The Culinary Scoop

Canola oil can help control blood glucose (blood sugar) in people with type 2 diabetes when included as part of a low-glycemic index (GI) diet, according to research presented at theJune 2014 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions (abstract CT-SY24) and published in the peer-reviewed journal Diabetes Care.  The study of Canadian adults with type 2 diabetes shows that adding canola oil to the diet is a simple way of helping control blood glucose and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Diabetes affects about 3.3 million Canadians (9 percent) and 26 million Americans (8.3 percent).

In the multicenter, randomized controlled trial, 141 participants with type 2 diabetes who were taking drugs to control blood glucose were given either a test or control diet for three months. The test diet was low GI (minimizes fluctuations in blood glucose levels) and higher in fat, including bread made with canola oil (31 grams of oil per person per day). The control diet was healthy, low-fat and high-fiber, emphasizing whole wheat foods. Results showed that those who consumed the canola oil diet improved blood glucose control. Importantly, participants at increased risk for adverse effects from type 2 diabetes, such as those with high blood pressure, derived the greatest benefits.

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Martha Stewart’s American Made is a nationally recognized awards program that celebrates new rising stars of the growing maker culture who have turned their passions for handcrafted, well-designed goods into small businesses and proudly make their products in America.

Through American Made, Martha and the editors of Martha Stewart Living honor these makers, small-business owners and creative entrepreneurs in the fields of crafts, design, food and style.

We are honoring makers, small-business owners, and creative entrepreneurs in the fields of crafts, design, food, and style. If you are an American maker and you are producing beautiful, innovating, inspiring products, nominate yourself in one of our categories.

CRAFTS

If you make your business as a quilter, paper crafter, stationer, needleworker or knitter, ceramist, toy maker, basket weaver, sewer, or candle maker, producing the beautiful items that make up the decorative-arts category, we want to hear your story. You can select from the following:

• Celebrations: Party goods, decorations, wedding products
• Ceramics, Pottery & Glass: Functional, heirloom-quality objects
• Fiber Crafts: Embroidery, crocheting, felting, knitting, quilting, cut-and-sew, natural dyeing
• Nature Crafts: Candles, soaps, home fragrances
• Paper Crafts: Books, calligraphy, paper, calendars, journals, paper flowers, stamps, stationery, wall art, letterpress
• Recycled, Upcycled, Vintage Crafts: Products made with recycled or vintage materials
• Toys: Kids’ toys, games, puzzles

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 Celebrates 4th Annual Truck Driver Appreciation Week With Contest for $1,500 Cash Prize and Pork Rinds

Rudolph Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of pork rinds, is celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 14-20, 2014, commemorating the spirit of the American truck driver with a ten-week campaign that begins July 16. Rudolph Foods will pay tribute to truck drivers across America by asking them to submit a photo of their “rig” for a chance to win $1,500 and a year’s supply of pork rinds. The campaign will be supported by brands that include Rudolph’s, Southern Recipe, Pepe’s and Lee’s Pig Skins. Details of the campaign can be found on PorkRinds.com.

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