Type 2 Diabetes in My Family, an Eggcellent Recipe and a Twitter Event!

My family actually has a history littered with diabetes on both the paternal and maternal side within my grandparents generation. While none of my grandparents had diabetes, each had brothers and/or sisters who did. My great-aunt Sis actually died of a diabetic coma in her old age, and I had another uncle who died, also at an old age, after having battled diabetes complications throughout his senior years.

These two are the relatives I most remember as diabetic because they actively monitored their food intake and always seemed to be eating bland (to me). Of course, I was a kid, so even vegetables and fruit seemed bland when compared to the traditional candies and sweets these two adults couldn't enjoy. They both also required insulin treatments as did a good friend of mine throughout school.

As I've gotten older, I appreciate the grand sweep of dietary choices that are out there far more and actually live a pretty candy and goody free life myself (though I talk about consuming the goodies far more!). I feel like this is actually a good thing to get used to because I hope to avoid diabetes later in life. We can't always fight genetics, but I don't have to encourage them either.

I like a high-protein diet and get my necessary carbohydrates from healthy cereals and pastas (most of the time) that contain additional dietary needs such as fiber and added vitamins, etc.

This is actually part of the reason, I'm excited to share this post (sponsored) with you today, and a recipe utilizing Crystal Farms® AllWhites® since they and their Better 'n Eggs brothers offer a fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low-cal alternative to traditional shell eggs....which, let's face it...aren't as handy for whipping up an omelet - particularly when you are looking for an egg-white-only mambo (like the recipe shared below.).

Crystal Farms® Better’n Eggs ® and AllWhites® are made from real eggs (no egg substitutes here). All Whites® contain 100% egg white while Better 'n Eggs® are 98% liquid egg whites with 2% of added vitamins and minerals. Each product features 1/2 the calories of shell eggs (only 25 calories per serving), which makes them a low impact indulgence when you are counting calories as part of healthy eating plan, both for weight loss and diabetes management. The fat and cholesterol free nature of the products allow diabetics or those of us hoping to prevent them in the future whip up their eggs to taste using products such as cheese instead of indulging in a plain egg day in and day out.

Additional fact:

• Egg whites can increase recovery time from hypoglycemia by building up adrenal glands

Additional facts about Crystal Farms® Better’n Eggs® and AllWhites® as a source of lean, high-quality protein:

• Lean protein can help balance a diabetic diet while controlling hunger and blood sugar levels
• Lean protein helps you feel full longer, which helps with weight loss
• Protein keeps you energized during workouts

You can use Crystal Farms® Better’n Eggs® and AllWhites®  in any recipe that calls for eggs. They are convenient and highly versatile. A lack of added flavorings will ensure that the product does not change the taste of your favorite food. Bonus for those with batter devourers: both products are pasteurized which means they can be eaten raw! This works not only for dough eaters but smoothie drinkers who would prefer to up the protein quotient of a smoothy without protein powders. Better’n Eggs® and AllWhites® come in easy-to-pour, no-mess cartons which makes them convenient around a mixing bowl and a blender...or...in other words...handy when your naughty and when your nice.

Now that you know all of the good stuff behind the food, I'm going to let the recipe speak for itself. When you reach the bottom of it, I'll have more news about a wonderful Twitter Party Better 'N Eggs is hosting!

Southwestern Egg White Quesadillas Recipe 
(click here for more recipes)

Time-To-Table: 15 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (8 ounces) AllWhites® 
• 12 cup black beans, drained, rinsed 
• 1/3 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 
• 2 (7 or 8 inch) whole wheat tortillas, cut in half 
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) Crystal Farms® Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese 

Instructions:

1. Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Add AllWhites. As AllWhites start to set use spatula to lift edge of eggs, letting uncooked eggs flow to bottom of skillet. Cook until AllWhites are set but still moist.

2. Stir in black beans. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until beans are heated through. Sprinkle on tomatoes and cumin once eggs are cooked.

3. Spray one side of each tortilla half with nonstick cooking spray. Place tortilla on cookie sheet, sprayed side down. Spoon about 1/2 cup AllWhites mixture on one side of each tortilla. Top each with 1 tablespoon cheese. Fold other half tortilla over mixture, pressing lightly to create quesadilla sandwich (quesadillas will be full).

4. Heat broiler on HIGH. Broil 2 minutes, with quesadillas 4 to 6 inches from heat, or until tops are lightly browned. Carefully turn quesadillas over. Continue to broil 1 to 2 minutes or until other side is light golden brown.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 1 folded quesadilla
Calories: 278

% Daily Values:

• Total Fat 7 (g) 11% 
• Sat Fat 2 (g) 14% 
• Trans Fat 0 (g) 
• Cholesterol 13 (mg) 4% 
• Sodium 648 (mg) 27% 
• Total Carbohydrate 31 (g) 10% [Dietary Fiber 11 (g) 43% and Sugar 3 (g)]
• Protein 29 (g) 58% 
• Calcium 165 (mg) 16% 

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

...now about that Twitter party....

Bob Green is going to be there!!!

Got your interest?

The Twitter event is going down at the #betterneggs hashtag on 11/16 from 8-10pm EST. You can visit http://bit.ly/sa9wmC for more information and to check out the off-the-hook prize list. I'm already sweating thinking about the grand prize (I'm not going to tell you, you have to click :P)!

I hope you enjoy the Twitter Party and the delicious recipe above. Personally, I'm salivating just looking at the picture and will make a variation of this bad boy tonight!

Disclosure: This post was compensated as part of a Global Influence Campaign. All thoughts and opinions expressed were my own. Facts about the products and the recipe were provided by the manufacturer. The spunk was me. Ditto for the salivation.