Since 2005, Divabetic (Divabetic.Org) has pioneered efforts in outreach to take diabetes education out of the clinical setting and present it in a more appealing and easier to understand ways. Our first national outreach program, Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes, presented personalized diabetes education (loosely based on AADE’s 7 Self-Care Behaviors) with free makeover services (makeup application, safe manicures, and mini massages) in eight major US cities.
Two years ago, we presented diabetes and heart health education in New York City’s #1 Escape Room experience called Clued Inn on National Diabetes Alert Day.
Nationally Recognized Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator and Best-Selling Author Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND, CHWC joined us for Divabetic’s recent free virtual Cooking Party on Zoom.
Enjoy some GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS highlights from Divabetic’s recent virtual outreach event featuring Harlem’s Heaven Hats‘ Hats & Masks Fashion Show and Poetry by Diabetes Late Nite podcast contributor Lorraine Brooks.
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks with Rachel Zinman about how yoga and meditation practices can help you to manage the mental health aspects of living with diabetes.
Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Pendulum Therapeutics CEO and Co-Founder Colleen Cutcliffe, Ph. D., (the maker of Pendulum Glucose Control), Virginia Valentine, APRN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Dr. Darren Wayne from MealBetix and Yoga For Diabetes Author Rachel Zinman.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Aaliyah’s Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number album courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller gets ‘coz’y with a giant python named ‘Diamonds’ in Divabetic‘s Mystery podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes.
The mystery is set in the fictitiously decadent world-renowned Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Mr. Divabetic’s healthy culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges! Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape.
Now, the happy healthcare host must decide to face his fear of snakes and recipe rejection or throw in his apron and risk getting caught up in another murder investigation. Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?
The cast ofGingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR),The Happy Diabetic Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Coach The Cure’s Trisha Artman, Jillian Walsh, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones, Lorraine Brooks and Max Szadek.
Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
Our friends at diatribeposted these costsavings tips on Instagram:
How to Save Money on Diabetes Medications with Prescription Discount Cards
Find a Discount Card for Your Prescription. Search for discounts online, and a pharmacy near you where you can present it
Download, Email, Print, Text and/or Screenshot the Discount Card
Bring the Card to the Pharmacy the Next Time You Go To Pick Up Your Prescription
Many prescription drug discount cards can’t be combined with insurance benefits, copay cards or any other secondary payer. However, even if you have insurance, see if you can save by paying 100% out of pocket with an Inside Rx discount card.
diaTribe, the patient-focused online publication, is part of The diaTribe Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of people with diabetes.
diaTribe seeks to empower our readers with useful, actionable information that gives them hope for a better future, and helps them live happier and healthier lives. Our tag line is “Making Sense of Diabetes.”
We’re celebrating National Diabetes Awareness Month with musical inspiration from Angela Bofill.
Singer, songwriter Angela Bofill suffered two strokes but neither stroke could take away her positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit.
Podcast guests: Angela Bofill, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, San Francisco & Palm Springs drag performer Mutha Chucka, and Evetta Petty from Harlem’s Heaven Hats.
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks with Rachel Zinman about how yoga and meditation practices can help you to manage the mental health aspects of living with diabetes.
When your blood sugar is low (), you get hunger cravings because your body wants sugar. You may feel like eating everything in the house but your body needs is a certain amount of glucose to bring your sugar levels back to normal.
The best way to reduce the hypo hunger cravings is to get your blood glucose levels back in your target range using the rule of 15.
The 15–15 rule—have 15 grams of carbohydrate to raise your blood sugar levels and check it after 15 minutes. If it’s still below 70 mg/dL, have another serving. Repeat these steps until your blood sugar is at least 70 mg/dL.
Most glucose tablets contain about 3-4 grams of carbohydrate and so it is recommended to take 3 to 4 glucose tablets to raise blood sugar levels. Test your blood sugar levels after 15 minutes to see how your blood sugar levels have responded.
We’re talking about the symptoms, causes and prevention of stroke with musical inspiration from Angela Bofill on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.
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.
With her strong, distinctive alto, Angela Bofill carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads and became a mainstay on the Quiet Storm radio format.
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 .
Podcast guests include Angela Bofill, Catherine Schuller, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Neva White DNP, CRNP- BC, CDE, and Rose Hall from Tessie’s Teas.
Throughout the podcast we will feature music from Angela Bofill’s albums Angie and Angel of the Night courtesy of SONY Music
Divabetic’s Blue Stocking Book Club pick is New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn‘s fifth book in her popular Bridgerton series, To Sir Phillip, With Love.
The story sheds light on society’s view of what is now known as clinical depression compounded with postpartum depression in the 1800’s.
The Bridgerton Series is a collection of eight novels, each featuring one of the eight children of the late Viscount Bridgerton: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth.
What is so appealing about To Sir Phillip, With Love is that the story sheds light on society’s view of what is now known as clinical depression compounded with postpartum depression in the 1800’s.
When Sir Phillip Crane loses his wife to severe, chronic depression he feels like a failure as a husband because he is unable to make his wife feel happy.
Although Sir Phillip’s feelings of inadequacy as a caregiver are still common today, our views about depression and its treatment have changed. Back in the 18th and 19th centuries people believed that depression, which was referred to as melancholy, was as a weakness in temperament that was inherited and could not be changed. The result of these beliefs was that people with depression should be shunned or locked up.
Thankfully, that’t’s not the case today. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Researchers estimate that more than 1 in 4 U.S. adults are reporting symptoms of depression during the pandemic. There are many supports, services and treatment options available.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
We’re talking about issues of love, intimacy and diabetes on this Divabetic podcast. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to sexual health complications including vaginal dryness, sensation and performance. Up to 50% of men and 25% of women may experience some kind of sexual problem or a loss of sex drive.
Don’t equate sexual performance with love or a fulfilling relationship; focus on letting your partner know you care and want to give pleasure as part of your relationship
Podcast Guests include Best-Selling Author Lisa Eugene, Jennifer Martsolf from Trigg Laboratories (the makers of Wet Lubricants) and Janis Roszler MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).
If you or your partner is experiencing sexual difficulties, you may find it helpful to meet with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, marriage counselor or sex therapist. These professionals can help you learn how to reduce stress and change behaviors and attitudes, particularly when impotence is caused by stress or other mental health issues.
Green Giant has turned cauliflower into a low carb version of onion rings!
Their “onion rings,” are made with real cauliflower and come in two flavors: the Cauliflower Three Cheese with Bacon and Cauliflower French Onion
I tried a package of Green Giant® French Onion flavored Veggie Rings® and really enjoyed them! The texture was smilar to a real onion ring and the flavor was enjoyable.
Cauliflower is one of the most versatile and popular low-carb vegetables. One cup (100 grams) of raw cauliflower contains 5 grams of carbs, 3 of which are fiber.
Some low-carb diets may have health benefits beyond weight loss, such as reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. A low-carb diet generally limits grains, legumes, fruits, breads, sweets, pastas and starchy vegetables, and sometimes nuts and seeds.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that carbohydrates make up 45% to 65% of your total daily calorie intake. So if you consume 2,000 calories a day, carbs would account for between 900 and 1,300 calories a day.
We’re talking about ’Eating Right, Being Bright’ during the holiday season with musical inspiration fromHarry Connick, Jr. and his 16 piece big band. Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dan Houdeshell, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Orville Kolterman and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Author Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Harry For The Holidays album courtesy of SONY Music. Harry Connick, Jr.’s second Christmas album, Harry for The Holidays is as much a salute to his New Orleans musical roots as it is to the season.
Happy birthday to a very special woman at Divabetic, Mama Rose Marie!
Mama Rose Marie has helped to shape our organization and outreach efforts since 2003. She generously shares her decorating talents, upbeat personality and motherly love with all the divas at risk, affected by and living with diabetes at numerous Divabetic outreach events including ‘Divabetic – Makevoer Your Diabetes’.
Divabetic’s Mother Your Diabetes video series presents diabetes wellness advice with a spoonful of motherly love.
Mama Rose Marie stars in Divabetic’s latest mystery radio podcast, ‘Kill Me Madam’.
There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’. But resentment, greed and Britannia’s own bad dealings turn everyone into a suspect when she’s found dead in the parking lot just before the Annual Decadents on Deck! Bake Off competition is about to kick off.
Delusional baker and amateur sleuth Mr. Divabetic is even shocked to find himself being treated as a suspect in the case by the local police, after meeting her just once!
As if his life wasn’t crazy enough before, escaping a murderous mishap in New York and attempting a fresh start in Nantucket has turned into a complete and utter baking disaster, now Max, along with his friends and nosy mother, have to add tracking down a murderer to his To-Do list, as well.
Can our team hunt down the real murderer before they strike again? Will he become the next victim? Can Max ever manage to bake a cake that’s actually edible?
Divabetic’s Mystery podcast cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic’s Mother Your Diabetes video series presents diabetes wellness advice with a spoonful of motherly love.
This year’s Top 3 Divabetic podcasts came together a little differently than before. Our top rated podcast from October featured an exclusive interview with singer, songwriter Angela Bofill. Angela’s fighting spirit after experiencing two strokes is truly inspirational. Additionally, it seems all the extra rehearsals and script revisions have paid off as our annual mystery podcast topped the Luther Vandross tribute for the first time in the ratings. We think you’ll enjoy these three shows no matter your situation in life right now.
We’re celebrating the musical legacy of Luther Vandross and raising awareness for diabetes health-related complications (such as vision loss) on Divabetic’s Annual Luther VandrossTribute podcast.
Diabetic eye disease, caused by diabetes, is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss. Because of the high risk for eye disease, all people with type 2 diabetes should receive an annual dilated eye exam.
A 2019 Vision Source study of 1,000 U.S. consumers found that more than 50% had issues with their vision in the past year, and 34% did not go for a professional eye exam. The major barriers to having an annual eye exam included not thinking they needed one (33%), unsure of where to go (25%), lack of insurance, (22%) and expense (22%).
Comprehensive eye exams are key to overall wellness and preserving a high quality of life. In addition to evaluating vision, annual eye exams can detect serious health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, and even cancer.
Guests include Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Nat Adderley Jr., Dr. Khoshnevis, Danny Clay, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE. Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s album, ‘The Night I Fell In Love’ courtesy of SONY Music.
There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’. But resentment, greed and Britannia’s own bad dealings turn everyone into a suspect when she’s found dead in the parking lot just before the Annual Decadents on Deck! Bake Off competition is about to kick off.
Delusional baker and amateur sleuth Mr. Divabetic is even shocked to find himself being treated as a suspect in the case by the local police, after meeting her just once!
As if his life wasn’t crazy enough before, escaping a murderous mishap in New York and attempting a fresh start in Nantucket has turned into a complete and utter baking disaster, now Max, along with his friends and nosy mother, have to add tracking down a murderer to his To-Do list, as well.
Can our team hunt down the real murderer before they strike again? Will he become the next victim? Can Max ever manage to bake a cake that’s actually edible?
Divabetic’s Mystery podcast cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.
We’re talking about the symptoms, causes and prevention of stroke with 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.
With her strong, distinctive alto, Angela Bofill carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads and became a mainstay on the Quiet Storm radio format.
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 .
Podcast guests include Angela Bofill, Catherine Schuller, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Neva White DNP, CRNP- BC, CDE, and Rose Hall from Tessie’s Teas.
Throughout the podcast we will feature music from Angela Bofill’s albums Angie and Angel of the Night courtesy of SONY Music.
We’re talking about a ‘New Year, New You‘ attitude about living with diabetes with musical inspiration from Aaliyah on Diabetes Late Nite scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, 2020.
Although Aaliyah died at the age of 22 and had a short music career due to her early passing, the singer’s music helped to redefine R&B, pop, and even hip-hop. And her legacy continues to live on. Her hard work ethic, creativity, and her sweet demeanor have inspired fans over the past two decades.
Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Colleen Cutcliffe, Ph. D., CEO and co-founder of Pendulum Therapeutics and Virginia Valentine, APRN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Dr. Darren Wayne from MealBetix and Yoga For Diabetes Author Rachel Zinman.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Aaliyah’s Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number album courtesy of SONY Music.
Tune in over 140 Diva TalkRadio podcasts available for free on i-tunes (search ‘Divabetic’).
The media’s focus on the risk of COVID-19 among seniors and people with diabetes has resulted in many delaying their eye care visits.
Most eye care services are critical to preserve, prevent loss of, or restore vision. This includes ongoing care for degenerative eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, etc.
Photo by Soroush Karimi on Unsplash
Unfortunately, many eye diseases progress silently or seem tolerable now but can quickly progress into irreversible damage or emergencies if in-person visit are postponed again and again.
To identify these conditions and preserve vision, healthcare providers need to measure the pressure of the eye and get an effective look inside. The only way to do that is with in person visits.
Equipment for patients to allow assessments of the interior eye structure, vision strength, the cornea and the pressure with the eye is not available remotely.
Another important reason not to put off your vision care is that new waves of coronavirus seems inevitable. If numbers continue to spike, ophthalmology services may have to pause again.
Talk to your healthcare providers about how to balance your risks. Don’t regret experiencing vision loss because of unnecesary fears.
We’re talking about diabetic macular edema with musical inspiration from Maxwellon this episode of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is an accumulation of fluid in the macula-part of the retina that controls our most detailed vision abilities-due to leaking blood vessels. In order to develop DME, you must first have diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye (retina). Poorly controlled blood sugar is a risk factor. Early symptoms include floaters, blurriness, dark areas of vision, and difficulty perceiving colors. Blindness can occur.
Guests include singer Alfa Anderson, Diabetic Macular Edema patient Maryanne Kass, Artist Bryce Chisholm, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring selected songs from several of several of Maxwell’s albums courtesy of SONY Music.
Over the holiday I ran to the grocery store to buy vanilla to use in King Arthur Baking Company’s recipe for shortbread cookies using almond flour. The cost for a 2 oz. bottle of Pure Vanilla extract was a surprising $14.99!
Vanilla is actually a difficult plant to grow. The vines take 2-4 years to mature. The orchid flowers only bloom once a year and must be hand pollination on the same day. Then it takes several months before the vanilla is ready to harvest.
Limited Quantity
Additionally, over 80% of the world’s vanilla is grown on the island of Madagascar, which has been recently hit with terrible weather. Failed crop yields have caused the prices of vanilla beans to soar to nearly $600 per kilogram, which is 10 times more expensive than it was a few years ago.
High Demand
The demand for pure vanilla has skyrocketed because of the natural foods movement. Consumers don’t want food products containing artifical ingredients which has triggered many large food and beverage companies such as Nestle, General Mills, and Hershey to eliminate these ingredients from their products. Instead these large manufacturers are replacing cheaper articifial vanilla with real vanilla in the products. The public’s increasing desire for shorter ingredient statements and transparency in production practices and supply chains keeps the price rising and rising as demand continues to grow.
“Clean eating became more prevalent and mainstream with the initial push of plant-based eating several years ago, which began as a health-based trend focusing on whole or unprocessed foods and a back-to-basics view on diets,” said Cali Amos, the research manager for HealthFocus Internationalas reported by Food Business News. “That, along with a major push toward a sustainable planet, crops and food sources, people are tying what they eat to the source of the food and not just how it affects their body but how it affects the world around them.”
Theft
Vanilla beans are now the target for theft because of their increased value. Many farmers have to guard their farms to prevent their beans from being stolen. As the stolen beans move up the supply chain, they get mixed in with legally purchased beans making it difficult for buyers to know which are which. The prevent theft, farmers pick the beans before they’re ripe and unripe beans means lower quality vanilla.
Climate Change
Cyclones are becoming increasingly more common in Madagascar and can easily wipe out vanilla crops. If this happens, it takes a year before new plants start producing beans. The limited supply works to drive prices for vanilla up.
We’re talking about ’Eating Right, Being Bright’ during the holiday season with musical inspiration fromHarry Connick, Jr. on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nitepodcast. Our guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dan Houdeshell, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Orville Kolterman and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Author Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Harry For The Holidays album courtesy of SONY Music.
