Upcoming Posts for This Week #1

Starting Fresh for the Future

You may notice a new title for upcoming posts during the week, instead of Upcoming Posts for Thursday and Sunday I thought Upcoming Posts for This Week would be much better and it will be numbered so I can keep track of my Posts.

For Thursday there will be a post on My Entire Diabetes Kit, this includes my record book and new tape that I am using to cover my cannula. For Sunday there will be a post on The Book I am Currently Reading.

I have a few ideas for upcoming posts and there will be at least two posts regarding Christmas. Once we head into December I will discuss the schedule regarding Christmas week as Christmas Day falls on the Sunday this year so my Sunday post maybe brought forward by a couple of days.

I hope everyone is having a great week so far and I will have a new post for you on Thursday.

Until then

Jenna

Reflection #4

It's Been A While

Since I have done a Reflection, so I wanted to reflect on how I have been feeling lately. I have been feeling very lucky over the last few days, I feel lucky in regards to my Diabetes. I have my health and no damage from my Diabetes.

I have had Type One Diabetes for over Eleven years now and at present I have no damage from my Diabetes but I have also looked after myself. Sure I have had at least Three Hospital stays but One visit was only for a few hours. I was Fifteen when I was diagnosed in Paediatrics and from that moment in time I ensured that I took care of myself and I had a team and my Mum behind me to make sure I was doing the right thing.

The last day or so I have been feeling motivated, motivated to do better and be more organised with my health. I admit that I am not thrilled about my body at the moment, I am not comfortable in my skin and I need to change that, I need to change my outlook about my body and do something about it.

Now the weather is getting slightly warmer, I find myself eating and snacking on carbohydrate free foods and foods that have very little carbs in them. This afternoon I started walking again, the weather is meant sunny all week so there is no reason for me not to go exercise. My weight always goes up and down through out the year but I usually tone up and lose a little weight in the warmer weather.

I am feeling excited and motivated right now, my blood glucose metre is being updated and I should get that in the post any day now. I will be purchasing a new Diabetes case because I feel my basic black case is getting tiresome, I feel it is time to update a couple of things when it comes to my Diabetes. New case and I would like a new Finger Pricker something different.

I feel I am turning a corner at the moment and my Specialist appointment is not far away, it is hard to believe we are heading into November. Where has the year gone? This year has gone so quickly, I have been so sick this year I am glad to be feeling better an be at the end of all the sickness.

I hope you enjoy this post and have a wonderful week,

Until next time

Jenna

Delta Goodrem, Newcastle Entertainment Centre 27th October 2016 at 8pm

It was an amazing show

On Thursday night my Mum and I attended the Delta Goodrem Concert at Newcastle Entertainment Centre and I must say Delta put on an amazing show and played all her hit songs.

I could not fault the show, the band was amazing and Delta's wardrobe was stunning, I had an amazing night with my Mum. My brother had to stay home as he was just too sick, just a note I do have a big brother and he has special needs. I will keep my typing short for this post as I want to try and share some photos I took on the night.

I tried my best to get good photographs, all photographs were taken on my iPhone 6S. I took 201 photographs in total but I thought I would share a couple of photographs from the night.

If you ever get the chance to see Delta Goodrem on her Wings of the Wild Tour please go, you are in for an amazing night.

If you don't know about Delta, she is a multi platinum and award winning artist in Australia and would have to be one of the most successful women in Australian music.

I hope you enjoy this post, as always please feel free to leave me a comment or check out the Facebook Page Type One Diabetes & Life.

Until next time

Jenna

Continuous Glucose Monitoring

I know

Continous Glucose Monitoring is not cheap at all, it is really expensive in my opinion however with the problems that I have been having of late I am seriously considering starting on CGM.

For me personally I would use a Medtronic Sensor as I have a Medtronic Insulin Pump and I feel I would have plenty of support from Medtronic. Yesterday I was set up on a trial sensor, it is the Enlite Sensor from Medtronic and I have zero complaints so far. The Representative from Medtronic inserted the Sensor with the one press serter and it didn't really hurt so that is a bonus.

One thing I am enjoying is seeing the graph on my insulin pump, seeing what my blood glucose levels are up to. I have only had the Sensor in for more than a day but I feel it is something I could get used to. The biggest concern I have is the cost of the Sensors and I can only hope my Private Health Insurer will help me cover the cost. Of course my Private Health Insurer will need a letter from my Endocrinologist. 

I also like the fact that the Enlite Sensor is Waterproof, so I can shower/bathe comfortably. I really can not find a fault with this Sensor, I only wish that I could justify the cost. Sensors are not covered by Private Health Insurance, The National Diabetes Services Scheme or the Government.

So far I have positive things to say regarding my trial sensor and if anyone out there is considering going on a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System please and always consult your Endocrinologist to see if it is the right decision for you.

I will leave it here tonight, I do realise this is a short post however I did want to talk about my trail sensor and my feelings about CGM.

I hope you all have a great weekend,

Until next time

Jenna 

Posts for this Week, Take note

Happy Tuesday Everyone

As always I am pre planning my posts for this week and wanted to give you the courtesy heads up about what is coming up on my blog this week.

This Thursday there will not be a post as I have a Diabetes Appointment and a Concert to go to that night so the typical Thursday post will be moved to Friday 28/10/16 just as a once off. The post for Friday will be on My Feelings on Trialling a CGM, I am being set up with a CGM on Thursday for the week and I will decide if I will continue with it.

The post for Sunday will be on the Concert I am going to on Thursday night and I will try to include photographs for you. I feel going to Concerts is a part of life and I want to share my experiences on this blog.

As always keep an eye out for the upcoming posts, also check out the Type One Diabetes & Life Facebook Page. I am trying to be more social with the Facebook Page so please bear with me. I am still considering an Instagram account for the blog, I just need people to take interest and if you are interested then I will set the Instagram account up.

I hope you all have a great week and I will have a new post up on Friday,

Until then

Jenna

My Day/Night Routine

My Routine for a Saturday

Today I wanted to share with you what my day and night routine looks like on a Saturday when I have to go out. I thought doing a Saturday routine would be better as it is different to what the routine would be during the week.

So this post will be a run through of what happens on my Saturday, I think it would be silly to give you a play by play as my routine is different every week.

I am an early bird even on the weekend, I get up anywhere between six & seven thirty on a weekend. Yesterday I was up at six am, I checked my blood glucose level as I didn't feel right and my level was 3.2. I don't mind saying I was not happy about it but all I could do was treat the low and then I had breakfast but gave no insulin.

After breakfast I pick out my clothes for the day and then head for the shower, after my shower I get dressed, finish off my skincare and get ready to go out. Yesterday I had my Facial and Eyebrow Wax appointment and I loved every minute of it. My Mum and Brother came with me yesterday, it was nice not to shop alone for a change. I got myself a couple of things including some more Bobbi Brown Makeup.

After my appointment and a spot of shopping we stopped at the Super Market to get a few things. Naturally we head home now to get a few things done, unpack shopping bags and place new tops in the laundry basket to be washed and freshened up. On a Saturday afternoon I like to relax and have lunch, chill out especially if I have been out and about in the morning.

I normally have dinner anywhere between five fifteen and six pm, we had Chicken Parmigiana last night and It was really nice. Mum done a home made tomato sauce as we didn't have canned tomatoes and then for the grated cheese it was  three blend cheese it was Mozzarella,Colby and Parmesan. 

After dinner I start to get organised for bed, I like to clear my bed off so I can start to wind down. I have recently gotten back into writing in my journal it is something that I truly enjoy and it is an outlet for me when I am feeling down. I love to listen to my iPod at night, I have my supper around eight fifteen, eight thirty and my supper consists of sweet chilli cheese, block cheese cut up into small slices and 10 cracker biscuits. I love my supper I find it fills me up just nicely and I don't go to bed feeling hungry.

So even though I had my facial I ended up cleaning my face before I went to bed as my face was feeling a little itchy and I thought I should just clean my face it can't hurt. I was in bed by nine forty, I was ready to just curl up and go to sleep.

That is what my day/night routine looks like after a day out then home in the afternoon/evening. I hope you have enjoyed this post and please let me know what you think. If I get at least eight-nine views for this post I may just do a my day/night routine on a weekday for you if that is of interest to you.

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend,

Until next time

Jenna

How to Cope with Highs & Lows

Highs & Lows

It is a part of life when you have Diabetes, there is nothing worse when your blood glucose levels are all over the place. It can take a toll on your emotional and physical state, I am currently experiencing this myself.

High blood glucose levels I find can be exhausting, I feel thirsty and tired, constantly going to the toilet. It is a vicious cycle some days and all I can do is stay calm, breathe and do a correction dose or a temporary basal.

Low blood glucose levels can be trouble, scary and a few other things. The main goal obviously is to treat the low before you pass out and require an Ambulance. The golden rule I have been told is to treat the low and wait fifteen minutes. My hypo treatments include;

• Juice Popper
• Full Strength Soft Drink
• Sugar Sticks
• Jelly Beans

Of course it is recommended that you have 15g of carbohydrate some examples include;

• 1/2 can of regular soft drink
• 6-7 Jelly Beans
•  Three teaspoons of sugar or honey 
• 1/2 glass of fruit juice 

These examples are from www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

How to Cope

Try to remain calm is a good start, as frustrating as it is having erratic numbers I think it is important to remain calm and seek help from your Diabetes Team they are there to help you and guide you through the good and bad times.

Talk to Someone

There is no point holding all your feelings in, it is okay to talk someone whether it be your parents, a friend or your Doctor. You are never alone in your fight with Diabetes.

It will be okay

The fight with Diabetes is never easy but know that at the end of the day everything will be okay. I take great comfort in that, yes things seems bad at the moment but I know that everything will work out and will be okay.

I hope you enjoy this post, I feel I have covered a bit everything for this topic. I would like to take a moment and say Thank You, I see I have had over 1000 views since the end of May when I started my blog. It means a lot to me that people do actually look at my blog and I hope over time to make my blog amazing.

Until next time

Jenna

It Never Ends

How's your week going?

For me personally I am over it and I am ready for the weekend. I have been having a lot of problems with my Diabetes and I am yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel. My blood glucose levels have been high, low and it is taking it's toll.

It never ends with Diabetes, the problems and the emotions it just does not end. I am thinking about posts for tomorrow and Sunday, for Thursday's post it will be on How to Cope with Highs & Lows. The post for Sunday will be on My Day/Night Routine, keep an eye out for those posts.

I will leave it here for tonight and have a new post up for you tomorrow evening,

Until then

Jenna

My Favourite Recipe

Sweet Chilli Prawn Pizza

I originally found this recipe in a Philadelphia Cook Book and I would like to share my version of this great recipe.

Ingredients

 

• Pita Bread for the base or you could use a Pizza base
• Philadelphia Cream Cheese
• Half a kilo of Green Peeled Prawns
• Sweet Chilli Sauce
• Grated Cheese 

 

 
These ingredients were used for the Pizza I had during the week, you can always add additional toppings. I like to use;

• Feta
• Mushrooms
• Capsicum

Method

1. Place your pizza base on a baking tray 
2. With a butter knife spread the cream cheese over the base
3. Place the peeled green prawns on the base and be sure to place them all over the base.
4. Add additional toppings if you have them on hand
5. Drizzle the sweet chilli sauce over the pizza you have made
6. Place grated cheese on top of the pizza 
7. Now place pizza in the oven at 180 degrees 
8. When the cheese is melted and golden your pizza is ready to be taken out of the oven
9. Cut pizza into four pieces  and enjoy

This recipe I find is more for one person due to the size of the pita bread base however you could use a large pizza base if you wished. One thing I love about this pizza is that you can have it anytime during the year so Summer, Autumn, Winter or Spring it really is that kind of recipe.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have and please try it out, leave me a photo or tell me what is your favourite recipe in the comments on this post or the Facebook Page Type One Diabetes & Life. 

I apologise for not having photos up but I was having trouble positioning them on the page.

Until next time

Jenna

Thank You

Thank you

For the page views on the Low Glucose Levels Post it means a lot to me that I got the nine views that I did.

I am considering doing another post like that, the next one would be High Glucose Levels and coming into holiday season I feel it would be a good post to do. I will always do Diabetes related post whether it be a post on one of my personal experiences or something that is of interest to everyone there will always be a post on Diabetes.

I also wanted to let you know that I am thinking about my posts as Christmas gets closer and I thought I would some Christmas posts regarding food and how to get through the Christmas period calmly.

Again I just wanted to say Thank you for the views, it does mean a lot to me. I know I don't have many or any followers at this stage but I hope that will change over time.

Until next time

Jenna

Low Glucose Levels

It can happen anytime, anywhere

Low Glucose Levels are not fun at all and I thought I would go through the symptoms of a low glucose level and treatments for your low level. I will also go through some of the causes of the low.

Symptoms of a Low Glucose Level can include;

• Sweating
• Shaking
• Hunger
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Blurry Vision
• Fast heartbeat, feeling anxious

I always make sure I am sitting down when I have a low glucose level or "hypo" so I don't pass out to put it bluntly and I also like to know someone is around so I am not alone.

Treatments
I was always told 15g of carbohydrate and wait fifteen minutes now I know this is not always the case for some people. Here are some treatments that I personally use for when I am low;

• Glucojel Jelly Beans
• Apple Juice, Orange Juice
• Soft drink, personally it works for me
• Sugar sticks

Here are some other suggestions for hypo treatment

• Glucose Tablets
• Lollies
• Sweet Biscuits if that works for you

I wouldn't use chocolate as a treatment, I was told that it is a slow carbohydrate and it will take longer for my level to come back up.

Causes 
Several things can cause a low glucose level;

• Exercise
• Shopping
• Changes to insulin pump settings
• Work

If you are on a insulin pump or injections it's important to communicate to your Diabetes Team what is happening so if any changes need to be made then changes can be made.

It's never fun when you have a low glucose level, but know you are not alone and we are in this together.

I hope everyone enjoys this post and please let me know what you think. Don't forget about Type One Diabetes & Life Facebook Page.

Until next time

Jenna

Post for Thursday & Sunday

New Posts For This Week

I have been thinking about what posts to do for this week, as you already may know the My Favourite Recipe will be up on Sunday now I need a post for Thursday. I have mentioned in the past that I would like to do Diabetes Fact Sheets and so for Thursday I thought I would do a post on Low Glucose Levels which will what to do in the event of a low and treatment options for a low glucose level.

If I get at least eight to ten views for the post on Thursday I may do another fact sheet, there is no point doing a series of post if there is no interest. I am sorry to be so blunt, I just want to see what interest people with Type One Diabetes. Obviously my blog is about my Type One Diabetes and the experiences that I go through but I want to include things that will interest the people who read my posts.

Saying all of this the post for Thursday will be Low Glucose Levels and the post for Sunday will be My Favourite Recipe which is Sweet Chilli Prawn Pizza.

Until then

Jenna

In the Future

We still have the Facebook Page

Since the Instagram Post only got seven views I am thinking it may not be the best time for my blog to have an Instagram Account. I don't want to set up anymore social media accounts unless you guys really want it and I feel Instagram is not meant to be right now.

As the title suggest we still have the Facebook Page Type One Diabetes & Life and all I can do is tell you about it and hope that you will like the page. I do realise there is hundreds probably thousands of other blogs there about Type One Diabetes and the person's journey. I am under no illusions about that, you have no idea how much it means to me just to get views on my posts.

I am humble about my blog and I know my blog is not perfect but I hope overtime my blog will be something great and that people will subscribe or follow my blog.

I hope everyone has a great week and I will have a new blog post up on Thursday for you,

Until next time

Jenna

Thinking Instagram

We have the Facebook Page

Now I am considering doing an Instagram account, long story short I somehow started a second Instagram account and I am thinking instead of letting it go to waste I would use it for Type One Diabetes & Life.

So saying all of this I know I don't have followers but I knew you view my blog and if I get ten views for this post or leave me a comment on this post and I will set up my second Instagram account for my blog.

I will update the blog if the Instagram happens

Until then

Jenna

My Updated Skincare Routine

My Skincare Routine

Consists of cleanser, exfoliant, balancing lotion, serum and moisturiser oh and my eye balm. I have been using Go-To by Zoe Foster Blake for the last couple of months but I find my skin is just to use to it and I was told by my beautician to pick with the Ella Baché Cleanser. So I am now at the tail end of the Go-To skincare and ready to move back to Ella Baché skincare.

The cleanser I use from Ella Baché is the Savon Adoucissant it is for people who have "normal to oily and sensitive skin" This cleanser is lovely, I love the scent of it and it is simple to use. I use about half a pump and rub my hands together then I cleanse my face, neck and chest. Then I rinse with lukewarm water and use a hand towel to dry my face.

At least once a week I exfoliate my face and I use Gommage Revelateur Enzymes De Fruits, it is a lovely exfoliant and you mix the powder up with some water then apply it to your face, neck and chest. Once the mixture is applied you do need to keep your face wet I have been told, leave the mixture on for "two minutes for sensitive skin, five minutes for normal skin and eight minutes for resilient skin". It leaves my skin feeling smooth and beautiful.

The Balancing Lotion is awesome for people with oily skin, I use this every second day and I do it before bed as I don't have enough time in the morning to apply the lotion. With the balancing lotion I use five cotton makeup pads, I run the cotton pads under a little bit of water and then place on top of the container and press down then the lotion comes up and onto the pad. I then apply the pad to my face and it reduces the oil on my face, I can honestly say my face feels fresh after using the balancing lotion.

Next I use the Serum Marin it is a strengthening serum. I use this serum every morning and every night, the serum helps to "even skin tone and visibly reduce redness". I have been using this serum for a few months now and my skin feels better in a way and I am sure once I start using my other Ella Baché products the serum will help my skin feel and look better.

For moisturiser I use Sensibeautics Daily Resistance Cream for Sensitive Skin, the cream helps to reduce redness and feels beautiful on my skin. I use this cream every morning and every night, the only downside for me with this cream is it can get slimy on my face in the summer months but other than that I do love this cream.

My eye balm is not from Ella Baché it is from L'Occitane. The Immortelle Precious Eye Balm offers to visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles appear reduced. I really enjoy using this eye balm and I do find it reduces my dark circles and that is a bonus in my book.

Now my skincare is not cheap by any means, I do have to purchase expensive skincare because my skin needs the good stuff but at the same time I don't mind because I know my skincare will help me look and feel good about myself.

Here are the links to Ella Baché and L'Occitane
www.ellabache.com.au
au.loccitane.com

I would rather give you the links so you can explore for yourself, you maybe after a different brand of skincare therefore I have the left the links for you.

I hope you enjoy this post, please leave me a comment on this post if you have enjoyed it and don't forget to check out the Type One Diabetes & Life Facebook Page.

Until next time

Jenna

Sunday Post

Hello everyone

I wanted to let you all know that I am going to post pone My Favourite Recipe post for Sunday and do a different post. The reason I am post poning My Favourite Recipe is because I would like to able to include a photograph of the actual food, I want to try and make my blog posts look exciting so I aiming to try and include photographs in my posts.

The post I am now planning for tomorrow will still be a Lifestyle post but it will be on the Skincare I use. As I have said in the past my blog is about my experiences with my Diabetes and products/accessories that I use. I feel doing a post on Skincare or Makeup will not hurt my blog, I take pride in myself and do my best to look after my body and I want to send a message that regardless of our Diabetes it is important to look after our bodies and our skin.

So I will have the Skincare post up by tomorrow afternoon I hope and My Favourite Recipe will be up next Sunday 16/10/16.

I hope you have a wonderful evening and the new post will be up tomorrow,

Until then

Jenna 

Healthy Carb Free Snacks

Spring Time 

Is usually when I take healthy eating more seriously, I do eat healthy don't get me wrong but I find snacking to be a problem for me. So in the warmer months I aim for carb free snacks or a snack that has very little carbohydrates in it. I have been having a lot of trouble with my blood glucose levels recently and I feel now is definitely the time to reign in my eating habits and rediscover my carb free snacks.

Spring is a great time for a fresh start and the timing is right for me to have a fresh start beginning with food. I measure 99% of my food and when it comes to crumbed meat at dinner time I usually estimate what the meat would be worth. I really love my carb free snacks in the warmer months so I like to have;

• Cherry Tomatoes
• Salads 
• Carrot Sticks 
• Cucumber Sticks

I feel carb free snacks are great because it is like a small break from carb counting, we are always counting carbohydrates so to have food that has no carbs or very little carbs in it I think it is a nice break. There is never a break or a holiday from Diabetes so I think it is nice to be able to have some fun with our food.

The snacks with very little carbohydrates in them that I really enjoy include;

• Cheese and biscuits, I have 10 small rice biscuits and they are equal to one exchange.
• Mixed herb ricotta on a square piece of pastry topped with a cherry tomato, baked in the oven until golden. This is a very basic snack but also has very little carbohydrates in it.
•  Carrot, cucumber sticks with a dip, again a simple snack with very little carbohydrates     in it.

I am sure there is plenty of other snacks out there but these ones are my personal favourite and please feel free to be inspired by these simple snack ideas if you are after some fresh ideas for snacks.

I realise this is a bit of a short post but I did want to share my healthy carb free snacks, if you would like me to share the recipe for the mixed herb ricotta on a square piece of pastry please leave me a comment on this post or on the Facebook page Type One Diabetes & Life.

I hope you enjoy this post and have a wonderful weekend.

Until next time

Jenna

Happy Public Holiday

Pre Planning Posts

Happy Public Holiday everyone, I have had quite a busy morning between work and a spot of shopping I admit I am done for the day.

I am thinking what posts to do for this week and I have decided on Thursday there will be a post on Carb Free Snacks and Healthy Snacks. On Sunday there will be a post on my favourite recipe, keep an eye for those this week. If there is any topic you would like me to write about please leave me a comment on this post or on the Facebook Page Type One Diabetes & Life. 

I hope everyone has had a great long weekend and I will have a new blog post up on Thursday evening.

Until next time

Jenna

Lifestyle Books I Love

Lifestyle Books

I really enjoy reading lifestyle books, I always get something useful out of the book whether it be how to organise my clothes or new ways to update my makeup look I find the books I read very useful.

The first book I really enjoy is by Sali Hughes Pretty Honest, The Straight Talking Beauty Companion Published by Fourth Estate. One of the reasons I enjoy this book so much it is so informative and goes through the stages that every women goes through for example when you're young, dating, your wedding day and motherhood. The book also talks about doing your own manicure/pedicure and a whole lot more. I find this is the kind of book you can pass down in the family, from Mother to Daughter to Granddaughter or possibly a Niece. If you are a makeup fanatic I highly recommend this book.

Nicky Hilton 365 Style Published by Harlequin. If you are looking to change up your wardrobe and organise your wardrobe or simplify your wardrobe then this is the book for you. The author talks about when she got a taste for fashion, what she has done in fashion and the 365 principle which I will let you find out for yourselves what it is. The author also talks about the places she has travelled to and what she wore. This book is something that I constantly pull off the book shelf and read over and over again, the subject matter is something that I truly relate to.

Garance Doré Love Style Life Published by Simon & Schuster is I feel slightly autobiographical come guide to what the tittle suggest. I admit I have not finished this book yet but I have really enjoyed reading about the authors story and her experiences, she also discusses her "Style Extensions" and "Beauty Essentials" which you could take inspiration from those things. The photographs in the book are amazing in my opinion, they really get your attention and you notice the detail in the photographs. This book is truly fantastic if you're into Fashion, Blogging, Beauty and Travel then this book is for you.

Those are my three favourite lifestyle books, I highly encourage you to look into them if you are into these kind of books. I do have a lot of other books but these three stick out the most and as I said I enjoy these books a lot.

Side note I did take photographs of these books but I decided not to put them up on this post as a mark of respect to the Author and Publisher, I do not want to be crossing any lines or crossing into copyright territory.

I hope you enjoy this post and enjoy the long weekend,

Until next time

Jenna