Nat Adderley Jr. on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute Podcast

Nat Adderley Jr., Luther Vandross’s music director, co-writer, producer and arranger joins us for Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Podcast on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 6:30 – 8 PM, EST. 

TUNE IN

Nat Adderley Jr. wrote (and arranged) Luther’s first top 20 pop hit, “Stop to Love”, as well as “Wait for Love” and the Grammy-nominated “Give me the Reason”.

He also arranged many of Luther’s most popular records, including “Superstar”, “Here and Now”, “If Only for One Night”,  “Creepin”, “If This World Were Mine”, “So Amazing”, “There’s Nothing Better Than Love”, “Never Too Much” , and “Love Won’t Let Me Wait”.  Additionally,  Nat produced tracks on the last seven Vandross studio albums.  These include “My Favorite Things”, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, “Going Out of My Head”, “Knocks Me Off My Feet”, and “The Closer I Get To You”, a duet with Beyonce Knowles. That track is featured on Beyonce’s grammy-winning  Dangerously in Love (best contemporary R&B album), on Luther’s grammy-winning Dance With My Father (best R&B album), and the track won the Grammy in 2004 for best R&B performance by a duo or group.  In 2003, Nat produced Luther’s Live 2003 at Radio City Music Hall. Nat was Luther’s musical director from 1981 until his death. 

Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Podcast

We’re celebrating the musical legacy of Luther Vandross and raising awareness for diabetes health-related complications (such as vision loss) on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast on Tuesday, March 10, 6:30 – 8 PM, EST.

Diabetic eye disease, caused by diabetes, is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss. Because of the high risk for eye disease, all people with type 2 diabetes should receive an annual dilated eye exam.

A 2019 Vision Source study of 1,000 U.S. consumers found that more than 50% had issues with their vision in the past year, and 34% did not go for a professional eye exam. The major barriers to having an annual eye exam included not thinking they needed one (33%), unsure of where to go (25%), lack of insurance, (22%) and expense (22%).

Comprehensive eye exams are key to overall wellness and preserving a high quality of life. In addition to evaluating vision, annual eye exams can detect serious health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, and even cancer.

Guests include Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Nat Adderley Jr.,  Dr. Khoshnevis, Danny Clay, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.  Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s album, ‘The Night I Fell In Love’ courtesy of SONY Music.

TUNE IN

Join fellow Luther Vandross fans, friends, musical peers for an evening of music, memories, and magic at the third annual FANDROSS concert on Sunday, April 19 at Joe’s Pub in New York, NY.  

BUY TICKETS

Will Eating Eggs Raise Your Cholesterol? with Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

We asked Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND whether or not eggs will impact our cholesterol levels on January’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. (Click here for the full interview). Jill graciously share the  information below on this subject for our Divabetic blog readers:

Jill Weisenberger: The egg is one of those nutrient-dense foods that generates a lot of debate about its healthfulness. Because eggs are high in cholesterol, which has historically been linked to heart disease, the public has long been warned about eating too many eggs, especially the cholesterol-rich yolk. People with diabetes may have even greater concerns because their risk of developing heart disease is quite high.

Here are a few things about eggs.

Recently the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee stated that the evidence is not strong enough to conclude that cholesterol in foods raises blood cholesterol.

Some population studies have found that eating seven or more eggs weekly increases the risk of heart disease among people with diabetes. Not all studies find an association, however. I see a problem with population studies like these. The researchers cannot account for all of the variables in people’s diets. For example, on some plates, eggs keep company with wholesome fruit and whole-grain toast or oats. On other plates, eggs sit atop buttery biscuits and sausage gravy. Does the company eggs keep influence health? I would have to think so.

Researchers in Australia studied what happens when people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes eat two eggs daily for six days per week compared to those eating very few eggs. After three months, there were no differences in cholesterol levels, blood sugar, blood pressure or waist circumference. The study didn’t end after three months, so I’m looking forward to learning what the researchers find about these diets after a full year.

In a separate study, researchers compared an egg-based breakfast to an oatmeal-based breakfast among people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. They measured blood sugar, cholesterol, body fat and more. They found no differences except that the egg group had lower markers of inflammation

READ MORE 

Jill Weisenberger’s comprehensive guide, ‘Prediabetes: A Complete Guide: Your Lifestyle Reset to Stop Prediabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses’ will lead you through dozens of concrete steps you can take to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Taking an individualized approach to your lifestyle “reset,” this book will allow you to choose your own path to wellness, help you gain a greater sense of wellbeing, boost your confidence in your abilities to maintain a healthful lifestyle, and potentially even help you reverse prediabetes and avoid type 2 diabetes and other chronic illnesses.

BUY NOW

Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND is a great resource for all things nutrition, food and diabetes. Whether she’s speaking, writing, chatting on social media, appearing on TV or working with individuals, her candid and energetic approach appeals to busy people, and her sound nutrition and fitness advice gets results. In fact, her appreciation for science and ability to translate science into actionable information earned her a place in US News & World Report’s 10 Dietitian’s You Need to Follow on Social Media.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maria Callas

Listen to January’s Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maria Callas

Are you a ‘Drama Queen’? Every time you find yourself immersed in something that seems overwhelming, do feel like it’s an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better? Or do you act like the sky is falling? Guests include: Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Lorraine Brooks, American Heart and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Rob Taub, Yoga for Diabetes Author and Director Rachel Zinman and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN,CDE.

LISTEN NOW

‘No Drama’ By Poet Lorraine Brooks

l don’t want to be a drama queen

I’d rather be something in between

l don’t want to yell or raise my voice

to let you know that its MY choice

l don’t want to be a drama queen.

l don’t want to be a drama queen

I’d rather be something in between

l don’t want to be mean or rude

or tell you l don’t want your food

l don’t want to be a drama queen

l don’t want to be a drama queen

I’d rather be something in between

I don’t want to get in fights or brawls

l don’t want to blend in with the walls

l don’t want to be a drama queen

l don’t want to be a drama queen

I’d rather be something in between

l have my needs and preference

so treat me with some deference 

l don’t want to be a drama queen.

I’d like to be nice in thought and deeds

while still attending to my needs

And still be helpful, and in charge

when dealing with the world at large. 

I find that l can do these things

without the drama queens and kings

in fact l do much better than they,

when l remain above the fray. 

I don’t want to give a drama projection

I don’t want to deal with those who do. 

So if you’re leaning in that direction

Then l’ll just stay away from you!

I don’t want to be a drama queen.

Lorraine Brooks performs her poem, No Drama, on January’s Diabetes Late Nite with music from Maria Callas.

LISTEN NOW

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maria Callas

Are you a ‘Drama Queen’? Every time you find yourself immersed in something that seems overwhelming, do feel like it’s an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better? Or do you act like the sky is falling? Guests include: Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Lorraine Brooks, American Heart and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Rob Taub, Yoga for Diabetes Author and Director Rachel Zinman and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN,CDE.

LISTEN NOW

What Causes Hair Loss On Legs?

Diabetes can cause hair loss on the legs reports Medical News Today.

Hair loss on the legs is also known as anterolateral leg alopecia. This is because it is visible on the front (anterior) and sides (lateral) of the lower legs. Another name for it is peroneal alopecia.

Over time, diabetes-related damage to the blood vessels can result in peripheral artery disease (PAD). In PAD, a fatty deposit called plaque builds up in the blood vessels inside the legs. This interferes with blood flow and, consequently, hair growth.

READ MORE

The MrDivabetic Show – Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (
PMDD)

We’re talking about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) on this one hour of wellness with a wow podcast. 

PMDD is a severe, sometimes disabling extension of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that start about 7 to 10 days before a woman gets her monthly period.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists estimates that at least 85 percent of menstruating women have at least one PMS symptom as part of their monthly cycle. PMS is much more common than PMDD. 

Biologic, psychological, environmental, and social factors all seem to play a part in PMDD. It is important to note that PMDD is not the fault of the woman suffering from it or the result of a “weak” or unstable personality. It is also not something that is “all in the woman’s head.” 

Rather, PMDD is a medical illness that impacts only 3% to 8% of women. Fortunately, it can be treated by a health care professional with behavioral and pharmaceutical options.

Podcast Guests: Dr. Andrea Chisholm OBGYN, Peak 10 Skin founder Connie Elder, We Are Diabetes founder, Asha Brown, and Laura L. who are both living with type 1 diabetes. 

Throughout the podcast we will be playing selected songs from P.M. Dawn’s live album courtesy of SONY Music. 

LISTEN NOW

‘No Sex’ is All I Want For Christmas

Mariah Carey’s iconic holiday song, ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ might be at the top of the music charts but ‘SEX’ is at the bottom of Santa’s list for women with diabetes this season.

https://youtu.be/qLyQdJQNhSQ

Vaginal dryness is the most common sexual issue for women who have diabetes and one of the reasons they choose not to have sex during the holidays. High blood sugar levels can harden the blood vessels in the vaginal wall. That can affect lubrication and make sex uncomfortable.

High blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage throughout the body can affect a woman’s ability to experience sexual stimulation and arousal.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Yolanda Adams

Janis Roszler RD, CDE, LDN, the author of ‘SEX and Diabetes’ answers your most asked questions about intimacy and diabetes including ‘Can I Lose Sensation in My Clitoris’ and ‘Why Viagra and Cigarettes Don’t Mix’ on December’s Diabetes Late Nite with music from Yolanda Adams.

LISTEN NOW

SEX & Diabetes

Having diabetes and being in a relationship can prove to be a very complicated and delicate situation. Even if your relationship is strong, it can be stressful to deal with the complication. Janis Roszler and Donna Rice’s team up together to guide you on having an active, healthy sex life while having diabetes in ‘SEX and Diabetes’.

BUY NOW

Divabetic’s 2nd Most Popular Podcast 2019

We’re talking about ways to proceed with ‘CAUTION’ when coping with Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) with musical inspiration from Mariah Carey.  

Do you know living with type 2 diabetes puts you at greater risk for heart disease and stroke? Unfortunately most people don’t. We want to help you get CLUED INN and make a healthy comeback worthy of Mariah Carey. 

Music critics agree that Mariah’s latest collection of songs not only maintains her status as one the best singer/songwriters in the game, but also eloquently displays her truth. She opens up about love, loneliness, and self-worth in a cautionary album that reminds us that she is still a force to be reckoned with after nearly three decades in the industry.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks,  2015 AADE Diabetes Educator of the Year Susan Weiner, MS RDN CDE FAADE, Mama Rose Marie, Yoga For Diabetes Director & Author Rachel Zinman, WeAreEatNeat.com’s Lloyd Owens, Type 2 Diabetes What To Know Community Moderator Nick Zevgolis, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Mariah Carey’s “CAUTION” courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled show of diabetes education and wellness advice with a twist that Diabetes Forecast Magazine describes as “not your typical fare”.

LISTEN NOW

Join Mr. Divabetic and cast of Diabetes Late NIte for Clued Inn: Diabetes & Heart Escape Rooms on National Diabetes Alert Day, Tuesday March 24, 2020 in New York City. MORE INFORMATION

Are You a ‘Diabetes Drama Queen’?

Symptoms and situations related to diabetes are often dramatic and come on very suddenly. But how do you react to them? 

Are you a ‘Diabetes Drama Queen’? 

Learn coping skills for dealing with dramatic symptoms and situations related to diabetes on January’s Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maria Callas podcast scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2020, 6-7:30 PM, EST.

If there’s drama in multiple areas of your diabetes life, be honest with yourself—you’re the constant. Are you creating it? We don’t do anything repeatedly unless there’s something in it for us, so, what’s the payoff?

Every time we find ourselves immersed in something that seems overwhelming, we have an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better.

Maria Callas changed the way we listen to opera—and charged the ambition of the singers who followed her.  Her ability to interpret a wide variety of different roles truly set her apart, establishing her as a phenomenon, an operatic diva. She was able to fully exploit the dramatic strength of her low vocal range as much as the high and bright notes of her high range.

Opera takes any type of dramatic story and tries to make it more exciting and more believable with the help of music.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Grandiose Stimmen: Maria Callas album courtesy of SONY Music. 

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired By Maria Callas

TUNE IN

Intermittent Fasting on December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast

We’re talking about intermittent fasting on December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with Rachel Stahl RD, CDE on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, 6 PM, EST.

Intermittent fasting means you are reducing your window of eating that allows you to shed those deep levels of fat, belly fat + promote cellular health.

This hot trend on social media may sound like a great way to lower your hemoglobin A1c as the pounds melt off. But is it a good idea?

Several doctors believe there are much better ways to achieve a healthy weight.

Dr. Fitch says, “the most consistent way to lose weight and keep it off when you have type 2 diabetes is limiting the carbohydrates in your diet.” Eating less than 150 grams of starchy carbs a day improves blood sugar levels and helps to promote weight loss for most people with T2D, she says. Eating less than 20-50g is even better, but harder to maintain long-term, she says.

The quality of those carbs is crucial, she says. She advises eating carbohydrates with higher fiber content. Choose cauliflower, for instance, not white rice.

Despite the findings of a New Zealand study that the intermittent fasters lost some weight loss and lowered their A1c levels, the study did find a higher risk of hypoglycemia on the fasting days, points out Caroline Apovian, MD, FACP, FACN, professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Boston University School of Medicine and director, Center for Nutrition and Weight Management, Boston Medical Center.  

“The reason is people on insulin and sulfonylureas really cannot safely do intermittent fasting is because of the risk of hypoglycemia,” she tells EndocrineWeb.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Yolanda Adams

December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 2019, 6 PM, EST. Our guests include Dr. Bart Roep of City of Hope, Rachel Stahl MS, RD, CDN, CDE, Her True Beauty founders Barbara Nicholson, Nikki Livingston and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Yolanda Adams’ album,“What A Wonderful Time” courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.” 

TUNE IN

How I Lost Over 200 Pounds – Amazing Weight Loss Stories

November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Vanessa Hunter lost over 200 pounds and has successfully maintained her incredible weight loss for over 10 years. The self-proclaimed ‘VIP of Diabetes’ shares her journey and advice for others interested in transforming their diabetes health exclusively with Divabetic:

Q: Describe your lifestyle before you began your weight loss journey? (Habits, work schedule, other priorities in your life, activity level, meals, etc.) 

Vanessa’s reply: Prior to losing weight I worked as a sales manager job for Verizon. I was an over achiever and commuted to a job with days that lasted 10-12 hours. I ate fast food and I didn’t have an exercise routine

Q: Have you tried to lose weight in the past? Please describe what stopped you. 

Vanessa’s reply: I had a serious food addiction and it prevented me from ever trying to lose weight. Combined with no desire to exercise, I had little to no hope of ever losing a pound. 

Vanessa Hunter

Q: What triggered this weigh loss? Did any celebrities inspire you?Vanessa’s reply: Waking up sick triggered my health transformation. It was apparent to many people that I represented an extreme health risk; I had all the signs of poor health. Oprah, Jennifer Hudson, Monique and Beyonce inspired me. Halli Berry who is living with diabetes inspired me too. 

Q: What were your initial thoughts when were you first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? 

Vanessa’s reply:  I had a 24-hour warning before I went to the ER for the big diagnosis in March 2010. When I woke up several days after admission, I was so grateful to be alive that my initial thoughts were – I’M NOT GOING TO LET FOOD KILL ME, I PROMISE

Q: How did or does your type 2 diabetes factor into your decision to lose weight? 

Vanessa’s reply: It played a major role in my desire to lose weight – I was under the impression that I could reverse my diabetes, so I went to the extreme to follow the rules, keep to the routine and find new activities to move my body. I lost 100 lbs. right before my co-workers’ eyes. 

Q: Describe some obstacles in your weight loss journey and tell us how you managed to overcome them.

Vanessa’s reply: Obstacle #1 – Learning how to eat:  the routine, the meal prep, the carb counting and more. I overcame this by doing research and reading everything I could find that related to my self-care journey.Obstacle #2 – Dealing with complications from diabetes. In my case it was gastro issues.I have yet to overcome the fact that my diet is limited, and fruits/veggies create sensitivity that leads to DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis). 

Q: Share some tips that have worked for you to lose weight and 1-3 tips to maintain your weight loss ·        

Vanessa’s reply: Drink lots of water, Walk after each meal,  Meal Prep – better to be ready than to get ready!

Q: What advice would you give to someone who living with type 2 diabetes seeking to lose weight? 

Vanessa’s reply: My advice is to know the carb limit of your diet, keep to a routine and seek help when you hit the wall. 

Try Your Luck at Counting Carbs with Divabetic’s Carb Kitty Game

Q: The holiday season is just around the corner. What tools do you use to navigate the holidays and stay on track with your health? 

Vanessa’s reply: ‘Tis the season to be jolly. That means we get to be the life of the party, not eat the life out of the party! Stay on track, enjoy the company, make memories, and avoid the illness. 

Q: Tell us about the organization(s) you are involved in the diabetes community. What’s your goal? How did your October program go? What’s ahead? 

Vanessa’s reply: My group, VIP of Diabetes has collaborations with Retina Risk – an app designed to protect our vision. We also collaborate with GlucoseZone for exercises specifically for people living with diabetes. I am a guest panelist monthly, and the next seminar is 11/23, 10-12noon at Mt. Airy United Fellowship, 701 W Johnson St @ Walnut Lane Circle. I actively volunteer for both The American Heart and American Diabetes Associations in Philadelphia. My website is www.vipofdiabetes.org and please follow me on Instagram @ness4wellness, all questions, invites, comments can be sent to vipofdiabetes@gmail.com

Q: Where do you turn to for online support? 

Vanessa’s reply: Divabetic on Facebook of course. Online support provides daily inspiration, direction, answers questions, and lots more. Story: A client recently asked advice on meal plans and daily routines, due to an A1C over 11. Before our journey could begin, we needed to address the underlying reason for the spiral. Once identified the diet has been modified, and with a new outlook on exercise and compliance routines we are off to the makings of a successful wellness journey.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Jennifer Hudson

We’re sharing amazing Weight Loss Journeys & Helpful Ways to overcome fears related to Hypoglycemia with guests: Vanessa Hunter, Dr. Wendy Rapaport PsyD, Dr. Stewart Harris, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Autumn Reed on Novembers’ Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Jennifer Hudson

LISTEN NOW

Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes Mystery Podcast Debuts on 9/10/19

Don’t miss Divabetic’s 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery Podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 6 -7 PM, EST.

This year’s Divabetic Mystery Podcast takes place at the fictitiously decadent world-renowned Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Mr. Divabetic’s culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges. Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape. 

Now, the happy healthcare host must decide to face his fear of snakes and recipe rejection or throw in his apron and risk getting caught up in another murder investigation. Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?

The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Seveda Williams, Trisha Artman, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones, Lorraine Brooks and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes featuring the iconic Carol Channing courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

TUNE IN