Swimming day for Eloise

Eloise in the changing room waiting for Mummy and Daddy after a swimming session. apparently she spent an hour in the pool enjoying herself. Her mummy said she swallowed pints of pool water, and even went under, but nothing deterred her from having a good time. Bless her, she's such a happy little girl. I can't wait to have her stay with me and take her with me to our new pool in town.

A Walk in the woods

Today we went for a walk in the woods at Fineshade woods, nr Stamford, it's a lovely place. They have a breeding programme for the Red Kite. so, it was a beautiful sunny day. We packed up a nice lunch and took off with out little jack russell terrier Jaz. She's a sweet little dog, placid and good natured, so we let her off the lead for a rummage in the undergrowth, she absolutely loved it.

While we were walking we saw a little pathway that led off to a clearing in the woods, the floor was soft and covered with dried pine needles, there were an assortment of logs scattered around, we picked one and thought it would be a nice place to sit for lunch.

The sun was shining through the trees in little sunbeams it was an idyllic spot. It was only the second time I'd been on a picnic since having diabetes, and am still a bit wary about injecting in public, but this place was ideal. so we had our meal, I did my necessary and jaz had scraps and water and sat at our feet or rummaged through the trees.


What a good little dog we both thought, no trouble at all, she's so unlike a Jack russell, she wouldn't stray far from us.  after a nice lunch and a sit just to take in the ambiance we wrapped up all our rubbish and went back on the trail back.

Walking along looking at the butterflies and dragonflies along the way, the little crops of wild flowers scattered throughout, rabbit droppings here and there, we could just imagine all the wildlife that inhabits this special woodland.

After a while we came onto the horse trail, we could see evidence of horses having passed by, droppings here and there, we thought nothing of it.  so on we went. Jaz had an inquisitive sniff at it and passed on.  along the path there was more, this time it looked like it was new, fresh dung, Jaz's ears pricked up! before we knew it she was rolling in the stuff, wouldn't get up, so over I went and picked her up off the muck! she quickly, swift as lightning grabbed a huge bit in her mouth and ran off with us hot on her tail....nope, she wasn't giving this up! run off ahead and started eating the stuff!!
we tried coaxing her with tidbits, and calling, but no... she ran on and on and eating along the way, eventually finished it all much to our disgust.

I gave her water.. oh yes, she wanted water, no kidding.... she was now dirty and stinky and loving it.
we got home, she went straight in the bath and is now sleeping off her adventures in her bean bag.

We had a lovely afternoon all in all.  here's Jaz being washed.  she's now fast asleep. a good day was had by all.

Grand Hotel Carrot Cake.

A poplular cake loved by my kids:-

Grand Hotel carrot cake
1 ½  cups all purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ teasp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Baking powder
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 cup cooked mashed carrots
8 ¼ oz can crushed pineapple
1 tablesp hot water
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ teasp. Salt
½ teasp. Cinnamon
½ teasp. Nutmeg
½ teasp. ginger
¼ cup raisins
3 eggs

Icing

8 oz cream cheese
1 lb. Icing sugar
½ cup softened butter


Method:

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, in a large bowl. Combine
carrots, pineapple (drained) , oil, eggs and water, stir into dry ingredients mixing until smooth. Stir in
walnuts ad raisins.

Pour into greased floured baking tins 9” - bake in 180 deg for 25 - 30 mins until cake spring back when
lightly touched.

Remove from pans and cool completely.  Frost with cream cheese icing.

Icing:-

Beat 8oz Cream cheese, and ½ cup butter until fluffy, gradually add icing sugar till desired consistency
(about 3 cups)  this will frost cake plus filling if required.

My story

In November 2010 I had been feeling quite unwell, very tired and listless, then I started to drink a lot, when I say a lot, I mean a pint every half hour or so, maybe more, then of course I was peeing every 5 minutes too, Then after about a week of this I notice my eyesight going very blurry and scratchy, I went to the opticians to get an eye test and he asked me if I was diabetic? I said ‘no’ not that I know of…. Anyway the next day or so got worse, I couldn’t even climb the stairs without a lot of effort. Mike said I think we’d better go and see the doctor, the next day we went. And without so much as a blink, the doctor said I think I know what’s wrong with you.. He did a urine and a blood test and there and then declared me a diabetic !  I was 61yrs old.. I had just retired and was enjoying my retirement, but  ah ha, we don’t escape that easily.
 I went into hospital whereupon I was put on a drip for 3 days, declared a type 1.  I have to take insulin now for the rest of my life. Although with modern technology the actual act of injecting, with a cartridge loaded pen, isn’t  a problem at all, it’s the constant watch of your blood glucose level , not too high, not too low!!
Well it’s been 8 months now since the day I was diagnosed. I now carry with me in my bag an assortment of medical supplies in case of a hypo (v.low glucose levels)  jelly babies, a digestive biscuit.  And  insulin pens, test meter, test strips, finger pricking devices, tissues… to mop the blood!!
So, Diabetes, I have you,  I’ll make the best of my life with you if I have to, and I thank my darling Partner Mike for all his support too, without you, what would be the point?

Fritatta

You can add anything to a fritatta, broccoli, asparagus, choritzo, butternut squash, bacon, mushrooms, any mixed veg. cheese, tomato, If you have any great ideas for a T1. Diabetic,please leave your suggestions!  I'll add them on this page.

Another Fritatta recipe. non oven version. from DSF

6 large eggs
100g finely grated Gruyere
About half a chorizo sausage (one of the ones that doubles over itself), halved length ways and sliced
1 clove garlic finely chopped
1 onion finely chopped
Butternut squash peeled and chopped into small-ish cubes (I used about half a large squash which was even a bit too much).
Dash single cream

Gently fry the garlic and onion in some olive oil.  Add the squash and chorizo, season with salt and pepper, and then fry for maybe 10-15 mins until the pieces of squash are cooked through.

In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the eggs, stir in the cheese and the cream.

Either use the pan you've been using.  Alternatively, I put an oven proof (non-stick) little quiche dish thingie on the ring.  Anyway, put the squash, onion, chorizo etc in the base of the dish then spoon over the egg + cheese mix.  Leave it on a low heat and gently move it round as it starts to set.

When it is nearly set but the top is still slightly liquid, stick it under the grill for a few minutes to set the top and get it golden.  Slice and serve with a green salad.

Depending on how much squash, very low carb - I reckoned about 10-20g for a large slice

My diet. T1 Diabetes.

1st page... Most important - desserts!!! These recipes I got from DSF - food.

Low Carb cheesecake.

First off mix up one packet of sugar free jelly crystals of your chosen flavour (I used raspberry) with 1/2 pint boiling water. Put in fridge when cool enough. Then while the jelly is cooling make the base.

150g ground almonds

50g unsalted butter, melted

1 dessertspoon Splenda

Mix together and press into an 8" flan tin

Bake at 200 degrees C until it begins to turn light brown (about 10 minutes)

Leave to cool.

For the topping

250g soft cheese - I used Asda Smartprice which is similar to Philadelphia but a fraction of the price! I used full fat cheese but there is a 5% fat Philadelphia which is still quite low in carbs.

100g full fat plain yogurt

I added about 100 ml double cream which needed using up - or you could just use a bit more yogurt.

Put the cheese and yogurt in a mixing bowl along with the jelly and whisk it all together.

Pour onto cooled base and chill in fridge for 2 hrs until set. Can be decorated with fresh fruit - I used raspberries.

Makes 8 very generous portions.

Total carbs for the whole cheesecake about 40g, so only 5g per portion if you cut it into 8

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New York style version which seems to have scored maximum taste points .it's scrummy!

Base is the same as the one in the original recipe. Leave oven on but turn it down to about 175C.

Then for the topping

250g tub of cream cheese

50g softened marg or butter (I used olive spread)

100g or so of plain yogurt

3 heaped dessertspoons of Splenda

1 egg

1 fairly heaped tablespoon of flour

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Handful of berries

Put all the ingredients except for the fruit in a mixing bowl and beat them all together. It will be quite runny but don't be concerned. Test for sweetness and add more splenda if required. Gently fold in the fruit so as not to damage it, then spoon the mixture on top of the base.

Bake the cheesecake in the middle of the oven for about 30 minutes until it feels set when you touch the top. Turn oven off but leave cheesecake in there with door partly open so it cools down gradually, this will stop it cracking. When cool enough chill in fridge.

This is a lovely firm textured rich cheesecake and makes 8 very generous portions. Only about 50g carbs in the whole thing

I am going to try stirring in a small bit of melted 70% cocoa dark chocolate next time, or drizzle it over the top.

The next are just a few suggestions I have tried and tested.

Breakfasts.

Unsweetened Muesli (made as follows by me!) I kg bag jumbo organic rolled oats, 1 bag rolled spelt flakes, also organic (bought online at http://www.healthysupplies.co.uk), 1 pkt mixed nuts (unsalted) 1 bag dried cranberries, 1 bag mixed seeds, 1 bag mixed berries. Mix it all together and keep in a cereal container. 50g portion each morning with s/skimmed milk. ONLY 50g !!!! (I use a small babies dish, so the portion looks bigger!! Psychological)

Or.... In the winter 30g (dry weight) porridge made with the same oats and s/skimmed milk.

 

Lunches

1. Wraps. - I use seeded wraps, lay flat, spread with either Hummus (low fat version) or Mayo (Light) just about a dessertsp of each will do, lay a few lettuce leaves over, add tomato, cucumber, some chopped spring onions, If you don't use Hummus lay a piece of ham or cooked chicken on top also. Roll up and cut into 2.

 

2. Wholemeal (oaty ones) with either tuna/Mayo, egg/Mayo, ham or chicken in. Small side salad.

 

3. Omelette, with a smidgen of cheese and mixed herbs! + small side salad.

 

4. Frittatta. Which is about 6-8 eggs beaten in a bowl. Add small pkt of low fat cream cheese, with herbs or chives,some strong grated cheddar (for taste) a few tblsp of natural yogurt, salt & pepper and mixed herbs. Whisk it all together put aside...

Fry off some bacon, mushrooms, or chorizo sausage, salami etc.... Add to the egg mix along with some mixed veg. Any will do, broccoli is especially good, and/or spinach.

Mix it all together and top with some grated cheese, sliced tomato and sliced goats cheese or feta crumbled.

Bake in the centre of the oven, about gas Mk 4 ( around 160 deg. I think) until firm to the touch and slightly golden on top. (about 40 mins)

Let cool, eat either warm or cold, with salad or small jacket potato. Can be sliced up and frozen! Yummy!!!

 

Part 3 desserts

 

1. Frozen mixed berries & 1 small tub yogurt (low fat/low sugar)

 

2. Sugar free Jelly & Ice cream (small scoop)    SF Jelly saved my life !!!  So nice to fill up on.

 

3. Piece cheesecake you made earlier...

 

4. Fresh strawberries and a good dollop of natural yogurt !

Some recent family photos

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