"An Attitude of Gratitude"

Not my favorite platitude.

Much too cutesy and 12-steppy.

But, like all 12-step platitudes (e.g., one day at a time, it works if you work it), there's a big hard kernel of truth that threatens to break your teeth if you try to ignore it.

I have worked with and studied under several research psychologists who specialize in the adaptive function of positive emotions. You can read about their work in the September 2005 issue of Real Simple (p. 249). Like it or not, cultivating an attitude of gratitude is good for you in every imaginable way: medically, spiritually, creatively, relationally. The research bears this out, so who am I to argue?

Sigh. Enough kvetching then. Today, instead of focusing on my fears and troubles, I'm going to describe something for which I'm truly grateful:

SHIRATAKI NOODLES.

Oh my lord, these are a diabetic's dream. I tried them for the first time this morning and am pleased to give them a glowing review. They're translucent white rubbery noodles composed completely of soluble fiber, so they don't raise your blood glucose. I made up half a pound this morning and tossed them with cilantro, scallions, chopped peanuts, a shredded chicken breast, and peanut sauce (made with unsweetened PB, of course). The result was a big ol' bowl of food, enough for two people, but it was so good I couldn't stop eating it. I haven't had a WHOLE BOWL OF NOODLES in front of me in months. Whee!

Then came Judgment Minute. That's the minute when my watch beeps, telling me it's been an hour since I started eating so now it's time to test my blood glucose.

Glucose meters are designed to maximize anxiety because they actually have a countdown feature. The screen blinks: 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... then up comes THE NUMBER. Whether THE NUMBER makes you feel good or bad depends on THE RANGE you've been given by your clinic. My own fasting range is supposed to be between 70 and 90, and my one-hour post-meal range is 70-120. I've had a few >120s due to failed "experiments" (note to self: 1/2 hour on the treadmill does not cancel the effects of a giant frosted scone). I fully expected this draw to be too high. I mean, I get that the noodles are all fiber, but given the sheer volume, I figured I'd get nailed anyway.

Prick. Dab. Insert tab.

5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

81.

Thank you Jesus, Moses, Buddha, Mohammed, Zeus, and Ra for shirataki noodles. I'm groovin' with an attitude of gratitude.

In case you're interested, shirataki noodles can be bought at many Asian foods stores, or online at konjacfoods.com. That's where I got them. Since they're the white, rubbery type of noodle, they're really best with Asian-style sauces. I think they'd be weird with tomato sauce or cheese, but that's just me. They also smell faintly gnarly when you first open the package, sort of like Thai fish sauce (shudder). If you rinse them well the smell goes away, and they have no flavor of their own. They don't even need to be cooked, just heated through. Also, they don't bulk up when you heat them in water because they're already waterlogged, but they do continue to expand once digested, so beware: you will feel full after even a modest serving. A dieter's dream! (Assuming you don't throw 1000 calories of peanut butter on them, as I did.)

Back to the attitude of gratitude. Today it's shirataki noodles. On Tuesday, as I go in for my amnio, it'll be the fact that I was able to become pregnant in the first place, that I have access to comprehensive and competent medical care, and that I have a loving and supportive partner with me the whole way. And, on top of it all, I'll be thinking about how grateful I am to have all these amazing women who've posted on my blog, emailed me, and called me to offer support, share their stories, send positive vibes, reassure me, and pray for me. Who could ask for anything more? I am grateful indeed.