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This is not a medical site.  I am a grandmother diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the spring of 2007.  My mother and two of my grandparents had been diabetics so I was not surprised when I was diagnosed.  What did surprise me, however, was my visit with a nutritionist.  I went home and tried to follow her advice.  My blood sugar did not begin to come under control.  After throwing her advice to the wind and relying on the information I had researched for my mother years ago, my common sense, and the advice from several on-line medical sites, my blood sugar is now under control averaging in the low 90s.  When I was diagnosed my blood sugar was almost 500!  I want to share my experience with others and let diabetics know they can still ENJOY GOOD FOOD including SUGAR in most cases.  WARNING:  DO NOT DROP YOUR DOCTOR'S OR NUTRITIONIST'S ADVICE WITHOUT CONSULTING THEM AND MAKE CHANGES GRADUALLY!  I AM NEITHER A DOCTOR NOR NUTRIONIST.  I just want to share with you what I have learned that has been beneficial to me.  Hopefully, it will be of help to you in some way as together we wade through the muddy waters of diabetes.Chef.

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Looking for a unique food gift for a diabetic?  Check out these ideas.  Great for holiday gifts, birthday gifts, housewarmings, hostess gifts, etc.  Enhance for the occasion by the type of jar, basket, ribbon, etc you choose.  Trust me, your diabetic friend will be surprised and thrilled.

 

HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

2 cups non dairy coffee creamer

3 cups instant non-fat powdered milk

2 tbsp Splenda granular

1/4 cup sugar-free powdered sugar*

1 cup cocoa powder

Mix all ingredients together very well and store in an pretty airtight container or jar.  Attach the following instructions for making hot chocolate.  Put 3 to 4 tablespoons, depending on the size of your cup or mug, in mug with water.  Stir well and place in microwave.  Heat until hot but not boiling.

This makes a lovely gift when put in a pretty glass jar with a decorative piece of cloth tied over the lid using a pretty bow, raffia, or ribbon.  You can use cloth and ribbon in the color or pattern for the gift occasion.

*See the "How to Make Sugar-Free Powdered Sugar" section of this website.

 

 

 

SPICED CITRUS TEA MIX FOR DIABETICS

1/4 cup + 2 tbsp sugar-free orange-flavored drink mix

1/4 cup sugar-free lemonade-flavored drink mix

3/4 cup sugar-free iced-tea mix

1 tsp ground cloves

2 tsp ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients, stirring until well blended.  Put mixture into a pretty jar or other airtight container.  Tie a colorful ribbon, that fits the occasion of the gift, around the jar or container.  On a small card, write the following directions:  To make 1 serving, place 1 teaspoon of the mix in a cup.  Add 1 cup of hot water and stir well. 

This tea mix is a perfect gift by itself.  However, if you want to add to the gift, include a mug or teacup.

 

 

SPICED PECANS

1/2 tbsp low-fat buttery spread

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 cup pecan halves

1/2 tbsp sugar-free maple-flavored pancake syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In a medium skillet, melt the buttery spread over medium heat.  Stir in the pie spice.  Add the pecans and cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat for 5 minutes, until the nuts are sauteed and the flavors are blended.  Remove from the heat.  Add syrup and vanilla; stir well to combine.  Transfer to a plate or flat surface, spreading the nuts out.  Allow to cool.  Put into a cellaphane bag and seal tightly.  Attach a pretty ribbon to fit the occasian of the gift.  Or put into a pretty food-gift tin that expresses the occasion. Attach a note or tell the receipient to store in the refrigerator.  Will keep for several weeks if refrigerated.

Note:  This is a recipe I found in an Oct 2007 issue of DIABETES FORECAST magazine.

Serving size of 7 pecans: 73 calories, 1 g carbs, 1g protein, 0 g sugar

 

 

VANILLA BEAN PANCAKE GIFT SET

Combine the following items and put in a special jar or zip-lock type bag:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup Splenda

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

If using a jar, cut a round piece of parchment paper or a round piece of pretty fabric and put over the jar seal before adding ring.  Tie a pretty ribbon around the ring.  Attach a vanilla bean to the bow.  If using a zip bag, place vanilla bean inside the top of the bag before zipping.

Attach the following recipe on a cute recipe card or note card:

To make pancakes, place the dry ingredients from the jar (or bag) into a large mixing bowl.  Make a well in the center of the ingredients.  Split vanilla bean and scrape seeds into a small mixing bowl.  Whisk in 2 cups milk, 2 tablespoons canola oil and 1 large egg, lightly beaten, just until blended.

Lightly grease a griddle and heat.  When griddle is hot, pour batter onto griddle using 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake.  Cook until tops are bubbly.  Turn pancakes and cook until done. 

Yield:  12 pancakes

To make your gift even more special, add a small bottle of sugar-free syrup and/or a pancake mold.