November 8th 2012

I started this day with a Frittata made with Egg Beaters, Zucchini and a little Feta. There was also a slice of Whole Wheat Toast with sugar-free Apricot Preserves and some Rosemary Potatoes

This was around noon and I thought it would be a good start to the day.

Then around 2pm I had some Chips and homemade Salsa that was leftover from the Mexican Chicken Casserole

Then at 5pm I went to a Food Event, Taste of Apopka - and this is where everything went wrong!

There was vendor after vendor, and I felt like I had to try everything! In this photo was a rather large "Food Sampling" from Porkie's BBQ, but most of the vendors had small Bite-Sized Plates.

But still, I has tastings of Meatball Sandwiches, Italian Ice, Burgers, Mac N Cheese, Fried Pieces of Chicken, Cupcakes, etc....

Now that I am re-counting all that I "Tasted" I feel like a Complete Piglet!

Perhaps these events might not be for "Diabetics with No Self Control" like me.

I might as well have just gone to the Golden Corral!

Not only did this event make me very tired, but as usual I had extreme feelings of Guilt afterwards

(even though at the same time I enjoyed myself very much - conflicted)

I knew that I needed to exercise so I did a 30 minute Walk as I watched TV, and also did a stretch - something that I don't do nearly enough.

My final meal (had to be healthy) was a small, sensible Salad.

I layered thinly sliced Zucchini, Arugula, a tiny bit of Feta, Black Pepper and a little of my Dressing that I made with Orange Juice, Olive Oil and Agave Nectar.

I decided since it was going to be simple that I would make it pretty.

I also let it sit in the Fridge for an hour or so, this way the flavors could meld a little bit.

Zucchini is rather boring to me, but the sweetness of the dressing and the saltiness of the Feta actually balanced it out rather nicely and I will probably have it again.

My morning Blood Sugar....

135

Still better then the previous day, and much better then I was expecting with how I was a Total Piglet at the Taste of Apopka.

I am realizing that my "Mess Ups" must be few and far between, and that constant exercise is Key to having consistent "In Range" Fasting Sugars.

Hoping that my blog post for November 9th will have a number below 120 when you scroll down to the bottom.

I will try.

November 7th 2012

I started with my bowl of Cereal in the morning, then I caught up on some TV and emails.

Then around noon I made another Thanksgiving Sandwich

I ate half of it (Mark ate the other half) and then ran some errands.

When i got home around 2pm I had another portion of Mexican Chicken Casserole and a 100 calorie bag of Microwave Popcorn

Then I layed down for a nap.

When I got up from my name I was STARVING!

I made a Vegetable Naan Bread Pizza with Beets, Yellow Cherry Tomatoes, Zucchini and Feta.

Super delicious!

Then I felt like having something sweet so I looked what was in the fridge and ended up with some Non Fat Greek Yogurt with the remaining Candied Walnuts and coconut shavings from "Salad Bar Day" as well as a few Raspberries.

I can't say that it was the greatest thing ever, but I did feel good having used up some things from the fridge.

Then after work Addison and myself went to WalMart for some shopping.

First we stopped at WAWA and I had a BLT. 

I wasn't planning on eating out at all today.

Technically it was the following day though... It was after 2am

(That is my justification.... terrible isn't it?)

morning results....

144

Not as good as I was hoping for.

shouldn't have had that sandwich.

However it is down 20 points from the previous day.

maybe tomorrow?

got to exercise.....

November 6th 2012

My Goodness.

As I look at these photos of what I ate today I think "This was a really unhealthy day filled with crappy food!"

I guess there were some goods for this day as well as some bads.

I started with a bowl of Cereal.

Then I walked (10 minutes) down to the community center to Vote.

Then the 10 minute walk back.

Then I went and met Addison at Banana's Diner

Potential mistake #1, but it was early in the day (justification)

I had the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Tater Tots.

The Tater Tots were not nearly as good as the Tots from yesterday, so I just ate about 10 of them.

Then around the middle of the day I had another Granola Bar.

Mark and I also did a 25 minute Bike Ride.

Then I picked up John and we went to St. Pete to see a friend's show.

Along the way we stopped at the Hard Rock Casino and John won quite a bit of money playing Slot Machines.

He said he would end up paying for dinner.

Potential mistake #2

So we were at Georgie's Alibi (where the show was held)

Burgers were half price on tuesdays, and I got what they call the Sticky Burger

"Ground-in-House" Angus Patty with Peanut Butter, Cheddar and Bacon

with a side of Tater Tots

What's with me and all of these Tater Tots? 

I don't really even like them!

(However by now I am really sick of them so I bet it will be a long time before I eat them again)

The Burger was delicious though!!!

Then when the server asked if we would like Dessert and told us they had good pie

John said "Bring him a piece if pie, I'm paying and he's not drinking so he needs pie!"

Mistake #3

My God it was delicious!

But then came the GUILT!

It's like Buyer's Remorse, but with FOOD.

I experience it a lot!

I must work on my self control.

I must quit blaming the FOOD and start blaming MYSELF.

I could have said NO.

Tomorrow I am only eating food that I prepare myself - No Eating Out!

(Baby steps, Five years of Baby steps)

Morning Blood Sugar results....

164

This reading was taken the following morning at 9am

It was 9pm when I ate my last bite.

I'm sure that the bulk of this High Number was due to What I was eating.

I also wonder if the fact that I fasted for 12 hours could have anything to do with it?

I usually take my reading after 8 or 9 hours.

Regardless, I will be better today.

November 5th 2012

Today was Tattoo Day!

My appointment was around 10am, so I got up, took my Blood sugar and then had a big Bowl of Cereal.

My tattoo lasted until about 2pm, then we went out to lunch at Johnny's Other Side.

I ordered the Spicy Black Bean Burger. Black Bean or Veggie Burgers can often be down right disgusting. This one was actually quite good, had a really nice flavor.

Then I splurged and had a side order of Tater Tots with Buffalo Sauce to dip them in!

Really yummy!

Then after a nice visit with some long time friends i came home around 6pm and had a small helping of the Mexican Chicken Casserole from the day before.

Then for my final meal around midnight I had some homemade Veggie Chili, some roasted Beets and a Pizza made from Naan Bread topped with the leftover Bacon and Bleu cheese crumbles from the other day.

It might have been a little heavy for my last meal, but it was really satisfying and I love "using up" ingredients from the fridge!

There was no extra curricular exercise today, I hope this doesn't hurt me in the morning.

Thrilled....

93

November 4th 2012

Today was a delicious day of eating.

I started by finishing off the rest of the Muesli.

Then I began working on a dish that I got off of the Cooking Light website.

They are having a photo contest and not only did this recipe look delicious and healthy, but I also took a photo of my finished plate to enter the contest with

(This is not the photo by the way)

Mexican Chicken Casserole with charred Tomato Salsa.

Made with pouched Chicken Breast, Green Chilis, and tons of vegetables, it was really, really good.

I will be adding it into my repertoire.

I had a portion with a Green Salad around 3pm.

I had to be at work at 6pm, so just before I left I made a "Thanksgiving" Sandwich

I used a couple of pieces of Turkey Breast, some Cheddar, some leftover Cornbread Stuffing and a little bit of Cranberry Sauce (on Wheat Bread)

It was a large sandwich, so I ate half then, and the other half during my shift around 9pm.

Around midnight I had a Granola Bar, and that was it for the day.

I knew I had to get up early the following day, and I wanted to have (at least) 8 hours of fasting before I took my Blood Sugar.

Morning Reading....

119

November 3rd 2012

I started this day with one goal... to have a lower Blood Sugar the following day

preferably 120 or lower

So I was a little more diligent about my eating, still perfect by no means, but trying.

I started with a bowl of Muesli around noon.

I had taken the remaining Apples and Golden Raisins from the previous day's Salad Bar and added them to the remaining Muesli which gave it additional texture and fruity flavors

I picked John up and we went to the store to pick up a few things and while we were out he took me to Arby's. It has been a long time since I dined there, and I know that Fast Food is not only bad for you (in general) but I also know that a big part of my problem is when I am "dining out" too often

Rather then get a whole combo meal I just got a classic "Beef and Cheddar"

It was so tasty and satisfying.

Later when I was at home I looked up there nutrition content on their website.

Turns out it was 440 calories, which isn't as bad as I was expecting.

Before work around 7pm I heated up some CornBread Stuffing and the rest of the Peas (I love leftovers) and I also finished up the Black Beans and Brown Rice.

During work around midnight I had a Granola Bar

and then when I got home around 3am I had a bowl of Cereal

(Honey Bunches of Oats - Almond Clusters)

The Fasting Blood Sugar verdict....

115

Mission accomplished!

Now on to another day of delicious and healthy eating!

November 2nd 2012

Still on a high from my Fasting Blood reading of 91.

My parents were on their way to my house for an early celebration of my Mother's Birthday.

I was to make a light Lunch, and then we were going out shopping, then they were going to treat me to an early Dinner.

Light lunch... let's see....

How about I just make a make-shift Salad Bar?

I made a big bowl of fresh Greens, then I layed out several little dishes of Salad Toppings and let everyone "Build their own"

For my Salad I added some Apple, some Candied walnuts, a sprinkling of Bleu Cheese and a large pinch of Coconut Flakes. I topped it with my homemade Dressing which was just Orange Juice, Olive Oil and a squirt of Agave Nectar.

After a little shopping it was time for Lunch.

They wanted to go to the Cheesecake Factory (which was fine by me)

I decided to order whatever I wanted from the menu and not particularly look for something "healthy"

and then I was hoping that I could use some restraint when it came to portion size

When the Bread Basket was delivered I took half of the whole Wheat Loaf.

I enjoyed every bite.

I caught myself reaching back in for more Bread, but I stopped myself before I it was too late.

I ordered the Bacon Bleu Cheese Burger with Fries (remember I said I was going to order whatever I wanted - I didn't hold back)

I enjoyed it very much, but then as I was eating it I realized that the Burger wasn't cooked well-done enough for me and so I left a good section of it (including the bun) on my plate. I also ate about 2/3 of my Fries (not total restraint, but some)

Around 6pm I started to prepare a homemade CornBread stuffing with Bacon and Cherries. I got the recipe from Cooking Light. I saw that they are having a Photo Contest if you prepare and take a picture of one of their dishes. I plan on entering the contest and the recipe sounded good so I gave it a try.

It tasted really good. 

around 7pm is when I actually ate a portion of it with a small Salad made with ingredients left over from earlier.

Later during work I had a Granola Bar (around Midnight)

I also had a 20 minute Walk after work.

and then when I made it home (3am) I decided to be decadent and have a Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich (with Bacon crumbles from earlier)

The previous night I ended with a Peanut Butter Sandwich and still had a good Fasting Sugar.

Let's see if I did it again....

Morning Blood Sugar Report.....

124

Not terrible, but not nearly as good as yesterday.

a tighter diet today, and a more intense workout are in order