ImTypeFree Announces Tessa Downes is the 2nd Place Winner of the ImTypeFree Diabetes Recipe Contest.

Can you fight the diabetes gene with good home cooking?

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) July 5, 2007 -- Tessa Downes, the 2nd place winner of the ImTypeFree Diabetes Recipe Contest (www.imtypefree.com) has set out to do battle with the disease her father suffered with for years -- diabetes.

Studies have indicated that there is a 6 - 8 percent chance of developing diabetes if your father has Type 1 Diabetes and a 1 - 2 percent chance of developing the disease if your mother has it. If either of your parents have Type 2 Diabetes the risk of developing the disease is significantly increased.

But according to medical professionals you can reduce your risk of developing diabetes, even if your parents had the disease by developing a healthy lifestyle which includes balanced, nutritional meals and exercise.

"An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure," said to Ann-Marie Stephens, the co-founder of www.ImTypeFree.com. "Eating the right foods, prepared properly along with regular exercise and health check-ups can make a huge difference for those already at risk of developing diabetes," she added. "Tessa's Bok Choy and Beans with Peppered Shrimp recipe is a perfect example of a delicious meal low in sodium, low in fat; but full of flavor."

Bok Choy and Beans with Peppered Shrimp Recipe:

3/4-1 pound large shrimp (remove shells & tails)

1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

1 tsp hot chili pepper flakes

1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced

1/2 pound Chinese long beans, halved, or whole green beans trimmed

2 cloves of garlic

1 small red or yellow bell pepper, cored and cut into 1/4inch strips

2 large stalks if bok choy, thinly sliced (including leaves)

1-2 Tbsp black bean sauce

Rinse shrimp well, shake dry and place in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with black pepper and hot chili pepper flakes and set aside.

In a large skillet or wok, heat olive oil and sauté onion for 2 minutes, until just tender. Add beans, toss to coat with olive oil, tossing frequently, cook for 4 minutes. Add garlic, red or yellow peppers and bok choy. Cover and cook for an additional 4 minutes.

Add shrimp and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until shrimp are pink and vegetables are tender but crisp. Stir in black bean sauce and cook for 1 minute to blend flavors.

Serve hot by itself or over brown rice.

"When I was younger, I wasn't a lover of vegetables. For me, it's always been…if it looks good, it must taste good," said Downes. " So when I found this recipe, it looked so good in the picture that I just had to try it."

Downes strongly advises anyone at risk for developing diabetes to take care of their health before they develop the disease.

"In the famous words of Nike®…just do it! It is so much easier to take control now then to wait until it is too late," Downes concluded.

Visit www.ImTypeFree.com to view the recipes of all the ImTypeFree Recipe Contest winners and prepare them for your next meal. Also signup for the ImTypeFree newsletter to receive up-to-date Diabetes information and news.

About ImTypeFree

ImTypeFree.com is a Diabetes information resource that addresses all aspects of life affected by Diabetes; diet, nutrition, fitness, medication, prevention and treatment. ImTypeFree founders, Ann-Marie and Ed Stephens have had many close family members affected by Diabetes. They began development of the site in 2006 in response to their family members' remarks that obtaining easily accessible, yet comprehensive, information about the disease is difficult. Ann-Marie is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business and has worked as a Senior Executive at Circuit City Stores, Frito-Lay and Procter and Gamble. Ed has a background in scientific research and product development for companies such as Procter and Gamble, Avon Products, The Drackett Company, and Frito-Lay. The couple lives in Richmond, VA with their two sons.

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