There’s not much I like more in life than volunteering my time and energy to help advocate and find a cure for diabetes. This is especially true when I’m doing so alongside my husband Jaim.
Just call me little diabetes advocate…
Later last evening after I got some banana custard in the oven, (recipe post coming soon!) I started looking in the storage room through old boxes. I was looking for what I was sure was in there – childhood photos of me. I’ve had a few requests after writing my Random facts about me post to share a picture of my tanned preppy teenage self. That picture is to come another Wednesday!
Post-ride 2011 — Can you tell how exhausted I am here?!?! : )
How I came to learn about the Tour de Cure…
In 2011 I participated in my first ADA Tour de Cure. A friend I used to work with, Janae, was deeply involved with the event and loved everything about it. She told me all about being a Red Rider (rider w/ diabetes) and convinced me that the Tour de Cure was something I needed to do. She also talked to me about the volunteer opportunities available and encouraged me to help out. I was sold. I signed up for the Tour only a few short weeks before the ride. I also started volunteering my time to help make the ride better for all fellow people with food allergies.
Have you heard about TeamWILD? Or seen the name Mari Ruddy around the diabetes community? Mari is the founder of TeamWILD & CampWILD. WILD representing: We Inspire Life with Diabetes. I love this! Mari has also lived with Type 1 diabetes for over 30 years and survived breast cancer twice! What an inspiration she is! Along with TeamWILD, she also created the idea for the Red Rider jersey for the ADA Tour de Cure. I first heard about TeamWILD last year at the ADA Tour de Cure after-party when I met Mari for the first time. She came over to a group of us and enthusiastically shared about TeamWILD. I thought it sounded really cool but didn’t think I ever might do it. The program was for real athletes after all, right?
Editor’s note: This is a guest post for the American Diabetes Association. It will be featured in the ADA Tour de Cure’s Twin Cities July Red Rider Reader.
New Note (added after original publishing): I mentioned in the original post that I would try making pumpkin maple bars in the future. I made some last night and they were a hit! They were so very good that I will definitely make them again! After posting a picture of them on Facebook last night, I had several requests for the recipe. I have updated this post to reflect the addition of Pumpkin Maple Oatmeal Bars (seen below the Banana Chocolate Almond Bar recipe!)
Hello Red Riders! How is your summer going? Did you enjoy the Tour de Cure this year? I had a blast! It could not have been a more perfect day – weather wise and everything else too. Plus we raised a lot of money to help STOP diabetes. Yay! We had 1,805 riders and so far raised more than $630,000! Woohoo! It is wonderful to see so many people come together for a great cause. And as someone living with Type 1 diabetes I sincerely appreciate each person’s hard-earned efforts helping us move closer to a cure for diabetes. It fills my heart with so much gratitude and hope. I’m already looking forward to next year! June 1, 2013 is the date. Mark your calendars!
I received a special request for this month’s recipe for the Red Rider Reader – ENERGY BARS!! I thought this was a great idea as we are out cycling and active this summer. A healthy energy bar is an ideal snack for anyone before, during or after cycling or any other exercise. Thanks for this fabulous suggestion Janeece Oatman! Janeece is the amazingly talented and passionate Associate Director for the Twin Cities & Rochester, Minnesota Tour de Cure rides.
Editor’s note: This is a guest post for the American Diabetes Association. It will be featured in the ADA Tour de Cure’s Twin Cities April Red Rider Reader.
Hey Red Riders! Happy Spring to you! I hope this finds you both happy and healthy! I am excited to be bringing you another recipe for our April Red Rider Reader! We have had nice weather early this spring – I hope you are taking advantage of it and sneaking in some early training rides!
I am excited to share this recipe I created with you. It’s ingredients are super yummy yet healthy too! It kind of reminds me of a loaded baked potato! It is also the perfect meal to eat before a training ride for the Tour de Cure or any other workout. In need of a quick, balanced meal — it can also easily be served for lunch or dinner as well.
I am excited and honored to be writing this as a guest post for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). It is a recipe for the Minnesota Red Riders riding in the 2012 ADA Tour de Cure bike ride! Welcome and GO RED RIDERS!!! Woohoo!! This will be my second year as a Red Rider and I have lived with Type 1 Diabetes for 24 years. When brainstorming recipes to include in our first Red Rider Reader, I knew right away this was the one!
It is one of my favorite dessert recipes and quickly became well-loved by family and friends. I have served it at family gatherings and events as elegant as a bridal luncheon — where my husband’s Aunt Loene once proclaimed, “This is the best flourless chocolate cake I have ever eaten!”