Join us for Divabetic’s upcoming free Baking Party on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom and you’ll be automatically entered into our random drawing for Divabetic’s prize giveaway.
Elizabeth is one of our past prize winners. She was one of 5 Peak 10 Skin’s Save My Sole Foot Rescue Cream winners. This foot cream helps with dryness, cracking, rough heels, and more. Menthol and eucalyptus emit a soothing aroma during application while providing a cooling and refreshing sensation on contact that immediately begins to help ease the look, feel, and discomfort of dry feet. Shea butter is infused into this formula due to its known abundant nourishing benefits. The shea butter helps to add moisture and hydration to your depleted, dry skin. Coconut oil is combined with shea butter to provide additional moisturizing and hydration. It helps to condition the thick bottom skin of the feet. Your feet will thank you!
“Look forward to checking out the Mother’s day virtual party,” says Elizabeth.
Win gifts courtesy of Arthel Neville Design FABULOUS East/West Tote, Dr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Care gift set, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes‘s Camper Cozy Mystery, Walden Farms Zero Calories, Zero Net Carbs Salad Dressings, and Peak 10Skin’s Save My Sole Foot Rescue Cream during Mr. Divabetic’s random drawings on April 28, 2022. You must be present at our Baking Party to enter our gift drawings to win.
Chandra joined our last virtual Baking Party and won! Like 96 million other American adults she’s living with pre-diabetes. Of those with prediabetes, more than 80% don’t know they have it. Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Take the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s Prediabetes Risk Test NOW.
Over 150 people registered for our last Divabetic Baking Party on Zoom, so don’t miss out!
During our Baking Party, The Diabetic Pastry Chef prepares a Mother’s Day Sugar-Free Dessert recipe, demonstrates her favorite kitchen tools, and shares expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and alternative flours in recipes. Plus, Divabetic Style Icon, Catherine Schuller presents easy ways to add Spring’s hottest colors and accessories to your wardrobe.
Enjoy diva-savings on Peak 10 Skincare. It’s pure, clean, and effective. Peak 10 Skin’s founder, Connie Elder has been a loyal Divabetic supporter for years. She’s participated in several Divabetic outreach programs helping women to boost their confidence about managing their diabetes.
Once you register, we will send you the unique code to sign in to our Zoom Video feed. You will need a camera. We’ll all get acquainted and share niceties before the baking demonstration begins.
Over 150 people registered for our last Divabetic Baking Party on Zoom, so don’t miss out! Register now for Divabetic’s Baking Party on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
Divabetic is proud to partner withDr.’s Remedy nail care to empower women at risk, affected by and living with diabetes to look and feel their best.
You can win a Dr.’s Remedy gift set in a random drawing at our upcoming free Baking Party on Zoom, scheduled for Thursday, April 28, 2022. Register here
Dr.’s Remedy has a ‘less is more’ philosophy which centers on finding the right products, rather than lots of them. As a result, their nail care delivers straightforward solutions and clean formulations that cater to every nail concern. A perfect mix of luxury and performance, Dr.’s Remedy is ultimately a brand with a mission: to give your manicure everything it needs—and nothing it doesn’t.
Dr.’s Remedy is the brainchild of a podiatrist searching for clean, safe nail polish to recommend to his patients and his pregnant wife. He ended up doing what any podiatrist, doting dad-to-be, and budding entrepreneur would do; he created one himself.
As the first-of-its-kind, doctor-formulated polish– Dr.’s Remedy pure and pampering formulations are the perfect solution for consumers who desire cleaner beauty products. Dr.’s Remedyoffers over 30 different nail color shades and nail care products such as base coat, top coat, cuticle care, and nail hydration. Each product is infused with a unique blend of ingredients, including wheat protein, tea tree oil, garlic bulb extract, and lavender.
Dr.’s Remedyproducts do not contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, camphor or phthalates, or DBP. Dr.’s Remedy is the best alternative to traditional nail polish.
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, hosts this free, fun Virtual Mother’s Day-themed Baking Party with special guests, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
Win gifts courtesy of Arthel Neville Design FABULOUS East/West Tote, Dr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Care gift set, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes‘s Camper Cozy Mystery, Walden Farms Zero Calories, Zero Net Carbs Salad Dressings, and Peak 10Skin’s Save My Sole Foot Rescue Cream during Mr. Divabetic’s random drawings. You must be present at our Baking Party to enter our gift drawings to win.
Over 150 people registered for our last Divabetic Baking Party on Zoom, so don’t miss out!
We’re thrilled to announce that the reigning Ms. Texas Plus U.S United, Andrea Sledge, has chosen Divabetic as her platform for this year’s pageant.
Andrea told us, “I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2011. My diagnosis was a complete surprise. I had attended a health fair at work, and they took my blood sugar, and the nurse immediately asked me to sit, asked me if I felt ok and then told me my blood sugar was 325.” She continues, “I had been seeing a doctor for regular physicals, but he never said a word to me even though I have a family history of diabetes. My maternal grandmother and both of my paternal grandparents suffered from diabetes.”
“Once I heard the words ‘you are diabetic,’ I was in denial! I went into a deep depression., I immediately thought of myself as less than. So I searched for an outlet that would help me get back to ME. I started competing in pageants and using diabetes and diabetes awareness as my platform. It made me so much stronger because then I took control of how it made me feel and the stigma surrounding diabetes. I wanted people to understand that being diabetic does not look nor define you as a person. You just have to do some things differently, but you can still be social. I did pretty well for several years until 2019 when I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy.”
Diabetic retinopathyis when high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can swell and leak. Or they can close, stopping blood from passing through. Sometimes abnormal new blood vessels grow on the retina. All of these changes can steal your vision.
Diabetic retinopathy is best diagnosed with a comprehensive dilated eye exam. For this exam, drops placed in your eyes widen (dilate) your pupils to allow your doctor a better view inside your eyes. The drops can cause your close vision to blur until they wear off, several hours later.
During the exam, your eye doctor will look for abnormalities in the inside and outside parts of your eyes.
There are two main stages of diabetic eye disease.
NPDR (non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy)
This is the early stage of diabetic eye disease. Many people with diabetes have it.
With NPDR, tiny blood vessels leak, making the retina swell. When the macula swells, it is called macular edema. This is the most common reason why people with diabetes lose their vision.
Also with NPDR, blood vessels in the retina can close off. This is called macular ischemia. When that happens, blood cannot reach the macula. In addition, sometimes tiny particles called exudates can form in the retina. These can affect your vision too.
If you have NPDR, your vision will be blurry.
PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy)
PDR is the more advanced stage of diabetic eye disease. It happens when the retina starts growing new blood vessels. This is called neovascularization. You might see a few dark floaters. If they bleed a lot, it might block all vision.
These new blood vessels can form scar tissue. Scar tissue can cause problems with the macula or lead to a detached retina.
PDR is very serious and can steal both your central and peripheral (side) vision.
If you have proliferative diabetic retinopathy or macular edema, you’ll need prompt treatment. Depending on the specific problems with your retina, options might include: injecting medications into your eyes, photocoagulation, panretinal photocoagulation, and vitrectomy.
While treatment can slow or stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy, it’s not a cure. Future retinal damage and vision loss are still possible.
Even after treatment for diabetic retinopathy, you’ll need regular eye exams. At some point, you might need additional treatment.
“I was totally blind for about a year after my surgery. I have now lost my vision in my left eye, but I am still pressing on,” says Andrea. But, she adds, “I chose not to quit the pageant because I can inspire others to push past the curve balls life throws at us.”
The mission of the U.S. United Pageant is to promote health, fitness, and inner beauty among women and children of all ethnic groups while producing positive role models for the community; to develop women that will promote self-confidence, self-worth, moral, academic, and social support for our youth; and to publicly recognize women who have obtained personal, professional and community achievements.
“Following your organization, Divabetic, over the years has really helped me in so many ways,” says Andrea. “One thing I do that makes me feel better when I am feeling down is put on makeup!! I also practice meditation to keep myself centered. In addition, I believe mediation aids me in achieving better health. It helps me manage my blood pressure and stress which is no good for anyone, but surely not a diabetic.”
Regular eye care can have a life-changing impact on preserving your vision. Eye diseases are common and can go unnoticed for a long time and/or have no symptoms at first. A comprehensive dilated eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is necessary to find eye diseases in the early stages when treatment to prevent vision loss is most effective.
This August, we’re focusing on eye health, and vision loss related to diabetes with two leading doctors(an Optometrist and a Retina Specialist, and Surgeon)and two diabetes advocates, and musical inspiration from TLC.
Did you know August is Vision & Learning Month?
The goal of this national observance is to help increase awareness among parents and educators on the prevalence of undiagnosed or misdiagnosed vision problems.
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults. This is a growing problem as the number of people living with diabetes increases, so does the number of people with impaired vision. Diabetes can cause a disease of the eye called diabetic retinopathy (DR). In its early stages, you may not notice any symptoms or changes to your eyesight, and you cannot tell that this condition is damaging your eyes. If it is not detected and treated in a timely manner, your vision can be damaged permanently.
Among adults aged 45 and over with diagnosed diabetes, 9.2% had vision loss due to cataracts, 4.1% had vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy, 2.2% had vision loss due to macular degeneration, and 2.1% had vision loss due to glaucoma.
Guests include Sherrol Reynolds M.D. (Associate Professor and Chief of Advanced Ophthalmic Care at the Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, President of the National Optometric Association (NOA)), Rishi Singh, M.D. (Retina Specialist and Staff Surgeon at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic), Andrea Sledge, Natalie Karabel,Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.
Throughout our podcast, we are featuring music from TLC’s CrazySexyCool albumcourtesy of SONY Music.
Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Join us for Divabetic’s next program on Zoom on Thursday, April 15, 2021, 7-8 PM.
MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR presents ‘How To Master The Menu at Your Favorite Mexican Restaurant’.
MaryAnn Nicolay is a Registered Dietetic Technician and has worked with the Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland for over 20 years. Her primary responsibility is to develop and implement diabetes education materials and activities in diverse and/or underserved communities.
Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller presents ‘What To Wear When Nothing Fits’.
Catherine Schuller is one of the Plus Size Industry’s pioneers. She is a former Ford model, consumer advocate, promoter, marketer, editor, image consultant (Certified by AICI), author, and entrepreneur.
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 this free, virtual diabetes support program on Thursday, April 15, 2021, 7-8 PM. Click here to register
April’s program features two presentations: ‘What To Wear When Nothing Fits’ presented by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller and ‘What To Eat When Dining Out Mexican’ presented by MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR.
What To Wear When Nothing Fits
We want to help you embrace the body you have now. Don’t put off looking great and feeling like yourself in your clothes until that elusive one day you hit your goal weight. One tip that style experts advise is to try Shift, A-line and Wrap Dresses to create a more hourglass shape.
Catherine Schuller is one of the Plus Size Industry’s pioneers. She is a former Ford model, consumer advocate, promoter, marketer, editor, image consultant (Certified by AICI), author, andentrepreneur.
What To Eat When Dining Out Mexican
Traditional Mexican food is loaded with carbohydrates which cause blood sugars to rise. One solution is to order tacos! As long as you order corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas since they are much smaller in size, and therefore lowercarbohydrates. Additionally, Guacamole is made from avocadoes, which are loaded with healthy fats and very low in carbohydrates.
MaryAnn Nicolay is a Registered Dietetic Technician and has worked with the Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland for over 20 years. Her primary responsibility is to develop and implement diabetes education materials and activities in diverse and/or underserved communities.
Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk?
Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, virtual diabetes support event with style on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.
Divabetic’s dynamic diabetes empowerment program kicks off with a Hat & Face Mask Fashion Show presented by Harlem Heaven’s Hats owner Evetta Petty.
Plus, a Diabetes Educational Group Activity and Discussion presented by Maryann Nicolay BA, DTR.
Divabetic (Divabetic.Org) has presented diabetes support meetings with style since 2004. Our exciting mix of diabetes education and wellness advice on fitness, nutrition, and personal l health and beauty and fashion has helped hundreds of thousands of women at risk, affected by and living with diabetes to ‘keep their house a home’ by learning to prevent diabetes health-related complications.
Harlem’s Heaven Hatshop specializes in providing the right head wear and face mask for the right occasions.
Maryann Nicolay is a Registered Dietetic Technician and has worked with the Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland for over 20 years. Her primary responsibility is to develop and implement diabetes education materials and activities in diverse and/or underserved communities. Examples of creative education programs that MaryAnn has developed include African American Family Reunion Program, Best Practices in Blood Glucose Monitoring for allied health professionals, and Diva coaching sessions for women touched by diabetes.
Sometimes the mirror reflects issues in diabetes self-care.
Did you know that diabetes may cause hair thinning and hair loss?
People with diabetes are more likely to have a condition called alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face and sometimes on other areas of the body.
With alopecia, the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss on the head and on other parts of the body. People with type 1 diabetes are more likely than people without this condition to develop alopecia areata.
Diabetes itself can lead to hair loss reports Healthline. The stress of living with a chronic illness may also cause hair loss, or the medicines you take to treat your diabetes. Some people with diabetes also have thyroid disease, which can contribute to hair loss.
Some people with diabetes can slow or stop hair loss by maintaining tighter blood sugar levels and managing stress.
Fashion Curator, Plus Model and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller demonstrates different ways to wear a scarf.
Silk scarves date back to 1300 BC where Ancient Noble and Royal Egyptians wore them according to FelicityB. Queen Nefertiti was frequently depicted wearing scarves around her iconic headdress.
A beautiful scarf worn on wrist, neck, waist or even on your head can easily transform an outfit. All you have to do is learn those scarf tying techniques and memorize them for a lifetime, since scarves never go out of style.
We’re talking about the symptoms, causes and prevention of stroke with Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller and musical inspiration from Angela Bofill.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the US. As many as 5 to 14 percent of stroke survivors have a second stroke within one year.
Angela Bofill suffered two strokes but neither stroke could take away her positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit. After she lost the ability to sing, she returned to the stage for “The Angela Bofill Experience” in which she skillfully narrated her life story, while her band and other singers .
Throughout the podcast we will feature music from Angela Bofill’s albums Angie and Angel of the Night courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic promotes “wellness with a wow” to change attitudes and to encourage prevention, early action, and education to manage diabetes and diabetes-related complications. Through innovative programs, virtual outreach events, and online communities, Divabetic is a circle of care and support, providing a link between patients and their healthcare teams, translation of clinical speak, and a bridge between denial and acceptance, fear and confidence. We meet the challenges and opportunities of diabetes care and concerns with a “Glam More, Fear Less” philosophy so that no one has to struggle alone or in silence.
At Divabetic, we want to empower you to stay healthy and positive about diabetes self-care management AND to do it in a bold and sassy way. Visit: divabetic.org
For over 20 years, our friend, Evetta Petty has designed hats in her uptown New York studio, Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop. Her hats have captured worldwide attention and have been worn to the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot in England. Recently, she’s put her design skills to work making fabulous, functional face masks.
Don’t get down, get DIVA!
Having type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19. But living in the new ‘normal’ and wearing a mask out in public doesn’t have to cramp your style. You can stay safe, live well with diabetes, and still feel beautiful wearing one of these gorgeous hat and mask combinations!
When sick with a viral infection, people with diabetes do face an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), commonly experienced by people with type 1 diabetes.
Learn the signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and be sure to talk with your diabetes care team about when to check for ketones and when to contact your doctor if you have them. And if you are sick, know what to do.
Q: Tell us about your face mask collection. What colors and styles do they come in? Are they for both women and men?
Evetta Petty: My mask collection is functional and fun. Its for ladies and gentlemen. I use the same high quality textiles for my masks that I use for my hats which makes them very special. I’m using beautiful brocades In rich jewel tones and rhinestone embellishments for the couture mask collection.
Q: How can people purchase your hats and masks?
Evetta Petty: You can purchase my hats and masks on my website www.harlemsheaven.com and we will promptly ship them out. My Hat shop up in Harlem has been closed during this pandemic and will reopen as soon as the law allows.
Visit Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop at the Bryant Park Winter Village (1065 6th Avenue and West 41st Street) from November 16 – December 2, 2020
Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop is located 2538 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (@W.147) New York, NY 10039. Phone: 212-491-7706. Store hours: 12PM to 6PM. Closed Sunday & Monday. Appointments available after hours
Hat Designer, Evetta Petty
See hat desginer, Evetta Petty’s sensational hat designs sweeping across the New York Fashion Week runway. Evetta who attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City was inspired by the exhuberance of the Poppy Flower for this unique collection. Her hat designs are fierce!
Listen to Divabetic’s 10th Year Podcast Anniversary Special with music from the world’s most famous “Divabetic”– Ms.Patti LaBelle. She’s encouraging a ‘NEW ATTITUDE’ about living with diabetes! Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle, RN, CDE, Dr. Andrea Chisholm OB-GYN, Luther McRae, Mama Rose Marie, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Seveda Williams and Terri Seidman.
Last night, the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosted Divabetic’s free, fun Tea Party in celebration of National Diabetes Awareness Month with special guests: Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, Tessie’s Teas’ owner Rose Hall and Harlem Heaven’s Hats owner Evetta Petty.
To everyone’s delight PoetLorraine Brooks shared a poem about each of our guests after their presentation. Enjoy!
Divabetic Tea Time Poem by Lorraine Brooks
Showing hats to cover our heads
Whether we’re sporting a crewcut or dreads
Many styles to make us happier
Looking cool and looking dapper
Plaids and checks and stripes and such
Fabric lovely to the touch
So get your canes and gloves and spats
And visit Harlem’s Heaven Hats!
Join us in a cup of tea
Chamomile or lemon-y
Ways to heal for young and old
Meditate and heal the soul
Sit and think and leave your strife
Breathe and cleanse your spirit life
Only teas can can lift you up
So come and join us in a cup.
Fashion style and a little blush
Make you look exotic and lush
Sport a scarf or wear a tie
A little shadow for the eye
Tweeze the eyebrows and the chin
If you look good you will grin
We all want to look much cooler
So take a tip from Catherine Schuller
Divabetic’s virtual outreach event kicked off with a live Harlem Heaven’s Hat show featuring model Jennifer Lui at the Harlem’s Heaven’s pop up shop in Bryant Park ‘s Winter Village Shops in New York City. Harlem’s Heaven Hat shop specializes in providing the right head wear and face mask for the right occasions.
Rose Hall, the owner of Tessie’s Teas, shared how simple daily meditations can help relieve stress, anxiety and even reduce your blood pressure over a cup of tea. Tessie’s Teas are all natural caffeine-free, chemical-free instant crystallized teas that meet all of your healthy-living needs.
Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, who is a fashion curator, former plus model, coach, speaker, writer, producer, and image consultant, demonstrated eight different and divine ways to wear a scarf in honor of Dr. Deborah Birx. Dr. Birx’s ever-changing scarves captivate the internet in her daily White House Coronavirus Task Force briefings. One popular scarf was by Hermès, or, to be precise, Hermès’ “Retour à la Terre”, in peach. We know this because there is an Instagram account devoted to Dr Birx’s scarves!
Are you interested in learning how to bake with sugar substitutes? Join the happy healthcare host, Mr.Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka TheDiabetic Pastry Chefon Thursday, December 10, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.
