Where do I begin.....

Twenty years ago my father was diagnosed with Diabetes and although I had a grandmother who had Diabetes I never really understood what it meant to be a diabetic.  I like many others thought it meant meals had to be boring and flavorless.  Coming from an Italian and Irish family where my mom although Irish heritage, cooked like an Italian mom, bland, boring meals were something unheard of it, so I knew mealtime would be challenging for my mom.  I watched my mom struggle with trying to get my dad to eat “healthy” foods and him fighting it, saying it was boring, had no taste, and why bother.  Well 10 years ago I met the love of my life, and much to my dismay, found out immediately that he too was diabetic.  Here I thought, oh no, I love to cook, how can I cook for a diabetic and still love the meals I make. I attended a nutrition class with him so I could understand, what he could and couldn't have.  I like many other spouses of a diabetic, were fighting for him to eat healthy and finally this year, he realized he had to make changes or he would be headed for an insulin pump. So now, I have taken family recipes, recipes I have found online, and in magazines and turned them into flavorful, healthy meals for my husband, and now would like to share those meals with you!

I will also include various products from time to time in my recipes that may be low carb and will rate those on taste, which will be honest opinions as I too will be eating the meals I make for my husband, so no sugar coating on the ratings.

Ratings:
1 fork: not worth buying
2 forks: use if you really must
3 forks: good, but could be better
4 forks: Great! could probably pass off to those not watching carbs as the real deal!

I hope you enjoy the recipes and know that you can live life eating healthy, spicy and carb free!*
*Disclaimer: mostly low carb meals, but carb free fit the title better.... :)

Easy Chicken Enchiladas:

Ingredients:

1 small onion, chopped

2 tsp.oil

3 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts

1 can(14.5 oz.) no-salt-added diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained

1 tub(10 oz.)PHILADELPHIA Santa Fe Blend Cooking Creme, divided

1/2 cupKRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese

8 Mission Carb Balance flour tortillas (8 inch) Rating: 4 forks

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Cook and stir onions in hot oil in large skillet on medium heat 4 to 5 min. or until crisp-tender. Stir in chicken, tomatoes, 3/4 cup cooking creme and shredded cheese.
3. Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining cooking creme. Cover.
4. Bake 15 to 20 min. or until heated through.

Makes 4 servings
Nutritional information:
Calories: 436 calories per serving
Fat: 18.7 g
Protein: 24.6 g
Dietarty Fiber: 14.4 g
Carbs: 40.4 g
Net Carbs: 26 g

*Recipe courtesy of Kraft Foods, my adaption, sub Mission Carb Balance tortillas for regular tortillas and add chilies.