The January DSMA Blog Carnival asked this question: What is the one thing you are looking forward to in 2012? (diabetes related)

I am really looking forward to the notion of “Better” as Chuck Eichten would say in his book.  There are a few different areas that I’m going to be focusing on in the coming months and year.  For the last 14 years I’ve been doing “good” at my diabetes management.  This year I want to take it to the next level and do better!  Here is how I plan to take things up a notch:

1. Diabetes Technology – I plan to utilize more technology to help with my diabetes management.  What I’ve been talking about for almost a year now is a CGM to help gather more data to tweak my basal, bolus and carb:insulin ratio.  I’ve been fighting this for some time now because I feel like there will be a new shiny CGM as soon as I get the current one.  It’s the whole buy today’s technology or wait just a little long for the next best thing.  Frankly, I’m tired of waiting and ready to pull the trigger.  I’m going to be working on a project to help with my decision in the coming month or so.
2. Health – In the last 30 days (started the day after Xmas) I’ve lost 11 pounds with ZERO exercise.  It’s all been done through the Dukan diet as recommended by my doctor.  This is just the start.  I’m just now starting to get back into my exercising, cardio and more of the diet.  This should help me lose more pounds to get to my goal of 190 pounds.  From there I can work on building back some lean muscle.  My biggest concern is to take it easy as to not re-injure my shoulders.
3. Blogging Diabetes – Over the last 6 months I have been dedicating a significant amount of time to the Podcast, which has been a HUGE success.  The response I’ve gotten is awesome.  In the coming months and year I’m planning on continuing the weekly diabetes podcast and adding more interviews, projects and video.  I’ll probably be investing a bit in equipment for doing more videos.  I am as focused as ever on the blog in all aspects and that’s not going to change.  More content, information, podcasts, videos, interviews, etc.
4. Family (non diabetes)- Welcoming baby #3 in June! YAY WOO HOO!  We find out on Monday if it’s a boy or girl.

As a huge supporter of DSMA (Diabetes Social Media Advocacy) this is my entry in January’s Blog Carnival found here.  As you can see, I plan to make every effort to be involved in DSMA this year.

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Blogging Diabetes Podcast Episode 26

Some topics I cover are:

• Episode 25 Previous podcast – Interview with Cherise Shockley
• Typical day for me on the Dukan diet
• Great Wolf Lodge mini vacation
• How my wife saved my life
• Animas Ping pump (waterproof)
• OmniPod pump (waterproof)
• Medtronic Minimed pump
• Dawn Phenomenon and BDP 005
• Paula Dean announced type 2 diabetes
• Telcare BGM – Wireless cell enabled meter
• CareLogger – Website for logging blood sugars, activities, etc.
• Petflow.com – Website for home delivered pet food
• Next weeks interview with Alexis Newell co founder of the Blue Heel Society

Run time: 38:29

How to Review in iTunes <– Video

Would you like to be a guest on the podcast or have someone in mind you would like me to have on?  Just drop me a message using the following:

• BDP Hotline for voice mail or text messages: 410-774-6079
• tony@bloggingdiabetes.com
• Post a comment below
• iTunes Review

A week or so ago Brendon, from the A1c53 Podcast and site interviewed me.  I really enjoyed being on his show and he asked some great questions about things I’ve never discussed on my podcast or website.

Here are some of the topics we covered as Brendon points out on A1c53:`

• On top of his full family and work life responsibilities, his exercise, and his new dukan diet, he blogs / podcasts / and tweets about his and others’ diabetes so that we can all learn to manage our diabetes better.
• Tony’s house near the woods and his zoo (so to speak)
• Working from home and what Tony does for a job
• How he finds time to be a type 1 diabetic on top of his busy life
• Tony’s home exercise routine
• How he treats low blood sugars
• How much carbohydrate Tony has with meals, and his new Dukan diet
• Carbohydrate counting with meals
• Tony’s eggs (aka ‘the dairy section in the grocery store’)

You can also find Brendon on twitter with the handle @A1C53.

Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments below.

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Blogging Diabetes Podcast Episode 25

Some topics I cover are:

• Episode 24 Previous podcast – Losing a job because of diabetes and diet update
• Medtronic’s Carelink is not yet compatible with Mac OS Lion and is pending FDA approval
• Interview with Cherise Shockley
• Type 1 vs. Type 1.5 or LADA
• C Peptide test and levels
• #HCSM - Healthcare Communications and Social Media
• OmniPod and Dexcom
• Celebration of Strength - National Conference
• Army Wife (Thank you Scott!) and mom
• Why those with T1 diabetes don’t often get a Pancreas Transplant
• You can find Cherise on her blog, twitter or Diabetes Social Media website

Run time: 48:54

How to Review in iTunes <– Video

Would you like to be a guest on the podcast or have someone in mind you would like me to have on?  Just drop me a message using the following:

• BDP Hotline for messages or texts: 410-774-6079
• tony@bloggingdiabetes.com
• Post a comment below
• iTunes Review

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Blogging Diabetes Podcast Episode 24

Some topics I cover are:

• Episode 23 Previous podcast – Interview with Brendon Livingstone from New Zealand
• Losing a job and career because of being diagnosed with diabetes
• Dukan Diet update
• 4 Phases of the Dukan diet and what’s allowed in each phase
• Update to the “Holy Grail of Diabetes” comment made a while back
• American Diabetes Association stance on blanket driving restrictions for those with diabetes
• Dietbet.com – competition between friends, coworkers etc. “Lose weight and take their money”
• Healthywage.com – Win money for losing weight
• Stickk.com – Create a contract and set a goal, money lost goes to a foundation of your choice
• Patients continue to want access to online medical records
• MySentry from Medtronic to monitor the blood sugars and insulin of someone like children with diabetes (CWD) – cost is steep at a discounted rate of $2,400
• Watson computer (Jeopardy) to work with diabetes in the future
• Study – Low protein diets can lead to increased fat storage

Run time: 43:41

How to Review in iTunes <– Video

Would you like to be a guest on the podcast or have someone in mind you would like me to have on?  Just drop me a message!

For feedback:

• BDP Hotline for messages or texts: 410-774-6079
• tony@bloggingdiabetes.com
• Post a comment below
• iTunes Review

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Blogging Diabetes Podcast Episode 23

Some topics I cover are:

• Episode 22 Previous podcast – Pump warning, basal test, insulin consumption, diets and news
• New Years/Christmas
• 2012 Resolutions
• Tips: Browser and Cozi planner
• Brendon Livingstone from New Zealand and blogger/podcaster at A1c53.com covering:
• Dating with diabetes
• Losing a job due to diabetes
• Exercise and running with diabetes
• A1c53
• Getting kids to eat vegetables
• Diabetes in New Zealand

Run time: 1:10:56

How to Review in iTunes <– Video

Would you like to be a guest on the podcast or have someone in mind you would like me to have on?  Just drop me a message!

For feedback:

• BDP Hotline for messages or texts: 410-774-6079
• tony@bloggingdiabetes.com
• Post a comment below
• iTunes Review

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Blogging Diabetes Podcast Episode 22

Some topics I cover are:

• Episode 21 Previous podcast – Interview with Jennifer, Symlin, Wrist Bands and Diabetes News
• Results from my basal rate check
• Next steps for further basal rate checking and what may help with the process
• Record insulin usage in a single day – disgusts me to even think about it
• 2 Day response from my new Endo messaging and his suggestions around Symlin
• Recommended for me: Paleo and Dukan Diets
• One Touch Verio IQ system described on Amy’s site
• It’s Dailyfeats.com and not Diabetesfeats.com - Site that makes doing healthy things fun and rewarding – JDRF fundraiser too
• Glooko – connect blood sugar meter to iPhone
• WPI Funding for wireless connection between blood sugar meter and smart phone
• Study – Risk of Kidney Disease in tight and poor control measured in A1c terms
• Warning about detox diets promising weight loss
• Personal story about my 2nd daughter and plan for #3
• Insulin pump warning – something that happened to me for the first time EVER on an insulin pump
• No podcast on 12/29

Merry Christmas and have a safe and awesome New Years!

Run time: 38:25

iTunes Review update

Would you like to be a guest on the podcast or have someone in mind you would like me to have on?  Just drop me a message!

For feedback:

• BDP Hotline: 410-774-6079
• tony@bloggingdiabetes.com
• Post a comment below
• iTunes Review

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Blogging Diabetes Podcast Episode 21

Some topics I cover are:

• Episode 20 Previous podcast – Basal Rates, Artificial Pancreas, Diet, Goals and Dexcom
• Basal rate update and plan
• Weight management struggles
• 3500 calories = 1 pound
• Diabetes silicone wrist bands
• *Interview* with Jennifer Dean, her blog and twitter
• Symlin and Amylin to help control blood sugars
• Square wave bolus
• Exciting news here at Blogging Diabetes
• IBGStar and FDA approval in U.S.

Run time: 46:20

Questions of the Podcast

1. How often should you check your basal rates?

Would you like to be a guest on the podcast or have someone in mind you would like me to have on?  Just drop me a message!

For feedback:

• BDP Hotline: 410-774-6079
• tony@bloggingdiabetes.com
• Post a comment below
• iTunes Review

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Blogging Diabetes Podcast Session 20

Some topics I cover are:

• Session 19 Previous podcast – Type 3 Interview and pre diabetes
• Basal rate or long lasting insulin dosage changes
• Diet to reduce A1c
• 2011 Goals and planning for 2012
• Dexcom and FSA
• A1c results and obsession
• Vacation loaner pumps – Medtronic ($50 shipping fee) and Animas (cost unknown)
• Dexcom study
• Artificial pancreas
• Pancreas transplant
• Insulin Pump Advantages and disadvantages
• Correction – artificial pancreas technology may not cost us all that much more if on a pump and CGM

Run time: 38:47

Questions of the Podcast

1. How often do you tweak or change your basal rate or long lasting insulin dosage?
2. If you know someone that uses a service dog for diabetes, please let me know.

Would you like to be a guest on the podcast or have someone in mind you would like me to have on?  Just drop me a message!

For feedback:

• BDP Hotline: 410-774-6079
• tony@bloggingdiabetes.com
• Post a comment below
• iTunes Review

The Diabetes Comfort Food Cookbook: Foods to Fill You Up, Not Out, published by the American Diabetes Association

So the folks at the publishing house for Robyn’s book provided my a copy of this cookbook to try out probably because of my mad skills in the kitchen.  Yeah, that’s it.  It probably has more to do with my history of diabetes and love for cooking meals for me and my family.  To be completely transparent, this cookbook was provided to me free of charge with no strings or promises attached.  Clearly, I’m going to blog about it though, right?  Right!

I did mention it in my podcast #18 with a few initial comments.  I’m a little biased because I am very much into health, fitness and clean eating.  When I think of comfort foods, the things that come to mind first are not healthy.   The book is well written by Robyn who seems to be very qualified to write this book.  The problem I have is the link of diabetes to a certain diet or type of cooking, but that’s because I am a Type 1 diabetic.  Those with type 2 diabetes need to be more careful especially if they do not supplement with medication.  So right off the bat I’m thinking these will not be healthy, which turns me off a bit.

I was a little wrong and the recipes tend to use the lean and healthy options that I would to minimize excessive simple carbs.  Each recipe also lists the exchange amounts and nutritional facts, which is a must for a great cookbook.  Another great aspect to this book is the helpful tips throughout the book, like “how to saute the right way”.  As I flip through the cookbook it’s easy to notice the variety of recipe options that will fit into anyone’s style or preference for types of meals.

The biggest drawback to this cookbook is that each recipe does NOT have a picture.  There are only pictures on every 5 or 6 recipes or pages, which is a big turnoff.  I am a very visual person and love the meal pictures.  This is kind of a make or break deal for my staple cookbooks.  I understand that it’s probably expensive and time consuming to have an image for each recipe.  To me this is the difference between 4 stars and maybe 5 stars.  I can’t wait to try out some of the recipes. If you’re looking for some guideance towards foods to cook that may be carb friendly, this is a good buy at $13.  If you have it let me know what you think!