Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Thank you to everyone who joined the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for Divabetic’s recent Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, September 23, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

During this virtual Baking Party on Zoom, The Diabetic Pastry Chef showed how to prepare her popular Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffin recipe, shared expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and flours in recipes, and answered questions. One lucky participant received a free Splenda Gift Basket featuring a variety of their products. 

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe  by The Diabetic Pastry Chef 

Ingredients 

1 cup white whole wheat flour

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, optional

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup pure pumpkin filling

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup water

2 eggs, beaten

1 Tbsp molasses, optional

sugar substitute of your choice, equal to 1 cup sugar

pumpkin seeds, reserved for topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together all of the dry ingredients. 

In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all of the wet ingredients with a whisk.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Whisk just until combined; do not overmix.

Scoop into 12 paper-lined muffin wells. Sprinkle tops with pumpkin seeds. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes.

Note: The Diabetic Pastry Chef does not recommend using Splenda sugar substitute in this recipe unless mixing half with another sugar substitute such as Whey Low or erythritol. 

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?

Register now for Divabetic’s next Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 9, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

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Now people with diabetes, “Divabetics”, can have their cake and eat it too thanks to Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetes Pastry Chef’ and her simple four-part substitution system that turns any decadent dessert into a diabetic-friendly delight. Visit: http://www.diabeticpastrychef.com/ Find out more about this book 

Register Noe For Divabetic’s Free Salad Making Party with Jill Weisenberger

Register now for Divabetic’s free Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FAND on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.  

REGISTER NOW – FREE – CLICK HERE

Eating a salad sounds healthy, doesn’t it? But a leafy green salad can go bad when you pile on the high calorie and high carb toppings, dressings, and other deep-fried offerings. 

How do you make a great-tasting salad without sacrificing your diabetes wellness?

Special Guest, Jill Weisenberger shares 2-3 of her favorite nutrient-dense salad and tasty dressing recipes that you can make at home and answers your nutrition questions.

Nationally recognized Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND. Jill has authored four books. 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.

And Jill’s latest book 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.

Learn to finally Stick With It and keep your motivation and willpower up for healthy lifestyle habits. Jill Weisenberger’s Stick With It is a self-paced video course that guides you step-by-step to the healthy habits you want. You’ll learn why your motivation and willpower move up and down like a roller coaster and what you can do to keep them up higher and longer.

Jill Weisenberger’s Grated Summer Squash Salad: A New Favorite

“I came up with this simple, pretty, and very tasty summer squash salad,” says Jill Weisenberger. “I’ve tried it with zucchini and with yellow squash, as well as a variety of types of summer squash. Use what you have or what you like best! Feel free to call it zucchini salad, or anything else.”

SEE RECIPE

 

REGISTER NOW – FREE – CLICK HERE

Diabetes Whodunnit: Kill Me Madam, Part 1-3

Divabetic’s Hallmark-style Mystery podcast Kill Me Madam, Part 1-3 is available for free on-demand. Enjoy great diabetes information and advice packed into a Whodunnit!:

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’. But resentment, greed, and Britannia’s own bad dealings turn everyone into a suspect when she’s found dead in the parking lot just before the Annual Decadents on Deck! Bake Off competition is about to kick off.

Delusional baker and amateur sleuth Mr. Divabetic is even shocked to find himself being treated as a suspect in the case by the local police after meeting her just once! As if his life wasn’t crazy enough before, escaping a murderous mishap in New York and attempting a fresh start in Nantucket has become a complete and utter baking disaster.

Now Max, along with his friends and nosy mother, have to add tracking down a murderer to his To-Do list, as well. Can our team hunt down the real murderer before they strike again? Will he become the next victim? Can Max ever manage to bake an actually edible cake?

FEATURING Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure’s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, and Seveda Williams. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

If you’re craving a slice of key lime pie after listening to Divabetic Mystery podcast, then why try to easy-to-make recipe by our friend, Stacey Harris aka (The Diabetic Pastry Chef) 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.

Sugar-Free Key Lime Pie Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Ingredients

One 9″ pie crust, baked (traditional or graham cracker crust)
3 large eggs
1 c. granulated Whey Low®, Splenda® or Truvia® sugar substitute
1 c. half & half
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
3/4 c. key lime juice
1 Tbsp. finely grated lime zest
1/8 tsp. salt
whipped cream

FULL RECIPE

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, September 23, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE PROGRAM -REGISTER NOW

Healthy Red Quinoa Tabouli Recipe by Jill Weisenberger

Last night, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND shared her delicious Red Quinoa Tabouli recipe, answer our questions and even recommended some helpful kitchen tools at Divabetic’s Cooking Party on Zoom.

Jill’s latest book, The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes will teach you how to enjoy eating again without all the worry and guilt.

You’ll learn to fit in your favorite treat foods, so you never feel deprived, choose the right foods to avoid blood sugar spikes, keep track of the carb counts in your usual foods, eat to feel full – no more long-lasting hunger pangs, and more!

Enjoy a diva-licious discount on Diabetes Smarts bonus information when you purchase Jill Weisenberger’s The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes.  To save, enter the code ‘DIVABETIC’ for the bonuses to be free here.

 

“Enjoy this refreshing Mediterranean-style salad as a side dish with hot or cold foods, or make it into a meal with the addition of kabobs, chickpeas, chicken or salmon,” says Jill Weisenberger.

Healthy Red Quinoa Tabouli Recipe by Jill Weisenberger

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 cup red quinoa cooked according to package directions with salt omitted (about 3 cups cooked)
  • 2 cups tightly packed finely chopped fresh parsley (about 3.5 ounces) Use more as desired.
  • 1/2 tightly packed cup finely chopped fresh mint (about 3/4 ounce)
  • 2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes (about 13 ounces)
  •  cups diced cucumber (about 8 ounces)
  • ½ cup diced scallions (about 1.25 ounces)

SEE FULL RECIPE

 

Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND guests on this episode of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite  podcast with music from Maria Callas. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Grandiose Stimmen: Maria Callas album courtesy of SONY Music.

Free Diabetes Cooking Party with Jill Weisenberger on Tuesday, March 2, 2021

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

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND on Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM. Jill will be sharing her favorite Quinoa recipes with us. 

The dietary fiber content in quinoa is higher found in many other grains. This means that quinoa can be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes, since fiber and protein are considered important for keeping tighter blood sugar management.

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Having diabetes doesn’t mean you need to deny yourself all the foods you love, but you do want to make healthier food choices. One good choice is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are heavy in nutrition but light in calories.

Jill Weisenberger’s candid and energetic approach and her sound nutrition and fitness advice has earned her a place as one of 10 Dietitians You Need to Follow on Social Media in US News & World Report. Jill offers healthy and delicious recipe ideas and nutrition strategies that are based in sound nutrition science.

Jill Weisenberger is the author of The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes. Jill’s guide will teach you how to enjoy eating again without all the worry and guilt. You’ll learn to:

  • balance macros (protein, fat and carbohydrate), so you’ll have energy and good nutrition all day
  • plan meals even if no one else in your family has diabetes
  • fit in your favorite treat foods, so you never feel deprived
  • choose the right foods to avoid blood sugar spikes
  • pick the most healthful carbohydrate-containing foods for your body, so you can feel confident about tending to your heart and blood sugar at the same time
  • keep track of the carb counts in your usual foods
  • eat to feel full – no more long-lasting hunger pangs!
  • set the right goals for you

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Nationally Recognized Dietitian & Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Jill Weisenberger prepares her favorite Quinoa recipes and shares nutrition tips for people with type 2 diabetes.

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Low Calorie Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

This Macaroni & Cheese recipe from BlackDoctor.Org will have you eating more this great dish without the added weight. It feeds 6 and takes only 30 minutes.

Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

Low Calorie Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

Ingredients 
12 oz fusilli or elbow pasta
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup flour
2 cups 2% milk
1 cup vegetable broth
2 cups shredded cheddar
1 cup shredded colby cheese
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
cooking spray
salt and pepper to taste

READ FULL RECIPE 

 

Sodium Doesn’t Just Come From the Salt Shaker

Most of the sodium in our meals comes from packaged foods that contain sodium in a variety of forms, including as a preservative. Reading labels is important because even within a category, there can be huge differences in the sodium content. Many brands have reformulated and call out reduced sodium on the label so that is a good place to start when trying to lower sodium.

Other tips to reduce sodium include:

  • Rinsing canned veggies. Did you know that by draining and rinsing canned beans (a nutrition superstar) you can cut sodium by 40%?
  • Use herbs and spices for flavor instead of salt
  • Choose breads with less sodium

 

Fruits, veggies and dairy foods (all rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium) can help lower blood pressure.

Did you know that nearly half of US adults have hypertension? High blood pressure is extremely common, but here are some ways to lower it?

LEARN MORE

Tune in to Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast featuring Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Nat Adderley Jr.,  Dr. Khoshnevis, Danny Clay, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.  Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s album, ‘The Night I Fell In Love’ courtesy of SONY Music.

 

Easy Pizza Mini Peppers Recipe

These easy to make pizza mini peppers are filled with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni then broiled until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It’s the perfect low carb appetizer for your holiday celebrations!

Easy Pizza Mini Peppers Recipe

Ingredients

You’ll only need 5 simple ingredients to make pizza mini peppers.  Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:

Bell Peppers: grab diffferent colors for a more festive looking appetizer

Pizza or spaghetti sauce: right out of the jar! Look for one lower in sodium

Shredded Mozzarella or Provolone cheese: shredded is great!

Pepperoni or small meatballs 

Directions

Start by cutting the peppers in half lengthwise and removing the membranes and the seeds.

Stuff the peppers with a little pizza sauce, ome cheese and pepperoni, then spray them with olive oil.

Broil the peppers until the cheese is melted. Keep a close eye on them so that they don’t burn!

 

We’re talking about staying healthy during the holiday season with musical inspiration from Harry Connick, Jr. on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

The holiday season can present problems for those living with diabetes. Add a global pandemic, and it’s even more challenging.Continuous care and support are important to staying on track with your diabetes wellness goals throughout the holidays.

Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dan Houdeshell, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Orville Kolterman and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Author Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Harry For The Holidays album courtesy of SONY Music.

Orange-Scented Roasted Carrots and Parsnips Recipe by Jill Weisenberger

If you’re not yet convinced about the deliciousness of parsnips, the orange, thyme and other flavors in this roasted carrots and parsnips combo will turn you into a fan. Plus, Jill Weisenberger‘s recipe is easy to pull together and loaded with health-boosting nutrition.

Orange-Scented Roasted Carrots and Parsnips Recipe by Jill Weisenberger

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange peel
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • 1 pound carrots, trimmed and cut on the diagonal in 2 – 3-inch pieces
  • 1 pound parsnips, trimmed and cut on the diagonal in 2 – 3-inch pieces
  • 1 large red onion cut in 12 wedges

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 cup: Calories: 100, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g,  Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 0.8g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 160mg, Fiber: 4g

SEE FULL RECIPE

Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC believes simple changes in your mindset and health habits can bring life-changing rewards. As a food-loving registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist and certified health and wellness coach, she has helped thousands of people solve their food and nutrition problems.

How much do you know about Seeds and Spices? Both are used to flavor food, but research shows they’re chock-full of healthy compounds and have many health benefits. Try your luck at our fun quiz!

PLAY QUIZ NOW

 

 

We’re celebrating National Diabetes Awareness Month with musical inspiration from Angela Bofill. With her strong, distinctive alto, Angela Bofill carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads and became a mainstay on the Quiet Storm radio format. Angela Bofill suffered two strokes but neither stroke could take away her positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit.Podcast guests: Angela Bofill, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, San Francisco & Palm Springs drag performer Mutha Chucka, and Evetta Petty from Harlem’s Heaven Hats. Throughout the podcast we will feature music from The Essential Angela Bofill album courtesy of SONY Music.

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 Tea Party with special guests, Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine SchullerTessie’s Teas’ owner Rose Hall and Harlem Heaven’s Hats owner Evetta Petty on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

Tessie’s Teas are all natural caffeine-free, chemical-free instant crystallized teas that meet all of your healthy-living needs.

Harlem’s Heaven Hat shop specializes in providing the right head wear and face mask for the right occasions.

Catherine Schuller is a fashion curator, former plus model, coach, speaker, writer, producer, and image consultant.

How it works: Register prior to this event and 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 demonstration begins. At the end of our zoom event we’ll sit back, laugh, make smoothies and enjoy a toast together!

Cost: Free.

REGISTER NOW

 

Sweet Potato Walnut Balls Recipe by Jill Weisenberger

Earlier today, Jill Weisenberger joined Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Diabetes Boot Camp’s World Diabetes Day celebration on Zoom. Jill shared her favorite kitchen gadgets and healthy, delicious holiday snack ideas like Sweet Potato Walnut Balls during virtual event.

“My mother makes a sweet potato recipe similar to this (recipe) for Thanksgiving,” says Jill. “A few years ago, I modified her recipe to make it dairy free for one of our dinner guests. Last year I healthified it more and amped up the flavor by adding a bit of orange juice and orange zest. It’s definitely a keeper.”

Sweet Potato Walnut Balls Recipe by Jill Weisenberger

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes
  • 1 Tbsp real maple syrup (feel free to use honey if you prefer)
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt or other coarse salt
  • 1/4 tsp coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp orange zest, preferably freshly grated
  • 1 Tbsp orange juice
  • 4 Tbsp honey
  • 1.5 cups chopped walnuts, pecans or a combination of both

Nutrition

Serving: 1 ball | Calories: 109, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 0.8g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 38mg, and Fiber: 2g

READ FULL RECIPE

How much do you know about Seeds and Spices? Both are used to flavor food, but research shows they’re chock-full of healthy compounds and have many health benefits. Try your luck at our fun quiz!

PLAY QUIZ NOW

 

We’re celebrating National Diabetes Awareness Month with musical inspiration from Angela Bofill. With her strong, distinctive alto, Angela Bofill carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads and became a mainstay on the Quiet Storm radio format. Angela Bofill suffered two strokes but neither stroke could take away her positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit.Podcast guests: Angela Bofill, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, San Francisco & Palm Springs drag performer Mutha Chucka, and Evetta Petty from Harlem’s Heaven Hats. Throughout the podcast we will feature music from The Essential Angela Bofill album courtesy of SONY Music.

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 Tea Party with special guests, Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine SchullerTessie’s Teas’ owner Rose Hall and Harlem Heaven’s Hats owner Evetta Petty on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

Tessie’s Teas are all natural caffeine-free, chemical-free instant crystallized teas that meet all of your healthy-living needs.

Harlem’s Heaven Hat shop specializes in providing the right head wear and face mask for the right occasions.

Catherine Schuller is a fashion curator, former plus model, coach, speaker, writer, producer, and image consultant.

How it works: Register prior to this event and 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 demonstration begins. At the end of our zoom event we’ll sit back, laugh, make smoothies and enjoy a toast together!

Cost: Free.

REGISTER NOW

 

 

 

Sugar-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t stop ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’, Stacey Harris from indulging her sweet tooth. She 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 traditional bakery items. From her tasty treats to her outlook on life, this pastry chef keeps things as sweet as can be as well as … sugar free!

The Diabetic Pastry Chef‘s Sugar-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cardamom

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 cup vegetable oil

l large egg

1 cup dry sugar substitute of your choice

1 1/2 tsp molasses

2 tsps pure vanilla extract

1 medium zucchini, grated

1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped; optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×5″ bread loaf pan. It is advisable but not necessary to cut a piece of parchment to line the bottom of the pan for easy unmolding.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, except for the sugar substitute. Add nuts if using; set aside. In another medium bowl, combine and whisk the vegetable oil, egg, sugar substitute, molasses, and vanilla. Add the grated zucchini.

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of the dry ingredients and stir just until combined being careful not to over mix. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 45 or 55 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of bread comes out fairly clean.

The 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!”

Are you interested in learning how to bake with sugar substitutes? Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 10, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE REGISTER