It was my friend, Kirsten's birthday last week and today is the first day we have both had some time open.

So, i thought, along with the gifts i got her, i would swing by ZillyCakes and get her a cupcake. I was expecting something like the monster sized things from Delish but what i got instead reminded me of what i would see on CupCake Wars . I was impressed by the flavours and the cupcake bar.

I am so happy i did not go to Delish. Sorry to those that like it and to Artvoice for voting them best anything. First time, pastried were stale. OK, new business, so maybe they don't have enough turn over. Second time, hmmm... i wonder who buys this stale stuff. Third time, OMG, is that MOLD? So, anyhoo....

I got her a Chocolate Chai with Chocolate Chai Gnache, a Pear Ginger wtih Lemon Chiffon Buttercream and a traditional Red Velvet with Cream Cheese.

Here is what they look like... (OMG, Paul, how do i upload a pic? Where did the upload button go? I've tried about 10 times to drop the file there, but nothing happens!)

So i guess i should say the pics i just took should be here, but i can't put them here......

Fuck it. I give up. Just words in journals from me from now on.

Oh Em Gee. Being awake at this time of the morning should be against the law. And i have been awake for well over an hour now!

However........

Yay for overtime. At least when the cash arrives.

not the first pickins from the organic (e:Uncutsaniflush) & (e:LeeTee) back garden, but thus far, the most prolific.



i love tomatoes.

growing up, i ate them on toast (rye, caraway rye the most coveted) with a sprinkle of salt, or much to my gran's dismay, right from the vine with a salt shaker hidden in my pocket.

winter tomatoes were hard and less flavourful in those days. they were from some far off land of unknown origin. now, we have hothouse tomatoes and the government insists on knowing where they are grown. a pale comparison, but for those of us with a tomato obsession, it's all we can do...

but i have to say, the biggest most evil of blasphemy are those people that put fresh tomatoes in the refrigerator. why, i beseech you, why!!???! ruins the texture and dulls the flavour.

that is, of course, is mere the humble opinion of a former foodie...

Don't continue reading this unless you're in the mood for yet another one of my bitching & moaning sessions. Hopefully, it will be short...

My doctor wants me to see a nutritionist and a opthamologist.

So, i call my insurance company for "in network" providers. Up until today, i have had amazingly helpful people at my insurance company.

Or, so i thought.

I found out today that i must be stupid, because today's conflicting information "is exactly" what i was told last time. I am NOT covered. Even though i understood that i was. I understood that my diagnosis opened a few doors to see specialists i was not covered for before it. Such is not the case. Diagnosis is not relevant.

Ophthalmology -- I am covered for an office visit... but... ready for this... not the exam. WTF? So, if i want to go and talk to a receptionist at a doctor's office, i can, but i can't have the doctor examine me?

Nutritionist -- there isn't one in the Buffalo area that is in network unless i go to a Diabetic Education Class at a Catholic Health hospital. Four 3 hour classes, most of which interfere with my work schedule, of course. To top it off, i do not have the correct referral and need to get back on the phone to be on hold and explain to someone else what i need and wait to find out how i cannot get it.

Pessimistic? Who me? Nah.....

Blood work is in. It's official. I have diabetes. I do not have celiac disease, but there is a small chance i may be allergic to eggs and lactose intolerant. That diagnosis, however, will have to wait 'til a later time.

I don't like getting diabetic testing supplies from the only place in which my insurance will cover 100% of the cost (rather than 80% after a $280 deductible), which is not medicare, despite the commercial.



I have made calls to go to a diabetes education center and wait for someone to call me back.

In the meantime, i do online research and a bought a big ole old fashioned book.

I require more thought on what to eat. Gone are the days of just picking something up or going out to eat lunch almost every day.

Today, it's black bean tomato corn salad. In a popcorn bowl.



Can't say i have a recipe, exactly. I just microwaved a bag of frozen corn, added a can rinsed black beans, some sweet peppers, some celery, green onions, parsley, grape tomatoes, the juice of a couple of limes, some dill, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar (which is reported to help lower the impact of sugar rich vegetables for diabetics), some Braggs liquid amino (to replace salt) then stuck it in the fridge to marinate.

Not sure what to serve it with... but, i may have to consider eating meat so i don't carb load as much and still get my protein.