As we approach the first anniversary of Covid-19 Lockdowns and remote learning. Here are some of the great tools, tips, and resources that have been helpful to make learning from home a success. It doesn’t matter if you are a college or university student, a high school student, or an elementary school student learning from home. There is something in this list for you.
Be sure to add your comments below on what has been your most helpful tool for learning from home.
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One of the newest apps in our diabetes toolkit is TDA – The Diabetes App for iOS, Android, and your web browser. This post is a diabetics review of the TDA App, or formally called the DMP or Diabetes Management App.
As Type-1 and Type-2 diabetics, one of the greatest tools we have to help manage our disease is the diabetic community. The hints, tips, and advice on how to better deal with our glucose control, eating and diet tips and recipes, and just overall mental support, from those that can directly relate in invaluable.
DMP Is a free app for the diabetics community with community forums, livestreams, resources, and professional contacts.
In this post, I will take a deep dive into the DMP – The Diabetes App from a diabetic’s perspective. I hope this review of the new diabetes community app will be helpful to my fellow T1D and T2D diabetics. However, before I get into my review, here is a quick overview of the DMP App available for iOS and Android. See the links at the end of this post to install the App.
What is the DMP – The Diabetes App?
The Diabetes App or DMP is a free app for iOS and Android devices that is dedicated to the diabetic community. On DMP, diabetics and their caregivers can connect with individuals from around the world to make new connections, get community support from people with the same type of diabetes (Type-1, Type-2, Gestational, etc.), who are the same age or have similar struggles. DMP also has a Find Professional area to connect diabetics with support from dedicated diabetes professionals from around the world.
What are the key features of the DMP App?
Like most blogs dealing with diabetes (this one included) and social media platforms like Facebook, DMP offers diabetics a convenient avenue from which to knowledge share and to educate themselves on diabetes, gain hints and tips on any variety of topics ranging from diabetic-friendly diets, advice, motivation, my favourite topic on our CGM or other diabetics technology (Hint: Want tips on how to keep your Libre or Dexcom CGM stuck to your arm? Read more here), and much, much more.
The iPhone version of the DMP App – a community resource for T1 and T2 diabetics.
Where DMP takes knowledge sharing to an entirely new level is in providing a one-stop resource for diabetics integrated into a friendly app. The DMP App also has a website version.
The great features are available through the DMP – The Diabetes App for iOS and Android include:
Live Streams – At least twice a week DMP host live streams in their app or on the Instagram Channel. Many of the sessions are hosted by health professionals including registered nurses, physicians, psychologists, diabetes educators, and passionate members of the diabetes community
Online Chat Groups – Bulletin boards and chat groups have been the foundation of the internet since its inception. DMP brings together diabetics and caregivers across a variety of diabetic topics. Post a question, get a reply, or just some kudos to get you over that hump.
Resources – Links to online resources, articles, and blog posts for diabetics. Some of the topics include the benefits of exercise, recipes, exercise videos, podcasts, and achieves of livestream events
Professional Advice – The Find a Professional area is dedicated to connecting diabetics with trained professionals with expertise in diabetes management.
Ask DMP – Directly message the DMP team with questions, concerns, feedback, or wishes that you have for the App and how it can better support the diabetes community.
A diabetics review of the DMP App for iOS and Android
As many of my readers know, I am active in several Facebook groups, diabetes forum topics and through my blog to help Type 2 diabetics like myself manage the disease, how to better work with our CGMs, and as an insulin-dependent T2, learn from the amazing Type 1 diabetic community with tips on how to train my 40-year old self how to manage life on bolus and basal insulin. So where does DMP fit into my toolbox of diabetes resources?
Does DMP Simplify navigating the diabetes Support Community Forum
Facebook has 1.7 billion daily active users, and hundreds of groups on diabetes alone. As an example, my Type-1 diabetes support group has 43k members. Online communities / forums are a great resource that follows a question and answer model – ask a question on just about anything diabetes-related and a community member will likely be able to respond with a personal antidote or provide links to online resources. Sure, there are loads of similar resources on Facebook and other websites, but, like all things, not all groups are created equal.
DMP Community support at its best answering one of my questions on tips for a newly diagnosed diabetic.
The DMP App and website were designed to simplify the search for online diabetic resources and bring the same community, conversations, support, and userbase to a dedicated app for iOS and Android. In my opinion, the DMP App has done just that with flying colours.
When I asked the DMP Team how they feel the Diabetes App improves the existing experience that is found in Facebook groups and similar online sources, they raised a few great points:
Rules found in Facebook groups, which while useful in eliminating spam, can sometimes prevent conversations that provide helpful information.
DMP does have basic community guidelines, the rules allow for the sharing of helpful information with a goal is to help people thrive. The DMP want to hear about someone’s diabetes podcast, blog that they started up, or a social media account dedicated to their journey. Oftentimes these are the links that get silenced in Facebook groups.
The idea of an all-in-one app, having an app-specific to those living with diabetes allows people to have a place where everybody on the app can relate to one another.
It also allows people to foster friendships whereas Facebook group notifications can get lost in the clutter of other notifications from Facebook unrelated to diabetes.
It’s a safe space that allows people to acknowledge their diabetes while having control over how they wish to engage whether that’s participating in community forums or simply utilizing our resources. It caters to a variety of needs.
From my experience, the DMP App has dedicated Community Groups / Forums for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics, open groups for all diabetics to get together, and more specific topics such as tips to help slow down (reverse) the progression of Type 2 diabetes or parents of Type-1 diabetics (under the mom’s section). The screenshot shown above was a recent question I threw out to the community asking “what is the #1 tip you would give to someone that was recently diagnosed as a diabetic?”
As of January 2021, some of the DMP Community Groups included:
TYPE 1 DIABETES
TYPE 2 DIABETES
Daily Chats
Daily Chats
Teens
Reversing Diabetes
Young Adults
Diet
Adults
Moms
Moms
The mom’s group includes found under both areas includes: Moms with Diabetes, Moms to T1D kids (psst, what about Dads?), and Gestational Diabetes
How is the DMP Community?
DMP has been available in the Google and iOS App stores since the Summer of 2020. In a few short months the DMP App has growth into a community of over 1,500 active users and close to 4,000 downloads. Every day I logged into the app there are new and fresh faces in the community forums. This early into an app’s history, it would not be fair to hold being “new” against them.
That being said, the DMP – the Diabetes App team has done a fantastic job hosting a wide variety of Weekly Live streams dedicated to diabetes and diabetic friendly topics via the app and Instagram Live.
A great variety of weekly Live Streams Catered to Diabetics
My first experience with DMP Live Streams was a Live from the Kitchen session for making Blueberry Lemon Scones hosted by Corey a Type 2 Diabetic and food blogger at @thistastegoodcorey (https://www.instagram.com/thistastesgoodcorey/) who’s tageline is “sharing my journey of recently being diagnosed with diabetes one meal at a time”.
DMP typically holds two livestreams each week on a variety of topics. Prior to the livestream, users are sent push notifications to their App advertising the live event. Most of the live events do take place within the DMP app with a few held on Instagram Live as well and usually around 30 minutes in length.
Sample of one of the DMP Livestreams – get the DMP Community App for Diabetics.
To raise awareness about these events, DMP promotes on their social media platforms prior to the event. In addition, users are also sent push notifications on the app when the event is about to start which will direct them to the Livestream page.
Some of the recent live events included:
The Importance of Peer Support and Treating Depression by Hannah (Senior Pharmacist for Diabetes and Endocrinology in the UK) – View
Managing Seasonal Depression and Diabetes by Harpeet Nagra (Licensed Psychologist) – View
Achieving your Health Goals by Natalie (Certified diabetes educator and life coach) – View
Live from the Kitchen: Blueberry Lemon Scones (Type 2 Diabetic and food blogger) – View
The best feature about the livestreams is that they are recorded and made available for viewing at any time under the Livestream Archives allowing you rewatch or even more importantly, watch them at a time that is convenient for you. After all, life is busy – convenience is the key, reinforcing the DMP idea of a one-stop-app for all your diabetes needs. Kudos to DMP!
The livestream hosts are informative, dynamic, and the sessions are frequent. It will be great to see if the DMP can keep up this cadence of online hosts as the months and years go by.
Find Diabetic Professionals
One of the most unique features of the DMP – The Diabetes App is the Find a Professional section which is dedicated to connecting diabetics with trained professionals with expertise in diabetes management. To be clear, this area only provides you with an introduction, and the services provided by the professionals may be subject to fees for service. That being said, one of the biggest challenges we face as diabetics is finding advice beyond our family physician or endocrinologist.
The international list of professionals ranges from diabetes educators, health coaches, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, personal trainers, and more. Although the existing list of professionals is small at the time I wrote this post, it is a great start. I cant wait to see the list grow to include dietitians, naturopaths, and more.
Areas where the DMP – The Diabetes App can improve?
GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITY: The App is one of the newest support platforms on the internet for Diabetics. Continued growth in active users and the community forums will be critical. This is where you come into the picture, give DMP a try and let me know in the comments below what you think? Links to install the App for iOS, Android are listed at the bottom of the post, or check out their website here.
ADDING SEARCH FUNCTION: Many of the sections of the app are chronological lists with the newest content on the top. This works ok for a new app, but as the months and years go by and the amount of content increases exponentially, search functions, filters, and tagging content with keywords will be critical.
For example, what if I only want to find Livestreams on exercising or cooking? That is a lot of scrolling to find the hidden gems
CONTINUE TO BE FREE: The app is advertised as a free resource for diabetics. At this point, it literally is free. The app is clean without any advertising pop-ups or subscription fees. It will be interesting to see how the DMP Team maintains this model going forward. Speaking to the DMP team about this very question, the team provided some encouraging news “Currently, DMP is self-funded. As we move forward, we look to generate revenue through the introduction of an e-commerce feature which will allow us to sell diabetes supplies via the app.” So great news to the DMP Community that the app will continue to be offered for free. Time will tell
MOMS, WHAT ABOUT DADS: Ok, this one is a bit of a comical pet-peeve, but as a single parent, I did get a bit offended by the Moms section and more so to the Moms of T1D Kids.
FIND A DIABETIC PROFESSIONAL: There is a great variety of resources here from life coaches, medical professionals, health coaches, pharmacists, and more. It would be great to know if the professional can support users from anywhere in the world, or limited to a specific country.
Expect a big update to the DMP App in early 2021!
With version 1 of the app released in mid-2021, there is some room for improvement with the app. The DMP team has provided some hints for what to expect with version 2 of the app expected in late spring 2021.
Here are some of the new features we can exepct:
A new e-commerce feature will allow the users the buy diabetes supplies via the app.
Integrating a snapshot calorie counter and diet/lifestyle tracker. Whereas there are plenty of tracker apps available for those living with diabetes, DMP’s goal is to eliminate having to use multiple apps to manage diabetes. By having everything in one place, all information can be tracked in one place and used to spot trends and adjust as needed.
Where can you get the DMP App and access the DMP Web-site
Find the latest version of DMP App in the iOS App Store and Google Play:
In addition, for those who are not very familiar with using apps or want the convenience of a web view, DMP also has a desktop version:
Approved by Health Canada in December 2020, Freestyle Libre 2 CGM will be available in Canada in early 2021. Source:Abbott.com
Health Canada has approved an upgrade to the FreeStyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. The FreeStyle Libre 2 system continuously measures glucose data every minute with customizable, optional real-time alarms1 to alert users when their glucose is high or low without scanning.
Approved to for children (ages 4 and older) and adults with diabetes, this latest technology sustains excellent performance for up to 14 days, providing trends, insights and actionable data on a reader or with the FreeStyle LibreLink mobile app – all at the same price as the current FreeStyle Libre system.
Latest sensor-based glucose monitoring technology will be available in the coming months to more than 3.7 million Canadians with diabetes2.
Update: FreeStyle Libre 2 is Now Available in Canada
The Freestyle Libre 2 is available in Canada as of the week of March 22, 2021. The Libre 2 is now available to your local pharmacy or available online through Bayshore Pharmacies (Abbot Libre Canada) website.
I started using Libre 2 on April 10th, 2021. The process was pretty easy — my pharmacist had my doctor update my prescription and my private insurance did not give me any issues with Libre 2. So far, smooth sailing.
I picked up my first Libre 2 today (April 10, 2021). It looks near identical to the Libre 14-day.
New Features Added to the FreeStyle Libre 2 include:
Improved accuracy – the Freestyle Libre is the only CGM that measures glucose every minute, meeting the highest level of accuracy standards – taking 1440 readings per day. This is the highest number of daily readings in any CGM currently on the market. That’s five times more glucose readings than competitor brands.
Optional, real-time alarms1 that measure glucose levels every minute, FreeStyle Libre 2 gives users the option to be alerted in real-time of critical events such as hypoglycemia (low glucose levels3) or hyperglycemia (high glucose levels4).
The new system will be priced at the same cost as the current FreeStyle Libre system.
Improved accuracy right from day 1. Studies by Abbott have shown a 9.1% mean absolute relative difference (MARD)
Want more quick information about the Libre 2. Read of Frequently Asked Questions about the Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 System. Read the post here.
What was approved?
Unlike Libre 14 day where the sensor was approved in mid-2017, and the App for iOS and Android made available almost 18 months later, Health Canada has approved the entire suite of Libre 2 products.
The approved devices include:
Device name
Identifier first issue date
Device identifier
FREESTYLE LIBRE 2 (IOS)
2020-11-30
72086-01
FREESTYLE LIBRE 2 APP (ANDROID)
2020-11-30
72085-01
FREESTYLE LIBRE 2 READER KIT
2020-11-30
71970-01
FREESTYLE LIBRE 2 SENSOR KIT
2020-11-30
71993-01
FREESTYLE LIBRE SOFTWARE
2020-11-30
VERSION 1.0
Source Health Canada. Freestyle Libre 2 – Medical Device license: 105518
You can read a copy of the Health Canada Medical License webpage in the attached PDF here.
Using Bluetooth technology, when activated, the FreeStyle Libre 2 system automatically alerts users when their glucose is high or low without needing to scan the sensor.
Similar to Libre 1, the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor is worn on the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days and measures glucose every minute to help users and their healthcare providers make informed treatment decisions. With a one-second scan using FreeStyle LibreLink, a smartphone app, or handheld reader, users can see their glucose reading, trend arrow and eight-hour history. Users can also share data with their physicians or family members via the LibreLinkUp mobile app.
Abbott′s FreeStyle Libre 2 system utilizes the same proprietary wired enzyme technology as the FreeStyle Libre system.
What is a CGM and what are the benefits of using Libre 1 or Libre 2?
CGM allows you to monitor your glucose day and night without the need for traditional blood glucose finger tests. A CGM also allows you to see the trends and patterns in your glucose to help you and your diabetes team make more informed treatment decisions.
A real-world study published in the British Medical Journal shows that the use of FreeStyle Libre system over one year is often associated with improved quality of life and that work absenteeism rate and diabetes-related hospital admissions decreased by two thirds.
Worried about having a colonoscopy? I took the time to recount my colonoscopy procedure. Prepping my body, medications, eating, how I felt, and the procedure itself. Give it a read and you will be more prepared for the next 48 hours.
Prologue
I wrote this post a few years ago and sit here laughing as I reread my words, not at what I wrote but the fact that I think I have lost count as to the number of times I have prepared for a colonoscopy. If I hold the numbers noted in this post as accurate, I had my 7th scope in February 2017. What is even more humorous, is asking myself how can one forget about a tiny camera being snaked deep through your digestive tract? Then again, with a hint of sarcasm, not bad for a guy that is in his early 40’s? In comparison, I think my stepfather just had his first scope at the great age of seventy-four.
Putting all kidding aside, I hope you find this recount of my my preparing for and the colonoscopy procedure helpful and more importantly reassuring. I would love to hear your comments so feel free to add any at the bottom of the page. Truth be told, having a colonoscopy isn’t as bad as my opening paragraph made it out to be, promise!, we will make it through the next 48 hours together.
My Story …
Monday I am off to have my 5th Colonoscopy (circa 2011) as a check up from last years hospitalization and a recent flare-up of my Crohn’s Disease. So why not recount the steps in preparing for a colonoscopy and if nothing else, hopefully put some people’s minds to ease.
For Crohn’s sufferers, 5 Colon scopes is certainly not a record but for a guy that has yet to hit 40, it is still ahead of the curve.
So what is a Colonoscopy?
Borrowed from eMedicieHealth.com a Colonoscopy is:
a test to look at the inside of your colon. The colon is the large intestine and the last part of your digestive system. Its job is to dry, process, and eliminate the waste left after the small intestine has absorbed the nutrients in food. The colon is about 3-5 feet long. It travels from the lower right corner of your abdomen (where the small intestine ends) up to your liver, across your body to the spleen in the upper left corner and then down to form your rectum and anus.
The doctor will use an instrument called the colonoscope to perform a colonoscopy. It is a long (about 3 ft), thin (about 1 in), flexible fiberoptic camera that allows the doctor to visualize your entire colon.
A colonoscopy is the main way to check for diseases of the colon, such as crohns, colitis or colon cancer, and to identify or remove colon polyps.
A polyp is a mushroom-like growth on the inside wall of the colon or rectum.
Polyps grow slowly over many years.
Some polyps become cancerous, others do not
I actually found a fun video on YouTube of a healthy Colon as viewed through the colonoscope that you can take a look at:
I think most people would agree, the preparation for the colonoscopy or scope (cleaning and emptying your bowels) is far worse than the procedure itself.
Every Gastroenterologist is a bit different on the preparation procedure they would prescribe (follow your doctor’s directions), however in short, your doctor needs to clean/ empty out your colon, small bowel, and stomach to give him or her an unobstructed view of the colon’s and small intestine’s surface. What that basically comes down to is cleaning or emptying the bowel with the help of over the counter medications and a mild laxative to get your body rolling.
Each of the colonoscopy procedures I have had (with two different doctors, although both sets of instructions were generally the same) involved being under a mild sedative, so basically you sleep through the colonoscopy procedure, and wake up in the hospital recovery room, overall pretty simple. However, as the doctor fills your bowels with air to get a better view, you may feel a little “bloated” following the scope but otherwise, generally, the procedure is painless.
Preparing for the procedure on the other hand, my body has always put up a bit of a fight and I would consider this the worst part of having a Colonoscopy.
Although each doctor has a bit different procedure to prep for the scope, mine have typically followed the following three steps to prep for a colonoscopy
Step 1 – Mild Laxative (2 days before procedure) at 5 PM
Step 2 – Only clear fluids the day before the procedure; and through to the procedure (yes, no food however clear fluids, including soup broth)
Step 3 – An aggressive flush of the bowels which usually starts late afternoon the day before the procedure.
HINT: Drinking plenty of clear liquids is important to ensure you do not get dehydrated, and I would highly recommend liquids high in electrolytes such as those found in many sports drinks or ginger ale. Unfortunately, beer does not qualify as a clear liquid, however, the goal is to drink one cup per hour while up are awake after starting the liquid prep (i.e. Pure-oDan).
My 5th Colonoscopy Procedure – A journal of the next 48 hours.
Well I am not sure how to keep this section up to date but will give it a try to keep tabs on the “preparation for my colonscopy” with a bunch of edits to the post:
Saturday June 11, 2011
Mid-afternoon – Well I made my trip to the pharmacy to pick up my bag of goodies – one box Dulcolax (Stimulant Laxative) and a box of Purg-oDan (Oral Purgative) or Pico-Salax.
5 PM – Took two Dulcolax, now let the fun begin. Also had a nice steak dinner with BBQ vegetables to tied me through the next 48 hours.
Evening – Feel a little crampy and bloated. Once I get the kids to bed I can relax a little.
2 Bowel movements by bed time. Then again, as a Crohn’s survivor – a piece of cake.
Sunday June 12, 2011
Hardest part with today was making breakfast for everyone and not being able to eat it.
Consistent feelings of slight nausea and very bloated stomach – thank you laxatives
Overall, bowels have been quiet; just waiting until 5 pm when I need to start taking the Purg-oDan.I am not looking forward to that one as it is always a challenge for me to keep it down. HINT: One thing I have learned over the past few scopes, “Follow the Instructions“. As terrible as the stuff taste, it is NOT better to dilute it with more water – more water means, more to drink! Use the 125 ml that it recommends and simply “get-er-done”. Otherwise it is just pure torture.
5:45 PM – A little late but otherwise on track however the verdict is in, this stuff “Purg-oDan” is pure torture and defiantly exemplifies why the preparation is the worse part of the entire procedure.
6:30 PM – Similar to breakfast, it is hard to make dinner without eating or nibbling. The BBQ Chicken turned out great – figures!
9:00 PM – Still pretty quiet, but a general unwell feeling. I thought I remembered the “Purg” taking a little less time to do it cleanse. Just wasted a bit of time on the Play Station 3.
10:00 PM – Ok, three tips to the bathroom in 10 minutes. Just in time for my second does of “Purg-oDan”
11:00 PM – Second does down, but certinally worse than the first — had to hold back a few sips from coming right back out.
Monday June 13, 2011
3:25 AM – A night wakening and rush to the bathroom. Somehow I managed NOT to step on the black dog sleeping on the floor as I rushed across the room.
6:00 AM – Time to get up and start the day. My procedure had been postponed from 9:30 am to this afternoon so the biggest decision of the day is if I am going to go into work for the morning
6:30 AM – Three more trips to the bathroom this morning; think the office is out of the question. It is amazing, not much left in my body as “things” are looking pretty clear.
7:30 AM – Feeling a little dehydrated — remember, be sure to drink plenty of liquids.
9:42 AM – Teleconference finished, time to get settled for the day.
11:40 AM – Showered and dressed and just waiting for my ride to get here. One thing to remember, you will be given a sedative for the procedure so you will need to arrange a ride to the hospital and someone to accompany you home. My hospital will not let me have the procedure unless my ride home signs me in.
12:55 PM – Arrived at the hospital and checked in. Waited a few minutes in the lounge before a nurse called my name and brought me to a change room. Shoes, socks and two hospital gowns (one open to the back and a second as a make-shift housecoat).
1:05 PM – Interview with the nurse, medical history, medications, blood pressure (think my first one was 200 over 96; another arm much better at 120 over 80 didn’t think I was that nervous about today).
Another suggestion – bring a list of your medications, it is easier to remember. I always have them stored in the notes section of my iPhone, and more recently under the Health Application.
1:15 PM – Intravenous time (a piece of cake, even with my little veins).
2:05 PM – Escorted to the procedure room. After a few introductions, the nurse affixed a blood pressure cuff and some oxygen and my doctor gave me a needle. Then seconds later ……….
3:00 PM – Woke up in the recovery room to a smiling nurse and offered a juice and cookies. On previous occasions my doctor was around to give you a quick rundown, today was simply a note to make a follow-up appointment with his office.
4:15 PM – The chauffeured drive home was a little uncomfortable, with a consistent escape of air — the only comfort was that I knew my bowels were empty so it could “only” be air. Once I arrived back at home I literally stumbled straight to bed and slept until dinner.
8:25 PM – As I sit here at my desk, I think I probably overdid it with dinner but it was good to have food back into my body. Total weight loss ~ 5 LBS but I am sure that will be back on by the weekend. At the same time, Congratulations! You survived your Colonoscopy.
Now for Some Fun
A quick overview on the lighter side is certainly needed. Check out this little YouTube video by comedian Billy Connolly on his recent experiences with a Colonoscopy:
What are your experiences?
No matter the reason for the scope it’s never a fun experience to say the least. I would love to her your stories about preparing for a colonoscopy to help lighten the mood.
Do you have any hints or tips to survive the 48 hours? Feel free to leave a comment below or send me a message. I would love to hear your stories.
One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn as being a diabetic was – how to manage hypoglycemia and the risks of severe hypoglycemia. Here are some of the lessons I have learnt.
Diagnosed as an Insulin Dependant Type-2 Diabetic
No matter if you are a Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic, diagnosed as an adult, learning how to be a good diabetic has a steep learning curve. Bolus, pre-bolus, basal, carbohydrate counting, glucose, CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor), when to make the move to an insulin pump, it is enough to make your head spin.
What I found even more challenging, there does not seem to be the same rigour and education given to adults learning to manage the disease as there are for parents in the juvenile diabetes community. I found I was learning by trial and error. Don’t get me wrong, my local diabetes education clinic is amazing – however, their adult programs are geared more for typical Type 2 diabetics and not someone like myself that is insulin-dependant.
In the three years I have been an insulin dependant type 2 diabetic – hypoglycemia or low blood glucose (or blood sugar) has been one of the harder lessons I have had to face.
What is hypoglycemia?
Blood glucose (or blood sugar) is your body’s main energy source. When you have an abnormally low level of blood sugar, your body’s ability to properly function may be impaired as a result. This condition is called hypoglycemia, and it’s officially defined as:
A blood glucose level of below 4.0 mmol/L (70 mg/dL),
The development of autonomic or neuroglycopenic symptoms as described in the table below, and
Symptoms responding to the administration of carbohydrate (1).
Hypoglycemia is most frequent in people with type 1 diabetes, followed by people with type 2 diabetes managed by insulin, and people with type 2 diabetes managed by sulfonylureas.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia affect both Neurogenic and Neuroglycopenic aspects of our bodies. Some examples of these symptoms can include:
Neurogenic (autonomic)
Trembling
Palpitations
Sweating
Anxiety
Hunger
Nausea
Tingling
Neuroglycopenic
Difficulty concentrating
Confusion, weakness, drowsiness, vision changes
Difficulty speaking, headache, dizziness
Learning to be the best diabetic possible
As a newly diagnosed diabetic we leave our endocrinologists office or the Diabetes Clinic with a prescription for insulin, some general guidelines on bolus and basal insulin dosing, and well…. What more is there right? For me, I was told, 4 units of insulin with each meal.
SIDE NOTE: As a Type 2 diabetic, my pancreas is running at about 15% efficiency. Bonus, it still does something. I take a few daily pills to help give it a bit of a kick start, so let’s say –25% efficiency with the help of my T2 medication. My bolus (mealtime) insulin is there to help my body along and not necessarily to do all of the work as insulin would with a Type 1 diabetic. Read more about me here.
So Ok easy enough, right? 4 units, I have this!
Pizza – 4 units (Carbs: 50g)
Subway 6” Spicy Italian Sub Sandwich – 4 units (Carbs: 40g)
Subway 12” Spicy Italian Sub Sandwich – 4 units (Carbs: 80g)
All you can eat sushi – 4 units (20 pieces = Carbs: 200g)
Green salad, balsamic dressing and grilled chicken – 4 units (Carbs: 3g)
My Carb-Counting Blunder and Hypoglycemia
Wait – hold it right there? 3 grams of carbs with my salad and 4 units of insulin? Can you guess what happened the first time I gave this a try?
Let’s just say 80% of the hypoglycemia symptoms hit me about an hour after lunch. There I was sitting at my desk, beads of sweat forming on my brow, then my chest – before long, my shirt was drenched with sweat, and not quite knowing what I had done wrong and the frightening feeling of the onset of hypoglycemia. Fortunately, I was able to consume the recommended dose of glucose tablets to raise my blood sugars, however, not before literally sweating through my clothing. A moderate to severe hypoglycemia event is truly a #daychanger.
Over the few times I have been hit with a mild to moderate hypoglycemia accident I have been prepared enough to have been able to navigate away from a severe hypoglycemic situation where I may not have been able to consume enough glucose to stabilize my body needing 3rd party assistance such as an emergency Glucagon injection like the recently approved Baqsimi Nasal Glucagon, or even worse emergency medical services.
My bigger concern? What did I do wrong? How could I be better prepared? No one told me how serious my hypoglycemia situation could have escalated to if I didn’t have glucose tablets on hand, and more importantly would my office friends have known how to have helped if I had not been able to treat myself? Would they have even known about Glucagon, the standard treatment for Severe Hypoglycemia, would she have known how to mix the syringe, or had the confidence to even try?
As Donald Rumsfeld said “there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.” The simple risks associated with a life relying on insulin was one of them.
Treating Hypoglycemia
The goal to treat for hypoglycemia is to detect and treat a low blood glucose (or low sugar) level promptly by using an intervention that provides the fastest rise in blood glucose to a safe level, to eliminate the risk of injury and to relieve symptoms quickly. It is also important to avoid over-treatment since this can result in rebound hyperglycemia and weight gain.
The typical treatment for Hypoglycemia is 15 g of glucose to produce an increase in BG of approximately 2.1 mmol/L within 20 minutes. This provides adequate symptom relief for most people. Examples of 15 g of carbohydrate, as recommended by Diabetes Canada, for the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypoglycemia include:
15 g of glucose in the form of glucose tablets
15 mL (3 teaspoons) or 3 packets of table sugar dissolved in water
5 cubes of sugar
150 mL of juice or regular soft drink
6 Life Savers™ (1 = 2.5 g of carbohydrate)
15 mL (1 tablespoon) of honey
Note: Be sure to discuss your best treatment options with your diabetes professional.
Hyperglycemia and Severe Hypoglycemia
Many Canadians living with diabetes are less familiar with severe hypoglycemia, where a person is unable to take fast-acting sugar on their own and relies on someone else to help them. While less common than mild or moderate hypoglycemia, anyone receiving insulin or insulin releasing medication is at risk.
Baqsimi Nasal Glucagon – Non-injection of glucagon for severe hypoglycemia.
Typically, blood sugar levels fall below 2.8 mmol/L during a severe episode and the person may show some or all of the signs of mild and moderate hypoglycemia. In addition, they may lose consciousness or have seizures. In rare cases, severe hypoglycemia can be life-threatening.
Diabetes Canada (2) recommends that a severe hypoglycemic episode in a conscious person with diabetes should be treated by consuming 20 g of carbohydrates, in the form of glucose tablets or other another source of fast-acting sugar.
Severe hypoglycemia in an unconscious person needs to be treated with a glucagon emergency kit such as Baqsimi Nasal Glucagon. In these situations, emergency services must be called. Baqsimi is a treatment for severe hypoglycemia, which is a known risk for diabetics but not the only cause of hypogycemia.
Hypoglycemia can happen anytime, anywhere: Ensure you have a Hypoglycemia Plan
As a diabetic, you are at risk of severe hypoglycemia anytime, anywhere. I have had to deal treat mild to moderate hypoglycemia at home, at work, at the gym working out, and even simply while out for a walk.
Make sure your close friends and family know what to do in the case of a severe episode, so they can take action if you need help. In every case of severe hypoglycemia, I always carry my Baqsimi and glucose tablets wherever I go.
What is your exercise or workout ritual? As an insulin dependant Type 2 diabetic, exercise has become a critical component of managing my diabetes and Crohn’s disease. I run, hike, cycle, mountain bike, and walk to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage chronic illness. How do you help manage your diabetes? As a diabetic, what is your workout ritual?
WARNING: Speak to your health care professional before starting any exercise program, including how to reduce the risk of low blood sugar during and after exercise
Exercise is a critical component to a healthy lifestyle
Exercise is a critical component to a healthy lifestyle, even more so as a Type 2 diabetic. Regular exercise has special advantages if you have diabetes. Regular physical activity improves your body’s sensitivity to insulin and helps manage your blood sugar levels (1).
What is considered exercise?
We can look at exercise as a form of physical activity that is done at enough intensity to improve your fitness. Resistance training, brisk walking, cycling, and jogging are examples of exercise. As exercise is more challenging than just accumulating physical activity through your day, it often needs some planning, a certain level of ability, and a little more effort.
The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends that if you’re living with diabetes regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to lower your blood sugar. For Type 2 diabetics, increased physical activity can work just as effectively as some medications, with fewer side effects. (2)
Some of the traditional benefits of exercise include:
Lower blood pressure
Better control of weight
Increased level of good cholesterol (HDL)
Leaner, stronger muscles
Stronger bones
More energy
Improved mood
Better sleep
Stress management
How much exercise should we aim for?
Strive tocomplete at least 150 minutes of moderate-to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise each week (e.g. 30 minutes, five days a week) and resistance exercises (like lifting weights) two to three times a week. If the thought of finding 30 minutes of exercise too difficult, you can break up the exercise into shorter periods, say 10 minutes here and there, aiming for a minimum of 30 minutes at the end of the day.
What is my workout ritual?
How we manage the energy needs of exercise different for everyone, as diabetics we are not an exception. Long before I was diagnosed as a diabetic, I was well aware of the risks of severe hypoglycemia, as my body had troubles managing my glucose during high-intensity exercise. It was a common occurrence, whether at the gym lifting weights, or doing a cross-fit class, that I would experience low to moderate hypoglycemia, and would need to be assisted by my trainer or workout partner with some juice, elevating my feet, and me fighting maintain consciousness as I fought through a hypoglycemic occurrence.
What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is the condition when your blood glucose (sugar) levels are too low. Mild to moderate Hypoglycemia can lead to sides effects such as Shakiness, Dizziness, Sweating, or confusion, progressing to severe hypoglycemia which could include clumsiness or jerky movements, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, inability to eat or drink, convulsions or seizures, or unconsciousness. Read here for a full list of the warning signs and symptoms.
Managing the Rewards of Exercise and the Risks of Hyperglycemia
Those that read my blog know that I have used exercise as a tool to not only maintain a healthy body but as equally as important, a healthy and positive attitude towards managing life and not one, but two chronic illnesses (diabetes and Crohn’s disease). To read more about my struggles, check out “Drawing A Short Straw In Life: Fighting Back Against Chronic Disease” and how I used my running to battle chronic illness.
Senior Citizen Exercising with Bands Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels
Exercise is hard, but you can do it too
Don’t get me wrong – exercise is hard. It takes time, motivation, progression through injury, good weather, and bad. However, huge personal milestones and successes? How many people do you know that can say they have run 21.1KM (13.1 miles) or jump on their bicycle a Saturday morning and ride 75KM (46 miles) just to justify eating a butter tart at the halfway point?
As I opened up today, I run, hike, cycle, mountain bike, and walk to maintain my mind and body. Cross fit on the other hand – I have not been as successful. However, what works for me, may not work for you and vice-versa.
What is even more important to remember, I didn’t start out running 21KM. 1 KM, turned to 2 KM, then 5 KM, and so on. Cycling, or any sport for that matter, starts very much the same. The biggest secret is simply, just start!
Starting to exercise can be as simple as going for a walk
Make a commitment to yourself to start exercising. It is as simple as that. if you run for 1 minute and do it regularly, you “are a runner”. It is as simple as that.
Exercise is not about winning medals or meeting some predetermined finish line, it is about doing something for ourselves and building a habit that improves our lives in countless ways.
In addition to walking, running, or cycling, one of my favourite resources for beginners to exercise is the Canadian Diabetes Association video library that was pointed out to me by my local diabetes education clinic. The websites video library has great videos exercises you can do at home with little or no equipment and has exercises that may be suitable for people of all ages, including seniors with Type 2 Diabetes:
As a diabetic, listening to my body is an important part of my Exercise Tool-Kit and my work-out ritual
As I noted earlier, hyperglycemia is a concern for me when I exercise. Although I have managed this concern through the choice of exercise I participate in, I ensure that I plan for the worst-case scenario of my blood sugar dropping unexpectedly during exercise.
Me experiencing moderate Hypoglycemia after exercise
This includes always carrying my exercise nutrition, either in my cycling jersey, my running belt, or my hydration backpack, at the treadmill or beside my indoor cycling training, and following my diabetic friendly exercise rules:
Tips to help exercise as a diabetic
Listen to my body, not every workout will be the same. Know my limits
Ensure that I am always well hydrated, even more so during our summer months
Continue to hydrate with a sugar-free electrolyte while I exercise
Carry a fast-acting carbohydrate with you in case you need to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), e.g. glucose tablets or exercise gels
Monitor my blood sugar before, during and many hours after my activity to see how it affects your blood sugar levels. My CGM is a great help here as I no longer need to worry about finger tests
When possible, I exercise with a workout buddy that can assist in the case of injury, hypoglycemia, or administer my Baqsimi nasal glucagon in a severe hypoglycemia incident
If I am cycling or running alone, use an incident detection device such as my Garmin Edge Cycling Computer or Garmin Forerunner watch to automatically notify friends or family if I need assistance
Christmas is around the corner, what is that perfect Christmas gift for the runner in your life?
I always joke, running is one of the most expensive free sports there is. Sure, we can throw on our runners and hit the streets or the closest trail, however, what about $150 running shoes that get you 400 to 600 KM of use (not even enough miles to train for a 1/2 marathon), cold running gear, fall running gear, summer running gear, trail running gear, hydration belts, gels and electrolytes, not to mention our love for tech. Add races, coffee with friends after run club, and the odd race photo or two and then ask how free is our free sport?
Here are some of my favorite pieces of running equipment and would make for great Christmas gifts for the runner on your shopping list. What better way to tell your loved one that you support his or her running than that perfect running Christmas gift.
SPIbelt Large Pocket Running Belt for Women Men. Keep your phone, keys and small personal items safe and secure while running, walking, hiking or traveling. The perfect phone holder for running....
EXPANDABLE, NO-BOUNCE POCKET: The pocket lies completely flat and expands to 9" x 4" x 2" inches to accommodate essential supplies such as larger phones, passport, exercise accessories, headphones,...
PHONE COMPATIBILITY: The Large Pocket Belt is compatible with many popular phone models including iPhone (11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max);...
UNLEASH YOUR INNER SAFETY STAR! FREEMOVE Running Reflective Vest - Reflective Gear for Women, Men and Kids. Where Quality Meets Originality. Your Premium Choice! Customer Love Says It All. Gift Safety...
ELEVATE YOUR SAFETY GAME! UNLEASH 360° VISIBILITY! Be Seen Day & Night! Our High-Visibility Vest Ensures Drivers Spot You In A Blink. Perfect for Walkers, Runners, Bikers and Cyclists. Bonus: Keep...
FEATHERWEIGHT DURABILITY! Our Reflector Safety Vest Shines With Ultra-light, Breathable Mesh Fabric That's Built To Last. Stay Comfy and Visible With a Unique Blend Of Vibrant Fluorescent Yellow and...
MAXIMUM ABSORPTION-63% Nylon 23% Polyester 14% Lycra -Dryline fabric absorbs, wicks, dries quickly, and eliminates odors through the infusion of silver ions into the fabric
SWEAT STOPPING SWEATBAND-This headband doesn't just absorb sweat, our patented silicone SweatSeal channels sweat back and away from the eyes, face, and glasses
MEN OR WOMEN'S HEADBAND-This lightweight pullover headband features our newest, breathable, soft fabric making this the most comfortable athletic headband you will ever wear- Anatomical design tapers...
Warm and Breathable: Unigear running gloves keep the maximum thermal protection for your body in cold by wicking moisture away from your skin effectively. They are featured the newest fiber material...
Touchscreen-friendly: Do you still tolerate the frozon fingers when running, walking and driving in winter? Wearing our touchscreen gloves, you can easily use your smartphone or other electronic...
Versatile Liner Gloves: You can layer up with skiing, cycling and other heavier gloves in harsher conditions. You also can wear them on their own as regular gloves. The palms are printed with...
WHAT'S INCLUDED: 1 pair of lightweight running gloves , suitable for both men and women during cool winter weather. Comes in 4 sizes, Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large.
Ultimate Comfort: Experience superior comfort with our unique polyester blend that keeps you dry and warm during daily activities. Our fabric is specially designed to enhance your workouts by...
Advanced Features: Our design incorporates NB Dry and NB Heat technologies to wick sweat away from your skin, ensuring you stay warm and dry all day. Plus, with NB Fresh, our fabric reduces odor,...
【Ultra Lightweight, Warm and Comfortable】The premium compression soft fabrics(88% polyester & 12% spandex) provide premium performance for Zero-pilling, Breathability, Durability, Wicking and...
【Touch Screen with Sensitive Fingertip】Material on the thumb and index fingers is available for the touchscreen while you using your cell phone or tablet computer without taking off your gloves....
【Compression Liner Gloves or Regular Gloves】Our gloves work amazingly as liner gloves can fit perfectly under your ski mittens, half-finger biking gloves and other bulky leather gloves. Also, it...
The top-shelf choice in wrist-worn identification. Never go for a run or ride alone again. ROAD id is a comfortable, rugged, identification bracelet that will help first-responders immediately contact family members and friends when you cant. Picture ROAD id as a medical alert bracelet on steroids.
Customize the name plate with names, medical information, and phone number. Also decorate the band with conquest tokens such as 5K, and 21.1K, or reminder to keep going such as “Shut Up Legs”.
[ALL THE COLORS IN ONE] Change between 8 super bright solid colors - Green, Red, Blue, Pink, Yellow, Blue & Pink (mixed), Pink & Green (mixed) and Blue & Red (mixed) AND 8 eye-catching multicolor...
[TRUE 360 DEGREE ILLUMINATION, REFLECTIVITY, & FLUORESCENCE] Unlike other reflective running vests and hi viz cycling gear, our flexible fiber optic cables, and 3M reflector chest belts actively keep...
[LIGHTWEIGHT, BREATHABLE, & EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE] If it’s for a short jog in the morning with the kids, walking your dogs in the evening, or an all night solo ride, at only 6.5 oz – you’ll...
ROBUST & WEATHERPROOF - Built tough with long-lasting quality at the forefront, allowing you to focus on your training in all conditions. Tried and tested by athletes, for athletes, in even the...
THE PATENTED ORIGINAL - As seen and loved on Shark Tank, the Night Runner 270 shoe lights are the first of their kind, and the original hands-free or headlight-free lighting solution for runners,...
360 DEGREE VISIBILITY - Light up your path with 150 lumens + 2 ultra light LEDs with a rechargeable battery which produce 360 degrees of lighted visibility. A forward-facing lightbeam of up to 30 feet...
Looking to take your distance up a notch or tired of having your running belt hanging off of your hips. Step up to a Hydration Vest, capable of carrying up to 2 liters of water, extra storage for gells, your phone, weather gear and more Pictured here is the Salomon Mens Advanced Skin 12 Set Running Vest, Black, Large, recommended as best overall pack by Outdoor Gear Labs.
Check out popular hydration vests as that perfect gift for your running partner by Solomon, Nathan (I currently do all my trail running with the Nathan VaporAir), and more.
Safety is our number one concern on the trails, road, and paths. Being able to hear the vehicles around us or someone approaching from behind on the trail is the first rule. Bone conduction technology allows you to hear both your music and the ambient sounds around you.
Available in bluetooth and corded versions, there is a model of AfterShokz for every budget. Unlike traditional headphones that send sound through the ear canals, our patented bone conduction technology delivers audio through the cheekbones. With nothing inside or over your ears, enjoy total awareness and comfort while you listen.
Optimal self myofascial release tool to increase flexibility, circulation, and reduce muscle soreness
Three vibration settings transmit superior amplitude and vibration for physiological benefits
2x more effective than regular foam rolling to warm up and actively recover
Increase range of motion by up to 40% (versus 18% increase with regular foam rolling)
Running Watches
Looking to take your running to the next level? Add a Garmin ForeRunner Running Watch to your training tool-kit. Train using heart rate, stride, or simply a run-walk training routine.
Track distance, heart rate, and prices for all budgets. I currently run with an older Garmin Forerunner 920XT, however, my next purchase will be a Fenix 6 or similar. Integrated heart rate, multi-sport, and more.
Brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 42 mm for smaller wrists
Up to 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode
As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery and training outlook alongside HRV status, training readiness and weather (data presented is intended to be a...
Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
Easy-to-use running smartwatch with built-in GPS for pace/distance and wrist-based heart rate; brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 43 mm size
Up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode
Reach your goals with personalized daily suggested workouts that adapt based on performance and recovery; use Garmin Coach and race adaptive training plans to get workout suggestions for specific...
Premium GPS running/triathlon smartwatch with music
Download songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer (may require premium subscription with a third party music provider)
Performance monitoring features include Vo2 Max and training status with adjustments for heat, altitude Acclimation status, training load focus, recovery time, and aerobic and anaerobic training...
Abbott, the makers of the Freestyle Libre diabetes glucose monitoring system, has released a series of education and learning videos to help us get the most out of our continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM).
The official learning videos from Abbott Canada cover a variety of diabetes topics including:
Check out the Abbott Canada YouTube channel and the official freestyle Libre videos from the links below.
Video: Introducing | The FreeStyle LibreLink Mobile App
[youtube https://youtu.be/Mi_FUgTOXtU]
A video introducing the FreeStyle LibreLink Mobile App! Now you can use your phone to monitor your glucose – anytime, anywhere – without lancets. Instantly see where your glucose is at, where it’s headed, and where it’s been over the last 8 hours. Now, you can manage your diabetes and live life on your terms.
Video: How to use your Libre Sensor | Wash, Clean, Dry, Install
[youtube https://youtu.be/7Pxd6WRHrFI]
Wash, clean, dry – before you apply. See how easy it is to optimally prepare your skin in just 3 simple steps before applying your FreeStyle Libre sensor.
Video: Understanding Your Freestyle Libre Readings | Part 1
[youtube https://youtu.be/Thy5Web0bI4]
In part one of the Libre learning video series, Lori Berard (an RN, CDE, and Consultant in Diabetes and Clinical Research, Canada) explains how the FreeStyle Libre system uses sensor-based technology to monitor your glucose without lancets. See how you can benefit from the features of the FreeStyle Libre system and FreeStyle LibreLink app to gain insights from your scans and connect with your healthcare team remotely to easily share your glucose data.
Video: What is the difference between interstitial fluid glucose and blood glucose | Part 2
[youtube https://youtu.be/Ta48boW7Loc]
Libre learning video 2 explains the difference between interstitial fluid glucose and blood glucose, and highlights why it’s important to look at all 4 elements of a FreeStyle Libre scan: current glucose, trend arrow, glucose graph and glucose message. Watch this video to learn how you can use the information from your scans to act—instead of reacting—to your changing glucose levels.
Video: How to get your first Libre glucose reading | Part 3
[youtube https://youtu.be/jdcRK62pq2k]
Libre learning video 3 walks you through getting your first glucose reading by scanning your sensor with the FreeStyle Libre reader or FreeStyle LibreLink mobile app. You’ll discover what information you can expect from each scan— current glucose, trend arrow, glucose graph and glucose message—and what it all means.
Video: How to use your phone and Freestyle Libre reader together
[youtube https://youtu.be/-z-Ru0wkvk4]
This video demonstrates how you can conveniently use both your phone and your Libre reader with the same sensor, in just 3 simple steps.
Video: Scanning your Libre Sensor with an Android phone
[youtube https://youtu.be/5DNC2JHTupY]
See how easy it is to use your Android phone to scan your FreeStyle Libre sensor. A video w plaiting how to instantly see where your glucose is at, where it’s headed, and where it’s been over the last 8 hours.
Video: Nutrition and Diabetes
[youtube https://youtu.be/r57MYT7dDt0]
Diet and nutrition can be confusing especially when you have diabetes. Abbott diabetes collected your top 6 questions and our dietitian, Sarah Ware, answered them! Sarah Ware, BSc (Hons), RD, CDE Registered Dietician
Video: Food and Bloodsugar levels for people with diabetes
[youtube https://youtu.be/_kISHiREDkI]
Find out which foods make your blood sugars go up the most. Watch this video to learn more!
Here is the solution to solve you needing to always login to websites on iOS 13 and above despite enabling Keep Me Logged In with iPhone, and iPad. This applies to iOS 13, 14, 15 and 16.
How do we solve Keep me signed in Isssues?
How to have iPhone or Mac remember your login preference on websites such as Gmail or FaceBook.
One of the most annoying issues I had with my iPhone and iPad was that despite ALWAYS choosing, “remember this device”, or save login information, I needed to reauthenticate myself every time I tried to log in to any website. I noticed this in particular with websites such as Google, Gmail, and Microsoft Family settings that use 2-factor authentication (2FA).
ISSUE: When you enable “Keep Me Logged In” on any website using iOS Safari, you are required to log into the website as well as re-authenticate your 2-factor authentication (2FA).
Solution to iOS and Mac “Keep Me Logged In” not working
Step 1: Navigate to SETTINGS.
Step 2: Navigate to Safari (this should be located below iTunes & App Store and Wallet & Apple Pay section on your iOS device.)
Step 3: Scroll down the Safari Settings menu to the Privacy and Security Section.
Step 4: Disable (turn from green to gray) – Prevent Cross-site Tracking.
To fix: Keep me logged in issues with iPhone or Mac, follow these steps.
Step 5: Close Safari Settings and Log onto your favourite website.
Step 6: Be sure to enable “keep me logged in” or similar on the website.
Step 7: You should now be able to continue to log into the website without reconfirming your username and password. As a reminder, if you clear your cookies, log out of the website or surpass the websites normal login time limits you will be required to log into the website again.
What is Prevent Cross-site Tracking?
Every time you visit a website, it gathers data about your device—such as your system configuration—and uses that data to show you a webpage that works well on your device. Some companies use this data to try to uniquely identify your device—known as fingerprinting. To prevent this, whenever you visit a webpage, Safari presents a simplified version of your system configuration. Your Mac looks more like everyone else’s Mac, which dramatically reduces the ability of trackers to uniquely identify your device.
It appears that Safari looks at authentication websites for simplified logins like FaceBook Login, Google Login, or Microsoft Account as a cross-site and not saving any of the authentication / login information. This is requiring you to need to login in every time you visit the web site.
Welcome to Shop Georgina, your on-line directory of what restaurants, stores, and services are open, operating, and ready for business during the social-distancing and isolation restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Let’s continue to show our support to our amazing local businesses. Here is a list of restaurants and other stores in Keswick, Sutton, Pefferlaw, and the surrounding Georgina (Ontario) area that are open and ready for your business. Many of these locations are available through DoorDash so check them out there as well.
Remember: Public health agencies are recommending we stay home as much as we can. However, I know myself, I need a change. Restaurants and stores are doing their part to attempt to keep us safe. It is everyone responsibility to shop with caution, wash our hands regularly, disinfect touched services, transfer your food to clean containers, and stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay safe everyone.
Did I miss someone? Want your business listed? Feel free to list your shop with the form at the bottom of the page. I will review the entries as quickly as possible (within 24 hours).
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Why did I make this page?
Hey Honestly, I am not sure what is open. It was as plain and simple as that. You drive through town and see the big chains, but what about the small places in plazas and nooks that we do not drive by regularly.
I wanted to eat something other than a home-cooked meal this past weekend to celebrate one of those events we call a birthday and was not sure where to go, where to look for what is open, or who to call besides what I have on my DoorDash app. When I finally tracked down a few locations through google or by randomly calling around, they were either closed for the night or closing shortly – it was leftover supermarket pizza for me, and a loss for our small business.
So maybe this little list will help my friends and neighbours? After all, this little website is just sitting there, so what is another page or two to help Georgina navigate Covid a little easier?
Add your business to our list
This page was created to help inform the great residents of Georgina what business and restaurants are open during the COVID-19 pandemic to serve the community.
Listing on the page is free while we go through this challenging time. Submit your business information below and we will add you to our list – I will review and approve your listing asap. For faster service, consider sending a donation to support the Georgina Food Bank and this website.
What to include in your listing? We recommend you include a description of your business (help new customers out), as well as your hours of business, location and services provided – call-in recommendation, pick-up, do you offer delivery? We reserve the right to edit all entries.
To make changes to a listing – feel free to contact me, or submit a new listing and I will update make the changes ASAP.
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DISCLAIMER: This is a free service offered to our residents and businesses. The situation is changing around town daily and businesses are responding accordingly. As much as I would like to ensure this information is 100% correct, I cannot be held responsible for missing businesses, incorrect or expired information.
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