Monday, March 18, 2024

EXTRA VANILLA WITH SUGAR SUBSTITUTES

If you are diabetic and do not have satisfactory results when baking with sugar substitutes, you might want to try the following tip. Since flavors can sometimes be a little flat with sugar substitutes, try adding a teaspoon (over what the recipe calls for) of vanilla extract for each 1 cup of sugar substitute. Personally, I always go a little heavy on the vanilla extract and on ground cinnamon. Both enhance the flavors and cinnamon is an excellent blood sugar stabilizer.

Note: This picture is not a brand endorsement.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY YOUR FOODS

We live in a fast-paced society that tends to make us rush through everything including our meals. That is a bad idea! We should eat slowly and savor our food. When you eat slowly, you eat smaller portions. That is good for weight control and your health. Scientific studies have shown that we are influenced by our friends and family's eating habits. Be the one in your group to influence others. Eat meals in a casual, non-rushed atmosphere and speak up to eat in healthy restaurants or prepare healthy meals at home. Once you have ruined your health, it is almost impossible to get it back!

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Saturday, March 16, 2024

DARK LEAFY GREENS CAN PROTECT SKIN FROM SUN'S DAMAGING RAYS

Dark leafy greens are very good for you for a variety of reasons. Today we focus on cancer protection, especially from the sun's harmful rays and later skin cancer. These greens are rich in antioxidants called carotenoids, which in laboratory studies have shown to inhibit the growth of several cancer cells, ie - skin, mentioned above, but also lung, stomach, and some breast cancers. If dark leafy greens aren't currently in your diet, you definitely need to be adding them. Examples, spinach, kale, romaine and arugula lettuces.


Friday, March 15, 2024

BEANS AND LENTILS FIGHT CANCER

As a diabetic I eat lots of beans. They are one of the best foods to keep my blood sugar under control. But beans and lentils are also good cancer fighters. These tasty little morsels are loaded with fiber, phytochemicals, antioxidants, and folate. Soybeans contain genistein, a powerful compound scientists are studying as a possible treatment for prostate, lung and colorectal cancer. If beans aren't currently an important part of your diet I would suggest adding them.

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Thursday, March 14, 2024

CRANBERRIES AND CANCER

Liver cancer is one of the most difficult to fight.  But did you know the simple little cranberry is a potent fighter of this horrendous disease?  According to the experts, no fruit is better at inhibiting the growth of liver cancer cells in humans.  Many of the compounds in cranberries appear to be toxic to many cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone.  These cancers include not only liver but lung, prostate, cervical, breast, and leukemia.  Newer studies show that whole cranberries may also target skin and brain cancer.

If you or a loved one are battling any of these cancers, maybe you could add cranberries to your/their diet.  Including them in our diets on a routine basis just might be a good cancer-preventative idea.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

KICK START YOUR METABOLISM WITH THIS?

When I was a kid, I loved spending the night next door with my grandparents. And one of my favorite treats was breakfast the next morning. My grandmother never drank coffee or tea but had a cup of hot water every morning with breakfast. When my dad found out I was drinking a cup of hot water with a teaspoon of sugar for breakfast, he was not pleased! Imagine my surprise when recently reading a medical report that said to start your morning with a cup of hot water and lemon to rev up your metabolism for the day! If only grandma had known to add lemon! Have a sluggish metabolism? Try some hot water and lemon.

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WATER AND SUN

The best way to stay safe in the sun is to avoid it between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM! Since that is when most of you want to be in the sun, thankfully I am not one of you, there are a few important things to remember:

  • #1 - always use sunscreen. Your sunscreen should be SPF 15 or higher and it should be reapplied every few hours.
  • #2 - use an SPF lip balm. Remember lips get sunburn too!
  • #3 - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
There are many more precautions but since this is a kitchen medicine blog I wanted to stick mostly with the water issue. It is so easy to become dehydrated when exposed to the sun in the heat of the day or for long periods of time. Be cautious and keep lots of water with you and drink it!

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ANOTHER REASON TO EAT WALNUTS-1

Did you know that much of your body's immunity is in the gut or digestive system? As we face fear over disease it is important to have good immunity so you must take care of your gut.

A study from Pennsylviania State University in 2019 found that eating 2 to 3 ounces of walnuts per day as part of a healthy diet was associated with positive changes in the gut. The research found the fatty acids, fiber, and bioactive compounds of walnuts act as food for the microbiome and produce beneficial bacteria.

Just another reason to add a few walnuts to your daily diet.

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Tuesday, March 12, 2024

BENEFITS OF INDOOR PLANTS

When you can't be out in nature, bringing plants indoors is found to be helpful. One study found that live plants in hospital rooms may accelerate healing after surgery. Thinking about sending a plant? You should probably go ahead and send it.

A study from Texas A&M University found that being around houseplants as well as flowers helps people's problem-solving and creativity. That can be a good thing in the workplace whether your office is at home or in an office building.

NOTE: There are exceptions to every rule. Allergies need to be considered as well as the rules for the rooms of hospital patients.

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Monday, March 11, 2024

CUT DOWN ON STRESS

Did you know you have a 45% chance of developing diabetes if you lead a stressful life? Not only can stress kill you, it can cause chronic disease. Learn to relax and don't let others add stress to your life! Accomplishing this will be different for everyone but do your best to cut way back on stress in your daily life.

As a diabetic, let me assure you do not want to develop diabetes!