Flourless Brownies

These delightful flourless brownies can satisfy your chocolate craving with only 3 grams of carbs per serving.
Ingredients
2 oz unsweetened chocolate squares

1 cup unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups Splenda

4 lg eggs

4 lg egg yolks

1 tbsp vanilla

6 tbsp cocoa powder

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F

Melt chocolate and butter over VERY low heat.

Let cool for 10 minutes.

Beat eggs until light.

Gradually beat in Splenda until fluffy.

SLOWLY drizzle chocolate mixture into egg mixture, beating constantly.

(Mixture will get VERY thick) Beat in sifted Cocoa until smooth.

Spread batter into a GREASED 12x16 jelly roll pan.



Bake for 50 minutes, or until top is puffed and cracked and tester comes Out with MOIST crumbs attached.

Cool for 1 hour.

Cut into 2 inch squares.

Nutritional Facts

Servings

1

  

*******************************************************************************

Servings 48

Calories

84

Fat

9g

Protein

2g

Carbohydrate

3g

Dietary Fiber

1g

Cholesterol

44mg

Sodium

7mg

0 Lean Meat

1 1/2 Fat.

source:http://www.diabeticconnect.com/

Veggies, Protein, and Better Blood Sugar Control

Recent research reveals that a diet high in protein improves blood sugar control for those with type 2 diabetes.

The study also shows that the helpful proteins can come from animal, or plant sources.



“In diabetic subjects, the 6-week high-protein diet leads to an improvement in glucose metabolism and decrease in liver fat independently from the protein source. The high-protein diet has no adverse effects on kidney parameters, moreover the kidney function actually improved in the plant protein group,” concluded the researchers.

Fortunately, it is easy to increase protein intake without straining the food budget. Many familiar, easy to obtain vegetables are also fiber-filled, nutrient rich, low-glycemic sources of protein.

Adding a few extra servings per week of these protein-plentiful veggies to our diet can help us feel energized, lose weight, and steady our blood sugar.

9 Veggies Packing A Protein Punch

Peas, fresh or frozen, will give any meal a quick and easy protein boost.
Kale, often called a nutrient super-food, can be added to most any casserole, soup, salad, or smoothie.
Spinach was Popeye’s food of choice for a reason. Besides protein, spinach comes loaded with various antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Sprouts are easy to toss on sandwiches, salads, or soups. They come in several varieties (e.g., broccoli, radish, alfalfa), and are easy to grow at home.
Broccoli is famous for its mix of minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, but is also a wellspring, or should we say well-sprig, of protein.
Mushrooms not only provide us with protein, but support our immune system and help us feel full without adding many calories to a meal.

Brussels Sprouts are delicious when roasted or steamed, and scrumptious when spritzed with butter, olive oil, or lemon. Sprinkle with a mix of herbs or sea salt, and enjoy.
Asparagus is a fiber-full protein source that also helps our body eliminate toxins.
Artichokes - roasted, steamed, or blended - will add interest, flavor, and protein to any meal.
“The easiest diet is, you know, eat vegetables, eat fresh food. Just a really sensible healthy diet like you read about all the time.”
source:http://www.informationaboutdiabetes.com/

How Gut Bacteria Affects Diabetes, Plus Gut Health Dos and Donts

It has become clear that having good overall mental and physical health depends on having healthy intestinal bacteria.

Those with diabetes should nurture their beneficial gut bacteria for general well-being, plus four specific reasons. One is that intestinal flora seems related to diabetes onset and progression. The other reasons involve concerns those with diabetes often face: inflammation, weight gain or obesity, and depression.



Diabetes and Gut Health: 4 Concerns

1. Diabetes Onset/Symptoms
Scientists have discovered the gut bacteria of people with type 2 diabetes is different from non-diabetics. For instance, people with type 2 diabetes have too few microbes poetically named Firmicutes, but have an overabundance of those called Bacteriodetes and Proteobacteria.

Amazingly, Dr. Max Nieuwdorp, a Dutch microbiome researcher, reversed type 2 diabetes in 250 study participants by re-populating their guts' bacteria using fecal transplantation. Though the thought of a fecal transplant is a bit off-putting, his resolution of diabetes by changing intestinal flora is remarkable.

The onset of type 1 diabetes also tends to follow alterations in gut bacteria, and investigators are finding that certain microbes can actually help prevent this condition.

2. Weight Gain and Obesity
It seems increasingly likely that poor gut health is related to weight gain and obesity. For instance, when researchers removed four types of bacteria (Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, Rikenelleceae, and Candidatus) from lab animals, it led to their obesity by triggering metabolic changes.

Other research revealed that a microbe called Akkermansia muciniphila helps stave off diabetes, heart disease, and obesity by lowering blood glucose, improving insulin resistance, and helping to distribute body fat. Whether this microbe plays a causative or supportive role is yet unknown.

3. Inflammation
Chronic inflammation has been associated with the onset of many diseases including diabetes and heart disease. The inflammatory response actually begins in the gut and from there finds it way to our brain—the hub of our body’s feedback loop.

4. Depression
Many individuals with diabetes experience symptoms of depression, and depression is increasingly associated with poor gut health. Studies indicate that probiotic supplements help some individuals reduce depression symptoms and behaviors.

Gut Health Dos and Don’ts

To support your intestine’s good bacteria and starve the bad, here are four things you can do:

Eat cultured dairy and fermented foods: lassi, kefir, natto (fermented soy), yogurt, and fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut.
If you do not regularly consume fermented foods, consider taking a high quality probiotic supplement.
Increase your soluble and insoluble fiber intake by eating plenty of vegetables, whole fruits, nuts, and seeds.
Open your windows, spend time in nature, and get your hands soiled by playing outdoors or gardening.
...and four things to avoid:

Avoid taking antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. If you do use one, re-populate your gut by eating fermented and cultured foods, and/or take a quality probiotic supplement.
Consider purchasing antibiotic-free meats, and avoid toxic pesticides by eating more organic produce.
Limit processed food consumption. Food emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, and excess sugar have an adverse effect on gut flora.
Stop using antibacterial soaps which kill both good and bad bacteria.
Not only does good gut bacteria normalize weight and ward off diabetes, it optimizes the immune system to help prevent, and fight the infections those with diabetes are prone to.

source:http://www.informationaboutdiabetes.com/

Mustard Ham Strata Recipe

Ingredients
12 slices day-old bread, crusts removed and cubed
1-1/2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
1 cup chopped green pepper
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/3 cup chopped onion
7 eggs
3 cups whole milk
3 teaspoons ground mustard
1 teaspoon salt

Directions


In a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray, layer bread cubes, ham, green pepper, cheeses and onion. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, mustard and salt. Pour over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 325°. Bake, uncovered, 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Yield: 12 servings.
source:http://www.tasteofhome.com/

10 Essential Sex Tips For Diabetics

What's going on with your blood sugar can have a huge impact on how you feel between the sheets—and not in a good way. "Medical conditions such as diabetes can cause your sex life to take a plunge," says Lauren Streicher, MD, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, and author of Slip Sliding Away: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Back the Clock on Your Sex Life. "As a diabetic, you have multiple obstacles for achieving a satisfying sex life that other people don't have." The good news is that once you understand how to deal with the symptoms that may be putting a damper on your sex life, you can boost your sexual satisfaction big time. Here's help:




1. Find some new toys.
If sex feels a little (or a lot) less intense lately, diabetes may be to blame. "Diabetics often have decreased blood flow to the vagina because of blood vessel changes, which leads to less arousal and sensation," says  Streicher. "Studies show that diabetics don't orgasm as easily as others due to vascular changes and nerve damage." In short: What used to work for you in terms of reaching orgasm may not be working any more, so it's time to try something new. The quickest way to get the stimulation you need is with a vibrator. "Make sure the model you use offers clitoral stimulation, because it won't help much to have something hard or overly powerful inside your vagina," Streicher says. Here are 18 sex toys experts use—and love.

2. Pay attention to pH.
Increased blood sugar levels can throw the pH balance of your vagina out of whack, upping your odds of chronic vaginal infections. "When pH goes up, the healthy lactobacilli in your vagina can no longer survive, and you get bad bacteria growth like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections," says Streicher. One way to keep your bacteria in balance is with an OTC vaginal gel twice a week. Try RepHresh, which is FDA-approved to help restore normal vaginal pH and it also acts as a moisturizer for more comfort during intercourse.

3. Eat to get in the mood.

Aphrodisiacs aren't just something your hippie cousin told you about—there's some science to back up the popular notion that eating certain foods can have a positive effect on your sex drive. The mineral zinc may work as a libido-enhancer by helping with testosterone production, and oysters hold more zinc than any other food. Other good sources of zinc include red meat (which is healthy in moderation, especially if you go grass-fed), crab, and cashews. (Just be sure to skip these 8 eating habits that aren't doing your sex life any favors.)

4. Control your glucose levels.
Obviously you need to do this for your overall health, but your vagina will thank you for it, too. "Maintaining blood sugar in the normal range helps protect blood vessels, prevent nerve damage, and makes it easier for your vagina to fight off infections," Streicher says. That means ditching high-glycemic carbs in favor of whole grains, protein, and fruits and veggies. Paying attention to calories is also essential. "Taking in less food puts less demand on the insulin-producing cells so they're more efficient, as well as eliminating extra fat in the pancreas that inhibits insulin production," says David Kendall, MD, chief scientific and medical officer at the American Diabetes Association.

MORE: 13 Tips for Seriously Better Sex

5. Get moving.
Research shows exercise plays a role in reversing diabetes symptoms—and it also works wonders for your sex life by strengthening your heart, improving flexibility and stamina, and increasing blood flow to those all-important areas. No need to sign up for a marathon; low-impact workouts like yoga can increase circulation, even awakening sensation in areas where you may have experienced nerve damage, like your fingers and toes. Get started with these 9 yoga poses for better sex.

6. Use a sugar-free lubricant.


Lubricant should be a part of everyone's sexual arsenal, but diabetics need to watch which lubes they choose. "Some lubricants actually contain forms of sugar, such as glycerin and propylene glycol, which will throw off your vaginal pH and possibly trigger yeast infections," says Streicher. "The last thing you want if you already have higher levels of sugar in your vagina is to add more sugar to it." Check the ingredients list and choose a silicone-based lube.

7. Learn to love your body.
If you're like many people with diabetes, you've been advised by your doctor to lose weight—which can lead to some awfully critical feelings about your body. Not that you need to be diabetic to have those concerns: A recent study found that both men and women in long-term relationships reported feeling distracted by negative thoughts about their bodies during sex, and women in particular said they were worried about what their partner thought. To help quiet that nasty voice in your head, try these 5 ways to love lights-on sex.

8. Get some sleep.
Most Americans don't get enough sleep, and for diabetics, getting your zzz's is especially important. Sleep has been found to play a role in controlling blood sugar—one study found that regularly getting less than 6 hours of sleep a night made people three times more likely to have elevated blood sugar levels. If you have trouble sleeping, these simple tips can help.

9. Don't have sex.

If you're not feeling up to sex on a given night, there are other ways to maintain the bond with your partner. "Spicing up your sex life doesn't necessarily mean that you have to try a bunch of unusual positions," says Justin R. Garcia, MS, PhD, an evolutionary biologist at The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction at Indiana University. "You can be erotic and sexual without engaging in sex." Doing something intimate that doesn't involve intercourse—whether it's cuddling during a movie, reading erotic literature, or splurging on a treat like a couples massage—can strengthen your bond.

10. Find a sexpert.
No one should have to live with less-than-stellar sex. There's help out there for you, but if you're diabetic it might just take a little extra searching. "The sexual side effects of having diabetes are real, but you may have a doctor who's not an expert in that area," says Streicher. "If your doctor is unable to address your concerns, start by checking out a university-based sexual clinic." If you don't have one in your area, the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) can help you find a qualified expert.
source:http://www.prevention.com/