Diabetic Broccoli Salad

Its been almost a month since I have started my "new normal" and its been quite the journey. I use to love grocery shopping and now I dread it because I am constantly  reading labels and trying to guess if its something I can eat. So if you see me in the grocery store crying you know why! I had a melt down at walmart the other day because I just wanted to buy whatever and I just couldn't.  Its all a learning process.
Well this weekend was a learning curve for me. We had our family over for a BBQ. All my favorite things had sugar or something I couldn't eat. So I made my family's favorites with a little twist. I love broccoli salad. So I had to figure out a way to make this "Diabetic" Version.  The family tried it and they couldn't even tell the difference. Win for Paige!

You will need:
3 cups raw broccoli
1/2 onion chopped
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
4 slices of bacon chopped
1 cup helmans mayo
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp stevia or another sweetener

Additions: almonds, pecans, cranberries, raisins

Directions:
1. In a large bowl combine broccoli, onion, cheese and bacon toss together
2. In a small bowl mix mayo, vinegar, and stevia
3. then take the mayo mix and mix it in the broccoli mix
4. Refrigerate until needed

My stay at Crowne Plaza Moncton

The last few weeks have been full of travel for work. I enjoyed it though. I enjoy getting away and just relaxing. When I travel for work I usually stay at the Crowne Plaza. They are a great hotel situated in Downtown Moncton. Actually its right across the street from the new entertainment center.

My first weekend that I arrived here at the Crowne was a busy weekend for them. But you would have never known. They kept going out of their way to make sure that I was taken care of. I love the staff here they always make you feel special and that no one else matters but you. My room wasn't quite ready, I just had to wait a few mins and because I had to wait they gave me a coupon for their in house restaurant, Tbones. I arrived at  my room and it was gorgeous! I haven't stayed at the hotel since they had renovated their whole hotel. The room was very modern and I had a whole queen size bed all to my self ..no hubby snoring and pushing me and no dog. It was wonderful!! Despite the hotel being super packed the hotel was very quite. I didn't hear anything. I did go have their breakfast buffet the next morning. What didn't they have in their buffet should be the question? It was great for me because I can only eat certain things and certain portions. It was so good and the waitresses were always checking to see if I needed anything.

About a week later I had to come back for work for a few meetings. I contact Elisabeth at the Crowne Plaza  and told her about my wonderful stay last time and that I couldn't wait to come back to stay again for another getaway. During my stay this time and last time I have been really sick and really just couldn't wait to come here and relax. Elisabeth was just so sweet. She made sure that I got pampered this trip to the Crowne Plaza. When I arrived at the hotel to check in I had such a warm welcome and my room was ready. The told me that I had been upgraded to the Jacuzzi room. Then I got to my room on the 8th floor. When I walked in I was in shock. The Crowne HAD REALLY spoiled me!!

My first night I just had to try out the Jacuzzi. Then I couldn't wait to get into my king size bed ALL TO MY SELF! I started sleeping just on one size... then I said screw this.. I got into the middle of the bed and had the best sleep of my life! I woke up feeling so fresh and relax. I couldn't wait to start the day!

My meetings were in the Kent Room located on the first floor. Their conference/banquet rooms are always so nice. The staff do a wonderful job making sure the rooms look amazing. The lunch we had was a buffet. Again it was soooo good!! They always have delicious food! I couldn't eat some of it but I had a the chicken and Greek salad.. I dont even really like Greek salad but man this was good!

I also had a chance to try out their fitness centre. They had a wide arrange of treadmills, bikes, weights, and exercise ball. I loved that there were TV's with Cable on each machine. I watched TV and totally forgot I was working out. They do have a pool but I never got a chance to try it out.

I went out shopping after my meetings for a bit but to be honest I really didn't want to go shopping. I just wanted to go back to my huge room and stay in bed and watch TV... oh yeah and sit in the Jacuzzi again!

If you are staying in Moncton and need a place to stay I HIGHLY recommend the Crowne Plaza. There rooms are affordable and they have Government and First Nations Rates. I can promise you that you will not be disappointed!! Their staff are always going above and beyond to make your stay more comfortable!

A picture of their breakfast buffet.

Lasagna Stuff Peppers

I am having so much learning new recipes and a new way to eat. I have been trying new foods and experimenting with other foods to make them healthier for me. My hubby wanted to try stuffed peppers. But after reading the ingredients many of the recipes called for rice in them. I would really prefer not to eat rice if I can because if I eat one serving then I will want much much more lol So after  checking out pinterest I found this recipe and had all the ingredients so I thought I would give it a try. I really liked them and will make them again.

You will need:
1lb of ground beef
1 small onion chopped
1 tsp of garlic
1 can of spaghetti sauce
1 can of mushrooms
1 can of diced tomatoes (optional)
1 tsp of Italian seasoning
1 cup cottage cheese
1 egg lightly beaten
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese
4 peppers haled and seeds removed

Directions:

1. Add ground beef to a non stick pan over medium heart. Break apart and once its almost cooked add onions and then add mushrooms. Then add garlic and cook for 1 min
2. Then add tomatoes sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning. Stir and mix well and let cook for about 10-15 mins.
3. In a small bowl stir together cottage cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
4. Place pepper halves in a 9x9 baking dish. Spoon spaghetti mix on the bottom then add a layer of cheese mix. keep layering until the peppers are full your last layer must be the meat sauce.. if you have sauce left over you can put it on the bottom of the baking dish.
5. Then top the peppers with the rest of the cheese. Cover baking dish with aluminium foil and bake at 400 degrees for about 15-20 mins until peppers are slightly soft.
6. Then take off the foil and let bake for another 5-10 mins until cheese is bubbly!
7. Let cook and serve!

Paige's Taco Salad

I love food.. Like all kinds of food.. good and bad.. When you are told that you can't eat your favorite foods.. you try and find new ways to eat them. I am starting to get sick of salads! I had hamburger and some lettuce so I thought I must be able to make some sort of Taco salad with this. I am not saying this is the healthiest option I am saying I can eat this.

You will need:
1 lbs of hamburger
2 tbsp of low sodium taco seasoning plus another 1tsp for sauce
a head of lettuce
1 tomatoe
1 cup cheese shredded
2 tbsp of Mayo
1 tbsp of Catalina dressing

Directions:
Cook hamburger. Once brown drain off the fat. Then add your taco seasoning and a little bit of water. Let that cook. then cool.
While that is cooking assemble salad. Cut up lettuce and tomatoes. I also added mushrooms, cucumber and onion. You don't have too I just wanted more veggies. and add the cheese. Then add the hamburger.
Then put the sauce together. Mayo, taco seasoning and Catalina dressing. Pour on top of the salad and mix it all together.

** you can add dortitos to this if you want. I can't eat them so I can't add them

Beef Broccoli

We make beef broccoli a lot in our house. Its quick, easy and filling. I serve it with Brown Rice but you can serve it with whatever you want.

You will need:

1 lb of steak cut in strips
1 onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 package of mushrooms chopped
2 tablespoons of corn starch divided
1/2 cup water
1 tsp garlic powder divided
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cups broccoli
1/3 cup low sodium soya sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp ginger


Directions:
Cut up steak in strips. Then in a bowl mix water and corn starch. Then put steak in the mix and coat it with corn starch. Heat frying pan over medium heat and put in olive oil. Then place steak. When its almost cooked put in onion, green pepper and mushrooms. Cook until soft. Then place in another bowl or plate. Cut up broccoli and place in frying pan. While its cooking mix together soya sauce, garlic powder, brown sugar and ginger. Then add to pan. Once the broccoli is starting get soft add beef and veggie mix. Cook and stir or another 5 mins or so. Serve with Brown Rice.

Whole Wheat Bran Muffins

I really love to bake. When I am stressed out baking and cooking are my go to. I think its because I have to stay focused and concentrate. So I forget all my worries. Since becoming a diabetic I am being challenged to find recipes that are good for me. I am really like this challenge. I am always looking and reading recipes trying to find the best ones for me.

I really wanted some muffins. But I know I am limited. So today I made Whole Wheat Bran Muffins. They have no sugar in them besides whats in any of the ingrediants. I made these ones with Molasses but I think next time I will make them with honey I think it will make them a little sweeter.

You will need:
1 cup of wheat bran
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup molasses or honey
2 tbsp oil
1 egg

*** you can add raisins or blueberries or anytime of fruit if you want ***


Directions:
1. preheat oven at 400 degrees
2. stir together bran, flour, baking soda, and baking powder.  Then stir in raisins (if desired)
3. then stir together milk, molasses/honey, oil and egg
4. then combine the dry and the wet ingrediants
5. divide into muffin tin and bake for 15 mins.

Hamburger Soup

Its been a week since I was told the news that I was a diabetic. Its slowly sinking in that this is my new normal. But in a week my sugars have gone from a very scary high to almost normal. My doctor said that she wanted to see me every 2 weeks until my sugars were normal. I guess I will only get one visit with her! I have given myself a strict routine and a even stricter meal plan. Its been a busy week so I have been eating salads and salads and more salads. But I eat some pretty good amazing food! I am learning to read labels and read ingredients. 

It hasnt been easy. I have melt downs. Many melt downs. Like this weekend I am in Moncton and I want so many different foods that I can't have. But thats ok.. I get to try other things. I have sad in the car and cried because I really want a Wendy's Baconator, a poutine, and  frosty. But as much as I want it I think about my sugars and my waistline! My medicine is still working its self out in my body and that hasn't been easy either. I have been in so much pain and sometimes I want to cry but I know its doing its job and helping me get better. 

Its only been a week and I feel like I have conquered my Goliath but I know that it takes 21 days for habit to become a lifestyle. Its just the beginning but I can do this. 

The other day I was in charge of supper at my moms. She usually does the cooking for me so it was nice to cook for her for a change. I had no idea what to make. I was craving hamburger and thought I could make this. It was delish! 

Super Easy Hamburger Soup

1 lb of ground beef cooked (you can use turkey or chicken to if you wanted)
1 onion chopped
1 can Heinz tomato soup
1 box of beef stock
3/4 cup whole wheat macaroni 
1 cup frozen veggies
salt and pepper to taste


Directions:
1. Cook ground beef and put in chopped onion. Drain 
2. in a sauce pan add soup and stock together. 
3. then add ground beef and frozen veggies
4. bring to a boil 
5. then add macaroni right before you are ready to serve and cook until almost tender