Taco Layer Dip

This is my version of a standard.  Along the way, I learned the beauty of mixing in cream cheese with sour cream.  YUMMMM!!

2# ground beef (85% lean)

2 pks of taco seasoning

Sautéed onion (mixed in with the seasoned meat)

Shredded lettuce

8 oz. finely shredded cheddar cheese

4 oz. cream cheese

12 oz. sour cream

(warm the cream cheese to room temp, then mix it in with the sour cream)

1 “regular” size jar of salsa

A few sliced olives

Tostitos scoops

Layer the items in a pan.  I think I did it in this order:

Cooked meat mixture-cheese-lettuce-salsa-the rest of the meat-the rest of the cheese-sour cream mixture-olives.

Paula Deen, I'm Not Amused with You Right Now

So now she reveals that she has Type 2 diabetes.  Apparently, she was diagnosed a few years ago, but is just now revealing it. Hers are the only recipes from the "celebrity chefs" that I'll make for company without doing a trial run first.  That's VERRRRY high praise coming from me.

Here's my issue:  she's announced that she's partnering with a pharmaceutical company to help develop a new drug for people with Type 2 diabetes.  Now, bear in mind that Type 2 diabetes is (largely) REVERSIBLE by changing the bad habits that got you there.  In a nutshell, poor eating habits got you to that that states.  Correcting them will almost always get you back to a "non-diabetic" state.  

Since you asked (ha ha!) This is what I think Paula Deen SHOULD do:  she should take an entirely different approach.  I think she should partner with someone like the guy who wrote South Beach Diet and create a whole new show (or at least a book) about how to eat REALLY GOOD food but geared toward diabetics.  All KINDS of things can be made REALLY yummy and be diabetic-friendly.  For example, I have a friend who make the most wonderful chocolates that don't even use sugar.  

For those who are not familiar with South Beach Diet, it's really not just another "diet" book.  It's a terrific way to learn about eating healthy.  I "go to" it regularly.  A theme that runs through it is about using the right combination of foods to reverse Type 2 diabetes.  Of course, it's beneficial to people who aren't even diabetic. 

If someone as well-known as she is, and who has such a great knowledge of good cooking is going to make money off of a situation like this, why doesn't she use that celebrity and knowledge to help educate people about how REVERSIBLE their condition is???????  She'd still make plenty of money.  

There is FAR too much money being made off of the "industry" of diabetes.  First of all,  synthetic insulin is HORRILBE for your body on a long term basis.  That's not just my opinion; that's coming from a nurse-friend of mine.

I say she's using her power for evil and not for good, and I am not impressed. 

Trader Joe's, I love you

Trying to get back to eating better.....thanks to my friend Kati Hattwick, I now know the joy that is "Soyaki" sauce and the beauty that is a bag of pre-cut butternut squash.

I took the salmon and smacked it in a saute pan with some of the soyaki.  As it heated, the soyaki carmelized....yummmmm!!!

I put the squash in a separate saute pan with a little bit of olive oil and some salt and pepper.  Browned it a little, and....yummmm!!!

The bag of squash was $5; I used what I wanted for dinner, and froze the rest.  I suspect it won't last "too" long so I'll be eating right much butternut squash in coming weeks, but it's good for me so, ya know.