Diabetes Recipes:
Easy Celebration Chicken
Gorgonzola Polenta
For the Wild Crowd
A Celebration Feast For HbA1c
It's official, Sheldon Bleicher, M.D. has retired. He was my diabetologist for over 20 years. I called him "The Wizard". He ruled with a nudge if you were not performing up to par and a smile and reassuring hug when there was cause to celebrate something like excellent numbers. He had the gift of communicating bad news with gentle encouragement and optimism. He recommended modalities that could only make you feel better and help with better diabetes management. Dr. Bleicher was smart, kind, extremely knowledgeable, caring and on the cutting edge of diabetes care. The wizard was a healer. I feel lost without his guidance.
Over the years when time approached for an appointment I never failed to create an exaggerated fear perception over the dreaded A1c test results. Dr. B was a real stickler about keeping numbers under 6. Although the HbA1c test measures an average reading of blood sugars over a 2-month period, it does not indicate high and low number swings. These can only be determined by diligent and regular testing with a handy home blood glucose monitor. It's your responsibility to manage that part. But having a good A1c reading is better than having a high one, which may indicate inadequate care or control. And even though I try very hard to control my blood sugars, they are not always 105. Having an A1c reading of 6 or below (which usually was the case) seemed to have a gleeful effect on me. It meant that, yeah! I'm trying and succeeding in caring for my diabetes. It is like getting a good report card at school. You work hard to achieve something and are rewarded for your effort.
Whatever your A1c readings are, the important part and direct reason for this test is to learn and act from the results. If the number is on the high side, step back to have an objective look at your routines. Are you eating too many carbs for your lifestyle? Are you slouching on your daily exercise regimen? Has stress been a factor in your life? Examine and tweak any areas of your diabetes care that are tipping the A1c scale. Diligence in daily care has an enormous payoff in good health. It's up to you.
Replacing the Irreplaceable
There are few people we meet in life who are really irreplaceable. Dr. B is one of those rare species. But reality tells me I still have diabetes and must find someone to trust for guidance, support and medical care So Iím on a shopping spree for a new doc. And until I find one I am taking extra care with day-to-day diabetes concerns with confidence that the next A1c will be one to celebrate.
Celebration Feast
Over the years I have always interpreted good numbers as a cause to celebrate with a proper A1c feast. So please join me over in the CYBER KITCHEN to prepare an autumn meal that encourages future excellence in achievement for all of us who work hard for good numbers. We deserve a pat on the back and a great dinner.
Here is a dinner fit for any fall celebration. It is, particularly delicious when it celebrates good diabetes care! Accompany with a bright green salad for fiber, hydration, color and texture.
Cyber Kitchen Summer Recipes