Divabetic – Page 113 – Wellness with a Wow

12/05/201712/09/2017

Our Fourth Day of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas from Asha Brown

On the fourth day of Blue Christmas my true friend, Asha Brown sent to me a copy of ‘Yoga For Diabetes: How to Manage your Health with Yoga and Ayurveda by Rachel Zinman’ to keep me happy and healthy!

“This book will help ANY person living with diabetes discover healthy ways to manage the stress and anxiety that is often present when living with a demanding chronic illness,” says Asha Brown, the founder and executive director of the We Are Diabetes (WAD) organization.

Rachel Zinman, an internationally renowned yoga teacher and writer, was floored when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 42, despite her lifelong dedication to a healthy lifestyle which included a decades-long practice of yoga. In ‘Yoga for Diabetes’, Rachel shares her personal journey and her hard-won wisdom gained from her own experience of yoga and diabetes.

Studies suggest that yoga can increase insulin sensitivity as reported by Susan Weiner’s column in Endocrine Today. “The practice engages the musculoskeletal system, hugging muscles to bones, and moving isometrically improves insulin resistance, which in turn, enables those of us with either type of diabetes to take up insulin more efficiently,” states Rachel Zinman.

Rachel goes on to say, “Yoga reduces stress by reducing the cortisol levels associated with the stress from the day-to-day management of the disease. Through guided breath and movement coordination, the mind is brought to the breath and away from the need to identify with stressful thoughts about the disease.”

Read the full article on ‘Yoga Offers Benefits for People with Diabetes’ CLICK HERE

I think Asha Brown is simply, FABULOUS!!! She’s the Founder and Executive Director of the amazing We Are Diabetes (WAD) organization. WAD is primarily devoted to promoting support, education and awareness for type 1 diabetics who suffer from eating disorders. WAD is dedicated to providing guidance, hope and resources to those who may be struggling, as well as to their families and loved ones.

Asha Brown was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 5 years old. As a dancer, actress and a fitness instructor by the time she was 17, the obsession with maintaining a healthy size and weight while coping with multiple autoimmune disorders (hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as type 1 diabetes) became a full-time job. Asha’s experience with symptoms of diabulimia led her to start the We Are Diabetes organization.

Today, Asha works with families, patients, and health professionals across the USA. She uses her personal experiences with ED-DMT1 to offer hope and support to those still struggling. She also establishes relationships with eating disorder facilities and diabetes organizations across the county to help connect people to appropriate care. Asha has presented at NEDA, AADE, and JDRF, among others. She writes for numerous websites including Diabetes Health, Diabetes Daily, and Beyond Type 1. She is a member of Diabetes Advocates and BEDA.

If you or someone you know is a type 1 diabetic who is struggling with an eating disorder and are seeking support, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to WAD

For the past three years, Asha Brown has made our Diabetes Mystery podcasts truly sparkle! She’s played the organic farmer, ‘Christine’ in ‘Phantom of the Okra’, the uptight, overworked personal assistant, ’Primrose Crump’ in ‘Suspect Boulevard’ and most recently the glitzy burlesque dancer, Coco Mimosa in this year’s Diabetes Mystery: ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Peas’. She truly brings out the best of each performance. I’m so grateful to Asha for sharing her wonderful acting talents with our listeners and helping us raise awareness for diabetes and educate people about diabetes self-care in a fun, new way.

TUNE IN: Don’t miss December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Elvis Presley on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6 PM, EST. We will be discussing ways to not let diabetes make you feel ‘blue’ during the holiday season with our panel of experts. Guests include ‘Walking With Peety’ Author Eric O’Grey, Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

NEED MORE INSPIRATION? Our panel of experts, Divabetic community members and past Diabetes Late Nite guests will be sharing more Blue Christmas Gift suggestions on this blog for the next twelve days to help you enjoy the festive spirit of the season without compromising your diabetes health!

Are you feeling ‘blue’ this holiday season?

You’re not alone. Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression. Depression can lead to poor lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy eating, less exercise, smoking and weight gain — all of which are risk factors for diabetes.

The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together. And effectively managing one can have a positive effect on the other.

If you think you might be depressed, seek help right away. Your doctor or diabetes educator can refer you to a mental health professional.

https://youtu.be/LWWPRGS1N60

12/04/2017

Our Third Day of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas from Asha Brown

On the third day of Blue Christmas, my true friend Asha Brown sent to me Honey Stinger Glucose Gels to treat a low blood sugar quickly.

“This product is my go-to low blood glucose treatment!,” says Asha Brown, the founder and executive director of the We Are Diabetes (WAD) organization. “It’s the best and tastiest glucose gel I’ve ever tried! They also don’t expire very quickly so you can pack them all over: your car, purse, work desk, etc.”

Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel products provides great tasting, honey-based energy foods made with natural ingredients. Made with USDA certified organic ingredients, organic tapioca syrup and organic honey. Top athletes as well as many people living with diabetes choose Honey Stinger to deliver concentrated carbohydrates (23 g) during activity. 0 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol. 13 g sugars, 50 mg potassium, 50 mg sodium. Sodium and potassium are vital electrolytes that keep your muscles functioning while minimizing cramping associated with intense exercise. 100 calories per packet.

Honey Stinger Classic Energy Gels are more versatile than other energy gels. Consume it straight from the packet before or during activity or spread it on toast or stir it into tea.

How to Treat a Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Treating for hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) is usually recommended when a person’s blood glucose level is 70 mg/dl or less. The “rule of 15” is commonly used as a guideline for treatment: After checking your blood glucose level with your meter and seeing that your level is under 70 mg/dl, consume 15 grams of carbohydrate, wait about 15 minutes, then recheck your blood glucose level. If your blood glucose is still low, consume another 15 grams of carbohydrate and recheck 15 minutes later. Since blood glucose levels may begin to drop again about 40–60 minutes after treatment, it is a good idea to recheck your blood glucose approximately one hour after treating a low.

Are you feeling ‘blue’ this holiday season?

The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together. And effectively managing one can have a positive effect on the other.

If you think you might be depressed, seek help right away. Your doctor or diabetes educator can refer you to a mental health professional.

https://youtu.be/rqVMfTz_HDU

12/03/201712/04/2017

Second Day of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas from Ansley Dalbo

On the second day of Blue Christmas my true friend, Ansley Dalbo sent to me a stylish set of Precise Portions dishware so I can easily figure out the size of my servings!

Precise Portions dishware has all the hard work designed right in, so all you have to do is follow the lines on each plate, bowl and glass. Their attractive vine and leaf design helps you to portion the right amounts without alerting anyone else that you are doing so. So you can use Precise Portions dishware for any occasion.

“Keeping portion sizes balanced is the key for healthy eating and Precise Portions makes doing that easy and beautiful!,” says Ansley. “Their plates will help anyone figure out how to eat a healthy, balanced meal and their china looks lovely so you don’t have to advertise that you have diabetes.”

The amount of food you eat is closely related to blood glucose control. If you eat more food than is recommended in your meal plan, your blood glucose (sugar) will go up. Although foods containing carbohydrate have the most impact on blood sugars, the calories from all foods will affect blood sugar. The only way you can tell if you are eating the right amount is to measure your foods carefully.

The only way you can tell if you are eating the right amount is to measure your foods carefully recommends the Joslin Diabetes Center.

QUICK TIP: Use a glass which you know only holds 4 or 8 ounces to better control your portion. You can also place a piece of tape on the outside of a glass to mark a 4 or 8 ounce line so you will be able to measure easily.

Our past Diabetes Late Nite guest, Ansley Dalbo and her husband run a website where newly diagnosed type 2 patients and their families could learn the basics about diabetes through an easy-to-use video-based email program– www.DiabetesWhatToKnow.com.

To help you feel blessed not stressed this holiday season we’re sharing our first-ever 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift List . We’ve asked our panel of experts, friends and past Diabetes Late Nite guests for their product recommendations as well as tips to help you stay happy and healthy.

Remember, the holiday season can be an extremely stressful time for all of us. But stress, both physical and mental, can send your blood sugar levels out of whack. It’s important to start taking steps now to relax, unwind and/or mediate to keep yourself and your family healthy for life.

Are you feeling ‘blue’ this holiday season?

The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together. And effectively managing one can have a positive effect on the other.

If you think you might be depressed, seek help right away. Your doctor or diabetes educator can refer you to a mental health professional.

12/02/201712/04/2017

12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas from Ansley Dalbo

On the first day of Blue Christmas my true friend, Ansley Dalbo sent to me a ReliOn Prime meter and test strips for checking!

To help you feel blessed not stressed this holiday season we’ve asked our panel of experts, friends and past Diabetes Late Nite guests for their recommendations to add to our first-ever 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift List.

Our past Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Ansley Dalbo and her husband run a website where newly diagnosed type 2 patients and their families could learn the basics about diabetes through an easy-to-use video-based email program– www.DiabetesWhatToKnow.com.

Ansley puts ReliOn Prime meter and test strips at the top of her list! “This may not seem super-Christmasy, but what could be better than the gift of good health?”, says Ansley. “Checking blood sugar is SO important for people with diabetes, and ReliOn Prime is the most affordable way to know exactly what’s happening with your diabetes.”

We agree! The good news is that both the ReliOn Prime blood glucose monitor and strips are very affordable. Believe it nor not, they’re about half of what you might pay for another brand.

Ansley adds, “Diabetes is a disease that YOU can control…. and the best tool you have to do that is your blood glucose meter. It gives you all the information you need to stay in control and be healthy. Get your meter, test strips, lancets, and lancing device together in one place right now. You probably got a prescription for a meter and the other supplies from your doctor, or maybe samples. If not, call your doctor today. Then go to the Videos section of DiabetesWhatToKnow. com and watch the “How Do I Test My Blood Sugar?” video to learn how to use them.”

NEED MORE INSPIRATION? Check out Mr. Divabetic’s 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift suggestions to help you enjoy the festive spirit of the season without compromising your diabetes health!

Why celebrate a ‘Blue’ Christmas?

The blue circle is the universal symbol for diabetes. The purpose of the symbol is to give diabetes a common identity. It aims to: Support all existing efforts to raise awareness about diabetes. Be crazysexycool and blue! Remember, we believe in YOU!

https://youtu.be/Uwfz5mMLSDM

12/01/2017

12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas from Mr. Divabetic

We understand why the holiday season can be difficult for people living with diabetes, or their loved ones.

It’s bound to be a stressful time as you are confronted with numerous social commitments, overly helpful relatives, busy holiday travel, financial burdens and an abundance of food and drink indulgences. A dizzying array of demands — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, on top of managing your diabetes can ruin your holiday spirit and compromise your hurt your diabetes health.

If you’re fearful about the toll the holidays will take on your diabetes then let us help.

Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression. Seek out community, religious, sports and/or other social events. They can offer support and companionship.

Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. And learn to say ‘no’. Saying ‘yes’ when you should say ‘no’ can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity.

Still feeling blue?

To help you de-stress and feel blessed I‘ve put together my first-ever 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift List!

Apart from repeated listenings to Elvis Presley sing ‘Blue Christmas’ in preparation for December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast, I was inspired to compile this 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift Guide after reading this blog post:

”Several friends and I are planning on doing the 12 Days of Christmas for a lady who really needs some pampering right now. She is sole care-giver to her husband, who is a double amputee, has diabetes and is on dialysis everyday. We are wondering what are some things we could give her to correspond to each of the 12 days. Doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, can be cute or funny. Just something to let her know we are thinking about her” posted on thriftyfun.com

If you’re feeling stressed about overspending during the holidays but still want to be show your gratitude to that special someone living with diabetes in your life, then check out our 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas list:

Day 1 – Board game. I love Quiddler, winner of over 20 Best Game Awards. It’s easy to learn and fun for everyone! The goal is to arrange all the cards in your hand into one or more words. My friends and I had a blast playing this game in Ptown over the Columbus Day weekend.

Day 2 – Pair of gloves. Peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes. Poor circulation and loss of feeling in the hands can cause people with diabetes not only to have cold hands, but also to fail to realize when cold temperatures are endangering their hands. UGG now sells gloves for men and women! Their rich leather gloves lets you use your touchscreens while keeping your hands warm. … Leather and sheepskin. Everybody I know raves that they are the “Best Gloves” ever owned. Warm, snug, and striking appearance.

Day 3 – Picture of the friends, co-workers, nieces, nephews, pets and/or grandkids (three).

Day 4 – Four single servings of a healthy snack! Since portion and calorie control are much easier to calculate, single-serve food products provide the health and wellness many are looking for with the added benefit of convenience. I like to carry Emerald 100 calorie pack, natural almonds & walnuts packs around with me as I run checking out all the holiday windows in New York City.

Day 5 – The Best of the Temptations Christmas album. How it relates to ‘5’? (The “Classic 5” lineup of the Temptations featured: David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and Eddie Kendricks. The Temptations’ version of ‘Silent Night’ is the most beautiful version. The “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” intro is from Floyd Cramer’s medley. First released August, 1980, on the Temp

tations’ album “Give Love At Christmas.”

Day 6 – Six pack of seamless socks. I used to giveaway Dr. Scholl’s Seamless socks at various Divabetic outreach events. They were the most popular giveaway I had! Constructed with premium materials, features a soft, non-binding top that doesn’t constrict your legs. Moisture dispersion technology keeps your feet dry and antimicrobial properties keep your feet feeling fresh. These socks feature a smooth toe seam to prevent irritation and friction on your toes, and a cushioned bottom for additional protection. The socks are cotton-free to reduce moisture absorption and latex-free to help avoid common allergic reactions

Day 7 – Lucky 7 lottery tickets!

Day 8 – 8 oz diabetic foot & body creams from Dr. Greenfield’s and/or PEAK 10 SKIN care products. Dry skin, a frequently overlooked complication of diabetes, is an irritating side effect of chronically high blood glucose levels. Try these tricks to keep your skin healthy and soft. Dr. Greenfield’s Diabetic Foot Cream helps reduce the risk of foot complications due to diabetes. The patented formula of emollients, vitamins, antioxidants and protein luxuriously moisturizes and softens feet while reducing painful cracking and dryness.

PEAK 10 SKIN skin care products use high levels of proven active ingredients that will make a difference in the hydration and protection of your skin. PEAK 10 SKIN products contain no parabens, no added fragrances, no gluten and are never tested on animals.

Day 9 – A gift certificate for Nine West Shoes (flats preferred).“You only get one set of feet in this lifetime,” says Dr. Curry. “It’s important to take care of them properly. The sacrifice of wearing the latest fad in shoe wear is not worth the health risk of permanent foot deformities with accompanying knee or hip pain.” Our pick is to add a dose of luxury to any holiday ensemble with the Nine West® Sholette loafer.

Day 10 – Ten hours of great movies (your favorite DVD’s)

Day 11 – Eleven toothbrushes (one for almost every day of our Diabetes Blue Christmas celebration! ). Regular dental visits are important. Do you know tat when diabetes is not managed properly, high glucose levels in saliva may help bacteria and plaque thrive. Plaque that is not removed can eventually harden into tartar? Research suggests that treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar management, and decrease complications.

Day 12 – Calendar. Grab a T1D Exposed calendar. The mission of this beautiful Nude Diabetes Advocacy Project is to promote awareness, connect people living with type one diabetes (T1D), and fundraise for both local and global diabetes organizations. Living with T1D changes a person’s body, and the T1D Exposed calendar features tasteful nude portraits of individuals embracing those changes and their lives with type one. Our good friend, Doris Hobbs, participated in this year’s calendar.

TUNE IN: Don’t miss December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Elvis Presley on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6 PM, EST. We will be discussing ways to not let diabetes make you feel ‘blue’ during the holiday season with our panel of experts. Guests include ‘Walking With Peety’ Author Eric O’Grey, Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

NEED MORE INSPIRATION? Our panel of experts, Divabetic community members and past Diabetes Late Nite guests will be sharing their Blue Christmas Gift suggestions on this blog for the next twelve days to help you enjoy the festive spirit of the season without compromising your diabetes health!

11/29/201711/30/2017

Celebrating A Diabetes ‘Blue’ Christmas on Diabetes Late Nite

We’re celebrating a Diabetes ‘BLUE’ Christmas with musical inspiration from Elvis Presley on December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, December 12,2017, 6 PM,EST.

Feeling blue?

Know someone with diabetes who gets irritated without any rhyme or reason? And it’s hard to guess what triggered the mood swing.

Moods swings affect people living with both type I and type II diabetes alike. It is difficult to say whether diabetes triggers mood swings or living with diabetes makes you moody. ‘Fluctuations in blood glucose level leads to change in levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and 5HT. When this happens it makes one prone mood swings and then to anxiety and depression, in the long run,’ explains Dr. Pradeep Gadge, Diabetologist, Shreya Diabetic Care, Mumbai.

Mood swings are more evident when one fails to express pent up emotions. So whether it is feeling low or inability to concentrate, it is better to talk and express it. If that doesn’t help, writing notes to yourself even on your phone’s notepad can also do the trick. Social interactions can also help in managing moods and emotions.

The holiday season triggers mood swings for many of us. We may stress about finances, fight with family members, feel overwhelmed, slip into bad eating habits, ignore blood sugars and/or gain weight.

We will be discussing ways to not let diabetes dim your dazzle during the holidays with our panel of experts.

Guests include ‘Walking With Peety’ Author Eric O’Grey, Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

TUNE IN: Click on this Diabetes Late Nite link for inspiration to live healthfully during the holiday season.

https://youtu.be/Uwfz5mMLSDM

11/21/2017

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie Recipe by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

According to the Calorie Control Council, the Average American may consume up to 4,500 calories and a whopping 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving day. That being said, after a Thanksgiving Day feast, the last thing you want is a super sweet calorie bomb of a dessert.

That’s why I reached out to my friend and colleague Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ for a sugar-free dessert recipe for Thanksgiving!

When Stacey Harris was studying to become a pastry chef, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Rather than give up her chosen profession, she began creating more diabetic-friendly desserts. By using blended flours and a combination of sugar and sugar substitutes, reducing milk carbohydrates, and eliminating trans fats, Stacey Harris has transformed more than 200 desserts into diabetic-friendly delights.

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie Recipe by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

1 3/4 cup pure canned pumpkin

1 3/4 cup milk

3 eggs

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp cloves

2/3 cup Whey Low D Granular or other dry sugar substitute to equal

1 Tbsp molasses

Directions: Combine all ingredients in mixer or blender until well blended. Pour into 9″ pie pan fitted with bottom pie crust. Leaf shaped cookie cutters can be used to adorn the edges and top of pie ( see below, will need to make a double pie crust for this). Bake at 400F degrees until pie no longer shakes in middle and inserted knife comes out clean. This will yield 1-9″ pie.

To make the pie as shown you will need 2 double pie crusts. This will make 2- 9″ pies. Roll out 2 single pie crusts and fit into 2 pie pans. Use the above pumpkin pie filling recipe to fill 2 pie shells instead of 1. The depth of the pie fillings will be lower. Use the additional pie dough to cut leaves with leaf cookie cutters and arrange as shown in photo. Garnish with coated cranberries.

Coated Cranberries

1/4 cup Whey Low D Granular or equivalent dry sugar substitute

1/4 cup water

6-ounces fresh cranberries

Additional Whey Low or equivalent dry sugar substitute for second coating

Directions: Combine water and Whey Low or other sweetener in saucepan over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add cranberries and stir to coat. Use slotted spoon to remove cranberries to wire rack; dry for 1 hour. Remove cranberries from rack and roll in additional Whey Low D or equivalent sugar substitute, and let dry for an additional hour. Garnish top of baked pie.

The Diabetic Pastry Chef’s cookbooks are filled with information on the definition, treatment, and prevention of diabetes and include complete nutritional information (calories, fat, cholesterol, sugars, and protein) for each recipe. She uses Splendar and presents other sugar-free alternatives for pancakes, muffins, cakes, cookies, and pies. Stacey Harris shares the sweet secrets of her simple-to-use formula that will convert most any recipe into a lower-carb alternative without compromising taste or quality. Now ‘divabetics’ can enjoy Chocolate Truffle Cookies, Blueberry Tartlets, Cream Cheese Cupcakes, Coffee Bread Pudding, and hundreds of others. BUY NOW

“In The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris proves you can prepare and eat wonderful food and still stay well within the guidelines of food for a person with diabetes.”—Alan L. Rubin, M.D., author of Diabetes for Dummies and Diabetes Cookbook for Dummies

11/18/2017

How To Walk Off Your Thanksgiving Day Feast with Your Dog

A typical Thanksgiving meal contains more than 3,000 calories and is high in fat and carbohydrates. What does it do to your diabetes self-care plan?

A feast can be challenging for people with diabetes who are trying to manage blood glucose levels and weight but with careful planning, you can make healthy choices that fit into your diabetes meal plan and enjoy this wonderful celebration with friends and family.

Make your day about togetherness and family fun, and not just about the food by adding some exercise, like taking your dog for a walk, to your Thanksgiving Day celebration.

“Physical activity is the currency with which you pay for food,” says Pamela Peeke, M.D., author of Fight Fat After 40 (Penguin USA, May 2001)

My friend and colleague, Debby Kay, who is a pioneer in scent detection work for over 40 years and a member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers offers these tips for Turkey Day walks with the dog:

Keep up the pace, most people walk too slow to make the walk enjoyable for their dogs. Dogs are anxious to get out and see what’s around the next corner so keep your pace brisk, even for the little guys. No stopping along the way though, keep moving.
Walk to an area where the dog can relieve themselves, stop there and give a release word(s) like “free” or “okay get busy” When they are finish resume your walk. Keeping the walk and potty time separate will make for an enjoyable and productive walk for you both.
If you see another dog that is reactive to your dog or your dog is reactive to another dog, turn around and go in the opposite direction or cross the street. Have treats in your pocket and distract your dog by asking him to look up at you while you are walking away, once he is looking at you and walking nicely with you THEN treat him but keep on moving.
Walk with a buddy to keep it more interesting for everyone.
Don’t over do the walk. 15 minutes is good for little dogs, 30 minutes is about right for medium to larger dogs.
If there is ice on the walkways or salts have been put down where you are walking, put those booties on your pup’s feet to protect him from chemical burns and potential poisoning from absorbing things through their pads.

THANKSGIVING TIP: Let your family members know they can support you and your diabetes wellness by walking around the block with you after dinner.

In celebration of National Diabetes Awareness month, for November only, Debby Kay has a special offer for all the people struggling to train their own dogs to be alert dogs. She is discounting a bundle of all her materials for this training by 15%.

You will get Debby Kay’s starter Snoopers kit for collecting samples and training aids, her handbook on training alert dogs AND the DVD that goes with that book AND finally the complete scent training course in a two DVD set, separately these items sell for $345 but with this discount you can get the complete set for the low price of $292.82 + S&H.

To order you set today visit:
http://www.debbykay.com/product/diabetes-training-package/

Debby teaches Super Sniffer®workshops for amateur dog owners and professional trainers alike. She has set up several non profit organizations worldwide for Diabetes Alert Dogs and her Sweet Snoopers program is now in 22 countries around the world helping people manage this disease better through the use of trained alert dogs.

TUNE IN: Debby Kay joins us for December’s Diabetes Late Nite on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. We will be featuring songs from the new Elvis Presley Christmas album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This wonderful album features his classic hits and covers Blue Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Silent Night and The First Noel.

The album brings together the legend’s yuletide performances from his 1957 Christmas Album and Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas from 1971, re-imagined with new arrangements performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

A deluxe edition of the album, containing four bonus tracks (new symphonic versions of material from Elvis’ Peace In The Valley EP) will follow shortly after November 24.

11/17/2017

Are You “Totally Ready” for Your Next Check-Up?

This post is sponsored by Colgate®, but opinions are my own.

Did you know that more than 30 million Americans are currently living with diabetes and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop gum disease^[1]?

So what does this have to do with that smile of yours — and how can you protect it? Regular dental visits are an essential part of good diabetes self-management, but so is using the right oral care products. Colgate Total toothpaste is FDA approved to prevent gingivitis, the most common form of gum disease ‡.

A few weeks ago, I talked with the fabulous Dr. Natalie Strand about her experience with type 1 diabetes over the past 20 years, and how taking charge of her diabetes health makes her feel Totally Ready for life. Thanks to Colgate Total and the American Diabetes Association® for making it happen!

If anyone’s Totally Ready – it’s this busy mom, wife and doctor who has literally managed her type 1 diabetes all over the world in many difficult situations on a reality TV show!

But don’t take my word for it – watch the video! During the interview, I challenged Dr. Natalie Strand in a lightning round of my new ‘Are You Ready?’ diabetes health game featuring different scenarios to test her Diabetes IQ.

How prepared are you for the curveballs that life throws you when you’re living with diabetes?

Of course, Dr. Natalie Strand aced my game, proving that having diabetes doesn’t mean you should be within the confines of your home. By doing some smart planning and thorough preparation, you can go anywhere whether it is skiing, walking the red carpet, or even competing on a reality TV show! Here are just a few of Dr. Strand’s tips:

Keep in mind, if you’re traveling to exotic locations that time changes may contribute to fluctuations in your blood glucose levels.
Make sure to talk to your doctor before you grab your passport, and head out the door.
Remember to take care of your oral health on the go – when you have a healthy smile, you feel Totally Ready for life.

The number one accessory that Dr. Natalie Strand seems to take with her everywhere she goes is a positive attitude about living with diabetes.

Let Dr. Natalie Strand inspire you to ‘GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS’ about living with diabetes.

^[1] Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf

‡Colgate Total® toothpaste is approved through the New Drug Application process to help prevent gingivitis. Not approved for the prevention or treatment of serious gum disease or other diseases.

11/15/201711/28/2017

Why The New Blood Pressure guidelines Are Important

On November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we discussed the new guidelines redefining who should be diagnosed with high blood pressure. Surprisingly doctors say nearly half the US population meet the new criteria.

How about you?

Under the new guidelines, developed by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, anyone with blood pressure of 120 over 80 is considered to have “elevated blood pressure” while any patient with a reading of more than 130 over 80 will be classified as having “Stage 1 High Blood Pressure.” High blood pressure was previously defined as 140 over 90 or higher.

What these guidelines are emphasizing is there’s so much benefit from a better blood pressure number and paying attention to blood pressure and not ignoring it, even if you’ve never had a complication of heart disease.

“Yes, we will label more people hypertensive and give more medication, but we will save lives and money by preventing more strokes, cardiovascular events and kidney failure,” Kenneth Jamerson, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Health System who was involved in writing the guidelines said in a statement.

These new guidelines aim to get the public to recognize that high blood pressure is very important and that it does contribute to what’s the biggest cause of death and disability for Americans, which is heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

There is real value in taking on the work of getting one’s blood pressure down.

About 25% of people with Type 1 diabetes and 80% of people with Type 2 diabetes have high blood pressure. If your heart’s working overtime all the time then you need to talk to your healthcare provider about lifestyle and medication management.

There is also significant evidence to show that chronic hypertension can speed the arrival of cognitive problems associated with aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. That is because the blood vessels that supply the brain can weaken just like the heart. In a 2009 Clinics in Geriatric Medicine article, Dr. Thomas Obisesan wrote, “hypertension is recognized as the most consistent risk factor for stroke and, importantly, AD [Alzheimer’s disease].”

LISTEN NOW: November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Constance Brown Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDE, Mindy Bartleson, T1D, blogger at “There’s More to the Story”, and author, Hairstylist & Salon Owner, Karline Ricketts, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’.

Enjoy an exclusive first listen of “Whitney Houston – I Wish You Love: More From ‘The Bodyguard’”ahead of the album’s release date courtesy of SONY Music. This 25th anniversary of “The Bodyguard” soundtrack album features the hit song, “I’m Every Woman” echoing the recent statistics that 1 in 10 women are now living with diabetes.

Throughout the podcast we will be talking to experts about ways to safeguard you and your family from experiencing diabetes health-related complications such as stroke, blindness and amputatio