My son's administrative assistant we thank you Anita for keeping him in line .
Today is Administrative Professionals Day .The observance is a day to recognize the work of secretaries , administrative assistants , receptionists and other administrative assistants support support professionals . Anyone who has ever had an administrative assistant knows the values of their contribution to any organization . Typically , the job requires long periods of sitting at a desk , high stress and sometime eating in front of a computer , all which do not promote optimal health . While flowers and candy are a frequently given , showing someone you care about their health can mean much more . Here are a few tips to help you celebrate celebrate the day in a healthy way .
Help make it easier for employees to take physical activity breaks . Schedule activity breaks within the work day that employees can get away from their desk for a short walk or stretch break . Physical activity is great for overall health , and makes us all more productive .
Going to lunch ? Forgo the buffets and fried foods . There are plenty of places that offer healthier options . Fruit baskets and similar items are great gifts for the day .
Create a healthy work place . Have fresh fruits or vegetables available and promote healthy lifestyles .
Three Bean Salad with Wild Rice
Three bean salad with wild rice that can be made ahead and tastes great at room temperature. Perfect for picnics, potlucks and leftovers!
Serves 8-10 Time: 30 minutes
3 cups cooked wild rice blend, cooled
1 (14-ounce) can kidney beans (dark or light), rinsed and drained
1 (14-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 jalapenos, diced (if sensitive to spice, remove seeds and membrane and just add 1)
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey (sub agave to make vegan)
2 limes, zest and juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 . In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, black beans, peas, bell pepper, jalapeno, red onion, and cilantro.
2 . In a small bowl, large measuring cup, or mason jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, honey, lime zest, lime juice, and salt. Pour over the salad, then toss gently to combine. If time allows, refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
3 . Salad will taste best eaten within two days but can last three or four tightly covered in the refrigerator. Freeze, tightly covered, for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
I like to think my son for the swell job he did in my absent . Now my dear son , it is not what you do with the ladies if you catch them , it is the thrill of the hunt , never steered you wrong , love you dearly my son .
A proud grand-poppa G .
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Serves 4
4 boneless chicken breast cutlets or small chicken breast halves, slightly flattened
1 large egg
3/4 cup milk, low fat is fine
2 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank's, Texas Pete, or Tabasco
1 large egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, preferably salt-free
1 teaspoon salt (1/2 teaspoon of the seasoning contains salt)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
vegetable oil, such as canola or peanut oil
salt
1 . In a large bowl whisk the egg with the milk and hot sauce.
2 . In a wide, shallow bowl, combine the flour, Cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper.
3 . In a large heavy, deep skillet, heat about 1 inch of oil to 350° F
4 . Heat the oven to 200° F if serving will be delayed for a short time or if you are doubling the recipe and must cook in batches.
5 . When the oil is hot, dip a chicken cutlet (or flattened small chicken breast half) in the egg and milk mixture.
6 . Fry each side 3 minutes or until done .
Heart Healthy
By Jennifer Acosta Scott Reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD
Staying healthy with type 2 diabetes is a numbers game. Get the scoop on the health indicators you should be measuring and why.
When you have type 2 diabetes, you’ve got to know your numbers. It’s not just about blood sugar. To successfully manage diabetes, there are several measurements that you should take, or have taken, on a regular basis. Keeping track of the following numbers can help you live well with type 2 diabetes and lower your risk of complications.
Blood sugar levels. This is probably the type 2 diabetes measure you’re most familiar with. Testing your blood sugar regularly allows you to see how certain foods, exercise, and other activities affect your blood sugar levels on a day-to-day basis. Many people with type 2 diabetes need to test once or twice a day to make sure blood sugar levels are in target range. If your blood sugar is very well controlled, you may only need to check a few times a week, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The American Diabetes Association recommends aiming for a blood sugar level between 70 to 130 mg/dl before meals and less than 180 mg/dl one to two hours after a meal. To keep your blood sugar within this range, follow a healthy, well-rounded diet and eat meals and snacks on a consistent schedule. If your blood sugar is not well controlled, talk to your doctor about adjusting your diabetes management plan.
A1C level. This is a blood test, typically given at doctor's appointments, that measures your average blood sugar levels over a longer period. “It gives you a picture of what’s been going on over the past two to three months,” says Dawn Sherr, RD, a certified diabetes educator and spokesperson for the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Essentially, your A1C result shows how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.
Depending on your results, you may need to have the test from two to four times a year. For most people, an A1C level of 7 percent or less is ideal. If your A1C level is higher, you and your doctor may discuss making changes to your diabetes treatment plan. Healthy lifestyle practices, like consistent blood sugar control and regular physical activity, can help keep your A1C levels low.
Blood pressure. Monitoring your blood pressure is another important way to maintain your health. “People with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease, and blood pressure is a big factor in that,” Sherr says.
Your blood pressure should be checked several times a year — ideally, every time you see the doctor who is treating your diabetes, Sherr says. Most people with diabetes should aim for a blood pressure of less than 140/80. To prevent high blood pressure, cut back on salt in your diet, exercise regularly, and quit smoking. Some people with type 2 diabetes may need to take medications to lower their blood pressure.
Cholesterol. This is a substance in your body with two components. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as bad cholesterol; it can build up in your arteries and contribute to heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is called the good cholesterol and has a protective effect on your arteries. Your doctor will perform a blood test once a year to check your cholesterol levels, though you may have it checked more often if your numbers are high, Sherr says.
A test result of less than 100 mg/dl of LDL cholesterol is ideal, while HDL cholesterol should be above 40 mg/dl for men and 50 mg/dl for women. Triglycerides, a type of blood fat that can increase your risk of heart disease, should be less than 150 mg/dl for both men and women. If your cholesterol levels are outside these ranges, you can improve them by losing excess weight, exercising, and eating a healthy diet that’s rich in fresh produce and low in fat.
BMI. Short for body mass index, this is a measure that uses your height and weight to estimate how much body fat you have. Since managing weight plays a role in controlling type 2 diabetes, a healthy BMI is important.
Your doctor will probably review your BMI annually, but you can also calculate it yourself by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared, and then multiplying that number by 703. Online calculators are also available to do the math for you. A healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9 — anything over that is considered overweight, and a BMI over 30 is considered obese.
However, the measurement may not be accurate for some people, such as those with a large amount of muscle. “The BMI score can sometimes be deceiving and not the best way to look at the health effects of someone’s weight,” says Fernando Ovalle, MD, an endocrinologist and professor of medicine at University of Alabama at Birmingham College of Medicine. In these cases, other measurements may be used, such as waist-to-hip ratio and abdominal circumference.
Microalbumin. This test measures the amount of protein, or albumin, in your urine, which helps your doctor know how well your kidneys are working. Your doctor should administer this test at least once a year.
The test compares the level of albumin with the level of creatinine, a waste product. Your albumin-to-creatinine ratio should be less than 30, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. To keep your microalbumin results within a healthy range, it’s important to keep your kidneys healthy. High blood pressure and high blood sugar can both damage your kidneys, so controlling those factors will go a long way toward preventing kidney problems — and many other health problems — in the future.
The pecan is a concentrated source of energy . Pecans are a natural , high quality source of protein and contain very few carbohydrates . Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals , as well as fiber . Pecans have some other health benefits too . Pecans contain antioxidants which means they may help reduce your risk of heart disease , diabetes and some forms of cancer . They can help lower cholesterol levels . Think outside the pecan pie when looking for ways to enjoy pecans . Here are a few tips to help you get more pecans in your diet ;
Add Pecans to cooked hot cereals . Pecans are great in pancakes , waffles and muffins mixes .
Stir some pecans into your stir-fry . Roasted pecans are delicious in tuna and chicken salad . Sprinkle pecans on casseroles and vegetable dishes .
Remember that pecans can pack a powerful calorie punch . Make sure you are practicing good portion control .
Creole Pecan Pie :
Makes 8 servings Prep :35 minutes Total : 4 hours (includes making pastry and cooling pie)
Make pastry dough or buy one from the supermarket :
3/4 stick unsalted butter
1-1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
2 cups pecan halves (1/2 pound)
Accompaniment: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
1 . Preheat oven to 350°F with a baking sheet on middle rack.
2 . Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 12-inch round and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim edge, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Fold overhang under and lightly press against rim of pie plate, then crimp decoratively. Lightly prick bottom all over with a fork. Chill until firm, at least 30 minutes (or freeze 10 minutes).
3 .Meanwhile, melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in corn syrup, vanilla, zest, and salt. Lightly beat eggs in a medium bowl, then whisk in corn syrup mixture.
4 . Put pecans in pie shell and pour corn syrup mixture evenly over them. Bake on hot baking sheet until filling is set, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Cool completely.
COOK'S’ TIP:
Pie can be baked 1 day ahead and chilled. Bring to room temperature before serving .
Mr. Humble sitting in for Grand-poppa .
The Reno Rascals are having a great time , expect them home tomorrow . I were informed they love chasing the ladies . My first thought were , what the hell was they going to do with the ladies if they were luckily enough to catch them . Friends and readers they are over 80 years old .
My kids want to go to Seguin , Texas to see the giant pecan . Readers , it sure looks real .
See you next time .
Ahhh, the comfort of mac and cheese. It's simple to make and fairly cheap. Serve this version of an old standby to your family, and it will quickly become a favorite. The kids are getting good carbs and they always love this recipe.
Ingredients:1/2 (16-oz.) package cellentani pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 (10-oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 (8-oz.) package Velveeta, cubed
3 cups chopped cooked chicken ( I just get rotisseried chicken pieces from the supermarket in advance...much easier )
1 (10 3/4-oz.) can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream ( or sub. low fat cottage cheese )
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese Preparation:1. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper, and sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in tomatoes and green chiles and prepared cheese product; cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Stir in chicken, next 4 ingredients, and hot cooked pasta until blended. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 10-inch cast-iron skillet or 11- x 7-inch baking dish; sprinkle with shredded Cheddar cheese.
3. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly. I always serve a bit of garden salad with pasta. It makes the meal more colorful and gives the diner contrasting textures for their palate. Bon appetit !
Have a happy birthday , enjoy all the good things .We love you , hoping all your dreams and wishes come true .
Jonny , Sha , Jenny , Man Carano
Chris , Sheryl , Bubba Landrieu
Many people living with diabetes — including those who are managing it with great success — report that one of the toughest parts is that diabetes never takes a day off. And that means you can’t either. Living with type 2 diabetes every day can make you feel discouraged, angry, sad, stressed, or even depressed.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), studies show that people with diabetes have a greater risk of depression than people without diabetes. Depression is a serious and painful condition that can affect those you love as well as yourself. In addition, depression can interfere with effective diabetes self-care.
Common Emotional Side Effects
Don’t want to talk about your diagnosis
Sleep disturbances
No longer taking care of yourself
Feel like diabetes is running your life
Losing interest in activities and hobbies
Withdrawal from family and friends
Sudden weight loss or gain
Trouble concentrating
Tired all the time
Thinking about dying or ways to hurt yourself
If you have three or more of these symptoms, or if you have just one or two but have been feeling bad for two weeks or more, it's time to get help. Check in with your care team or ask your local office of the ADA about counselors who have worked with people with diabetes.
Don’t give up on yourself — and don’t give up on your diabetes-care team. When the going gets rough, turn to trusted people in your life, such as your spouse, loved ones, and friends. Find a diabetes support group — (your certified diabetes educator (CDE) can help with this) — and find out how other people are handling these feelings.
