So, my grandfather turned 77 yesterday. Happy birthday to him! He lives about 4 hours north of me so i decided to take the day to make a visit. He is diabetic so I made him vegan cupcakes with agave nectar. Agave is a natural sweetener that is only like a 13 on the glycemic index. Refined white sugar is between 40-55. The lower the #, the slower its absorbed into your blood so your blood sugar is affected less. He was eating m&ms all day, and doesn't really eat ideally for a diabetic, but that doesn't mean I have to contribute to that. Him, my grandmother and aunt all liked the cupcakes :)
I would be spending 9 hrs in the car that day so my aunt offered to take me to the gym so I didn't have to miss my workout. I did a few miles on the treadmill and some weights. We got back to the house and I did everyone's hair. As usual, meme had cooked a feast. She made a big salad and this zucchini,onions, and tomatoe combo I love. Those were the only vegan options of the day and I decided that was all I was eating. I didn't want to get sick like I did at Christmas with all the dairy I ate. I had 3 plates of salad and zucchini thru the day and I never got a belly ache :) meme has also made broccoli and cheese and green bean casserole for veggies but didn't realize I wouldn't eat them. Of course I appreciated it, but after my birthday cake bloat I knew I was not going to eat something to show my appreciation.
After dinner I asked if everyone wanted to take our dogs for a walk. They agreed. I was pumped because usually we sit around and eat. We ended up walking more than 2 miles. Every now and then me and Pepe would jog a few blocks. I couldn't believe I was jogging with my grandfather on his 77th birthday! He was a runner when I was little. I remember crossing the finish line on his and my uncles shoulders. He used to run with us in the stroller too. Before I was like 4 I had two trophies from races I had "run" lol when I ran my first 5k I gave him my number. He has it in a frame in his "man cave" next to old pics of him and my uncle running.
I over heard him telling his friend on the phone how he ran with his granddaughter on his 77th birthday. So I know it made home happy & I'm so happy I could give him that. He is getting old and has dimentia and diabetes. God willing he will have many more birthdays- but in the case that he doesn't, I'm glad we have such a good memory of this one. I don't think I ever thought I would run with my grandfather. The crazy thing is, it wasn't because he was old- it was because I never expected to be able to run!
Normally a holiday with my grandparents includes a lot of food, a lot of dessert, a bellyache, lots of talking and snacks while watching tv. This visit was NOTHING like that. I just can't stress how proud I am and how much I love my family!
I would be spending 9 hrs in the car that day so my aunt offered to take me to the gym so I didn't have to miss my workout. I did a few miles on the treadmill and some weights. We got back to the house and I did everyone's hair. As usual, meme had cooked a feast. She made a big salad and this zucchini,onions, and tomatoe combo I love. Those were the only vegan options of the day and I decided that was all I was eating. I didn't want to get sick like I did at Christmas with all the dairy I ate. I had 3 plates of salad and zucchini thru the day and I never got a belly ache :) meme has also made broccoli and cheese and green bean casserole for veggies but didn't realize I wouldn't eat them. Of course I appreciated it, but after my birthday cake bloat I knew I was not going to eat something to show my appreciation.
After dinner I asked if everyone wanted to take our dogs for a walk. They agreed. I was pumped because usually we sit around and eat. We ended up walking more than 2 miles. Every now and then me and Pepe would jog a few blocks. I couldn't believe I was jogging with my grandfather on his 77th birthday! He was a runner when I was little. I remember crossing the finish line on his and my uncles shoulders. He used to run with us in the stroller too. Before I was like 4 I had two trophies from races I had "run" lol when I ran my first 5k I gave him my number. He has it in a frame in his "man cave" next to old pics of him and my uncle running.
I over heard him telling his friend on the phone how he ran with his granddaughter on his 77th birthday. So I know it made home happy & I'm so happy I could give him that. He is getting old and has dimentia and diabetes. God willing he will have many more birthdays- but in the case that he doesn't, I'm glad we have such a good memory of this one. I don't think I ever thought I would run with my grandfather. The crazy thing is, it wasn't because he was old- it was because I never expected to be able to run!
Normally a holiday with my grandparents includes a lot of food, a lot of dessert, a bellyache, lots of talking and snacks while watching tv. This visit was NOTHING like that. I just can't stress how proud I am and how much I love my family!