Loveable Lamb Recipe from the Decadent Diabetic

It was a thrill to welcome Chef Ward aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’ as a first-time guest to our free monthly podcast, Diabetes Late Nite in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Anyone who references the quote,”Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death” from Auntie Mame when talking about food and diabetes like Chef Ward did, is absolutely fabulous in my book.

But diabetes hasn’t always been as wonderful as Rosalind Russell might want us to believe for the Decadent Diabetic, who is living with type 2 diabetes.

“My family has a sad history of diabetes. My father was dead by the time he was 67 from complications of the disease. Two of his sisters have had amputations,” says Ward Alper. “Both my brother and sister were diabetic, and died in part because of not taking care of the disease.”

Now he’s determined to show the world how to manage diabetes and still eat decadently. “A diagnosis of diabetes doesn’t have to mean the end of great eating!”, says the Decadent Diabetic.

Thankfully, Ward’s more than willing to share his delicious recipes with Divabetic to prove his point and help you ‘GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS.’

In honor of our first-ever Divabetic Valentine’s Day celebration the Decadent Diabetic created a special menu featuring a delicious lamb entree(!) If you’re having a knee jerk reaction to eating lamb like I did, The Decadent Diabetic offers these words of advice : “I can’t believe how many people I speak with don’t like lamb. Some think it is too ‘gamey’, some think it is cruel to eat any young animal,” says Chef Ward. “I won’t speak to the latter, but with three simple ingredients like garlic, mustard, and orange, there is not a trace of ‘gaminess’ in my lamb recipes. The marinade I use is perfect for lamb chops, legs, shanks, and racks. This may recipe may change your mind about lamb.”

Loveable Lamb by the Decadent Diabetic Recipe

Ingredients:

Zest of 1 orange

2 TBSP. orange juice

2 cloves of garlic, grated or minced

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 shallot or 3 scallions minced very fine

1 TBSP. olive oil

Salt & pepper to taste

1 tsp. dried tarragon

6 loin or rib lamb chops

HOW TO PREPARE THE RECIPE: Combine all ingredients except the lamb in a bowl and stir to combine. Add the lamb and marinate for at least 45 minutes or even better over-
night.

Pre heat the oven to 400° F.

Pat the lamb dry reserving the marinade. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until browned on each side (about 4 minutes a side). Remove from pan. Place lamb into a baking dish and roast in the oven for 10-14 minutes (depending on your choice of doneness. Pour the reserved marinade into the pan and over high heat reduce by half. Spoon the reduced sauce over the chops.

This recipe is perfectly accompanied by mashed potatoes, mashed or “riced” cauliflower or my pureed turnips with apple.

This recipe also works really well on your grill.

Chef’s Notes: Serves 2. Net Carbs 4 g. per serving

**The GOAL of the Decadent Diabetic website is to help people with Diabetes transform what we can or should eat, into what we WANT to eat!**

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and the Diabetes Late Nite team are honored to participate in the #DPodcastWeek in support of the ‘Spare a Rose, Save a Child’ campaign on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6 PM, EST.

“We’ve got a really wonderful show planned featuring guests Chef Ward Alper ‘The Decadent Diabetic’ and Diabetes Advocate and ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger, model and diabetes advocate Doris Hobbs along with many of George Michael’s greatest hits,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek

The “Spare a Rose, Save a Child” campaign encourages people to buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.

LISTEN NOW: February’s Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

02/07/2017

‘God Red!’ with Vintage Style by Doris Hobbs

“A woman’s closet can foster strong relations by serving as a reminder to ones nostalgic roots and past, communicating an authenticity of its own,” says Rich In Love Fashion Blogger, Spokesmodel, Author and fabulous Diabetes Advocate, Doris Hobbs who joins us tonight on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music by George Michael at 6 PM, EST.

What does your wardrobe say about you?

We hope it says, ‘GO RED!” since February 3 marks National Wear Red Day, a holiday to raise awareness for cardiovascular disease in women. It’s also the start of American Heart Month. The holiday was created by the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in 2003.

Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?

Type 2 diabetes independently increases the risk of heart disease in pre-menopausal women and those in the first years of menopause, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association High Blood Pressure Research Scientific Sessions 2013.

“What’s most alarming is that many women don’t realize that heart disease can be prevented. In fact, 90 percent of women under the age of 50 who have heart attacks have at least one risk factor that they can control, like smoking or being overweight,” Laura Bush said in 2005. “When it comes to heart disease, education and prevention can save lives. Studies show that by eating well, exercising, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and visiting their doctor, women can reduce their risk for heart disease by as much as 85 percent. But surprisingly, only about three percent of American women actually do all of these things.”

“To reduce the risk of heart attacks, we recommend screening women with type 2 diabetes at younger ages, even if they don’t have other known risk for heart disease,” says Nestor Garcia, M.D., Ph.D, investigator from Blossom DMO, Cordoba, Argentina and CONICET, an Argentine government agency in Buenos Aires.

Did you know research has shown that wearing red clothes can make women more attractive to men?

Doris Hobbs shares her fabulous Vintage fashion sensibility to encourage you to ‘Go Red’ with a classic, timeless look! “For those of you who contemplate how you might recreate the same ensemble, the trick is to garnish yourself with one piece of leopard rather than a head-to-toe; I personally find an accessory such as a hat or handbag to be ideal. A fine example is in the 1963 film “Charade,” where Audrey Hepburn who exudes elegance in a pointed leopard hat, pearl earrings and red coat,” says Doris Hobbs.

Here’s information on Doris Hobbs’ head-to-toe Vintage look for Valentine’s Day: Doris Cobb is pictured in a’Conversation Starter Dress’ from Bitter Root Vintage. “I removed the red bow to expose the the black beaded button, to play off of the beaded earrings,” says Doris. Doris’ Hat is by Judy Bentinck, the award winning London-based couture milliner. “The hat is called, “Estella” and I love how the baby cheetah print provides a playful yet elegance vibe for such a romantic evening.” All of Doris’ accessories pictured are vintage and can be easily found at department stores everywhere.

LOVE FASHION?

Play along tonight when we challenge Doris Hobbs to play our ‘BUY, BORROW, BURN!’ Fashion Game from 3 looks featured on the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards’ Red Carpet. Our three looks are: Michelle Dockery in Elie Saab, Claire Foy in a Valentino, a Jimmy Choo bag and shoes, and Tiffany & Co. jewelry. and Nicole Kidman in Gucci. Choose which one of the three dresses you would ‘BUY’ for yourself, which one you would ‘BORROW’ for a friend, and which one you would ‘BURN!’ with a match (Nicole Kidman’s shoulder parrots – we’re looking at you!)

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Laura Laria. This podcast is part of Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the ‘Spare a Rose, Save a Child campaign’.

“I’m thrilled to support such a worthwhile cause by participating in Diabetes Podcast Week again this year, ” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.

The “Spare a Rose, Save a Child” campaign encourages people to buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.

02/04/2017

Raspberry Ice Cream With Frosted Blackberry Garnish by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

This year Divabetic is actively encouraging you to enjoy the holidays like Valentine’s Day! We don’t think celebrating holidays, special occasions and other meaningful moments in life has to mean compromising your diabetes health either. Put the focus on family and friends, fashion and activities and not on food. Enjoy what you do eat. Savor each bite! Most important, remember to include time for exercise, meals and relaxation. The holidays will only be great if you’re in good health to enjoy them.

We’re asking our team of experts to share their best diabetes advice, recipes and fashion and beauty products so that you can ‘glam more, fear less’ with each celebration.

Shortly after attending culinary school to become a pastry chef, Stacey Harris was diagnosed with diabetes. She was devastated since she enjoyed baking and loved to eat sweets.

What’s a ‘divabetic’ with a sweet tooth supposed to do?

Stacey started to experiment with a lot of artificial sweeteners and was mainly disappointed with the results. After many experiments, Stacey Harris developed a formula that consistently turned out delicious confections even a non-diabetic would love. She’s now known as the ‘Diabetic Pastry Chef’ and has written cookbooks filled with delicious recipes for you to enjoy! Here’s one:

Raspberry Ice Cream With Frosted Blackberry Garnish by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

Ingredients: 1 cup milk, 3/4 cup alternative sweetener such as Whey Low D, Truvia or Splenda, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 lb frozen raspberries

Directions: Add all ingredients in order listed to blender container. Stacey uses a Vitamix blender. With Vitamix begin at variable speed 1 , increase to 10, then high. Press ingredients into the blender with tamper. In 30 to 60 seconds the sound of the machine will change and 4 mounds should appear. Stop the blender immediately and serve. The ice cream can of course be frozen. Other berries can be substituted for raspberries.

This recipe can be made with other sturdy blenders following the manufacturers instructions.

Do you love fashion?

‘Rich in Love’ Vintage Style blogger, Doris Hobbs shares her favorite dresses from the he 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards’ Red Carpet on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Many of our favorite stars arrived looking utterly glamorous to honor their peers for their achievements in film and television

Doris says the first thing she remembered after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was that she had two options: she could allow it to control her life or find the unbinding courage from within the tragedy; she chose courage.

“The next few days were consumed with perplexed emotions, mostly of denial pooled from the self-belief that I could be a rare case and mysteriously cured,” says Doris. “I was given a new role and lifestyle of living with type 1 diabetes. I immediately chose to not wear it as a sympathy garment; instead I’d rather refashion how others perceive such a life-altering disorder. Aside from a select group of family and friends that knew of my health struggles, I somehow managed, two days after the news was confirmed, to conduct an on-location photo-shoot for my vintage-inspired style blog, Rich in Love Fashion. I knew without a doubt at that moment that I had a purpose on earth and found myself more determined to not allow diabetes to hinder my little girl dreams.”

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and the Diabetes Late Nite team are honored to participate in the Second Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the Spare a Rose, Save a Child campaign” on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6 PM, EST.

“I’m thrilled to support such a worthwhile cause by participating in Diabetes Podcast Week again this year, ” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.”We’ve got a really wonderful show planned featuring guests Chef Ward Alper ‘The Decadent Diabetic’ and Diabetes Advocate and ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger, model and diabetes advocate Doris Hobbs along with many of George Michael’s greatest hits.”

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Poet Lorraine Brooks.

02/02/201702/02/2017

Makeover Your Diabetes with Eugenia B.

Divabetic (divabetic.org) knows that coping with diabetes on a daily
basis can not only be more stressful but it can also be more time
consuming in our hectic, fast paced world. We want to help you make
your diabetes life more manageable so we’re sharing products
recommendations from our Divabetic community members to help you
‘Makeover Your Diabetes’!

“I love my Mary Kay( MK) beauty and skincare products because they
help make my skin look and feel wonderful., says, Eugenia B. who is an
independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay living with type 1
diabetes.

Somehow Eugenia manages to juggle living diabetes and selling Mary Kay
on the side with a full-time job working as the Environmental
Contact/Quality Clerk for Haworth in Bruce, MS.

How does this fabulous ‘divabetic’ do it?

“I admit it takes me some additional time every morning to get ready
for work because I am insulin dependent. But with MK everything is so
easy! Mary Kay has ‘put together’ color cards that help you to ‘put
together’ looks. I just buy and experiment with colors for each MK
‘put together’ look,” she adds.

Although Eugenia’s only been on insulin therapy since 2014 (after a
bad drug interaction sent her to the hospital), she’ll actually
celebrate her twelfth year living with diabetes in April. For her,
adjusting from living with type 2 diabetes to type 1 hasn’t’ been that
easy. There are times when Eugenia feels like she’s having to learn
about diabetes all over again. And there are days when she just sits
and has a good cry. Thankfully Eugenia’s family has been there every
step of the way to help her wipe away tears and encourage her put on
her ‘big girl panties’ and forged ahead.

“Diabetes has taken a lot from me but it hasn’t taken away my strength
to endure,” adds Eugenia. “Every day is a new struggle, but still I
remain. I have put on about 45 pounds since going on insulin and that
has taken a toll on me. I am trying very hard to lose this weight and
reduce my A1C. At my last doctor visit. My A1C was down from 8.2 to
6.7! So that is great!,” says Eugenia.

We agree!

The A1C test that Eugenia mentions measures the glucose (blood sugar)
in your blood by assessing the amount of what’s called glycated
hemoglobin. “Hemoglobin is a protein within red blood cells. As
glucose enters the bloodstream, it binds to hemoglobin, or glycates.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that you have the A1C
test two times each year. This simple blood draw can be done in your
doctor’s office. A1C test results provide insight into how your
treatment plan is working or might be modified to better manage your
blood sugars.

Understanding your A1C levels is an important part of your overall
diabetes management. If you have any questions about your A1C levels
or what they mean, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor.

“I also suffer from dry skin because of my diabetes and the MK skin
care systems are the best.I use the Satin Hand set. It is the best and works great for your feet as well. I also use the TimeWise Repair set which is perfect for all of us “older” gals.

It’s important to treat dry skin if you’re living with diabetes. Skin that’s too dry can crack, itch, and get infected. Basic skin care can go far toward helping you prevent problems later on. If you have questions or if a cut, scrape, or bruise worries you, talk to your doctor or dermatologist right away.

February’s podcast is part of Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the “Spare A Rose, Save A Child” campaign. “Spare A Rose, Save A Child” encourages people to buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

01/31/201701/31/2017

Spread Love, Not STI’s on Valentine’s Day

Did you know that Valentine’s Day is one of the most sexual days of the year?

Many people have sex for their first time and 6 out of 10 get an sexually transmitted infections (STI) for the first time. If you know 10 people 6 of them will get and STI on Valentine’s Day.

Over the years, many celebrities have opened up about their health issues but few speak out about STI’s. February’s Diabetes Late Nite’s musical inspiration, George Michael made headlines with sordid tales of sex in public places and long-term drug abuse (both behaviors are linked to increasing risk of STI’s). However, he never discussed whether or not he ever contracted a sexually transmitted disease.

Symptoms vary for each STI, but they include sores or blisters on or around the genital area or in the mouth, pain or burning during urination, unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, itching, swelling, pain in or around the vagina or penis, pain in the pelvic area or abdomen (sometimes with fever and chills), or bleeding other than your menstrual period. If you have any of these symptoms, you could have an STI, but they might also not mean anything serious. Talk to your health care provider right away and get checked out to be safe.

The problem is that for most of us rarely even know that we’ve got an STI until the symptoms appear… and then its already too late. For most of STI’s it probably takes several weeks for the symptoms to appear. And if its HIV it can be dormant for months or even years before there is an indication of something wrong.

Keep in mind even without symptoms you can give still give STI to someone else until you show up positive. For example, if you had unprotected sex with someone that has clamydia, and a week later you are tested for it. The test comes up negative. Do you think you cannot give anyone else clamydia? Maybe, maybe not. You didn’t wait the 3 week period it takes to show up positive.

Many STIs are spread through contact with infected body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluids, or semen. They can also be spread through contact with infected skin or mucous membranes, such as sores in the mouth. You may be exposed to infected body fluids and skin through vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anal sex is very risky because it usually causes bleeding. Sharing needles or syringes for drug use, ear piercing, tattooing, etc. can also expose you to infected fluids. Most STIs are only spread through direct sexual contact with an infected person. However, pubic lice and scabies can be spread through close personal contact with an infected person, or with infested clothes, sheets, or towels.

Did you know that sexually transmitted diseases – including chlamydia – may increase your risk of diabetes by 82 per cent?

Additionally, a history of chicken pox, shingles and other viral infections increased the risk of diabetes as much as high cholesterol scientists have revealed.

Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

01/29/2017

Be An Instant Winner on February’s Diabetes Late Nite

Be an INSTANT WINNER on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. Correct answers to the question above will be entered into our random drawing to win a Divabetic Prize Package courtesy of Nu Naturals, Dr. Greenfield’s Diabetes Hand, Body & Foot Creams and Cabot Cheese. We will announce our winner on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6 PM, EST. E-mail your answer to mrdivabetic@gmail.com.

Many people are not aware of the close connection between diabetes and heart disease, but heart disease is actually one of the most common complications of diabetes. It’s so common that having diabetes actually doubles your risk for heart attack or stroke.

The question is – what can you do about it?

To start, you should work with your doctor to monitor your ABC’s (A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels) and keep them in your target range. Your physician can help you set target ranges for your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol that will work for you. Making healthy lifestyle choices is essential to reach and stay in those target ranges.

If you have diabetes, you should try to keep your sodium intake to less than 2300 mg per day. If you have diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension), you should aim for 1500 mg per day or less.

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

01/27/201701/28/2017

How To Put Intimacy Back into Your Diabetes Life

February’s musical inspiration, superstar George Michael never shied away from singing about ‘sex’ and we’re not afraid to talk about it, especially when it relates to your diabetes life.

It doesn’t make much sense to button our lips about ‘sex’ when so many people with diabetes are struggling with sexual health issues.

At any given time an estimated 30 million American men experience impotence (erectile dysfunction), defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for intercourse more frequent than one out of four times. Approximately 35 percent of women with diabetes may experience some form of sexual dysfunction related to their disease. And 50 to 70 percent of men and 40 to 50 percent of women living with diabetes health related complications may have sexual difficulties because of nerve damage.

If there’s a silver lining to be found in any of the above statistics its that sexual dysfunction doesn’t have to mean the end of sexual intimacy. By learning to communicate with your partner about bodily changes and other sexual issues and by learning to focus on your ability to give your partner pleasure, rather than on any impairment or limitations you may have, you can keep your love life alive.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked one of our favorite diabetes educators, the author of “Sex and Diabetes” and “The Secrets of Living and Loving with Diabetes” and family therapist, Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE to share some of her favorite intimacy tips:

1. Hug! Every day, hug your partner until you both feel relaxed. It’s a non-sexual hug that nurtures your emotional needs while it enriches your relationship. When you feel more connected, romantic moments get even better!

2. Do one romantic thing for your loved one each day – send a loving text, call to say you miss them, place a romantic note in their sink, buy their favorite food, etc. Show that you are thinking of them. Very romantic!

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love Fashion’ blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

You have beautiful qualities, both physical and emotional, that draw people to you. You don’t need to look or talk or act like anyone else. We all offer the world something different. That’s what makes it so beautiful.

Lest our team of experts show you how to embrace Valentine’s Day without feeling like you’re compromising your diabetes self-care. Don’t let diabetes dim your Dazzle!

This podcast is part of Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the ‘Spare A Rose, Save A Child’ campaign. Please join us! #Dpodcastweek

01/25/2017

SNL’s Disturbing Joke About Diabetes Falls Flat

This past weekend, Saturday Night Live’s cast mate, Colin Jost angered the diabetes community with his joke about McDonalds and diabetes in “Weekend Update.”

During the segment Colin said “McDonalds has announced it will be offering two new versions of the Big Mac – one for each type of diabetes.”

Colin’s joke bothers me because he unjustly presumes that diabetes is someone’s fault; if you eat too many Big Macs then you’re sure to get diabetes. Look, the general public already perceives diabetes as not a big deal, that it’s something that can be completely managed by lifestyle choices, or that individuals are at blame for causing their disease so we don’t need anymore help!

I have spent the past eleven years as a compassionate diabetes advocate at Divabetic (divabetic.org) and in less than 1 minute of air time Colin Jost managed to obliterate our good work.

His joke isn’t just hurtful, it’s also very harmful. Even the strongest person can be worn down by a negative stigma association with diabetes making it harder to take care of yourself and your diabetes health.

People with diabetes are often tasked not just with the burden of managing their diabetes but also educating the people around them about the condition. That can take an emotional toll. So can the sense of shame that comes from others’ misconceptions, or a person’s own feelings of guilt.

New research reports that people with type 1 experience more stigma than people with type 2. and parents of children with type 1 diabetes reported the most stigma of all, and stigma tended to increase with more intense or visible management.

The media can certainly play a role in changing these perceptions and help the general public’s lack of knowledge and/or understanding of diabetes and what causes it. At the very least news stories about diabetes could start by differentiating between type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

There’s no doubt that obesity related to a diet rich in fast foods is a major contributor to type 2 diabetes. Genetics also plays a role. But blood sugar can creep up with age, even in skinny people.
But by sharing more about the disease, the media can help people learn how to prevent the steep rise in its incidence.

For the record there are currently four major types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes. And scientists have identified several other diabetes subtypes beyond types 1 and 2. The most common of these is called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), and it accounts for roughly 10 percent of people with diabetes, making it probably more widespread than type 1.

Diabetes is a complex disorder involving abnormal sugar metabolism. Doctors know that genetics plays a role in who gets the disease and who doesn’t get the disease but that this is just part of the picture. Diabetes is a problem of genetics and environment.

Even without a solid family history of diabetes, bad habits like not getting enough exercise or not eating properly can contribute just as much too getting diabetes as can your genes. There has been a vast increase in inactivity and the eating of processed, high sugar foods in society so that even people without a family history of diabetes can get the disease.

READ: One mother of child living with type 2 diabetes’ reaction to SNL’s joke: https://beyondtype1.org/snl-pisses-off-t1d-mama/

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love‘ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

Lest our team of experts show you how to embrace Valentine’s Day without feeling like you’re compromising your diabetes self-care. Don’t let diabetes dim your Dazzle!

This podcast is part of Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the ‘Spare A Rose, Save A Child’ campaign. Please join us! #Dpodcastweek

01/23/201701/25/2017

Mini Rose Heart Cookies Recipe by Diabetic Pastry Chef Stacey Harris

This year, Divabetic is working with a team of experts to show people living with, at risk and affected by diabetes how to embrace the holidays without compromising their self-care.

February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast encourages listeners to practice ‘self-love’ on Valentine’s Day and also features George Michaels greatest hits.

Valentine’s Day puts the emphasis on love for someone special in your life. But did you ever think that, hey, YOU are someone special in your life?

Why not make this day about loving yourself and your health? You can’t love someone else until your truly love yourself.

It’s difficult to love yourself and your diabetes health if you’re constantly feeling deprived of the foods you love. The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris who is living with type 2 diabetes wants you to have your cake and eat it, too, without sacrificing your diabetes self-care.

Stacey has created recipes for making breads, cakes and other desserts diabetic-friendly by swapping out the sugar, blending the flour and cutting the milk carbohydrates. Here’s one of our favorite Diabetic Pastry Chef recipes for Valentine’s Day:

Mini Rose Heart Cookies Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris

Ingredients:

1 16 oz. box sugar-free yellow cake mix
1 15 oz. tub sugar-free vanilla frosting
Mini edible organic rosebuds
Powdered sugar substitute or powdered sugar, to garnish

Directions:

Prepare cake mix according to box directions; bake and cool.
Crumble the cooled cake with your hands a bit and add to the bowl of a standing mixer. Turn mixer to medium speed to fully crumble the cake; this should take 1 to 2 minutes.

Stop mixer and add frosting one (1) heaping Tablespoon at a time. Turn mixer back on and continue to beat at low speed until well mixed. Turn off mixer and add another heaping Tablespoon of frosting.

Turn on mixer again and continue to beat at low speed until well mixed. Continue this procedure just until dough holds together—3 or 4 heaping Tablespoons should do. (You may need to add a little more or a little less. You’ll know when the dough holds together by turning off the mixer, grabbing the dough and pressing it together with your hands until it forms a cohesive ball. This is the same method that is used to make cake balls or cake truffles.)

Remove dough from mixer and place on a floured board. With a rolling pin, roll dough out thin, and cut with a mini heart cookie cutter. Place the hearts onto a greased cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven until lightly browned, about 20 minutes or so. Remove cookies from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. (The cookies will harden as they cool.)

Dab a bit of the remaining frosting onto the center of each cooled cookie. Adhere a mini edible organic rosebud to the frosting and let harden. Sprinkle cookies with powdered sugar substitute or powdered sugar. These cookies can also be sandwiched with sugar-free frosting.

Yield: 43 mini sandwich cookies or 86 mini cookies

Stacey Harris has been baking and collecting recipes since she was a teenager. Her cookbook “The Diabetic Pastry Chef” offers a healthier approach to baking for diVabetics.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and the Diabetes Late Nite team are honored to participate in the Second Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the Spare a Rose, Save a Child campaign” on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6 PM, EST.

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love‘ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

Let our team of experts show you how to embrace Valentine’s Day without feeling like you’re compromising your diabetes self-care. Don’t let diabetes dim your Dazzle!

This podcast is part of Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the ‘Spare A Rose, Save A Child’ campaign. Please join us! #Dpodcastweek

01/21/2017

Best Mascara for Diabetes #5

I know that coping with diabetes on a daily basis can not only be more stressful but it can also be more time consuming especially in the morning. It’s not easy to juggle checking your blood sugars, taking meds and logging your numbers in between your shower, blow dry and makeup application while getting dressed. Plus, you need to squeeze in time to coordinate an outfit while mentally planning out your snacks and meals for the day.

I want to help you ‘Makeover Your Diabetes’ by sharing the best products in beauty/fashion, diabetes self-care and exercise to help you “GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS” with less stress this year!

Did you know that people with diabetes are more likely to get bacterial infections, including bacterial pink eye and/or eyelid styes?

Diabetes affects the autoimmune system, lowering one’s resistance to infection. Unfortunately, this infection has to run its course because antibiotics cannot help speed recovery.

Keeping your A1c (marker of blood sugar levels) as low as possible and practicing good hygiene such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes can help.

Another great way to avoid eye infections is to invest in hypoallergenic eye makeup. Put simply, a hypoallergenic formula is one that doesn’t include ingredients that are common allergens and is free from fragrance, making it a safe bet for women with diabetes. Most hypoallergenic mascaras will be marked as such on the tube, or bear the label ‘suitable for sensitive eyes.’ Simple. And luckily there are hypoallergenic mascaras out there for sensitive eyes, so you can get long, luscious lashes without the irritation.

Your best bets are natural PH balanced formulas with soothing ingredients, which will care for lashes while lengthening and won’t flake or clump. It’s also worth looking out for ‘tubing’ mascara formulas, which form ‘tubes’ around the lashes. It’s waterproof, but slides off the lashes easily, without any need for over-scrubbing (cutting down the risk of irritation).

One of our best mascara picks for diabetes is Clinique, High Impact Volume Mascara. Although all Clinique mascaras are hypoallergenic, this one is our top pic for women with diabetes. It does everything you need – lengthens, thickens and defines in one stroke. Retail: $20

It’s also worth noting that good make-up hygiene becomes imperative if you suffer from dry, sensitive eyes. Make sure you throw away old make-up (mascara should only be kept for three months maximum) and never try to re-use dried out mascara by adding water.

Pump some fun into your workout a boost!

Don’t miss our “Workout with A Wow” fashion show hosted by Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP on Sunday, January 22, 2017, 1- 4 PM at the Novotel in NYC.

“Getting into activewear can launch you into exercise mode because clothing primes the brain to expect the forthcoming activity”, says Karen J. Pine, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and author of Mind What You Wear: The Psychology of Fashion. Click here for “Workout with Wow” Fashion Show details.

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. We will be hosting our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love‘ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie This podcast is part of Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the ‘Spare A Rose, Save A Child’ campaign. Please join us! #Dpodcastweek