January 2014

Welcome to a new year, 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.

Does Your Diabetes Need a Tune Up?

How are you feeling currently about your journey with the Diabetes Dragon? How are things going physically? How are things going emotionally? Some of us may be feeling satisfied with the current state of affairs: no changes needed. Others of us may be feeling completely overwhelmed and discouraged. Many others of us may be somewhere in the middle: things are okay, but some small changes in how we manage diabetes would help.

Where ever you’re at today in terms of your relationship with diabetes, the New Year may be the perfect time for a tune-up.

Diabetes Burn-Out Anyone?

Living with a chronic illness is challenging. It takes energy to tame the dragon – physical, psychological and emotional energy. There have been times during our family’s journey with diabetes when I have grasped for this needed energy, but come up empty-handed. And I know I am not alone – if your tank is empty, Coping with the Diabetes Dragon may give you the inspiration and practical tips you’re looking for.

Back to Basics

Which works faster in the treatment of low blood glucose: Coke or Gatorade? Which is a better match for my child’s lifestyle and needs: a Conventional insulin program, or MDI? Is there an easier way to check ketones than peeing on a stick? A quick review of our Diabetes Basics section will give you these answers and many more.

We would love to hear from you at 
admin@WaltzingTheDragon.ca   
(Really... we would!)

All the best to you and your family as you tame the diabetes dragon... 
-Michelle & Danielle

Michelle MacPhee & Danielle Krause

Recipe of the Month

Japanese Rumaki

Makes 24 tasty appetizer-size bites of bacon, chicken and water chestnuts

2g of carbs each bite. (approximately – depends on type and brand of ingredients used)

• 1/4 cup soy sauce 
• 2 tbsp brown sugar 
• 1 tbsp grated gingerroot 
• 1/4 tsp ground coriander 
• 1/4 tsp curry powder 
• 1 tsp minced garlic 

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts 
• 12 whole water chestnuts (canned) 
• 12 slices of bacon, cut in half crosswise 
• 24 round wooden toothpicks 

Combine first 6 ingredients (soy sauce down to garlic) in a small bowl.

Cut chicken breasts into 24 bite-sized pieces. Cut water chestnuts in half. Combine chicken and water chestnuts in the marinade (above) and mix well. Marinate in fridge for 1 hour, or overnight for fuller flavour.

Assembly: lay one half strip of uncooked bacon on your work surface. Place a piece of marinated chicken in the centre of the bacon strip, then top with a marinated water chestnut. Fold over the ends of the bacon and secure with a toothpick (making sure the toothpick goes through both the water chestnut and the chicken).

On a wire rack on a baking sheet, bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes, until chicken and bacon are cooked through.

Serve warm, with hoisin sauce (or another favourite).

Need Help with your Tune-Up?

… to take the fire out of diabetes… to lift the worry, to stop the nagging, to ease the strain diabetes puts on family relationships.