I think this is the longest I've gone without blogging since I started. We'll see if I return to a more normal schedule. Until then, here's a random list of my last month.
1. Christmas was at times emotional (there were some new babies enjoying their first Christmas), but it was welcome to see friends and family. We split our time between our two families and still managed to get a couple days at home before I returned to work.
I saw some high-school friends at an open house held for one of them who was on a short furlough from teaching in South Korea. I'm grateful we still get along so well and that we make a priority to see each other. We've remained close over the years, and I realize not many count their high-school friends as friends later in life.
Charity visited for a week. We filled her time with a trip to Chicago for the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium, visited the South Bend Museum of Art, saw Spamalot, the BBC Pride and Prejudice, and the iconic It's a Wonderful Life (I still cry at the end), and Charity still had time to read several books, knit potholders, and sew a bag.
2. Back in late November, I was diagnosed with insulin resistance. In short, I cannot eat carbohydrates without protein because my body can't properly break them down; I produce too much insulin for the carbs I take in, which results in sudden spikes in my blood sugar.
In my case, my doctor has instructed me to eat no more than 30 grams of carbs in a two-hour period, with one protein gram for every two grams of carbohydrates. Given these restrictions, I've already lost over ten pounds; my caloric intake hasn't really changed, so this seems to reinforce the doctor's findings. The first week of monitoring was difficult; all I craved was carbs because I knew I could not have them. I don't miss the sweets, but I enjoy starches, breads, and fruit, which have been decreased.
Low-carb diets have been experiencing popularity, so there is no shortage of options at the grocery store. Being a natural grazer, I'm appreciating snacks that are balanced so as not to require me to supplement them. Carrots and hummus or even the low-carb mint-chocolate-chip ice cream are good examples. I'm not such a fan of having a handful of nuts before a small piece of chocolate, though, so I'm more likely to opt for the snack that doesn't require a side of protein in addition.
I think the only time I deviate from the doctor's orders is for weekly communion. I recognize others aren't so rigid, but if this is what I have to do to keep it from developing into something more serious like Type II Diabetes, I will be strict.
It can be difficult to eyeball proper amounts when eating out, like during the holidays or when I didn't prepare the food, but I tried to err on the side of caution and ensure I had enough protein.
Several people have asked if this is what caused our pregnancy issues. No one knows what causes preeclampsia or HELLP Syndrome, but my obstetrician thinks insulin resistance can cause the early-onset preeclampsia I was faced with.
3. As a rule, I didn't grow up with making New Year's Resolutions. Once in a while, I would tackle one, like the year where I gave up chocolate. This year, after January was already underway, I spontaneously implemented No Tele Tuesdays. I arbitrarily chose Tuesdays to turn off the television. While I am often knitting, sewing, or reading, television can cut into this time, and I don't like how it becomes the focus of my night (satellite and DVR have helped me gain the control I desire, though). So Tuesdays I spend in any pursuit I choose, provided there is no television involved. Perhaps this will result in more regular blogging, but no promises.
This has been going well, but I did make one slight modification this week -- I made Monday the No Tele day, since I want to watch the inauguration highlights tomorrow night.
4. Knitting is still happening on a regular basis. I'm nearly done with my second sweater, I started another scarf last night (the infamous Noro striped scarf), and I have a couple socks finished with a couple others on the needles. I'm behind on starting a pair of thrummed mittens (I'm supposed to join some local friends in knitting it with them, and several of them have already finished at least one mitten). Pictures will follow in a later post, as I haven't been documenting them just yet.
