Category: Diva TalkRadio

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August’s Diabetes Late Nite Podcast features Music from TLC’s CrazySexyCool

This August, we’re talking with two leading doctors(an Optometrist and a Retina Specialist, and Surgeon)and two diabetes advocates about eye health, and vision loss related to diabetes with musical inspiration from TLC. 

Let this be a friendly reminder to get your eyes checked. Why? A routine, comprehensive eye exam can detect vision problems, eye disease, and general health problems before you are aware a problem exists.

Did you know that August is Vision & Learning Month? The goal of this national observance is to help increase awareness among parents and educators on the prevalence of undiagnosed or misdiagnosed vision problems.

Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults. This is a growing problem as the number of people living with diabetes increases, so does the number of people with impaired vision. Diabetes can cause a disease of the eye called diabetic retinopathy (DR). In its early stages, you may not notice any symptoms or changes to your eyesight, and you cannot tell that this condition is damaging your eyes. If it is not detected and treated in a timely manner, your vision can be damaged permanently.

Diabetes can lead to swelling in the macula, which is called diabetic macular edema. Over time, this disease can destroy the sharp vision in this part of the eye, leading to partial vision loss or blindness. Macular edema usually develops in people who already have other signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Fortunately, diabetic retinopathy and macular edema can be treated and even prevented if caught early (which is why getting an annual dilated eye exam is so important for people who have diabetes).

Another eye problem that’s more common in people who have diabetes is dry eye. According to the National Eye Institute, dry eye is a condition in which the eye does not produce tears properly. It can also involve tears not having the right consistency or evaporating too quickly. Tears are necessary to help maintain moisture on the surface of the eye and for clear vision. In many cases the surface of the eye becomes inflamed; if not treated, pain, ulcers, scars, and possibly loss of some vision can occur. One study showed that people who have diabetes have a 50% chance of getting dry eye.

Among adults aged 45 and over with diagnosed diabetes, 9.2% had vision loss due to cataracts, 4.1% had vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy, 2.2% had vision loss due to macular degeneration, and 2.1% had vision loss due to glaucoma.

Guests include Sherrol Reynolds M.D. (Associate Professor and Chief of Advanced Ophthalmic Care at the Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, President of the National Optometric Association (NOA)), Rishi Singh, M.D. (Retina Specialist and Staff Surgeon at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic), Andrea Sledge, Natalie Karabel, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.

Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcasts mix great music with diabetes information, health tips, real-life testimonials, and common sense advice to help you live well with diabetes

Throughout our podcast, we are featuring music from TLC’s CrazySexyCool album courtesy of SONY Music. CrazySexyCool has been certified 12-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), making TLC the first girl group in history to be awarded Diamond status. CrazySexyCool has since sold over 14 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album by an American girl group.

In addition to its commercial success, the project was also critically acclaimed and earned six Grammy nominations. The group would take home hardware for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (“Creep). The trio also broke ground by winning four MTV Video Music Awards in 1995 including Video of the Year. This made TLC the first African-American act to ever receive the honor.

A number of R&B groups would follow in the footsteps of TLC and leave their mark on the music world. But, none have yet to duplicate the magic captured by T-Boz, Chili, and Left Eye.

Released on November 15, 1994, CrazySexyCool served as a rallying cry for young women across the globe embracing their liberal nature, while analyzing various matters of the heart.

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Divabetic Reader #2: Nancy Thayer’s Family Reunion

On the heels of reading Viola Shipman’s The Summer Cottage and Nancy Thayer’s Family Reunion books back to back, I noticed two trends. First, readers are obsessed with stories about homes located in idyllic spots like Nantucket and Lake Michigan. Second, authors go to extreme lengths, not to mention the protagonist’s size.

Now, I like nothing more than watching a new homeowner knock down a retaining wall to open up space on HGTV but still, I get easily bored reading about an actual house like its the main character. I imagine that we all have a natural curiosity to know what type of people living in white elephants and cottages on the coastlines of oceans and lakes. Or even in the garden districts of cities like Savannah, Charleston, and New Orleans.  In both novels, the protagonists’ family have owned their property for several decades. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind inheriting beachfront property either, regardless of the home’s condition. However, I would hope owning a home wouldn’t be my only claim to fame or strongest personality trait.

Regarding the second issue, the ambiguous shape and size of protagonists in fiction. Several authors have mentioned their publishers have pressured them about the size and shape of the protagonists on Divabetic’s monthly podcast. Publishers either want authors to describe the protagonists in general terms or make their protagonists smaller in shape and size. For example, one author interviewed told me that her publisher forced her to make her size 18 protagonist a size 12. She stated that her publisher didn’t think it was believable for a size 18 woman to have a romantic life.

I admit that I found Viola Shipman and Nancy Thayer’s ambiguous references to their protagonists’ size distracting. Descriptions of both main characters lead the reader to believe their beautiful. Both characters also express their own dissatisfaction with their bodies too. But that’s about the extent of it. Both authors’ avoidance seems downright obvious. So what is the big deal? There are plenty of women who looks like the cast of ‘Sex & The City’ but still manage to have active, fulfilling sex lives.

A widow over seventy starting to date again is an exciting story regardless of her size! However, if I had a clearer picture of what she looked like, I think I would have enjoyed reading more about Eleanor’s dating adventures.

Strangely, there are many mentions of her displeasure with the softness of her upper arms but nothing else.

Eleanor struggles with her energy level, and lack of focus, and coping with financial matters as she ages.

A lot of Family Reunion is about accepting the aging process.  I found these passages to honest and heartfelt. Here’s a quick synopsis:

Eleanor Sunderland loves living on Nantucket, in a gorgeous cliffside home that has been in her family for decades. Yet this year she can’t help but feel a bit isolated, even as the island begins to come alive with summer tourists and travelers. Her best friend has skipped town on a last-minute cruise, leaving Eleanor feeling lonely and nostalgic about her family’s weekend trips to the island, made less frequently in the years since her husband’s passing. Now, her money-driven children contact her mostly to complain and to beg her to sell her beloved home for a steep payout. Hoping to kick the season off on a good note, Eleanor decides her seventieth birthday may be the perfect occasion for a much-needed reunion.

Fresh off the heels of her college graduation, Eleanor’s dear granddaughter, Ari, has just ended an engagement that felt less like true love and more like a chore. She longs for a change of scenery and to venture far from her parents’ snobbish expectations. Taking advantage of her newfound freedom, she heads to Nantucket to clear her head before graduate school, moving in with her grandmother and taking a job at the local beach camp. As she watches Eleanor begin to form a bond with an old acquaintance, Ari herself becomes completely smitten with a friend’s charming older brother. But just as grandmother and granddaughter fall into a carefree routine, a few shocking discoveries throw them off course, and their ideas of the future seem suddenly uncertain.

Eleanor and Ari make exciting connections, old and new, over the course of an unpredictable, life-changing few months, and learn to lean on each other through every new challenge they face in life and love, in this tale filled with Nancy Thayer’s signature Nantucket magic.

Here’s what we were snacking on while reading Family Reunion. Grilled romaine lettuce, with tomato and topped with Tabitha Brown‘s carrot bacon. Added a little olive oil to make a simple marinade for the dressing.

Tabitha Brown is an American actress and social media personality. She creates online video content incorporating veganism, humor, and motivational speaking. Brown has over four million followers on TikTok and over three million followers on Instagram as of July 2021.

Check out Tabitha Brown’s favorite bacon substitute is Carrot Bacon! 

https://www.facebook.com/ActressTabithaBrown/videos/217570532863818/

 

As for her advice for others who are considering starting a vegan diet, Brown recently told our sister magazine Health that “food can be medicine, or it can be the thing that puts us in the ground…You have to start with your ‘why.’ My why was that I was sick. My why was life or death. I chose life,” Brown said. Sure, it will be challenging at first. “Do I still get cravings? Yeah, girl, right now I could see myself dipping a crab leg into some butter. But my why is strong enough. I say: ‘Be easy on yourself. Take your time. Don’t be hard on yourself. The world is hard enough already.'” Truer words have never been spoken, Tab.

 

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Divabetic Celebrates 11 Years of Diabetes Podcasting with Music from Toni Braxton

Join us for Divabetic’s 11th Year Podcast Anniversary with musical inspiration from Toni Braxton on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, 6  – 7:30 PM, EST or listen on demand!

No one achieves a significant milestone, like our 11th straight year of monthly podcasting, without dedicating their time, energy, talent, and effort during a pandemic. We feel our listeners put forth the same amount of effort if not more to live well with diabetes. We want you to know we are with you every step of the way on your health journey, offering inspiration, information, encouragement, and a few great tunes! We gain so much encouragement from your ongoing commitment to your diabetes health. Your continued support renews, reenergizes, and revigorates our spirits, creative juices, and hopefulness.

We can’t wait for the day to be with you in person again at a live Divabetic outreach event. Until then, thank you to our listeners for tuning in and letting us be a part of your diabetes wellness. We’d like to thank all of our guests, the Diabetes Late Nite crew, the Diabetes Mystery cast, and SONY Music for helping us to continue to broadcast during these unprecedented times.

On July’s podcast, we also talking about what to do when your family sabotages your health goals, how glucagon works, DJ Frankie Knuckles‘s battle with diabetes, why African Americans are four times more likely to experience an amputation, and the new social media platform (The Diabetes App) aimed at educating and empowering people with diabetes.
Guests include Sara “Mandy’ Reece, PharmD – NGMC, GME, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CBDCE, Sonya Hogans, and The Diabetes App‘s Chief Operating Officer Taylor Companion. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.

Did you Toni Braxton‘s younger sister, Tamar Braxton wants to normalize mental health? She admits she has a sober, sound mind and body. But, Tamar told ET’s Kevin Frazier that she had to learn to check in with herself. She has to make sure she is not giving so much that she forgets about herself. So, she has a new podcast called Under Construction to help others not feel ashamed.

Throughout July’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we will be spotlighting music from Toni Braxton’s album, Secrets. On June 18th, 1996, Toni released her second and most successful album, “Secrets.” Toni has said, “The motivation for this album was to include a little bit of everything. Our aim was to come up with material that would have a familiar ‘feel’ to the people who bought the first album without being musically redundant.”

Along with Babyface, Toni Braxton also worked with Tony Rich, and David Foster among others on the album. Toni Braxton was the co-executive producer of the album and co-wrote two of its songs, including the 1997 single “How Could an Angel Break My Heart“,

Enjoy a daily dose of Diva Inspiration: On living with lupus, July’s Diva Inspiration, Toni Braxton says, “I can live a totally normal life and do everything I want to do just as long as I take my medication. My body will give me signals if it gets weak or fatigued, so I know when I need to take a break.”

Our friend and colleague, Rachel Zinman, would probably agree that Toni Braxton’s song Breathe Again is a great message for anyone who feels stressed or overwhelmed. So sit back, close your eyes and take a deep breath. We can do this together!

 

 

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Valerie Bertinelli Tearfully Slams A Troll Over Weight Diss: ‘Tired Of Body Shaming’

Valerie Bertinelli confessed she made the ‘mistake’ of reading some ‘comments’ online about her weight as she clapped back with a powerful video message. Valerie Bertinelli is done with body shaming.

The 61-year-old took to social media to clap back at a comment made about her weight with an emotional video where she confessed being “vulnerable” was difficult. “When you see somebody who has put some weight on, my first thought is that person is obviously going through some things because if I could lose the weight and keep it off, I would,” she said in the Instagram post shared on Friday, July 9, responding to “someone” who “pointed out” out she “needed” to lose some pounds. “But since I haven’t been successful with that my whole entire life, at 61 I’m still dealing with [it],” she said through tears as she spoke to the camera, makeup-free. “You think I’m not tired of it, lady? Where’s the compassion. You think a stupid little comment like ‘you need to lose weight’ — not f***

Yes! Valerie Bertinelli responds to weight-shaming and we love her for it!!! Judging a person does not define who they are, it defines who you are! No one should sacrifice their mental health to live up to someone else’s expectations.
According to Healthline, body-shaming “involves criticizing and harassing overweight people about their weight or eating habits to make them feel ashamed of themselves,” with the intent to “motivate people to eat less, exercise more, and lose weight.”
Some believe that making others feel ashamed of their weight or eating habits may motivate them to get healthier. However, scientific evidence confirms that nothing could be further from the truth.
If you are going through these same things, remember you are not alone. Actress Emma Stone said, “There’s a sense that we’re all ‘too’ something, and we’re all not enough. This is life. Our bodies change. Our minds change. Our hearts change.”

Body Shaming Yourself

A social media troll body-shamed actress Valerie Bertinelli but most of the time we body shame ourselves. The worst part is that when we talk to ourselves we use much more toxic language than Valerie’s troll did.
Self-shaming is a destructive mindset. When we body shame ourselves we are working against our bodies and putting obstacles from attaining our diabetes health goals, and our overall sense of well-being.
“We know that people who experience body shaming are at a much higher risk for both depression and anxiety disorders,” said  A. Janet Tomiyama, an associate professor of health psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles in Washington Post. “It’s easy to see how feeling bad about yourself could lead to more serious emotional troubles.”
One way to break the cycle of negative talk is to write down everything your body does for you. Going forward, every time you experience a negative thought about your body, try to replace it with something from your gratitude list. If you started to spiral into shame, quickly correct yourself.

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Divabetic Mystery Phrase #38

Can you solve Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #38? According to experts, the answer to our phrase can often be prevented or even reversed with lifestyle changes.

 

Join us for Divabetic’s 11th Podcast Anniversary with musical inspiration from Toni Braxton on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, 6 PM, EST

The seven-time Grammy Award-winner has sold over 70 million records and is one of the best-selling R&B artists of all time.

When Toni Braxton was first diagnosed with systemic lupus in 2008, her doctors told her that she would need a heart transplant and might not ever perform again.

“I remember being petrified,” she said. “I was scared. I didn’t know anything about lupus.”

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. It can also lead to heart disease and kidney disease.

Insulin resistance is increased in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).  Insulin resistance occurs when excess glucose in the blood reduces the ability of the cells to absorb and use blood sugar for energy. This increases the risk of developing prediabetes, and eventually, type 2 diabetes.

Guests include Sara “Mandy’ Reece, PharmD – NGMC, GME, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CBDCE, Sonia, and The Diabetes App. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.

Fatty liver disease is a common condition caused by the storage of extra fat in the liver. Most people have no symptoms, and it doesn’t cause serious problems for them.

What is the liver’s function?

Your liver is an essential organ with multiple life-supporting functions. The liver:

  • Produces bile, which helps with digestion.
  • Makes proteins for the body.
  • Stores iron.
  • Converts nutrients into energy.
  • Creates substances that help your blood clot (stick together to heal wounds).
  • Helps you resist infections by making immune factors and removing bacteria and toxins (substances that can harm your body) from your blood.

What are the forms of fatty liver disease?

There are two main forms of fatty liver disease:

Alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic fatty liver is the accumulation of fat in the liver as a result of heavy drinking. (Moderate drinking is defined as one drink a day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.) About 5% of people in the U.S. have this form of liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs in people who aren’t heavy drinkers. The condition affects one in three adults and one in 10 children in the United States. Researchers haven’t found the exact cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Several factors, such as obesity and diabetes, can increase your risk.

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Divabetic Reader #2: Viola Shipman’s The Summer Cottage

Summer reading is fun. However, Summer snacking while reading can quickly derail your diabetes health goals. For example, this past weekend, I spent several hours in the airport reading and snacking after multiple plane delays. Aunt Annie’s Pretzels and aisles of Chex Mix galore, as well as any carb-heavy snack, are like kryptonite for me. I am usually entirely powerless when they’re within my reach. But now that I can walk longer and play tennis without difficulty or pain, my health goals have been re-ignited after sustaining a significant leg injury. So instead of Traditional Chex Mix, I snacked on The Fresh Market’s Everything Parmesan Crisps as I read Viola Shipman’s book, The Summer Cottage. This keto-friendly snack has 2 g of net carbs per serving versus the Chex Mix’s 23 g of net carbs per serving. 

 

We all know that manufacturers of unhealthy snacks masquerade their food products as healthy snacks with catchy names, health claims, and green-friendly packaging so it’s important to read the nutrition label.

The Mayo Clinic recommends you start with the list of ingredients.

  • Keep an eye out for heart-healthy ingredients, especially those that are less processed, such as whole-wheat flour, soy, and oats. Monounsaturated fats — such as olive, canola or peanut oils; nuts; and seeds — promote heart health, too.
  • Avoid unhealthy ingredients, such as excessive salt or added sugars, saturated fats, or hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil.
  • Look at total carbohydrates, not just sugar.

Keep in mind that ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. The main (heaviest) ingredient is listed first, followed by other ingredients used in decreasing amounts.

MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, DTR‘s summer nutrition tips, echoed in my ear as I scanned the snack aisle before approaching the cash register. She encouraged participants to spend their carbs wisely throughout the day on a recent Divabetic virtual outreach program on Zoom. By the way, we will be hosting our next free Divabetic On Zoom program in Fall. For details, visit Divabetic.Org. 

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states people with diabetes should aim to get about half of their calories from carbs. If you usually eat about 1,800 calories a day to maintain a healthy weight, about 800 to 900 calories can come from carbs. At 4 calories per gram, that’s 200–225 carb grams a day. That’s a general guideline but for a more personalized approach, consult with a registered dietitian.

What was I reading? 

I read Viola Shipman’s The Summer Cottage. Here’s a short synopsis:

“Adie Lou Kruger’s ex never understood her affection for what her parents called their Cozy Cottage, the charming, ramshackle summer home—complete with its own set of rules for relaxing—that she’s inherited on Lake Michigan. But despite the fact she’s facing a broken marriage and empty nest, and middle age is looming in the distance, memories of happy childhoods on the beach give her reason for hope. She’s determined not to let her husband’s affair with a grad student reduce her to a cliché, or to waste one more minute in a career she doesn’t love, so it becomes clear what Adie Lou must do: rebuild her life and restore her cottage shingle by shingle, on her terms.”

I have been looking forward to reading a Viola Shipman book since Wade Rouse appeared on Brenda Novak’s virtual Book Club on Facebook Live. Best-Selling Author Brenda Novak is a passionate diabetes advocate. She has raised millions of dollars for Diabetes Research with her online auction! 

Before Brenda’s interview, I didn’t know Viola Shipman and Wade Rouse are one and the same. Wade chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, as a pen name to honor the woman whose heirlooms and family stories inspire his fiction. And he’s successful to boot! 

 If it’s true what Elizabeth Marvel said, “if you can see it, you can be it. And I believe in that”, then Wade’s writing journey just might inspire me to write too. I just didn’t think a man could or would be embraced to write the kind of books I tend to read. Now that I know it’s a possibility, my brain is spinning with so many storylines. I just might have to open a new google document once I finish rewrites and edits for this year’s Divabetic Mystery: A Christmas Peril. We have another rehearsal scheduled for tonight! 

Enjoy last year’s Divabetic Mystery podcast: Kill Me Madam using the link below:

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.

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Montana Bride’s Guide To Diabetes

Mama Rose Marie and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek returned safely from their ‘Theo & Louise’ whirlwind cross country travel odyssey this past weekend. We attended an outdoor family wedding in Missoula, Montana, on the 4th of July. It was lovely to celebrate all things ‘Red, White, and Blue’ in such a picturesque part of America.

My second cousin, Maria, and her husband, Nate are not living with diabetes. My maternal grandmother, Maria’s maternal great-grandmother, Mary Zinni, had diabetes. She died of heart failure at the age of 78. This year, marked the 100th Anniversary of her marriage to my grandfather, Dominic Zinni. Although my grandfather could not read or write, he raised several college graduates. I’m proud to say our family legacy includes several teachers, doctors, lawyers, horticulturists, civil engineers, energy healers, retail specialists, artists, musicians, and a happy healthcare host!

If you are and you’d like some tips to celebrate the ‘Big Day’ with Diabetes tune in to Divabetic’s Bride’s Guide to Diabetes podcast using this link:

 

We were overwhelmed by the scenery and overjoyed to be part of such a beautiful celebration. The bride and groom wrote rhyming vows that they exchanged to each other to everyone’s delight and astonishment! Several couples were asked to offer their pearls of wisdom to the newlyweds. Mama Rose Marie shared insights into her 50 + years of marriage to my father, Stanley Szadek, Jr. during the ceremony. 

“I’d like to compare my fifty years of marriage to the fifty or so mile journey I took from my hometown of Batavia to my new home in Rochester. A long stretch highway that my husband drove with me by his side in our blue-colored 1959 Opel car. Although our journey started with love, first and foremost, like many newlyweds embarking on a new life together, we were scared. We wondered if we had enough things in common to stretch the distance and bridge the gap between our pasts and our future. And probably most of all, we wondered if there was some map to lead us in the right direction. Midway through the years, we found ourselves no longer traveling alone. There were three then four children in the backseat. The small car we started out in was now a full-sized station wagon! Bumps in the road that once brought tears or laughter became precious memories between my husband and me as we kept driving. At some point, we didn’t need a map because we had our faith, commitment, and strength to lead us in the right direction after a half-century together.

As you begin your journey together, I want you to know the only road map to follow in your marriage is the one in your heart. It’s not where you go, but who you are traveling with that’s important. Congratulations!”

If Missoula, Montana sounds familiar to you, it’s because our recent Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Author Richard Fifield (The Flood Girls, The Small Crimes of Tiffany Templeton) lives there. Unfortunately, epic travel delays prevented a face-to-face meeting but you can still enjoy our interview with the best-selling author on June’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast using the link below:

 

5 things you need to know to stay safe and healthy this summer from the American Heart Association:

  • Heat illness strikes thousands each year
  • The 65+ and other risk factors
  • Keep hydrated, by the numbers
  • Sun protection 101: Use SPF 30 or higher
  • Swim safely, don’t become a statistic

Keep cool as you refuel tips from the American Heart Association:

Try light, healthy pre-and post-workout snacks that can also help you stay cool, such as:

  • Chilled or frozen fruit
  • Cold salads loaded with vegetables, beans, legumes, and heart-healthy fish like albacore tuna or salmon
  • Crisp, chilled raw veggies like cucumber, carrot, or celery with a light, cool dip
  • Cold sparkling water with a splash of 100% fruit juice or slices of citrus or cucumber
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Toni Braxton Inspires Divabetic’s 11th Podcast Anniversary in June

We’re celebrating Divabetic’s 11th Podcast Anniversary with musical inspiration from Toni Braxton on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 6 PM, EST.

The seven-time Grammy Award-winner has sold over 70 million records and is one of the best-selling R&B artists of all time. She also has overcome several setbacks in her life including bankruptcy, divorce, and a lupus diagnosis. Hopefully, she can encourage you to overcome the obstacles in your life that are stopping you from living your best diabetes life!

When Toni Braxton was first diagnosed with systemic lupus in 2008, her doctors told her that she would need a heart transplant and might not ever perform again.

“I remember being petrified,” Braxton said in a phone interview with Business Insider. “I was scared. I didn’t know anything about lupus.”

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. It can also lead to heart disease and kidney disease.

Insulin resistance is increased in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).  Insulin resistance occurs when excess glucose in the blood reduces the ability of the cells to absorb and use blood sugar for energy. This increases the risk of developing prediabetes, and eventually, type 2 diabetes.

Lupus also disproportionately affects women, and especially women of color. About nine out of 10 adults with lupus are women, with African American women being three times more likely than white women to be diagnosed with lupus. 

Since her diagnosis in 2008, Braxton has developed microvascular angina and blood clots. 

“Of the lupuses, I have the worst — but of the worst, I have the best,” Braxton said. “I’m always trying to be positive about it.”

Braxton said she reached a point where she could perform again by educating herself about the disease and using CBD to cope with her symptoms and flare-ups.

 

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Naomi Osaka Is A Mental Wellness Warrior

Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open, the world’s highest-paid female athlete, citing mental wellness struggles for her withdrawal.

Approximately 46.6 million people live with mental wellness issues in the U.S. That’s 1 in 5 adults who will be living with a mental health condition at some point in their lives.

In a statement posted to her Instagram, the 23-year-old Japanese pro tennis player said dropping out from the high-profile event was “the best thing for the tournament, the other players, and my well-being.”

Some people may feel she should have withdrawn from the tournament before it began, but I applaud her. I think society never empowers people to set boundaries, and when you do, there’s backlash.

I have been feeling stressed, anxious, and even angry over the last few weeks. Several project deadlines are tripping over each other on top of my full-time job. Thankfully, my boyfriend and I spent Memorial Day weekend with friends in Southampton. It rained every day, but we had a great time playing board games and just talking. It was so helpful.

Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, revealed that she’s suffered from “long bouts of depression” since the U.S. Open in 2018. She has had “a really hard time coping with that.”

“Anyone that knows me knows I’m introverted, and anyone that has seen me at tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps my social anxiety,” Osaka wrote.

“So here in Paris, I was already feeling vulnerable and anxious, so I thought it was better to exercise self-care and skip the press conferences,” she added.

Research has shown that the benefits of exercise can boost moods and improve overall mental health. However, playing sports does not make athletes immune to mental health challenges.

33% of all college students experience significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Among that group, 30% seek help. But of college athletes with mental health conditions, only 10% do.  Among professional athletes, data shows that up to 35% of elite athletes suffer from a mental health crisis that may manifest as stress, eating disorders, burnout, or depression and anxiety. We’re inspired by athletes such as Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps,  USC Volleyball player Victoria Garrick, NBA player Kevin Love and those who are telling their stories and inspiring others to seek help to support the cause.

What is Depression?

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.  Depression is a serious medical illness affecting an estimated 15 million American adults. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.

Diabetes & Depression

If you have diabetes — either type 1 or type 2 — you have an increased risk of developing depression. And if you’re depressed, you may have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Again, the good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together

According to the Rexulti website, symptoms of depression may last for 2 weeks or more, occurring nearly every day.

Symptoms of Depression may include:

  • A depressed mood most of the day (feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or on the verge of tears)
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed
  • Weight loss (even when not on a diet) or experiencing weight gain
  • Decreases or increases in appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping or being overly tired
  • Restlessness or feeling slowed down
  • Fatigue or a loss of energy
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • A lack of concentration or difficulty with decision making
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

“I’m gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to work with the Tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans,” Osaka wrote.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.

Tune in to the latest edition of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast mixing music with diabetes information.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, virtual diabetes support program with style. Divabetic’s dynamic diabetes program features ‘What To Wear When Nothing Fits for Summer’ presented by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller and ‘How To Master The Menu at The Cookout’ presented by MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST.

REGISTER NOW- FREE REGISTRATION 

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Faith & Diabetes

Carrie Underwood is inspiring us to talk about “keeping the faith when living with diabetes on this episode of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.
The country superstar and her husband are very outspoken about how important Jesus is in their lives.
‘How do your spiritual values impact your diabetes health?
Are your spiritual and religious beliefs and practices harming or helping your daily diabetes routines?
Mr. Divabetic talks to the experts on ways you can keep your faith in your self-care management during your darkest hours and gets a ‘real-life’ perspective on how faith has transformed their health of a Divabetic FB community member. In less than 10 years.
US research indicates religious beliefs can have a positive impact on how people living with diabetes and their spouses cope with the stress related to diabetes.
Carrie Underwood has sold 64 million records worldwide, scored 18 #1 singles, and earned nearly 100 major accolades, including six GRAMMY® Awards with hit songs including “Before He Cheats”, “All-American Girl”, “Cowboy Casanova”, “Blown Away,? ?See You Again,? and her six-week #1 breakthrough hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel”.
“I got to go into the studio to sing these songs that are so hopeful and so peaceful,” says Carrie Underwood. “I hope people find some peace and comfort in these songs.”
We will be playing selected songs from her Greatest Hits album throughout the podcast courtesy of SONY MUSIC. Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES, Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDCES,  Mama Rose Marie, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and  Carrie from New York.

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