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12/24/2016

Announcing the 2016 ‘Fan Favorite’ Diabetes Late Nite Podcast

From weight loss surgery and diabetes alert dogs tips to shoe and grocery shopping advice, this year’s Diabetes Late Nite podcasts have been packed with expertise advice, fun games and great music.

It’s surprising that our highest rated podcast for 2016 focused on my annual trip to the gynecologist in October to discuss Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)!

I can’t even take credit for tackling this topic, PMDD because it was my featured guest, Dr. Andrea Chisholm MD, OB-GYN’s suggestion!

I quickly learned that PMDD is a severe, sometimes disabling extension of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that starts about 7 to 10 days before a woman gets her monthly period.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists estimates that at least 85 percent of menstruating women have at least one PMS symptom as part of their monthly cycle. PMS is much more common than PMDD.

Biologic, psychological, environmental, and social factors all seem to play a part in PMDD. It is important to note that PMDD is not the fault of the woman suffering from it or the result of a “weak” or unstable personality. It is also not something that is “all in the woman’s head.”

Rather, PMDD is a medical illness that impacts only 3% to 8% of women. Fortunately, it can be treated by a health care professional with behavioral and pharmaceutical options.

Not only did we cover this topic in depth but two women living with type 1 diabetes shared their experiences of struggling to managing their diabetes because of issues related to their monthly menstrual cycles.

Our good friend, Peak 10 skincare founder, Connie Elder shared some wonderful GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS advice on Summer skincare and offered free product giveaways to two lucky listeners. Plus, we paid tribute to the musical legacy of P.M. Dawn’s frontman Prince Be who died earlier this year of diabetes health-related complications courtesy of SONY Music.

LISTEN NOW: Mr. Divabetic Show podcast on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

12/23/2016

What Every ‘Divabetic’ Should Know About Menopause

According to a recent article published in the New York Daily News women in perimenopause and menopause don’t realize they have diabetes. The symptoms of diabetes can be confused with symptoms of menopause including frequent urination, night sweats, anxiety, mood swings, foggy thinking, dry itchy skin, and vaginal infections.

In general, women with diabetes lose more years of life than men do. And while the death rate for women with diabetes has risen dramatically since the 1970s, it hasn’t risen for men with the disease. It’s estimated that girls born in the year 2000 have more than a 1 in 3 chance of getting diabetes in their lifetime.

Overweight women at any age with any one of the following risk factors should also be checked for diabetes: inactive, have a first-degree relative with diabetes, have polycystic ovaries, delivered a baby over 9 pounds, have high blood pressure above 140/90 or take blood pressure medication, have low good cholesterol. Be sure to measure your blood sugar regularly.

Divabetic (divabetic.org) is a national diabetes organization dedicated to women.

LISTEN NOW: On the Mr. Divabetic Show: That State Of Women’s Health we’re talking about the state of women’s equality and diabetes and sexual health post-election. While the outcome of the Presidential election means different things to different people, it is no secret that many of the words, values, and behaviors Americans have heard and seen during this election have deeply affected many people, including women.

Did you know that women are more likely than men to suffer from mental illnesses such as anxiety and PTSD? Also, the numbers show us that women have not historically enjoyed the same power and privilege as men. For some women, the result may be a subtle but constant sense of vulnerability and vigilance.

From reproductive rights to Medicare coverage, there could be a lot of policy changes impacting US women over the next four years. Additionally, many women may feel threatened from hearing about a powerful leader’s many sexual assault accusations and the rising incidents of hate crimes post-election.

Guests include: Dr. Andrea Chisholm OBGYN, Peak 10 Skincare founder and Domestic Violence Advocate Connie Elder, Poet Lorraine Brooks, We Are Diabetes organization founder, Asha Brown, Mary Ann Hodorowicz RD, CDE and the President of Women in Government Relations, Kathryn Schubert.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Leona Lewis’ “Christmas, with Love” album courtesy of SONY Music.

12/22/201612/22/2016

The Perfect Dress, Dishes & Drink for A Divabetic New Year’s Eve Party for 2

Ring in the New Year in a sexy, stylish and healthy way with some help from Divabetic.

We know many people in our Divabetic community don’t like to celebrate the holidays because they feel they may disrupt their diabetes care. But with a little pre-planning and guidance from your healthcare entourage you can still enjoy the festivities without failing your diabetes.

According to Tom Volkar from Core U Coaching, celebration helps us stay in the present where our power is. By celebrating the completion of every small step, we leverage the powerful energies of gratitude and momentum. Thomas Edison taught us that even each mistake along the way is cause for celebration. Life is all about the journey, and that means that every step, as well as reaching our destination, is part of our journey. Celebrating at every juncture is recognition of a life well lived and well worked.

Don’t let diabetes dim your dazzle!

We asked four of our of our favorite experts, Cahterine Schuller AICI, CIP, Cookbook Author, Holly Clegg, Wine & Spirits Expert Samantha Shaken Baker and Susan Weiner MS, RD, CDE, CDN to share advice on how you can celebrate an intimate Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2 in style without compromising your diabetes health.

Let’s start with what to wear at our fabulous “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2”. When it comes to dressing for the occasion there’s no better sytle icon to turn to than our vey own Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller. Catherine is one of the plus size industry’s pioneers, Former Ford model, consumer advocate image consultant, author, and the creator of ‘Runway the Real Way’ fashion brunches in New York City.

Catherine’s top pick for a dress to wrap up the holiday season is the wrap dress!

This style is flattering on every figure type because it hides a tummy, cinches in a waist, covers a jiggly upper arm, emphasizes decolletage (cleavage). Plus a wrap dress won’t break your bank. It can be worn with different styles of pumps, tights and boots and lots of jewelry in either stones, or silver or gold so you don’t have to spend more money on purchasing new accessories. If your someone special wants to take you out on the town after your “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” dinner, then grab a shoulder duster, a big bangle, and a great clutch and/or fabulous evening bag. “The possibilities are limitless and this is a dress that will serve you well for all those special occasions throughout the year!,” says Catherine.

BLING IN THE NEW YEAR: Why not pamper yourself to a safe manicure before your the big night? Professional pedicures can help your nails look their best, but too often poor sanitation practices, shared tools, and the work of overzealous nail technicians can result in skin injuries or infections. Why not invest in your own nail kit and bring it with you? Though it’s unlikely that you will get an infection from shared nail polish, play it safe and bring your own. Our top nail polish pick for a ‘Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2’is blue glitter nails with a festive blue (a nod to World Diabetes Day) polish. This nail art is great for short nails that want to sparkle on New Year’s Eve!

DIVABETIC TIP: Make your diabetes health dazzle and match your nails to your blood glucose monitor!

The OneTouch® UltraMini® Blood Glucose Monitoring System is sleek, compact glucose meter easily fits into your purse or pocket for added convenience so it won’t cramp your style! Offers alternate site testing on your finger or forearm with a 1-microliter blood sample and quick results in five seconds on a large, easy-to-read display. Stores 500 blood sugar test results, which can be downloaded to your computer. Available in several fun colors including pink glow, silver moon, limelight and jet black

DIVABETIC TIP: Don’t focus on what you shouldn’t eat but rather on what you can eat!

Next up on our list for celebrating a “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” is ‘the dish.’

With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy, healthy and practical recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim&TERRIFIC® and her more health focused Eating Well cookbook series, including newly released 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY edition of Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association. Clegg who attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School has appeared on Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today, QVC, The 700 Club, USA Today, Cooking Light Magazine, Web MD, and Huff Post. She has consulted for Walmart, Teflon, The Coca-Cola Company, and hospitals throughout the country. Here’s Holly’s suggestion on to make a simple, impressive menu for someone special on New Year’s Eve:

Our dazzling “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” menu starts with Potato Soup
This snazzy soup starts with hash browns, so no time-consuming potato peeling; almost faster than opening a can. I top with cheese and green onions.

Makes 2 (1-cup) servings

2 cups frozen hash brown potatoes, partially thawed
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can fat-free chicken or vegetable broth
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/3 cup skim milk

1. In medium nonstick pot, heat hash browns, broth, and onion to a boil, reduce heat, and cook, covered, about 8-10 minutes.
2. In small bowl, whisk together flour with milk. Add to potato mixture and bring to boil. Reduce heat, and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until thickened. For thinner soup, add more milk.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 215 Calories from fat 0% Fat 1g Saturated Fat 0g Cholesterol 1mg Sodium 390mg Carbohydrate 46g Dietary Fiber 4g Sugars 3g Protein 8g Dietary Exchanges: 3 starch

Next, serve a delicious Kale Salad with Fruity Vinaigrette
You must give kale a try, this intriguing salad with an extraordinary tasty flavor combination. You will love the Fruity Vinaigrette for it’s perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. Did you know that 1 cup of kale provides a whopping 5 grams of fiber, 15% of your daily calcium recommended intake, 180% of vitamin A, and 200% of vitamin C!

Makes 8 servings

8 cups chopped kale, center ribs and stems removed
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 apple, nectarine or fruit of choice, chopped
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Fruity Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

1. In large salad, toss together kale, cabbage, fruit and pecans. Toss with Fruity Vinaigrette (see recipe).

Fruity Vinaigrette

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup apricot preserves
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1. In bowl, whisk together all ingredients.

Nutrition information per serving: Calories 145 kcal, Calories from Fat 52%, Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 44 mg, Carbohydrates 16 g, Dietary Fiber 2 g, Total Sugars 7 g, Protein 3 g, Dietary Exchanges: 1/2 fruit, 2 vegetable, 2 fat

Our entrée for “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” is an Easy Roasted Salmon
Love salmon or never cooked it? You must try this incredible recipe—season salmon, pop in the oven and you have a terrific meal ready in minutes.

Makes 2 servings

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1. Preheat oven 400° F. Line baking sheet with foil.
2. In resalable plastic bag, mix together brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and season to taste. Add salmon, coating all over and pat in seasoning.
3. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 12-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 252 Calories from fat 25% Fat 7g Saturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 97mg Sodium 153mg Carbohydrate 9g Dietary Fiber 1g Protein 37g Dietary Exchanges: 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1/2 lean meat

Serve your entrée with Roasted Garlic Broccoli
By the time the broccoli is done, your dinner will be ready. Roasting broccoli is a simple way to intensify the natural flavor. Sometimes I toss in artichokes or some extra veggies I have hanging around.

Makes 2 servings

4 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven 450°F. Line baking sheet with foil.
2. Toss broccoli with olive oil and garlic on prepared pan. Roast 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Remove from oven season to taste.

Spicy Advice: Roasting is cooking at a high temperature that browns, caramelizes and crisps.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 104, Calories from fat 56%, Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 39 mg, Carbohydrate 8 g, Dietary Fiber 4 g, Sugars 2 g, Protein 4 g
Dietary Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 1/2 fat

A finally, indulge in dessert with Holly Clegg’s Berry Parfait (I would cut in fourths so you have extra the next day) and make four)
Light and delightful, strawberries or your favorite berries layered with a luscious cream cheese layer and ladyfingers.

Makes 16 (1/2-cup) servings

2/3 cup seedless sugar-free raspberry preserves
1/4 cup orange juice
6 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8-ounce) container fat-free whipped topping, thawed, divided
2 (3-ounce) packages ladyfingers, split in half (24)
1 1/2 cups strawberries, stemmed and sliced

1. In small bowl, mix together preserves and orange juice.
2. In mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until light. Mix in whipped topping reserving, 1/2 cup for topping.
3. Line bottom of an oblong small dish with split ladyfingers. Layer with preserves mixture, cream cheese layer, and top with strawberries. Repeat layers with remaining ladyfingers, preserves and cream cheese layer.
4. Carefully top with thin layer of remaining whipped topping. Top with remaining strawberries. Cover, refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 128, Calories from fat (%) 24, Fat (g) 3, Saturated Fat (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 9, Sodium (mg) 79, Carbohydrate (g) 23, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Sugars (g) 11, Protein (g) 2, Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 carbohydrate, 1/2 fat

Tip: Use raspberries so you don’t have to even cut the strawberries. This recipe works well in individual servings.

Nutrition Nugget: You will hardly believe this luscious treat is diabetic-friendly so there is always room for dessert!

DIVABETIC TIP: While alcohol can make blood sugar drop too low, certain beverages (such as beer or sugary mixers) can cause a blood sugar spike. What’s more, consuming more than one or two drinks can cloud your thinking and affect other food choices you make that day, which can also affect glucose levels.

Since no “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” celebration is complete without a little bubbly we asked Samantha Shanken Baker, who helps presents memorable food and wine events like the Annual Harlem Eat Up! to suggest a great tasting champagne for under $50. Samantha’s pick is G.H. Mumm Brut Champagne Cordon (retail $45) featuring a delightful notes of flavor—dried apricot, candied orange peel, nut and smoke. This very harmonious dry Champagne is still elegant and light-weight. The rich, toasty note lingers on the vibrant finish. Oh la-la!

Susan Weiner MS RDN CDE CDN and 2015 AADE Diabetes Educator of the Year is an award-winning Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator and published author. Susan offers this advice to all our ‘Divabetics’ who enjoy a cocktail: Before New Year’s Eve, take a wine glass out of your cabinet. Take out a liquid measuring cup and pour in 5 ounces of water. Pour the water into the wine glass. That’s a serving of wine! Now you know what a serving of wine looks like and “when to say when” during your holiday gathering.

My pick for the perfect soundtrack to set the mood for a “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” is the Essential Gladys Knight & The Pips album on SONY Music. This album is packed with slow jams ‘You’re Number One (In My Book)’, ‘Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me’ and ‘The Way We Were/Try To Remember’ and uptempo favorites including ‘I’ve Got To Use My Imagination’ and ‘Save The Overtime (For Me)’ along with the classic ‘Midnight Train To Georgia.’

Finally, don’t let diabetes kill romance at “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2”. Bring the fireworks into the bedroom with a high-quality lubricant. Lubricants improve sex by making genital tissues moist, which decreases friction and makes intimate contact more pleasurable. If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, which is common among women living with diabetes, a lubricant can be very helpful. A lubricant is often used with condoms to decrease irritation from latex, but can also be used on its own. Women who often have vaginal yeast infections may wish to avoid glycerin lubes, as the sugar can encourage yeast growth. Wet® Naturals™ Beautifully Bare™ is glycerin-free, paraben-free and enriched for your sensual well-being. This formula is both long lasting and luxurious and designed to enhance a woman’s natural moisture.

Live, love, laugh and learn. If you didn’t feel good about your diabetes management after celebrating your “Divabetic New Year’s Eve for 2” then talk to your doctor about how to do things differently next time. The most important thing is to not let diabetes dim your dazzle!

Happy New Year!

12/20/2016

Special Podcast: Woman’s Health 2017

Mr. Divabetic discusses the state of women’s equality and diabetes and sexual health post-election tonight, Tuesday, December 20, 2016, on a special Diabetes Late Nite podcast at 6 PM, EST.

While the outcome of the Presidential election means different things to different people, it is no secret that many of the words, values, and behaviors Americans have heard and seen during this election have deeply affected many people, including women.

Mr. Divabetic’s guests include: Dr. Andrea Chisholm OBGYN, Peak 10 Skincare founder and Domestic Violence Advocate Connie Elder, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Mary Ann Hodorowicz RD, CDE, Asha Brown, and the President of Women in Government Relations, Kathryn Schubert.

TUNE IN: Special podcast: Woman’s Health 2017

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Leona Lewis’ “Christmas, with Love” album 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.” Enjoy over 100 free podcasts available on demand at i-Tunes, divabetic.org and blog talk radio.

12/14/201612/20/2016

‘There’s A Pill For That’ by Poet Lorraine Brooks

On December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we focus on people with diabetes’s interest in ‘getting off their meds’.

Today, a full 61 percent of adults use at least one drug to treat a chronic health problem, a nearly 15 percent rise since 2001. More than 1 in 4 seniors gulp down at least five medications daily as reported by Healthination in US News & Reports. The trend has multiple causes: a spike in diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis related to obesity; revised medical guidelines that treat high blood sugar, hypertension, and high cholesterol sooner; and a multibillion-dollar push by pharmaceutical companies to speak directly to consumers about the payoff in trusting our hearts to Lipitor, say, or taking Boniva to help stop bone loss. But many experts worry that one unintended effect of all the pharmacological success is that many people may be blithely taking drugs they don’t need, potentially setting themselves up for severe consequences.

Poet Lorraine Brooks shares her insight on this topic with her poem, ‘There’s A Pill For That’ on December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast:

There’s A Pill for That by Lorraine Brooks

We live in a world where appearances rule.

And its what we look like that matters.

People make comments that sometimes are cruel

And can leave our emotions in tatters.

We live in a world where performances reign

And if we are lacking or tired…

Or even if we are in physical pain,

We still want to do whats required.

We’re told there’s a pill for whatever we lack,

From energy, to building breasts.

there’s something that soothes your aching back,

There’s something helps you to rest.

There’s something to aid with your bloating and gas,

There’s pills that will keep you from eating.

There’s medicine that makes erections to last,

And stuff that will aid with excreting.

So off to the pharmacy, scrips to be filled,

And looking for fixes and cures.

Just one more tonic, or two of these pills,

And perfection of health can be yours!

But all of these things, while they may work for some,

They also may lead to frustration.

There’s some things you cant easily overcome

By relying on quick medication.

But also there’s people who may need these aids

For reasons that suit their conditions.

And those are the people we shouldn’t dissuade

From listening to their clinicians.

For me, I am different, as 1 is my “type”

And I get confused and defeated.

because if I listen to all of the hype,

I sometimes feel like I’ve been cheated.

Pills and elixirs, and lifestyle adjusting

Are not part of my repartee.

What I need is the knowledge that people are trusting

That I’m making choices best for ME.

So here’s my 2 cents, and its just my own take.

Everyone’s life is unique.

Do what works for YOU, the decisions you make,

Will put you on your own winning

LISTEN NOW: December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with guests include Diabetes Alert Dog expert, Debby Kay CDT, CDTA, PDTI, Megrette Fletcher, MEd, RD, CDE, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Janis Roszler RD, CDE, LDN, Emmy winning Producer, Linda Bracero Morel, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie. Plus, we’re giving away 6 months access to mySugr Pro in our INSTANT WINNER challenge. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Leona Lewis’ “Christmas, with Love” album courtesy of SONY Music.

12/10/2016

How To Treat Low Blood Sugars in the Bedroom

An orgasm is a sought-after sexual reward, but for people with diabetes it can feel like a quest for fire and/or unattainable goal. And, yes, we’re talking about women and men here.

Achieving an orgasm might take a lot of work, fantasy, time and patience which could lead to a low blood sugar.

I spoke with Janis Rozsler MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE) on our Diabetes Late Nite podcast about how to treat low blood sugars in the bedroom. The question really isn’t about how to treat a low blood sugar, it’s about to treat it without wrecking the mood.

So how do you treat you blood sugars without losing out on the spontaneity.

“Keep things in their nightstands like a snack and check your blood sugars before going into the bedroom,” says Janis. “You can also incorporate food into your sexual play like strawberries and chocolates and whipped cream.You need to test what works for you,” says Janis.

If low blood sugar at night is a common problem for you, talk to your doctor about changing your diabetes treatment plan to better control your nighttime glucose levels.

LISTEN: Don’t Let Diabetes Kill Romance with guest, Janis Rozsler MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).

12/07/2016

Is the IUD The Best Form of Birth Control for Women with Diabetes?

On the upcoming Women’s Health podcast, Mr. Divabetic will discuss birth control options for women with diabetes with his guest, Dr. Andrea Chisholm MD, FACOG OB-GYN.

According to a new study the two most effective hormonal birth control methods for women with diabetes are intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants.

Both forms of birth control are linked with the lowest risk of blood clots in these higher-risk women.

Hormonal contraceptives boost women’s risk for clots, which can lead to heart attack and strokes. That’s a particular problem for women with diabetes, who are at increased risk for blood clots to begin with.

While many contraceptives use a combination of two hormones, estrogen and progestin, the World Health Organization advises that women at increased risk of a blockage caused by a blood clot – known as a thromboembolism – use contraceptives containing only progestin reports FOX News.

Dr. Natalie Whaley, an obstetrician/gynecologist and family planning provider at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, said that women with diabetes need to time their pregnancies for a number of reasons, including the fact that having good control of their blood sugar will reduce the risk of miscarriage and fetal anomalies

TUNE IN: Upcoming Special “State of Women’s Health” podcast on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, 6 PM, EST. Guests include Dr. Andrea Chisholm MD, FACOG, OB-GYN, Poet Lorraine Brooks and PEAK 10 Skincare Founder, Connie Elder. Music by Leona Lewis courtesy of SONY Music.

12/05/201612/05/2016

Are You Too Ashamed to Eat What You Love During the Holidays?

December’s Diabetes Late Nite guest, Megrette Fletcher. MEd, RD, CDE, author of Discover Mindful Eating and Discover Mindful Eating for Kids, and the co-author of Mindful Eating and Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes , talks about the shame that people with diabetes may experience during the holidays.

Megrette is a mindful eating expert and registered dietitian and diabetes educator in practice. She is the president and co-founder of the Center for Mindful Eating.

What do I eat?” As a diabetes educator and dietitian, Megrette Fletcher, MEd, RD, CDE, admits that she’s asked this question every day – and even more so during the holidays! Mindful eating isn’t about eating a specific food or limiting yourself to a set number of calories or nutrients. It is about becoming curious and aware so you can make conscious decisions.

Many people react mindlessly to their thoughts. In other words, they re-act—repeating past actions again and again—feeling powerless to change says Megrette’s co-author, Michelle May MD. “For many people, eating is a mindless reaction to their unrecognized or unexamined thoughts. However, your thoughts are just thoughts. Thinking a thought doesn’t make it true or important, or require you to act on it. In fact, a thought doesn’t even need to provoke a specific feeling,” says Dr. May.

Mindfulness is awareness of what is happening in the present moment—including awareness of thoughts—without any attachment to whatever you notice. Mindfulness is helpful because it creates space between thoughts and actions. By increasing your awareness of your thoughts, you can begin to break old automatic or habitual chain reactions between your triggers, thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Each time you choose not to activate your old trigger-thought-feeling-action-result sequences, you weaken the connections. It’s as if the wires rust and eventually break. Further, each time you choose a different action, you create a new connection. With repetition, you’ll hardwire these new pathways—like insulating the wiring. Your new thoughts and responses become your new habits.

Shame is a harmful emotion that is often felt by the young and old, especially when you are trying to manage your diabetes during the holidays. By undertstanding the ingredients that set you up for overeating, you can create the perfect recipe for success and healthy, happy holidays!

Recipe for Overeating by Michelle May M.D.
Ingredients:
1 batch, bag, box, or large plate of food
2 tablespoons of deprivation
1 heaping teaspoon of guilt
Sprinkle of shame
Optional: fatigue, stress, resentment, loneliness, boredom

Studies confirm that some people do gain significant weight during the holidays. Who are those people? They’re the ones who worry about their weight, who try to restrict their intake of holiday goodies only to overeat them out of feelings of deprivation and then guilt. The same studies show that people who don’t worry about their weight don’t put on significant pounds during the holidays.

Learn how to create a self-care buffer zone by regularly nurturing your body, mind, heart, and spirit. from the book: Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes: A Mindful Eating Program for Thriving with Pre-diabetes or Diabetes.

LISTEN: December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with guest, Megrette Fletcher scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 6 PM, EST. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic. Enjoy music from Leona Lewis’ “Christmas, with Love” album courtesy of SONY Music.

12/03/201612/03/2016

Thank Heavens for Cauliflower! Recipe by The Decadent Diabetic

Our good friend, Chef Ward Alper aka ‘the Decadent Diabetic’ who is living with type 2 diabetes, shares one of his favorite cauliflower recipes and blog post with us to help you stay happy and healthy.

For those of us with Diabetes (especially Type 2) we should be watching our carbohydrate intake. Starchy staples like potatoes and rice may not be our best choices.

Thank heavens for cauliflower. What was once just a boringly earthy vegetable that I smothered with a thick cheese sauce, is now a scrumptious and inventive side to many a meat and protein my plate.

More than just mashed or riced, cauliflower can be” glammed” up to make a delicious gratin or Asian partner for your meats, fish and chicken.

Cauliflower, Bacon & Blue by The Decadent Diabetic

Makes approx. 4 – 1 cup servings

Net carbs: 8 grams

Chef Ward Alper’s Notes: Putting some of my favorite things together to make a totally new dish is so exciting. Sometimes it does not work. Other times, like here, the finished product is greater than the sum of its parts.

This is a great side dish for a bland protein as it adds a great “pop” to the plate.

1 head of cauliflower ( about 3-3 ½ cups)

1 medium onion, sliced thinly

2 Tbsp. butter

2 cloves garlic, grated or minced very finely

3 Tbsp. sour cream

2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

6 slices of crisp bacon, crumbled

½ cup whole milk

HOW TO PREPARE THE RECIPE:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut cauliflower into 1 inch florets. Sautee the onion in the butter until lightly golden brown. Turn off the heat and add the garlic. Allow to cool slightly. Add the bacon, blue cheese, pepper, and sour cream. Combine with the cauliflower and pour into an oven proof dish. Add the milk. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 15 more minutes until lightly brown. NOTE: if you like your vegetables softer cook for another 5-10 minutes.

Click on the link to get more great tasting recipes from The Decadent Diabetic.

LISTEN: Diabetes Game Show podcast hosted by Mr. Divabetic. Special giveaways courtesy of Dr. Greenfield’s Diabetic Foot & Hand Cream

12/01/2016

Weekly Wow: Fruity Facts

Can you guess how many servings are in one avocado?

Portion distortion in America is one of the main reasons why 70 percent of our country is considered overweight or obese. As the holidays approach filled with plenty of temptations for your taste buds it’s important to be aware of how much you’re actually eating.

A review published in the Journal of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition showed that when people are presented with larger portions, they consumed more despite hunger levels and what their bodies actually needed for nourishment.

Avocado is considered a fat, and while it may be a “healthy fat” it is still a more concentrated source of calories when compared to protein and carbohydrates according to Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD, is a Registered Dietitian in New York City and the author of two bestselling diet books: The F-Factor Diet and The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with Fiber.

ANSWER: One avocado equals five servings

In fact, fats contain 9 calories per gram, which is more than double the 4 calories per gram that protein and carbs have. A serving of avocado is one fifth of an avocado, or about a 50-calorie portion–not a whole avocado. So that avocado toast comes in at around 400 calories and that’s not including the mimosa or whatever else you are consuming during that brunch

“The serving size that I don’t think anyone sticks to is one-fifth of a medium-sized avocado,” Keri Gans RD, the author of the Small Change Diet, tells Yahoo Health. “Most people think you’re supposed to eat the whole thing, like with any fruit.”

But consider that an avocado packs around 250 calories. “So it’s not the same as eating a whole peach, which is 60 calories. There’s a difference — and if you are watching your weight, you probably don’t want to eat an entire avocado,” Gans says.

LISTEN: November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast Inspired by Ella Fitzgerald. We’re talking about encouraging people who have experienced diabetes health-related complications to stay healthy.