Thanksgiving makeover

Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season are about 2 weeks
away! Many of you will be shopping this weekend for an enormous Thanksgiving dinner.  Thanksgiving celebrates the harvest and abundance.

With 10 at my table,  I already have 10 items on the menu!  Food, and
family  define the day.  With many Americans struggling with diabetes,
some of those family favorites are in need of a makeover. A slightly
smaller turkey, one more veggie, one less pie can make big difference
in how you feel.  Small changes in recipe preparation can also make a
big difference in your health. 

ABC News recently shared some great ideas for diabetics and
Thanksgiving on their show. Below is a link to their site that
includes  a variety of resources for diabetics.  We all have so much
to be thankful for.  Why not add better health to your list of blessings

in the coming year?  Happy Thanksgiving!

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/DiabetesResource/

HOW TO PLAN FOR A 3 MONTH SUPPLY :

This is something I feel is going to become extremely important in the coming years.  I would add to this list some additional items. 
1.  Paper supplies such as paper plates, plastic utensils, paper napkins, toilet paper, coffee filters, wet wipes plastic bags of all kinds and paper towels.   Now let's think about why I'm adding this to the list.  Should you have to go into hiding, you may not have access to a clean water supply to wash/rinse dishes.  You may not have toilet access, so having a plastic walmart shopping bag to line a coffee can might come in handy.  Coffee filters are versatile and can be used as toilet paper in a pinch as well as a strainer.
2.  Please don't forget your pets.  Start stocking up on dog and cat food, both dry and wet. 
3.  Save all the water jugs you possibly can.  Go to the Dollar stores and start stocking up on bottled water.  It is not safe to use water you have filled into a previous milk jug or water bottle.  The plastic lining emits a "gas" that can be harmful to your system, especially if the plastic container is made from recycled material.  It contaminates the water that you are cooking with and drinking.
4.  Don't forget your infants and make sure you have baby formula, diapers, and jars of baby food.

HOW TO PLAN FOR A 3 MONTH SUPPLY :
1- Make up a menu of 31 meals using items that are "shelf stable "
2- Include a few "fast food " type meals. These are the just add water variety or complete meals or canned soups. Also include some macaroni & cheese, and Betty Crocker boxed meals.
3- Include some meals that could be made from basic foods like wheat, beans, and rice.
4- After you create a menu, figure out what ingredients are needed to make those meals & that amount. Then multiply that number by 3 to get a 3 month supply.
5-Focus your shopping first on dinner, then lunch, then breakfast (since you may already have breakfast taken care of with all the wheat, oats, & powdered eggs you may have).  Don't forget the powdered milk!
6- Make a cookbook to keep with your food storage with all the recipes you have planned your storage around, and include your meal plan on the front page so your family will know what to do with what's in your storage room (in case something happens to you).