Father’s Day Vegetarian Recipe by Holly Clegg

Father’s Day will be quickly upon us, why not surprise Dad with a tasty meatless dish at your celebration? After all, June is Men’s Health Month.

I reached out to my good friend, Best-Selling Cookbook Author Holly Clegg for a vegetarian recipe that will satisfy the meat lovers in your family and help keep Dad healthy and happy. 

“This fabulous vegetarian southwestern quinoa recipe will be a game changer for them,” says Best-Selling Cookbook Author, Holly Clegg. “It’s Diabetic Friendly and Gluten Free. You just put quinoa on to cook, sauté vegetables and combine together to pop in the oven for hearty, healthy and absolutely wonderful one-dish quick meal!”

Southwestern Veggie Quinoa Bowl from Holly Clegg’s ‘Guy’s Guide To Eating Well: A Man’s Cookbook For Health and Wellness’

Ingredients:

3/4 cup quinoa

1 1/2 cups water

1 cup chopped onion

1 red bell pepper, cored and chopped

1 cup chopped peeled sweet potato

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon ground chili powder

1 teaspoon ground oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

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

1 1/2 cups salsa

1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro

1 cup reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven 350°F.  Coat 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2.  In medium nonstick pot, combine quinoa and water. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cook, covered about 17-20 minutes or until water absorbed and quinoa cooked. Remove from heat and fluff with fork. Set aside.

3. Meanwhile, in large nonstick pan coated with nonstick cooking spray, sauté onion, bell pepper, sweet potato, and garlic until tender, about 5-7 minute or until tender. Add chili powder, oregano, and cumin.

4.  To vegetables, add cooked quinoa, black beans, salsa, and cilantro.

5.  Transfer quinoa mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with cheese. Bake 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Makes 6 (1-cup) servings

Holly Clegg’s Terrific Tip:  “Chicken may be added if you want a heartier meal.  Garnish with diced avocado, tomatoes, and cilantro.”

Nutrients: Calories:250  kcal,  Calories from Fat: 21%, Fat: 6 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 12 mg, Sodium: 600  mg, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Dietary Fiber: 7 g, Total Sugars: 6 g, Protein:12g, Dietary Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 2 starch, 1 lean meat

Eating Less Meat Doesn’t Make You Less Manly

Although a vegetarian or vegan diet won’t “cure” type 1 or type 2 diabetes — despite some erroneous claims — scientists have found that a meatless diet can do quite a bit of good for people with diabetes. A study in Diabetes Care showed that people with type 2 diabetes on a vegan diet lowered their cholesterol and improved their kidney function. And eating more vegetables and carbohydrates that are low on the glycemic index can help make it easier to manage your blood sugars.

If you’re considering a vegetarian diet, please consult with your doctor. Additionally,  it may be helpful to speak with a registered dietitian (RD) who can help you create an eating plan that provides all the necessary nutrients and the right number of calories to maintain a healthy weight.

Why not give Dad a cookbook for Father’s Day?  

Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC Guy’s Guide to Eating Well: A Man’s Cookbook for Health and Wellness address common male needs with coordinating ingredients that help alleviate men-specific symptoms and help prevent men’s diseases- all with an emphasis on hearty, king-of-the-grill simple and super-satisfying recipes.

There’s over 150 simple, satisfying and nutritious recipes. Yes, burgers and pizza!! In this healthy men’s cookbook, each recipe includes terrific tips (shortcuts), menu suggestions and nutrition nuggets, which answers the “Why is this good for me question!” Start eating healthy with this preventive health cookbook with recipes for men to cook to help manage testosterone, diabetes, cancer, weight-gain, joint pain and heart disease – plus recipes for quick meals, slow cookers and outdoor cooking.

Best-selling cookbook author, Holly Clegg, and men’s health specialist, Dr. Curtis Chastain partnered together to create the perfect man’s cookbook for you to look good and feel good. Everything a man could want in a cookbook, plus more! That means it is your turn to take on the kitchen!

Tune in to Divabetic’s June Diabetes Late Nite featuring music by Edith Piaf on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, 6 PM, EST.  We’re talking about living well with diabetes by having ‘NO REGRETS’. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dr. Lori Shemek PhD, Dr. Andrea Chisholm OBGYN, Cindy Lou from the ‘Diabetes What To Know’ community, and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from ‘EDITH PIAF TOP 40’ album courtesy of SONY Music.

 

Ropa Vieja Slow Cooker Recipe by Holly Clegg

Best-Selling Cookbook author Holly Clegg  guests on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast, shares her wonderful Cuban recipe to help you add some flavor to your menu without compromising your health.

Holly says, “Easy to toss into a crock pot for a wonderfully flavored Cuban beef stew-style recipe.  Serve over rice or with tortillas.” She adds, “If using a cooker larger than what’s called for increase everything proportionately, making sure the cooker is at least half to no more than two-thirds full.

Ropa Vieja Slow Cooker Recipe from Alimentándose bien durante el cáncer: Recetas fáciles y recomendaciones durante y después del tratamiento.    

Ingredients

2 pounds flank steak, trimmed of fat

1 cup fat-free beef broth

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

1 green bell pepper, cored and sliced into strips

1 onion, sliced into strips

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon cumin

1 tablespoon vinegar

Directions

1.  In 3 1/2-6-quart slow cooker, insert plastic liner if desired.  Place flank steak in slow cooker.  Add remaining ingredients.  Cover, and cook on LOW 8-10 hours or on high 4 hours or until meat is very tender.

2.  When meat is very tender, remove from slow cooker and shred meat with fork. Serve in sauce.

Makes 8 servings

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 197 kcal, Calories from fat 42%, Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 48 mg, Sodium 378 mg, Carbohydrates 7 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Total Sugars 5 g, Protein 21 g, Dietary Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat

Nutrition Nugget: Make this even easier by cutting up vegetables the night before so are ready to go in morning. Cut slow-cooking vegetables, such as carrots, into small pieces. Cut quick-cooking vegetables, such as sweet peppers into bigger pieces. Can serve over couscous, polenta, or rice, if desired.

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.

This newly revised and expanded 15-year anniversary edition of Holly’s Eating Well Through Cancer includes chapters on nourishing foods that are best tolerated to ease common side effects such as nausea, sore mouth and throat, taste changes, neutropenia and weight loss. With easy everyday recipes using familar ingredients, you’ll find this book an invaluable recipe resource for cancer prevention

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: 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’

LISTEN NOW: March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Celia Cruz. Guests include Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.

 

Cuban Food: Eating Smart for Diabetes with Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN

A ham and cheese sandwich every day. Fried chicken and pork rinds. White rice, white bread, and few leafy greens. Soft drinks with every meal.  When interviewers asked a nationwide sample of Cubans what they ate on a typical day, and what they would put on a daily menu if they could choose whatever they wanted, these were among the top responses. Results of that landmark study revealed that a majority of Cubans eat too much sugar, not enough fruits and vegetables, and have an unhealthy predilection for fried food, red meat and saturated fats.

I reached out to Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, who is the co-author of ‘Diabetes Guide of Enjoying Foods of the World’ for her advice on how to enjoy Cuban foods without compromising your diabetes wellness.  Below is our exclusive interivew for Divabetic:

Q: What do you eat if you love fried foods and you have diabetes?

Constance Brown-Riggs (CBR): Years ago, conversations about food and diabetes were based on what you couldn’t eat.  But having diabetes doesn’t mean the end of good eating. The principles of a healthy diet are the same for the person with diabetes as they are for everyone else. Fried foods prepared with minimal amounts of heart-healthy oils can be included in your meal plan. However, fried foods are higher in calories than baked foods. Therefore, it’s a good idea to eat fried foods in moderation. Click here for a step-by-step guide to healthy frying—your taste buds will be glad you did!

Q: What are the healthiest options to choose when eating Cuban foods? 

CBR: Cuban cuisine contains many healthy ingredients including fresh seafood, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.  Two popular dishes are ropa vieja and sancocho.

Ropa vieja is shredded beef made in a slow cooker with tomato paste, tomato sauce, onions, green bell peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices. It’s often served over rice or on tortillas. 

Sancocho is a hearty Cuban stew made with native root vegetables—squash, yucca, yams, or potatoes with pork or beef. Beans, lentils or pigeon peas are also added.

Q: What advice can you give to someone trying to cut back on salt without comprising flavor?

CBR: Get familiar with your spice rack! Spices are low in sodium and add wonderful flavor to food. The good news is you don’t have to cut sodium out of your diet all at once.  If you cut back on sodium little by little, your taste for salt will change with time. While you’re cutting back, it’s a good idea to avoid adding salt to your food after it’s cooked. Contrary to what you might think you’ll use less salt and improve the flavor of your food by adding just a pinch of salt during the cooking process.

Q: How much visible fat on your beef, pork or lamb should you remove before eating?

CBR: The general recommendation is to remove as much visible fat as possible. To prevent the meat from drying out and becoming inedible, I suggest trimming some of the fat before cooking. Then trim the remaining fat before eating the meat.

Q: What kind of oil do you recommend to use for frying foods?

CBR: For healthy frying as mentioned above, it’s important to use heart healthy oils with a high smoke point, such as almond, avocado, hazelnut, or sunflower. Remember even healthy fried foods should be reserved for special occasions.

Q: How important is other people’s support when trying to change eating habits?

CBR: Changing eating behavior is one of the most challenging behaviors to change. Having a support system in place can really help. You may tell people around you that you are going to change your eating habits and lose weight so that they can encourage you—not police you! It’s also a good idea to schedule a consult with a registered dietitian (RD). An RD, especially one who has been trained as a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), can help you to understand how food affects your diabetes and how to make dietary modifications that increase your wellness. They can also help you develop strategies for dealing with the food police.

Q: I hate vegetables, what do I do? 

CBR: With a little creativity you can begin to eat vegetables every day. Add kale or spinach to your morning smoothie, order veggie pizza for lunch and mix cauliflower with mash potato for dinner. And for dessert have zucchini bread or zucchini brownies. Don’t forget basic tomato sauce counts as one veggie serving! To boost the veggie power of your sauce, add puréed carrots or winter squash, peppers, onions, or greens.

Constance Brown-Riggs, is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, national speaker and author of the Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World, a convenient guide to help people with diabetes enjoy all the flavors of the world while still following a healthy meal plan. Follow Constance on social media @eatingsoulfully

We’re talking about different ways to ‘SPICE UP’ your diabetes life with musical inspiration from the “Queen of Salsa”, Celia Cruz on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. Guests include Best-Selling Cookbook Author (Eating Well Through Cancer Cookbook – Spanish Edition), Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. LISTEN NOW

Cutting Down High Blood Pressure at the Barbershop

African-American men successfully lowered their high blood pressure to healthy levels when aided by a pharmacist and their local barber, according to a new study from the Smidt Heart Institute.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of premature disability and death among African-American men, who have less physician interaction than African-American women–necessitating community outreach.

“When we provide convenient and rigorous medical care to African-American men by coming to them–in this case having pharmacists deliver that care in barbershops–blood pressure can be controlled and lives can be saved,” said Ronald G. Victor, MD, associate director of the Smidt Heart Institute and the study’s lead author. “High blood pressure disproportionately affects the African-American community, and we must find new ways to reach out so we can prevent strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and early deaths.”

“There is a different level of trust and respect that’s earned when you meet people where they are, instead of in a hospital or clinic,”said C. Adair Blyler, DPharm, CHC, a pharmacist who treated patrons while they were in the barbershops, said the location was key in reducing blood pressure.

READ MORE

We’re talking about different ways to ‘SPICE UP’ your diabetes life with musical inspiration from the “Queen of Salsa”, Celia Cruz. Celia Cruz’s late husband, Pedro Knight, a former lead trumpet player for Cuba’s legendary band La Sonora Matancera, suffered from complications of type 2 diabetes and had a series of strokes before his death. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Best-Selling Cookbook Author (Eating Well Through Cancer Cookbook – Spanish Edition), Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie. TUNE IN

 

Healthy Cuban Pork and Black Beans Recipe by Holly Clegg

‘La Reina de la Salsa’ is our musical inspiration for  the upcoming Diabetes Late Nite podcast on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 PM, EST.

March’s musical inspiration, Celia Cruz did not have diabetes but people of Hispanic and Latino origin are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes as well as experiencing diabetes health-related complications such as amputation.

However, there’s recently been a breakthrough in preventing amputation in Cuba thanks to a unique Cuban product Heberprot-P, a drug that has sparked acclaim for its effectiveness in controlling and healing diabetic foot ulcers.

This drug registered in 2006 was created by Cuban scientist Jorge Berlanga and a team from the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of the island.

It contains epithermal growth factor (EGF) as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, while being applied by direct infiltration or injections in the wound site closing the ulcers in a period of 45 to 90 days.

“With the application of this medication, we were able to reduce amputation rates in the country from 70 percent to 5 percent today,”said Dr. Jose Fernandez Montequin.

Currently, Heberprot-P is registered in 23 countries and is effectively applied in 10 countries that have already authorized its use and marketing.

Best-Selling Cookbook author Holly Clegg, who will be joining us on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast, shares her wonderful Cuban recipe to help you add some flavor to your menu without compromising your health.

“This fabulously flavored diabetic-friendly pork tenderloin recipe is ideal for a slow cooker,” says Holly Clegg.” I like to serve with yellow rice.”

Cuban Pork and Black Beans Recipe from KITCHEN 101 Cookbook  (Crockpot Convenience Chapter)    

Ingredients

2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins

Garlic powder

2 onions, chopped

1 (15-ounce) can black bean soup

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

1 (10-ounce) can tomatoes and green chilies

1 tablespoon chopped jalapenos

2 tablespoon ground cumin

2 tablespoons lime juice

Directions

1.  Season pork tenderloins heavily with garlic powder.  In 3 ½-6-quart slow cooker, insert plastic liner if desired.  In slow cooker, combine all ingredients.

2.  Cook on LOW 6-8 hours or until pork tenderloin is tender.

Makes 8 servings

Nutritional information per Serving: Calories 245 Calories from Fat 23% Fat 6g Saturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 76mg Sodium 527mg Carbohydrates 17g Dietary Fiber 5g Total Sugars 5g Protein 29g Dietary Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 4 lean meat

Terrific Tip: Add dried herbs to the slow cooker in beginning of cooking, and fresh herbs just before serving.

Nutritional Nugget: A nutritional gem, beans provide an excellent source of fiber and folate, helping with digestive health and weight maintenance.

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.

This newly revised and expanded 15-year anniversary edition of Holly’s Eating Well Through Cancer includes chapters on nourishing foods that are best tolerated to ease common side effects such as nausea, sore mouth and throat, taste changes, neutropenia and weight loss. With easy everyday recipes using familar ingredients, you’ll find this book an invaluable recipe resource for cancer prevention

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: 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’

TUNE IN: March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. Guests include Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.

 

Cuban Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Recipe by Holly Clegg

We’re spotlighting ‘Latinos & Diabetes’ on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from ‘La Reina de la Salsa’, Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 PM, EST.

March’s musical inspiration, Celia Cruz did not have diabetes but people of Hispanic and Latino origin are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes and related cardiometabolic abnormalities. The risk varies considerably among specific ethnic groups and other factors, such as the length of time they have been living in the United States, according to two studies and an accompanying commentary being published in the August issue of Diabetes Care®.

“If there are any bright highlights in the picture,”aid Neil Schneiderman, PhD from The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), “they are that Hispanics/Latinos older than 65 years, who have better access to health care, are more likely to be aware of their diabetes, more likely to be receiving treatment, and have better glycemic control than those people under the age of 65 years.”

Best-Selling Cookbook author Holly Clegg, who will be joining us on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast, shares her wonderful Cuban recipe to help you add some flavor to your menu without compromising your health.

“Perky flavors are packed in this eye-catching tenderloin,” says Holly. “Serve sliced to see the stuffing.”

Cuban Stuffed Pork Tenderloin from KITCHEN 101 cookbook

Directions: 

2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/3 cup chopped parsley

1/3 cup shredded part-skim Mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup chopped bread and butter pickles

Pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven 350°F.  Cover baking pan with foil.
  2. Make a slit down center of each tenderloin, not cutting through (butterfly).
  3. Spread inside of both tenderloins with garlic and mustard.  Stuff with parsley, cheese and pickles.  Fold sides together securing with twine or threading toothpicks to hold together.  Season tenderloin with pepper.   Bake 40-45 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 160°F.

Makes 6 servings

Options:  Turn leftovers into Cuban quesadillas or sandwiches.  In tortilla, layer, pork (shred if possible), Swiss cheese, pickle slices and mustard and heat in skillet.

Nutritional Information: Calories: 232 kcal, Calories from Fat: 33%, Fat 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 104mg, Sodium: 264mg, Carbohydrates: 3g, Dietary Fiber: 0g, Total Sugars: 2g, Protein: 34g, Dietary Exchanges: 4 1/2 lean meat

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.

This newly revised and expanded 15-year anniversary edition of Holly’s Eating Well Through Cancer includes chapters on nourishing foods that are best tolerated to ease common side effects such as nausea, sore mouth and throat, taste changes, neutropenia and weight loss. With easy everyday recipes using familar ingredients, you’ll find this book an invaluable recipe resource for cancer prevention

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: 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’

TUNE IN: March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. Guests include Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd,RD,CDE,CDN, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.
Vídeo oficial de Celia Cruz de su tema ‘Rie Y Llora’. Haz clic aquí para escuchar a Celia Cruz en Spotify: http://smarturl.it/CCRSpot?IQid=RYL

Cuban Style Chicken Soup (Sopa de Polla) by Holly Clegg

In March, we’re spotlighting ‘Cubans & Diabetes’ with musical inspiration from ‘La Reina de la Salsa’, Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 PM, EST.

Our musical inspiration, Celia Cruz did not have diabetes but her late husband, Pedro Knight, who was an accomplished Cuban-American trumpeter who managed the career, had type 2 diabetes.

Mr. Knight’s physical and mental health declined after his wife’s death in 2003 reports the Mercury News. He fainted and required hospitalization after a July 2004 cancer fundraiser in Miami in Cruz’s honor, and doctors described it as a combination of diabetes-induced low blood pressure and emotional breakdown.

Best-Selling Cookbook author Holly Clegg, who will be joining us on March’s Diabetes Late Nite,  shares her wonderful Cuban recipe to help you add some flavor to your menu without compromising your health.

“Cuban chicken soup takes a short cut using Rotisserie chicken,” says Holly.  “What’s great about chicken soup is you can adjust the recipe adding whatever you want according to how you feel and what you like!”

Cuban Style Chicken Soup (Sopa de Polla) by Holly Clegg from  Alimentándose bien durante el cáncer: Recetas fáciles y recomendaciones durante y después del tratamiento.

Makes 8 (1-cup) servings

Ingredients: 
1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 red bell pepper, cored and chopped

1 yucca, peeled and cut into one-inch cubes (about 2/3 cup)

1 cup peeled red potato small chunks

1 plantain, peeled and diced

6 cups fat-free chicken broth  

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

4 cups skinless rotisserie chicken chunks
2 tablespoons lime juice

Cilantro, optional
Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions: 

1.  In large pot coated with nonstick cooking spray, add green onions, red pepper, yucca, potato, plantain, chicken broth, garlic, cumin and oregano; bring to a boil.

2.  Reduce heat, cover, and cook 20 minutes or until vegetables tender.  Add chicken, stirring, until well heated. 

3. Add lime juice and cilantro if desired and season to taste.

 

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 216 kcal, Calories from fat 24%, Fat 6 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Sodium 947 mg, Carbohydrates 21 g, Dietary Fiber 3 g, Total Sugars 6 g, Protein 21 g, Dietary Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 1/2 lean meat

Terrific Tip: Fresh On average, one medium lime produces about 2 tablespoons of lime juice; but you can also look for lime juice in the grocery to keep on hand at all times.

Nutritional Nugget: Yucca is a good source of the mineral, potassium, which aids the body in building muscle and electrical heart activity.  To reduce the sodium for diabetic friendly, use low-sodium chicken broth.

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.

This newly revised and expanded 15-year anniversary edition of Holly’s Eating Well Through Cancer includes chapters on nourishing foods that are best tolerated to ease common side effects such as nausea, sore mouth and throat, taste changes, neutropenia and weight loss. With easy everyday recipes using familar ingredients, you’ll find this book an invaluable recipe resource for cancer prevention

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: 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’

TUNE IN: March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. Guests include Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-RiggsMSEd,RD,CDE,CDN, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.

Best Nachos Recipe – Ever Tried Holly Clegg’s Incredible Crab Appetizer Nachos?

Who doesn’t love nachos?   Especially seafood nachos that are easy to make?

Since great food makes for a great party I asked several of my friends to share their favorite recipes on this blog.  It’s all part of the preparations for our biggest  podcast event of the year, Mister Divabetic Mystery podcast: ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Peas’ on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, 6 PM, EST.  Since this year’s zany adventure takes place in New York City’s historic seashore, Coney Island we’re spotlighting seafood dishes. 

Don’t let diabetes dim your DAZZLE! Get in the spirt and enjoy my good friend, Best-Selling Cookbook Author, Holly Clegg’s healthy Crab Nacho Recipe. It’s sure to win over your family and friends at your next party!

“Every time I make these baked nachos I have to sneak a few before I set them out because they will be all polished off before I know it!,” says Holly.

Crispy tortilla chips baked with a splendid southwestern-seasoned crab mixture and smothered with cheese is quick to prepare and quicker to disappear.

How can Holly’s delicious crabmeat nachos possibly be healthy?

“By using reduced-fat ingredients and baked tortilla chips, you get a wonderful crab southwestern topping for a baked nachos recipe,” says Holly. “! I have the best 

Crab Nachos from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC Gulf Coast Favorites

6 dozen baked tortilla flour chips
1/2 cup nonfat sour cream
3 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 pound lump, white, or canned crabmeat, picked through for shells
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups shredded, reduced-fat, sharp cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
Paprika

1.  Preheat oven to broil. Arrange tortilla chips in single layer on baking sheet.

2.  In bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, green onions, green chilies, cumin. Fold in crabmeat, salt and pepper to taste.

3.  Divide mixture on chips. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika. Bake 6-8 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Makes 3 dozen nachos. Nutritional information per serving: Calories 57, Calories from fat (%) 29, Fat (g) 2, Saturated Fat (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 14, Sodium (mg) 143, Carbohydrate (g) 5, Dietary Fiber (g) 0, Sugars (g) 0, Protein (g) 5, Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 lean meat

Holly Clegg’s Cooking Tip:  If you don’t have fresh crabmeat available, my second choice is the pasteurized crabmeat you find in a can.  Of course, you can always use snow crab, king crab or imitation crabmeat for this crab nachos recipe.  

Crab Nachos from Holly Clegg’s Gulf Coast Favorites cookbook is packed with Louisiana Cajun recipes. Superbowl party or just a Friday night game night with friend, set these melt in your mouth healthy crab nachos out and you will be the ‘divabetic’ hostess with the mostest!

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 ADA. Clegg attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School, London and has appeared on Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today, QVC, The 700 Club, USA Today, Cooking Light Magazine, Web MD, and Huff Post. She consulted and did spokesperson work for Walmart, Teflon, DuPont, The Coca-Cola Company, and hospitals throughout the country. For more information, visit About Holly or The Healthy Cooking Blog for more recipes and tips.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Spotlight podcast with guest Best-Selling Cookbook Author Holly Clegg

Join us for the broadcast of our newest Mister Divabetic Mister entitled “Gypsies, Tramps and Peas”.
 
Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy caterer. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party aboard a yacht for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found swimming with the fishes. What it an accident or foul play? Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand. Can Mr. Divabetic prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea?
 
Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his friends, some sassy mermaids and a cooky fortune teller. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.
 
USA Today Best-Selling Author, Tonya Kappes, Asha Brown, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Seveda Williams, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, Mama Rose Marie and Poet Lorraine Brooks help the fruit suit clad sleuth in this seaside adventure. Healthy delicious recipes provided by Chef Robert Lewis and Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’.
 
This year’s mystery podcast features music from the original cast recording of ‘Gypsy’ courtesy of SONY Music.
 
Join the show! Get the full script for ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Peas’ and read along as our cast performs. Please e-mail: mrdvabetic@gmail.com 

Diva Summer TV: Claws, Glow & I’m Dying Up Here

We’re celebrating the first day of Summer with our Divabetic top picks in TV, Music, Fashions and Diabetes Self-Care.

Did you know that people who have diabetes—both type 1 and type 2—feel the heat more than people who don’t have diabetes?

Whether you’re working out or just hanging out, it’s a good idea to check the heat index—a measurement that combines temperature and humidity. Take steps to stay cool when it reaches 80°F in the shade with 40% humidity or above. Important to know: The heat index can be up to 15°F higher in full sunlight, so stick to the shade when the weather warms up.

Physical activity is key to managing diabetes, but don’t get active outdoors during the hottest part of the day or when the heat index is high. Get out early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are lower, or go to an air-conditioned mall or gym to get active.

While you’re staying cool inside check out some of favorite new TV Show for Summer 2017:

The TNT hourlong series CLAWS follows the rise of five diverse and treacherous manicurists working at the Nail Artisan of Manatee County salon in South Florida, where there is a lot more going on than silk wraps and pedicures.

At the center is salon owner Desna (Niecy Nash), who lives with and cares for her mentally ill twin brother, Dean (Harold Perrineau). Desna’s staff includes best friend Jennifer (Lyon), a tenuously sober ex-party girl raising two children from previous relationships; Quiet Ann ( Judy Reyes), Desna’s enigmatic driver who also provides security for the salon; Polly (Carrie Preston), a mild-mannered preppy who recently served time in prison for identity theft; and Virginia (Karrueche Tran), who makes no effort to hide her boredom and impatience with her job. Adding chaos to the Nail Artisan mix is Roller (Jack Kesy), a gangstered-out redneck who runs a barely legal pain clinic and uses Desna’s nail salon to launder the obscene profits; Bryce (Kevin Rankin), Jennifer’s husband who is also newly sober and trying to stay legit by working as an abundance coach; and Dr. Ken Brickman (Jason Antoon), a bona fide doctor at a decidedly un-bona fide and illegal drug clinic.

DIVABETIC FASHION: High-Waisted Bikinis are the perfect in-between for a bombshell beach look. Keeping the focus on your curves and drawing attention to your waist according to Vogue. READ MORE

 

Inspired by the short-lived but beloved show from the ’80s, GLOW tells the story of Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie), an out-of-work, struggling actress in Los Angeles who finds one last chance for stardom when she’s thrust into the glitter and spandex world of women’s wrestling. In addition to working with 12 Hollywood misfits, Ruth also has to compete with Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin), a former soap actress who left the business to have a baby only to be sucked back into work when her picture perfect life is not what it seems. And at the wheel is Sam Sylvia, played by Marc Maron, a washed-up, B-movie director who must now lead this group of women and a journey to wrestling stardom.

GLOW is refreshingly free of the bombast and fatuousness that often come with the genre and features a winning performance by Alison Brie as an actress who finds work doing chokeslams and piledrivers,” wrote the New York Times.

DIVABETIC FASHION: Eye-popping bouquet of florals are the scene-stealers for Summer  2017. Sassy short party dresses, sassy boy shorts and maxi dresses are covered in bold blooms READ MORE

Showtime’s I’M DYING UP HERE is a dark new drama about comedy and loosely focuses on Mitzi Shore, her Comedy Store and the comics who played there in the 1970s, including Richard Lewis, David Letterman, Robin Williams, Elayne Boosler, Jay Leno, Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen, along with many lost to time.  his narrative arc put them on a collision course, culminating in a 1979 strike against the club that sundered some relationships forever more.
“Real laughter, it’s cathartic — it’s the current that moves through an audience when some truth about who you are, who they are, is revealed,” says Clay (Sebastian Stan), a comic meant to embody a newer, more personal sort of stand-up, in which he invited strangers, as Eddie says, to “laugh at the most embarrassing, shameful, painful moments of his life.”
Many of the series’ incidents and observations and issues revolve around a relatively short period in 1973, in the wake of the Carson move. Still, as a backstage drama it indulges in themes and tropes that run back to “Stage Door” and “42nd Street” regarding ambition and talent, artists and impresarios.
DIVABETIC DIVA: Katy Perry returns with a new album, ‘Witness’ which could be one of the biggest flops of the Summer. However,  she’s still got us dancing in circles to the songs, “Chained To The Rhythm” and “Swish Swish”. Plus, we love the technicolor Witness artwork! Other ‘divas’ spinning on our Summer turntable are Rihanna, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, Chic, Diana Ross, Shania Twain, KD Lang and new jazz artist, Ala.ni

Beer Bread by Holly Clegg 

“Close your eyes and you’ll think you’re eating a homemade yeast bread, instead of this easy quick bread baked in a loaf pan,” says Best-Selling Cookbook Author, Holly Clegg

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder

2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (12-ounce) can lite beer

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

  1.  Preheat oven 350F. Coat 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.  
  2.  In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
  3.  Stir in beer and honey (microwave honey 5-10 seconds) into the dry ingredients until just mixed.  Transfer batter to prepared pan.  Bake 50 minutes, or until top is golden brown.   Remove from oven and pour melted butter over the top.  

Nutritional information per serving (Makes 12 servings): Calories 159 kcal, Calories from Fat 13%, Fat 2 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 215 mg, Carbohydrates 29 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Total Sugars 5 g, Protein 3 g, Dietary Exchanges: 2 starch

What’s Trending Summer 2017:
 

The new Periodic Table of Diabetes Management helps put life with diabetes into perspective. . This table includes every aspect of life with diabetes in the following categories:

  • Blood Sugar Levels
  • Complications
  • Costs & Insurance
  • Diet
  • Emotional Health & Coping
  • Equipment
  • Exercise
  • Medications & Treatments
  • Support & Healthcare Team
  • Wish List

Each element on the table has a number, its “weight,” which corresponds to the likelihood and frequency at which a person with diabetes may think about or interact with the element on any given day. This weight is shown on a scale from zero (not likely or frequent) to five (very likely and very frequent)

Reducing the amount of sugar in sweetened beverages over a 5-year period — without the addition of artificial sweeteners — could dramatically cut the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes in the population according to a new study  published online January 6 in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology by Yuan Ma, a PhD. READ MORE

 We’re shining the spotlight on Diabetes & Depression. 
Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression. Depression can lead to poor lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy eating, less exercise, smoking and weight gain — all of which are risk factors for diabetesDr Beverly S Adler PhD, CDE and “The Sugarless Plum” Author Zippora Karz guest on this episode of Diabetes Late Nite LISTEN NOW 
Tune in to our 7th Anniversary Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Cyndi Lauper on Tuesday, July 11, 6 PM,EST. Guests included Susan Weiner RD, MS, CDE, CDN , Megrette Fletcher MEd, RD, CDE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout this podcast we will be playing selected songs from the Essential Collection of Cyndi Lauper courtesy of SONY Music.

Butternut Squash, Black Bean and Feta Enchiladas with Salsa Verde by Holly Clegg

 

 

Always saddle your own horse. Always know what you’re doing. And go in the direction you are heading.” Connie Reeves

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

There are plenty of cowgirls to inspire you, like Connie Reeves, who paved the way for women everywhere she went. Although she was one of the first women to study law at the University of Texas, when tuition money came up short during the Depression she took a job teaching high school, reports WIRED. There she started a girl’s drill team, one of the first in the state (and now a passion in Texas). Then she began teaching horseback riding. Over the years this horsewoman taught riding along with her own brand of confidence to an estimated 36,000 children.

The documentary American Cowgirl shows 101-year-old Ms. Reeves riding, assisting at a girl’s summer camp, and trying to keep herself from cussing on camera. As she said, “There’s nothing as expressive as profanity.” The woman described as America’s oldest cowgirl said, “My life’s not important to very many people. But what I have done may be something that will motivate someone else. I hope so.”

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 (Check out all of Holly’s healthy recipes for our Father’s Day Celebration on our Divabetic blog).

Butternut Squash, Black Bean and Feta Enchiladas with Salsa Verde by Holly Clegg 

“Six ingredient vegetarian enchiladas burst with flavor and effortless to make,” says Holly Clegg. 

Ingredients:

4 cups peeled butternut squash

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

1 bunch green onions, chopped

3/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese, divided

8 large (about 7-inch) corn or flour tortillas

2 cups salsa verde

1.  Preheat oven 400°F.  Coat baking pan with foil and coat with nonstick cooking spray.

2.  Place squash on prepared pan.  Bake 20-25 minutes or until squash is tender but not mushy.

3.  Reduce heat to 350°F.  In bowl, combine cooked squash, black beans, green onion and 1/2 cup feta.

4.  Coat 3-quart oblong baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and spread a little of salsa verde on the bottom.  Fill tortillas with about 1/2 cup filling, rolling up and place seam side down in dish.  Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas.  Sprinkle remaining cheese over sauce.

5.  Cover pan with foil and bake 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Nutrients: Calories 202 kcal, Calories from Fat 13%, Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 539 mg, Carbohydrates, 36 g, Dietary Fiber 7g, Total Sugars 7g, Protein 8g, Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat

Holly’s Terrific Tip:  Roasted vegetables are easy to prepare with easy clean-up, and more flavorful. Look for pre-cut butternut squash in grocery.

Nutritional Nugget: Make this recipe gluten free with corn tortillas.

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.

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’ LISTEN NOW

The Frozen Shoulder: What’s Diabetes Got to Do With It?

About three percent of the general population get frozen shoulder, compared to about 20% of people with insulin-dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes and in those with prediabetes. Women are more likely to develop the condition than men, and it mainly affects people between the ages of 40-65.

Although there is no conclusive link to high sugars or insulin use, long-term complications of diabetes may include changes in the connective tissue that occur as a result of high glucose levels.

People who have a history of adhesive capsulitis are at an increased risk to develop the condition on the other side of the body. Recurrence on the affected side is also possible, particularly in patients with diabetes. READ MORE

You might notice that Spaghetti Westerns are usually fitted with titles that sound suspiciously like other movies. The original title of “Fistful of Dollars,” for instance, was “The Magnificent Stranger,” a knock off of “The Magnificent Seven.” In short, if the words “Dollar” “Gold” or “Coffin” are in the title, you’re probably watching a Spaghetti Western.

New Study Sees Link Between Sleep Duration and Diabetes in Men

During the last 50 years, the average self-reported sleep duration per person has decreased by 1.5 to 2 hours and the prevalence of diabetes has doubled in the same time period, according the this study’s primary author, Femke Rutters, PhD, of The Netherlands.  READ MORE

Carrie Fisher arrives at the Governors Awards at the Dolby Ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Carrie Fisher died from ‘Sleep Apnea & other Causes’

Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher died from sleep apnea and “other factors”, the Los Angeles County coroner says. Sleep apnea is a common condition in which a person stops breathing during sleep, either for a few seconds or minutes. As well as listing sleep apnea as a cause of death, the coroner’s statement cited other factors, including heart disease and drug use.

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain — and the rest of the body — may not get enough oxygen.

There are two types of sleep apnea:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The more common of the two forms of apnea, it is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
  • Central sleep apnea: Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe, due to instability in the respiratory control center.

Am I at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. Risk factors for sleep apnea include:

  • Being male
  • Being overweight
  • Being over age 40
  • Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
  • Having large tonsils, a large tongue, or a small jaw bone
  • Having a family history of sleep apnea
  • Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD
  • Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinus problems

Divabetic ‘Spaghetti Western’ Father’s Day Celebration Playlist: “She’s in Love with the Boy” is a song written by Jon Ims and recorded by Trisha Yearwood. It was released in March 1991 as the lead single from her self-titled debut album. The song reached number one on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and was the first of five number ones on the country chart for Trisha Yearwood.