Category: D-Stories

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Under The Vines: Adult-Onset Blindness

Season 3 of one of my favorite Acorn TV shoes, Under The Vines, tackles the challenges of adult-onset blindness.  The blindness of the owner of the neighboring vineyard, Hilary (Catherine Wilkin), is worsening. What Hillary is experiencing isn’t just a great storyline in a TV drama; it’s more common than you think. 

One of the leading causes of blindness in U. S. adults is mismanaged diabetes.  Diabetes Retinopathy is a condition caused by diabetes, which disrupts the body’s ability to convert food into energy and can damage the eyes. 

Many people with diabetes don’t realize they have it until organ damage has occurred, so regular health and vision check-ups are essential. 

Hilary struggles to accept her condition and ask for help. She is stubborn, willful, and narrow-minded, much like many people struggling with worsening health conditions. She flatly refuses her rival, Miranda’s offers to take her to the doctor, clean her house, and help run her vineyards. Of course, Miranda has ulterior motives for helping Hilary, but that’s another story. 

If you’re concerned about your vision, follow the advice of healthcare collaborators on how often you should go for exams. Always contact an eye care provider when you have a change in vision or something wrong with your eyes. Wear your prescription glasses and contact lenses when necessary.
If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar levels tightly managed, and manage your blood pressure if you have high blood pressure.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. They cause the eye’s lens to harden and turn yellow. In the US, nearly 20.5 million people over 40 have cataracts.

The type of treatment available depends on your condition. Providers can treat some forms of blindness with medications or glasses but can’t treat others, such as those where your eyes are missing or completely damaged. In these cases, your provider may recommend visual rehabilitation. Vision rehabilitation aims to enhance visual functioning to meet your goals and improve your quality of life. 

Actors Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards star in Under The Vines as two city slickers who inherit a failing vineyard, Oakley Vineyards, in rural New Zealand. The only problems are that neither of them has ever done a hard day’s work—and they despise one another.

Under The Vines is a fun, easygoing watch. 

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Product Review: Swoon Lemonade

On a hot Summer day, I picked up a can of Swoon Pink Lemonade at my neighborhood Bodega. I had never heard of Swoon before, but the bright colors and the big Zero Sugar caught my eye. 
I googled the product and found out that Swoon co-founder Jen was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age. She was on the hunt for delicious, zero-sugar drinks with little success. Cristina and her co-founder created a
sweet, fruity, tart, and deliciously flavored drink. 

The only thing to note is that it does have a slight stevia aftertaste that tingles on your tongue. Apart from Pink Lemonade, Swoon offers exciting flavors like Lemonade, Ginger Lemonade, Half and Half, Peach Tea, Lemon Tea, Raspberry Tea, and Peach Tea.

What’s even cooler is that when you buy a case of Swoon online, they donate one can to a needy family through the nonprofit Wellfare and their first-of-its-kind Better Box program that’s improving access to convenient nutrition in low-income communities.

Frozen Watermelon Pink Lemonade Recipe

After a quick scan of the Swoon®. website, I stumbled upon this fun cocktail recipe! It’s easy-breezy, hot-pink, frosty, and delicious. You can add vodka or have it as a mocktail.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds cubed watermelon
(about 4 cups)
1 12-ounce can pink lemonade, such as Swoon® Pink Lemonade

See Full Recipe

Many people consume more sugar than they realize. Our bodies don’t need sugar to function properly. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to no more than 6% of calories each day. For most American women, that’s no more than 100 calories per day, or about 6 teaspoons of sugar. For men, it’s no more than 150 calories per day, or about 9 teaspoons.

We’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘ADDED SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast. Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Tameka Milline, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP. Kathy Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’, and Stephanie MacKendree. Throughout the podcast, we play music from ‘The Essential Sade’ album courtesy of SONY Music.

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How To Pick Corn

Corn is a starchy vegetable high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and relatively low in fat and protein. A medium ear of sweet corn or half a cup of kernels contains 77-100 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrates. How do you choose corn?

Experts advise looking at the silks, or “silky hair,” at the top of the cob to determine if it’s fresh: Corn silks should be golden brown and slightly moist, almost tacky. When corn is pollinated, the silks will dry up, turn brownish, and fall off. If the silks are dark, curled up, and falling out, it indicates that pollination has occurred. The kernels may remain unfertilized if the silks are still yellow-green and growing.

Corn begins to turn its sugar into starch as soon as it’s picked, and the process accelerates over time. Less sugar means the corn is less sweet and tender.

Central Farm Markets in Bethesda, MA, is one of the largest farmers markets in the region with over 100 vendors and artisan food producers year-round. The market is open year-round and features table seating, music, local Maryland winery and farm brewery tastings, kids club activities, chef demos, and more.

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Harlem Heaven’s Hats at Harlem Week

Our friend, hat designer Evetta Petty, wowed everyone with a fabulous Hat Fashion show at Harlem Week. Her collection was absolutely breathtaking, drawing inspiration from nature.

Remember, we also partnered with Evetta and her boutique, Harlem’s Heaven Hats, for the “Hat Boxing” diabetes outreach events. It’s been fantastic to work together, and we’re excited for more wonderful collaborations in the future!

This year, Evetta Petty was the first Black milliner to join the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective and the only American representative. Her stunning ‘Blue Note’ hat is in the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective.

“No matter how famous you get, and how wonderful it is that your career has taken off, it means nothing if you don’t manage your diabetes,” says Evetta Petty.


New York Fashion Icon Evetta Petty, the owner and designer of the New York City Hat Boutique Harlem’s Heaven, shares how she stays on track with type 2 diabetes while running a successful small fashion business.

A 12-ounce serving of Coca-Cola contains 39 grams of sugar, more than the recommended daily added sugar intake for both men and women. This is equivalent to about 9.75 teaspoons of sugar.
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Introducing Divabetic Lip Balm

Introducing the latest addition to our lineup – Divabetic’s luxurious premium vegan watermelon-flavored lip balm. Crafted from a blend of beeswax and carefully selected botanicals, our ultra-nourishing lip balm offers rapid relief and intense moisture for dry, chapped lips.

What’s more, it comes in eco-friendly packaging with 30% less plastic than standard lip balm tubes. For just $10.00, you can get 3 of these exceptional lip balms (plus shipping and handling), and with every purchase, you’ll be supporting our ‘Glam More, Fear Less’ brand of diabetes outreach.


Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, book one in the series, is your key to a happy, healthy, intimate life with diabetes.

Romantic relationships play an essential role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even the most loving and open relationships. Many people don’t know that diabetes can impact physical and emotional intimacy. Intimacy-related issues can be especially difficult to discuss with a partner or a healthcare collaborator. But don’t let diabetes hinder the romance. The Sweet Romance series gives you practical information and expert advice to tackle this sensitive subject. These comprehensive, interactive guides cover everything you need to know to enjoy a fulfilling sexual and emotional life despite the challenges of diabetes.

BUY NOW

Divabetic is a diabetes nonprofit organization (divabetic.org) committed to empowering women and their loved ones at risk, affected by and living with diabetes, to achieve healthier outcomes. Enjoy podcasts, videos, zoom support meetings, blog posts, and newsletters. 



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Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story at Central Park Film Festival

Last night, I saw the National Geographic and Disney+ nature documentary Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story at the Central Park Film Festival. Directed by Charlie Hamilton Jones, it explores a love story between a lonely man and a lonely river otter—an unexpected duo that forms a bond.

As the man, Billy, and the otter, Molly’s bond develops, his wife, Susan, and their dog, Jade, are pushed to the side. Billy neglects his promises to Susan and ignores Jade. Susan narrates the film. Her narration details Billy’s mental state, which he might not have shared, and expresses how she feels like the ‘other woman’ in Billy’s life. The story is told with heart and humor and with a musical score by composer Erland Cooper.

 The story is filmed in the remote Shetland Islands, just above the mainland of Scotland. The scenery is breathtaking. Shetland Islands is known as the last barrier of the UK before the Arctic Circle. During a dramatic winter storm scene, with crashing waves and torrid winds, a large branch fell off a tree next to the outdoor screen. Everyone in the audience gasped.  The film leaves your heart feeling all warm and fuzzy.

After you see this film, you’ll have many questions about how they did it. I found this interview very insightful. 

The Annual Central Park Conservancy Film Festival, presented by National Geographic Documentary Films, in August is truly a treat! For five nights, award-winning films are shown for free in the middle of Central Park. 

The film revolves around the importance of family in our lives. In many ways, Billy serves as Molly, the otter’s surrogate mother/father figure. As strange and unusual as their relationship is, it brings Billy joy and fulfillment.  

Many people with type 2 diabetes admit their children, and their grandchildren motivate them to stay on top of their self-care. However, changing one’s lifestyle can be a constant, difficult struggle after diagnosis. Experts agree the keys to success include social support and relatedness, achievement of results, support from healthcare collaborators, and acceptance of your diagnosis. 

At Divabetic, we believe confidence in managing lifestyle adjustments and handling the challenges of living with diabetes is crucial. Our ongoing efforts in diabetes education and empowerment testify to our belief that if you believe it, you can achieve it. 

Please take a minute to support our efforts and purchase Divabetic’s new lip balm (watermelon flavor). For $10, you’ll receive three of our Divabetic branded lip balms. Shipping and handling fees are not included. For more information, contact: mrdivabetic@gmail.com

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MorningStar Farms Griller Crumbles

Homecook Seveda prepared this delicious veggie dish using MorningStar Farms Griller Crumbles, a vegan, plant-based meat alternative to ground beef.

They are seasoned and can be used in many savory dishes, such as tacos, casseroles, pasta, and veggie sloppy joes. Grillers Crumbles are a source of protein and fiber and contain 76% less fat than regular ground beef crumbles.

They are made with soy and wheat ingredients and are kosher dairy. To prepare, you can heat Grillers Crumbles in the skillet or microwave. Some say they taste delicious when pan-fried with onions or cooked in a little oil and put on a sweet potato. 

You can buy MorningStar Farms Grillers Crumbles at Target, Kroger, Walmart, Amazon, and H-E-B.

What are you cooking? Please send us your videos to share!!

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Diana Ross Pursuing Fame At All Costs

Diana Ross’s monstrous ego has long been blamed for the Supremes’ demise. According to sources, it all started because Florence Ballard wasn’t happy when a young ‘Diane’ (Mary Wilson’s favorite Diana Ross jab) Ross was made the lead singer. 


Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson’s relationship strained for decades despite their humble beginnings and journey to iconic status.


Florence started the group and was the lead singer, but Berry Gordy wanted Diana to be the lead singer. The dye was cast after they scored their first number-one hit with Diana Ross singing lead. From that moment on, Diana Ross took centerstage. Resentment, anger, or frustration caused Florence to leave the group. 

Sadly, after Florence left the Supremes, her life spiraled downward. After leaving the group, she didn’t find gainful employment, and her house was foreclosed. Florence died in 1976 at age 32. 


In her books and the media, Mary Wilson was outspoken about her personal and professional conflicts with Diana Ross. Many fans believe their two strong personalities found it challenging to share the spotlight. Mary stated that Diana Ross tried different tactics to separate herself from the group once the Supremes began succeeding. She alleged that Diana would change her costumes to set herself apart. During TV appearances, Ross allegedly stood far away from her group members on stage so the camera would pan to her solo. Mary’s public refusal to join Diana Ross on a Supremes reunion tour due to a disagreement over fees garnered much attention and ill will. 

 At the time, Mary Wilson alleged that Diana Ross would earn $15-$20 million while she and the others would only pocket $2-$3 million.


However, Smokey Robinson’s recent confession that he had a yearlong affair with Diana Ross makes me wonder if there is more to the story. It appears that most men at Motown thought Diana Ross was ‘hot stuff’. She had sexual relationships with Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye was attracted to her. These men changed the face of pop music. Together, they

 made music that defined its era and significantly influenced modern pop and R&B. You have to hand it to Diana Ross for her excellent taste in men. 


According to Martha Reeves, the Supremes took a long time to break through. She told the Daily Mail, “They (the Supremes) were desperate for a hit.”  Some people will do almost anything when they’re desperate, and some will do nearly anyone. 
Diana’s affairs with the head of Motown and the label’s most successful songwriter probably helped secure the Supremes better songs and priority over other artists.  Mary and Florence professionally benefited from her affairs as members of the Supremes. However,  Mary and Florence’s relationships with other labelmates could have suffered. If the other Motown acts knew about Diana Ross’s affairs, they might have lacked respect for Mary, Florence, and Diana. It’s a case of guilt by association. One can assume the others would think the Supremes weren’t offered hit songs because of their talent but because of who she’s sleeping with. If everyone’s fighting for a hit record, but only one woman’s getting the lion’s share because of her love life, it’s easy to see why the others would hate you for being her group member.  
Is this pure speculation? 

For many years, Martha Reeves vied with Diana Ross for the mantle of Motown’s First Lady. Even though Martha Reeves denies they feuded, several stories have reported the contrary. 


Sleeping with someone for professional gain doesn’t always mean success. 

However, occasionally, it works to blur the lines between professional and personal lives to achieve your goals. There’s no question that it worked for Diana Ross. The most successful men in the music industry were attracted to her. She had the world on a string and the talent to match. No one can deny her triumphs in her Central Park concert or on screen in “Lady Sings The Blues.”

So what do you think? 

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Healthy Loops

The American Heart Association reports Charles Duhigg, author of “The Power of Habit,” describes a pattern or “habit loop” involving 3 elements: cue →, routine, → reward. Every behavior is a loop that follows those three elements.

Your brain can be trained to build habits. These three steps can help create habits that stick:

Cue: This is a reminder to act on your habit. It jogs your memory, prompting you to act in the same place, at the same time, every day.

Example: Leave your hand weights in a visible place so you can remind yourself of a habit of maintaining muscle tone in your arms.

Routine: To start with, choose a smaller, achievable version of your habit. Ensure it’s something you like so it’s easily repeatable. For example, start with a walk around the block rather than 20,000 steps daily.

I like creating a new playlist of my favorite disco songs weekly. By adding a new song to the list each week, I lengthen my workout and walk that much longer. For instance, Patti LaBelle’s ‘Think About You’ adds almost four and a half minutes to my workout. It doesn’t seem like drudgery, it feels like fun!

Reward: Positive emotions make habits stick. So have fun while you do your new activity, or associate it with a reward. Reserve time to watch your favorite TV binge-worthy show when you exercise.

ON SALE: Divabetic branded lip balm watermelon flavored (3 for $10.00 plus shipping and handling.)

Please take a minute to support our ‘glam more, fear less’ approach to diabetes outreach. For over 20 years, we have pioneered presenting traditional diabetes education in nonclincal ways. From monthly support meetings to national programs, we have made it our mission to empower women affected by, living with, and at risk of diabetes and their loved ones to achieve optimum health.

For more information, email: mrdivabetic@gmail.com

Do you want another suggestion to add to your playlist? Check out Change’s “Glow Of Love,” featuring vocals by Luther Vandross. This song is guaranteed to put some pep in your step!!

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For the past 64 years. Barbie has been a part of our lives, a cultural touchstone, or the quintessential image of what a woman should be but never will be – a sex or beauty object.

Greta Gerwig’s big screen makeover and the related marketing blitz are making us revisit and reevaluate Barbie’s impact on our lives, including our sex lives. After all, if Barbie and Ken are confused about what to do at sleepovers, you might be too, especially if you’re dealing with sexual health issues related to diabetes.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in nearly all countries. People with diabetes experience sexual dysfunction more often than the general public. Podcast guests: Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, RDN, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, the co-authors of Divabetic’s new e-book, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, available on Amazon.

Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, book one in the series, is your key to a happy, healthy, intimate life with diabetes. 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 healthcare 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 Dr. 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. In. Bed With Barbie & Ken Podcast Music by Doug Clay.

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