Tag: mocktails

For the past twelve years at our Divabetic live events, on our podcasts and inner blog we’ve been promoting  a ‘New Attitude’ about living with diabetes to help you ‘Keep Your House A Home’ by learning to prevent a diabetes health-related complication from occurring.  Now we’re sharing our decade’s worth of our ‘diva brand of diabetes outreach’ advice and suggestions with you so that you won’t have to avoid the holidays in order to take charge of our diabetes.

Our Cinco de Mayo Day Fiesta Celebration embraces the colorful fun of a fiesta to encourage you to entertain like a diva!

We believe diabetes doesn’t have to dim your dazzle! Add a splash of color!

Color is a must but it can either fill the space or play off of white or neutrals. The colors one sees in Mexico are traditionally vibrant, but because they were originally produced from natural pigments they have a slightly muted or chalky quality that tones them down just a bit.

Decorate your fiesta with these festive tissue-paper streamers, bowl bands, and flags.  Tissue paper flowers made great decorations. We put them in flower pots, use them as streamers, and wear them as accessories. READ MORE

While the basics of Mexican restaurant entrees  — rice, corn, beans, tomatoes, and chiles — are packed with nutrients, beware of entrees loaded with fatty cheeses, refried beans, and sour cream. Follow these tips to enjoy flavorful Mexican food without derailing your ‘divabetic’ diet:

Platter-size entrees with all the fixings can total 1,500 calories. Take half home or order a la carte to get only what you want.
Cheese and sour cream top many entrees. Ask for reduced-fat sour cream (or skip it altogether) and lower-fat sauces, such as a red sauce rather than cream sauce.
Crispy entrees usually mean the dish has been deep-fried. Opt for corn or whole wheat tortillas instead.

Keep reading to learn how to slim down Mexican restaurant favorites.

Sure, the holidays when you’re living with diabetes especially if you feel like you can’t enjoy the foods your actually preparing for your family and friends! Why not take the opportunity this Cinco de Mayo to try a new recipe?

Sure, it can be challenging  at times to enjoy

One of our favorite bakers, Stacey ‘The Diabetic Pasty Chef’ Harris shares this zesty dessert idea for your fiesta!

Key Lime Cupcakes by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

Vanilla Cupcakes Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar or equivalent dry sugar substitute

1/3 tsp salt

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

2 eggs

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk or unsweetened almond milk

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease muffin tin or use paper liners.

Combine dry ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer mixing at low speed just until combined. Add butter and mix until the butter coats the flour.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla. Turn on the mixer and add the egg mixture to the dry mixture in 3 parts until combined. Do not overmix.

Divide batter evenly among the muffin tins. filling each 1/2 full. This should make about 16 cupcakes. Let sit 10 minutes before baking. Bake about 17 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle of cupcakes comes out clean. Cool completely.

Hollow out the center of the cupcakes. Fill with lime curd, pipe frosting, and garnish with lime slices, mint and lime zest.

Lime Curd Ingredients

3 eggs

1 cup Whey Low D Granular or equivalent dry sugar substitute

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 Tbsp lime zest

Beat together the eggs and sugar substitute in the top of a double boiler. Stir in juice, butter and zest. Cook over simmering water 15 minutes or until thickened. Cool.

Whipped Cream Frosting Ingredients

2 cups heavy whipping cream

6 Tbsp powdered sugar or powdered sugar substitute

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Add ingredients to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until soft peaks form. Pipe onto cupcakes. This whipped cream recipe is not stabilized, so frost and garnish right before serving.

Did you know that ‘Mexico’s soda tax will save 18,900 lives and more than $983 million over 10 years?

Mexico’s soda tax has continued to help reduce Mexico’s consumption of unhealthy beverages reported by Reuters.  Purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages were down nearly 10 percent in the second year of the tax, a new study shows.

Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force described the new study as “encouraging for many cities and countries around the world which are exploring ways to shift the rising tide of diabetes.”

Similar taxes have been levied in countries around the globe – from Colombia to France and South Africa, and in American cities, from Berkeley, California, to Philadelphia. READ MORE

The LA Times reports that if  Mexicans sustain this pattern of consuming fewer sweetened beverages, the model developed by researchers predicts that over 10  years, the 10% excise tax could prevent 189,300 new cases of Type 2  diabetes, 20,400 strokes and heart attacks, and 18,900 deaths among adults 35 to 94 years old.

From 2013 to 2022, the reductions in diabetes alone could yield savings in projected healthcare costs of $983 million dollars, the researchers concluded.

Margaritas may be a tasty accompaniment to your tacos or enchiladas, but these are among the highest-calorie alcoholic beverages you can choose. Laced with sugar and sweet liqueur, just one margarita may contain as many calories as your meal. The actual count will vary by recipe, and you can create a much lighter version with some key ingredient substitutions.

Eight ounces of a standard margarita on the rocks will set you back about 455 calories, while a 12-ounce margarita has about 680 calories. You can lighten up your drink by limiting the Cointreau — or triple-sec, which is sometimes used instead — and by using fresh lime juice instead of a sweetened version. Omit sweet-and-sour syrup and sugar, and use just one ounce of tequila to further reduce calories. If your drink seems too small, add come zero-calorie soda water.

Or why not treat yourself to a alcohol-free sparkler, made fast with a tangy blend of frozen juice concentrates?

Mocktail Margaritas Recipe from Pillsbury

(Calories: 80, Total Carbohydrates: 19 g)

Ingredients

Lime wedges, if desired

Coarse salt, if desired

1 can (6 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed (3/4 cup)

1 can (6 oz) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed (3/4 cup)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

3 cups crushed ice

2 cups club soda, chilled

Mocktail Margarita Directions

Rub rims of glasses with lime wedges; dip in salt to coat.

In blender, place lemonade and limeade concentrates, powdered sugar and ice. Cover; blend until slushy. Add club soda; stir gently. Pour mixture carefully into glasses. Garnish with lime wedges.

Four years ago, Actress and Diabetes Advocate, Salma Hayek launched Nuance, an expansive collection of lipsticks, blushes, bronzers, face serums, shampoos, and conditioners inspired by her grandmother. These days, it’s safe to say that she’s got the art of looking good down to a science.

“This is embarrassing to say but I wear makeup a lot,” says Selma. “Not every day, I try to let my skin rest, but when I do, I shade my face to give it more depth and to slim my jaw. People think you contour only to get cheekbones, but if you study your face and realize that dark colors will diminish features and lighter colors will bring out features, you can design the face you want.”

Salma Hayek developed diabetes while she was pregnant.  “I got gestational diabetes, which I didn’t realize at first. It occurs in women who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy,” says Salma.  “I didn’t know whether I was feeling bad because I was pregnant or whether something was seriously wrong. I was nauseated for nine months, which can be one of the symptoms.”

All pregnant women are at some level of risk for gestational diabetes. Since it affects as many as 18% of all pregnant women, it is one of the most common conditions associated with pregnancy. Learn more about gestational diabetes 

Our Divabetic ‘Cinco de Mayo Fiesta’ Playlist contains a fabulous mix of Selena’s greatest hits. Selena was an American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, model, actress, and fashion designer. Called the Queen of Tejano music, her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century

https://youtu.be/SQqehP4YaRQ

LISTEN NOW: Drinking & Diabetes? on Diabetes Late Nite podcast with inspiration from Kathie Lee and Hoda.  Find out how alcohol effects your blood sugars. While moderate amounts of alcohol can cause blood sugar to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level — sometimes causing it to drop into dangerous levels. If you are in doubt about whether drinking alcohol is safe for you, check with your doctor.

SAVE THE DATE: Don’t miss our first-ever Diabetes Alert Dog Fashion Show on Sunday, June 4, 2017, 11 AM – 1 PM at Mosaic Central Farm Markets in Mosaic, VA. Diabetes Alert Dog Trainer and Author Debby Kay from Chilbrook Kennels, and certified diabetes educator Kathy Gold RN, MSN, CDE, FAADE will on hand to answer your questions.