So I had my quarterly doctor appointment with my endocrinologist last week, and I got the results of my latest blood test. Know your numbers! Not just for diabetics, but you should have your blood work done at least once a year to see where you are.
Okay, I am off my soap box! The critical number I always look at is my A1C number. Anything below a 7 is considered a “controlled” diabetic. I was shooting close to six, but I am happy with this number! I know Nicole will be proud of that number!!
6.4! 😀 I know my dietician friends will love that number!
The bad news? My cholesterol and triglycerides are through the roof! 😦
Okay so my cholesterol should be under 199 - mine is 203 - not that bad, but my triglycerides are 400 and shouldn't be over 149! Shit.
So he gave me a prescription and we’ll see if that helps – my next blood test is at the end of May. He did write me a note that said “Diabetic control very good.” Anyone out there with diabetes, especially insulin dependent diabetes knows it’s almost a part time job figuring out what to eat, how much to eat, how much insulin to take, how to not crash while working out – I am proud that all my hard work pays off! 😀
Okay, now let’s get on with the food! Egg white hash never looks pretty, but it tastes so good! This batch is 1/2 cup canned diced potatoes, 1/2 ounce turkey pepperoni, 4 ounces shredded zucchini and 1/2 ounce of cheddar cheese. On the side 1.5 ounces of my Artisan bread and 1 small Asian pear.
I made another batch of my Thai basil chicken in baked wontons. This batch is 4 ounces of chicken in 4 wonton wraps. I kind of overcooked the chicken just a tad, but it was still delicious! I knew that wouldn’t be enough for lunch so the night before I threw together this soup. I am calling it a “pho” soup, but it might not be legit!
Biz’s Vegetarian (oops, its got chicken broth) Spicy Pho Soup
- 2 cups chicken broth (okay, you could sub veggie broth!)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 sliced jalapeno
- 1/2 cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon peppercorns
- 1 chunk of fresh ginger
- 1 ounce vermicelli Thai noodles
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
- 4 ounces diced zucchini
- 3 ounces shredded carrots
Simmer broth, jalapeno, cinnamon stick, ginger and peppercorns for 20 minutes. Remove everything, but put the jalapenos back in. Add noodles, zucchini, carrots and sriracha sauce, and simmer an additional 15 minutes, until vegetables are tender, but still have a bite to them.
Best part? The nutrition! This whole bowl comes in at 227 calories, 6.9 fat, 26.6 carbs, 4.8 fiber, 15.5 protein. It’s low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It’s high in manganese, niacin, phosphorus, and potassium – and very high in Vitamin A and C! And it’s fricken delicious! I love the added heat of the sriracha sauce in the broth!
I love my Ramen soup bowl - it was $2.99 at World Market!
I was on my own working out yesterday. My library has a pretty big selection of exercise DVD’s, but sometimes it takes a while to get one – especially The Biggest Loser series. I lucked out the last time I was at the library and got this DVD:
I love that it's only Bob!
This was hard! What I like about it is that you can “build” your own workout:
I ended up doing the 5 minute warm up, 20 minutes of high intensity cardio and 20 minutes of the strength training
I swear they must have done about 10 minutes of abs! What I like about Bob’s training style is that it’s gentle. When I felt I couldn’t hold the plank much longer he says “I know it’s hard, but you are strong and you can do this!” It’s just what I needed! 😀
Tony was up to the plate for dinner last night, since we had roasted whole chicken – he put it in the oven at 4:30 and by 6:00 it was perfect! I forgot to ask him what seasoning he put on top, but it was delicious!
I still can't wait for beer can chicken weather though!
My plate: 4.5 ounce chicken breast (I had the first bite with skin, then gave the rest to the dog!), 1/2 cup mashed potatoes and 3/4 cup green beans.
My blood sugar was in the 65 range later in the evening, so I had two of these. They call them Clemen”tinas” – they are so tiny and cute – and absolutely delicious! I like no seeds!
Stats for the Day: 45 minutes of BL DVD and
Yeah!! I got an A!
When is the last time you had your blood work done?
Gotta jump in the shower and get my ass to work – happy hump day!
Oh and this weeks host of BSI is Fun Fearless Foodie – Secret Ingredient: Parmesan Cheese! Um, she had me at cheese! 😀
My Bizzy Kitchen 
I get my blood taken every 3-6 months because I am hypothyroid, but a full workout about once a year. I really feel for you, girl. I know how hard you are working at eating super healthy! My dad is the picture of health – has never been overweight and has always exercised. He is very much in shape, but just recently his cholesterol went up a bit. It has to be the family history. Now I need to watch out, too.
We would like to thank you once again for the gorgeous ideas you gave Janet when prrpeaing a post-graduate research and also, most importantly, regarding providing each of the ideas in one blog post. If we had known of your site a year ago, we might have been kept from the needless measures we were choosing. Thank you very much.
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Congrats on the A1C Biz, that is awesome!!
Also, congrats because you won my Crystal Light giveaway but heck if I can find your email addy anywhere. 😉 Could you email me your mailing address? ibrakeforbooks (at) gmail.com
The soup looks & sounds yummy. I need to branch out into more spicy asian style soups like you do.
I love TBL Boot Camp DVD. There is a 6 week challenge, but I think there are also other workouts as well…I’ve only been doing the challeng (but I’m dragging it out for more than 6 weeks). It is all Bob & I’m with you – he is supportive while he pushes you to try harder.
Best wishes,
Lynn
Yippee! Thanks Lynn! 😀
Awesome job on keeping your numbers in check! I know how hard it is, since I have family that is diabetic too! But have a to say it’s been awhile since I had my cholesterol checked, so that’s on the plate for this year.
I love soup, and yours looks fabulous!
hello & thanks for laenivg a note!domesticshorthair – neat one I guess 🙂 the white stuff is actually soy milk pudding, though it can positively taste like tofu..
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Awesome work!
I just got my bloodwork done last week and reviewed the results with my doc yesterday. Two years ago, I had high LDL and low HDL that I’ve gradually improved by:
reducing beef consumption
increasing fish consumption
increasing healthy fat (avocado & olive oil)
eliminating most processed foods from my diet
and having a 25-50 calorie piece of quality dark chocolate daily (I just recently learned cocoa can raise HDL!)
increase Vitamin D, green tea and exercise
Oats at least twice a week
Substitute all cheese for lowfat versions
Since my boyfriend has sky high triglycerides (500+!), we’re trying to be extra careful with this. I’m sure you’ll get yours down too!
Wow – thanks for all those ideas! I was thinking it may be all the cheese I eat! 😦
That soup sounds fantastic!! Thanks for the recipe!
Congrats on the A!! I haven’t had my bloodwork done in far too long – oops. Happy Wednesday 🙂
Okay, I have a confession…I haven’t had bloodwork done in at least 4 years. yikes! You’ve inspired me to call and make an appointment for a physical, I just need to put my fear of having blood drawn aside and get it done!
Wow, Biz – that is awesome!! Congratulations!!
My mom is really struggling right now with her diabetes. They told her recently the next step is to take insulin shots, and she’s obviously not too excited about that. 😦 It encourages me to see you do so well!
I struggled for a while too, until they just realized the oral medication I was taking just wasn’t working anymore – where my blood sugars were routinely in the 300’s all the time no matter what I did – once I was on insulin my numbers have been great.
You get used to the shots pretty quickly!
I had mine done in October then again in December. Managed to drop my cholesterol 40 points. The thing with me is that my overall cholesterol tends to not be so good but my HDL levels are so high (75!) that my ratio is good therefore my doc has been giving me a pass. I commend you for everything you do to control your diabetes Biz, I know it’s a lot of work in addition to all the work you put in trying to lose weight.
I haven’t had blood work done in too long – you’ve inspired me to get a physical soon! I’m glad your’re all over your numbers and are working so hard to line them up!
You’ve inspired me to get my “numbers” checked. Haven’t done that in years.
It’s always something, isn’t it?
Biz-
So, my sister Jolie (the health crazed maniac who i love) got her cholesterol done, and had similar results! But, a good tip for bringing it down is to eat as much soluble fiber as is possible. The Quaker weightloss oatmeal is what she ate, and she would eat it every morning for breakfast. A couple months later- her cholesterol is now spectacular!
How are your workouts going? You’ve lost the ten pounds already haven’t you :)?
P.S. I made lasagna for the first time ever on monday from a cooking light recipe and it was DELICIOUS! (It’s so funny- every time I cook I think “I should take a picture for biz”)
Sadly, I’ve gained 3 pounds since January, but I am working on it!
I need to add more strength training too, and not do strictly cardio – thanks for the oatmeal tip! 😀
congrats on your 6.4!
i love world market. they have such cute things there. i might need to make a trip for some unnecessary dishes LOL 🙂
That soup looks amazing!
My (future) mother in law just got diagnosed with diabetes. I don’t know all the details but I can see that your site will be sooo helpful for her! So thanks 🙂
Looks fabulous… sorry I haven’t been around for awhile, I moved to the US Virgin Islands (I still giggle when I say that) for six months, and it is taking awhile to get settled. But i do think I am caught up, and will be back with new postings…
Come take a look at my new blogs of Island life!
OH MY… I have so missed seeing what all you are up to… Sadly, oatmeal is what drove my numbers down… every morning for 3 months and I was normal… well, those numbers were normal anyway
You just like rubbing it in that you live in the Virgin Islands! 😀 Glad you got settled!
I’m so proud of you for keeping your diabetes in check – it looks like it’s a TON of work, and yet you are doing so well with it. Congrats on the great numbers!
I had my bloodwork done yesterday. 🙂
Good job w/ the blood work good news!!! That’s awesome!
I love that big soup bowl, too! 🙂
How cute is the name Clemintina? hehe ok maybe I’m biased b/c it sounds like Christina…
And I was JUST day dreaming about chicken under a brick yesterday! I think we’re on the same wave length..
Mmm, now I am craving roast chicken! Most specifically, the kind from the grocery store rotisserie. Weird, I know.
Happy Humpday!
That chicken looks delish!!
I have to go for bloodwork next week, actually i was supposed to go a while ago and have been putting it off!
you should be so proud of yourself for keeping your numbers in check! I like to be aware of all aspects of my health so I’m with you on the importance of knowing your numbers! Delicious soup and chicken!!
Good job on the A1C number! 🙂 And you’ll get the other numbers under control! Thanks for the reminder to get my blood work done… It’s been a few years… I also should monitor my blood pressure more closely again…
The soup sounds awesome!
I’m actually getting my bloodwork done next week…my blog entry today was all about Vitamin D….that prompted me to want to know what my levels are…and of course, to get my other numbers! Triglycerides have always been my nasty number too!
Congrats on the good numbers! That soup looks amazing! I will have to try it out. And there is just something about roast chicken that looks so appetizing.
Hopefully you and your doctor will be able to get those triglycerides down. I know how frustrating that must be. Andrew just went to his endo to have his blood tested today and will meet with his doc to discuss his A1C, etc. I’m hoping everything goes well… he’s been getting a little slack with checking his blood sugar as much as he should!! 😦
I’ve been procrastinating getting my numbers done. Haven’t in 3 years. Usually someone’s concerned when I’m losing weight and I do it to shut them up. I’ve been lucky so far and the numbers all come up good.
Congrats on your numbers.
wow – one of the most informative articles I have found on the subject. Thanks,
great job on your numbers girl! you are ROCKING! nice review on the BL dvd too!
that roast chcken looks awesome! It has been so long since I had a roasted chicken, since I moved out of my parents house, I miss my mama’s roasting haha!
Wooot! Seriously Biz, awesome awesome A1c! You should be so proud! I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of counseling a type 1 with an A1c even under 7!! Kudos!! The tri’s…those are tricky with diabetes, so don’t be too hard on yourself! I’m posting a bit about triglycerides tomorrow — check it out : )
I had my blood work done in November : )
Thanks Nicole!! I’ll definitely check that out! 😀
I need to step up and fly right with my diabetes, I am going in this Saturday for my blood work and I just know it will not be good and my doctor will rip me apart.
How did I not know you were diabetic?? I must have missed that on your posts some where along the way.
Sadly, you can go YEARS with no complications and not know it – and when you do have symptoms, you can’t reverse them. 😦
That pho looks wonderful.
The last time I got bloodwork done was probably about 4 years ago. I was having some period issues and wanted to make sure I didn’t have diabetes. (MY dad has Type 2). I did not. I just had no period. Okay, that might have been TMI.
Thank you for posting about this, Biz.
I’ve been putting off having bloodwork done because I don’t want to know what’s lurking there. And I hate getting stuck with needles and cry/faint when I do.
But with having gained so much weight the past 5 years, hitting 30, and having a grandmother and aunt with diabetes, I really shouldn’t put it off.
I think you’re doing an awesome job!
Sounds like you’re doing great! That spicy pho looks totally awesome!
I get my blood work done on a regular basis because I have low blood sugar … which, ironically, puts me at a high risk for developing diabetes. (And I’m not sure what to do to prevent it.) Hope the new medication works out!
Regarding the triglycerides and cholesterol, if the meds your doc has prescribed don’t do the trick, you should discuss Niaspan with your doctor. It worked wonders on both my cholesterol and triglycerides — so much so that my doctor decided to push her husband to try it for his tryglycerides and cholesterol. It does have a side effect though – flushing. I take it at night though, and I hardly ever notice it.
Thanks Steve!
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I LOVE PHOO and wontons! I have been waiting to make this, but, finally gave in and made a modified version (shortcuts b/c I have a cold) tonight. It’s AWESOME! You are totally right on with the PHO flavor and the cinnamon addition is AWESOME.
Thanks for sharing – I can totally see making this in the future again 🙂
– Love love love!!! You are so good and so classy, Kelly. Beautiful pelpoe. Each one is unique and fantastic. Love the one peaking through the cake stand. the one through the window is so so good. your colors are so rich, and real. I am your total fan.03/10/2011 8:50 pm
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