Divabetic Remembers Luther Vandross

We’re celebrating R & B legend, Luther Vandross on his birthday weekend. Luther suffered a severe stroke linked to diabetes and hypertension on April 16, 2003. He was in a coma for nearly two months before relocating to a rehabilitation center at the JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey.

Divabetic shines the spotlight on Luther Vandross with its annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcasts to celebrate his musical accomplishments as well as raise awareness for the link between diabetes and stroke. Keep your ‘house a home’ and learn how to prevent a diabetes health-related complication from occurring.

Luther Vandross

We’re honored to celebrate our friend and mentor, Luther Vandross and his musical legacy as well as raise awareness for diabetes health-related complications (such as stroke) on Divabetic’s annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast.

In the years since Luther’s passing, one constant has remained to define his life and musical success: the voice. Like any great singer of the past 100 years, Luther Vandross’ voice and distinct singing style led to not only monumental success, but an instant recognition when you hear him singing–through your stereo, car radio, on TV or in a movie. Coupled with that voice was Luther’s unique ability to write and sing about love and the shared emotions we all feel in that search for and enjoyment of love. Through his songs, for the last two generations Luther Vandross became a staple in the most joyous moments of people’s lives.

Divabetic’s 2017 Luther Vandross Tribute podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Luther percussionist Steve Kroon, Luther vocalists Tawatha Agee and Pat Lacy, Luther historian Leon Petrossian, members of ‘The Luther Re-Lives Experience’, family members, friends and superfans.

Throughout the  podcast we will be featuring selected songs from the album entitled ‘Luther Vandross’ courtesy of SONY Music.

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Call for Resilience when Anxiety from Uncertainty Strikes! with Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport aka ‘Diabetes Psyche’ has worked as a social worker and psychologist specializing in diabetes for twenty-eight years. 

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport shares advice for why ‘conversation, talk, play and structure’ are rules of the dayfor people living with diabetes in this video:

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport aka the Diabetes Psyche

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD guests on April’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. LISTEN with this LINK. Country music’s brightest star, Maren Morris inspires us to stay strong as we face the challenges of living with diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic. Podcast guests include Author of the Noodle Shop MysteriesVivien Chien, Lorraine Brooks, Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE,  Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Alexis Gray.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maren Morris

Throughout April’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we will be featuring music from Maren Morris’s Girl album courtesy of SONY Music.

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Glucose Revival Comes to The Aid of Healthcare Workers with Diabetes

Glucose Revival Corporation’s passion to help American health care workers aiding in the fight against Covid-19 leads to proving their proprietary emergency glucose medical aid, the Thrive Glucose Necklaces to diabetic healthcare workers across America at no charge.

The Thrive Glucose Necklace can immediately administer glucose in emergency and life-threatening low blood sugar situations. Thrive Glucose Necklace is the only wearable glucose aid in the world enabling people to have easy access to emergency glucose in just seconds, 24 hours a day.

According tothe Diabetes Research Institute Foundation one out of ten people, 34.2 million people, or 10.5% of the U.S. population, have diabetes in the USA. It is one of the top 7 medical conditions that increases the risks of dying from Covid-19.

People with Diabetes (PWD) without warning at any time can face emergency low blood sugar problems. This can cause PWD to become faint or pass out.  Moreover, delaying treatment can cause depreciating cognitive thinking, which can lead to seizures, which can lead to death. There is extreme and extraordinary pressure on our healthcare professionals due to Covid-19 which compounds the need for an immediate glucose aid available to them 24 hours a day.

Glucose Revival is the only company that produces a wearable emergency glucose aid. Our aid is worn around the neck with tubing containing the same substance used by EMT’s for low blood sugars and contains the same amount of glucose the American Diabetes Association recommends every diabetic to carry. This allows diabetics to have emergency glucose ready and available 24 hours a day. The glucose necklace attaches with a magnetic clasp so the necklace can be easily pulled off and the glucose can be immediately consumed.

Kris Maynard the company’s president said, “because of the devastation within the Covid-19 pandemic we at Glucose Revival made a decision to provide our Thrive Emergency Glucose Necklaces to diabetic healthcare workers across America at no charge.” He further stated, “these health care workers are working hard, putting their lives on the line and making substantial sacrifices while aiding Americans who are sick, suffering and dying from Covid-19.” Maynard’s motto is “American Healthcare workers are true heroes”.

Maynard is currently seeking help from leaders in congress and governors throughout America to get the word out about his free glucose necklaces to facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and other entities caring for those stricken with Covid-19. Maynard said, his company is sending out numerous letters to congressional leaders and governors asking for help.

Healthcare professionals with diabetes can apply for their free Thrive Glucose necklace at http://www.glucoserevival.com.

Maynard is the company’s founder, a diabetic, firefighter and EMT at Fairchild Air Force Base Fire Department. He chose his career to help people and that’s why he invented the Thrive wearable emergency glucose products. Maynard stated, “I am trying hard to help get Thrive Glucose Necklaces into the hands of the wonderful and brave healthcare workers of America”.   

Alone In The Kitchen by Lorraine Brooks

ALONE IN THE KITCHEN by Poet Lorraine Brooks

I went to the kitchen to get me a snack,

And then I thought, no, better put the chips back.

I’m home in the morning, home all the day,

And I can’t keep on eating and eating this way.

I’ve got to stay healthy, in spite of the news,

Because food and drink are so easy to abuse.

I’m bored, and I’m worried, as all of us are,

I’m eating my Skippy right out of the jar.

But I didn’t give up, or succumb to defeat,

And I started cooking good foods I can eat.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes and beans,

Broccoli, carrots, and cabbage, and greens.

I made a quiche, but it wasn’t high-fat,

I learned how to substitute this for that.

I made a cheesecake with Splenda instead,

And there was no sugar in my banana bread.

I made a stew, and some soup, and some fish,

Without adding butter or oils to my dish.

I’m doing my best, I‘m not perfect, but still…

Instead of much salt, I use spices, like dill.

And I’m doing Zumba online, for an hour

So I don’t lose all of strength and my power.

So I would suggest, while this quarantine goes,

Get out of your jammies and put on some clothes.

Do something healthy, creative, and such

And the time spent alone won’t bother you as much.

For me that was cooking, for you maybe not,

But let’s take advantage of all that we’ve got.

One day this all will be part of the past,

And we can enjoy all our freedoms, at last.

Hear Lorraine Brooks read her poem, ‘Alone In the Kitchen’ on April’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. CLICK HERE. Guests include: Author of the Noodle Shop Mysteries: Vivien Chien, Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Alexis Gray and Poet Lorraine Brooks. Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Maren Morris’s Girl album courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maren Morris

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Mystery Monday: Swan Wake

Zippora Karz’s life story of being a soloist ballerina with the New York City Ballet  (1983- 1999) living with type 1 diabetes inspires Divabetic’s Diabetes Mystery podcast ‘Swan Wake’.

Zippora was featured in a variety of roles choreographed by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins as well as works choreographed for her by such choreographers as Peter Martins and Lynne Taylor Corbett.

By age 20 she was starring as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, dancing roles by Jerome Robbins, and having new ballets created on her by Peter Martins: the company director following the death of George Balanchine.

Then her world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 21. Her body fell apart as she tried desperately to hold on to her dancing and life.

 Read Zippora Zarz’s memoir “The Sugarless Plum”  click here

Swan Wake

When the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic heads to the Gotham City Ballet Company’s box office to fix a mix up with his ‘Swan Lake’ tickets he’s faced with a even bigger problem – a MURDER! To make matters worse, one of his latest culinary creations, a gluten free cheesecake, seems to be covering the victim’s face. Even more shocking are the numerous scandals swirling around the Gotham City Ballet and it’s members that have everyone walking around on tip toes. Could our happy healthcare host’s wacky culinary skills make him an accessory to the crime or even a possible side dish?

Now Mr. Divabetic with the help of his team of  Certified Diabetes Educators, a Best-Selling Mystery Author and his own nosy Italian Mom must whip up his own crime-solving recipe, and fast–before a hearty dose of intrigue and a deadly dash of danger ends his diabetes advocacy and healthy catering career once and for all.

Our Swan Wake cast features Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, We Are Diabetes organization founder Asha Brown, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Mary Ann Nicolay MEd, DTR, Mama Rose Marie, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ and Poet Lorraine Brooks.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Leonard Berstein’s recording of ‘Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op. 20” in celebration of the centennial of America’s greatest classical composer and conductor courtesy of SONY Music.

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What Do All Types of Diabetes Have in Common?

We’re testing one lucky diva’s Diabetes IQ about what people with diabetes has in ‘common’ on April’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Maren Morris.

Maren Morris and fellow Country music singer and songwriter, Brandi Carlile‘s new duet Common inspires our monthly quiz. The song appears on Maren Morris‘ album Girl which will be featured throughout the podcast.

Here’s a sneak peek at Divabetic’s Common Quiz:

What Do All Types of Diabetes Have In Common?

A. your body doesn’t make enough insulin 

B. you body can’t use the insulin it does produce

B a combination of both A and B

ANSWER: C). A combination of both A and B. According to WebMD, all types of diabetes have this in common: either your body doesn’t make enough insulin, it can’t use the insulin it does produce, or a combination of both. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use glucose (blood sugar) for energy.  

April’s Diabetes Late Nite

Don’t miss April’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 6 PM, EST

Country music’s brightest star, Maren Morris inspires us to stay strong as we face the challenges of living with diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic. Guests include Author of the Noodle Shop Mysteries: Vivien Chien, Lorraine Brooks, Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE,  Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Alexis Gray. 

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Maren Morris’s Girl album courtesy of SONY Music

TUNE IN

Sugar-Free Carrot Cake Recipe by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Stacey Harris (The Diabetic Pastry Chef’) taught herself how to make pound cake, pecan rolls, pies, muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods with about half the carbs you’d get from a traditional bakery item.

“I started experimenting by using almond milk or whole milk mixed with water to cut down on carbs, then tried different flours, incorporating white whole wheat flour, soy flour, oat flour, black bean flour, and other alternatives into my brownies, cakes, and cookies,” she said in an How 2 Type 2 article.

She adds,”To cut back on sugar, I started using all-natural substitutes, like agave nectar, and trying erythritol. I also bake with a store-bought blend of sugars that tastes delicious.”

All of the Diabetic Pastry Chefs recipes are adapted to her preferences and dietary needs; we encourage you to adapt them to yours!

Diabetic Pastry Chef’s Sugar-Free Carrot Cake Recipe


The Diabetic Pastry Chef‘s Sugar-Free Carrot Cak
e Recipe

Ingredients

1 c. flour, whole wheat or all-purpose
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1 c. granulated brown sugar substitute such as Whey Low®, Swerve® or Truvia®
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 c. plus 1 Tbsp. canola oil
1/2 c. chopped nuts (preferably walnuts or pecans)
1 1/2 c. grated carrots
1/4 c. raisins, optional

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease and lightly flour a 6-cup Bundt pan.

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; set aside.

In a mixing bowl at medium speed, beat together the eggs, sugar substitute and vanilla for 2 minutes. Lower the speed and slowly add in the canola oil until combined. Turn off mixer, and by hand, stir in the grated carrots, nuts and optional raisins, being sure not to overmix.

Add batter to greased and floured Bundt pan and bake until toothpick inserted into center of pan comes out clean, about 40 to 50 minutes. Invert pan onto cooling rack after about 10 minutes and let cool.

Dust with sugar-free confectioners’ sugar and enjoy!

Diabetes Pastry Chef

Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef shares her recipes in a fabulous book so that people with type 2 diabetes and others looking for sugar-free treats can make their own lower-carb versions of baked goods at home. She also started her own online bakery that ships homemade treats all across the country. The most common thing she hears from customers is, “I don’t even miss the extra sugar!”

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Gladys Knight

Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef, guests on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from Gladys Knight & The Pips. Our musical inspiration, Gladys Knight doesn’t have diabetes, but the disease is as close to her heart as the memories of her mother, Elizabeth Knight, who died of complications from the disease in 1997. The five time Grammy Award winner never misses an opportunity to use her voice to encourage early detection and treatment of diabetes.

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Mr. Divabetic at the Easter Parade in NYC

Getting Off the Diabetes Roller Coaster with Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport aka ‘Diabetes Psyche’ has worked as a social worker and psychologist specializing in diabetes for twenty-eight years. 

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport shares advice for getting off the roller coaster with time outs, structure, talking, using professionals, boundaries for people living with diabetes in this video:

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD joins us on April’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 6 -7:30 PM, EST. Tune in with this LINK.

Country music’s brightest star, Maren Morris inspires us to stay strong as we face the challenges of living with diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic. Podcast guests include Author of the Noodle Shop Mysteries: Vivien Chien, Lorraine Brooks, Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE,  Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Alexis Gray.


Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Maren Morris’s Girl album courtesy of SONY Music.

Healthy Snack Tips for Book Lovers by Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

How are you avoiding unnecessary stress and anxiety? 

Are you like me? I’m keeping my spirits up by reading, reading, reading and staying off of social media during the pandemic. One of my favorite book series is the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mysteries by Best-Selling Author, Tonya Kappes

The amateur sleuth in the series, Mae West, goes from lavish to lacking over night. Mae’s husband, now ex, had a huge Ponzi scheme going on until he got caught. Not only did he cheat their friends out of most of their savings but he also left Mae penniless. When Mae meets with their lawyer she quickly finds that the only thing she has left is an RV and a Campground located in Normal, Kentucky. When her ex escapes from prison and is then found dead in Normal there is no shortage of suspects to be had. Mae’s attempt at a fresh start in Normal is quickly overshadowed by a quest to figure out who wanted her ex dead the most.

Unfortunately I’ve been known to polish off a bag of pretzels while I’m reading Tonya’s Camper & Criminals series without noticing! Since many Divabetics like to read after dinner and/or before bedtime, I contacted our good friend, a Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator and Best-Selling Author Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND for her recommendation on late night snack ideas.

3 Tips for Healthy Snacking for Book Lovers by Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

1. Plate your snacks. It’s pretty easy to polish off a bag of pretzels or a row of cookies if you eat from the package. It’s also pretty easy to remove a serving and put it in a dish. Why not treat yourself like you’re special enough to eat out of a dish. You are, you know.

2. Treat snacks as nutrition opportunities. Run through what you’ve eaten today, and take note of what’s missing. My guess is that most folks didn’t meet the recommendations for fruits and vegetables, so snack on one of those.

3. Be original.  If you’re worried about making poor snack choices, create your own snack menu. Write down at least 5 healthful snack ideas that you enjoy. Keep this list in the kitchen. When it’s snack time, choose one item from your personalized menu.

Jill Weisenberger’s Healthy Dip Ideas

And What’s one of Jill’s  favorite snack ideas?

JW: I’m a big veggie pusher, so I like any raw veggies, or veggies dipped into a healthful yogurt sauce or some salsa. If you want something a little different, I recommend the dehydrated or baked carrots or beets. They’re super crunchy and are delicious by themselves or with a dip.

Jill Weisenberger’s comprehensive guide, ‘Prediabetes: A Complete Guide: Your Lifestyle Reset to Stop Prediabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses’ will lead you through dozens of concrete steps you can take to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Taking an individualized approach to your lifestyle “reset,” this book will allow you to choose your own path to wellness, help you gain a greater sense of wellbeing, boost your confidence in your abilities to maintain a healthful lifestyle, and potentially even help you reverse prediabetes and avoid type 2 diabetes and other chronic illnesses. You’ll be feeling better than you have in years!

Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND is a great resource for all things nutrition, food and diabetes. Whether she’s speaking, writing, chatting on social media, appearing on TV or working with individuals, her candid and energetic approach appeals to busy people, and her sound nutrition and fitness advice gets results. In fact, her appreciation for science and ability to translate science into actionable information earned her a place in US News & World Report’s 10 Dietitian’s You Need to Follow on Social Media.

Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes

Mr. Divabetic’s healthy culinary misadventures continue in Divabetic’s 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery Podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes. when he enters a baking competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges! Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape.         

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

The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), The Happy Diabetic Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Coach The Cure’s Trisha Artman, Jillian Walsh, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones, Lorraine Brooks and Max Szadek.

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

Divabetic Bookshelf: Bon Bons to Yoga Pants (the Health and Happiness Society Book 1)

We’re about to start reading Bon Bons to Yoga Pants (the Health and Happiness Society Book 1) to keep us inspired about our diabetes wellness goals during the long days of social distancing.

Author Katie Greene’s Bon Bons to Yoga Pants is about a girl coming to terms with herself, and her past, all while navigating a world of food and fitness.

“It’s so much more than a story about a girl who is trying to lose weight. It’s really about a girl who is trying to love herself, no matter what, and I think most of us can attest to the fact that it’s not always easy to do,” writes Sara Stevens from Chick Lit Central in her review on Amazon.

 Lexie Greene has always had such a pretty face.

Unfortunately, that’s where it seemed to stop. She’s grown up hearing her Mother constantly remind her that she needs to lose weight. And twenty-two-year-old Lexie knows she’s overweight.

With her younger sister’s wedding on the horizon and a crush to stalk on Facebook, Lexie’s had enough. She gives up her constant daydreams about food and joins a dieting group. As the pounds melt away at the gym, she finds that life on the other side of junk food isn’t what she thought.

BUY NOW 

Diabetes Late Nite

We’re talking about ‘ROMANCE & DIABETES’ on Diabetes Late Nite with musical inspiration from Camila Cabello.

Having diabetes affects much more than a person’s diet. It can impact every aspect of their life, including their sexual health.

Guests include ‘Intimacy & Diabetes’ Author Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, American Heart & American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes by Heart Ambassador Hyvelle Ferguson Davis, ‘My Sweet Blessing: Adventures In Diabetes’ Author Trisha Porretti RN, BSN, CDE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and Kathy Malleck.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Camila Cabello’s Romance 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.