My personal motto

Don't Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're traveling seems all uphill,
When funds are low and debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When cares are pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must...but don't you quit.

Life is hard with it's twist and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns.

And many a person turns about,
When they might have won, had they stuck it out.

Don't give up, though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man.
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late, when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far.

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst that you musn't quit.

- Betty Rich (Benedetta Naimo-LaRiccia)

Rise In New Cases Of Diabetes, UK

The numbers of new cases of diabetes rose 74 per cent between 1997 and 2003, new research reveals.

The findings, published in the 'Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health', suggest that rates of diabetes are increasing at a faster rate in the UK than they are in North America, where prevalence of the condition is one of the highest in the world.

What the figures are based on

The figures are based on new and existing cases of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes among the UK general population, details of which were entered into the Health Improvement Network database between 1996 and 2005.

Over the decade, the details of 49,999 people who already had diabetes, and those of more than 42,642 who were newly diagnosed with the condition, were added. All the data refers to people between the ages of 10 and 79 years.

The findings

Increase in prevalence

The overall prevalence of diabetes increased from 2.8 per cent of the population in 1996 to 4.3 per cent in 2005. This equates to an annual rise of just under 5 per cent and a 54 per cent increase over the decade.

Prevalence higher in men than women

The prevalence of the disease was 29 per cent higher among men than among women.

Type 1 and Type 2

Of those newly diagnosed, just over 1,250 had Type 1, and more than 41,000 had Type 2.

While the numbers of new cases of Type 1 diabetes remained fairly constant over the decade, the numbers of new cases of Type 2 diabetes did not. These shot up from 2.6 to 4.31 cases per 1,000 patient years, equivalent to an increase of 69 per cent over the decade.

The rise in obesity has had a significant role. In 1996 38 per cent of people newly diagnosed with Type 2 were overweight and 46 per cent were obese; in 2005, the corresponding proportions were 32 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively.

Rising more rapidly recently

Not only have the numbers of new cases of diabetes been steadily rising, but they have been rising much more rapidly in recent years, increasing by 74 per cent between 1997 and 2003 alone.

"Our results suggest that, although the incidence of diabetes remains lower in the UK than in the USA or Canada, it appears to be increasing at a faster pace," the authors warn.

UK health in sad state

Douglas Smallwood, Diabetes UK Chief Executive, said: "This research is a sad indictment of the current state of the UK's health.

"Sadly, the statistics are not surprising, as we know that the soaring rates of Type 2 diabetes are strongly linked to the country's expanding waistline.

How to reduce risk

"Research shows that losing weight can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58 per cent. It is imperative that we raise awareness of the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet and doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day if we want to make any headway in defusing the diabetes time bomb.

Change4Life campaign

"Diabetes UK with two other leading health charities has just launched an advertising campaign to support the Government's Change4Life campaign.

Government has major role to play

However, if the Government is to deliver on its public health promises it has a major role to play in committing to legislation on restricting junk food advertising and supporting the traffic light system of food labelling, which will go a long way in helping people make informed choices."

Source: Medical News Today

Off topic - A cheer up letter I had to send

Okay, this is a little long I admit but well worth the read.

If you've ever had a cell phone you will most definitely love this letter.

I wonder how long before someone notifies Vodafone Brand Development...?

This Truly is the rant to end all rants.


Mr Nick Read
Vodafone CEO
Vodafone House
The Connection
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 2FN

21st February 2008


Account/Mobile Number
07********2



Dear Nick

I am writing to you today as I am a Vodafone customer who is completely at the end of his tether.

I need your help Nick.

I’ve started dreaming about you. I wonder what you look like; I wonder if you really are the savior of Vodafone. I want you to be Nick, but then I check my inclusive minutes and I realize you are not. I check my voicemail to see if Vodafone Business Relations have called me back but they haven’t Nick. They haven’t called me. It’s all been a dream and I want to die.

I loath writing Nick, it real gets to me, but on this occasion I have to. I have to write to you because the alternative is committing suicide, a suicide which you would be reading about in next months Mobile News magazine.

My suicide note would burn onto your minds retina like a overheated Nokia 6120, the words would jump from the page and into your soul, all constructed via T9 predictive text, and you wouldn’t be able to erase me Nick, the message would be there for good, in your cerebellums inbox.

You see, for 5 months now Nick, I have been in a communicational conundrum, a sort of Newbury Hell.

5 months ago I ordered 15 phone lines for my business. I already had 5 lines with you as I had been with Vodafone for as long as I can remember. I was a customer with you when Chris Gent walked through those pearly Banbury doors, all smartly dressed with nothing but hope in his heart and an Ericsson T29 in his pocket. Times were great then Nick, you even managed to send my bill on time. I loved those days.

Anyway, I digress.

I wanted a Sharer Plan; I needed on average 3000 minutes per user, so for 15 users I needed 45,000 minutes. I also needed them on 12 month commitments and free calls to 0870 numbers.

I was promised all this Nick, the world was my oyster. Vodafone was my Morrissey and I was a young Russell Brand, all gushing with enthusiasm and gusto, but with sexual tension replaced with 500 texts free every month.

We were flirting Nick, Vodafone and I were courting and there was nothing the world could do about it. You wanted longer commitment, but I couldn’t give it, you said 24 months, I said no, give me time, lets take it slow, lets not rush into this, I want to give you my heart but I’m unsure how Google Maps works on the Nokia N95.

We agreed on 12 months contracts.

Next up was the plan, now I’m no Shakespeare Nick, but I would proclaim to have a certain grasp on the English language, so when I uttered the words

‘I do not want 3000 minutes fixed per phone; I want the whole 45,000 minutes to be shared between the 15 users’

I stupidly assumed that Vodafone would understand this, but in hindsight, I now see that this was all too much for Hayleigh Hegar and Jenna Bird to comprehend.

I mean, they barely could grasp the concept of phoning people back, and as for e mail, well; this alien concept was lost on these two. I often sat back in my genuine simulated leather office chair and wonder if I was actually calling Vodafone, or was I being rerouted by some fickle finger of destiny through to a parallel universe, where anything you ask or request engenders the respondent to lie and say the complete opposite of what is actually going to happen, a sort of Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole, without the tea pots.

You see Nick, after the first months bill arrived, I couldn’t wait to open it. The morning it turned up I was like a little boy at Christmas, all exited and red faced. My wife even commented that my cheeks looked like the little Vodafone logo, you know, the one which look like a speech bubble. The irony only added to the moment Nick, it was heaven.

There it was, in a white cardboard box. It looked like a well organized letter bomb. I couldn’t hold it any longer. I wanted to see my savings, I wanted to open that letter bomb Nick and I wanted the savings to jump out of the page and blow up in my face like corporate Anthrax. I ripped the highly emissive carbon paper and there it was Nick, there it was…

I was overcharged £500 because I wasn’t on a sharer plan.

My heart sunk. I retreated to my simulated leather chair Nick and I began panicking. I began panicking Nick because I though, god, if Hayleigh Hegar and Jenna Bird have got this wrong, then there’s no hope. We are all doomed. Vodafone is going to become a massive corporate tennis ball, bouncing around the globalised courts of all 5 continents, stealing money from the pockets of honest paying punters while returning that money to the greedy shareholding ball boys and girls. I was livid Nick, and I don’t even like Tennis.

I immediately contacted my Vodafone team. Team 26, such a bold sounding group, it conjured up images of robotic men in black suits huddled around a control station, manfully directing proceedings like a mini FBI, but this wasn’t the FBI Nick, this was Vodafone’s Customer Service; a group of young bucks floating through life, unable to decide if they should find a real job, synchronize their Blackberry, or face the relentless realization that they have become a number within a number.

That number was 26.

Imagine growing up, and all the fervor and energy of a young child, all enthusiast and eager to learn. Think back Nick, think back to when you were a small child and your ambition was bursting out of you. Then fast forward 15 years. Imagine being part of a team called Team 26.

It would make you want to stick pineapples in your eyes.

I spoke with Hayley Hegar to raise my concerns, after some verbal altercations, I was escalated to a woman called Jenna Bird. I love the word ‘escalated’. You organization uses it so sporadically you feel you are being lifted from you feet and elevated to a different stratosphere.

In the space of 4 months, I have been escalated to no more that 7 people. I don’t think it gets much higher than this Nick, I’m walking on the moon, I’m walking on sunshine, I’m free as a bird Nick, I’m singing in the rain.

No, wait a minute, I’m not, and I’m actually walking on broken glass. I’m walking on broken glass Nick and there are shards of glass covering my bloody feet. I’m walking in sheer pain and I’m heading your way Nick. I’m heading your way and I have shards of glass and in my soles and they feel like 1,000,000 prepay simcards with no talk time.

Jenna Bird took 2 months to tell me everything I knew already. 2 months had gone on, and more money had been extracted manfully from my bank account.

Then, like the parting of the red sea, a miracle arrived in January, like a time delayed Christmas present from Jesus Chris. The marvelous, reclusive, evasive and sprightly Jenna Bird arranged a £2000 credit on my account. I nearly shit myself with surprise.

A breakthrough I thought. A breakthrough of such magnificent proportions it felt like I had won the lottery. Or had I?

I checked my ticket, yes, I had the first 5 numbers Nick, and it was looking good. Lancelot spun round like a spin dryer in a hedge fund, I waited Nick, I waited for the confirmation, all I needed was the number 1 Nick, here it comes Nick, here it comes.

Number 26.

I couldn’t believe it. Jenna Bird had escalated me to a man called Paul Bolton, and this is where it gets interesting Nick. My lottery win had all been a mirage. Smoke and mirrors awaited.

This is the exact timeline of events. Bearing in mind I had at this point been waiting 16 weeks for this to be resolved.

Jenna Bird escalated this on the 5th January to Paul Bolton. She arranged for a £2000 credit on my account to cover the January bill.

Paul Bolton was meant to call me by the 9th January. He didn’t.

I called Vodafone on Monday 12th and was told he would call me that week. He didn’t.

I eventually got hold of him on the 21st January. He apologized and said he would resolve my queries this week. He said he would phone me everyday to give me an update. He didn’t.

I phoned Monday 26th January, and was told that he had been in an accident, and wouldn’t be in work that week.

I was then escalated to a woman called Kim. She apologized and said that she would be dealing with this, but would need some time as she did not know anything about the case. I spent an hour on the phone to her explaining everything again. She told me she would resolve this and come back to me by the end of the week.

Guess what Nick, she didn’t.

I called again on February 2nd. She apologized again and told me that they didn’t do a sharer plan anywhere near what had been offered, but she might be able to pull off something special. She told me someone would be calling me later that day.

Nobody did.

I phoned her again on the 3rd February and again she apologized. Later that day a young lady from Vodafone sales called me, and wait for this Nick, she called me to offer me a standard sharer tariff of 48,000 minutes for £2300 a month.

After speaking to Hayleigh Hegar, Jenna Bird, Paul Bolton and Kim, and when they all knew my problem was the fact that I was promised 45,000 minutes for £990 per month, I then have to suffer the indignation of somebody calling me back and offering me the standard sharer plan which is on your website and has been there since I began this whole affair.

What a joke.

I immediately called Kim back, who immediately appeared on the defensive. She said she would look into this and come back to me.

She didn’t come back to me Nick.

I then phoned her on the 13th February. She said she would escalate the call to her manager, Yvonne Dunbar. Kim said the turnaround to be called back by a manager was 48 hours.

Yvonne didn’t call me. When I did ring and get to speak to her 1 week later, she told me that she had been, and I quote

‘In meetings and whatever’

I explained to her the whole situation. She said she would escalate the call to her manager, Shelaigh Coogan who would phone me back that day.

Shelaigh didn’t phone back. At this point I gave up.

So far, over 5 the months, you have overcharged me approximately £3500, my contracts are still 24 months and not 12 months, I’m still getting charged for 0870 numbers, and I am still nowhere near being on the sharer plan I was told I would be on. As I write this letter, my staff are making calls on the phones and are incurring charges we should not be.

I have written this letter out of sheer frustration Nick, and I have prepared a county court summons for the remaining line rental commitment, which total £18,674.

I will also be circulating this letter around the popular press, including all major UK television channels.

Nick, I remember you once saying that ‘to win in the marketplace you needed to create a brand that customers feel an emotional connection with; that employees want to do their best work for; and that is widely recognised as a leader for the quality of its products and services and the contribution it makes to society’.

You went on to say that you look at everything that passes your desk through several lenses: how it affects our customers and our employees, what the financial implications are. And importantly, you say that you use a corporate responsibility lens to decide if this would protect and build Vodafones reputation.

May I suggest you change your lenses Nick, I think the ones you have on are fucked.

Mr Jenkins

Diabetes costs USA more than wars, disasters, study says

Uncontrolled diabetes wreaks havoc on the body, often leading to kidney failure, blindness and death. A new study shows that the nation's unchecked diabetes epidemic exacts a heavy financial toll as well: $174 billion a year.

That's about as much as the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and the global war on terrorism combined. It's more than the $150 billion in damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

The incidence of diabetes has ballooned — there are 1 million new cases a year — as more Americans become overweight or obese, according to the study, released Wednesday by the American Diabetes Association. The cost of diabetes — both in direct medical care and lost productivity — has swelled 32% since 2002, the report shows.

Diabetes killed more than 284,000 Americans last year, according to the diabetes association.

Diabetes costs the nation nearly as much as cancer, whose costs in 2006 totaled $206.3 billion, although cancer kills twice as many people, according to the American Cancer Society.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Afghanistan | Hurricane Katrina | Prevention | Centers for Disease Control | Medicare | Cancer Society | Diabetes Association | Employee Benefit Research Institute | Helen Darling | National Business Group | Paul Fronstin

Even those without diabetes help pay the bill.

The mounting costs affect everyone with insurance, through rising premiums and copays, says Paul Fronstin of the Employee Benefit Research Institute, who was not involved with the report. About half of diabetics have medical insurance through government programs such as Medicare, the report shows.

Providing routine care — such as doctor's visits and medications — costs relatively little, according to the report. The real expenses come from uncontrolled diabetes, which can lead patients to require dialysis and kidney transplants, says Ann Albright, a diabetes expert at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and president of health care and education at the American Diabetes Association, which paid for the study.

About half of diabetes costs go to inpatient hospital care, the study shows. Because diabetes makes people so much sicker, it increases the time that people stay in the hospital for other problems by nearly 50%.

Albright expects the number of people diagnosed with diabetes to increase, given that many Americans are "pre-diabetic," with problems handling insulin and sugar.

Diabetes "will ruin a generation of Americans," says Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health, a non-profit that represents large employers. Over the next few decades, she says, diabetes will handicap both state and local economies, as communities divert money from education and other important areas to care for patients.

"It's a sad story that should cause us to take action," Albright says.

Find out how much diabetes costs your community at www.diabetes.org/cost.

Contributing: Bruce Rosenstein

By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY

Can my child have diabetes?

It's a question no parent want's to ask ...or have answered in most cases. Doing a little bit of googling on this topic I found a gazillion sites, okay a slightly outlandish number, but I wanted to get something that would be clear and concise.


Here is a wonderful article that is exactly that. To the point.


Your Child Has Diabetes?

Well, first of all, diabetes is divided into 2 types, commonly known as Diabetes Type 1 and Diabetes Type 2.

If you have a Diabetes Type 1, the probability that your child will have the same condition is 1:17. If you are a mother with Diabetes Type 1 and deliver a child when you are under 25 years old, then the probability that your child will be diagnosed with the same condition is 1:25. The probability decreases to 1:100 if you give birth over 25 years old.

The risk that your child will have diabetes is doubled if you are diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1 before you turn 11. Should you and your spouse both have Diabetes Type 1, then the probability that your child also has it will increase starting from 1:10 up to 1:4.

What about Diabetes Type 2? This kind of diabetes does have a larger genetical basis than Diabetes Type 1. Though, a huge influence also comes from external factors such as environments, way of lifes, eating habits, etc.

Generally, if you are diagnosed with a Diabetes Type 2 since you are under 50 years old, then the probability for your child to have the same condition is 1:7. The probability decreases to 1:13 if you are diagnosed with it over 50.

Some experts stated that the risk of passing on diabetes to your children will get bigger if the one who has diabetes is the mother. If both parents have Diabetes Type 2, the probability for the child to be diagnosed with the same condition is 1:2.

F. Aziz is the owner of http://www.all-about-Virgin-Coconut-Oil.com Visit all-about-Virgin-Coconut-Oil.com and see how this miracle oil could amazingly help you improve your health and treat diabetes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=F_Aziz

Diabetes - Best Foods to Lower Blood Sugar

It is important that if you have diabetes that you eat the right foods to lower your blood sugar levels. If you control what you eat then you can control your diabetes and have less complications in the long run.

There are many foods that you can consume that will keep your blood sugar regulated and this is good because with having diabetes keeping your level down is very important. We have seen now that the number of people who have diabetes is on the rise in the United States and in Europe. The important thing to remember that you can manage your diabetes and have a better life.

There are two types of diabetes 1 and 2. Type 1 is a congenital and is not prevented. Type 2 can be prevented and is very treatable also many believe that it also runs in the family so you can treat and manage it, you can not prevent it all together. If you are concerned if you are at risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes which is the most common you need to know what are the 2 main causes. First is obesity and this is also a large problem in the country. The next one is not enough exercise and this can also be remedied.

Many of us work on a computer or behind a desk and it makes it hard to get out and get the proper exercise that you need. But it is important to make some lifestyle changes so that you can lower your risk of getting diabetes and if you already have it then this will also help you to control it.

Get Free: Diabetes Health Remedies

Find: Natural Diabetic Cures

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Health and Well Being.

Article Source://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Burbank

Can Diabetes Cause Memory Loss?

This is a question I was asked by a reader and wanted to share this article I found online. I hope it helps and as always, question's and comments can be directed here or on my facebook account Garret Belisle.

Take care.

The ailment of Diabetes is not something to be taken lightly. Moreover, the number of diabetes and pre-diabetes inflicted people in the United States of America has grown alarmingly over the past few years. Believe it or not, the data provided by the American Diabetes Association tells us that over 23 million people suffer from this disease in the United States of America alone. Frighteningly, not taking enough measures initially might lead to severe complications later.

Can diabetes cause memory loss? Well, if you do not take precautions right away the disease might progress to hamper your power of remembering things as well as well as other problems related to cognition. However, these complications might only be the beginning.

Now that we have answered the question 'can diabetes cause memory loss?' we can't escape the fact that it is indeed a distressing situation for anyone to be facing. Occasional lapses in remembering names and faces are expected with advanced age, but if relative youngsters struggle to remember facts, then it is surely time for some very strong action.

Keep the following instructions in mind while you are fighting against this -

* Make sure you are eating a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products, legumes and lean meat.
* Foodstuffs rich in magnesium, zinc, chromium etc should ideally form a large part of your diet.
* Exercise regularly.

All the above measures will ensure that your brain receives adequate blood flow and doesn't trip up often.

Diabetes not only causes memory loss but also raises the patient's blood pressure significantly. Increased pressure on the blood vessels might also, in severe conditions, lead to strokes. And strokes, in turn might lead to the strange lapses in memory.

In extreme cases, diabetes can lead to disorders of the peripheral nervous system as well as malfunctioning of the heart. Both these conditions affect the blood circulation. And naturally, with the blood supply to the brain getting hindered, memory loss follows.

The best way to control erratic levels of blood pressure is by maintaining a distinctly healthy lifestyle. If you are overweight, it is definitely time to lose those few extra kilos. And even if you are not, make it a habit to work out regularly. Avoid taking sodium as much as you can. And most importantly, please do not skip any medication that the doctor prescribes. Your regular and healthy lifestyle might prove to be an alternative to medicines one day.

Do keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. High levels of sugar in the blood leads to heart ailments. Which again lead to memory loss as we discussed earlier. Thus the question of 'can diabetes cause memory loss' is surely answered. Make up your mind and do not slip up on your prescribed diet. Remember, it is probably what is keeping you alive!

However, prevention is almost always better than cure. Therefore, always be on the lookout for symptoms. And make regular appointments with your doctor and ophthalmologist. Ask questions. Read up on the ailment. Remember, the earlier you catch it, the better your chances of being completely cured.

Find out What Causes Memory Loss and learn how to cure it. The Causes Of Memory Loss can be stopped before you completely lose your ability to remember.

For more articles please visit http://make-diabetes-history.blogspot.com/

Article Source:EzineArticles.com expert Matt Argyle

Cognac-Laced Truffles

Here is a yummy treat for the (diabetic) adult(s).

Enjoy!!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cognac
• 1/2 heavy cream
• 11 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 squares (1 ounce each) white baking chocolate, chopped
• 1 square (1 ounce) unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

  Coating:

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper. Heat cognac in a small saucepan just to simmering. Remove from heat. Add cream. Bring to simmering.
2. Place all the chocolate and 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar in a food processor and whirl 1 to 2 minutes or until finely chopped. With machine running, add cream mixture in a steady stream. Process until smooth. Scrape into a medium-size bowl. Refrigerate just until thick enough to hold shape, about 1 hour.
3. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. With your hands, quickly shape into balls. (Refrigerate to firm while working if necessary.) Place in freezer 30 minutes.
4. Prepare coating: Sift cocoa powder and confectioners' sugar into a small bowl. Add truffles, 3 at a time; toss to coat. Refrigerate in airtight containers up to 1 month. Serve at room temperature.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving) Calories: 76 Protein: 1 g Fat: 5 g Carbohydrates: 8 g Exchanges: 1/2 Starch/Bread, 1 Fat

Source: Family Circle's All Time Favorite Recipes

3 Sweet Diabetic Treat Recipes

One of the worries for many people that are diagnosed with diabetes is that they will have to give up their favourite sugary treats. Whilst it is true that you should moderate your sugar intake as a diabetic, by being a little creative you can come up with some sweet treats for yourself. In this article I will be providing you with three diabetic recipes for; chocolate cheesecake, diabetic double chocolate cookies and fruit and bread pudding.

1) CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

You will need:
- Margarine for pan
- 15 oz. part skim milk Ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 c. (12 oz.) light cream cheese, softened
- 1 whole egg
- 2 egg whites
- 1 c. unsweetened apple juice concentrate
- 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
- 1 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa (for topping)

To prepare preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9 inch spring-form pan. Next wrap the outside of the pan with aluminium foil. Then place the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender and puree them all till smooth. Next use a rubber spatula to scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Then put the pan in the oven on a baking sheet for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes turn the oven off and leave the cake in the oven with door closed for 1 hour. Once the hour is up remove the cake and refrigerate. Before unmolding and serving, let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Then sift 2 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa over the top and slice the cheesecake with a knife that has been warmed in hot water. The finished cake should serve 12 people.

2) DIABETIC DOUBLE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

You will need:
- 2 c. 100% Bran or Bran Buds, All Bran or Fiber One
- 2/3 c. water
- 1 c. egg (5-6 med.)
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 tsp. chocolate extract
- 2/3 c. vegetable oil
- Liquid sugar substitute - equal to 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 3/4 c. flour
- 1/2 c. cocoa
- 1/4 c. dry milk (instant)
- 1 tsp. soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder

To prepare mix the ingredients well and drop the mixture onto a cookie sheet using a teaspoon. Then place the cookie tray in the oven and bake the cookies at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

3) FRUIT N BREAD PUDDING

You will need:
- 3 slices enriched white bread
- 1 1/2 med. bananas, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 c. sliced peaches with juice
- 1/2 c. cranberries
- 1/2 c. brown sugar replacement
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/3 c. water
- 1/2 tsp. banana extract
- 1/2 tsp. brandy extract
- Grated nutmeg (optional)

To prepare toast the bread on a baking at 325 degrees until dry. Then cut the toast into cubes. Next combine the toast cubes with the fruits. Then dissolve the brown sugar replacement and cinnamon in water. Next add the extracts to the water and pour this over the fruit/toast mixture. Then turn it with a spatula until well coated. Next let it stand for 5 minutes. Then turn it again, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Next place the mixture in a one-quart size oven-proof casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes serve the pudding warm with a dusting of grated nutmeg. The finished pudding should serve 3 people.

As you can see from these tasty recipes diabetes does not have to spoil your fun. You can still sample the sweet stuff. I hope you enjoy the recipes.

About the Author

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. If you visit his fitness websites today you can download over 500 delicious diabetic recipes and sign up for a daily Free Fitness Tip

Santa Is Alive & Well - And We Are On His Team

I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go."
"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.

As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days.

"Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill , wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about though, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's second grade class.

Bobbie Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes," I replied shyly. "It's ... for Bobbie." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas. That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, "To Bobbie, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.

Forty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

Author Unknown