Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Free recipes from Mr. Foods Diabetic Kitchen

FROM MR.FOOD DIABETIC RECIPES:

with compliments,
Barbara

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     09 11 tt orange chicken       09 11 tt chicken tikka masala       09 11 tt supermeatballs
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     09 11 tt country style bbq ribs       09 11 tt coconut shrimp       09 11 tt sweet   spicy roast pork
      Country-Style BBQ Ribs            Coconut Shrimp               Sweet & Spicy Roast Pork
     09 11 tt spinach and ricotta lasagna       09 11 tt pizza       09 11 tt crispy sweet potato fries
      Spinach & Ricotta Lasagna        Cheesy Pizza                      Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

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Saturday, 17 October 2015

Super sweet and super healthy

17.10.2015
Good day again, my friends near and far,

I don't say diabetic friends today, as this blog is for all lovers of healthy cuisines and lifestyles. Diabetic management can be: the right food. some exercise, some medication and a lot of positivity. Hakuna Mathata!

Often diabetics feel very unhappy. They think they cannot eat anything nice in order to survive their disease.
THIS IS SO NOT TRUE!!
 I eat myself through the pantry and back with Stevia (a herb much sweeter than sugar and available in all supermarkets) sweetened foods and especially puddings in my normal moderate amounts. Also cinnamon does wonders for sweetening and even lowering blood sugar levels. And I never can omit to mention how well my Diabetes2 is under control. So I feel that I have a right to advise lesser fortunate people.
Thank you for all your friendly comments. I read them all and it seems I should for the time being remain 'lecturing'  the beginner's class. Plus I want to spread the good news only. Once in a while a warning cannot do any damage though. I generally approach my life and my penchant for enlightening and informing like my dogs. I think I am a dog whisperer. Lots of praise, lots of nice rewards.
A slight slap on the table with a folded newspaper is ample warning enough. They hate it, the surprise, the noise and that they have been caught out being naughty. They are also an extremely positive bunch. Ohhh, breakfast, my favorite meal. Ohhhh, walkies, my favorite passtime. Ohh, a ride in the car, my favorite. Ohhhh a tummy rub and so their day goes on.....
So you never need to be scared to receive more than a few words on this blog. The aim is to make my diabetic friends understand the disease and make the best out of it.Please also visit my 


South Africa blog on understanding:

http://sunbirdafrica.blogspot.co.za/

Today's subject on this diabetic blog will delight you all. When you are really craving something extra specially delicious or delicious and sweet, dig into the strawberry fields. Even Patrick Holford sees nothing wrong with a diabetic indulging in a whole, large punnet of strawberries in one go. Hmmmmmm! They are in season in South Africa at the moment and that means sweet, big, red and affordable.




Strawberries are often mistaken for the biggest culprit in the sweet fruit department. However, they are really the fruit with the lowest content of sugar (7g per cup) of them all and are perfect for a naughty sweet diabetic tooth. They help the body to utilize it's insulin better and can such lead to reduced amounts of medication. Keep a tight check on your m/mol anyway, like always (the folded newspaper).




Joghurt too has gotten a bad reputation as a diabetic food. In its unsweetened and unlavoured form however, it can be used to lower blood sugar. I buy plain yoghurt and sweeten and flavour it with fresh fruit, stevia, and cinnamon. Hoeeeee, my mouth is watering just writing about it.
It contains high quality cacium and carbo hydrates and, like strawberries, helps to maintain blood sugar levels. Bananas contain a little more of the 'bad' stuff', but nobody with diabetes was ever killed by a small banana.... By the way: I LOVE BANANAS and JOGHURT!




Bananas and cute babies directly from the tree...



Cottage cheese is (unbelievably) even higher in protein and good carbo hydrates than joghurt. Check your brands for unhealthy additions and stay true to a purer, tasty product. Together with a fruit and piece of rye bread it makes a complete meal for me. Or spiced with paprika on cous-cous.... In winter with Rooibos tea, in summer with homemade Lemonade.



Sweet potatoes have a very low glycemic index. If you think you will -as a diabetc- never eat potatoes again, think again. Sweet potatoes are unsimilar to white spuds healthy, nutritious, delicious and just yummmmmmyyyyyy! They assist in blood sugar control as they break down very slowly into sugar in the body (GI) and even more so, if a little cinnamon is added. Some experts recommend eating them raw to be an even more efficient diabetic food, but personally, I don't need to follow any old recommendation.





And now I cannot hold it any more. I am going to unpack my new blender (with ice and nuts hacker) and make myself the very nicest SMOOTHIE I ever drank! Oh, my favourite food!!

Greetings for today from 
Barbara in Africa







Friday, 2 October 2015

What is your A1C count? Need to know for survival!!

Hello Friends!
After a long winter break (in SA +- from June to September) I am seriously back with a rather long and scientific article and info I found for you. That means we are getting to a new start with very serious diabetes business: The A1C! My count was 6.1 last time I checked (in June actually, going again in November).
I am on Insuline in the meantime, but since then my blood sugar control has improved. The injections are not as uncomfortable as I thought, especially when you call to mind the potentail alternatives! You probably know know how some people cringe at ' Twice a day into the belly.....?'
So I have reason to be quite proud of myself. I used the -not too bad this year- winter to hybernate and contemplate, mostly. And I came out at the other end of the tunnel (winter) quite renewed and feeling fresh, which of course is nature's intention for itself including us diabetics. I post a picture of the 'new' and inspired and motivated me and greet you with all my heart and love.



If you read this blog and post, plese post me your diabetic status and any problems in the management of your blood sugar in the comments section, so I can concentrate on helping you along with my research and efforts. Thank you and have a wonderful season, whatever this might be the case in your country!

I quickly add a photo -along the lines of, when the heart is full of something nice, it runs over-   of the only one in my home who MAY it sweets......
     
        So here goes:

Blood sugar checks, eAG readings, calorie counting — if you’re living with type 2 diabetes, you know that the successful management of the condition can be a numbers game. One of the most important numbers to keep tabs on is your A1C.
The A1C test result reflects your average blood sugar (glucose) level over the previous two to three months, enabling you and your doctor to gauge your blood sugar control over a long period, as compared with your daily self-checks, which provide one-time pictures of your fluctuating blood sugar level.  The American Diabetes Association (ADA) compares the A1C test to a baseball player’s batting average — it gives you a more accurate view of your overall success in managing type 2 diabetes.
Getting an A1C test — which should be performed at your doctor’s office two to four times a year — is important because the results can help you and your doctor determine if your type 2 diabetes treatment strategy is working. If your test results don't measure up, the two of you can make changes to your plan to help you gain better control over your blood sugar levels and prevent the long-term complications of type 2 diabetes.
The A1C test also reduces the risk of error associated with blood sugar self-monitoring. “People sometimes use glucose monitors inaccurately or incorrectly,” says Derek LeRoith, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, and bone disease at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “We can look at both the A1C results and the chart that a person brings in to see if there’s a discrepancy.”
What Do Healthy A1C Results Look Like?
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a person who doesn't have type 2 diabetes probably has an A1C level somewhere between 4.5 and 6 percent. Although your doctor will determine your personal target, people with type 2 diabetes often aim for an A1C level of 7 percent or less. A level of 8 percent or higher indicates uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.
What does the A1C test actually measure? Dr. LeRoith explains that hemoglobin is a protein that’s found in red blood cells. When glucose is in the bloodstream, it coats the protein with sugar — a process known as glycation. The A1C test measures the percentage of your hemoglobin that is glycated to help determine your blood sugar control. 
It can also be helpful to know your estimated average glucose level (eAG). This is essentially the same as your A1C test result, except that the value is converted to the unit (mg/dl) that you see when you self-check your blood sugar level at home.  If you’re aiming for an A1C result of less than 7 percent, you’re also shooting for an eAG that’s below 154 mg/dl. The ADA provides an online tool that converts your A1C level to eAG and vice versa.
8 Ways to Lower Your A1C
It’s important to remember that lowering your A1C level takes time — the length of time it takes you to do it depends on your current blood sugar levels and lifestyle habits. Because the reading represents an average level over two to three months, you won’t be able to lower your A1C by going on a 20-minute jog just before your appointment.
However, if your previous reading wasn’t in a healthy range, there are things you can do to lower your A1C before you see your doctor again. Try these tactics: 
Follow your doctor’s orders. If your last A1C test result was too high, it's a sign that you’ve lost some degree of control. “To reach a target A1C, the person with type 2 diabetes and his or her doctor must address overall blood sugar management,” LeRoith says. “That could mean losing weight, increasing fitness, or making medication changes.”  No matter what the plan requires, the most important part is sticking to it.
Eat healthier foods every day. “I don’t put people with type 2 diabetes on strict diets,” says Gregory Dodell, MD, an endocrinologist in New York City. “Instead, I come up with an overall healthy eating plan with them. I remind them, 'This is something you’re going to be changing for the rest of your life.'”
According to the ADA, healthy eating plans that help with blood sugar control make room for a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, lean meat, fish, whole grains, fruits, and nonfat dairy products — and yes, even the occasional dessert.
When you’re changing the way you eat overall, it’s okay to start small. “Do you love rice? Switch from white rice to brown rice,” Dr. Dodell says. Your doctor or a registered dietitian can work with you to set realistic dietary goals.
Be label conscious. “Most people just look for calories on food labels,” LeRoith says. “People with type 2 diabetes also need to be looking at the nutrition — most importantly, added sugars.” Since healthy eating plans that lower blood sugar incorporate nutrient-rich foods, the ADA recommends checking labels for total carbohydrates, fiber, total fat, sodium, and sugar alcohols.
Develop an exercise habit. The ADA recommends that people with type 2 diabetes aim to get 30 minutes of moderate- to high-intensity exercise at least five days a week. Exercise is good for everyone, but it can help people with type 2 diabetes gain control over their blood sugar level and their weight.
If you don’t currently have an exercise routine, you don't have to go from 0 to 60. “Let’s say you don’t like to run but you enjoy walking,” says Dodell. “Could you start off by walking for 10 minutes three times a day? Can you get off the train a stop early and walk the rest of the way? It’s all about coming up with a realistic plan.”
LeRoith agrees that walking is a good first step. “Any exercise will work, but walking is great for two reasons. First, many people with diabetes don’t walk as much as they should. Second, walking generally causes less harm to the back, legs, and other body parts compared with more intense exercises.”
Keep tabs on your blood sugar level at home. Even though your doctor is testing your A1C every few months, it’s still important that you do frequent self-checks — and keep track of your results — at home. Says LeRoith, “Testing blood sugar only once every three months is just too late.”
LeRoith also stresses the importance of testing after meals (as opposed to testing only your fasting glucose level in the morning).  “This helps you see how well you’re coping with the meal,” he says, “and how important it is to reduce the sugar in your meals.” Keeping tabs on your blood sugar readings at home can help you gauge whether you’ll be in your goal A1C range by your next appointment — and whether you need to make diet and fitness adjustments to get there. 
Get techy with your tracking. If you have a smartphone, you’re in luck. There are a number of apps designed to help you gain better control over your type 2 diabetes. Glooko and BG Monitor Diabetes, for example, enable you to keep track of your blood sugar readings and to analyze your data, allowing you to better estimate what your A1C will be before you see your doctor.
Weight-loss apps such as Lose It! can assist with weight management, and Everyday Health’s Diabetes in Check comes with a carb tracker and built-in diabetes coach. Smartphone apps, LeRoith says, are effective tools in helping you be as prepared as possible for your next doctor’s appointment.
Try to reduce stress. Everyone gets stressed out, but if you can possibly reduce the amount of stress in your life, you may be able to better manage your blood sugar — and ultimately lower your A1C level. The ADA explains that when we suffer mental or physical stress, our bodies release hormones that make us less sensitive to insulin — consequently, blood sugar increases. Adopting long-term stress-reduction techniques (like practicing yoga once a week, exercising more often, or adding deep-breathing exercises to your day) may help you lower tension and your A1C.
Focus on the big picture. “Even when someone’s type 2 diabetes is uncontrolled, they may feel fine and not have any symptoms,” Dodell says. “They may say, ‘I feel okay, so I’m going to keep on doing what I’m doing.’ I then tell them, ‘Look, this is preventive.’” He advises that you make an active decision to get your A1C to a healthy range to protect your future health. Making healthy lifestyle tweaks today can help you prevent complications of type 2 diabetes — such as stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation — down the road. 
Not Seeing Improved A1C Results?
If you feel as though you’ve been doing everything right but you're still not hitting your A1C target, try not to get discouraged, LeRoith says. “At that point, your doctor will reevaluate your treatment plan and what’s not working — whether it might be diet or exercise. Then he or she will talk about medication.” If you’re already on medication, your doctor may increase the dosage or add another medication.
Together, you and your doctor — along with the aid of some healthy lifestyle modifications — can get your blood sugar level down to a healthy range.

Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Not feeling "funny" anymore...


Good morning sunshines,

temptations for diabetics are available all around us. It takes guts (for the ladies) and balls (for the men - ag, the dearies) to resist these naughty cravings stoically, and to be honest, I indulge every once in a while in a cookie or two....But if this should get out of hand, we need to consider if we want the cookies so much as to risk serious health complications, or to quickly whip up something sweet, but sugar free in the kitchen. Lately I choose the second option more and more often and am proud to announce really good diabetes management results for the moment. This is my light at the end of a tunnel, to be healthy and enjoy life!!

To highlight the temptation factor from somebody elses's point of view (the wife and carer of a diabetic husband) I quote the following article:

“Funny” Is No Laughing Matter


“I don’t feel right!” Don said.  My husband, who has type 2 diabetes, had just walked back in our front door, after having gone into town to do some Christmas shopping. Or so he said. He only came back with gifts from one store. He felt “funny,” he said, afraid to drive. Which was odd, since I’d only fed him a few slices of whole grain toast with butter and a glass of milk before he left, nothing that would bring on the “funny feelings” about which diabetics often complain.
“Funny” in our home is no laughing matter. It’s how my husband feels when he’s not being active or when he’s eaten something he shouldn’t have eaten. I suspected foul play–a soda, maybe some greasy fries, eaten in secret, as diabetics often do–and called him on it. “Quit preaching to me,” he said.
As a caregiver, I prepare the majority of our healthy meals from home, but that doesn’t mean Don doesn’t sneak in something greasy and juicy when I’m not looking. The “funny feelings” he describes occur when his glucose is off balance. The hard part for me is trying to walk those fine lines between caregiver and scold, wife and caregiver, friend and foe. He’s nearly sixty years old, and we’re still figuring out this dance.
The other night, while I was preparing dinner, Don was working on his train platforms that we put up each year during the Christmas season. But then suddenly he was sitting in front of the TV, feeling “funny” again. I’d suggested a healthy snack, but I suspect he grabbed a Mountain Dew and a piece of dark chocolate from his secret stash in his car. He was so out of it, I grabbed the camera and took a photo. Maybe if he sees himself during these unfunny “funny” moments, particularly now, during the sugar-laden Christmas season, he’ll think twice about indulging in sugar.

At least I hope so. I don’t like being the scold. I suspect Don doesn’t love it either. He’s only had diabetes for a year. He’s probably still in the denial stage of the illness. It’s hard on him, but it’s hard on me, too, and I’m not sure what the solution is other than to keep reminding him of all the things that can go wrong if he doesn’t heed his body’s warnings. I’d like to keep him around. And I hope 2015 will bring a bit more discipline, a bit less “funny,” a bit more fun: the real kind.






Friday, 26 June 2015

More puddings...the proof is in the eating!

Hello friends!

On the 21st of June was the soltice that determines spring is on it's way South of the equator, and winter North. The diabetics in the South can celebrate the day by eating these summery desserts. The ones North can say Good Bye summer slowly but surely. Poor diabetics in the North!!

Peach Melba 'n' Cream Trifle
The crowd-pleasing Peach Melba 'n' Cream Trifle can't possibly get any easier to make. It doesn't matter how busy you are, this no-bake classic is a simple yet elegant dessert that tastes as good as it looks. Just wait 'til you see their eyes light up when you place this on the dinner table!
Makes: 9
Preparation Time: 5 min
What You'll Need:

  • 1 can of peach slices in fruit juice
  • 100 g sugarfree wafers, coarsely crushed
  • 1 container fat-and sugar free dessert whipping cream
  • 1 cup freas raspberries or strawberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar free raspberry or strawberry conserve
What To Do:
  1. Place one-half of the peaches on the bottom of a serving bowl. Top with one-half of the crushed wafers, one-half of the whipped topping, and drizzle with one-half of the melted preserves. Repeat the layers one more time.
  2. Garnish with fresh raspberries/strawberries, and serve, or cover and chill until ready to serve.




Creamy Chocolate Pie

This light version of Creamy Chocolate Pie is good as is, or you may want to toss on some fresh raspberries, or a dollop of low-fat whipped topping with a few sprinkles to give it a "wow" finishing touch.
Serves: 12
Chilling Time: 4 hr
What You'll Need:
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1/4 cup sugalite
  • 1/3 cup low-fat (2%) milk
  • 4 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened
  • 1  container fat-free whipped topping
  • 1 (20 cm) reduced-fat graham cracker pie crust
What To Do:
  1. In a large bowl, combine cocoa powder and oil. Add sugalite and milk; mix with a spoon until smooth. Add cream cheese and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. With a spoon, fold in whipped topping until well blended.
     
  2. Pour into pie crust, cover loosely, and freeze at least 4 hours, or until firm.


Creamy Dreamy Banana Pie
You'd never guess that this Creamy Dreamy Banana Pie is guilt-free. Honest! It tastes as good as the real thing, but no one has to know you used lighter ingredients.
Serves: 10
Serving Size: 1 slice
Chilling Time: 4 hr
What You'll Need:
  • 1 cup fat-free (skim) milk
  • 1 (4-serving) package sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 large ripe banana, peeled and sliced
  • 1 (9-inch) reduced-fat graham cracker pie crust
  • 1 (8-ounce) container frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed and divided
  • 2 tablespoons toasted coconut (optional)
What To Do:
  1. In a large bowl, using a wire whisk, combine milk and pudding mix until thickened.
     
  2. Place banana slices on bottom of pie crust. Fold half the whipped topping into the pudding.
     
  3. Spoon pudding mixture evenly over bananas then spoon remaining whipped topping over pudding mixture and sprinkle with toasted coconut, if desired. Cover and chill at least 4 hours, or until ready to serve. 
Notes



Bibbering but warm greetings,
Barbara


Saturday, 20 June 2015

Diabetic recipes / Ice Cream / Coconut Oil



Good day. friends.

Who said you can't eat ice cream being a diabetic? So many recipes abound (see also my previous blog post) that basically you only have to give 'diabetic ice cream' into your search engine, and voila!

Pinterest as well is a mine of information for diabetic recipes and other 'tips and tricks'. Again type 'pinterest.com' into the search engine and then search 'pinterest' for whatever you want to see and know. You click on a picture of e.g. 'diabetic chocolate cake' and to get the details you click on 'visit site' in the window that will appear. Vast resources will open up, for fans of cooking, crafting, sewing, jewelry making, fast cars, psychology, internet hacks like blogging tutorials, beer brewing and what have you. To get a taste of the incredible possibilities I herewith give you a link to my very own


which I hope will open a whole huge modern library with limitless resources for you too!

Incidentally I am a great fan of COCONUT OIL ('My latest craze') and most of what I use in cooking, in the bathroom and in my household, for my pets and, wait for it, for slimming and lowering my blood sugar level are derivatives of the humble but amazingly powerful coconut.
It is impossible to blog all the recipes, benefits and goodness of this nut, so again I give you the link to my coconut board on pinterest:


Please keep in mind that almost all recipes on this board are more than suitable for diabetics!!

To round off this post a recipe for diabetic ice cream follows:


Banana-Coconut Raw Vegan Ice Cream

Ingredients
  • 4-6 bananas, frozen and cut into pieces
  • 1/2 cup shredded (desiccated) coconut
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean powder or -extract
Directions
  • Blend bananas up in blender or food processor until they’re smooth and creamy. Don’t blend for too long or the ice cream will melt.
  • Add shredded coconut and vanilla and blend for 30 seconds or until the coconut and vanilla are thoroughly mixed into the ice cream.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!
This recipe makes approximately 2 cups of ice cream.
BANANAS ARE NATURALLY VERY SWEET, SO PORTION CONTROL IS ADVISED ONCE AGAIN!




NUTTY GREETINGS FOR TODAY,

Barbara

Saturday, 13 June 2015

Hello again, all friends with diabetic dry skin!

                                        FLOWERS FOR YOU, WHO READ MY BLOG.....

I'm posting an article which is especially important for us South Africans, who are experiencing a very cold winter at the moment.

It all makes perfect sense, but there is one paragraph which I do not agree with. All the remedies that are named there are not really beneficial to severely dry skin, excema and others, as they contain preservatives and chemicals.


Being a great fan of natural remedies, I recommend to use COCONUT-OIL instead. I have a vast amount of research on this humble, affordable and time tested oil. It helps the body from the inside and out to get enormous benefits for the heart, blood pressure, memory, immune system, infections, diabetes and slimming. I take 2 tablespoons a day in different ways: in a hot beverage, melted into warm foods, used as sandwich spread or made into delicious, sugar free chocolate or biscuits. I use it as hair conditioner, skin-food (very good!!) for body, face, hands and feet. If your temperatures are lower than 25 Celsius, it is a kind of solid white substance. Immediately on skin contact it will melt into the softest and mildest lotion you ever have used. PLEASE try this!

And next time I will post some really nice recipes for homemade cosmetics, remedies and cooking with Coconut-Oil. See you then.

From a website called C-Diabetes comes the following info:

Diabetes affects many body organs, including the largest of the body, the skin. Some skin conditions are specific to diabetes, but most of them also occur in the general population. In addition, the clinical symptoms and complications of skin disease are frequently more severe in the context of diabetes.
Dry skin (also called xerosis or asteatosis) is one of the numerous dermatological problems associated with diabetes. Although by no means the most serious complication of diabetes, you may find it extremely bothersome and problematic.
What is Dry Skin?
Rough, dry and scaly skin affects at least 75 percent of people with diabetes over the age of 64. Dry skin is aesthetically unappealing, uncomfortable, itchy and can set the stage for eczema like outbreaks and other skin infections. Dry skin covered with scale may appear in a generalized pattern or in localized round patches. In more severe cases, the skin loses its suppleness and cracks with erythema (redness or inflamation) becoming evident in and around the involved areas. Pruritus (itching) is the most prominent feature of this condition. Rubbing and scratching can aggravate dry skin, causing more itching and inflammation and potentially leading to infection. Dry skin can be localized such as on the legs, feet, hands and/or face or it can progress to all the skin.
The Causes
Dry skin is usually caused in large part by environmental factors. Although dry skin may be present in a person with diabetes year round, it is particularly present in the winter. When people turn on the heat in their houses, the indoor humidity decreases and there is also increased exposure to cold dry winds outdoors. Soaps, detergents, hot baths and showers remove the skin’s natural oils (sebum) and promote dry skin. When you run the water in your tub, keep the temperature cool to lukewarm.
In addition, in people with diabetes, damage to small blood vessels and to small nerves may further promote dry skin and its complications.
It is important to treat dry skin because:
  • It can cause intense itching and irritation;
  • It can lead to secondary infection, localized folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles on the skin) or even cellulitis
  • It can lead to ulceration particularly on diabetic feet with loss of sensation.
  • Daily treatment can prevent these problems and complications.
Treatment
Addressing the environmental factors is the foundation of treatment and prevention. This includes keeping the temperature as low as is comfortable and increasing the humidity through the use of humidifiers. The skin should be protected by wearing gloves when using cleaning agents, solvents and other household detergents. Bathing should be kept to a minimum and extremely hot baths and showers should be avoided.
Products such as Dove® unscented cleaning bar or Cetaphil® wash (a grease-free emollient) can be used for washing. After bathing, an appropriate emollient such as petrolatum, or products containing lanolin or Aquaphor can be applied in liberal amounts. A good skin tip is to blot yourself dry after showering or bathing, leaving some water on the skin. The emollient can then be applied to trap some of the moisture in the skin. To this regimen can be added to products containing 10 to twenty percent urea that can hold moisture in the skin. An alphahydroxy acid (AHA) lotion can often restore the structure and function of dry skin. Creams and lotions are generally preferred by people as they are less greasy and thus more cosmetically acceptable. Urea and lactic acid mixtures are often not well tolerated for dry skin on a sensitive area such as the face, and they may sting if applied on open areas (i.e. unhealed cuts or rashes). Products with emollient bases may be better alternatives.
If there are eczematous changes or infected areas associated with the dry skin, a family physician or dermatologist should be consulted as topical steroids or antibiotics may be necessary.
The “diabetic foot” is a special case in point, as it is very prone to infection and ulceration. Roughness, dryness and fissuring require prompt treatment to avoid more serious consequences. A similar regimen of emollient and urea-containing preparations can be use. The simple act of putting a cream or lotion on the foot daily also forces one to check the feet daily.
Daily treatment of dry skin is a highly recommended, necessary and cost-effective way of preventing further problems and complications.

LOTS OF WARM GREETINGS FROM COLD SOUTH AFRICA,
Barbara