All-in-One Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Rice

What You Need

  • 24 jumbo shrimp (1 lb./450 g), peeled, deveined
  • 1/4 cup Kraft Calorie-Wise Zesty Italian Dressing, divided
  • 1-1/2 cups instant brown rice, uncooked
  • 1 each zucchini and red pepper, finely chopped
  • 1-1/2 cups 25%-less-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced

Make It

  • Heat barbecue to medium-high heat.
  • Toss shrimp with 2 Tbsp. dressing; let stand 10 min. Meanwhile, stack 3 (14-inch) squares of foil; fold in half. Double fold 2 opposite sides; open to make pouch. Fill with rice, zucchini, peppers, broth and remaining dressing. Double fold top to seal, leaving room for heat circulation inside.
  • Grill packet 10 to 15 min. or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from barbecue; let stand 5 min. Meanwhile, drain shrimp; discard dressing. Thread shrimp onto 4 skewers. Grill 5 min. or until shrimp turn pink, turning occasionally.
  • Empty rice packet onto platter; top with shrimp and onions.

Heart Health and Diabetes

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes stoke and diseases of the blood system and heart. It is the leading cause of death among people with diabetes, so maintaining a healthy heart is critical. This means eating a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruit and whole grains, and low in saturated and trans fats. Foods that contain saturated and trans fats include animal products, tropical oils such as coconut, palm and palm kernel, commercially baked cakes, pastries and doughnuts, hard margarines and fried foods. Check the nutrition facts panel on breaded frozen foods and frozen desserts, as these often contain saturated and trans fats too.

 Diabetes Health

In spite of its bad reputation, fat is an essential nutrient. It is used by the body as a major source of energy, it helps to maintain cell structure, and it helps the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K. Unfortunately, most of us get too much saturated and trans fats, and not enough of the healthier, unsaturated fats. Recent research indicates that a diet with unsaturated fats including omega-3 fatty acids lowers bad LDL cholesterol and raises good HDL cholesterol. This can protect against the development of CVD. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish e.g. salmon, sardines and trout, flax seeds and oil, and products like omega eggs and milk. Other unsaturated fat sources include oils like canola, walnut, and olive, as well as avocados, nuts and seeds. To help your heart, cook with these healthier oil options and look for salad dressings that have heart friendly ingredients.

people with diabetes and prediabetes consume less then 35% of their total calories from fat. For a person eating 2000 calories a day, this would mean no more then 700 calories should be from fat. By making healthier lifestyle choices, people with diabetes can expect to increase their chances of living a long and active life.

DIABETES FACTS



Diabetes Health

Diabetes is a growing health concern, currently affecting about 34.2 million people, or 10.5% of the U.S.population, have diabetes. An estimated 26.8 million people – or 10.2% of the population – had diagnosed diabetes. Approximately 7.3 million people have diabetes but have not yet been diagnosed (2018). 
Diabetes impacts all social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds..Having diabetes means that the body cannot properly use energy from food. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems. For many people, certain types of diabetes can be prevented or delayed by understanding its risk factors and making important lifestyle changes.
Diabetes Primer
When you eat, your body breaks down foods into various components and converts them into a sugar called glucose. The glucose travels around your body in your blood. Your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin that is required to “unlock” your body’s cells so glucose can enter and be used for energy. In diabetes, insulin is either not produced by your pancreas or does not work properly in your cells. Over time, consistently high levels of glucose in the blood can damage various parts of your body, including eyes, blood vessels, nerves and kidneys. Having diabetes also greatly increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Types of Diabetes
There are several types of diabetes. All are managed with proper food choices, physical activity and, in some cases, oral medications or insulin injections. The four types are:
Pre-diabetes: This describes a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Changes in your diet and level of physical activity can delay or even prevent pre-diabetes from progressing to
type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes: This type of diabetes is the most common. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cells cannot use insulin properly. Type 2 diabetes affects both children and adults, and is most often found in those who are overweight. If you have type 2 diabetes, it’s important to follow your recommended meal and medication plan and closely monitor your blood glucose levels.
Type 1 diabetes: Most often, type 1 diabetes is diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. It occurs when insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are damaged, so little or no insulin is produced. Persons with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections and closely monitor blood glucose levels.
Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes develops during pregnancy. Most often, the diabetes disappears after pregnancy, but it can increase a woman’s risk for diabetes later in life.
Assess Your Risk for Diabetes
Knowing your risk for diabetes gives you a chance to prevent or delay diabetes from developing. If you have diabetes, early detection can help prevent serious health problems. Doctors are advised to screen everyone at risk for diabetes. This includes anyone over 40 years of age and anyone with at least one of the following risk factors:
Overweight or obesity and carrying most of the weight around your waist.
Family history of diabetes
High cholesterol or other fats in the blood.
High blood pressure
Diabetes during pregnancy, or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 8 pounds
Being a member of a high-risk population (e.g. people of Aboriginal, Hispanic, South Asian, Asian or African descent)
Take Steps Now
Small changes in what you eat and how much you exercise can make a big difference in lowering your chances of developing diabetes. If you are overweight, losing 5% to 10% of your body weight (e.g., 10 to 20 pounds for a 200-pound person) by eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at least 5 days a week may reduce your risk of diabetes. To get started, add one new healthy living strategy each week.
Put less on your plate. Reduce all of your portions by a small amount and skip second helpings. This simple strategy adds up to eating fewer calories for gradual weight loss.
Eat regular meals. Keep your body fueled and hydrated so your hunger or thirst doesn’t cause unplanned snacking or overeating at meals. If you need a snack, try fresh veggies or fruit, a handful of nuts or whole grain crackers.
Choose for health. Every day, try to eat a variety of healthy foods from every food group—whole grain breads and cereals, fruits, vegetables, lean meat, poultry and fish, and fat free (skim) or low fat dairy products.
Trim the fat. Stir-fry, broil or bake with non-stick spray or broth. Cook with less oil and butter. Compare food labels of similar foods and choose products with less fat, especially saturated and trans fat.
Eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to signal to your brain that you’re full. Take the time to enjoy every bite and listen to your body’s cues.
Move each day. Add 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity to your daily routine. Get started by getting off the bus a few stops early, parking the car further away or taking the stairs instead of the elevator to add a few more steps to each trip. Also try walking, an exercise class or move to an exercise video or DVD.
Working to prevent diabetes is well worth the effort! Small changes can have big payoffs in how you feel and for your quality of life.
Check out these delicious healthy living recipes to see if they can fit into your healthful eating plan to prevent or help manage diabetes.

Stop the spread of Coronavirus

By continuing to practice social distancing and washing your hands, you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there are still important ways that you can help stop the spread of COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed, which means to stay home as much as possible. If you must go out, be sure to practice social distancing, leaving 6 feet between you and any person you come in contact with.

Other ways to help prevent the spread of this illness include:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water,
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze,
  • Use a face-covering or mask when you go out,
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily,
  • Call your doctor if you think you’re experiencing symptoms.

3 Pack Mask

Women Boots

TENS Unit Benefits: (Life-changing) Reasons You Should Use One

The study demonstrated the alarming impact on a patient’s abilities to achieve simple tasks.

It recommended that physicians need to balance the impact of the side effects of the medication with the relief from pain before prescribing.

PRODUCES ENDORPHINS

Endorphins are our body natural painkillers. They are essentially hormones that exist in the brain, that are released when the body experiences any sort of stress.

The endorphins act as transmitters creating a feeling of ecstasy and well-being which in turn helps to reduce pain signals.

Natural ways to release endorphins include music, sex, chocolate and group exercise.

The NHS also recognizes that a TENS unit helps to produce endorphins. The electrical impulses are thought to stimulate the production of endorphins.

What’s a Pulse Oximeter, and Do I Really Need One at Home?

A pulse oximeter is a small device that looks sort of like a chip clip or a big clothes pin. You place your finger snugly inside (most require nail side up), and within seconds it lights up with numbers indicating your blood oxygen level and heart rate. Most healthy people will get an oxygen reading around 95 to 98 percent. Some people with existing health conditions may have a lower normal reading. You should check in with your doctor if the number falls to 92 or lower.

The device will also show your heart rate. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from about 60 to 100 beats per minute, although athletes with a higher cardiovascular fitness will have a lower pulse.

There are two common devices that can help someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to monitor their condition and to guide decision-making for patients and their families. I keep both of these in my home sickness kit at all times.

  1. A thermometer
  2. A pulse oximeter

Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19

This document provides advice on the use of masks in communities, during home care, and in health care settings in areas that have reported cases of COVID-19. It is intended for individuals in the community, public health and infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals, health care managers, health care workers (HCWs), and community health workers. This updated version includes a section on Advice to decision makers on the use of masks for healthy people in community settings

Face Mask 3 Pack



Chicken, Potato and Vegetable Bake 

DIABETES HEALTHCARE

What You Need
Chicken, Potato and Vegetable Bake

6 servings, 1/6 recipe (273 g) each
Easy comfort food uses ingredients you have on hand.What You Need
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1-1/2 lb./675 g)
1-1/2 lb. (575 g) Yukon gold potatoes (about 3), peeled, coarsely chopped
3 carrots (1/2 lb./225 g), coarsely chopped
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup Kraft Calorie-Wise Zesty Italian Dressing
2 Tbsp. Kraft 100% Parmesan Light Grated Cheese
Select All

Make It
Tap or click steps to mark as complete
Heat oven to 400°F.
Place chicken and vegetables in large baking dish; drizzle with dressing. Cover.
Bake 1 hour or until chicken is done (170ºF), uncovering after 50 min.
Sprinkle with cheese.

Diabetes Friendly Chicken Stir-Fry 

What You Need

Make It

Tap or click steps to mark as complete

  • Heat 2 Tbsp. dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; stir-fry 5 min.
  • Add vegetables, soy sauce and remaining dressing; stir-fry 5 min. or until chicken is done and vegetables are crisp-tender.