LEMONS! Versatile & Healthy!

Fight Diabetes With Lemons! Who knew lemons were so versatile! So, not only do they look good in a bowl on your coffee table - they have tons of health benefits!

For a mere 50 cents (give or take), you can marinate and season your dinner, boost your immune system, relieve a sore throat, soothe an upset stomach, purify your liver, exfoliate your skin, treat dandruff, prevent cancer, lower blood-sugar levels, decrease the GI of foods, and possibly reduce your stress level— all with the same item.

This isn’t a parody of a TV commercial—we’re talking about lemons! This citrus fruit is one of the most versatile pieces of produce on the planet and has helped people cook, heal, and beautify themselves (not to mention clean up afterwards!) for thousands of years. Here are just a few of the ways how: • Lemon is a great way to get full flavor from foods without adding fat or salt; in fact, many cooks consider it a good substitute for salt. Try a squeeze of lemon as a zesty finishing touch on fresh veggies or fruits. And here’s another secret: Lemons taste great in marinade for chicken, fish, and meat, and the acids not only tenderize the meat, but lower the glycemic load of the meal, too. • A mug of hot water, lemon juice (and a teaspoon of honey, if need be) has been used for centuries to treat colds, throat infections, food cravings, intestinal gas, and constipation.
• Bursting with vitamin C, low in calories, and high in potassium—lemons even contain compounds that help t! o prevent various types of cancers. To reap all the beneficial properties, try adding a few slices to your ice water. You should be drinking plenty anyway, and the fresh citrus flavor will make the routine not so much of a routine. • These citrus jewels also cleanse the liver—the health of which is vital to our overall well-being. Citrus oils stimulate the liver to expel toxins from the body. The liver plays a major role in storing and circulating glucose in the body.For all the beneficial effects of lemons inside our bodies, there are even more uses on the outside. Best of all, you’ll save hundreds of dollars on beauty products! Lemon is fantastic for your skin. The natural fruit acids gently remove dead skin cells and lighten age spots, freckles, and facial discolorations. The acidity zaps oiliness and cleans pores without stripping the skin of its natural oil balance.

• Simple homemade astringent. Dab fresh-squeezed lemon juice onto a cotton ball and apply to face (or simply run a slice of lemon over your face) each morning. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then rinse. For especially dark age spots, place a slice of lemon directly onto the spot and leave for 10 minutes. • Simple homemade exfoliant. Slice a lemon in half and dip into granulated sugar. Rub vigorously on rough patches of skin, especially the feet, elbows, and knees.

Resources for Diabetics

Taking charge of your health means you have to research and read and work with your doctor on trying different ways to control your diabetes.

Here is another book that I highly recommend and really enjoyed reading:

50 Secrets of the Longest Living People with Diabetes (Marlowe Diabetes Library)
by Sheri Colberg and Steven V. Edelman

This book was very encouraging and entertaining to read - some of the people sharing their stories were in their 80's and had been dealing with diabetes for 50+ years! The one thing they all had in common was their "attitude" about living with it, and how humor & stress relief is so very important

Here is another great website/resource for people with diabetes:

www.diabeticconnect.com

It helps me to know that there are other people are struggling with Diabetes just like I do. On days when I am frustrated and I do all the right things and my sugars are still "out of whack" I feel better reading about others having the same issues.

Your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association is a great resource for you. They have tons of free brochures and information and they also have fund raisers you can get involved with throughout the year. I always participate in the local "Walk to Cure Diabetes" and get family and friends to come out and walk and support me. The more awareness we can generate the more funding will be provided. Get involved on a political level as well -- ADA Diabetes Advocate is a great program. You will receive emails from them that enable you to send your senators and legislators letters and information and your opinions on upcoming health care legislation. I always send the letters, and it is my personal goal to go to Washington and lobby for Diabetes Research dollars.

My blogs have been brief lately and I apologize, but I have been traveling some and this weekend I am taking my daughter to Branson for some fun and outlet mall shopping for "back to school"! I have alot of recipes I want to share with you all. If there is anything you want me to talk more or less about please let me know - I am here to help! Have a great weekend -- and remember -
get up and MOVE!!!!!