21, but in my book it's already here.

Yes...today, I went berry pickin'...blueberries and blackberries!  yummm...o

Bueberries and blackberries have become one of my favorite berries over strawberries.

My newest trick...pancakes....whole wheat...or substitute toasted whole grain bread  for pancakes...add peanut butter on top and berries, maybe a little "dab" of whipped cream...so good you won't miss the pancake or the syrup.  (Pancakes with syrup makes me feel bad, but the peanut butter instead of syrup adds a great substitute).  You can even sprinkle a little protein powder over the peanut butter...wow!

Coming next are peaches, which in season, are make great additions to protein shakes. 

...and the best part is about picking your own...they don't weight you before you start!

If you have been reading the blog for awhile, you know that I have a grandson, Gavin. Gavin and "Me Me" (which is my"grandma" name) had a "fun day" yesterday.

After an exciting trip to the book store, where we hunted for the best book ever, played with the Thomas train set and discovered life as a two year old, along with the many other unique adventures that "Me Mes"and their favorite grandson create together, we headed off to Chick-Fil-A for lunch.

Of course, mealtime with a two year old is always an adventure!  After playing in the play area for a while, we headed to the car for a much needed break for "Me Me" and destination home where nap time awaited for Gavin. That was when I noticed that the drizzle of raindrops had become a full-fledged rain storm and it was coming down by the bucket loads. I didn't have an extra hand for an umbrella, so we braved the rain at the first sign of a let up.

With both arms full of bottles, bags and one adorable little boy, we headed to the car between drops.  As we neared the car, I had another "WOW" moment.  It had started to rain harder and harder...and of course I had parked at the far end of the parking lot...so by the time I got the car door open, the only option, rather than drowning, was to dart into the back seat.

I managed to buckle Gavin in while standing up in the back seat. Gavin meanwhile points out the fact that we are soaked! "Look Me Me, water!" After a few minutes to collect myself, dry us off a bit and think what my next option was for getting to the driver's seat.  A quick look outside at the downpour left me with only one preference...the unthinkable, I actually crawled and maneuvered over the seat and into the front! I did it...and as I was bringing my contorted limbs over the seat I realized that this event would never have happened 3 years ago.  

Yes, we were both wet, but laughing at ourselves as we pointed out all the water drops trickling down our noses. WOW...what a fun time...a little more exercise than I anticipated, but never-the-less...thrilled just to be able to do it!!!

Three years ago, I would not have been able to run across the parking lot with a two year old in tow,  climb in the backseat of the car head first with kid in arms, (a rather smooth and quick move, I must say) stand up in the back seat (managing a two year old, which is a feat within itself), nor even think about climbing into the front seat from the back...life is good!

With this week's frustration of dealing with low blood sugars and trying to figure out a solution, I needed that moment!  Thanks Gavin for keeping "Me Me" young and thank you God for raindrops and "wow" moments!

It's been awhile since I did a menu posting...so here is the latest...

I'm in the process of trying to figure out my crazy blood sugar drops.  I'm frustrated and bored with the old menu, so it's time to try something old and something new.  So the something blue is from the sea...sea scallops.  Old...a tiny bite or two of those sweet potatoes I taked about yesterday and the new...sea scallops...I don't remember ever trying to make them at home and I don't eat them out very often, so I'm considering them "new".  In my book, sea scallops say summer...

Nutritionist Leslie Beck, says scallops are high in protein, contain virtually no saturated fat and are a good source of important minerals including magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Scallops are also a great source of vitamin B12.  The body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells and to maintain a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B12 is also used to make and repair DNA, the genetic material of cells.  Vitamin B12 sounds like a winner! 

Here's how a 3-ounce (90 gram) serving of steamed scallops (bay or sea) stack up in terms of nutrition:

Calories 101

Protein 21 grams

Fat 1.3 grams

Saturated fat 0.1 grams

Cholesterol 48 milligrams

Plus, you get 50 milligrams of magnesium, 304 milligrams of phosphorus, and 1.2 micrograms of vitamin B12.

I think the secret, like any seafood is not to overcook it.  Not bad for my first try, they were great...purchased at The Fresh Market and sauteed in the skillet until brown.    Here's another new one for ya,  serve with a little watercress.  It's in season and really tasty for a garnish or something different.  Yum...summer is here...enjoy !

Come join us for our monthly support meeting

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Cape Fear Hospital

3rd Floor Education Room

6:30pm - 7:30pm

Topic:

"All about Protein"

GNC owner Paul Czesak

This will be great as Paul usually bring proteins to sample!