My Kitchen Counter is Covered in Bacteria!

*Just a note:  There are two posts today. If you’d like to go back and read the earlier it’s Wk 5 ICADS –Thanks!

On Friday I made Lacto-Fermented pickles with some of our home grown cucumbers I made two different flavors, I’m anxious to see how these turn out.

I kind of did my own thing with those… and made it up as I went along. The bag is an alternative to the coffee filter.  Trying this method out. It’s all experimentation when you’re first learning anyway, right?  Also, I placed OAK leaves in my pickles to hopefully give them a crunch!  Turns out Cucumbers need TANNINS to be crunchy.  Who knew?!
The cabbage and the carrots were store bought. I’d rather have home grown carrots; but none this year.(may pick up some at the Farmer’s Market)  Though I’ve made the carrots before and I used store bought carrots; and they were delish!  I’ll include links for these recipes at the bottom for all of them.
The cabbage has apple slices in them, along with some grated apples.  I am really hoping this turns out. I got the recipe from another source…but I used WHEY instead(which she said was fine).  Mine has a lid on top, under the hand towel. Its not an air lock lid. 

• CABBAGE/ KRAUT
• DILLY CARROTS
• FERMENTED PICKLES (this is a link for her recipe for pickles—I used the Dilly Carrots recipe for my pickles)
• CRUNCHY PICKLE SECRETS (I implemented this technique to try and make A CRUNCHY PICKLE— I am still waiting on results at the time this post was published) 

The last jar at the far end--  KOMBUCHA.  I have much success with that yummy drink.
Here is something to think about--

Now, obviously, you’re not going to eat that slimy, yucky watermelon—but the bacteria will! Unlike the burgers and fries—they won’t touch it!
All of these foods (that I’ve canned/fermented) are made when the GOOD BACTERIA eats away at the sugars, creating a preserved PRO-BIOTIC-FULL food that is healthy for you. It’s not over processed—so the vitamins from the vegetables are still there and the good bacteria works in harmony with the vitamins, to make your body strong, healthy, and immune! Starting in GUT!  I’ve just started with the vegetables in 2015. The first recipe I made was the Dilly Carrots. The Kefir is a new addition too. (I’ll share more on it later) I’ve been drinking Kombucha for almost a year and love the way it tastes and the way it effects my body. 
These are real foods I’m using to help combat the T-2 diabetes. It is working for me. I just had to share it with you!**

‘Til next time, eat healthy!
Patricia
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
~Philippians 2:12


**disclaimer: This is NOT medical advice.  I’m not a doctor, nurse or skilled medical professional.  I am just a homemaker with Type-2 diabetes.  I am looking for a way to be the healthiest me I can be.  If you think you have diabetes(or some other debilitating disease)… please see your doctor. I’m not responsible for your health—you are. 

I Just Did It--

 

Monday a week ago—I took it upon myself to make one change in my day.

 

Exercise.

 

This is a picture of the a beautiful Crepe Myrtle tree in my yard—and you can thank me later, that it’s not a picture of me …EXERCISING.

Because, lets face it… that would not make a very pretty picture!

I don’t like doing it—but nobody can do it for me. The people that LOVE me can’t even do it for me; NOT even gentle reminders from them would help instead it would sound like nagging in my little pea-brain. 

So I didn’t even ask them to be my accountability partners--

I just did it.

All that said—just so you can know, that

1. I haven’t JUST been sitting around DOODLING ON INDEX CARDS (here, here and here)
2. I haven’t been vacationing on some remote island in the Tropics (though we’ve had some Tropical Storms here!
3. I’m not trying to Lose weight, though that would be a bonus. I’m exercising to improve my health and get the T2 Diabetes under control. (instead of it controlling me)

I got to thinking, you know?  -- If I can doodle on ICAD (index card a day) and make it a habit, and find it relaxing.  I can exercise a little everyday…

So, I just did it. It’s only been a week …and 3 days, but who’s keeping track?  ME!

I’ve made some other changes, I’ll share them later!  

‘Til next time, Blessings!

 

Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
~ Proverbs 24:33-34

1 year has passed- Progress Report

 

Today marks 1 year—that I was given a T2-Diabetes diagnosis; an anniversary, not really worth celebrating.

Except, I’m still here! 

I’ve come a long way and I’ve learned a lot about myself and this disease.  I’m still not where I want to be along this road to better health.

I’ve analyzed the heck out of food, food labels, food substitutes and creative food. You could probably say, “I’ve obsessed over the food.”   That sounds terrible—but I love food!

I’ve changed the way I eat too.  Not meaning the food, exactly; but the time of day, the portion sizes, the amount of meals or snacks.  I’m not a SCIENTIFIC type of person. 

But…

Diabetes, food, exercise, water, sleep, carbs, schedules—all of it. SCIENCE.

It makes my fuzzy little head spin sometimes.  I’ve still not figured out the body signals.  I think it’s low, because I have a head ache, and want to lie down. No… I check it. It’s high.

I think it’s high… I have an upset stomach, and don’t feel like eating ANYTHING.  No… it’s low.  When I think I have it figured out—it’s the opposite of what I think.

Just this week—I thought, it was the Menopause creating my night sweats and sleeping problems. I’ve been waking during the night, feeling very jittery, wobble-legged, and mostly hungry; like I’m starving.   I checked my blood sugar. It was pretty low, for me. In the middle of the night. WHY?

I did some research… and found out about something called SOMOGYI EFFECT or DAWN PHENOMENON.  

Never heard of this. It’s on the list of things to talk to my doctor about this month. Basically, I have highs in the morning, that are brought on by unusual lows during the night time (sleep hours).

Then of course—there is the pricking of my fingers. I’m trying not to over do it. Just checking in the morning. But with the crazy lows over night—I’ve been checking. I’m sick of doing that!  I absolutely hate it.

Lastly, with all this—it keeps me busy. Along with my normal day to day living, care giving, all the normal things that I do, things you do… but here’s what I know—I know with all the activity IT isn’t EXERCISE.

I started out like gang busters a year ago.  At first I would swim. That happened about 4 months. Then I began walking, inside with a dvd. To be honest with you, I DON’T LIKE EXERCISE.  I know the importance of it. Boy do I! Activity does not equal EXERCISE. Deliberate out and out exercise. A true work out.

My goal still—is to get off this medication.  I don’t want to take it. The only way to do this … will be making myself exercise, continuing to exercise and making a lifestyle of exercise.

I said this before. Diabetes is the one disease that is effected and controlled directly by the patient that has it.  If I want to get better—and stay well, and live to a ripe old age (I’m speaking about Diabetes only) I have to take care of myself.

I’ve made it a year. So far, so good. There is still room for improvement—in so many areas. 

Tell me what are ways you deal with obstacles?  How do you make changes?  How do you deal with successes and failures on the road to healthy living? Not just healthy living; but any goals!  Be a doll and share your thoughts and ideas with me. 

I’m open for suggestions!  

‘Til next time, be blessed and count your blessings!