Is peanut butter the new apple cider vinegar?

I am always on the prowl for a good tip. Last week, as I was donning my plumbers hat and took on a stubborn toilet clog (um, despite one young lady's promise, this home remedy did not work for me). However, there are amazing homegrown tips out there. 

A few years ago, it was all about apple cider vinegar, and unlike the promise to unclog my toilet, it does work. A couple of months ago, when I was suffering from the plague (not really the plague, but I'm sure that's what it felt like), and despite the grossness of the taste, after gargling with the stuff, it really did help me feel better.

Today's find was learning how else peanut butter might be used, other than making a most awesome PBJ sandwich or Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cups (and these only have 10 carbs per serving... bonus!).

Unknown image source: notify via comments if known

Before you move on, because you are a hater of peanut butter or something, please stick with me for a moment.

I make no promises as to whether these peanut buttery tips work, but just when I thought I heard everything, there was a bit of randomness at the end of this video that make me sit up and take notice.

Be sure to stick it through to the end... you might be surprised at what you might find too.

Click here to watch on YouTube

Who knew that peanut butter did so much?! It can reduce the smell of cooking fish (nothing like the smell of lingering old fish from 3 days ago! yuck!) ... or shaving, "My, that's an interesting cologne you're wearing".

But, did you catch the claim at the end? Women who eat peanut butter 5 times a week are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Really? Could this be true? I do believe that there is some (a lot) of truth in preventative medicine through better nutrition, so I will suspend my skepticism for a few moments.

I set to finding out if they were just joshing with me. I did find a study documented at JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association) in 2002. So there could be something to this. I'm a little skeptical of such findings (like, I wonder who commissioned this study? The Peanut Butter Institute (Ed Note: I made that up) perhaps?... but maybe some of our better researchers out there might be able to find out).

Regardless of how comprehensive this study was, and it could contain quite valid conclusions for all I know, but surely, what could it hurt.

Granted, many of you reading this blog may likely already have diabetes, so you might be just shrugging your shoulders, like, so what? Nonetheless, I think it's a pretty cool tip too.

So to all our womenfolk out there concerned about reducing the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes, get your peanut butter on!

Back in the swing of things

I'm back after a brief hiatus with real life involving broken appliances and misbehaving cars. I am now the proud owner of a washer and dryer that actually will wash and dry clothes, and a car that matches my insulin pump - who knew that Ping made a colour in Sonic Metallic Blue! I thought it was just blue. (side note to Animas: don't miss time-honoured marketing opportunities). Anyway, I digress. I'm back in the swing of things, and that's what counts!

Anyway, today's InkStain'D has some awesome articles and blog features, not to be missed:

First off, I'd like to note that I'm now a member of Diabetes Advocates. Not sure if I can do them justice, but I'm there, and hope I can make a real dent in the Diabetes Community. With May focusing on depression, the Diabetes Advocates are raising awareness about the link between living with diabetes and depression. Check out the post Diabetes & Depression: Places to Get Support. 

In particular, I really loved the speech given by Marina Keegan, The Opposite of Loneliness. Admittedly, this is not about diabetes per se, but a powerful speech given at her Yale commencement. Bittersweet to be certain, but some important life lessons here, addressing change.

Also, a special nod to my husband Larry, who some of you know as @Maindog101, and who is now sporting an alter ego at @MaindogSound on Twitter. He launched his own blog Maindog Sound a couple of weeks ago, and, well, the aforementioned life thing happened, so it's now at InkStain'D.

But there's so much more, so please visit InkStain'D today!

Pumped... about the technology

InkStain'D is out in all it's Sunday glory. You'll read all kinds of good stuff here, including a review of the iBGStar by Valerie Anne of Diabetically Yours (my newest blogger discovery - and what a treasure she is!) Did I mention I'm very pumped about this technology? My local pharmacy is on the case, but I might be downloading the app even before receiving the meter. Did I mention that I'm excited? Right... ok, moving on.

Cool stuff worth reading in the Sunday Edition:

• Surprise Surprise... - Diabetically Yours
• Yes I Can Have Chocolate - No More Shots for Shannon
• May DSMA Carnival: The best of the May Diabetes Blogs
• May the Fourth Be With You: Happy Blogaversary to SixUntilMe
• Predetermined Nonsense - A Consequence of Hypoglycemia
• Junk Food Ban in Ontario Schools: Protest video by students & definitely worth watching
• Eye implants restore vision in British patients (InkStain'D note: if they can do this, just think what the artificial pancreas will do... tech is just so amazing!) 
• Often Awesome - a series about living life with ALS: a bittersweet love story
• Recipe: Homemade Nutty Bars

So please visit InkStain'D and discover what's worth reading.

Lovers and Fighters in our Midst

Today's InkStain'D is featuring a love story. It's not an everyday love story though. If you've come to know Meri, her husband Ryan, and the rest of her family through her witty, insightful and inspirational writing at Our Diabetic Life blog, you already know their story. As a brief recap (that sounds so crass, but I don't mean it to be), Ryan has been facing life threatening tumors. Through these challenges, they show their love, their strength as a couple, and as a family, which puts life in perspective. Everyday I send some positive thoughts to the Great Wide Open just for them. Miracles do happen. Anyway, I invite you to check these posts out. You won't be sorry (mini spoiler alert: you may need a tissue or two).

Now, all that being said, there are so many other Lovers and Fighters in our midst - a ton of stuff. Worth the visit I should think. But if I haven't convinced you yet, see below for a teaser:

• Taking Away It's Power - C's Life With D
• I Have a Few Questions - Texting My Pancreas
• Ancient Glucose Meters - Six Until Me
• Dozing - Ninjabetic
• Blind Ultrarunner Uses iPhone to See (Sidebar: Larry, take note!)
• How to Make Perfect French Fries - Art of Doing Stuff (also how to make them frozen fries)
• Bacon and Egg Salad - BitchinKitchen
• Frozen Yogurt Drops - The Kitchn

Visit InkStain'D and see what's going on in our community and beyond.