Konjac Rice Salad

https://slendier.com/?ref=anzngjvf

Since it's prime time for throwing parties and our go-to is the classic BBQ with salads (because, Aussie style, mate!), I started pondering how to sneak my diabetes-friendly meals into the lineup. One brainwave I had was to toss some konjac rice into a healthy salad. After doing some detective work, I realized this wouldn't be rocket science and might actually turn out to be pretty darn delicious!

Ingredients

1 x pack natural konjac rice ( as pictured )

1/2 brown onion (chopped )

4 x garlic cloves (chopped)

1 x can 4 bean mix

1 x can chickpeas

1 x avocado (chopped into small squares or pieces)

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 capsicum ( chopped)

1 x 300g punnet cherry tomatoes (chopped)

1/4 cup lemon juice

Balsamic vinegar ( possibly about 1/2 cup but we didnt have any do just stuck with the lemon juice!)

Method

1. Drain rice and rinse under cold water

2. Add to a pot of boiling water and leave for no longer than 2 minutes

3. Removes and Set aside

4. In a saucepan add oil Cook garlic onion and capsicum for 2-3 minutes

5. Add beans and chick peas

6. Add rice and cook for 2-3 minutes

7. Removed from heat and leave to cool for 15 minutes of so

8. Add avocado and tomatoes

9. Place in Refrigerator to chill until serving

10. Serve up with whatever else you like. This goes great BBQ meat!

Conclusion

Absolutely delicious! This salad is the perfect addition to any party, or just to enjoy at home during the week for no reason at all. After indulging in heavy meals at restaurants or friends' houses, I often feel bloated, stuffed, and just not great. It's not that the food isn't tasty—it's just too heavy. That's why I'm thrilled about this rice and pasta range! Its low-carb nature means you won't end up feeling weighed down. I'll admit, the holiday indulgence left us feeling this way, and blood glucose levels definitely showed it. But as I always say, we need to savor life and celebrate Christmas with family, friends, and endless parties. It's so important! Personally, I've really noticed how much lighter and better I feel after enjoying these delicious yet lighter meals!

Life's still a party, even with a family of six in tow! We decided to throw a pre-Christmas bash for our kids' friends' parents, complete with all the festive fixings. Who needs shot glasses when you've got wine and champagne? YOLO, right? Even with our 'diabetes' mindset, we totally get the importance of sprinkling joy like confetti—because everyone's version of fun is its own unique flavor!

One of the exciting principles of Ikigai, which beautifully guides us in our quest for meaning, is the idea of not filling your stomach to the brim. Embracing the mantra of "less is more" is a fantastic approach to achieving a healthy, vibrant, and joyful life! Instead of overindulging, simply eating enough to feel satisfied is the way to thrive! Our eating habits and attitudes are incredibly important for maintaining a positive mood and sharp focus most of the time. Before having children, I had the exhilarating experience of working permanent night shifts in an Emergency Department, where it was a delightful tradition for everyone to bring snacks to lift our spirits during those long nights. It truly made coming to work a joy and was one of the most memorable periods of my career as a Registered Nurse! But, of course, there was a downside... I often felt overly full and uncomfortable. With minimal sleep and a diet of unhealthy snacks at odd hours, let's just say those habits are a far cry from my lifestyle today. Even with four kids and being in my early 40s, I feel more fantastic than ever, and my husband, who manages diabetes, would wholeheartedly agree! We frequently chat about our current eating habits and how we never want to slip back into those unhealthy routines that dominated our lives for nearly a decade. Not only do we feel amazing, but we hope our children will benefit from these positive changes too :)

Here's a plate of yesterday's greatest hits, featuring this scrumptious salad as the sidekick. It's packed with muscle-building protein and enough veggies to make a rabbit jealous! And don't worry, the pasta salad only brings a few carbs to the party—it's more of a cameo appearance!

Exciting news from our overnight glucose level trends! We indulged in some party leftovers (while staying mindful of what we consume, of course!). The results aren't perfect, but they're pretty good! It's the holiday season, after all—what else could we expect? Let's enjoy it!

Check out this 14-day glucose rollercoaster—things are sweet! 74%? Oh yeah, bring it on!

However, since it's the Christmas season and we've been partying like elves on a sugar rush...

The 3-day snapshot of time in range? Let's just say it's not exactly a masterpiece. Welcome to the rollercoaster that is diabetes, folks! It's like a never-ending amusement park ride with all the ups and downs you can handle. But fear not, as I've often mentioned many times in my blog—tiny tweaks can lead to big wins! So, buckle up and remember, improvement is always within reach!

I've often emphasized that I care for many patients who neglect their health and diabetes, which is disheartening because there's significant potential for improvement. While none of us are perfect, we can certainly strive to do better!!!