Wednesday, June 8, 2016

It's War, Diabetes.

Everything has been neglected whilst I went to war. On Sunday we stripped Matt's bed, covered it in Diatomaceous Earth and killed every bug we saw. I then covered the very holey bug protector the exterminators had place on the box spring, with strips of duct tape on every hole I could find and scrubbed at areas where I could see the bed bugs had been. Having washed all the bed linen, we re-made the bed. Tuesday afternoon we upended the mattress and box spring once again and found one lonely little bug who died instantly. After much diligent searching, spraying with bug spray, patching up a couple more small holes, I think we have beaten the little suckers. At this point in time, we haven't yet put the bed back together to allow the spray to dry. The picture shows the bug proof mattress cover I bought from Amazon.ca - I bought it because the  Pest Control didn't put a cover on my mattress only my box spring although the covered both on Matt's bed. It is of much better quality that the ones provided. I was thinking I should buy another one for Matt's box spring but Matt says we have spent such a lot and, providing the duct tape works, it may not be necessary. They are $60 before tax after all. The bug control people charge nearly $100 for theirs if you buy them separately from their service.

I wrote to the Pest Control people and copied it to the Landlords. Guess what, total silence. Unbelievable. Matt says give it to the end of the week. I also asked my cleaners who were due in Tuesday morning if they could come help with the mattress and box spring as a pair of oldsters like us find it a bit difficult. Although they came last time, they wouldn't do so this time. I can see their point, but they are not that easy to pick up if you are careful and they are/were only in one room.

So, I hope this is basically all over bar shouting.

Went to our doctor's for a diabetes clinic and she has now said we don't have diabetes. Matt never did,
he was classified as pre-diabetic. She has given me the go ahead to stop taking Lipitor for 3 months to see what happens. It causes me the most dreadful cramps which I then have to deal with by taking quinine pills and such. A doctor in the States, several years ago, told me every diabetic ends up on insulin. I really would like to go back and give him the bird. I thought it was nonsense at the time.

I tried out a new dish, to us, on Monday night which was an Italian mix of sausage, onions and peppers. It was pretty good. Had to adapt it slightly didn't have any white wine so used red. (I usually keep small bottles of white wine {no not cooking wine} for cooking, but I had run out). It will be replaced this week but we haven't done so yet. Of course I continue to eat asparagus every day and probably will until after the sale closes which will be around July 1. It amuses me in this recipe that they show a whole sausage whereas one actually has to slice it.


Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Onions




All Recipes
Gigi
"My family has been using this very simple and delicious recipe for sausage, peppers, and
onions for years and years now. For an extra kick, try using half sweet sausage and half hot sausage!"

Ingredients

  • 6 (4 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup white wine

Directions

  1. Place the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, and brown on all sides. Remove from skillet, and slice.
  2. Melt butter in the skillet. Stir in the yellow onion, red onion, and garlic, and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in red bell pepper and green bell pepper. Season with basil, and oregano. Stir in white wine. Continue to cook and stir until peppers and onions are tender.
  3. Return sausage slices to skillet with the vegetables. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes, or until sausage is heated through.

Have a great day

26 comments:

  1. Hope the bugs are finally eliminated.
    That's good news neither of you is diabetic.

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    Replies
    1. I hope so Alex. Will have to keep an eye on it for a while.

      As Liz advised, I will still eat and think like one though. Just in case.

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  2. Hi Jo - I too sincerely hope those bugs have gone for good - it's been such a stressful episode for you both ... all the best and take care - but what good news re the diabetes ... cheers Hilary

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    1. I hope so too Hilary, as you say, a very stressful episode. In fact I am cautiously optimistic about the diabetes.

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  3. The bugs must be so stressful. Doctors sometimes don't know as much as they think they know. Sounds like your health is doing great.

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    1. They are Susan. Yes, I am a tad nervous that she has said I am no longer diabetic. I have been since '04 and she now thinks it was a mistaken diagnosis.

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  4. Wow, more problems with the bugs. I can't believe it's still been going on, and that no one seems to want to help you guys. I hope it's gone for good this time. Fingers, toes, and anything else in reach crossed for you.

    And congrats on the diagnosis, especially if it means no longer having to live on pills. I hope it's true.

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    Replies
    1. I know Bryan, but Melissa Maygrove told me it took them a year. Any way, we will strip the bed again this weekend and make certain the little suckers (not the letter I would choose to start that word) have gone.

      I haven't been taking pills for diabetes for a while now, in fact I am having more trouble keeping my sugars up, not down.

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  5. Oh gosh, I didn't realize you were dealing with the dreaded B word. So glad it's under control.
    I'm a vegetarian, but if I weren't I'd be trying out that dish. It sounds good!
    Good luck with keeping your sugar level down.

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    Replies
    1. I think it is now Sandra. I hope so.

      If you look back, I have lots of asparagus recipes this month which should suit a vegetarian.

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  6. Those darn bugs! They've consumed so much of your time and money. Fantastic news about the diabetes and not having to take medication though :)

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    1. Money especially Pinky. I haven't taken Metformin in a while now. She seems to think I was misdiagnosed, I'm not so sure, certainly I needed my pills a year or two back, then I lost weight....

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  7. The recipe sounds delicious! I fully intend to try it out with the half sweet, half hot version.

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    Replies
    1. I actually used regular pork sausages Jennifer. But I too would like to try it that way.

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  8. Good news about the diabetes, pity about the endless bed bug battle. Fingers crossed that you've finally beaten them.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Helen. I hope so too. Not 100% sure the health news is accurate. Will see what happens.

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  9. That was good news to hear about the not having diabetes; that is weird about the other doctor saying people end up on insulin; I hadn't seen that in the years I've been typing medical reports. I think with proper care of it, it can be managed the majority of the time with oral medicine, diet modification, exercise. Of course type 1 diabetes usually always is treated with insulin.

    Yum on the recipe!

    Ick about the bedbugs but you sure are diligent in your efforts to try to keep them at bay.

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe he had only had experience with people who didn't take good care Betty. He annoyed me at the time.

      Well Matt doesn't feel the bites but I certainly did so I don't want them to spread again.

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  10. I hope you have those damn things beat once and for all. What a nightmare!!!!!

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  11. You know....if we ever dress up like super heroes you would be the "The Exterminator" ...I think you have to start to laugh about all the heartache you have gone through with these damm bugs. Red/Green would be proud of you using duct tape. I'm glad you are not diabetic and dr's are often arrogant and never listen. I would rather eat asparagus than eat sausage.

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    1. Someone pictured me as similar to a ghost buster once Birgit. I must admit I certainly used a lot of duct tape. You don't like sausage? I love them and would eat more if they weren't so high in calories.

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  12. Gosh, those bugs are horrible. I'm sorry you had to deal with them and that the people would not come to help, this time.

    It is amazing how much I read where doctors say things that are just not the case for every single person. Glad you your blood sugar is doing well. That is wonderful news.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I wasn't a very happy camper.

      We were talking about what doctors do, or don't do, at our Stand Up to Falls session yesterday.

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    2. From what we read and seen, the general doctors aren't trained in nutrition. Which is so stupid.

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    3. It is Ivy. But I guess that's why they have nutritionists. I'm sitting here munching radishes by the way.

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