Author: Mr. Divabetic

Max Szadek, aka Mr. Divabetic, is the executive director of Divabetic, LLC.
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Producer/DJ Ras G Dies At Age 39

Ras G’s experimental sound has come to an end, as the Los Angeles-based producer & DJ has died as confirmed by his longtime label BRAINFEEDER. He was 39 years old.

Ras G’s musical legacy exists heavily in the underground, releasing 14 albums from 2008 to 2016 and over a dozen EPs within the same timeframe.

The cause of death hasn’t been revealed yet, but last December, the Beats of Mind mixmaster revealed on Instagram that he was suffering from pneumonia, high blood pressure, diabetes, hypothyroid and even heart failure. In the same post he described his condition at the time as “breathing and feeling better than ever,” with plans to eat healthy, get on special herbs and inhabit a plant-based lifestyle. We cannot confirm if these conditions had anything to do with his death, but either way his untimely passing is still a sad situation nonetheless.

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Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Phyllis Hyman

We’re talking about ‘Diabetes, Sleep & Mental Health Issues’ on Diabetes Late Nite with musical inspiration from the iconic Phyllis Hyman on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 6 PM, EST.

R & B superstar Phyllis Hyman was a sensational singer-songwriter and actress. Deep-voiced and statuesque, Phyllis Hyman sang with a life-affirming energy and emotional intensity found in few other female vocalists.

Unfortunately Phyllis Hyman committed suicide, leaving a suicide note behind in 1995. Part of the note read “I’m tired. I’m tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you.”  It has been reported that she suffered from bi-polar disorder and depression and had a history of substance abuse which involved alcohol and cocaine. Who knows what accomplishments she would have achieved if she had lived longer?

Podcast guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, ‘Sleep, Insomnia, Stress’ Author Patricia Farrell PhD, Kristina Wolfe, ‘Tabouli: The Story of a Heart-Driven Diabetes Alert Dog’Author Matt Pelicano, Elizabeth Vaughan Gallagher, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach with Patricia Addie-Gentle.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from ‘The Essential Phyllis Hyman’ album courtesy of SONY Music

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Plant-Based Diets Tied to 23% Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Healthful, plant-based foods can demonstrably improve both insulin sensitivity and blood pressure, according to new research from comprehensive review and meta-analysis of nine studies. Moreover, plant-based diets can prevent or reduce weight gain, as well as reduce low grade inflammation, two other factors that contribute to a person’s risk of diabetes.

A “predominantly plant-based” diet centers on both healthful plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, and less healthful ones, such as potatoes and sugars. These types of diets could also include some products of animal origin.

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Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Dolly Parton

We’re talking about Self-Acceptance & Diabetes with musical inspiration from Dolly Parton on Diabetes Late Nite.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr.Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP,  Lisa R Young, PhD, RDN, and Type 2 Diabetes – What To Know Community member, Crystal. Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Dolly Parton’s Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack courtesy of SONY Music.

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Divabetic® (divabetic.org) is a national nonprofit diabetes outreach organization committed to changing attitudes in people at risk, affected by and living with diabetes. We strive to encourage prevention, early action and above all, education. 

Divabetic® was inspired by the late R & B legend, Luther Vandross, and created and founded by his long-time assistant, Max Szadek. Divabetic®, a combination of the word ‘diabetic’ with the letter ‘V’ inserted for Vandross, evokes feelings of power and the positive attitude associated with the great DIVAS Luther loved like Patti LaBelle.

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Bernie Sanders Leads Caravan to Purchase Cheaper Insulin in Canada

This past Sunday,  Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders led a group of people with Type I diabetes into Canada to purchase insulin for a fraction of the price they would be charged in the United States.

He spoke passionately about his trip and the hardships facing people with Type I diabetes in his closing remarks at last night’s Democratic Debate. He blames the “greedy” pharmaceutical companies and lawmakers who refuse to take on the crisis for the skyrocking costs of insulin. By traveling to Canada, which has a single-payer, government-backed health care system, he was also making an implicit case for his “Medicare for All” plan, which would create a similar system in this country.

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Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has long championed efforts to bring down the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. 

Earlier this year she invited Nicole Smith-Holt, a Minnesota woman whose son died from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) because he struggled to afford his insulin prescription, to the State of the Union Address.

Under Nicole’s insurance, Alec had been paying $200-300 a month to manage his Type 1 diabetes. When he turned 26, he was forced off his mother’s insurance, driving the cost for his insulin to nearly $1,300 a month—$200 more than Alec’s biweekly paycheck from his full-time job.

Klobuchar and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are the lead sponsors of the Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Actand Biosimilars Act, which would limit “pay for delay” deals in whichdrug manufacturers use anti-competitive pay-off agreements to prevent or delay the introduction of affordable follow-on versions of branded pharmaceuticals, and the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act, which allow individuals to safely import prescription drugs from Canada.

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The #insulin4all campaign unites the diabetes community to fight together for access to diabetes supplies, care, and treatment for everyone.

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Carb Counting Fun
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Versace Is Making Sneakers Inspired by Jennifer Lopez’s Iconic Green Dress

The sexy Versace dress which Lopez wore to the Grammy Awards in 2000, is getting the sneaker treatment in a collaboration between the fashion house and clothing brand, Concepts.

Renowned retailer Concepts has teamed up with Versace to use the green, jungle-print on the upper of the brand’s beloved Chain Reaction sneaker. The bold emerald green look is available now in men’s and women’s sizing via the boutique’s website. The sneaker’s tongue is nude to replicate the daringly low front of Jennifer Lopez’s dress. The sneakers retail for $1,075.

Diabetes Late Nite

Enjoy Divabetic’s 9th Year Anniversary of Diabetes Late NitePodcasting with musical inspiration from P!nk. Guests include Beyond Type 2’s T’ara Smith, Catherine Lawrence , Dr. Sara (Mandy) Reece PHARMD, CDE, BC-ADM, BCACP, FAADE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Glamazon Beauty owner Kim Baker, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. Hosted by the happiest health care “MC,” Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek. 

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Why You Should Try A Walnut-Based Pie Crust

Nut-based pie crusts are becoming more popular as people with diet restrictions and health conditions look to substitute sugar and gluten while maintaining the great taste and texture of their favorite desserts.

Walnuts are rich in heart-healthy fats and high in antioxidants. What’s more, regularly eating walnuts may improve brain health and reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. These nuts are easily incorporated into your diet, as they can be eaten on their own or added to many different foods. 

Have you heard that about 28 grams or three-four tablespoons of walnuts may help reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes significantly? There’s also plenty of research to support how a handful of dry fruits and nuts can help boost brain power and heart health.

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Low Carb Cheesecake Recipe

Why not try a making a walnut-based pie crust using this thick, velvety low carb cheesecake recipe?

“This Low Carb Cheesecake has all the delicious flavor and creamy texture of traditional cheesecake without the added sugar. Serve it up as a special treat for anyone watching their sugar intake.”

Low Carb Cheesecake Recipe

Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes

Divabetic presents their 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery Podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes, which takes place at the fictitiously decadent world-renowned Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Mr. Divabetic’s culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges. Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape.         

Now, the happy healthcare host must decide to face his fear of snakes and recipe rejection or throw in his apron and risk getting caught up in another murder investigation. Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?

The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones and Lorraine Brooks.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

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Vitamin D May Slow Down Progression of PreDiabetes & Type 2 Diabetes

Taking vitamin D may help people with prediabetes and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes slow down the progress of the condition according to scientists.

The team of a study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology found taking vitamin D improved how insulin worked in muscle tissue after six months. This new evidence supports previous studies which have shown a worldwide problem with vitamin D deficiency, and link the deficiency to an inability to process sugar.

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Diabetes Late Nite inspired by P!nk

Enjoy Divabetic’s 9th Year Anniversary of Diabetes Late Nite Podcasting with musical inspiration from P!nk. Guests include Beyond Type 2’s T’ara Smith, Catherine Lawrence , Dr. Sara (Mandy) Reece PHARMD, CDE, BC-ADM, BCACP, FAADE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Glamazon Beauty owner Kim Baker, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. Hosted by the happiest health care “MC,” Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek. 

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Darling Dumplin’ by Poet Lorraine Brooks

it’s hard in a world where looks are a prize
to value yourself if you’re not the right size.
For chubby young girls it’s especially true
And lots of the other kids will bully you.

If Mom calls you “Dumplin’”, and you hate that name,
It may be a reason you’re feeling ashamed.
Some people will tell you that you look OK,
But deep down inside there’s a price that you pay.

It’s sadness and lonely, and unworthiness
That causes you pain and gives you distress.
It’s being alone when the girls are all dating
And feeling ashamed because boys aren’t relating.

It’s trying to smile when you don’t feel alright.
It’s waiting for phone calls on Saturday night.
It’s hoping you’ll get all the cute boys’ attention,
But hearing the ridicule and condescension.

It’s when you decide for yourSELF that you’re fine,
That you can begin to turn water to wine.
It’s when YOU feel comfortable in your own skin
That you can begin on your journey to win.


No, it’s not easy, to want to conform
Or made to believe that you’re outside the norm.
But if you’re like Dumplin’, you’ll rise to your best
And you will decide you will not be suppressed.


Everyone’s different and all are worthwhile
And all of us have individual style.
So get out on that runway and strut all your stuff
Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not enough!


Skinny or chubby, plump or obese,
Accept what you’re given – that’s where you find peace.

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Could This Be Why Staying Slim Is So Difficult?

In a new study published today, a team of researchers from the New York University School of Medicine have unlocked a molecular mechanism controlling weight gain and loss in mice: a protein that shuts down the animals’ ability to burn fat in times of bodily stress, including when dieting or overeating. This discovery might hold the key to understanding why it’s so hard for humans to lose weight, and even harder to keep it off.

The new findings contradict the idea that weight loss is just calorie deficits and willpower. “Weight loss is very, very difficult,” says the study’s lead researcher, Ann Marie Schmidt, an endocrinologist from the New York University School of Medicine. “Only by studying the good things, the bad things, and how sometimes things that were meant to be good can go awry can we figure out the big picture and how to safely make people’s lives healthier and better.”

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What’s Your Dog IQ?

 Ttry your luck at Divabetic’s new quiz!

Win $500 Gift Basket & Enter our Cutest Dog Contest in support of Divabetic’s newest outreach program, Collar Greens Health & Wellness Day at Central Farm Markets in North Virginia on September 29, 2019. This free outreach program aims to educate both dogs and dog owners about diabetes and their risks for heart disease. MORE INFO

Find out what it’s like to live with diabetes for 50 years! Catherine L. shares her experience on August’s Diabetes Late Nite with music from P!nk

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It’s the Year of ‘THE DIVA’ on Diabetes Late Nite

Heading into our tenth year of podcasting, Divabetic declares this to be the year of ‘the Diva’! We’ll be featuring music from only DIVAS on our free monthly Diabetes Late Nite podcasts for the next 12 months courtesy of SONY Music.

Enjoy music from LaBelle, Celine Dion, Ann Margaret, Phyllis Hyman and more to lift your spirits and motivate you to live well with diabetes. Between your favorite diva musical selections, the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic will interview Certified Diabetes Educators CDE’s), Best-Selling Authors, Beauty & Fashion experts, Chefs, Celebrities and passionate people living with diabetes. 

Why Divas?
“Divas have always been the bedrock of Divabetic’s glamorous approach to educating people about diabetes,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. “My former boss, Luther Vandross loved the divas too.”

Divabetic’s podcast library contains 150 podcasts averaging over 1,000 listeners per podcast.  All podcasts are available on demand for free at i-Tunes, and Blog Talk radio. Divabetic’s podcasts were mentioned in Diabetes Forecast Magazine’s Recommended Diabetes Podcasts List in January 2019. 

Divabetic® (divabetic.org) is a national nonprofit diabetes outreach organization committed to changing attitudes in people at risk, affected by and living with diabetes. We strive to encourage prevention, early action and above all, education. 

Luther Vandross

Divabetic® was inspired by the late R & B legend, Luther Vandross, and created and founded by his long-time assistant, Max Szadek. Divabetic®, a combination of the word ‘diabetic’ with the letter ‘V’ inserted for Vandross, evokes feelings of power and the positive attitude associated with the great DIVAS Luther loved like Patti LaBelle.

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Kale For Dessert?

Kale has been a trendy health food for a while. It’s so trendy that people including cooking hacks like Mr. Divabetic are adding it into any food, including DESSERT!

With more nutritional value than spinach, kale may help improve blood glucose management in diabetes, lower the risk of cancer, reduce blood pressure, and help prevent the development of asthma. The fiber and antioxidants in kale also may offer protection against diabetes. Studies have shown that a high intake of fiber may lower blood glucose levels in people with type-1 diabetes and people with type-2 diabetes may see improved blood sugar, lipids, and insulin levels according to Medical News Today.

But can one of the world’s healthiest foods taste heavenly in a dessert?

“While you might not think of the fibrous leafy greens as essential to dessert dishes, kale has the unique ability to lend cakes a feel-good dose of nutrients without sacrificing taste or flavor,” writes Jennifer En for mashed.com

Why Kale & Chocolate Make A Good Combination!

Chocolate is incredibly rich and bold, which makes it the perfect ingredient to pair with kale when you don’t necessarily want the veggie flavor to overpower the chocolate one. If you’re curious about what kale and chocolate taste like together, try this recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie for kale brownies. 

Chocolate Covered Katies

“It’s easy, streamlined, and completely winning where flavor is concerned. Get your chocolate on,” writes Jennifer En for mashed.com

KALE BROWNIES RECIPE

Don’t let incorporating greens into your desserts be an excuse to overindulge. It’s easy to convince yourself that you can enjoy more sweets and feel better about yourself in the process because you’re adding in extra nutrients between spoonfuls of sugar. An indulgence on one day doesn’t matter when looking at a week or a month.

Mr. Divabetic loves to infuse his desserts with healthy doses of vegetables. Unfortunately his lack of cookings skills and questionable good taste doesn’t always make for a winning combination. In this year’s Diabetes Mystery podcast, “Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes” his original Kale Hot Cocoa recipe turns everyone’s favorite leafy green vegetable into something downright lethal! 

Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes

Divabetic presents their 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery Podcast,  “Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes,” on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 6 -7 PM, EST. This diabetes mystery caper takes place at the fictitiously decadent world-renowned Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Mr. Divabetic’s culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges. Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape.         

Now, the happy healthcare host must decide to face his fear of snakes and recipe rejection or throw in his apron and risk getting caught up in another murder investigation. Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?

The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones and Lorraine Brooks.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

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