Why I Believe In The Power Of Love

Yesterday, in 1991, Luther Vandross released Power of Love / Love Power as a single for his seventh studio album, Power of Love. This song occupies such a powerful place in my heart.

We’d play it at the end of every Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes free outreach event to celebrate our community and pay tribute to Luther. His stroke, related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, gave me a mission in life to help others in upbeat, thoughtful, and powerful ways.

His opening phrase, “when I say goodbye is never for long because I know our love still lives on …” motivated me to jump into diabetes outreach without any experience, keep climbing over challenges and doubts and successfully present diabetes education in an entertaining way to thousands of women at risk, affected by, and living with diabetes and their loved ones.

Witnessing Luther’s health crisis and recovery firsthand motivates me to listen to my body, treat it well, and maintain wellness daily. This song reminds me that every day is a chance for me to do something to help others achieve greater health.

The Power Of Love was also the opening song on my first Luther tour, Never Let Me Go, in 1993. It was one of the last songs Luther sang when he accepted the Grammy for Song Of The Year via video on live TV.

I’m heading to Los Angeles on Mother’s Day weekend (May 10 and 11) to celebrate the amazing Luther Vandross!

I’ll be checking out the Luther Vandross: Artistry & Elegance Exhibit at the Grammy Museum and soaking up the vibes at Terry Steeles Luther Vandross Tribute concerts at the Vibrato Grill in Bel Air.

I can’t wait to meet fellow fans, share stories behind the sequins, and honor Luther’s incredible legacy. Stay tuned for more details—this is going to be a memorable celebration!


I hope you will join us for Divabetic’s free diabetes outreach program in partnership with the Frazier Family Coalition on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadlephia, PA.

A Quick History Of Cookbooks

On a recent visit to a popular cookbook author’s East Hampton home, I was captivated by her extensive collection of cookbooks. There are hundreds of popular titles by renowned authors like Julia Childs, Fanny Farmer, Martha Steward, Dorie Greenspan, and Nancy Silverton, as well as unique cookbooks like The Berdorf Goodman Cookbook


Purusing her vast collection piqued my interest in learning more about the history of cookbooks in the US. A quick Google search reveals that the US cookbook began with poet Amelia Simmons’ American Cookery in 1796.

A hundred years later, regional cookbooks like The Virginia House-Wife and the rise of influential figures like Fannie Farmer were published. Fanny Farmer‘s cookbook popularized the modern recipe format, and it was a fitting guide to food and home life in a modernizing country.


Another cookbook, the Boston Cooking School Cookbook, was filled with recipes for such familiar 19th-century dishes as potted pigeons, creamed vegetables, and mock turtle soup. But it added a forward-looking bent to older kitchen wisdom, casting ingredients such as cheese, chocolate, and ground beef — all bit players in 19th-century U.S. kitchens — in starring roles. It introduced cooks to recipes like hamburg steaks and French fried potatoes, early proto­types of hamburgers and fries, and fruit sandwiches, with peanuts sprinkled on fig paste that were a clear precursor to peanut butter and jelly.

Today, recipes serve many purposes, from documenting cooking techniques to showing off a creator’s skills to serving as leisure reading for the food obsessed. 

Most cookbook authors admit that applicability is crucial when creating a recipe. A good recipe imparts enough information to allow a cook to reproduce a dish in roughly the same form in the future.

Ina Garten feels a recipe should be foolproof, easy to prepare, and enjoyable. Her recipes are known for being approachable and easy, which I can attest to. I use her roast turkey recipe every year for Thanksgiving, and it’s delicious!!

I was lucky enough to attend a talk with Samin Nosrat, the author of Salt, Fat, Acid , Heat. Her charming disposition, generous laugh, and humility made her presentation informative and entertaining. She spoke about how often she tests her recipe and forgoes using a Viking oven for a small, standard oven found in New York City apartments to test results.

I left the talk feeling confident I could make one of the New York Times recipes, whereas before it, I believed the newspaper’s recipes were too lofty for my limited abilities. 

However, baking cakes might be a bit beyond my skills especially after seeing my friend, Navah Frost’s delightful, detailed and stunning cake decorations. She’s an incredible artist. I look foward to one day owning a copy of her cookbook.

I feel that if someone envies your life, talent, health or temperment, you owe it to yourself to embrace the joy they see in it. Too many times, we deflect a compliment, deny or dismiss their appreciation by making excuses or saying, “you don’t know the half of it.” Let’s be grateful for what we have today.

Divabetic Club 2025

Join us for our upcoming free Divabetic outreach program in partnership with the Frazier Family Coalition and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Saturday, November 8, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA.

For the past twenty years, Divabetic has been presenting free diabetes outreach in persona and online for thousands of women living with, at risk and affected by diabetes.

This month’s topic was ‘Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself.’

These free monthly motivational meetings are for people touched by diabetes in Philadelphia, PA, Cleveland, OH and New York.

Pattern Management is a skill that you can help you to manage your diabetes like a diva!

Mr. Divabetic talks to author Riva Greenberg about her new book, 50 Diabetes Myths That Can Ruin Your Life and the 50 Diabetes Truths That Can Save It at the Divabetic Club – NYC.

The Divabetic Club presents an upbeat mix of diabetes education and support. The safe environment of the Divabetic Club allows for participants to voice their failures and frustrations without judgement. It’s fondly referred to as a 12 step program for women living with diabetes by health professionals and patients alike.

Diabetes Late Nite podcast host, Mr. Divabetic and co-star Poet Lorraine Brooks joined comedians Tom Ragu and Nicky Sunshine on stage for a special performance at the Greenwich Village Comedy Club. As the member of the Diabetes Late Nite podcast team, Poet Lorraine Brooks writes original poems specifically for each monthly Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Mr. Divabetic challenges Poet Lorraine Brooks to play his favorite game, Shady Sugar to help raise awareness for the alarming amount of added sugar contained in many of today’s most popular beverages. If you play along you just might be surprised by the results: Dannon Dairy Drink Mango flavored (28 grams of sugar), VitaCoco Lemonade (30 grams of sugar), and Red Bull Energy Drink (39 grams of sugar).

Did you know the average American consumes around 22.2 teaspoons of added sugar every day? Both the World Health Organization and the American Heart Association (AHA) note that we should really be eating only a fraction of that amount. The AHA says that adult women should get 5 teaspoons (20 grams) of sugar per day, adult men 9 teaspoons (36 grams), and children 3 teaspoons (12 grams). If you quickly do the math, you’ll soon discover that one 12 fl oz Red Bull Energy Drink is way more than the recommended daily average.

A Food Journal

Keeping a food journal can be a fantastic way to manage diabetes! It’s a helpful tool that lets you track what you eat, when you eat, and even how different foods and meal timings impact your blood sugar levels. This makes it easier to take care of yourself and stay on top of your diabetes management.

Jotting down your meals and snacks can give you valuable insights into your eating patterns. It can also help you spot particular foods or times that might lead to cravings or less healthy choices.

You might even find out about food intolerances (gluten) or sensitivities that could be causing you some discomfort.

And the best part? Just knowing you’re keeping track can motivate you to make healthier choices and stick to your goals. It’s all about feeling your best!

Leslie, Divabetic, Living Well with Type 1 Diabetes

I had a wonderful time running into my dear friend, Divabetic type 1, Leslie, at Martha Redbone‘s brilliant tribute to author bell hooks and her inspiring poetry, featuring my friend, Keith Anthony Fluitt at the Apollo Theater. It brought back fond memories of Leslie attending our free monthly Divabetic Club meetings at the McBurney YMCA in New York two decades ago.

Leslie has been navigating life with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years now, and seeing her again filled my heart with joy. It really transported me back to those vibrant days when Leslie would join our free Divabetic Club meetings at the McBurney YMCA in New York nearly two decades ago.

Seeing her again was such a joy! Leslie has always been a beacon of light and comfort for others living with diabetes, sharing her wisdom and positivity at our gatherings. I fondly remember the impact of Divabetic’s outreach, especially when we hosted ongoing free meetings for women affected by diabetes across New York, Philadelphia, and Cleveland.

This year has been a whirlwind as I balance running Divabetic, supporting Luther Vandross‘s legacy and documentary, creating my art, and managing various commitments while touring with Itzhak Perlman.

Catching up with Leslie was a refreshing reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the journey.

On a wonderful note, I’m thrilled to share that I’m teaming up with Dr. Neva White and Catherine Schuller to bring a fantastic, free, and fashionable Divabetic outreach event to life with the Frazier Family Coalition. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 8, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital! I couldn’t be more excited about what we have planned!

Head Held High

Living with diabetes is undeniably challenging, yet it also showcases remarkable resilience and strength. It’s disheartening to encounter thoughtless and hurtful comments from others, but focusing on your personal journey is essential.

Embracing your experience with diabetes allows you to celebrate the small victories and find joy in your accomplishments. Connecting with others who understand can provide support and encouragement, fostering a sense of community.

As you navigate this path, hold your head high and look toward the future with pride and hope.

Goodbye Guesswork

Have you heard of a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)? It’s a device that tracks blood glucose levels continuously, providing real-time data to help manage diabetes and eliminate guesswork.

CGMs use a small sensor inserted under the skin to measure glucose levels. The sensor transmits data to a receiver (smartphone) that displays glucose levels and trends so you and your healthcare providers can identify patterns and potential problems with blood sugar levels. 

Medicare and commercial insurance plans cover CGMs, but eligibility and specific coverage details vary.

If you’re tired of the challenges without answers, it might be time to talk to your healthcare collaborators about getting and qualifying for a Continuous Glucose Monitor. 

Divabetic Coming To Philadelphia In November


Changing our diet or mindset can feel like a daunting task, especially when it seems like others are breezing through the process. For our free upcoming Divabetic outreach on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Philadelphia, let’s engage in an activity, Plate Poetry, that fosters open discussion and support.

In the comments, think about something you’re considering taking off your plate—maybe a beloved snack, negative thought or an indulgence. For example, imagine what your life and health would be like if you removed ‘SHAME’ from your diagnosis. Being diagnosised iwth diabetes is not your fault and blaming yourself can hinder you from seeking help and improving your well-being.

Share something you’d like to put on your plate, perhaps a healthier alternative, positive mindset or activity that excites you.

For example, a friend of mine, Manny, faced the challenging decision to eliminate gluten from his diet due to celiac disease. While the availability of gluten-free options has grown, it still requires significant adjustment, especially for someone who enjoys Italian cuisine. It’s certainly possible to embrace this change, but it’s important to recognize the difficulties that come with it.

Manny chose to put the word, ‘TRY’ on his plate. His first goal was to switch from eating rye bread to quinoa and oats. Experts agree that it takes three months or more of fully eliminating gluten from your diet for your body and immune system to respond.

I often recall the valuable insight from a Registered Dietitian who emphasized, “I focus on telling people what to put on their plate, not what to take off.” This perspective encourages us to view dietary changes as opportunities rather than restrictions.

Philadelphia’s beloved WDAS Radio personality, Patty Jackson, is a true inspiration! After surviving a stroke, she shared that she wasn’t drinking enough water or listening to her body before it happened.

Fast forward nine years, and Patty is staying hydrated and thriving as she continues to bring joy to her audience behind the microphone and camera. It’s heartwarming to see her enjoying life and spreading positivity!

Love Across Life Stages Of Diabetes Survey 2025 Results

We’re excited to share some highlights from our 2nd annual Love Across Life Stages of Diabetes Survey for Women, done in collaboration with DiabetesSisters!

With around 15 million women in the U.S. facing the ups and downs of diabetes daily, each of your stories is so important. Our survey seeks to shine a light on the unique experiences of women managing diabetes, hoping to provide insights that will enhance care, support, and encouragement.

It’s crucial to support women living with diabetes for their overall well-being. By connecting with others who understand similar experiences, expectations, and challenges, we can help ease the daily demands of self-care on your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Both DiabetesSisters and Divabetic are dedicated to creating safe spaces for women who are at risk, affected by, or living with diabetes, aiming to improve health outcomes and quality of life.

In Bed With Diabetes

For the past 64 years. Barbie has been a part of our lives, a cultural touchstone, or the quintessential image of what a woman should be but never will be – a sex or beauty object. Greta Gerwig’s big screen makeover and the related marketing blitz are making us revisit and reevaluate Barbie’s impact on our lives, including our sex lives.

After all, if Barbie and Ken are confused about what to do at sleepovers, you might be too, especially if you’re dealing with sexual health issues related to diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in nearly all countries. People with diabetes experience sexual dysfunction more often than the general public.

Podcast guests: Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, RDN, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, the co-authors of Divabetic’s new e-book, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, available on Amazon.

Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, book one in the series, is your key to a happy, healthy intimate life with diabetes. Inside you’ll find: The common physical and emotional sexual complications of diabetes and treatment options for men and women. An overview of diabetes nutrition, physical activity, weight loss, and diabetes medications Information on how aging impacts diabetes management and intimacy. Guidance on how to talk to your healthcare provider about intimacy-related issues. Ideas and techniques for building sexual intimacy and communicating effectively with your partner. Tips to help you avoid dangerous or money-wasting fraudulent sexual treatments, Authors Dr. Janis Roszler and Donna Rice use humor, helpful examples, and insightful questions to present key topics about sexual health in an engaging, approachable way.