Diabetes Recipes:
Easy and Robust Pasta Putanesca
Artichoke and Cannellini Bean Salad
In 2004 I wrote an article on emergency preparedness for Diabetes Self-Management magazine. In the light of the last few years of hurricanes, fires, evacuations and natural disasters, man and Mother Nature have sent us reeling. It might be a good time to review what we need to do. Just in Case.
Here is my list for the well-armed diabetic to have on hand as a comfort zone and security blanket if there comes a time when you need to grab your vital necessities and make a quick exit or immediate evacuation. Hang a bright colored, light weight backpack near the most used exit door of your house or apartment. Inside, stash a 2 week supply of the following diabetes essentials for any emergency. Keep in mind the credo: Easy Access and the Right Tools.
Medical Supplies:
- Insulin Syringes
- Pump Supplies (reservoirs or cartridges, infusion sets, IV preps, batteries, antibacterial cream or salve)
- Extra Prescriptions
- Blood Glucose Meter (strips, lancets, batteries, ketone test strips, pens and diary or notebook)
- Oral Medications
- Glucose Tablets or Gel
- First Aid Kit (band-aids, bandages and gauze, alcohol swabs, thermometer, pain reliever, scissors)
- Vitamins (labeled and packed in sealed plastic bags)
- Laminated Medical ID
- Name/Phone Number of Emergency Contact Person
Personal Incidentals:
- Money
- Personal Contact List
- Flashlight (and extra batteries)
- Extra Pair of Prescription Glasses
- Magnifying Glass
- Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Comb and Brush
- Soap and Towel
- Skin Lotion and Sun Screen
- Cell Phone Batteries
Non-Perishable Food Items:
- Bottled Water
- Boxed Juices
- Parmalat Milk Snacks (raisins, granola bars, peanut butter or cheese crackers, favorite candies, dried fruit rolls, dry cereals)
- Quick Carbs (sugar packets, glucose tablets, hard candy and gummy candy)
Don’t Forget To Let Someone Know Your Whereabouts
But wait a minute! There’s nothing we can cook from this list! Not to worry. Cyber kitchen has its own list of food supplies to keep on hand for cooking emergencies, even a recipe or two. So, please stop by when you have a minute. The cook is always in.
For the record, being a strong advocate of fresh, seasonal, local foods I am not a fan of canned goods. That being said, there are a few canned food items that can pass nutritional muster in a pinch. Sometimes necessity overrides philosophy. It is very important to have energy during a crisis. A good way is to eat at least 1 nutritionally sound meal a day. Water is essential to life. The Red Cross recommends storing a 1-gallon ration for each person in a household for cooking, drinking, and hygiene. Oh, and don’t forget a manual can opener and matches.
Tuna, sardines, salmon, crabmeat, artichokes, anchovies, tomatoes, beans, olives, soups and broth, salsa, fruit in natural juice and all good supplies. Vegetables such as potatoes, onions, garlic, winter squashes, and rutabaga have reasonably long shelf lives if stored in dark cool places. Jam and jellies, peanut butter, cereal, pasta, rice, powdered milk, olive, soy, peanut or canola oils, tea, coffee, cocoa, dried fruit, crackers, and condiments work to put together a semi-delicious meal in a pinch.
My Hope is you will never need to use the information in this column.