A whole industry has grown up around freeing diabetics to lead less restricted lives. New on the market, or on the verge of being introduced, are three "firsts": tubeless insulin pumps, a needleless blood-glucose monitoring system, and diabetic-friendly frozen foods.

With the number of diabetics growing worldwide - 246 million at last count, according to the World Health Organization - businesses are motivated. In 2011, diabetes therapeutic products were a $23.7 billion dollar industry feeding a growing population that's starving for a better quality of life, says Chef Robert Lewis, "The Happy Diabetic," author of two cookbooks for people with the metabolic disorder.

"It wasn't long ago that Type 1 diabetics had to be sure they packed ample sterile syringes and insulin, whether they were going to work for the day or on a road trip," he says. "Monitoring blood sugar levels, which is crucial to keeping vital organs healthy, was painful, primitive and hit-or-miss.

"And food? That's been the hardest. A diabetes diagnosis can feel like a life sentence of bland eating."

Among the "firsts" Lewis says diabetics can look forward to:

• The first tubeless insulin pump. Thirty years ago, people with insulin-dependent diabetes had to give themselves shots around the clock to control their blood sugar levels. In some cases, diabetics were hospitalized to ensure they got the insulin necessary to prevent ketoacidosis, a condition that can lead to coma and death. In 1983, the insulin pump was introduced. It attaches to the body and provides continuous insulin injections. But while it was a major breakthrough, it can be bulky and awkward, with a dangling catheter. The most recent innovation is a streamlined version called the OmniPad. It has no tubes, it's smaller and it attaches anywhere on the body with adhesive. It also has a built-in glucose-monitoring system.

• The first needleless glucometer. The Symphony tCGM System uses ultrasound to monitor blood-sugar levels, which will free people from the painful pricks needed to get a small blood sample for testing multiple times a day. The device, which attaches with adhesive to the body, continuously tracks glucose levels day and night and can send the readings to your smart phone. Under development for more than a decade, Symphony is undergoing the studies necessary to win regulatory approval.

• The first diabetic-friendly frozen meals. Meals-in-a-Bun (www.lifestylechefs.net) will arrive in Northeast U.S. grocery stores beginning in July and roll out across the country through the end of the year. They're low on the glycemic index, low in sugar and carbs, high in soluble fiber, low in trans fat, high in lean protein and low in sodium, Lewis says. "And the best thing is, they are delicious."  The five varieties - two vegan and three vegetarian - include selections like Thai Satay, mushrooms, broccoli and tofu in whole-wheat flax bun. "This is particularly exciting because, while there have been advances in equipment that makes life easier for diabetics, there haven't been for convenient, packaged foods."

Diabetics who do not watch what they eat may wind up suffering kidney damage, stomach problems, heart disease, pneumonia, gum disease, blindness, stroke, nerve damage, complications during pregnancy, loss of limb and other health problems, according to the CDC.

But many Americans are trending toward healthier diets, eating less meat, gluten, salt and sugar, Lewis says. Tasty foods developed for diabetics will be excellent choices for them, too.

"What's good for diabetics is good for everyone," he says. "And you don't have to give up one teaspoon of flavor.

"There's a reason why I am called 'The Happy Diabetic'; I have discovered the joy of nutrition-rich food."

About Lifestyle Chefs

Lifestyle Chefs is a Santa Clara, Calif., company specializing in creating meals inspired by world cuisines and using only natural, healthy and nutritious ingredients. Lifestyle Chefs' products are all vegetarian and diabetic-friendly, perfect for families who want fast, convenient meals that are low in calories, high in nutrition and robust in flavor. Chef Robert Lewis, "The Happy Diabetic," was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1998. He specializes in flavorful recipes that won't spike a diabetic's blood sugar.

Survey of business technology adoption shows broadband an economic driver vital to continuing recovery

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Des Moines, IA - Connect Iowa today released a comprehensive report detailing the key role broadband plays in business performance and the implications for a continuing economic recovery. Online sales in Iowa account for approximately $2.9 billion in annual sales revenue, and yet 27% of businesses in Iowa still do not use broadband.

"Broadband is crucial to keeping the Iowa economy growing, vibrant, and competitive," said Connect Iowa Project Manager Amy Kuhlers. "The findings of this research offer important information to our state's policymakers and business leaders about how to plan further expansion of broadband access, adoption, and use and how existing services are impacting our local economy and our competitiveness on a global scale."

The report, titled Technology Adoption Among Iowa Businesses, is based on a scientific survey of 804 business establishments in Iowa.

Among the report's key findings:

• Broadband-connected businesses bring in approximately $300,000 more in annual median revenues than non-broadband adopting businesses

• 24,000 Iowa businesses use the Internet to advertise job openings or accept job applications

• 22,000 businesses in Iowa are still not connected to broadband and are unable to actively participate in the digital global economy

• Approximately 21,000 Iowa businesses allow employees to telework, including approximately 11,000 small businesses with fewer than 5 employees

• About 43,000 Iowa business establishments have websites, including 21,000 rural Iowa businesses

For several years, Connect Iowa's parent organization, Connected Nation, has worked to quantify the impact that increased broadband availability and utilization has on the economy. The broadband and business study is an annual study to provide insights in the business side of broadband adoption. Across Iowa, 73% of businesses subscribe to broadband service, a slight increase from 2010 when 72% of businesses subscribed.

Connect Iowa's Business Technology Assessment was conducted as part of the State Broadband Initiative (SBI) grant program, funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The business survey results have been independently peer reviewed, and this survey will be used by state and local leaders to help drive increased adoption and use of broadband. In particular, these surveys will be used to inform Connect Iowa's Connected community engagement program where local and regionals volunteers in dozens of communities are undergoing a broadband assessment and identifying technology needs and opportunities.

Through broadband mapping, education, and research such as this business survey, nonprofit Connect Iowa has been working on promoting broadband access, adoption, and use since 2009. Find out more at www.connectiowa.org or contact Kuhlers at info@connectiowa.org or (515) 421-2561.

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About Connect Iowa: Connect Iowa is a subsidiary of Connected Nation and operates as a nonprofit in the state of Iowa to promote broadband access, adoption, and use. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is leading the initiative to increase broadband Internet access throughout rural Iowa. Connect Iowa was commissioned by the state to work with all broadband providers in Iowa to create detailed maps of broadband coverage and develop a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of broadband. For more information visit: www.connectiowa.org.

May 2, 2012, Des Moines, Iowa– Don't wait to make those restaurant reservations, Mother's Day surpasses even Valentine's Day as the most popular holiday on which to dine out according to research from the National Restaurant Association. In fact, nearly half of moms would pick a favorite restaurant as the place to celebrate Mother's Day. The study also indicated that restaurant gift cards and certificates are a top gift pick for moms, with one in five saying this is their preferred gift.

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Davenport, Iowa, May 2, 2012 - This Sunday, May 6 over 200 volunteers will hit selected parks in Davenport to paint, mulch, clean, and pick up trash. The volunteers are from Bettendorf Christian Church and their volunteer effort is called the "Love Project". Church members of all ages will be out from approximately 9:30am - 2:30pm to work on projects at Credit Island, Garfield Park and Marquette Park in Davenport. The volunteers will provide about 1,000 man hours in donated labor to Davenport Parks and Recreation.

Members of the church will forgo their regular service on Sunday morning for this annual volunteer project. "Church leaders contacted Davenport Parks and Recreation and asked if they could help out this year," according to Ken Asta, Experience Manager for the department. Church members see the "Love Project" as a way for the church to give service to the Quad City community.

Davenport Parks and Recreation is always looking for other agencies or groups to volunteer for projects. Anyone interested in volunteering should call Ken Asta at 563-326-7859, or email kasta@ci.davenport.ia.us.