A Little Respect by Lorraine Brooks

Enjoy this poem, A Little Respect, by Lorraine Brooks. Lorraine shared this poem on Divabetic’s podcast inspired by Aretha Franklin

Over the years, Lorraine has shared poems shedding light on society’s shame and blame directed at people with diabetes’s size and shape. Aretha Franklin struggled with several undisclosed issues (pancreatic cancer, type diabetes, tobacco use) and fluctuating weight issues throughout her career. It’s been reported that at age 34,  Aretha started yoyo dieting with alternating weight loss and gain.

A LITTLE RESPECT by Lorraine Brooks

Look at me.
Look at the pain
In my eyes.
All that you see
Is my
Overweight size.
Inside is a person
Who needs to
Be heard.
Needs to let go of
The hurt
I’ve incurred.
I’m not uninformed
And I’m not unaware.
I am not lazy
And yes, I DO care.
I haven’t abandoned
My health or my needs.
I’ve just redefined
What it means
To Succeed.
I am not here
To live up to your charts
Or conform to your standards
For my body parts.
It’s not called depression
It doesn’t need meds
I won’t go to blazes and
I won’t drop dead.
I don’t have the answer
To all of life’s queries,
I don’t want to hear about
All of your theories.
Just treat me with value
As part of the clan
And do not compare me to those
Smaller than.
Look at me
Look at the smile
I reflect
And treat me with love
And a little
Respect.

Enjoy this episode of Divabetic’s podcast with music from Aretha Franklin.

Aretha Franklin was considered the legend of legends, a groundbreaking singer with the fortitude to transcend race and genre, using voice as the bulldozer to break down every barrier set up in her way.

Aretha’s health journey sparks a discussion about the uncertain connection between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Long-standing diabetes can be considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It causes a modest increase in the risk of 1.5- to two-fold. Other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), family history of pancreatic cancer, obesity, and specific genetic syndromes.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Diabetes Strong’s owner Christel Oerum, Beautyphonics CEO and “Beneath The Makeup” Author Suzanne Perez, Jessica Clark, and Trisha Artman.

This podcast features music from Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’ 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.”

Al Roker Reveals Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Al Roker told his Today show audience that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancerRoker, 66, mentioned that he will leave the show for a while to have surgery. “It’s a good news-bad news kind of thing,” he said. “Good news is we caught it early.”

He underwent a five-hour surgery by Dr. Vincent Laudone on November 9 at New York City’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to remove his prostate and some surrounding tissue and lymph nodes.The surgery went well, and Al was already doing laps around the hospital hallways by that afternoon. He was home by the following day and bustling through his regular five-mile walk around the park just three days after the surgery.

“I feel good,” Al said. “The technology has gotten so good – they did it with a robot – that I felt much better after the surgery than I did with any of my joint replacements.

WATCH INTERVIEW

The 5 Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer
  • A painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation.
  • Frequent urination, particularly at night.
  • Difficulty stopping or starting urination.
  • Sudden erectile dysfunction.
  • Blood in urine or semen.

In addition, you may have pain around the base of the penis and behind the scrotum, pain in the lower back, and the feeling of a full rectum. As the prostate becomes more swollen, you may find it more difficult to urinate, and the urine stream may become weak.

 

We’re celebrating World Diabetes Day with musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin.

There are many reasons that Aretha Franklin is the legend of legends, a groundbreaking singer with the fortitude to transcend race and genre, using that tremulous voice as the bulldozer to break down every barrier set up in her way.

Aretha’s own health journey is sparking a discussion about the uncertain connection between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Long-standing diabetes can be considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It causes a modest increase in risk of 1.5- to two-fold. Some of the other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), family history of pancreatic cancer, obesity and certain genetic syndromes.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Diabetes Strong’s owner Christel Oerum, Beautyphonics CEO and “Beneath The Makeup”Author Suzanne Perez, Jessica Clark, Trisha Artman, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’ 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.”

31 Days of Divabetic Podcasts, Twenty Eight

Divabetic (Divabetic.org) presents a month-long showcase celebrating 10 years of diabetes podcasting. Each of the featured podcasts spotlights our favorite guests, topics, poems, games and/or musical inspiration. Enjoy!

On Day 28, we’re spotlighting Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Aretha Franklin podcast from November 2018.

There are many reasons that Aretha Franklin is the legend of legends, a groundbreaking singer with the fortitude to transcend race and genre, using that tremulous voice as the bulldozer to break down every barrier set up in her way.

Although the Queen of Soul didn’t talk much about her diabetes, she admitted to a local news station in 2014 that she was living with diabetes, but did not specify whether it was type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Later on in another interview reprinted in BlackDoctor.org, she alluded to living with diabetes when she discussed maintaining her 85 pound weight loss.  Aretha Franklin said, “I have diabetes, really, from years ago when I was really badly and grossly overweight. Now, I’m back to my natural size and thrilled about it.”

Aretha’s own health journey is sparking a discussion about the uncertain connection between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Long-standing diabetes can be considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It causes a modest increase in risk of 1.5- to two-fold. Some of the other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), family history of pancreatic cancer, obesity and certain genetic syndromes.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Diabetes Strong‘s owner Christel Oerum, Beautyphonics CEO and “Beneath The Makeup” Author Suzanne Perez, Jessica Clark, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’ courtesy of SONY Music.

 


Our 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 health care 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 the diabetes and its related complications. Since its inception, Divabetic has presented outreach programs in 15 major U.S. cities, reaching hundreds of thousands of women, their families and health care professionals.

Experience more of our GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS philosophy at divabetic.org

https://youtu.be/XHsnZT7Z2yQ

Diabetes on Instagram Roundup #5

Some of our favorite #diabetes instagram posts from around the world to inpire you. In this roundup, our friend, Chirstel Oerum from Diabetes Strong hits a new milestone, a great green pepper sandwich recipe, amazing weight loss story, low calorie hard seltzer endorsement, and a few words and images to brighten your day!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYb3VbF47P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B2eqoJJhe-T/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhBiY1J-Uw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAg4mLRA3Iv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAg1tLHBTi_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgypvTH1yu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgu890pk8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgffUPBJPZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf8KS1DHTbt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

‘The World is Ours Today’ by Poet Lorraine Brooks

‘The World is Ours Today’ by Poet Lorraine Brooks

the world gives us a day
but for us it’s every day.
Diabetes affects us all in each and every way.

The world has not a clue.
The world assesses you.
Diabetes makes our world feel sad and lonely too.
The world says this and that
The world tells us we’re fat
We know they don’t know exactly what they’re looking at.
The world can’t understand
The needs and the demands
The pains and stress that diabetics often do withstand.
But our worlds are alright
We keep our numbers tight.
And in our world we stay prepared in case we have to fight.
Our world is very real
So listen to how we feel.
We aren’t trying to be perfect or ideal.
Our world has ups and downs.
A lot of smiles and frowns.
We do have setbacks, big and small, but we do rebound.
On World Diabetes day
Our worlds are bight and gay.
We thank the world for taking time to help us be OK.
But please make sure that you’re
A help to us for sure.
And stick by us not just one day, but ‘till there is a cure.

Enjoy Divabetic’s special World Diabetes Day celebration with musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin on Diabetes Late Nite.

The Queen of Soul’s own health journey is sparking a discussion about the uncertain connection between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Long-standing diabetes can be considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It causes a modest increase in risk of 1.5- to two-fold. Some of the other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), family history of pancreatic cancer, obesity and certain genetic syndromes.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Diabetes Strong’s owner Christel Oerum, Beautyphonics CEO and “Beneath The Makeup”Author Suzanne Perez, Jessica Clark, Coach  the Cure Trisha Artman, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’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.”

‘Facing The Challenges of Living with Diabetes Everyday’ by Jessica Clark

Facing the challenges of living with diabetes everyday can be tough! And we’re not afraid to talk about it. You shouldn’t feel afraid either to express that ‘the struggle is real’ to friends, family and co-workers. 

Need some inspiration for living ‘out loud’ about your diabetes?

 Our Divabetic friend, Jessica Clark will stop by the studio to share her experience of living with the up’s and down’s  of type 1 diabetes on November’s Diabetes Late Nite. Join us here on Wednesday, November 14 from 6 – 7:30 PM. CLICK HERE

Recently Jessica shared a very personal post on FB describing one of her saddest and most sincere diabetes moments. Below is what Jessica wishes you knew about her, the diabetes edition:

Every minute of my life is a calculation. And if it wasn’t, or I did it wrong, it can mean long-term tragic consequences. Even death.

I don’t feel good. Ever.

If I tell you I don’t feel good, then I REALLY don’t feel good.

It never works the way I want it to.

I can do the same thing every day, every detail, and have it still come out differently or wrong.

No one understands it.

But everyone is an expert on it.

I get judged for it.

It ruined my self-esteem.

Nothing is easy or straightforward

It changed me as a person, and sometimes I hate that.

I wonder how things could have been different if I didn’t have it.

I wonder what I would physically look like if I didn’t have it

I’ve been made fun of by my family and those closest to me regarding it

No matter what, I am seen as a complainer, wet blanket, trying to get attention, etc.

I go to bed every night not really knowing if I will wake up

I’m treated medically by people who learned how to care for me in books that are decades old

It’s fucking expensive to keep me alive

I feel like a burden physically and financially on people

I spend more to stay alive than people realize, even with insurance.

Giant for-profit corporations dictate the care I can receive and my quality of life.

A cure wouldn’t be profitable

My life is “managed” or “controlled”

Once you aren’t little or cute, few people genuinely care or help.

I’ve lost feeling in all of my fingertips.

I am diagnosed as “significantly visually impaired” because of it. Poor vision and night vision in my left eye. No peripheral vision, depth perception, or night vision in my right eye.

It isn’t easy or simple

It isn’t just eating well or working out

People judge and criticize my food choices.

My skin doesn’t get thicker or tougher to harsh remarks

I have to be “rude” and turn down items I can’t or shouldn’t have. (But then if I do have them, get judged or questioned, see above)

I subsequently make people feel “shitty” once I tell them why I can’t have said item.

But mostly, it’s lonely.

It’s really really lonely.

Here are several more of Jessica’s FB posts illustrating how ‘the struggle is real’ for millions of people living with type 1 diabetes:

“Diabetes awareness month real life post! Today was so shitty. Cracked windshield, dead (expensive) battery, so many things. I’m exhausted! Buuuut it’s 11pm and my blood sugar is 48 and I’m TIREEEDDD. But I can’t go to bed, because I might die. Sooo I’m not hungry or thirsty, but I’m drinking a juice box, eating to save my life. And this isn’t a once in a life time dramatic post. This is weekly, monthly. This is my ugly tired 11pm post of diabetes. This is T1D life. Jdrf one walk shirt was not planned lol.” – Jessica, November 2, 2018, 10:07 PM

“Most days, you control the diabetes. Some days, it controls you. Today was that day for me. It’s scary, and painful, but it’s not often. Bad enough I had to leave work, BG high enough I *probably* should have seen an ER (I didn’t, can’t afford healthcare costs. That’s another story. Lol) Shout out to all of my diabetic friends out there living through this shit we have to deal with.” – Jessica, October 10, 2018 at 4:16 PM

“This is the diabetes you don’t see. Tired, ready for bed, low blood sugar. Every time you test it drops lower and lower, and you keep treating and treating. You can’t breath, you’re confused, and your tired! But you can’t sleep, because if you sleep before it’s safe, you might not wake up. This is real. This is my life, every minute, of everyday, to some degree. This is the me you don’t see.” – Jessica, September 30, 2018

“Waking up to messages, comments, shares, from around the world is amazing, and I thank all of you. The gratitude I have, to have this life, and all of you in it is amazing. It is no secret that I am a “loud and proud” diabetic. A sometimes (unapologetically) open book. I love being able to help share moments that are common threads in the Diabetic community, but that little or no one vocalizes. I love being able to express what others cannot, for various different reasons. I would like to continue to do more for the community, in any way I can. I plan to work on more blogs, podcasts, events, whatever. If you would like to join me, come on in!” – Jessica, November 7, 2018

My reason for sharing these moments is not to put a rain cloud over Diabetes or Diabetics. It’s simply to show how STRONG and how Human we really are. Most diabetics face challenges no one will ever see or know. Giving a voice to some of the moments and emotions is so important. Letting others know your feelings, and offer their help is crucial in being able to LIVE this wonderful life.”– Jessica, November 10, 2018

We’re celebrating World Diabetes Day with musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin on Diabetes Late Nite scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 PM, EST. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Diabetes Strong’s owner Christel Oerum, Beautyphonics CEO and “Beneath The Makeup”Author Suzanne Perez, Jessica Clark, Coach the Cure Health Educator Trisha Artman, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’ courtesy of SONY Music.  TUNE IN

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.”

https://youtu.be/tcpky_48Z7g

 

 

How To Feel ‘Diabetes Strong’ with Christel Oerum

We’re excited to announce our special line-up for Divabetic’s World Diabetes Day edition of Diabetes Late NiteDiabetes Strong founder, Christel Oerum will stop by the studio to share her experience thriving with type 1 diabetes and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin will provide musical inspiration. Join us here on Wednesday, November 14 from 6 – 7:30 PM.

Christel is a certified personal trainer, diabetes writer and advocate. She has been living with type 1 diabetes since 1997, and lives by the motto “there’s nothing you can’t do with diabetes.” With a wonderful life motto like that, we had to ask Christel to share some advice and guidance on staying strong with diabetes prior to our podcast interview.  

Q: You posted on Diabetes Strong that when you first started to work out that you didn’t understand the difference between being ‘skinny’ and being ‘fit’. Can you explain how this impacted your fitness goals?

Christel Oerum: It shifted my whole approach to health and the way I structure my workouts and nutrition. While “skinny” can easily become an endless chase to “lose weight”, being fit and strong is more tangible. My focus is now more on increasing strength and eating to ensure my body can perform. I find strength incredibly empowering and I never go to the gym for “punishment” or to lose anything. I go because I like it and when I leave, I feel accomplished.

Q: Most women don’t want to lift weights because they’re afraid of looking ‘too bulky’ – what’s your opinion? 

Christel Oerum: Building muscle is surprisingly hard, especially for women, so I don’t think women have to fear that. To “bulk up”, you have to consistently (we’re talking years) lift heavy and eat enough to support muscle gain. I’ve done that, and I don’t think I look “bulky” but that I look strong.  

Q: What does your saying ‘forget about “toning” and focus on “building” mean?

Christel Oerum: “Toning” is such a weird term. Toning indicates that you lean out (aka reduce your body fat) to reveal your muscle tone. Well, you need to build muscle first in order to show it off. I think a lot of people (especially women) become frustrated when they lose weight and still don’t have the “toned” body they want.

Obviously, we all carry muscle even if we never lifted a dumbbell, but if you really want to “tone”, you’re probably also interested in having a little more muscle tone to show off.

Q: How do you deal with blood sugar fluctuations before, after and during your workout?

Christel Oerum: I limit the fluctuations by having a good understanding of how different workouts most likely will affect my blood sugar and by knowing which blood sugar management strategies are optimal to implement. I’ve written several articles on that on Diabetes Strong because it’s something many struggle with, and it takes time and effort to figure out what works for the individual.

But gaining that knowledge is golden. By knowing which types of exercise most likely will increase blood sugar and which won’t, we can adjust our medication and food accordingly and just enjoy exercise more.

Q: How do you feel that knowing how many calories you’re eating and what kind of calories you’re eating is important? 

Christel Oerum: I don’t think it’s always important to know your calorie intake. I definitely don’t track what I eat all the time. However, if you do want to gain or lose weight, it’s important to know how much you’re consuming compared to how much you should be consuming. And the most efficient way to determine that is by tracking your food for a while. There are different methods for that and I always recommend people choose the right method for them. If tracking calories result in unwanted eating pattern and eating disorder behavior, I highly recommend a different method.

Q: How can others living with diabetes learn how to make peace with their obstacles and find ways to turn them into something positive? 

Christel Oerum: I truly believe in finding your way through joy and support. We all have obstacles we need to tackle, and if they’re not approached with some level of positive outlook, they will become practically impossible to work your way out of. Diabetes is an obstacle, but it’s also an opportunity to become extremely aware of how your body works and responds to pretty much anything you do. And you’re not alone in this journey. There is a vast diabetes community online that you can tap into. We’re in group chats, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and in person at meet-ups around the world, you just need to reach out.  

Q: We’ve read that you often advise people living with diabetes who are interested in starting a fitness routine to do ‘what gives them energy’ what does that mean? Can you explain? 

Christel Oerum: I find that when we enjoy something, when we have fun, it makes us happy and gives us energy. If you love to dance, you might be smiling all the way through that favorite song of yours, and you’ll probably have a smile on your face or in your heart even after the song is over, even if you are out of breath and covered in sweat. That’s how I feel about resistance training. I might not always want to go, but I pretty much always feel amazing afterward. I feel energized and happy.

Do what you like and what makes you happy – not what someone else says is the “best” way to exercise.

We’re celebrating World Diabetes Day with a special Diabetes Late Nite musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM.

There are many reasons that Aretha Franklin is the legend of legends, a groundbreaking singer with the fortitude to transcend race and genre, using that tremulous voice as the bulldozer to break down every barrier set up in her way.

Aretha’s own health journey is sparking a discussion about the uncertain connection between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Long-standing diabetes can be considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It causes a modest increase in risk of 1.5- to two-fold. Some of the other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), family history of pancreatic cancer, obesity and certain genetic syndromes.

Guests include Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Diabetes Strong‘s owner Christel Oerum, Beautyphonics CEO and “Beneath The Makeup”Author Suzanne Perez, Jessica Clark, Trisha Artman and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’ courtesy of SONY Music.

FREE  DIVABETIC  GIVEAWAY: We’re giving away a copy of Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport and Dr. Sandra Neshin Bernstein’s Friendship Matters: Memoir, Life Lessons, Laughter on November’s Diabetes Late Nite. Tune in (using this link to win! 

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.

How Much Do You Know About Insulin? Part 2

How much do you know about insulin? 
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic has created a new game to test one lucky listener’s ‘INSULIN IQ’ featuring a series of questions about insulin for November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin’s rendition of ‘Teach Me Tonight’ from her Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics album courtesy of SONY Music.
Can’t wait until Wednesday, November 14th? Test your knowledge with these two ‘Teach Me Tonight Challenge’ questions (answers appear at the bottom of this blog post):

3: Which animal was insulin first tested on?

A. A cow

B. A pig

C. A dog

4: What year was insulin first used on a human?

A. 1912

B.1922

C. 1932

5: How many people are living with diabetes in the world?

A. 322 million

B. 399 million

C. 422 million

Are you concerned about the average price of insulin skyrocketing in recent years – nearly tripling between 2002 and 2013?
Join us in calling for increased transparency and more affordable insulin. More than 377,207 people have signed the American Diabetes Association’s petition to support those struggling with insulin affordability. Add your name today. CLICK HERE

Don’t miss November’s Diabetes Late Niteon Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 PM, EST.Divabetic will be hosting November’s Diabetes Late Nite with music by Aretha Franklin on World Diabetes Day Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 PM EST in celebration of World Diabetes Day.

You may be wondering why November 14th is World Diabetes Day?
November 14th is a significant date in the diabetes calendar because it marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin, Sir Frederick Banting. Banting discovered insulin in 1922, alongside Charles Best. Insulin isn’t just a drug. It’s the difference between life and death for millions of people with diabetes – and it’s something they will need every day for the rest of their lives.

Guests included Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Owner of Diabetes Strong Christel Oerum, Makeup Artist & Skincare Expert Suzanne Perez, Mama Rose Marie and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. Plus, win a copy of Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport’s newest book,

“Friendship Matters: memoir, life lessons, laughter” as part of our World Diabetes Day giveaway! TUNE IN

ANSWERS: 1). C: DOG. Canadian physician Frederick Banting and medical student Charles H. Best would be credited with discovering the hormone insulin in the pancreatic extracts of dogs. Banting and Best injected the hormone into a dog and found that it lowered high blood glucose levels to normal. 2). B: 1922.  On 11 January 1922 insulin was first used in the treatment of diabetes. Insulin was discovered by Sir Frederick G Banting, Charles H Best and JJR Macleod at the University of Toronto in 1921 and it was subsequently purified by James B Collip. 3). C: 422 MILLION. According to the World Health Organization, 422 million people are living with diabetes worldwide, nearly doubling the prevalence from 4.7 percent in 1980 to 8.4 percent in 2014. In the United States alone, an estimated 29.1 million adults and children are affected.

How Much Do You Know About Insulin? on November’s Diabetes Late Nite

Divabetic will be hosting November’s Diabetes Late Nite with music by Aretha Franklin on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 PM EST in celebration of World Diabetes Day.

You may be wondering why November 14th is World Diabetes Day?
November 14th is a significant date in the diabetes calendar because it marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin, Sir Frederick Banting. Banting discovered insulin in 1922, alongside Charles Best. Insulin isn’t just a drug. It’s the difference between life and death for millions of people with diabetes – and it’s something they will need every day for the rest of their lives.
How much do you know about insulin? 
Mr. Divabetic has created a new game to test one lucky listener’s ‘INSULIN IQ’ featuring a series of questions about insulin for November’s podcast with musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin’s rendition of ‘Teach Me Tonight’ from her Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics album courtesy of SONY Music.
Can’t wait until Wednesday, November 14th? Test your knowledge with these two ‘Teach Me Tonight Challenge’ questions (answers appear at the bottom of this blog post):

1. What is the most common methods of injecting insulin?

a. insulin syringe

b. insulin inhalers

c. insulin pens

2. In ancient times, doctors would test for diabetes by?

a. Check the patient’s eyes

b. Tasting the patient’s urine

c. Listening to the patient’s heart

Are you concerned about the average price of insulin skyrocketing in recent years – nearly tripling between 2002 and 2013?
Join us in calling for increased transparency and more affordable insulin. More than 377,207 people have signed the American Diabetes Association’s petition to support those struggling with insulin affordability. Add your name today. CLICK HERE
 
Don’t miss November’s Diabetes Late Nite on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 PM, EST with  Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Owner of Diabetes Strong Christel Oerum, Makeup Artist & Skincare Expert Suzanne Perez, Mama Rose Marie and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. TUNE IN

Answers: 1. (a.) The most common method of injecting insulin is by syringe, but there are a lot of other options available, such as insulin pens, inhalers and pumps. Talk to your doctor to find out what’s best for you. Answer 2 (b). In ancient times, doctors would test for diabetes by tasting the patient’s urine to see if it was sweet. People who tasted urine to check for diabetes were called “water tasters.” Other diagnostic measures included checking to see if urine attracted ants or flies.

Gingerbread Cake Squares Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

While training to become a pastry chef, Stacey “The Diabetic Pastry Chef” Harris diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Rather than hang up her apron, she decided to adapt her favorite recipes for her dietary needs and share them with the diabetes community. Enjoy!

Gingerbread Cake Squares Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

“These big soft, tender cookies are packed full of flavor. The texture is wonderful. The ginger cookies are easy to make with nice results.”

Ingredients

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar or 1/2 cup Splenda For Baking

1/2 cup molasses

3/4 cup melted butter or melted Smart Balance regular spread

1 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground ginger

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup boiling water

Directions

Beat eggs. Blend in sugar or Splenda, molasses, and melted butter or spread. In separate bowl, sift together all dry ingredients. Alternate adding flour mixture with boiling water to batter, and beat until smooth.

Pour batter into a greased 9-inch square baking pan, or into greased square or round muffin tins. Bake 30 to 40 minutes in a preheated 350-degree oven, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cut  gingerbread in pan into 18 slices. Serve warm or at room temperature topped with whipped cream.  Yield: 18 servings.

Stacey ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ Harris was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes while training to become a pastry chef. She thought her career–not to mention her lifetime love affair with desserts–was over.

Her devastation gave way to innovation, resulting in creating a vast array of desserts specifically designed to satisfy the sweet tooth without sacrificing flavor.

Stacey Harris has transformed more than 200 desserts into diabetic-friendly delights. Harris shares the sweet secrets of her simple-to-use formula that will convert most any recipe into a lower-carb alternative without compromising taste or quality. Now diabetics can enjoy Chocolate Truffle Cookies, Blueberry Tartlets, Cream Cheese Cupcakes, Coffee Bread Pudding, and hundreds of others.

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite on World Diabetes Day, Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 PM, EST.  Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Owner of DiabetesStrong.com Christel Oerum, Makeup Artist & Skincare Expert Suzanne Perez, Mama Rose Marie and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’ courtesy of SONY Music.