Divabetic Mystery Phrase #27

Can you solve Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #27? Our phrase is a great way to save time and money, as well as stay on track with your diabetes self-care goals.

Are you struggling with achieving your diabetes wellness goals?

Maybe you should consider planning your meals ahead of time. Experts agree that’s one of the key strategies for successful weight loss and/or tighter management of blood sugar levels is meal  planning.

If planning a whole week of meals ahead of time seems overwhelming to you then keep in mind that a few things prepared ahead of time will make it easier to eat healthy too.

Set yourself up for a week of delicious lunches without feeling guilty using meal-prep plans.  By prepping a week’s worth of lunches in advance (on Sunday, for example), you’ll avoid foods high in saturated fats, carbohydrates, sugar and calories and set yourself up for a week of diabetes wellness. Assembling meals ahead of time allows you to  portion sizes and ingredients, which can be beneficial if you’re managing a health condition—like type 2 diabetes—or trying to lose weight.
What should you eat? If you have diabetes, you should choose lean proteins, high-fiber, less processed carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables, and low-fat dairy.
Remember, if you weren’t packing any meals, one or two a week is a great start!
Setting small, realistic nutrition goals can also set you up for success. For example, try limiting sugar-filled drinks or setting a max number of days to eat out per week.
A registered dietitian can help you put together a diet based on your health goals, tastes and lifestyle. He or she can also talk with you about how to improve your eating habits, such as choosing portion sizes that suit the needs for your size and activity level.

 

Solving the Mystery of Your A1C 

Many people wonder how their hba1c number relates to their  blood sugar levels. After all, daily diabetes self-care management can be a jumble of numbers: weight, blood sugar levels, carbohydrate counts, fat grams, serving sizes, etc.  Hopefully, this handy chart will provide some clarification.

When it comes to the numbers, there’s no one-size-fits-all target. A1C target levels can vary by each person’s age and other factors, and your target may be different from someone else’s. If you feel your hbA1C number is on a higher side, say over 7 or 8%, do not worry! Knowledge is power. You can lower your hbA1C by creating your own personal self-care plan with your healthcare professional.

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Cooking Party on Zoom where everything you need to win is within your own home.

Whether you have had diabetes for a long time or have only recently been diagnosed, having a diabetes management plan and supplies in place are essential for living life to the fullest.

Don’t miss Divabetic’s virtual Cooking Party with special guest Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ on Thursday, August 13, 2020, 7 – 7:40 PM, EST on Zoom.

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you need to deny yourself all the foods you love, but you do want to make healthier food choices. One good choice is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are heavy in nutrition but light in calories.

During this virtual Cooking Party on Zoom, Chef Robert Lewis will prepare a recipe that won’t compromise your diabetes wellness. Register Now

Chili Lettuce Boats & Other Low Carb Instagram Recipe

Discover delicious, easy-to-make low carb recipes that will help you manage your diabetes. Want a refreshing appetizer, yummy dessert, or hearty dinner? Here’s a few of our favorite recipes from Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0xKpNg4e2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

Non-starchy vegetables such as colorful salad vegetables , broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, and asparagus tend to have lower glycemic indexes, making them perfect to for a low carb diet.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCabqtTnhHu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

If you eat 2,000 calories a day, you should consume about 250 grams of complex carbohydrates per day. A good starting place for people with diabetes is to have roughly 45 to 60 grams of carbs per meal and 15 to 30 grams for snacks. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best meal plan for you!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCw1RyuAgCp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #25

Can you solve the Divabetic Mystery Phrase #25?

The hidden affirmation you uncover focuses on mindful eating. If you’re struggling to cope with the stress, and anxiety of daily diabetes self-care: try repeating positive affirmations to yourself each morning to steer your mood in the right direction. This way of thinking can be helpful when the mental and emotional burden of coping with daily diabetes self-care gets tough. We also encourage you to seek out a therapist to help you adjust to life with diabetes.

Today’s fast-paced society distracts people’s attention away from their food toward Instagram, Facebook, and Smartphone Games Apps.

According to Healthline, eating has become a mindless act, often done quickly. This can be problematic, since it takes your brain up to 20 minutes to realize you’re full.

Eating too quickly often leads to overeating. You eat more and more because your brain doesn’t have enough time to receive fullness signals from your stomach.

It’s also been proven that you’ll eat less food if you eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.

2 Tips to  Help you Start Eating More Slowly:

  • Chew more. Count how many times you normally chew a bite of food, then double that amount. You may be surprised at how little you usually chew.
  • Set your utensils down. Putting down your fork between bites of food will help you eat more slowly and savor each bite.

Get More Tips

Solving the Mystery of Your A1C 

Many people wonder how their hba1c number relates to their  blood sugar levels. After all, daily diabetes self-care management can be a jumble of numbers: weight, blood sugar levels, carbohydrate counts, fat grams, serving sizes, etc.  Hopefully, this handy chart will provide some clarification.

When it comes to the numbers, there’s no one-size-fits-all target. A1C target levels can vary by each person’s age and other factors, and your target may be different from someone else’s. If you feel your hbA1C number is on a higher side, say over 7 or 8%, do not worry! Knowledge is power. You can lower your hbA1C by creating your own personal self-care plan with your healthcare professional.

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Cooking Party on Zoom where everything you need to win is within your own home.

Whether you have had diabetes for a long time or have only recently been diagnosed, having a diabetes management plan and supplies in place are essential for living life to the fullest.

Don’t miss Divabetic’s virtual Cooking Party with special guest Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ on Thursday, August 13, 2020, 7 – 7:40 PM, EST on Zoom.

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you need to deny yourself all the foods you love, but you do want to make healthier food choices. One good choice is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are heavy in nutrition but light in calories.

During this virtual Cooking Party on Zoom, Chef Robert Lewis will prepare a recipe that won’t compromise your diabetes wellness. Register Now

How Gut Health Affects Mental Health

Have you ever felt “butterflies” in your stomach? This funny silly expression about our stomaches having the ability to feel anxiety is much more factual than you might think.

It’s been proven that our gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety, sadness, elation — all of these feelings can trigger symptoms in the gut.

Additionally, troubled stomaches and intestines send signals to our brains. Researchers say controlling the bacterial population of the gastrointestinal tract may help improve symptoms of mental disorders.

Current thinking in the field of neuropsychology and the study of mental health problems includes strong speculation that bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychological or neurological problems may also be associated with alternations in the microbiome reports PSYCOM.

READ MORE

Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

 

We’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Mental Health Issues’ on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from the iconic Phyllis Hyman.

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

Unfortunately Phyllis Hyman committed suicide, leaving a suicide note behind in 1995. Part of the note read “I’m tired. I’m tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you.”  It has been reported that she suffered from bi-polar disorder and depression and had a history of substance abuse which involved alcohol and cocaine. Who knows what accomplishments she would have achieved if she had lived longer?

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

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from The Essential Phyllis Hyman album courtesy of SONY Music.

Almond, Wild Blueberry, and Flax Smoothie Recipe By Janis Roszler and Donna Rice

Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, Co-Author of the best-selling e-book, Intimacy & Diabetes, shares this Healthy Smoothie Recipe for you to enjoy!

Almond, Wild Blueberry, and Flax Smoothie Recipe

From Intimacy & Diabetes, By Janis Roszler and Donna Rice

Photo by Tara Evans on Unsplash

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen wild blueberries
1 1/2 cups organic, unsweetened almond milk
2 tablespoons almond flour
3 tablespoons ground flax meal
1 tablespoon packed fresh mint leaves
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 teaspoons raw honey
1 cup ice

Directions
1. In a blender, combine all ingredients and purée until smooth.
2. Divide smoothie between three glasses and enjoy immediately.

Choices/Exchanges: 1/2 Fruit, 1 Carbohydrate, 11/2 Fat

Basic Nutritional Values: Calories 160, Calories from Fat 70, Total Fat 8.0 g, Saturated Fat 0.7 g, Trans Fat 0.0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 15 mg, Potassium 210 mg, Total Carbohydrate 21 g, Dietary Fiber 6 g, Sugars 12 g, Protein 5 g, Phosphorus 110 mg

Can Flax Seeds Help You Manage Your Diabetes?

Flax seeds — and flaxseed oil — boast many health-promoting compounds with the potential to lower blood sugar levels and delay the development of type 2 diabetes reports Healthline. Flax seeds and flaxseed oil are an excellent plant source of omega-3 fatty acids, principally ALA. Flax seeds are especially nutritious, as they also provide a good amount of protein and fiber. Read More

There’s no one-size-fits-all diabetes diet per se, but understanding how to make smart food choices is essential for keeping blood sugars in a healthy range.

One good choice is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are heavy in nutrition but light in calories. You can pack a lot of nutrition into one smoothie and get a delicious treat. As long as you stick with healthy ingredients and don’t add extra sweeteners, you can enjoy these treats on a regular basis.

Just remember when you do blend fruit into your smoothies to count them as part of your daily fruit allowance so you don’t overdo it on carbohydrates. Even natural sugar can drive up your blood sugar if you eat too much of it according to Everyday Health.

Janis Roszler is the 2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).  She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, board certified sex therapist, registered dietitian, and award-winning medical media producer. Her books include  Intimacy & Diabetes (ADA, 2020); Approaches to Behavior (ADA,2015); Diabetes On Your OWN Terms (Marlowe & Company, 2007); Sex and Diabetes (ADA, 2007); The Secrets Of Living And Loving WITH Diabetes (Surrey Books, 2004).

Janis is our special guest at Divabetic’ upcoming Indoor Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party on Zoom on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:35 PM, EST. Throughout our virutal Scavenger Hunt will be talking about relationships and diabetes. When diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even our most casual relationships. Janis  Roszler will answer your questions about how diabetes affects the 8 types of Intimacy: Aesthetic, Spiritual, Intellectual, Social, Emotional, Affection, Physical, and Sexual.

Register Now

Divabetic’s free Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party is part of Divabetic’s 10th Year Podcast Anniversary Celebration. Join us for our 10th Year Anniversary Podcast on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. Guests include: Patricia Addie-Gentle, RN, CDE, Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Andrea Chisholm OB-GYN, Luther McRae, Mama Rose Marie, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller, Terri Seidman and special guests.

One lucky listener in our random drawing will win a Dario Blood Glucose Meter starter kit. This all-in-one pocket-sized device can track blood sugar fluctuations and trends and identify hyper/hypoglycemic episodes right from your smartphone, providing readings within as little as 6 seconds. It’s scientifically proven, HIPPA compliant, and includes Dario Coaches to offer support and motivation to help manage your diabetes. Enjoy this special Dario discount for the Divabetic community!

We’d like to acknowledge everyone who has taken measures to protect our Divabetic community members living with diabetes and their loved ones by wearing cloth face coverings and social distancing.

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Balls Recipe by Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

“These chocolate peanut butter balls are so delicious and chocolatey that you’d never guess that fruit is a primary ingredient. For the most health benefits and to get the flavanols in dark chocolate, choose cocoa powder that has not been Dutched or treated with alkali,” says our colleague and frequent Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest,  Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Balls Recipe by Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pitted medjool or deglet nor dates (4.5 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 6 tablespoons natural peanut butter, creamy style (3.5 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats (2 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips, preferably dark chocolate

Nutritional Information: Serving: 1 ball | Calories: 70 | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g

SEE FULL RECIPE

JILL’S HELPFUL TIP: Eat Mindfully

“My challenge for you is to pick at least two meals or snacks this week to practice eating with intention or mindfulness. Really pay attention to your food – why you chose to eat it; what it looks like; how it smells; what you expect it to taste like; how it actually tastes; and how the taste, texture and temperature change in your mouth as you chew. Notice how it makes you feel, what you like and don’t like, how your hunger and appetite change,”says Jill Weisenberger.

“This is the week-by-week guide that will change your life!”

Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Week takes you on a one-year journey to weight control while managing your blood sugar,cholesterol level and more! This best-selling book includes sample menus, recipes and tricks for the kitchen. Instead of focusing on gimmicks, you will learn the skills you need to be successful long term.

BUY NOW 

Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, is a Nutrition, Culinary & Diabetes Expert, Wellcoach®-certified health and wellness coach, Freelance Writer, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator. She’s also the author of four books, including a best-seller. She’s a nationally-recognized media expert in high demand for print and online interviews, as well as corporate and one-on-one nutritional counseling. Jill’s philosophy is that nutrition science should be understandable, realistic and oh so delicious.

Listen to Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from the ‘The Best Of Patti Austin’ album courtesy of SONY Music available on demand. Guests include Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Chris Pickering co-founder of ‘The Betes Bros, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie.

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, fun Virtual Scavenger Hunt on Zoom with special guest, Best-Selling Intimacy & Diabetes co-author, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:35 PM, EST.

One lucky winner in our random drawing will win Janis Roszler’s best-selling e- book, Intimacy & Diabetes. A second lucky winner will win a Dario Blood Glucose Meter starter kit. This all-in-one pocket-sized device can track blood sugar fluctuations and trends and identify hyper/hypoglycemic episodes right from your smartphone, providing readings within as little as 6 seconds. It’s scientifically proven, HIPPA compliant, and includes Dario Coaches to offer support and motivation to help manage your diabetes.

Thank you to everyone who has taken measures to protect our Divabetic community members and their loved ones by wearing cloth face coverings and social distancing. We are so grateful! Divabetic will continue to provide free Virtual Diabetes Outreach events with qualified health experts to keep you safe, informed and connected. Please join us!

REGISTER NOW

31 Days of Divabetic Podcasts: Day Two

Divabetic (Divabetic.org) presents a month-long showcase celebrating 10 years of diabetes podcasting. Each of the featured podcasts spotlights our favorite guests, topics, poems, games and/or musical inspiration. Enjoy!

On Day Two of 31 Days of Divabetic Podcasts, we’re spotlighting our friend, the fabulous Best-selling Cookbook Author, Holly Clegg on Divabetic’s Diabetes Spotlight podcast from October 2010. Sadly, Holly Clegg died last year at the age of 64 Dallas. She had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in August 2018. During her cancer fight, Holly Clegg aka ‘the Queen of Quick’ used her high profile to educate others on gastric cancers and, with her family, created the Holly Clegg Gastric Cancer Research Fund at MD Anderson to raise awareness of gastric cancers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBV5uxLHMSR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“Holly was one of my first podcast guests,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. “I was instantly drawn to her because she was so friendly, informative, enthusiastic and upbeat. She appeared on several more podcasts and contributed plenty of her healthy and delicious recipes for our blog over the years. Holly lived her life to the fullest doing what she loved and helping others.”

PODCAST SURVEY

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-nNaQ5JJfo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Holly Clegg published 10 cookbooks, including Trim & TERRIFIC and Too Hot in the Kitchen, that are time, user and pantry-friendly and focus on maintaining nutritional balance.

Join us for Divabetic’s free At Home Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party with special guest, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDCES, FAND on Thursday, July 16, 7 – 7:30 PM, EST on Zoom. Register Now

André Leon Tally: “I’ve always associated food with love.”

André Leon Talley admits his weight has long been a battle in his memoir, The Chiffon Trenches

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsYiPwtAGYV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“Food was always a part of my life,” he told PEOPLE magazine, “and a source of comfort.” Beginning as a child secretly suffering from sexual abuse, he escaped into the pages of Vogue and his grandmother’s biscuits.

 

Talley never told anyone he was sexually abused as a child – not the therapists he has seen, not even his beloved pastor.

Because of the abuse, Talley says he has never really had an intimate relationship.

Although he was trim when he was first hired at Vogue in 1983, he began to gain weight when he entered his mid 40s. “I began to realize I had a problem.” 

In 2004, there was an intervention. He was sent to Duke University Diet and Fitness Center  for a several-week stint. “I lost 55 lbs. But I did not follow the rules.” He would return two more times — “It’s the same with alcohol, I’d often say ‘I’ve fallen off the wagon,’ when I’d go back to Duke — and have an unsuccessful Lap Band surgery.

“The experience for me is always very daunting in the beginning,” he told PEOPLE magazine in 2017. You certainly have to reboot your skills in weight-loss and I think it’s one of the best places to do that.”

His battle continues today. “I cannot control this addiction,” he says. “I am obese.”

In his book, André Leon Tally also writes about  his friend, designer Karl Lagerfeld’s food issues. Apparently the designer liked to travel with a suitcase packed full of his favorite bread. Bread was Lagerfeld’s “one craving” while dieting, Talley writes. “He would chew the bread, savoring every bite, and then spit it out into a napkin,” Talley continues. “That seemed like a lot of trouble, but it worked for him, apparently, as he eventually lost one hundred pounds.”

André Leon Talley admits he still struggles every day. 

 

An Avocado Smoothie Recipe Tastes Like A Vanilla Milkshake

Photo by Amanda Vick on Unsplash

I’ve been smoothie kick since Divabetic’s Smoothie Party with Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND two weeks ago on Zoom. Jill has inspired me to switch from sweetened Almond Milk to unsweetened Soy Milk to get more protein in my smoothies.

Interested in learning more about healthy smoothies for people with diabetes? Join us for Divabetic’s free Smoothie Party on Zoom with Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDCES, FAND on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 PM, EST. Register

Photo by Amanda Vick on Unsplash
Thanks to Amanda Vick for sharing their work on Unsplash.

Chocolate Covered Katie, who I follow on Instagram, swears her Avocado Smoothie tastes like an actual vanilla milkshake! With only 5 ingredients and less than a minute of prep time, the recipe is absolutely worth a try at least once, because it might just become your new go-to smoothie recipe.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6E3L7Aej6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Avocado Smoothie Recipe by Chocolate Covered Katie

Ingredients

1/2 of a large avocado
1 1/2 cups cold milk of choice
scant 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

SEE FULL RECIPE

Don’t miss Divabetic’s free Smoothie Party on Zoom with special guest: Janis Roszler on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:35 PM, EST.

REGISTER NOW

Next Divabetic Smoothie Party on Zoom is Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 PM, EST. REGISTER NOW

White Beans For Dessert?

Beans are considered to be a diabetes super food. The American Diabetes Association advises people with diabetes to add dried beans or no-sodium canned beans to several meals each week. They are low on the glycemic index and can help manage blood sugar levels better than many other starchy foods.

Of course, white bean are versatile, easy, delicious, and nutritious but what about to a dessert?

I’m sure some of you are thinking,  “Really? Beans for dessert? How can that work?”

Yes! Actually adding beans to dessert recipes can be a dynamite culinary creation.

“When the beans are pureed and mixed with other ingredients they form together to create a good binding agent for your batter, ” says Randall Beans on his website. “This allows you to cut out flour completely from most recipes. It seems like a strange concept, baking without flour. However, once you find a replacement for the binding you soon learn how replaceable and expendable flour really is.”

Check out Randall Beans’ Guilt-Free Chunk Cookie Dough Recipe with White Beans 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrxaUBfnO7L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Melanie Underwood, author and chef instructor at the Institute for Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City has also created a unique cheesecake recipe that just might tempt you to reimagine white beans in a whole new way.

White Bean and Herb Olive Oil Cheesecake Recipe By Melanie Underwood

Ingredients
1 can (15 ounces, or 420 g) white beans
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup (60 g) tahini
1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice
2 tablespoons (30 ml) water
1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

FULL RECIPE

Making Artisan Cheesecake Book

Making Artisan Cheesecake presents the classic and well-loved cheesecake in a new, adventurous, and modern way, and answers any questions about it that home cooks and bakers- foodies who love delicious classic desserts- might ask.

In addition to sharing many variations, author Melanie Underwood teaches all the techniques behind building a range of different styles, and encourages readers to develop their own unique recipes.

She also covers options for crusts, cheeses, and batters; baking techniques; how to keep the top from cracking; and the differences among various styles, including New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Italian, Brazilian, and Japanese.

BUY BOOK