Sugar Shakers - Christmas Gift Help...Weird But On Topic

Hi everyone!

My sister has PCOS and insulin resistance. She has recently begun a very, very strict GI diet with her Dr. and is doing very well. Well, I am on a super tight budget this Christmas, and had thought to make some people in my family goody baskets. I have home made spaghetti sauce I canned this fall and was going to include that along with some blueberry lime jam I canned. But this is not appropriate for my sister. I follow WW so I am not familar with what would be best for her.

So I thought I would create her a fittness basket (not sure yet what I will include, maybe a cd of fun music to workout too, a cute water bottle, maybe have my kids decorate her a workout t-shirt). But I wanted to include either recipes or even better prepared things that she could enjoy (you know like brownies in a jar, only something healthy). If anybody has any ideas I would be so very appreciative. I want to encourage her, but also don't want to hand out baskets of fun stuff and be like sorry you're on a diet. She doesn't need anything for her house and such so I am really stuck on an idea.

Thanks So Much!!!!!

I don't know what PCOS is, but my dad is diabetic and I got him, for his birthday after he'd found out he was diabetic, a recipe book called 1001 diabetic recipes. It has all kinds of great casseroles and things my mom makes for my dad and they LOVE it.

You might also think about getting her the Sugar Buster's book in paperback! If she's trying to control insulin production, this way of eating/living is just the thing for her!!

Kris

THANKS!! Great ideas!

PCOS is Polycystic Ovarian Sydrome. My understanding is it is lots of cysts on ones ovaries. Causing hormonal inbalances. It is closey linked to, caused by or causes insulin resistance, as far as I know research is up in the air about this. One side effect or symptom of it is obesity. Alot of woman have it and don't know. It causes fertility problems, facial hair, and many many other things.

If you have it regular diets may not work at all. One Dr. told my sister she could starve herself and still gain weight b/c of the insulin resistance. So coupled with medication she is on a program that includes injections, supplements and a strict diet and exercise program. It's an incredibley complex disorder and I must admit I don't know a ton about it. As more and more is being learned about it more and more woman are being diagnosed. Lucky for my sister she lives in NC near some of the top researchers who are studying and treating this. When she lived in NY the Drs just told her she was fat and lying about sticking to a diet and exercise.

Sugar Busters seems to be the closest plan to that which my sister is following so these books will be great! She is kind of getting tired of the same stuff over and over.

Thanks!

You could scour ebay or overstock.com for great prices on books about weight loss and fitness dvd's. Target and Walmart both have cheap foot scrubs/soaks for some pampering too. Cute idea for Christmas! ;)

When one has been officially diagnosed with PCOS, they most probably have Insulin Resistance also. There is a book that everyone follows over on SOUL CYSTERS. I'm going to PM you the web address. You can find anything and everything you need for on there. And by the way, this is a very good idea for someone...I know you're Sister will appreciate it!

BOB

Low Glycemic goodies would include nuts- macadamias are a luxury that I would love to find in a goodie basket! :) Check out the recipes in the Sugarbusters area. I believe there is a sugarfree Russian tea recipe, and perhaps a sugar free hot cocoa recipe. I am so glad your sister has been able to find good doctors. I have a cousin who was told "you will never be able to lose weight, and forget having children!" I would like to strangle her doctor! Thankfully, she did her own research and is now expecting her first child. :yes: Great idea! I hope your sister likes it!

I have pcos and was told I couldnt have kids. I have a beautiful daughter, and managed to loose the 100lbs I gained after having her. So, yes it can be controlled, and you can live a wonderful life with it.

As for gifts.....I'd stay away from food. If she is IR and has issues with food to begin with....food only tempts the troubles. Kinda like giving an alcoholic, nonalcoholic beverages as a gift. Im not saying her troubles are that bad, but mine are. I would much prefer a gift basket filled with homemade bath salts, a nice smelly stuff, and candles. :)

FABULOUS IDEAS!!!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

I decided to double up on stuff so her husband could do it too. SO far they have each lost about 30+ pounds since August. He is following her diet and she is also getting injections from her doctor and supplements.

Here's what I have so far:

These cool blue water bottles. Nice and large with clips to hold them on stuff.

T-shirts-I will (eventually when I get ink) print iron on transfers with pictures of my kids and funny sayings. The top of the t-shirt says 6 steps to a great workout and has 6 pictures of my kids, one of reach "step"

Workout Towels-Two towels with my kids handprints painted on them. I am thinking I will also write something like "lending you a helping hand" too corny?

Resistance tubing-got it on clearence!!! It includes several levels of resistence.

A Pilates DVD that I have and LOVE!

The Glycemic Revolution cookbook, as well as some recipes on found here.

Some body wash that matches my color scheme and matching shower poufs

2 rubber duck shaped soaps (she collects rubber ducks)

and a couple goofy things like sweat bands and wrists bands just more as a joke.

I bought a nice size blue plastic bin and matching tissue and shredded rafia. so far it looks really nice.

Thank you all for all the great ideas! I am giving it to her next week as that is when I will see her. She will not be here for Christmas. So I'll let you know if she liked it :) It's great to hear about women who are successfully losing weight and having children, in spite of this disorder AND inspite of ignorant doctors. I think we will be surprised to find how many woman out there sturggling with weight and infertility have PCOS and don't even know it! But as more woman are diagnosed more and more information is available. Agin thank you!

A nice, in-expensive gift would be a journal, if it's dated you could even put little encouraging notes and personal messages on certain days ;) Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure she'll love it!