Our Divabetic Father’s Day Celebration takes on a Spaghetti Western theme to encourage you to embrace your ‘inner cowboy’ and keep riding high with diabetes health!

Cowboys, like today’s miners and farmers, symbolize courage, optimism, and plain hard work. They also remind you that success isn’t only measured with materials, but by where you find satisfaction.

One of our favorite experts, Best-Selling Cookbook Author Holly Clegg shares this Southwestern menu for a Divabetic Father’s Day Celebration.  Holly’s menu includes Southwestern Roasted Vegetables, Asparagus with Zucchini Rings., Vodka Pasta, Beer Bread , Butternut Squash, Black Bean and Feta Enchiladas with Salsa Verde,  Southwestern Pasta (We will be posting one recipe each day throughout the upcoming week).

Southwestern Pasta by Holly Clegg

“Quick to make and the outcome is one of the best southwestern pastas with corn and black beans in a perfectly southwestern infused tomato sauce,” says Holly. 

Makes 8 (1 1/4 cup servings) 

1 onion, chopped

1 (14-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies

2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch Sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

1 (16-ounce) package rotini

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 1/3 cups frozen corn

1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese, optional

1. In large nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, sauté onion few minutes.  Add cans tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, garlic, cinnamon and sugar.  Bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer, covered, about 10 minutes.  

2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. 

3. Stir black beans and corn into tomato sauce until heated. Add pasta to skillet and mix together.  Sprinkle cheese when serving, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 321, Protein (g) 13, Carbohydrate (g) 64, Fat (g) 2, Cal. from Fat (%) 5, Saturated Fat (g) 0, Dietary Fiber (g) 8, Cholesterol (mg) 0, Sodium (mg) 254, Diabetic Exchanges: 4 starch, 1 vegetable

You don’t need to live in a barn to embrace country western charm — get the rustic look with these ideas for farmhouse decor.

A Dazzling Array of Condiments: Go beyond basic ketchup and mustard by offering more unique options for hot dog and hamburger toppings, then display them in individual labeled buckets. We love Hot Sauce, Chipotle Mustard and more!

Infused Water (Zero Calories + Amazing Taste): For your guests who don’t want booze, this rose, lemon, and strawberry water makes a great drink option.

Use coffee filters as hot-dog holders: Eliminate the risk of ketchup and mustard spills by wrapping hot dogs in coffee filters — they’re durable, lightweight, and more flexible than paper plates.

Divabetic ‘Spaghetti Western’ Father’s Day Playlist:

1. Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes  – KD Lang
2. Sangria – Blake Shelton
3. Patsy Cline
4. A Lesson in Leavin’ –  Dottie West
5.  Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Crow Up to Be Cowboys – Willie Nelson
6. Stand by Your Man – Tammy Wynette
7.  Hold On – KT Oslin
8. Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell
9. Here You Come Again – Dolly Parton
10. Speak to Girl – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

Artistic Dad Raises Awareness for Diabetic Macular Edema 

Nevada artist Arthur Bryce Chisolm developed this mixed media painting after meeting with Maryanne, who lives with Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and has experienced vision loss due to the disease. The work of art brings to life the things Maryanne cherishes seeing despite her condition.

Set at a particularly beloved beach in San Diego, the painting shows Maryanne’s grandchildren, who she loves spending time with and who make up an important part of her life. The painting also illustrates Maryanne’s eyes, which represent the importance of the steps she took to help protect against vision loss. Don’t miss Bryce Chisolm on tonight’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Maxwell, 6 PM, EST. 

Spaghetti Westerns Trivia: Clint Eastwood 

Younger film fans may find it hard to believe, but Clint Eastwood wasn’t always a badass. Prior to his iconic performance in “A Fistful of Dollars” (1964), Eastwood was best known to American audiences as Rowdy Yates, a kind-hearted supporting character on the popular “Rawhide” TV show. In fact, it was the opportunity to leave Rowdy’s friendly persona behind that most intrigued Eastwood about going to Spain to work for director Sergio Leone. “I decided,” Eastwood said, “it was time to be an anti-hero.”

No one could have predicted that “A Fistful Of Dollars,” released in Italy 50 years ago this September, would simultaneously launch Eastwood to international stardom and set the guidelines for one of the most unique and unexpectedly durable sub-genres in cinema history: the “Spaghetti Western.”

Ways to Save ‘A Fistful Of Dollars’ on Diabetes Drugs and Supplies

The average person with diabetes runs up almost $8,000 a year in medical expenses directly related to the disease, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Check out Diabetic Lifestyle’s Tips on how you can cut your out-of-pocket costs:

1. Shop online.
You can save money filling prescriptions and shopping online for diabetic supplies, but there are many illegitimate and illegal pharmacies online, so be sure to choose one that is reputable. Use PharmacyChecker.com to check the credentials of online pharmacies and compare prices. You can also verify the legitimacy of an online company that fills prescriptions or sells healthcare products at LegitScript.com.

2. Ask for samples.
Most medical supply companies and drug manufacturers supply healthcare providers with free samples of their products. Ask about samples whenever you visit your physician or diabetes educator. Check out the ADA’s site for the dates and locations of upcoming Diabetes Expos, where free health screenings, classes, and samples are available. You can also contact supply companies directly and ask for samples.

3. Look for sales and coupons.
In addition to flyers and other announcements from your local drug store or pharmacy, check to see if the store publishes a free monthly or seasonal health magazine that may also contain discount coupons. Shop around at different stores, including the big-box department stores, for the best prices on generic and store-brand products. But always compare products to be sure you’re getting a deal. Not all generic and store brands are cheaper in the long run. GET MORE TIPS

With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy healthy everyday recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim&TERRIFIC® and Eating Well cookbook series, including Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association. Holly Clegg attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School, London. For more information, visit About Holly or The Healthy Cooking Blog for more recipes and tips.

LISTEN NOW: The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic shines the spotlight on author and chef, Holly Clegg, in this half-hour special edition of Diva Talk Radio. This fun-filled food frenzy will feature expert advice on quick, flavorful and healthy eating from Holly’s latest book, ‘Too Hot in the Kitchen:  Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age’