Recipe: Chunky Steak Pies

3 Comments

Screen Shot 2015-12-27 at 10.17.55 pm

Today’s post is inspired by the Foods on Friday prompt during Diabetes Blog Week. It was one of my favourite topics to read and write about, and yet I’m disappointed that I haven’t included more food posts on this blog. Food is actually quite a big part of my life and my diabetes management, and I do cook often at home.

With Monday being a Public Holiday, I volunteered to cook lunch at home. It was a pretty quick decision, which is very unusual for the indecisive person that I am. But I felt like having pies, so that’s what I decided to make.

I made these using Pie moulds, and to be honest that part of the recipe is damn time consuming. If you want to save yourself a lot of time, you could probably just line a baking dish with Shortcrust Pastry and pour the filling into there.

The filling has a beautiful sweetness from the tomatoes, savouriness from the steak and bacon and a nice thickness thanks to the flour – it was just perfect if I may say so myself. It does have a rich flavour, so I don’t recommend going overboard on the Salt.

This recipe makes 15 individual pies, which will probably give you enough for leftovers (and hopefully a break from cooking) the next day.

The pastry does contribute a significant proportion of carbohydrates and fat towards the pie, so I would recommend sticking to a serving of one with a side of salad or vegetables. There’s also a good source of protein and iron from the meat, for sustained energy.

Screen Shot 2015-12-27 at 10.18.06 pm

Ingredients:

  • 1 can diced or crushed tomatoes (approx. 400g)
  • 2 rashers bacon, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 1kg rump steak, diced
  • 2 cups water
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp fresh Thyme leaves
  • 3 sheets Pampas 25% reduced fat frozen Shortcrust Pastry
  • 3 sheets Pampas 25% reduced fat frozen Puff Pastry
  • 15 pie moulds or a medium baking dish

Method:

  1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over high heat and fry onion and bacon for 3 minutes or until softened.
  2. Add steak and cook for 5 minutes or until well browned.
  3. Add tomatoes, water, flour and thyme and bring to the boil.
  4. Reduce to a medium low heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes or until sauce thickens.
  5. Place Pastry sheets on the bench to thaw for 5-10 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 180ºC.
  7. Cut rounds from the Shortcrust Pastry to line the Pie moulds.
  8. Divide steak filling evenly between Pie moulds.
  9. Cut rounds from the Puff Pastry to cover the Pie moulds. Pierce the edges with a fork to seal.
  10. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden.

Nutrition Information:

(estimate per pie)

  • Carbs: 36g
  • Fat: 10g
  • Glycemic Index Estimate: Medium

Three Stages of Dealing with Hypo Grief

14 Comments

I’m ashamed to admit that hypos have gotten the better of me in recent weeks. My diabetes management certainly isn’t as terrible as this post makes it look, but I definitely think what I go through during these times is too funny not to share (because we have to look back and laugh at ourselves, right?). So, here’s what I like to call my Three Stages of Dealing with Hypo Grief.

Stage 1: Anger and Frustration

Going low is the most frustrating thing. And the more often it happens, the more you start to feel like you’re slipping into a hole. And the further down you get, the harder it is to find your footing and climb on out.

And during times like these, that frustration boils up to the point of anger. Like wanting to shout. Like wanting to slam the door. Like wanting to throw something against the wall. Like wanting to punch the wall as hard as I can. I want to feel the pain, so I have something physical to match my anger. I have a million different emotions boiled up inside of me that I need to let out.

Stage 2: Emotional Eating

So, the wave has finally crashed. I’ve let all of my hypo related frustrations and anger out of my system. My mind is finally ready to start processing what’s happened, and its also time to start thinking about fixing that hypo.

A hypo that I’m not expecting will really tug hard on my emotional heartstrings. Especially after a day where I felt I did my very best. I ate healthy. I thought very carefully about my insulin dose. I didn’t take a second helping at lunch. I didn’t have a snack in the afternoon. I tried so hard and yet I still failed. So what’s the point? Screw it. I reach for the most delicious thing I can find to cure my hypo. Like a bag of chips. A tub of ice cream. A box of chocolate. And I’ll sit on the couch and eat my hypo sorrow away. And no, not just the 20 grams to bring me back up into range. No, today I’m going to finish off the entire packet. Just because.

Stage 3: Acceptance and readiness to move on

So, I’ve gotten angry, and my emotions have taken over my rational thinking and I’m finally ready to move on. I’m ready to accept that sometimes diabetes is plain unpredictable. Sometimes we approach diabetes with the best of intentions. And yet we still don’t get the results we expect. Sometimes these things are just out of our control. And its our job to accept this, pick up the pieces and move on.

I’m So Glad I Found the Diabetes Online Community

4 Comments

A few months ago when I was still finding my feet in the blogosphere, I joined a Facebook group for bloggers in my city. And for weeks and weeks and weeks I’d seen post upon post upon post pop up in my newsfeed with blogger questions, requests and promo opportunities. And lets not forget all those pesky notifications telling me that Claire and 7 others commented on a top post in that group.

A lot of these groups (quite rightly) don’t want you selflessly promoting yourself and every blog post. And being a new blogger, I didn’t really feel comfortable sharing anything there until I felt I had found my feet and had some confidence in my blog. This particular group recently started a ‘Sharsie Friday’ kinda thing, where everyone is invited to share their latest and greatest posts for everyone to read over the weekend. So, last Friday, I finally plucked up the courage to share a link to my blog.

When I got home, I sat down to read some of the blog links that were posted. I was hoping to make connections with some of the other blogs, and was also expecting a little traffic to come my way too. But neither of those things happened.

The majority of blog links there seemed to be from people blogging about beauty, fashion and shopping (absolutely nothing wrong with that). But to be honest, they just weren’t really blogs that I could relate to. I didn’t feel that I could add anything of value by commenting on a blog that was trying to help me find my style for under $49. Just as I’m sure the beauty blogger telling me about that must have mascara brush wouldn’t be interested in reading about my diabetes.

And judging by the activity in that Facebook group, it seemed that their blogging goals were the complete opposite of mine. They seemed to be seeking instant fame and monetisation from their blogs, with talk of building media kits and contacting companies for promo/product opportunities. I, meanwhile, am here to share my story and hopefully make a connection with you. I want to read about your stories and be inspired too. I do selfishly hope to build a strong brand for myself and this blog over time. But its not the sole reason that motivates me to write week after week.

So what does?

Its the Diabetes Online Community. And all of you that are a part of it and make it so strong. I’m so glad that I found it. So glad that it exists. Every day I’m inspired by all of the stories, tweets, blog posts, links and diabetes trends I discover. I’ll read something and instantly come up with three new ideas to write about. Its the first thing I look at when I’m having my morning coffee. At night its sometimes a struggle to look away from Twitter and go to sleep. But better yet, I’m always inspired to push myself one step further. To be healthier. Stronger. More resilient to the ups and downs of life with diabetes. To be the very best version of myself that I can be.

So, I guess the morale of this story is just how important is it to write for a clearly defined niche audience, rather than the masses. And networking with the right people. Because exposure means absolutely nothing if the audience isn’t interested in your work. Can’t connect to it. Can’t relate to it. And a blog means nothing if you don’t give back and be a part of that community.

And as for that Facebook group? Well, I’m now open to suggestions of any good diabetes related ones…

Welcome Back, Winter

2 Comments

Screen Shot 2015-12-27 at 10.31.13 pm

Happy first of June and happy first day of Winter! (well, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere that is…)

After some stormy weather, the cold nights and mild sunny days have set in nicely over the last week or so. I’m now heading to work in the dark with my car demister cranked up high and my jacket sleeves stretched well over my hands. If its really cold, you might even see smoke come out of my mouth as I inhale and exhale the cold air. The days can be quite pleasant, and I’m lucky that I do have some time after work to enjoy the afternoon sunshine.

Screen Shot 2015-12-27 at 10.32.02 pm

But the moment it disappears, that cold air sets in for the night once again. Time to crank up the heater and grab a blanket. Enjoy all the soups, roasts and other delicious comfort food that can be somewhat difficult to navigate through for someone with diabetes. And some fantastic sleeping weather.

Its by far my favourite time of year.

I know a lot of you will disagree. But where I live, the average temperature for much of January, February and March is well above 30 degrees. And if I’m lucky, there’ll be heatwaves of closer to 40 degrees. Its hot. Its uncomfortable, sweaty, lazy kind of weather where you can’t really be bothered doing anything. And the air-con just doesn’t seem to allow for a comfortable night’s sleep.

So what’s this got to do with diabetes, you ask? Well, the cold weather just gives me a positive mindset. And I like to think that positive mindset has somewhat of a halo effect on my diabetes management. I feel so much more active in the brisk weather. I feel more focussed. And I daresay that the brisk weather makes me work harder to get warm in the morning at work. That’s gotta be good for my blood sugar levels, right? And with a positive mindset, its much easier to embrace the highs and accept the lows of day to day life with diabetes.

That’s all I really wanted to say today. AND its a public holiday. Which means I’ll be able to take my time with my morning coffee and brekky this morning.

Bring on the next couple of months…

My Diabetes Superpowers

8 Comments

I recently discovered that I have superpowers. Well, I’ve actually had them ever since I became a diabetic. But I’m only just starting to realise them, thanks to Tuesday’s OzDoc Twitter chat. And chances are, that if you’re a diabetic, you probably have them too!

Like being able to force myself out from under those cosy covers in the middle of the night to check my Blood Sugar Levels. Just to be sure that they are not too low. And not too high either. But just right.

Like waiting for the right moment to make a mad dash from the dinner table to the bathroom when I’m eating out. Dialing up a big dose of insulin for all that mouth watering food I probably shouldn’t have eaten and hoping for the best. Trying to dial up my insulin as quietly, as discreetly as I can so that person outside my cubicle won’t notice. Won’t think I’m a weirdo. Won’t think I’m taking drugs.

Like being able to check my blood sugar levels in stealth mode during the day. Concealing my meter under the desk or heading over to the corner of the room. And being able to hastily finish and quickly hide those items the moment I hear footsteps. The moment I hear voices. The moment I can sense that someone is near.

Like being either a super gifted mathematician or a really good guesser when it comes to the carbs in my food. Working out that golden formula that goes something like “if I’ve eaten x grams of carbs, that means I need x units of insulin.” And “if 1 unit of insulin brings my blood sugars down by 3 mmol/L, then I need x units of insulin to bring me back in range.”

And being able to pick myself up again after a low point. After some diabetes related frustration. After some anger. After some shouting. Even after slamming things. Even after comfort eating. All without even letting it show to those around me. And being able to start all over again.

But above all of these ‘superpowers,’ I believe that just being able to live and deal with something as dynamic as diabetes day in, day out sure is worthy of superhero status in itself.

And the superpower I’m still waiting for? A personal diabetes assistant who can carb count, bolus, test me while I’m asleep and correct for me!

I couldn’t be more thrilled that I’ve finally realised my superpowers. I’m afraid I have to leave you now and use those mathematics superpowers to rescue my blood sugar levels from today’s breakfast!

Join the Oz Diabetes Online Community chat every Tuesday night at 8.30pm AEST by following the #OzDoc hashtag on Twitter.