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Hodgepodge from The Geranium Farm

Debbie Sharp Loeb, teacher by training but full-time mom to a disabled son, craftsperson, bead artist, great cook, creative homemaker & terrific spotter of cool new products for everything under the sun, presents Hodgepodge: recipes, household hints, stories about children, friends & relatives, cool stuff, music, & much more.
Email: debbie@geraniumfarm.org

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Monday, October 29, 2012

Quotes To Inspire Your Creativity - From Oprah


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Amazing Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern by 3 Dudes!

I came across this pattern and just had to share. I can't wait to try it out!
Check out the video of just how easy it is to do!!
 
 

Thursday, October 18, 2012

St. Luke's Pumpkin Patch (Metuchen,NJ)

 

Friday, October 12, 2012

Sugar Substitutes for Diabetes

For people with diabetes, not all sugar substitutes are created equal. Find out which ones are safe for your diabetes diet.



By Beth Gilbert Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH
Splenda: Good for Diabetes
Splenda or sucralose is excellent for people with diabetes — type 2 diabetes in particular. It has no effect on blood sugar and passes through the body with minimal absorption.

Saccharin: Watch Out for Weight Gain

Saccharin, under the brand name Sweet 'N' Low, is calorie-free and though it can be a sugar substitute option for those with diabetes, "research has shown that the intake of saccharin can lead to weight gain," Glassman warns. "Usually, when one eats a sweet food, the body expects calories to accompany that food. When the body does not get those calories, it looks for them elsewhere. This can lead to greater calorie consumption throughout the day as your body craves the caloric satisfaction it has missed," she explains.
 

Aspartame: Possible Side Effects

Aspartame, sold as Equal and NutraSweet, is not zero calories like some other artificial sweeteners, but is still very low in calories. Even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reviewed the scientific research and found aspartame to be safe for human consumption, there have also been some conflicting study results on aspartame's safety. “It has been linked to many negative side effects," Glassman says. "Some research shows linkage to leukemia, lymphoma, and breast cancer. Other research shows a linkage to migraines." In addition, people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare condition in which they are unable to metabolize phenylalanine (a key component of aspertame), should not consume this sugar substitute.
 

Stevia: An All-Natural Option

Truvia is one brand of the sweetener derived from the leaf of the stevia plant, native to Central and South America. Truvia is calorie-free and has been shown to have little to no impact on blood sugar, which is why it is an excellent sugar substitute for diabetic people. Other brands are Pure Via and Sun Crystals. There have been anecdotal reports of side effects associated with over-consumption of stevia, including headaches and gastrointestinal symptoms, but to date there is no solid scientific research to back this up.

Agave: Super Sweetener

Agave nectar is a form of sugar derived from the sap of the agave plant and it is low on the glycemic index. This means it is absorbed more slowly by the body, causing a relatively lower spike in blood sugar and less of a sugar rush than other forms of the real thing. "Its low glycemic index makes it a good sugar substitute for diabetic people," says Glassman. One caveat: agave has about 60 calories per tablespoon, making portion control essential, however it is 1.5 times sweeter than sugar, so you can use less."

Another article about agave:Dietitians: Agave not an ideal sugar substitute
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/food_coach&id=7332412

Sugar Alcohols: Low-Calorie Sweeteners

Sugar alcohols, or polyols, include sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol are derived from the natural fibers in fruits and vegetables. They do contain carbohydrates, so they are considered nutritive sweeteners. Though relatively low in calories and blood-sugar friendly they can cause indigestion, bloating, diarrhea, and headaches see how you respond to a small amount before incorporating them into your daily diet.
Mullins says that sugar alcohols contain some carbohydrates, and some types break down more completely than others. "I recommend that people who are going to use these sugar substitutes keep track of carbohydrate levels," says Mullins. "Subtract half the amount of sugar alcohols from the total number of carbohydrates to understand how many carbs are actually being consumed and the impact on blood glucose levels."
 
http://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes-pictures/sugar-substitutes-for-diabetes.aspx?xid=aol_eh-endo_2_20121008_&aolcat=APS&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl6%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D217818#/slide-1

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Assuring Care of a Family Member With Special Needs


 

New York Times Your Money article by Ron Lieber 10/5/2012:

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

O's 101 Best Pieces of Advice


Some good stuff. Check it out here:
 

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Gluten-Free Baking Conversion Chart

Check out Pinterest for more information on National Celiac Awareness Month: 2012http://pinterest.com/udisglutenfree/national-celiac-awareness-month-2012/

Monday, October 08, 2012

Some Stuff I'm Liken'

 
bai drinks - Now I'm not saying anything about the claims it makes. I just love the taste of the Panama Peach. It's 5 calories and has a bit of caffeine, as much as a cup of tea. I don't drink much of it, only about a 1/3 of a bottle a day. Check out the website to see what it's made of, all the flavors, and if it's available in your area. www.drinkbai.com
 
Kraft Creamy Balsamic Dressing & Marinade - I've only used it on salad so far. I'll have to try marinading some chicken in it.

think Thin - Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts (10 grams protein) - This one is my favorite. Like chocolate & nuts?  Nuff said! (Better than any candy bar.) I get these at my local Wegman's. Prices vary so shop around. I can buy a box of them there for $12.99.  I also like the Brownie Crunch Bar (20grams protein). Grab one of these proteins instead of high carbs!  Check out all their products at the website:  http://thinkproducts.com/products/

Important Notice:
There has been a product recall on certain Think Thin Products one of which were the Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Bars that I said I liked & several others with PEANUTS. Check the website link for all information. I just got this information today (10/16/12) from Wegman's where I had purchased them.    http://thinkproducts.com/peanutrecall/

Friday, October 05, 2012

10 Chinese Famlies Pose With All Their Belongings


Thursday, October 04, 2012

Hidden Powers of Your Mouse

Did you know there are some secret tricks your mouse can do for you?
Go to the link and see what you didn't know:

Monday, October 01, 2012

10 Things You Must Give Up To Move Forward

Click on it to enlarge.



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