Debbie, I know what you mean about the pantry loaded up with old favorites that don't fit into the picture anymore. Ray is so picky I'm lucky if he eats anything, even junk food, while I'm trying to cut back drastically myself to lose weight while using up what we have, which is a little of everything: every kind of grain imaginable, canned and dried beans, tomatoes galore, gourmet items that used to be everyday ingredients and of course the endless pasta. Oops forgot the freezer, meat and baked goods and lots of stuff that I squirreled away for all the company we used to have. I always worried that if something bad ever happened, at least we wouldn't starve, but never imagined not being able to eat anything and everything on God's green earth.

My doctor told me back in November that I was pre-diabetic and I freaked out. Turns out it was probably because I had just returned from the cruise or something because in January sugar levels were as low as can be, but it really made me think about it, sugars and refined starches especially. Just part of getting old, trying not to blame it on stress from the stroke. We're expecting 2 to 4 inches out here on the East End too, guess we'll see in the AM! With the 45 degree weather during the daytime though, haven't had to shovel since last weekend at least. Only a few inches left right now.

oh man, I just made a long post and it ate it again. I hit add comment, and it comes back without my post... bahhhhh hum bug, maybe tomorrow.......

We went through this when Ray became a diabetic in 1990. Luckily as his Mum was a diabetic and I had watched her eating patterns ( she had died by then) I was able to put together a diet for Ray fairly easily. He defeated me by eating snacks on his way home of course but at least I tried to make the meals he had at home of the right ingredients.

Of course after many strokes eating out became a problem for other reasons. Here there are books available with a lot of information, one called Diabetic Monthly was really helpful, plenty of nice recipes and tips on things like eating out. As a diet restricted person myself (lactose intolerant and low fat diet) I do sympathise with diabetics and others whose entertaining and eating out is severely affected.

The snow will soon be over Debbie, roll on Spring! (edging closer to winter for me...sigh).

Sue.

I've done modified versions of the Atkins diet in the past, which was developed to help with diabetes I believe, so I am trying to lean that way these days. He makes it simple, just count your carbs. Actually I just remembered, the doctor said it wasn't diet with me, it was that I lost almost 10 lbs due to having the flu and that was all that was needed. Plateauing right now, but hoping for more results with some of the things I'm giving up for Lent, I'll let you know at Easter!

Oh and Debbie, if you go with the steel cut oatmeal that cooks for a half hour, you can put it in a crock pot overnight to cook and it's ready when you get up the next morning. I've never used instant myself, I like the Irish type that cooks five minutes, but the steel cut is nice for a change, much different texture.

Debbie,

All I can say is you got it under control from what I read in your blog but just be careful on that deck with that much snow still present. You don't have time for any slips or falls for you are Bruce, like you said Spring can't be too far away and hopefully no snow for Easter.

We still got it cold and some evenings are 70 degrees. No wonder people stay sick!

Sandy,

I think and I'm guessing you hit a back button to look at a previous post or site after you write the comment but before you hit add comment? It will disappear every time. Once you finish typing and hit spell check, if all is OK, you gotta hit add comment if not you'll lose it more often than not. I'm speaking from experiences.

Sting, I too do the batch of steel cut oatmeal. Larry will eat it. Maybe I should try the crock pot version tho since last time I let the darn pot boil over forgeting it was cooking. lol

Fred, I have lost postings here, even when I finish and hit "post". I think it is just a fluke with the board. But then, it could be Debbie's cat, Kira, trying to help. lol

Julie

Debbie, hope the snow is finished, Iam in Florida, so no snow,and for the last few days, it has been cold, well cold for Florida.

You are right about your cooking, and shopping will change. Over 8 years I was told that I had Type2 , diabete and now Iam just a diabete. The doctor said , they were wrong to tell meabout Type2 ???

My husbands and mine eating habits have change. We eat lots of veg, fish,chicken,brown rice, wheat, beans, and drink lots of water. Debbie, there are lots of cookbooks, web sites, and eating out, is easy now, everyone is aware of what is going in our food.

Yvonne

Yvonne

My biggest thing is that I am a good cook, just have to relearn what is acceptable. And yes, Yvonne, the ADA has a local chapter here and my Dietitian suggests we make a visit there - lots of good free info. And I have a lot of support right from here.

Fortunately for February at least, I only have to have one meal prepped for Caregivers one night a week. I don't want every night to be fish or chicken, salad and a vegetable side.

His fasting numbers are dropping and that is the medication kicking in, but eventually that will plateau and I just want meals under control to help that. Debbie