Remember: This is something that works for me, and I am no expert!
Cinnamon, Turmeric, Bay Leaves, Curry Spice, Apple Cider Vinegar, Oat bran
Fenugreek (don't ask me what can be seasoned with it, but it is bitter tasting) and can be found at GNC!
I buy Cinnamon powder at Big Lots, which is available there for the princely sum of $.48 per 70gm bottle. I mix it about half and half with Splenda and shake it on many things. It is great on baked sweet potatoes, warm toast, cooked carrots and wherever you can imagine. Just remember, this does not mean that you can eat large servings, but you can eat them. Boil cinnamon sticks to make a 'tea' (sweeten it with your preferred sweetener), and drink when you have high blood sugar readings. I have now found Cinnamon Capsules at GNC and Kroger.
I use the vinegar and the Turmeric to make potato salad. This also makes the salad safer, because the vinegar retards spoilage. Lightly use a little Turmeric to add color to the salad and lower the blood glucose. Be careful, a little goes a long way. Since, the first writing, I have upped the amount of vinegar, because I realize that less salt is needed, and the chance of spoilage is reduced. I'm using about 1 cup vinegar to a quart of water.
As far as other things with vinegar, when in doubt about blood sugar eat a little pickle. This works fairly well when you are invited out for a meal and have to choose an 'iffy' item to eat.
Curry spice speaks for itself, so use when you please with rice dishes and certain meat dishes.
Bay leaves are great for boiling pasta. One or two bay leaves placed in the boiling water for the pasta helps. Unfortunately, the amount will vary with the amount of pasta and the size of the leaves. If possible, always use whole wheat pasta. When I am using bottled red sauces from the grocery, I will throw a bay leaf in them too. (I put it in a tea ball and remove it after it has been in the sauce for awhile.) I 'doctor' almost all of the sauces by adding more garlic.
Use Oat Bran to thicken gravy and many casseroles. The bran can slow the digestive process and helps with possible sugar spikes.
The information has been gotten from Gretchen Becker's book, Type 2 Diabetes; Jean Carper's, Food Your Miracle Medicine, and the PDR for Herbal Medicines.
I hope this information is helpful to others!
Since writing this, I have been thinking about why we have lows or highs at unexpected time. My Daddy used to have them; it used to drive me crazy trying to think of why this would happen to him. Of course, he was on insulin, so time was a big factor. Now, I am thinking about the fact that he would like to eat pickles, therefore, the vinegar would lower his bg.
