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by author Sally Errey, RNCP; Photos by Edmond Fong
Blood sugar levels are easy to manage with a diet that focuses on whole foods and beans, which consistently appear on the low end of the glycemic index (a measure of how a given food will raise blood sugar when compared to pure glucose). Researchers at the University of Kentucky reviewed current scientific research and reported in 2004 that people with diabetes should ideally consume low-glycemic carbohydrates as the largest portion of their diet (greater than 55 percent), with relatively low levels of protein (12 to 16 percent) and less than 30 percent fat. You’ll find that most of this month’s recipes easily meet those criteria. Beans are an excellent source of protein, but they also contain protective fibre; for example, one cup (250 mL) of chickpeas provides 11 grams of fibre. Fibre helps eliminate toxins and, more importantly, slows the release of complex carbohydrates, resulting in balanced blood sugar over several hours. Botanically speaking, beans are the edible seeds of any leguminous plant that grow in long pods, and more than 14,000 known varieties have been identified. Readily available kinds include red kidney beans, black beans, lentils, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), split peas, pinto beans, and soy beans. Beans offer us plenty to play with in the kitchen, so why not give them a try with this month’s recipes? Outrageous Red Cabbage Stir-fry with Pinto Beans Warm Whole Grain Pesto Salad with Toasted Walnuts Colourful Two Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Parsley Creamy White Bean Soup Seasoned with Green Chillies Sally Errey, RNCP, speaks and writes about optimum health through nutrition and lifestyle. Her books include Rooibos Revolution and Staying Alive! Cookbook for Cancer Free Living (Belissimo Books, 2004, 2005). www.myhappytummy.com, 1-877-892-5483. Source: alive #277, November 2005 Eastern European Favorites
With such a rich history, it's not surprising that Eastern Europe's food is famous for being quite hearty and hardy. By combining tradition with a healthier approach, I've come up with several lighter samples of popular recipes. These flavorful concoctions are sure to leave the palate--and the belly--fully satisfied.. Beans, Beans
North Americans now recognize the importance of fibre in the diet. Legumes in their most simple, whole state are substantially nutritious and fill the need for a high-fibre, low-fat diet. Most require minimal preparation. Herb Flavors To Savor
Fragrant herbs are always a joy, whether in the garden or in the kitchen. Some, like thyme and oregano, are trusted cooking classics, their flavors well-known to many a cuisine lover. Diabetes: An Aboriginal Epidemic
Statistics show high rates of diabetes mellitus (types I and II) among aboriginal peoples. However, it is not the diabetes, but the complications of the disease, which kill. Winter Warmth
The cold of winter is here and our thoughts turn to cozying at the home hearth with loved one. The Diabetes Debate
Over 10 million people in North America have been diagnosed with diabetes and another eight million don't know they have it yet. That means that one out of 20 North Americans is afflicted with the diseas. Bon Appetite
January means a fresh start--a new year, a healthier lifestyle. We're committed to our New Year's resolutions and whole foods are at the top of the list. Hey Mom, Take a Break
Meals should always be prepared with love and eaten with joy, especially on Mother's Day. This year, reward your mom for all her hard work. Take the time to serve her the healthiest and tastiest food possible. It will make her feel like a queen. (And don't forget to clean up afterwards!) Sit Down to Sabzi
Ancient cultures travelled down the likes of the Euphrates and Nile rivers carrying herbs and spreading knowledge of their healing qualities. Beach Party!
August is the perfect month for outdoor eating. Invite friends and family to a picnic-at the beach, in the park, on top of a mountain or even in your own garden. Fabulous Fibre Gets Things Moving
Fibre is not the most fashionable of foods. It's not as noble as protein, not as satisfying as fat and not as tempting as sugar or starch. But when you have to get things moving, who do you call? Not the mighty garlic. Caring for Your Diabetic Feet
Diabetes is the leading cause of foot amputations not related to injuries. Each year, thousands of diabetics have to learn to live without one of their precious limbs. Diabetic Discipline-10 Basic Rules
1.Be aware of what you eat. Diabetics convert everything they eat, even fat and protein, into sugar. The more they eat, the more sugar they have in their systems. The answer is to curb eating indulgence. 2.Don't overeat. Holiday Tradition with Nutrition
To prepare you for the holiday season, this year we're featuring an international selection of festive recipes that are both wholesome and tantalizing to your taste buds. Stuff It!
Elegantly scooped and stuffed, the following delectable combinations give a new look to the most simple traditional food. How to Get Fibre in Your Diet
We have come a long way in our understanding of the important role of fibre in the past 30 years, though Hippocrates proclaimed the benefits of fibre more than 2,000 years ago. Fun and Fabulous Fare with Fibre
Increasing your intake of high-fibre foods helps prevent disease and is another important step toward better health. Fibre keeps the bowels healthy and fills your stomach so you tend to eat less. Fibre-Fest
"In our ongoing love affair with refined and packaged foods that have been stripped of fibre, we have sacrificed one of our greatest allies in our quest for health. Sweet Conspiracy
Hungry, Jenny ate four teaspoons of peanut butter straight from the jar. Within minutes she became hyperactive. Sound familiar? In these four teaspoons of grocery store-bought peanut butter, Jenny just ate one whole teaspoon of sugar.. Bean Cuisine
What can you buy for just two dollars per kilogram that will provide 8 to 10 servings, as well as an abundance of protein, fibre, iron, thiamin, and riboflavin? Dried beans, of course! Also known as legumes or pulses, they provide an essential source of daily nourishment for millions of people. Cleansing Foods
After spending the cozy days of winter sipping hot chocolate and finishing the holiday cookies, our body systems can feel sluggis. Viva les Veggies
Ever since the Hunza tribe were studied in their Himalayan Shangri-La in the early 20th century, we, in the west, have been looking to other cultures for an anti-aging miracle. Recent research into the Okinawan peoples of Japan shows that eating whole grains, seaweed, and local fresh produce are other keys to long life.. Prostate Power
Hundreds of scientific studies are proving soybeans have anticancer and antiviral properties because of the protease inhibitors they contain, which can act as antioxidants. Fibre 101
Fibre is essentially what is left after your body has extracted all the nutrients out of the fruits, vegetables, and grains that you eat; it is the indigestible cell walls of plant foods. Recipes For the Back-To-School Rush
September is a time of transition from the long lazy days of summer to the sometimes hectic, back-to-school schedule. Getting children to ballet and soccer practice and coordinating all the drop-offs and pickups mean that family life can get busy quickly. This month's recipes ease the transition by highlighting seasonal fresh market produce in easy late summer meals that are pulled together in 20 minutes or less. A Light Meal to Welcome Crisper Days
October is such a great time for preparing locally grown food. I love combining crisp, colourful produce with the earthy flavours and feel of fall's root vegetables. The last of the local farmers' markets are happening now, and they're the perfect place to load up on herbs, specialty cheeses, and produce. The 21st-Century Epidemic
Diabetes is one of the biggest drains of our society's resources -both financial and human. The total economic toll of diabetes in Canada is an absolutely staggering excess of over $10 billion annually. A Breakthrough in Weight Loss
Why are so many people struggling with their weight today? With the thousands of weight loss programs and products being offered, why do most people still find it hard to lose excessive weight and keep it off? Fortunately, Canadian researcher. The Stress and Diabetes Link
Diabetes is a disease of civilization. It is a disease of unhealthy eating patterns, low levels of physical activity, and chronic emotional stress. Canada's aboriginal people provide a dramatic example. A few decades ago, diabetes was virtually unknown among the Cree nation of northwestern Ontario. Crohn's Disease
We have all checked with our gut from time to time to make major decisions, but imagine having to check in for the most basic of lifestyle choice. Sweet Little Lies
Consumers have filed a $350 million class action against the world's most-used chemical sweetener in a bid to expose aspartame's deadly side effects. These Festive Dishes will Dazzle Your Holiday Guests
During the holiday season it's traditional to indulge in too much buttery shortbread cookies and fatty ham and turkey. So this month I have put together a combination of recipes that load our bodies with fibre, vitamins, nutrients, and healthy fats to reverse the trend and boost health. Effective Weight-Loss Programs
There are hundreds of weight-loss programs that vow to help create a lean, muscular body with little body fa. Shopping List for a Healthy Heart
Vitamin E (100 percent natural source mixed toco. Cancer-Free Dining
Everyone wants health and potential protection from cancer, but few of us know how to successfully implement healthful chang. Regulating Cravings and Appetite
How many times have you heard someone say, "I tried eating just one cookie but eventually ate the whole box? This unfortunate approach to eating represents one of the major problems encountered by those who wish to lose weight and improve their health: how. Help for Diabetes
Supplements can help diabetics regulate blood sugar levels. In particular, vanadyl sulphate and chromium are effective individually or in formulas that also include herbal extracts and micronutrients. Alkalinity
Your brain and body are extremely sensitive to the slightest change in the pH level of your body's vital fluids. A pH of less than seven is considered acidic, and more than seven is considered alkaline. The Unspeakable Truth
Nobody wants to talk about it, but regular elimination is a health concern for many of us. Almost everyone struggles with it at some time or another. Constipation is so common in the elderly that almost 50 per cent experience it. What's Old is New
The phrase "functional food is everywhere these days, but what does it mean? From a natural health perspective, functional food refers to nutritionally superior food products that have been enhanced through processing, fermentation, or growth technologies. Sauerkraut
Unpasteurized sauerkraut is tasty, packed full of goodness and easy to make. Throughout history, the main ingredient, cabbage, has been called "the physician of the poor" because of its healing powers. Diabetes and Metabolism
Dr. Boyd Eaton, an expert in the diet of early man, believes that the less you eat like your ancestors, the more susceptible you'll be to many of the diseases of modern civilization-heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and diabetes. Dealing with Diabetes
In the past 30 years, the rates of those diagnosed with diabetes, in both the young and old, have increased at such an alarming pace that it is now considered a healthcare epidemic. The World Health Organization says the situation is serious worldwide, with more than 177 million people currently diagnosed with diabetes. Fibre-Licious
The increasing age of our population puts more people at risk of diabetes, but poor diet and lack of exercise are also contributing factors. Greater understanding of the risk factors for this disease can prevent a diabetes diagnosis. The News About Chromium
Chromium is an essential micronutrient required for proper insulin function, healthy blood-sugar levels, and carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. However, many North Americans are deficient because of poor diets, that is, over-consumption of simple carbohydrates and refined sugars that are lacking in chromium. Sweet Talk
Medical researchers say we have more control over our blood sugar levels than we may realize. Scores of published studies support the use of a variety of nutritional and herbal supplements in combination with a high-fibre, nutritionally balanced diet as the best natural approach to blood sugar control. Eating Our Way to a New Epidemic
A surge in obesity in North America and a sedentary lifestyle are two of the major factors contributing to this rising epidemic. People are literally poisoning themselves by eating excessive amounts of all the wrong foods. Products such as refined, sugared, processed and caffeinated carbohydrates are causing the blood sugar of many to become dangerously uncontrollable. Eating to Live
Promote better intestinal health by maximizing the benefits to be derived from these four pillars: probiotics, phytochemicals, digestive enzymes, and dietary fibre. Easy Traditional Elegance
This December I've put together some traditional favourites that are easy to prepare so you have more time to visit with friends and family. These recipes are also done the low-fat way, to give them a new, healthier twist. The Gramercy Guide to Better Cooking
Every year we vow to eat better, immerse ourselves more completely in the joys of cooking, and become more at home on the range. This New Year's resolution can be the first step toward entering into a whole new relationship with your kitchen. Go West
Executive chef David Hawksworth creates sensations on a nightly basis while crafting seasonal simplicity in high style at one of Vancouver's top-ranked restaurants, West. His appealing dishes garner international essence with their local flavours and global appeal. Vintropolis
If it grows together, it goes together. Such is the mantra that keeps Chef Tony Marzo's cooking focused. Holding court within Vintropolis, one of Vancouver's most celebrated newcomers, his reputation is growing and things are going together better than he ever imagined. Diabetes Dilemma
Diabetes is now considered a public health problem of enormous proportions. The most effective treatment of diabetes requires the utilization of lifestyle, dietary, and nutritional supplement strategies. Controlling blood sugar levels and promoting good health with natural medicine are quite simple. Open to Inspiration
When Aurora Bistro first lit up the neighbourhood on Vancouver's Main Street, it gained as much attention for its regionally rooted philosophy as for the freshness of its plates and wine list. Aurora's chief kitchen creative is a firm fan of sensibly delicious cooking. Moreover, chef Jeff Van Geest makes no claims to doing anything other than treating food with the respect it deserves. Eat, Shrink and Be Merry
With this new release from popular authors and sisters Janet and Greta Podleski, we're assured that "healthy eating is a piece of cake! After a five-year hiatus, they're back with refreshed energy to help the nutritionally challenged among us create healthier, tastier meals. The Life of Riley
With its vaulted ceiling, centrepiece community table, and primarily piscine menu, Coast Restaurant (coastrestaurant.ca) lives by its motto: Catch, Cook, Eat. Embracing seasonality on a global level, the fresh fish sheet follows an international code of ethics and appeal. Spa Lite Cuisine
This month we've gone to the professionals to create a meal that not only nourishes but helps improve our mood on even the most stressful day. What better place for de-stressing advice than the Vida Wellness Spa, tucked tastefully within The Sutton Place Hotel in downtown Vancouver? Cru
Crisp, mellow, luscious, juicy, smooth, and big: much like the descriptors of its uniquely colour-coded wine list, Cru defies easy definition. Not only one of the best-heeled wine bars on the West Coast, Cru is also revered for the regional authenticity of its cuisine. Unscramble the Number
Until relatively recently, experts incorrectly assumed that all simple carbohydrates digested quickly, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar, and that all starches digested slowly, causing a gradual rise in blood sugar. High blood sugar and insulin levels have been associated with insulin resistance, hypertension, strokes, and cardiovascular disease. Quattro
An hour gazing out on the water that separates their North Vancouver restaurant from the architectural horizon of Vancouver's core is enough to convince anyone with a romantic ear that Quattro is a family business rich with "abbondanza, the Italian poetry of life. Feenie's Fine Line
For all the accolades and awards that have been bestowed upon Chef Rob Feenie, he remains a man of simple passions doing what he truly loves. While every facet of his Vancouver operations reflects his AAA 5-diamond status, he stays grounded and inspired by what every season has to offer. Pantry Raid
It's the end of an award-winning year for alive magazine. To celebrate, we're taking a look back at one of alive's newest features: the Fresh Sheet. Featuring the finest in contemporary, healthy cuisine, this new food column from writer Jason McRobbie showcases some of Canada's greatest restaurants and the chefs who put those restaurants on the Canadian culinary map. Make This Holiday Feast a Rare One
Small rooms with big hearts and exquisite food are a staple of the Vancouver dining scene. Even so, Rare One lives up to its unique moniker with an energy, presentation, and ingredient list that has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike. Leafy Winter Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables like curly leaf kale and colourful chard are so powerful, we can get huge nutritional benefits from eating them daily. Not only are they affordable, low in calories, fat-free, and delicious, they can be made into a variety of dishes. A Healthy Habit...to Start the Year
Healthier eating is a good habit to develop. Now is the time to rethink the condiment rack, read food labels a little more closely, and explore the delicious alternatives to be found in your local specialty stores, ethnic food markets, and local community. Build Better Food Habits
You can form a new habit in less than a month. So try a 30-day resolution and set yourself on a lifelong road to health. Changing just one thing, every month of the year for 30 years, would lead to a vitally vibrant life indeed. Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis is a condition in which there are small extruding pockets in the wall of the large bowel. Most commonly they occur in the descending colon or sigmoid colon, which is the last part of the bowel prior to its exit from the body. Diverticulitis is an inflammation of those pockets, which can lead to symptoms of diarrhea, pain and bleeding. An Exhibition of Culinary Consciousness
Ensconced within the pristine halls of Toronto's Gardiner Museum, Chef Jamie Kennedy's most recent room is a study in organic elegance. Surrounded by walls of glass overlooking the ongoing renovation of the Royal Ontario Museum, the aptly named Jamie Kennedy Restaurant at the Gardiner Museum is well-positioned in Toronto's historical heartland. Sweet Surrender
For Anna Olson, life is sweet. Her Food Network program "Sugar has finished its fifth season; the second cookbook, Another Cup of Sugar (Whitecap, 2006), was released last fall; and her Port Dalhousie Olson Foods and Bakery is drawing droves of customers from the Niagara Peninsula. Cruciferous Confessions
I have a confession to make. Despite being a self-proclaimed adventurer in new foods, I have only just discovered kohlrabi. It could be because this round, purple vegetable looks so odd. But as a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, kohlrabi is worth trying. Treadwell
The restaurant's name says it all: Treadwell Farm to Table Cuisine. Perched at the mouth of Niagara's original canal system, the location is both idyllic and deliciously fitting. Capitalizing on Seasonal Sustainability
Few dining rooms take the celebration of local terroir to heart as tastefully as does C, Vancouver's wildly lauded contemporary seafood restaurant. Suitably ensconced across from the False Creek Marina at Granville Island, C has always had a clear view when it comes to matters of freshness. Fire Up Your Summer Menu
As the weather gets warmer, instead of slaving over a hot stove, try these healthy and delicious recipes that will have you and your friends relishing the tastes of summer-in less than 30 minutes, fridge to plate. Reflections Gastronomie Takes Flight
Once the busiest fishing port in the world, Steveston (located just south of Vancouver) offers more than just fish-and-chip shops. The wharf is bustling with tea rooms, book shops, and boutiques - along with Reflections Gastronomie, a recently opened, regionally rooted bistro with healthy aspirations of success. Local Eating
The 100-Mile Diet by Alissa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon (Random House Canada, 2007) and its approach to eating locally grown food seems blissfully easy with the abundant fruit and vegetable crops of summer. But what do you do in the fall and winter? The Fresh Sheet 07
alive had a lot to live up to following The Fresh Sheet's successful inaugural year. This year we ventured farther from our West Coast base, as food writer Jason McRobbie visited fresh new faces and places as well as veteran chefs and established restaurants across Canada's culinary map. Slice: Health Inspired Food
Slice is more than a book of healthy recipes. While it is not a full compendium on nutrition, either, this cookbook is filled with important insight that easily relates to individual dishes. Vij's Setting a Green Table Standart
For over a decade now, Vikram Vij has been an ambassador of good taste. Together with his wife and partner, Meeru, he has been guided by the simplest and purest of principles: to offer a taste of their homeland using the freshest local ingredients possible. Making Sense of Soy
Soy is the Jekyll and Hyde of the plant world. With reported benefi ts often contradicted by accounts of negative effects, confusion about soy's true nature abounds. This month we explore the many faces of soy-the good, the bad, and the unknown. Ultimate Foods for Ultimate Health
Authors Liz Pearson and Mairlyn Smith form a winning combination-two vibrant women clearly committed to inspiring change in readers and helping them build confidence about their healthy food choices. Emerald Lake Lodge
A jewel of the Rockies ever since opening its doors more than 100 years ago, BC's Emerald Lake Lodge continues to draw visitors from the world over in search of adventure-both on and off the plate. Fibre-Full Recipes
Fibre has always been one of my favourite subjects to commiserate about. Chocolate, fruits and veggies, and nuts are always getting the buzz in the media, and I've always felt that poor lowly fibre doesn't get the accolades it deserves. Little Green Giant
Mom was right: eating your vegetables is good for your health. Celebrating Spring with Araxi
Even in the depths of winter, Araxi Restaurant's executive chef, James Walt manages to root out a cornucopia of seasonal sustenance from the local growers surrounding histler, BC. Gluten-Free Quick and Easy: From Prep to Plate Without the Fuss
by Carol Fenster, PhD Avery, 2007; 352 pages; paperback $23.50 ISBN 978-1-58333-278-8 Fuel
Food can be many things: a source of nourishment, comfort, and connection. At Fuel, tucked into the bustle of Vancouver's 4th Avenue, the aspiration is to make it all of the above. Harbingers of Spring
One of the first signs that spring is on the way is the annual rhubarb sighting. Canadian pioneers considered rhubarb a tonic. Nutritionally, rhubarb lives up to its historical background. It's a good source of vitamin C and potassium, a vitamin and mineral (respectively) the pioneers would need by the time spring rolled around. One With the Season
Cooking with fresh seasonal ingredients makes one happier where it counts most: in the kitchen. At One restaurant, in the heart of Toronto's five-star Hazelton Hotel, Mark McEwan knows the value of happy cooks and has worked hard to develop a strong culinary culture since the restaurant opened in August 2007. Pet Therapy
"He's saved my life so many times, my mom says to me. "He's figured out when my blood sugars are low. Living with diabetes, my mom often enters a state called hypoglycemic unawareness, in which she can't recognize when her blood sugar levels become dangerously low-but her beloved Maltese Cross Paddy can. Lemon Grass
Sitting in my favourite Thai restaurant, I am surrounded by exotic smells that engulf my senses. I dig into Thai Hot and Sour soup (Tom Yum Gai) with great anticipation. Ahh...the wonderful taste of lemon grass. Eigensinn Farm
Standing tall and living close to the land, Michael Stadtlander is a veritable giant in his field. As a chef, farmer, author, and multimedia artist, he is also one of Canada's leading culinary icons, pioneering a return to authenticity at Eigensinn Farm, just outside of Collingwood, Ontario. Berry Healthy
For outstanding performance in taste and nutrition the Oscar goes to-blueberries! These sweet, blue treats are rightfully occupying preferred status on the nutritional red carpet. For getting health-enhancing antioxidant protection in your bowl, you can't do better than eating blueberries. Comfort Cuisine
Can the aroma of a Sunday dinner roasting in a wood oven last a lifetime? In the case of Executive Chef Hans Sauter, who first fell in love with cooking at his grandmother's table in a small Swiss town, the answer is deliciously affirmative. Easy on the Tummy
So don't. Skip the weigh-in for today and have an easy tummy day. Drink water to flush out all the extra salt you may have consumed, have a light breakfast of fruit and probiotic yogourt, a simple lunch of salad and a lean protein, and a dinner of whole grains. The Art of Simple Food
Famed restaurauteur and food activist Alice Waters teaches fundamental techniques while instilling in readers a healthy planet food philosophy and culinary creativity. Although the "buy local, buy organic approach is a recent phenomenon, this author has long been considered a pioneer in the slow food movement. This is where modern meets traditional. Hanging Down Diabeties
This month's Research Watch examines the growing body of research linking a mother's weight before, during, and after pregnancy to the rising rates of type 2 diabetes. Here We Go Round the Mulberry Leaf
Many people associate mulberry with the Mother Goose rhyme that goes: "Here we go round the mulberry bush, yet this plant has a much longer history of use. Rustic Regionalism
With its pristine setting, five diamonds, and four stars, the Banffshire Club at the Fairmont Banff Springs has earned a reputation for epicurean excellence and no small measure of rustic elegance. Deepening the room's regional roots has been a mission for some time. Edible Christmas Gifts
Blame it on my hormones, but the older I get, the more it seems to me that Christmas has become a commercialized gift-giving extravaganza. Comfort Cuisine
These colder months call for comforting hot stews. Not only does it feel wonderful to cozy up to a warm soup, but when you fill that soup pot with healthy ingredients, you'll cozy up to a bowl bursting with nutrients! Milk Thistle
Even though milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is not a new herb to the health food industry, the studies and clinical evidence of this amazing medicinal botanical continue to expand each year. Type 2 Diabetes
Currently, more than 1.8 million Canadians have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This diabetes used to be considered a disease of late onset; however, it is now being diagnosed in more young people then ever before. Back in black
“Eat the rainbow” may be good advice, but in the name of good health and a pampered palate, consider occasionally looking to the dark side. Carb Balancing Act
Making headlines today is something called the GI diet—a carb balancing act recommended by the Canadian Diabetes Association and the World Health Organization. |
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