Glucose Buddy - Free App to Manage Diabetes

Diabetes management is a daily effort of maintaining glucose levels

Glucose Buddy is a free app from Azumio. You enter your glucose numbers, carbohydrate consumption, insulin dosages and activities and monitor them throughout the day on the app or you can do the same on the free account online - which is great for older diabetics who do not have a smartphone or tablet. 

You can also view and print charts that show your glucose levels. 

The app is available for iOS and Android. http://www.glucosebuddy.com/

Diabetes & You Magazine from Walgreens

 Check out the magazine 

Diabetes and Kidney Disease Guide

Diagnosis of diabetes in today’s world does not mean you are doomed for a future of kidney failure, amputations, and a short life. 

Treatments and technology available today can, with effort and persistence, help us live a long and healthy life. (Sadly, there are some countries that do not have access to these treatments and technologies.)

Long-term studies of people with diabetes show that keeping blood sugars in a healthy range can dramatically lower the risk of complications. 

In fact, even a few years of better blood sugars has a protective effect that lasts for decades. On the flip side, years of uncontrolled diabetes increase the risk of kidney problems.



Did you know that people with diabetes account for 44% of the newly diagnosed cases of kidney failure each year? 

Here's what you need to know . . . 

African American Stroke Patients May Have High BP and Cholesterol

Photo courtesy of EB Johnson

African Americans are at particularly high risk of stroke, but even after experiencing one, many patients don’t get their blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes under control, according to a US study.

The researchers note that control of such risk factors in general could prevent many of the 1.1 million heart attacks and 731,000 strokes that occur in the United States every year.

In the study, researchers from Rush University in Chicago looked at more than 1,000 African-American stroke patients enrolled in a study of anti-clotting drugs. Ruland’s team was not concerned with the drug results, but instead looked at awareness and control of risk factors by the patients.

“We know from previous studies, both for primary prevention and prevention of recurrent heart attack and stroke, that real aggressive risk factor reduction will lead to fewer events,” researchers say.

While 73% of study participants known to have high blood pressure were taking medication to control it, just 30% had actually brought their blood pressure down to or below normal levels.

Medication may not have been effective in lowering blood pressure because “the treatment strategy wasn’t aggressive enough,” according to researchers. They says that may be due to attitudes of both the physician and patient, lack of follow-up care and poor patient compliance in taking prescriptions.

Less than half of the patients with known high cholesterol were taking medication for the problem. Most who were prescribed drugs were taking cholesterol-lowering statins, but they were effective in only about two-thirds of patients. In addition, one quarter of the patients with high cholesterol did not know it.

Of the 40% of study participants with known diabetes, 84% reported being on some type of medication. Among the diabetic patients whose blood glucose was checked, one third did not have it under control. In the remaining 60% of the patients who did not have diabetes, 2% were at high risk for developing the disease.

According to researchers, previous studies have shown that African Americans who have had a stroke are more likely to have two or more risk factors.

Article Source 

How NOT to Support a Person Living with Diabetes

You know what we need in life with diabetes? More police. More warnings. More lectures. More raised eyebrows and far more people gasping at the sight of our blood sugar when it isn’t perfect.

If you’re interested in doing it all wrong, increasing the already existing stress levels we live under day in and day out with diabetes, then here’s the guide for you

Grocery Shopping for Diabetics on a Budget

Photo courtesy of ifood tv 


Filling the fridge doesn't have to break the bank, even when you have diabetes. 

Healthy eating and healthy grocery shopping can be doubly challenging when you have to balance type 2 diabetes and your checking account. 

The answer? There are some easy tricks on your marketing list to pinch pennies while cooking up healthy, tasty meals.

Head over to Everyday Health and see how to Stock Your Pantry on the Cheap, Save Money When You Shop and watch the video's for more info

Diabetic Apps From MySugr

MySugr has created two apps - MySugr Companion on iOS for adults, and and Android app MySugr Junior for kids. 

The app is basically a diabetes logbook. It provides immediate feedback and helps you stay motivated. 

You win points for every entry made which help tame your diabetes monster. The goal is to tame your monster every day. 

The apps introduce elements of gamification to a process that is normally dreaded by children and adults alike. The data from the Junior app can be automatically shared with parents, prompting more accountability and responsibility on the part of the child, and more peace of mind for the parent.  

For adults or children with diabetes, the apps make it easier to stick to a regimen and make adjustments based on data.

https://mysugr.com/ 




Also check out Diabetes apps among top 10 doctors recommend to patients

Adapting to Mainstream Lowers African American Diabetes Risk

Trying to find a produce store or a large grocer in an economically depressed neighborhood is about as easy as finding an apple in a candy store.

Lack of access to good nutrition impacts racial and ethnic minorities and recent immigrants disproportionately. 

Poor nutrition combined with higher stress can contribute to other health problems, including type 2 diabetes.

But a new University of Michigan study may help explain how to cope with this stress and perhaps curb some of these health problems.

Read more 

Grilled Salmon Penne Salad With Raspberry Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 9 ounce(s) fish, salmon fillet, skinless, boneless
• 1/4 cup(s) vinegar, raspberry
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 clove(s) garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper, black ground
• 6 ounce(s) pasta, penne 
• 1 cup(s) asparagus, bias-sliced
• 1 cup(s) raspberries
• lettuce leaves 
• 2 scallion(s) (green onions), sliced 

Chill 2 to 4 hours.

Preparation

1. Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse fish; pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, whisk together raspberry vinegar, oil, honey mustard, sugar, garlic, and pepper. Remove 2 teaspoons of the oil mixture for brushing fish; set aside remaining oil mixture to toss with pasta.

2. Preheat broiler. Place fish on the greased unheated rack of a broiler pan; tuck under any thin edges. Measure thickness of the fish. Brush the 2 teaspoons oil mixture over fish. Broil fish 4 inches from the heat until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. (Allow 4 to 6 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fish; if fillet is 1-inch thick, turn once halfway through broiling.)

3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions, adding the asparagus for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain well; rinse with cold water and drain again. Return pasta mixture to saucepan. Pour remaining oil mixture over pasta; toss to coat.

4. Flake cooked salmon. Add salmon to pasta; toss gently. Cover and chill for 2 to 4 hours.

5. To serve, add berries to pasta mixture; toss gently to mix. If desired, serve on lettuce-lined plates. Sprinkle with green onions. Makes 4 servings.

Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 6 mins
Rest Time: 2 h
Total Time: 36 mins

Recipe Source - Everyday Health

Race Car Driver Brings Diabetes Community Along For The Ride

An open-wheel race car has room for only one person: the driver. But when Charlie Kimball is in the cockpit, he brings the diabetes community along for the ride.

Three weeks ago, Kimball, the only driver in a major racing series with Type 1 diabetes, brought that community to a special place - the winner's circle of an Izod IndyCar Series race.

At the Honda Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Kimball scored the first victory of his IndyCar career. 

And as big as that triumph was for Kimball, it was equally meaningful for the many people with diabetes whom he inspires.

"I was blown away by the amount of support and outreach," Kimball said. "I know there are many people out there with diabetes, and I have met so many, but it still caught me by surprise how impressive and how significant the response was. It meant so much to me to hear from them."

Kimball is enjoying a breakthrough season. In his third year driving for Novo Nordisk

Read full article

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

With only 5 simple ingredients and 5.5g carbs, who wouldn’t love this luscious lasagna? Just 10 minutes in the oven and it’s on your table piping hot.

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked spaghetti squash
• 2 lbs browned ground beef (lean)
• 2 cups spaghetti sauce
• 3 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

• Place cooked spaghetti squash strands in casserole dish.
• Layer each remaining ingredient in the dish.
• Sprinkle cheese on top.

Place in oven for 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and lasagna is hot all the way through.

Recipe Source: Diabetic Connect

Turkey Fajitas

Ingredients

2 tsp. fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 tsp. finely chopped jalapeno pepper
3/4 pound turkey breast cutlets, diced
1/2 cup low-fat or fat-free plain yogurt
3/4 cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves
6 large (10-inch) flour tortillas, preferably whole-wheat
1 Tbsp. canola oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups Romaine lettuce, cut crosswise into strips
1 cup red, green or yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced




Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine lime juice, garlic and jalapeno in a bowl. Add turkey, turn to coat and set aside.
Purée yogurt and cilantro in food processor or blender until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside. (Sauce can be made ahead if refrigerated until ready to use. Remove from refrigerator early enough to bring sauce to room temperature before using.)

Wrap tortillas in foil and place in oven until warm, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick skillet over high heat until very hot. Add oil and tilt pan to coat evenly. Add turkey and stir-fry, stirring constantly, until cooked through and lightly browned. Transfer to a medium bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
On each tortilla, place a layer of shredded Romaine, and one-sixth of the turkey and the peppers.

Add a spoonful of cilantro-yogurt sauce. Fold tortillas around filling and place on a serving platter. Serve with yogurt-cilantro sauce.

Makes 6 fajitas, 6 servings.

Recipe Source: Diabetic Gourmet

Grilled Vegetable Pitas

Found this tasty recipe online at Diabetic Living, and there's more sandwich recipes at the link below

1 4 ounce  fresh portobello mushroom
1 tablespoon  balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon  olive oil
Dash salt
Dash ground black pepper
1/4 of a medium yellow or red sweet pepper, stem and seeds removed
1/4 cup  chopped tomato
1 large whole wheat pita bread round, halved crosswise
8 fresh spinach leaves
8 small fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup  crumbled feta or goat cheese (chevre)

1. If present, remove and discard mushroom stem. If desired, remove mushroom gills. In a small bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Gently brush half of the oil mixture over mushroom and sweet pepper.

2. Place mushroom and pepper on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals. Grill for 10 to 12 minutes or until the vegetables are lightly charred and tender, turning frequently.

3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the remaining oil mixture and the tomato; toss gently to coat. Cut grilled mushroom and pepper into bite-size strips. Add mushroom and pepper strips to tomato mixture; toss gently to combine.

4. Open pita halves to create pockets. Line pita pockets with spinach and basil. Fill pita pockets with grilled vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings.


Source: Diabetic Living Online

Top 7 Tips for Managing Diabetes

1. Healthy Diet: overall balance of all nutrients. Space meals evenly in order to not consume too much food at one time nor go for long periods without food.

2. Being Active: inactivity leads to insulin resistance. But, being physically active helps utilize food. Do aerobic exercises to help burn calories and anaerobic exercises to build muscle helps skeletal strength, more flexibility and use calories.

3. Monitoring: diabetes is a 24-7 disease. Patients need to make adjustments in what they do during the day depending of their level of blood glucose. If they are not monitoring their blood glucose they have no idea what the effect the meal they just ate may have on their blood glucose or how their medication is working to control blood glucose.

4. Medications: take medications as needed and properly, on time, consistently to keep blood glucose at a proper level.

5. Problem Solving: how to deal with hypoglycemia and ability to recognize signs and symptoms of low blood sugar. To properly treat low blood sugar take 15 grams of a carbohydrate source and check blood sugar before and after.

6. Reducing Risks: greatest risk for people with diabetes is smoking. Stop or reduce smoking as much as possible. Also, having constant and scheduled contact with health care provider: health with appropriate labs and feet checked, vision, and dental.

7. Healthy Coping: greater incidence of depression. Unclear whether precedes or occurs after diabetes diagnosis. Important to recognize that this is normal. Often occurs because of the daily regimen and wears on people. 

The American Association of Diabetes Educators caution that people with diabetes shouldn't feel that they need to do all 7 steps right away or perfectly. Instead choose those steps that you know you can be successful at and build from there.

Article Source: http://www.drdaveanddee.com/diabetestips.html

5 Tips You Should Know to Take Care of Diabetic Skin Problems

Why is skin care so important for diabetics?

When you have diabetes simple things such as skin care can’t be taken for granted. The disease affects every part of your body including your skin and can be very dangerous if you are not aware of and take precautions with your daily routines to avoid complications.

What skin problems do diabetics have?

There are two types of skin disorders common to diabetics.

Generic Skin Conditions/Disorders: These types of skin conditions are not a result of the disease but occur more frequently in people with high blood sugar. These include fungal and bacterial infections. Anyone can get them but if you have diabetes they present more often and with greater risk to your health.

Diabetes Related Skin Diseases: These are the types of skin problems that are directly caused by your diabetes and do not develop in normal, healthy individuals.

Generic Skin Conditions/Disorders Associated With Diabetes

The main reason these types of skin conditions are so much more problematic for diabetics is because the organisms feed off of sugars. With your increased blood sugar levels, your skin is the perfect breeding ground and the bacteria or fungus can flourish and multiply at a more rapid rate than on a non-diabetic subject.

Add to that the fact that most diabetics have decreased nerve sensation and impaired healing and you can see how something as simple as a stubbed toe can quickly become a health risk. Often the individual does not even feel the injury occur or the worsening of the infection until the infection is quite advanced.

Bacterial Infections. Diabetics are more prone to having conditions such as styes (infection in the glands of the eyes), boils, carbuncles (similar to boils but in the deeper tissues), folliculitis (infection in the hair follicles) and staph infections in minor cuts and scrapes.

Fungal infections. Jock itch, athlete’s foot, nail fungus on hands and feet, vaginal yeast infections and ring worm are all very common in people with diabetes. Many of the infections occur in the folds of the skin where it is typically warm and moist and this condition is referred to as intertrigo.

Continue reading more about tips for Diabetes Related Skin Diseases here

Diabetic Chocolate Lovers Dream

It's Sugar Free, Gluten Free, and No cholesterol, Trans Fat  or Preservatives!

Sweetened with maltitol, a wheat extract, Amber Lyn’s “Belgian dark chocolate” products are not only safe for diabetics since they are sugar free - the gourmet chocolates are also gluten free, contain no trans fats, no cholesterol, no milk products, no preservatives or fillers. 

Several people who are NOT diabetic highly recommend Amber Lyn's chocolates as some of the best they have tasted. Seems they ran into the chocolate at Costco - and are now hooked.  http://www.amberlynchocolates.com/

Interactive Learning Tool for Diabetic Children

"Jerry the Bear" is an interactive learning tool for children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes that enables them to master their medical procedures through play



Jerry the Bear was designed by Hannah Chung and Aaron Horowitz and is the first product of their company Sproutel. 

Learn more at: www.sproutel.com

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cheesecake Cups Recipe

A chocolate wafer crust forms the base for this peanut butter filled chocolate cheesecake cup.

Ingredients

Crust
36 Reduced-Fat Chocolate Wafers
1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
5 tablespoons light butter, melted

Peanut Butter Center
1/2 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
3 tablespoons reduced fat peanut butter
3 tablespoons reduced fat cream cheese

Chocolate Filling
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese
1 3/4 cups Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup egg substitute
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ounces sugar-free chocolate, melted

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Make CRUST. Crush cookies into fine crumbs. Blend all crust ingredients together in a small bowl. Stir until well blended. Set aside.

Make PEANUT BUTTER CENTER. Place all center ingredients in a small bowl. Mix until well blended. Set aside.

Make CHOCOLATE FILLING. Melt chocolate in small saucepan over low heat. Set aside. Place cream cheese and Splenda Granulated Sweetener in a small mixing bowl. Beat until soft. Slowly add skim milk. Mix, using a wire whisk, until smooth. Add melted chocolate. Stir well. Add egg substitute and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Set aside.

Assemble CUPS. Place 24 mini size foil baking cups on a sheet pan. Evenly divide crust between the 24 baking cups. Firmly press crusts into the bottom of the cups. Place approx. 1/2 tsp of the peanut butter center in the center of each crust-lined baking cup. Spoon chocolate filling into each baking cup. Firmly tap sheet pan on countertop to remove any air bubbles.

Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven 10-15 minutes, or until slightly firm to the touch. Chill for approx. 2 hours before serving. Drizzle optional melted chocolate over the top for a garnish.


Recipe Source: Diabetic Gourmet
http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1081.shtml

Diabetic Friendly Basic Meatloaf

While meatloaf purists focus on the meat, look at meatloaf as a way to pack extra veggies and whole grains into a meal, as we do in this healthy, classic meatloaf recipe.

photographer: Peter Ardito

Ingredients
Total Time: 1 1/2 hours

• 1 large onion, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 2 large stalks celery, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, or canola oil
• 5 tablespoons ketchup, divided
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs, (see Tip)
• 2 pounds lean (90% or leaner) ground beef

Directions
Prepare through Step 3, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Let stand at room temperature while oven preheats; bake until an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray (or see Loaf Pan Variation).

Pulse onion, bell pepper and celery in a food processor until finely chopped. (Or finely chop them with a knife.)

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetables and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons ketchup, Worcestershire, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper to the vegetables; stir to combine. Stir in egg and breadcrumbs. Add ground beef and with clean hands gently knead the vegetable mixture into the meat; do not overmix. Pat the meat mixture into a loaf shape (about 12 by 5 inches) on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the remaining 3 tablespoons ketchup on top.

Bake the meatloaf until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, about 45 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Makes 10 servings

Recipe Source: Diabetic Connect

7 Continents 7 Adventures, with Diabetes

Chris Southwell, a professional snowboarder, is not only able to navigate snowy mountainsides, but also maneuvers around his condition, type 1 diabetes.

Diagnosed in his early 20s, Southwell was working in France when he started experiencing unquenchable thirst, drinking liters of water a day. He describes his first brush with diabetes as “a bit scary” and was hospitalized for ten days to bring his glucose levels back to normal.

Read full article