Patti Labelle’s New Desserts Cookbook

Our favorite “DIVAbetic” Patti LaBelle is taking her dessert expertise to the next level with a new cookbook. Her fourth cookbook, entitled Desserts LaBelle: Soulful Sweets to Sing About, will be released April 25 and is available for preorder on Amazon now.

The singer, author, and actress, who is living with type 2 diabetes, is known for her sweet potato pie that became popular after a review on youtube went viral.

For years Patti LaBelle has been very outspoken about managing diabetes after experiencing a health scare during an open-air performance in New York City. Toward the end of the show, just after singing “Over the Rainbow,” she collapsed onstage, in front of thousands of fans. She was rushed to the hospital and was revived. An hour later, she was informed she had diabetes—her blood glucose was 600 mg/dL.

“I had no clue that I had diabetes,” LaBelle explained. “I’m one of those black women who just doesn’t go to see doctors. Had I not passed out, I would have never suspected that I had diabetes.”

But, in truth, LaBelle was no stranger to diabetes. She had watched her mother die from diabetes-related complications at the age of 58. So, LaBelle knew that she had to stop everything and take an active role in managing her condition.

While Patti still enjoys feeding friends and family her famous fried chicken and potato salad made with 12 eggs, she’s also learned to adapt her style to suit her needs.

“I’ll make an apple pie the regular way for everyone else, but I’ll also bake one with a sugar substitute for me.”

Her book written with Laura Randolph Lancaster is filled with her favorite recipes for pies, cakes, cookies, and puddings, as well as a chapter on diabetic-friendly recipes, moving personal stories from her career and life.

Patti is also an award-winning author of five books, three of which were New York Times bestsellers. She is the host of Patti LaBelle’s Place on the Cooking Channel, and the creator of Patti’s Sweet Potato Pie. She lives in Philadelphia.

Don’t miss March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Gladys Knight & the Pips on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, 6-7:30 PM, EST.

Gladys Knight doesn’t have diabetes, but the disease is as close to her heart as the memories of her mother, Elizabeth Knight, who died of complications from the disease in 1997. A five-time Grammy award winner, Knight is as busy as ever gracing the entertainment world with her exceptional voice. Yet she never misses an opportunity to voice the message of early detection and treatment of diabetes.

Gladys shares her final words of wisdom: ” Do something about diabetes … Know more, do more!” Knight feels nearly as passionate about spreading that message as she does about the incredible singing career her mom helped her launch some 54 years ago.

Guests include Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’, Mary Ann Hodorowicz, RD, LDN, MBA, CDE, CEC, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Diabetic Divas Unite, SleepyHead Central, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.

02/17/2017

Pink Champagne Cake Truffles Recipe by Diabetic Pastry Chef

This year Divabetic is working with teams of experts to show you how to embrace the holidays without compromising your diabetes self-care.

If you find it difficult to celebrate the holidays because you’re constantly feeling deprived of the foods you love then check out “the Diabetic Pastry Chef”, Stacey Harris’s wonderful recipes.

Stacey, who is living with type 2 diabetes, wants to help everyone living with diabetes to have their cake and eat it, too, without feeling guilt or unhealthy.

Stacey has created recipes for making breads, cakes and other desserts diabetic-friendly by swapping out the sugar, blending the flour and cutting the milk carbohydrates. Here’s one of our favorite Diabetic Pastry Chef recipes:

Pink Champagne Cake Truffles Recipe by Diabetic Pastry Chef

Ingredients:

3 cups cake flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons King Arthur cake enhancer, optional

5 large egg whites, room temp

1 cup pink champagne, room temp

2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups Whey Low D Granular, or equivalent dry sugar substitute

1 cup unsalted butter, room temp

a few drops of pink or red food coloring

1 15-oz tub sugar-free vanilla frosting or handmade frosting

bag of dessicated unsweetened coconut

Directions: Sift together the first 4 dry ingredients and set aside. In mixer bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. In separate bowl combine the wet ingredients with the Whey Low or other sugar substitute, and food coloring. Mix well by hand until sugar substitute is dissolved. Alternately add the flour mixture and wet ingredients to the mixing bowl beating just until well combined, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Add to greased and floured 11 x 17″ baking pan and bake until cake pulls from the side of the pan, and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cake cool to room temperature.

By hand, break the cake into pieces and add to clean mixing bowl. Turn mixer to medium speed and beat until cake is crumbled about 1 or 2 minutes. Add about 2 large Tbsps of sugar-free vanilla frosting to the bowl and beat until combined. Turn off mixer and gather the dough pressing it together with your hands until a dough forms. You may need to add a little more frosting. With a small cookie scoop, scoop the dough and roll into balls with your hands. Cover and refrigerate the balls for several hours.

Heat the remaining frosting in the microwave just until melted and add a small amount of champagne a teaspoon at a time just to flavor the frosting. Do not let the frosting become too liquid. Remove the cake balls from the refrigerator, roll the balls in the melted frosting and then in the coconut. The truffles are best kept refrigerated. Yield: Approximately 50 cake truffles.

Stacey Harris has been baking and collecting recipes since she was a teenager. Her cookbook “The Diabetic Pastry Chef” offers a healthier approach to baking for diVabetic.

Don’t miss the “The Diabetic Pastry Chef” on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music by Gladys Knight & The Pips on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Click on this link to TUNE IN

LISTEN: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael featuring our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party with Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Laura Laria.

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

02/09/2017

Loveable Lamb Recipe from the Decadent Diabetic

It was a thrill to welcome Chef Ward aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’ as a first-time guest to our free monthly podcast, Diabetes Late Nite in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Anyone who references the quote,”Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death” from Auntie Mame when talking about food and diabetes like Chef Ward did, is absolutely fabulous in my book.

But diabetes hasn’t always been as wonderful as Rosalind Russell might want us to believe for the Decadent Diabetic, who is living with type 2 diabetes.

“My family has a sad history of diabetes. My father was dead by the time he was 67 from complications of the disease. Two of his sisters have had amputations,” says Ward Alper. “Both my brother and sister were diabetic, and died in part because of not taking care of the disease.”

Now he’s determined to show the world how to manage diabetes and still eat decadently. “A diagnosis of diabetes doesn’t have to mean the end of great eating!”, says the Decadent Diabetic.

Thankfully, Ward’s more than willing to share his delicious recipes with Divabetic to prove his point and help you ‘GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS.’

In honor of our first-ever Divabetic Valentine’s Day celebration the Decadent Diabetic created a special menu featuring a delicious lamb entree(!) If you’re having a knee jerk reaction to eating lamb like I did, The Decadent Diabetic offers these words of advice : “I can’t believe how many people I speak with don’t like lamb. Some think it is too ‘gamey’, some think it is cruel to eat any young animal,” says Chef Ward. “I won’t speak to the latter, but with three simple ingredients like garlic, mustard, and orange, there is not a trace of ‘gaminess’ in my lamb recipes. The marinade I use is perfect for lamb chops, legs, shanks, and racks. This may recipe may change your mind about lamb.”

Loveable Lamb by the Decadent Diabetic Recipe

Ingredients:

Zest of 1 orange

2 TBSP. orange juice

2 cloves of garlic, grated or minced

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 shallot or 3 scallions minced very fine

1 TBSP. olive oil

Salt & pepper to taste

1 tsp. dried tarragon

6 loin or rib lamb chops

HOW TO PREPARE THE RECIPE: Combine all ingredients except the lamb in a bowl and stir to combine. Add the lamb and marinate for at least 45 minutes or even better over-
night.

Pre heat the oven to 400° F.

Pat the lamb dry reserving the marinade. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until browned on each side (about 4 minutes a side). Remove from pan. Place lamb into a baking dish and roast in the oven for 10-14 minutes (depending on your choice of doneness. Pour the reserved marinade into the pan and over high heat reduce by half. Spoon the reduced sauce over the chops.

This recipe is perfectly accompanied by mashed potatoes, mashed or “riced” cauliflower or my pureed turnips with apple.

This recipe also works really well on your grill.

Chef’s Notes: Serves 2. Net Carbs 4 g. per serving

**The GOAL of the Decadent Diabetic website is to help people with Diabetes transform what we can or should eat, into what we WANT to eat!**

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and the Diabetes Late Nite team are honored to participate in the #DPodcastWeek in support of the ‘Spare a Rose, Save a Child’ campaign on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6 PM, EST.

“We’ve got a really wonderful show planned featuring guests Chef Ward Alper ‘The Decadent Diabetic’ and Diabetes Advocate and ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger, model and diabetes advocate Doris Hobbs along with many of George Michael’s greatest hits,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek

The “Spare a Rose, Save a Child” campaign encourages people to buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.

LISTEN NOW: February’s Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

02/04/2017

Raspberry Ice Cream With Frosted Blackberry Garnish by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

This year Divabetic is actively encouraging you to enjoy the holidays like Valentine’s Day! We don’t think celebrating holidays, special occasions and other meaningful moments in life has to mean compromising your diabetes health either. Put the focus on family and friends, fashion and activities and not on food. Enjoy what you do eat. Savor each bite! Most important, remember to include time for exercise, meals and relaxation. The holidays will only be great if you’re in good health to enjoy them.

We’re asking our team of experts to share their best diabetes advice, recipes and fashion and beauty products so that you can ‘glam more, fear less’ with each celebration.

Shortly after attending culinary school to become a pastry chef, Stacey Harris was diagnosed with diabetes. She was devastated since she enjoyed baking and loved to eat sweets.

What’s a ‘divabetic’ with a sweet tooth supposed to do?

Stacey started to experiment with a lot of artificial sweeteners and was mainly disappointed with the results. After many experiments, Stacey Harris developed a formula that consistently turned out delicious confections even a non-diabetic would love. She’s now known as the ‘Diabetic Pastry Chef’ and has written cookbooks filled with delicious recipes for you to enjoy! Here’s one:

Raspberry Ice Cream With Frosted Blackberry Garnish by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

Ingredients: 1 cup milk, 3/4 cup alternative sweetener such as Whey Low D, Truvia or Splenda, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 lb frozen raspberries

Directions: Add all ingredients in order listed to blender container. Stacey uses a Vitamix blender. With Vitamix begin at variable speed 1 , increase to 10, then high. Press ingredients into the blender with tamper. In 30 to 60 seconds the sound of the machine will change and 4 mounds should appear. Stop the blender immediately and serve. The ice cream can of course be frozen. Other berries can be substituted for raspberries.

This recipe can be made with other sturdy blenders following the manufacturers instructions.

Do you love fashion?

‘Rich in Love’ Vintage Style blogger, Doris Hobbs shares her favorite dresses from the he 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards’ Red Carpet on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Many of our favorite stars arrived looking utterly glamorous to honor their peers for their achievements in film and television

Doris says the first thing she remembered after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was that she had two options: she could allow it to control her life or find the unbinding courage from within the tragedy; she chose courage.

“The next few days were consumed with perplexed emotions, mostly of denial pooled from the self-belief that I could be a rare case and mysteriously cured,” says Doris. “I was given a new role and lifestyle of living with type 1 diabetes. I immediately chose to not wear it as a sympathy garment; instead I’d rather refashion how others perceive such a life-altering disorder. Aside from a select group of family and friends that knew of my health struggles, I somehow managed, two days after the news was confirmed, to conduct an on-location photo-shoot for my vintage-inspired style blog, Rich in Love Fashion. I knew without a doubt at that moment that I had a purpose on earth and found myself more determined to not allow diabetes to hinder my little girl dreams.”

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and the Diabetes Late Nite team are honored to participate in the Second Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the Spare a Rose, Save a Child campaign” on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6 PM, EST.

“I’m thrilled to support such a worthwhile cause by participating in Diabetes Podcast Week again this year, ” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.”We’ve got a really wonderful show planned featuring guests Chef Ward Alper ‘The Decadent Diabetic’ and Diabetes Advocate and ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger, model and diabetes advocate Doris Hobbs along with many of George Michael’s greatest hits.”

The “Spare a Rose, Save a Child” campaign encourages people to buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Poet Lorraine Brooks.

01/15/2017

Love Your Diabetes Health with a Divabetic’s Valentine’s Day Celebration

This year we’re encouraging you to ‘sparkle’ not just survive the holidays if you’re living with diabetes. From feeling deprived about what you can eat to feeling embarrassed about living a sexual health related complication, diabetes can make it difficult at times to get in the spirit!

Coming soon our favorite experts, Stacey Harris aka the Diabetic Pastry Chef, ‘The Decadent Diabetic‘ aka Chef Ward Alper, Wine & Spirits Expert Samantha Shaken Baker, Certified Diabetes Educators, Patrica Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND and Rich In Love Fashion style Blogger, Published Writer, Diabetes Advocate, and Spokesmodel, Doris Hobbs share their advice on loving the holiday without compromising your diabetes health.

Look for our Diabetic Valentine’s Day Celebration’s diabetes self-care advice, healthy and delicious recipes, beauty and fashion tips and favorite love songs on this blog and our upcoming February Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST.

Did you know that Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400?

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.) Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

Did you know that Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s?

In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.” Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year!

TUNE IN: February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, ESt. Guests include Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, Rich In Love style blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Mama Rose Marie and Poet Lorraine Brooks. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

01/13/2017

Twinkies Recall Sparks Food Safety Discussion on Diabetes Late Nite

Earlier this week a seasonal version of the iconic American snack cake — Hostess Twinkies — joined dozens of other foods as a victim of a secondary recall because of Salmonella contamination at a powdered milk plant. What should you do if you’re living with diabetes and you experience food poisoning?

I spoke with one of the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE about this topic and the best ways to avoid food poisoning on January’s Diabetes Late podcast.

Hostess Brands LLC of Kansas City, MO, initiated a nationwide recall of its “Holiday White Peppermint Twinkies” because of the confectionary coating.

Hostess peppermint Twinkies Valley Milk“The confectionary coating contains milk powder ingredients recalled by Valley Milk Products LLC due to a concern of Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported to date, and none of the confectionary coating sampled has tested positive for Salmonella.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure to the pathogen.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections.

Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Listen to my full interview with Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE by clicking HERE

Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Alicia Keys. Guests include: America’s #1 Fat Loss Expert and Author of ‘How to Fight FATflammation! Dr. Lori L. Shemek, PhD, Mary Ann Hodorowicz RD, LDN, MBA, CDE, CED, The Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.
Our INSTANT WINNER Prize Package features gifts courtesy of my sugr, Nu Naturals, Dr. Greenfield’s Diabetes Hand, Body & Foot Creams and Cabot Cheese. Throughout the podcast enjoy selected songs from Alicia Keys’ sixth studio album,“Here” courtesy of SONY Music. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic

12/29/2016

The Perfect Bubbles, Buffet & Blouse for a Divabetic New Year’s Day Brunch

Sure, it can be difficult at times to enjoy the holidays when you’re living with diabetes especially if you feel like you’re deprived of your favorite foods. Why not take the opportunity on New Year’s Day to change your mindset as well as someone else’s about what healthy tastes like?

For the past eleven years we’ve been promoting a ‘New Attitude’ about living with well diabetes to prevent a diabetes health-related complication at our live events, on our podcasts and Divabetic blog! Now we’re sharing our decade’s worth of our ‘diva brand of diabetes outreach’ advice and suggestions with you so that you won’t have to avoid the holidays in order to take charge of our diabetes.

We asked our favorite experts, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, ‘The Decadent Diabetic’ aka Chef Ward Arpel, Wine & Spirits Expert Samantha Shaken Baker and certified diabetes educators, Patrica Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and Susan Weiner MS, RD, CDE, CDN, to share advice on how you can kick off the New Year in style without compromising your diabetes health.

Here are our suggestions for the Perfect Bubbles, Blouse & Buffet for a “Divabetic New Year’s Day Brunch”:

First up, our good friend, the Decadent Diabetic, Chef Ward Alper to share some of his fabulous recipes to help you create a fantastic New Year’s Day Brunch. Chef Ward Alper retired to Albuquerque after being a professional chef in Boston and New York City. He blogs as “The Decadent Diabetic: Taking Back My Life and Table,” thedecadentdiabetic.com. Chef Ward is “famous” for his fantastic and festive New Year’s day buffet brunches. Chef Ward says, “the trick to entertaining with or without diabetes is to keep the food interesting and small enough for the guests not to have to fuss with balancing a drink and the food.”

Whether you are hosting a holiday gathering or have been invited to one, don’t let Diabetes get in your way. It is too easy to create something over the top delicious and low in carbohydrates, NOT just for you but for ALL your guests to savor.

If you are hosting a holiday party and Diabetes is a consideration, there are a few things to consider (beyond “Am I nuts?”)

1-Cocktails or Mocktails?

Every person with Diabetes is different in respect to alcohol. Some of us have no problem with it lowering our blood sugars, others get too low, too fast.

I suggest having both. Just make it look festive. Even sparkling water (rather than higher sodium club soda) can look really festive with a slice of lime or pineapple balanced on the top. Try diet cranberry juice blend spritzers with a slice of fruit or a spritzer of TROP 50 spritzer garnished with pineapple. You might be surprised with people saying: “I’ll have what he is having.”

2–Think dishes you can do ahead

Nothing spoils a party than having to cram hours of work in just before your guests arrive. Plan on using the same ingredients in a couple of different ways. Make the stuffings for tomatoes or mushrooms a day ahead

3-Take Ina Garten’s advice and make some, buy some.

Your invitees might be thinking: “Oh dear, Debbie has Diabetes. We will be eating rabbit food all night.” Surprise them with a platter of chunks of oven roasted turkey from the deli and jumbo olives stuffed with almonds. Do a platter of smoked salmon with a flavored whipped cream cheese. Serve these with simple homemade crackers made from low carbohydrate tortillas or Joseph’s lavash, brushed with garlic and olive oil and your favorite herb.

4- Keep it at room temperature

Why worry if Maxine is going to lose her balance in her Jimmy Cho shoes and knock over the sterno burner. Enjoy your guests and your party instead of guarding the chafing dishes.

5-How much should I make?

Depending on how many items you have on your buffet table, consider having 9-11 pieces per person, 2-4 hours event, 13-16 pieces per person; 4+ hour event, dinner replacement.

And as always this season, ENJOY, be happy, be healthy and above all…BE DECADENT.

The MENU

Our “Divabetic New Year’s Day Brunch” starts with a sharp as a tack cocktail sauce with fresh vegetables

Homemade Cocktail Sauce by The Decadent Diabetic

Makes 1 ½ cup- serves 8

carbohydrates 2 grams per Tablespoon

Chef’s notes: Most cocktail sauces for seafood are made with ketchup or chili sauce. While delicious, they have 5 grams of carbohydrates per tablespoon. This Homemade recipe is far lower with ONLY 2 grams per tablespoon. Tomato is the carbohydrate culprit here.

What you are doing with this recipe is basically making your own homemade ketchup.

6 oz. (approx. 2/3 cup) tomato paste

2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 Tablespoons sweetener of choice, or to taste

salt and pepper to tatse and your doctor’s recommendation

½ teaspoons garlic powder

¾ teaspoons onion powder

½ cup water

3- 4 tsp. prepared horse radish

How to prepare the recipe:

Place all ingredients in a bowl. Stir to blend completely.

Pistachio coated Feta and Cream Cheese Balls by The Decadent Diabetic

Makes 16 Balls

Net Carbohydrates 2 per ball

4 – ounces , shelled pistachio nuts

2- 8 0unce packages cream cheese

6- ounces Feta cheese

2- tsp. dry basil

1 -Tsp. dry oregano

1 -Tbsp. fresh parsley chopped

Note: While I usually like to use fresh herbs, this recipe gets too wet and it is hard to shape the balls and have them hold together.

I suspect that this recipe can also be made with goat cheese but my friend Peter ruined goat cheese for me by suggesting it” tasted like you were licking a goat”.

How I prepare this Recipe.

Bring cheeses to room temperature

Very simple: Chop the pistachios into very small bits and place on a dish. Combine all of the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until firm. Using a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon, scoop the cheese out and form into a ball. Roll the balls in the chopped pistachio nuts and chill until firm again. Serve with Lavash or tortilla chips.

Cucumber and Radish Crunches by The Decadent Diabetic

Serving size 6 pieces

Net Carbohydrates 5g.

Chef’s Note: The first time I entertained guests after my diagnosis, I went into a panic about what to make as an Hors d’ oeuvre. I came up with this very simple little bite that is so good that I never hesitate to serve it. It is a flash to prepare. I use the remaining cheese to spread on a low carbohydrate lavash or tortilla. Just roll it up and slice it to make pinwheels.

1 7-8 inch long cucumber, peeled and sliced into ½ inch thick pieces

1 8 ounce pkg.. cream cheese

1-2 Tbsp. minced shallot (or onion or scallion)

1 stalk of celery minced

5-6 radishes minced + 1-2 sliced thinly

1- Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced

Salt and pepper to taste.

How I prepare this Recipe:

Soften the cream cheese to room temperature

Mince the onion, celery radish, and parsley together and add to the softened cream cheese.

Spoon ½ tsp. of the mixture on each cucumber slice and top with ½ of a radish slice. Refrigerate until set.

Use remaining mixture on a sheet of lavash or on lavash chips or save for use on your morning toast.

There are as many variations on the filling as you have an imagination to create. Curry comes to mind as does spinach.

Divabetic Tip: Being active is your secret holiday weapon; it can help make up for eating more than usual and reduce stress during this most stressful time of year. Get moving with friends and family, such as taking a walk after a holiday meal or buffet.

Tortilla/ Lavash Baskets filled with Shrimp by The Decadent Diabetic

Makes 16 cups < 0g carbohydrate per cup

1 _ sheet JOSEPH’S lavash or low carbohydrate tortillas

2 – Tbsp. olive oil

1 – tsp. dry dill weed

1 – tsp. dry parsley flakes

½ – tsp. garlic powder

HOW I PREPARE THE RECIPE:

Pre heat oven to 375°F

Combine olive oil and spices. Brush the lavash. Pat off any excess oil from the lavash. Cut the lavash into 16 equal pieces (8 for a tortilla).

Push the pieces into a mini cupcake tin that has been sprayed with Pam.

Bake (WATCHING CAREFULLY) at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until the cups are LIGHTLY browned.

Invert cups onto a paper towel and let cool completely.

When completely cool, you can fill with recipe below, meatballs, salsa, or just use your imagination.

Roasted Shrimp with Cucumber and Dill Dressing by The Decadent Diabetic

Fills 16 cups < 0g carbohydrate per cup

2 – Tbsp. Mayonnaise

1- tsp. fresh lemon juice

zest from ½ lemon

¼ -tsp. Dijon mustard

1 – tsp. FRESH dill weed

¼ – tsp. ground black pepper

4 – ounces (after roasting) roasted shrimp

1 – medium cucumber

HOW I PREPARE THE RECIPE:

1-ROASTING SHRIMP:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Combine raw, peeled, shrimp, 1 clove grated garlic, 1- Tsp. chopped parsley, and 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Place in one layer on a baking sheet and roast for 5 minutes at 400. Let cool before adding to the rest of the recipe.

2-SAUCE:

Combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, mustard, dill, and black pepper.

3-TO ASSEMBLE:

Peel cucumber. Using a teaspoon, remove any seeds. Chop cucumber into VERY small dice.

Cut shrimp into small pieces (just slightly larger than cucumber dice. Reserve any liquid in the baking sheet.

Combine Sauce, shrimp, and cucumber. Mix well and spoon into lavash cups.

No Cook Mediterranean Cheese Pate by The Decadent Diabetic

Serves 8

Net Carbohydrates 2g per serving

Chef’s Note: Don’t let the title fool you, this is a snap to make.

If you want it to look more Christmas –y, you can certainly use green olives

I suspect that this recipe can also be made with goat cheese but my friend Peter ruined goat cheese for me by suggesting it “tasted like you were licking a goat”.

3 TBSP. Chopped Sundried Tomatoes (about 6-8 pieces)

1 TBSP. olive oil

1- 8 0unce packages cream cheese

3- ounces Feta cheese

2- tsp. dry basil

1 -Tsp. dry oregano

1 -TBSP. fresh parsley chopped

½ cup pitted olives, cut in half

How I prepare this Recipe.

Combine olive oil and chopped sun dried tomatoes and set aside.

Bring cheeses to room temperature.

Using an electric beater, combine cheeses and spices. Stir in ½ of the sun dried tomatoes.

Line a 5-6 inch flat bottomed bowl (a ramekin works perfectly) with waxed paper or parchment paper.

Arrange the cut olives in a circular pattern over the bottom of the dish, rounded side down. Spoon the cheese mixture into the bowl and press down lightly to make good contact with the olives. Refrigerate at least 2 hours but over- night works as well Run a knife around the edge of the cheese and invert onto a dish. Place remaining chopped tomatoes in the center.

Plaque Assemble´e (Put it together platter) by The Decadent Diabetic

Don’t make it, assemble it. Go to the best deli/appetizer store and get meats or smoked fish or little bites like grape leaves and put it together piece by piece, bit by bit. Make it a centerpiece of beautiful food.

Cherry Tomatoes Stuffed with Crab Salad by The Decadent Diabetic

Makes 24 servings

Net Carbohydrates 2 per tomato half

Chef’s Notes: I like to do these with cocktail tomatoes. They are somewhere in size between a cherry tomato and a small tomato. If you use cherry tomatoes you will make about 36 servings.

The tomato is the thing. If crab is not in your budget, or you are allergic to shellfish, or simply don’t like crab, you can fill these with herbed or curried cheese or chicken or tuna salad and make “little” tomato surprises.

Tip: If you happen to have one of those old fashioned grapefruit spoons, it makes this a breeze. If not a sharp pointed paring knife works fine.

12 cocktail tomatoes

18 cherry tomatoes

8 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. crab meat

1 tsp. drained capers

1 small shallot, minced (you can use 3 scallions instead)

Salt and pepper to taste

4 dashes of Tabasco sauce (more if you like it hotter)

HOW TO PREPARE THE RECIPE:

Cut the tomatoes in half and scoop out the insides.

Combine the remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly.

Using either a star tipped pastry bag or a spoon, fill each tomato half. Chill so the mixture sets and the flavors meld.

Remove from the refrigerator about an hour before serving and stand back. The will disappear so fast you won’t believe your eyes.

Susan Weiner MS RDN CDE CDN and 2015 AADE Diabetes Educator of the Year is an award-winning Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator and published author. Susan offers this advice to all our ‘Divabetics’ who enjoy a buffet: Want to indulge in a few of your favorite hor d’oeuvres? Here’s a great strategy to help you stay within you calorie and carb budget: Select a few hor d’oeuvres and place them on a napkin or small plate. Stand or sit “away” from the bowl or appetizer table. Mindfully savor the flavor of your tasty appetizer while avoiding eating large quantities of these foods. Sit away from the hor d’oeuvres table and enjoy the celebration with friends and family.

Stuffed Mushrooms by The Decadent Diabetic

Net carbohydrates 3. per mushroom cap

This recipe calls for a spinach stuffing. I also use a well seasoned ground turkey (or turkey sausage) stuffing.

12 –mushroom caps (Button is fine but Baby Bella or crimini is better)

1 – pkg. chopped spinach (squeezed dry)

2 TBSP. lemon juice

¼ tsp. dry oregano or basil (or both if you like)

1 – large onion, sliced

2 tbsp. olive oil

¼ cup dried bread crumbs, divided (try panko)

¼ cup parmesan cheese, divided

salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley to taste ( using 1/2 for the caps, 1/2 for the spinach)

HOW TO PREPARE THE RECIPE:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Clean the mushroom caps and remove stems. Lightly salt and pepper the inside of the caps.

Sauté the sliced onion in the oil and combine with the squeezed spinach, lemon juice and half of the bread crumbs and half of the parmesan cheese, salt pepper and garlic and divide evenly among the mushroom caps. Top with remaining

bread crumbs and parmesan cheese Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is lightly browned.

Chocolate Silk Tart by The Decadent Diabetic

. 8 servings

Net carbohydrates 11g.

Chef’s note: Guests ALWAYS REMEMBER DESERT. Knock their sox off with this dark chocolate confection. As a regular desert this recipe serves 8 people with people sized slices. For a party buffet, I suggest slicing it into 12-16 smaller slices.

Crust:

Spray for the pan

(9-10 inch removable bottom fluted tart pan)

2/3. Cup flour

½ cup toasted nuts (either Almonds, Walnuts, or Pecans)

¼ c. GRANULATED SUGAR SUBSTITUTE

1 pinch salt

¼ tsp cinnamon

1/8 Tsp. ground ginger

½ tsp. baking powder

4 tbsp. butter 1 large egg

FILLING:

1 pkg. cream cheese

2/3 cup GRANULATED SUGAR SUBSTITUTE

3 TBSP. coffee

2 TBP. Sour cream or heavy cream

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

4 TBSP. Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa powder

3 large eggs

HOW I PREPARE THE RECIPE:

In a food processor with a steel blade pulse all of the dry ingredients until very well combined and the nuts disappear into the mixture. Add cold butter and pulse until butter is well distributed in the flour mixture. Add the egg and pulse until mixture forms a ball on the blade. Remove the dough pat into a disc about 5-6’’. Wrap disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least ½ hour but overnight will also work.

Roll out the crust on flowered surface to about a 14 in circle. Using your fingers fit sections of the crust into tart pan. This dough is fragile and will break. Not to worry just piece it together with your fingers. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes before filling.

Beat cream cheese in the bowl of a food processor or electric mixer until smooth. Add GRANULATED SUGAR SUBSTITUTE and beat until incorporated. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Add the coffee, vanilla, and Sour cream. Beat until well mixed. Add the cocoa powder and mix well. Allow to sit for 20 minutes so some of the air from the beating is released (this will help keep the filling from cracking).

Pour into the crust and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

Divabetic Tip: Get Organized in 2017! From ideas on how to best store, plan for, and label things, every chapter is a treasure chest to help your blood sugars through lessened stress and better diabetes management get the advice you need in The Complete Diabetes Organizer: Your Guide to a Less Stressful and More Manageable Diabetes Life by Susan Weiner MS, RD, CDE, CDN and Leslie Josel.

Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller thinks divas of all types and sizes can steal the spotlight at a New Year’s Day Brunch without breaking the bank Catherine is one of the plus size industry’s pioneers, Former Ford model, consumer advocate image consultant, author, and the creator of ‘Runway the Real Way’ fashion brunches in New York City.

Catherine’s pick for the perfect blouse for a “Divabetic New Year’s Day Brunch” is a chiffon bow tie blouse. The sheer sleeves are perfect for someone who might feel self-conscious about their upper arms. And the bow tie adds a touch of feminine ‘pizazz’ to daytime dressing. You can pair this blouse under a blazer or cardigan sweater with a tailored skirt or trousers and still look like you’re ready to walk the Red Carpet.

Divabetic Tip: If your eyes love stilettos but your feet don’t like wearing them then make sure to stash a pair of comfortable flats in your bag before heading out the door. According to DiabeTV.com wearing high heels can have a great toll on any woman’s feet regardless of if she is a divabetic or not. So the question is… can women with diabetes safely wear high heels? Since foot complications are very common in people with diabetes it is often stated that high heels are not recommended at all; however, there are a few exceptions to this rule. You’ll be surprised at how many stylish choices are available in flats today. After you make your grand entrance in high heels, you can quickly switch into your comfy shoes without missing a beat and stay on track with your diabetes self-care management.

Since bubbles make a New Year’s Day celebration sparkle we asked Samantha Shanken Baker, who helps presents memorable food and wine events like the Annual Harlem Eat Up!, for her recommendation. Samantha suggests you serve IRON HORSE Russian Cuvée Green Valley of Russian River Valley 2011 (retails for $45). This champagne’s brioche, baked apple and floral raspberry aromas lead to focused, rich flavors that linger with notes of cinnamon, orange zest and mineral.

Divabetic Tip: Aim to stay on top of your blood sugar. Check it more often during the holidays, and if you take medicine, ask your doctor if the amount needs to be adjusted.

My pick for a soundtrack for a “Divabetic New Year’s Day Brunch” is Maxwell’s fifth studio album, blackSUMMERSnight featuring the song, ‘Lake By The Ocean.’ Maxwell’s first offering in seven years forms the second installment of a trilogy of albums that are titled identically but for the position of the capital letters. The Grammy-winning soul man is a subeditor’s nightmare, but confusion seems a small price to pay for such a classy comeback collection of anguished R&B.

Pitchfork says, “the cool, shimmering blackSUMMERS’night is probably Maxwell’s most cohesive effort since Embrya.”

Divabetic Tip: Don’t skip meals to save up for a feast. It will be harder to keep your blood sugar in control, and you’ll be really hungry and more likely to overeat.

12/28/201612/28/2016

Weekly Wow: Food Safety Facts

We’re talking about food safety on January’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2017, 6 PM, EST.

How good is your Food Safety IQ?

Safe steps in food handling, cooking, and storage are essential to prevent foodborne illness. You can’t see, smell, or taste harmful bacteria that may cause illness.

Be an INSTANT WINNER on January’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast by correctly answering our ‘weekly wow’ question posted a few days prior to our broadcast on January 10, 2017. You’ll be entered into our random drawing to win a Divabetic Prize Package with gifts courtesy of Nu Naturals, Dr. Greenfield’s Diabetes Hand, Body & Foot Creams and Cabot Cheese. Send your answers to mrdivabetic@gmail.com

Question: True or False: Will freezing food kills harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning?

ANSWER: FALSE. Bacteria can survive freezing temperatures. Freezing is not a method for making food safe to eat. When food is thawed, bacteria can still be present and may begin to multiply. Listeria monocytogenes and the Hepatitis A virus are two examples of foodborne pathogens that can survive for long periods at freezing temperatures.

We’re also taking about some of the food trends and new thinking in innovative solutions to solving the biggest food and agriculture concerns with President and Co-Founder of Food Tank Danielle Nierenberg. Food Tank, a nonprofit organization focused on building a global community for safe, healthy, nourished eaters.

TUNE IN: Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Alicia Keys scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2017, 6 – 7PM, EST. Enjoy our unique mix of diabetes self-care advice, health headlines discussion, fashion/beauty tips, games and prizes provided by Cabot Cheese, Dr. Greenfield’s Diabetic Hand, Body & Foot Creams and Nu Naturals. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Alicia Keys’ album “Here” courtesy of SONY Music.

12/22/201612/22/2016

The Perfect Dress, Dishes & Drink for A Divabetic New Year’s Eve Party for 2

Ring in the New Year in a sexy, stylish and healthy way with some help from Divabetic.

We know many people in our Divabetic community don’t like to celebrate the holidays because they feel they may disrupt their diabetes care. But with a little pre-planning and guidance from your healthcare entourage you can still enjoy the festivities without failing your diabetes.

According to Tom Volkar from Core U Coaching, celebration helps us stay in the present where our power is. By celebrating the completion of every small step, we leverage the powerful energies of gratitude and momentum. Thomas Edison taught us that even each mistake along the way is cause for celebration. Life is all about the journey, and that means that every step, as well as reaching our destination, is part of our journey. Celebrating at every juncture is recognition of a life well lived and well worked.

Don’t let diabetes dim your dazzle!

We asked four of our of our favorite experts, Cahterine Schuller AICI, CIP, Cookbook Author, Holly Clegg, Wine & Spirits Expert Samantha Shaken Baker and Susan Weiner MS, RD, CDE, CDN to share advice on how you can celebrate an intimate Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2 in style without compromising your diabetes health.

Let’s start with what to wear at our fabulous “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2”. When it comes to dressing for the occasion there’s no better sytle icon to turn to than our vey own Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller. Catherine is one of the plus size industry’s pioneers, Former Ford model, consumer advocate image consultant, author, and the creator of ‘Runway the Real Way’ fashion brunches in New York City.

Catherine’s top pick for a dress to wrap up the holiday season is the wrap dress!

This style is flattering on every figure type because it hides a tummy, cinches in a waist, covers a jiggly upper arm, emphasizes decolletage (cleavage). Plus a wrap dress won’t break your bank. It can be worn with different styles of pumps, tights and boots and lots of jewelry in either stones, or silver or gold so you don’t have to spend more money on purchasing new accessories. If your someone special wants to take you out on the town after your “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” dinner, then grab a shoulder duster, a big bangle, and a great clutch and/or fabulous evening bag. “The possibilities are limitless and this is a dress that will serve you well for all those special occasions throughout the year!,” says Catherine.

BLING IN THE NEW YEAR: Why not pamper yourself to a safe manicure before your the big night? Professional pedicures can help your nails look their best, but too often poor sanitation practices, shared tools, and the work of overzealous nail technicians can result in skin injuries or infections. Why not invest in your own nail kit and bring it with you? Though it’s unlikely that you will get an infection from shared nail polish, play it safe and bring your own. Our top nail polish pick for a ‘Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2’is blue glitter nails with a festive blue (a nod to World Diabetes Day) polish. This nail art is great for short nails that want to sparkle on New Year’s Eve!

DIVABETIC TIP: Make your diabetes health dazzle and match your nails to your blood glucose monitor!

The OneTouch® UltraMini® Blood Glucose Monitoring System is sleek, compact glucose meter easily fits into your purse or pocket for added convenience so it won’t cramp your style! Offers alternate site testing on your finger or forearm with a 1-microliter blood sample and quick results in five seconds on a large, easy-to-read display. Stores 500 blood sugar test results, which can be downloaded to your computer. Available in several fun colors including pink glow, silver moon, limelight and jet black

DIVABETIC TIP: Don’t focus on what you shouldn’t eat but rather on what you can eat!

Next up on our list for celebrating a “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” is ‘the dish.’

With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy, healthy and practical recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim&TERRIFIC® and her more health focused Eating Well cookbook series, including newly released 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY edition of Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association. Clegg who attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School has appeared on Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today, QVC, The 700 Club, USA Today, Cooking Light Magazine, Web MD, and Huff Post. She has consulted for Walmart, Teflon, The Coca-Cola Company, and hospitals throughout the country. Here’s Holly’s suggestion on to make a simple, impressive menu for someone special on New Year’s Eve:

Our dazzling “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” menu starts with Potato Soup
This snazzy soup starts with hash browns, so no time-consuming potato peeling; almost faster than opening a can. I top with cheese and green onions.

Makes 2 (1-cup) servings

2 cups frozen hash brown potatoes, partially thawed
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can fat-free chicken or vegetable broth
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/3 cup skim milk

1. In medium nonstick pot, heat hash browns, broth, and onion to a boil, reduce heat, and cook, covered, about 8-10 minutes.
2. In small bowl, whisk together flour with milk. Add to potato mixture and bring to boil. Reduce heat, and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until thickened. For thinner soup, add more milk.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 215 Calories from fat 0% Fat 1g Saturated Fat 0g Cholesterol 1mg Sodium 390mg Carbohydrate 46g Dietary Fiber 4g Sugars 3g Protein 8g Dietary Exchanges: 3 starch

Next, serve a delicious Kale Salad with Fruity Vinaigrette
You must give kale a try, this intriguing salad with an extraordinary tasty flavor combination. You will love the Fruity Vinaigrette for it’s perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. Did you know that 1 cup of kale provides a whopping 5 grams of fiber, 15% of your daily calcium recommended intake, 180% of vitamin A, and 200% of vitamin C!

Makes 8 servings

8 cups chopped kale, center ribs and stems removed
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 apple, nectarine or fruit of choice, chopped
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Fruity Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

1. In large salad, toss together kale, cabbage, fruit and pecans. Toss with Fruity Vinaigrette (see recipe).

Fruity Vinaigrette

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup apricot preserves
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1. In bowl, whisk together all ingredients.

Nutrition information per serving: Calories 145 kcal, Calories from Fat 52%, Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 44 mg, Carbohydrates 16 g, Dietary Fiber 2 g, Total Sugars 7 g, Protein 3 g, Dietary Exchanges: 1/2 fruit, 2 vegetable, 2 fat

Our entrée for “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” is an Easy Roasted Salmon
Love salmon or never cooked it? You must try this incredible recipe—season salmon, pop in the oven and you have a terrific meal ready in minutes.

Makes 2 servings

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1. Preheat oven 400° F. Line baking sheet with foil.
2. In resalable plastic bag, mix together brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and season to taste. Add salmon, coating all over and pat in seasoning.
3. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 12-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 252 Calories from fat 25% Fat 7g Saturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 97mg Sodium 153mg Carbohydrate 9g Dietary Fiber 1g Protein 37g Dietary Exchanges: 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1/2 lean meat

Serve your entrée with Roasted Garlic Broccoli
By the time the broccoli is done, your dinner will be ready. Roasting broccoli is a simple way to intensify the natural flavor. Sometimes I toss in artichokes or some extra veggies I have hanging around.

Makes 2 servings

4 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven 450°F. Line baking sheet with foil.
2. Toss broccoli with olive oil and garlic on prepared pan. Roast 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Remove from oven season to taste.

Spicy Advice: Roasting is cooking at a high temperature that browns, caramelizes and crisps.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 104, Calories from fat 56%, Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 39 mg, Carbohydrate 8 g, Dietary Fiber 4 g, Sugars 2 g, Protein 4 g
Dietary Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 1/2 fat

A finally, indulge in dessert with Holly Clegg’s Berry Parfait (I would cut in fourths so you have extra the next day) and make four)
Light and delightful, strawberries or your favorite berries layered with a luscious cream cheese layer and ladyfingers.

Makes 16 (1/2-cup) servings

2/3 cup seedless sugar-free raspberry preserves
1/4 cup orange juice
6 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8-ounce) container fat-free whipped topping, thawed, divided
2 (3-ounce) packages ladyfingers, split in half (24)
1 1/2 cups strawberries, stemmed and sliced

1. In small bowl, mix together preserves and orange juice.
2. In mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until light. Mix in whipped topping reserving, 1/2 cup for topping.
3. Line bottom of an oblong small dish with split ladyfingers. Layer with preserves mixture, cream cheese layer, and top with strawberries. Repeat layers with remaining ladyfingers, preserves and cream cheese layer.
4. Carefully top with thin layer of remaining whipped topping. Top with remaining strawberries. Cover, refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 128, Calories from fat (%) 24, Fat (g) 3, Saturated Fat (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 9, Sodium (mg) 79, Carbohydrate (g) 23, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Sugars (g) 11, Protein (g) 2, Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 carbohydrate, 1/2 fat

Tip: Use raspberries so you don’t have to even cut the strawberries. This recipe works well in individual servings.

Nutrition Nugget: You will hardly believe this luscious treat is diabetic-friendly so there is always room for dessert!

DIVABETIC TIP: While alcohol can make blood sugar drop too low, certain beverages (such as beer or sugary mixers) can cause a blood sugar spike. What’s more, consuming more than one or two drinks can cloud your thinking and affect other food choices you make that day, which can also affect glucose levels.

Since no “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” celebration is complete without a little bubbly we asked Samantha Shanken Baker, who helps presents memorable food and wine events like the Annual Harlem Eat Up! to suggest a great tasting champagne for under $50. Samantha’s pick is G.H. Mumm Brut Champagne Cordon (retail $45) featuring a delightful notes of flavor—dried apricot, candied orange peel, nut and smoke. This very harmonious dry Champagne is still elegant and light-weight. The rich, toasty note lingers on the vibrant finish. Oh la-la!

Susan Weiner MS RDN CDE CDN and 2015 AADE Diabetes Educator of the Year is an award-winning Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator and published author. Susan offers this advice to all our ‘Divabetics’ who enjoy a cocktail: Before New Year’s Eve, take a wine glass out of your cabinet. Take out a liquid measuring cup and pour in 5 ounces of water. Pour the water into the wine glass. That’s a serving of wine! Now you know what a serving of wine looks like and “when to say when” during your holiday gathering.

My pick for the perfect soundtrack to set the mood for a “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” is the Essential Gladys Knight & The Pips album on SONY Music. This album is packed with slow jams ‘You’re Number One (In My Book)’, ‘Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me’ and ‘The Way We Were/Try To Remember’ and uptempo favorites including ‘I’ve Got To Use My Imagination’ and ‘Save The Overtime (For Me)’ along with the classic ‘Midnight Train To Georgia.’

Finally, don’t let diabetes kill romance at “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2”. Bring the fireworks into the bedroom with a high-quality lubricant. Lubricants improve sex by making genital tissues moist, which decreases friction and makes intimate contact more pleasurable. If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, which is common among women living with diabetes, a lubricant can be very helpful. A lubricant is often used with condoms to decrease irritation from latex, but can also be used on its own. Women who often have vaginal yeast infections may wish to avoid glycerin lubes, as the sugar can encourage yeast growth. Wet® Naturals™ Beautifully Bare™ is glycerin-free, paraben-free and enriched for your sensual well-being. This formula is both long lasting and luxurious and designed to enhance a woman’s natural moisture.

Live, love, laugh and learn. If you didn’t feel good about your diabetes management after celebrating your “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” then talk to your doctor about how to do things differently next time. The most important thing is to not let diabetes dim your dazzle!

Happy New Year!

12/05/201612/05/2016

Are You Too Ashamed to Eat What You Love During the Holidays?

December’s Diabetes Late Nite guest, Megrette Fletcher. MEd, RD, CDE, author of Discover Mindful Eating and Discover Mindful Eating for Kids, and the co-author of Mindful Eating and Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes , talks about the shame that people with diabetes may experience during the holidays.

Megrette is a mindful eating expert and registered dietitian and diabetes educator in practice. She is the president and co-founder of the Center for Mindful Eating.

What do I eat?” As a diabetes educator and dietitian, Megrette Fletcher, MEd, RD, CDE, admits that she’s asked this question every day – and even more so during the holidays! Mindful eating isn’t about eating a specific food or limiting yourself to a set number of calories or nutrients. It is about becoming curious and aware so you can make conscious decisions.

Many people react mindlessly to their thoughts. In other words, they re-act—repeating past actions again and again—feeling powerless to change says Megrette’s co-author, Michelle May MD. “For many people, eating is a mindless reaction to their unrecognized or unexamined thoughts. However, your thoughts are just thoughts. Thinking a thought doesn’t make it true or important, or require you to act on it. In fact, a thought doesn’t even need to provoke a specific feeling,” says Dr. May.

Mindfulness is awareness of what is happening in the present moment—including awareness of thoughts—without any attachment to whatever you notice. Mindfulness is helpful because it creates space between thoughts and actions. By increasing your awareness of your thoughts, you can begin to break old automatic or habitual chain reactions between your triggers, thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Each time you choose not to activate your old trigger-thought-feeling-action-result sequences, you weaken the connections. It’s as if the wires rust and eventually break. Further, each time you choose a different action, you create a new connection. With repetition, you’ll hardwire these new pathways—like insulating the wiring. Your new thoughts and responses become your new habits.

Shame is a harmful emotion that is often felt by the young and old, especially when you are trying to manage your diabetes during the holidays. By undertstanding the ingredients that set you up for overeating, you can create the perfect recipe for success and healthy, happy holidays!

Recipe for Overeating by Michelle May M.D.
Ingredients:
1 batch, bag, box, or large plate of food
2 tablespoons of deprivation
1 heaping teaspoon of guilt
Sprinkle of shame
Optional: fatigue, stress, resentment, loneliness, boredom

Studies confirm that some people do gain significant weight during the holidays. Who are those people? They’re the ones who worry about their weight, who try to restrict their intake of holiday goodies only to overeat them out of feelings of deprivation and then guilt. The same studies show that people who don’t worry about their weight don’t put on significant pounds during the holidays.

Learn how to create a self-care buffer zone by regularly nurturing your body, mind, heart, and spirit. from the book: Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes: A Mindful Eating Program for Thriving with Pre-diabetes or Diabetes.

LISTEN: December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with guest, Megrette Fletcher scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 6 PM, EST. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic. Enjoy music from Leona Lewis’ “Christmas, with Love” album courtesy of SONY Music.