Missed opportunities in movies and books for raising awareness for diabetes really annoy me. The only thing worse in my opinion is perpetuating a diabetes misconception which happens to be the case in The New York Times bestselling author Mary Kay Andrew’s novel, ‘Spring Fever’.
The author describes the book as “… delicious new escapist novel about small towns, old flames, and deep secrets” on her website.
Sadly, I feel she drops the ball on educating people about diabetes in ‘Spring Fever’ like she did previously in her novel, ‘The Weekenders’.
Although diabetes doesn’t play a prominent role in ‘Spring Fever’, she still manages to play down the significance of diabetes. The line in question: “… And I lose my health care, Annajane. I have sugar diabetes….” Really? ‘Sugar Diabetes’!!!! It’s 2017 not 1957. Okay, somepeople may still use phrases like ‘a touch of sugar’ to describe diabetes but is it really necessary to use these types of references in books and fan the flames of ignorance?I don’t think so. After twelve years of working as a diabetes advocate I have come to realize that one of the biggest mistakes someone with diabetes and their loved ones can make is to think that this disease is not serious.
I know personally that diabetes really can destroy your life, wreck havoc on your relationships and steal your dignity.I experienced it first hand when my former boss, Luther Vandross suffered a stroke related to type 2 diabetes in 2003. At the time I had no idea that diabetes could be so devestating. The fact that Luther could not perform some of the most basic life functions after his stroke without assistance was heartbreaking. The fact that diabetes silenced his voice is unforgettable. But the fact that a growing number of Luther fans are experiencing diabetes health-related complications such as stroke, amputation, blindness and kidney failure is unforgivable.
Diabetes is a serious matter. When a Best-Selling Author with more than eleven New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese chooses to perpetuate ignorance about diabetes and diabetes self-care in her books I get upset. It seems to me that she managed to do enough medical research during the writing process to learn that certain medications can affect the effectiveness of birth control, didn’t she? So why can’t she do the same for diabetes?
On the flip side I appreciate how “Spring Fever’ helps readers gain a deeper understanding one of the ‘taboo’ topics related to health. Specifically, erectile dysfunction and the toll it can take on your relationship(s).
It’s interesting to note that researchers analyzed 6.2 million health insurance claims for men who received an ED diagnosis, and discovered that only 25 percent filled a prescription for treatment during the 12-month study period. Whatever the reason for avoiding treatment, the consequence is undisputed: “Sexual health is an important aspect of the quality of a man’s life—and men live longer when they are sexually active,” says Dr. McVary. “This is a medical disease that warrants treatment.”
On July’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast I discussed this topic with Janis Rozsler MSFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND who is a Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Janis Rozler is also the author oftwo wonderful books, ’Sex And Diabetes’ (ADA, 2007), and ‘The Secrets and Loving with Diabetes’ (Surrey Books, 2004). You can hear my interview by clicking on THE LINK.
I would gladly welcome the author, Mary Kay Andrews as a guest on an upcoming Diabetes Late Nite podcast to explain why she chooses to misinform her readers about diabetes. (Divabetic.org)
Model and Actress Christie Brinkley has just launched her own wine label featuring Skinny Champagne – – Bellisima Zero Sugar ( a sugar-free organic Brut) along with Bellissima Sparkling Rosé (a sparkling pink wine with hints of strawberry and grapefruit) and Bellissima Brut (a dry Prosecco).All come from the Treviso-Veneto wine region in Italy. The label art is a colorful play on Botticelli’s classic painting, The Birth of Venus.
The 62-year old entrepreneur has long had a fondness for sparkling wine. She claims she drinks the stuff like it’s vitamin water: “Doctor’s orders: three glasses of Champagne a day! So I’m on it!” she said to The Coveteur. No surprise, then to find that her prosecco, called Bellissima (which means “most beautiful”), is organic.
“To be able to have a prosecco that doesn’t have the villain sugar in it is really exciting,”Brinkley to Hamptons maagazine. “If you’re dieting and you still want to have that little glass to celebrate with friends, then you have my Zero, and you’ll love the flavor and you’ll love the little giggly thing that you get.”
How did Christie Brinkley make a Zero Sugar prosecco?
By leaving our organic Glera grapes in autoclave for seven months, Christie Brinkley’s wine makers achieve a fresh sparkling wine with zero sugars or artificial flavors. Her website states that the taste is perfectly balanced and pleasantly acidic, it is velvety and dry, with hints of white flowers and grapefruit.
Brut champagnes can contain up to 12 grams of sugar per glass according to an article published in the Telegraph.The article continues to state that drier styles have become fashionable lately, partly due to hype over their low calorie content. A small 100-125ml glass of brut champagne typically contains around 100 calories, but a properly dry version has nearer 60 calories, hence its nickname ‘diet champagne’.
Christie Brinkley’s one simple food philosophy is to eat as many colorful foods in a day as possible. If it’s vibrant and colorful, it should be on your plate. She eats plenty of vegetables and sticks to bright greens, oranges, purples, and reds, and has been eating this way since she was 12.
“I believe that celebrating what we are grateful for with family, friends and Prosecco contributes to a healthy, happy and sweetly beautiful life,” Christie Brinkley toldPEOPLE of the sparkling new venture.
Drinking & Diabetes: Do They Mix?
While moderate amounts of alcohol can cause blood sugar to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level — sometimes causing it to drop into dangerous levels. If you are in doubt about whether drinking alcohol is safe for you, check with your doctor.
TUNE IN to our Diabetes Roundtable podcast inspired by Hoda and Kathie Lee to learn about how alcohol impacts your diabetes.
Here’s Christie’s Bellissima Bellini Recipe
4 oz. organic Bellissima Prosecco DOC Brut or Zero Sugar Sparkling Wine
2 oz. pureed peaches
White peach slice
Step 1: Pour the peach puree into a Prosecco flute. Step 2: Fill said flute with Bellissima. Step 3: Experience Bellissima bliss.
As she says, “Dream big Bellissima dreams, and may they all come true!”
Divabetic (divabetic.org) was inspired by the late music legend, Luther Vandross and created in 2005 by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, who, as Vandross’ assistant of 14 years, witnessed his boss, mentor, and friend struggle in silence and solitude with the diabetes and its related complications. Since its inception, Divabetic has presented outreach programs in 15 major U.S. cities, reaching hundreds of thousands of women, their families and health care professionals.
This July we’re celebrating Divabetic’s Seventh Anniversary of podcasting! Currently there are over 150 free diabetes podcasts in our archives available on demand at i-Tunes, blogtalkradio.com and Divabetic.org
To mark this new milestone Mr. Divabetic put each of his guests in the ‘hot seat’ during July’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music from Cyndi Lauper.
Susan Weiner RD, MS, CDE, CDN, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE , Megrette Fletcher M.Ed., R.D., CDE and Janis Roszler MSFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND tackled a wide range of topics in the ‘hot seat’ including What to do if You’re Afraid of Eating Carbs, Why Language is Important for People with Diabetes, What’s Going on with the Senate’s Healthcare Bill and What to say to your Partner if you’re Not in the Mood for Sex. TUNE IN to hear their answers to these questions and much, much more!
We’d like to thank you for tuning in to Divabetic podcast for the past seven years. Our goal is to help empower you to ‘GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS’ about living with diabetes and to encourage you to ‘KEEP YOUR HOUSE A HOME’ by learning to prevent a diabetes health-related complication (such as stroke) from occurring.
We also wish to thank SONY Music for helping up keep our diabetes education in step with Luther Vandross’ musical legacy, and Dr. Greenfield’s Foot, Hand & Body Creams, Cabot Cheese and Nu Naturals for providing giveaways to our guests.
We’re excited to announce that our Diabetes Late Nite’s Poet in Residence, Lorraine Brooks will be displaying her artwork in her first Solo Art Exhibition starting this weekend in Brooklyn, NY.
She’s not only an amazing poet, she’s also an amazing artist!
Having been trained at New York City’s prestigious High School of Art and Design, Lorraine has always been interested in the graphic arts. Her photography has been featured in Gold Dust Magazine, and Odyssey Journal, and in her own book of poetry, Riding the Wave.
The stippling method (also known as pointillism), in which a series of dots is placed strategically in patterns to form an image, is currently Lorraine’s technique of choice for the pen-and-ink portraits she has recently produced. When viewed from close up, the dots appear random – however when viewed at a distance they form a distinct pattern of lights and shadows, creating the details of the subject.
“Lorraine’s one of the most talented people I know. Her poems featured monthly on our podcasts have inspired so many people living with, affected by and at risk of diabetes,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. ” I have no doubt that her first art exhibition will showcase another side of her amazing talent. I’m looking forward to celebrating her and her accomplishments!”
Currently Lorraine is working on a series of “freedom portraits”, illustrating her interpretation of the concepts of The Four Freedoms, as articulated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941. These will be part of her Solo Exhibition here in the Island to Island Brewery taproom.
Opening Ceremony
Date: July 8th 2017
Time: 6PM – 8PM
Location: Island to Island Brewery, 642 Rogers Ave Brooklyn Ny 11226 between Clarkson and Parkside Avenues
Free Tasting
We share monthly tastings of local craft distilled spirits made here in Brooklyn or greater New York.
Join us for this month’s art opening and tasting. Event RSVP Here ⇢
Then come taste and learn about New York distilled spirits made with organic grains from upstate New York and 11 different botanicals, made entirely in house from fermentation to bottle, can be enjoyed simply over ice or in any of the various traditional cocktails.
While enjoying the tasting browse the taproom’s latest Solo Art Exhibition by Lorraine Brooks entitled: “Four Freedoms We Should Always Fight For”. Lorraine will be available during the night for questions comments and sales of art work.
Tasting and Art Show are free and open to the public!
Check out #galleryat642rogers in IG to see past shows.
LISTEN: Enjoy this episode of Diabetes Late Nite featuring music from Maxwell courtesy of SONY Music. Guests include singer Alfa Anderson, Diabetic Macular Edema patient Maryanne Kass, Artist Bryce Chisholm, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.
For the past twelve years at our Divabeticlive events, on our podcasts and inner blog we’ve been promotinga ‘New Attitude’ about living with diabetes to help you ‘Keep Your House A Home’ by learning to prevent a diabetes health-related complication from occurring.Now we’re sharing our decade’s worth of our ‘diva brand of diabetes outreach’ advice, recipes and games with you so that you won’t have to avoid the holidays like the Fourth of July in order to take charge of our diabetes.
Typical July weather is hot, hot, hot! If you’re living with diabetes make sure you stay hydrated. Dehydration, or the loss of body fluids, can happen on these very hot summer days whether you have diabetes or not. If you have diabetes, dehydration also can occur when blood glucose is not under control. When blood glucose is elevated, this can lead to an increase in the body’s excretion of urine.
“People with chronic diseases like diabetes as well as people taking certain medications, including heart disease medications and diuretics, which are often used to treat complications of diabetes, are at increased risk of experiencing difficulties in the heat, even though they may not be aware of it,” says Catherine Carver, M.S., A.N.P., C.D.E, Director of Educational Services at Joslin Clinic.
How do you know if you are properly hydrated?
Try this skin test. First, use two fingers to grab a roll of skin on the back of your hand (between where your watch sits and where your fingers start), advises Higgins. …
Check your urine. If you’re well-hydrated your urine will be mostly clear with a tinge of yellow, Higgins explains.
Tart with strawberries and whipped cream decorated with mint leaves
1 cup Swerve sugar-free confectioner’s sugar or other equivalent
Strawberry Topping
1/2 cup Marzetti sugar-free strawberry glaze
2 cups fresh strawberries, halved
mint leaves for decoration
whipped cream, optional
Beat together the cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar substitute. Spread in bottom of baked pie shell.
Gently combine the strawberry glaze with the fresh strawberries, and arrange on top of the cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate until set approximately one hour. Garnish with mint leaves. Serve with whipped cream if desired.
Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ loves to bake! While she was attending cooking school she began creatingdiabetic-friendly recipes for breads, cakes and other desserts by swapping out the sugar, blending the flour and cutting the milk carbohydrates after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes READ MORE
DIVABETIC TIP: If you have diabetes, the key to maintaining your blood sugar is to use portion control. Thanks to the low-carbohydrate density of strawberries, you can safely enjoy a 1¼-cup serving. The diabetic exchange for blueberries is 3/4 cup.
When it comes to reducing your risk for diabetes, knowledge is key. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about type 2 diabetes! (Answer at bottom of post)
DIVABETIC TIP:Watch for Signs of Heat Exhaustion, especially if you are working or exercising outdoors. People with diabetes and other chronic diseases like heart disease are more susceptible to overheating. Symptoms include: feeling dizzy or fainting; sweating excessively; muscle cramps; skin that is cold or clammy; headaches; rapid heartbeat and/or nausea. If you experience any of these symptoms, move to a cooler environment, drink fluids like water, juice or sports drinks (based on your healthcare provider’s instructions) and seek medical attention.
HOT TOPIC:The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is troubled by the proposed changes to Medicaid and the negative impact of these changes on low-income Americans, who are disproportionately affected by diabetes. In states that expanded their Medicaid programs, more individuals are being screened for diabetes than non-expansion states. Cuts to Medicaid would leave the most vulnerable individuals with or at risk for diabetes without the health coverage they need to be diagnosed and treated for the disease as early as possible.
As currently drafted, the Association cannot support this legislation. It falls far short of the minimum standards for replacing the important safeguards and coverage provided by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which the Association has outlined. We urge all Senators to vote no on this bill and to work toward meaningful legislation that will protect access to affordable and adequate health care coverage for people with diabetes. READ MORE
ANSWER:Men are more likely than women to have undiagnosed diabetes. One of the big reasons is that men are less likely to go to their doctor regularly. One out of every four people with diabetes doesn’t know it, and a simple blood test can determine if you’re at risk for the disease or already have it. READ MORE
For the past twelve years at our Divabeticlive events, on our podcasts and inner blog we’ve been promotinga ‘New Attitude’ about living with diabetes to help you ‘Keep Your House A Home’ by learning to prevent a diabetes health-related complication from occurring.Now we’re sharing our decade’s worth of our ‘diva brand of diabetes outreach’ advice, games and entertaining ideas with you so that you won’t have to avoid the holidays like the Fourth of July in order to take charge of our diabetes.
For people with diabetes, the heat and humidity of summer can be particularly hazardous, reports Anahad O’Connor for the New York Times.
One of the complications of diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, is an impaired ability to adjust to rises in temperature, which can cause dangerous increases in body temperature during the summer. The underlying problem, nerve damage, occurs in 60 to 70 percent of Americans with diabetes; it can affect nearly every organ in the body, including sweat glands. When nerve damage keeps the sweat glands from working properly, the body fails to cool down as the mercury rises. READ MORE
What’s more ‘American’ than football? Well, how would you tackle type 2 diabetes is if you’re a professional player? You might start seeing red (and not white and blue!) if your team’s management decided to let you go because of your diagnosis.
The New England Patriots released Kyle Love two months after he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes — despite the fact he’d made 24 starts at defensive tackle the previous two seasons. Three teams later, Love has found a new home on the Carolina Panthers’ strong front seven, but New England’s decision still provides some motivation.
“Every day I think about it. It eats me up,” Love told Sporting News. “You do so much and you put so much work on the field. That somebody could just release you based off a physical problem that’s not going to stop you from playing football, it really grinds my gears.”
Staying ‘big’ in order to play his position may have contributed to some bad eating habits admits Love. For example, even now, there’s still the occasional trip to Burger King, and not always the “perfect meal.” More often, he tries to use the wisdom he has gained while dealing with the illness.
“My thought process was, ‘I’m an athlete, I work out every day, there’s no way I can get diabetes or high blood pressure because I sweat so much and burn so many calories.’ But if it’s determined to happen, it can happen.
When it comes to reducing your risk for diabetes, knowledge is key. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about type 2 diabetes! (Answer at bottom of post)
DIVABETIC QUICK TIP: During the hot summer months, you want to make sure you protect your diabetes supplies and equipment. Heat can have negative impacts on your oral medication, insulin, blood glucose meter, and test strips. For example, you don’t want to keep your meter in your car since cars can get extremely hot. Always keep it in a cool dry place. READ MORE
Fresh ideas for Fourth of July Entertaining
ENTERTAINING TIP #1: Put together a flag-inspired cheese plate featuring red raspberries, strawberry and blueberries.
ENTERTAINING TIP #2: Quench your thirst with Fruit Water! Just put frozen blueberries, ice cubes, and fresh strawberries in glass beverage. Avoid any fruit that’s bruised or overly ripe, or herbs that don’t look fresh.Use thin slices or small cubes because the flavor will infuse more quickly.Add the fruit, herbs, spices or whatever you want to use into a bottle of cool water.
ENTERTAINING TIP #3: Star Spangled Fruit Salad with cookie cutter watermelon stars – Simple to make and perfect for a Summer night!
Check out these ‘Hotter than July’ Topics in Diabetes
HOT TOPIC #1: A small but growing group of people without diabetes are wearing Continuous Glucose Monitors to track what goes on in their own bodies.
“I’ve been trying to learn why some days I feel fantastic, and other days I don’t. I had a cinnamon roll recently and my blood glucose doubled in 60 minutes,” says Tabb Firchau, an entrepreneur living in Seattle, who bought his CGM off eBay for about $300. “The monitor helps you understand the costs of the decisions you are making.” READ MORE
HOT TOPIC #2:Broccoli compound could be helpful to diabetes according to a new study published in Science Translational Medicine. Apparently a compound called “sulforaphane,” that occurs in broccoli and other vegetables, has the ability to lower the liver’s production of glucose. “There are strong indications that this can become a valuable supplement to existing medication,” Dr Rosengren predicted. “Sulforaphane can reach the patients faster than a medication, and it is also an interesting concept from a diabetes perspective where diet is central.” READ MORE
HOT TOPIC #3:U.S. Air Pollution still kills thousands every year, even at the levels allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a new study. “We are now providing bullet-proof evidence that we are breathing harmful air,” says Francesca Dominici, a professor of biostatistics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who led the study. “Our air is contaminated.”
Dominici and her colleagues set out to do the most comprehensive study to date assessing the toll that air pollution takes on American lives. READ MORE
HOT TOPIC #4:Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) have introduced the Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2017 to help curb America’s diabetes epidemic. This bill will allow Medicare coverage of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services for people with prediabetes and other risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes.
“People at risk of Type 2 diabetes, including the many with prediabetes, need support to avoid developing this disease,” Congresswoman DeGette said. “Older adults served by Medicare are disproportionately affected by prediabetes and diabetes itself. It just makes sense to ensure that seniors on Medicare who face these risks have coverage for MNT services.” READ MORE
HOT TOPIC #5 : Flip Flops or Not! The type of shoes you wear when you have diabetes is important! “There are shoes which can help prevent or delay the onset of foot ulceration in diabetes. There are also shoes which can cause or help accelerate the development of foot ulceration,” says Stephen Ogedengbe, MD, a researcher at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria for WebMD. What to do? Wear shoes you can easily adjust. They should have laces, Velcro, or buckles. Do not wear shoes with pointed or open toes, such as high heels, flip-flops, or sandals. READ MORE
Diabetes Roundtable ‘Super Stars & Stripes’ themed podcast featuring the Divabetic Charlie’s Angels of Diabetes Outreach, Mama Rose Marie, celebrity makeup artist Turner Harte and real diva, Morelia of Nashville, TN. Plus, we’re dining out with a dietitian at Subway in a menu review of healthy food choices and gather ringside for a Food Aisle Face-off between watermelon and corn-on-the-cob. Tune in and call in to get inspired, to give a shout-out or to play Divabetic’s Diabetes Numerology game. LISTEN NOW
ANSWER: True. If you’ve ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure, this could contribute to your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Make sure to talk to your doctor about your risk level if you have high blood pressure.
Have you completely sworn off carbs since being diagnosed with diabetes?
This angst is easy to understand when every day we are bombarded with health messages to limit, restrict, avoid, and feel guilty for eating carbohydrates. However, these negative food and eating messages are harmful and do not align with my nonjudgment view of food.
Megrette FletcherM.Ed., R.D., CDE is a registered dietitian, diabetes educator, and Mindful Eating expert joins us on our 7th Anniversary Diabetes Late Nite podcast on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 to discuss this ‘hot topic’ suggested by one of our loyal listeners.
Over the past few decades carbohydrates have become demonized. But the truth of the matter is that ‘Carbs are friends, not foes’!
“Motivating (my) clients with fear is not only ineffective, but can lead to misinformation, misunderstanding, and toxic emotions such as blame, shame, and depression,” says Megrette.
Carbohydrates (carbs) are a macronutrient found in foods like grains, starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, potatoes, squashes, corn, fruit, vegetables, dairy, legumes/beans, and foods like bread, pasta, sweets, and more. While vegetables DO have carbohydrates, some nutritionists don’t consider them a carb source because they feel the energy you use to digest them counters any carbs you would get from them.
Carbs often come packaged with fiber and sometimes protein, like in legumes, dairy, or starchy vegetables. In the body, carbohydrates break down to sugars like glucose, fructose, or galactose (the simplest sugars). Don’t be scared of the “S” word (sugar) – this is simply the way the body digests and processes carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates give us the energy we need to live our diabetes lives. If chosen carefully, carbohydrates can deliver a number of health benefits and also help people maintain their weight.
One of the reasons for why carbs get such a bad rap is because the extra sugar available from the glucose formation gets stored in muscles, the liver, or other parts of your body, later getting converted into fat if the body doesn’t need it for energy. However, that’s on you, not the carbs. If you keep moving and require your body to use up that energy, the sugar from carbohydrates won’t get stored as fat.
TUNE IN: Join us for our Seventh Anniversary Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Cyndi Lauper on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 6 PM, EST. Special guests included Susan Weiner RD, MS, CDE, CDN , Megrette Fletcher MEd, RD, CDE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout this podcast we will be playing selected songs from the Essential Collection of Cyndi Lauper courtesy of SONY Music.
We’re celebrating the first day of Summer with our Divabetic top picks in TV, Music, Fashions and Diabetes Self-Care.
Did you know that people who have diabetes—both type 1 and type 2—feel the heat more than people who don’t have diabetes?
Whether you’re working out or just hanging out, it’s a good idea to check the heat index—a measurement that combines temperature and humidity. Take steps to stay cool when it reaches 80°F in the shade with 40% humidity or above. Important to know: The heat index can be up to 15°F higher in full sunlight, so stick to the shade when the weather warms up.
Physical activity is key to managing diabetes, but don’t get active outdoors during the hottest part of the day or when the heat index is high. Get out early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are lower, or go to an air-conditioned mall or gym to get active.
While you’re staying cool inside check out some of favorite new TV Show for Summer 2017:
The TNT hourlong series CLAWS follows the rise of five diverse and treacherous manicurists working at the Nail Artisan of Manatee County salon in South Florida, where there is a lot more going on than silk wraps and pedicures.
At the center is salon owner Desna (Niecy Nash), who lives with and cares for her mentally ill twin brother, Dean (Harold Perrineau). Desna’s staff includes best friend Jennifer (Lyon), a tenuously sober ex-party girl raising two children from previous relationships; Quiet Ann ( Judy Reyes), Desna’s enigmatic driver who also provides security for the salon; Polly (Carrie Preston), a mild-mannered preppy who recently served time in prison for identity theft; and Virginia (Karrueche Tran), who makes no effort to hide her boredom and impatience with her job. Adding chaos to the Nail Artisan mix is Roller (Jack Kesy), a gangstered-out redneck who runs a barely legal pain clinic and uses Desna’s nail salon to launder the obscene profits; Bryce (Kevin Rankin), Jennifer’s husband who is also newly sober and trying to stay legit by working as an abundance coach; and Dr. Ken Brickman (Jason Antoon), a bona fide doctor at a decidedly un-bona fide and illegal drug clinic.
DIVABETIC FASHION: High-Waisted Bikinis are the perfect in-between for a bombshell beach look. Keeping the focus on your curves and drawing attention to your waist according to Vogue. READ MORE
Inspired by the short-lived but beloved show from the ’80s, GLOWtells the story of Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie), an out-of-work, struggling actress in Los Angeles who finds one last chance for stardom when she’s thrust into the glitter and spandex world of women’s wrestling. In addition to working with 12 Hollywood misfits, Ruth also has to compete with Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin), a former soap actress who left the business to have a baby only to be sucked back into work when her picture perfect life is not what it seems. And at the wheel is Sam Sylvia, played by Marc Maron, a washed-up, B-movie director who must now lead this group of women and a journey to wrestling stardom.
“GLOWis refreshingly free of the bombast and fatuousness that often come with the genre and features a winning performance by Alison Brie as an actress who finds work doing chokeslams and piledrivers,” wrote the New York Times.
DIVABETIC FASHION: Eye-popping bouquet of florals are the scene-stealers for Summer 2017. Sassy short party dresses, sassy boy shorts and maxi dresses are covered in bold blooms READ MORE
Showtime’s I’M DYING UP HEREis a dark new drama about comedy and loosely focuses on Mitzi Shore, her Comedy Store and the comics who played there in the 1970s, including Richard Lewis, David Letterman, Robin Williams, Elayne Boosler, Jay Leno, Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen, along with many lost to time. his narrative arc put them on a collision course, culminating in a 1979 strike against the club that sundered some relationships forever more.
“Real laughter, it’s cathartic — it’s the current that moves through an audience when some truth about who you are, who they are, is revealed,” says Clay (Sebastian Stan), a comic meant to embody a newer, more personal sort of stand-up, in which he invited strangers, as Eddie says, to “laugh at the most embarrassing, shameful, painful moments of his life.”
Many of the series’ incidents and observations and issues revolve around a relatively short period in 1973, in the wake of the Carson move. Still, as a backstage drama it indulges in themes and tropes that run back to “Stage Door” and “42nd Street” regarding ambition and talent, artists and impresarios.
DIVABETIC DIVA: Katy Perry returns with a new album, ‘Witness’ which could be one of the biggest flops of the Summer. However, she’s still got us dancing in circles to the songs, “Chained To The Rhythm” and “Swish Swish”. Plus, we love the technicolor Witness artwork! Other ‘divas’ spinning on our Summer turntable are Rihanna, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, Chic, Diana Ross, Shania Twain, KD Lang and new jazz artist, Ala.ni
“Close your eyes and you’ll think you’re eating a homemade yeast bread, instead of this easy quick bread baked in a loaf pan,” says Best-Selling Cookbook Author, Holly Clegg.
Preheat oven 350F. Coat 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
Stir in beer and honey (microwave honey 5-10 seconds) into the dry ingredients until just mixed. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake 50 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Remove from oven and pour melted butter over the top.
Nutritional information per serving (Makes 12 servings):Calories 159 kcal, Calories from Fat 13%, Fat 2 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 215 mg, Carbohydrates 29 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Total Sugars 5 g, Protein 3 g, Dietary Exchanges: 2 starch
Each element on the table has a number, its “weight,” which corresponds to the likelihood and frequency at which a person with diabetes may think about or interact with the element on any given day. This weight is shown on a scale from zero (not likely or frequent) to five (very likely and very frequent)
Reducing the amount of sugar in sweetened beverages over a 5-year period — without the addition of artificial sweeteners — could dramatically cut the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes in the population according to a new study published online January 6 in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology by Yuan Ma, a PhD. READ MORE
We’re shining the spotlight on Diabetes & Depression.
Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression. Depression can lead to poor lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy eating, less exercise, smoking and weight gain — all of which are risk factors for diabetes. Dr Beverly S Adler PhD, CDE and “The Sugarless Plum” Author Zippora Karz guest on this episode of Diabetes Late Nite LISTEN NOW
Tune in to our 7th Anniversary Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Cyndi Lauper on Tuesday, July 11, 6 PM,EST. Guests included Susan Weiner RD, MS, CDE, CDN , Megrette Fletcher MEd, RD, CDE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout this podcast we will be playing selected songs from the Essential Collection of Cyndi Lauper courtesy of SONY Music.
Always saddle your own horse. Always know what you’re doing. And go in the direction you are heading.” Connie Reeves
Our Divabetic Father’s Day Celebration takes on a Spaghetti Western theme to encourage you to embrace your ‘inner cowboy and cowgirl’ and keep riding high with diabetes health!
There are plenty of cowgirls to inspire you, like Connie Reeves, who paved the way for women everywhere she went. Although she was one of the first women to study law at the University of Texas, when tuition money came up short during the Depression she took a job teaching high school, reports WIRED. There she started a girl’s drill team, one of the first in the state (and now a passion in Texas). Then she began teaching horseback riding. Over the years this horsewoman taught riding along with her own brand of confidence to an estimated 36,000 children.
The documentary American Cowgirl shows 101-year-old Ms. Reeves riding, assisting at a girl’s summer camp, and trying to keep herself from cussing on camera. As she said, “There’s nothing as expressive as profanity.” The woman described as America’s oldest cowgirl said, “My life’s not important to very many people. But what I have done may be something that will motivate someone else. I hope so.”
One of our favorite experts, Best-Selling Cookbook Author Holly Clegg shares this Southwestern menu for a Divabetic Father’s Day Celebration.Holly’s menu includes Southwestern Roasted Vegetables, Asparagus with Zucchini Rings., Vodka Pasta, Beer Bread , Butternut Squash, Black Bean and Feta Enchiladas with Salsa Verde,Southwestern Pasta(Check out all of Holly’s healthy recipes for our Father’s Day Celebration on our Divabetic blog).
Butternut Squash, Black Bean and Feta Enchiladas with Salsa Verde by Holly Clegg
“Six ingredient vegetarian enchiladas burst with flavor and effortless to make,” says Holly Clegg.
Ingredients:
4 cups peeled butternut squash
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 bunch green onions, chopped
3/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese, divided
8 large (about 7-inch) corn or flour tortillas
2 cups salsa verde
1.Preheat oven 400°F.Coat baking pan with foil and coat with nonstick cooking spray.
2.Place squash on prepared pan.Bake 20-25 minutes or until squash is tender but not mushy.
3.Reduce heat to 350°F.In bowl, combine cooked squash, black beans, green onion and 1/2 cup feta.
4.Coat 3-quart oblong baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and spread a little of salsa verde on the bottom.Fill tortillas with about 1/2 cup filling, rolling up and place seam side down in dish.Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas.Sprinkle remaining cheese over sauce.
5.Cover pan with foil and bake 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Holly’s Terrific Tip:Roasted vegetables are easy to prepare with easy clean-up, and more flavorful. Look for pre-cut butternut squash in grocery.
Nutritional Nugget: Make this recipe gluten free with corn tortillas.
With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy healthy everyday recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim&TERRIFIC® and Eating Well cookbook series, including Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association. Holly Clegg attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School, London. For more information, visit About Holly or The Healthy Cooking Blog for more recipes and tips.
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic shines the spotlight on author and chef, Holly Clegg, in this half-hour special edition of Diva Talk Radio. This fun-filled food frenzy will feature expert advice on quick, flavorful and healthy eating from Holly’s latest book, ‘Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age’ LISTEN NOW
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About three percent of the general population get frozen shoulder, compared to about 20% of people with insulin-dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes and in those with prediabetes. Women are more likely to develop the condition than men, and it mainly affects people between the ages of 40-65.
Although there is no conclusive link to high sugars or insulin use, long-term complications of diabetes may include changes in the connective tissue that occur as a result of high glucose levels.
People who have a history of adhesive capsulitis are at an increased risk to develop the condition on the other side of the body. Recurrence on the affected side is also possible, particularly in patients with diabetes. READ MORE
You might notice that Spaghetti Westerns are usually fitted with titles that sound suspiciously like other movies. The original title of “Fistful of Dollars,” for instance, was “The Magnificent Stranger,” a knock off of “The Magnificent Seven.” In short, if the words “Dollar” “Gold” or “Coffin” are in the title, you’re probably watching a Spaghetti Western.
New Study Sees Link Between Sleep Duration and Diabetes in Men
During the last 50 years, the average self-reported sleep duration per person has decreased by 1.5 to 2 hours and the prevalence of diabetes has doubled in the same time period, according the this study’s primary author, Femke Rutters, PhD, of The Netherlands. READ MORE
Carrie Fisher arrives at the Governors Awards at the Dolby Ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Carrie Fisher died from ‘Sleep Apnea & other Causes’
Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher died from sleep apnea and “other factors”, the Los Angeles County coroner says. Sleep apnea is a common condition in which a person stops breathing during sleep, either for a few seconds or minutes. As well as listing sleep apnea as a cause of death, the coroner’s statement cited other factors, including heart disease and drug use.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain — and the rest of the body — may not get enough oxygen.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The more common of the two forms of apnea, it is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
Central sleep apnea: Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe, due to instability in the respiratory control center.
Am I at Risk for Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. Risk factors for sleep apnea include:
Divabetic ‘Spaghetti Western’ Father’s Day Celebration Playlist: “She’s in Love with the Boy” is a song written by Jon Ims and recorded by Trisha Yearwood. It was released in March 1991 as the lead single from her self-titled debut album. The song reached number one on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and was the first of five number ones on the country chart for Trisha Yearwood.
