Food and Nutrition – Page 6

03/15/202203/15/2022

Easy To Make Celebrity-Inspired Charcuterie Plates!

Entertaining with diabetes doesn’t have to be bland. Learn to entertain like a Divabetic and turn your everyday meals into occasions.

Make your next gathering more memorable by focusing on ‘fun’ rather than the ‘food’ aspect of entertaining.

One way to host a fun night is by serving celebrity-inspired Charcuterie Boards.

The word “charcuterie” is a French term for a line of cooking devoted to prepared meat products. But today, charcuterie has become synonymous with wooden boards filled with meats, cheese, produce, crackers, artisan bread, and dips.

The key to making a healthy charcuterie board is to use all kinds of fresh produce for your bite-sized goodies. Choose meats that are preferably free of nitrates and minimally processed. Celery and carrots are always a great stand-by option. So are cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, roasted peppers, hot peppers, cucumber slices, cauliflower, and broccoli. Try to use a variety of textures, colors, and flavors that everyone will enjoy.

Recently, I made five different Celebrity-inspired Charcuterie Plates. My guests had to correctly identify my celebrity inspirations by the items on my Charcuterie Plates. When they needed extra help, I also allowed them to ask me ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions about each celebrity inspiration.

Here’s how I created my Sophia Loren-inspired Charcuterie Plate.

I purchased five mini-brownie tin pans at a nearby Dollar Store. Each tin was $1.99. Then, I lined each tin with waxed paper before placing various food items on them.

My Sophia Loren-inspired Charcuterie plate featured black olives, Parmesan cheese, prosciutto-wrapped sundried tomatoes, and Italian bread. Seconds after putting the Charcuterie Plate down in front of them, my friends correctly guessed Sophia Loren!

We had a lot of fun talking about Sophia Loren’s career, other Italian celebrities, and additional food items.

My celebrity inspiration, Sophia Loren, was born on September 20, 1934, in Rome, Italy. She rose above her poverty-stricken origins in postwar Naples to become one of Italy’s most famous movie stars. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Cesira in the film Two Women (1961), directed by Vittorio De Sica.

Sophia Loren was the first actor to win an Oscar for a non-English-language performance.

Later she earned an Academy Honorary Award in 1991.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts this free, fun Virtual Mother’s Day-themed Baking Party with special guests, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.

Win gifts courtesy of Arthel Neville Design FABULOUS East/West Tote, Dr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Care gift set, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes‘s Camper Cozy Mystery, Walden Farms Zero Calories, Zero Net Carbs Salad Dressings, and Peak 10 Skin’s Save My Sole Foot Rescue Cream during Mr. Divabetic’s random drawings. You must be present at our Baking Party to enter our gift drawings to win.

Over 150 people registered for our last Divabetic Baking Party on Zoom, so don’t miss out!

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION

02/22/202202/22/2022

Cheeseburger Lettuce Wraps Recipe by Walden Farms Salad Dressings

Our lucky winner, Anita from Buffalo, won two bottles of Walden Farms Salad Dressings at Divabetic’s recent Baking Party on Zoom.

With Zero calories, net carbs, fat, sugars, dairy, or gluten of any kind*, Walden Farms Salad Dressings add the most delicious flavor to everything from salads and sandwiches to tasty appetizers and main courses without packing on unnecessary calories.

Here’s a delicious Walden Farms Salad Dressings recipe to save calories and help you live a healthier life. This Cheeseburger Lettuce Wraps Recipe is gluten-free and keto-friendly.

Cheeseburger Lettuce Wraps Recipe by Walden Farms Dressings

Ingredients

1 lb. ground turkey

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup of Walden Farms Original BBQ Sauce

4 slices light Cheddar cheese, halved and folded

8 large Boston lettuce leaves

4 slices of bacon, cooked

1 cup diced tomatoes

1/2 cup diced onions

1/2 cup Walden Farms Thousand Island Dressing

Directions

Preheat broiler. Season turkey with salt and pepper; divide into 8 portions. Shape each portion into a 1/2 inch thick patty.

Heat oil in a large skillet set over medium heat; cook patties for 4 to 6 minutes per side or until cooked through. Transfer burgers to a foil-lined baking sheet.

Brush each burger with 1 tbsp BBQ sauce and top with a piece of cheese. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve burgers in lettuce leaves with 1/2 slice of bacon, tomatoes, and onions. Drizzle with dressing.

Divabetic’s Carb Kitty videos make carbohydrate counting fun! Carbohydrate counting or “carb counting” can help you manage your blood glucose levels.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts this free, fun Virtual Mother’s Day-themed Baking Party with special guests, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.

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02/07/202202/07/2022

Zoodles In Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe by Divabetic

We’re celebrating ‘all things Italian’ on Divabetic’s podcast featuring music by Dean Martin on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 6 PM EST.

Our musical inspiration, Dean Martin‘s favorite restaurant, was Da Vinci Ristorante in Beverly Hills. There was even a booth marked Dean Martin Booth adjacent to the small bar.

Eating at an Italian restaurant can be a minefield for anyone with diabetes trying to watch their calories and carbohydrate intake. So many of the items on the menu are smothered in either creamy sauce or gooey cheese, and they’re high in fat, carbs, sodium, and calories.

We thought it would be fun to challenge the Original Divabetic to make a lighter version of a conventional plate of pasta.

She’s been living with type 2 diabetes for over a decade. Her goal this year is to keep her blood sugars in a target range without feeling deprived every time she sits down to eat.

She’s sharing her Zoodles In Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe to inspire you to lighten up your menu! Now, that’s Amore!

Zoodles In Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe By The Original Divabetic

I decided to skip using Prego or another brand of spaghetti sauce. Store-bought spaghetti sauce is a sodium grenade. One cup of spaghetti sauce can have a sodium content of nearly 1,000 mg.

Instead, I decided to make my own sauce. I roasted red peppers, garlic, tomatoes (seasoned with basil, thyme, and sage), and onions in the oven at 400 degrees for approximately 25-30 minutes.

Then, I pulsed the mixture in my blender before transferring it to a small pot on the stove to stay warm. This way, the flavors could blend together.

I swapped out flour-based pasta for zoodles to cut back on the carbohydrates. Zoodles are zucchini noodles or spaghetti-like strands made from spiralized, raw zucchini and other squash. They contain no flour or wheat whatsoever and are very low in calories and carbs. A cup of Zoodles includes 30-40 calories and 5 net grams of carbs. Traditional pasta has 210 calories and 40 net grams of carbs per cup. In addition, zoodles provide a good dose of nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, and a modest fiber intake in every cup.

I put the Zoodles in the oven to roast. But you can also cook your Zoodles in a nonstick skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high heat, tossing frequently. They will release water and cook quickly, so only heat them for 2–5 minutes for best results to avoid sogginess. Personally, I like to keep them in the oven for as long as possible. Plated and sprinkled a little mozzarella cheese on it and went to town! .. So yummy! Sorry, Prego, I’m making my own sauce from now on.

While I was eating, the Zoodles did release the water, but it did not remove any flavor.

Don’t miss Divabetic’s February 2022 podcast featuring music by Dean Martin. We’re talking about 50 years with type 1 diabetes, alcohol’s effects on blood sugars, and the Spare A Rose campaign with musical inspiration from Dean Martin. Podcast guests: Fran Carpentier, Mama Rose Marie, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Throughout this podcast, we will be featuring music from The Essential Dean Martin album courtesy of SONY Music.

Join us for Divabetic’s Baking Party with The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Zoom on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST

The Diabetic Pastry Chef prepares a Valentines-themed Sugar-Free Dessert Recipe and shares Expert Baking Tips for using Sugar Substitutes. one lucky participant will win a Divabetic Gift Basket featuring Splenda products, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes‘s Cozy Mystery, PEAK 10 Skin Save My Soles Rescue Cream, and an assortment of Walden Farms Salad Dressings. You must be present on Zoom to participate in our random drawing.

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01/16/2022

Oven Roasted Sweet & Savory Sweet Potatoes By Divabetic

Last weekend, I made these sweet and savory sweet potatoes and served them with grilled pork chops. It was my first attempt at creating a savory and sweet flavor using Splenda. They were easy to make and delicious!

Oven Roasted Sweet & Savory Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients
3 medium-sized sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons of Splenda brown sugar blend
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Boil whole sweet potatoes for 15 minutes until soft

Let sweet potatoes cool.

Cut sweet potatoes into wedges, keeping the skin intact.

Mix sweet potato wedges with Splenda brown sugar mix and red pepper flakes. Drizzle olive oil over the mixture and toss to coat; pour into a shallow roasting pan.

Roast sweet potato mixture in a preheated oven, frequently turning, until the vegetables are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper before serving. Enjoy!

Listen to Divabetic’s free monthly podcast on-demand featuring music from Teddy Pendergrass‘s album, Life Is A Song Worth Singing, and guests: Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Build Jake’s Place Executive Director Arthur Anston, and Yoga For Diabetes Author and Founder Rachel Zinman

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party on Zoom with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Wednesday, February 9, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST.

During this virtual Baking Party on Zoom, The Diabetic Pastry Chef will prepare a Valentine’s Day Sugar-Free Dessert recipe and share expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and flours in your favorite recipes.

Over 150 people registered for our recent Divabetic Baking Parties on Zoom so don’t miss out!

REGISTER NOW

01/12/202201/12/2022

New Product Review: Starbucks’ New Zero Creamers

Starbucks’ New Zero Creamers contain 20 fewer calories and 6 grams less sugar per serving than Starbucks’ existing options.

The American Heart Association recommends capping daily sugar intake at 24 grams (6 teaspoons of sugar). If you consume two tablespoons of the regular creamer, you’re already reaching half of your recommended limit.

The new Starbucks’ creamers come in caramel and hazelnut flavors, inspired by their popular in-store drinks caramel macchiato and hazelnut latte, respectively.

The ingredients listed on the Zero Creamer bottles are nonfat milk, heavy cream, vegetable oil, buttermilk, salt, sucralose, gellan gum, and natural flavor. The regular liquid coffee creamer contains nearly the same ingredients with sugar instead of sucralose and slightly less salt.

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener and sugar substitute made from a chemical process that tweaks sugar to form a calorie-free sweetener 600 times sweeter than sugar. According to WebMD, sucralose is marketed as Splenda. The difference between Splenda and other sweeteners, like aspartame (Equal) and saccharin (Sweet’N Low), is that it’s actually made from real sugar. This gives it a taste that is generally more preferable compared to other artificial sweeteners.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Over 150 people registered for our recent Divabetic Baking Parties on Zoom so don’t miss out!

REGISTER NOW

01/07/2022

A Bowl Of Oatmeal Sparks A Best-Selling Author’s Writing Career

Last night on Zoom, Best-Selling Author Viola Shipman revealed how choosing to eat a bowl of oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast instead of Captain Crunch with Crunch Berries sparked her healthy lifestyle revolution and writing career. Viola went on to say how a few small steps like forgoing sugary cereals, walking around the block, and waking up early to write led to significant changes in her life over time.

Healthy eating and daily walks motivated her enough to stop thinking about what could happen negatively (“I can’t write,” “No one will publish my book”) if she became an author. Pushing these doubts aside resulted in more time actually to write. Her walking ultimately turned into running. Viola said her runs helped her creatively figure out plots and characters.

Today, Viola Shipman is 80 pounds lighter and a best-selling author! So the question is, what’s stopping you from having that first bowl of oatmeal? It just might lead you to live your best life.

By the way, I am paraphrasing her conversation, but you can visit her Facebook page to hear this inspiring story in her words. I was so captivated and motivated by his story that I just wanted to write it from my heart.

Viola Shipman is the pen name of WADE ROUSE. He is the internationally bestselling author of nine books. Wade chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, as a pen name to honor the woman whose heirlooms and family stories inspire his fiction.

Wade’s novels include The Charm Bracelet, a 2017 Michigan Notable Book of the Year; The Hope Chest; and The Recipe Box.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Wednesday, February 9, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION

12/23/2021

Divabetic Pink Champagne Holiday Gift Guide 2021, #6

Whether you’re focused on losing weight or want to add a little extra sparkle into your daily diabetes self-care, we’ve got you covered with this year’s Divabetic Holiday Gift Guide 2021. We believe in thoughtful gifts that bring a little happiness and good health into your life.

Our friend, Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes while training to become a pastry chef. She thought her career–not to mention her lifetime love affair with desserts–was over. Her devastation gave way to innovation, resulting in the inventive and simple substitution system presented here. Now Stacey Harris can enjoy desserts specifically designed to satisfy the sweet tooth without sacrificing flavor.

Stacey’s gift suggestion is one of her favorite kitchen tools, the Danish Dough Whisk. Stacey loves that this quintessential hand mixer makes the arduous task of kneading dough for fresh-baked pizza, sweet pie crust, mouthwatering pasta, delicate pastries, or artisan sourdough loaves and biscuits so much easier. our hands won’t get tired from kneading, and your dough won’t get stuck or trapped in the whisk leaving you with large icky clumps. Your hands won’t get dirty either!

This Dutch dough whisk has professional-grade stainless steel and a secure and sturdy wooden handle. $12.99 on Amazon.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Wednesday, February 9, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.

During this virtual Baking Party on Zoom, The Diabetic Pastry Chef will prepare a Valentine’s Day Sugar-Free Dessert recipe and share expert baking tip.

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION

12/09/2021

Sugar-Free Linzer Torte Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris, demonstrated how to make her fabulous Sugar-Free Linzer Tortes at last night’s Divabetic Baking Party. Stacey has mastered the art of substituting sugar substitutes and flours in traditional favorites without compromising taste or texture.

Stacey says, ”To cut back on sugar, I started using all-natural substitutes, like agave nectar, and trying erythritol. I also bake with a store-bought blend of sugars that tastes delicious.”

The Diabetic Pastry Chef shares her recipes in a fabulous book so that people with diabetes and others looking for sugar-free treats can make their own lower-carb versions of baked goods at home. The most common thing she hears from customers is, “I don’t even miss the extra sugar!”

Sugar-Free Linzer Tortes Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Ingredients
10 tbsp. butter softened
1/3 cup dry sugar substitute
1 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
1 cup ground almonds or almond flour
1 tsp. lemon zest
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
2 raw egg yolks
2 hardboiled egg yolks
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 (12.75-oz.) jar sugar-free raspberry jam
1 egg white, beaten
sliced almonds for topping

Directions
In a mixing bowl with a mixer at medium speed, combine butter and sugar substitute until fluffy. Add flour, ground almonds, lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, raw egg yolks, boiled egg yolks, and vanilla. Continue to mix until well combined. Chill for at least 1 hour.

Divide chilled dough into 2 pieces. Roll out 1 piece, and fit it into a greased 8×8-in. pan or springform pan. Spread jam over the dough with a spatula.

Roll out and cut strips with the remaining dough to make a lattice top to cover jam. Brush with egg white and sprinkle almonds on top. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes, or until torte is a pale golden color. Cut into squares to serve.

The Diabetic Pastry Chef shares the sweet secrets of her simple-to-use formula that will convert most any recipe into a lower-carb alternative without compromising taste or quality in her book. Now people living with can enjoy Chocolate Truffle Cookies, Blueberry Tartlets, Cream Cheese Cupcakes, Coffee Bread Pudding, and hundreds of others.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for our next free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW

12/06/202112/07/2021

Divabetic Pink Champagne Holiday Gift Guide 2021, #2

Holiday Mindful Eating Tip of the day from Lisa Young: Ask yourself, am I hungry?, eat slowly, and enjoy your company along with your food!

Herb Scissors Retail: $10.67

Fresh herbs enhance the flavors of all foods, especially vegetables, which will help you to reduce using salt to perk up your meals. These scissors are perfect for basil, thyme, dill, parsley, chives, mint, fennel. You can use directly over a pan or plate to make perfectly sized, restaurant-quality quick, and impressive garnishes for soups, salads, pizza, and side dishes.

Our friend, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND, a registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Prediabetes: A Complete Guide, demonstrated how to use herb scissors in a recent Divabetic Zoom program.

With a motto like,” I make nutrition science understandable, realistic & delicious,” Jill specializes in customizing plans to help people living with, affected by, and at risk of diabetes to maximize their health.

Jill quickly snipped a bunch of fresh herbs to season her soup. She showed us that this kitchen tool is a big help in curbing the need to grab the salt-shaker for your recipes. Available on Amazon.

BUY NOW

In this video, Jill Weisenberger shares her favorite healthy salad and salad dressing recipes, suggested new flavor combinations to perk up meals, and answered questions on nutrition. Enjoy this sneak peek of what you missed on a recent Divabetic Zoom program! Join us for Divabetic’s free Holiday-themed Sugar-Free Baking Party with the Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris on Thursday, December 9, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST. Register Now

Prediabetes: A Complete Guide by Jill Weisenberger

The latest numbers from the CDC suggest that nearly 1 in 3 adults have either prediabetes or diabetes. These are alarming numbers, and finding out that you are the one out of three can be even more alarming. Shock, denial, and confusion are not uncommon reactions. But there is a flip side to learning you have prediabetes. It can be scary, but it’s also an opportunity—an opportunity to “reset,” to improve your health and to get yourself in better shape than ever. Let Prediabetes: A Complete Guide show you how!ho

Divabetic Holiday Playlist: Kelly Clarkson never fails to bring us joy! Her new Christmas album is a total delight. This duet “Under the Mistletoe” with Brett Eldredge gets us up and dancing every time we play it!

https://youtu.be/y9jTpv1r_KI

12/05/202112/07/2021

Divabetic Pink Champagne Holiday Gift Guide 2021, #1

This year’s Divabetic Gift Guide theme: Pink Champagne, is inspired by song lyrics that I wrote after binge-watching a dozen Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel. I picked up a pen and wrote these lyrics:

Oh baby! pour me a glass

of pink champagne

after a few sips, I’d love to explain

why I decided on Christmas Day

to give my gift for you away

The rest of the song lyrics for Pink Champagne quickly followed and I liked my lyrics so much that I called my Luther Vandross musical family friends, producer Ivan Hampden Jr., and vocalist Paulette McWilliams. This dynamic duo agreed to record the song. I look forward to sharing the recorded song but until then please take a minute to enjoy this year’s Gift Guide inspired by a burst of creativity!

I’m sure more than a few readers are scratching your heads over the fact that our gift guide’s theme of an alcoholic cocktail, Pink Champagne. Sure, it’s a great song title but is it right for a healthy holiday gift guide designed to inspire you to live your best diabetes life?

Since we know many people with diabetes enjoy an alcoholic beverage during the holidays, we think it is!

A long time ago, I presented diabetes outreach at an Open Clinic in Sleepy Hollow. I met with the diabetes educator ahead of time to discuss our presentation. She did not want to address alcohol consumption during our presentation even though Cinco De Mayo was quickly approaching. Instead, she felt strongly that abstinence from alcohol was the best option for people with diabetes. Therefore, in her opinion, there was no need to address the topic during our presentation.

Let’s just say we didn’t see eye to eye on the matter.

I felt, and still believe that abstinence from alcohol works for some people with diabetes but not everyone. At one point during our presentation, I asked the crowd to raise their hands if they were planning to have a cocktail or two to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. Every hand flew up. When I asked if anyone knew how alcohol affects their blood sugar levels there was confusion.

Needless to say, we addressed the topic in-depth during the presentation. We held a highly interactive and meaningful discussion. Afterward, the educator expressed her gratitude to me for addressing the topic. There is no doubt that we will be featuring information about alcohol’s impact on blood sugar levels in our upcoming Pink Champagne Christmas Gift Guide-related posts.

This colorful portion control container system allows you to maintain better portion control for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it perfect when you’re trying to lose weight or better manage diet and exercise. Each pre-measured container is based on the amount of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, proteins, and carbs you need each day. Simply match your color to your food plan for ideal portion control sizes. Price: $16.95 on Amazon.