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Peanut Butter and Cranberry Cookie Bites for #WorldDiabetes {Gluten-Free and Sugar-Free} and a Giveaway

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Peanut Butter Cranberry Cookie Bites Gluten-Free Sugar-Free @diethood

Today we are going to switch gears and talk about something that needs our attention; Diabetes.
November is Diabetes Awareness month, and the awareness is aimed at tackling this epidemic that takes the lives of close to 5 million people annually.

My dear friend, Carolyn, from All Day I Dream About Food, lives with the disease, and has asked a few of us food bloggers to participate on this day, which is World Diabetes Day, with a message about Diabetes, and a Sugar-Free recipe to go with it.

Most of us know or even live with someone that is a diabetic. Obviously, as with any other disease, prevention is key, but without the proper education, achieving that is nearly impossible. Also, for those that already live with the disease, the need for better access to disease-management resources is essential.

Peanut Butter Cranberry Cookie Bites Gluten-Free Sugar-Free @diethood

Many years ago my father came home after a visit to the doctor, and basically said that he had borderline diabetes. He was 35 years old. 35!! I will be 35 in 2 months. That’s scary.

But he was lucky to have caught it early on thanks to some valuable resources; a community that was there to help and educate, access to a team of great healthcare providers, and a bit of holistic medical intervention. When those three components came together, my Dad was nearly healed. But, it was not an easy road. And it still isn’t.

22 years later he is still on the same diet plan that he was put on at the beginning of his journey, he exercises like a mad man, and controls his stress-levels by playing a lot of soccer. He also swears by his morning dose of Wormwood Tea. My friend, Maggie, who also lives with this disease, can attest to that. When we were in High School he would force her to drink it. Maggie has been a diabetic since she was 6 years old! Brave girl. ♥

For more information on Diabetes please refer to Carolyn’s post by clicking on the badge below; she has a wealth of information to share with us and she is giving away a blue KitchenAid Stand Mixer!!

Diabetes

I’m also hosting a giveaway!

Swerve was kind enough to offer this very pretty package with some baking essentials to one lucky winner!! And guess what? You can use Swerve to make these delicious bites that I’m about to share with you.

Swerve Sweetener is an all-natural sweetener that measures cup-for-cup just like sugar. Swerve is made with ingredients derived from fruits and vegetables, and there are no artificial ingredients, preservatives or flavors. It contains zero calories, and it is safe for those living with diabetes.

Contest Rules:

Open to residents of the continental United States, only. The giveaway ends on Wednesday, November 21st, 2012 at 11:59pm (CST). Winner will be drawn via Random.org and announced on Thursday, November 22nd, 2012.

To enter this giveaway please leave a comment about how Diabetes has affected your life or the life of a loved one.

For additional entries (leave a separate comment for each):

Peanut Butter Cranberry Cookie Bites Gluten-Free Sugar-Free @diethood

And now onto the recipe…

Peanut Butter Cranberry Bites {Gluten-Free Sugar-Free} @diethood
Print

Peanut Butter and Cranberry Cookie Bites {Gluten-Free and Sugar-Free}

Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter , softened
  • 1 cup Natural Peanut Butter (I use Smucker's)
  • 1 cup Swerve Powdered Sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups Gluten-Free crisp rice cereal
  • 1 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 cup unsweetened all natural cocoa powder

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl beat together the butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy; about 1 to 2 minutes.
  2. Stir in cereal, cranberries, and pecans, and mix until well incorporated.
  3. Shape mixture into 1-inch bite-size balls.
  4. Roll balls in coconut OR in cocoa powder.
  5. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  6. Let stand on counter for a few minutes before serving.

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Comments

  2. Is swerve a new sweetener? I just heard of it. I have a coworker who is suffering from years of unproperly treated diabetes. Unfortunately, he got a gangrene infection, which resulted in the loss of part of his leg. To date, he has recovered and there are no signs of gangrene left. He is becoming acclimated to his prosthetic. He will no longer be able to work at our company because of his prosthetic, which is very heart-breaking, but I am extremely happy to see him doing well.
    Diabetes is a really rough disease, and it is sad to see how many Americans are affected by it.

  3. My grandmother developed diabetes late in her life and it was one of the things that made the end of her life much harder. Now I recently met someone who is 16 and has diabetes, he is an inspiration- a hockey player that is being scouted!

  6. My cousin has diabetes. He has had foot surgery because of it. Also has effected his eye site. He really has a time with it.

  7. One of my good friends from my childhood has diabetes. It was always tough to see her giving herself injections and not being able to live the carefree life that I seem to have. She is doing a great job of managing the condition and it’s very inspiring.

  8. I found out in January 2012 that I have borderline diabetes. If I didn’t start reducing my carbs and sugars I could have diabetes. So that was the start of my journey to a healthy lifestyle. So far I have lost 50 pounds but still could afford to lose more. I’m not sure I would have been able to accomplish what I have without the help of many of the fabulous website with great recipes. Thanks for sharing your ideas with everyone!

  9. My family history of diabetes is really scary, so it is something I really pay attention to, and think about. I loved reading all the different recipes for world diabetes day! Your recipe sounds fun, and perfect dessert when I travel for work:-) Hugs, Terra

  10. This is truly a cause near and dear to my heart. Both of my parents are diabetic and Carolyn has single-handedly helped me teach them that you can still have delicious treatos with diabetes. And these look positively scrumptious as well!

  14. It’s an epidemic in my family. I’m trying to be healthy so it doesn’t end up being our future

  15. My mother & father died from complications of diabetes. I was pre-diabetic and went low carb and now my numbers are in the normal range. Thanks for the giveaway, hope I am lucky enough to win. I will definately make these PB & Cranberry Bites. They look delicious.

  17. Thank you so much for raising awareness about this incredibly heartbreaking illness. Diabetes seems to almost be becoming the next “silent killer” as it is so rampant today that it sneaks under the radar of our consideration! Personally I have seen the effects of diabetes firsthand, in the form of a beloved uncle who basically raised me. He was diagnosised right before retirement, a time when he should have been able to enjoy life. He was absolutely devastated. Gone were the summer gatherings, gone were the holiday parties. He could not even fly or drive, his two favorite activities! However, thankfully after three years of relearning he was able to claim diabetes under his control through diet and lifestyle changes. Now the parties are back; with some healthier fair! he can even drive and fly again! Managing his diabetes continues to be a task, but a manageable one. My uncle is able to live again! 😀

  22. I work with developmentally delayed adults and many of them suffer from obesity and diabetes. One of my clients lost his legs due to his diabetes, but now he is working towards losing weight and maintaining a healthy diet by participating in the Special Olympics!

  23. My aunt and uncle both had diabetes ,they did not take proper care of themselves this made us look to ways to try to keep them healthy

  25. My aunt did not take care of her diabetes and lost her leg.learning how to make tasty food that was safe for her had a huge impact on our family

  26. My husband is a type 1 diabetic. I had an interest in low carb baking before we met, but now it’s an obsession!

  27. Working where there are diabetics makes me conscious to make my baked treats and goodies on the low-sugar side. Everyone still enjoys them and I get to explore healthier recipes to share with everyone. 🙂

  29. Thanks for participating in this awareness-raising event. My sister has Type I and I myself have to be pretty careful, especially when I’m pregnant, so I’ve been eating low-carb for nearly five years. New recipes are always a good thing!

  30. My mom had a diabetes scare after receiving Cortisone without being asked if she had history of diabetes in the family.
    They have to put her on insulin right away, the they switch her to pills and now she is diabetes free but still eating properly.

  33. I have two nephews who have diabetes. It’s really difficult for young boys to manage their health and feel normal like other boys.

  36. Diabetes has affected my life by making me a believer in lower carb foods. Nothing else keeps my sugar under control.

  37. I have been struggling with type 2 diabetes for almost 20 years. It runs in my family with both sets of grandparents having it in their later years and my Mom got it while pregnant with me and died from it’s complications at the age of 51! I have never heard of Swerve sweetener and will have to look for it in my local stores. I would love to be able to make your “sweets” above. they look delicious. Thank you.

  40. Both my parents had diabetes and my brother and I also. I have recently started using a long lasting insulin at night along with counting carbs and following a fairly lo carb diet to keep my sugars stable.

  42. I have a feeling these krispy-like cookies would be fairly addictive for me. I love every single ingredient in them, and I’m certain my whole family would feel the same.
    We have our own Swerve packages (so don’t enter us in your giveaway!), and I’m loving the ability to use the sweetener in recipes such as this. Liv loves sugar and I’m really trying to reduce her intake..

  49. My mother’s an insulin dependent diabetic, been so for over 30 years. Truthfully, I can admit that I can’t stand the idea of having to stick myself every day. That alone has me watching what I eat better. (BTW, the recipe looks yummy.)

  50. A good friend of our family has lost toes and nearly a leg to diabetes. It has been sad to see her fluctuate so severely, sometimes because she wasn’t careful about what she ate. Another friend has such drastic drops in blood sugar that he has difficulty being home alone with his children. This is even with an insulin pump.

    I also love finding good sugar-free recipes as my son does not tolerate it well.

  51. These bites look too good to be healthy! Yummy-ness.

    My maternal grandparents suffered with diabetes as does my mom. I have had gestational diabetes and am hoping to end the trend with me and my family now.

    I would love to win some Swerve. Thanks!

  53. Being in school for nutrition, it was eye opening to me to see how many people this disease affects. Its one of the many reasons why Im back in school so that I can help educate people on how to create healthier lives through proper nutrition and lifestyle changes.

  54. My uncle has had diabetes nearly his whole life. My grandpa got it later in life. Great cause to recognize Kate! And this dessert has my interest. I never thought of peanut butter and cranberries as a combo.

  55. Cookies look good! I am diabetic so finding recipes good for me can be a challenge so many thanks to everyone out there who makes it easier!

  57. My father-in-law has diabetes and my grandfather passed away as a result of complications from diabetes. I try and keep my cooking as healthy as possible.

  59. I have a story very similar to Carolyn’s: gestational diabetes turned pre-diabetic. Thanks for bringing awareness to this disease.

  60. DM runs in my family and my blood sugar is on the borderline. I have been working the last few years to avoid becoming a diabetic by watching my diet and exercise. I am still run border line numbers but I am hanging in there! I am determined to not become a diabetic! I am dying to try Swerve and see how it works in desert recipes.

  61. My mom was diagnosed with Type 2 earlier this year. I want to help her manage her diabetes and prevent it for myself.

  62. My boyfriend found he is pre-diabetic on a recent doctors visit and working to change our diet has been eye opening!

  63. My grandmother had diabetes and eventually all the complications that come with it, before passing away. I’m hoping with a healthy lifestyle I’ll be able to avoid having diabetes myself.

  64. My aunt has Diabetes and so I often remember her having to watch her sugar intake. We make separate sugar free items for her during family holidays.

  66. I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. A good friend’s mother died too young after a lifetime with the disease – so I am motivated to stay as healthy as possible and it requires a lot of time in the kitchen. Good thing I like to cook.

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