July 2014

Welcome Dragon Tamers! Thank you for subscribing to the monthly e-newsletter from WaltzingTheDragon.ca, THE trusted online resource for families living with type 1 diabetes in Canada. Our goal is to provide you with practical tips and highlight relevant information for your dragon-taming journey.

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Summer Fun, Summer Adventures

For whatever your family's summer plans include - whether traveling to far-away lands, lounging in your backyard, or sleeping in while school's out... WaltzingTheDragon.ca has expert-approved info and mom-approved tips to help dial down the D-drama while you and your family pump up the fun. 

Traveling with the Diabetes Dragon

In past editions of the Dragon News we have talked about preparing for a trip, packing and dealing with airport security. But what do you need to know about skipping across time zones? how to minimize lows en route? adjusting insulin on those long hikes? dealing with illness and injury in unfamiliar territory? Whether you have a short road trip or a long flight ahead of you, Waltzing the Dragon's Travel section can help you prepare.

Summer Adventures Leading to Night-time Lows?  

With summer day camps, big hikes, and long days swimming in the lake, you may find that your child or teen is having more night-time low blood sugars. Although necessary, some of the best low treatments are the worst for dental health - sticky candy and acidic juice left on the teeth overnight can multiply the risk of cavities. But there are steps you can take to protect teeth from the downside of night-time low treatments.

Dealing with Sun and Surf

How does your family protect insulin from the damaging effects of the summer heat? What happens to your child's insulin pump when she jumps in the deep end, or enlists in the Super Soaker Army? If you're looking for some tips and tricks for keeping insulin vials, pens and pumps safe from summer fun, check out our guidelines for dealing with sun and surf.

(And if your choice is to disconnect, you may want to check out this month's sponsored article, to the right...)

Recipe of the Month

Watermelon Smoothie... in only  4 steps!

A cold, refreshing treat for those hot summer days... watermelon smoothies remind me of a trip I took to Thailand many years ago. And they get four "thumbs up" from Max and Gemma! :)

Makes 2 cups
16*g carbs/cup 

2 cups (280g weight) Watermelon, in 1" cubes = 20 g of carbs
1 tbsp (15g weight) Sugar, white = 12g of carbs
1 cup ice cubes = 0g of carbs
= 32g of carbs for total yield

Step 1: Cut watermelon into 1" cubes.
Step 2: Measure out 2 cups of watermelon chunks.
Step 3: Put all 3 ingredients into blender. Mix on "ice chop" setting (or similar) until blended, with minimal ice chunks.
Step 4: Pour into tall glasses and serve immediately. You can add a slice of watermelon to the rim of the glass as garnish, if you like. Add a straw and enjoy!

Total yield by volume = 2 cups.
Total yield by weight = 480g (resulting in a carb factor of 0.07* by weight).
Recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, etc depending on the capacity of your blender.

Thinking of Disconnecting Your Insulin Pump?