Sweet Potatoes Turkey Shepherds Pie

They say when you are given bad news that there is always a silver lining. When I got the news this week that I am a diabetic my first few thoughts where I am not going to be able to cook or bake anymore. Then I started googling and pinteresting.. its now a challenge to make delish food that I can eat and not feel guilty. This would be my silver lining!  When I came across this recipe I knew I had to make it..it sounded so good!

You will need:
1 package of ground turkey (or chicken or beef)
1 onion
1/2 cup carrots chopped
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons Cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
2  cups frozen corn
1 sweet potatoe cooked and mashed


Directions
1. cook the turkey on medium heat until fully cooked. Then add onion and carrots and cook until soft. then add garlic powder and salt and pepper. Then add chicken stock. Then take a cup and mix cornstarch and water together then add to turkey mix. It makes a gravy but just to hold it all together.  Then add peas. Place mix into a 9x9 baking dish. then add corn on top then spread sweet potatoes over top! Bake at 350 for about 20 mins.


** you can sub sweet potatoes for cauliflower. Just cook cauliflower and mash then put on top**

My new normal

This week I got some news that changed my world. At first it was a little shocking. I got in my car and drove home to Doaktown. I cried and I prayed the whole way home. When I pulled into my driveway I knew that everything was going to be okay. I went into my house and sat down with my husband and told him. I told him that Today I found out I am a diabetic.

Ever since I started working at the Health Centre I knew that this day would come. About 5 years ago if you told me that I was diabetic and that I would have to change my life style I probably wouldn't be so understanding as I am right now. In the last 2 years since I started Plexus I have made some big changes. We eat whole wheat bread, pasta and rice. We don't drink pop, however it is a treat. We try and eat more veggies and fruit. Junk food isn't really a big thing in our house though we have it from time to time. like today I really want a chocolate bar.. so I had strawberries.

I am going to be ok. Its going to be a adjustment. I have so many amazing people around me. My husband and my mom are my biggest cheerleaders. The staff at my work are already making sure I am testing my sugars. I am ready for this. Like anything else this will not run my life. I will run it!

The last few days I have had gone through every emotion. I have questioned why me? I have cried because all I wanted was a chocolate bar, I have embraced this new challenge. You name it I have been going through it. This wasn't part of my plan  (its never part of anyone's plan)  but I just have to trust God. He's got something big planned.. I know He does.

How does Plexus fit into this? Well... Plexus was developed for people with type 2 diabetes. Right now I am at a stand still. I have to wait to talk to my doctor and my pharmacists and get my medications figured out. I know Plexus will be a huge part of my journey. My doctor is very pro supplements. My pharmacists said she actually encourage supplements. I have complete faith that I can stay on this journey. I had questioned that I thought plexus was suppose to regulate my blood sugars. When I started they might HAVE been regulating them and now 2 years later my sugars where probably so high that Plexus Slim just couldn't do the job anymore. Believe me they were HIGH!

My journey has changed a bit but that's okay. I know that God wouldn't have given it to me if He didnt think I could handle it. I have been telling people that I am pretty sure God has been preparing me for this day for the last few years. I may have questions and I may struggle a bit, thats why I have friends like you that will help me and be my support along the way!

Strawberry Crumble Muffins

I was in the mood to do some baking. I wanted to make something different and I needed to make some muffins for somethings coming up this week. I thought these would be perfect!!

You will need:

For muffins:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup milk

• 1½ cups chopped fresh strawberries

For topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• ¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 16 standard-size muffin cups with paper baking liners.

1. In bowl of stand mixer with paddle attachment or in large bowl using electric hand mixer, beat butter and sugar 1 minute until smooth and light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until just combined.

1. In separate medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt to combine. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, stirring after each addition until just combined.

1. Divide batter evenly among muffins cups, about 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup (it won't seem like enough, but it is!). Top evenly with chopped strawberries.

1. To make topping, in small bowl, stir flour and sugars to combine. Use pastry blender or fingers to cut butter into mixture until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle evenly in muffin cups.

1. Bake muffins 18 to 20 minutes until golden.