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Toni Braxton Shatters Expectations on Fox’s Masked Singer

One of the redeeming qualities of the TV Show, The Masked Singer is that vocalists have the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and perform songs that aren’t necessarily expected.

For example, Toni Braxton as ‘Pufferfish’ performs Doja Cat‘s “Say So” in this YouTube clip and blows the minds of the judges and crowds. In a perfect world, vocalists wouldn’t have to put on masks to avoid being pigeonholed by skin color, gender, and/or age. But, maybe record executives also need to open their eyes and see that many artists’ talents and abilities far exceed the small boxes of playlist formats and music genres.

Fox Networks’ The Mask Singer is a celebrity talent-based program where celebrity contestants’ fates are determined by the audience. Unfortunately, Toni Braxton was quickly eliminated from the season premiere but not before a stellar performance of Dua Lipa‘s hit “Levitating”.

https://youtu.be/S8xl_kt_vHY

Our good friend, Lisa Fischer, gives new life to Rolling Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter’ and Led Zepplin songs when she performs them in concert. Simply amazing!

 

Seven-time Grammy Award-winner Toni Braxton has sold over 70 million records and is one of the best-selling R&B artists of all time. Her music and courageous fight with multiple health conditions inspires this episode of Divabetic’s monthly podcast.

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.

Divabetic podcast guests include Dr. Sara Reece, PharmD – NGMC, GME, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Keith Anthony Fluitt, and Sonya Hogans. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.

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We’re Ready To Stare with Alysse Dalessandro Santiago on October’s Divabetic Podcast

Do you feel like the whole world is judging you for being plus-size and living with type 2 diabetes?

Alysse Dalessandro Santiago is brimming with confidence. She is a fierce diabetes advocate who is outspoken about her experience living with type 2 diabetes and depression.

Alysee joins us on Divabetic’s October podcast to talk about how the Freestyle Libre 2 helps her to keep confident about managing her diabetes on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 6 PM, EST.

Alysse Dalessandro Santiago may be one of Instagram’s hottest influencers as a lifestyle and travel expert but that doesn’t mean she has it made in the shade. “Every day I wake up and take my medication and try to walk into the day with a new positive outlook. Having depression definitely makes that a challenge some days. And having diabetes makes me want to check out from everything. I’m not going to let diabetes or depression steal my shine!”, says Alysse.

We’re talking about how to get over the fear and anxiety about speaking publically about your diabetes and related health issues (including depression and sleep apnea) with musical inspiration from Carly Simon.

Grammy winner Carly Simon has recorded over 30 albums, won two Grammies, and an Academy Award. Carly Simon managed to accomplish her dreams by overcoming severe stuttering and painful migraines to achieve her success. When I was a young child,” Carly Simon has revealed, “I had a stammer. And the only time it went away was when I sang. One day, my mother said to me, ‘Don’t speak it, sing it.’ And that’s what I did.”

Leading advocates share their journeys and tools that help them: FreeStyle Libre 2 App, CPAP machines, and a new line of baked good mixes, TruEats.

The FreeStyle Libre system measures glucose levels through a small sensor applied to the back of your upper arm. It provides real-time glucose readings for up to 10 days, both day and night.

Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a hose and mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure.

TruEats Baking Mixes have 1g of Sugar or Less + Complex (Good) Carbs for great-tasting, steady energy that’s diabetic friendly. Guests include Marten Carlson,  Alysse Dalessandro Santiago, Surinder and Daven Kumar, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.

October’s Divabetic podcast features music from Carly Simon’s Coming Around Again album courtesy of SONY Music.

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The Happy Diabetic’s Iowa- Style Apricot and Onion Pork Chops Recipe

Several years ago, I met Chef Robert Lewis, aka the Happy Diabetic, at a Taking Control Of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) Expo. His upbeat attitude and friendly demeanor drew me to him immediately as he showed a captive audience how to make healthy meals at home. He has appeared on numerous Divabetic podcasts, including this year’s Divabetic Mysteries: A Christmas Peril. 

Chef Robert was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after a vacation in Colorado in 1998. When he was traveling back home, he felt super tired and sluggish, very thirsty, and had to urinate at almost every rest stop. Chef Robert knew something was wrong. He just wasn’t sure exactly what it was. So a few weeks later, he visited his doctor, and that’s when he was diagnosed with diabetes. 

” I was in denial for at least six months, and things were not going well for me,” he said in an interview with Beyond Type 2 diabetes. “Once I took ownership in it, really, then some amazing things started to happen – I started to focus. I was able to seek out people with the right information. And I just slowly started making some lifestyle changes.”

From there, Chef Robert started attending diabetes education classes and putting his culinary degree to work, creating recipes that tasted good and were actually healthy. 

He adds, “I started creating some recipes and worked with some really good dietitians who helped me with some of the nutritional components.”

Iowa- Style Apricot and Onion Pork Chops Recipe By The Happy Diabetic 

Ingredients 
4  5oz 1/4 inch bone-in pork chops
1/s cup of whole dried apricots and or apples peeled and sliced
1/2 cup of sliced white or yellow onions
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon chopped garlic
pinch of rosemary
Fresh ground pepper to taste
Directions 
Preheat the sauté pan. Place 1 T olive oil in the pan and heat to medium.  Place the seasoned pork chops (seasoned with salt and pepper) and cook for 2-3 min. Add the garlic, onions and the whole dried apricots and or apples peeled and sliced. cook of 4-6 minutes covered. spoon the apples and or apricots and onions over the pork chops. Cook covered until the internal temp is between 155-165 degrees.
Serves 4
Nutrition Information: Cal: 290, Total fat:12.67g, Total Carbs: 29.83, Protein: 17.29

We’re talking about how to get over the fear and anxiety about speaking publically about your diabetes and related health issues (including depression and sleep apnea) with musical inspiration from Carly Simon.

Grammy winner Carly Simon has recorded over 30 albums, won two Grammies, and an Academy Award. Carly Simon managed to accomplish her dreams by overcoming severe stuttering and painful migraines to achieve her success. When I was a young child,” Carly Simon has revealed, “I had a stammer. And the only time it went away was when I sang. One day, my mother said to me, ‘Don’t speak it, sing it.’ And that’s what I did.”

Leading advocates share their journeys and tools that help them: FreeStyle Libre 2 App, CPAP machines, and a new line of baked good mixes, TruEats.

The FreeStyle Libre system measures glucose levels through a small sensor applied to the back of your upper arm. It provides real-time glucose readings for up to 10 days, both day and night.

Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a hose and mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure.

TruEats Baking Mixes have 1g of Sugar or Less + Complex (Good) Carbs for great-tasting, steady energy that’s diabetic friendly. Guests include Marten Carlson,  Alysse Dalessandro Santiago, Surinder and Daven Kumar, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.

October’s Divabetic podcast features music from Carly Simon’s Coming Around Again album courtesy of SONY Music.

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No Sugar Added Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

pumpkin pie

One of Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef‘s professional baking tips is to make your own homemade vanilla extract. It’s easy! You only need two ingredients for homemade vanilla extract: vanilla beans and vodka. Let the vanilla beans infuse the vodka for as little as 8 weeks, but for optimal flavor, wait at least 6-12 months before using.

pumpkin pie

No Sugar Added Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef 

Ingredients

1 1/2 pints no sugar added vanilla ice cream, room temp

3 eggs, room temp

1 3/4 cup pure pumpkin puree

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup Splenda or Whey Low D Granular

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

2  9-inch unbaked pie shells

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs and add remaining ingredients combining well. Pour into unbaked pie shells. Bake 15 minutes and lower oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake an additional 30 to 45 minutes, or until the filling is set. Filling may rise and puff while baking but should deflate when removed from the oven.

Yield: 2 pies

 

Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ has created a simple four-part substitution system that turns any decadent dessert into a diabetic-friendly delight. Learn more about The Diabetic Pastry Chef‘s Book available on Amazon.

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?

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Holiday-themed Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 9, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW

 

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Dame Judi Dench’s Talks About Her Knee Replacement

Surgery

Dame Judi Dench met Mr. Monk on the set of Philomena as her knee condition was worsening.

When Is the Best Time To Have Surgery?

You want to have it done right before the pain becomes too unbearable to cope with.

Judi Dench gave a lot of thought to the best time to have her total knee replacement surgery.

Judi Dench’s knee operation went very smoothly. Six weeks after the surgery, the Academy Award Winning Actress attended the film’s Premiere. She claims that very few people realized she had the operation.

Her knee has continued to improve to the point where she has almost forgotten she had the operation.

Judi Dench is not living with diabetes. But if you’re living with diabetes and are scheduling a surgical procedure, be aware:

  • Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) can be an issue after surgery
  • Poor wound healing
  • Slow wound healing
  • Infection of the wound

Philomena (2013) is about a world-weary political journalist who aids in a woman’s search for her son.

The Holidays are full of surprises in this year’s Divabetic Mysteries: A Christmas Peril podcast. Although Mr. Divabetic manages to land a new job as the pastry chef at the St. Nicholas Nursing Home, his life in a Christmas Village is not all sugarplums and candy canes. Especially when a cantankerous resident, a real-life Ebenezer Scrooge,  named Mr. Pincher almost dies——shortly after eating one of Max’s peanut butter swirl brownies.

Now Mr. Divabetic, with the help of his friends and overly protective mother, must find the real culprit before his name ends up on a lethal naughty list.

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Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

If you’re like me, you buy pumpkins to carve, not to eat. However, pumpkin is low in calories and rich in beta carotene (a powerful antioxidant), making it a great addition to your breakfast menu!

Enjoy this sugar-free pumpkin pancake recipe from our good colleague and special guest on December’s Baking Party on Zoom, Stacey Harris, aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef.’

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup white whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cardamom

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

3 Tbsp dry sugar substitute

1 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk

2 large eggs

1 cup pure pumpkin puree

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

2 Tbsp vinegar

1 tsp molasses

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions 

In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.

In a separate medium mixing bowl, combine wet ingredients.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined.

Drop batter onto a hot greased griddle or skillet. Flip pancakes when the edges turn brown. Serve with canola butter or butter and top with sugar-free syrup.

Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ has created a simple four-part substitution system that turns any decadent dessert into a diabetic-friendly delight. Learn more about The Diabetic Pastry Chef‘s Book available on Amazon.

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?

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Holiday-themed Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 9, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW

 

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Divabetic Mysteries: A Christmas Peril

A Christmas Peril was inspired by Kevin Houdeshell’s tragic true-life story. Thanks to the Houdeshell family for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the Emergency Insulin Act of 2019 and the emergency prescription refill legislation. Known as Kevin’s or Howdy’s Law, it allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance medication if the doctor cannot be reached – a common-sense act that could save a life.

 Divabetic Mysteries: A Christmas Peril  LISTEN NOW

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A Christmas Peril Debuts on Thursday, September 30, 2021

Join us for Divabetic’s Annual Mystery podcast, A Christmas Peril, scheduled for this Thursday, September 30, 2021, at 6 PM, EST.  This year’s live mystery drama stars Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie Gentle, Terri Seidman, MaryAnn Nicolay, Trisha Artman, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, and Wendy Radford.

Here’s a Short Synopsis:

The Holidays are full of surprises— especially after Mr. Divabetic gets a new job as the pastry chef at the St. Nicholas Nursing Home nestled in a cozy Christmas Village. But adjusting to life in a Christmas Village is not all sugarplums and candy canes. Especially when a cantankerous resident, a real-life Ebenezer Scrooge,  named Mr. Pincher almost dies——shortly after eating one of Max’s peanut butter swirl brownies. Despite all of the ingredients for danger, Mr. Divabetic along with our team of amateur sleuths and his overly protective mother — set out to find the real culprit in the hopes that his name isn’t on a lethal naughty list.

Our story was inspired by Kevin Houdeshell’s tragic true-life story. Thanks to the Houdeshell family for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the Emergency Insulin Act of 2019 and the emergency prescription refill legislation. Known as Kevin’s or Howdy’s Law, it allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance medication if the doctor cannot be reached – a common-sense act that could save a life.

In the spirit of Scrooge’s awakening at the end of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, we encourage you to honor Christmas in your heart by living in the Past, The Present, and the Future. Try to embrace the Spirits of all Three and the lessons that they teach.

Special thanks to the Houdeshell family, and Pharmacist Mandy Reece. Original music by Ivan Hampden Jr., Celine Dion’s vocals courtesy of SONY Music. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir

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Divabetic’s Biggest Virtual Program Ever!

Thank you to our special guest Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ for joining us for last night’s Divabetic Zoom program. It was our largest virtual program to date! Over 50 people enjoyed watching Stacey demonstrate her popular Sugar-Free Pumpkin Muffin Recipe, share expert baking tips, and answer questions about making over traditional dessert recipes with less sugar and carbohydrate but still packed with great flavor!

One lucky guest, Fran C. from New York City, won a fantastic Splenda Gift Basket.

Register now for Divabetic’s Holiday Baking Party with the Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 7 PM, EST.

REGISTER NOW

Don’t miss Divabetic’s Annual Mystery Podcast, ‘A Christmas Peril’, on Thursday, September 30, 2021, 6 PM, EST.

The Holidays are full of surprises— especially after Mr. Divabetic gets a new job as the pastry chef at the St. Nicholas Nursing Home nestled in a cozy Christmas Village. But adjusting to life in a Christmas Village is not all sugarplums and candy canes. Especially when a cantankerous resident, a real-life Ebenezer Scrooge,  named Mr. Pincher almost dies——shortly after eating one of Max’s peanut butter swirl brownies. Despite all of the ingredients for danger, Mr. Divabetic along with our team of amateur sleuths and his overly protective mother — set out to find the real culprit in the hopes that his name isn’t on a lethal naughty list.

Our story was inspired by Kevin Houdeshell’s tragic true-life story. Thanks to the Houdeshell family for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the Emergency Insulin Act of 2019 and the emergency prescription refill legislation. Known as Kevin’s or Howdy’s Law, it allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance medication if the doctor cannot be reached – a common-sense act that could save a life.

Starring Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie Gentle, Terri Seidman, MaryAnn Nicolay, Trisha Artman, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, and Wendy Radford. Special thanks to the Houdeshell family, and Pharmacist Mandy Reece. Original music by Ivan Hampden Jr., Celine Dion’s vocals courtesy of SONY Music. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir.

In the spirit of Scrooge’s awakening at the end of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, we encourage you to honor Christmas in your heart by living in the Past, The Present, and the Future. Try to embrace the Spirits of all Three and the lessons that they teach.

LISTEN NOW

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Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Thank you to everyone who joined the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for Divabetic’s recent Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, September 23, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

During this virtual Baking Party on Zoom, The Diabetic Pastry Chef showed how to prepare her popular Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffin recipe, shared expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and flours in recipes, and answered questions. One lucky participant received a free Splenda Gift Basket featuring a variety of their products. 

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe  by The Diabetic Pastry Chef 

Ingredients 

1 cup white whole wheat flour

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, optional

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup pure pumpkin filling

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup water

2 eggs, beaten

1 Tbsp molasses, optional

sugar substitute of your choice, equal to 1 cup sugar

pumpkin seeds, reserved for topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together all of the dry ingredients. 

In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all of the wet ingredients with a whisk.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Whisk just until combined; do not overmix.

Scoop into 12 paper-lined muffin wells. Sprinkle tops with pumpkin seeds. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes.

Note: The Diabetic Pastry Chef does not recommend using Splenda sugar substitute in this recipe unless mixing half with another sugar substitute such as Whey Low or erythritol. 

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?

Register now for Divabetic’s next Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 9, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW

Now people with diabetes, “Divabetics”, can have their cake and eat it too thanks to Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetes Pastry Chef’ and her simple four-part substitution system that turns any decadent dessert into a diabetic-friendly delight. Visit: http://www.diabeticpastrychef.com/ Find out more about this book 

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