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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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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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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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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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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A story with a simple message that is relevant for all ages. Once you’ve read this short story, you will have to decide if you are a carrot, egg or coffee bean.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me, what do you see?”

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity … boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?”

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

Now, after reading this story, I am sure you will never look at a carrot, egg or coffee bean the same way again. So which one are you? What would your response be when adversity knocks at your door? If you liked this story then you may also like : A vauable Lesson about Priorities and Lessons

I hope you liked this story. Please leave a star rating or comment and let me know your thoughts on it. 

--- Nur Diyanah Magness

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LIFE ISN’T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS…
..IT’S LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN

A VALUABLE LESSON ABOUT PRIORITIES IN LIFE. Did you like this story? I would love to know your thoughts on it. a comment or mention me on facebook @sweetsharings  and tag  #sweetsharings !

If you liked this story, then you may also appreciate Hapiness, Happy Hormones and Moods.

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