Quarterly Newsletter - August 2007

Inside this issue:

From the President’s Desk
Hot Topic Corner: Diabetes and Caring for Your Feet
Recipes: Chicken Whole Meat Casserole & Baked Sweet Potatoes in Jackets

From The President's Desk

I hope all have enjoyed their summer. Fall is fast approaching, the time of the year when we begin to enjoy holiday festivities. Remember to get plenty sleep and eat healthy in order to ensure a healthy transition into fall. We have included some tasty yet healthy recipes for your enjoyment. Because we are wrapping up the summer, we can experience a variety of climate temperatures, be sure to dress for the season and drink a lot of water. Please remember to take care of yourself and enjoy life!!!

Sincerely, Shalon Lee, LMSW, ACSW, CFAE

Hot Topic Corner: Diabetes and Caring for Your Feet

The hot topic for this edition of the Soka Connection is diabetes and foot care. It is extremely important to properly care for your feet particularly if you’re a diabetic. This article provides information about how to care for your feet and helpful tips to keep your feet happy!

Diabetes Foot Care

When you have diabetes, taking good care of your feet is very important. Poor foot care can lead to serious problems, including possibly having to remove the foot or leg (amputation). As a person with diabetes, you are more vulnerable to foot problems because the disease can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet. The American Diabetes Association estimates that one in five people with diabetes who seek hospital care do so for foot problems. By taking proper care of your feet, most serious problems can be prevented. Here are some tips to follow.

Wash and Dry Your Feet Daily

Use mild soaps.
Use warm water.
Pat your skin dry; do not rub. Thoroughly dry your feet.
After washing, use lotion on your feet to prevent cracking. Do not put lotion between your toes.

Take Care of Your Toenails

Cut toenails after bathing, when they are soft.
Cut toenails straight across and smooth with an emery board.
Avoid cutting into the corners of toes.
You may want a podiatrist (foot doctor) to cut your toenails.

Be Careful When Exercising

Walk and exercise in comfortable shoes.
Do not exercise when you have open sores on your feet.

Protect Your Feet With Shoes and Socks

Never go barefoot. Always protect your feet by wearing shoes or hard-soled slippers or footwear.
Avoid shoes with high heels and pointed toes.
Avoid shoes that expose your toes or heels (such as open-toed shoes or sandals). These types of shoes increase your risk for injury and potential infections.
Try on new footwear with the type of socks you usually wear.
Do not wear new shoes for more than an hour at a time.
Look and feel inside your shoes before putting them on to make sure there are no foreign objects or rough areas.
Avoid tight socks.
Wear natural-fiber socks (cotton, wool, or a cotton-wool blend).
Wear special shoes if your healthcare provider recommends them.
Wear shoes/boots that will protect your feet from various weather conditions (cold, moisture, etc.).
Make sure your shoes fit properly. If you have neuropathy (nerve damage), you may not notice that your shoes are too tight.

Proper Shoe Choices

Closed toes and heels.
Leather uppers without a seam inside.
At least 1/2 inch extra space at the end of your longest toe.
Inside of shoe should be soft with no rough areas. Outer sole should be made of stiff material.
Shoe should be at least as wide as your foot.

Tips for Foot Safety

Don't wait to treat a minor foot problem. Follow your healthcare provider's guidelines and the first aid guidelines.
Report foot injuries and infections to your healthcare provider immediately.
Check water temperature with your elbow, not your foot.
Do not use a heating pad on your feet.
Do not cross your legs.
Do not self-treat your corns, calluses, or other foot problems. Go to your health care provider or podiatrist to treat these conditions.

When to Call Your Doctor

See your healthcare provider if you have any of the following problems with your feet:

Athlete's foot (cracking between the toes)
Sores or wounds on your feet
Ingrown toenails
Increasing numbness or pain
Calluses
Redness
Blackening of skin
Bunions
Infection
Hammer toes (when the middle joint of toes is permanently bent downward)

Recipes

Chicken Whole Meat Casserole (makes 8 servings)

Ingredients:

Olive Oil cooking spray
2 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 8 ounces each, halved
4 boneless, skinless thighs, about 4 ounces each
8 small red potatoes, scrubbed and quartered
1 large onion thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced.
8 dried apricot halves

8 dried pitted prunes
½ teaspoon crushed dried thyme
½ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary Freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small navel orange, washed and thinly sliced crosswise
1 large lemon, thinly sliced and seeds removed.

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1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Lightly coat alarge baking pan with cooking spray.

2. Rinse chicken pieces; remove and discard any visible fat. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels.

3. Arrange chicken in the prepared pan and surround with potatoes and mushrooms. Scatter onion and garlic over chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle with thyme, rosemary, and pepper. Drizzle the olive oil over all. Arrange orange and lemon slices on top.Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, uncovering the pan during the last 5 minutes of baking time.

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Per serving: 247 calories (18% calories from fat), 27g protein, 5g total fat (1.0g saturated fat), 24g carbohydrates, 3g dietary fiber, 80mg cholesterol, 92mg sodium Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean protein (meat), 1 ½ carbohydrate (1 bread/starch, ½ fruit).

Baked Sweet Potatoes in Jackets (makes 6 servings)

Ingredients:

6 small sweet potatoes, about 3 ounces each
Olive oil cooking spray

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1. Scrub the potatoes and prick several times with the tip of a sharp knife. Place in a large saucepan with water to cover. Gently boil for 20 minutes. Drain and pat dry.

2. Arrange on a baking sheet. Lightly coat each potato with cooking spray. Roast alongside the chicken until potatoes are very tender, about 40 minutes.

3. Serve the potatoes whole, slashing the top with a knife.