Tag: need tips

My Lingo CGM is bossy!

Today, after indulging in some candy to see how it would affect my glucose count, my CGM (I shall call her Lingy) got bossy and told me I had to do 20 squats! What a bossy pants. I moved into a corner near my desk and completed all 20 squats. Kind of proud of myself!

The harpooned whale

So, my Lingo CGM (continuous glucose monitor) arrived. I prepped my arm and placed the sensor. It did not hurt at all. I did, however, bleed like a harpooned whale.

So far, my levels have been between 76 and 110. I can’t wait to see how it goes tomorrow. Here is a photo of the sensor showing the needle.

It’s been a while.

I can’t believe it has been almost 8 months since I last posted. Where have I been? To be honest, no where. I’ve been in quite a funk lately – mentally and physically. I recently decided I needed to do something about that.

First, I started reflecting on my mental health. What is keeping me stressed and depressed and what can I do about it?

With the current state of the world, it has been hard to think positive about the future. It doesn’t matter which side of the aisle you are on. I have friends and family from all walks of life and I love them all no matter what. What I don’t like is the amount of hatred that is out there. I’ve decided that I am going to spread positivity. It is amazing how people react to an unexpected smile or a kind gesture from a stranger.

I’ve been dealing with family health issues on both my side and my husband’s side of the family. I find myself stressing. We are so far away from both sides of the family. Sadly, there is nothing I can do. So, I just pray. God must be up there thinking. “Oh no, not her again” LOL. Not really, He has been good to me.

I’ve also started to invest in my physical health. I looked into vitamin B12 shots and, after extensive research, started getting weekly shots. Well, it’s only been 2 shots so far, but it seems to have made a difference. Both my brain fog and severe exhaustion have lessened. If you ask my husband, he will say my energy has exploded. (I haven’t been caught singing and dancing in the passenger seat of the car in years. Today, I had a ball).

I’ve also been interested in how my body reacts to different foods and activity. I am awaiting my first CGM (continuous glucose monitor) delivery. They should be here on Monday. I plan to wear one for the next month and track how different foods affect my glucose. This will help me choose foods that are less likely to spike my blood sugar. More on that journey in a future blog.

I am feeling better and have more energy. I am hoping to share some insight and tips with anyone interested.

Please share any tips that have helped you.

Thanks for reading!

I am ready for change!

I’ve been working on eating healthy and moving more. I am currently having physical therapy once a week to help with my lower back arthritis.

I have been so frustrated with my goal of getting healthier and moving better. I often feel like the rusty tin man. My joints don’t want to unlock. I’m tired of feeling this way and I am working on a plan for change.

Besides physical therapy, I have been getting massages again. Not the nice, relaxing massages. These massages have improved my flexibility so much. My therapist, Wendy, has found a way to unlock my knees. It hurts like hell while she is doing it and for two days after, but it is working.

I will be meeting with a nutritionist tomorrow after work to get some assistance. I will share what I learn and give updates on my progress.

Thanks for reading.

April 15, 2023 – Think! high protein bar taste test

If you know me, you k no ow I love lemon flavored EVERYTHING! I had really high hopes for the Lemon Delight Think! Bars.

Lemon Delight Think! Bar macros

First, the macros. A little higher in calories than I would have liked and I was disappointed that there was NO FIBER at all.

Cross section

So, was the taste worth the calories and lack of fiber?

In my opinion, no. The texture was weird and there was not enough lemon flavor for me. To me, it was like eating a sawdust bar that was dunked in lemon water. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion.

This is a bar that I won’t be trying again. That doesn’t mean you won’t like it. If you have tried it and like it, good. Maybe you can share your thoughts on what you like in the comments.

What healthy bar or treat should I try next?

Thanks for reading.

March 20, 2023 – Practicing Mindful Eating

As I continue with my journey to get healthier and lose weight, I have been trying different food and different strategies and sharing them here. My newest strategy is practicing mindful eating.

What is mindful eating? Mindful eating is paying attention to the food you eat and using all of your senses when doing so. The opposite of mindful eating is mindless eating. We’ve all done that, right? Rough day at work. Start cooking dinner and sit down to watch TV…with a bag of chips or box of cookies. The next thing you know, you have eaten the entire box or bag. You don’t even remember tasting the food. Yeah, that’s really mindless.

So, how do you practice mindful eating? Here’s what I’ve been doing. I choose one meal a day to practice this. Today I chose to practice at lunch. The steps I followed:

  • No distractions – turn off the phone, tv, radio and computer. I eat in silence if I can.
  • Today I am having a ham salad sandwich. I will incorporate all my senses while I eat the sandwich:
    • Touch: The sandwich is cold because it was in the refrigerator. The bread is whole grain with seeds so it had texture.
    • Sight: I can see the seeds and the air bubbles in the bread. I can see the creaminess of the ham salad. There are pimentos in the salad that are red and make the salad look pretty.
    • Hearing: The crust of the bread is crunchy when I bite into it.
    • Smell: The bread smells so fresh and there is a tangy smell to the ham salad.
    • Taste: As I bite into the crunchy crust and feel the soft and creamy ham salad, the nutty flavor of the bread and the tangy ham salad hit my tastebuds. Delicious.
  • I take my time eating my sandwich, savoring every bite.
  • The sandwich fills me up and once I finish it, I am full.
  • I feel satisfied and thoroughly enjoyed my meal.

That is how I practiced today. Have you tried anything similar? If you have, how has mindful eating helped you to eat healthier, enjoy your food more, and helped you lose weight? Do you have any tips or tricks you would like to share regarding mindful eating? Please comment below.

Thanks for reading.

March 5, 2023 – chopped salad with chicken and Honeycrisp Apple Vinaigrette

We took a run down to Farmer Joe’s in Cape Coral last weekend. Today I was craving a big salad. So, I chopped up 1/4 head of iceberg lettuce, an English cucumber, two heirloom tomatoes, and added a pouch of Starkest White Chicken.

I tossed this with Cindy’s Kitchen Honeycrisp Apple Vinaigrette.

Very tasty and filling. I think it needed a sprinkling of low-fat feta cheese to give it a savory pop. All-in-all, a nice dinner.

What’s your favorite salad recipe? What is your go to healthy salad dressing?

Thanks for reading.

February 24, 2023 – Mooala Banana Milk: A Tasty, Healthy Alternative To Dairy

Are you looking for a delicious, healthy alternative to dairy milk? Meet Mooala Banana Milk! This milk is made from bananas, so it’s naturally sweet and creamy. It’s also low in sugar, sodium, and carbs, and it’s gluten-free.

What’s more, Mooala Banana Milk is a great choice for smoothie making. It’s thick and filling, so it will help you stay satisfied longer. Plus, it’s a good source of dietary fiber and potassium. That little hint of cinnamon makes a big difference!

So if you’re looking for a delicious, healthy, low-sugar alternative to dairy milk, give Mooala Banana Milk a try! You won’t be disappointed!

Here are more photos of the bottle.

The Story Behind Mooala: Mooala was started by Jeff Richards. Jeff was a dad who wanted to make better eating a way of life for his family. He was always on the hunt for foods and drinks that were made with nature’s best ingredients and were free of artificial stuff. So when he started hearing about a plant-based milk that was made from bananas, he was intrigued. He tried it out and knew this was something special. He could taste the freshness and the banana flavor. And he hopped on the idea of creating his own version of plant-based milk that was free from any artificial ingredients. Fast forward to today and Mooala has become a household name. They are committed to creating delicious, dairy-free products that are made with all-natural ingredients and no added sugar. Nutrition and Benefits Of Mooala Banana Milk: Mooala Banana Milk is packed with nutrition. It’s made from real bananas and is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Plus, it’s low in sugar, sodium, and carbs. And it’s free from dairy, gluten, soy, carrageenan, and artificial hormones. In addition, Mooala Banana Milk is a great choice for smoothie-making. It’s creamy and filling, so it will help you stay satisfied longer. And it’s a great source of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients. For those of you looking for a dairy-free alternative that still has the creamy taste and texture of regular milk, Mooala Banana Milk is the perfect choice. So give it a try and see for yourself why it’s becoming a popular choice for many households.

Have you tried any plant based milks that you would like to recommend? Put them in the comments!

Thanks for reading.

February 16, 2023 – Protein Poppits snack

While searching for the next protein bar brand and flavor to try, I ran found these little bags of Power Crunch Protein Poppits. I thought it would be a nice change from the protein bars and they were only $1.98 at Walmart, so I grabbed two bags. The first bag I tried was the BBQ flavor.

I’ve never been a big fan of BBQ potato chips, so I went into this with my mind made up that they were not going to be good. Well, I was WRONG! These little crunchy balls of BBQ goodness are delicious. They are very barbecue flavored in a good way. You get the smokey, sweet, and tanginess of an actual barbecue. How do the macros stack up? Pretty good. One bag is 110 calories, 4.5g total fat, 5mg cholesterol, 430mg sodium, 3g carbs, and a whopping 15g protein!

But, are they crunchy? Take a look in the bag at these crunchy little nuggets of yum!!

Very delicious! Very crunchy! So flavorful that I couldn’t eat the whole little package in one sitting. I’m going to try them as a crouton on a salad or I might try them on a bowl of tomato soup.

Bottom line – These BBQ treats are yummy. I also have a bag of the ranch flavor, which I will review another day.

Do you have any favorite high protein snacks or treats that you would like to share. Comment below and start the conversation.

Thanks for reading.