Dining for Diabetics

Diabetes is a disease that affects numerous persons in Jamaica. Many of us know a family member or friend who is living with this illness. As such, I felt compelled today to write about foods, which are good for a diabetic because much to my alarm, it seems to be all too common. It is often touted as a lifestyle disease, and I wonder if the national love for starches and sugar is the culprit.

Diabetes mellitus is defined as a group of diseases characterised by high glucose levels due to defects which affect the body's ability to produce and use insulin. There are three main variants of the illness: Type 1 (Juvenile, mostly children), Type 2 (Gestational, developed during pregnancy). You are all aware I am not a medical doctor, so please forgive my liberties in undertaking such a weighty subject, but I am only going to write from a food-centric versus medical perspective.

Balsamic Chicken with Herbed Peas and Escallion

Pinto Bean Soup with Ham.

Baked Granola Apples

One of the biggest questions diabetics ask is what to eat. When first diagnosed, many believe that their days of eating pleasurable foods are doomed. This is not the case. Although challenging, diabetics can

Dining for Diabetics

Diabetes is a disease that affects numerous persons in Jamaica. Many of us know a family member or friend who is living with this illness. As such, I felt compelled today to write about foods, which are good for a diabetic because much to my alarm, it seems to be all too common. It is often touted as a lifestyle disease, and I wonder if the national love for starches and sugar is the culprit.

Diabetes mellitus is defined as a group of diseases characterised by high glucose levels due to defects which affect the body's ability to produce and use insulin. There are three main variants of the illness: Type 1 (Juvenile, mostly children), Type 2 (Gestational, developed during pregnancy). You are all aware I am not a medical doctor, so please forgive my liberties in undertaking such a weighty subject, but I am only going to write from a food-centric versus medical perspective.

Balsamic Chicken with Herbed Peas and Escallion

Pinto Bean Soup with Ham.

Baked Granola Apples

One of the biggest questions diabetics ask is what to eat. When first diagnosed, many believe that their days of eating pleasurable foods are doomed. This is not the case. Although challenging, diabetics can

Dining for Diabetics

Diabetes is a disease that affects numerous persons in Jamaica. Many of us know a family member or friend who is living with this illness. As such, I felt compelled today to write about foods, which are good for a diabetic because much to my alarm, it seems to be all too common. It is often touted as a lifestyle disease, and I wonder if the national love for starches and sugar is the culprit.

Diabetes mellitus is defined as a group of diseases characterised by high glucose levels due to defects which affect the body's ability to produce and use insulin. There are three main variants of the illness: Type 1 (Juvenile, mostly children), Type 2 (Gestational, developed during pregnancy). You are all aware I am not a medical doctor, so please forgive my liberties in undertaking such a weighty subject, but I am only going to write from a food-centric versus medical perspective.

Balsamic Chicken with Herbed Peas and Escallion

Pinto Bean Soup with Ham.

Baked Granola Apples

One of the biggest questions diabetics ask is what to eat. When first diagnosed, many believe that their days of eating pleasurable foods are doomed. This is not the case. Although challenging, diabetics can

Dining for Diabetics

Diabetes is a disease that affects numerous persons in Jamaica. Many of us know a family member or friend who is living with this illness. As such, I felt compelled today to write about foods, which are good for a diabetic because much to my alarm, it seems to be all too common. It is often touted as a lifestyle disease, and I wonder if the national love for starches and sugar is the culprit.

Diabetes mellitus is defined as a group of diseases characterised by high glucose levels due to defects which affect the body's ability to produce and use insulin. There are three main variants of the illness: Type 1 (Juvenile, mostly children), Type 2 (Gestational, developed during pregnancy). You are all aware I am not a medical doctor, so please forgive my liberties in undertaking such a weighty subject, but I am only going to write from a food-centric versus medical perspective.

Balsamic Chicken with Herbed Peas and Escallion

Pinto Bean Soup with Ham.

Baked Granola Apples

One of the biggest questions diabetics ask is what to eat. When first diagnosed, many believe that their days of eating pleasurable foods are doomed. This is not the case. Although challenging, diabetics can

Dining for Diabetics

Diabetes is a disease that affects numerous persons in Jamaica. Many of us know a family member or friend who is living with this illness. As such, I felt compelled today to write about foods, which are good for a diabetic because much to my alarm, it seems to be all too common. It is often touted as a lifestyle disease, and I wonder if the national love for starches and sugar is the culprit.

Diabetes mellitus is defined as a group of diseases characterised by high glucose levels due to defects which affect the body's ability to produce and use insulin. There are three main variants of the illness: Type 1 (Juvenile, mostly children), Type 2 (Gestational, developed during pregnancy). You are all aware I am not a medical doctor, so please forgive my liberties in undertaking such a weighty subject, but I am only going to write from a food-centric versus medical perspective.

Balsamic Chicken with Herbed Peas and Escallion

Pinto Bean Soup with Ham.

Baked Granola Apples

One of the biggest questions diabetics ask is what to eat. When first diagnosed, many believe that their days of eating pleasurable foods are doomed. This is not the case. Although challenging, diabetics can

Dining for Diabetics

Diabetes is a disease that affects numerous persons in Jamaica. Many of us know a family member or friend who is living with this illness. As such, I felt compelled today to write about foods, which are good for a diabetic because much to my alarm, it seems to be all too common. It is often touted as a lifestyle disease, and I wonder if the national love for starches and sugar is the culprit.

Diabetes mellitus is defined as a group of diseases characterised by high glucose levels due to defects which affect the body's ability to produce and use insulin. There are three main variants of the illness: Type 1 (Juvenile, mostly children), Type 2 (Gestational, developed during pregnancy). You are all aware I am not a medical doctor, so please forgive my liberties in undertaking such a weighty subject, but I am only going to write from a food-centric versus medical perspective.

Balsamic Chicken with Herbed Peas and Escallion

Pinto Bean Soup with Ham.

Baked Granola Apples

One of the biggest questions diabetics ask is what to eat. When first diagnosed, many believe that their days of eating pleasurable foods are doomed. This is not the case. Although challenging, diabetics can

Like Fine Wine... — Seniors keep busy in the kitchen

We all have memories of our grandmother’s home cooking â€" the aromas from her pot wafting throughout the house.

Homemade delicacies these days are few and far between, with processed foods taking precedence because of convenience. Well, the ladies who know best are back in the kitchen, through an initiative founded by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

NCSC Parish Organiser
Beverly Edwards gives
out samples of the
pumpkin punch.

Marva Morris from the Red Hills Senior Citizens’ Club
made a lovely orange marmalade.

Gizzadas lined neatly in a row, courtesy of Angela Dudley from
Riverton Meadows.

Sasha Dixon

Like Fine Wine... — Seniors keep busy in the kitchen

We all have memories of our grandmother’s home cooking â€" the aromas from her pot wafting throughout the house.

Homemade delicacies these days are few and far between, with processed foods taking precedence because of convenience. Well, the ladies who know best are back in the kitchen, through an initiative founded by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

NCSC Parish Organiser
Beverly Edwards gives
out samples of the
pumpkin punch.

Marva Morris from the Red Hills Senior Citizens’ Club
made a lovely orange marmalade.

Gizzadas lined neatly in a row, courtesy of Angela Dudley from
Riverton Meadows.

Sasha Dixon

Like Fine Wine... — Seniors keep busy in the kitchen

We all have memories of our grandmother’s home cooking â€" the aromas from her pot wafting throughout the house.

Homemade delicacies these days are few and far between, with processed foods taking precedence because of convenience. Well, the ladies who know best are back in the kitchen, through an initiative founded by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

NCSC Parish Organiser
Beverly Edwards gives
out samples of the
pumpkin punch.

Marva Morris from the Red Hills Senior Citizens’ Club
made a lovely orange marmalade.

Gizzadas lined neatly in a row, courtesy of Angela Dudley from
Riverton Meadows.

Sasha Dixon

Like Fine Wine... — Seniors keep busy in the kitchen

We all have memories of our grandmother’s home cooking â€" the aromas from her pot wafting throughout the house.

Homemade delicacies these days are few and far between, with processed foods taking precedence because of convenience. Well, the ladies who know best are back in the kitchen, through an initiative founded by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

NCSC Parish Organiser
Beverly Edwards gives
out samples of the
pumpkin punch.

Marva Morris from the Red Hills Senior Citizens’ Club
made a lovely orange marmalade.

Gizzadas lined neatly in a row, courtesy of Angela Dudley from
Riverton Meadows.

Sasha Dixon

Like Fine Wine... — Seniors keep busy in the kitchen

We all have memories of our grandmother’s home cooking â€" the aromas from her pot wafting throughout the house.

Homemade delicacies these days are few and far between, with processed foods taking precedence because of convenience. Well, the ladies who know best are back in the kitchen, through an initiative founded by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

NCSC Parish Organiser
Beverly Edwards gives
out samples of the
pumpkin punch.

Marva Morris from the Red Hills Senior Citizens’ Club
made a lovely orange marmalade.

Gizzadas lined neatly in a row, courtesy of Angela Dudley from
Riverton Meadows.

Sasha Dixon

Like Fine Wine... — Seniors keep busy in the kitchen

We all have memories of our grandmother’s home cooking â€" the aromas from her pot wafting throughout the house.

Homemade delicacies these days are few and far between, with processed foods taking precedence because of convenience. Well, the ladies who know best are back in the kitchen, through an initiative founded by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

NCSC Parish Organiser
Beverly Edwards gives
out samples of the
pumpkin punch.

Marva Morris from the Red Hills Senior Citizens’ Club
made a lovely orange marmalade.

Gizzadas lined neatly in a row, courtesy of Angela Dudley from
Riverton Meadows.

Sasha Dixon

Like Fine Wine... — Seniors keep busy in the kitchen

We all have memories of our grandmother’s home cooking â€" the aromas from her pot wafting throughout the house.

Homemade delicacies these days are few and far between, with processed foods taking precedence because of convenience. Well, the ladies who know best are back in the kitchen, through an initiative founded by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

NCSC Parish Organiser
Beverly Edwards gives
out samples of the
pumpkin punch.

Marva Morris from the Red Hills Senior Citizens’ Club
made a lovely orange marmalade.

Gizzadas lined neatly in a row, courtesy of Angela Dudley from
Riverton Meadows.

Sasha Dixon

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

JuicyChef’s East African Experience

Today I will share a little snippet of my East African journey. The current high interest in the African continent is especially great because of the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Many people are more curious about the various cultures that exist there. Unfortunately, none of the countries I visited made the tournament, but trust me, they are football-crazy and united behind every African team.

Interestingly, every person I met had a fascination with Jamaica. Many would love to visit, but it is a very expensive destination for them, yet they love our culture and support us in sports. It would be great if one day there could be direct flights, because the historical ties are profound.

East Africa was simply amazing. I have visited the North (Morocco) and the West (Senegal) of the continent, but this was the Africa of my dreams. Wildlife abounded and I observed the delicate existence between animal and man, especially amongst the Masai people.

As an animal lover, to see the "Big 5" up close (lion, elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus, rhinoceros), in their natural habitat where they belong and not confined in zoo cages was truly humbling. To visit the cradle of civilisation where the human race originated was just overwhelming. I can't articulate how much this trip affected me as a person and how I view life. The vast landscapes made me feel like a speck of dust and realise that certain factors I thought were important are trivial and brought me closer to my spiritual self.

I witnessed extreme wealth and extreme poverty. I felt love and

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

We're All Winners - In A 'Class' All His Own

It was a privileged experience, being given the opportunity to sit in a cooking class conducted by none other than international celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Eight lucky readers of the Jamaica Observer (Janise Butler, Toni Spencer, Marvin Robinson, Janice Davis, Colleen Royes, Safiya Brown, Shirley Pryce and Rochelle Laing) got their chance to live this experience when the culinary mastermind visited the island to participate in the just-capped Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

The teacher and his pupils are all smiles after a great cooking class. Here the participants pose with Marco Pierre White (MPW) and their autographed copies

A Moment with Marco

Clad in a white crew-neck tee, blue jeans and checkered Vans, Marco Pierre White is the picture of casual as he prepares to entertain questions from Lifestyle Editor Novia McDonald-Whyte as well as participants at last week's Jamaica Observer Foodie Seminar.

Much like his attire, he's seemingly relaxed and it's hard to believe that the international celebrity guest chef is the firebrand one reads about or sees on television. His passion for the culinary arts is almost palpable as his respect for people and their respective crafts. Thursday Food brings you a moment with Marco.

International celebrity guest chef Marco Pierre White addresses
his audience at last week’s Jamaica Observer Foodie Seminar.
(Photos: Bryan Cummings)

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett (left) talks food with Observer Deputy Chairman Adam Stewart and Lifestyle
Editor Novia McDonald-Whyte.

Observer Foodie Seminar presenters (from left) Jacqui Tyson of From Thought to Finish, Luciene Morrison and Ann Smith of Annilu, Wisynco’s William Mahfood and Kim Lee of Trade Winds Citrus, makers and distributors of Tru-Juice.

Annakay Tomlinson of Miss T’s expresses her delight at Marco Pierre White’s front-page photograph.

Now you're the celebrated Marco Pierre White, but what was your journey like, how did it all start?

I started my career many years ago... I came from humble beginnings in Leeds and in those days children followed the profession of

A Moment with Marco

Clad in a white crew-neck tee, blue jeans and checkered Vans, Marco Pierre White is the picture of casual as he prepares to entertain questions from Lifestyle Editor Novia McDonald-Whyte as well as participants at last week's Jamaica Observer Foodie Seminar.

Much like his attire, he's seemingly relaxed and it's hard to believe that the international celebrity guest chef is the firebrand one reads about or sees on television. His passion for the culinary arts is almost palpable as his respect for people and their respective crafts. Thursday Food brings you a moment with Marco.

International celebrity guest chef Marco Pierre White addresses
his audience at last week’s Jamaica Observer Foodie Seminar.
(Photos: Bryan Cummings)

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett (left) talks food with Observer Deputy Chairman Adam Stewart and Lifestyle
Editor Novia McDonald-Whyte.

Observer Foodie Seminar presenters (from left) Jacqui Tyson of From Thought to Finish, Luciene Morrison and Ann Smith of Annilu, Wisynco’s William Mahfood and Kim Lee of Trade Winds Citrus, makers and distributors of Tru-Juice.

Annakay Tomlinson of Miss T’s expresses her delight at Marco Pierre White’s front-page photograph.

Now you're the celebrated Marco Pierre White, but what was your journey like, how did it all start?

I started my career many years ago... I came from humble beginnings in Leeds and in those days children followed the profession of

A Moment with Marco

Clad in a white crew-neck tee, blue jeans and checkered Vans, Marco Pierre White is the picture of casual as he prepares to entertain questions from Lifestyle Editor Novia McDonald-Whyte as well as participants at last week's Jamaica Observer Foodie Seminar.

Much like his attire, he's seemingly relaxed and it's hard to believe that the international celebrity guest chef is the firebrand one reads about or sees on television. His passion for the culinary arts is almost palpable as his respect for people and their respective crafts. Thursday Food brings you a moment with Marco.

International celebrity guest chef Marco Pierre White addresses
his audience at last week’s Jamaica Observer Foodie Seminar.
(Photos: Bryan Cummings)

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett (left) talks food with Observer Deputy Chairman Adam Stewart and Lifestyle
Editor Novia McDonald-Whyte.

Observer Foodie Seminar presenters (from left) Jacqui Tyson of From Thought to Finish, Luciene Morrison and Ann Smith of Annilu, Wisynco’s William Mahfood and Kim Lee of Trade Winds Citrus, makers and distributors of Tru-Juice.

Annakay Tomlinson of Miss T’s expresses her delight at Marco Pierre White’s front-page photograph.

Now you're the celebrated Marco Pierre White, but what was your journey like, how did it all start?

I started my career many years ago... I came from humble beginnings in Leeds and in those days children followed the profession of

A Moment with Marco

Clad in a white crew-neck tee, blue jeans and checkered Vans, Marco Pierre White is the picture of casual as he prepares to entertain questions from Lifestyle Editor Novia McDonald-Whyte as well as participants at last week's Jamaica Observer Foodie Seminar.

Much like his attire, he's seemingly relaxed and it's hard to believe that the international celebrity guest chef is the firebrand one reads about or sees on television. His passion for the culinary arts is almost palpable as his respect for people and their respective crafts. Thursday Food brings you a moment with Marco.

International celebrity guest chef Marco Pierre White addresses
his audience at last week’s Jamaica Observer Foodie Seminar.
(Photos: Bryan Cummings)

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett (left) talks food with Observer Deputy Chairman Adam Stewart and Lifestyle
Editor Novia McDonald-Whyte.

Observer Foodie Seminar presenters (from left) Jacqui Tyson of From Thought to Finish, Luciene Morrison and Ann Smith of Annilu, Wisynco’s William Mahfood and Kim Lee of Trade Winds Citrus, makers and distributors of Tru-Juice.

Annakay Tomlinson of Miss T’s expresses her delight at Marco Pierre White’s front-page photograph.

Now you're the celebrated Marco Pierre White, but what was your journey like, how did it all start?

I started my career many years ago... I came from humble beginnings in Leeds and in those days children followed the profession of