Tag: diabetes

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Happy 4th of July

Mr. Divabetic stops by the 10th Annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party at Madison Square Park in New York City to find out how people stay on track with their Summertime health goals.


At the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, pitmasters from New York City, Alabama, and Texas come together to celebrate American barbeque.

According to the Webstaurant Store blog, the main styles of American BBQ are Kansas City, Memphis, Carolina, and Texas.

Kansas pitmasters brush wet ribs with sauce before, during, and after smoking them for a wet sauce. Memphis-style “dry” ribs are coated in a dry rub before they’re smoked and served without sauce, allowing their authentic flavor to shine.

Alabama white sauce is mayonnaise-based and punctuated with apple cider vinegar, brown mustard, and horseradish. It is usually served on chicken.

St. Louis is famous for its spare ribs, and most people refer to this meat cut when they mention St. Louis-style barbecue. In St. Louis, they prefer grilling their ribs rather than slow-smoking them over indirect heat.

California-style BBQ centers on wood-fired tri-tip steaks rubbed in salt, pepper, and garlic powder seasoning. 

Everyone loves grilling food because the high heat and direct contact with your grill can make foods crispy on the outside while keeping them moist inside.

Kentucky is famous for perfecting slow-smoking mutton and developed a Worcestershire-based sauce to complement its rich, gamey flavor.

In recent years, contradictory reports have cited the benefits and dangers of grilling.

According to New York Health, research has found that grilling may reduce your risk for many chronic diseases, including heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes. This is because grilling food makes it easier for us to eat fewer calories and fat.

According to Columbia Doctors, cooking over high heat, especially an open flame, exposes you to two main carcinogens: heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Studies show HCAs and PAHs cause changes in DNA that may increase the risk of cancer. 

Staying healthy isn’t just about watching what you eat; it’s also important to be aware of the excessive calories and added sugar in your drinks. Many summer drinks, including soda, sports and energy drinks, lemonade, fruit juices, and sweetened waters, contain added sugar. 

For example, a 16-fluid-ounce soda can contain over 12 teaspoons of added sugar, while a 16-fluid-ounce sports drink can contain 7 teaspoons. Added sugar can provide empty calories that can contribute to weight gain, obesity, heart disease, and tooth decay. 

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What Are Your Standards?

What are your ‘standards’ for managing your diabetes health?

For at least half the population, it may come as no surprise that women often have negative experiences in the U.S. healthcare system. A new study reports that 50% of young women report negative experiences, according to Forbes.

29% of those who had seen a healthcare provider in the prior two years said their doctor had dismissed their concerns. One in five (19%) said their doctor assumed something about them without asking, and 15% said their provider did not believe them. Perhaps even worse, 13% said that a healthcare provider had suggested they were personally to blame for a health problem they were experiencing. Nearly one in 10 (9%) reported experiencing discrimination based on their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or another personal characteristic.

Additionally, a new study from the University of Florida and Stanford University researchers finds the most commonly cited reason patients with Type 1 diabetes don’t receive optimal care is negative interactions with endocrinologists, cites UF Health. Shame and negative feelings related to stigma and judgment are commonly reported in clinical encounters.

Get drenched in a hefty dose of R&B and Soul with Crystal Penny, as this musical duo offers another musical gem.


The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, stops by the Pride March in New York City to raise awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way.

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Dangers of Weight Cycling On Your Heart

The Luther Vandross: Never Too Much documentary spotlights many of his incredible performances, which will thrill fans.

However, the documentary also includes a cautionary message about the dangerous effects of weight cycling, known as ‘yo you dieting’ on your heart, that should not be ignored.

Regaining weight stresses your heart and blood vessels. A study showed that the more your weight goes up and down, the more you’re likely to have problems like angina, heart attack, and stroke. And the bigger the swings, the bigger the risk.

Dieting isn’t easy. Every ounce of weight gain and loss can toy with your mind, body and spirit. Seek professional help if you’re struggling with these issues.

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Never Been Small

Jennaire’s song, “Never Been Small,” is worth a listen for anyone who struggles with self-image, self-acceptance, or self-love—which means it’s for everyone!! I haven’t heard anyone address this topic (“I have never been small. I have never been thin.”)  in lyrics before hearing it.

Hating yourself because of how you look can harm your health. More information is coming out about how dangerous weight cycling (yo-yo dieting) is for your overall health. Repeatedly losing and regaining weight as small as 5–10 pounds or as large as 50 pounds or more can cause fluctuations in blood pressure, heart rate, and other cardiovascular risk factors.

This topic is addressed in the Luther: Never Too Much documentary because of Luther’s public struggle with weight management.

During my tenure working for him, he lost and regained 100 pounds multiple times. For many years, he lost weight by strictly dieting. I introduced him to step aerobics, which initially proved helpful, but only briefly. There’s a lot more to it than just willpower. Jeannaire’s liberating song speaks to my heart. 

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops by the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island to raise awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way!

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Sensational Spray Painted Summer Hats

Summer is the season of outdoor concerts. It’s a great way to enjoy music, but excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause skin damage. Protect yourself from the sun with style!

Our friend Evetta Petty, the owner of Harlem Heaven’s Hats, puts pizzazz into sun protection with a unique collection of spray-painted sun hats featuring brightly colored fruits are fun, fun, fun!

By the way, Evetta Petty is off to the races—the UK’s Royal Ascot, one of the most famous in the world. She is the only American milliner represented at Ascot this year, and she’s the first Black milliner ever to have a hat selected for the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective. Twelve milliners were chosen from all over the world. Her ‘Blue Note’ hat is simply FABULOUS!


Most skin cancers are preventable. Proactive approaches to sun protection are essential. Wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and avoiding indoor tanning are great ways to have fun and protect yourself from the sun.

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests using at least an SPF 30, but higher is better. It is important to reapply every two hours, especially if out in the sun or in the water.

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Lilacs & Managing Diabetes In The Morning

Another gorgeous morning in East Hampton, NY, is another reason to show my home state pride. When I was growing up in Rochester, my mother told me lilacs were the official New York State bush, but they weren’t designated as such until 2006. 

Checking your blood sugar in the morning, known as fasting glucose, can help you assess your diabetes self-care plan. This measurement shows how well your body manages your blood sugar overnight. If you take insulin, a morning test can also help you determine how much to take before a meal.

In people with prediabetes or diabetes, morning blood sugar can remain high as the body becomes less sensitive to insulin or produces smaller amounts. This is known as the “dawn phenomenon.”

Some researchers believe the overnight release of certain hormones naturally increases insulin resistance. That causes blood sugar to rise. The hormones are called counter-regulatory hormones because they have an effect that opposes the effect of insulin. They include growth hormone, cortisol, glucagon, and epinephrine.

High blood sugar in the morning may be caused by:

  • Not getting enough insulin the night before.
  • Not getting the right dose of diabetes medicine the night before.
  • Eating a snack with carbohydrates in it at bedtime.

Talk to your healthcare collaborators if your blood sugar is consistently higher than it should be in the morning.

According to Greek mythology, Pan, the god of fields and forests, fell hopelessly in love with the nymph Syringa. After endless advances from Pan, Syringa turns herself into a lilac shrub to protect and disguise herself from him, proving once again how some guys don’t get the message. 

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Salted Caramel Banana Bars Recipe by Splenda

Enjoy this decadent dessert recipe from our friends at Splenda. This recipe contains US Splenda Stevia Granulated Sweetener and Splenda Sweetened Condensed Milk.

Splenda offers a U.S.-grown stevia sweetener made with simple ingredients that can replace added sugar in all your favorite foods and drinks.

Splenda Sweetened Condensed Milk is a sweet and creamy ingredient with no added sugar and 35% fewer calories than leading brands. It can be used in fudge, pumpkin pie, and coffee recipes.

Salted Caramel Banana Bars Recipe

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons plant-based butter spread or margarine

Get Full Recipe

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a bowl, beat together butter and Splenda Stevia Sweetener until smooth. Beat in egg until fully combined. Then, beat in yogurt and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients (the mixture may be dry), then fold in mashed banana.
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What’s In Your Bag? 

Many of our community members agree that thinking ahead and being prepared for unexpected issues related to your daily self-care is helpful.  Before you leave your house, make sure you have the necessary supplies with you. 

Talk to your healthcare collaborators about what fits your diabetes lifestyle. It could be a small snack, water bottle, glucose tablets, insulin, glucose monitor, or glucose gels.

Based on your lifestyle, your healthcare collaborators may recommend changes in your meal plan, activity level, or diabetes medicines to help you manage blood sugar swings.

Medical identification (cards, bracelets, or necklaces) can show others that you have diabetes and show whether you take diabetes medicine such as insulin. What’s in your bag? 

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Divabetic Podcast: Mermaid Parade

Tune in to Divabetic’s podcast on the 42nd Annual Mermaid Parade with our guests, Coney Island USA’s Artistic Director Adam Rinn and Poet Lorraine Brooks.

The Mermaid Parade is the nation’s largest art parade. It brings together creative minds in art and fashion and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Brooklyn’s amusement district. The Parade originated to help preserve the tradition of Mardi Gras-type events popular in Coney Island between 1903 and 1954.

This year, painter, performer, and sideshow historian Joe Coleman will be King Neptune, and his wife, artist, and photographer Whitney Ward will be Queen Mermaid. The couple will officially open the beaches for the beginning of summer and celebrate the sun, sand, sea, and salt air.

Our first guest, Adam Rinn, Coney Island USA’s Artistic Director, is a Coney Island native who has worked as a sword swallower, strongman, and variety performer for the past 20 years, so you’re sure to enjoy this fun and colorful interview!

Frequent contributor Poet Lorraine Brooks revisits her groundbreaking poem “Beauty & The Beach,” which premiered over thirteen years ago on Divabetic’s Roundtable podcast. “Beauty & The Beach” resonates deeply with podcast listeners and Diabetic blog readers. Since then, we have reshared Lorraine’s poem on body love, swimwear, and beaches on subsequent podcasts and blog entries.

During our interview, Lorraine shares how her opinions about her body and wearing a swimsuit have changed over the past decade, but her feelings about her diabetes diagnosis have not. She emphasizes the time, effort, and care she has put into her diabetes management, which has helped her remain free of diabetes-related complications.

Our discussion also touches on how negative self-talk can hinder us from enjoying life. Lorraine has agreed to revisit the themes of body love, beaches, and swimwear in a new poem entitled “Summer Skin” for this podcast.

Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy caterer. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party aboard a yacht for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found swimming with the fishes.

Was it an accident or foul play? Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario, a gypsy fortune teller, and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand.

Can Mr. Divabetic overcome his green pea phobia in time to prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea? Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his nosey Italian mother and friends. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer, he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.

FEATURING Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, We Are Diabetes Founder Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Mama Rose Marie, and Seveda Williams.
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Divabetic’s Sweet Romance E-Book Available Now

Romantic relationships play an important role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even the most loving and open relationships. 

Many people don’t know that diabetes can impact physical and emotional intimacy. And intimacy-related issues can be especially difficult to discuss with a partner or a health care provider.

But don’t let diabetes hinder the romance. Divabetic’s Sweet Romance series gives you practical information and expert advice to tackle this sensitive subject. These comprehensive, interactive guides cover everything you need to know to enjoy a fulfilling sexual and emotional life despite the challenges of diabetes.

GET YOUR COPY NOW

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 health care 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 PhD, LMFT, RDN, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, use humor, helpful examples, and insightful questions to present key topics about sexual health in an engaging, approachable way. This series is perfect for anyone (regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, or health status) looking to rekindle intimacy with their partner or be proactive about their sexual and emotional well-being.

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