On January 5th kick off your New Year’s resolution with The Keto Diet. The easiest change, and best thing you can do for you and your family.

Okay we’ve all made those resolutions about diet an exercise, now what? I know there are a lot of choices out there. Me I’m staying with what works the best and easiest for me. I lost over 150 lbs after back surgery. My Dr loves this diet now, as I have not only lost weight it keeps my diabetes under control. My husband also a diabetic for years has shown the clinical proof to his Dr as well.

While we are usually, more low carb than strict Keto but so many of the products and recipes work for both. According to the blood work it keeps our overall cholesterol down, bad cholesterol even more and good cholesterol goes up. Blood sugar numbers drop significantly and stay down. In my case it has reversed my type 2 diabetes. Not forgetting the weight loss. One quick note there is a big difference between types if diabetics so please be aware of what type you are, and consult you dr. What works for type 2 could produce bad situations for type 1.

So here’s the good news.  You can have things like chicken, steak, eggs and cheeses, some types of vegetables,  even dairy and things like Dark chocolate.  The bad news is just say “no”, to most breads, pasta, sugar, cake and cookies.  There is a small selection of convenience foods out there.  Here in the south one of the biggest complaints is no macaroni and cheese.

With recipes like Garlic Butter Steak bites, and tons more, chances are they won’t be missed as much as you thought. Even Lasagna can be converted to low carb and Keto Friendly. Veggies like cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli, spinach, take over for potatoes and pasta. Be sure to check My Recipes Page often for new culinary creations.

As we do a none strict version we have learned to change out certain ingredients to make them more friendly. Buy Yukon gold or red potatoes instead of Idaho russets, whole wheat pasta for spaghetti, and with store like Amazon Fresh Groceries we are no longer limited to only what’s on your local shelves.

My best secret is join some groups who share their tips and recipes. Choose the version of Keto that works best for you. Your family will join the bandwagon without major tribulations. Most children only notice the absence of sugary sodas and snacks. Best of all these changes will set them on a path to a much healthier, happier life. Try one of our family favorites and start changing your health. Check out some of the great foods now stocked at Walmart.  Zoodles, Whisps, Veggie Tots by Green Giant, Sweet Potato Fries, Kodiak Frozen Waffles and Pancakes, Crepini Egg Thins Cauliflower, Caulipower Frozen Pizza.

I suggest these groups on social media. Some of my favorites on Facebook: Keto for Beginners, Keto for Women Only, Keto Recipes for beginners, and lots more just search for them on your favorite platform.

Find these and other great meals on my Recipe page. They are not all Keto diet but if you just have to cheat or treat yourself you can find a great one here too.

Information provided by National Day Calendar. Check out this and other great holidays throughout the year.

Two of the most significant perks seen with the keto diet are weight loss and healthy blood sugar support. In fact, studies have shown improved glycemic control for those with type 2 diabetes while adhering to a ketogenic diet.

Other health benefits of a keto diet may include healthy cholesterol and blood pressure support. It may also be beneficial for those with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Benefits

Two of the most significant perks seen with the keto diet are weight loss and healthy blood sugar support. In fact, studies have shown improved glycemic control for those with type 2 diabetes while adhering to a ketogenic diet.

Keto Plan

How does the diet work? By eliminating carbohydrates, your body will use up its store of glycogen first. Then it will move into ketosis and begin burning fat.

Primarily, a keto diet consists of healthy fats, like eggs, avocado, olive oil, and sustainably-raised meat. Nuts, seeds, dairy, and low-carbohydrate vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, and green peppers are also easy to incorporate. Coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and ghee add fat and flavor to a keto diet. Occasionally, small servings of berries are added to the menu.

Eliminate these foods if you are considering a keto diet:

• sweets, sugar, sodas, baked goods
• grains, whole grains, and starches
• fruits, starchy vegetables
• hydrogenated oils, vegetable oil
• diet foods, including low sugar, sugar-free, low-fat foods

National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day on November 15 encourages us to prepare for the upcoming holidays. Get together a soap and hot water filled bucket, disinfectant, a sponge and a garbage bag. Then you will be ready for the day!

With family gathering and a large turkey waiting to be roasted, cleaning out the refrigerator makes sense. Not only will we need room before the meals, but we also need space for all of the upcoming leftovers. Many dread this job. However, it is an important task none the less.

Due to our hectic and busy lifestyles, the cleaning of the refrigerator gets neglected. hence the creation of National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.  There may be a surprise or two found at the back of the shelves. Things are often pushed back as new food is put in the front and gets forgotten.

Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International found that the meat and vegetable drawers were the dirtiest spots in our kitchens – well with regards to causing disease.

However, those who clean their fridges more often tend to waste more food. There’s plenty of advice available on the frequency of fridge cleaning. Understanding food labels and the meanings behind “sell by” and “best by” dates are also important. These labels don’t necessarily mean a product has gone bad, but that the quality is best by the date on the label. However, “use by” leaves some of us wondering.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CleanOutYourRefrigeratorDay

Some suggestions for your refrigeration cleaning are:

• Empty each shelf.
• Completely wipe down the inside of the refrigerator.
• Wash drawers and underneath the drawers.
• Throw away all expired food.
• Throw away any moldy food.
• Get rid of anything that you do not use.
• Vacuum condenser coils.
• Vacuum out under the refrigerator.
• Restock shelves and drawers with good food.
• Enjoy your nice, clean, organized refrigerator.

Use #CleanOutYourRefrigeratorDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CLEAN OUT YOUR REFRIGERATOR DAY HISTORY

The home economists at Whirlpool Home Appliances created National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day in 1999 to encourage people to clean out their refrigerator in advance of the upcoming holidays.  At that time, the company even had a toll-free hotline that people could call into for cleaning tips.

World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign focusing on diabetes mellitus and is held on 14 November each year.^[1]

The first thing anyone should know is what type you are. Type 1 and Type 2 are very different and can greatly effect the treatments and medicines used for control. For our selves we are both Type 2. The major difference for us is our bodies produce insulin but it is not used correctly by our bodies. Type 1 produce no insulin. Therefore the regimes and diets should be drastically different. With oral medication and informed dieting you can reverse the process. I’m happy to say my blood work results from last week now show I am no longer diabetic!

We practice low carb dieting, and use both Keto recipes, and a glycemic index. It took a lot of learning and trial to learn what works best for us. My husbands numbers came way down through the use of diet, oral medication and a once weekly injection of medication.

I was diagnosed as a diabetic several years ago. My husband is as well. We’ve learned a great deal about our dieting and health. My best advise is to be an informed patient. I often see and hear a lot of misinformation out there. Everywhere from accredited medical staff, to internet content. If you suffer from this or know someone who does you know what I’m talking about.

Led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), each World Diabetes Day focuses on a theme related to diabetes; type-2 diabetes is largely preventable and treatable non-communicable disease that is rapidly increasing in numbers worldwide. Type 1 diabetes is not preventable but can be managed with insulin injections.^[2] Topics covered have included diabetes and human rights, diabetes and lifestyle, diabetes and obesity, diabetes in the disadvantaged and the vulnerable, and diabetes in children and adolescents. While the campaigns last the whole year, the day itself marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best and John James Rickard Macleod, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.^[3]

World Diabetes Day was launched in 1991 by the IDF and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the rapid rise of diabetes around the world.^[2][4]

By 2016, World Diabetes Day was being commemorated by over 230 IDF member associations in more than 160 countries and territories, as well as by other organizations, companies, healthcare professionals, politicians, celebrities, and people living with diabetes and their families.^[5] Activities include diabetes screening programmes, radio and television campaigns, sports events and others.

3 chicken breasts
1 pint mushrooms (sliced if available)
1/2 medium onion
4 Tbsp Butter
Cream of mushroom soup
Swiss cheese
1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
3 – 5 Tbsp flour to thicken sauce
1 cup white wine (we like a good pinot gregio.  Usually have a glass with this dinner.)Circulon Radiance Hard-Anodized Nonstick Covered Deep Skillet, 12-Inch, Gray
by Circulon

1. Pound chicken into 1/4 in thick.
2. Add butter to medium skillet and heat on medium-high. 
3. Sear chicken to golden color. Set aside.
4. Add 2 tbsp more butter to the pan.
5. Add chopped mushrooms and onions. Cook until onions are translucent.  About 7 minutes.
6. Add Tbsps flour to butter until thick paste forms.
7. Add white wine and cream soup. Stir until well combined and thickens.
8. Layer chicken with swiss cheese then mushrooms and onion sauce mixture.
9. Serve warm.

This mixture is really good as skillet dinner.  I like a good wild rice blend or egg noodles with it.  For an extra easy treat, you can make it as a casserole with noodles or rice. For low-carb and keto, switch the rice to riced cauliflower. Just cook chicken thoroughly before adding other ingredients.   Save cheese till the last 5 minutes of baking. Add a green vegetable like spinach, asparagus, green beans, brussel sprout halves, or broccoli. We like broccoli, to have a great all in one dish dinner. If recognizing, or feeding a crowd use chicken thighs and cut into bite-size pieces.

Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set (8-Piece, BPA-free)

by Pyrex

This easy side dish not only looks great but tastes so good even the kids eat all these vegetables.

Ingredients

You can substitute vegetables according to likes and diet needs. These are what have used for both a regular or holiday meal.
1 Eggplant
1 bag brussel sprout halves ( fresh produce)
2 bell peppers assorted colors
1 pint grape tomatoes (I cut mine in half)
1 purple medium onion in wide strips
Broccoli florets
Cauliflower florets
Baby or chopped carrots
You can add potatoes if you choose

Directions

1. Chop vegetables. Cut harder things like carrots in smaller pieces to make for more uniform cutting.
2. Put all cut vegetables except tomatoes in large bowl.  Add 2 Tbsp Olive oil, salt, pepper, 3 Tbsp lemon juice and garlic powder if desired.
3. Mix well to coat in both oil and seasoning.
4. Spread evenly,  on a baking sheet.
5. Place in pre-heated 350° oven for 30 to 45/minutes.

I also add different seasoning depending who and how I’m serving them.  I add Rosemary when serving with Christmas dinner. These also save a ton of time and you can skip the oil.

I love Orange Chicken. For years we could only get a good version as take-out. We tried lots of recipes and tried even some of the really extensive ones with lots of ingredients and more steps than I will ever care to do. Then we stumbled on this awesome version.

Everyone who’s tried it agrees it’s the best they’ve ever had.  Turns out it’s the easiest with just 3 ingredients. We usually double this recipe so we can freeze half. Makes a great freezer meal to heat and eat. You can add veggies to freezer mix or make separate. (We like it better than Panda Express.)

Easy Orange Chicken

3 – 4 chicken breasts
2 eggs
1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce
1 cup sweet Orange Marmalade
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 Tbsp Olive oilCarote 11 inch Nonstick Deep Frying Pan with glass lid,Stone-Derived Non-Stick Granite Coating From Switzerland
by Carote

1. Add oil to frying pan heat at medium.  Heat soy sauce, marmalade, and BBQ sauce in small sauce pan over low heat. Stir occasionally. Simmer 20 minutes.
2. Cut chicken into bite size cubes. In shallow bowl beat 2 eggs. In separate shallow bowl mix flour, and cornstarch.
3. Dip chicken in egg then in flour mixture. Add to hot pan. Cook 3 – 5 minutes per side, till brown and inside is cooked.
4. Add sauce and stir well to coat.
5. Serve over rice and veggie like sugar snap peas, or broccoli.  (You can use zoodles or cauliflower rice to make low carb friendly)

We made this our own version based on a recipe originally found at CraftyMorning.stfi.re. Check out the other great recipes there

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The International Day of Friendship is a United Nations (UN) day that promotes the role that friendship plays in promoting peace in many cultures. It is observed on July 30 each year.

In 2011, the UN proclaimed the International Day of Friendship with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, and cultures can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. The UN wanted for the day to involve young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity.

July 30 is also National Cheesecake Day, so treat yourself with a slice (or two) of this decadent dessert made of cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and a graham cracker crust.

For a tasty treat you can also try Cheesecake Fruit Salad recipe here.