Stumble It!
Holiday Survival Sweepstakes Update — with Chocolate!
I know I shouldn’t do this to you, but we’re adding some chocolate to the menu! When Kathy Moskal of Verē Goods (pronounced “very”) came forward with the offer to donate some heavenly dark chocolate as additional prizes for the DiabetesMine™ Holiday Survival Sweepstakes I just couldn’t resist. Hey, I’ve tried this stuff and it is off the charts. So now it’s your turn. In addition to nearly 50 other amazing prizes, we’ll be giving away eight fabulous chocolate gift packs from Verē: 5 “diabetic-friendly”* gift packs, including 5 bars each in a variety of flavors (pure dark, mint, vanilla bean, spicy, and citrus), retail value $30.00 per set 
3 “luscious + diabetic friendly” packs, including the 5 bars mentioned above, plus one box each of walnut clusters and chocolate walnut brownies, retail value $50.00 per set 
Yum! *Of course we need to clarify “diabetic-friendly”: the bars are all low-sugar and gluten-free, and contain per bar approx: 13 grams carb, of which 5g is sugar, and 4 grams of fiber. (Nutrition info is posted in graphic form on the company’s site) Those numbers ain’t too bad for goodies. Plus it’s DARK chocolate, the kind with those great health benefits. Now that I’ve got you all distracted with the chocolate, would this be a good time to remind you that this contest is not just about the goodies? As Allison so eloquently puts it: “For those of us with diabetes, the holidays are a non-stop carb fest from the fourth week of November until well after the New Year’s (What? You think the candy and cookies just poof into thin air on January 1?). Blood sugars bounce off the walls with the constant influx of chocolates, cookies, carb-filled mashed potatoes, stuffing and my personal favorite: candied yams and marshmallows. Control? What control? But the diabetes community is coming to the rescue!…” This is a chance to swap our in-the-trenches experiences and help each other along through the holiday minefield. I’m looking forward to compiling all these “best practices” into a little volume we can all share! So, onward to REMINDERS: Contest topic this week: Handling Those Pesky Holiday Parties! 
How do you keep from “losing it” with the buffet table calling your name and the drinks flowing? Please add your submissions to the comments section in the original post (or here if you must). We have more than 60 great responses so far. This week there will be no less than 9 winners! And in the next weeks, even more. ** This week’s round will be closed for submissions at midnight Pacific time on Sunday Nov. 23.** So get your PWD party hat on and let us know how you do it! Cheers.
My strategy is to get to table early and fill my plate with low carb items, i.e. shrimp, cheeses, veggies and dip, etc. I also indulge in a glass of dry wine which makes me feel that I am doing something special for the holidays. This takes the edge off of my appetite and fills me up. I am then not tempted by the starches and sweets.
Posted by: Andrea | November 21st, 2008 at 12:10 pmI have had those chocolates – they are a gift from the heavens! YUMMY
My strategy is to load up on veggies and dip and proteins like scallops wrapped in bacon etc. I have to be careful of the cheese and fruit platter, because I know the power that cheese has over me!
Posted by: Kelly K | November 21st, 2008 at 1:09 pmAs far as drinks – Red wine works, but I also love vodka with club soda and lime. I get my Vodka & am able to rehydrate and at the same time
I try to indulge in dark chocolate treats for dessert because like you stated in your post – it’s chock full of good stuff and I’ve learned to prefer it over milk chocolate.
But my most important strategy – I t enjoy the moment of celebrating with my friends and family and make the focus on them – not the food. Life gets so hectic and our time together is short – I want savor every moment I have with them!
k2
I pick low carb items and 1 higher carb item. Just pick one item to indulge in and stay away from the others.
Posted by: Debbie | November 21st, 2008 at 1:47 pmWho picks the prizes for the weekly winners? And by that I mean, who will win the chocolate??
Posted by: meg | November 21st, 2008 at 4:34 pmI always like cooking for the family when we get together, so my strategy is to host the party and do most of the cooking so I know what I can and cannot eat. Also, I ask my friends and relatives, if they are making things, to send me the recipes. That way I can see what is in them. If the recipe does not have nutritional information, I enter them into a program like Living Cookbook, which lets me estimate carb info.
As to avoiding cookies, candies, cakes, pies, stuffing, chocolates, bread, cheesecake, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cinnamon rolls, yule logs, egg nog, toffee, caramel corn, and candy canes…I have no idea. None.
Posted by: dicus | November 21st, 2008 at 5:21 pmIf I am able to do so, I head off to the gym for an hour, or go for a long walk, before going to any holiday party.
I like to fill up on low-carb veggies with dip, while drinking a glass of white wine (that I make last a VERY long time!) Cheese usually hits the spot, too, but I go easy on the crackers. I use my pump to bolus for crackers, and I am sure to use the square wave bolus to deliver the insulin over 30 minutes’ time. Seltzer water is what I drink after finishing that first glass of wine, since one glass is all I allow myself per day.
I do enjoy cookies – that is my favorite “bad” food – but I have learned to let just a few (3 small cookies – the buttery kind with more fat than sugar) satisfy my appetite for sweets. The square wave bolus works well for cookies, too, since all that fat makes the carbs absorb slowly. When one does not indulge often, a little bit of dessert goes a long way!
Posted by: June S. | November 21st, 2008 at 8:12 pmCGM and dance baby, boogie!
Posted by: MoHo | November 21st, 2008 at 11:19 pmAnyone hosting a party can always use help. There objective is to have friends and a good time. So, how can I help? I bring a veggie tray with the lowest carb dip. Do not go to a party hungry and check mealtime and shot schedule. I use a pump so this challenge has been removed. Sugar and salt will bring a reason to “eat more”. When eating some chips it helps to follow with the celery, water, coffee, etc., to remove the salt and sugar from the mouth. Hope this helps and have a great holiday season.
Posted by: dan 2 | November 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 am** THIS POST IS NOW CLOSED FOR COMMENTS/ CONTEST SUBMISSIONS. GOOD LUCK IN NEXT WEEK’S ROUND! **
Posted by: AmyT | November 24th, 2008 at 7:41 am