A Lesson And Lentil Soup With Lemon & Dill

I went to several appointments today thinking I was going to hear some very bad news. I thought I could just get up and go back to eating meat. Instead, my blood labs confirmed what I knew myself. That I cannot eat meat if I want to feel better or live to see my daughter grow or have any grandchildren. My weight has stayed consistent at least. Hasn't gone up, hasn't gone down though. I think we may have found a good combination to lower my sugars...FINALLY where meds are concerned. Maybe I'll actually see the scale go down and have more energy to get through a workout and my day.

I started a new Reboot. Today I've eaten all plant based and the best part is Doug has made my favorite soup. Lemon-dill lentil soup. I'm happy!

LENTIL SOUP WITH LEMON & DILL

PRINT PREP TIME 10 mins COOK TIME 25 mins TOTAL TIME 35 mins Author: Amanda Maguire 

Additions in parenthesis made by my husband, Papa Bear.

Recipe type: Soup Serves: 6-8 INGREDIENTS 3 C. Dried Green Lentils 8 C. Vegetable Stock 2 C. Water 6 Garlic Cloves, thinly sliced 1 Tbs. Dried Dill 8 Carrots, roughly chopped 8 Stalks of Celery, roughly chopped Juice of 2 Lemons Salt & Pepper to Taste

INSTRUCTIONS In a large stock pot, combine lentils, garlic, carrots, celery, and dill. (I put them in an Instant Pot pressure cooker) Add vegetable stock and water. Cover and bring to a boil.(In the Instant Pot, press the Soup button and let it cook for 20 minutes) Reduce heat to simmer, and cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until lentils are tender. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.(I added 2 more cups of water at the end because it was too thick for our taste. Also added 2 tablespoons of Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base) Serve with your favorite crusty bread. NOTES Fresh dill would be excellent in this recipe instead of dried. If you're using fresh, I'd recommend about 1 C. of roughly chopped dill as a garnish, rather than adding it in with the other ingredients. I ended up not using any oil in this recipe, but I think a drizzle of olive oil just before serving would be awesome.

Surpassing Milestones And Overcoming My Own Standards

I don't even know where to start. Maybe I'll start with the fact that I finished. I finished something I never imagined I could do. I left a whole lot of baggage physically and emotionally on the course today. I broke down twice, prayed a whole lot, met new friends and bonded with the two most amazing triathletes who helped me and encouraged me from the beginning. 

I made it through a little less than half a mile swimming toward rocky waves and managed not to be the last one out. Transition was slower than I would have liked but I got to the bike and finished 6 miles instead of my hoped-for 12. I ran a 15 minute mile and finished with 2 miles of the 3 miles I'll have to go which is MORE than I thought I could do even yesterday.

I cried twice because of the mental determination I had and also because of the debilitating fears I hope to overcome. The ones that have led me here on this journey. Of lost hopes and dreams of a child I held and had to let go, of blame and anger which led to more fear and anger. It all just came to a standstill on the road running. Overcoming standards. MY standards! Pushing past the emotional pain which I hold more than any physical scars I could endure.

Still through it all, I had my friends...new and old, by my side while my husband and Little Bear cheered me on, left and cheered me through the door again.

Guilt, shame, fear, failure, lost dreams. They are not what builds the strength to overcome victoriously! God holds no prison with which to keep us. Rather, He builds us up with a new sense of HOPE. With His strength we gain courage. Setting the baggage aside is giving me a whole new life. One that I hope will flourish and become a new way of life for my marriage and our daughter.

Today has been a hard day physically and emotionally, but I did it! I conquered the unknown, left the emotional pain behind and am hopeful for a better future.

Thank you to my coach Jamie for believing in me and opening your heart and expertise to someone you never met that day you saw my post. Thank you to Lance and his wife for what you've done for me, Farah from Syracuse Woman's Magazine and her mom for the blessing you've been, for Kellie and Joslyn for being present with me today...for pushing me and encouraging me. For redirecting my fears and anxieties. Thank you to the slew of athletes who have blessed my life with your friendships, your wisdom and resources. Bless you all for the kind hearts you have!

To the family who supports me everyday and to my friend Patti for praying with me and for talking with me when all I wanted to do was die from the heartache and pain. For standing on Gods word for our Little Bear who is our rainbow baby. To Deanna who shares a similar heartache. I can't imagine my life without you. This journey would have been SO DIFFERENT. I wouldn't have met any of these people without Gods hand over our friendship. 

Finally to the husband Doug with whom God hand-picked to be mine. Nobody would have stood the obstacles we've had together. I'm not even sure anyone would have stuck with me for the attitudes I've had. You love me. ALL of me! You are loving, thoughtful, compassionate, patient, kind, gentle, encouraging and supportive. You allow me this time so I can be who God made me to be. So I can be there for the two of you! Thank you so much!

It sounds like an award right now, I'm just on an emotional high. A year ago, I had my will typed up and thought I was heading toward death. Today I'm feeling great and facing with the things I couldn't change so that I could LIVE without fear.

A Frustration With Medical Care.

Hm, I used to get into my endocrinologist with no problems at all when I needed him. Then his office became a practice which has taken in more specialists, PCP'S and ENT Dr.'s.  It was then that they lost personal contact with me as their patient. I started feeling like I was cattle going in to be marked and less like a human being they cared about.

The front desk started asking people what the problem was before they'd patch them into the Dr.'s or their nurses and my scripts were supposed to be easier going "paperless" because they were phoning them in only to find they hadn't and it would take several more tries to get my medications.

Now that my weight is going down, my blood sugars are starting to go down DRASTICALLY in what almost seems like overnight.  I called the diabetic educator who has been AMAZING as all the changes started taking place, and she reduced my insulin over half since Monday.  She's said my body is starting to use it's own insulin instead of needing countless amounts pushed in (any leftover stores as fat in the body by the way). Insulin Resistance is pretty much almost gone.

Today I called her to follow up, and during workouts because I'm still having lows in between will be cut in half yet again. She said she would see me at my appointment with her at the end of May.

I know I can call her and get an emergency appointment, but there is NO WAY I'm going to make it to the end of may when my numbers are 115 pretty much across the board AFTER meals.  I've had 65's twice tonight which really put me close to fainting spells.

Luckily I have a husband who is an RN and we've identified that I need to eat MORE.  I'm barely keeping my numbers at 115 and this is after a HUGE portion of food on my plate AND a handful of cashews with vegan chocolate chips.  I'm REALLY full!

Luckily I have an appointment with my new PCP I found several months ago that has been personally working with me. My labs are in (though I highly doubt the past two weeks really count as a 3 month average yet) and I get the results.

If the low's continue to come, I'm going to have him deal with everything and call it a day. The downside to that is even though I'll be on oral meds, we're going to have to find the right dosage and that could take a while. I don't deal well with some of the side-effects.   All these lows are not only making me weak but VERY emotional.

Disappointments Happen, But You MUST Listen To Your Body!

A disappointing training is one that never happened.  ((sigh)) 

As I wait for the team of Dr.'s to change things, I had to recover from the last 3 days worth of lows and heart palpitations from what I'm guessing is thyroid medication that needs to be lowered. 

I'm a numbers person however, and I have in my head a time I'd like to reach for my ride in the race in August. I don't want just the numbers but the quality. It means I need to be consistent on the bike and these setbacks make me pretty frustrated and emotional. Not to mention that my coach, husband, and daughter have put a lot of time and support in along with me. Nobody is pressuring me, but I certainly feel the need to do my absolute best. Not just for myself, but all those who have put their love, support and resources into helping me.

I see changes in my body as well as in my overall health, I just want to be sure I keep the right pace.

My Insulin Resistance Isn't So Resistant Anymore!

I've been having some pretty consecutive lows lately. I need to call the Diabetic educator, have labs done and call my PCP so that my medical team is on board with what's going on.

"It seems the longer I eat plant-based and train, the lower my blood sugars go. 70 this morning and 65 a half an hour ago. Of course 80 is normal so these numbers are pretty low. After taking my emergency stash of glucose tabs, I've come to the conclusion that I'm done with the specialist and it's time to come off the insulin pump.

I'm making an appointment with my wonderful PCP to move back to oral meds to help me process the insulin my body produces and maybe for the time being a long lasting insulin to keep sugars level. I think I've hit a goal!

While I'm a bit hesitant to say this, I'm almost in tears to think that I will no longer be wearing my "tail" the insulin pump that hides or drags around with me.

Please pray that the Dr. appointment goes well and that my body will take to the new oral meds prescribed. It's going to take a little bit of trial and error which scares me, but the more I focus on nutrition and exercise, the more likely it will be that I may reverse my type II diabetes altogether. I praise God for every milestone and pray for wisdom and guidance from my GREATEST Physician".

UPDATE:

Holy Cats! The Diabetic Educator cut my long lasting insulin rate on my pump from 3.40 at midnight at 3.30 until 3am and 8am until midnight  3.45 to 1.0 from midnight to 9am and from 9am to midnight 2.0.  My blood sugar STILL just came out at 82 AFTER lunch.  That's normal but shows that the insulin has been pushing me under.  We'll see how the changes work over time but I wean off the insulin pump soon.

Another UPDATE May 1st:  The Diabetic Educator says everything is level right now. She does want me to cut my basil (long lasting insulin) in half during my intense training sessions so I don't bottom out again. I see her at the end of the month when HOPEFULLY, we'll start getting off that pump.  I'll keep an update when I see the PCP shortly!

The Starch Solution. Getting Rid Of Inflammation In Your Body.

Doug and I were discussing this book by Dr. McDougall about a month ago. We don't have this book, but I've heard EXCELLENT things about reversing such things as rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, IBS, Crohns Disease and other issues like mine.

I think it's time to take things a step further. I'm going to weed out soy products and gluten. This is going to be interesting since i have wheat products from bread flour to cake flour and whole wheat pastas.

I'm going to see if doing this will officially get rid of inflammation and get rid of illness for good.

So if you are soy free, dairy free AND gluten free, I'd appreciate your go-to recipes please.

Resource & picture courtesy of:  Dr. McDougall's Health & Medical Center

Low Impact For 2-3 Weeks. Alternative Training Schedule To Come.

Well, it looks like the 3rd sinus infection I got two weeks ago has caused quite the ruckus. I have to keep in mind that as a Diabetic life is so much different from that of a healthy persons.

I have multiple infections in and around my mouth, esophagus and intestinal tract. Nothing that anyone can contract of course, but due to a combination of good stress on the body as well as the typical weakening of the immune system that comes with diabetics I have to wait it out and get aggressive.

As I was listening to the bad news, I refused to wallow in the frustration and figure out a new plan for low impact. This of course means I have to closely watch what I eat even on a plant based diet.

What gave me a new perspective was thinking of how much I want to kick this disease where it counts and look back come fall to see how far I've come without quitting. I'll see these moments where I worked hard physically but also fought hard to reverse disease and illness.

Please, if you learn ANYTHING from me let it be that eating what gives you instant gratification isn't always the healthiest choice for you nor will eating to soothe change anything that happens in your life.

We have to be our own advocates, eat healthy, be physical and take charge. I give God all the glory over my life and He has blessed me abundantly. It really is about balance physically, mentally and spiritually.

Hugs and blessings dear friends!

New Photos January/February/March 27 lbs down

Yes, I've heard the jokes that I look taller. Hahaha It's the photo. Though maybe my posture has gotten better. I have a terrible sinus infection and cold in this months but you can't seem to tell. That's great!  I'm looking healthier. What an encouragement!

First Low Impact Swim Class

Hell MUST have frozen over because I was seen in a swimsuit for my very first swim class. I cannot tell you HOW scared I was to walk around in front of people in a swimsuit.

After I got through the deer in a headlight look, I got in the pool and spent an hour just stretching nice and easily for an hour with a low impact workout.  I felt great and even made friends afterwards in the sauna drying off.

It's been good to get back in the swing of things.  Last Wed. I was achey all over my body. By Thursday I had a sinus infection and my knee was hurting from the incline walk the night before. It was kind of unusual as I've done an incline walk and hadn't felt so bad.  My poor body was fighting itself. Cross between the weather, sinus infection, Ovarian Cysts which I suspected burst, and just feeling pretty darn sick.  I wrestled with MANY things over the weekend.

FINALLY I'm back in the game so-to-say. Coach asked me to wait until I was done with the z-pack to start back up.  Even then, we're treading lightly since my knee feels achey still.  We've been trying to build my leg muscles up. They are crap. I haven't really used them in YEARS, so its no surprise.

Tomorrow I have aqua running to keep me running therapeutically without putting added stress on joints and muscles.

Friday I'll be on the bike trainer.  THAT is a different sort of pain.  It's a burn.  It's also an extreme mental challenge for me. I have to get past the mental fear of not being able to finish it.  Two weeks ago I did an hour on the bike and it was EXCRUCIATING!  Last weekend I had to miss a training session thanks to the issues I was dealing with.  NOW I have to work back up again.  My hope it to get 1hr and 15 minutes in.

I also know I have to eat MORE. I've always skipped breakfast. During training days I'd eat a banana.  That is until my coach found out.  If I don't eat more, my body will find it harder to run.  It may be why last bike training I really felt awful.  We'll see how it works this week!

So far I've had oatmeal for breakfast, a Chia protein bar, we stopped at Moe's after the gym and I got a veggie bowl NO CHIPS, No cheese. Just salsa, veggies, rice and beans.     Baked Sweet Potato for dinner with a salad.

Unlimited water today and I've had 20 ounces of orange pekoe tea with lemon.