HEALTHY LIVING...
The Hectic
Holiday Season can Cause Havoc on your Diet.
The holiday season is rapidly approaching and we all know that this means
hectic schedules, increased snacking and often, eating out. Plan ahead, choose
wisely, and make choices that fit into your meal plan.
To learn more about how to make healthy choices while dining out, click here:
http://www.diabetes.org/main/health/nutrition/eating_out
Sour Cream Dill Scones
Makes 12.
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup light margarine, at room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature, beaten
1/2 cup light sour cream, at room temperature
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Cut
in margarine with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles crumbs. Combine
eggs, sour cream, and dill; mix well. Stir into flour mixture until mixture
forms a soft dough that leaves sides of bowl. Turn
dough out onto a well-floured surface. Knead dough 10 times. Roll dough into
a 9-inch by 6-inch rectangle. Using a floured knife, cut dough into six 3-inch
squares. Cut each square diagonally in half to make 12 triangles. Place
triangles 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes,
until golden brown.
Per serving: 109 calories, 3 grams fat, 37 milligrams cholesterol, 16 grams
carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 1 gram protein, 261 milligrams sodium.
Profile: by Sharon B
Name: Sharon
Age: 51 barely
Married
1 child, a daughter
I was dx. with diabetes in Feb. 2001. But bs had been up and down for
at least 3 years at which time I was told that I was glucose intolerant....Wish
I had paid closer attention to it then. After a couple of good tests
I just kind of forgot about it.
I was at high risk because of my weight and also high stress. Also there is
a lot of diabetes in my family. My Dad died in September, my brother
has been diabetic for 10 years since the age of 35. My sister and
I are both diabetic now. And we have both been told that the physical and emotional
stress from cancer treatment probably brought it on early for so we are dealing.
So far diet and exercise has been enough for me and I have had to start any
medication. My readings are usually in the normal range. I have
dropped 31 lbs since February but still hope to lose more but it is slow...sometimes
seem to fight with 1 or 2 lbs for a whole month.
I do volunteer work with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and I'm also
involved with a couple of on-line breast cancer support groups.
As I said I have one daughter and no grandchildren yet....I can hardly wait.....
Bye...
Sharon
Blood Sugar Levels Affect Performance
Two recent studies from the University of Virginia offer new
perspectives on how high and low levels of blood sugar-hyperglycemia and
hypoglycemia, respectively-affect mental and physical performance. One
study found that high concentrations of blood sugar caused patients to
perform poorly on mental exercises. The second study discovered that
low blood sugar may hamper driving ability.
For more information on this story, click the following link:
http://ada.yellowbrix.com/pages/ada/Story.nsp?story_id=22463905&ID=ada
Sugar Free Holiday Nog
Makes 8 servings.
Ingredients:
1 pk(.9 oz) sugar-free instant -vanilla pudding mix
7 c Skim milk, divided
1 tsp (to 2 tsp.) vanilla extract -or rum flavoring
2 - 4 packets sugar substitute
1 c Evaporated skim milk
Instructions:
Combine pudding mix, 2 cups of milk, vanilla and sugar substitute in a bowl;
mix according to pudding directions.
Pour into a half-gallon container with a tight-fitting lid.
Add 3 cups milk; shake well. Add evaporated
milk and shake.
Add remaining milk; shake well. Chill.
“Suppose, my little lady..”
Submitted by John V
Suppose,
my little lady,
Your doll should break her head;
Could you make it whole by crying
Till your eyes and nose were red?
And wouldn't it be pleasanter
To treat it as a joke,
And say you're glad 'twas dolly's
And not your own that broke?
Suppose you're dressed for walking,
And the rain comes pouring down;
Will it clear off any sooner
Because you scold and frown?
And wouldn't it be nicer
For you to smile than pout,
And so make sunshine in the house
When there is none without?
Suppose your task, little man, Is
very hard to get;
Will it make it any easier
For you to sit and fret?
And wouldn't it be wiser,
Than waiting like a dunce,
To go to work in earnest
and learn the thing at once?
Suppose that some boys have a horse,
And some a coach and pair;
Will it tire you less whole walking
To say, "It isn't fair!"?
And wouldn't it be nobler
To keep your temper sweet,
And in your heart be thankful
You can walk upon your feet?
Suppose the world don't
please you.
Nor the way some people do;
Do you think the whole creation
Will be altered just for you?
And isn't it, my boy or girl,
The wisest, bravest plan,
Whatever comes, or doesn't come,
To do the best you can?
(By Phoebe Cary)
Texas Enchilada Casserole
Makes 8 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Refrigeration time: Eight hours to overnight
Cooking time: One hour
1 pound turkey breast
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large chopped onion
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 to 3 tsp cumin
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans
6 (6 inch) corn tortillas
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar
cheese
1 (10 ounce) can chopped tomatoes and green chilies
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can 98 percent fat
free cream of mushroom soup
Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a
large nonstick skillet, cook ground turkey and beef and onion for six minutes
or until meat is no longer pink and onion is softened. Drain.
Add chili powder and cumin. Mix well. Cook 10 minutes on low.
Spoon mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Layer beans, tortillas and cheeses over meat mixture. Pour tomato liquid
over cheeses, then spread tomatoes and chilies. Spread soup over all.
Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered one hour.
Nutrient data per serving:
333 calories, 34 grams protein, 12 grams fat; (34 percent calories from fat),
5.3 grams saturated fat, 21 grams carbohydrate, 84 milligrams cholesterol,
724 milligrams sodium, 4 grams fiber
Microvascular Tissue Transfer Useful for Limb Salvage
in Diabetic Patients
WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) Nov 05 -
Microvascular free tissue transfer can help prevent amputation in patients
with arterial-compromised lower extremities, according to data presented on
Sunday at the 70th annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons in Orlando, Florida. 
"You can minimize the frequency of amputations in diabetic patients with
arterial occlusive disease by combining revascularization and free tissue
transfer," Dr. Jeffrey Weinzweig of Brown University in Providence, Rhode
Island, told Reuters Health.
Dr. Weinzweig and colleagues retrospectively analyzed data
from 20 consecutive free tissue transfers performed in 15 male and 3 female
patients who ranged in age from 37 to 76 years. The patients had lower limb
soft tissue defects, ranging in size from 50 to 336 square centimeters, caused
by diabetes or arterial occlusive disease. Most transfers utilized tissue
from the patient's rectus abdominus or radial forearm.
In conjunction with the tissue transfers, 15 patients underwent
revascularization procedures, including femoral-popliteal, femoral-anterior
tibial, popliteal-distal, femoral-posterior tibial bypasses. The subjects
also underwent posterior/anterior tibial and superficial femoral angioplasty.
"Success is in the combination of surgical procedures,"
Dr. Weinzweig said.
The investigators report successful free tissue transfers in
18 of the 20 cases followed for 36 months on average. Only 1 patient had complications
leading to amputation, 14 patients were ambulatory on both legs, and 3 died
of unrelated causes.
Dr. Weinzweig noted that, "over time, patients regain protective
sensitivity and ambulation." Complications included "blowout" of proximal anastomosis
and, "some partial flap loss,"
Dr. Weinzweig said. He added that this procedure is contraindicated
in patients with severe end stage renal disease. 
Broiled Ham with Peaches (1 serving, diabetic)
1 slice (4x3x1/4") Medium smoked ham
2 canned peach halves (water packed)
Place ham under the broiler and broil until browned. When ham is
nearly done place canned peaches near ham and continue broiling until peaches
are browned.
5 grams -carbohydrates
16.9 grams protein
35 grams fat
403 calories
BASIC DIABETES INFORMATION...
Make the Link between Diabetes and Heart Disease.
People with diabetes are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, namely
heart attacks and stroke. "Make
the Link!" is the name of a new American Diabetes Association initiative
aimed at increasing awareness of the diabetes-heart disease link and promoting
self-care tips.
Visit http://www.diabetes.org/makethelink and learn what people with diabetes
can do to reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke
Which drugs and
nutritional supplements can interfere with home testing of blood glucose with
a glucose meter?
Julio Garcia, MD
Responsefrom John B. Buse, MD, PhD, 09/25/01
There is a theoretical concern
regarding a variety of substances interfering with glucose-monitoring technology,
such as vitamin C. However, for most meters and most strips these issues have
been evaluated fairly well, and in general, there does not seem to be a major
concern. That said, there is certainly the possibility that some prescription
medications and over-the-counter products may interfere with a particular
meter or strip and that this interaction may go unrecognized. Furthermore,
massively high doses of a compound may produce previously unknown interference
because studies to evaluate an interaction were performed at lower doses of
the agent.
If you suspect that a particular compound is interfering with glucose testing,
I recommend contacting the manufacturer of the glucose-monitoring product
in question.
It
may be worth noting in this context that if some glucose test strips are used
to test a sample taken from a tube containing sodium fluoride, a falsely low
value can be obtained. To my knowledge, there is no interference associated
with fluoridation of water and either fluoride supplementation or treatment.
TRUE or FALSE – Check your Diabetes Savvy
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1. People with diabetes need the same amount of protein as people
without diabetes.
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True. People
with diabetes need no less or no more protein than people without diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association recommends 10-20% of your calories should come from protein.
For the average person eating a 2000 calorie diet, this is 50-100 grams
of protein per day. Put into perspective…one 3-ounce serving of lean
beef has about 22-25 grams of protein.
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2. Beef is a source of carbohydrates.
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False. Beef does not contain carbohydrates
– the nutrient that diabetics must balance to keep their blood sugars
in check. It is however, an excellent source of protein, a nutrient
which when combined with carbohydrate foods, helps to balance blood
sugar levels.
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3. Vitamin supplements can help improve blood sugar levels in
people with diabetes.
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False. Studies have shown no definite link between
vitamin supplements and improved glucose control. However, your
best bet to get the vitamins your body needs, is to eat a balanced diet
that includes a wide variety of nutrient dense foods. Nutrient dense
foods - like lean beef, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables
- offer lots of vitamins and minerals, for few calories.
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4. Beef contains monounsaturated fat – the same heart-healthy
fat found in olive oil.
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True. About 50% of the fatty acids in beef are monounsaturated.
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5. Beef contains compounds that may help fight diabetes.
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True. Beef is a natural source of Conjugated Linoleic
Acid (CLA). CLA is a healthy type of fat that has been shown
to help stabilize blood sugar levels in animal studies.
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CRAB MEAT SPREAD ON GREEN PEPPERS
Serves 8. 1
cup crab meat, flaked
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
2-1/2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon grated onion
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
4 green peppers, cut into squares
Place all the ingredients except green peppers in an electric blender or food
processor. Process to desired consistency. Spread
paste on green pepper squares.
Per serving: 66 calories, 5 grams fat, 15 milligrams cholesterol, 3 grams carbohydrates,
1 gram fiber, 4 grams protein, 59 milligrams sodium.
Connect with
the diabetes.org Community Forums
Join forces with others in the Diabetes Community by participating in the
diabetes.org Community Forums areas. The Forums Area of diabetes.org
was created to give you the opportunity to share your ideas and opinions on
a variety of topics with others affected with diabetes.
For a closer look at the diabetes.org
Community Forums area, click here:
https://www.diabetes.org/main/community/mainforums.jsp
How
Many Carbs Do You Need Each Day?
Fill in the blanks to determine how many grams of carbohydrate
you need each day.
1. First determine your desired weight in pounds:
a.
If you are overweight, a 10% loss from your current
weight is ideal.
| |
desired weight = _______#
|
b. Or base your ideal weight on this
formula:
| Women: |
100# +
(5 x ______") = ________#
inches over 5 ft.
goal wt |
| Men: |
106# + (6 x
______") = ________#
inches over 5 ft.
goal wt |
Use this weight if you have an average frame.
| |
- for a light frame, subtract 10%
= ________# |
| |
- for a heavy frame, add 10% = ________# |
2. Choose a calorie factor that describes your activity level:
| |
men |
women |
| Very sedentary |
13 |
11.5 |
| Sedentary |
14 |
12.5 |
| Moderately active |
15 |
13.5 |
| Active |
16 |
14.5 |
| Super
active |
17 |
15.5 |
3. Determine your total daily calorie need:
________ # x ________ = ________
desired wt. cal. factor cal/day
4. Then divide by 8 (1/2 of calories as carbohydrate and
1/4 gram per calorie) to determine how many grams of carbohydrate (CHO) you need each day:
________
/ 8 = ________
cal/day grams
CHO/day
5. And last, decide how you want to split up this total daily
carbohydrate for different meals during the day.
| Breakfast |
______
|
grams |
| AM snack |
______
|
grams |
| Lunch |
______
|
grams |
| PM snack |
______
|
grams |
| Dinner |
______
|
grams |
| Eve. snack |
______
|
grams |
How To Count Carbohydrates
A few foods like table sugar and lollipops are entirely carbohydrate.
When placed on a gram scale, their weight tells you immediately how many grams
of carbohydrate they contain. But most foods have only part of their total weight
as carbohydrate. The carbohydrate content of these other foods can be determined
in three ways: 
From Labels:
| Advantage: |
Very
easy. |
| What you need: |
Food
labels and occasionally ameasuring
cup. |
| How: |
Food labels contain all the information
needed to do carb counting. Just be sure your serving is the same size
as the serving on the label. |
| For example, the information to the right was found on a box of graham
crackers. The only confusing part comes in determining what is a serving
of "4" crackers. Graham
crackers come wrapped in cellophane with a rectangular shape. Each 2.25"
by 5" rectangular cracker turns out to be 2 of the serving crackers,
so one serving of "4" crackers is really 2 whole rectangular
crackers. A serving has 22 grams of carbohydrate and will raise the blood
sugar about 88 points. |
From Books:
| Advantage: |
Great
for eating out and an easy way to look up many brand name foods. |
| What you need: |
Books
and occasionally measurements to
determine serving size. |
| How: |
Information on the carb content in foods can be
obtained from many helpful
books: |
| Many cookbooks also have the carbohydrate content and exchanges
listed with each recipe. These are great for preparing meals at home. |
With A Scale:
| Advantage: |
Convenient
for measuring carbs in odd-sized foods like fruits, unsliced bread, cereals, or
casseroles. |
| What you need: |
A gram scale, a calculator, and a list of Carb
Factors |
| How: |
To find the amount of carbohydrate
a particular food has:
|
| |
©
Weigh the food on a gram scale to find its total weight in
grams.
©
Find that food's Carb Factor in one of the Food Groups.
©
Multiply the food's total weight (grams) by its Carb Factor.
© This
number is the number of grams of carbohydrate you are eating |
Joke Corner
1. There was an elderly lady who kept coming into
the ER with Hyperglycemia. Finally, the Nurses gathered around and asked he
to show them her injection technique.
The woman reached into her bag, brought out the insulin and syringes, and
an orange. She deftly injected the
orange with the insulin as she was instructed to do.
And then ate the orange.
2. Ad in our local paper:
Regional Hospital hiring RN's and LPN's, competitive pay, generous shit differential.....
Oh what a difference an "f" makes.
3. Two older men were in the Physical
Therapy room doing their knee exercises.
One turned to the other and inquired, "Old war wound?"
The second man replied, "Yeah, I got old and it wore out."
Jenny Sutherland
http://wyldcelt.homestead.com/index.html
(Thanks Jenny)
