Check Your Pie

A good friend of mine and a very talented musical theatre performer from the UK once explained her life philosophy as follows:

"You have to think of your life as a pie. And there are three pieces of this pie. One piece is your body - your physical health. This has to do with sleep, fitness, diet, habits, etc. The next slice is your career, your job, your passions, what you work for, what you create, the reason to wake up in the morning. The final slice is love - the love between a father and son, two lovers, you and your friends and you and the people you smile at in the subway.

Make sure that you keep your three slices in balance and you're set. Remember to always check your pie!"

Today was very much that sort of day.

I woke up this morning and despite being sore from my late night row the previous evening I decided to strap on my running shoes, throw on a t-shirt (yes, I know it's January) and jog the circumference of Prospect Park. My knees were frozen, my hands two flesh blocks of ice and the tip of my nose redder than Rudolph, but I forced my way around the park sprinting when I could, walking when I had to and doing my best to will myself through the 4 mile loop. It felt good to get home.

A delicious breakfast later and I went to the Russian baths for a 3 hour lounge in the sweat rooms. Hot and cold, hot and cold, I daren't check my blood sugar for fear that a combination of the temperature extremes and the two back to back workouts were wreaking havoc on them. When I had sweat out any remaining impurities form my pre-diabetic life I showered, shaved, baptized myself in lotion and faced the world anew.

The final part of the evening was spent eating at an organic and gluten-free restaurant (review to follow) with a dear old friend and one of the loveliest souls around. Catching up was as easy and nostalgic as arriving back at your house and setting your bags down after a too-long vacation.

A second dinner at home and a very peculiar though nonetheless impeccably well manicured film later and the day had come to an end. Some days feel altogether improbably perfect.

Oh, and I found $20 on the street.

Numbers:

11:35 -> 113 Awesome fasting number. Had a bite of Larabar 10c and then went for a 4 mile jog (with some walking) in the cold.
1:00 -> Breakfast: cereal 110c, pb@j bagel 45c, 6 oz steak, apple 15c = 170 = 4 units (with a few extra carbs to account for the run). Then 3 hours at the Russian bath.
7:29 -> 66 A bit low, a sign that I probably did a good ratio earlier, and the hot saunas kept me high, but actually I was a bit low. I ate my whole dinner and only injected before the dessert to give my bg a chance to raise a bit before the insulin took affect. Dinner: 6 oz filet mignon, 8 0z squash and pear soup 25c, vitamins, broccoli, chicken in lettuce wrap 8c, tiramisu 30c, brownie 12c, ice cream 12c = 88c = 2 units.
11:10 -> 91 Second dinner: Baked beans 87c, toast 28c, 9 oz steak, brussels sprouts and kale 18c, grapefruit 26c, chocolate 6c = 165c = 4 units.
1:29 -> 134 Good number: Took 6 units of Lantus.

I also finished my second book of the year today. Sex at Dawn - a provocative and dangerous account of the sexual evolution of our species.

Day 42

Food Review: Sun In Bloom

Sun In Bloom
460 Bergen St. Brooklyn, NY., 11217, 718.622.4304

Today marked my first venture into the world of gluten free restaurants. Sun in Bloom, located just down the hill of the Bergen St. subway stop in Park Slope has been serving up vegan food for just over two years. The brainchild of Aimee Follette, their mission is to create a haven from the city for their patrons to enjoy conscientious cooking that still manages to be delicious and healthy.

I arrived without a reservation on a Sunday afternoon looking to accomplish two firsts: my first proper Sunday brunch in New York, and my first official "gluten free" meal at a restaurant. The wind was as crisp as an apple but the sun shone through a perfectly clear sky and spread its warmth on my bare skin. The world seemed pristine and clean. It was easy enough to see that there were no free tables before we even walked in the door. The only server, a facial hair masked Buddy Holly glasses wearing hipster type (sigh... this is Brooklyn after all) confirmed what we knew but "there are many tables about to clear." This gave us time to browse the menu.

"So the rule is," I started to my guests, "we each get something different and I get to try everything." After all, I was the one who would be stuck eating this sort of stuff in the foreseeable future. The brunch menu is just like the restaurant, concise yet creative. The blog claims that 98% of diners are not vegan, but looking around you wouldn't know it. Women fill most of the hardwood chairs and seem strangely at ease draping a yoga stretched arm over an iron and distressed wood table, their dainty hands clutching mason jars full of green juice. It's like lululemon meets restoration hardware.

"So do you know what you're having?" Asked my server, his thick black beard partially hidden by his blue plaid shirt buttoned all the way to the top.

"I'd like the gluten free pancakes." This was brunch after all, and if I'm at a gluten free restaurant I want to see how they manage at convincing me that I'm NOT gluten free, right?

"We're all out of the pancakes." They were all out of some other items too, a sign of negligence or popularity - probably the later. He ended up steering us smoothly towards three of the remaining menu options to the point where we were sure they had been our first choices all along. I got the Miso Tofu Scramble which was served atop quinoa and black beans with a lovely turnip hash and some collard greens cut into thin fettuccine style strips. Joe got the BLT made with what we guessed were oil soaked shitake mushrooms that had been oven roasted to crackly perfection, and Lili settled on the gluten-free brunch tart.

I must say the first bite of my scramble had my mouth leaping for joy. The zing of the miso made my pulse race, the quinoa and black beans were simply prepared and modestly seasoned and the collard greens seemed to add color and texture and not much more. I had a second bite and then passed it along for my companions to try. They each took a small forkful of the scramble, and just like that my breakfast was finished. Where had it gone? Joe's BLT was positively addicting - all two bites of it. And the gluten-free brunch tart, was a winner with a rich and crunchy crust, and the most silky roasted garlic and sage tofu quiche, underneath a layer of butternut squash and topped with shitake mushroom bacon (the same as before) and caramelized onions. I just wish they had put the rest of the tart on her plate as well, or at least another 1/8.

I left feeling very healthy and very... er... light? I was starving. I ordered one of their famous cookie sandwiches to go and ate it (inhaled it may be a better description) with my own pb&j, apple, chips with hummus, yogurt and cereal. Don't get me wrong. The food was wonderful, and I enjoyed every bite. I just wish there were more than 3 of them (bites that is). Which leads me to wonder why a restaurant that serves vegan food serves so little food. I know fiber is supposed to suppress appetite and all, but this is ridiculous. Surely quinoa, beans, and tofu cost less than a normal breakfast steak and eggs, so why the same price tag for a mere snack? Don't vegan's get hungry?

Sun in Bloom: ** $29 for meal, appetizer, dessert and drink.


The numbers:
12:49 -> 121 Sun in Bloom miso scramble 40c, bite of Larabar 10c and 1 unit of Novolog.
2:36 -> 89 HUNGRY!! pb&j 55c, cookie sandwich 80c, apple 20c, coffee 2c = 157 = 4 units.
4:19 -> 76 It's low because I thought the cookie may have had more sugar than I originally calculated. Turns out I probably guessed correctly. Had a snack of chips and hummus 10c with my vitamins.
9:00 -> 102 Nice! Dinner of brussel sprouts w/kale 18c, yams 55c, salad with sprouts, tomato, cucumber, avocado, onions 30c, quinoa salad with pepitos, kiwi and citrus 70c, grapefruit 26c = 199 = 5 units.
11:37 - 112 Good, worked out and had an apple.
12:40 - Took 6 units of Lantus. I like how 6 units worked today.

Workout: Erg - 5000m, 19:23.3 @ 1:56.3 r22
Translated: I'm way slow and out of shape and only rowed 3 miles but it's a start.

Day 41

Good Morning Brooklyn!

I woke up in Brooklyn!!

It felt amazing. I passed three couples pushing baby strollers on my way to the subway which also takes me by a yoga studio with dozens of lululemon clad women doing vinyasas at me. "I think I'm gonna like it here."

Tomorrow I wake up with two roommates. The mighty Joe Sofranko and lovely Lili Fuller. They're in town on business and I'm happy to have them.

It's wicked late though so I'm gonna skip to numbers.

pbpk -> ?? I moved and my old roommate kept the scale :(
11:13 ->120 Okay perfect number but it's still an increase from last night so I'm going to up the Lantus tonight. Breakfast: cereal 70c, pb&j 45c, piece of bread 12c, 1/2 larabar 15c = 142 = 3 units.
1:53 -> 172 That's a good pre-Joey number. Had vitamins and green tea.
6:16 -> 94 Awewsome! Dinner of a whole chicken, some chicken and rice 60c, black beans 15c, cucumber 4c, grapefruit 26c = 105 = 2 units.
12:18 -> Took 6 units of Lantus
1:39 -> 81 Had a glass of wine, and had a taco 31c (not enough carbs for insulin)
3:17 -> Had a salad 10c and took 1 unit of Novolog which, with the earlier taco, should put me somewhere nice. I'll probably set a 5:am alarm and check how I feel.

A wacky day in diet land. A whole chicken? What can I say. I got hungry, and the first 1/2 chicken didn't do the trick. Plus I had loads of energy today, and I've been pretty active so I don't think the chicken will do much damage.

Alright, off to bed with me.

Day 40

Moving Day

Today was the big move. The first time I've ever driven a truck. The first time I've ever driven a truck with Diabetes. The first time I've ever needed to hire a truck to move furniture... that I own. I'm such an adult. It makes me feel so lame.

Morning started as it should on moving day, with 12 vials of blood taken followed by torrential downpours. But then I got to the rental company and the rain started lightening up.

In Astoria i was assisted by the very generous and talented Bhavesh Patel and the stoic, uber-strong and surprisingly funny in a sort of grown-up fratty way Elliot Villar. I paid them in beer, pasta and love.

I then drove as slowly as I could using only streets to Park Slope, Brooklyn. My friend Seth Numrich who had to "audition" for something... loser. But instead I got Alex "the Alamo" Hoeffler who is strong as an ox in a 5'10 slightly hipster package. The move was a success.

As for my blood work... only time will tell - and the wise analysis of my awesome Detective Doctor.

#s
pbpk -> 184 If only my stocks would grow this quickly.
9:24 -> 184 Lame! This makes me a bit unhappy. I went to bed at a good number, but I guess the jam was an over-correction. Now the blood work may be a little botched. I had cereal 100c with an apple 20c = 3 units + a correction = 4 units.
11:30 -> Felt a tad low but didn't check and instead had a Larabar 27c.
4:17 -> 127 Finished moving (re: exhausting physical exertion). Had an Elk burger on a gluten free bun 26c, side salad with almonds, cranberries, blue cheese... 20c? = 46c = 1 unit.
5:30 -> Cleaned out my refrigerator and ended up noshing on a bunch of random leftover things: hummus 1c, yogurt 14c, cheese 1c.
7:50 -> 181 Not surprised that I'm high. Vitamins, pb&j 57c, 2 apples 30c = 87c w/correction = 3 units.
9:30 -> Coffee 5c, protein shake 5c. After the show I had a hard cider 26c + alcohol.
1:48 -> 110 Took my 5 units of Lantus.

All in all a pretty successful day. Nothing over 200 or under 100 and there were several variables: irregular mealtimes, irregular physical exertion, unusual foods. The coming weeks should start to level out a bit as I take control of my kitchen again and start working out on a schedule.

Day 39


Disclaimer: I actually love Seth Numrich, all aforementioned comments about him should be read with sarcasm.

Workplace Woes

I finally have something to talk about again. For those who have been paying close attention over the past few days my blood glucose seems to have been creeping up on average. And while I have several hypotheses why that might be the case, I decided, in an effort to bring the average back into a comfortable range, that I would change my carb:insulin ratio from >50:1 to about 40:1. This was successful for a few days, but today I finally had a response (for those just joining us that's a euphemism for hypoglycemia) that suggests I need the greater ratio.

Also, I had a miserable time at work. I keep getting noted for things that I'm actively trying to fix. And the notes come smothered in such anger and emotion that I find them hard to process constructively and instead find myself getting defensive first, angry second and finally recalcitrant. I'm continuing to battle through it as best I know how, but it has taken it's toll on me physically and imagine the constant stress has not been a positive ingredient in my diabetes control.

#s

pbpk ->182.4 Wow, I'm becoming a fatty, nice!
11:52 -> 148 Meh, I wish this hadn't gone up during the night. Cereal 100c, pb&j 50c, 1/2 cup blueberries 10c = 160c = 4 units Novolog.
2:12 -> 55 What's that i see? A low? Wow, I guess 40:1 may not quite be right. Had 4 oz orange juice 15c.
5:54 -> 113 Perfect. Dinner: rice 52c, curried beans 93c, broccoli with sundried tomatoes and garlic 20c, 1 sweet potato 25c, small apple 15c, 1 cookie 11c = 216 = 5 units.
8:34 -> 101 Felt emotional and wanted to check. F-ing War Horse is getting me down. I had a handful of brazil nuts 5c.
12:25 -> 119 Good number. Second dinner: Rice 52c, salsa 7c, beans 67c, onion 3c, soy chorizo 12c, tortillas 55c, spinach 2c, cheese 3c = 201c = 5 units Novolog and 5 units Lantus.
1:46 -> 51 Yikes! That's 2 lows in one day. Had 16c of Raspberry jam for quick release. But this confirms that 40:1 isn't quite right. I'll try 45:1 tomorrow I think.
2:34 -> 102 Good. It's probably still climbing but it shouldn't go much higher. And I don't want to spike too much because I'm getting blood work done tomorrow and I'd love for my blood glucose to be in a good level.

Day 38

"I Gained 20 pounds with Diabetes!"

Another day another dollar.
If you haven't heard, this Friday I'm moving from Astoria to park Slope, Brooklyn. Which means, among other things, that I'm doing my best to eat everything in my refrigerator so that I have less to carry to Brooklyn. So for those of you who actually read the content below the #s section, be prepared for lots of rice and beans!!

#s.
pbpk -> 180.8 Yeah baby, getting bigger!
11:24 -> 93 This is a good number, but how did I get here from 247 in the wee hours of the night? Had a breakfast of Cereal 100c, pb&j 50c, apple 20c = 170c = 4 units. When I got to the theatre I took my vitamins, green tea, lemon water and ACV.
5:02 -> 177 This is higher than I would have liked to see, especially after not eating for so many hours and doing a show (albeit Crow track). Dinner of rice 70c, beans 39c, salsa 6c, guac 13c, grapefruit 26c, and sweet potato 25c = 180 = 5 units (w/ a small correction).
7:57 -> 127 Awesome pre-Topthorn number. Had 1/2 a Lara bar 14c at 8:00.
1:44 -> 124 Another great number! It seems like about 40:1 is where I am these days. Dinner: TJ's bean salad 84c, 1/4 onion 3c, celery 2c, tomatoes 5c, avocado 8c, feta 2c, scallops and sauce 5c, rice 35c, apple 20c = 160c = 4 units Novolog and 5 units Lantus.
3:32 -> 131 Good enough for me. I'm off to bed! :)

Day 37

Inspiration... Priceless

"You're either eating beans out of a can or getting a standing ovation"
~ Laura Benanti - on the life of a performer

I saw Laura Benanti perform in a solo concert at the Mitzi Newhouse theatre. She was phenomenal and has inspired me once again to be the best at whatever it is I choose to be. Right now that means being the best diabetic.



#s
12:43 ->141 Cereal 135c, apple 20c, grapefruit 26c, toast 15c, w/ peanut butter 5c = 201c = 4 units.
5:43 -> 111 Dinner: Sweet potatoes with cinnamon and baker's chocolate 55c, quinoa 60c, curry spinach 14c, apple 20c, pb&j 35c = 186 = 4 units. At 7:00 I had coffee with cream 6c.
10:18 -> 249 Why the hell am I so high? Second Dinner of Salmon with sides of spinach and tomatoes and olives in an amazing reduction. Couldn't have been more than 25c. Took 1 unit.
1:20 -> 186 Took 5 units of Lantus. Wow, I'm really not very efficient with my carb:insulin ratio today.

Hypothesis: I was almost completely inactive today. Also my sleep has been irregular, and today marks the day that I have the least amount of Vitamin D in my body. Tomorrow I'll either up my activity or I'll lower the carb:insulin ratio or a little of both. I need to get these numbers under better control because I have my blood work this Friday.

Day 35