I was so busy with many activities in November that I really became quite laid back on my pregnancy. By the time I took my gestational blood sugar test, I’m one month to go to my planned delivery date. And to my surprise, I failed the test. I’m diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

At first, I was upset. Because December is a feasting month with lots of Christmas parties. I pitied myself and thought of all the sugar-filled food I will miss out on… Brazos de Mercedes, leche flans, puto bumbong, ice creams, chocolates…

I also learned that a healthy diet in a 9″ plate would be half vegetables, a quarter on meat and a quarter on carbs. Also, no cheating can be done because I now have a blood sugar tester and I need to prick my finger either before meals or after. I had to keep my blood sugar level at 95 or below before meals and 130 or below 2 hours after a meal.

Then suddenly encouragement from family and friends poured in with suggestions, recipes, and I started researching dishes for myself. Never would I think, I’d be preparing food for myself everyday. But I have to say, I am so enjoying it… I have been cooking not only for me, but for the rest of the family!

Here are a few of my favorites!

Pork Loin salad with yogurt dressing

Paleo Broccoli with bacon grapes and celery on lemon mayo dressing! Yum!

okra salad with olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing

Roasted Vegetable Salad with olive oil balsamic vinaigrette! This is an awesome surprise because it tastes so good!

Chicken pita with apple, celery, onions on mayo mustard dressing. What a filling treat!

Vegetable overload with bacon on 3 cheese quiche! Cooked on turbo only and it was yum!

Sugarless rolled oat cookies with banana, apple, raisins, and sugar free chocolates!

I don’t know, but what turned out to be bad news, God turned out for good! My hubby has been requesting and asking what healthy dish I’ll be cooking. He rarely requests that from me! But now, he is interested with my cooking and encourages me. I cannot explain what’s stirring in me… But I’m inspired to cook! God is helping me see a different perspective. Lemons can be turned into yummy lemonade, as they say.