20 Minute Treadmill Extreme

I have been trying to keep up with this work out, but let me tell you-it's a doozy.

The new rave in exercises now are fast, hard workouts. They have studied that you get more benefits and burn twice the amount of calories from working in a short period of time with your fullest potential.

Believe me, it's a lot harder than it sounds....but absolutely worth it!

I have been trying to do this workout twice a week, and I already feel results. I feel like I have more endurance and the days I do the workouts, my sugars are pretty much regulated for the rest of the day, and then some.

Try doing this workout twice a week, and run 1-3 miles on the days you don't. (for those of you who don't run, speed walking is just as good for you)

You should see and feel some good results if you keep it up!

Treadmill Extreme
2 rounds-remember to do them as fast as you can!

800m run(1/2mile)
50 squats
800m run
20 under bar/treadmill pull-ups (I do Up-Down instead of pull-ups)
20 push-ups
20 sit-ups

(if you don't have a treadmill, you can also go to the nearest high school track, or at least that's what I do.)

Banana Chocolate Shakes

This next recipe that was sent over was from a good friend of mine,

Rachell Enger.

She is always cooking something good at her house without a doubt!

She's extremely creative and one of the

most down to earth people I've met.

So of course I wasn't surprised when she sent

one of the most easiest recipes that tastes like heaven! A perfect dessert for those buds that need something sweet after dinner.

(for the diabetic aspect, it wasn't bad on my blood sugars at all. The carbs come from the banana and milk, but even so the milk is a good source of protein and calcium and the banana is perfect for your daily fruit intake)

Banana Chocolate Shakes
1 frozen banana
2-3 tsp. cocoa
1/4 c. (for thick) or 1/2 c. (more runny) milk
--Makes one shake.

Peel bananas and place in freezer. The best bananas to use are those which have started to go brown. Actually, the more brown the better, because they are sweeter. Blend. Enjoy!

Thanks so much Rach!

A recipe that is just like you-simple and sweet!

5 Foods that Keep your Mind Nimble

Something to think about next time you reach for a good, healthy food.

These wonderful facts came from the

one and only Dr. Oz.

Blueberries: Compounds in the bright berries may help shield against harmful processes tied to Alzheimer's disease and premature brain aging.

Eggs: This breakfast favorite is loaded with selenium -- a mineral that could help make your brain years younger.

Mustard: What makes mustard so amazing? Turmeric. Getting just 17 milligrams of it a day -- about a teaspoon of mustard -- can help activate genes that control the cleanup of cellular waste in your brain.

Salmon: This pink fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, including the type thought to have the most antiaging effects on the brain. A DHA supplement is another way to get your omega-3s.

Kale: Getting at least three servings a day of dark, leafy greens high in carotenoids and flavonoids can slow mental decline associated with aging.

BBQ Chicken Roll Ups

This next delicious recipe is from one of my favorite people on this earth, Leslie Nish. (cousin)

She's on her way to be a mom, and she just started the love of cooking.

She's started to plan out her meals at the start of the week and has loved the benefits from doing it.

She has really grown to enjoy cooking.

She has given me some really good recipes so far, but this one she gave me was one of my faves.

Fast, Easy, Healthy.

BBQ Cheddar Chicken Roll-Ups
1 red and green pepper cut into strips
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
1/3 cup BBQ Sauce (i have sugar free bbq, so i used that)
4 whole wheat tortillas, warmed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

~Cook and stir vegetables in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 3 minutes. Add chicken; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until no longer pink.
Stir in BBQ sauce; cook on medium heat 3 minutes or until chicken is done.Spoon chicken mixture down centres of tortillas; top with cheese.
Roll up and cut in half.

Easy Banana Cream Pie

First of all, thank you so much for all your emails with delicious recipes! I can't even tell you how incredible they all look and sound!! I literally can't wait to post all of them.

And in all honesty I was surprised at how many people responded via email,

so these yummy and healthy recipes might take some good time to get around to all of them!

and please,

KEEP THEM COMING!!!

Our first recipe was from Lacy who said this is a family favorite. I love how fast this recipe is, and very simple! (also, thank you Lacy for displaying the nutritional information as well!)

Easy Banana Cream Pie
1-1/4 cups HONEY MAID Graham Crumbs
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 medium ripe bananas, sliced
3 cups cold skim milk
2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Vanilla Fat Free Instant Pudding
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Light Whipped Topping, divided. (sugar free)

COMBINE graham crumbs and butter in 9-inch pie plate. Press firmly onto bottom and up side of pie plate. Place half of the banana slices in crust; set remaining banana slices aside.
POUR milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended. Gently stir in 1 cup of the whipped topping. Spoon half of the pudding mixture into crust; top with remaining banana slices. Cover with remaining pudding mixture.
REFRIGERATE 3 hours or until set. Serve topped with the remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping. Store leftover pie in refrigerator.

Serving Size- 1 Slice

Calories-210
Total fat -7g
Saturated fat -4.5g
Cholesterol -10mg
Sodium -480 mg
Carbohydrate-34g
Dietary fiber -2g
Sugars -16g
Protein -5g

Thanks Again Lacy! It sounds delicious!

I Want to Hear Your Recipes

Like I've said before, ever since I've been diagnosed, I've had the privilege to meet a lot of people and get a lot of different, delicious recipes.

Well, now I want to get recipes from you!

You can either leave your favorite, healthy recipe in a comment or email me at melerme{at}msn.com and I will post them.

(and don't worry, I'll make sure to say who the recipe is from)

I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say,

I can't wait to try some new things!

Don't be shy, we all want to hear what you have been whipping up:)

Fresh Chicken Pasta

Thursday night I actually made up this recipe, because lately me and Brad have put grocery shopping off to the last minute possible. I basically put together things we always have in our fridge or pantry. Extremely fast and easy-and it also was great for my blood sugars.

I named it Fresh Chicken Pasta (because that's exactly what I thought about it when we ate it)
p.s. I'm also guessing ingredient servings because I made it up as I went along.

Fresh Chicken Pasta
2 servings of Whole Wheat Pasta Noodles
1 big Chicken-boneless skinless, or 3 chicken strips (or however much you want)
half a can of olives, cut in half
1 tomato, sliced
1/3 c. of Olive Oil
Mushrooms, sliced(I put in about half the pack)
Fresh Basil

~Get the Whole Wheat Pasta cooking. I defrosted the chicken and sliced them up and put them in a pan to simmer with Butter. I sprinkled some Oregano over top of the chicken along with Salt and Pepper. In another pan I put in the Tomatoes, Olives, Fresh Basil, Mushrooms, Salt & Pepper and Olive Oil. (those were the only vegetables I had at the time, please use whatever veggies you have:)) I cooked those at a medium-low.
When you think they look done, feel free to combine chicken and veggies together to cook for a minute longer.
Then combine with pasta noodles. After I combined them I mixed up a bit then sprinkled Zesty Italian over top. (the actual mix, not the dressing) Mixed again and sprinkled.
Taste yourself and see what's needed. (salt, pepper, olive oil)

(unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me, or think to take a picture, so I took this picture from www.Homemakers.com-it looked the closest to what I made)

Quick Way to Balance Blood Sugars

I came across a great article today that I couldn't help but share. It's directed mostly to balancing out your blood sugars for Diabetics. But just remember, if it balances out a Diabetics blood sugars, then it absolutely balances out yours.

Click here to read all about it!