Discover the Joys of Jicama with our friend, Jill Weisenberger RD, CDCES, in this short cooking video.
Nationally Recognized Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Best-Selling Author Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND, CHWC joined us for Divabetic’s virtual Salad Making Party on Zoom.
Jill shares her favorite healthy salad and salad dressing recipes to perk up meals. The low-carb content of jicama and its health benefits means you can indulge in this vibrant veggie!
Jill Weisenberger’s candid and energetic approach and her sound nutrition and fitness advice have 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 strategies based on sound nutrition science.
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.
This past Wednesday night, we presented another diva-style diabetes wellness program with our friend, Stacey Harris, who is known as The Diabetic Pastry Chef.
I love the way Stacey experiments and encourages others to experiment with different flours and sugar substitutes in recipes. For example, Stacey will substitute one cup of sugar for a half cup of Splenda and a half cup of Whey Low D or replace white flour with a mixture of almond, soy, or bean flour in her recipes. Her approach corresponds to leading experts’ belief that a ‘one size fits all’ diet doesn’t exist for people living with diabetes. They recommend that we should develop our own personal nutrition plans for diabetes wellness. Read MORE.
Sugar-Free Banana Pudding Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef
Ingredients
1 pkg. Sugar-free Vanilla Wafers
1- 1-oz. box Sugar-free Instant Vanilla Pudding
2 cups Whole Milk, Almond milk, or a combination of the two
1-2 ripe Bananas
1 cup of Sugar-free Whipped Cream or Sugar-free Whipped Topping
Directions
Prepare pudding per package directions using the 2 cups milk, almond milk, or a combination of the two; set aside. Line a small casserole dish, parfait dish, or trifle bowl with a layer of vanilla wafers. Top with a layer of prepared vanilla pudding. Add a layer of sliced bananas, and spread the top with a full layer or dollop of whipped cream. Garnish as desired (toasted coconut, raspberries, lemon twists, or cherries.
Do You Know?
Cup for cup, whole fat milk contains fewer carbohydrates than low-fat or skim because more of its volume is made up of fat, which does not contain lactose. It also has slightly less protein.
Stacey Harris has a blog full of great recipes. Click HERE.
Personally, I feel the kitchen is a great place to stretch, your creativity. It’s been widely reported that baking has the benefit of enhancing creative expression – which has been found to have a strong connection with overall wellbeing. Lately, I have been having fun creating fruit platters to glamorize good health!
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks to divas living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes about their favorite forms of exercise at NYC Summer Streets.
Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chefwas training to become a pastry chef at the Bidwell Culinary School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Rather than abandon her pursuits, she began experimenting with dessert recipes to make them healthier and diabetes-friendly.
Directions: In the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Turn the mixer to low and add the Swerve and vanilla. Beat until combined. Add the cream at low speed and once combined, turn the speed to high and continue beating until the mixture is thick but fluffy; set aside.
Strawberry Topping Ingredients
6 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
3 Tbsp. sugar-free strawberry jam
2 Tbsp. boiling water
Directions: Add the cream cheese filling to a 9 -10-inch sugar-free graham cracker pie crust and smooth. Arrange strawberries overlapping on top of cream cheese filling. Combine jam and boiling water and brush the top of the strawberries. Garnish as desired. Refrigerate.
The Diabetic Pastry Chef
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 Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef, on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
If you’re an avid Divabetic baker like we are, you’re always on the lookout for tips to help improve your skills. Recently, we learned that parchment paper is an essential baking tool because it creates a nonstick surface. So if you want brownies to lift out of the pan or cookies to slide off the sheet, parchment paper is a must. It can be a little pricey, but it’s 100% worth it— when your cake slides right out of the pan.
1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles, reserved for topping
Directions
Grease and flour your pan; set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients and set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer at medium speed, cream the butter, oil, and sugar substitute until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk; mix well. Add the flour mixture to the batter and mix until combined, being careful not to overmix.
Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven onto a baking rack and unmold after about 10 minutes. Cool and fill the center with mini chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles.
Note: My sugar substitute was erythritol. I used a Nordic Ware Sunflower Cake Pan to make this cake.
Traditionally, Sunflower cakes are made in a Nordic Ware Sunflower pan. However, this Sunflower Cake can also be made in a round bundt pan. Fill in the center hole with mini chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles and use a sugar-free, thick, yellow glaze ladled around the top of the cake to look like cascading petals.
Join us for Divabetic’s upcoming free Baking Party with The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom and you’ll be automatically entered into our random drawing for Divabetic’s prize giveaway.
Elizabeth is one of our past prize winners. Sh
Over 150 people registered for our last Divabetic Baking Party on Zoom, so don’t miss out! Register now for Divabetic’s Baking Party on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic raises awareness for living a full, fabulous diabetes life at the Easter Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City, NY. Special guests Carla Cravens, Catherine Schuller, Amy Goldin, and Jean & Valerie from Life Dressing: The Idiosyncratic Fashionistas. The New York City Easter Parade has been an annual tradition since Civil War days and features marchers in elaborate Easter finery, including some of the fanciest Easter bonnets imaginable.
Our lucky winner, Anita from Buffalo, won two bottles of Walden Farms Salad Dressings at Divabetic’s recent Baking Party on Zoom.
With Zero calories, net carbs, fat, sugars, dairy, or gluten of any kind*, Walden Farms Salad Dressingsadd the most delicious flavor to everything from salads and sandwiches to tasty appetizers and main courses without packing on unnecessary calories.
Here’s a delicious Walden Farms Salad Dressings recipe to save calories and help you live a healthier life. This Cheeseburger Lettuce Wraps Recipe is gluten-free and keto-friendly.
Cheeseburger Lettuce Wraps Recipe by Walden Farms Dressings
Ingredients
1 lb. ground turkey
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup of Walden Farms Original BBQ Sauce
4 slices light Cheddar cheese, halved and folded
8 large Boston lettuce leaves
4 slices of bacon, cooked
1 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 cup Walden Farms Thousand Island Dressing
Directions
Preheat broiler. Season turkey with salt and pepper; divide into 8 portions. Shape each portion into a 1/2 inch thick patty.
Heat oil in a large skillet set over medium heat; cook patties for 4 to 6 minutes per side or until cooked through. Transfer burgers to a foil-lined baking sheet.
Brush each burger with 1 tbsp BBQ sauce and top with a piece of cheese. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve burgers in lettuce leaves with 1/2 slice of bacon, tomatoes, and onions. Drizzle with dressing.
Divabetic’s Carb Kitty videos make carbohydrate counting fun! Carbohydrate counting or “carb counting” can help you manage your blood glucose levels.
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 Mother’s Day-themed Baking Party with special guests, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
“I’m trying to reduce my carbohydrates as one of my New Year’s resolutions,” says the original Divabetic. Since the pandemic, she’s been attempting to raise her game as a healthy home cook.
After joining us for several Divabetic Cooking and Baking Parties on Zoom, she challenged herself to create a healthy meal at home. Fortunately, she agreed to share it with our Divabetic community.
“I have been living with type 2 diabetes for over a decade,” says our guest Divabetic. “Cauliflower and cheese is it for me now, no macaroni involved.”
Cauliflower is muc lower in carbohydrates than macaroni.
“I have discovered that cauliflower takes on the flavor of whatever it’s cooked with, she says. “So you taste nothing but delicious cheddar and parmesan cheeses!”
This picture is crabcakes over garlic sauteed spinach with a side of cauliflower macaroni and cheese.
Generally speaking, I no longer feel like spending a ton of time in the kitchen, so here’s my fast and lazy way to make Cauliflower Mac & Cheese.
Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Recipe Ideas by the Original Divabetic
I started with a bag of uncooked riced cauliflower. I put it in a large bowl sprinkled some Parmesan, Cheddar, and Mozzarella cheeses on it. , Then I added a bunch of different seasonings, including onion powder, black pepper, garlic powder, and sage.
I was afraid the mixture would be watery because it was my first time making this. That’s why I added 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise to my mix. Yes, I said “mayo” because, in my opinion, it makes things delicious and creamy. I often use mayo as a substitute for egg and oil. As an afterthought, I decided to add a couple of tablespoons of butter, even though I used mayo.
Then, I eyeballed a small amount of half-and-half just enough so everything blended together nicely and held. Next, I chose a small loaf pan. The smaller pan was the perfect size for the amount I made. I had topped it with a bit of extra cheese and into a 370° oven for about 30 to 35 minutes. I knew it was done when I peeked in, and it was nicely golden and bubbly on the top. I took it out of the oven topped it with a bit of parsley. And as Rachel Ray would say, it was “yum-o”!!!
The original Divabetic gushes, “There is a 100 % guilt-free deliciousness in every mouthful. I plan to make it again and again.”
The Diabetic Pastry Chef prepares a Valentines-themed Sugar-Free Dessert Recipe and shares Expert Baking Tips for using Sugar Substitutes & Free Gift Prize! Join us on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST
Divabetic’s first podcast of the year featuring Rachel Zinman, Arthur Aston, and Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDCES. Rachel will be presenting a guided mediation you won’t want to miss! Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music by Teddy Pendergrass courtesy of SONY Music.
The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris, demonstrated how to make her fabulous Sugar-Free Linzer Tortes at last night’s Divabetic Baking Party. Stacey has mastered the art of substituting sugar substitutes and flours in traditional favorites without compromising taste or texture.
Stacey says, ”To cut back on sugar, I started using all-natural substitutes, like agave nectar, and trying erythritol. I also bake with a store-bought blend of sugars that tastes delicious.”
The Diabetic Pastry Chef shares her recipes in a fabulous book so that people with diabetes and others looking for sugar-free treats can make their own lower-carb versions of baked goods at home. The most common thing she hears from customers is, “I don’t even miss the extra sugar!”
Ingredients
10 tbsp. butter softened
1/3 cup dry sugar substitute
1 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
1 cup ground almonds or almond flour
1 tsp. lemon zest
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
2 raw egg yolks
2 hardboiled egg yolks
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 (12.75-oz.) jar sugar-free raspberry jam
1 egg white, beaten
sliced almonds for topping
Directions
In a mixing bowl with a mixer at medium speed, combine butter and sugar substitute until fluffy. Add flour, ground almonds, lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, raw egg yolks, boiled egg yolks, and vanilla. Continue to mix until well combined. Chill for at least 1 hour.
Divide chilled dough into 2 pieces. Roll out 1 piece, and fit it into a greased 8×8-in. pan or springform pan. Spread jam over the dough with a spatula.
Roll out and cut strips with the remaining dough to make a lattice top to cover jam. Brush with egg white and sprinkle almonds on top. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes, or until torte is a pale golden color. Cut into squares to serve.
The Diabetic Pastry Chef
The Diabetic Pastry Chef shares the sweet secrets of her simple-to-use formula that will convert most any recipe into a lower-carb alternative without compromising taste or quality in her book. Now people living with can enjoy Chocolate Truffle Cookies, Blueberry Tartlets, Cream Cheese Cupcakes, Coffee Bread Pudding, and hundreds of others.
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 our next free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chefon Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
One of our favorite educators, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND is offering an Easy Meal Planning for Blood Sugar Control program on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 6:00 PM, EST.
Jill is excited to invite you to this program, specifically to recognize Diabetes Awareness Month. It’s sponsored by Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative (NEBPI). NEBPI is a subcontractor to the Beef Checkoff Program and is funded by U.S. Farmers and Ranchers.
And it’s going to be great, whether you have diabetes, prediabetes, or simply want to learn more about easy meal planning. By the end of this short program, you’ll
know the simple 3-step formula to crafting a balanced meal to manage your blood sugar
learn cooking techniques to boost your portion of food but not your blood sugar or weight
have a new, delicious beef recipe to prepare lickety-split
know where to access resources for more recipes, tips, and insights
Plus, Jill Weisenbergerpromises tons of fun, a chance to win prizes, and the opportunity to cook along with her. We’ll get you the ingredients list if you’d like to have dinner ready by the end of the program.
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) on this Divabetic podcast with music 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.
Guests include the Director of Content of the sleep sites of Pillar4 Media, Marten Carlson, and Plus-Size Fashion and Tavel Blogger, LGBTQ+ Influencer, Alysse Dalessandro Santiago.
October’s Divabetic podcast features music from Carly Simon’s Coming Around Again album courtesy of SONY Music.
After lying low during the pandemic, my friends were getting restless for Halloween. So for the past few years, I have hosted an adult pumpkin carving party that I like to call ‘Prosecco & Pumpkins’. It’s the perfect way to kick off fall and get excited about the upcoming holidays. Even better, it’s a low-key, easy kind of party to throw, busy schedule and all.
Of course, I had to decorate my apartment to get everyone in the mood. I made this gigantic tarantula! It was easy! I used my co-workers black tights and a hefty garbage bag, stuffed with assorted paper and plastic grocery bags.
This year I bought smaller-sized pumpkins because I’ve learned that larger-size pumpkins translate into more post-party cleanup. And smaller-sized pumpkins require less time to carve and design, so it’s not a super late night for your guests.
My party started with cocktail hour. I made my first charcuterie board using tips from Brenda Novak‘s online Book Club party and YouTube. We also had some excellent Gotham VolleyballSangria Showdown-worthy Sangria made by my friend, Jeannie. If you’re living with diabetes and enjoy an occasional cocktail check out this Divabeticpodcast featuring expert advice on the subject.
I made Chef Robert Lewis, aka The Happy Diabetic‘s Iowa- Style Apricot and Onion Pork Chops, a big hit for dinner! My sides included roasted Brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes.
Then, we got down to the main event, Prosecco and Pumpkin carving. Again, everyone was quiet, sipping on bubbly as they focused on their designs.
Here’s my pumpkin design! Judging by the smile on my pumpkin’s face, you can tell I was in a good mood after spending time with friends and celebrating again!
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic plays his newest nutrition game, ‘Serve, Taste or Trash’ with everyday people at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, PA.
Here’s how you play: Mr. Divabetic lists 3 fruits and vegetables. Among the three choices, you have to choose which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste, and which one you’d be willing to trash. Your options are cantaloupe, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts.
Get inspired to eat more fruits and vegetables. Mr. Divabetic is the host of the free monthly podcast, Diva TalkRadio: Diabetes Roundtable. Diva TalkRadio is Divabetic’s dynamic free online and mobile podcast channel where tens of thousands of fans, followers, and listeners turn to laugh a little and learn a lot. The channel features a line-up of live and archived programs and specials. Guests include health care professionals, beauty, image/style, and fitness experts, entertainment industry leaders, and VIPs: women and men living with, at risk of, and affected by diabetes.
When you’re dealing with diabetes health challenges, do you seek out your doctor or do you say, “it’s in God’s hands” and do nothing?
Many people turn to faith-based ways to manage health and life challenges. Saying “I’m leaving it to God’ is a common way to normalize and cope with challenging situations. It’s been reported that over 300 published scientific studies have demonstrated the medical value of religious commitment (including worship attendance, prayer, scripture study, and active participation in a spiritual community). These benefits include enhanced ability to cope and manage mental illness, chronic illness, pain, and addictions.
Recent research has shown that a large number of women are incorporating spirituality as part of their breast cancer treatment. Spirituality has been defined as a felt connection with a non-mental, non-emotional, and non-physical aspect of being commonly referred to as a ‘Higher Power’ or something greater than the self.
A recent study examined the benefits of prayer in racially diverse breast cancer patients. They found that women who prayed found positive aspects in their experience with breast cancer.
When this beautiful church was built in 1892, it became the largest church in Montana. It is a cruciform church in the Romanesque Revival style. The church also has stained glass windows, a pipe organ, and a massive church bell, Painters of the Italian Renaissance greatly influenced the Turin, Italy, native, who employed many of the same devices used by early Renaissance artists: feathery trees, oval female faces, classical costumes, and painted pilasters.
How Does Faith Help Life With Diabetes?
Mr. Divabetic hosts this episode of Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Country Music Superstar Carrie Underwood.
Carrie Underwood is inspiring us to talk about “keeping the faith and diabetes.” The country superstar and her husband are very outspoken about how important Jesus is in their lives. ‘How do your spiritual values impact your diabetes health? Are your spiritual and religious beliefs and practices harming or helping your daily diabetes routines? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks to the experts on ways you can keep your faith in your self-care management during your darkest hours and gets a ‘real-life’ perspective on how faith has transformed health outcomes.
In less than 10 years, Carrie Underwoodhas sold 64 million records worldwide, scored 18 #1 singles, and earned nearly 100 major accolades, including six GRAMMY® Awards.
Carrie Underwood is celebrating the first amazing chapter in her career with the 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville release of Greatest Hits: Decade #1, a 25-song collection that includes such radio staples as “Before He Cheats,” “All-American Girl,” “Cowboy Casanova,” “Blown Away,” “See You Again,” and her six-week #1 breakthrough hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” We will be playing selected songs throughout the podcast courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES, Neva White DNP, CDCES, Mama Rose Marie, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and special guest Carrie from New York.
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, FANDon Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.
