We know many people in our Divabetic community don’t like to celebrate the holidays because they feel they may disrupt their diabetes care. But with a little pre-planning and guidance from your healthcare entourage you can still enjoy Easter related festivities without failing your diabetes.
“Don’t let diabetes dim your dazzle!”
We asked several experts, Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ and Karline Ricketts, CEO/Master Stylist to share their favorite recipes and hair tips to encourage you to celebrate a Divabetic Easter in style without compromising your diabetes health.
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,. Here’s one of the Diabetic Pastry Chef’s most requested recipes:
3/4 cup Whey Low D Granular, or dry sweetener of your choice
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup buttermilk
Directions
Combine dry ingredients and set aside. In mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and beat until combined and Whey Low or other sweetener is dissolved.
Reduce mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fill 12 paper lined muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven approximately 20 minutes, or until toothpick in center comes out clean.
Frosting Ingredients
1 cup milk
5 T all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup trans-fat-free shortening
1 cup sugar, Whey Low D Granular, or other dry sweetener of your choice
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
In saucepan combine milk and flour.Cook over medium heat until mixture boils and thick paste forms, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
In mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat butter, shortening, sweetener, and vanilla until creamy. Add chilled milk mixture. Beat at least 10 minutes. Spread on cooled cupcakes.
Please note: a tub of sugar-free vanilla frosting can be substituted for this frosting recipe.
Topping Ingredients
1 bag sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes
green food coloring
sugar-free or low sugar jelly beans
12 pipe cleaners (can be purchased at cigarette/cigar store or drug store)
Directions
Color the coconut flakes with the green food coloring. Spread on top of frosted cupcakes and press down a little. Scatter several jelly beans on top and gently press down. Bend the pipe cleaners and stick into the sides of the cupcakes as handles.
Stacey Harris has transformed more than 200 desserts into diabetic-friendly delights. COOKBOOK
Is Wearing An Easter Bonnet Harmful to Your Hair?
Topping off your Easter best with a bonnet or hat is as ‘sweet’ as adding frosting to a cupcake but can it damage your hair?
Karline Ricketts, CEO/Master Stylist, opened her first salon in West Palm Beach, FL over 30 years ago to provide an upscale client environment for a growing ethnic consumer market. Karline offers these tips for wearing a hat responsibly:
Style your hair a bit fuller than you normally would before you put on a hat to keep some of the volume when you take it off.
Never put a hat on your wet hair. Doing so may cause tension, breakage and the ultimate case of hat head when the hair is dry.
Give your hair room to breathe. Wearing a tight hat causes the hair to get greasy at the roots but dry at the ends. When the hat rubs against dry hair, it may cause it to break. A tight hat will put pressure on your head (it should feel comfortable and not pressed against your head), crush your curls and make your scalp sweat, making the situation worse.
Wear a satin cap or scarf underneath your hat to prevent your hair from breaking and dryness and to preserve your hairstyle or choose hats with a satin or silk lining.
Don’t miss Fabulous 2017, an evening of extraordinary elegance benefiting Divabetic, presented by Karline’s Salon on Saturday, May 20, 2017, 7 PM.Enjoy magical night of culture and community, colors and curls, and trend-setting fashions in a spectacular runway show. BUY TICKETS
Don’t Let the Parade Pass You By!
I’’ll be raising awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way at this year’s Annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival in New York on Sunday, April 16, 2017, 12:30 PM
Tune in to Facebook Live (Divabetic) to catch all the sights and sounds live from the Red Carpet with guests Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, diabetes advocate, Laura Laria and hat designer, Evetta Petty and more!
I’’ll be raising awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way at this year’s Annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival in New York on Sunday, April 16, 2017, 12:30 PM
Don’t let the parade pass you by! Tune in to Facebook Live (Divabetic) to catch all the sights and sounds live from the Red Carpet with guests Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP and hat designer, Evetta Petty and more!
Never been to the New York Easter Parade?
“Sunday best” gets new meaning during this annual procession, wherein participants show off elaborately constructed hats— shaped like gigantic Easter baskets, the NYC skyline and the Coney Island Cyclone! The tradition started in the mid-1800s, when high-society ladies would promenade in their Easter finery after church, and has since evolved into a showcase for millinery.
While most of the hats on display at the Festival will be outrageous you can still add an extra touch of magic, refinement, and/or edge to an outfit with a much modest sized hat.
What’s one big hat trend for Spring/Summer 2017?
“With access to Cuba, its retro influence is having a powerful impact on the fashion industry,” according to Evetta Petty, the owner of Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop in New York City. “There are colorful exotic prints that are mixed with natural raw elements.Rich, graphic, brilliant patterns paired with kitschy accessories like bold voluminous necklaces and bangles as well as tassels, pompoms, and ruffles for an updated vintage look.”
Hats are also an important staple for the summer season, since they help to shield us from the sun.
If you have diabetes, it’s important to avoid too much sun exposure and sunburn, particularly if you take certain medications, such as glyburide (brand names Micronase, DiaBeta, and Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), and glimepiride (Amaryl), as well as diuretics and NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen and celecoxib [Celebrex] according to Diabetes Self-Management magazine.
People with diabetes should avoid sunburn because it can stress your body and raise your blood glucose. Wear a good sunscreen (we recommend PEAK PROTECTION sunscreen spray SPF29), lip balm that contains SPF, sunglasses as well as a hat when out in the sun and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Most people don’t realize that while driving your neck, hands and left side of your face is exposed to sun!
“If you drive 1/2 hour or more per day to workthe sun is constantly beaming through the windshield on your hands,” says PEAK 10 skincare founder, Connie Elder.“Use sunscreen on the back of your hands and neck.”
I’ll be challenging people’s Diabetes Wellness IQ with games at the Easter Parade & Bonnet Festival. Test your knowledge with this question: Sunscreen doesn’t expire – True or False?
Answer: TRUE. Go ahead and throw out last summer’s bottle of sunscreen. Although sunscreens are usually labeled with an expiration date and have a shelf life of approximately two years, it’s important to buy a new bottle every summer to ensure that your skin is well-protected.
There are lots of amazing designs to try on this year but what’s the one trend that will set you a part from the other run-of-the-mill fashionistas in your town?
“The headwear industry welcomes the return of the turban with feathers and glitzy embellishments!,” says Evetta and adding, “also, wide brimmed hats with floral trimmings are a strong look this season.”
Have fun dressing for Sunny days and HAVANA NIGHTS.
The music world has suffered yet another loss. Singer Brenda Jones of the R&B trio The Jones Girls has passed away; she was 62 reported EBONY magazine.
Valerie, Shirley, and Brenda Jones, collectively known as the Jones Girls, spent more than ten years in the music business before they tasted success of their own. During that time, however, their voices graced the records and stage performances of dozens of established stars, including Diana Ross and Betty Everett. By the mid-’80s, the group had nine charting R&B singles, including the Top 10 hits “You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else” and “I Just Love the Man,” as well as the deep classics “Who Can I Run To” and “Nights Over Egypt.”
Although Brenda Jones was not living with diabetes, we feel her death is still newsworthy to our Divabetic community since many of Luther Vandross‘ devoted fans were also fans of the Jones Girls.
Divabetic (divabetic.org) was inspired by late R & B legend, Luther Vandross who died of diabetes health-related complications in 2005. Our unique mixture of diabetes education with R & B and other genres of music featured on our free monthly podcasts, Diabetes Late Nite help to broaden the appeal of diabetes outreach.
According to her sister, Shirley Jones, the singer was struck on Monday, April 3, by several cars while attempting to cross the street while visiting her daughter in Wilmington, Delaware. Police are still investigating the incident, but her sister called Brenda’s death a heartbreaking loss.
“My sister was my life, she was probably one of the sweetest people you’d ever want to meet,” Shirley Jones told EBONY. “When we lost Val in 2001 that was a real big blow to the family….The bond that we had growing up was unique; it was so special.”
Shirley Jones continued, “The heartbreak is phenomenal. I can’t even imagine going on without her but life will go on. We’re strong and we’re going to persevere in her name. She was truly a wonderful person.”
The Jones Girls’ performances with Diana Ross opened up many doors including a contract with Philadelphia International Records at the end of the ’70s. The trio cut four LPs in their three years with the label, enjoying a string of hits around them including “You’re Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else,” “Better Things to Do,” “Nights Over Egypt,” and “I Just Love the Man.” They later left Philadelphia International for an offer from RCA, but their sales at the new label were poor. The trio never recaptured the moment they had at the end of the ’70s and the beginning of the ’80s. Shirley Jones, who was the first of the trio to record singly, with an entire album for Philadelphia International, continued to carve out a separate career. Valerie died in 2001.
Don’t miss April’s Diabetes Late Nite featuring music by Lang Lang on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, 6 PM, EST. Guests include Grammy Award winning singer, Lisa Fischer, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.
We know many people in our Divabetic community don’t like to celebrate the holidays because they feel they may disrupt their diabetes care. But with a little pre-planning and guidance from your healthcare entourage you can still enjoy Easter related festivities without failing your diabetes.
From the annual Easter Egg Roll to eating iguana, turtle and the world’s largest rodent in Colombia, there are many different Easter traditions around the world to choose from!
Easter is the most important religious holiday in the Greek Orthodox calendar. Shops line their windows with brightly-coloured wrappings for Easter candles and chocolate eggs. Greek families sit down to a meal of whole roasted lamb or kid goat on Easter Sunday.
Germans like to decorate trees with hollowed-out, painted eggs for Easter. One elderly man has taken the art form to an extreme degree.
An old European tradition of tapping eggs together in a contest to see which is the strongest is enjoying a revival in Louisiana. The town of Marksville claims to host the oldest “egg-knocking” competition in the United States. Competitors pair up on the steps of the courthouse on Easter Sunday and knock the tips of two eggs together. If the egg cracks, its owner is out of the competition. The process continues until just one egg remains.
Instead of tucking into chocolate eggs, Colombians like to eat iguana, turtle and the world’s largest rodent for their traditional Easter dinner.
We say, whatever you and your loved ones may choose to do, “Don’t let diabetes dim your dazzle!”
We asked several experts, Cookbook Author, Holly Clegg, Wine & Spirits Expert Samantha Shaken Baker and diabetes advocate, author and model Doris Hobbs to share their favorite recipes, picks and fashions to encourage you to celebrate a Divabetic Easter in style without compromising your diabetes health.
With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy, healthy and practical recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim & TERRIFIC® and her more health focused Eating Well cookbook series, including newly released 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY edition of Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association.Clegg who attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School has appeared on Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today, QVC, The 700 Club, USA Today, Cooking Light Magazine, Web MD, and Huff Post.She has consulted for Walmart, Teflon, The Coca-Cola Company, and hospitals throughout the country. Here’s Holly’s suggestion on to make a simple, impressive way to dress up eggs for Easter:
“These colorful Western omelet ingredients are piled on an English muffin and make this the ideal grab and go satisfying breakfast” says Holly.Egg beaters may be substituted for the egg and egg white combination.
Makes 6 muffins
1/2 cup chopped Canadian bacon
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped tomatoes
2 eggs
5 egg whites
Salt and pepper to taste
3 whole-wheat English muffins, halved
1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded Cheddar cheese
1. In nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook Canadian bacon 2 minutes or until begins to brown.Add onion and, green pepper sautéing until tender.Add tomatoes, cook 1 minute.Remove from pan, set aside.
2. In small bowl, whisk together eggs and egg whites.In same nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, scramble eggs.Season to taste.When eggs are almost done, stir in bacon onion mixture.
3. Meanwhile, toast muffin halves.Divide egg mixture to top muffin halves.Sprinkle with cheese.
Note:The prepared muffins may be refrigerated and reheated in the microwave or in oven preheated at 350°F. about 5 minutes or until well heated.
“Glamour is the feeling of beauty, with an undertone of femininity, while looking like a lady, for all occasions,” Luxury Spokesmodel, Diabetes Advocate, Contributing Style Editor & Published Writer,Doris Hobbs explains. “Glamour is an illusion, a form of mystery revealing a fragile state that changes with time. Glamour, from my perspective, is defined as recreation from all facets of our lives. Perhaps the best way to describe it is with a ravishing red lipstick, a sensual hourglass silhouette, and style inspiration from such mavens as Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, and Jayne Mansfield.”
Vintage brooches are colorful, eye-catching sparkle and for a small investment, you get a big return style wise!
Did you know back in the day women wore “Scatter pins”, a matching set of two or more pins that were grouped together on a blouse or sweater?
If you love vintage brooches, there is no need to curb your enthusiasm because you think you wouldn’t get a chance to wear all the ones you find. There are plenty of ways to show them off!
DIVABETIC TIP: While alcohol can make blood sugar drop too low, certain beverages (such as beer or sugary mixers) can cause a blood sugar spike. What’s more, consuming more than one or two drinks can cloud your thinking and affect other food choices you make that day, which can also affect glucose levels.
What’s brunch without a little bubbly?
We asked Samantha Shanken Baker, who helps presents memorable food and wine events like the Annual Harlem Eat Up! to suggest a great tasting champagne for under $50. Samantha’s pick is G.H. Mumm Brut Champagne Cordon (retail $45) featuring a delightful notes of flavor—dried apricot, candied orange peel, nut and smoke. This very harmonious dry Champagne is still elegant and light-weight. The rich, toasty note lingers on the vibrant finish. Oh la-la!
DIVABETIC TIP: Heavy black pumps paired with lightweight white dresses can be an odd combination. If you wear a white dress in the spring , better options include natural toned or white sandals. If you choose to wear white in fall and winter, brown shoes still look better than black (and for sticklers to the rules, white shoes should be avoided after Labor Day). HOW TO WEAR WHITE
Why not enjoy a Coco Mimosa?
I love serving my guests mimosas at Brunch. The name of one of the characters. “Coco Mimosa”,from our upcoming Diabetes Mystery titled “Gypsies, Tramps & Peas” inspired this new tropical twist to a mimosa. It’s as easy as pie! Just splash some coconut flavored light rum over fresh orange juice and champagne.
DIVABETIC TIP: The weather is warming up and the cherry blossoms are in bloom – looks like spring has finally sprung! It’s the perfect season to jump start a walking program. It’s easy, safe, and inexpensive. It’s also relaxing and at the same time invigorating, requires little athletic skill, and does not call for club membership or special equipment other than sturdy, comfortable shoes. And it is fun and natural — good for your mind and self-esteem. LEARN MORE
Let a new walking shoe get you in the groove!
We love these striped spring flat mesh casual walking shoes (pictured above)! They’re breathable slip ons and reasonably inexpensive. BUY
According to the Who What Wear website florals are a big trend for Spring 2017. Sound familiar? Well, this time around, the scale, fabrication and mood is more exaggerated than ever! Designers are encouraging you to be in full bloom from head to toe—shoes included. From double doses of Rococo-style jacquard florals with ruffles and raw hems at Marques’Almeida to subdued, blousy ’70s bouquets at Chloé and neon carnations at Balenciaga, there is nothing standard about these arrangements. No ditsy prints here in this S/S 17 version of the fashion trend, thanks.
“Eat with color and you know you are eating healthy! This overnight sensation with bright colors and flavors will wake up those morning taste-buds!” says Holly.
Makes 8 (1-cup) servings
8 ounces ground breakfast turkey sausage
1 onion, chopped
1 red, green, or yellow bell pepper, cored and chopped
5 (8-inch) 98% fat-free flour tortillas, cut into quarters
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1. Coat 13x9x2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large nonstick skillet, cook and crumble sausage until starts to brown. Add onion and bell pepper, cooking until sausage is done and vegetables tender. Add spinach, garlic and green chilies; cooking until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
3. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, half-and-half, chili powder, cumin and cheese.
4. Spoon one-third of sausage mixture in baking dish. Top with one-third tortilla quarters and one-third cheese and green onions. Repeat layers, ending with green onion. Pour egg mixture evenly over casserole and refrigerate, covered, at least 6 hours or overnight.
5. Preheat oven 350°F. If using glass baking dish, place in cold oven and bake 50-60 minutes or until bubbly, golden brown and knife inserted into custard comes out clean.
DIVABETIC TIP: Want to get more for your money? Buying fruit and vegetables in season often helps! Prices usually come down when a fruit or vegetable is in season. In addition, the quality of the produce (taste, texture, freshness, etc.) is at its best. When you buy produce that is out of season (for example, buying berries in the winter), you are likely buying food that has been shipped hundreds or even thousands of miles. It is usually more expensive, less environmentally-friendly, and the quality not as good.
LISTEN NOW: Cook Book Author Holly Clegg podcast interview. With over 1 million books sold, Holly reigns supreme when it comes to helping today’s busy person cook everyday meals that are fast and fit into an overall healthy lifestyle.Known as the “Queen of Quick,” Holly’s recipes are time, user and pantry-friendly. LINK
What’s trending in Diabetes Wellness for Spring? Here are three recent diabetes and health & wellness headlines that caught our eye!
An amazing app that helps you improve your A1C!One Drop | Mobile provides real-time and historical blood glucose data and analytics to subscribers and their healthcare providers, allowing both to see relationships between specific health behaviors and health outcomes.
Recently I came across a disturbing Facebook post on diabetes advocate, Mike Lawson‘s page about a man desperate for insulin who created a Go-Fund-Me page to be able to afford it.
Shane Patrick Boylewho was living with type 1 diabetes was a gifted writer and graphic artist who created a Go-Fund-Me campaign to pay for insulin
Unfortunately Shane passed on March 18th, and according to his Go-Fund-Me Page, “Shane died because he was trying to stretch out his life saving insulin to make it last longer.”
Shane moved back home to help take care of his sick mom, Judith (she died on March 11th,) and his healthcare was put on the line because of the move.
Shane lost his Rx benefits, was between doctors and needed insulin for his type 1 diabetes. Shane was waiting for his ACA status to be approved and was stretching out his insulin until he had enough money to pay for his insulin, and see a doctor to prescribe prescriptions.
Around the world people with diabetes are dying because they don’t have access to life saving insulin.
According to the New York Times, a lawsuit was filed in January accusing three makers of insulin of conspiring to drive up the prices of their lifesaving drugs, harming patients who were being asked to pay for a growing share of their drug bills.
Thearticle states that the price of insulin has skyrocketed in recent years, with the three manufacturers — Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly — raising the list prices of their products in near lock step, prompting outcry from patient groups and doctors who have pointed out that the rising prices appear to have little to do with increased production costs.
The lawsuit cites several examples of patients with diabetes who, unable to afford their insulin treatments, which can cost up to $900 a month, have resorted to injecting themselves with expired insulin or starving themselves to control their blood sugar. Some patients, the lawsuit said, intentionally allowed themselves to slip into diabetic ketoacidosis — a blood syndrome that can be fatal — to get insulin from hospital emergency rooms.
A recent study in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that the price of insulin nearly tripled from 2002 to 2013.
Given insulin’s history, and the fact that more than one company makes it, it might seem odd that prices have been going up so dramatically.
Researchers first figured out how to manufacture insulin in animal pancreases back in the 1920s so that it could be injected into people. The doctor who developed it, Dr. Frederick Banting, won a Nobel Prize for the discovery in 1923.
Since then, there have been some big changes. In the 1970s, scientists figured out how to use recombinant DNA to manufacture real human insulin, so that it no longer had to come from animals. But in drug years, that is old, and those insulins are still in use.
The most prescribed types of insulin are called analogues, which are slight variations of human insulin that aim to help diabetics’ bodies function more closely to how they would if they were able to produce the insulin themselves.
Drug companies have a history of marginally improving drugs and then charging higher prices for the new versions even if the extra benefit is small.
Join The American Diabetes Association and sign the petition to make insulin affordable. Advocate and call your lawmakers – your voice matters, so make use it and make noise!
LISTEN NOW: Tips for Managing Your Diabetes at Night on Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Gladys Knight & The Pips. Guests include Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’, Mary Ann Hodorowicz, RD, LDN, MBA, CDE, CEC, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, SleepyHead Central founder Tamara Sellman RPSGT, CCSH, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.
Divabetic is committed to helping people living with diabetes health-related complications lead more independent, fuller lives. Don’t get down, Get Diva!
Amputation is a major complication of diabetes with the number of amputations caused by diabetes rising 24% from 1988 to 2009. The most common amputations in people with diabetes are the toes, feet, and lower legs.
Since Jazz legend, Ella Fitzgerald was a double-amputee who didn’t let her condition stop her from performing, we decided to take a ‘jazzy’ look at some of the newest trends in wheelchairs.
First up, a wheelchair that drives itself!
MIT researchers have managed to pack the same hardware of self-driving vehicles into a wheelchair according to Wired Magazine.
Equipped with three LiDAR sensors, the wheelchair works much like a self-driving car. Before going into service, someone manually drives it through a given area, and the sensors build a map details how wide the hallways are, where the pillars are, and so on. Once that’s set, the user selects where he or she wants to go by click on the map, and the chair gets going, using the sensors to look for “dynamic obstacles”—like people walking around, or that chair that wasn’t there earlier.
Unfortunately the MIT chair’s not quite ready for primetime. MIT researcher Daniela Rus and her team would like the wheelchair to work both indoors and outdoors, and to teach the system to make predictions, like where that person pushing the food cart is heading, and how best to avoid them.
The Lawrence Kwok Nimbl concept wheelchair design is easy on the eyes and is constructed with carbon-fiber. It is specially made for home use. It is user-friendly, highly adjustable and allows for a smooth ride.
Need help reaching the top shelf?
Researchers at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna have created an advanced prototype of a wheelchair that raises the user up to a standing position so they can have access to out-of-reach items. Plus it adapts allowing the wheelchair user to climb stairs and slopes easily.allows It also allows the user to have easy access to the toilet via a trap door.
Looking for something sleek and stylish?
02GEN futuristic concept wheelchair is designed to enrich the lifestyles of wheelchair users. The design concept merges the functionality of an electric wheelchair with a sleek modern design that encourages good sitting posture. The wheelchair user will be able to control the wheelchair easily as it adapts to the needs of the user.
Let’s not forget that back in 2013, Lady Gaga to turn a wheelchair into an accessory! Left with limited mobility after undergoing surgery on her hip, Golden Globe winning actress was never going to be limping around on scruffy old crutches. Instead she is using a 24k gold plated vehicle specially created for her by Ken Borochov of luxury brand Mordekai.
Her one of a kind chair comes with a black tufted calf leather seat, a removable leather canopy, vintage wheels, a padded leg rest and even gold-plated brakes.
Designer Borochov said in a statement that he created the ‘chariot’ in a week and took inspiration from a throne.
‘I certainly wasn’t expecting that phone call and have never done a wheelchair but am always up for a challenge and was thrilled to create it.
LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Ella Fitzgerald. Guests include the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN) Poet Lorraine Brooks, Ansley Dalbo, Best-Selling Author Anna J. Stewart, Leola and Cornelia,and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout the podcast we will be playing songs from Columbia Jazz: Ella Fitzgerald’s Live album courtesy of SONY Music.
Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”
Go ahead, and laugh but I love the ‘Golden Girls’! So do a lot of other people. Over the course of seven seasons, the show racked up 68 Emmy nominations, 11 wins, and is one of only 4 shows in TV history whose principal actors all won Emmys for their roles. Despite Hollywood’s obsession with youth, The Golden Girls is still beloved by audiences thirty years after its premiere.
While the women exchange quips and get into fights, the overarching message of the show focuses on the importance of chosen family, and women supporting other women. Further, we see the women enjoying life after marriage.
Whether you identify with Blanche, Dorothy, Rose or Sophia, I think the ‘Golden Girls’ can help inspire you to improve your diabetes self-care. Over the years, I have hosted 3 podcasts loosely inspired by the ‘Golden Girls’ and a ‘Golden Girls’ inspired diabetes outreach program presented in Pittsburgh, PA, New York, NY and Philadelphia, PA.
Why?
Let’s face it managing diabetes for women like the ‘Golden Girls’ presents a variety of challenges, ranging from increased insulin resistance and weight gain to sexual health issues and depression. As you age, you may be most aware of your new gray hairs and wrinkles, but aging causes changes throughout the entire body.
It used to be said that having diabetes aged people an additional 20 years. Today, thanks to better tools for managing diabetes and preventing and treating its complications, people with diabetes have the opportunity to live longer than ever before.
However, managing diabetes in the golden years presents a variety of challenges, ranging from increased insulin resistance and weight gain to sexual health issues and depression.
LISTEN NOW: Mr. Divabetic takes a ’50 Shades of Gray’ approach to talking about diabetes and aging during this lively hour of diabetes education and empowerment.
My guests include Dr. Andrea Chisholm MD, FACOG, OB-GYN, “How To Fight FATflammation!”, Author Lori Shemek PhD, “The Secrets to Living and Loving With Diabetes” and “Sex and Diabetes” Janis Roszler, MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND 2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE), Humorist and Author “The Sweet Blessing: My Adventures in Diabetes” Trisha Porretti RN, BSN, CDE.
LISTEN: GOLDEN GIRLS podcast about ‘Diabetes & Food Choices’ as we Age. Guest, Jessica Issler, RD, CDE, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, offers the golden rules of diabetes care with a focus on food. Using the original Golden Girls – Blanche, Sophia, Rose and Dorothy – as inspiration, Jessica reviews healthy food options for a variety of palates (including cheesecake!) and shares advice on counting carbohydrates.
“I had to write ‘Golden Girls’…I’ve never gotten excited about a network idea before, but this was compelling. I could write grown-ups.” — Susan Harris, creator of ‘The Golden Girls,’ September 1985
LISTEN NOW: Studio d podcast on the Golden Rules of Style based on the ‘Golden Girls’ with Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP. Let the four iconic ‘Golden Girls’ characters inspire you to embrace your inner diva with the style! Catherine provides practical style advice to help you achieve a Glam More, Fear Less mindset in your diabetes life.
After a shaking first rehearsal and numerous rewrites we’re gearing up for the second rehearsal of September’s Diabetes Mystery podcast entitled “Gypsies, Tramps and Peas”.
What I learned from the first rehearsal was that the dialogue needs to be punched up, scenes need to be edited, and several Coney Island character need to be developed. But, all in all, I was happy with the diabetes education tips and the mystery’s storyline.
Once again the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic (that’s me) finds himself mixed up in a murder mystery investigation when he arrives in Coney Island to attend the 35th Annual Mermaid Parade.
My character experiences a change of heart in the ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Peas’ storyline from past episodes. Believe it or not, Mr. Divabetic willfully decides to get involved in a murder investigation because it involved my high school swim coach, Ted Rockow.
Will he sink or swim?
Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his friends, some sassy mermaids and a cooky fortune teller. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.
USA Today Best-Selling Author, Tonya Kappes, Asha Brown, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Seveda Williams, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, Mama Rose Marie and Poet Lorraine Brooks help the fruit suit clad sleuth in this seaside adventure. Healthy delicious recipes provided by Chef Robert Lewis and Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’. Plus our mystery podcast features music from the original cast recording of ‘Gypsy’ courtesy of SONY Music.
Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Lang Lang on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, 6- 7:30 PM. Guests include Grammy Award winning singer, Lisa Fischer, podiatrist Dr. Michele Summers Colon DPM, diabetes advocate Eugenia, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie. TUNE IN
I’m thrilled to announce that I will be hosting A Diabetes Alert Dog Fashion Showwith Diabetes Alert Dog Trainer and Author Debby Kay from Chilbrook Kennels, and certified diabetes educator Kathy Gold RN, MSN, CDE, FAADE at Mosaic Central Farm Market on Sunday, June 4, 11 AM – 1 PM.
My interest in diabetes alert dogs has been steadily growing since I interviewed ‘Elle & Coach’ Author Mark Dagostino on Diabetes Late Nite several years ago.
Elle and Coach is the endearing true story of a Type-A mom struggling to care for a daughter who has Type 1 diabetes–and the incredible service dog who changes their lives for the better.
Dog expert, Debby Kay was also a guest on the show that night. Since then, Debby Kay has been working as a expert advisor on several of my Diabetes Mystery podcasts including ‘Suspect Boulevard’ and next year’s ‘Hedda Lettuce Horseman’. The main character, Marjorie Melbourne Blaze, in ‘Suspect Boulevard’ has a diabetes and dementia alert dog. Debby advised me on numerous issues regarding Marjorie’s dog including breed, identification and the different ways he or she can help their owner.
Our upcoming Diabetes Alert Dog Fashion Show will feature dogs of all breeds dressed to the nines followed by a Diabetic Alert Dogs presentation from Debby Kay and certified diabetes educator, Kathy Gold RN, MSN, CDE, FAADE.
Did you know Diabetes Alert Dogs are trained to alert owners with diabetes in advance of low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar events before they become dangerous? That way their handlers can take steps to return their blood sugar to normal such as using glucose sweets or taking insulin.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to teach your dog to sense your oncoming low blood sugars and actually alert you to them?
Renowned dog expert Debby Kay provides an overview of the basics of dog training and dog care and details how your dog can sense your blood sugars and respond in different ways depending on whether your blood sugar is high or low. Respected diabetes educator Kathy Gold shares information on treating hypoglycemia and/or high hyperglycemia for people living with diabetes.
Mosaic Central Farm Market opened in the heart of the vibrant Mosaic District in Fairfax, Virginia. The market features over 60 vendors during the April-December season.
Mosaic Central Farm Market
2910 District Avenue
Fairfax, VA 22031
LISTEN NOW: Author Mark Dagostino guests on Diabetes Late Nite inspired by the Isley Brothers. Professional Animal Trainer, Debby Kay, who specializes in scent detection work with dogs talks about the power of the human-animal connection along with Terri Seidman and Mama Rose Marie.
Throughout the podcast we will be playing selected songs from The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983), a monumental 23-disc box set collection chronicling the sonic evolution and abiding achievements of the unprecedented R&B ensemble courtesy of SONY MUSIC. This box set follows The Isley Brothers through their transformation from a 1950’s doo-wop/gospel vocal group into the world’s preeminent R&B rock ‘n’ soul powerhouse party band.
Style your hair a bit fuller than you normally would before you put on a hat to keep some of the volume when you take it off.
