Divabetic Mystery Phrase #14

Can you complete the Divabetic Mystery Phrase below? Diabetes self-care can be emotionally taxing, but reframing your mind-set can have powerful results.

Divabetic Mystery Phrase

Self-help books often promote the power of positive affirmations. If you’ve never tried them before, the idea can seem incredibly awkward to tell yourself how awesome you are.

Positive affirmations help to re-program your thought patterns and change the way you think and feel about things. They are short positive statements that can help you focus on goals, get rid of negative, self-defeating beliefs and program your subconscious mind.

And yes, there is genuine theory and a fair amount of neuroscience behind this practice.

If you’re struggling to cope with your diabetes diagnosis: 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 burden of diabetes management gets tough.

We also encourage you to seek out a therapist like our colleagues, Dr. Beverly S. Adler CDE, PhD, Janis Roszler or Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport LCSW, PsyD.

“People without diabetes can feel loneliness, anger, guilt, and shame or use denial, rebellion or secrecy. The addition of diabetes to your daily life increases the likelihood of complex emotions,” says Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport aka ‘The Diabetes Pysche’. She adds, “My goal is to help you recognize these normal and demanding feelings and then move past them to do better.”

Divabetic Msytery Phrase

Constant worrying or self-doubt about what you are or are not doing isn’t empowering. That inner dialogue isn’t true, or even real.

Start believing in yourself and believing deeply—on every level—that you are doing your best.

We think you’re fabulous!

Divabetic’s Mystery Podcast

Divabetic’s 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery Podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer BlondesThe 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 of Gingerbread 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.

can anyone breathe by Lorraine Brooks

with a foot on their neck

or a knife in their back

or a gun in their face

or a chain on their feet


can anyone breathe

who cannot be taught to read

who cannot congregate in groups

who receive inferior healthcare

and who die in the streets


can anyone breathe

who earns less than their peers

or must live only where they are allowed

and cannot marry who they please

and thrown crumbs to eat?


can anyone breathe

when the government fails

and the men are in jails

and when chaos prevails

and the president tweets


but new breath is coming

new air in our lungs

a country suffocated by its own hatred

gasping and dying

is now on life support

building walls around itself

when the real poison is in its own veins.


can anyone breathe?

In the words of the greatest president of our lives…yes we can.

This Divabetic podcast is in solidarity with and dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice. We are making time to reflect,  share our feelings, listen and identify ways in which to fight for real and meaningful change. Guests include Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Keith Anthony Fluitt, Leisa Chester Weir, and Jeff James.

Please consider donating to these organizations:

Campaign Zero, which is dedicated to ending police brutality in America through research-based strategies. LEARN MORE

Color of Change, which works to move decision makers in corporations and government to be more responsive to racial disparities. LEARN MORE

Equal Justice Initiative, which provides legal services to people who have been wrongly convicted, denied a fair trial, or abused in state jails and prisons. LEARN MORE

Diva-Style Face Masks To Stay Safe And Stylish

For over 20 years, our friend, Evetta Petty has designed hats in her uptown New York studio, Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop. Her hats have captured worldwide attention and have been worn to the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot in England. Recently, she’s put her design skills to work making fabulous, functional face masks. 

Q: Tell us about your face mask collection. What colors and styles do they come in? Are they for both women and men?

Evetta Petty: My mask collection is functional and fun. Its for ladies and gentlemen. I use the same high quality textiles for my masks that I use for my hats which makes them very special. I’m using beautiful brocades In rich jewel tones and rhinestone embellishments for the couture mask collection. 

Q: What inspires you?

Evetta Petty: I’m inspired by my world travels. What comes to mind is my trip to India. The beautiful buildings and the colors of the spices in the marketplace. I bought beautiful fabrics and trimmings that I use for the masks. 

Q: How has your life changed living in New York City and you’re living with type 2 diabetes since the pandemic? 

Evetta Petty: Being quarantined at home during this pandemic is very challenging with Type 2 diabetes. I’m really being careful not to overeat because food is too available. The good thing is that I can do some healthy cooking and try new dishes that I normally would not have the time do. 

Q: How do you cope with the stress and anxiety?

Evetta Petty: Being busy making masks and adding new items to my website has given me a great since of accomplishment. I really have been able to keep the stress level down by concentrating on daily tasks and limiting my time watching the News.  I realized early on that when I watched the News all day, it gave me too much anxiety. 

Q: You also amazing design hats! What are some of your favorite designs for Summer?

Evetta Petty: My favorite Summer hats are super wide brims with floral trim. You get ultimate Sun protection as well as high style. I’m pairing them with matching masks. 

Q: What fashion advice can you offer for wearing a hat with a mask?

Evetta Petty: Masks are the new accessory and should be coordinated with your hat for a very cohesive ensemble. It’s a great look. 

Q: How can people purchase your hats and masks? 

Evetta Petty: You can purchase my hats and masks on my website www.harlemsheaven.com and we will promptly ship them out. My Hat shop up in Harlem has been closed during this pandemic and will reopen as soon as the law allows. 

Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop is located 2538 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.   (@W.147) New York, NY 10039. Phone:  212-491-7706. Store hours: 12PM to 6PM. Closed Sunday & Monday. Appointments available after hours

Hat Designer, Evetta Petty

See hat desginer, Evetta Petty’s sensational hat designs sweeping across the New York Fashion Week runway. Evetta who attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City was inspired by the exhuberance of the Poppy Flower for this unique collection. Her hat designs are fierce!

We’re talking about Secrets to Longevity & Diabetes with musical inspiration from Dionne Warwick on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. Guests include The Lager Queen of Minnesota and Kitchens of the Great Midwest Author J. Ryan Stradal, Deborah Greenwood PhD, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Fonzi Thornton, Rachel Stahl MS, RD, CDN, CDE, and Lorraine Brooks. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Dionne Warwick’s ‘Dionne’ album featuring I’ll Never Love This Way Again and Deja Vu courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite Podcast Inspired by Indigo Girls

We’re talking about how to open up with friends, co-workers and family members about your diagnosis and self-care needs with musical inspiration from Indigo Girls on June’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast on Tueday, June 9, 2020, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. TUNE IN

Opening up to people and explaining how diabetes affects your daily life can be a game changer – for everyone. Sharing your diabetes life and explaining your needs will help you feel less alone with your diabetes.

“Just hearing the words out loud can help you process your thoughts. It can stop you feeling locked in a cycle of worry and make you less anxious,” states Diabetes U.K

“When talking about your diabetes, reassure your friend or family member that they’re fine to come back to you with anything else they might want to talk about,” state our friends at Diabetes U.K. “Allow them to think about what you’ve told them before talking again.”

The downside of telling friends, co-workers, lovers and family members about your condition is the barrage of unwelcome comments like ‘should you be eating that?’ at holidays, social events, date nights and meetings. “This can be annoying or hurtful, but more often than not the intention comes from a good place,” states Diabetes U.K. “Just politely remind them that it’s your diabetes, and you know how to look after yourself.”

It’s important to know that emotional and psychological support are an essential part of any and every diabetes wellness program. It’s ok to seek out and/or ask for this kind of support from your healthcare team.

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have been making music as the folk-rock duo Indigo Girls for over 25 years. Three of their 16 albums have gone gold, four have gone platinum, and they’ve been nominated for seven Grammys.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Indigo Girls

Guests include Dr. Andrea Chisholm (OBGYN), ‘The Flood Girls’ Author Richard Fifield, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, BETTY Band Member, Singer, Songwriter Amy Ziff, ‘Open Up Your Bag’ Diabetes Picture Book Author Mike Lawson, and Poet Lorraine Brooks.

Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #10

Can you complete the Tina Turner-inspired Divabetic Mystery Phrase below? Diabetes self-care can be emotionally taxing, but reframing your mind-set can have powerful results.

Mystery Phrase

Self-help books often promote the power of positive affirmations. If you’ve never tried them before, the idea can seem incredibly awkward to tell yourself how awesome you are.

Positive affirmations help to re-program your thought patterns and change the way you think and feel about things. They are short positive statements that can help you focus on goals, get rid of negative, self-defeating beliefs and program your subconscious mind.

And yes, there is genuine theory and a fair amount of neuroscience behind this practice.

If you’re struggling to cope with your diabetes diagnosis: 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 burden of diabetes management gets tough.

Your constant worrying of what you’re not doing and/or how much more you could and should be doing for your diabetes wellness doesn’t feel empowering, because it isn’t. That inner talk isn’t true or real.

Putting yourself down at every chance you get doesn’t draw you closer to what you want to create in your life, nor does it help your diabetes health.

Start believing in yourself and believing deeply—on every level—that you are doing your best.

We think you’re fabulous!

Divabetic Survey

Tell us how we’re doing. Take our quick Divabetic Podcast Listener Survey to help us identify the topics that matter to you most.

SURVEY

Divabetic’s Mystery Podcast

Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy caterer on Divabetic’s Mystery Podcast, ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Peas.’

With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party aboard a yacht for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found swimming with the fishes. What it an accident or foul play? Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand. Can Mr. Divabetic prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea?

Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his friends, some sassy mermaids and a cooky fortune teller. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.

USA Today Best-Selling Author, Tonya Kappes, Asha Brown, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Seveda Williams, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, Mama Rose Marie and Poet Lorraine Brooks help the fruit suit clad sleuth in this seaside adventure.

This year’s mystery podcast features music from the original cast recording of ‘Gypsy’ courtesy of SONY Music.

Billie Eilish Shares Powerful Short Film About Body Shaming

Billie Eilish is hitting back at body-shamers in a new short film.

The 18-year-old Grammy winner shared her message in a new spoken word short film called “Not My Responsibility” on YouTube.

The video first depicts the pop star in her usual baggy threads, wading through what looks like a pool of tar as she strips her garments. Over a moody, ambient soundtrack, Eilish almost entirely removes her jet black tank top near the end — but obscures her body in the inky liquid instead.

Last year, she explained in a Calvin Klein ad that the reason she wears baggy clothes is to avoid body shaming. “I never want the world to know everything about me,” she said as reported in Buzzfeed. “I mean, that’s why I wear big baggy clothes: Nobody can have an opinion, because they haven’t seen what’s underneath, you know?”

She also discussed struggling with body image issues in an interview with Vogue. “I just hated my body. I would have done anything to be in a different one,” she explained. “I really wanted to be a model, really bad, and I was chubby and short.”

Billie Eilish – NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY – a short film

 HomeDiva TalkRadio  October’s Diabetes Late Nite Podcast

Diabetes Late Nite Podcast on Body Image & Diabetes

oct2016meg-001

We’re talking about BODY IMAGE & DIABETES with musical inspiration from superstar Meghan Trainor on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Think about it. Have you considered if your body image impacts your diabetes?

For people with diabetes, these attitudes may be very healthy which actually helps them manage their diabetes or they may be unhealthy which may lead to blood glucose values that are damaging.

People with a healthy body image see themselves as they really are and are happy with the way they feel and look.

For people that do not have a healthy body image, the term body dysmorphic disorder is sometimes used.

One of the biggest hits of last year, Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” isn’t your typical pop song.

“My producer and I wanted to do a fun song, so we thought why not do a song about loving yourself and loving your body, because I don’t think girls love themselves as much as they should,” Trainor says.

Guests include Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE) Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing selected songs from Meghan Trainor’s “Thank You” album courtesy of SONY Music.

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #3

Can you complete the Mystery Phrase below? Diabetes self-care can be emotionally taxing, but reframing your mind-set can have powerful results. Upbeat, kind, encouraging and gentle words that you say to yourself can help!

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #3

Self-help books often promote the power of positive affirmations. If you’ve never tried them before, the idea can seem incredibly awkward to tell yourself how awesome you are. 

Positive affirmations help to re-program your thought patterns and change the way you think and feel about things. They are short positive statements that can help you focus on goals, get rid of negative, self-defeating beliefs and program your subconscious mind.

And yes, there is genuine theory and a fair amount of neuroscience behind this practice.

If you’re struggling to cope with your diabetes diagnosis: 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 burden of diabetes management gets tough.

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #3 Answer

We’re talking about how to minimize the drama in our diabetes lives with music from the ultimate diva, Maria Callas on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late NIte podcast.

Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast

Are you a drama queen?

If there’s drama in multiple areas of your diabetes life, be honest with yourself—you’re the constant. Are you creating it? We don’t do anything repeatedly unless there’s something in it for us, so, what’s the payoff?

Every time we find ourselves immersed in something that seems overwhelming, we have an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better.

Guests include Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Lorraine Brooks, American Heart and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Rob Taub, Yoga for Diabetes Author and Director Rachel Zinman and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN,CDE.

Diabetes on Instagram Roundup #5

Some of our favorite #diabetes instagram posts from around the world to inpire you. In this roundup, our friend, Chirstel Oerum from Diabetes Strong hits a new milestone, a great green pepper sandwich recipe, amazing weight loss story, low calorie hard seltzer endorsement, and a few words and images to brighten your day!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYb3VbF47P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B2eqoJJhe-T/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhBiY1J-Uw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAg4mLRA3Iv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAg1tLHBTi_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgypvTH1yu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgu890pk8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgffUPBJPZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf8KS1DHTbt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Indigo Girls

We’re talking about opening up about your diagnosis with musical inspiration from Indigo Girls on Diabetes Late Nite scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2020, 8 6 – 7:30 PM, EST.

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have been making music as the folk-rock duo Indigo Girls for over 25 years. Three of their 16 albums have gone gold, four have gone platinum, and they’ve been nominated for seven Grammys.

They’re known for their social activism on and off-stage. They see music as a continuum of human existence, intertwined with spiritual life in a way that can’t be pinned down.

Guests include Dr. Andrea Chisholm (OBGYN), The Floor Girls and The Small Crimes of Tiffany Templeton Author Richard Fifield, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Mike Lawson, and Poet Lorraine Brooks.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from the Indigo Girls’ album. Indigo Girls, courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a  lot.

Divabetic was inspired by the late music legend, Luther Vandross and created in 2005 by Max Szadek, who, as Vandross’ assistant of 14 years, witnessed his boss, mentor, and friend struggle in silence and solitude with the diabetes and its related complications. President Barak Obama, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter have acknowledged Divabetic for its dedication and determination on behalf of the diabetes community. Visit Divabetic on the web: www.divabetic.org.

TUNE IN

what’s it all about? by Lorraine Brooks

what’s it all about? by Lorraine Brooks

ls it just for the moment we live?

Or shall we plan for what’s ahead?

Shall we look to stay empowered

Choosing hope instead of dread?

Diabetes notwithstanding,

We can choose the healthy way.

And we can say a little prayer

To get us going every day.

l’ll turn my house into a home

And look my illness in the eye

I want to make my choices count

To walk and hold my head up high.

For me it’s almost 40 years

l’ve dealt with diabetes now,

So far l’m doing very well

In keeping numbers nice and low.

Anyone who had a heart

Would understand the struggles faced

And anyone who wants to help

Is welcomed in my private space.

l never want to walk on by

And miss the pleasures to enjoy

I want to reach a ripe old age

So, healthy measures l employ.

Exercise is fun and good,

Vegetables and fruits and meat

Taking all my insulin

Covers all the foods l eat.

I thrive with my community

l’ve lived to 68 and more.

I couldn’t do it by myself,

l’m grateful, that’s what friends are for!

Listen to Lorraine Brooks read her poem, ‘what’s it all about?’ on May’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast CLICK HERE

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Dionne Warwick

We’re talking about Secrets to Longevity & Diabetes with musical inspiration from Dionne Warwick on May’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Living longer and increasing your life expectancy with diabetes doesn’t have to be a chore. From flossing your teeth daily to getting a good night’s sleep, there are simple things you can do to help you live long, happy and healthy life.

Dionne Warwick has enjoyed a tremendously long career as a singer.  She ranks second to Aretha Franklin as the most charted female vocalist with 69 singles making the Billboard Hot 100 during the rock era (1955–1999).

Dionne Warwick once explained her longevity to Jet magazine, saying, “I really attribute it to remaining who I am and not jumping ship, being completely cognizant of what the people … are accustomed to hearing from me.”

Guests include The Lager Queen of Minnesota and Kitchens of the Great Midwest Author J. Ryan Stradal, Deborah Greenwood PhD, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Fonzi Thornton, Rachel Stahl MS, RD, CDN, CDE, and Lorraine Brooks.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Dionne Warwick’s ‘Dionne’ album featuring I’ll Never Love This Way Again and Deja Vu courtesy of SONY Music.

LISTEN NOW