100 Days of Low Carb!

Low carb meals

As of today, I have been eating low-carbohydrate and keto-style meals for 100 days! I began in May, as I was asked by the hospital my doctor is affiliated with to volunteer to participate in a clinical trial for a pre-diabetes study.  I had a routine physical blood test at that time and my A1C level was 6%, which was one of the requirements for being accepted into the trial;

A normal A1C level is below 5.7%, a level of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes and a level of 6.5% or more indicates diabetes. Within the 5.7% to 6.4% prediabetes range, the higher your A1C, the greater your risk is for developing type 2 diabetes.

The number of people worldwide with diabetes is projected to more than double in the next three decades, reaching 1.3 billion by 2050, according to research published in The Lancet.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 37 million people in the United States have diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that develops when a person’s blood sugar (glucose) level is too high. Ideally, the body converts most of the food you eat into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream, and your pancreas releases insulin, a hormone, to help get the glucose into your cells for energy.  Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. If you have diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin properly. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.

My patio vegetable garden

I love to garden and my husband and I love to eat vegetables of all kinds, but I also loved to bake and cook elaborate meals and found myself gaining weight as my age increased.  I  certainly did not want to develop diabetes, so I eagerly agreed to enter the clinical trial

 and to wear a continuous blood glucose monitor and a Fitbit bracelet to measure my daily steps, both of which were provided to me, and to eat a low-carb diet as part of the program which will end in September.

Low-carb breakfasts--lots of vegetable filled frittatas!

I've learned a lot since beginning this process! First of all, I was astounded by how many products and recipes incorporate large amounts of carbohydrates.  I read labels and made notes and researched many Keto and Low Carb sites on the internet. The medical center also had an RN or dietician call me weekly for the first two months to help answer questions and guide me.  I began to record notes on what foods affected me the most and the effect exercise had on my blood glucose.

Stuffed zucchini blossoms from my garden, made with a ravioli-like filling and covered with tomato sauce, plus a side of low-carb meatballs

I learned that 1g of Net Carbohydrates (total carbs minus fiber) raises blood glucose by about 4 points.  Blood glucose-friendly food choices include non-starchy vegetables, nuts, fish, meats, cheese, eggs, and some fruits.

Costly foods high in carbohydrates that I totally eliminated were potatoes, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals, pancakes waffles, crepes, breads bakery goods chips, and crackers. candies, sugar, sugary drinks, dried and canned fruits, bananas, apples, melon, and corn. 

I learned to reduce, replace, substitute, and eliminate. 

When I made a seafood sauce I served my husband's portion over pasta, but mine was served over spiralized zucchini--called zoodles.  When we ate the stuffed zucchini blossoms and low-carb meatballs my husband had his with gnocchi while I ate mine over shredded spaghetti squash. Did I miss the pasta? At first, yes, but as time went on and my weight started to decrease (I've lost over 20 pounds) I realized I was fine with giving up high carb foods for my health.

Diabetes raises the risk of damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. Diabetes is also linked to some types of cancer. Taking steps to prevent or manage diabetes may lower one's risk of developing diabetes health problems.

I learned that I could prepare a meal such as roasted shredded cabbage and kielbasa sausage with pierogies and only eat the sausage and cabbage, and leave the pierogies to other family members. Making good choices for myself and yet not depriving my family of the food they enjoy. 

I also learned that sometimes other family members can also enjoy a low-carb meal, such as zucchini lasagna, homemade cauliflower crust pizza, roasted vegetables and fish, or cheddar and broccoli soup.  My husband and family have been very supportive and have cheered me on this journey.

Exercise is also a big part of controlling blood glucose and realized that the pandemic years were harmful to me as far as reducing my active time outdoors. We have many trails in my neighborhood and I am working on increasing my stamina to do them all.  Happily, my last A1C blood result from a month ago was 5.4 -- totally normal!  

Through my participation in the clinical trial program, I have learned the importance of "Glucose Everyday Matters." This is not simply a diet and exercise program, but rather a lifestyle that I will be adopting moving forward.

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Spring Updates and Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

I had to search my older photo files for Spring photos to make this collage of Easter scenes, because this is what it looks like here on the Front Range of Colorado right now...

We had a blizzard on Wednesday that left behind two feet of heavy, wet snow in my neighborhood. Winds reached 45 miles an hour and many areas lost power, including portions of the Denver International Airport which had to close for the first time in ten years due to the weather.

March is traditionally the snowiest month in the Front Range area, so this is not unusual weather here, we are getting more snow as I write this, and we expect even more next week! It's not all bad, however, as we had unusually high temperatures in the 60's and even 70's for most of February.  It was getting very dry, and the fire danger was high. Our high desert climate needs all the moisture it receives this time of the year to keep the forests and grasses wet and to fill the reservoirs.  Plus, the water from snow melt is depended upon by adjoining states, as it also fills their rivers and reservoirs.

The snow did not prevent our granddaughter from having fun participating in a community Easter Egg Hunt. This fun annual event was not going to allow a snowstorm to delay the festivities. She was excited to give the hostess of ceremonies, the Easter Bunny's carrot friend, a big hug afterward!

Our middle grandson had a fun 5th birthday party a week early, as he and his older brother and little sister, and parents all went to celebrate his actual birthday in Disneyland! It was a very memorable vacation for them all, as the blizzard prevented them from coming home until Saturday.  They enjoyed the few extra unexpected days by visiting the San Diego Zoo.

Finally, I was excited and honored to see some of my photography become part of the "Circle of Light" silent auction fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank that took place at the Space Gallery in Denver. All proceeds from the auction are to support the eye bank and its mission to fight blindness. 
If you remember, I was the recipient of a cornea transplant in my dominant eye in November of 2014. My cornea had been scarred cloudy by a virus.  I was blind in that eye, but now, after the transplant, as well as subsequent cataract and glaucoma surgery, I have 20/30 vision! It really is a miracle, and I am forever grateful to my transplant donor. 
The eye bank asked cornea transplant recipients to submit photographs that they took after their vision was restored, and out of the ten I submitted, six were chosen to be mounted on metal and placed in the auction, along with other recipients' photos.  It was exciting to see that one of my photos actually received the highest bid of the evening! Can you guess which one?

As you can see the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank has restored vision to many over their 33 years of existence. If you would like to learn more about signing up to be an organ donor and giving the gift of sight, or even life, click here.  As I learned at a seminar about donation, giving a part of yourself upon death is ending your life with a comma, and not a period. You can help someone else to see, or survive with a vital organ. What better way to honor life?

Happy New Year! Be Back Soon!

We had a beautiful Christmas! On both Christmas Eve and Day, there was a light snowfall, which made everything look so pretty and festive. On Christmas Day, my husband and I were enjoying s a cup of coffee in our kitchen when we noticed a big, handsome mule deer buck enter our backyard.  I opened the door and stepped outside to take a video of him, which you can see on my facebook link here.  The deer saw me and actually walked right over to me and stood in front of me, just about three feet away!  I took another video of him for a few more seconds, which you can watch on this facebook link, and then I stepped back inside. It was a very special encounter with this beautiful animal, and one I will never forget! (All photos will enlarge for easier viewing if clicked on)

We had a wonderful feast on Christmas Eve with my family.  I made both fish and meat for dinner, as some of my guests prefer one over the other, and dessert was Christmas cookies as well as a trifle.  We ate and ate and laughed and had a good time

Our grandchildren enjoyed opening their gifts ....both at our house on the eve and theirs on the day.

They are the light of our lives and bring us so much joy!

I will be taking a short blog break again, as I will be having eye surgery this week. Please keep me in your prayers for a good outcome and a complication-free recovery. If you missed my posts about the surgeries I will be having, you can catch up here and here. As soon as I am able to see my computer screen again I'll let you know how everything went.  In the meantime, have a very Happy and Healthy New Year! May 2016 bring only wonderful blessings to your life, and peace to our world. I look forward to "seeing" you all again in the new year.

True Colors After Eye Surgery

Hello!  I'm back online for a few weeks!  Thank you all very kindly for your prayers and well wishes on round #1 of my glaucoma and cataract eye surgery. ( If you missed that blog post click here to read)

All went well during surgery on my right eye, and I am now looking forward to having the same surgery on my left eye at the end of the month. I'll admit my vision is a little confused right now.  I am still healing from surgery and remain on physical restrictions, such as no lifting or bending. So far the vision in my corrected right eye is 20/40--better than I expected!  I had to take the lens out of my glasses on the right side, otherwise, my old prescription would be overwhelming.  So for now, one eye is corrected by an external glass lens and the other internally by a new lens inserted in my eye to replace the cataract affected lens. It can be a challenge focusing, because of the differences in perception I have presently.   I find I have to close my eyes often and rest them.   I will also eventually have to be fitted for reading glasses, as my corrected lenses will be corrected for distance vision only.

To correct my glaucoma condition,  the surgeon did a trabeculectomy -- which means he made a small "bleb" on the top of my sclera which allows the extra fluid to build up in my eye to seep out inside and be absorbed by my body.  I do not feel any discomfort from this and I'm totally unaware of any drainage. My eye pressure went down drastically to a normal reading post-op, so my doctor is very pleased. I was not responding to pressure-lowering glaucoma medication any longer so this surgery was really imperative for me to have.  My doctor told me that in 25% of cases the bleb will scar over and stop working, however, so future surgery might be needed.  I am hoping and praying that I'll be in the other 75% category!

One dramatic difference I've noticed after surgery is that I see colors brighter and more natural.  My left untreated eye sees things with a yellowish-brown cast and the post-op right eye sees bright whites and blues--all colors, in general, are true colors.  It really is amazing! You can read about cataracts, and why this occurs, on this link. My major symptom pre-op was glare and loss of visual detail. I did not even know I wasn't seeing colors correctly any longer.  It was hard to see individual leaves on trees, for instance. I would see more of a blur of leaves.  When my other eye is corrected I am going to enjoy seeing the detail and true colors again!

What a miracle it is to come out of the fog and to see more clearly!

My husband has been wonderful, helping me this past week by doing all chores that require lifting or bending, and reminding me of when to use my antibiotic and steroid eyes drops that I'll need to use for a short while post-op.  We have a good laugh every morning as he helps me to put on socks.

We bought a smaller Christmas tree this week so that he could carry into the house unaided, and we are slowly decorating the house for Christmas. I will probably cut back this year on all my usual preparations, but that's OK--it is nice not feeling pressured.  My granddaughter, that we babysit for most days, has been a little confused why "Pop-Pop," as she calls her grandfather, has to do all my lifting and bending, but we are still able to have fun together.  She was very excited to see she was taller than our Santa Claus decoration this year!

I hope to get back to a regular blog schedule until my next eye surgery at the end of December.  At that time I will again be unable to use a computer, read or watch TV for five days post-op, so I will be taking another break for a week at that time.   

Please keep me in your prayers, as I continue on this journey towards better vision.  I truly appreciate all your encouragement and I hope my experiences will help others facing the same surgery one day.

Taking a Break for the Gift of Sight

As Christmas approaches, and we begin to think about buying gifts for loved ones, I have to tell you about the ultimate gift I received last November, from someone I do not know and will never meet.  I carry a piece of them forever, however, as this person had agreed to be an organ donor upon death and I am the recipient of one of their corneas, which was transplanted onto my eye early last November.

I have been battling an eye condition for many years that was slowly taking away the vision in my right eye.  When I would visit my ophthalmologist, every three months, in New York, I would hear a sharp intake of breath and a sigh as she looked at my eye in her microscope. She did not have to tell me that I was losing my vision.  Not even seeing the large "E" on the eye chart told me that.  I had corneal dystrophy--it was thinning and clouding--and I was prone to eye irritation, infection, and corneal abrasions. My New York ophthalmologist told me there was nothing that could be done, but when I moved to the Denver, Colorado area three years ago I was told that a cornea transplant would be the solution to this problem and the group of doctors I was seeing were among the best doctors in the state to do that procedure. My transplant cornea came from the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank, an organization that yearly provides about 2,000 corneas for transplants in both Colorado and Wyoming and to locales beyond if there is no local recipient on the waiting list. The Lions Clubs have long been active in service to the blind and visually impaired and began providing support for eye banks more than 60 years ago. Today there are over 60 Lions eye banks in nine countries that provide the "Gift of Sight" to thousands of men, women, and children.  If you are looking for an excellent charity to contribute to this holiday season, donate to your local Lions Club or the Lions Club International, to help them continue their work in alleviating blindness.

Thankfully, all went well with my surgery, and the transplanted cornea healed. My vision improved to the point where I could actually read the eye chart to the third of the fourth line--better, but not perfect. It turns out that I had also developed cataracts and glaucoma in both eyes over the years, and both conditions have effected my vision to the point where all clarity and definition had been lost.  These conditions are most often age-related--especially cataracts, which is the stiffening and clouding of the inner lens of the eye. Glaucoma is often a hereditary condition, but there are many factors that can cause it, and being over 60, as I am, is one such factor.

To control glaucoma I've had to use quite a few eyedrops the past two years, plus I've had to use a steroid and antibiotic eye drops after my corneal transplant surgery. Keeping all the drops scheduled in line was a task.  I was able to manage them all without difficulty, but unfortunately, I developed a severe allergy to one of my glaucoma medication drops that severely irritated both eyes. The other eye drops were not working as well either, and my eye pressure continued to dangerously rise, impairing my vision. This lead to my doctor's decision that I need surgical correction in both eyes.  I'll be doing one eye soon, and a few weeks afterward I will have surgery in the other eye.  Recovery is slightly more complicated than the usual "do not bend or lift objects over 5 pounds for two weeks, or more," that most eye surgery entails. I will also not be able to read, watch TV, or use a computer or phone screen for a week to ten days, and it will take longer for me to reach full recovery and healing.

This means that this......

....will probably not be happening on such a grand scale in my home this year! If I am able to decorate it will be on a much smaller scale.  That's OK-- Christmas is much more than decorations, cookie making, and Christmas card writing, isn't it?

I have enjoyed Christmas in the past without any decorations in my home when I was traveling. Christmas is really about the love of family and welcoming Jesus into our hearts again as our Lord and Savior,  The same Christmas Nativity that has graced my home since I was married 41 years ago will be on display again in my home, and that is really all the decorations that I need as a tribute and celebration of His birth.

Hopefully, the "Gift of Sight" will be one of my greatest gifts in the year 2016, after both my surgeries are completed.  I want to have many more years of watching my precious grandchildren grow! They are the best gifts of all!

I'm not sure how long it will take me to be back to blogging fully, but I will try to write a new post as soon as I am able and I'll let you know how my vision is progressing.  I have many photos to share of an amazing trip I recently took to SW Colorado where I saw the magnificent San Juan Mountain ranges and visited the charming towns of Ridgway, Ouray, and Telluride. This area of Colorado is called the "Switzerland of America" and it is truly a beautiful part of Colorado.

Look at the view of these mountains that we had from the house where we stayed for Thanksgiving week...

It was really a joy to be in such a beautiful place with my family and it was a wonderful way to help keep my mind off my impending surgeries. 

I have been truly blessed in my life and I am grateful for each and every day. I may not have the best, most perfect eyes, but they have shown me so much beauty throughout my life, and in all my travels. Please say a prayer for me that all will go well, that I will not suffer any complications, and that my vision will improve to the best that it can.

Please click on the highlighted links in this post to learn more about the eye conditions I wrote about, and please make a New Year's resolution to include a visit to an optometrist or ophthalmologist to have an eye check if you have not had one in recent years. 

Thank you, my readers, for your long and loyal following of my blog.  I fully plan to continue writing Mille Fiori Favoriti as long as I am able, as it has enriched my life in so many ways.  I began this blog in 2007 and it has brought me friendships from around the country and around the world!  To each and every one of you, I wish you a beautiful and blessed holiday season and a very Happy and healthy New Year.

I'll "see" you soon!

Heart Attacks In Women

I almost lost my best friend during the Easter weekend.

She had spent the week as most of us do -- cleaning, shopping, cooking and generally preparing for the holiday weekend.  She was feeling fine, perhaps a little tired, perhaps a little "under the weather" as she suffers from Spring time allergies and would often get slight sinus headaches this time of the year.

We did our normal 2 mile walk together around the park on a Friday morning, as we do most mornings for exercise. She was excited her daughter was coming home for a visit, and as we parted in the parking lot we happily wished each other a good holiday. It could have been the last time I saw her!

Late that evening she had dozed off sitting in the couch, when all of a sudden an odd sensation woke her up.  Her chest felt on fire.  She described it to me as if the sun suddenly burst in her chest.  Her arms went heavy.  She knew something was seriously wrong but walked up the steps to the second floor of her house to wake her husband and she told him to get dressed as she needed to go to the hospital.  He asked what was wrong and then asked her if she wanted to take something first and rest awhile and see if it helped.  Thank God my friend knew she couldn't risk this and told him she thought she should go right away to the hospital.  Luckily, they live two blocks away from a small community hospital and her husband drove her up to the emergency room where she then collapsed.  In a flurry of motion she was whisked inside where they found her heart rate and blood pressure were dangerously low -- she was having a heart attack!  The nurses and doctors furiously began emergency treatment.  A cardiologist on call came in and told her she was going to be transferred to a hospital in Manhattan where cardiac cauterization would take place immediately on arrival. "Don't worry," he told her, "We are going to save your life! The ambulance whisked her through traffic from Brooklyn into Manhattan, where the small community hospital is affiliated, and two cardiac stents were placed into my friend's heart's almost totally occluded artery.  She would live to joke with me on the phone on Easter Sunday and give praise at how life gave her a second chance.

What were the warnings signs before this event?  Not many. Many times the first signs of heart disease is a heart attack. My friend is fit, trim and strong.  She never experienced shortness of breath or chest pain.  Her cholesterol was within normal limits, maybe slightly high by today's stricter standards.   She had found out she had high blood pressure only six months prior but it was being controlled by medication.   She exercises and doe not smoke or drink.  But even with good lifestyle women after menopause are more susceptible to developing heart disease, and there are other risk factors such as family history, taking birth control pills, being exposed to second hand smoke, etc.

With any severe episode of chest pain or discomfort it is imperative to go to an emergency room and tell them right away you are having chest pain, which my friend did, and this is what ultimately saved her life!

photo source

According to The National Institute of Health , heart disease is the number one killer of women, yet women are more likely to delay in seeking emergency treatment.

"Women should learn the heart attack warning signs. These are:

• Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest.
• Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Other symptoms, such as a shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

If you feel heart attack symptoms, do not delay. Remember, minutes matter! Do not wait for more than a few minutes–5 minutes at most–to call 9-1-1. Your family will benefit most if you seek fast treatment."
source

The pamphlet "The Heart Truth for Women" can be ordered from The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute that gives information on the causes of women’s heart disease and practical suggestions for reducing your own personal risk of heart-related problems.  It can also be viewed and downloaded for free online in PDF form at this link.
 
The Mayo Clinic web site also has good information about possible symptoms of heart attack in women, which can sometimes be as vague as unusual or unexplained fatigue.  You can also look at risk factors and prevention tips on their web site.
 

photo source

Let's do all we can to improve our lifestyles to prevent heart disease and to remember to call 911 and go to a hospital at the first sign of unusal discomfort.  It can save your life!

30 Rock, Hearts and Flowers, and Dr. Oz -- all for Pink Saturday!

On Tuesday of this week, I went into Manhattan to 30 Rockefeller Center, also known by it's nickname "30 Rock."  Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings, covering 22 acres, between 48th and 51st streets in New York City. Built by the Rockefeller family, it is located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, spanning the area between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987

(all photos will enlarge when clicked on)

 30 Rock is a 70-floor, 872-foot building, now known as the GE building.  It is home to the NBC TV studios and the Top of The Rock observation deck, and the Rainbow Room restaurant, which, sadly, is closed right now as the search for a new operator is ongoing.

It is also the location for the NBC Today Show, and this is a view of the side street where hosts  Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, newswoman Ann Curry, and weatherman Al Rocker greet the waiting crowd in the morning.

Some views of the Rockefeller Center Plaza and inside the beautiful art deco designed 30 Rock building.  I was here to attend the Dr. Oz TV show, but  it was a little early, so I decided to window shop around around the area to take these photographs for Beverly's Pink Saturday Valentine's Day celebration!

Beautiful red hearts and pink and pastel flowers were in the windows of Swiss Teuscher Chocolatier, located  at 5th Ave and Rockefeller Center.  Teuscher's is especially noted for their fabulous champagne truffles!

The Anthropologie store at 50 Rockefeller Plaza always has wonderful window displays. Currently the windows are full of fanciful spring flowers made from colorful recycled drink bottles in shades of pastel pinks, yellows, blues and oranges.

The windows of the Godiva Boutique, located at 52 W. 50th Street in Rockefeller Center, was full of Valentine hearts and rose petals and their signature gold boxes.  If I had a little more time I would have stopped for one of their luscious chocolate covered strawberries.

The Swarovski boutique, located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, not only had samples of its exquisite glass crystal jewelry in their windows, but also reminders that February is American Heart Month, and the symbol of the red dress is the national symbol for women and heart disease.  Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and this event reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action to improve their health.

This was also a reminder to me to go back upstairs and wait on the line to be admitted into the audience of the afternoon taping of The Dr. Oz Show!

Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of “The Dr. Oz Show”, is Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University, and he also directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He gained much popularity as the resident health expert for five seasons on The Oprah Winfrey Show.  His show is very informational and highly entertaining. Even though I am a registered nurse, I usually learn something new and interesting each time I watch his show. To see if his syndicated show is available in your area, and what time and channel it would be on, you can enter your zip code on this website link.

The Dr Oz Show is pre-taped and the episode I saw should be aired in two to three weeks. The segments of this show were about agoraphobia -- fear of the outdoors or public places -- and an interview with a woman who gained 100 pounds in a year after she lost her job, with suggested interventions that will help her lose weight.  Dr Oz also has a audience member come down on stage to be his assistant, as he does every show. This segment was very interesting, as he has two actual human hearts on display.  One was a normal heart and one was large and thickened through untreated hypertension-high blood pressure. To see the changes that high blood pressure could make to a heart was an eye opener to me.  Dr. Oz took the blood pressure of the audience assistant and found she was hypertensive, a fact she was unaware of.  Dr. Oz then said that many people are unaware they have high blood pressure and that we should all make it a practice to check our blood pressure on a regular basis. Preventing or treating high blood pressure will help prevent the ill effects of strokes and heart disease.  He suggested everyone buy a blood pressure machine at our local pharmacy so we could keep regular track of our pressure, and he also suggested that we all get to know our pharmacists, who are an excellent source to go to with our questions about health concerns, medications and supplements both over the counter and prescription, and possible drug interactions and side effects.

Luckily, for all of us in the audience that day, we were each given a $50 Walgreens gift card and a premium blood pressure monitor to take home, courtesy of Walgreens! 

So it was a day of Valentine hearts and real hearts.  A day to remember that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and that all women should be aware of the symptoms of heart disease and high blood pressure and how to prevent and treat it. 

I hope that this Valentine's Day you make a promise to schedule a time to treat yourself to a good medical check up, so that you will be around for a long time to love and be loved for many Valentine's days to come!

Please visit Beverly today at How Sweet The Sound  blog for her popular "Pink Saturday" event and visit all the links to blogs participating with special Valentine pinks and reds! Beverly had her gallbladder removed yesterday, so be sure to send her your prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery!  All the best to you Beverly!  Get well soon dear friend!