The Happy Diabetic’s Iowa- Style Apricot and Onion Pork Chops Recipe

Several years ago, I met Chef Robert Lewis, aka the Happy Diabeticat a Taking Control Of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) Expo. His upbeat attitude and friendly demeanor drew me to him immediately as he showed a captive audience how to make healthy meals at home. He has appeared on numerous Divabetic podcasts, including this year’s Divabetic Mysteries: A Christmas Peril

Chef Robert was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after a vacation in Colorado in 1998. When he was traveling back home, he felt super tired and sluggish, very thirsty, and had to urinate at almost every rest stop. Chef Robert knew something was wrong. He just wasn’t sure exactly what it was. So a few weeks later, he visited his doctor, and that’s when he was diagnosed with diabetes. 

” I was in denial for at least six months, and things were not going well for me,” he said in an interview with Beyond Type 2 diabetes. “Once I took ownership in it, really, then some amazing things started to happen – I started to focus. I was able to seek out people with the right information. And I just slowly started making some lifestyle changes.”

From there, Chef Robert started attending diabetes education classes and putting his culinary degree to work, creating recipes that tasted good and were actually healthy. 

He adds, “I started creating some recipes and worked with some really good dietitians who helped me with some of the nutritional components.”

Iowa- Style Apricot and Onion Pork Chops Recipe By The Happy Diabetic 

Ingredients 
4  5oz 1/4 inch bone-in pork chops
1/s cup of whole dried apricots and or apples peeled and sliced
1/2 cup of sliced white or yellow onions
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon chopped garlic
pinch of rosemary
Fresh ground pepper to taste
Directions 
Preheat the sauté pan. Place 1 T olive oil in the pan and heat to medium.  Place the seasoned pork chops (seasoned with salt and pepper) and cook for 2-3 min. Add the garlic, onions and the whole dried apricots and or apples peeled and sliced. cook of 4-6 minutes covered. spoon the apples and or apricots and onions over the pork chops. Cook covered until the internal temp is between 155-165 degrees.
Serves 4
Nutrition Information: Cal: 290, Total fat:12.67g, Total Carbs: 29.83, Protein: 17.29

We’re talking about how to get over the fear and anxiety about speaking publically about your diabetes and related health issues (including depression and sleep apnea) with musical inspiration from Carly Simon.

Grammy winner Carly Simon has recorded over 30 albums, won two Grammies, and an Academy Award. Carly Simon managed to accomplish her dreams by overcoming severe stuttering and painful migraines to achieve her success. When I was a young child,” Carly Simon has revealed, “I had a stammer. And the only time it went away was when I sang. One day, my mother said to me, ‘Don’t speak it, sing it.’ And that’s what I did.”

Leading advocates share their journeys and tools that help them: FreeStyle Libre 2 App, CPAP machines, and a new line of baked good mixes, TruEats.

The FreeStyle Libre system measures glucose levels through a small sensor applied to the back of your upper arm. It provides real-time glucose readings for up to 10 days, both day and night.

Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a hose and mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure.

TruEats Baking Mixes have 1g of Sugar or Less + Complex (Good) Carbs for great-tasting, steady energy that’s diabetic friendly. Guests include Marten Carlson,  Alysse Dalessandro Santiago, Surinder and Daven Kumar, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.

October’s Divabetic podcast features music from Carly Simon’s Coming Around Again album courtesy of SONY Music.

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

If you’re like me, you buy pumpkins to carve, not to eat. However, pumpkin is low in calories and rich in beta carotene (a powerful antioxidant), making it a great addition to your breakfast menu!

Enjoy this sugar-free pumpkin pancake recipe from our good colleague and special guest on December’s Baking Party on Zoom, Stacey Harris, aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef.’

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup white whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cardamom

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

3 Tbsp dry sugar substitute

1 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk

2 large eggs

1 cup pure pumpkin puree

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

2 Tbsp vinegar

1 tsp molasses

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions 

In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.

In a separate medium mixing bowl, combine wet ingredients.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined.

Drop batter onto a hot greased griddle or skillet. Flip pancakes when the edges turn brown. Serve with canola butter or butter and top with sugar-free syrup.

Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ has created a simple four-part substitution system that turns any decadent dessert into a diabetic-friendly delight. Learn more about The Diabetic Pastry Chefs Book available 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 Holiday-themed Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 9, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW

 

Recipe of The Week: Strawberry Pistachio Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark

Sometimes scrolling through Instagram pays off. I came across this easy-to-make Eating Well’s Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark recipe. It’s a perfect Summertime time snack because this treat is frozen so you can break it into chunks just like chocolate bark. I shared this recipe with my friend and fellow Divabetic Mystery podcast castmate, Seveda Williams. Seveda has appeared in Gypsies, Tramps & Peas (‘Boom Boom LaRue’), Swan Wake, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes (‘Agnes Frumpster’), Kill Me Madam (‘Goldie Hightower’), and the upcoming A Christmas Peril (‘Ruby Garland’) podcasts.

“This year’s podcast is an early Christmas treat because it’s so much fun to be a part of. On top of the crazy plot twists, there’s so much great information and explanation. Plus, this year’s mystery has an important message to share with isteners.”

Seveda texted me back that this Greek Yogurt Bark is delicious! “It’s a delightful cold treat that’s easy to make, says Seveda. “I added some vanilla bean, cinnamon, and pistachios because I love chocolate and pistachios.  Keep in mind, it takes a while to set up in the freezer so leave it in overnight.”

Eating Well’s Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark Recipe

Ingredients

3 cups whole milk plain Greek Yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey

1  1/2 cups sliced strawberries

Click HERE for Full Recipe

This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare. It’s low calorie, low carb, gluten-free, and low sodium. Plus, it’s packed with protein.

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 Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FAND on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

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. 

 FREE REGISTRATION – REGISTER NOW 


Tune in to Divabetic’s 11th Podcast Anniversary with musical inspiration from Toni Braxton. Click Here.

The seven-time Grammy Award-winner has sold over 70 million records and is one of the best-selling R&B artists of all time.

When Toni Braxton was first diagnosed with systemic lupus in 2008, her doctors told her that she would need a heart transplant and might not ever perform again.

“I remember being petrified,” she said. “I was scared. I didn’t know anything about lupus.”

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. It can also lead to heart disease and kidney disease.

Insulin resistance is increased in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Insulin resistance occurs when excess glucose in the blood reduces the ability of the cells to absorb and use blood sugar for energy. This increases the risk of developing prediabetes, and eventually, type 2 diabetes.

Guests include Dr. Sara Reece, PharmD – NGMC, GME, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Keith Anthony Fluitt, and Sonya Hogans. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.

Divabetic’s Cooking Party with Jill Weisenberger Highlights

Nationally Recognized Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator and Best-Selling Author Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND, CHWC joined us for Divabetic’s recent free virtual Cooking Party on Zoom

Jill shares her favorite  healthy soup recipes, suggests new flavor combinations like spinach and cinnamon to perk up meals, and answers questions on nutrition in this sneak peek of what you missed!

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

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for Divabetic’s next free virtual outreach program on Zoom. Visit Eventbrite and Divabetic.Org for details.

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 

 

 

The Happy Diabetic’s Healthy Burger Topping Recipes

Walk into any Memorial Day cookout, and you’re likely to find burgers on the grill—few foods are as synonymous with grilling in the US. 

From Italian-spiced Bruschetta toppings to South of the Border Salsa fixings, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ shares his favorite burger topping recipes for every taste this Memorial Day

“Ground chuck is my go-to. And it best has some fat!” says Dr. Chef Robert Lewis. “Ground chuck without fat means dry burgers. Let’s not go there. I tend to buy 80/20 ground chuck. 80% lean meant. 20% fat. Next, let’s add some flavor. Keep it simple, remember it’s all about turning ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary”

Chef Robert’s The Burger of LOVE Recipe

Ingredients (2 pounds of ground chuck):

1 Tablespoon garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt and pepper

1/2 TBS onion powder

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.

1 Tablespoon of French style mustard

1 raw egg to bind.

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl. DO NOT OVER MIX all the ingredient.  Divide the mixture into 8 balls. Then flatten it into a patty by compressing it with your hands. Make sure the patties are even this will help the meat to cook evenly cook evenly.

SERVING SIZE: This recipe creates about 8 patties. If you need less adjust recipe as needed!

The Happy Diabetic’s Temperature Guide: It’s easy to overcook burgers. I like to pull the burgers off the grill at around  155°F  the carryover cooking will them past the 160°F we are aiming for.  To take the guesswork out of cooking, I use a Thermometer ($10 .00)

California Dreaming Burger Toppings Recipe

 2 thin slices avocado 

 2 T Fruit salsa 

 2 T shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Fruit salsa Ingredients:

1 Cup Tomato (small diced)

¼ Cup Cilantro (chopped)

1 Cup red Onion (small diced)

2 Teaspoons Lime Juice

1 cup diced kiwi, pineapple, strawberries mango

Caprese of LOVE Burger Toppings Recipe

1 ounce fresh buffalo mozzarella 

1 t drizzle extra-virgin olive oil

2 slices of Roma tomato

2 basil leaf

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Southern Hospitably Burger Toppings Recipe

1 large cooked over easy egg 

1 T fresh salsa 

1/4 cup green leaf lettuce 

1 T queso fresco

Fresh Salsa Burger Toppings Recipe

1 cup fresh tomatoes, diced

½ cup corn kernels, fresh (or frozen)

½ cup onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T fresh squeezed lime juice

2 T fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Salt (to taste)

Not Too Much Sun Burger Toppings Recipe

2 T chopped sun-dried tomatoes 

1/4 cup fresh spinach 

1 ounce goat cheese

Tomato Pesto Lovers Burger Toppings Recipe

1 t of pesto 

2 Roma tomato slices 

1 T crumbled feta

5-6 leafs of fresh spinach

Bruschetta Burger Toppings Recipe

1 T olive oil

1 clove garlic chopped

1 pint grape tomatoes sliced in half or 1 medium tomato, diced

1/4 cup onion diced

6-8 large basil leaves chopped

1T Balsamic Vinegar

salt (to taste)

Directions

Stir together olive oil, chopped garlic, tomatoes, onion, and basil leaves. Add salt and top the burger.

Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’

Chef  Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ has made it his mission to not only to be an ambassador of positivity for himself and his family (which includes 3 children and 6 grandchildren) but to also create amazing things in the kitchen for people of all walks of life to enjoy.

In a recent profile on the Everyday Diabetes website, Chef Robert Lewis admitted that he wasn’t going to let his diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes get him down.

“When I started this personal journey as a type 2 in 1998, I determined right then and there that diabetes was not going to change my positive outlook on life! I have always looked for ways to bring joy to others,” says Chef Robert Lewis. “ As The Happy Diabetic, I work to bring hope as well as happy, healthy lifestyle strategies to people living with diabetes! Putting a positive spin on things will always help us get through the tough times together!”

Now The Happy Diabetic’s a man on a mission! When he’s not working as a director of training for 60 restaurants in the Midwest, he’s  traveling around the country as a keynote speaker for Taking Control of Your Diabetes and/or hosting his own podcast, ‘The Happy Diabetic Kitchen Podcast’!

Mr. Divabetic hosts the new hilarious culinary podcast, Serve, Taste or Trash! GameA delicious combination of crazy food challenges and fresh perspectives on the latest food trends.

Mr. Divabetic discusses easy ways to go from ‘Farm To Fabulous’ with co-founders, Debra Moser and Mitchell Berliner of Central Farm Markets and one of the market’s featured vendors.

Our Serve, Taste or Trash! Game challenge features jerusalem artichokes, kale and oranges. One lucky contestant must decide which choice they’d serve, which choice they’d taste and which one they’d trash. But will they regret their decision after hearing our guest culinary wizard’s mouthwatering recipes for each choice? Can low-sodium foods rate high in taste? Stay tuned.

Special guests include Wellness and Diabetes Coach, Ginger Vieira, the author of “Your Diabetes Science Experiment” and “Emotional Eating with Diabetes,” Co-founders of Central Farm Markets, Debra Moser and MeatCrafters owner, Mitchell Berliner, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, the ‘Queen of the Green’ Miss Aida Romaine and Laura from Chattanooga, TN who is living with diabetes.

This program aims to encourage kids of all ages to become more open-minded eaters.