"So many spend their health on gaining wealth...that they have to spend their wealth to regain their health."  A.J. Materi

Most of us have heard the old saying, "You are what you eat."  I believe it...and the proof is in the pudding.  People who live in the Mediterranean states live longer, because they eat a lot of olive oil.  People in Asia live a long time, because they eat a lot of fish and fish oil.  Here in the United States, Americans eat too much red meat, and have many heart problems and much heart disease  Add to that, the never-ending problems in this country with food problems and pharmaceuticals...the Food and Drug Administration!

Over the years, I've said it unil I'm blue in the face...the Food and Drug Administration should be split up into two agencies.  The food and drug problems in the United States have grown so large, that is impossible for one agency to handle all of it.  Especially, food that is coming from out of this country, etc.  There were many food re-calls in 2010, and the same may happen in the future.  

Diet; exercise and sleep...those are the three main ingredients in life.  All are important, but I think diet is the most important, for it is what we eat and how much we eat, that will make a difference if we have our health. etc.  Obesity is one of the biggest problems in the United States. 

"My fat scares me!  It's a ticking time-bomb!"  Carrie Latet 

In 2008, I was diagnosed with diabetes (Type 2) and I was not surprised when I went over the line.  You see, I get a blood test as often as they will let me...so, over the years, I've watched the glucose (blood sugar) elevated until it went over the line.  This meant, I was going to have to make life-style changes and changes in my diet.  One of the most common words that I have read when it comes to learning more about diabetes...is the word, 'sinister' which means to sneak around.  Diabetes sneaks around all right, and destroys your eye cells and the person gets blind; destroys the foot cells and the person has to have an amputation; destroys the kidney cells and destorys the function of the kidneys.  One of my aunts died from diabetes...but before she died, she went blind; and one of her legs was cut off!  No thanks! 

With the news that I went over the line of diabetes, I had to focus on lifestyle changes...that meant diet, and stick to it.  I have a 'sweet tooth,' and a lot of that had to go...I had to be more selective about what I ate, if I was going to win the battle of diabetes. 

"I yam who I yam."  So, this piece is not about Popeye, spinach and the fights with Bluto!  This piece is about the benefits of yams and sweet potatoes; 

From: WikiPedia.com; The sweet potato is distantly related to the potato.  The softer, orange variety is often called a yam, in parts of North America, a practice intended to differentiate from the firmer, white variety.  The sweet potato is botanically very distinct from the other vegetables called a yam, which is native to Africa and Asia.  To prevent confusion, the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that sweet potatoes be labeled as 'yams' also be labeled as 'sweet potatoes.'  

From: ncsweetpotatoes.com; The vegetable with the super food power; Did you know that...

- One cup of cooked sweet potatoes provides 1,922 mcg of beta caroteen (vitamin A).  It would take 16 cups of broccoli to provide the same amount. 

- Sweet potatoes have four times the U.S. Rocommended Daily Allowance for beta-caroteen when eaten with the skin on. 

- Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin E, and they are virtually fat-free, which makes them a real vitamin E stand-out. 

- Just two-thirds of a cup of sweet potatoes provides 100% of the USRDA for vitamin E without the fat.  

- Sweet potatoes provide other essential nutrients including vitamin B6, potassium, and iron. 

- Sweet potatoes are a good source of dietary fibre, which helps promote a healthy digestive tract.  Sweet potatoes have more fibre than oatmeal.  

- Sweet potatoes are a complex carbohydrate which means they digest more slowly than white potatoes and, therefore, will not cause your blood sugar to spike. 

- Sweet potatoes are vitually fat-free and are very low in sodium.  One cup (200 grams) of cooked sweet potatoes has 180 calories.  

"Happiness lies, first of all, in health."  George Curtis  

I don't eat spinach like Popeye...having to constantly fight off the bullying of Bluto...but I do eat healthier than ever before.  I am not a vegetarian, but I do eat more bunny food...and of course sweet potatoes.  I cut red meat out of my diet by 90%.  I eat more fish and poultry...more blueberries; prune juice; and have cut my intake of prescription drugs dramaically.  It will probably be all those drugs that people inhale that will kill them...you know...the pill-poppers of this society!

A sweet potato a day, keeps the doctor away!

From: Dr. Robert Cordell; What would you do to reduce the risk of a stroke, heart disease and cancer?  You could do one simple thing that could provide protection from these diseases...eat more sweet potatoes.  This modest root vegetable is often overlooked and underrated.  But, if you're interested in a longer, healthier life, consider the following example of the people of Okinawa, Japan.  These people have the longest disability-free life expectancy in the world, and have the highest percentage of centenarians anywhere!  They are physically active; do not smoke and eat seven servings of vegetables and grains daily...and the sweet potato is prominant in their diet. 

MY TWO-CENTS (comment)  The proof is in the pudding...the sweet potato pudding! 

"It's no longer a question of staying healthy.  It's a question of finding a sickness you like."  Jackie Mason

sinister: (definition); threatening; evil; unfavorable

Yes...diabetes is sinister all right, and I don't want any part of it.  I don't want to lose my eyesight any time soon!  When I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, my A1C was 6.8.  After my last blood test in October, 2010, my A1C has dropped to 5.9, and I couldn't be happier. But, it takes lifestyle change, and sacrifice.  I've been dancing on Cloud 9 ever since. 

I'll be 66 years of age on February 18, 2011 and so I have to pay more attention to health.  Every time I see the results of my blood test, and all the entries are to the left side of the sheet (within range) It makes me happy!  The only entry to the right side of the page is the glucose (blood sugar), but if I can quit smoking and lose 40 pounds...I can win this battle against diabetes, tooI  So far...so good...

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