As part of our November Blogging for a Cure project, I will spend some time offering something fun — and important.

As the American Diabetes Association notes, the vast majority of adults who have the disease have the Type II variety. Adult-onset diabetes (as opposed to Type I or "juvenile diabetes") is more of a lifestyle disease. Where the juvenile strain is the result of having a pancreas that does not produce necessary insulin, Type II diabetics do produce the substance; the problem is that their bodies can not use the insulin properly. That is due to a number of factors, primary among them, too much fat.

Genetic predisposition plays a part in many people being diagnosed with Type II diabetes. If one contracts gestational diabetes during pregnancy, that also makes one more susceptible to getting the disease. But most people find themselves dealing with the incurable condition because of one thing that they can control: their weight. As the nation becomes increasingly overweight or obese, it should be no surprise that the number of cases of Type II diabetes is rising — the ADA says the number of sufferers is nearly 17 million.

But here is good news: The disease can be controlled and sometimes reversed if diabetics change their diets and lose weight. To help out, from time to time, AF&O will offer recipes that are easy to prepare, delicious, and above http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/all, healthy. You can find a wealth of resource material at DiabeticRecipes.com.

Today, as much of the nation settles into autumn's chill, I thought a hearty soup recipe would hit the spot. And what is better on a crisp fall evening than a hearty concoction which, prepared in a crock pot, can simmer all day while you are at work or out in the world? And dig this: A single serving of this beauty is only 139 calories and contains only three grams of fat.

Steak and Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

2 medium onions, about 1/2 pound (240 g), coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
3 tablespoons (27 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon (5 ml) crushed dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) lemon pepper seasoning
1 1/2 pounds (720 g) lean beef top round steak, trimmed of all fat and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes
1 14 1/2-ounce (435 g) can low-sodium diced tomatoes
1 pound (480 g) button mushrooms, cleaned and thickly sliced
7 cups (1.7 l) fat-free low-sodium canned beef broth
1 large bay leaf
1 pound (480 g) Swiss chard, coarsely chopped

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