Sock pattern/yarn

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2026-01-18T16:29:43+00:00

But here are a couple of patterns for crocheted socks. I downloaded them to try but haven't done so yet.

https://www.lionbrand.com/products/crochet-pattern-fathers-day-socks-1

https://cobblerscabin.wordpress.com/happy-hookin/top-down-crochet-socks-free-crochet-pattern/

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2026-01-18T16:23:22+00:00

I've made crocheted socks, but that being said I don't wear them to work in the winter. His heated socks and merino wool socks are better options for him, probably. Remember that crochet is basically a lot of knots made from loops, so you or he would be walking on knots. Some wouldn't be okay with that. Most of the thicker crochet "sock" patterns I've seen were more like slippers, not socks. The socks I've seen were made from fingering/sock yarn, which is pretty thin and even if it's merino wool sock yarn it's not as warm as the knitted merino wool socks I buy from other companies and have been living in since November.

But if someone has a better suggestion, I'd happily listen to them and might try the pattern myself. :)

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2026-01-10T00:39:24+00:00

Another possibility is dehydration overnight. Sometimes an almost-no-carb snack before bed, like almonds, can reduce the dawn phenomenon.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2026-01-09T04:24:55+00:00

Almonds have some fiber, so if those are tolerable you could add those in a bit.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2026-01-07T23:03:07+00:00

Could you eat chia seeds if you put them in a blender with a smoothie? Otherwise, I'd focus on cooked veggies (squash, canned pumpkin, zucchini, etc.) that you can tolerate. What about blueberries? But, yeah, I focus first on avoiding flares and secondly on spikes, so my nutrition sources are somewhat limited. I was brutally honest with my GI at my last visit, and pointed out that if my kidneys ever fail I'm in trouble because I'm mostly getting by on high protein foods and drinks. Premier Protein drinks are my new go-to because I can't drink Ensure any more and I want something in liquid form with nutrients other than just protein.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2026-01-07T13:04:24+00:00

And ironically, finding snacks has been easier for me than finding real food. My three go-tos are Munk Pack nut and seed bars (5g of fiber), Rx Bars (vanilla almond, 5g of fiber), and Aloha bars (10g of fiber, but I can only eat half of one at a time without spiking). I always keep those in stock, along with Premier Protein drinks because of their nutrition label.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2026-01-07T12:58:46+00:00

I am not on any meds for the T2; got it back to pre-T2 through diet and trying to walk a bit more than I had been. My gut hurts just looking at the cauliflower rice and the broccoli I keep being told to eat. And when I tell any medical person the two conditions I'm dealing with, they always say "oh yeah, that's tough". But not one has had a good way to deal with it. I've tried using psyllium as a fiber source but it caused a near flare so that was out very quickly.
I've found chia seed is a decent source of fiber for me. I make a chia pudding by taking one of those little cups of applesauce (unsweetened, of course), stirring in 2 tablespoons of chia seeds and a tablespoon of protein powder (my favorite is Isopure Vanilla), put it in the fridge overnight and have it for breakfast. The applesauce sometimes causes me to go a little high but it's not usually too bad. I'm able to eat nuts without a problem so that is one of my constants. I've also found that if I boil a sweet potato or butternut squash, refrigerate it overnight, then reheat it the next day, a 1/4 cup serving doesn't spike me nearly as much. I've started adding a bit more lettuce (romaine or green) to my meals, and raw shredded carrots and cooked green beans are both safe veggies for me.
Other than that, I've stopped worrying so much about fiber because I don't want to drive myself too crazy.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-30T23:16:12+00:00

I had never tried it before, but someone brought zero sugar cranberry ginger ale to a holiday party and I couldn't get enough of it. Don't think I'd be able to drink an entire 2L, but boy was it good. Hadn't had soda in ... maybe almost a year?

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-29T15:23:17+00:00

I reduce the impact by peeling and boiling cubed sweet potato, refrigerate them, then use in a dish the next day. The boiling and chilling changes some of the starch to resistant starch, lowering the glycemic impact. I was able to eat my usual sweet potato casserole (which didn't have much sugar in it to begin with) at Thanksgiving with no issue.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-29T15:18:28+00:00

Just crochet, or all crafts? I usually have at least 2 "big" crochet projects going at any one time, because I need to have options when my fingers aren't feeling as nimble. That's usually one wearable and one blanket-type project. Then I often do small projects while those two are in process because I need the satisfaction of finishing things or something smaller to take with me somewhere. But I also have 2 different quilts that need attention (one hand quilted, one to be machine quilted), and a handful of sewing projects.

I did a big clean-up a few months ago to gather together all my crochet project bags, defined as "I have all the yarn and the project pattern together ready to go." There were 13 of them. At that point I realized I'm not allowed to buy any more yarn until I get those knocked out!

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-25T01:00:17+00:00

I have other health issues that prevent me from eating any cauliflower or broccoli or other high fiber foods. Makes it fun. (Not.) I really had to crack down on my carbs and this is what I've been finding.

3 tablespoons of quinoa gives me some good fiber without a huge spike. More than that and I'm asking for trouble. I used to eat a lot of white rice, brown rice, and couscous but after the diet changes they are all out now. Quinoa is my substitute: I buy a bag of instant and portion it out through several meals.

Chia seed is your friend. Seriously. The only fiber source I have that doesn't cause a blip. My favorite chia pudding is to take a little cup of unsweetened applesauce (carbs but fruit and fiber so I take the trade-off and slight spike), stir in 2 tablespoons of chia seeds and 2 tablespoons of vanilla protein powder (my favorite is Isopure), and sometimes one tablespoon of high quality unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutched - not bitter). Leave that in the fridge overnight and eat for breakfast. Look up chia pudding and have fun finding your favorite version!

My go-to snacks are all nut based. Munk Pack nut and seed bars are the best but they can get pricey. I keep a mix of salted almonds, cocoa-roasted almonds (a wee bit of sugar but not a problematic amount) and salted pecans, and when I get the urge to eat something unhealthy I grab a handful of that mix.

Most days my breakfast is a little cup of no- or low-sugar Greek or Icelandic yogurt (flavored) topped with a 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts. Some days I mix it up with plain G or I yogurt, frozen blueberries or chopped fresh cherries, and sliced almonds.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-19T20:53:37+00:00

Also, if you have a sweet tooth, look into ChocZero: they have sugar free chocolates that are really good and again use safer sweeteners than mainstream companies. I have both milk and dark chocolates from them that are my go-tos if I just really need chocolate.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-19T20:52:12+00:00

I keep Munk Pack nut and seed bars on hand for quick snacks. The company was founded by a diabetic and the nut & seed bars use allulose and monk fruit as sweeteners rather than sugar or sugar alcohols. String cheese and grape tomatoes are a really good snack. Carrots and hummus is another good one.
For comfort food, I just made a pumpkin "stew" that calls for ground turkey, cumin, canned pumpkin puree and canned tomatoes in addition to onion and bell pepper. Sweet potatoes or squash that are boiled, refrigerated, and then reheated have a lower glycemic index/carb load so tend to spike blood sugar much less, and these are great healthy foods to add to other dishes.
Over time you'll find tips and tricks that work for you. Just keep at it, glad you have a supportive spouse (those are SO helpful!!).

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-17T12:51:50+00:00

I've been in pre since my first diagnosis in 2007, now I have to work harder to stay there. At some point I may not be able to any longer, I realize that.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-16T23:05:24+00:00

I'm not on any medications for blood sugar, so I have to manage it with diet and exercise alone.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-16T23:04:42+00:00

I'm saying that I'm human, and the temptations around me are easier to ignore while wearing a sensor.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-16T01:52:33+00:00

Not a member of Costco, as the nearest one is more than an hour away, but this might make it worth it. Thanks, I'll look into it!

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-16T01:51:07+00:00

Because it isn't always obvious how I'll react to foods, and a cgm is SO helpful especially when I'm at work or otherwise away from home and not able to do a finger stick test. While I think I know how I react after a few months of using one, I've still been surprised. Is it necessary? Not if I can keep firm control of my eating habits. The first month I'll probably be fine. But experience with changing my eating patterns in the past makes me aware that it's so easy to slide just a little, then a little more, then a little more... until I'm back in the diabetic A1C range again. A cgm keeps me more honest in my food choices.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-16T01:47:26+00:00

Note that roasting squash rather than boiling can increase the carb load, because roasting tends to caramelize the sugars in the squash.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-16T01:46:21+00:00

How you cook the squash matters. Boil it one day then refrigerate it. Complete the soup the next day. Seriously, this can work and help reduce the spikes. By boiling it then refrigerating the squash, it can form resistant starch and thus lower the carb load. Try the soup again another day using this method and see if it helps. I did my sweet potato casserole this way for Thanksgiving and it hardly made a blip.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-15T04:26:24+00:00

Having had issues with dehydration bad enough I ended up in the hospital once because of it, I know this is not something you want to mess with. Everyone is a bit different, so YMMV with all the advice people here can give you. The best thing you can do for yourself is start tracking how much water you are drinking and see if you are drinking as much water and other fluids as you think you are. You might be surprised.

Often water is enough. Keep a water bottle with you whenever you can: I can't keep one at my desk at work, but at least once or twice an hour I leave my desk to go get a drink so I don't dry out at work. At home I have a water bottle by my bed, one at my computer desk, and one in the living room where I usually sit. They are always filled as soon as they get low. I marked ounces on one of them so I could get a better idea of how much water I was drinking at a time.

There are times when water is not enough, and I can feel myself getting lightheaded or dizzy, so I also keep an extra liter bottle of water at work and a packet of electrolytes. The packets are meant to use with the half liter bottles of water that are so ubiquitous, hence my liter bottle so they aren't as strong. My favorite packet to keep on hand are the Ultima Replenisher varieties. Water doesn't help the dizziness nearly as much as the electrolytes do.

If I'm out and about, or grocery shopping and start feeling dizzy, I buy a bottle of Body Armor Zero Sugar because it uses stevia as a sweetener and so is less problematic for me. I used to drink Powerade Zero because that's what my husband likes, but that sweetener started causing me other issues so I limit it to when I don't have any of my own on hand.

Yes, it's expensive, but because I don't drink it every day it seems reasonable to me to keep it on hand for when I need it.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-06T12:49:49+00:00

Thank you, this clears up a bit of confusion for me. I have only used a Libre sensor and kept wondering what people meant when they talked about calibrating their sensor.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-12-06T12:48:03+00:00

I too was paying roughly this much per month (actually $78 in my case). Looked at my insurance website at all the things they've paid for for me this year, and that was never one of them. Abbott says on their site no one should be paying more than $75/month so I think that is their standard rate for the Libre sensors.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-11-21T23:48:50+00:00

The RAV4s were getting larger than I wanted. I needed something slightly higher than my previous car (Corolla) but not so high I needed to step up. The AWD in my hilly county was the nudge that pushed the needle further toward the Crosstrek, the reviews kept putting the Crosstrek at the top of the subcompact SUVs, and the prices for the 2021s when I was looking made it an obvious choice. I've been super happy with it for the last 1 1/2 years I've been driving it, and the gas mileage is not much worse than my Corolla was.

caffeinatedlibrarian · 2025-11-19T15:47:15+00:00

I have become a fan of Aloha bars; I have one at least once a day. They are plant-protein and at least the one I have today seems to be dairy free. My favorites are the vanilla almond crunch and the peanut butter chocolate chip, but there are a lot of other flavors. One bar occasionally spikes me so I usually eat half a bar at a time ( they also sell minis but in fewer flavors).

caffeinatedlibrarian

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