The Palace and America’s Most Beautiful Historic Theaters

Throughout the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to visit several stunning historic theaters across the country. Some of my favorite theaters include the Carpenter Theater in Richmond, the Temple Theatre in Saginaw, the Granada Theater in Santa Barbara, and the Palace Theater in Waterbury. While many may not consider touring theaters when visiting cities, these venues offer a remarkable insight into entertainment history. Most of these theaters were constructed in the 1920s, initially serving as vaudeville houses before transitioning into movie theaters with Wurlitzer organs accompanying silent films and eventually returning to hosting live performances.

The Palace Theater, with its luxurious tomato-red velvet curtain, has hosted a myriad of iconic performers over the years, from Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Jackie Gleason to Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, and the Grateful Dead.

In 1924, during a performance by magician Harry Houdini, a crew had to cut an 8-foot-wide hole in the stage floor for a trap door. The hole was later patched up. Unfortunately, when Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus visited, an elephant named Shirley fell through the patched hole from Houdini’s act several years earlier. Sadly, the management had to put the animal down as they could not rescue it. Shirley, the elephant, is now part of Palace Theater lore as one of the four friendly spirits that supposedly haunt the theater.

In contrast to today’s black box-style theaters designed to accommodate various stage productions, these historic theaters, with their gleaming neon marquees, elegant lobbies, gold detailing, crystal chandeliers, and Art Deco carvings, were solely intended to transport their audiences from the mundane of everyday life to a magical world. The sumptuous plushness of the velvet seats instantly makes you feel like you’re about to experience something extraordinary.

During the pandemic, people stopped attending live shows for health and financial reasons. Still, they continued to stream music, films, and TV in record numbers, proving that entertainment is a necessary commodity. Divabetic’s podcasts, virtual workshops, and YouTube videos also experienced an uptick. There was a prevailing notion that live theater was a luxury. If that notion still holds, creating elaborate, glamorous theater spaces that encourage people to dress up, celebrate, and experience the joys of life is truly invaluable.

Watching performances by Itzhak Perlman and Rohan De Silva in these beautiful settings is a treasure.

We’re talking about movie characters with diabetes, including Steel MagnoliasSoul FoodMad MoneyThe Baby-Sitter Club, and Nothing In Common. How realistic are these portrayals? How accurate is information about diabetes and diabetes self-care?  And how do we feel after viewing them?  With all the emotional and physical complications comes drama, making characters with the condition a good plot point on the silver screen.

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Kent Gash, Jessica Clark, and Muniq Gut Health Shakes Founder Marc Washington.  

Throughout this podcast, we will feature music from the album Score by 2Cellos, courtesy of SONY Music.

Divabetic’s monthly podcasts are dedicated to Music Lovers living with, at risk, and/or affected by diabetes. We aim to be the epicenter of the circle of care, a link between patients and their healthcare providers, a translator of clinical speak, and a bridge between denial and acceptance, fear and confidence.

Divabetic was inspired by the late music legend, Luther Vandross and created in 2005 by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic Szadek, who, as Vandross’ assistant of 14 years, witnessed his boss, mentor, and friend struggle in silence and solitude with diabetes and its related complications. 

New Product: Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions

Happy Hour?

If you have diabetes but want to relax with an cocktail, most experts agree that you should avoid sugary concoctions that are loaded with carbohydrates.

Up until now, that might have been a challenge but more and more alcohol companies are adding low carb and low sugar spirits to their offerings.

Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions feature zero sugar, and 100% flavor. Each of these new Zero Sugar Infusions clocks in at just 72 calories per 1.5 oz serving—with zero grams of carbohydrates, zero grams of fat, and zero grams of sugar

Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions Available In 3 Flavors

Cucumber & Lime is infused with the crisp, cool flavor of a fresh cucumber paired with the bright citrus notes of lime. Simply serve in a stemless wine glass with ice, splash in some soda, garnish with cucumber slices and a lime wedge, and you’re done!

Strawberry & Rose is infused with the delicate & slightly sweet strawberry flavor with a light rose petal finish. Simply serve in a stemless wine glass with ice, splash in some soda, garnish with rose petals and a strawberry, and you’re done!

Watermelon & Mint is infused with juicy watermelon flavor balanced with the taste of fresh mint for a refreshing finish. Simply serve in a stemless wine glass with ice, splash in some soda, garnish with watermelon slices and a mint sprig, and you’re done!

Moderation is key in drinking alcohol whether you have diabetes or not. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends women should have no more than one alcoholic beverage per day, and men should consume no more than two. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1 1/2 ounces spirits.

Consuming alcohol can cause your blood sugars to drop (hypoglycemia) as well as liver damage, particularly if you drink in excess, and/or you drink on an empty stomach. Speak to your doctor for guidance on what is best for you.

We’re talking about depictions of diabetes on the silver screen including Steel MagnoliasSoul Food and The Baby-Sitter Club on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from 2Cellos. How realistic are these portrayals? How do we feel after viewing them?   Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Kent Gash, Jessica Clark and Muniq Gut Health Shakes Founder, Marc Washington.

Throughout this podcast we will be featured music from the album ‘Score’ by 2Cellos courtesy of SONY Music.

 

 

Chef Robert’s Mediterranean Chicken with Love Recipe

Chef Robert Lewis, aka The Happy Diabetic” shared his experience living with Type 2 diabetes, connecting with audiences through food, and how you can begin making healthy meals at home with the Divabetic community on Divabetic’s recent free Zoom Cooking Party.

Chef Robert Lewis, The Happy Diabetic, is a nationally recognized author and motivational speaker who is passionate about helping people learn to live a healthier lifestyle. Chef Lewis graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in 1976. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1998. Thus began his motivation to create great tasting dishes that are easy to prepare. He travels the country speaking on the benefits of healthy eating not only for people affected by diabetes, but also for anyone who would like to eat and live a healthy lifestyle. 

Chef Robert’s Mediterranean Chicken of Love Recipe 

Ingredients                                                                                                                                                           

1 T extra-virgin olive oil

8 ounce skinless, precooked chicken brest sliced

1 T chopped garlic

Half a red bell pepper sliced, and green bell pepper sliced or 6-7 mini multi colored peppers sliced

½ red onion sliced

5-6 stalks of asparagus

2-3 large white button mushrooms sliced

1/2 cup grape tomatoes or Roma tomato diced

1/4 cup white wine or vegetable broth

1 t dried oregano

1 t dried rosemary

2-4 leafs of fresh basil or 1 t dried basil

10 black pitted olives or kalamata olives

1 can 15 oz. white Italian beans (drained well)

Black pepper, to taste

½ fresh lime

SEE FULL RECIPE

We’re talking about depictions of diabetes on the silver screen including Steel MagnoliasSoul Food and The Baby-Sitter Club on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from 2Cellos. How realistic are these portrayals? How do we feel after viewing them?   Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Kent Gash, Jessica Clark and Muniq Gut Health Shakes Founder, Marc Washington.

Throughout this podcast we will be featured music from the album ‘Score’ by 2Cellos courtesy of SONY Music.

 

New DASH Diet for Two Cookbook by Rosanne Rust, MS, RDN

Blood pressure is the single most important number for people with diabetes to know according to Diabetes – What To Know‘s website.

High blood pressure is a common disease that develops when blood flows through your arteries at higher-than-normal pressures.

A person with diabetes and high blood pressure is four times as likely to develop heart disease than someone who does not have either of the conditions. About two-thirds of adults with diabetes have blood pressure greater than 130/80 mm Hg or use prescription medications for hypertension.

“I was diagnosed with high blood pressure 6 years after I wrote my first DASH diet book. So I know what it’s like to help manage blood pressure with diet, ” writes Rosanne Rust, MS, RDN, Author of the new DASH Diet for Two cookbook. “It’s full of recipes that I have cooked for my family. You’ll enjoy 125 healthy recipes that can fit into a DASH lifestyle that helps lower blood pressure.”

DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), is a diet promoted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, proven to help manage high blood pressure.

The DASH diet has been ranked Best Diet Overall for eight years in a row by U.S. News and World Report.

“I like using the 80/20 rule for eating well,” says DASH Diet for Two Cookbook Author Rosanne Rust, MS, RDN.

“I just want you to try sticking to the eating style most of the time (meaning 80 percent or more). It includes a variety of food, including meatless meals, poultry, pork and beef recipes, sides, salads and dessert.”

THE DASH Diet For Two: 125 Recipes to Lower Blood Pressure Together BUY NOW

You usually don’t have symptoms from high blood pressure until it has caused serious health problems. That is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Your doctor will diagnose you with high blood pressure if you have consistently high blood pressure readings.

We’re talking about movie characters with diabetes including Steel MagnoliasSoul FoodMad MoneyThe Baby-Sitter Club and Nothing In Common on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from 2Cellos. How realistic are these portrayals? How accurate is information about diabetes and diabetes self-care?  And how do we feel after viewing them?  With all the emotional and physical complications comes drama, making characters with the condition a good plot point on the silver screen.

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Kent Gash, Jessica Clark and Muniq Gut Health Shakes Founder, Marc Washington.

Throughout this podcast we will be featured music from the album ‘Score’ by 2Cellos courtesy of SONY Music.

 

 

Constance Brown Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN Shares The Soul Food Pyramid on Tonight’s Diabetes Late Nite Podcast

Tonight, we’re talking about popular movie characters with diabetes on August’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from 2Cellos’ album, Score,  on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 6 PM, EST.

In the film, Soul Food (1997), the character, Mother Joe (played by Irma P. Hall) is the force that keeps her family together until she suffers a stroke and falls into a coma after surgery for lower limb amputation.  The character is assumed to be living with type 2 diabetes.

Certified diabetes educator and Registered Dietitian Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN helps people with diabetes fit their favorite foods into a healthy eating plan with her own inventive “Diabetes Soul Food Pyramid” in her book,  The African-American Guide to Living Well with Diabetes.

She shares pages of calorie, fat and carb counts for traditional Southern dishes, as well as how to read labels and sample meal menus. Most chapters in this book end with a “For Your Spirit” section where spiritual principles and biblical allegories remind readers of their inner resources.  These passages may also bolster confidence and commitment to meet the challenges of diabetes self-care.

“Many members of my family have diabetes and years ago when someone got it, all I associated with it was amputation,” says Constance Brown-Riggs in an interview with A Sweet Life.

“As I became more educated and started learning about nutrition, I realized that doesn’t have to be the outcome of having diabetes. Unfortunately, a great many people aren’t educated about food, nutrition and healthy eating, particularly if they were raised, as so many African Americans are, on traditional Southern cooking.”

Constance created the Diabetes Soul Food Pyramid to show people how to fit them into the USDA Food Pyramid. She includes the proper portion sizes of foods like fried chicken, collard greens and sweet potatoes.

 

We’re talking about movie characters with diabetes including Steel Magnolias, Soul Food, Mad Money, The Baby-Sitter Club and Nothing In Common. How realistic are these portrayals? How accurate is information about diabetes and diabetes self-care? And how do we feel after viewing them? With all the emotional and physical complications comes drama, making characters with the condition a good plot point on the silver screen.

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Kent Gash, Jessica Clark and Muniq Gut Health Shakes Founder Marc Washington.

Throughout this podcast we will be featured music from the album ‘Score’ by 2Cellos courtesy of SONY Music.

 

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you need to deny yourself all the foods you love, but you do want to make healthier food choices. One good choice is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are heavy in nutrition but light in calories.

During this virtual Cooking Party on Zoom,Chef Robert Lewis will prepare a recipe that won’t compromise your diabetes wellness.

Chef Robert Lewis, The Happy Diabetic, is a nationally recognized author and motivational speaker who is passionate about helping people learn to live a healthier lifestyle. Chef Lewis graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in 1976. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1998. Thus began his motivation to create great tasting dishes that are easy to prepare. He travels the country speaking on the benefits of healthy eating not only for people affected by diabetes, but also for anyone who would like to eat and live a healthy lifestyle. 

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?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Cooking Party with special guest Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ on Thursday, August 13, 2020, 7 – 7:40 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW – IT’S FREE