Diabetic-Friendly Cooking By Latina Chef LaLa - Valoramas

Chef LaLa, Latina celebrity chef and a certified nutritionist, is helping to educate Latinos about type 2 diabetes by participating in a food and health tour in Southern California and showing how to prepare a diabetic-friendly meal.

Chef LaLa encourages Latinos to make healthy lifestyle changes via the new program Sazone Su Salud (Season Your Health)

Sazone Su Salud (Season Your Health) is an educational campaign that showcases food recipes to help Hispanics to create a healthy, diabetic-friendly lifestyle. Chef LaLa engages Latinos in live demonstrations of diabetic-friendly cooking in three California communities – Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and Orange County.

Chef LaLa said: “I’m excited to be a part of Sazone Su Salud to help educate Hispanics about easier ways to prepare healthy meals as one way to help manage their type 2 diabetes.”

Type 2 diabetes is a very serious problem among the Latino community in the U.S.  One out of five adult Latinos of age 50 or older has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. California has the highest rate of type 2 diabetes among Latinos aged 18 to 44 years.

Chef LaLa To Give Live Cooking Demonstration In Anaheim

Celebrity chef and certified nutritionist Chef LaLa is teaming up with Merck to raise awareness about the rising problem of type 2 diabetes among Latinos in Southern California.

As part of her efforts, she’s bringing her Sazone Su Salud (Season Your Health) food and health tour to Anaheim this week. 

The event, which will feature a live cooking demonstration of diabetes-friendly dishes, takes place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 7 at the Northgate store at 720 W. La Palma Ave. in Anaheim.

For more information, plus cooking tips and recipes from Chef LaLa, visit www.SazoneSuSalud.com.

Chef LaLa Joins Merck To Kick Off A Food & Health Tour In California Aimed To Help EDUCA

Merck today announced the launch of a food and health tour in Southern California with award-winning celebrity chef and certified nutritionist, Chef LaLa, to educate Hispanics about type 2 diabetes and to encourage them to make healthy lifestyle changes. Sazone Su Salud (Season Your Health), is a program that showcases simple, healthy recipes to help Hispanics lead a diabetes-friendly lifestyle. Paired with a healthcare provider, Chef LaLa will engage in live cooking demonstrations in three California communities – Bakersfield, Los Angeles and Orange County. The first event launches today in Bakersfield and will be held at Albertsons grocery store.

“As a Hispanic woman, chef and nutritionist, it’s important for me to help my community understand that we can enjoy our traditional cuisine and still eat healthy,” said Chef LaLa. “I’m excited to be a part of Sazone Su Salud to help educate Hispanics about easier ways to prepare healthy meals as one way to help manage their type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects the Hispanic community in the U.S. Nearly one out of five Hispanic adults over the age of 50 reported having type 2 diabetes, which is among the highest prevalence for all racial/ethnic groups. In Los Angeles, Kern and Orange Counties more than 4.4% to 13.5% of Latino adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. Among U.S. regions with the highest Hispanic populations, California has the highest rate of type 2 diabetes among younger Hispanics aged 18 to 44 years (3.2% versus 1.3% for non-Hispanic whites in that age group).

“Through Sazone Su Salud and Chef LaLa, we hope to educate Hispanics about the serious health risks associated with type 2 diabetes and to raise awareness of diet steps they can make to help manage this complex disease,” said Stephen Clement, M.D., C.D.E., director, Medical Affairs for Diabetes, U.S., Merck. “We are excited to reach out to Hispanics and to encourage them to talk to their doctors about type 2 diabetes – whether they are already diagnosed with diabetes or are at risk.”

Read the rest at melodika.net or download the archived PDF…

Celebrity Chef Lala Joins Merck To Kick Off A Food And Health Tour In California Aimed To Help EDUCA

Chef LaLa To Be Honored by Joselin Diabetes Center at Harvard

Ritmos de Salud, a benefit for Joslin’s Latino Diabetes Initiative

The 2012 Ritmos de Salud event is a benefit designed to promote awareness and raise funds for the diabetes care, education, research and outreach programs of Joslin’s Latino Diabetes Initiative (LDI).

Classically trained chef, nutritionist, and author, Chef LaLa will be honored for her commitment to serving the many needs of the Latino community.

• Saturday, September 29, 2012 at the New England Conservatory of Music, Jordan Hall
• Performance: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• V.I.P. Reception: 9:00 PM – Midnight

For more lnformation, contact Kevin Hudson at kevm kevin.hudson@joslin.harvard.edu or 617–309–2512

Purchase VIP Ticket ›
(General Admission tickets will be available through the New England Conservatory of Music box office beginning in August) 

About the Latino Diabetes Initiative (LDI)

Diabetes is a disease of epidemic proportions. The World Health Organization estimates that 285 million people worldwide have diabetes, and that number is expected to more than double by 2030.

Although the disease has become more prevalent across all populations, it has been shown that diabetes adversely affects certain racial/ethnic groups. National data demonstrates that Latinos have a two-fold increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to the Caucasian population.

A clear genetic predisposition for the development of diabetes is a major risk component. However, a significant role is also played by cultural and lifestyle factors.

The dramatic increase in the rate of diabetes combined with growth of the Latino population has created an urgent need for culturally and linguistically appropriate models of care and education. The Latino Diabetes Initiative (LDI) at the Joslin Diabetes Center was launched in 2002 and integrates culturally competent care, research, education and community outreach to improve the health outcomes of Latinos living with diabetes and for those who are at risk.

As internationally and nationally renowned leaders in the field of diabetes care, with an outstanding record of innovation and leadership, the members of the Latino Diabetes Initiative are committed to serving the needs of the Latino population.

To learn more visit, www.joslin.org/latino.

Nutrition for Healthier Businesses

Nutrition for Healthier Businesses: Chef LaLa visits Stockton Stockton, CA — You can choose to throw in the towel or clean the sweat off your head and work harder, said Chef LaLa as she encouraged the attendees of the San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 11th annual Latina Business Conference on March 22nd at the Stockton Hilton Hotel.

The purpose of the conference is to empower our Latina and women business owners and professionals, said Mark Martinez, CEO at San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as he explained that their goal is “to educate them through workshops and information that will help them make improvements in their business as well as in their professional careers.”

Accomplished chef, cookbook author and certified nutritionist, Chef LaLa was the keynote speaker at the conference. She has been featured on shows like NBC Today, Univison and CNN.

I [have] been trying to bring her for two years, but what really triggered things is that I wanted to focus this year on health and wellness in the workplace,” said Martinez, “something that would enhance health and wellness and on how to balance career, family and health. During her presentation — with a Chef LaLa sense of humor — she showed the audience how to prepare five different healthy meals, including green enchiladas, Chinese food and salads: all in less than ten minutes.

When it comes to cooking, one of the most important things you have is your traditions; make sure you keep your traditions alive, says Chef Lala.

In addition to recommendations and some cooking secrets, Chef LaLa also encouraged the audience to be the best version of you. As she concluded her presentation she also encouraged everyone to, think about what you have that makes you beautiful: that makes you strong.

Workshops on how to maintain a healthy life style such as: Re-Think Your Fitness, Making Insurance Work for You Today, and Time Management for Everyday Health, were available for participants as part of the program.

For business, the community and at home, There is nothing better than a happy woman, noted Chef LaLa.

Download "Nutrition for Healthier Businesses"

Chef LaLa to Keynote Annual Latina Business Conference

STOCKTON — Chef LaLa knows the food struggles over–scheduled professionals and business owners face.

As a book author and celebrity chef who appears frequently on television shows, she admits she sometimes grabs food that’s fast but not healthy.

I am a person that struggles with my weight. I eat everything, LaLa said during a telephone interview moments after she finished taping a segment for Univision.

Yet LaLa is also a certified nutritionist and Cordon Bleu–trained chef who is one of the nation’s leading educators on health–conscious cooking and eating. Among other things, she’s a regular guest expert on Dale Con Ganas, the Univision show that is a Spanish–language version of NBC’s The Biggest Loser.

She will be in Stockton on Thursday to share her wisdom as the keynote speaker at the 11th annual Latina Business Conference hosted by the San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The Hispanic chamber is emphasizing exercise, good health and nutrition this year. The theme for the conference is Health & Wellness in the Workplace.

LaLa, 42, grew up in Los Angeles as part of a family of restaurateurs. She says that the shared love and connection of family life is a key place where dietary decisions — both good and bad — play out.

My son came home one day and said, I don’t like greens. I don’t want anything green on my plate, LaLa said.

Maddox, her son, is 6. LaLa said she won him over with a trip to her modest backyard herb garden. She discovered that when he picked it himself, Maddox was willing to experiment.

I am promoting creativity and him actually allowing himself to create the dishes he wants, LaLa said. LaLa knows San Joaquin County because she has a brother who lives in Manteca.

She said she’s aware that San Joaquin County residents suffer from high rates of diabetes, obesity and other symptoms of poor diet. She says the solution is also close at hand.

You are so lucky in the Central Valley because you have so much access to fresh fruits and vegetables, LaLa said. It could be very easily a very healthy place.

LaLa admits that it is time–consuming to cook, and not everyone has learned the skills needed to turn produce into delicious dishes. That’s where she can help with recipes and suggestions on what to substitute for high–carb tortillas or high–fat fried dishes.

Cooking is not a convenient thing, she said. I am so glad that TV stations now are making cooking sexy.

Of course LaLa’s doing her part to make cooking sexy by appearing on shows such as Martha Stewart, The Today Show and Dr. Oz. She gushes with enthusiasm over exploring newly trendy ingredients such as kale or turmeric, and hits the gym to stay in shape, especially after she occasionally falls off the dietary wagon.

She says she is now completely Chef LaLa and virtually never uses her given name, Laura Diaz. No one calls me Laura except my mom when she’s mad at me, LaLa said.

LaLa said she plans to encourage the business leaders at the upcoming Stockton conference to make healthful food part of their lives.

Get your family involved in these things, LaLa said. Without you, there is no business. How productive is it to tell people to take care of business without taking care of themselves?

Popular Tv Chef To Share Health Tips At Latino Event - Recordnet.com

Chef LaLa Participates in Champions for Change Event

I had such a great time at the Champions for Change event last week. Judging your amazing food was the easiest job ever. Keep up the good work bringing healthier meals to our schools. 

Latina History Day Luncheon, March 9

So thrilled that I will be a speaker @HOPELatina Latina History Day Luncheon March 9, 2012 #inspiration.

Thank you Ladies for the honor.

Chef LaLa Featured in La Prensa San Diego

Expo Comida Latina brings all the flavor of Latino cuisine to San Diego

By Pablo Jaime Sáinz

Latino food, especially Mexican food, is good business.

Just in California, each year the Latino food and beverage industry represents sales of $4.3 billion, according to ProMéxico, a Mexican government agency that promotes investment in Mexico and the exportation of Mexican products.

It is estimated that sales of Latino food in the United States will be more than $7 billion in 2011, according to organizers of Expo Comida Latina 2011, which will take place at the San Diego Convention Center from Sunday August 28 through Tuesday the 30th.

When one thinks of Latino food, one might think tacos, burritos, typical taco shop menu. But as Expo Comida Latina shows, Latino food goes beyond that: It shows the diversity that exists in Latino cuisine.

“Expo Comida Latina is about food and beverage, from ingredients to prepared meals, influenced by the many Latin countries and cultures from around the globe (Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and many more),” said Liz Plizga, show director for the expo.

For popular Chef LaLa, who appears on different English and Spanish television shows to promote Latino food, Expo Comida Latina also proves that Latino food, from its roots, is very healthy.

“We use a lot of vegetables,” said Chef LaLa, who will be at the expo everyday making live recipe demonstrations and promoting her new line of salsas, “Chef LaLa Homemade”.

She is one of the biggest promoters of healthy Latino food, to try to reduce and prevent the effects that diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, and other diseases, have among Latinos.

“There are healthier ways to prepare our traditional foods,” she said, citing pozole, where instead of pork, chicken can be used.

Expo Comida Latina was founded in 2002 and has been held annually in Los Angeles. This year the organizers are trying to expand the expo bringing it to San Diego as they did in 2009.

The expo is open only to representatives of the food industry. The event is not open to the general public. It includes food companies of various Latin American countries including Mexico, Brazil, and Peru.

More than 70 percent of U.S. households consume products of traditional ethnic food and drink, according Plizga. And of that total, 62 percent buy Mexican and Latino products.

For the Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, Remedios Gomez Arnau, this event further confirms the popularity of Mexican food in America.

”The words salsa, guacamole and quesadilla find a way into the daily lexicon of Americans,” said Gómez Arnau in 2009, when there was a Mexican pavilion in the Expo.

Expo Comida Latina 2011 will be held at the San Diego Convention Center from Sunday 28 to Tuesday 30 of August. Hours are Sunday from 10am to5 pm, Monday from 11am to 5pm, and Tuesday from 11am to 4pm.

Chef LaLa Keynotes Education, Leadership, Careers Conference

(Santa Barbara, Calif.) —The Early Academic Outreach Program at UC Santa Barbara is hosting its second summer Education, Leadership, Careers Conference. This one-day event is Thursday, June 30, 2011 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at UC Santa Barbara.

Students will have a keynote presentation and then go to break out rooms across the campus to hear from three (3) different professional guest speakers in three 30 minute “speed mentoring” sessions wherein speakers will talk about their own education, leadership, and career experiences. Participating students will also go on campus tours, visit labs, and see various departments that will showcase UCSB sustainability initiatives during the afternoon. Some students will also participate in building a scale model solar powered car and then race them to demonstrate concepts of renewable energy and conservation. The conference will culminate with a UCSB student panel that will feature current students talking about their college experiences, student sustainability initiatives, and the pursuit of their educational, leadership, and career goals.

The conference starts at Harold Frank Hall at 9:00-9:35 AM with registration and then the Opening Session Keynote Speaker Chef LaLa, Celebrity Chef/Owner of “Savor!” Catering, (9:35-9:55 AM). The conference will host over 200 incoming 9^th grade students from Carpinteria, Fillmore, South (Bakersfield), Lompoc, and Santa Maria High Schools that are currently attending the UCSB EAOP Summer Algebra Academies (SAA). Students will learn about the benefits of higher education and how it can open doors to career opportunities that often represent their dreams coming true. Students will also learn from professional guest speakers that many successful people come from humble beginnings and have worked hard and continued to educate themselves for opportunity and success throughout their lives. All the guest speakers are former first generation college bound students themselves.

Guest Speakers include: Keynote Speaker Chef LaLa, Celebrity Chef/Owner of “Savor!” Catering; the District Director for Assembly member Das Williams of the 35^th District (Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios); SB School District Board Member (Monique Limon); the Administrator for Civil Service Advocacy Dept. of Human Resources / County of LA (UCSB ’84); an Area Manager for CA PST AT&T Corporate Real Estate (UCSB ’84); an LA Convention Center Events Coordinator (UCSB ’06); and an entrepreneur and Coach from ELACC. Other speakers include an independent organizational consultant; SB City Parks and Rec Outreach Services Coordinator; and a clinical psychologist and Chicana/o Studies professor from Palomar College.

Britt A. Ortiz, Director of UCSB EAOP, described the intentions behind the conference, “Our goal is to inspire, mentor, and challenge the participating students to be their personal best everyday and become the future leaders of California and this Country through a strong education, leadership, and pursuing the career of their dreams.” Mr. Ortiz also commented, “We want the students to understand that many successful adults were just like them when they were young and that they were the first in their families to go to college and become professionals.”

The Summer Algebra Academies (SAA) are designed to improve basic algebra and math skills, teach students how to adopt a college going culture into their lives by setting career goals and understanding the college preparation process, and to engage parents about college readiness, financial aid, and how to best support their students aspirations for higher education.

The Skinny on Nuts

Chef LaLa teams with the National Peanut Board to bring you the Skinny On Nuts, a national campaign to educate people on the healthful benefits of peanuts and peanut products.

USA peanuts and peanut butter have zero cholesterol, no transfats and contribute more than 30 essential nutrients to your daily diet. And they taste great, too! Peanuts and peanut butter are just what kids and adults alike need to power through daily tasks and adventures.

Learn more at  skinnyonnuts.com

2009 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo

Chef Lala will be performing live demos on stage at the 2009 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, August 30th - September 1st in San Diego, CA.

Chef LaLa NAWBO Woman of the Year Award

Photos and Video »Chef LaLa wins the 2009 National Hispanic Woman of the Year Award!

Dear Chef LaLa:

It is my pleasure to inform you that the board of directors of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) has selected you to receive the 2009 National Hispanic Woman of the Year Award. The award will be presented at its 33rd Annual National Women’s Conference on Friday,  May 22, 2009 at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena California. Conference awards will be given to three awardees at a noon luncheon with this ceremony designed to be the most motivational and inspiring segment of the day. 

Professionally, you have reached exemplary achievements and are considered a positive role model for Hispanic women of all ages. As honoree, you will be recognized for the contributions you have made in business and your award-winning culinary career, and what it reflects in the Latino community. 

The all-day event is the largest conference of its type in the nation, bringing together thousands of participants to address current trends and issues including career advancement, educational opportunities and personal empowerment. About 1,500 of the 2,500 guests attending the event are high school and college-age students.

For more than four decades, MAOF has provided critical programs and services for Hispanics in social and economic need and has been lauded as one of the nation’s top 25 Hispanic not-for-profit organizations over the past three consecutive years. For more information, visit us at maof.org. 

Photos

2009 Expo Comida Latina & All Asia Food

Chef Lala will be performing live demos on stage at the 2009 Expo Comida Latina & All Asia Food, June 16th -18th, in Chilcago, IL.

Cinco de Mayo Cooking Demo With Chef LaLa

With a name like “Chef LaLa” and a cookbook called Latin Lover Lite, Laura Diaz highlights her funky — and easily marketable — side. But after a Cinco de Mayo cooking demonstration, I found more to admire about the woman.

Chef LaLa cooked and spoke at an Inside Columbia Magazine event Friday night. She was also in town for the Speaking of Women’s Health conference. In an hour, I learned she used to be a pop singer, went to med school to be a heart and lung specialist, became a certified nutritionist and studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.

She also made four dishes in real time — without the tricks cooking demonstrators usually use. On her menu was:

• Coca-Cola-Marinated Pork with Fruit Salad
• Chicken Fajitas
• Chicken Enchiladas
• Colorful Bean Salad 

Chef LaLa, an advocate for healthy eating and diabetes awareness, spent a good part of the demonstration dispelling myths that Mexican food isn’t good for you. To a crowd of mid-Missourians, this might have been a surprise to some. She said real Mexican food includes a lot of fruit and vegetables. “We do not eat chimichangas,” she said.

LaLa talked about her family’s history with diabetes and her own issues with weight. “I look at cake and get fat,” she said. She chooses healthy options like low-fat sour cream and corn tortillas instead of flour ones. Some flour tortillas have as much fat as 16 corn tortillas, she said.

Chef LaLa also encouraged people to cook with their families and be open to experimenting with recipes — both important to us at He Cooks, She Cooks. “Recipes are a blueprint for what you like,” Chef LaLa said. “Do it your way.”

Overall, Chef LaLa gave a strong presentation with easily accessible recipes, helpful information and her own personal style. Best line of the night:

“Come closer. I’m not going to bite,” she said to the cameraman. “And if I do, you’ll like it.”

Chef LaLa will be on the Today Show on Cinco de Mayo (Tuesday morning).

5th Annual Power Women, Power Tools Build Event

May 16th, 2009 from 8am to 5pm Chef LaLa will participate on the host committee for the annual Power Women, Power Tools™ (PWPT) event. She’ll also cook lunch for the 300+ volunteers helping to frame houses for low income families in Los Angeles and participate in the building along with many of LA’s Power Women.

The Power Women, Power Tools™ event will be held at Sony Pictures Studios. Chef LaLa will be serving a gourmet lunch from 12pm to 1pm.

For more information, please visit Habitat for Humanity - LA’s website or download the fact sheet.

About the Event
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles sponsors an annual invitation-only build event for female executives, politicians and philanthropists called Power Women, Power Tools™. Powerful, successful women from various sectors take part in the annual all-women build. The volunteers work on a variety of construction tasks including framing, siding, painting and putting up drywall.

Power Women, Power Tools™ helps to increase awareness and cultivate support for HFH GLA to combat the affordable housing crisis in Greater Los Angeles. Over the past several years this event has attracted influential women from the corporate, entertainment, education and faith sectors including California First Lady Maria Shriver; California Secretary of Service and Volunteering Karen Baker; Councilwoman Janice Hahn; Julie Bowen; Lauren Conrad; Cat Cora; Jennifer Grey; Paige Hemmis; Pauley Perrette; Raven-Symoné and more. Volunteers in pink t-shirts and hardhats come together for a special day of building homes and changing lives and in the process develop lasting friendships. To support this event or nominate a Power Woman to participate, please email us at info@hollywoodforhabitat.com. Also, visit our FaceBook page.

"Speaking of Women’s Health" Upcoming Events

Chef LaLa will be empowering thousands of women in three live and exciting events at this year’s Speaking of Women’s Health event in Columbia Missouri, held May 1st - 2nd 2009 at the Holiday Inn Expo Center.

• Friday, May 1: Speaking of Women’s Health Afternoon Keynote Session ( 2:30pm CST)
• Friday, May 1: Inside Columbia Magazine’s Cinco de Mayo Cooking School (7:00pm CST)
• Saturday, May 2: Speaking of Women’s Health Afternoon Keynote Session ( 2:30pm CST)

Chef LaLa at Feria de la Salud

Chef LaLa will be participating in the Feria de la Salud event for the American Diabetes Association.

Check listing for dates and locations.

Food Network – Chef LaLa and Chef Jeff

Chef LaLa to Host the closing hour

DECEMBER 24 from 3-9 p.m.
A six hour LIVE holiday extravaganza!

Since 1964 the Commission has produced a Holiday Celebration in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center on December 24th from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The program honors the spirit of many cultures and holiday traditions through music, song and dance.

Community and professional choirs, music ensembles, folk and traditional artists, and dance companies perform for an audience in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion while the program is broadcast live throughout Southern and Central California on KCET.

Attendance and parking are free. No reservations or tickets are necessary. Doors open at 2:30pm. Seating is first come, first served. Attendees can arrive at any time and stay as long as they wish.

Holiday Celebration attendees are invited to bring canned and packaged goods to the Music Center the day of the show to support the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. Bring non-perishable food items and deposit in bins at the Music Center Plaza.

If you plan on watching the celebration at home DONATE ONLINE by clicking the Food Bank logo (above).

Since 2002 the Commission has produced a one-hour television special of selected Holiday Celebration performances for national broadcast by PBS.  Over 10,000 people attended last year.  

http://www.lacountyarts.org/hc/08/hosts/hosts.htm

Discovery Health – National Body Challenge

Watch Chef LaLa on the National Body Challenge on TV, January 7-11, 2008 at 8 pm e/p.

In 2008, Discovery Health’s National Body Challenge will be seeing double! In a week-long series, four sets of identical — and overweight — twins take on their personal battles of the bulge in the quest for an all-new, healthier way of living. Chef LaLa teaches the twins how to be healthy FOR LIFE!

Despite personal challenges that might doom them from the start — one set of twins owns an Italian restaurant! — each of our Body Challengers is determined to succeed. And each will do so with their best friend (and closest competitor), their twin, urging them on.

Check local listings for Discovery Health!