carb-free. caffeine-free, sugar-free

Ok, I have been slacking BIG TIME!! I haven't really made anything new lately, but I have been more inspired to cook more often and use different seasonings.

Because I have been Diabetic for over 30 years (I was 10 when diagnosed), I am always on the lookout for different carb-free, or low-carb, creations. One of my latest finds is atually something very quick and easy. I love carbonated beverages. I am not a big fan of 7-up or Sprite. I like a fruitier soda. I do like orange soda, but not every day. My solution - club soda with sugar free drink mix.

Now this may not sound exciting to most people, but being Diabetic as long as I have been, this is very exciting to me. Crystal Light started the whole sugar free drink mix trend and so many others have started doing it now, so I am in heaven. The best part is, a lot of them now come in individual serving sizes (like to add to one bottle of water). This is great because I can have a whole variety of these sugar free drink mixes in the pantry and buy a 12 pack of club soda and I am set!

I just recently realized that club soda has no sugar in it. I was experimenting with different mixed drinks and started researching the ingredients of all of my favorite drinks. While out to dinner with my husband, I asked the bartender to make me something that was light on carbs. He muddled orange and lemon, added a splash of triple sec, a shot of vodka and shook it up. Poured that into a glass and topped it with club soda. It was fantastic so I decided to try it at home. That was when I discovered there were no carbs (no sugar) in club soda. After my realization, I decided to try mixing club soda with some of the drink mixes I had in the pantry. It works great!! I take one little packet, pour it into a glass (big enough to hold a soda), add a 12 ounce can of club soda, stir it gently and add ice. I am trying fruit punch for the first time today and I have to say, I feel like a little non-Diabetic kid in a candy store!!