Salted Caramel Banana Bars Recipe by Splenda

Enjoy this decadent dessert recipe from our friends at Splenda. This recipe contains US Splenda Stevia Granulated Sweetener and Splenda Sweetened Condensed Milk.

Splenda offers a U.S.-grown stevia sweetener made with simple ingredients that can replace added sugar in all your favorite foods and drinks.

Splenda Sweetened Condensed Milk is a sweet and creamy ingredient with no added sugar and 35% fewer calories than leading brands. It can be used in fudge, pumpkin pie, and coffee recipes.

Salted Caramel Banana Bars Recipe

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons plant-based butter spread or margarine

Get Full Recipe

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a bowl, beat together butter and Splenda Stevia Sweetener until smooth. Beat in egg until fully combined. Then, beat in yogurt and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients (the mixture may be dry), then fold in mashed banana.

Watermelon Mojito Mocktail Recipe by Splenda

Our friends at Splenda have done it again! They’ve made it possible to indulge in a taste of Summer without guilt. Enjoy this Watermelon Mojito Mocktail recipe by Splenda

Ingredients

4 cubes of fresh watermelon

4 mint leaves

1/2 teaspoon of  Splenda Liquid Sweetener

1 ounce lime juice

5 ounces of lime seltzer water

Instructions

Add watermelon, mint leaves, and Splenda Liquid Sweetener to a cocktail shaker and muddle to release the juices.

Add lime juice and ice and shake until chilled.

Strain over ice-filled glass. Top with lime seltzer water.

Garnish with a watermelon slice and fresh mint.

Get nutritional information and more great recipes at Splenda!

What is A Mocktail?

A mocktail is a cocktail-style beverage made without alcoholic ingredients. It’s an elevated version of the standard non-alcoholic drink. It’s also crafted with sodas, juices, herbs, syrups, and the same mixology methods and tools used for regular mixed drinks. The final product is a non-alcoholic beverage that should be enjoyed and savored, just like a well-mixed cocktail.

Alcohol and Diabetes

Many people with diabetes enjoy an alcoholic beverage.  But when drinking alcohol is combined with the medications most often used to treat diabetes—particularly insulin and sulfonylureas, low blood sugar  (hypoglycemia) can result. While a glass of wine with dinner probably isn’t a big deal, two mojitos on an empty stomach at happy hour is.

Ironically, several symptoms of hypoglycemia—such as slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion, or difficulty walking—are also symptoms of being drunk; it can be difficult to tell the two apart. And if you often have hypoglycemia unawareness, a condition you don’t recognize you’re going low, drinking becomes especially dicey. Timing may also be an issue, as hypoglycemia can strike hours after your last drink, especially if you’ve been exercising.

What Exactly is Moderate Drinking?

It’s one drink daily for women and up to two per day for men. However, that “drink” is much smaller than some think, just five ounces of wine, a 12-ounce beer, or one and a half ounces of 80-proof spirits.

The information above is not a strict and steadfast rule. There are no universal guidelines for drinking alcohol for people with diabetes. Talk to your doctor about your drinking habits and seek their help developing your guidelines.

Alcohol and Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is linked to diabetes. Over time, mismanaged diabetes damages the small blood vessels, causing the walls of the blood vessels to stiffen and malfunction. These changes contribute to high blood pressure.

Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily raises blood pressure. Repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases in blood pressure.

What is Splenda ZERO Liquid Sweetener?

Splenda ZERO Liquid Sweetener has zero calories and dissolves easily in hot and cold beverages, sauces, glazes, and more. Its convenient size makes it easy to take with you anywhere, and its leak-free flip-top lid means no mess when you toss it in your purse, backpack, or briefcase Splenda delivers a variety of great-tasting solutions to help you achieve a healthy, balanced lifestyle without sacrificing taste.

We’re discussing healthy lifestyle swaps for people with diabetes on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.

With a few simple swaps, you can help live your best life while managing your diabetes. Our experts offer straightforward, simple, and fun swap ideas for drinks, medications, self-care, and fashion. Plus, we share style tips and words of inspiration to help you maintain a healthy habit.

Developing these habits isn’t always easy. Adapting to a new routine can be tricky, and it’s often tempting to want to return to old ways if we don’t see immediate results. One of the biggest mistakes people make when forming a new habit is taking on too much too quickly.  Focus on what’s working in your diabetes self-care plan before overhauling diabetes management. Instead of decluttering the entire house, why not focus on one room or closet? Why not focus on the calories you drink rather than everything you eat?  If you want to eat healthier, try replacing one dessert daily with a piece of fruit rather than cutting out sugar completely. If you’re going to get into hiking, start with a walk at lunchtime. Setting small goals you can achieve will help keep you motivated along the way.

Guests include Catherine Schuller, Poet Lorraine BrooksPatricia Addie-Gentle RD, CDCES, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, MEd, NDTR, and Mama Rose Marie. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

Need a Summer tune?

Kylie Minogue has taken over the airwaves in my home with this catchy song!! Add it to your workout tape.

Divabetic Prize Winner Allison Promotes Self-Care Saturdays

Prize Winner
Divabetic’s recent Sugar-Free Baking Party prize winner, Allison, shares her secrets to a healthier way of life in this post.
Living with multiple health issues, the doctoral student makes Self-Care Saturdays a priority. Learn more about the fascinating founder of Living Chronic Faith and how she manages the ups and downs of diabetes life. Allison was the winner of a fantastic vegan leather Arthel Neville Design Tote bag!
Prize Winner
Q: When were you diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?
Allison: I was diagnosed in 2008, but I started taking it seriously and managing it effectively in 2010. In doing so, I lost 75 pounds, and my A1c went from 14.7 to 6.9!!! It changed my life so much that I even served as an ambassador for the American Diabetes Association (Indiana chapter) for a couple of years.
Q: What other chronic conditions are you living with?
Allison: I am diagnosed with lupus SLE, fibromyalgia, PCOS, psoriasis and PsA, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease/herniate disc, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
 
Q: What do you do to pamper yourself?
Allison: I do self-care Saturdays–that includes sleeping late, a long shower, the extended version of my skincare routine, and no work (I am self-employed, so it’s easy to work constantly). If I can, I try to get my homework done before Saturday, too (I am a doctoral student). I also engage in my favorite hobbies: writing plays, trying new recipes, and crocheting gifts for loved ones.
 
Q: And share the name of your organization and its mission.
Allison: The organization is Living Chronic Faith–we are a faith-first organization serving people living with chronic diagnoses and the people who support them. We provide support, education, and resources to help them maximize their quality of life and live toward their God-given purpose.

 

We host workshops, low-impact seated exercise sessions with a licensed physical therapist, and an annual conference.  We also have a bi-monthly members-only meeting to address personal issues candidly.  All of our programming is virtual and free of charge.
Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Are you interested in baking tips and recipes?
During this Extra-Special Baking Party on Zoom, we invite you to bake along with The Diabetic Pastry Chef as she prepares her delicious Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffin recipe. Once you register, we will send you the recipe’s complete list of ingredients so you can prepare before our program begins.

The Diabetic Chef will also demonstrate her favorite kitchen tool and share expert tips for using sugar substitutes and alternative flours in traditional recipes.

Free Prizes! Mr. Divabetic will host a Baking Trivia Contest and Prize Drawing during the program. You must be present at our Baking Party to enter our prize drawings to win a Splenda Baking Kit, Tonya Kappes Cozy Mystery and PEAK 10 SKIN SAVE MY SOLE foot rescue cream.

REGISTER NOW – IT’S FREE 

Blueberry Ricotta Cake Recipe by Splenda

Looking for a Summertime treat that won’t put your diabetes wellness at risk? Enjoy this wonderful Blueberry Ricotta Cake recipe from our friends at Splenda.

Packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, blueberries are also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them the top choice of doctors and nutritionists. Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, but they are also anti-inflammatory.

Ricotta is an Italian curd cheese made from whey left over from the production of other cheese. Compared to most cheeses, ricotta is a healthier choice because it contains less salt and fat – 10 percent fat, of which 6 percent is saturated.

Blueberry Ricotta Cake Recipe by Splenda

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

4 large eggs + 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature

⅔ cup Splenda® Stevia Granulated Sweetener

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

1¼ cups low-fat ricotta cheese

¼ cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest

1½ cups blueberries, rinsed and dried

See FULL RECIPE

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, September 28, 7-8 PM, EST.

During this Baking Party on Zoom, The Diabetic Pastry Chef prepares a Sugar-Free Dessert recipe, demonstrates her favorite kitchen tools, and shares expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and alternative flours in recipes.

Win gifts courtesy of The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes‘s Camper Cozy Mystery, and Peak 10 Skin’s Save My Sole Foot Rescue Cream during Mr. Divabetic’s random drawings. You must be present at our Baking Party to enter our gift drawings to win.

We’ve also been fortunate to offer a Splenda Gift Basket as one of our prize offerings at our previous Baking Parties.

REGISTER NOW

Speaking of ‘blueberries,’ the first song that comes to mind is Fats Domino’s Blueberry Hill.

In 1949, the musician and singer made one of the first rock’n’roll records, called The Fat Man, and instrumental in the early rock’n’roll scene of the 1950s and early 1960s.

His hits included ‘Ain’t That a Shame’ and ‘Blueberry Hill.’ In the 1950s his records were only outsold by those of Elvis Presley, according to Rolling Stone.

Divabetic Prize Winner, Eugenia Reviews Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes And Salivation Snackfoods

Eugenia won a lovely Gift Basket courtesy of Splenda at our recent Divabetic Sugarfree Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef.

Eugenia’s Splenda Gift Basket contains Splenda Naturals Stevia, Splenda Sweetener, Splenda Diabetes Care Shake (Milk Chocolate), an apron,  a hot mitt, a strainer, measuring cups, and more.

Throughout the program, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef demonstrated how to make one of her famous sugar-free desserts, answered questions, and shared her favorite kitchen tools. Click HERE for her Sugarfree Strawberry Pie recipe.

Here’s Eugenia’s testimonial for the Splenda Gift Basket including the new Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes. She admits the Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes  (Milk Chocolate) contains a lot less sugar than their competitors. Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes contain a diabetes-specific nutrition formula that has the right nutrient balance with 16 grams of high-quality protein, 15 grams of carbohydrate including 6 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of monounsaturated fats.

After two sips, Eugenia says, “this is a really good shake!”

Eugenia also tried the Salivation Snackfoods’ Keto Dark Chocolate Brownies. After one bite, Eugenia admits “I would definitely buy it. It’s a really good brownie!”

Salivation Snackfoods Brownies are rich, flavorful, and complex with only 3g net carbs.

During our Sugarfree Baking Party, we played baking trivia along with our participants. Here’s one of our questions:

Q:  In the process of cake baking, which of the following is NOT a raising agent?

A. Steam
B. Yeast
C. Powdered Sugar
D. Baking Powder

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts another upcoming fun Virtual Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef, in September. 

Divabetic Baking Party Question #1: ANSWER: C. Powdered Sugar

Win A Splenda Gift Basket At Divabetic’s Baking Party

We’re giving away this fantastic Splenda Gift Basket to one lucky winner during our raffle on tonight’s free Divabetic Baking Party with Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Zoom starting at 7 PM EST.

Splenda is 600 times sweeter than sugar, yet those little yellow packets have no effect on blood sugar according to leading registered dietitians

Don’t miss this fun, fabulous virtual program. Registration is open on Eventbrite until 2 PM

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.

REGISTER NOW

Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe by Splenda

Our friends at Splenda have been graciously donating Baking Kits for our free Baking Parties with the Diabetic Pastry Chef on Zoom.

Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe from Splenda 

Ingredients

3/4 cup vegetable oil spread, room temperature

2 small eggs, room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup Splenda® Monk Fruit Granulated Sweetener

1 cup almond flour

2 teaspoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cup stevia-sweetened semisweet chocolate chips

Red food coloring

Blue food coloring

Star sprinkles (optional)

Click HERE for the Full Recipe

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.

REGISTER NOW

Divabeitc Summer Baking Party & Recipe

Our friends at Splenda have been graciously donating Baking Kits for our free Baking Parties with the Diabetic Pastry Chef on Zoom.

Mini Strawberry and Cherry Upside-Down Cake Recipe from Splenda

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 ½ cups Splenda® Original Granulated Sweetener, divided

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided

¼ cup coconut oil

½ cup fat-free milk

1 ½ cups frozen pitted dark sweet cherries

2 cups small strawberries, cut into ½-inch thick slices

½ cup fat-free whipped topping

2 tablespoons fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Click HERE for the Full Recipe

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.

REGISTER NOW

 

 

Double Crust Peach Cobbler Recipe by Splenda

Splenda Baking Kits are just one of the many wonderful prizes you can win when you join us for Divabetic’s free Baking Parties with the Diabetic Pastry Chef on Zoom.

Our recent winner, Anita W. from Buffalo, NY found some inspiration along with a rolling pin, apron, measuring cups, and various Splenda products in her Splenda Baking Kit! She wrote back to us, “I received the prize and I loved all of it. I made some peanut butter cookies with the Splenda and the cookie cutter.”

Double Crust Peach Cobbler Recipe by Splenda

Ingredients

1 box of refrigerated pie crusts, softened

10 cups sliced fresh peaches

1 3/4 cups Splenda Granulated Sweetener

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup pineapple juice

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Lightly spray an 11” x 7” baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Unroll one piecrust; roll out and trim to an 11” x 7” rectangle. Place in prepared baking dish. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Click HERE for the full recipe

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.

REGISTER NOW

 

Divabetic Baking Party Hightlights

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?

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosted a free, fun Mother’s Day-themed Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris, known professionally as The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, on Zoom.

The Diabetic Pastry Chef prepared her Sugar-Free Yellow Sunflower Cake recipe, shared her favorite kitchen tool, and answered our baking questions about substituting sugar substitutes and alternative flours in recipes.

Several participants won gifts courtesy of  Arthel Neville DesignDr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Care, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes‘, and Peak 10 Skin’s Save My Sole Foot Rescue Cream and Splenda

The Holidays are full of surprises— especially after Mr. Divabetic gets a new job as the pastry chef at the St. Nicholas Nursing Home nestled in a cozy Christmas Village. But adjusting to life in a Christmas Village is not all sugarplums and candy canes. Especially when a cantankerous resident, a real-life Ebenezer Scrooge,  named Mr. Pincher almost dies——shortly after eating one of Max’s peanut butter swirl brownies. Despite all of the ingredients for danger, Mr. Divabetic along with our team of amateur sleuths and his overly protective mother — set out to find the real culprit in the hopes that his name isn’t on a lethal naughty list.

Our story was inspired by Kevin Houdeshell’s tragic true-life story. Thanks to the Houdeshell family for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the Emergency Insulin Act of 2019 and the emergency prescription refill legislation. Known as Kevin’s or Howdy’s Law, it allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance medication if the doctor cannot be reached – a common-sense act that could save a life.

Starring Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie Gentle, Terri Seidman, MaryAnn Nicolay, Trisha Artman, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, and Wendy Radford. Special thanks to the Houdeshell family, and Pharmacist Mandy Reece. Original music by Ivan Hampden Jr., Celine Dion’s vocals courtesy of SONY Music. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir.

In the spirit of Scrooge’s awakening at the end of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, we encourage you to honor Christmas in your heart by living in the Past, The Present, and the Future. Try to embrace the Spirits of all Three and the lessons that they teach.