Walk MS 2012

This weekend I had the honor of leading a team for Walk MS South Sound. This came on the anniversary of my one year mark with MS. Around the middle of April last year was when my first episode began. It was a scary few months that followed and I wanted to start the anniversary of that event off on a positive note. Thanks to the work of my teammates we won a tent on team row and several people were able to learn more about the Swank Diet.
Here are a few photos from the event.

Posing with The Monkey. How cool are those orange frames?!

Sharing information about the Swank Diet.

This one tugs at the heart strings for me.

I just had to have my picture taken with our virtual walkers.
We drew them on balloons so they could join us on the walk.

Look at that view!!

This viewing spot was the perfect place for a rest on our trek up the big hill.

Thanks again to everyone that donated and joined me for the journey. It was an incredible experience.

My Epic Plan

I turned 29 this month. It's my last year in my 30s and like many people at this mile marker, I'm feeling as though I let myself down. In the days following my party I had a great conversation with a friend about who we used to be and how awesome those people were.
Then one day on my long drive home from work I devised a multi-part plan on how to make this next year a truly epic one.  I pieced it together here and as you start thinking about your plans for the new year I hope this inspires you to create your own plan for an Epic Year.

Part A:
Live like it’s 2001 all over again.
I will remember 18 year old me and how epic she was. That person is still inside me. She was able to do everything and be everywhere and kick ass the whole while. The 18 year old me knew that the world was within her grasp. She was afraid but refused to show it. She had doubts but never doubted her ability to do anything she set her mind to. When she lacked self confidence she found a way to restore it.
She has worked hard all her life and juggled multiple jobs at a time alongside high school and college. The 18 year old me never would have let one of those responsibilities be done in a half-assed way.

18 year old me had drive and determination that nobody could take away.

18 year old me wouldn’t let anyone slow her down.

18 year old me kicked ass.

Part B:
Appreciate Scars
Falling hurts, and I will not discount that pain. I will however learn to appreciate the scars, the lessons and the knowledge that came from the fall. I will approach each imperfection on my skin and on my heart as though they are trophies.

I survived THAT!

My failures are not to be hidden.

I had the opportunity to fall flat on my face and I was able to get up.

I moved on.

I am stronger and wiser because of these scars.

Part C:
Be a healthier me.
I am not a cactus. I cannot sit in the blazing sun all day. I will seek emotional shade from friends, family and
those who can help. I will not let myself burn and fade away to nothing.
I will eat food that nourishes both my body and my soul. I will share these foods with others and encourage them to be better.
I will move. Everyday I will appreciate my ability to move.
If I can run I will run.
If I feel like leaping I will leap.
And on the days where I can barely move one foot in front of the other I will...

I will because I can.

Part D:
I will live with a thankful heart.
I will not let anger and jealousy take root. I will appreciate every smile and every tear. Everyday I am alive is a reason to be thankful and I will not go another day without appreciating those days.

Every breath.

Every moment.

Every thing.

May this next year be an epic year for you as well.
Happy New Year everyone!!

I am human hear me roar

Someday, when I am older and wiser, I will understand that I don't need to be perfect. That will be a happy day, with less stress, and more celebrations.  I hope that day is soon.

To recap, I had my 3 month check-up with my endocrinologist yesterday. I was a wreck leading up to it. I knew that I hadn't followed all the diet rules 100% of the time. I knew that I let my knee injury keep me from working out. And I knew that I could either have excuses or results and this time I had excuses.

I don't keep a scale at home, my weight loss has been measured by how the pants fit. I knew that they were loose, but I also anticipated them being much looser at the 3 month mark. Because of this I was ready for a verbal lashing from the doctor. Anyway... in 3 months I have shed 15 pounds. At 5 pounds a month it isn't a dramatic change, but it's still in the right direction.

There was no verbal lashing from the doctor...in fact he was very supportive. I've had success such as giving up sugar and accepting this change.  I've also learned to tell when my blood sugar is low and when my crazy emotional outbursts are sugar related and when they aren't.

So here we go... 3 months till the next check-up and a 12-hour fasting blood test.  This round I'm aiming for 20 pounds. That means about a pound and a half to lose a week...that's totally doable...right?

Ain't no party like a Hypo girl's party

I love to entertain and make delicious goodness so we frequently have parties where I can show off and create happy bellies. Back in the beginning of December we put this BBQ on the calendars and everyone was excited...the problem was how soon it came after the unexpected diagnosis.
I spent most of the week in a deep depression. I'd make frequent trips to the bathroom to hide the tears that came without warning. I sat in my car crying and desperately searching the internet for recipes I could make people that I would also be able to enjoy. For those of you that don't know, the diet is very particular with amounts and types to be eaten, and the limitations have been frustrating.
Here is a sample dinner I made earlier in the week:
3 oz. skinless baked chicken
1 cup steamed broccoli
One small sweet potato, chopped and baked with olive oil and garlic
1 small apple

It was good, it was healthy but it is not exactly party food. Despite that, I decided to make something similar.
My husband planned to make a brisket and he started smoking it at 8 in the morning.  I prepped the sweet potatoes and.... well that was it. Normally party prep includes hours of dicing, stuffing, blending, baking, frosting and the works, but there was nothing else this time. My dear friend offered to bring Ratatouille, and I had fruit juice to drink while I kicked their butts at 10,000.

With people set to arrive at 6 I made sure to adjust my eating times accordingly and followed the rules all day.
At 5:30 the sweet potatoes went in and at 6:00 I realized I didn't have nearly enough for 2 pregnant women, 3 big guys, myself and the kiddlets. 
Looking back, that is when I lost it. Normally I have back-ups I can make other things to fill in any gaps. My Minnesotan upbringing trained me to be ready for unexpected guests and snowstorms, and I take great pride from being able to whip up something without notice. And yes, I had other things I could have made...but not that I could have eaten that would have followed ALL the rules.
Around 6:15 there were still no guests and I started to get super emotional. The baking pans in the cupboard refused to cooperate which led to the discovery that I have Hulk like strength when left without food. My poor husband was at a loss for what to do with me and the new hole in the cupboard.
At 6:20 he was excused to get the doorbell and the friends took over. I am so lucky for this friend. She helped me off the floor (literally) and listened to me blubber through the options.
By 6:30 I had powered through the shakes and mixed up a mixture of brown and white rice (because only handfuls remained of each kind) and topped it with homemade bruschetta that I almost always have around.

While it didn't follow all the rules or portion sizes, I think I came pretty close for my first social event.
4 oz Smoked Beef Brisket
1/2 cup diced sweet potato baked with garlic and olive oil
1/2 cup Brown/White Rice mix with bruschetta
1 cup Ratatouille
8 oz Odwalla Tropical Fruit Juice
There was also some delicious BLT dip and whole wheat crackers that I probably shouldn't have been snacking on...but peer pressure got the best of me.

It's baaaack!

Coffee!! I love coffee!!
After 2 days of fighting the headaches and pains and sleepiness,I brought it back. The doctor's words were to avoid caffeine intake and so I did. That said I am not going all in, I won't repeat my 22 oz coffee runs. But these headaches need to stop.
This morning I mixed a shot of espresso in with my 8 oz glass of milk in the morning and some sugar free caramel syrup. Not only was it delicious, but I also feel a little better.
Coffee has been studied for years and really has legit health benefits. For example coffee drinkers are less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. They also have fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes. (Here's a great article to tell you more in case you don't believe me.)
So why did it make me feel better? Well it helped derail the withdrawal symptoms, but I think it also had something do to with elevating my blood sugar giving that me that instant "happy feeling".
I've done my research and I understand that caffeine releases glycogen and that further aggravates the blood sugar roller coaster, especially in hypoglycemics. So coffee needs to go eventually but for now I think I will focus on it being more of a treat than a necessity.
Hypoglycemia.org said it best, "Be extremely careful when and how you eliminate the offending substances. Only YOU, with the guidance of a health-care professional, can decide. Some patients choose to go at a steady pace. If you drink ten cups of coffee a day, gradually reduce consumption over a period of days or weeks."


As a side note a little sugar free caramel syrup (the coffee kind, not the ice cream kind) and some hot milk is delicious and a great way to curb that sweet tooth. I had that tonight with my whole grain toast before bed.