Divabetic Playlists and Podcasts are available on Spotify! Divabetic playlists spotlight the artists we feature on our monthly podcasts courtesy of SONY Music.
Check out March’s Divabetic podcast featuring music by Prince in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Prince & The New Power Generation’s The Love Symbol album’s release.
Written and recorded during a time when gangsta rap was hitting the airwaves, Prince surrounded himself with his own posse in an attempt to either reflect the changing musical landscape or appear in sync with it.
Divabetic’s favorite tracks include the soul-funk “Love 2 the 9’s” the reggae-influenced “Blue Light” and the pop-rock of “The Morning Papers”.
Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?
Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chefand Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller on Wednesday, February 9, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
During this virtual Baking Party on Zoom, The Diabetic Pastry Chef will prepare a Valentine’s Day Sugar-Free Dessert recipe and share expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and flours in your favorite recipes.
Plus, one lucky participant will win a Divabetic Gift Basket featuring Splenda products, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes‘s Cozy Mystery, PEAK 10 Skin Save My Soles Rescue Cream, and an assortment of Walden Farms Salad Dressings. You must be present on Zoom to participate in our random drawing.
The Diabetic Pastry Chef prepares a Valentines-themed Sugar-Free Dessert Recipe and shares Expert Baking Tips for using Sugar Substitutes & Free Gift Prize! Join us on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST
Divabetic’s first podcast of the year featuring Rachel Zinman, Arthur Aston, and Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDCES. Rachel will be presenting a guided mediation you won’t want to miss! Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music by Teddy Pendergrass courtesy of SONY Music.
“I’m trying to reduce my carbohydrates as one of my New Year’s resolutions,” says the original Divabetic. Since the pandemic, she’s been attempting to raise her game as a healthy home cook.
After joining us for several Divabetic Cooking and Baking Parties on Zoom, she challenged herself to create a healthy meal at home. Fortunately, she agreed to share it with our Divabetic community.
“I have been living with type 2 diabetes for over a decade,” says our guest Divabetic. “Cauliflower and cheese is it for me now, no macaroni involved.”
Cauliflower is muc lower in carbohydrates than macaroni.
“I have discovered that cauliflower takes on the flavor of whatever it’s cooked with, she says. “So you taste nothing but delicious cheddar and parmesan cheeses!”
This picture is crabcakes over garlic sauteed spinach with a side of cauliflower macaroni and cheese.
Generally speaking, I no longer feel like spending a ton of time in the kitchen, so here’s my fast and lazy way to make Cauliflower Mac & Cheese.
Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Recipe Ideas by the Original Divabetic
I started with a bag of uncooked riced cauliflower. I put it in a large bowl sprinkled some Parmesan, Cheddar, and Mozzarella cheeses on it. , Then I added a bunch of different seasonings, including onion powder, black pepper, garlic powder, and sage.
I was afraid the mixture would be watery because it was my first time making this. That’s why I added 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise to my mix. Yes, I said “mayo” because, in my opinion, it makes things delicious and creamy. I often use mayo as a substitute for egg and oil. As an afterthought, I decided to add a couple of tablespoons of butter, even though I used mayo.
Then, I eyeballed a small amount of half-and-half just enough so everything blended together nicely and held. Next, I chose a small loaf pan. The smaller pan was the perfect size for the amount I made. I had topped it with a bit of extra cheese and into a 370° oven for about 30 to 35 minutes. I knew it was done when I peeked in, and it was nicely golden and bubbly on the top. I took it out of the oven topped it with a bit of parsley. And as Rachel Ray would say, it was “yum-o”!!!
The original Divabetic gushes, “There is a 100 % guilt-free deliciousness in every mouthful. I plan to make it again and again.”
The Diabetic Pastry Chef prepares a Valentines-themed Sugar-Free Dessert Recipe and shares Expert Baking Tips for using Sugar Substitutes & Free Gift Prize! Join us on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST
Divabetic’s first podcast of the year featuring Rachel Zinman, Arthur Aston, and Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDCES. Rachel will be presenting a guided mediation you won’t want to miss! Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music by Teddy Pendergrass courtesy of SONY Music.
I’m excited to share that I wrote a new Christmas song with two of my Luther Vandross colleagues, to be released later this year. Since the song lyrics mention alcohol, it’s an excellent opportunity to tackle alcohol and diabetes.
In February’s podcast, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, and I will be speaking about alcohol’s effect on blood sugars. Tune in to Divabetic’s podcastfeaturing music by Dean Martin on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 6 PM, EST.
Podcast guests: Fran Carpentier, Mama Rose Marie, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Throughout this podcast, we will be featuring music from The Essential Dean Martin album courtesy of SONY Music.
In addition, I’ll be blogging about the various ‘Skinny Proseccos’ on the market with the fabulous Catherine Schuller in subsequent blog posts on Divabetic.Org. These brands claim to have less added sugar and fewer calories than other Proseccos. But are these proseccos a better option or just marketing hype?
Keep in mind less added sugar doesn’t mean NO SUGAR. Skinny Prosecco also contains alcohol.
Many people with diabetes enjoy alcohol. But you need to know how alcohol affects your blood sugar as well as your blood pressure. For example, drinking alcohol may cause your blood sugars to rise or fall.
Moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugars to rise. Conversely, excess alcohol decreases your blood sugars– sometimes causing it to drop into dangerous levels, especially for people with type 1 diabetes.
Beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates and may raise blood sugar.
Alcohol stimulates your appetite, which can cause you to overeat and may affect your blood sugar control.
Alcoholic drinks often have a lot of calories, making it more challenging to lose excess weight.
Alcohol may also affect your judgment or willpower, causing poor food choices.
Alcohol can interfere with the positive effects of oral diabetes medicines or insulin.
Alcohol can cause flushing, nausea, increased heart rate, and slurred speech. These may be confused with or mask the symptoms of low blood sugar.
I’m looking forward to hosting a virtual Record Release Party on Zoom with the musicians, vocalists, and educators to celebrate my new songwriting credit!!
Register now for Divabetic’s upcoming free Baking Party with The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Zoom on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7-8:30 PM, EST. Click to REGISTER
One lucky participant will win a Splenda Gift Gasket and additional Divabetic prizes (featuring Tonya Kappes’s Camper Cozy Mystery, Peak 10 Skin’s Save My Soles Rescue Cream, and Walden Farms Zero Calorie Salad Dressing) in our random drawing. You must be present at our Baking Party to win.
Since our program is still two weeks away, enjoy these free Divabetic resources to help you stay upbeat and on track with your diabetes wellness. And remember to treat yourself with kindness!
The Diabetic Pastry Chef
Enjoy the Diabetic Pastry Chef’s Sugar-Free Carrot Cake Recipe. Click HERE
Enjoy Splenda’s Sweet Potato Soup Recipe. Click HERE
Listen to Divabetic Podcast Inspired by Dolly Parton. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr.Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Catherine Schuller, Lisa R Young, PhD, RDN, and Type 2 Diabetes – What To Know Facebook Community member, Crystal. Click HERE
Watch Mr. Divabetic’s video filmed at the New York City Easter Parade. Click HERE
The Diabetic Pastry Chef prepares a Valentines-themed Sugar-Free Dessert Recipe and shares Expert Baking Tips for using Sugar Substitutes & Free Gift Prize! Join us on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST
February’s musical inspiration Dean Martin was a loveable drunk with dark good looks, hilarious one-liners, and an ever-present rocks glass.
Like a walking, talking advertisement for ‘happy hour,’ Dean Martin is inspiring a discussion about the effects of alcohol on blood sugar levels and blood pressure on Divabetic’s February podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 6 PM, EST.
Although his family has denied his alcohol consumption, his on-stage demeanor was just the opposite. He was a one-man cocktail party, and all of the United States was invited to join in the fun. And during his heyday in the 1950s and ’60s, it sometimes seemed as though everyone did. But, of course, those words might not be any more accurate than today during these unprecedented times.
A new survey suggests that since the COVID outbreak in the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 Americans have been consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol.
“Heavy drinking” was defined as having had two heavy drinking days in a single week at least twice in the previous 30 days. A “heavy drinking day” was defined as four or more drinks containing alcohol for women and five or more drinks containing alcohol for men.
Alcohol consumption rose among adults over age 30 by 14% during the pandemic, with a 41% increase in women heavily drinking, according to a September 2020 RAND Corporation study. The strain continues to take a toll on those already coping with addictions, spiking relapse, and overdose rates.
While moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar levels to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar levels reports WebMD.
Alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than 3 drinks at a time can temporarily raise your blood pressure. But repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases.
February’s musical inspiration Dean Martin was a loveable drunk with dark good looks, hilarious one-liners, and an ever-present rocks glass.
Like a walking, talking advertisement for ‘happy hour,’ Dean Martin is inspiring a discussion about the effects of alcohol on blood sugar levels and blood pressure on Divabetic’s February podcast.
Although his family has denied his alcohol consumption, his on-stage demeanor was just the opposite. He was a one-man cocktail party, and all of the United States was invited to join in the fun. And during his heyday in the 1950s and ’60s, it sometimes seemed as though everyone did. But, of course, those words might not be any more accurate than today during these unprecedented times.
A new survey suggests that since the COVID outbreak in the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 Americans have been consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol.
“Heavy drinking” was defined as having had two heavy drinking days in a single week at least twice in the previous 30 days. A “heavy drinking day” was defined as four or more drinks containing alcohol for women and five or more drinks containing alcohol for men.
Alcohol consumption rose among adults over age 30 by 14% during the pandemic, with a 41% increase in women heavily drinking, according to a September 2020 RAND Corporation study. The strain continues to take a toll on those already coping with addictions, spiking relapse, and overdose rates.
While moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar levels to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar levels reports WebMD.
Alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than 3 drinks at a time can temporarily raise your blood pressure. But repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases.
We’re talking about 50 years with type 1 diabetes, alcohol’s effects on blood sugars, and the Spare A Rose campaign with musical inspiration from Dean Martin. February podcast guests: Fran Carpentier, Mama Rose Marie, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Throughout this podcast, we will be featuring music from The Essential Dean Martin album courtesy of SONY Music.
This morning, I found this old Divabetic card in a stack of papers. “Denial’s Not My Style’ was the second phrase I came up with after ‘Sugar’s the Bitch. Not Me’ back in 2003.
We used it as one of the station names in the Makeover Maze at our national outreach program, Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes (2005 – 2008), and on limited edition Divabetic branded t-shirts.
The Makeover Maze consisted of six different diabetes care and education stations. One diabetes self-care topic per station. Complimentary mini massages, makeup application, and image consultation areas surrounded the Makeover Maze.
Divabetic’s ‘Denial’s Not My Style’ station offers one-on-one education on the ABC’s of diabetes. The ABCs of diabetes stand for: A —the A1C test, which measures average blood sugar over 2 to 3 months. B —blood pressure, the force of blood flow inside blood vessels. C —cholesterol, is a group of blood fats that affect the risk of heart attack or stroke.
The ‘Sweet Inspirations‘ station focuses on goal setting help. Setting goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation
The ‘Glam More, Fear Less’ station focuses on our diabetes affects our personal appearance. From our teeth to our skin, to our feet and our hair, what you see in the mirror can reflect your self-care. Did you know people with diabetes are more likely to have a condition called alopecia areata? With alopecia, the immune system attacks the hair follicles, leading to patches of hair loss on the head and on other parts of the body. Some people with diabetes may experience thinning hair or hair loss. The primary causes of hair loss are mismanaged blood sugar levels, emotional and physical stress, and hormone imbalances.
The ‘Tunnel of Love’focuses on sex, and intimacy issues related to diabetes. Women with diabetes have can experience low sexual desire and response, vaginal dryness, and painful sex can be caused by nerve damage, reduced blood flow to the genitals, and hormonal changes. Men with diabetes may face the inability to have an erection. Damage to the vascular system can reduce blood flow.
The ‘Grab Green And Go’ station focuses on nutrition, creating personalized meal plans, and our relationship to food. Sometimes it’s not what you’re eating, it’s what’s eating you that’s important to your diabetes health too.
And finally, ‘The Twist And Shout’ station focuses on fun ways to exercise. Staving off boredom by adding variety to how your workout is a great way to stick to a routine. Exercise variation is an important factor when designing an exercise program, with many benefits when you change exercises every so often, such as increased performance and decreased injury risk.
The back of Divabetic’s Denial’s Not My Style card asks two questions: Describe how you initially felt about being diagnosed (in one word). And, Describe how you feel about living with diabetes today (using one word).
We posted everyone’s answers on the walls of our diabetes outreach events for everyone to see.
I am so proud of Divabetic’s ongoing efforts over the past 19 years to promote a new attitude about living with diabetes. Although we are not currently presenting live outreach events, we continue to produce monthly podcasts and virtual programs on Zoom.
Divabetic Podcasts & Virtual Programs
Divabetic’s latest monthly podcast is available on-demand and features music from Teddy Pendergrass‘s album, Life Is A Song Worth Singing,and guests: Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Build Jake’s Place Executive Director Arthur Anston, and Yoga For Diabetes Author and Founder Rachel Zinman.
Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?
Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for Divabetic’s upcoming free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party on Zoom with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chefon Wednesday, February 9, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST.
During this virtual Baking Party on Zoom,The Diabetic Pastry Chefwill prepare a Valentine’s Day Sugar-Free Dessert recipe and share expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and flours in your favorite recipes.
Over 150 people registered for our last two Divabetic Baking Parties on Zoom so don’t miss out!
We’re talking about the power of language used in diabetes care with musical inspiration from Prince on Divabetic’s podcast scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 6 PM, EST.
Words have the power to elevate or tear down someone’s perception of themselves and their diabetes health.
For decades, much of the language around diabetes has been focused on adverse outcomes and laden with judgment and blame without considering individual needs, beliefs, and choices.
On the other hand, encouraging and collaborative messages can enhance health outcomes.
In 1992, Prince changed his name to an unpronounceable, infamous “Love Symbol.” He wrote: “It’s all about thinking in new ways, tuning in 2 a new free-quency.” It derives from a combination of the symbols for both males and females.
He adopted the symbol as a tool for contract negotiations with his record label. According to Rolling Stone, Warner Bros. wanted Prince to slow down the pace of releasing new music for fear of flooding the market. Unwilling to consent to their request, Prince actually increased his rate.
The Love Symbol meant so much to him that he continued to use it long after changing his stage name back to Prince when his contract with Warner Bros. finally expired.
Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from Prince & The New Power Generation’s Love Symbol album courtesy of SONY Music.
Mr. Divabetic explores issues of love, intimacy, and diabetes on this special one-hour podcast. Guests include Best-Selling Author Lisa Eugene, Jennifer Martsolf from Trigg Laboratories (the makers of Wet Lubricants), and board-certified sex therapist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed dietitian/nutritionist and certified diabetes care and education specialist Dr. Janis Roszler MS, RD, LD/N, CDCES, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).
If you or your partner is experiencing sexual health issues or difficulties, you may find it helpful to meet with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, marriage counselor, or sex therapist.
These professionals can help you learn how to reduce stress and change behaviors and attitudes, particularly when impotence is caused by stress or other mental health issues.
Quick Tip: With diabetes, it’s best to avoid lubes containing glycerine because they can promote yeast infections (vaginitis).
Frank Sinatra helps us mark the hundredth year anniversary of the first person receiving insulin on Divabetic’s February podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 6 PM, EST.
In January 1922, Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old boy dying from diabetes in a Toronto hospital, receive an injection of insulin and was literally brought back to life.
By 1923, insulin had become widely available, saving countless lives around the world, and Frederick Banting and J.J. R. Macleod, the two scientists who began preparations for the first insulin treatment to be administered to a human, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine. To this day, it’s still the quickest that a Nobel Prize was awarded following the discovery of a medical breakthrough.
Frank Sinatra was an American singer and motion-picture actor and one of the most sought-after performers in the entertainment industry.
He is responsible for bringing jazz out of itself and into popular music and making it stick. Instead of being the singer with the band, he made himself into an instrumentalist—of the voice.
Many considered Frank Sinatra to have been the greatest American singer of 20th-century popular music.
Podcast guests: Fran Carpentier, Mama Rose Marie, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from The Voice Of Frank Sinatra courtesy of SONY Music.
