God, Faith And Diabetes

When you’re dealing with diabetes health challenges, do you seek out your doctor or do you say, “it’s in God’s hands” and do nothing?

Many people turn to faith-based ways to manage health and life challenges. Saying “I’m leaving it to God’ is a common way to normalize and cope with challenging situations. It’s been reported that over 300 published scientific studies have demonstrated the medical value of religious commitment (including worship attendance, prayer, scripture study, and active participation in a spiritual community). These benefits include enhanced ability to cope and manage mental illness, chronic illness, pain, and addictions.

Recent research has shown that a large number of women are incorporating spirituality as part of their breast cancer treatment. Spirituality has been defined as a felt connection with a non-mental, non-emotional, and non-physical aspect of being commonly referred to as a ‘Higher Power’ or something greater than the self.

A recent study examined the benefits of prayer in racially diverse breast cancer patients. They found that women who prayed found positive aspects in their experience with breast cancer.

‘Recently, I had the opportunity to visit St. Francis Xavier Church on a trip to Missoula, Montana.

When this beautiful church was built in 1892, it became the largest church in Montana. It is a cruciform church in the Romanesque Revival style. The church also has stained glass windows, a pipe organ, and a massive church bell, Painters of the Italian Renaissance greatly influenced the Turin, Italy, native, who employed many of the same devices used by early Renaissance artists: feathery trees, oval female faces, classical costumes, and painted pilasters.

How Does Faith Help Life With Diabetes?

Mr. Divabetic hosts this episode of Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Country Music Superstar Carrie Underwood.

Carrie Underwood is inspiring us to talk about “keeping the faith and diabetes.” The country superstar and her husband are very outspoken about how important Jesus is in their lives. ‘How do your spiritual values impact your diabetes health? Are your spiritual and religious beliefs and practices harming or helping your daily diabetes routines?  The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks to the experts on ways you can keep your faith in your self-care management during your darkest hours and gets a ‘real-life’ perspective on how faith has transformed health outcomes.

In less than 10 years, Carrie Underwood has sold 64 million records worldwide, scored 18 #1 singles, and earned nearly 100 major accolades, including six GRAMMY® Awards.

Carrie Underwood is celebrating the first amazing chapter in her career with the 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville release of Greatest Hits: Decade #1, a 25-song collection that includes such radio staples as “Before He Cheats,” “All-American Girl,” “Cowboy Casanova,” “Blown Away,” “See You Again,” and her six-week #1 breakthrough hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” We will be playing selected songs throughout the podcast courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES, Neva White DNP, CDCES, Mama Rose Marie, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and special guest Carrie from New York.

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 Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FAND on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

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Recipe of The Week: Strawberry Pistachio Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark

Sometimes scrolling through Instagram pays off. I came across this easy-to-make Eating Well’s Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark recipe. It’s a perfect Summertime time snack because this treat is frozen so you can break it into chunks just like chocolate bark. I shared this recipe with my friend and fellow Divabetic Mystery podcast castmate, Seveda Williams. Seveda has appeared in Gypsies, Tramps & Peas (‘Boom Boom LaRue’), Swan Wake, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes (‘Agnes Frumpster’), Kill Me Madam (‘Goldie Hightower’), and the upcoming A Christmas Peril (‘Ruby Garland’) podcasts.

“This year’s podcast is an early Christmas treat because it’s so much fun to be a part of. On top of the crazy plot twists, there’s so much great information and explanation. Plus, this year’s mystery has an important message to share with isteners.”

Seveda texted me back that this Greek Yogurt Bark is delicious! “It’s a delightful cold treat that’s easy to make, says Seveda. “I added some vanilla bean, cinnamon, and pistachios because I love chocolate and pistachios.  Keep in mind, it takes a while to set up in the freezer so leave it in overnight.”

Eating Well’s Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark Recipe

Ingredients

3 cups whole milk plain Greek Yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey

1  1/2 cups sliced strawberries

Click HERE for Full Recipe

This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare. It’s low calorie, low carb, gluten-free, and low sodium. Plus, it’s packed with protein.

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 Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FAND on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

Eating a salad sounds healthy, doesn’t it? But a leafy green salad can go bad when you pile on the high calorie and high carb toppings, dressings, and other deep-fried offerings. 

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Tune in to Divabetic’s 11th Podcast Anniversary with musical inspiration from Toni Braxton. Click Here.

The seven-time Grammy Award-winner has sold over 70 million records and is one of the best-selling R&B artists of all time.

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.

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.

Don’t Miss Divabetic’s Salad-Making Party with Jill Weisenberger in August

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 Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FAND on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW

Eating a salad sounds healthy, doesn’t it? But a leafy green salad can go bad when you pile on the high calorie and high carb toppings, dressings, and other deep-fried offerings.

How do you make a great-tasting salad without sacrificing your diabetes wellness?

Special Guest, nutritionist Jill Weisenberger shares her favorite nutrient-dense salad and tasty dressing recipes that you can make at home and answers your nutrition questions.

Divabetic is committed to making sure that every ‘wellness with a wow’ program event that you register for is going to be great!

Just because something is called a salad on the menu does NOT make it the best choice.

Here are a few tips for making sure your stay on track with your health goals when you eat salad:

  • Reach for darker greens, such as spinach, leaf lettuce, arugula, kale, and watercress, instead of iceberg lettuce.
  • Croutons don’t add much nutritional value, but they can add a lot of calories. So if you like a few crunchy toppings, add a tablespoon or two of chopped walnuts or flax seeds.
Nationally recognized Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator and Author Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND is the author of four books. Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Weekis a bestseller and can help you manage your weight and blood sugar at the same time. The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition offers solutions to your everyday food and nutrition problems – no matter how busy you are. 21 Things You Need to Know about Diabetes and Your Heart gives you specific actions to take to improve your health right away. And Jill’s newest book Prediabetes: A Complete Guide leads you through dozens of concrete steps to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic health problems.
Learn to finally Stick With It and keep your motivation and willpower up for healthy lifestyle habits. Jill Weisenberger’s Stick With It is a self-paced video course that guides you step-by-step to the healthy habits you want. You’ll learn why your motivation and willpower move up and down like a roller coaster and what you can do to keep them up higher and longer.

Free Diabetes Cooking Party with Jill Weisenberger on Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND on Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM. Jill will be sharing her favorite Quinoa recipes with us. 

The dietary fiber content in quinoa is higher found in many other grains. This means that quinoa can be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes, since fiber and protein are considered important for keeping tighter blood sugar management.

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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.

Jill Weisenberger’s candid and energetic approach and her sound nutrition and fitness advice has earned her a place as one of 10 Dietitians You Need to Follow on Social Media in US News & World Report. Jill offers healthy and delicious recipe ideas and nutrition strategies that are based in sound nutrition science.

Jill Weisenberger is the author of The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes. Jill’s guide will teach you how to enjoy eating again without all the worry and guilt. You’ll learn to:

  • balance macros (protein, fat and carbohydrate), so you’ll have energy and good nutrition all day
  • plan meals even if no one else in your family has diabetes
  • fit in your favorite treat foods, so you never feel deprived
  • choose the right foods to avoid blood sugar spikes
  • pick the most healthful carbohydrate-containing foods for your body, so you can feel confident about tending to your heart and blood sugar at the same time
  • keep track of the carb counts in your usual foods
  • eat to feel full – no more long-lasting hunger pangs!
  • set the right goals for you

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Nationally Recognized Dietitian & Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Jill Weisenberger prepares her favorite Quinoa recipes and shares nutrition tips for people with type 2 diabetes.

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A ‘Handy’ Guide To Figuring Out Portion Sizes

Lately I feel the real culprit in managing my weight is portion size. It’s not what I eat, it’s how much I eat. I’ve been learning the hard way that the amount of food I used to eat at 20 or 30 is making me gain weight! Old eating habits are hard to break too.

When I was growing up, my father told me to “clean your plate.”

The problem is that dinner plates, especially in restaurants, have gotten bigger. And so has the amount of food we put on them. If I clean my plate now, I’m overeating.

If you struggle like me with portion sizes, the best help might be right in the palm of your hand.

Photo by Nsey Benajah on Unsplash

Use Your Hand To Figure Out Portion Sizes

Your fist = the size of a cup

The palm = the size of 3 ounces of meat

Your thumb = the size of 1 ounce of cheese

Another helpful tip is to check food labels and restaurant menus for hidden calories. Learn to “eyeball” your food to gauge what’s too much — and what’s just right.

The good news is that experts agree that when you downsize to healthy portions, your body will, too!

Love New Recipes?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Author of The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes,  Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND on Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST. Jill shares her favorite quinoa recipes with us!

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION 

Divabetic Word Puzzle #3

Can you find the five words above that are connected to diabetes wellness?  Each word starts with one of the choices from the left side column. It then continues with something from the middle column and then finishes with something from the right side column.

Clues:

  • Counting this to help manage blood sugars
  • Insulin _________ is a marker for Metabolic Syndrome
  • What your liver turns this fat into
  • It was first used in the treatment of diabetes in 1922
  • An emergency medical treatment to treat very low blood sugar.

Tune in To Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring Mila Clarke Buckley ‘The Hangry Woman’, Sex Therapist Janis Roszler, PhD, RD, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Bella Krueger and music from Celine Dion’s ‘Falling Into You’ album.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic Syndrome is a combination of several medical issues. Together they increase your chance of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The condition is also known as insulin resistance syndrome. According to a national health survey, more than 1 in 5 Americans has metabolic syndrome

Insulin resistance means that the body does not use insulin efficiently to lower glucose and triglyceride levels. A combination of hereditary, genetic and lifestyle factors may result in insulin resistance.

Love New Recipes?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND on Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST. Jill shares her favorite quinoa recipes with us!

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION 

 

Puzzle idea created by Dani Raymond.

Puzzle answers: Carbohydrates, Resistance, Ketones, Insulin, Glucagon