Prescription for More Sun

I went to the doctor today knowing that I would be spoken to very harshly.

I have a standing appointment every three months to get my A1C checked, which determines how my blood sugars are doing for that period. Well I knew my numbers were going to be up. Back in December, when we were working 16 hour days, I ate a lot of fast food, took my meds at odd times and had very little sleep. I also know my sugars were up because I’ve been very fatigued, going to the bathroom more and thirstier. So I braced myself for the worst but went anyway cause I needed refills on my prescriptions.

The nice thing about my doctor is that he will at least see how I’m doing before he tells me I’m a terrible patient and killing myself. Well as I thought, my A1C was up to 9.6, a point and a half higher than three months ago. The goal is below seven. But rather than yell at me he told me that in addition to the usual tests he also had my vitamin D level checked. Huh?

It seems that Vitamin D is required by the pancreas to make and release insulin, critical for those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Well normal levels are 32-35, mine was 6. So I have to take a super-duper prescription dosis of vitamin d for a month to see if my numbers increase. It also helps regulate sleep, weight, moods and energy. Wow, that’s big responsibility for one little vitamin.

Vitamin D is not something we readily gain in food it is instead made in the body by cholesterol. It is activated by ultraviolet light (the sun), aaahh the problem. I live in Ohio the cloudy capital of America. I asked him if he could write me a prescription to move to California. He didn’t think that was funny.

I did a google search and discovered that foods high in vitamin d, besides milk are salmon, shrimp, cod, and boiled eggs. I guess I’m going to be drinking a lot of milk.

It will be interesting to see what happens in my body once my levels start to increase. Who knows I might become a pollyanna and take over the world.

Filed under: Health , A1C, diabetes, insulin, pancreas, vitamin D deficiency

Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps

One of my favorite places in the world to escape, is the library. I love being around all of the books and the silence. It’s awesome. One of the benefits of being forced to give up my CA driver’s license is that I am now proud owner of a Stark County Library card, whi-hoo.

On my most recent trip this book was featured on an endcap. Since I too have struggled with my Latin identity I thought I’d give it a go.

Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps by Lara Rios

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I had high homes for “Becoming Latina.” It was awesome to see a book that was about a Latin girl. She’s educated, from a good family, and has a great job. The one thing she can’t seem to get together is her love life. She’s commitment phobic and afraid of love, which seems like a disconnect given the rest of her situation. Instead she buries herself in her work and family. Her life is turned upside down when she learns of her mother’s affair and the possiblity that she might be a product of that event.

Her quest to be more latina leads her into some tricky situations the least of which is love with a man pushing her for her worst nightmare, a relationship.

In the end she comes to grip with who she is and what she really wants out of life.

The book reminds me a bit of Bridget Jones Diary for its crazy scenarios. Some of it is unbelievable and a bit much.

Overall a decent read. Not great, the writing seems a bit juvenile and in places underdeveloped, but for what it is (a fun read), it’s on target.

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Filed under: Reading , book, Chick Lit, Lara Rios, Latina, review

Stori Telling

In my on-going attempt to escape my life in general, I have taken to reading trashy, superficial, irrelevant novels. It is proving effective. My latest example is the memoirs of Tori Spelling. It was delicious cotton candy.

sTORI Telling by Tori Spelling

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I never watched 90210. I learned of Tori Spelling through the tabloids and her reality tv show – Inn Love 1 and 2. I find her fascinating. This book was an interesting look at her life from growing up Spelling, her relationship with her mother, cheating on her husband and finally creating the family she always wanted. She’s incredibly honest about her emotions, motivations and mistakes. It’s a fun read if you’re looking for something mindless.

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Filed under: Reading , 90210, book, reality tv, review, Tori Spelling