Diabetes doesn’t have to dim your sparkle during the holidays. We’re presenting a Holiday Sugarfree Baking Party on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 7 PM, EST.
During this fun-filled BakingParty on Zoom, The Diabetic Pastry Chefprepares a Sugar–Free holiday dessert recipe and shares expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes in recipes.
Plus, Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller shares a sneak peek at Divabetic’s Gift Guide 2023. She showcases her new jewelry line, Power Pieces, made from upcycled comic books. These one-of-a-kind heroic adornments celebrate the inner power in all of us.
Win gifts courtesy of Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes’s Camper Cozy Mystery and Peak 10 Skin‘s Save My Sole Foot Rescue Cream during Mr. Divabetic’s random drawings. You must be present at our BakingParty to enter our gift drawings to win.
Over 150 people have participated in our past Divabetic Baking Parties on Zoom, so don’t miss out!
Register on Eventbrite. Register closes at 3 PM, EST.
There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten-time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin.’ Tune into Divabetic’s Mystery Podcast, Kill Me Madam.
Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef,participated in Divabetic’s first-ever World Menopause Day program on Zoom. During the program, Stacey demonstrated how to make her Sugar-Free Butter-Rum Cakelets and answered participants’ questions.
Stacey defined ‘sugar-free baking’ as baking without any sugar. But she added that her recipes contain carbohydrates. After you eat carbohydrates (grains, flour, etc.) your body turns those carbohydrates into glucose (sugar). Glucose gives your cells energy. The glucose moves into the bloodstream and your blood sugar level rises.
Everyone has a different carbohydrate tolerance. One person may be able to eat a carb-heavy diet with no problem, and another may get blood sugar spikes and gain weight from eating very few carbohydrates. Both people can be healthy, as long as they are eating within their personal tolerance levels. Talk to your healthcare collaborator about what plan is best for you.
Mini bundt cakes with icing sugar on rack
Sugar-Free Butter- Rum Cakelets
Stacey says, “This cake comes together a little differently than most cakes, but is very moist with rum and delicious!”
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups sugar substitute of your choice
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup evaporated milk
4 large eggs
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup rum of your choice.
Directions
Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, sugar substitute, butter, and oil in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on low speed for several minutes until the mixture is crumbly and sandy-looking.
Mix in the milk. Next, mix in the eggs one by one, mixing well after each, remembering to scrape the sides of the bowl well after each egg is added.
Add the rum and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
Pour the batter and spread it into the cavities of two cakelet pans with six cavities each.
Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for about 35 or 40 minutes, or until the cakes look golden brown and begin to loosen from the sides of the pan. Let cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before removing.
Unmold the cakelets and, with a skewer, fork, or toothpick, prick holes into the cakelets straight down to the bottoms of each.
Butter-Rum Sauce
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar substitute of your choice
1/4 cup water
1/2 to 3/4 cup rum of your choice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
Add butter, sugar substitute, and water to a small saucepan. Bring to a slow boil and simmer for 7 or 8 minutes.
Remove from heat and cool completely. Add the rum and vanilla extract.
Slowly spoon the sauce over each cakelet. Cover cakelets with plastic wrap and allow to sit for several hours or overnight. The cakelets will not look glazed. They can be frozen or stored at room temperature for several days. Yield: 12 cakelets.
Mr. Divabetic talks to Dr. Michael Grego, the “Keto Doc,” on this podcast with musical inspiration from legendary DJ John Loungo.
The keto diet reduces the number of carbohydrates you eat and teaches your body to burn fat for fuel instead. The keto diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. The standard keto diet consists of 70% to 80% fats, 10% to 20% proteins, and 5% to 10% carbohydrates.
Dr. Grego is a Naturopathic Physician and the author of 3 books, The Nutritional Ketogenic Diet, Clean Keto vs. Dirty Keto, andThe InsulThin Diet.
Dr. Grego’s unique approach emphasizing insulin resistance and sugar has been foundational in creating the revolutionary insulThin Diet. We will discuss how he created his step-by-step nutrition blueprint for the popular Ketogenic diet.
Throughout the podcast, we feature music from The Essential John Luongo album courtesy of SONY Music.
Diabetes and menopause can team up to have various effects on your body. Knowing what to expect and how to manage it is what we will be discussing in Divabetic’s Menopause & Diabetes Panel Discussion & SugarFree Baking Demonstration on Zoom in honor of World Menopause Day on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 7 – 8:30 PM.
Catherine Schuller moderates a panel featuring Dr. Julianne Arena, MD, FACOG, ABAARM, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love And Intimacy With Diabetesco-author, COO for Diabetes Sisters Donna Rice MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, and photographer, Amparo. Amparo discovered, quite unexpectedly, in the ER, that she has diabetes after doctors told her her glucose level was over 800! Over the past six months, she’s been taking charge of managing her diabetes while facing hormonal changes during menopause – it’s a true Divabetic Victory story.
After our panel, Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef, demonstrates how to make her popular Sugar-Free Rum Cake Recipe.
One lucky winner will win a Divabetic Prize at the end of the program.
The purpose of World Menopause Day is to raise awareness of menopause and the support options = for improving health and wellness.
We’re sharing excerpts of interviews from our favorite Divabetic podcasts over the years.
This excerpt is from our January 2023 podcast with international yoga teacher and author Rachel Zinman, who lives with Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults LADA diabetes. (LADA) is a type of diabetes that starts in adulthood and slowly gets worse over time. Like type 1 diabetes, LADA happens when the pancreas stops making insulin. That’s usually because an autoimmune process is damaging cells in the pancreas.
In her book, Yoga for Diabetes, Rachel Zinman shares her journey and the hard-won wisdom gained from her own experience of yoga and diabetes. Read how her yoga and meditation practices helped her to overcome years of frustration and confusion about managing her diabetes. Listen to Divabetic’s full interview with Rachel Zinman and her guided meditation, “Compassion Meditation,” focusing on self-love and compassion to help inspire you with a new attitude.
Shortly after attending culinary school to become a pastry chef, Stacey Harris, known professionally as the Diabetic Pastry Chef, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She was devastated since she loved to bake and loved to eat sweets.
After many experiments with several sugar-free substitutes, Stacey developed a formula that consistently turned out delicious confections that even non-diabetics love. One of her tips is to use a combination of different sugar-free substitutes in your recipe rather than just one.
Image by Britta Gade from Pixabay
Sugar-Free Baked Rice Pudding by the Diabetic Pastry Chef
Ingredients
3/4 cup cooked Brown Rice
2 cups Whole Milk
3 Eggs, beaten
1 cup dry Sugar Substitute of choice
3 Tbsp. Butter, melted
1 tsp pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/3 cup Raisins
Nutmeg for garnishing
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a greased 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Garnish the top with a light sprinkle of grated nutmeg. Bake until the pudding is firm in the center, about 40 minutes. Serve warm or cold with cream or whipped cream.
Note: The pudding mixture can be baked in small greased ramekins or mini casserole dishes instead of a large one.
Mr. Divabetic hosts this podcast on tips, advice, and strategies for turning around a Prediabetes or a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis. Guests include Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND, and gospel music recording artist, Pat Lacy.
Clarence Waldron talks about his stroke, recovery, working as Senior Editor and Writer of Jet Magazine, and his memories of Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin.
Twenty years ago, Clarence interviewed Luther’s mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross, for Jet Magazine after Luther suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes. Clarence’s story is an excellent reminder of why it’s essential to ACT F.A.S.T. if you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke. The acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time) has been used by the American Stroke Foundation, American Heart Association, and others to educate the public on detecting stroke symptoms.
Earlier treatment results in a greater chance of recovery, a reduced likelihood of permanent disability, and a lesser need for extensive rehabilitation. You’ll quickly hear Clarence’s upbeat attitude and ferocious appetite for music and divas have served him well during his recovery.
Throughout this podcast, we feature music from Aretha Franklin’s Get It Right album and Luther Vandross’s Live At Radio City Music Hall 2003 20th Anniversary Edition album courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic’s special guest, The Diabetic Pastry Chef at the upcoming Sugar-Free Baking Party knows ways to transform decadent desserts so they’re no longer off-limits. By using blended flours and a combination of sugar and sugar substitutes, reducing milk carbohydrates, and eliminating trans fats, Stacey Harris can convert almost any recipe into a lower-carb alternative without compromising taste or quality.
3/4 cup white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2/3 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
3 large eggs
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Swerve Confectioners
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add all ingredients except walnuts and Swerve Confectioners to the mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until well combined.
Line an 11×15″ jelly roll pan with parchment paper or wax paper. Grease the paper and add the batter spreading evenly. Sprinkle with the chopped walnuts. Bake for approximately 15 minutes.
Invert the cake onto a thin linen dish towel sprinkled heavily with Swerve Confectioners (about 1/4 cup). Remove parchment paper or wax paper and gently roll the cake. Let cool for a minimum of 2 hours.
Unroll the cake and evenly spread with filling. Reroll cake. Freeze for 1 hour before serving. Thaw, sprinkle top with Swerve Confectioners to cover, and slice. Enjoy!
Filling Ingredients
1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cup Swerve Confectioners
2 Tbsp. butter softened
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions
Mix ingredients together with an electric mixer until smooth.
Note: The Diabetic Pastry Chef’s choice of sugar substitute for this recipe is Erythritol.
Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Are you interested in baking tips and recipes?
Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris,The Diabetic Pastry Chef, on Thursday, September 28, 7-8 PM, EST.
Eugenia won a lovely Gift Basket courtesy of Splenda at our recent Divabetic Sugarfree Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef.
Eugenia’s Splenda Gift Basket contains Splenda Naturals Stevia, Splenda Sweetener, Splenda Diabetes Care Shake (Milk Chocolate), an apron, a hot mitt, a strainer, measuring cups, and more.
Throughout the program, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chefdemonstrated how to make one of her famous sugar-free desserts, answered questions, and shared her favorite kitchen tools. Click HERE for her Sugarfree Strawberry Pie recipe.
Here’s Eugenia’s testimonial for the Splenda Gift Basket including the new Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes. She admits the Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes (Milk Chocolate) contains a lot less sugar than their competitors. Splenda Diabetes Care Shakescontain a diabetes-specific nutrition formula that has the right nutrient balance with 16 grams of high-quality protein, 15 grams of carbohydrate including 6 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of monounsaturated fats.
After two sips, Eugenia says, “this is a really good shake!”
Eugenia also tried the Salivation Snackfoods’ Keto Dark Chocolate Brownies. After one bite, Eugenia admits “I would definitely buy it. It’s a really good brownie!”
Salivation Snackfoods Brownies are rich, flavorful, and complex with only 3g net carbs.
During our Sugarfree Baking Party, we played baking trivia along with our participants. Here’s one of our questions:
Q: In the process of cake baking, which of the following is NOT a raising agent?
A. Steam
B. Yeast
C. Powdered Sugar
D. Baking Powder
Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts another upcoming fun Virtual Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef, in September.
Divabetic Baking Party Question #1: ANSWER: C. Powdered Sugar
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 Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST 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?
Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, our upcoming Baking Party has been rescheduled for this Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 7 -8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
We hope you are still able to join us for this free, fun Virtual Mother’s Day-themed Baking Partywith special guests, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
During this Baking Party on Zoom, The Diabetic Pastry Chef prepares a Mother’s Day Sugar-Free Dessert recipe, demonstrates one of her favorite kitchen tools, and shares expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and alternative flours in recipes.
The Diabetic Pastry Chef
One lucky participant will win a Divabetic Gift Basket featuring Arthel Neville Design FABULOUS East/West Tote, Dr. Remedy‘s Enriched Nail Care gift set, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes‘s Camper Cozy Mystery, and Peak 10Skin’s Save My Sole Foot Rescue Cream in our random drawing. You must be present at our Baking Party to enter our gift drawing to win.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
Over 150 people registered for our last Divabetic Baking Party on Zoom, so don’t miss out!
After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Stacey Harris (The Diabetic Pastry Chef) taught herself how to make pound cake, pecan rolls, pies, muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods with about half the carbs you’d get from a traditional bakery item.
“I started experimenting by using almond milk or whole milk mixed with water to cut down on carbs, then tried different flours, incorporating white whole wheat flour, soy flour, oat flour, black bean flour, and other alternatives into my brownies, cakes, and cookies,” she said in a How 2 Type 2 article.
She adds,” 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 type 2 diabetes and others looking for sugar-free treats can make their lower-carb versions of baked goods at home. Her customers frequently say, “I don’t even miss the extra sugar!”
How it works: Once you register, we will send you the unique code to sign in to our Zoom Video feed. You will need a camera. We’ll all get acquainted and share niceties before the baking demonstration begins.
Cost: Free.
Donations are greatly appreciated. Paypal Click HERE Paypal
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.
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.
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
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!
