Your Body, Your Choice

Magda Daily intentions

Once upon a time, C-sections were recommended as the safest way to deliver for diabetics. Now a days, they encourage vaginal births as the first option for diabetics. Yay!

I am proud to announce that I had two c-sections. My first pregnancy was not an elective surgery due to our daughter being breeched. At the time, we were offered to  have the external cephalic version (ie. a dr manually turning baby around- ouch), but declined. This procedure did not guarantee our baby would turn and would extremely painful.

Our second pregnancy was an elective c-section. Initially, choosing a second c-section was a difficult choice, because I felt this underlying pressure to try for a vaginal birth after c-section (VBAC) not only from medical professionals but from me. I put pressure on myself to have a VBAC because the recovery would be easier with a toddler. Well, I assumed it would be. The one thing i can impart is, nothing is easy in life. Nothing!  The pressure I imposed on myself was really surrounding the stigma of birth choices. I mean, it really isn’t anyone’s business on why they chose surgery. I have never heard someone question why someone chose a vaginal birth. Some women cannot have vaginal births and some just don’t want to. That is their right, in the end its your body, your choice.

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Cookies

Magda Daily intentions
Chocolate Cookies

 

These chocolate cookies not only help your sweet tooth craving but they also have a slow glycemic index. The coconut sugar has a low glycemic index and will not spike your sugar like normal sugar. I added almond flour to enrich the fiber and protein  content of the cookie.

I am not a dietician or claim to be a professional chef, but i found playing around with ingredients helpful. We are all trying to find the right balance for our bodies. I hope this recipe is helpful and delicious as it was for me.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
  • 1 cup of coconut sugar
  • 1/4 cup of maple syrup
  • 3 tblsp of milk
  • 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup of almond flour
  • 1 1/3 cups of flour
  • 1 tsp of almond extract
  • 1 tsp of baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp of cinnamon

topping (optional)

  • 1/3 cup of sugar
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon

Directions:

  • Preheat your oven to 350 F.
  • line two baking sheets with parchment paper
  • Mix topping ingredients together and set aside
  • Mix wet ingredients together
  • slowly add the dry ingredients together.
  • Make walnut sized balls
  • roll them into the sugar topping
  • flatten balls on parchment paper
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes

The Monogenic Confusion

Magda Daily intentions
The Monogenic Confusion

I am currently 33.5  weeks pregnant and have had 4 ultrasounds so far. It has been wonderful! I get to see our baby grow and progress. I also have a dynamic and dedicated team of professionals monitoring my pregnancy. I feel lucky and privileged. Since this is my second pregnancy, I feel like I am a pro. Not really. I forgot most stuff but its slowly flooding back. Just like riding a bike, right?

The one issue I have had, is the confusion with my diagnostic label. Even though all my main physicians have documented evidence of my Monogenic diagnosis, they continue to write type 2 on forms. Firstly, i needed to clarify with my genetic team before I jumping to any conclusions. I clarified whether Monogenic Diabetes and Type 2 were the same. They firmly said no.

Okay, then my gut tells me that our medical model has no room for growth. I have no issue educating people on what my type of diabetes is, but when i do, and they still say I have type 2. I am left feeling invisible.

Diabetes is already an invisible illness. What more can we do to educate the public of the various types of diabetes? Well, I thought I must blog about this. Yes, It makes me upset every time i see Type 2 written. Yet, I am sad that our medical model refuses to understand the other strains. It tells me that there is a lot more work that needs to happen. If our medical practitioners feel that they can only manage Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes under their treatment scope, well that is a problem.

One day there will be a change, but for now I must continue to correct medical professionals and be prepared with literature for proof. It is all I can do.

(photo taken from cliparts.co)

My Experience Trying a Gluten Free Diet as a Diabetic

Magda Daily intentions, Endocrine System, Management/thoughts/TIps

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If you are not diabetic and have celiac disease then please dismiss this. In my experience, as a diabetic with a gluten sensitivity, a gluten free diet is contradictory. The contradiction is with the low glycemic index/ diabetic diet and a gluten free diet. Most gluten free products are loaded with sugar, corn, white rice, and potatoes. All of these ingredients are horrible for a diabetic because they have a high glycemic index and quickly raises your blood sugar.

In the beginning, I was ignorant and tried gluten free breads and started baking with gluten free flours. I realized my blood sugar levels were increasing, so I created my own version of a gluten free diet. I avoided wheat and gluten free boxed products. I ate veggies, fruit, dairy, meat, quinoa, brown rice, and legumes. I kept my diet clean and simple. I felt amazing and reduced my insulin intake by half.

Another great benefit was, I no longer had keratosis pilaris (chicken skin). For few years, I asked my Dr about treating my chicken skin but she said it was normal. I refused to believe that prognosis because I did not have this condition before. after seeing my Natropath, it turned out that it was related to a gluten intolerance.

Currently, I am pregnant with our second child and had to introduce whole grains back into my diet. Unfortunately, my chicken skin is back. It is lovely eating bread but once my baby is delivered healthy and happy then i will consider cutting back.

Regardless, whatever you choose it has to be in your best interest. I am not a doctor or an expert on this topic. All I can do is share my experience and hope that it helps others. 🙂

(photo taken from cliparts.co)

Thanksgiving :)

Magda Management/thoughts/TIps
Thanksgiving :)

The holidays are over….Well, it is only the beginning of the slew of holidays to come. This holiday was thanksgiving. As we all can imagine, there was a bounty of food. All containing gluten enriched treats with a lot of baked goodness. I was not very kind to my body this time. I ate so much without feeling like I had the willpower to control my urges. I suppose that happens and will continue to happen. The struggle is real, as they say on one of the Real Housewives shows (yes, I watch those shows). This week, I will need to get back into the grind of exercise and gluten free eating. Regardless of my eating dysfunction, I am grateful and thankful for all the blessings I have in my life. That is what this holiday is truly about and that brings it all back into reality for me. Happy holidays!

Cornbread Muffins

Magda Management/thoughts/TIps, Recipes
Cornbread Muffins

Now that I am going gluten free…I need options! I thought how can increase the fiber in a gluten free diet. Other than fresh vegetables and fruit, baked treats are lacking fiber enriched ingredients. Poppy seeds and Chia seeds are great fiber additives to help you increase your fiber intake. I found these to be a tad bit dry but I think if I did add some apple sauce, perhaps 2 tablespoons? It would help. Enjoy

Cornbread muffins

  • 1.5 cups of cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup of almond flour
  • 1/2 tbsp of chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp of poppy seeds
  • 1/2 cup of coconut flavor Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup of skim milk
  • 4 tbsp of honey
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 4 tbsp vegetable oil

Bake at 400F for 12- 15 minutes. Make sure that when you insert a toothpick the middle is clean.

Young Soliders

Magda Management/thoughts/TIps

Today we had our daughter’s 4th pediatric endocrinologist appointment at Children’s Hospital. After the first visit, I knew what to expect at each appointment. This time, however, I was overwhelmed with nerves and emotions when we got there. I quickly noticed my surroundings in the waiting room and saw two youth waiting to be seen. I thought okay, I as an adult thought the transition was tough but what about them? It put everything into perspective. Our daughter is just another one of the brave darlings to enter into this place. It is astounding how much we can all struggle but it really is our perspectives that help us cope. Soldier on my young friends!

 

Gluten Free Discoveries

Magda Management/thoughts/TIps

Gluuuuuten! Is so very yummy. I could eat it all darn day long. I could literally go on and on about how yummy this starchy starch is. Yet, I know it’s so terribly bad for you. Boo!!!!!

Today was my first day trying gluten free bread. It was interesting! It will take a lot of time to get used to the changes. It was slightly sweet and crumbly in texture even after toasting it. I’m taking the gluten free diet slowly, because for one, I don’t like change and two, it is a new way of life so I should be gentle on myself. I have to admit, before the naturopath suggested I avoid gluten most of my pantry type items were gluten free. Not a huge deal, but once you are told you can’t, you tend to want more of it. Oh the psyche!!

I have been researching gluten free flours and the choices are endless, yet they have to be used in combination of other gluten free flours. I found this site (linked below) to be very helpful. The one thing this site did not account for was obviously diabetes. I read that Xantham Gum lowers your blood sugar and would cause lowered sugars if taking diabetes medications. That was an important tip to account for because Xantham Gum is an important ingredient in replicating wheat dough.

https://glutenfreegirl.com/2007/10/a-guide-to-working-with-gluten-free-flours/?v=3e8d115eb4b3

Gluten Free Brownies

Magda Recipes
Gluten Free Brownies

So, gluten is not helping the functionality of my thyroid and apparently not good for you. How depressing! I thought it would be nice to create gluten free treats, such as these gems!

I took Giada De Laurentiis’s double chocolate brownie recipe and made them gluten free with coconut oil.

Ingredients:

  • 6 Tblsp Coconut Oil
  • 2 Tblsp Vegan butter
  • 2 oz dark chocolate (90% cocoa)
  • 4 oz semi sweet chocolate
  • 2 eggs plus 1 yolk
  • 1/4 cup dark organic cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tsp  vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 325F
  2. Put the vegan butter, coconut oil, chopped dark chocolate, and semi sweet chocolate in a heat proof bowl on top of simmering water. Once melted remove and set aside to cool.
  3. Mix dry ingredients and set aside.
  4. Crack your eggs in a separate bowl and then whisk them into the cooled melted chocolate. It will look gelatinous but that is okay.
  5. Mix in  the flour
  6. Mix chocolate chips.
  7. Put in a greased 8 inch square pan with parchment paper

Bake for 30 minutes. When you take it out of the oven it will look oily but that is okay. The oil will settle once they cool.

THYROID!!!!!!!

Magda Endocrine System, Management/thoughts/TIps

Boy I am exhausted! It has been a chronic issue and maybe due to our parenting choice to not sleep train (ie Cry it out method) our daughter. It has been rough to say the least. When conversing with other parents, we found that we were not alone. Yet, I still felt alone. This was due to a change in my body and overall mental well-being. I was not feeling my best and had troubles sleeping. I had heart palpitations, restlessness, exhausted, and I was always hungry. I figured my body was in survival mode but in the back of my mind I thought…THYROID!

Having hypothyroidism for 5 years, I’ve become hypersensitive or attuned to my body and knew it may be related. I ruled out my diabetes because my management is going well (well according to my 3 month A1C’s). I am privileged to have an open lab requisition where I can check my TSH and A1C levels anytime I want. I tend to go every 3 months but if I suspect anything may be wrong I go before the 3 months. My TSH levels were in the normal range, so it wasn’t my thyroid?!

I decided to seek guidance from a Naturopath Doctor. I was obviously skeptical when my acupuncturist recommended I talk to their in house Naturopath Doctor. I guess I am all about modern medicine and the medical model but I was being failed by it in some ways. I had to seek out other opinions. What did I have to lose, anyway?

The Naturopath Doctor (ND) was outstanding and validated my suspicions regarding my thyroid. I always thought I struggled with a low thyroid before my formal diagnosis. The ND expressed that the free T3 and free T4 are important in the overall function of the thyroid gland. In my case, my free T3 and T4 were not functioning properly, hence the hair loss and other symptoms. Due to this, my thyroid fluctuates from hyper and hypo because it is not working properly. So, I am not crazy!!! I was relieved to hear this, yet, a bit saddened by it. The ND also advised that I am creating antibodies that are attacking my thyroid and will result in the destruction of the gland.

Obviously, this is good to know now then later but nonetheless frustrating. I realize that nobody has a perfect genetic makeup and that we are all unique in our dispositions. However, I may be tapping into my left brain logical thinking by making that statement, but my right brain emotional thinking is saying….AGH this sucks!!! Right now, I cannot panic and take in the information and take it one day at a time.