This holiday season Divabetic is championing a ‘sparkle not just survive’ attitude about living with diabetes.

We know for many newly diagnosed people that managing diabetes can feel complicated and overwhelming during the holiday season. The secret is to discover the little changes that make things just work for your diabetes self-care management.

Are you frustrated trying to figure out how not to feel deprived during the holidays?

We assembled an all-star team of beauty/fashion experts, diabetes educators and chefs to help empower you to enjoy a “Divabetic Christmas Day Celebration”  on your terms.

Our chic “Divabetic Christmas Day Celebration” starts with licensed nail technician Jennifer Dye‘s perfect Christmas-themed cuticles. Jennifer says, “your nails are an expression of who you are, so make them count!”She focuses on enhancing your natural nails you minimize your exposure to the abrasive or harsh chemicals necessary in artificial nail treatments.

Jennifer enjoys showing people how to care for their nails in the best way possible, and emphasizing your own natural nail beauty. She used all Essie Nail Polish shades to create this festive look. Essie is the ultimate color authority offering a line of superior nail polishes. The fashion-forward shades with an exclusive award winning formula are always classic, chic and elegant. Essie polish provides flawless coverage along with outstanding durability, a chip-resistant formula and whimsical names in the most up-to-the-minute colors. All Essie nail polishes are DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde free.

Divabetic Tip: Eat slowly, and really enjoy the foods that you may only have once a year. If the meal will be served near your usual meal time, try to eat the same amount of carbohydrate that you normally would for a meal. If you plan to have a portion of dessert, cut back on another carbohydrate food during the main course. 

Next up, is the perfect cookie for a “Divabetic Christmas Day Celebration”!

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t stop The Diabetic Pastry Chef,  Stacey Harris from celebrating the holidays.  Stacey says, “those of us with special dietary restrictions can still treat ourselves to the bounty of the fall and winter holidays. We just need to be a bit more mindful of our preparation and consumption.”

From her tasty treats to her outlook on life, this pastry chef keeps things as sweet as can be! Her flavor combinations and attention to detail make Stacey’s treats so craveable, while her soft voice and gentle smile make this pastry chef just so lovable reports Diabetic Living magazine.

Oatmeal Cookies by the Diabetic Pastry Chef Stacey Harris

Ingredients

1 cup raisins

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

3 eggs, well beaten

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

2/3 cup white whole wheat flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking soda

2 cups oats

¾ cup pecans, chopped

1 cup butter or canola butter

2 cups Whey Low D Granular, sifted

1 tbsp. molasses

Directions:

Combine and let stand the raisins, vanilla and eggs.

In separate bowl, sift together the flours, salt, cinnamon and baking soda.  Add the oats and pecans.

In mixer bowl, cream together the Whey Low, butter and molasses.  Alternately add the egg mixture and the flour mixture to the butter mixture, and beat until incorporated.  Drop by tablespoons onto greased baking sheets and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.  Yield:  22 cookies.  Glaze with powdered sugar glaze and pecan halves if desired.

The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris’s recipes are featured in this year’s Diabetes Mystery podcast, “Suspect Boulevard” .

Divabetic Tip: Follow the simple ‘Rule of 15’ to properly treat a low blood sugars.  Eat 15 grams of carbohydrate and wait 15 minutes, repeat if necessary. The following foods will provide about 15 grams of carbohydrate: 3 glucose tablets.

Divabetic Image & Style advisor, Catherine Schuller’s motto is to “get up, dress up, show up and never give up!” Her “Divabetic Christmas Day Celebration” fashion choice for women concerned about their bare upper arms is Sleevey Wonder’s Bandeau 1/2 Sleeve White Jersey Sleevey Wonders – Plus Size (retail $51). Sleevey Wonders’ reversible slip-on sleeves are made to wear under all your sleeveless strapless tops and dresses, magically transforming your outfits into something new! Sleevey Wonders offers under sleeves in a variety of different styles to pair perfectly with any top or dress. From long sleeved mesh, to 3/4 sleeve jersey, you can find a style to perfectly match your fashionable choices.

Why not dress up your diabetes self-care? The Clearance Prestige Medical Compact Carrying Case is only $5.00 and makes the perfect Divabetic fashion statement. 6″ x 9″ nylon carrying case is a colorful, inexpensive way to store and safely transport your sphygmomanometer. Features include a hook and loop closure side pocket, nylon carrying strap, water resistant lining. Many colors and prints to choose from with themes including Pink Ribbon, florals, paisleys and Betty Boop.

My pick for the perfect soundtrack for a “Divabetic Christmas Day Celebration” is Leona Lewis’s “Christmas, with Love” album. I’ve been playing all month long and I can’t get enough! “Christmas, with Love” offers seasonal classics and 3 brand new original holiday songs including ‘One More Sleep’ and ‘Mr. Right’. Packed full of fun and festivity interpreted by the multi-platinum singer and songwriter Leona Lewis. She took the music world by storm with her 2008 debut album Spirit, which featured the best-selling #1 “Bleeding Love” and was nominated for three Grammy Awards. Leona has sold over 20 million albums and singles combined worldwide.

Divabetic Tip: Soluble fiber (the kind found in oatmeal, beans, and apples, among other foods) helps to slow your body’s breakdown of carbohydrates and the absorption of sugar, helping with blood sugar control. Insoluble fiber, found in foods like dark green leafy vegetables, green beans, celery, and carrots, does not dissolve at all and helps add bulk to your stool.

Finally, what’s Christmas without a fabulous special offer?PEAK 10 SKIN® founder, Connie Elder offers discounts to our Divabetic community  on her skincare line.Simply use coupon code:  friendsandfamily (no spaces, lowercase) at CHECKOUT to receive 30% off.  www.PEAK10SKIN.com

Connie says, “winter skincare is so important, especially to people with diabetes. Healthy, hydrated skin is stronger skin!  Skin integrity is so important to keep from having open wounds.”

On Christmas Day if you eat more carbs than you planned for, don’t think you have failed. Get back on track with your usual eating habits the next day and include extra exercise and don’t forget to monitor your blood glucose levels.  GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS!