2 env. unflavored gelatin
2 c. unsweetened apple juice
Artificial sweetener to taste
2 tbsp. lemon juice
Yellow food coloring

Whiten Your Teeth 8 Shades in Hours!

Sterilize 2 half-pint jars by covering with water and boiling for 15 minutes. Soften gelatin in 1 cup apple juice. Heat to a boil the other cup of apple juice. Remove from heat. Add juice with softened gelatin. Add lemon juice. Bring to full boil and cook about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add food coloring and sweetener to taste. Pour into sterile half-pint jars, seal, and cool. Store in refrigerator. Makes 2 half-pints.

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Making wise food choices, following a diabetic menu and staying on a diabetic diet can help you:

* feel good every day
* lose weight if you need to
* lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other problems caused by diabetes

Baked Fish

Any fish fillet
1/4 c. margarine
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp. basil

Melt margarine add lemon juice, pepper and basil. Dip fillets in mixture and then in dry bread crumbs. Lay in one layer in greased pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until done. Good for no salt, low cholesterol diet.

Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood glucose on your own. Also ask your doctor for an A1C test at least twice a year. Your A1C number gives your average blood glucose for the past 3 months. The results from your blood glucose checks and your A1C test will tell you whether your diabetes care plan is working. Use diabetes test strips and blood glucose meters to test your blood.

1 (4 serving size) box sugar-free instant pudding (favorite flavor)
3 c. reconstituted non-fat dry milk

Whip all together according to directions on pudding package. Pour into Popsicle cups with handles; freeze.

1 (2 ounce) pop = approximately 20 calories. 1 per day = “free”*. *”Free” 20 calories or fewer and is not necessary to figure into a diabetic meal plan if limited to one “free” per day.

Whiten Your Teeth 8 Shades in Hours!

1/2 c. skim milk
1/2 c. plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 c. frozen unsweetened whole strawberries
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pkg. artificial sweetener (Equal)

Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and serve. Yields 1 (1 1/2 cup) serving.

Calories = 106. Exchanges: 2/3 fruit, 1 milk and 1/2 fat. Cholesterol = 19 grams. Protein = 8 grams. Fat = 2.5 grams.

Want to safely eat dessert if you have diabetes?

Whiten Your Teeth 8 Shades in Hours!

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It occurs because the body doesn’t use insulin properly, a condition called insulin resistance. Over time, the cells that produce insulin cannot keep up with the body’s needs and diabetes develops.

1/3 c. low fat yogurt
1/2 c. buttermilk
3 tbsp. reduced calorie mayonnaise
1 tbsp. dry Ranch style dressing mix Combine, cover tightly, keep 5 days. Makes 1 cup. 1 serving = 2 tablespoons. 1 serving = 1/2 fat.

If you’re trying to lose weight and control your diabetes by following a diabetic menu plan, remember, fat-free and low-sugar foods still have calories. Talk with your diabetes teacher about how to fit sweets into your meal plan.

Whiten Your Teeth 8 Shades in Hours!

1 (6 1/2 oz.) can water packed tuna
2 hard cooked eggs, chopped
1/4 c. chopped celery
2 tbsp. reduced calorie mayonnaise
Lettuce leaves; optional

Combine all ingredients except lettuce leaves. Refrigerate until served. Serve on lettuce leaf, if desired. 4 servings. Amount 1/2 cup.

Exchange: 2 low-fat meat.

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Physical activity is an important part of staying healthy, losing weight and controlling your blood glucose. Keep these points in mind:
* Ask your doctor whether you should have a snack before you exercise.
* Talk with your doctor about what types of exercise are safe for you.
* Warm up and stretch for 5 to 10 minutes before you exercise. Then cool down for several minutes after you exercise. For example, walk slowly at first, stretch, and then walk faster. Finish up by walking slowly again.

2 baked potatoes
2 tsp. margarine
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 c. skim milk
1/8 tsp. dry mustard
4 oz. cheddar cheese, grated
2 c. cooked broccoli

Whiten Your Teeth 8 Shades in Hours!

Bake potatoes until done. Cook broccoli in salt water until tender. Melt margarine in saucepan. Add cornstarch, milk and dry mustard; cook until thick. Then stir in cheese until it melts. Stir in broccoli. Split potatoes and top with broccoli mixture. 4 servings. Exchanges: 1 serving = 1 vegetable, 1 high fat meat, 1 1/4 bread and 1/2 fat. Calories = 241 per serving. Fat = 11.5 grams. Protein = 12.5 grams. Carbohydrate = 24 grams.

People with diabetes can reduce their risk for complications if they are educated about their disease, learn and practice the skills necessary to better control their blood glucose levels, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and receive regular checkups. Smokers should stop smoking, and overweight women with diabetes should develop moderate exercise regimens under the guidance of a health care provider to help them lose weight and achieve a healthy weight.