Internal Medicine Doctor

Mooning over those carb-filled treats for Valentine's Day? The creative chefs at Atkins have come up with an awesome treat you can enjoy -- homemade chocolate-covered strawberries!

For extra zip, you can add one tablespoon of Grand Marnier or Framboise to the chocolate after it has melted.

Note: These delicacies may be prepared up to a day ahead.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

6 Atkins Endulge Chocolate Candy Bars
24 large strawberries, rinsed and patted dry, with stems

1. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or waxed paper. Break Endulge bars into pieces. Place in the top part of a double boiler or a metal bowl and set over (but not touching) a pot of simmering water. Stir one to two minutes, until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat. See note below.

2. Holding each strawberry by the stem, dip in chocolate, leaving a 1/4 inch border at the top. Gently shake off excess chocolate and place berry on foil. Repeat with remaining berries. Reheat chocolate if necessary.

3. Chill berries 40 minutes until chocolate is set.

Note: Endulge bars may also be melted in the microwave. Place in a bowl and microwave on high for one to two minutes. Check every 30 seconds to make sure chocolate doesn't bubble.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Chill time: 15 minutes

Makes 24 servings (serving size: 1 berry). Nutritional values per serving: 43 calories, 3g fat, 0.5g protein, 2.5g carbohydrate, 1g fiber and 1.5g net carbs.

This recipe comes from Atkins.com.

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Exercise is easier with a friend. Especially when those days arise and we aren't feeling motivated to put on our running shoes, go to the gym, or even put in that workout video. It's too easy to get distracted and put off our workout until tomorrow.

Finding a partner is not always as easy as we think. Our friends may not be as motivated as we are, may not share our interest in exercise, may not have the same goals or live close enough. Our family may not be interested (although we want them to be), they may not be supportive or they may not be physically able to do so.

What's the key to picking a workout partner? Here are some tips:

Start with family and friends to see who is available or interested.

Inquire among co-workers, neighbors, social organizations that you participate in.

Join an activity group for something you enjoy -- they can be found locally or online.

Post a notice on the bulletin board or in an area at your gym, health club or community center.

Once you have found a partner, keep in mind that this person can be a source of motivation, but ultimately you have to maintain your motivation by keeping your goals in mind.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as much as 50 percent of American adults do not get the recommended minimum amounts of physical activity. Don’t let yourself be included in this group. Get out and get active. And get a partner!

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Dear eDiets:
I was just diagnosed with diabetes after my doctor found my glucose to be 240 mg/dl. I am 5-foot-3 and weigh 134. Do you think it is possible to control this with diet and exercise alone?
--Name withheld

Whether you can control your diabetes without the use of medication is hard to predict. Your current weight is normal for your height so this might indicate that your body may be struggling to make enough insulin on its own. The key is to obtain a blood glucose meter, begin your eating and exercise plan, and test your blood glucose daily.

Typically, a 3-month trial can determine if diet and exercise will control your blood glucose within recommended ranges. Share your blood glucose testing results with your physician and he or she can help you determine if you require diabetes medications to keep blood glucose levels optimally controlled.

Christine Miller is a Registered and Licensed dietitian, as well as a Certified Diabetes Educator. Christine moderates the Living with Diabetes support group at eDiets.com and conducts live monthly online meetings for people with diabetes. Christine received her Masters Degree in Nutrition from Texas Woman's University in 1991. Soon after, Christine became a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and began providing education and counseling on all aspects of diabetes care including nutrition, blood glucose monitoring, medications, exercise and stress management. In addition to her responsibilities at eDiets, Christine also maintains a private practice in Tampa, Florida.

Do you have a question for Christine? If so, drop her a line at DearDiabetesExpert@ediets.com. Christine will answer one question per issue. Because of the expected volume of queries, she will not be able to provide personal answers other than those appearing in this weekly feature.

eDiets can help you with nutrition and fitness plans to control your diabetes. We have a great support network to help answer your questions, anytime, day or night. Click here to complete a free profile.

Dear eDiets:
I love that nude lip look like Jennifer Lopez and Pamela Anderson wear, but I can't seem to get it right. It always ends up looking like I have white or concealer on my lips. How do you get that look?
--Name withheld

When you see pictures of celebrities wearing this type of lip look, the result is usually natural, glossy and very sultry. However, since we all have pigment in our lips, the look cannot be achieved with lip gloss alone. The key is to find the right lipstick that works for you, and depending on your skin tone, the color may vary anywhere from a cream or light pink color all the way to a medium coffee tone.

If your lips are flaky or chapped, slough off the dead skin cells with a soft toothbrush or a lip exfoliator. Then, apply a lip conditioning balm or stick to hydrate and soften lips. You can also try a lip plumper such as Lip Fusion ($36 at sephora.com) for more fullness.

The most important thing about this look is keeping the lip line clean and defined. Apply a light layer of concealer around the lip area to eliminate any darkness at the corners of the mouth and to neutralize your natural lip color. This is also necessary if you want to change the size of your lips with a pencil. You can line just outside of your natural lip line to make lips fuller or line just inside of the lip line to thin out your lips. The color of the lip liner should coordinate with your lipstick.

I would suggest using a neutral brown or pink/brown so that you can define the lips. This applies to all skin tones and complexions. Look for a lipstick that is neutral in base but has a bit of brown, pink, peach or even plum in it so that you won't look lifeless. Also, take your undertone into consideration. If you are fair to medium with yellow or golden undertones, try a milky peach or beige color, like NARS Bambi lipstick.

If you have pinkish undertones, you may want to choose a lipstick that has a little more pink in it such as Giorgio Armani Sheer Lipstick in #14. Tan and golden complexions should look for a lip color with more brown and peach tones, like Christian Dior Shiniest Beige. If you have tan skin but you have reddish undertones, try a light pinky brown such as Clinique Moisture Surge Lipstick in Fizzy. For darker skin tones, try a coffee or chocolate color such as MAC Shitaki lipstick. For all skin tones, use a clear lip gloss on top to add dimension and shine.

Are you happy and confident in your own skin? If the answer is no, let eDiets help you take the first step toward looking good and feeling great. Getting healthy is a definite confidence booster! Click here to complete a free profile.

Dear eDiets:
I read in a health magazine that exercise and weight lifting create more free radicals in your system. Is this true? Aren't free radicals what cause aging? How can this be good for weight lifters? Please explain. Thank you!
-- Name Withheld

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When you exercise, your body utilizes oxygen. In the process of converting compounds containing oxygen into related compounds, singlet oxygen molecules are set free. Those molecules, known as free radicals, can do cell damage.

With a sensible exercise regimen combined with supportive eating, the immune system strengthens and the body is quite efficient at scavenging those pesky little free radicals.

When free radicals are the result of emotional stress, smoking, chemical ingestion or less beneficial activities, they exceed the body's capability to minimize the damage. Exercisers are usually able to offset any damage those singlet oxygen molecules can do. As a safety net, they should make certain they get adequate vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, which are all antioxidants. They bind with those free radicals and prevent further damage.

A drug-free competitive bodybuilder and 2005 winner of the prestigious WNBF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation) Pro Card, Raphael Calzadilla is a veteran of the health-and-fitness industry. He specializes in a holistic approach to body transformation, nutrition programs and personal training. He earned his B.A. in communications from Southern Connecticut State University and is certified as a personal trainer with ACE and APEX. In addition, he successfully completed the RTS1 program based on biomechanics.