Learn to love the food that loves you.

Learn to love the food that loves you. It is all in the practice. Yes, we need not be ruled by our cravings. In just walking through life not mindfully, we act on impulses and follow old habits that may not be what is best for us. Simply paying attention to our thoughts before acting we can divert or at least modify behavior that is less than skillful.

Upon seeing a craving for some supposed treat, why not just take a good breath and realize that may be enough. If you still feel the need to indulge, perhaps take a smaller amount. Then just really be with the indulgence and see how you feel about it as it is being consumed. Also really look wither the action was as you expected or wished.

Diabetes and balanced life

Yesterday was a fine self care day. I'm convinced that managing wellness of any kind requires a balanced life. I eat very appropriately, but more importantly I did many of the things that I consider valuable to my life.

Doing my overnighter at the Temple, and being present for the residence meeting is part of being in a good community, not to mention the meditation service at 5 AM. I also facilitate a meditation group on Wednesday for people with disability. These are good friends that I enjoy being supportive of. The fourth Wednesday of each month (also yesterday) I attend a support group for caregivers of people with mental illness.

I feel it is very instrumental to my well being to be engaged with a spiritual community and the community in general to define purpose in my life. Doing good volunteer work just contributes to a sense of self worth.

snack slip ups.

Last night provided one of those slips that I know add up and give me much trouble. I spend Tuesday evenings at The Zen Buddhist Temple. When I get there I have an unskillful habit of wanting a little snack before retiring. The little snack often gets out of hand and not the best choices. Last night there was no fruit, which I wanted, but there was ice cream and I ended up having two small bowls, with some nuts. This is not a good time to bring so many, mostly empty calories into my diet. This comes each week and I should have a better plan and go in with better resolve.

My stumbling block is less apt to be with planned meals. I make my poor choices with late snacks or nibbling between meals. I wish to resolve this by next week going into Tuesday with a predetermined choice. We shall see.

I love to cook healthy

I often wonder why I suffer from diabetes since I really know what healthy cooking is and thankfully also love to cook.

I just concocted for dinner a pasta sauce using Newman's Marinara and 15 oz. can diced tomatoes as the starter. I grilled (2 tsp. canola oil) 1.5 onions and 1.5 C button mushrooms and a few shiitakes. Get them sizzling and added 15 Brussel sprouts, cup of chick peas and some kale I previously cooked with Kombu. I'll put it over brown rice pasta, since my sweetie is exploring for wheat sensitivity.

I spend the vast majority of my food dollar in the produce section. I mostly cook from scratch. I don't mind spending hours in the kitchen. It is therapeutic for me, though there are times I need a quick meal. I usually start with simple plans, but keep embellishing.

The reason one might follow me is that I know how to hold diabetes at bay. I deflected my Dr.'s

diabetes diagnosis about 2 years ago by going on a rigorous diet/exercise program and loosing over 60 pounds. I maintained it for quite a while, but the last 9 months has seen me slack off and gain back about 25 pounds yielding higher glucose readings. I've resisted going back to the doctor because of embarrassment. I promise I will go soon.

Well here we are. As most people starting a blog, they have no idea where this could go.

I do have a real urgent agenda. I would like to document my journey in the control of my diabetes. This is an issue that has been coming into my life for about 6 years, or since about age 58. I'm sure there were signs long before, but no doctor warned me of it's likelihood because of my diet, weight and lifestyle.

About 2003 my new primary doctor told me I was pre diabetic and needed to make changes if I didn't want to get real diabetes. I took him seriously, but my approach was only half hearted. I took up lots of exercise, including biking thousands of miles per year. I also have a very physical job and I felt that should be enough. I really didn't wish to change my diet since I loved the food I ate: Bad thinking.