Found an intersesting artricle.

It has been reported that nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, and by 2050 that number is expected to reach 48 million. Diabetes is the condition in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin – the hormone needed to convert sugar and starches into energy. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, amputations and kidney failure. It is also the fifth leading cause of death in the country and it can triple a person’s risk for heart attack and stroke.*

National diabetes rates are surging, and although there is no cure for type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the immune system mistakenly destroys cells that make insulin, type 2 diabetes can often be prevented. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 percent of cases and is associated with obesity and lack of exercise. This type usually occurs after a condition known as pre-diabetes, which is currently affecting 57 million people in the United States. The good news is that pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented by making diet and exercise changes.

People do not have to give up their favorite treats but just find a better option that will help them achieve their health goals faster. For those who want to make a lifestyle change for the better, here are ways to incorporate treats into their diet:

Ice cream
No longer does reducing calories and fat mean that you have to give up a favorite treat – ice cream! New ice cream products can provide indulgence without the calories, satisfying your sweet tooth urges. If you are on the go, get a prepackaged 100-calorie bar or a frozen fruit bar. If you have to buy a family-size container, go for reduced fat, fat free or no sugar added. For example, buying no sugar added reduced fat vanilla will allow you to make banana splits and sundaes that have 100 calories less per cup. And if you want a treat that doesn’t require any prep, try the Blue Bunny No Sugar Added Fat Free Brownie Sundae ice cream – brownie chunks and ribbons of fudge in vanilla ice cream for 90 calories per serving!

Dark chocolate
Studies show that eating dark chocolate, above 60 percent cocoa, may contribute to improved cardiovascular health and lower blood sugar. Packed with natural antioxidants, dark chocolate and cocoa sit in the same good-for-you category as green tea and pomegranates. The trick is to shoot for 60 percent cocoa or above – the higher the natural cocoa content, the greater the antioxidant level. Keep in mind that dark chocolate is an indulgent treat and you only need a small portion. Moderation is key when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Light snacks
Making a few small changes when buying snacks can make a big difference. Go for multigrain crackers instead of cheese ones. Forget regular butter popcorn and grab a light pack or look for new varieties made with herbs and olive oil. When considering sweet snacks, choose light ones. The Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom line, for example, offers treats like the Black Raspberry bars made with no sugar added reduced fat ice cream. Choosing a Sweet Freedom dessert or a Sugar Free Bomb Pop will keep calories and carbohydrates low, which is essential to preventing diabetes.

Healthy Drinks
Soda contains no nutrients, yet it loads your body with extra calories and sugar. To get the most out of your diet, forget your daily soda and go for drinks that provide important vitamins. Low sodium 100 percent vegetable juice is a great option and so is vitamin or flavor-enriched water. Just make sure that you check drink labels for calories – healthy water drinks should contain zero calories. To get a fizz fix without all the sugar, try bubbly green-tea beverages.

This past weekend, while checking out real estate in Eastern Madera County, I decided to take a short drive to Mariposa where they were holding the 2^nd annual Blazing Hogs BBQ competition.  My good friend, Dennis Fairbanks, a Realtor for the Fairbanks Real Estate Group at Montecino and Associates Real Estate, was competing in the contest with his famous ribs and chicken.  Being a retired CHP officer, Dennis joined up with retired officer Dave Huskey and active officer Jim Mann. They call themselves “3 Guns a Smokin”. 

I arrived just in time to see the three chippies running franticly to meet the meat turn in time. With their fancy water smokers and kill to die for rub and sauce, they captured prizes in all categories.

It appears the 2^nd annual Blazing Hogs BBQ was a huge success with proceeds going to help Mariposa’s only hospital, John C Fremont. With record breaking attendance, outstanding entertainment and great weather I am sure next year will be bigger and better.

Next time you drive through the town of Coarsegold drop in the local real estate office and ask Dennis when and where they will be BBQing again, you’ll be glad you did.

It is reported that in China, restaurants such as McDonald’s and KFC have been flourishing all across the country. In many parts of China, small hamburger chains have opened up to capitalize on the popularity of hamburgers with children.

In supermarkets and corner stores, one can buy “hamburgers” (”hanbao”) off the bread shelf. These unrefrigerated so-called “hamburgers” are nothing more than ultra-sweet buns cut open with a thin slice of pork or ham placed inside without any condiments or vegetables. The hanbao are a half-westernised form of the traditional Cantonese hamburger. The Chinese word for hamburger (hanbao) often refers to all sandwiches containing cooked meat, regardless of the meat’s origin.

Veggies are usually not our favorite food.  However, it is very important that we eat enough servings of vegetable each day.  A great way of getting in all our veggies is to hide it in foods.  My favorite recipe (for my son) is macaroni and cheese.  I make a serving a mac and cheese, puree carrots, squash, even broccoli and stir them right on in.  He love his mac and cheese and I love him getting his veggies.  There is a great recipe book by Jessica Seinfeld title Deceitfully Delicious that has a huge variety of recipes that helps moms make sure their children are getting their veggies.

Best Burger in Town

Who has the best burger in town?  What makes a burger remarkable?  Some people say it is its taste, others believe it’s its size and plumpness, or its sauce, its toppings, or the way it’s cooked?  Oakhurst and Coarsegold are no strangers to delicious burgers.  The Forks burger, found at The Forks Resort in Bass Lake, has always been a local favorite.  With its juiciness in every mouth watering bite was sure to be a winner.  However, there is a burger out there that could be leading the competition, the Miller’s burger.  Miller’s landing is home to what is described as an exquisite tasting hamburger.  We are sorry McDonalds, Jack-in-the-box, and Burger King but your burgers don’t stand up to its Bass Lake competition.  Enjoy lunch at the lake and you be the judge.  Like they say on Foxx news-WE REPORT; YOU DECIDE.

Yes, BEEF it’s what is for dinner

Summer Indulgence-

There is nothing better than sinking your teeth into a nice refreshing dessert on a hot summer day.  With so many people on diets it is difficult to find a dessert to quench our sweet tooth yet still keep on track with our diet.  Here is one of my favorite summer time recipes.

1 large container of yogurt (anything flavor)

Cool whip (you can use the fat free kind)-thawed

Already made graham cracker crust

Instructions:

   In a bowl, mix yogurt with cool whip.  Use as much cool whip as you would like (less cool whip more flavorful the yogurt will taste.  Once mixed, pour into pie crust and place in freezer.  In a few hours you will enjoy a nice refreshing dessert that will be a hit for the entire family.

ENJOY!!

On Saturday, May 24th, there will be a invitational golf tournament at the Sierra Meadows County Club in Ahwahnee to honor Dr. Gary Pence.  Tee off begins at 9:00 a.m.  The entry fee for golf will be $100 and will include a great day of fun.  All net proceeds from the Dr. Gary Pence Invitational will benefit the ALS Association.

Dr. Pence is a mountain resident and has ALS, which is otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  There is currently no known treatment for ALS and approximately 5,000 new people are diagnosed with the disease annually.  The ALS Association focuses on improving the quality of life for those living with ALS.  This golf tournament kicks off several activities that are planned to benefit the ALS Association.
 
There will also be a fundraising dinner and raffle on May 24th as well.  The cost of admission is only $12 per person.  The ALS Walk will be held on June 1st at the Grizzly Stadium in Fresno.  There is no admission fee and donations are not required to participate, but are greatly appreciated.  The walk beings at 11:00 AM.  All participants will receive free admission to the Grizzly game that begins at 2:05 PM.

If you would like more information about the upcoming tournament, call (559) 683-4494 or if you would like to make a donation, contact Mary Pence at (559) 683-4090.

In my previous post I was telling you all about Oakhurst’s new online site.  Not only will this site be great for tourists, local residents will find it very informative and enjoyable as well.

On the new site you will find information on places to go in the area.  There is a calendar of events as well as an area map with clickable dots to further highlight the events and attractions available in the Oakhurst area as well as other areas.  There is also travel tips listed as well as a section on FAQ (frequently asked questions).

Find information on all sorts of restaurants like, American, Asian, Bar and Lounge, Breakfast, Café and Bistro, Fine Dining, Lunch, Mexican, Picnics and Take Out, Pizzerias, Seafood, Sunday Brunch and restaurant coupons.

There are places listed for wedding planning, meeting planning, and event planning.  You will find it easy to find information on facilities that rent for a variety of reasons.  Local wineries are listed with information on private tours, sightseeing tours and ultra premium wineries to name a few.  Thinking of planning a wedding?  No need to look any further.  This site has everything listed from wedding planners, to party sites to romantic lodging, to transportation.  There is also information listed on art galleries, attractions, spas, car rentals, casinos, golf courses, museums, RV rentals, shopping etc.  You name it, it is there.

Visit www.Oakhurstchamber.dpway.com and check out all the fun information that is now available about our great area!  What a brilliant marketing tool that is now available to everyone!

For the ninth year in a row, the La Sierra Guild of Children’s Hospital of Central California will have a luncheon to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and benefit Children’s Hospital.   There are 13 guilds that currently support Children’s Hospital.  They hope to fund the construction of a helicopter facility at the hospital over the next five years.  

All proceeds from the lunch will go directly to the hospital.

The festival will be held at Oakhurst Lutheran Church on Monday, May 5th from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.  There will be a cost of $12 per person.   The menu is jam packed with yummy Mexican food for all to enjoy.  El Cid is donating chips and salsa, rice, beans, enchiladas and chile rellenos…..simply divine!
 
Participants will have opportunities to win gift baskets that will be filled with items that are donated by local businesses.  Tickets for the baskets cost $1 each.  You can buy a package deal for $20, which will give you 35 chances to win.  If you are not able to attend, but want to participate in the drawings, no need to worry because you do not have to be present to win.

If you would like more information, please call Patty Privett at (559) 641-2428 for tickets or reservations.  You are sure to have a fantastic time, and benefit a great hospital, and eat some wonderful food as well.

Do you sit at home watching cooking shows and salivating over the food you see being prepared? Do you know even know how to boil water?  Or are you cooking skills just average, so that you are ready to kick it up a notch?

No matter what your skill level, you can learn how to cook like a pro at the three day Spring cook classes being held at Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant. These classes don’t require advanced knowledge, or even basic knowledge. All they ask is that you wear shoes you’ll want to stand in for a while and that you come ready to have a good time.

There is a session this week (March 5-7) and another next week (March 12-14). Class is in session from 8:30am-4:00pm each day.

Participants will get a recipe book, hands-on training, learn about how to combine food and wine, plus a lunch and a six course dinner each day.

To learn more contact Christina Overbraugh at 559-683-6800.

Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant in the kitchen
48688 Victoria Lane
Oakhurst, CA 93644