Author: Jan Raats

Be inspired by the high-energy art of award winning artist, Jandre. An emotional artist, the influence of the Impressionists on his Representational style is evident from his limited pallet of colours, however, it is to Kandinsky that he looks for his inspiration where objects depicted arise out of pure emotion. In this focus on form and colour, he asks questions of the viewer to see beyond the mere representational to the emotional signal contained in clusters of line and colour, reinforced by ridges of light made possible through his technique of painting with his fingers, imparting his emotions directly onto canvas. Traveling extensively, his material is taken from his environment, dominated by his work as a humanitarian – most recently with the United Nations in South Sudan - in post conflict, emergency response, and in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Awards and Exhibitions 2016, Special Merit Award Winner and Honourable Mention 'Art of outstanding quality', LST Open Art Exhibition 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011 and 2009 Honourable Mention London International Creative Competition 2008 Finalist at the Thapong Botswana Artist of the Year 2002 Finalist at Patchings, Nottinghamshire Selected for the Permanent World Children’s Exhibition in Toulouse France. Several group and solo exhibitions (Cape Town)

The Traveling Diabetic

Knysna
Headaches, with a tad of grumpiness and more than the usual clumsiness that resulted in knocking over my coffee cup that scared, an already sensitive, Border Collie.
Colder weather increasing my insulin sensitivity? At least that’s the excuse I’m using for my tougher than usual cycle up the hills to Buffels!
Nuts on my new list of foodstuffs to be careful about as I look to get my average daily carb count down to below 30. The target level (rather than the 50 I have been using) indicated in a new study on diabetic control through lifestyle changes.
Despite the red warning zone around milk, a cappuccino is still special.

Blood sugars

Low 3.4 mmol/L (Fasting target 4 – 6mmol/L)

High 5.9 mmol/L (2 hours after meal target, less than 7.8 mmol/L)

Weight 87Kg

Diabetic Carbs 23g (daily target, less than 50g)

The Traveling Diabetic

Nieu Bethesda – The Ibis Lounge

One of those rare restaurant meals where we could relax completely, as Barbara designs her dinner menu according to your dietary needs (In my case, the diabetic no sugars, including the hidden ones, or carbohydrates) and what is seasonal in the harsh Karoo climate. Local ingredients that include herbs guided by Nevil, the herbalist, and his generations of knowledge.
Limited seating, with staggered eating times ensure a personalised experience. The creamed mushroom spinach, delicious.
Stopped at the ‘Two Goats’ craft brewery. A beer (even with its loaded carbs), irresistible in the heat with my mouth dry after walking the dusty streets. The beer, sort of, balanced by the cheese platter. Skipping the bread basket. Tried their version of an IPA, as on the few occasions I drink beer, its that or a bitter beer where available. The beer wasn’t too my taste and there were too many sweet bits with the cheeses.
I did get a bunch of photo’s for painting inspiration!

Blood sugars

Low 5.8 mmol/L (Fasting target 4 – 6mmol/L)

High 6.7 mmol/L (2 hours after meal target, less than 7.8 mmol/L)

Weight 87kg

Diabetic Carbs 53g (daily target, less than 50g)

The Traveling Diabetic

Graaf Reinert ‘Our Yard’

Fabulous wine selection. Art, a tad scary. Maria’s coffee roaster on the premises, ensuring stunning espresso at an unbelievable price.

Karoo lamb. Flavored by sparse, arid plains, fragrant ‘rhinosterbos’. (Memories of which, are festering wounds under my skin caused by hours of ‘fire and movement’ drills as a soldier during the crazy years)

Overpowering tomato sauce that screamed with sugars. A bucket full of vegetables, perfectly cooked. Shaded, comfortable courtyard. Attentive service that was accommodating to a puppy who has spent six hours being buffeted by howling winds confined in his ‘mobi-kennel’.

The ‘onion rings’, sublime!

Blood sugars

Low 5.3 mmol/L (Fasting target 4 – 6mmol/L)

High 6.5 mmol/L (2 hours after meal target, less than 7.8 mmol/L)

Weight 87kg

Diabetic Carbs 53g (daily target, less than 50g)

Traveling diabetic

Knysna

Hi,

Jan here.

A tad listless. Can’t imagine the spare ribs with their bbq basting had that much of an impact? Certainly my fasting sugars were a bit elevated at 6.5mmol/L, but nowhere near crazy levels.

Thrilled that the ‘lifestyle’ management of my diabetes is handling the occasional food that I know is off the the rigid dietary guidelines without flying outside the safe limits.

It did mean that instead of heading out for my morning run (the day grey with a slight chill), I did the Border Collie meander, with Prince, around Harbour Town visiting the important ‘sniff spots’. Tea to warm my cold hands.

Tea is not my best, and certainly hasn’t been able to excite like a glass of good red wine does! However, at East Head Cafe I had a cup of TWG rooibos (Crème Caramel Tea), which is blend of delicate French spices and red tea/rooibos. Delicious. I’m hunting a supply.

Blood sugars

(30 day averages)

Low 5.7 mmol/L (Fasting target 4 – 6mmol/L)

High 6.0 mmol/L (2 hours after meal target, less than 7.8 mmol/L)

Weight 87kg

Diabetic Carbs 38g (daily target, less than 50g)

Traveling diabetic

The Table
De Meye Estate, Stellenbosch

Hi,

Jan here.

The utmost care is taken to source the highest quality organic ingredients for the country cuisine served at The Table restaurant. Limited seating under ancient oak trees ensures that the service matches the care taken with food preparation.

While the Beetroot Tarte Tatin starter wasn’t an option for me, the green and sour-cream salad was tasty, and the olives delicious. It’s accompanying stone-ground bread very tempting!

I didn’t understand the slow roasted Karoo lamb, with a cold aubergine tagine and roasted veg dish. While perfect for my diabetic needs, the cold veggies made the tender lamb ‘soapish’. Something even the delish Merlot couldn’t sort.

The panna cotta with raspberry gelato looked amazing and there were a bunch of takers to ensure my serving wasn’t wasted.

Blood sugars

Low 5.0 mmol/L (Fasting target 4 – 6mmol/L)

High 5.8 mmol/L (2 hours after meal target, less than 7.8 mmol/L)

Weight 86Kg

Diabetic Carbs 45g (target, less than 50g)

BEETROOT TARTE TATIN (serves 4)
ingredients:

  • 8 – 10 small to medium sized beetroots
  • 60g butter
  • 120g brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • fresh thyme leaves or oregano
  • sea salt and black pepper
  • ready rolled puff pastry
  • sour cream to serve

method:

  1. Place the beetroots in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a simmering boil over medium heat and cook until a knife pierces through the beetroots easily. Drain from the water and allow to cool before peeling and cutting in half.
  2. Preheat oven to 200C. Melt the butter in a heavy based 24cm pan or skillet. Add the sugar and cook until golden and caramelised. Add the red wine vinegar (be careful of hot steam!) as well as the garlic and fresh herbs,
  3. Arrange the beetroot halves evenly over the caramel. Season with salt and pepper. Trim the pastry into a disc or square big enough to cover the beetroots. Tuck in any excess pastry edges, and prick the pastry lightly with a fork.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes or until puffed and golden. Cool in the pan for a couple minutes, then carefully turn out onto a serving plate. Top with sour cream.

Traveling diabetic

Knysna

Hi,

Jan here.

The daunting task of negotiating the menu at our Italian restaurant on a late summer evening. A table alongside the canal with a glorious sunset. A hint of the coming winter in the air.

As pizza and pasta on the menu were not options, I settled for an oven roasted veal ilvoltini (“involtini.” usually refers to something rolled up around a savory filling, and is also known as Braciole) with prosciutto, cheese and spinach. Served with oven roasted veggies.

On the carb log, veal ilvoltini has anything from 3grams to 72grams per serving, depending on whether a home made or commercial (with a large sugar component) sauce is used.

As Mario’s is a family owned and run restaurant, I was comfortable that Genaro made his own sauces. However, there was no doubt that it was on the sweet side and a carb number of 17 was probably more reflective of the dish.

Raats Cab Franc, a magical pairing.

Fasting blood sugars a tad in the high side, even after a run, but nothing crazy.

I’ll ask for the tomato sauce as a side dish next time.

Blood sugars

Low 6.2 mmol/L (Fasting target 4 – 6mmol/L)

High 7.0 mmol/L (2 hours after meal target, less than 7.8 mmol/L)

Weight 86Kg

Diabetic Carbs 50g (daily target, less than 50g)

VEAL INVOLTINI

YIELD: SERVES 4 PREP TIME: 15 MINS COOK TIME: 1 HR 15 MINS

ingredients:

8 Thin Slices Veal Scallopini

8 Thin Slices Prosciutto

2 Cups Cooked, Chopped Spinach

1/3 Cup Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese

Salt & Pepper

8 Tablespoons Olive Oil, Divided

FOR THE SAUCE:

2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 Cup Chopped Onion

2 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1 (28-ounce) Can Crushed Tomatoes

2 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Fresh Parsley

1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano

3 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Basil

Salt & Pepper To Taste

directions:

. Use a meat mallet if needed to even out the thickness of the scallopini.

. Use your hands, or a nut bag to squeeze out as much liquid from the spinach as possible, then place in a bowl.

. Add the cheese and two tablespoons of oil to the spinach and stir to mix.

. Season the spinach mixture with salt and pepper.

. Lay out each slice of veal, then cover with a slice of prosciutto.

. You can either cut the prosciutto to fit, or fold it over.

. Divide the spinach filling equally onto each slice of veal spreading evenly.

. At the narrowest end, tightly roll up the veal and square with two toothpicks, or if you prefer, tie with kitchen twine.

. Place the veal rolls on a plate and refrigerate until needed.

. Heat the olive oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until lightly smoking, then cook the onions, stirring often until translucent, about 7 to 8 minutes.

. Add the garlic and cook another minute or two or until fragrant.

. Add the tomatoes, parsley, oregano, basil, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.

. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 m minutes.

. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

. In a frying pan, heat the remaining olive oil and heat over medium heat until lightly smoking.

. Brown the veal rolls on all sides, turning as needed.

. Place a scoop of sauce into the bottom of an oven-proof casserole dish that will hold all of the veal rolls.

. Place the veal rolls side by side into the dish, then cover with the remaining sauce.

. Cover casserole dish, then bake until very tender, about 45 minutes.

. Remove toothpicks or twine, then serve warm with sauce.

http://www.italianfoodforever

Traveling diabetic #27

Knysna

Latest painting from the studio

Hi,

Jan here.

Great news with my HbA1c blood tests(An indication of blood glucose control over the previous 2–3 months) showing a decrease in blood sugars from 18 to 5.7

No adverse effects from a week without Metformin slow release tablets, used to increase the absorption of insulin in my system. Insulin also reduced as I creep towards the target of totally relying on diet and exercise to control my diabetes. The ‘carb tracker’, while a nuisance to keep updated, ensuring that I’m aware of how I’m managing to stay within the carb limits for each day.

The cooler weather as Autumn approaches does mean that I’m back to cold fingers and copious quantities of tea to keep my hands warm. I do have warmer gloves for running and cycling that I now keep in my ‘grab-bag’ to wear whenever I start to get cold hands.

Blood sugars

Low 4.1 mmol/L (Fasting target 4 – 6mmol/L)

High 6.2 mmol/L (2 hours after meal target, less than 7.8 mmol/L)

Weight 85Kg

Diabetic Carbs weekly average 38g (50g target)