I don't worry so much about junk food. If you eat right most of the time, you can treat yourself to dessert, a bag of chips or something deliciously fried every now and then. You know what you're getting and you work it in. What makes me crazy is sneaky junk food. The ad campaigns and companies that try to disguise not-so-good stuff as…
The latest celebrity-diabetes controversy actually made me smile. Not because of what was said, but because of the childhood memories brought back by who said it. Actress and former talk show host Ricki Lake is making the talk show rounds, promoting a new weight loss/wellness program for kids. Her first stop, on Good Morning America, was a bit of a misstep. She…
December 2, 2006 is the day we got the phone call that changed everything. "You need to go to the hospital," said our pediatrician on a sunny Saturday morning. Benny hadn't been feeling well for weeks. Our funny, curious toddler had become thirsty, cranky and tired. I do remember that morning, though, he was in…
When you write a book called "I Can't Cook, But I Know Someone Who Can," you aren't invited to prepare recipes very often. That's why I was pretty nervous Friday on WCNC's Charlotte Today. Host Colleen Odegaard asked me to come on – without a chef – and cook something from the book. I decided to make Esther Marie's…
November is Diabetes Month and today is D-Blog day. This year, the topic is six things you want people to know about diabetes. I decided to ask Benny what he wants you to know. So here's a D-Blog day post, dictated by a five year old who was diagnosed with type 1 at 23 months.…
This weekend, Charlotte families will do our part to raise money to fight type 1 diabetes. The JDRF Gala is always fun – this year we're thanking Lance, Inc with the Living & Giving award. (Slade and I help light the room "blue" for World Diabetes Day at last year's Gala.) This year, World Diabetes Day is…
I live in one of those neighborhoods that's just perfect for Halloween. Loads of kids, easy to navigate sidewalks and neighbors who go all out decorating and treating. This is when I usually start getting the questions, though. Will Benny trick or treat? (Yes). Is it okay to give him candy? (You betcha). Should we provide sugar-free…
We had someone new to root for at the Bank of America 500 this weekend. #21 Woods Brothers Racing Ford driven by Bill Elliot. That's because the car's paint design was created by an 8 year old with type 1 diabetes. This is part of a great contest by Ford Customer Service Division to support the Juvenile Diabetes…
In 1958, a teacher in California noticed children from one large family never came to school all at once. She never saw all of them together. It turns out the children were taking turns wearing the few pieces of clothing the family had. The teacher, Ruth Ann Montgomery, decided she couldn't let a lack of clothing keep her students…
I gained 50 pounds with each of my pregnancies. The first time around, chocolate enrobed mini Krispy Kreme donuts were my downfall. The second time I vowed to be more careful, but after gaining 30 pounds by the fifth month, I threw in the towel. Yes, of course I took my vitamins and ate my veggies, but I also…