Diabetes runs in my family. My maternal grand father had it and passed it down to his 3 daughters.. to my mum and two aunts. When my younger siblings were diagnosed with type-2 diabetes too, I started getting very health conscious. I stopped taking sugar in my drinks and cooking altogether. My husband and I even had daily walks.

We stopped eating out at restaurants or had take out either. I prepared mainly healthy home cooked meals. Even our occasional takeout would be healthy choices. I used a natural sweetener if any of the desserts I made called for sugar. As a result of this, my tastebuds changed to not like sweet foods anymore. Even my all time favourites like milk chocolates became overbearingly sweet for me. Maybe this is also the reason why I now prefer savoury to sweet dishes. I managed to keep this horrid disease at bay all this while …up until 3 weeks ago. I guess I could not escape it forever being that it runs in the DNA of my family bloodline.

I recently read this very scary statement on the NHS site :

ANGRY!

The NHS reminds me to have a blood test every 3-4 months. This is a norm here once a person is above 55 in age and with family history of specific deseases. I called in for the previous test results 4 months ago. The receptionist told me ‘someone’ would call me back for the review. However, no-one called. This happened twice in a row and I just gave up. I thought that if there was anything serious, they would let me know. I then find out I am already a diabetic only by chance (after 5 months) due to some other medical issue. A GP on duty pointed it out to me during the medical appointment. While I understand that NHS is overwhelmed with the present situation of Covid, this should not have happened!

Mixed feelings rushed though me. Sad yet deep down knowing it would have happenned sooner or later…that which I feared and dreaded, had finally caught up with me. Peeved…no, ANGRY…that I had to find out about it by chance months after the last blood test. My diabetes review and further lifestyle changes could have started much earlier if I had been informed of it right after the results were in.

MR. GADGET

My darling husband, being the gadget man that he is, immediately researched on gadgets for me to monitor my blood Glucose at home. He found one that was pretty awesome which had bluetooth to connect to my phone and store a history of daily readings. My new gadget is a Blood Glucose Monitoring System called ‘One Drop’. The package arrived today and the box included a Meter, the Lancing device with cap, 2 vials of test strips (100 strips), 2 preinstalled lithium batteries and a very awesome leather compact carrying case. The kit included only 10 sterile Lancets, so we purchased extra Lancets separately, enough for a 3 month supply. 

MINDFUL EATING

Can I blame Covid for this too?? I know I let things slide a little when Covid hit us…it’s just my own lack of care and not being 200% mindful. 2 years of restrictions, quarantine, no travel and having to avoid gatherings since we were in the vulnerable age group. What else was there to turn to for comfort other than each other and food? I did not binge nor did I go for sweet foods but I did tend to have seconds during meals. It wasn’t so much the healthy savoury dishes but the match of carbohydrates that paired with it. The culprit was the white rice! No, wait..it was MY lack of willpower *bows head in shame*

I always wondered why my grand dad only ate par-boiled rice and chapati made from pure atta flour. Only as an adult years later, I understood why. This was when my mum and aunts were diagnosed with type-2 diabetes too. I took it for granted that it would not happen to me and I am sure my daughters are thinking the same now. Good habits with food and lifestyle are so important and this has to start from a young age itself. Many of us Malaysians find it tough to not eat out alot. It is tough to make healthy food choices when there is so much temptation in a country like Malaysia, dubbed as the 24/7 food haven of culinary delights.

HOPE AND THINKING POSITIVE

The negative of this is that I am already Diabetic. The positive side of it is that there is still hope yet for me. The GP informed me that she would book me in for a Diabetes Review with the Nurse and for guidance on lifestyle changes. Having to take medication would be for life and neither the Doctor nor I wanted that. She said things could turn around with lifestyle changes and hopefully keep my blood glucose levels at a manageable status without Medication. So my appointment is on Monday, the 20th December. Whoever reads this, I have a request. I humbly ask of you, please, keep me in your prayers. 

I BEGIN MY ‘UNWELCOMED’ NEW JOURNEY

Since I am now diagnosed with type-2 Diabetes, my recipes will be more diabetic friendly in future. An exception though with my heritage and childhood favourite recipes which I definitely will share here but not consume personally. I guess my neighbours and friends are going to benefit from this

I named my blog Sweet Sharings 15 years ago when I was still doing Cake Design and baking as a business, hence the name. Oh horror, the irony of it! I have no intention of changing the name and will just let it mean as sweet sharings of life instead. So now, my new journey of being a diabetic begins at the age of 61. May the Lord give me the strength to manage it well. 

If you have any comments, advice or suggestions…please feel free to share in the comment section below.

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Almost 2 years into this new norm …the crazy era of Covid! We were beginning to think that life would improve after the roll out of vaccinations, but then Covid had different plans for us. It did a big number on us humans and started mutating into many more strains. 

Now booster shots are essential especially so for those of us living in a ‘4-Season Country’. It’s getting colder and soon it will be winter. It is during this time when the flu and Covid cases will rise drastically. The news informs us of Covid numbers already escalating during the past couple of months.

We contracted Covid last year

My husband and I still wear masks when we go out. We cannot afford to get ill with Covid again, especially not at our age. I feel like an alien when I am in the supermarkets or in town these days. People stare at us like we’re indeed aliens just because we still wear masks. What is up with this??

Going through Covid once is enough for a lifetime. It was a life changing experience. I will never wish it on anyone and I worry every single day for family and friends. We contracted Covid last year and managed to overcome it. I am truly grateful to be alive and I must admit..my whole perspective of life changed in March 2020. While many people are complaining and protesting and getting depressed being indoors and in lockdowns, I have come to terms with it and accepted it as the new norm. It is what it is! Just learn to live with it and have empathy and the decency to be vigilant and not endanger others.

Positive thinking and an optimistic attitude

Positive thinking, or an optimistic attitude, is the practice of focusing on the good in any given situation. It can have a big impact on your physical and mental health. That doesn’t mean you ignore reality or make light of problems. It simply means you approach the good and the bad in life with the expectation that things will go well.

The benefits of Positive thinking are great and it is my wish and prayer that each and every one of us be able to find the inner strength to think and act Positive. On this note, please be Safe and practice good habits and have the empathy and common sense to not endanger yourself or anyone else. 

For the love of Nature

I love the outdoors and we are somewhat globe trotters, my husband and I, and especially him more so. It’s a blessing that we are both quite adaptable though, having learned to keep busy and occupy ourselves mentally and physically in activities not involving or being around other people and crowds. In fact, I am quite surprised to find myself feeling that 24 hours in a day is simply not enough these days! 

Feeling Motivated

My husband and I are quite content with the world being at our fingertips! It comes easy for him being in the IT sector. As for myself, I am feeling inspired and motivated to start my blog again …about time too! My energy levels have also improved to pursue new hobbies and learn new things. 

Covid took a huge toll on my body and health. It took 20 months for my body to get back to almost what it was before Covid. I guess this is what you call ‘Long Covid‘. Only now I feel an improvement with my energy levels. Apart from experiencing a few medical issues that come with aging, it’s been somewhat exciting and fulfilling for me with the new found activities, our usual weekend coffee dates and walks in the woods away from crowds. 

Thank You Mum

I have been guilty of being a pessimist for the most of my life but this crazy era of Covid has taught me to always look at my glass half full instead of half empty. There is always something to be grateful for in Life. I have a lot to thank my parents for this, especially Mum …she is such a great example of positivity and inner strength…THANK YOU mum…You are such an inspiration!! I love You!! 

Though I have a feeling this Crazy Era of Covid is going to stay for a while yet, I Hope and Pray that it ends soon. Hope is like water…it quenches the soul to keep on going.

My latest project :

Learning how to use WordPress which is a whole new content management system, and it has a new recipe software as well that I am having fun exploring. Revamping and updating all my ancient old posts so this will have my time cut out for me. Slowly but surely, I wll build up my Recipe Category Page.

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Oh dear me, it’s been years since I posted anything on my blog!! Truth be told, Life and adventures simply took over and I relocated from Malaysia to Belgium and now in the United Kingdom. So much has happened since then. Good life events, not so good ones and really sad ones. I even have 2 beautiful grand daughters now, Maryam Jasmine and Aleena Rose. They are such delights that I only get to see twice a year when I travel back to Malaysia. Sadly it has not been so for this year. 2020 has been an unprecedented year for all of us with Covid, Lockdowns, Quarantines and restricted movements. 

My husband and I contracted the virus in March and we are so thankful that we survived it. It really took a huge toll on our bodies and respiratory systems that even until now we are still not 100% the same as before.

Anyway, onto positive stuff — Yesterday I posted one of my lazy ‘go to’ comfort meals on Instagram and Facebook It had an amazing response from friends and family requesting for the recipe. So yes, this is also one main reason why I have  reactivated my blog to share the recipe. Plus, 2020 has been so stressful and I need some blogging therapy to rant, vent, share and start getting my brain juices to work more. ??

Well, now that my reasons and excuses for not blogging are done…lol….let’s get down to business. Sneak preview of my next post —  Ginger Garlic Chicken Pulau.

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Simply love this and want to share it with you…

Friends

Why do I have a variety of friends who are all so different in character? How can I get along with them all? I think that each one helps to bring out a “different” part of me.

With one of them I am polite. With another, I joke. I sit down and talk about serious matters with one. With another I laugh a lot. I listen to one friend’s problems.Then I listen to another one’s advice for me.

My friends are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. When completed, they form a treasure box. A treasure of friends! They are my friends who sometimes understand me better than I understand myself.

They’re friends who support me through good days and bad. We all pray together and for each other.

Vitamin F = Friends

Real Age doctors tell us that friends are good for our health. Dr. Oz calls them Vitamin F (for Friends) and counts the benefits of friends as essential to our well being. Research shows that people in strong social circles have less risk of depression and terminal strokes.

If you enjoy Vitamin F constantly you can be up to 30 years younger than your real age. The warmth of friendship stops stress and even in your most intense moments. It decreases the chance of a cardiac arrest or stroke by 50%.

I’m so happy that I have a stock of Vitamin F!

6 beautiful quotes on friendship

Thank you for being one of my Vitamins!

In summary, we should value our friends and keep in touch with them. We should try to see the funny side of things and laugh together and pray for each other in the tough moments.

Thank You for being one of my Vitamins my dear friends!

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So what is the meaning of this positive life in abundance? It is important to understand that a person who lives in abundance is one that has abundance of positive energy, joy, and love. 

Developing a mindset of abundance

With an abundance mindset you will come from a place of gratitude and appreciation. This abundance mentality will help you create more opportunity, more happiness and more fulfilment in Life. It will help you focus on making progress every day, and celebrating your achievements.

Creating an abundant mindset allows you to:

• Have the freedom to grow without limitations or restrictions
• See the world as full of opportunities
• Have greater clarity and focus around creating something bigger in the future
• Focus on gratitude despite the circumstances
• Create exponential growth rather than linear growth
• Feel plentiful, creative, and inspired
• Create memorable and meaningful life experiences

“The key to abundance is meeting limiting circumstances with unlimited thoughts”

— Marianne Williamson

If you choose to live a positive life in abundance you are always focused on the positive and are excited about the endless opportunities in your future. Do not take anyone for granted and do not allow yourself to be taken for granted either. In order to have goodness and positive abundance in life, always keep a positive frame of mind.

Share what you know to be good with others and avoid negative people and negative situations because these are what bring you down and in turn bring you a chain of negativities in your life. I know this to be true because I am speaking out of experience.

Wishing you a wonderful and positive day.

Nur Diyanah Magness

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Be like the sea. Powerful enough to impact everyone around you and gentle enough so others find comfort in you.

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I have learned that the trick to being happy is to enjoy each day as it comes. Don’t wish away your days waiting for better ones. Sometimes we do not realise how big the little things in life really are. I would like to think that being more than half a century old gives me this wisdom ?

I feel exhilarated seeing sunshine enter the room as I open the blinds. Just this little thing is a great start to a lovely day. This puts a smile on me through the day and people tend to reciprocate. The act of smiling at others really makes theirs and my day! That is to say, I receive positive vibes from the Universe.

Catching up with old Friends

Connecting with old friends brings me such sweet memories. Do you feel nostalgia and a warm feeling like I do? Taking time out for a coffee or meal with family and friends is always good for my wellbeing and mental health. Moreover, it improves and tightens my relationship bonds. I have learned this through the years and know it to be true.

Finding the perfect gift for someone can be quite interesting and fun too if you do not let the rat-race of life distract you from enjoying these simple yet meaningful acts. Similarly, listening to little kids talk, praying together, helping an elderly person, doing activities as a family, showing concern for someone who is hurt or ill, all these and more, are the little things in Life.

Do little things together…

The simple act of giving a hug to my loved ones and friends or holding my partner’s hand brings joy and happiness. Listening to the radio or watching a movie together gives enjoyment and a sense of sharing. Taking a walk in the park alone or with others is also a simple thing in life yet so fulfilling, giving one a sense of peace and calm. Planting seeds and seeing them sprout is also so rewarding. Did you know that gardening is great for our health and wellbeing too?

Australian researchers following men and women in their 60s found that those who regularly gardened had a 36% lower risk of dementia than their non-gardening counterparts.

Take Time out…

We just have to take time out to enjoy the little things in life like the wonderful smell of pancakes or roti canai and nasi lemak in the morning. Likewise, Having coffee or teh tarik with old friends. Enjoying the smell and beauty of flowers around us, or taking the time to actually browse a bookstore, all these little things can be fun and make us feel good.

The little things in that connects us to the bigger things….it’s these little things and moments that give us the quality in life. For those who have not already, start living now. Live in the present and enjoy the simple and little things in life. Otherwise, one day you will look back and realise they were the big things.

If you have any thoughts on this, please leave a comment in the comment box below.

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What is Happiness

What really is the definition of happiness? Happiness is used in the context of mental or emotional states which include positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Most commonly described as anything from the feeling of joy, tranquillity, a state of attunement, a sense of accomplishment. It is an endorsement of life – the feeling that life is positively good.

What is Happiness to me?

We all have different and personal definitions of happiness.

I personally feel happiness comes from within and it is a choice and I refuse to alow the let downs of Life or grief take over for too long. Choosing to move forward and doing the things that make me happy help me break the cycle of negativity. As I get older, I realise what I used to find happiness in, in the past is no longer the same anymore. Sharing quality time with the people who care about me and who I care about….this is what happiness is to me these days. I think I talk and communicate over the internet more and it’s almost on a daily basis.

The Science of Happiness

The science of happiness is a combination of 2 things.

1. How satisfied you are with your life
2. How good you feel on a day to day basis.

Our thoughts, actions and behaviours control our state of happiness. Circumstances in life and genes also play a big role. Happiness is a skill that we can build with consistent practice. You have the ability to control how fulfilling your life is.

Happy Hormones

Hormones are chemicals produced by different glands across your body. They travel through the bloodstream, acting as messengers and playing a part in many bodily processes like helping to regulate your mood. There are 4 hormones that are known to help promote positive feelings, including happiness and pleasure. Happy hormones are increased when we perform certain actions such as hugging, kisssing, having sex, eating our favourite foods, exercising, celebrating little wins, playing with a baby or a pet, going out into the sun and so on. Happiness, Happy Hormones and Moods go hand in hand.

Happy people are Healthier

1. They have lower rates of cardiovascular disease.
2. They have better immunity
3. Heal faster after injuries
4. They are more likely to have healthier diet
5. Live Longer

Happiness is not just about You.

In my opinion, happinesss is definitely not feeling hunky dory all of the time or refusing to see the negative things happening in the world. It definitely is not all the money you could ever want and not a final destination either. Happiness is a journey through life. Happy people are more productive at their jobs and have typically deep relationships with others. They are the ones who are more likely to help others and volunteer more, give money to charity and are more creative problem solvers.

To sum it all up, we can increase our happiness over time by nurturing relationships, having new experiences, helping others and being grateful for what we have. Happiness and learning how to be happy is vital for our mental health. To feel connected and have purpose in life is the key to our well being. People of all ages report being happier when they have more meaning in their lives.

References :

1. NHS : How to be Happier
2. Oxford University – Happiness : the state of Mind
3. Wikipedia

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The Burnt Biscuit Story is really Beautiful. This is how it goes :

Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. That evening, mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burnt biscuits in front of dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed.

All dad did was reach for his biscuit, smiled at mom and asked me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and ate every bite.

When I got up from the table, I remember hearing mom apologize to dad for burning the biscuits. And I’ll never forget what he said :

Honey, I love burned biscuits.

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said,”Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she’s real tired. And besides – a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!”

You know, life is full of imperfect things…..and imperfect people. I’m not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else.

What I’ve learned over the years is that learning to accept each others’ faults – and choosing to celebrate each others differences – is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

Because in the end, you are the master of your own life, to be happy or unhappy, to be positive or negative.

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship. Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket – keep it in your own. So please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burnt one will do just fine

And that’s my prayer for you today. That you learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and embrace it with patience and a positive acceptance. At the end of the day, we reap what we sow. Our actions and words can either make or break relationships where a burnt biscuit isn’t a deal-breaker!

If you liked this story, then you may also enjoy : A Valuable Lesson about priorities and happiness.

Did you like the burnt biscuit story? Give me your thoughts on it. I would love to know! Leave a comment below.

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