February Keep In Touch Chat
 

It always seems absolutely right when the first day of the month falls on a Monday. And it happens again in March! :carrot::carrot::carrot: (It doesn't take much to make me excited, does it?)

I managed to keep my BGL pretty stable over the weekend despite being at a quilting class both days where there were donuts, muffins and lunches brought in from Wendy's. Cheese, whole wheat crackers, apples and an orange did it. Now I need to get the darned scale to budge.

I hope your weekends went well too.

Went in this morning to have my blood tested. Today's fasting reading was 95. Higher than what I'd like, but not bad. As for butter tarts, the more I read up on them, the more it seems that they are somewhat similar to a pecan pie, but without the nut topping. I may just have to mosey on up north and savor an actual Canadian butter tart for myself. Excuse my ignorance, but is there a specific region of Canada that is known for their butter tarts? If I do manage to get to Canada, finding a homemade butter tart may prove difficult. Is there a restaurant and/or pastry shop well known for their authentic traditional butter tarts? Thanks for any and all info. I would try to make one myself, but since I've never tasted one to begin with, it just wouldn't seem right. It seems kind of wrong to be asking dieting diabetics about a sinfully delicious sugary treat, hehe. :D

MR. Z ~ yes, there should be a law or something against that ... no butter tart recipes or talk about them on threads for dieting diabetics ... or as Ruth says, NO FOOD PORN ALLOWED! :lol:

Honestly, I couldn't tell you where to get a REAL homemade butter tart unless you go somewhere near the Mennonites in southwestern Ontario. They make most of their food from scratch. And yes, they are like a mini-pecan pie but most people put raisins and/or nuts in them too; my landlady sometimes put chocolate chips in hers too: oh my, now that's really sinful!!! ;)

My mother taught me to make them the old-fashioned way with brown sugar, butter, and eggs in real pie pastry. Sometimes, it seemed like she wasn't even measuring; she'd just throw in approximates. Here's her basic recipe:

1 cup brown sugar
1 tbl flour
1 tbl soft butter
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt (1/4 tsp)
1/2+ cup raisins

Pastry for pie cut into 12 large circles; I used to use a plastic lid about 3" across. Put circles into floured muffin tins; then put some raisins into each cup. Beat mix with a fork and put about 2 tbl into each tart or half-full. Bake at 350F for about 35 minutes until hot and bubbly.

NOTE: if you decide to make them or get someone else to make them for you; be sure to invite lots of buddies to share them, so you won't eat more than one. :D

We had a good day; it was still cold though -- about -15C and it's at -20C right now; but I bought myself a nice thick plush blanket today so that I can wrap up in it and keep toasty warm ... have a terrific Tuesday!

Hey! It's Groundhog Day! Wiarton Willie won't see his shadow but would be a darn fool to stay out today.

Rosebud, are you an "enabler"? :lol: Now Mr Z will be trying to make butter tarts and we all know you have to be an Ontario country lady to make a good butter tart!

Had a really hectic day yesterday but will spare you the details. Food was just fine though. Now why the heck isn't the weight dropping? Could it be the odd glass of wine? I think I need an absolutely pure week starting today.

Have a good GH Day whatever the big furry rodents predict.

THANKS RUTH ~ I was already feeling twinges of remorseful guilt as I was typing that recipe out last night; I guess that does make me a SUGAR JUNKIE ENABLER, doesn't it? Now you all know why I need to lose weight and how I got where I am; too good of a cook! Now I am not twisting his arm or anything like that ... he can make them or have his mom/wife make them -- OR NOT! :lol:

I surely don't want to create an addiction to butter tarts esp when he is doing so well on his plan ... I was just thinking that everyone should get to try one BT in their lifetime ... ;)

We had lovely :sunny: here all day, but it's very cold too, so we need it; but we aren't out there watching the groundhogs or gophers either ... becuz it's too cold and I'd be surprised if they'd even wanna come out of their holes up here ... :lol:

Have a great day people ... and I won't post anymore recipes for sweet and gooey, delectable treats ... :D

This morning it was freezing cold outside as I left for the gym (30 F). My personal trainer took it easy on me and we mainly worked on my core. It was humbling to learn that I had lost the ability to do sit-ups. :o For the next week, we agreed that I would focus on light cardio and strengthening my core. The weather is going to be nice today, with a high of 50 F. After my workout, I was completely exhausted. When I got home, I ate a little snack and took a nap. The dogs were more than happy to be couch potatoes with me this morning as I snoozed on the couch. Digger, a prairie dog at The Denver Zoo, predicted 6 more weeks of winter today. In Colorado, we have colonies of prairie dogs.

Happy Prairie Dog Day! :D

no more tarts
 

I work with a LOT of Mennonite and Amish women, and they used to give me baking, thinking that as a midwife I didn't have time to bake for my family, (true) so they could give me baked goods, and let me tell you, the wonderful food that schmecks is a part of the reason I have trouble controlling my weight.
The Buttertarts are great, 3 kinds, (no additives, or with raisins or walnuts) and the restaurant near me, Anna Maes, actually hosts bus tours for meals.

In spite this, I went to my parents' place for 2 days, usually a big challenge, cause they have treats all over the house, and managed not to cheat. I did have some popcorn in the evening tho, and woke up to a fasting sugar of 7.9!
clearly not a good snack for me. But it was really hard for them to accept my pre-diabetic condition. Mum is quite confused so I wasn't too worried, (she was really a food pusher tho) but Dad should be able to get it, but is quite wrapped up in his own situation with how difficult it is to care for mum.

Have not been able to exercise the last 2 days, although I did a lot of housework for my parents, so that helps, but got very tired. The cold have gone into my chest and I am tiring quickly. So early to bed now, to rest up and get better.

happy groundhog day, looks like we will all have a long winter.

ttfn

Well we are definitely back in winter here - the plough just went through.

I did something very foolish this morning. :nono: I got up late and tore off to the gym for 7:30. Got on the treadmill and felt very strange after a few minutes. I forgot to have breakfast and my BGL was very low (2.7) when I got home. Dumb! Dumb! Dumb! I guess I'll get breakfast organized and on the table before I go to bed at night from now on.

Later today I'll go back to the gym for my workout.

RUTH ~ my DH does that sometimes, and when I was younger, I did the same; but not now; as my body sends me hunger pangs. When I was younger, I used to skip BF a lot; but today, I don't think I could forget it.

I make up 3 servings of my homemade Muesli and put them in individual C-thru containers in my cubbie. I just grab one; add milk & sweetener and eat. You could do the same -- put your favorite cereal in one on your table as a reminder.

I also cook up 3 servings of my porridge mix (oatmeal, natural cream of wheat, flax meal) ahead; then put them into containers in the fridge and just nuke it in the morning.

We had :sunny: today; it really helps to warm the temps up for us. We had lots of fine feather visitors today; we always have more in February and March as these are our coldest months, so we put extra food out for them.

Ate well today; kept on plan, and glad for that. Have a lovely evening folks ... Rosebud :flow1:

Ruth and Rosebud: I'm thinking smoothie before the gym. I am planning to go to hot yoga tomorrow am and I thought a yoghurt smoothie would be just the thing, before a work out. I am hoping that having a plan will help. Cereal seems like it is too much simple carb for me. But if I don't plan something else I just wake up hungry and reach for it.
The chest cold is keeping me down a bit, got on the treadmill and definitely couldn't get very challenging. Also, my hips are really sore for some reason.
Doing some stretches and scheduled a massage for tomorrow. into a hot bath with camphor for now.

MAD ~ if you like smoothies, by all means have that for BF. Some people like smoothies for a quick breakfast esp if they work or are on the go a lot; or they don't like the fuss of preparation or cooking. Each person should eat what they like and what works for them ...

The cereals I eat are not "simple" carbs though, they are all complex carbs made with whole grains so I find them really filling and lasting (large flake oatmeal; NATURAL GRAIN cream of wheat; flax meal; all bran buds; all bran bran flakes; etc). I alternate my cereal breakfasts with egg breakfasts 2-3 times a week.

Hope you are feeling better soon; a bad flu can definitely affect how your muscles and joints feel too. :hug:

Well, I did put out my Fibre 1 and a few raisins for breakfast but the darned milk was sour so I switched to scrambled eggs and some Ryvita.

I felt pretty rotten most of yesterday and did not go to the gym. I did do pet therapy at the Clinic though and felt better by late afternoon.

Don't fret if I'm not around for a few days. My PC is going to the computer graveyard today and being replaced by a newer model. I feel so disloyal! It may take a while to get back up and running - these transitions never seem to go smoothly.

I resemble this remark. :D Each morning I have a protein smoothie with frozen strawberries. As previously stated, it's quick and easy. Well, the weather took a turn for the worse here. New cold front moved in and we may get some snow today. Stay warm everyone.

hey there. i've been running like crazy here lately! good news is that i lose 8.4 lbs! i can;t wait to update you all on whats been going on with me. ttyl

in addition to a walk today I went to hot yoga. I have been really stiff and sore since i switched it up from yoga and pilates to much more aerobic stuff, so I hope this will bridge the gap. Had a great stretch and will go a few more times in the next week, IN Addition to walking on the treadmill or outside, or cross-country skiing. Since I have the time, I will up it a la biggest loser.
Not going back to work for a while so may as well get fit.
Ruth, you will be missed.
mr. z, I'm going for the smoothie thing tomorrow, rosebud, I find even whole grain cereals spike my sugars, my 2 hour pcs are always high even with steel cut oats and fibre one. so I need something other than peanut butter on toast for a change.
have a ski scheduled for the morning, hope I'm not too stiff after the yoga....

:wave: We had a busy day -- did a lot of pick-ups and errands today, so I got lots of walking in too. I'm really happy about that, but I hope I don't pay for it tomorrow with sore muscles; oh well, will just have to rest for a day if I do. The :sunny: was out today as well and that made our trip even more lovely ...

RUTH ~ hope things go smoothly with your new PC; lucky duck!

MAD ~ maybe smoothies will turn out to be a good alternative for you. Once in a while I make one with skim milk, a small banana, frozen blueberries, and WPP, for a snack or a quick pick-me-up. For a while there, the metformin was giving me huge cravings in between meals, so a fruit smoothie would help a lot.

Here's a simple recipe I found on this site somewhere --

* YOGURT SMOOTHIE *

1 cup light & Fit yogurt/110
1 cup no-fat milk/80
3 large strawberries/25
1/2 cup blueberries /45*

Whip in blender and drink; this makes over 2 cups. T = 260 cals.

MR. Z ~ did you already share your Smoothie recipe with us?

TIMOBA ~ :congrat: on losing 8+ lbs for forever ... WOWIE -- that is quite a big loss. Oh my, please do share with us all how you did that! We'd love to know all about it ... :D

My Breakfast Smoothie Mix
 

I have been using flavored protein powder mixes for awhile now. It was a little pricey in the beginning, but I've learned where and when to get them for cheap. On DietDirect's website, under the "shakes" diet food category, is a good list of protein powdered packets. For my breakfast smoothies, I stick with those packets that have the word "smoothie" in their name. The end result will typically be thicker and less watery with a "smoothie" packet.

Smoothie Mix (approximately 250 calories without any substitutions or additions)

1 cup ice
3 whole frozen strawberries
3 cups water

Set the blender to the crush ice setting and fire it up. Blend until strawberries and ice are crushed. Switch blender to low speed and add the following.

almond and vanilla extract
2 packets of protein powder
1 tablespoon of PB2 powdered peanut butter (regular or chocolate flavored)

After adding the last ingredient, let the blender run for about a minute and then power it off.

Real bananas spike me too much and I can no longer use them in my smoothies. Fortunately, when I need a banana fix, I modify my recipe. In place of one of the protein packets, I will instead use a single scoop of Muscle Milk Light protein powder (strawberry banana flavored). I have also been known to substitute 1 cup of water with 1 cup of Turtle Mountain So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk Beverage. Greek yogurt also makes a nice addition on occasion (1 to 2 tablespoons).

Oh, one important note. Keep the blender running on low when adding the powdered ingredients. In the beginning, I would turn off the blender to add the powdered stuff. When I would restart the blender, I noticed that the powder would get shot up to the top and get caked to the lid. :mad:

I may eventually wean myself from the flavored protein powders I use now to something much cheaper, like whey protein powder. At the moment, I have a supply of pineapple-orange and mango flavored smoothie packets. I make sure not to use two packets of the same flavor.

thanks for your smoothie recipes friends. I am drinking a raspberry smoothie now. I am planning a ski this morning and didn't want to be over full.
I may take the leftover with me for a pick-me up after ward.
The new snow is just begging for some tracks.

exercise and blood sugars
 

so I am having some spikes after exercise. According to my diabetes for dummies book, this is because I am releasing glycogen at a higher level than I need. Apparently I don't have to worry about this. Will this affect A1C? Are the highs temporary and will work out without doing anything. The book doesn't go into details.
Had a really good and long cross country ski today with a friend. But back and neck stiff again. Don't know what to do for that. Going to put the tens machine back on.

MR. Z ~ THANKS, for sharing your smoothie recipe and tips with us; it is very appreciated. That's a great idea to use banana flavored mix instead of the banana: I wonder if SF banana pudding mix would work the same? I use small green bananas whenever I can to lower the GI response; as I read somewhere that the green bananas have less sugar in them. As they ripen, they get sweeter; and you can tell that by the taste too.

I have heard that certain foods (bananas being one of them) elevate some people's BSL's too much. So far, I am fortunate that if I eat the small green ones in moderation, I am OK; that's why I have them for my snacks now. I used to put them on my cereal to bring the cals up a bit too; but would use only a half and freeze the rest.

MAD ~ you are doing great to be able to go out skiing; you can burn a lot of calories doing that for sure. The closest I am to that is SKI-WALKING, which is a good workout for me. I wear a good pair of boots and picked up some good poles -- that gives me a whole body workout. This sport is becoming very popular these days; and is called NORDIC walking in Europe. I tried to halve my smoothies but that didn't work out as they would be too thick; so I make the regular size and save the other half for later on (keeping it in the fridge). Here's my recipe:

My Berry-Delicious Smoothie ~

1 cup skim milk
1 small greenish banana*
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 tsp sugarfree berry metamucil
1 tbl Vanilla Whey Protein Powder

* OR you can use other fruit as desired; you could use strawberries or raspberries or peaches. Whiz this up and it is pretty much like a nice thick fruit shake. This makes 2+ cups; and is about 270 cals in total. Sometimes, I add 1 tsp cocoa powder for variety.

Have a great day ... :flow1:

its working!
 

Upping the exercise is working. Have also lowered carbs but not calories.
I celebrated losing another 2 pounds by updating my signature and am going cross country skiing at a special resort.
Have a party to go tonight, and superbowl party tomorrow, so will have to work hard to eat right.
Have a great weekend friends.

PC is back in business now except the darned C drive won't open. I was very please to be able to reinstall it all by myself. I think I can do a wee trick with a paper clip to get it open.

Had breakfast at the diner this morning (ww toast and peanut butter) and ended up being semi-forced to eat a hot dog for lunch and a fundraiser for the soccer girls! I was there doing the PR thing with the mayor and it was hard to say no. Anyhow dinner will be healthier - roast pork tenderloin, green beans and salad.

Exercise has been shivering in the wind chill. Winter carnivals are cold in February around here. At least I didn't have to skate the lake!

welcome back ruth. I know about the cold, I went skiing today and it was -20 at the cross-country area. I was warmer since I was exercising and I got warm that way. good for you installing the drive yourself. Face those techno-demons.
I am doing ok with the the smoothie thing too. I am surprised, I thought it would be unsatisfying not to eat my breakfast and drink it instead. But mr z is right, and its a good brekkie and oddly satisfying. I'm a convert.

happy superbowl tomorrow, watch out for junk food.

HI RUTH ~ nice to have you back so soon; and you installed your programs yourself too! When you say your C-drive won't open; do you mean your compact disc drive or the dvd drive? My C-drive is my hard-drive (and it doesn't open); my A-drive is my mini-disc drive; my D-drive is my back-up storage drive; and my E-drive is my cd burner/cd drive. Does that sound familiar to you? Hope you get it all sorted out!

MAD ~ good for you eating well; and getting in all that exercise. It's nice to see the reward so quickly; losing 2 lbs forever ... :D

Just stayed home and did lots of research today; we had a visitor this afternoon who makes and rents/sells motorized bikes from down in the Ottawa area.

He shared some tips with me about losing weight; he is on the FIT 4 LIFE plan and has lost 40 lbs in only just over 2 months; but he started high. I read that program when it first came out in the 80's and instilled some of it's ideas when I could. I may give it a whirl for a day or so to see if I can master it. I already have the dinner on some nights; and fruit and snacks alone now, but putting the whole plan together will take some planning and extra effort, I think.

Have a super Sunday ... Rosebud :flow1:

:lol: I meant the D drive, of course. I guess I'm not ready to work for the Geek Squad.

Very low BGL again this morning at 3.2. I think it's time to cut the glyburide but will check with my doc tomorrow.

happy monday
 

Ruth, looks like you did fine, even if you are not ready for the geek squad. Job well done, at least you are communicating well with us!.
I got out for a walk in the sun and did an hour of hot yoga yesterday. Today I am going for a short ski and then yoga, and a longer ski tomorrow is planned as long as the weather holds.
I managed well at the party on Saturday and had a few snacks, but no junk food, just some cheese and salmon on triscuits, and a couple of shrimp. Was quite pleased with myself.
I overate at the superbowl gathering yesterday, but that was real food, chili, chicken wings (not breaded) lots of veggies and more shrimp.
I had to leave the room where the game was being watched tho, was having trouble not continuing the food fest, so I went to another room and did some other activities for fun. I am not a big football fan so no hardship there.
I did manage to avoid the junk food, no chips of any kind at all!
I have been on holiday for a week now and have certainly been getting diet and exercise under better control. :carrot: feeling good about it.

Good morning! Doc says to not take the glyburide if I've had a lower carb supper or more than two glasses of wine. I guess I need to pay more attention.

I must admit I did go off base on Sunday at my grandaughter's party - everyone knows there are no calories in birthday cake, right? There was a little scale blip due to Chinese food the same day but my ticker is now truthful again.

Tonight my bookclub meets here and I provide the snacks. I'm thinking hummus with veggies and ww Triscuits and maybe some fruit. Those that want wine usually bring it but I'll stick to diet gingerale.

You know, those smoothies look great. I may try them. Drinking breakfast would sure speed things up in the morning.

Happy Tuesday.

smoothies and fibre: TMI warning
 

so after 3 days of smoothies, which have been great in every other way, I am having some fibre one with yogurt and peaches today. I have not been moving my bowels in the usual way since I started the smoothies. I have been adding benefibre to the smoothies, and have been making sure to have at least one slice of ww toast per day, (not big on the bread generally) but am not
"going" as per usual. :( Am also eating lots of veggies and some fruit so am surprised, they all have fibre too.
Mr Z, how do you deal with this. You said you don't add fibre to your smoothies, so do you get it the rest of the day?
What with all the exercise and water, the yoghurt etc, I feel things should just be nicely active in my guts.
Todays' plan is for a good long ski. I am teaching tomorrow all day, so I thought I would plan an evening yoga session to relax after that.
Have been thinking a lot about incorporating my exercise into my worklife when this holiday is over. I don't want to lose this muscle I am building.
Ruth, enjoy your book club tonight. What are you reading?
I am going off my personal beaten track, (mystery/crime novels) and going for something different, "the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" .

Howdy, all. :wave:
It snowed the last couple of days. This morning was chilly, but no snow. The sky is clear and it's sunny out now.

Fatmad - I get backed up only when one or both of the following occurs.
1) Didn't drink all my water. (1 gallon daily)
2) Ate large quantities of protein (fleshy meat) and didn't compensate with even more quantities of leafy greens.
I try and limit my carbs to mainly veggies and fruit. The only time I can remember being constipated was when I indulged myself at a BBQ and didn't eat enough greens or drink enough water. The next couple of days I added some fiber to my breakfast smoothies to get me back on track. I have noticed that my morning bowel movement is much less than what it used to be prior to changing my eating habits. Now, I only go once a day in the morning after I wake up.

Did you ever get an answer on this? That's kind of the question I am here to ask. Basically what is the deal with post exercise spikes. I shouldnt have had any glycogen LEFT after the workout I had. :dizzy:

ennay, apparently the glycogen has been released from stores, this is good, thats how we burn the fat, and we will still have it for a while after the workout. this is normal and healthy and adaptive.

Mad, I just finished The Book of Negroes". The enxt selection is "Stories from the Vinyl Cafe" - Stuart McLean. That should be a real change of place. I'm also reading "Last night in Spruce River" and dying to finish it and get into the new Margaret Attwood "The Flood", Alice Munro's "Runaway" and Michael Crummey's "Galore". With one exception they are all Canadian authors. "I believe."

By the way, you can put Fibre 1 into a smoothie. That makes it into a grainy but is still fine if you glug it fast.

Nice and :sunny: here today; everything going hunky dorey in the food front as well. Went shopping yesterday to pick up fruit and veggies, etc. I eat a well-balanced diet so I am feeling very well these days.

Have a great week ... :flow1:

difficult day
 

Ruth, thanks for the smoothie suggestion, its a good idea. I have cleared things out now and am feeling better.
Today was a difficult day. I started out early to teach a short course in Kitchener. Unfortunately, I was paired with a rather difficult person who was very negative towards the other learners. My skills in dealing with her were not good enough. I was unable to mitigate the effects on others and my attempts to five her feedback and change her behaviours we not well received.
So it turned into a crummy day. I had planned to go to hot yoga after that, but the marking took a long time (thanks to the same person, who was trying to take marks off everyone and wanted to remark parts of the exam others had marked to lower the scores!) so I was too late to join the class.
Then I was invited out with a few friends who had been teaching in other pods. So after a brief (5 min) gripe, we changed the subject and had a nice visit, and I was careful not to descend into comfort eating, but ate lightly and appropriately for my diet. I didn't eat the bread, or have wine, or tasted everyone else's dinner, but ate a delicious grilled piece of fish, with a bit of rice and grilled veggies. The sauce was a light salsa not sugary at all so I enjoyed it. I didn't have dessert. I came home and had good hugs from my family. So a difficult day ended well, and I am pretty pleased that I didn't run for cover with food that I should be avoiding. Even with temptation sitting right in front of me.
So thats my day, and I am going skiing tomorrow morning and will relax and enjoy myself.

I have been away for a while- on holidays in Ottawa. I am pleased to stay I pretty much stayed on my diet plan and did a lot of walking outside! It was great to see the started on winterlude, stroll on the canal (I do not know who to skate) and of course, there is no IKEA in my province- so I just had to go there.

I weigh in this morning - so that will tell the tale. I do know I did not have any sugar spikes. For this I am pleased - there were big family gatherings, with huge amounts of food that I love but should not eat. And I did not!!! I chose the healthier foods and my family made sure there were healthy food selections for me.

The hardest part - no BEAVER TAIL (A very good pastry) while we were on the Rideau Canal and there are no words to describe how much I wanted one!!!

I will let you know how my Weigh in goes a little later today!

welcome home trinie. So glad you had a good trip.
I can't wait, we leave tomorrow for our trip to BC. I did not get much exercise yesterday, or until we go, have too much to do to get ready.
I really enjoyed the olympic opening ceremonies, even if they were marred by the sad accidental death of the luger.
I hope there are no more events like that and that we can all get inspired. The ski resort where I am going will have some olympic stuff going on. I for one want to do a biathalon.
Im going tobagganing tonite and will pretend I am doing the bobsled competition.....

Trinie, :welcome: back! Winterlude has had perfect weather for a change this year. Some years the canal is a big puddle rather than a rink. Beaver tails are food porn - I may put them into the censor.

Mad, so sad about the luge athlete's death but the opening ceremony was still very impressive. I loved the music and the involvement of First Nation. Have a great time tobogganing tonight. I'd love to join you but would worry about my artificial knee.

I have been slacking off on eating properly and that has to stop. When you live by yourself it's way to easy to just grab a sandwich or a frozen dinner. Just had a meat sandwich on pumpernickel with a dill pickle - that is NOT a veggie serving! I have chicken thawing and will definitely have green beans, sweet potato and some cole slaw tonight. It's about four weeks until we go to Disney and food needs to be in control before then. Luckily our accommodation has its own kitchen so breakfasts won't be a problem.

Enjoy the Olympics and the rest of the weekend. Happy V-Day to us all!

we have a kitchenette in our suite, and there is a small grocery in the ski resort, but I will have to make due with what they have, the nearest grocery store will be in Kamloops, and we won't have a car, so I am taking some fibre one and some steel cut oats. We can have eggs as well, and I am sure there will be whole grain bread for toast, so breakfasts should be fine, and I will plan soup with coldcuts and cheese for lunches. We will have supper out, but I have been reading a lot about over-estimating calories with exercise. I am really glad I have been exercising in advance of the trip, haven't been overeating with it, so I will stay off dessert, plan to have a glass of wine 2 or 3 times while away tho.... oh I am getting very excited. Taking a break from packing while the laundry gets finished.

OK...this kind of cracks me up. I was looking on one of the links provided in a different thread and it talks about disposal of test strips as biohazard blood products. I've seen that in the manual as well.

Why is a teeny test strip with a drip of blood on it a biohazard but maxipads do not have to be marked as biohazards?

you are so right. I just trash mine and don't worry about it, but I think for liability purposes the test strip companies state this to protect themselves.
We do get a bit ridiculous at times. What are people doing with their sharps?
I have containers at work and just take a small sharps container home and then take to the office periodically. I'm just doing blood sugar testing and not insulin injections, but I know we pay through the nose to get the sharps from the office disposed of, so I wondered what others do here?

I may be out of commission for a day or two while traveling. We have internet access in our suite once we arrive. OOOh, great skiing everyday and just a few hours from the Olympics, I hope to catch a glimpse of Nancy Greene when we are there! she is an inspiration