Divabetic Berry & Avocado Smoothie Recipe

I’ve been craving smoothies ever since Special Guest: Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND shared her Very Berry Smoothie recipe on Divabetic’s At Home Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party on Zoom last week.

Everyone might think that all smoothies are ‘healthy’ but that’s just a bit of wishful drinking. In reality, many of the most readily available smoothies in America also contain loads of calories, added sugars and carbohydrates. 

Some fruits naturally contain more carbohydrates than others, so the type of fruit you choose put in your smoothie is important. Raspberries (15 g carbs), blackberries (14 g carbs) and avocados (12 g carbs) are low in carbohydrates compared to bananas (27 g carbs) and mangos (50 g carbs).

A typical commercially prepared 16-ounce strawberry smoothie made with fruit and 2 percent milk can contain a total of 60 grams of carbohydrates, including 41 grams from sugar according to SFGATE.

All the Ingredients

Divabetic Berry & Avocado Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup of blackberries

1/2 cup of raspberries

1/2 avocado (sliced)

1/2 cup of Almond Milk

1 teaspoon of Monk fruit Sweetener

1 tablespoon of Yogurt (nonfat)

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth (about a minute). Served chilled.

Easy To Make

What Is Monkfruit Sweetener? 

Monk fruit sweetener is considered to be a natural sugar substitute that doesn’t affect the glycemic index, making it a potential sugar alternative for people with diabetes according to Dr. Tricia Pingel. Monk fruit sweetener contains zero calories, zero carbohydrates, zero sodium, and zero fat. As the name implies, monk fruit sweetener is derived from the juice of monk fruit.

Divabetic Berry & Avocado Smoothie

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?

We are having a ball at our free virtual events. Stay safe, stay in and join us for some good times connecting with other people living with diabetes.

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Indoor Scavenger Hunt on Zoom with best-selling Intimacy & Diabetes co-author, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:35 PM, EST. 

Relationships play an important role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even our casual relationships. Janis will answer your questions about how diabetes affects the 8 types of IntimacyAesthetic, Spiritual, Intellectual, Social, Emotional, Affection, Physical, and Sexual.

Janis Roszler  LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDCES, FAND shares her amazing Almond, Wild Blueberry and Flax Smoothie recipe from her best-selling book, Intimacy & Diabetes during this outreach event.

Janis Roszler is the 2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).  She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, board certified sex therapist, registered dietitian, and award-winning medical media producer. Her books include  Intimacy & Diabetes (ADA, 2020); Approaches to Behavior (ADA,2015); Diabetes On Your OWN Terms (Marlowe & Company, 2007); Sex and Diabetes (ADA, 2007); The Secrets Of Living And Loving WITH Diabetes (Surrey Books, 2004).

FREE REGISTRATION – REGISTER NOW

Divabetic Carb Kitty Video Game

Patti LaBelle’s Freeform Apple Tart Recipe

Patti LaBelle was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over 25 years ago and it took awhile for her to get in tune with her condition. She admits she was angry at first but now this self-proclaimed Divabetic” says she’s not just living with diabetes, she’s living well with diabetes.

She’s  incorporated small changes into her recipes to make them healthier. Enjoy her Free-Form Apple Tart recipe from Eating Well, which uses light sour cream and just a little butter to keep calories in check.

Patti LaBelle’s Freeform Apple Tart 

Ingredients (Partial List) 

  • 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons ice water
  • 2 tablespoons light sour cream

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:190 calories; 11 g total fat; 6 g saturated fat; 25 mg cholesterol; 80 mg sodium. 21 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 3 g protein. Serving Size: 1 Slice

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RECIPE 

Patti LaBelle tells Rachael Ray she calls herself a ‘Divabetic’
Don’t Get Down, Get Diva!

Patti LaBelle loves being in the kitchen even after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This might sound strange for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to hear since many of them have knee jerk reactions to modifying their diets. But Patti LaBelle told People magazine that cooking for herself is why she’s still alive because she controls what she puts in my food and avoids all the things that aren’t good for diabetes. In her latest cookbook, Desserts LaBelle: Soulful Sweets to Sing About, she’s modified some of her signature recipes for fellow “divabetics” using sugar substitutes and cutting down on butter.

Poet Lorraine Brooks shares her thoughts about modifying recipes while sheltering in during the pandemic in her poem, Alone In The Kitchen.

Free Virtual Diva-Style Diabetes Outreach on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:30 PM, EST

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?

We are having a ball at our free virtual events. Stay safe, stay in and join us for some good times connecting with other people living with diabetes.

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Indoor Scavenger Hunt on Zoom with best-selling Intimacy & Diabetes co-author, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:30 PM, EST.

Relationships play an important role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even our casual relationships. Janis will answer your questions about how diabetes affects the 8 types of IntimacyAesthetic, Spiritual, Intellectual, Social, Emotional, Affection, Physical, and Sexual.

Very Berry Smoothie Recipe by Jill Weisenberger

Special Guest: Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND shared this easy, healthy  recipe on last night’s free  Divabetic’s At Home Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party on Zoom.

Very Berry Smoothie Recipe

Very Berry Smoothie Recipe by Jill Weisenberger 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain nonfat strained yogurt (Greek or Icelandic)
  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries or frozen mixed berries with cherries
  • 1 tablespoon sweetener of choice
  • 2 tablespoons nonfat milk or any tart juice (cranberry, pomegranate, cherry)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender or a container for an immersion blender. Process until smooth.

Nutrition Information: Serving size: 11/2 cups, Calories: 205, Carbohydrates: 30g,  Protein: 22g, Fat: 0g,  Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 100mg, Fiber: 5g

Click here for more Recipe Details

Do you know? Both yogurt and berries are linked to less incidence of type 2 diabetes.  

“I always recommend both foods to my clients with prediabetes. And they’re probably good for diabetes, as well.” READ MORE 

HELPFUL TIP: “When berries aren’t in season, I grab a bag of frozen mixed berries or mixed berries with cherries at the supermarket,” says Jill Weisenberger

“This is the week-by-week guide that will change your life!”

One lucky participant, Helen from Georgia, from last night’s Divabetic Zoom Party won a copy of Jill Weisenberger’s best-selling book, Diabetes Weight Loss – Week by Week.

Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Week takes you on a one-year journey to weight control while managing your blood sugar,cholesterol level and more! This best-selling book includes sample menus, recipes and tricks for the kitchen. Instead of focusing on gimmicks, you will learn the skills you need to be successful long term.

BUY NOW 

Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, is a Nutrition, Culinary & Diabetes Expert, Wellcoach®-certified health and wellness coach, Freelance Writer, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator. She’s also the author of four books, including a best-seller. She’s a nationally-recognized media expert in high demand for print and online interviews, as well as corporate and one-on-one nutritional counseling. Jill’s philosophy is that nutrition science should be understandable, realistic and oh so delicious.

Looking for a fun, safe way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? 

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for Divabetic’s free, upcoming Zoom Scavenger Hunt: At Home Party on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:35 PM, EST.

This 35 minute virtual diabetes wellness outreach event features ‘Intimacy and Diabetes’ co-author, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND. 

Relationships play an important role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even our casual relationships. Janis will answer your questions about how diabetes affects the 8 types of Intimacy: Aesthetic, Spiritual, Intellectual, Social, Emotional, Affection, Physical, and Sexual.

Janis Roszler is the 2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).  She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, board certified sex therapist, registered dietitian, and award-winning medical media producer. Her books include  Intimacy & Diabetes (ADA, 2020); Approaches to Behavior (ADA,2015); Diabetes On Your OWN Terms (Marlowe & Company, 2007); Sex and Diabetes (ADA, 2007); The Secrets Of Living And Loving with Diabetes (Surrey Books, 2004).

Divabetic’s Free Virtual Scavenger Hunt: At Home Party on Zoom on Thursday, July 18, 2020, 7 – 7:35 PM, EST. Once you register you will receive a Zoom code. If you’ve never used Zoom, you will need a few minutes before the start of our outreach event to download the app and log in.

REGISTER NOW

Thank you to everyone who has taken measures to protect our Divabetic community members and their loved ones by wearing cloth face coverings and social distancing. We are so grateful! Divabetic will continue to provide free Virtual Diabetes Outreach events with qualified health experts to keep you safe, informed and connected. Please join us!

We’re talking about ‘ROMANCE & DIABETES’ on this episode of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Camila Cabello.

Don’t Miss Tonight’s Divabetic Virtual Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party on Zoom

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 this free, fun Virtual Scavenger Hunt on Zoom, with Special Guest, Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and Registered Dietitian  Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, where everything you need to win is within your own home on Thursday, June 18, 2020, 7 – 7:30 PM, EST. 

Whether you have had diabetes for a long time or have only recently been diagnosed, having a diabetes management plan and supplies in place are essential for living life to the fullest. 

How prepared are you to cope with a diabetes self-care curveball? Hand sanitizer, water bottles, extra syringes and test strips, fast-acting sugars, and measuring cups as well as all the other items to help ease your anxiety are all in play for a fun night of diabetes wellness!

Everyone might think that all smoothies are ‘healthy’ but that’s just a bit of wishful drinking. In reality, many of the most readily available smoothies in America also contain loads of calories, added sugars and carbohydrates. 

Find out what types of smoothies and/or smoothie ingredients you should enjoy and which ones you should avoid as we make our own smoothies in our homes during this Zoom Party. It’s a good idea to have a blender, glass, spatula, spoon handy as well as ingredients to make a smoothie. 

One lucky Zoom Party participant will receive their pick of one of Jill Weisenberger’s sensational books in our random drawing during this Divabetic outreach event:  

 Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Week is a bestseller and can help you manage your weight and blood sugar at the same time. 

The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition offers solutions to your everyday food and nutrition problems – no matter how busy you are.

21 Things You Need to Know about Diabetes and Your Heart gives you specific actions to take to improve your health right away. 

Prediabetes: A Complete Guide leads you through dozens of concrete steps to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic health problems.

During this Zoom Party, Jill Weisenberger will be answering your questions about diabetes self-care and nutrition. Here are some ideas for questions to spark your suggestions for tonight:  

Q: What’s the difference between juicing and smoothies?

Q: How can I make my smoothie have a thick, creamy texture without adding more calories and/or carbohydrates?  

Q: When’s the best time to have a Smoothie (morning, noon and/or night)? Are they good for weight loss?

Q: Should I add protein powder? 

Zoom Party Code
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72029469773?pwd=QjljU0hralg0d294czN6VUtYWlpXQT09

Meeting ID: 720 2946 9773
Password: 056473

After this Zoom Party ends please fill out this quick, short Post-Event Survey to help us improve our programming: https://divabetic.typeform.com/to/sDCjSG

Hidden Beet Brownies Recipe

What’s lurking under the fudgy chocolate in those brownies ?

Beets.

Many sneaky home bakers who whip vegetable purees into a variety of baked goods have claim that they are the perfect match of sweet and savory.

Thanks to FOODISM360 for sharing their work on Unsplash.

Beets add moisture to baked goods without the addition of oil or butter, and they also add a natural sweetness according to The Kitchn website. Beets work well in chocolate desserts because they add moisture, yet the cocoa powder and chocolate mask any possible subtle earthy flavor

Want to try it? Start by baking the beets, even the day before.  According to Early Morning Farm‘s website the fool-proof way is to chop off the top and bottom of each beet, rub them with olive oil, and then wrap them in foil.  Bake at 350F for 45-60 min or more if necessary.  A fork should slide very easily through the beets when done.  The skins will slip easily off.  Puree in a food processor or with an immersion blender. 3 small to medium beets should yield around 1 cup pureed beets.

Early Morning Farm’s Chocolate Beet Brownies Recipe

Ingredients (Partial List)

  • 2-3 medium size cooked and pureed beets, to equal 1 cup
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs

FULL RECIPE

Here are some beet brownie recipes from Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqqJMIYFuTY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B3kQhD7nvLT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B8VOjq_lHzF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Register now for Divabetic’s free At Home Virtual Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party with Jill Weisenberger on Thursday, June 18, 2020, 7 – 7:30 PM, EST.

REGISTER NOW

Sugar-Free Baking Secrets #2

Are you interested in baking with Stevia?

First off, stevia is a natural, non-nutritive sweetener extracted from the leaf of the stevia plant. More than 200 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is essentially calorie- and carb-free.

Stevia-based sweeteners shouldn’t be used to replace sugar cup for cup in your favorite recipes. Most bakers agree that for the best results you should leave at least 1/4 cup of sugar in the recipe to help with browning and provide texture. You likely will need to use a lower baking temperature and increase the baking time.

Healthine states, ” Stevia may help manage your weight and blood sugar levels, and animal studies show that it may improve heart disease risk factors. However, it’s an intense sweetener that could negatively affect your health.” (READ MORE)

Thanks to Jasmine Waheed for sharing their work on Unsplash.

The Basic Substitution for baking with Stevia: Substitute 1 cup of sugar for 18 to 24 stevia sweetener packets, 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon of undiluted stevia powder or 1 teaspoon of a liquid stevia extract. Experts recommend that you choose the amount of stevia based on how sweet you wish your baked goods to be.

Instead of a Mounds Bar, try these Chocolate Covered Katie’s No Bake Coconut Fudge Bars made with a liquid sweetener (maple syrup, agave, etc.) or with stevia. If you choose to use stevia for this recipe, Katie recommends that you add 1/4 cup additional coconut oil to make up the liquid difference.

“With smooth dark chocolate between layers of coconut, it’s like an inside-out Mounds bar!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBQ35-3AYWN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Divabetic’s June 2020 podcast is in solidarity with and dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice. We are making time to reflect, share our feelings, listen and identify ways in which to fight for real and meaningful change. Guests include Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Keith Anthony Fluitt, Leisa Chester Weir, and Jeff James.

Taco Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipes

As healthy foods go, sweet potatoes are hard to beat. These bright orange, fiber-packed tubers are rich in vitamins and minerals, and are a great choice for any diet. They’re also a low glycemic index (GI) food which means they can help avoid spikes in blood sugar levels.

Sweet potatoes are perfect for the novice home cooks, like me, because they’re easy to prepare. Roasting is a simple method of cooking and even more fun to dress up with spicy lean taco meat, low fat cheese and crisp lettuce.

Here are some of my favorite Taco Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipes on Instagram along with one from Eating Well. Enjoy!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BP-8o7ZB8kQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B9iEOa0jg01/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/BsrlxLhBoBE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/BKjySVbDlMt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe by Eating Well

Ingredients

  • 2 sweet potatoes, about 1 pound each
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin

Serving Size: 1 Stuffed Sweet Potato Half Per Serving:510 calories; 23 g total fat; 9.3 g saturated fat; 113 mg cholesterol; 588 mg sodium. 1218 mg potassium; 34.6 g carbohydrates; 6.4 g fiber; 12 g sugar; 41.2 g protein; 28553 IU vitamin a iu; 30 mg vitamin c; 30 mcg folate; 275 mg calcium; 5 mg iron; 78 mg magnesium;Exchanges: 

SEE FULL RECIPE

Sugar-Free Dalgona Coffee Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Looking for a refreshing way to beat the heat without compromising your diabetes wellness goals? Take a sip of The Diabetic Pastry Chef‘s Dalgona Coffee Recipe!

What’s Dalgona Coffee?

“Dalgona Coffee or whipped coffee is the latest coffee craze. It originated in South Korea and the recipe was shared on Tic Toc where it went viral,” says Stacey Harris who is professionally known as ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’. “It can easily be made at home in less than 10 minutes. I love it because it is simple to make, delicious, and every bit as decadent as a Starbuck’s drink without the cost or travel.”

Sugar-Free Dalgona Coffee Recipe

Sugar-Free Dalgona Coffee Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. instant coffee granules

2 Tbsp. Whey Low® Type D Granular sugar substitute

2 Tbsp. hot water

2-3 ice cubes

3/4 to 1 cup milk of choice (dairy, unsweetened almond, oat milk, etc.)

Directions:

In small mixing bowl, add coffee granules, Whey Low and hot water. Whip with electric mixer for several minutes until creamy and thick and peaks begin to form. 

Add ice cubes to drinking glass and pour milk no more than 3/4 to top of glass. Spoon and swirl the whipped coffee on top of the milk. Stir the milk and enjoy.

Note: I have read that Splenda® and stevia do not work well in this recipe.

Sugar Free Dalgona Coffee by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

FUN FACT: The actor Jung Il-Woo traveled to Macau, tried the drink, and gave this coffee drink the nickname ‘dalgona‘ for its resemblance to the traditional Korean sponge candy of the same name.

Diabetes Pastry Chef

Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef shares her recipes in a fabulous book so that people with type 2 diabetes and others looking for sugar-free treats can make their own lower-carb versions of baked goods at home. She also started her own online bakery that ships homemade treats all across the country. The most common thing she hears from customers is, “I don’t even miss the extra sugar!”

SHOP NOW

Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite Podcast Inspired by Gladys Knight

Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef, guests on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from Gladys Knight & The Pips. Our musical inspiration, 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. The five time Grammy Award winner never misses an opportunity to use her voice to encourage early detection and treatment of diabetes.

Help us choose topics for upcoming Divabetic podcasts. Fill out our easy, quick Survey.

Black Bean Brownie Recipe

Don’t let incorporating veggies into your desserts be an excuse to overindulge. It’s easy to convince yourself that you can enjoy more sweets and feel better about yourself in the process because you’re adding in extra nutrients between spoonfuls of sugar. An indulgence on one day doesn’t matter when looking at a week or a month.

Mr. Divabetic loves to infuse his desserts with healthy doses of vegetables which doesn’t always make for a winning combination. In Divabetic’s Diabetes Mystery podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes” his original Kale Hot Cocoa recipe turns everyone’s favorite leafy green vegetable into something downright lethal! 

Chocolate Covered Katie’s Black Bean Brownie Recipe

Trust us, Chocolate Covered Katie’s black bean brownie recipe is far more tempting than Mr. Divabetic’s kale hot cocoa. And they’re easy to make!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo7KLufA2tP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America, and Katie has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox, The Huffington Post, and ABC’s 5 O’Clock News. Her favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day!

Cucumber Herb Soup Recipe From Prediabetes And Me

Enjoy this Cucumber Herb Soup Recipe from our friends at Pre Diabetes and Me

Cucumber Herb Soup

Prediabetes is when your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be but not high enough for your doctor to diagnose diabetes. They might call it impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance.

Approximately 88 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Of those with prediabetes, more than 80% don’t know they have it. Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND

Pre Diabetes and Me is a CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program provider. Their coaches are professional health educators who believe that, in most cases, prediabetes is reversible.

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is an evidence-based curriculum designed by the CDC.  It’s a powerhouse tool presented to you by our trained lifestyle coaches. The guidance and resources you will receive can help you make lifelong changes and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. Class cost is $175 for the year-long program.

LEARN MORE

Diabetes Late Nite Podcast

We’re talking about ‘Secrets to Longevity & Diabetes’ with musical inspiration from Dionne Warwick on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Living longer and increasing your life expectancy with diabetes doesn’t have to be a chore. From flossing your teeth daily to getting a good night’s sleep, there are simple things you can do to help you live long, happy and healthy life.

Guests include The Lager Queen of Minnesota and Kitchens of the Great Midwest Author J. Ryan Stradal, Deborah Greenwood PhD, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Fonzi Thornton, Rachel Stahl MS, RD, CDN, CDE, and Lorraine Brooks.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Dionne Warwick’s ‘Dionne’ album featuring I’ll Never Love This Way Again and Deja Vu courtesy of SONY Music

Carb Counting Video Game