World Menopause Day Event on Zoom

Join us for Divabetic’s Menopause & Diabetes Panel Discussion  & SugarFree Baking Demonstration on Zoom in honor of World Menopause Day on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 7 – 8:30 PM. It’s FREE.

Catherine Schuller moderates a panel featuring Dr. Julianne Arena, MD, FACOG, ABAARM,  Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love And Intimacy With Diabetes co-author, COO for Diabetes Sisters Donna Rice MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, and photographer, Amparo.

 

Amparo discovered, quite unexpectedly, in the ER that she has diabetes after doctors told her her glucose level was over 800! Over the past six months, she’s been taking charge of managing her diabetes while facing hormonal changes during menopause – it’s a true Divabetic Victory story.

After our panel, Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef, demonstrates how to make her famous Sugar-Free Rum Cake Recipe and shares baking tips using popular sugar substitutes in your favorite recipes.

Stacey was attending culinary school when she was diagnosed with diabetes. She thought her career was over, not to mention her lifetime love affair with desserts. Her devastation gave way to innovation, resulting in the inventive and simple substitution system presented in her book. Stacey Harris, a caterer specializing in pastries, has been baking and collecting recipes since she was a teenager. She is a member of The American Diabetes Association, and her baking techniques have been featured in their magazine, Diabetes Forecast. Her book, Sugar-Free Sweets, is available now.

One lucky winner will win a Divabetic Prize at the end of the program.

The purpose of World Menopause Day is to raise awareness of menopause and the support options = for improving health and wellness.

FREE PROGRAM – REGISTER NOW

Halloween Displays: Count Duckula

This Halloween, I got a bit carried away with my displays. My office is on one of New York City’s Halloween streets, where thousands walk by to see the decorations or trick or treat.

For me, Halloween is about creativity, not candy. I love that people dress up, and I love that people decorate. It’s a fun time to express yourself and let your imagination take over.

Most residents decorate their brownstones with horror, blood, and gruesome monsters. My friend Lauren encouraged me to make kid-friendly displays.
I created a series of RiDUCKulous displays featuring four ducks dressed as my favorite Halloween iconic characters from back in the day.  I’m not a crafter, so making these displays was a reach. I never used a hot glue gun. I never attempted paper mache. And I don’t paint.  Between big moments of joy, I experienced a bit of frustration trying to execute my ideas.
Here’s my Count Duckula display. He’s made of recycled bottles, newspaper, and old-fashioned paper mache (flower and water). He’s covered in Tic Tacs, cake sprinkles, Red Hots, black licorice, Dollar Store eyes, cake sprinkles, black glitter, chocolate baking dots, recycled cloth grocery bags, and a child-sized wig.
One of my big takeaways from crafting my displays is how much garbage we make. I collected bottles and boxes so they’d be handy when I was making my displays. Reports estimate that each person creates about 147 pounds of trash per month, or 1,788.5 pounds yearly.
For inspiration, I googled Dracula, and found a picture of one of my favorite actors, Leslie Nielsen.

I love this actor and his movies so much that his Dracula costume inspired me.

Divabetic House Tours: Diabetes Advice Room By Room

We’re taking you inside some of the most beautiful homes to raise awareness for diabetes in a new way with our new podcast series, Divabetic Home Tours.

From the kitchen and bathroom to the family room and bedroom, diabetes affects all aspects of your home life.

We’re sprinkling between pictures of rooms with diabetes advice and videos from Homeworthy’s most gorgeous homes to spark your interest in self-care.

Welcome to the Divabetic House Tours: the Kips Bay Show House New York edition.

Celebrated interior designers transform a luxury Manhattan home into an elegant exhibition of fine furnishings, art, and technology each year.  This event began in 1973 when several dedicated Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club supporters launched the Decorator Show House to raise critical funds for after-school and enrichment programs for New York City children. Over the decades, the project has become a must-see event for thousands of design enthusiasts and is renowned for sparking worldwide interior design trends.

Throughout our tour, enjoy Divabetic’s exclusive audio of wall-to-wall diabetes advice and conversations room-by-room to help you keep your house a home.

Start in our state-of-the-art kitchen and meet Jill Weisenberger RD, CDCES, who chats about how to make your food environment less stressful.

Outside stress triggers our drive for comfort food, including excess sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets such as baked goods.  At the same time, during stressful moments, we tend to lower our intake of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables.  This, in turn, leads to a higher risk of insulin resistance, excess visceral fat, and type 2 diabetes.

MaryAnn Nicolay talks about reading nutrition labels. One tip for people with diabetes or prediabetes is to focus on the total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and calories to help reach your health goals.

Plus, before you, treat yourself to Paulette McWilliams’ soulful song, Mama’s Kitchen Table.

Gospel Singer Pat Lacy shares how she practices portion control. One option is to reduce your carbohydrate portion sizes and keep them to less than a quarter of your plate. Still hungry? Fill up on green vegetables and eat lean protein and healthy fats instead.

Foods high in good fats include vegetable oils (such as olive, canola, sunflower, soy, and corn), nuts, seeds, and fish.

Stroll through the spacious family room where Lorraine Brooks and Rachel Zinman get comfy on the sofa and talk about the feelings related to managing diabetes in today’s world.

Clarence Waldron tells how acting F.A.S.T. after experiencing a stroke was the key to his recovery.

Don’t leave before clicking on the LINK to share a free pre-diabetes test with our loved ones.

The Center for Disease Control offers a National Diabetes Prevention Program to help people with prediabetes make lasting lifestyle changes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

Relax in the luxurious spa-inspired bathroom, where you can pick up tips from beauty and style tips experts and find out how diabetes can affect your skin, hair, and teeth.

For instance, hair loss can be a symptom of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Experts believe it is caused by hormonal imbalances, poor circulation due to hyperglycemia, or an autoimmune disorder. Hair loss can often be reversed with medications and by tighter blood sugar management.

Falling can be a concern if you live with diabetes and have peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage (loss of sensation in the feet, legs, and hands), retinopathy (damaged blood vessels in the eyes), and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Mama Rose Marie offers an easy tip for anyone afraid of falling in the shower.

Crawl into bed for some pillow talk on addressing and overcoming intimacy and sexual health concerns.

Even though people with diabetes are at a higher risk for sexual problems, a study in Diabetes Care found that only about half of all men with diabetes and 19 percent of women with diabetes have broached the topic with a doctor.

Dr. Janis Roszler PhD opens our eyes to what intimacy can mean for people affected by sexual health issues related to diabetes.

Many men with erectile dysfunction, for instance, later learn that they have diabetes. For people with diabetes, sexual problems can indicate nerve damage, blocked arteries, and even out-of-whack hormones.

Ambrice Miller founded Relic Interiors, a dealing company that curates incredible art, antiques, and beautifully handcrafted furniture. She gives a tour of her English countryside home.

Men and women experience low libido as a result of poorly managed diabetes. If your sex drive is stalled, look at your diabetes management and take steps to lower your blood glucose levels. Then, consider your medications. Certain drugs, such as antidepressants, can reduce sexual desire, so be sure to talk to your doctor.

Divabetic’s Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide To Love And Intimacy With Diabetes is available on Amazon

BUY NOW

Finally, if you don’t stumble on any surprises, crawl into bed for guidance on overcoming sexual health and intimacy concerns.

Plus, at the end of the tour, you can get a copy of Divabetic’s Top Questions to discuss at your next Doctor’s visit.

Divabetic: It’s All About Attitude!

This Homeworthy episode features the beautiful Connecticut home of renowned interior designer Bunny Williams.  Bunny graciously invites us to tour her 1860s Falls Village home and discover her converted barn that was originally a garage, but is now filled with many of her and her husband John Rosselli’s extraordinary antiques.

Sound Bites: Jill Weisenberger

We’re sharing excerpts of interviews from our favorite Divabetic podcasts over the years.

This excerpt is from our Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis Turnaround podcast with Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND, and gospel singer Pat Lacy.

Jill Weisenberger is recognized internationally for her expertise in nutrition, diabetes, and prediabetes. She worked as a nutrition counselor, diabetes educator, and health coach in hospitals, research, and private practice settings.

Jill helps leverage resources, recipes, and scientific insights to find better ways to improve eating and smart living, reduce the risk of mismanaged diabetes health-related complications, and support better health.

Jill Weisenberger is the author of Prediabetes: A Complete Guide, 2nd edition, Diabetes Weight Loss Week By Week, 21 Things You Need to Know About Diabetes and Your Heart, and The Overworked Person’s Guide To Better Nutrition. Additionally, she offers the Prediabetes Meal Planning Crash Course, Prediabetes Turnaround, Type 2 Eating Guide, and a Stick With It Video Course.

Gospel Singer Pat Lacy, who has worked with The Sounds of Blackness and Luther Vandross, shares her experience living with type 2 diabetes and how she modified her lifestyle to take charge of her health.

This podcast features music from Pat Lacy’s upcoming gospel album, I’m Taking You To Church.

Is Your Relationship Making It Harder to Manage Diabetes?

We’re talking about spouses living with diabetes with musical inspiration from Country Music superstars Tim McGraw & Faith Hill on the episode of Divabetic’s podcast.

Managing diabetes can be stressful and may place a strain on relationships. However, any chronic condition can increase the need for emotional support and the potential for frustration and tension, leading to conflict.

The key is to talk openly and clearly about working together so you’re as healthy as possible. Don’t assume your loved one will feel burdened by diabetes-related tasks or expect them to be ready to take on the caretaker role. Ask them how they’d like to help, and be open to their answer. Your healthcare collaborators may be able to connect people with programs that help cover the costs of diabetes care medications and supplies.

“We just made a commitment early on, when we first decided we were getting married and having kids, that we wouldn’t just walk out the door when problems arose,” said Tim McGraw. Tim and Faith Hill met for the first time in 1994 at a gig in Nashville. Two years later, they were married.

Podcast guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Jaye O’Grey, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, Diabetes Podcast Week founder Stacey Simms, and Mama Rose Marie.

Divabetic’s e-book, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love And Intimacy With Diabetes is available now.  Inside you’ll find:

  • The common physical and emotional sexual complications of diabetes and treatment options for men and women
  • An overview of diabetes nutrition, physical activity, weight loss, and diabetes medications
  • Information on how aging impacts diabetes management and intimacy
  • Guidance on how to talk to your health care provider about intimacy-related issues
  • Ideas and techniques for building sexual intimacy and communicating effectively with your partner
  • Tips to help you avoid dangerous or money-wasting fraudulent sexual treatments

Authors Janis Roszler and Donna Rice use humor, helpful examples, and insightful questions to present key topics about sexual health in an engaging, approachable way. This series is perfect for anyone (regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, or health status) looking to rekindle intimacy with their partner or be proactive about their sexual and emotional well-being.

BUY NOW: $4.99

Diabetes podcasts are fast-paced, full-filled hours of diabetes education, wellness advice, poetry, games, and music that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”

The Golden Bachelor Is Unapologetic About Hearing Aids &

In “The Golden Bachelor,” 72-year-old Gerry Turner isn’t afraid to be seen wearing hearing aids in both ears. He said he is “happy to display them” and not hide his hearing loss for appearance’s sake.

The World Health Organization reports nearly 50 million people in the US suffer from hearing loss-related issues, and more than 4 million people rely on hearing aids.

Many people suffering from hearing loss claim to feel a sense of exclusion, loneliness, embarrassment, and even depression. Recent studies have revealed that out of 10 people, 7 of them reported an improvement in their relationships thanks to using hearing aids.

Research conducted by Johns Hopkins shows a clear connection between mental health and hearing loss. Also, the minor stages of untreated hearing issues are linked to a higher risk of developing dementia and cognitive decline.

Did you know that diabetes can also cause nerve damage in your ears?

Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear. Low blood sugar over time can damage how the nerve signals travel from the inner ear to your brain. Both types of nerve damage can lead to hearing loss.

What should I do if I suspect a hearing loss?

Talk to your primary care doctor. You may then want to seek help from a hearing specialist like an audiologist, a licensed hearing aid dispenser, or a doctor specializing in hearing problems. You’ll learn more about your hearing loss from a complete hearing exam. You will also be told what can be done to treat it.

Diabetes and menopause can team up to have various effects on your body. Knowing what to expect and how to manage it is what we will be discussing in Divabetic’s Menopause & Diabetes Panel Discussion  & Sugar-Free Baking Demonstration on Zoom in honor of World Menopause Day on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 7 – 8:30 PM.

Catherine Schuller moderates a panel featuring Dr. Julianne Arena, MD, FACOG, ABAARM,  Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love And Intimacy With Diabetes co-author, COO for Diabetes Sisters Donna Rice MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, and photographer, Amparo.  Amparo discovered, quite unexpectedly, in the ER, that she has diabetes after doctors told her her glucose level was over 800! Over the past six months, she’s been taking charge of managing her diabetes while facing hormonal changes during menopause – it’s a true Divabetic Victory story.

After our panel, Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef, demonstrates how to make her popular Sugar-Free Rum Cake Recipe.

One lucky winner will win a Divabetic Prize at the end of the program.
The purpose of World Menopause Day is to raise awareness of menopause and the support options = for improving health and wellness.

FREE – REGISTER NOW

Menopause & Diabetes Panel Discussion  & SugarFree Baking Demonstration 

Diabetes and menopause can team up to have various effects on your body. Knowing what to expect and how to manage it is what we will be discussing in Divabetic’s Menopause & Diabetes Panel Discussion  & SugarFree Baking Demonstration on Zoom in honor of World Menopause Day on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 7 – 8:30 PM.

Catherine Schuller moderates a panel featuring Dr. Julianne Arena, MD, FACOG, ABAARM,  Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love And Intimacy With Diabetes co-author, COO for Diabetes Sisters Donna Rice MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, and photographer, Amparo.  Amparo discovered, quite unexpectedly, in the ER, that she has diabetes after doctors told her her glucose level was over 800! Over the past six months, she’s been taking charge of managing her diabetes while facing hormonal changes during menopause – it’s a true Divabetic Victory story.

After our panel, Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef, demonstrates how to make her popular Sugar-Free Rum Cake Recipe.

One lucky winner will win a Divabetic Prize at the end of the program.
The purpose of World Menopause Day is to raise awareness of menopause and the support options = for improving health and wellness.

FREE – REGISTER NOW

We’re sharing excerpts of interviews from our favorite Divabetic podcasts over the years.

This excerpt is from our January 2023 podcast with international yoga teacher and author Rachel Zinman, who lives with Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults LADA diabetes. (LADA) is a type of diabetes that starts in adulthood and slowly gets worse over time. Like type 1 diabetes, LADA happens when the pancreas stops making insulin. That’s usually because an autoimmune process is damaging cells in the pancreas.

In her book, Yoga for Diabetes, Rachel Zinman shares her journey and the hard-won wisdom gained from her own experience of yoga and diabetes. Read how her yoga and meditation practices helped her to overcome years of frustration and confusion about managing her diabetes. Listen to Divabetic’s full interview with Rachel Zinman and her guided meditation, “Compassion Meditation,” focusing on self-love and compassion to help inspire you with a new attitude.

Sound Bites: Diabetic Retinopathy

We’re sharing excerpts of interviews from our favorite Divabetic podcasts over the years.

This excerpt is from our August 2020 podcast with Royal Ms. Plus U.S United, Andrea Sledge, who shares what it’s like to experience Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy is an eye disease caused by high blood sugar levels. It damages blood vessels in the retina and causes vision loss. So, getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year is essential.

Diabetic retinopathy may not have any symptoms at first — but finding it early can help you take steps to protect your vision. 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.

Podcast 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.

This podcast features music from TLC’s CrazySexyCool album courtesy of SONY Music. Listen to Andrea Sledge’s full interview on Divabetic’s August 2020 podcast.

Join us for Divabetic’s Menopause & Diabetes Panel Discussion  & SugarFree Baking Demonstration on Zoom in honor of World Menopause Day on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 7 – 8:30 PM.

Catherine Schuller moderates a panel featuring Dr Julianne Arena, MD, FACOG, ABAARM,  Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love And Intimacy With Diabetes co-author, COO for Diabetes Sisters Donna Rice MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, and photographer, Amparo.  Amparo discovered, quite unexpectedly, in the ER, that she has diabetes after doctors told her her glucose level was over 800! Over the past six months, she’s been taking charge of managing her diabetes while facing hormonal changes during menopause – it’s a true Divabetic Victory story.

After our panel, Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef, demonstrates how to make her popular Sugar-Free Rum Cake Recipe.

One lucky winner will win a Divabetic Prize at the end of the program.
The purpose of World Menopause Day is to raise awareness of menopause and the support options = for improving health and wellness.

FREE – REGISTER NOW

Diabetes And Mental Health

We’re talking about ‘Diabetes, Sleep & Mental Health Issues’ on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast with musical inspiration from the iconic Phyllis Hyman.

People with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes. Don’t be afraid to seek help if you’re struggling with anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health issues.

Phyllis Hyman was a sensational singer-songwriter and actress. Deep-voiced and statuesque, Phyllis Hyman sang with a life-affirming energy and emotional intensity found in a few others.

Unfortunately, Phyllis Hyman died by suicide, leaving a suicide note behind in 1995. Part of the note read, “I’m tired. I’m tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you.”  It has been reported that she suffered from bipolar disorder and depression and had a history of substance abuse, which involved alcohol and cocaine.

Phyllis teamed up with producer Norman Connors for her stunning cover hit of “Betcha By Golly Wow.”

Phyllis signed with Buddah Records in 1977 and moved to Arista Records in 1979, working with Barry Manilow on Somewhere In My Lifetime.

Podcast guests include Alyson Williams, Queen Diva, Patricia Farrell PhD, Kristina Wolfe, ‘Tabouli: The Story of a Heart-Driven Diabetes Alert Dog’ Author Matt Pelicano, Elizabeth Vaughan Gallagher, Stacie Shonkwiler, and Patricia Addie-Gentle CDCES.

This podcast features music from The Essential Phyllis Hyman album courtesy of SONY Music.

Join us for Divabetic’s Menopause & Diabetes Panel Discussion  & SugarFree Baking Demonstration on Zoom in honor of World Menopause Day on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 7 – 8:30 PM.

Catherine Schuller moderates a panel featuring Dr Julianne Arena, MD, FACOG, ABAARM,  Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love And Intimacy With Diabetes co-author, COO for Diabetes Sisters Donna Rice MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, and photographer, Amparo.  Amparo discovered, quite unexpectedly, in the ER, that she has diabetes after doctors told her her glucose level was over 800! Over the past six months, she’s taking charge of managing her diabetes while facing hormonal changes during menopause – it’s a true Divabetic Victory story.

After our panel, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef, demonstrates how to make her popular Sugar-Free Rum Cake Recipe.

One lucky winner will win a Divabetic Prize at the end of the program.
The purpose of World Menopause Day is to raise awareness of menopause and the support options = for improving health and wellness.

FREE – REGISTER NOW

Sleep And Diabetes

We’re talking about sleep and nighttime diabetes self-care management with musical inspiration from Gladys Knight & The Pips on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you get less than 7 hours of sleep per night regularly, your diabetes will be harder to manage. Too little sleep can increase insulin resistance.

People with insulin resistance have built up a tolerance to insulin, making the hormone less effective. As a result, more insulin is needed to persuade fat and muscle cells to take up glucose and the liver to continue to store it.

If you have insulin resistance, you want to become the opposite—more insulin sensitive (cells are more effective at absorbing blood sugar, so less insulin is needed).

Mr. Divabetic discusses insulin resistance and sensitivity with Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND, in this video.

A lack of sleep makes you hungrier the next day and reduces how full you feel after eating.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommend that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Children and teens need more.

Gladys Knight, known as The Empress of Soul, doesn’t have diabetes, but the disease is close to her heart. Her mother, Elizabeth Knight, died of complications from the disease in 1997. A five-time Grammy award winner, Gladys Knight is as busy as ever gracing the entertainment world with her exceptional voice. Yet she never misses an opportunity to voice the message of early detection and treatment of diabetes.

Gladys shares her final words of wisdom: ” Do something about diabetes … Know more, do more!” Knight feels nearly as passionate about spreading that message as she does about the incredible singing career her mom helped her launch some 54 years ago.

Podcast 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.