Today at the produce stand there was a special on Heirloom Tomatoes and they looked really good!

I made a really delicious Heirloom Tomato Salad with a little Olive Oil and Vinegar and a ton of Fresh Dill!

So Yummy!

Vegetarian "Green Enchilada" Mexican Casserole

I had some fresh Corn and needed something to make with it.

As I looked through my pantry and freezer to see what other ingredients I had available I recalled the fact that I used to make Mexican Casseroles all the time.

I used to make them with tons of Meat and Cheese.

Looking at the items I had I realized that I could make a much healthier version!

I had Whole Wheat Tortillas in the freezer, as well as diced Red Bell Pepper, diced Onions and some shredded Cheddar Cheese.

I also had canned Black Beans and Green Enchilada Sauce in the pantry.

This was everything I needed!

I sauteed the Beans, Corn, Peppers and Onions together, added some Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, and Cumin and then layered them "Lasagna Style" in a Casserole Dish with the Cheese, Enchilada Sauce, and Tortillas!

I went kind of light on the Cheese, so ultimately this was quite a healthy dish!

I figured that this would taste pretty good, but I didn't realize just how delicious it was going to be!!!

As leftovers it was really good as well, and to give it a little extra zip I used one of Paula Deen's tricks and topped it with a dollop of Greek Yogurt - You would never know that it wasn't Sour Cream!

I plan to share more recipes like this here for you all to enjoy!

xoxoxo

Paula Deen

Last week I got to attend a Diabetes Lecture and Cooking Class with Paula Deen!

I had received an email (possibly because I was a blogger or possibly because I am on a Florida Hospital mailing list) but either way I was invited to go to the Florida Hospital sponsored "Cooking to a Healthy 100" Lecture and Cooking Demo.

I was given a media pass which got me a seat in the 4th row!!!

This allowed me to get some pretty decent photos.

As I expected Paula was funny, witty, and very open with her own struggles with diabetes. 

I feel like the auditorium was mostly filled with Paula Deen fans (which I include myself in that group too - those of you that know me know that my TV constantly stays on the Food Network, and living in Savannah throughout my college years I can definitely relate to her).

However I was not there just because I was a fan, I was there because I am diabetic and I wanted to learn something from the Lady!

When she told the stories of not wanting to admit that she was a diabetic, and also her daily struggles of balancing healthy food with food that she has made a career of, that is when I really fell in love with her. She also talked about the importance of eating what you want - but maybe just having a "bite of this" or a "piece of that" instead of eating "the whole thing".

She did a Cooking Demo of "Healthy 100" approved Chicken Fajitas that was so fun to watch, and they also brought up several chefs from local restaurants that are now serving "Healthy 100" approved items on their menus.

Such a fun day, such a great Lady, so glad I went!!!!

Latest Endocrinologist Appointment

On 3/5/13 I had another appointment with Dr. Banda. 

This was my first meeting with him (with follow up bloodwork) since December. 

Previously my HA1C was 8.2. 

During this time I stepped up my exercise a little by joining the YMCA and attending Pilates and Water Aerobics classes in addition to the exercise that I had previously been getting.

I also have given up Meat (for a little while - over two months now and I am still loving it)

My latest bloodwork results - HA1C - 7.9.

Not a huge decrease, but a little bit.

Dr. Banda would still like to see me with a lower number (As would I), so he decided to add another pill to my regimen.

I am maxed out on Glimepiride and Metformin, so to that he added a 5mg tablet of Tradjenta.

Then he scheduled me to come back in four months (Early July) to see how it has worked out.

I will continue on my quest for Healthy Eating and I will also continue (and increase) my exercise.

Dining Out Meatless

Well I have been MEATLESS for almost two months now!

I have cooked my own food more then I have in a long time, however I do still like to go out to eat from time to time.

I thought this was going to be difficult, however it has been rather easy.

Any Asian restaurant can accommodate by doing a Vegetable Noodle or Rice Bowl.

Any Indian restaurant always offers several Vegetarian dishes.

and just about any Burger Joint offers a Veggie Burger of some kind.

(I love Veggie Burgers and am finding that certain restaurants have really nice ones - and it is not always the places that you would expect!)

and any chance I can get I have lunch from the Whole Foods bar! So good!

Doctor's appointment next week!

I'll keep you updated on the results.

I wonder if this MEATLESS eating has improved my blood sugars at all?

Forks Over Knives

 I watched the documentary FORKS OVER KNIVES several months ago.

It tells several people's stories and the ultimate effects of a Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet.

I watched it again today on Netflix.

There is also a Cook Book out that accompanies the film.

It was available to me digitally on my NOOK for $9.99 so I purchased it.

It is comparable to some of my other Vegan Cook Books but seems to be more plant-based and less Oil and Soy then some of the others.

There are lots of recipes in it that look really interesting and delicious so I look forward to trying many of them out.

Still not missing the Meat! 

At All!

More then a month.... Meatless!

Actually it has been 32 days without having any meat....

and I don't miss it a single bit!

About 10 of the days I had either Cheese or Eggs, but the rest of those days were completely Vegan.

I have found that a ripe Avocado on toasted Bread is delicious!

and I have also found a brand of Vegan Burgers that I really love!

Also I am finding that when I take the time to make a plate of food look pretty that it is even more enjoyable to eat!

Peanut Butter Toast, Strawberries, Pears and a sprinkling of Almonds makes a wonderful meal!

I am enjoying this plant-based diet so much.

I have no plans to go back!

Vegan Dinner Party

Mark and I decided to invite our friends Maria and Andrew over for a Vegan Dinner.

Maria has been a Vegan for several years, and this gave me an excuse to try out some of my new recipes on them.

We started with my Vegetarian Chili, which contains Black Beans, Garbonzo Beans, Onion, Bell Pepper, and several Spices including Cocoa Powder.

It was a nice protein at the beginning of our night of feasting and talking!

Then for main course we had...

Mediterranean Salad

(Tomatoes, Red and Green Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Lemon Juice, Olive Oil, Parsley and Mint)

Pesto Pasta

(Brown Rice Pasta, Homemade Pesto Sauce, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Walnuts)

Rosemary Dinner Rolls

and Miso-Glazed Eggplant

(Vegan Chef Chloe Coscarelli's Recipe - her book has completely inspired me and she will be getting a whole blog post dedicated to her wonderful book soon)

Overall I was pleased with my meal, and I feel that we were all satisfied!

Then for Dessert, Maria had made some amazing Cookies with Flax, Chia, Coconut and Chocolate Chips - so delicious!

It was a fun, inspiring and awesome night!

Can't wait to do it again!

Hope to be posting some of my own recipes on here soon!

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead

This documentary was just recommended to me and it was quite good.

The story of two men who lost tons of weight and regained their lives by doing a juice fast.

I wonder if I could do it.

You can watch the trailer and find out more about the film at this website

It is available on Netflix

15 days...Meatless

Well....

It has been 15 Meatless days now.

Actually, all but 2 of the days were completely Vegan.

(On those 2 said days I had some Cheese, once at a Party and once at a Restaurant)

I'm still finding NOT EATING MEAT to be quite easy.

I have prepared more meals at home, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Not sure yet how it has effected my Diabetes.

My fasting sugars haven't changed that much, but I'm sure that my Hemoglobin A1C (due in a couple more months) will be more telling.

I've also continued to work out quite a bit.

Once a week with a trainer, One weekly Pilates Class, and a couple of Water Aerobics classes each week.

That with the Cardio I do at home I am feeling pretty good.

follow ups to come

Vegan Week

Well... Vegan Week actually went by really fast and was much easier then I had anticipated.

I got a fantastic Cook book by a Vegan Chef and that definitely helped make it easier and delicious!

(I will write a detailed blog post about the book once I have made a couple more recipes from it)

The reasons for me to start this Vegan Challenge were

#1 I have read that a Vegan Diet can be beneficial for Diabetes

#2 I have considered trying a Vegan Diet for many years now and felt like this was a good opportunity to give it a shot

#3 I might lose a little weight during this process

I am by no means calling myself a Vegan (yet)

Another advantage is that this will change my (bad) habit of eating out so much.

I did go out to eat a couple of times this week, and unless you happen to be at a "Vegan Friendly" restaurant ordering food can be challenging.

I did find that my favorite Burger restaurant TEAK's Veggie Burger was really super yummy

(I need to point out that it is possible that the Bun was Not Vegan - but I am not going to be too nit-picky. Besides - I am not doing this for animal loving reasons - I am doing it for health reasons)

In fact I can say now that I never want to be the person that can't find anything to eat when I am out socially because it is not 100% Vegan.

I also had a really good Grilled Vegetable Sandwich (I had them leave off the cheese) from Dexter's in Winter Park.

Looking forward to continuing this challenge for a little while longer.

First Week of 2013

Had a wonderful time on vacation.

Ate whatever I wanted.

Exercised a little.

Blood Sugars got a little higher as each day went by.

(The last night I even had a few drinks and my Blood Sugar the next morning was 201)

However, after eating whatever I pleased for a few days I am now not only ready, but EXCITED to be starting my "Vegan Project"!

I'm kind of done with meat for awhile anyway.

But for now I would like to show you some of my "Food Porn" photos from the trip!

Delicious Cuban Food in Bradenton!

Amish Food in Sarasota

Vegetarian Breakfast on Sanibel Island

Burger in Ybor City

Pizza in Fort Myers

and a Pulled Pork and Baked Bean Burrito covered in Cheese in Winter Haven!

It was all good, but just looking at the photos makes me glad to be giving meat a break.

Today was my first day back to the gym for a Pilates Class and I also ate Vegan all day.

After about a weeks worth of eating this way I will post a blog about my experience!

a new year....

Well, the new year is almost here.

I just looked over my "fasting blood sugar" sheet for the month of december.

Most of my readings were between 130 and 160.

The whole month long there were only 3 that were in the range that they should fall in.

I haven't been eating badly, and the increase in my exercise has been outstanding.

I really can't explain why my blood results are not better, except for the possibility that my current medication might not be enough.....

However, for some reason, I am not discouraged.

I feel that over the next few months my endocrinologist (and I ) will come up with the right solutions to get my sugars in a more desirable range.

In the meantime I have decided to try out a new journey, one that I have been considering for a couple of years now.

I have watched several documentary shows and films on going Vegan.

This past week I watched Vegucated, and I have decided that in the new year I am going to give it a try.

I'm not saying for how long, and I'm not saying how extreme I will go, but I do think that a plant-based diet will do my body good for a little while.

This being said, Mark and I are leaving tomorrow (1/1/13) and going to Ft. Myers for a few days.

During this time I am going to eat whatever I want!

Now I am not going to "Pig Out" just for Pigging Out's sake.

I will still be sensible and work out, but if there is something I want to eat I am going to eat it.

I have even purchased a couple of my favorite "Guilty Pleasures" to take with me, and I will enjoy every bite.

There are also a couple of restaurants that we will be dining at where I will probably not order off of the diabetic-friendly portion of the menu.

But I do promise to not go crazy, and I look forward to comparing these results to the results after I have "gone Vegan" for a little while.

I will keep you all posted on my progress.

and a Happy, Healthy New Year to you all!!!!

Lunch and Learn Live - Emily Ellyn

I recently attended a taping of Lunch and Learn Live, which is filmed at the Florida Hospital Diabetes Center.

My friend and Food Network Star finalist Emily Ellyn was the celebrity guest chef!

She cooked a holiday meal that fits in to the Healthy 100 approved cooking guidelines, and I must say that it was absolutely delicious!!!

I have tried several ways to add the video on here, but there is something wrong with the way it is embedded, but I think you should be able to get there by clicking HERE

This is the finished product of the "Diabetic Friendly" Holiday Meal.

It was SO good, you will never miss those extra Calories and Fat.

Emily and Me

Also, be sure to check out her WEBSITE and get one of her 2013 Calendars, they make an excellent stocking stuffer and she will personally autograph each one that you order!

Get em before it is too late!

Also.... I just made her recipe for Mashed Potato/ Parsnip/ Sweet Potato

Good and Good For You!!!!

Thanks Emily!

Look for new projects in the near future that she and I will be collaborating on!

Post Doctor's Appointment

It has been 10 days since my Doctor's appointment.

I have been doing OK.

I've just gotten in Exercise mode, it has taken me this long however.

I joined the YMCA and will be going to a few exercise classes there.

I have tried to keep "dining out" to a minimum, and you can see by the photos below the types of things I have been ordering when I do go out.

There have been some Holiday Parties as well, and a couple of nights where I had alcohol, but not too many!

I had one fasting blood sugar of 

99

But other then that one they have mostly been between 130 and 150.

I'm hoping that once I get on a more consistent exercise program that they will be a little lower.

I recently went to an exciting event at the Diabetes Center that I will be posting about over the next couple of days, as well as giving updates of my progress.

December 5th 2012

Started the day with a bowl of Cereal and an apple

Then for lunch I re-heated my Eggplant from yesterday.

Still it was too much so I only ate half of the plate.

Then off to meet my new Endocrinologist! 

I loved the building for the New Diabetes Center.

(well, its two years old, but new for me)

My new Doctor was wonderful!

He took plenty of time with me for my appointment, and gave me plenty of opportunity for me to ask questions.

We decided that we will leave my medication as it is for now, and will check my HA1C again in three months.

If it has not improved by then we will adjust my medication at that time.

He also told me that we have many options... Insulin and Stronger Pills will be an option.

When that time comes I will find out which will be better for me longer-term with the least amount of complications and go that route.

I may also me taking another Nutrition Class with a Dietician (depending on how much it costs)

Then before work I had the rest of my Eggplant

(Note to self - one portion from the restaurant makes three servings)

and I also cooked some Beet Greens that I bought

(I'll cook the Beets in the next few days)

I didn't eat after the bar because I knew I would be getting up for an early Breakfast the next day.

I guess going to bed hungry paid off, for the first time in a long time I was back in range.....

120

December 4th 2012

Running some errands and hitting the produce store today.

John and I had lunch at Il Pescatore. I have a friend who works there and he has been asking me to come in for some time now.

I started with some Garlic Bread and a House Salad.

For my entree I ordered Eggplant Rollitini.

(I haven't been eating that much meat lately - I wonder if being a Vegetarian is a good option for me? If so i will definitely need to reduce my Cheese intake - which this meal was NOT a good example of)

I switched out the regular Pasta that it comes with for Whole Wheat Pasta - I figure every little bit helps.

I also wanted to take a picture of my plate when I was finished.

I packed up over half of it and took it home with me.

Then after a day of Produce shopping....

(Brussels sprouts, Apples, Bananas, Spinach, Broccoli, Cherry Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Bell Peppers and Two kinds of Beets - all for $20!)

I had the rest of the Black Bean Chili.

Around 10pm Mark took me to the movies where I had a bag of those Candied Almonds.

fasting sugar....

159

I know that a big bag of sugared Nuts is not a wise choice for my final meal.

and tomorrow is my first visit with the Endocrinologist, which I am very excited about.

I have all my paperwork in order and my previous medical history printed out for him.

Wish me luck!

December 3rd 2012

Started today with a bowl of Cereal with Strawberries.

I knew I would be away from home the rest of the day and would be dining out, so I wanted to at least get a good start.

We had a late lunch at Nikki's Place, which is a Soul Food restaurant, with most Deep Fat Fried items and no healthy options, so I asked the server if they happen to have any boneless Chicken.

She said they did have boneless chicken (Breast or Thigh) and that they could grill if for me if I liked.

Wow!

It was a heavily seasoned Breast grilled, served on Rice and topped with Onions.

For my sides I chose Yams (sinfully sweet) and Black Eyed Peas.

Now in NO WAY was this a Healthy meal - but I did feel good about cutting a few corners.

and it was also really satisfying.

Now my final meal of the day was not so great.

It was a Deep Fried Chicken sandwich with Chips from Bananas Diner.

plus it was a late night meal after my event.

morning sugar....

153