That's Fit

I have fond memories of the Outback Steakhouse. Years ago, my hubby and I would dine there every Friday night. This was before kids, before budgets, before our bodies began to bulge. We don't eat out so often anymore. And we typically stray from the place where cheese fries tempt our taste buds.

We're going to the Outback tonight. It just so happens to be a Friday night. It won't be quite the same as all those years ago, though. We'll have two little boys with us, and not so much money to spare, and we'll definitely be watching what we eat. Nope, not quite the same. It'll be better.

We love that we get to tow our guys with us to dinner. At ages seven and almost-five, Joey and Danny are pretty well-behaved dinner companions. The budget? I like it. It makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something great, saving money for our future. And the eating part? I no longer crave the junk I once ate and so I'm looking forward to a healthy Outback meal. They have those, you know?

I've already checked out the Outback's Healthy Weight Loss menu -- I'm not trying to lose any weight at the moment but I figure these options will serve me well -- and I think I'm going to order the salmon, without butter and seasoning. I'll get the house salad without cheese and croutons and with tangy tomato dressing -- it has no fat -- on the side. I"ll have veggies too, minus the butter. Have you ever eaten Outback veggies? They're yummy -- and soaked in butter. I hope they're still good without.

The Outback offers other healthy menu versions. There's the gluten-free menu, the heart healthy menu, the diabetic menu, and the high protein/low carbohydrate menu. When you're in the market for a dinner out, check these out. And tell us what you'd order.

Want to know what you should not eat while dining out? AOL Body has the dirt on the 20 worst restaurant foods.

Researchers have found that, in patients with type 2 diabetes who require insulin treatment, a new formulation that only has to be injected once daily controls blood sugar as well as the more typical three-shots-a-day formula. Not surprisingly, patients in the study were more satisfied with the once-a-day formula. (Seriously... who would want three shots each day if they could have only one?) There was no added benefit in insulin control, however.

For many patients with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugar with diet, exercise, and oral medications. But for those that require insulin treatments a once-a-day treatment could be a welcome change.

I remember a while back coming across research related to honey's efficacy in treating diabetic foot ulcers. The study, as best as I can recall, pointed to the powerful healing properties of honey and its ability to reduce the chance of infection. Not surprisingly, more recent studies on honey revealed additional healing properties, this time related to burned skin.

After analyzing fifteen separate studies, researchers from New Zealand found that burned skin covered with antibiotic ointment healed much more slowly than burned skin coated with honey. Honey not only soothes the pain of burned skin, but it also reduces inflammation and prevents further infection.

Being that the burned skin covered with honey healed about four days faster than burned skin covered in antibiotic creams, bringing a small jar with you on that sunny vacation your planning may not be a bad idea.

As many diabetics may know, they are prone to foot problems that can develop into serious enough situations that require limb amputation.

It's always wise to treat your feet like gold, since for all of us, motion is, well, kind of a requirement for any kind of daily living. For diabetics, extra-special care should be taken.

But, for those diabetics that do not know about keeping your feet in good shape, below are some tips to ensure your feet stay where they are.

• Thoroughly wash your feet each day in warm -- not hot -- water. Make sure you dry them completely after washing.
• Inspect your feet every day, looking for blisters, calluses, cuts, sores or any signs of redness.
• For dry skin, apply lotion -- but never between the toes.
• Gently file down corns and calluses with a pumice stone after washing your feet.
• Cut your toenails regularly, and file the edges with an emery board.
• Avoid walking barefoot, make sure shoes fit well, and always wear socks or stockings with shoes.

One hundred years ago, only 3 million people in this country were aged 65 or older. Today, more than 36 million Americans are in this age group, and that number is expected to grow during the next 25 years to over 70 million as baby boomers age.

Regular physical activity, keeping the mind busy, and a healthy diet are key to healthy aging and physical independence. Not only does it keep the body strong, but keeping the body moving protects and improves your emotional and cognitive health and people who mentally challenge themselves, and stay connected with loved ones are less likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, short-term memory loss, and illness in general. Maintaining a healthy diet keeps the body and mind sharper. Avoid high sodium, sugar, and high fat diets. Stay away from smoking or heavy alcohol use.

Regular walking and aerobic exercise is proven to help manage depression, anxiety, and stress and maintains balance, strength, and flexibility, which are key to preventing injuries and falls. Challenging your intellect on a daily basis by reading, learning a new musical instrument or language, doing crossword puzzles, or playing games of strategy or cards with others will keep the brain active and developing and less likely to lose its power and memory. Eating healthy will maintain your weight, as well as keep a handle on developing diabetic, heart, or colon problems.

To me this is a scary bit of news: one in five Americans is either at risk for developing diabetes or is unaware that they already have the disease. One in five? That's a high number!

The biggest risk factors for diabetes include being overweight, sedentary, older than 45, and having a family history of the disease. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include frequent urination, blurred vision, and excessive thirst -- although doctors warn that many people live without obvious symptoms until they develop more serious (and noticeable) complications like heart disease and nerve damage.

To help make sure you're not one of the 20% left in the dark, make sure you visit your doctor regularly to get screened as often as recommended -- and be sure to bring any strange symptoms or feelings to his/her attention right away. If you do have diabetes the sooner you know it the better.