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I love Las Vegas. I love getting off the plane and not having to look at the clock for three days. I love losing small amounts of money to friendly dealers while an even friendlier cocktail waitress brings me free drinks. I love walking from casino to casino, each one having a radically different theme but a radically similar scent of stale cigarette smoke, booze, and perfume. I love being in Ireland one minute, then ancient Rome, New York, Hollywood, and most of all, wherever the heck the Flamingo is supposed to be. I love how for that one weekend, everyone is friendly and outgoing, since everyone is there for the same reason.
I love Las Vegas.
However, there are some things about the Vegas Experience that I don't love. I don't love walking all the way from Planet Hollywood back to the Flamingo because my pump is low on insulin and the bottle's in the room. I don't love doing a blood test back in my hotel room and being 315 because I forgot that when you combine Red Bull with Vodka, it still has sugar in it. I *really* don't love being hung over and not being able to eat until 5PM the following day.
And this is what led me to decide, when Diabetes For Mortals was just a glimmer in my text editor, that I had to write a series on being Diabetic and in Vegas. There are so many aspects of Vegas that are awesome, but there are also a lot of pitfalls that are easy to make. I've been to Vegas 7 or 8 times in the past couple of years, both on the pump and doing injections. Some of the best memories of my entire life have happened there. But I've also made some stupid mistakes that luckily never had any serious consequences, but definitely resulted in bad BGL's and a few hours spent head-over-toilet.
In these articles I'm going to put a lot of focus on my uniquely diabetic experiences in Vegas, but I also can't resist telling you other random lessons and experiences I've picked up along the way. If you're smart about it, diabetes shouldn't keep you from having a fantastic, crazy, drunken (if you're >21), all-around hedonistic time in Vegas. Hopefully once you have the advice you need and some disposable income, I'll be seeing you there in no time. Order a Greyhound for me when you get there.
One of my reasons for moving back to Northern California was to be closer to family, and so far it's worked out pretty well. My favorite new "tradition" is that every Tuesday my brother, his wife, my girlfriend and I get together for a dinner. We trade off each week, with one couple hosting and cooking the entire meal. Not only is it fun, but we each get the satisfaction of providing a good time for the other couple, and the following week we don't have to worry about dinner on a busy night in the middle of the week.
Since my brother is a Type I Diabetic as well, our meals are usually healthy and relatively easy to dose insulin for. While the entree always changes, my favorite appetizer is a low-carb, Diabetic-friendly tray that can be bought in a single trip to Trader Joe's and is easy on the budget.
Selection of Cheese: TJ's has a wide selection of cheeses to match any taste preference. California Brie, soft Danish blue, and herbed goat cheese are all under $5 each and have 0 net carbs.
Prosciutto or Salami: A package of cured Prosciutto is a little under $4, and the saltiness is a good balance to the musky flavor of the cheeses. If you want to change things up a little, pick out a peppered salami.
Olives or Tapenade: Trader Joe's has four different types of store-brand stuffed olives, for $2.99-$3.99. Choose from Japeno, Blue Cheese, Garlic, or pimiento stuffing depending on what type of flavor you are in the mood for. Or, grab a jar of their Greek olive tapenade, and spread it over crackers or crusty bread.
All of the above items have 0 net carbs, so I don't need to dose insulin at all. Best of all, all you need to do to prepare this dish is open a few jars, peel some plastic wrap, and grab a couple small plates. Before you leave Trader Joe's, wander down the wine aisle and grab a sub-$5 bottle of wine to go with the tray and you have a recipe for a good appetizer and great conversation.
Since my brother is a Type I Diabetic as well, our meals are usually healthy and relatively easy to dose insulin for. While the entree always changes, my favorite appetizer is a low-carb, Diabetic-friendly tray that can be bought in a single trip to Trader Joe's and is easy on the budget.
Selection of Cheese: TJ's has a wide selection of cheeses to match any taste preference. California Brie, soft Danish blue, and herbed goat cheese are all under $5 each and have 0 net carbs.
Prosciutto or Salami: A package of cured Prosciutto is a little under $4, and the saltiness is a good balance to the musky flavor of the cheeses. If you want to change things up a little, pick out a peppered salami.
Olives or Tapenade: Trader Joe's has four different types of store-brand stuffed olives, for $2.99-$3.99. Choose from Japeno, Blue Cheese, Garlic, or pimiento stuffing depending on what type of flavor you are in the mood for. Or, grab a jar of their Greek olive tapenade, and spread it over crackers or crusty bread.
All of the above items have 0 net carbs, so I don't need to dose insulin at all. Best of all, all you need to do to prepare this dish is open a few jars, peel some plastic wrap, and grab a couple small plates. Before you leave Trader Joe's, wander down the wine aisle and grab a sub-$5 bottle of wine to go with the tray and you have a recipe for a good appetizer and great conversation.