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WISHING YOU A GREAT HOLIDAY

DIABETIC PRESCRIPTION: EXERCISE

I know! Most of us hate the word exercise, let alone the actual activity involved. Well, get over it! Once we've allowed ourselves to become diabetic, we no longer have a choice. We must exercise!

Yes, you read that right. I really did say, "Once we've allowed ourselves to become diabetic." I'm talking to us Type 2 diabetics on that one, you Type 1s don't have to accept that remark. Now before you get all mad, have steam coming out your ears and start sputtering, "Who does she think she is, telling me I'm responsible for the fact I became diabetic," hear me out. Did you know you had diabetes in your family history? Did a doctor ever tell you to lose weight? Did a doctor ever tell you to change your diet or lifestyle? Did a doctor ever tell you to get more exercise (there's that dirty word again)? Did you gorge on sweets and/or carbs? You get the point. But there is a diabetic prescription: EXERCISE!

We helped to create this problem in our bodies, now we have to take our medicines. And that doesn't stop with pills and shots. Just consider exercise another of the medicines we have to take. I read somewhere that exercise is the diabetes treatment almost everyone can benefit from. I backed up, read that again and the light bulb came on. I got it! Exercise is another of our treatments and we need to think of it as such. It's not something we know we should do, something we might get around to someday, but something we have to do just as we have to take our other prescriptions the doctor gives us.

We don't, however, have to go out and join a gym or buy expensive equipment. Of course you can if you want to and it is a good thing to do, but it isn't necessary. We can work exercise into our everyday lives! We Americans have become very lazy as a whole. This is often caused by some terrific technological advances and inventions. But we can't use that as an excuse. Following are some easy ways start adding more exercise into your everyday routine. Give them a try. After all it is YOUR life that matters.

1. Hide the remote controls; they make it too easy to be lazy. This includes the garage door remote. Getting in and out of the car to open the garage door is good exercise.

2. Carry your groceries from the car to the kitchen one bag at a time. More steps and lifting; more exercise.

3. Instead of stacking things by the stairs to avoid extra trips up and down, make the trips. Stairs are a great way to get exercise. Always opt for the stairs over the elevator when possible!

4. Push the kids or grandkids on the swings. Play frisbee with them, etc. Quality time with the children is an added benefit.

5. Go for a walk. Start with a short walk and work your way up to several blocks or 30-40 minutes. If the weather is bad, go to the local mall and walk.

6. Walk around while talking on the phone instead of plopping down in a comfy chair.

7. Stop driving around the parking lot for ten minutes trying to get a parking spot next to the entrance. Park farther away and enjoy the walk.

8. Put items you use often on higher shelves so you do more stretching and reaching to get them.

9. Housework is an excellent exercise. Vacuum an extra time per week, etc.

10. Gardening is another wonderful exercise.

I'm sure you can think of other ways to add exercise to your daily routine. Take that prescription seriously. Do whatever works for you but do something! Take that most-hated prescription: EXERCISE!

SPLENDA POWDERED SUGAR

Have posted this before but posting again for those who may have missed it.

*To make "sugar-free" powdered sugar: using a ratio of 3/4 cup Splenda granular to 2 tbsp cornstarch, place in a blender container and blend until mixture has the look and feel of powdered sugar. Use as you would powdered or confectioners' sugar. May be kept in an airtight container or ziplock bag.

Note: This is a file photo.

ALMOND FLOUR BISCUITS (LOW CARB)

1 1/2 cups almond flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/3 cup sour cream
4 tbsp butter, melted
1/3 cup shredded cheese, optional
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Spray a baking pan that is divided, such as a brownie pan, or about 9 muffin cups with a baking spray that has flour (ie Baker's Joy). Set aside. Do not use a regular baking sheet as this is a thin batter. You must use the mentioned pans or your biscuits will be flat.

In a bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Combine with a fork to break up all the clumps in the almond flour. Make a well in the center.

In a separate bowl, combine all the wet ingredients. Mix this mixture until smooth. It will look like egg drop soup, then too thin mashed potatoes. Keep on mixing until smooth and it looks thicker.

Add to the well in the dry ingredients and mix until blended. A silicone spatula or spoon works well for this.
If you are using cheese, stir in now.

Pour mixture into your prepared pan or muffin tins and bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

If you make 9 biscuits, they should be about 2.5 carbs each.

Note: These are great for making breakfast sandwiches and also go good with gravy.

I found this recipe and photo on the internet. Not sure where it originated but it makes good biscuits.

HAPPY EASTER

QUOTE FROM A FORMER NFL PLAYER

I am not a football fan so I have no idea where Mike Golic played football. I do know he is a type 2 diabetic whose father was also a type 2 and he has two sons he hopes can avoid diabetes. He makes his diabetes diagnoses and progress a family affair. All of us diabetics know we can slip up at times and see our numbers go up. That is why I like this quote from Mr. Golic: "If my numbers aren't the greatest, I'll take it as a challenge. I physically put that number somewhere, look at it, and say: OK, next time it has to be better." Good advice, Mike!

File photo of Mike Golic, center

WISHING ALL MY READERS A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

WISHING YOU MUCH HAPPINESS AND GOOD HEALTH IN 2018!