#topdrawerthreadsaprons

Goin’ Green Frittata

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Brussels sprouts baked in a frittata?  Oh, yeah!  Saute them first to start the cooking process, throw in the leeks, then add two more layers of green vegetables.  That’s the only trick to it.  Serve this with a crunchy green salad and you have a great diabetic friendly - lactose free - vegetarian - vitamin D rich main dish.  Nice job taking care of yourself!

2 T. margarine

2 c. Brussels sprouts, quartered

2 c. leeks, ribbon cut

12 eggs, whisked

1 t. sea salt

1 t. ground black pepper

2 c. tightly packed fresh spinach, whole leaves

1/4 c. fresh curly leaf parsley, chopped using kitchen scissors

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large fry pan, saute Brussels sprouts then add leeks at the last minute to finish off.  Add salt/pepper to eggs, whisk.  In a greased baking dish, layer spinach, Brussels sprouts/leeks mixture, parsley pouring eggs over everything covering well.  Bake 60 min. until a knife thrust into the center comes out clean. 

When I’m not throwing together a great main meal dish for the family, I’m sewing cotton pocket chef aprons for my online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads .  Or I’m merrily crocheting hats from recycled yarn while riding shot gun to a vacation spot for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns .

My daughter’s and friend have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where the hand make and sell cut away t shirts to show off your tats.  My other daughter has an online shop - where she designs and crochets mushroom shaped bags from recycled yarn for her shop - www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags .

Pattypan Squash

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Cute name...delicious side dish...quick to fix...diabetic friendly...just the ingredients I need to help lower my blood sugar levels!  Slice the squash into narrow wedges, toss in a fry pan with a splash of olive oil, season with a dash of salt/pepper/garlic powder.  Saute until tender and serve with pork roast and a crunchy green salad.  Great side dish and great addition to my diabetic diet plan.

When I’m not amusing myself serving up new side dishes to the family, I’m sewing dinosaur deep pocket aprons for my online shop ( www.artyah.com/seller/topdrawerthreads ).  Or, I’m merrily making chunky knitted rainbow slouchy hats for my other shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns ).  My daughter’s (and friend) have an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns , where they hand make and sell knitted scarves - hats - afghans from recycled yarn.  My other daughter has an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags , where she designs and crochets mushroom inspired bags.  If you’re on the go but want to be in the know about great audio book listens, check out this website - www.lendmeyourears2017.tumbler.com .

Pack your Peanutbutter

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...your almond butter, Triscuit crackers, carrot/celery sticks, hazelnuts/walnuts, dry roasted edamame, apples...all the foods that support your diabetic diet. 

It’s not that there is no food where you’re going, it’s having something at the ready if meals are delayed or if there isn’t a convenient restaurant that serves diabetic friendly foods.  When I run into this situation, I know that I have planned ahead and taken care of my diabetic self as far as between meal food is concerned.  These nut butter packets are 1.15 oz. each so should be fine to take on an airplane.  Check out ahead of time whether you can bring fresh fruit, nuts, dry roasted edamame, etc. on the airplane with you.

Source:  Winco Foods (local discount grocer), www.luckyvitamin.com mail order

I have no connection with this product other than being a fellow diabetic looking for convenient ways to feel good/eat right while I’m traveling.

When I’m not packing my food and my pills and my clothes, etc. etc., I’m merrily crocheting throw rugs from recycled cotton fabric for my online shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads ).  Or, I’m blissing out knitting cowls from thick thin yarn for my other shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns ).  My daughter’s (and friend) have an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns , where they hand make and sell knitted picnic afghans, macrame anklets, and painted t shirts.  My other daughter has an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags , where she designs and crochets mushroom inspired neck pouches.

Fiesta Quinoa

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So good fixed according to package directions served hot but with black beans (drained and rinsed) added to the pinto beans for even more protein.  This works well as a fast meal that supports my diabetic diet efforts.  I found this in the frozen section at my local New Season’s grocer.

I’m just another diabetic working to eat well and keep my blood sugar numbers at a good level.  I have no connection with Tommy’s Superfoods...just like their product. 

Spiced Middle Eastern Chicken

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Spice up your dinner with this outside-the-box and diabetic friendly meat main dish idea.  Bake this in the oven or in a slow cooker, however your time plays out but either way this starts your healthy meal paired with a crunchy green salad on the side.  Think about sourcing your spices from the bulk bin at your local grocer so you can buy just the amount you need.

2 t. cumin

2 t. coriander

2 lbs. chicken breast, defrosted, boneless, cubed

2 onions, chopped - fresh or frozen

4 carrots, sliced - fresh or frozen

4 parsnips, sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 t. cinnamon

1 can diced tomatoes, drained

1/2 c. water

salt and pepper to taste

4 c. prepared couscous, Near East brand has no sugar(!)

Oven option:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all ingredients in a baking dish, cover, bake until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.  Slow cooker option:  Combine all ingredients.  Cook on low for 6 - 8 hours until chicken and vegetables are tender.  Consider trying this without the chicken as a vegan main dish.  Serve over hot couscous and enjoy!

When I’m not filling the kitchen with the scent of fragrant dishes, I’m sewing holiday aprons for my online shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads ) or crocheting chevron pattern scarves from upcycled yarn for my other shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns ).  My daughter’s (and friend) have an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns , where they and make and sell winter leggings, holiday print knickers, and hemp jewelry.  My other daughter has an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags , where she designs and crochets mushroom shaped bags from upcycled yarn. 

Get to the bottom of it!

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Need to get a look at the bottom or back of your foot but aren’t limber enough for a good view?  Think about using a selfie stick!  You can take shots of inconvenient spots to check for blisters or sores and then even forward them to your doctor/advice nurse electronically.  They can get a peek at what is troubling you and set up an appointment if need be.  Diabetics, don’t put off checking your feet because you don’t have a convenient way to view your sole.

Twisted Stewed Tomatoes

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Think about making stewed tomatoes as a side dish instead of an ingredient! Blew my mind that this food could stand alone without staging on whole wheat pasta or brown rice.   It’s great served with roast chicken and a hot veg or two.

2 T. margarine

6 scallions,  chopped*

2 lbs. + tomatoes, peeled, cored, cut into wedges

1/2 c. water

1 1/2 t. garlic powder

1 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

*This part goes much faster using kitchen scissors.

In a fry pan, melt margarine, add scallions cooking for 1 min.  Add tomatoes and seasonings, cook for 8 - 10 min. 

When I’m not stewing over what to fix for dinner, I’m sewing Blooming Color Riot chef aprons for my online shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads ) or crocheting granny square scarves for my other shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns ).  My daughter’s (and friend) have an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns , where they hand make and sell macrame hemp bracelets, cat earrings, and striped lace leggings.  My other daughter has an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags , where she designs and crochets mushroom shaped bags.

Frozen Quinoa!?!

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There is now!  It’s cooked and ready to add this nutritious grain to a vegetable fry up, microwave it as a side dish, fast quinoa grain salad, or throw some in a soup to thicken it.  It saves time too because 1 c. dry quinoa takes 20 minutes+ to cook.  I found this at my local health food grocery store - New Seasons.  It works with a slow digesting diabetic diet, too.  Come up with your own ideas!