D-Stories – Page 31

09/28/202209/28/2022

Mama Rose Marie Stars in Divabetic’s Mystery Podcast

From time to time, podcast listeners ask me who plays ‘my mother’ on Divabetic’s mystery podcasts. The talented actress playing “Mama Rose Marie” is my actual mom. It’s a blessing that she participates every year. She’s a good sport too.

Our mystery podcast storylines routinely put her in dangerous situations to rescue me. She’s escaped prison, shook her shimmy in a Coney Island burlesque show, hit glass-shattering high notes in Christmas carols like Celine Dion, and dressed up as a pirate, ninja, and snow leopard. Once, she was even knocked unconscious by a deranged scientist who impersonated her in an attempt to get me to endorse a ‘magic pill’ for curing diabetes. Thankfully, she woke up in time to kick his butt and save me from jeopardizing my reputation.

In reality, my mom has been with me every step of the way on the Divabetic journey and I couldn’t be happier. She sold the first “Divabetic” t-shirt in Columbia, SC, in 2003. She was a National team member of our signature Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach program, worked backstage on the national TV show, dLife, demonstrated How to Prada Your Pineapple on several local TV shows, judged Divabetic’s Hat Boxing Competition, beautifully decorated our healthy Halloween program, The Broomstick Bash, and much much more over the past nineteen (!) years of outreach.

I love my Mom. Thank you, thank you! You have given my mom and me so many wonderful and magical memories. Working side-by-side with her to present diabetes outreach diva-style has brought me joy, enriched my life, and made me a better person.

I hope you will tune in to this year’s mystery podcast to find out what trouble my mom gets in to save me! I wish everyone could have a mom like mine; if you don’t, let us team up with you so we can stay happy and healthy together.

09/27/202209/27/2022

Tonight! Don’t Miss Divabetic’s 9th Annual Mystery Podcast Live Broadcast

The BIG DAY is finally here!!!

Join us tonight for Divabetic’s 9th Annual Mystery podcast, Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu!

Find out what happens when the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, lands a to-die-for job as a caterer for the nation’s hottest health guru, Wendy Wattage‘s Wellness Retreat on the Jersey Shore. Everything seems low pressure and low calorie until the body of the nasty food critic, Marilyn Macaroni, is found stabbed to death with one of Max’s new chef knives. Now he’s the prime suspect in a big, fat murder investigation!

Can he and his team of friends, diabetes educators, and his nosey Italian mother, Mama Rose Marie, find the killer before the police arrive? Or will he be trading his fruit suit for coveralls with stripes?

The fun begins at 6 PM EST.

Enjoy loads of diabetes information and self-care tips wrapped up in a cozy mystery radio drama. Tune in using this link.

Weight loss murder never tasted so good.

Starring Mr. Divabetic, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Maryann Horst Nicolay MEd, NTDR, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage,’ Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller and Lorraine Brooks. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir. Special thanks to our colleague, the multi-talented Wendy Radford.

Music from The Pink Panther and The Return of The Pink Panther soundtracks by Henry Mancini courtesy of SONY Music.

The fun begins at 6 PM EST.

09/25/2022

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Roll Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Divabetic’s special guest, The Diabetic Pastry Chef at the upcoming Sugar-Free Baking Party knows ways to transform decadent desserts so they’re no longer off-limits. By using blended flours and a combination of sugar and sugar substitutes, reducing milk carbohydrates, and eliminating trans fats, Stacey Harris can convert almost any recipe into a lower-carb alternative without compromising taste or quality.

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Roll Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Ingredients

1 cup sugar substitute of your choice

3/4 cup white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

2/3 cup canned pure pumpkin puree

3 large eggs

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Swerve Confectioners

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add all ingredients except walnuts and Swerve Confectioners to the mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until well combined.

Line an 11×15″ jelly roll pan with parchment paper or wax paper. Grease the paper and add the batter spreading evenly. Sprinkle with the chopped walnuts. Bake for approximately 15 minutes.

Invert the cake onto a thin linen dish towel sprinkled heavily with Swerve Confectioners (about 1/4 cup). Remove parchment paper or wax paper and gently roll the cake. Let cool for a minimum of 2 hours.

Unroll the cake and evenly spread with filling. Reroll cake. Freeze for 1 hour before serving. Thaw, sprinkle top with Swerve Confectioners to cover, and slice. Enjoy!

Filling Ingredients

1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 cup Swerve Confectioners

2 Tbsp. butter softened

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions

Mix ingredients together with an electric mixer until smooth.

Note: The Diabetic Pastry Chef’s choice of sugar substitute for this recipe is Erythritol.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Are you interested in baking tips and recipes?

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris,The Diabetic Pastry Chef, on Thursday, September 28, 7-8 PM, EST.

REGISTER NOW

09/22/202209/22/2022

Divabetic’s 9th Annual Mystery podcast, Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu, is Tuesday, September 27, 2022,

There are only three more rehearsals before our live performance premiere of Divabetic’s 9th Annual Mystery podcast, Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu, on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 6 PM EST. My work and friendship with health guru, High Voltage to help NYC girls at risk to get their energy up and their weight down inspired our story. Voltage believes exercise and healthy eating doesn’t have to be dull or feel like drudgery. She uses games, prizes, disco music, glow stick, and rhinestones to boost people’s self-confidence. She also wrote Sugar Savvy Solution to help people become ‘sugar savvy’ by adhering to the American Heart Association‘s guidelines for limiting added sugars to no more than 6 percent of calories daily.

Here’s a quick synopsis of Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu: The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, lands his to-die-for job as a caterer for the nation’s hottest health guru, Wendy Wattage’s Wellness Retreat on the Jersey Shore. Everything is hunky-dory until the body of the nasty food critic, Marilyn Macaroni, is found stabbed to death with one of Max’s new chef knives. Now he’s the prime suspect in a big, fat murder investigation! Can he and his team of friends, diabetes educators, and his nosey Italian mother, Mama Rose Marie, find the killer before the police arrive? Weight loss murder never tasted so good.

Music from The Pink Panther and The Return of The Pink Panther soundtracks by Henry Mancini courtesy of SONY Music.

We’re also hosting a free Sugar-Free Baking Party with the Diabetic Pastry Chef on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 7 PM EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW

09/21/2022

Luther Vandross Inducted into the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Luther Vandross has been inducted into the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Musical Crossroads section.

Luther was very involved with every aspect of his live shows (lights, staging choreography, music, etc.), but in my opinion, the costumes were his absolute favorite. His display is stunning, dramatic and gorgeous. It has his eye-catching red, black, and crystal sequenced Art Deco stage jacket, created by fashion designer Tony Chase. It’s a striking reminder of the beauty, elegance and refined showmanship he created for his audiences worldwide.

The case also contains Luther’s own hand-written lyric sheet for his Grammy-winning song “Dance With My Father” in addition to the only microphone he used to record his studio albums.

When you’re in Washington, please enjoy the entire museum, but make your first stop is Luther’s display on the fourth floor.

Divabetic remembers Luther Vandross (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) with this special podcast, Tribute to Luther Vandross, celebrating his career during the 1990’s. Luther Vandross was a musical master whose style has influenced an entire generation of today’s vocalists. His distinctive brand of satin-smooth vocal magic moved international audiences and continues to touch people to this day.

The happy healthcare host, Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek, who worked with Vandross for more than 14 years, hosts this tribute podcast featuring Luther’s former vocalists Paulette McWilliams, Pat Lacy, Tawatha Agee, Cindy Mizelle, and Kevin Owens, band member Bryon Miller, Vandross family member, Seveda Williams, friends Darren Margo and David Jones, the Luther Vandross historian, Leon Petrossian and Luther super fan, Jane Goodman from Great Britain.

Throughout the podcast, we will be playing selected Luther Vandross songs that he recorded during the 1990’s courtesy of SONY Music.

Divabetic, the organization inspired by Luther’s diabetes journey revisits the singer’s career in the decade of hair scrunchies, boy bands, grunge, and rave parties. This Luther tribute remembers the moments, the music and the man, and the motivation to ensure that no one has to struggle with diabetes alone or in silence. Keep ‘your house a home’ and learn how to prevent diabetes health-related complications from occurring. Visit: www.divabetic.org

09/19/202209/19/2022

Phantom of the Opera Is Closing But You Can Still Enjoy Phantom of the Okra

The Phantom of the Opera, Broadway’s longest-running show, is scheduled to close in February 2023. The musical – a fixture on Broadway since 1988, weathering recessions, war, and cultural shifts – will play its final performance on Broadway on 18 February.

Don’t worry you can still enjoy Divabetic’s Phantom of the Okra mystery podcast on demand.

When the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, agrees to host the Red Tomato Carpet at the 6th Annual Bake Bethesda A Pie Contest at Central Farm Market in Bethesda, MD, the last thing he expects to happen is to be the prime suspect in a murder.

Will orange be the ‘new black’ for Mr. Divabetic? Or will his team of highly skilled diabetes educators, a nosey best-selling mystery author, and his overbearing mother be able to prove his innocence before the police arrive?

Our Divabetic murder mystery is loosely based on The Phantom Of The Opera. It offers self-care advice and nutrition information in-between moments of suspense, wide-goose chases, and entertaining banter.

Phantom of the Okra stars Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Asha Brown (founder of the We Are Diabetes organization), Central Farm Markets Co-Founder Debra Moser, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Author Peter Arpesella, Susan Weiner MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, Leisa Chester Weir, Terri Seidman, and Mama Rose Marie.

This podcast features song selections from The Phantom Of The Opera soundtrack courtesy of SONY Music.

We’re counting down until next week’s premiere of Divabetic’s latest mystery podcast, Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu, on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 6 PM EST.

Now he’s the prime suspect in a big, fat murder investigation! Can he and his team of friends, diabetes educators, and his nosey Italian mother, Mama Rose Marie, find the killer before the police arrive?

Weight loss murder never tasted so good.

Starring Mr. Divabetic, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Maryann Horst Nicolay MEd, NTDR, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage,’ Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller and Lorraine Brooks. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir. Music from The Pink Panther and The Return of The Pink Panther soundtracks by Henry Mancini courtesy of SONY Music.

09/17/202209/17/2022

Divabetic Remembers B. B. King

“I’m diabetic, bad knees, bad back. Ladies, I’m old but I ain’t dead.” Blues legend B. B. King.

We’re remembering B. B. King on the anniversary of his birthday. We applaud his openness about living with type 2 diabetes for over 34 years.

Diabetes didn’t dim his dazzle or stop the music. For over half a century, Riley B. King – better known as B.B. King – defined the blues for a worldwide audience. It was widely reported that he gave over 15,000 performances since his career began in 1949.

As B. B. King explained in a Diabetes Health magazine profile, he took charge of his diabetes shortly after his diagnosis. King tested his blood sugar often and changed his eating habits. He realized diabetes probably ran in his family, but no one knew it. He thinks his father might have had it when he died while suffering from gout and “high blood glucose.” King’s mother was blind when she died at age 9 and likely had undiagnosed diabetes, he says. Not only did B. B. King keep on top of his diabetes, but he spread awareness about it, working as a high-profile spokesperson in the fight against diabetes. Later in life, he admitted the life of a touring musician made it difficult to manage his daily diabetes self-care.

B.B. King was one of the best-known blues singers and guitarists in the world. He recorded more than 50 albums, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, won a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1988, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1990 and a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1991.

https://youtu.be/GKYci8mmHVU

In B.B.’s words, “When I sing, I play in my mind; the minute I stop singing orally, I start to sing by playing Lucille.”

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Are you interested in baking tips and recipes?

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris,The Diabetic Pastry Chef, on Thursday, September 28, from 7-8 PM EST.

REGISTER NOW

Join us for Divabetic‘s 9th Annual Mystery podcast, Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu, on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 6 PM, EST.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, lands his to-die-for job as a caterer for the nation’s hottest health guru, Wendy Wattage’s Wellness Retreat on the Jersey Shore. Everything is hunky-dory until the body of the nasty food critic, Marilyn Macaroni, is found stabbed to death with one of Max’s new chef knives. Now he’s the prime suspect in a big, fat murder investigation! Can he and his team of friends, diabetes educators, and his nosey Italian mother, Mama Rose Marie, find the killer before the police arrive? Weight loss murder never tasted so good.

Starring Mr. Divabetic, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Maryann Horst Nicolay MEd, NTDR, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage,’ Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller and Lorraine Brooks. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir. Music from The Pink Panther and The Return of The Pink Panther soundtracks by Henry Mancini courtesy of SONY Music.

09/06/202209/06/2022

Mama’s Kitchen Table Makes For An Unforgettable Summer

Earlier this summer, the song Mama’s Kitchen Table by Ivan Hampden Jr. featuring Paulette McWilliams was a new entry on the UK Soul Chart debuting at #15.

Paulette and I co-wrote the lyrics and Ivan produced the track.

The three of us met while working for Luther Vandross. Ivan Hampden Jr. was Luther’s drummer, Paulette McWilliams was one of his backing vocalists, and I was his assistant.

Before working for Luther, Paulette was in The American Breed who later became Rufus, and she introduced Chaka Khan to them to take her place. She sang with Quincy Jones, featured on Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall” and has toured with Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and so many others. She was a guest on Richard Marzetti’s Solar Radio show on June 3, 2022. Click HERE to listen.

Ivan Hampden Jr. is a four-time Grammy winner and, as well as Luther’s albums, has appeared on albums by Ashford & Simpson, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, The Temptations, Beyonce, Mavis Staple, and Ann Nesby to name some of the more famous ones.

After Luther’s stroke, related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, I founded the nonprofit, Divabetic in 2003. Since then, I have reached thousands of at-risk people affected by and living with diabetes through live events, videos, and podcasts. I was thrilled to return to music with my friends, Ivan and Paulette. Seeing Mama’s Kitchen Table on the UK Soul Charts brought me so much joy. It was an unexpected but equally enchanting moment in an unforgettable Summer.

I’m also thrilled to announce the three of us teamed up again to write the new Christmas song, Pink Champagne, coming out in late Fall.

“Pink Champagne is dedicated to anyone experiencing a painful heartbreak during the holidays,” says Paulette McWilliams.

Breakups are hard. But the holidays seem to magnify the loneliness of heartache: parties with everyone coupled up, romantic Christmas music and movies, and those annual Christmas letters brimming with friends’ burgeoning families. The airwaves are filled with upbeat holiday classics leaving little room for sadness and contemplation.

Pink Champagne is a story of a woman’s journey from victim to victor at Christmastime. A mindset that Paulette believes can help someone with a broken heart find fulfillment.

“You can’t experience the joy of the holidays unless you let go of the painful emotions instead of holding them in,” she says. “I hope Pink Champagne helps people who are hurting be able to move on.”

Nancy Wilson’s Guess Who I Saw Today and Marlena Shaw’s Go Away Litte Boy inspired my lyrics and story.

A true classic, Guess Who I Saw Today was written by Murray Grand with lyrics by Elisse Boyd. The delicious, dignified, and elegant Nancy Wilson’s storytelling ability remains unsurpassed. Her timeless tone and delivery satisfy Jazz lovers of all generations.

For the first Lady of Blue Note, Marlena Shaw’s Go Away Little Boy lifted her career to new heights. Her dash of wit and attitude provide a virtual tour de force, a classic moment of 1970’s soul. Marlena’s recording is one part hilarious stand-up routine (a la Millie Jackson or Patti Labelle) and one part slow-jam mood music.

09/05/2022

Divabetic Spotlights Delta Burke

“There are so many things you have to watch,” actress Delta Burke told Diabetic Living. “It’s a lot of searching, and it can be tedious, but you just have to stick with it.”

The Emmy-nominated actress is best known for her role as Suzanne Sugarbaker in Designing Women. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 41, while she struggled with her weight and depression.

Delta told Eating Well Magazine that she’s learned how important it is to find a doctor you can trust — one who will take the time to explain. And she acknowledges that the road to managing diabetes is frustrating at times.

Delta began to lose some weight through diet and exercise, but it was slow going until she realized she had to change her mindset.

“I was telling myself that I was a bad person because I couldn’t lose the weight fast enough,” she says. “I decided to stop beating myself up and started to give myself credit for maintaining weight.”

Delta often struggled to find flattering and comfortable fashions in plus sizes, so she created Delta Burke Design in 1994. Originally, she offered a full line of clothing but now purely focuses on swimsuits and lingerie in sizes 14 to 26.

Alyson Williams, Queen Diva, Tabouli: The Story of a Heart-Driven Diabetes Alert Dog Author Matt Pelicano, & Elizabeth Vaughan Gallagher join us on this episode of Divabetc’s podcast with music by Phyllis Hyman.

09/02/202209/02/2022

Divabetic Spotlights Chaka Khan

Divabetic superstar Chaka Khan has released a new song, Woman Like Me. We hope it’s just as successful as her healthy lifestyle makeover after her diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Her new empowering track, Woman Like Me, hints at an earlier classic, I’m Every Woman, which she made famous but with a sharper edge.

A lot of people know about Chaka Khan’s life of excess. The star almost died mixing sleeping pills and cocaine once. She suffered from alcohol addiction until the early 2000s, after which she became sober, but after an injury, she became addicted to painkillers. However, she has been trying to stay clean since 2013 and said, “I call myself an ex-addict.

But not many people know that the star is living with type 2 diabetes. The Queen of Funk’s granddaughter sparked her adopting healthy habits

“I adopted my 10-year-old granddaughter. I have to be there for her. I knew I couldn’t go out like this so I just fasted for, like, a month, then I went vegan and went off meats and all dairy and anything with eyes. If I have a craving for a little baked fish or something, I might eat it. But that’s about it. I’ve mostly been doing a lot of high-protein foods and a lot of vegetables.”

Chaka Khan admits, “I don’t like exercising at all. I guess if I had one (exercise) of choice, it would be walking. I do not run, and I’m losing, like, on average, about five pounds a month. I’ve lost 60 pounds.”

Slimmed-down superstar diva Chaka Khan is inspiring this episode of Divabetic’s monthly podcast. Mr. Divabetic’s guests including Chaka Khan’s former bandmember and producer, Ivan Hampden, Jr., Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Pam Butler MS, CDCES, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDCES, CDN, Holly Clegg who is the author of six cookbooks including ‘Kitchen 101’ Mama Rose Marie and real-life diva, Ginger Vieira, who is the author of ‘Your Diabetes Science Experiment’ and record-setting competitive powerlifter living with type 1 diabetes.