World Diabetes Day: Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps & Giveaway

by Erin

Today is World Diabetes Day, and Carolyn from All Day I Dream About Food, along with many other bloggers (including myself obviously) are promoting Diabetes awareness by posting diabetes-friendly recipes today. Check out her blog for the chance to win a blue KitchenAid stand mixer (as blue is the color of diabetes awareness), and stay turned here on The Spiffy Cookie for a different giveaway!

Diabetes

Diabetes has not affected me personally (something to be thankful for next week), but I admire Carolyn for her refusal to give up on her passion of baking and cooking after being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Instead, she fought on and found new ways to enjoy her passions, to the point where I find myself craving her low carb treats too! Her blog, All Day I Dream About Food, has opened my eyes to how you can make creative, flavorful foods that are still low in carbohydrates and suitable for diabetics, dieters and even the everyday hungry person. Many of her recipes are also gluten-free!

But unfortunately diabetes isn’t just about coming up with friendly foods. Diabetes is an increasing global problem, particularly in developing countries. Although the causes are complex in nature, the rapid increases in overweight, obesity and physical inactivity definitely have an impact. Worse still, the World Health Organization (WHO) projects that diabetes deaths will increase by two thirds between 2008 and 2030. Therefore, in an effort to stimulate effective measures for surveillance, prevention and control of diabetes and its complications, WHO is building awareness by participating in the celebration of World Diabetes Day.

There is good evidence that a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco may help in prevention and/or reducing complications. So eat healthy, get active, and put away those cancer sticks (aka cigarettes and that’s another good reason to quit). For my contribution to spreading awareness through healthy eating, I made these lettuce wraps using Swerve all-natural sweetener instead of brown sugar. proof that healthy eating can still be easy and fun.

Be sure to check out the giveaway for you own Swerve baking kit to try out yourself at the end of this post. Get your swerve on!

One year ago: Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Casserole

CASHEW CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS

Makes 6-8 lettuce wraps

Ingredients:

SAUCE

2 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce

1 Tbsp rice vinegar

1 Tbsp Swerve granulated sugar (or brown sugar for non-diabetics)

1/4 tsp ground red pepper

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp sesame oil

CHICKEN

2 chicken breasts (about 3/4 lb. total), diced

8 leaves of greenleaf or iceburg lettuce

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 cup onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp reduced sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup cashews, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. For the sauce, mix all ingredients making sure to dissolve brown sugar. Set aside.
  2. Heat canola oil in pan over medium to medium high heat. Add diced chicken and brown (about 4-5 minutes). Remove chicken from oil. Add onions, garlic and soy sauce to pan; brown. When onions and garlic are brown and tender, add stir fry sauce, browned chicken, and cashews. Saute mixture for a few minutes and remove from heat.
  3. Spoon chicken mixture into individual lettuce leaves. Add your favorite hot sauce, more cashews or basil. Serve with rice.

Source: Adapted slightly from She Wears Many Hats.

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46 comments

@lizzysdarcy November 18, 2012 - 11:27 am

My fave recipe are stuffed mushrooms (zucchini, spinach, and hazelnuts).

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Julie November 17, 2012 - 12:29 pm

More than ten years ago, my grandmother was diagnosed with Celiac and had to give up gluten. Then earlier this year she was diagnosed with diabetes. It’s been a tough road for her so I appreciate the nod to Carolyn who does diabetic recipes that are also sometimes gluten free.

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spiffycookie November 17, 2012 - 12:30 pm

One of my best friends cannot have gluten either, so I can sympathize. I hope you find some great recipes to share with your grandmother!

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Meghan Finley November 17, 2012 - 11:51 am

Baked salmon and veggies

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Sandy Burge November 17, 2012 - 6:16 am

This is a recipe I’m going to try. Looks delicious!

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Dita November 16, 2012 - 12:34 pm

this wrap looks really yummy. will be trying it soon.

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Lany November 16, 2012 - 9:26 am

This recipe looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it. Thank you for supporting Diabetes Awareness!

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Jessica@AKitchenAddiction November 16, 2012 - 9:09 am

Mm, I like making baked goods with Stevia!

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Veronica November 16, 2012 - 2:53 am

I’m a type 1 diabetic and would love that Swerve baking kit! My favorite diabetes friendly meal….well sheesh that would just be about any healthy meal and there are so many I love! I will say…hmmm, how about a chicken shawarma sandwich on pita? Sounds good to me. I could gobble that right now. :)

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Jordan D November 15, 2012 - 9:48 pm

Your lettuce wraps sound great! I’m also a big fan of spaghetti squash served with a homemade pasta sauce and extra veggies. Low carb, low sugar, and I add in a lean protein.

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Nikki November 15, 2012 - 4:31 pm

potato pancakes baked not fried is my favorite

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spiffycookie November 15, 2012 - 4:34 pm

Yum! Do you have a recipe for that?

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Linda November 15, 2012 - 3:16 pm

My favorite sugar-free recipe is chocolate chip cookies!

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Barb November 15, 2012 - 2:11 pm

chicken dish looks amazing

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Rennie November 15, 2012 - 1:04 pm

My favorite diabetes-friendly meal is roast chicken with brussel sprouts and almond flour sugar-free cake for dessert!

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Catherine H. November 15, 2012 - 7:16 am

Oh, and I usually focus on desserts. Carolyn’s Boston Cream Pie was my most recent favorite.

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Catherine H. November 15, 2012 - 7:15 am

I’m visiting all the sites participating in the Diabetes awareness event to say thank you for doing this. I’ve had gestational diabetes and my sister is a Type I, so I’m happy someone like Carolyn is trying to get the word out about low-carb eating. I’m not normally an Asian flavor type, but this looks like something I would actually try.

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Kris Reeves November 15, 2012 - 2:58 am

So far making a low carb cheesecake has been a life saver for me!

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Michelle from Missouri November 14, 2012 - 11:47 pm

This recipe looks yummy! Thanks for entering me!

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Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking November 14, 2012 - 9:23 pm

My father in law is a diabetic so I am always trying to find new substitutes for sugar in my baked goodies.

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Jennifer November 14, 2012 - 9:23 pm

Most desserts can be baked simply with artificial sweetener instead of sugar and taste just as delicious. I just made a sugar-free pumpkin pie and it’s delicious!

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Ruby November 14, 2012 - 8:26 pm

A favorite recipe of mine that requires no carbs (i think) is an eggplant lasagna that I’ve made a couple of times. It replaces lasagna noodles with eggplant. It’s so good!

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Carol LaBella November 14, 2012 - 8:14 pm

This chicken wrap looks amazing and I will be making it tomorrow. Never heard of Swerve All Natural Sweetener and would love to win the giveaway. I cannot find this product in Ct. I am a Type 2 diabetic and always looking for recipes that will fit into my meal plan. thank you for this one.

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kesha November 14, 2012 - 7:15 pm

I love sugar free Angel Food Cake

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diabeticFoodie November 14, 2012 - 7:09 pm

I love lettuce wraps and your flavor combo looks great!

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Michelle November 14, 2012 - 6:45 pm

My comment went for moderation before I could name my favorite diabetes friendly dish. Sugar free cheesecake.

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Michelle November 14, 2012 - 6:44 pm

Thank you for participating in World Diabetes Day. This recipe looks delicious!

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Leslie November 14, 2012 - 6:31 pm

Fortunately, I don’t have much experience with this topic, so I will take stab at it. In my book, there are few things better than fresh homemade hummus with celery sticks for dipping. Does this work?

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Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers November 14, 2012 - 6:28 pm

I love lettuce wraps, but i haven’t made them yet! I love the idea of chicken and cashews!

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barbara n November 14, 2012 - 6:25 pm

My favorite diabetes friendly recipe is veggie sausage-cheddar frittata – I substitutes veggie sausage, reduced-fat cheese, and egg whites

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Raida Disbrow November 14, 2012 - 6:20 pm

Great recipe, I have to try it soon. Thanks!

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Cindy Brickley November 14, 2012 - 5:28 pm

I like to make my Blueberry Yam Walnut crusted Pie. I substitute Stevia for the sugar

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Becky @ Becky's Place November 14, 2012 - 4:38 pm

I always think that I should make one of these recipes of such&such in lettuce wraps or cups. Now here’s some motivation – looks yummy!

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Blessie Nelson November 14, 2012 - 3:52 pm

I like bittergourd milk smoothies…this is for the tough soul but so good for the health!

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erin m. November 14, 2012 - 2:55 pm

I like protein pancakes with sugar free syrup

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Mary November 14, 2012 - 12:36 pm

This look yummy. I think I might make this tonight. Thanks!

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Moira November 14, 2012 - 11:36 am

Recipe looks great! I will try it this week! My fav diabetic friendly recipe is the one minute chocolate cake from Lauren at healthy indulgences, omg so good!

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Alana November 14, 2012 - 11:28 am

Looks and sounds delicious! Will definitely be making this one tonight! Thank you! Happy diabetes awarness day!

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Sarah G November 14, 2012 - 11:21 am

If there is one thing I miss on low-carb it’s Chinese food. These look pretty easy to throw together and delicious. I’m bookmarking them. Thank-you!

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Avery K. November 14, 2012 - 10:28 am

Anything with Dreamfields pasta!

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mary November 14, 2012 - 10:12 am

These look wonderful! Thanks for participating and raising awareness.

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Dee November 14, 2012 - 9:46 am

Found you through Carolyns site. I am dying to try Swerve!

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Carissa November 14, 2012 - 9:46 am

Maria Emmerich’s Zucchini Brownies

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Shelly W November 14, 2012 - 9:30 am

Baking low carb, diabetic friendly goodies is hard. Giving up the AP flour is so much harder than the sugar thanks to amazing products like Swerve and Truvia. My favorite is cheesecake, swap out the sugar for swerve and the graham crackers for coconut flour and ground nuts, perfect! My mom and brother both have Type II, they like what i cook but still insist on ignoring the advice. I am determined to avoid their fate AND enjoy desert!

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April V November 14, 2012 - 8:03 am

I love a good pound cake made with Stevia, instead of sugar!

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CJ at Food Stories November 14, 2012 - 7:13 am

Just making my way through all the sites that are participating in Carolyn’s World Diabetes Day awareness campaign & wanted to say hello & thx (I’m a type 2, btw) :-)

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