MAKING KIDS CLEAN THEIR PLATES?

Do you remember your parents telling you to clean your plate? Were you told to be thankful for your food and not waste it because kids all over the world were going hungry? Those old adages need to be thrown out the window! With the obesity epidemic and diabetes being at epidemic levels, you should teach your children to take smaller portions of food and to stop eating when they feel full. Children used to be busy from the time they got up until they went to bed. They rode bikes, took walks with grandparents, played in the backyard on swing sets, played neighborhood games of stickball and baseball, etc. Now they sit in front of a TV or video game. Too much food on their plates and being forced to eat every bite could be setting them up for a lifetime of health problems.

COMPLEX CARBS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD

Feeling down or depressed? Eat more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Yes, these are carbohydrate foods but they are the complex (or good) carbs. These carbs boost your serotonin levels. Serotonin is a mood-elevating chemical in the brain.

BEWARE OF HIDDEN SUGAR

You will be amazed at the sugar in foods you never thought of as sweet. Always read the nutritional label on foods to check their sugar content. This is especially important for diabetics! Be especially cautious about frozen breakfast treats, mayonnaise, salad dressings, canned soups, crackers, breads, stuffing mixes, tomato and/or pasta sauces. You may be surprised at the sugar you are consuming while unaware. I am not referring to the natural sugar in fruits and some vegetables. I'm talking about "added sugar." Read all your labels for one week; I imagine you will be surprised at the sugar you are eating!

BE AWARE! EARLY SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER

As a survivor of both breast and colon cancers, I want to always bring cancer awareness to the general public. While I have not had ovarian cancer nor known anyone close to me who has, I was struck to realize how easily the symptoms of this horrible disease can be mistaken for minor health problems. Don't take chances with your life, if you or someone you love shows any of the symptoms listed below, please go to your gynecologist and explain your symptoms.

Ovarian cancer is often known as the silent disease because so many women don't realize they have it until it's too late. As a cancer survivor, I always want to take advantage of getting any cancer information out to the public. According to Mark Messing, M.D., a gynecological oncologist with the Baylor Health Care System in Texas, some of the earliest signs of ovarian cancer are:

* Bloating
* Pelvic pain
* Abdominal pain
* Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
* Changes in urinary or bowel functions

Unfortunately, these symptoms are very common to many women and can certainly be signs of other problems. However, if you or someone you love shows any of these symptoms and they persist over a few weeks, over-the-counter meds aren't working, etc, contact your doctor immediately. Dr. Messing says women too often try over-the-counter medications for too long, have bloating but assume they are just gaining weight, etc. It is better to be checked out by your physician than to try to doctor yourself or ignore the symptoms. Many times ovarian cancer will not be the problem. But in the cases where it is present, early detection is vitally important, as it is with all cancers! Don't take chances with your life; you only get one!

Remember, no one knows your body like you do!!

Apple Crisp For Diabetics (Tasty For Anyone!)

With this delicious Apple Crisp recipe, everyone can enjoy the same dessert and you won't hear one complaint. That is because this dessert doesn't taste like a "diabetic dessert". When you serve this recipe, no one will guess you just served them a diabetic crisp. If you and the diabetic don't tell, no one will ever know!

1/4 to 1/2 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend (depends on apples)
2 tbsp white whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (Rome recommended)

TOPPING:
1 1/4 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
1/4 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend or equivalent of your favorite brand
3/4 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

To make the apple filling, combine brown sugar blend, flour, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add apples, tossing to coat. Spoon into the prepared baking dish. Set aside.

To make topping, combine oats, flour, brown sugar blend and nuts in a bowl. Stir in butter. The mixture will be crumbly. Spoon over the apples mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until the apples are bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Best when served warm.

NOTE: Yield: 9 servings at 310 calories, 38 carbs, 4 grams protein each. As with all fruits, there is the natural sugar of the apples and a high carb count. However, the oats and nuts counterbalance most of that. Enjoy this dessert after a meal that has a good protein count. You would not want to serve this dessert after a pasta or vegetarian meal. And as with all desserts, do not overindulge!

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GOOD NEWS ON EGGS

According to a recent report from the United States Department of Agriculture, the average amount of cholesterol in an American egg has dropped in the last decade. Eggs tested from around the country show 14% less cholesterol than when last tested in 2002. The tests also showed a 64% increase in the amount of vitamin D from the same time period. It is believed these changes can be credited to the differences in hen feed.

FEET

Diabetics always have foot checks when they see the doctor. Taking care of ones feet is very important. But did you know that over 10% of the body's 206 bones are in the foot? That's right, 26 bones are in the foot. Eat properly to protect your bones, even standing requires good bones.

PORTION CONTROL WHEN EATING OUT

To help you control portion size when eating out (since most restaurant serve a meal equal to at least two servings), ask for a to-go box when the waiter or waitress brings your meal. Immediately put half of the meal in the box out of sight. And the bonus, another meal ready to be warmed up tomorrow!

BABY STEPS

Do you have a hard time eating right? Take baby steps and you will be amazed how easy it is. Start with something as simple as choosing healthy foods more often than unhealthy ones. Each time you succeed it will give you confidence to do it again.

A few simple examples are to have a sugar-free cookie rather than a regular one. Or when baking, substitute a small amount of whole-wheat flour for an equal amount of the called for all-purpose. If fresh vegetables aren't available to you, choose frozen over canned. Choose fresh fruit over baking them into a pie. Once you get used to the small changes, you will find yourself going with the healthy choice.

OATS AND NUTS ARE IMPORTANT TO DIABETICS

Oats and nuts should be major foods in diabetics meal plans. That is not to say you have to eat loads of either. Oats are easy to work into the diet through morning cereal, snack bars and mixes, etc. When you eat nuts, use the unsalted variety and do not smother them in candy coatings. Try to work a portion of both oats and nuts into you diet everyday.