Divabetic Remembers Biz Markie

Rapper Biz Markie has died. He was 57 years old.

Markie, whose real name was Marcel Theo Hall, was a rapper, producer, and DJ in his career but will forever be known for his quirky 1989 single “Just a Friend.”

The rapper was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2011, but said in 2014 that he lost 140 pounds since the diagnosis due to healthy lifestyle changes.

“I wanted to live,” Markie told ABC News at the time. “Since I have to be a diabetic, If I didn’t make the changes, it was going to make the diabetes worse. I’m trying to get off [diabetes medications]. The way you gotta do it is lose the weight. I’m off half my meds, I just got to get off the rest.”

“They said I could lose my feet,” he added. “They said I could lose body parts. A lot of things could happen.”

Mr. Divabetic talks with entertainer Keith Anthony Fluitt and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES about DJ Frankie Knuckles’s foot amputation and lower limb amputations related to diabetes on July’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. 

‘Just A Friend’ was Biz Markie’s only song to chart in the top 100, but it cemented his legacy in hip-hop forever. The song’s video, which featured the rapper don a powder-white wig as he played the piano and belted out the classic chorus: “You, you’ve got what I need/ but you say he’s just a friend/ and you say he’s just a friend/ oh baby, you, you’ve got what I need.” helped to make the tune iconic.

Biz Markie also appeared in several films and TV shows, including “Men in Black II,” as a narrator on the adult puppet show “Crank Yankers,” and on the children’s series “Yo Gabba Gabba!” with his “Biz’s Beat of the Day.”

“The weirdest thing about my fame is that when I’m thinking that it’s almost over, it just sparks back up,” Biz Markie told the Post. “I made ‘Just a Friend’ in ’89. Some people’s records die — it sprouts up. Now it’s 30 years later, and it’s sprouted up again in commercials. They’re not letting me die. The public, the fans, they like me around.”

“I’m going to be Biz Markie until I die,” he said. “Even after I die, I’m going to be Biz Markie.

Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest also passed away from the same complications back in 2016. The iconic rapper and lyricist passed away at the age of 45 after facing a battle with his diabetes diagnosis.

We’re focusing on ‘KIDNEYS and DIABETES’ on this episode of Diabetes Late Nite with musical inspiration from A Tribe Called Quest.

LISTEN NOW

Phife Dawg, born Malik Taylor, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in May of 1990. Experiencing constant thirst and bathroom visits, his grandmother, a nurse, tested him for diabetes after a performance in Connecticut. Initially, Phife admitted he did not take his diagnosis seriously and maintained the same lifestyle.

“It’s really a sickness,” Taylor said in Beats, Rhymes & Life, Michael Rapaport’s candid 2011 documentary on the group. “Like straight-up drugs. I’m just addicted to sugar.”

Phife’s initial resistance to treatment made it necessary for him to go on dialysis followed by a kidney transplant in 2008.  This past March he died at age 45.

“When you learn you have diabetes, the first word you have to learn is acceptance,” he said during an interview with dLife TV hoping to encourage others to learn from his mistakes.

June’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests include MaryAnn Nicolay DTR, Dr. Braxton Cosby, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Funny Man Mike, Arnon Krongrad, MD, Catherine Lawrence, and Mama Rose Marie.

We will be featuring selected songs from their first album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, released in 1990, courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

 

Negative Talk We Say To Ourselves Is Not A Secret

The words we say to ourselves are the most harmful. 
Negative talk we repeatedly say to ourselves goes deep to our core. Unintentionally these repeated hurtful phrases playing inside our minds stop us from achieving our health goals. Moreover, every insult we say to ourselves chips away bit by bit at our self-confidence until it’s gone.

My big takeaway from Valerie Bertinelli’s recent confessional video about body shaming is that the voice inside Valerie’s head is probably much more toxic than comments posted by strangers. Valerie, like the rest of us, is capable of being her own worst enemy at times. Our internal conversation and negative thoughts can be extremely limiting.

I assume her tearful reaction to the comments posted about her weight confirmed her worse fears about herself.

“You have to separate who you are from your weight,” says my friend and colleague, Dr. Beverly S. “Dr. Bev” Adler, Ph.D., CDCES. I’m paraphrasing her words, but she added, “You are not your weight.” Dr. Bev is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, Author, and Speaker who specializes in treating the emotional issues of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.  Dr. Bev has been a frequent guest on Divabetic’s popular monthly podcasts.  Most notably, she appeared on a series of Diabetes podcasts spotlighting the five stages of accepting a diabetes diagnosis.

Have you ever thought that you weren’t good enough? When we feel we aren’t good enough (young enough, tall enough, skinny enough, smart enough, attractive enough, etc.) we tend to drown in this emotion of self-doubt and pity. But the truth is that we are all good enough and worthy of receiving what we want in life.

Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash

Instead of saying, “I am not good enough,” tell yourself that you are worthy, just like everyone else

Here’s my story:

I know that from personal experience that we can defeat ourselves before we even try. I let my psoriasis stop me from going to the beach or, more specifically, Asbury Park, NJ because I thought my psoriasis patches were so unsightly. Finally, after several years of avoiding the beach, I agreed to go with friends. At the time, several patches of psoriasis on my torso were visible. I felt uncomfortable taking off my shirt in public and exposing my psoriasis, but it was too hot to keep in on. I barely had my shirt off when my biggest fear became a reality. A woman I didn’t know approached me on the beach, pointed at my patches, and told me that my patches looked ugly. I couldn’t believe she said aloud what I had been telling myself for years. But in a moment, I realized what she said wasn’t nearly as bad as what I said to myself. I described my psoriasis patches as ‘horrible’ and ‘disgusting’. The word she used ‘ugly,’ by comparison, is lightweight to the terms I choose to tell myself. My mood quickly changed. I wasn’t going to let some small-minded person stop me from enjoyment.

Looking back, I’m so grateful for that brief interaction in Asbury Park. It made me realize that the only person who could stop me from doing the things I loved was myself. We need to love ourselves unconditionally. It’s not easy but if you ease up on yourself and sprinkled words of kindness into your daily thoughts you’ll be surprised by the results. Our thoughts directly affect how we feel and, therefore, what we do in life. Don’t limit yourself or your dazzle! See you on the beach!

3 Simple Ways You Can Start Loving Yourself Unconditionally from Vunela
  1. Give yourself permission to follow your heart.
  2. Forgive yourself for past mistakes.
  3. Show love and kindness to others.

“If you can learn to love yourself and all the flaws, you can love other people so much better. And that makes you so happy”Kristin Chenoweth

We’re celebrating Divabetic’s 11th Podcast Anniversary with musical inspiration from Toni Braxton.

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.

We are featuring music from Toni Braxton’s multi-platinum second album, “Secrets”. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of its release. Toni has said about her sophomore album: “The motivation for this album was to include a little bit of everything. Our aim was to come up with material that would have a familiar ‘feel’ to the people who bought the first album without being musically redundant.”

The album’s first single, “You’re Makin’ Me High” became her first #1 hit on the Hot 100 singles chart.

The album’s second single, penned by Diane Warren, “Un-Break My Heart” became Toni Braxton’s biggest hit spending eleven weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 and also topping the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.

Other album singles include “I Don’t Want To”/”I Love Me Some Him” (which peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart) and “How Could an Angel Break My Heart”.

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.

July’s podcast 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.

Divabetic Reader #2: Nancy Thayer’s Family Reunion

On the heels of reading Viola Shipman’s The Summer Cottage and Nancy Thayer’s Family Reunion books back to back, I noticed two trends. First, readers are obsessed with stories about homes located in idyllic spots like Nantucket and Lake Michigan. Second, authors go to extreme lengths, not to mention the protagonist’s size.

Now, I like nothing more than watching a new homeowner knock down a retaining wall to open up space on HGTV but still, I get easily bored reading about an actual house like its the main character. I imagine that we all have a natural curiosity to know what type of people living in white elephants and cottages on the coastlines of oceans and lakes. Or even in the garden districts of cities like Savannah, Charleston, and New Orleans.  In both novels, the protagonists’ family have owned their property for several decades. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind inheriting beachfront property either, regardless of the home’s condition. However, I would hope owning a home wouldn’t be my only claim to fame or strongest personality trait.

Regarding the second issue, the ambiguous shape and size of protagonists in fiction. Several authors have mentioned their publishers have pressured them about the size and shape of the protagonists on Divabetic’s monthly podcast. Publishers either want authors to describe the protagonists in general terms or make their protagonists smaller in shape and size. For example, one author interviewed told me that her publisher forced her to make her size 18 protagonist a size 12. She stated that her publisher didn’t think it was believable for a size 18 woman to have a romantic life.

I admit that I found Viola Shipman and Nancy Thayer’s ambiguous references to their protagonists’ size distracting. Descriptions of both main characters lead the reader to believe their beautiful. Both characters also express their own dissatisfaction with their bodies too. But that’s about the extent of it. Both authors’ avoidance seems downright obvious. So what is the big deal? There are plenty of women who looks like the cast of ‘Sex & The City’ but still manage to have active, fulfilling sex lives.

A widow over seventy starting to date again is an exciting story regardless of her size! However, if I had a clearer picture of what she looked like, I think I would have enjoyed reading more about Eleanor’s dating adventures.

Strangely, there are many mentions of her displeasure with the softness of her upper arms but nothing else.

Eleanor struggles with her energy level, and lack of focus, and coping with financial matters as she ages.

A lot of Family Reunion is about accepting the aging process.  I found these passages to honest and heartfelt. Here’s a quick synopsis:

Eleanor Sunderland loves living on Nantucket, in a gorgeous cliffside home that has been in her family for decades. Yet this year she can’t help but feel a bit isolated, even as the island begins to come alive with summer tourists and travelers. Her best friend has skipped town on a last-minute cruise, leaving Eleanor feeling lonely and nostalgic about her family’s weekend trips to the island, made less frequently in the years since her husband’s passing. Now, her money-driven children contact her mostly to complain and to beg her to sell her beloved home for a steep payout. Hoping to kick the season off on a good note, Eleanor decides her seventieth birthday may be the perfect occasion for a much-needed reunion.

Fresh off the heels of her college graduation, Eleanor’s dear granddaughter, Ari, has just ended an engagement that felt less like true love and more like a chore. She longs for a change of scenery and to venture far from her parents’ snobbish expectations. Taking advantage of her newfound freedom, she heads to Nantucket to clear her head before graduate school, moving in with her grandmother and taking a job at the local beach camp. As she watches Eleanor begin to form a bond with an old acquaintance, Ari herself becomes completely smitten with a friend’s charming older brother. But just as grandmother and granddaughter fall into a carefree routine, a few shocking discoveries throw them off course, and their ideas of the future seem suddenly uncertain.

Eleanor and Ari make exciting connections, old and new, over the course of an unpredictable, life-changing few months, and learn to lean on each other through every new challenge they face in life and love, in this tale filled with Nancy Thayer’s signature Nantucket magic.

Here’s what we were snacking on while reading Family Reunion. Grilled romaine lettuce, with tomato and topped with Tabitha Brown‘s carrot bacon. Added a little olive oil to make a simple marinade for the dressing.

Tabitha Brown is an American actress and social media personality. She creates online video content incorporating veganism, humor, and motivational speaking. Brown has over four million followers on TikTok and over three million followers on Instagram as of July 2021.

Check out Tabitha Brown’s favorite bacon substitute is Carrot Bacon! 

https://www.facebook.com/ActressTabithaBrown/videos/217570532863818/

 

As for her advice for others who are considering starting a vegan diet, Brown recently told our sister magazine Health that “food can be medicine, or it can be the thing that puts us in the ground…You have to start with your ‘why.’ My why was that I was sick. My why was life or death. I chose life,” Brown said. Sure, it will be challenging at first. “Do I still get cravings? Yeah, girl, right now I could see myself dipping a crab leg into some butter. But my why is strong enough. I say: ‘Be easy on yourself. Take your time. Don’t be hard on yourself. The world is hard enough already.'” Truer words have never been spoken, Tab.

 

Divabetic Celebrates 11 Years of Diabetes Podcasting with Music from Toni Braxton

Join us for Divabetic’s 11th Year Podcast Anniversary with musical inspiration from Toni Braxton on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, 6  – 7:30 PM, EST or listen on demand!

No one achieves a significant milestone, like our 11th straight year of monthly podcasting, without dedicating their time, energy, talent, and effort during a pandemic. We feel our listeners put forth the same amount of effort if not more to live well with diabetes. We want you to know we are with you every step of the way on your health journey, offering inspiration, information, encouragement, and a few great tunes! We gain so much encouragement from your ongoing commitment to your diabetes health. Your continued support renews, reenergizes, and revigorates our spirits, creative juices, and hopefulness.

We can’t wait for the day to be with you in person again at a live Divabetic outreach event. Until then, thank you to our listeners for tuning in and letting us be a part of your diabetes wellness. We’d like to thank all of our guests, the Diabetes Late Nite crew, the Diabetes Mystery cast, and SONY Music for helping us to continue to broadcast during these unprecedented times.

On July’s podcast, we also talking about what to do when your family sabotages your health goals, how glucagon works, DJ Frankie Knuckles‘s battle with diabetes, why African Americans are four times more likely to experience an amputation, and the new social media platform (The Diabetes App) aimed at educating and empowering people with diabetes.
Guests include Sara “Mandy’ Reece, PharmD – NGMC, GME, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CBDCE, Sonya Hogans, and The Diabetes App‘s Chief Operating Officer Taylor Companion. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.

Did you Toni Braxton‘s younger sister, Tamar Braxton wants to normalize mental health? She admits she has a sober, sound mind and body. But, Tamar told ET’s Kevin Frazier that she had to learn to check in with herself. She has to make sure she is not giving so much that she forgets about herself. So, she has a new podcast called Under Construction to help others not feel ashamed.

Throughout July’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we will be spotlighting music from Toni Braxton’s album, Secrets. On June 18th, 1996, Toni released her second and most successful album, “Secrets.” Toni has said, “The motivation for this album was to include a little bit of everything. Our aim was to come up with material that would have a familiar ‘feel’ to the people who bought the first album without being musically redundant.”

Along with Babyface, Toni Braxton also worked with Tony Rich, and David Foster among others on the album. Toni Braxton was the co-executive producer of the album and co-wrote two of its songs, including the 1997 single “How Could an Angel Break My Heart“,

Enjoy a daily dose of Diva Inspiration: On living with lupus, July’s Diva Inspiration, Toni Braxton says, “I can live a totally normal life and do everything I want to do just as long as I take my medication. My body will give me signals if it gets weak or fatigued, so I know when I need to take a break.”

Our friend and colleague, Rachel Zinman, would probably agree that Toni Braxton’s song Breathe Again is a great message for anyone who feels stressed or overwhelmed. So sit back, close your eyes and take a deep breath. We can do this together!

 

 

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #38

Can you solve Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #38? According to experts, the answer to our phrase can often be prevented or even reversed with lifestyle changes.

 

Join us for Divabetic’s 11th Podcast Anniversary with musical inspiration from Toni Braxton on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, 6 PM, EST

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 Sara “Mandy’ Reece, PharmD – NGMC, GME, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CBDCE, Sonia, and The Diabetes App. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.

Fatty liver disease is a common condition caused by the storage of extra fat in the liver. Most people have no symptoms, and it doesn’t cause serious problems for them.

What is the liver’s function?

Your liver is an essential organ with multiple life-supporting functions. The liver:

  • Produces bile, which helps with digestion.
  • Makes proteins for the body.
  • Stores iron.
  • Converts nutrients into energy.
  • Creates substances that help your blood clot (stick together to heal wounds).
  • Helps you resist infections by making immune factors and removing bacteria and toxins (substances that can harm your body) from your blood.

What are the forms of fatty liver disease?

There are two main forms of fatty liver disease:

Alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic fatty liver is the accumulation of fat in the liver as a result of heavy drinking. (Moderate drinking is defined as one drink a day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.) About 5% of people in the U.S. have this form of liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs in people who aren’t heavy drinkers. The condition affects one in three adults and one in 10 children in the United States. Researchers haven’t found the exact cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Several factors, such as obesity and diabetes, can increase your risk.

Quick Tips for The Picnic on Divabetic’s Zoom Program

Join us tonight, Tuesday, June 29, 2021 for Divabetic on Zoom at 7 PM, EST. Our free one-hour virtual program features ‘What To Wear When Nothing Fits for Summer’ presented by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller and ‘How To Master The Menu at The Cookout’ presented by MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR.

Photo by Kate Hliznitsova on Unsplash

MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR’s quick tips for enjoying outdoor picnics without compromising your health include:

  • 3-4 servings of carb foods will be around 45-60 grams of carbohydrate. (This falls within the American Diabetes Association carb recommendations per meal.)
  • Use your carb servings on foods that you don’t get to eat as often.
  • Treat desserts like a snack by eating it 2-3 hours after the main meal.
  • Think about the face of a clock when eating pie or a round cake.  Instead of having a “15-minute” piece, have a “5-7 minute” piece.  This will give you the treat you desire while keeping you closer to your carb goals of less than 30 grams of carb for a snack
  • Get up and move, don’t just sit and eat.  Go for a walk, play games, have fun!

Tune in to the latest edition of Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast for a unique mix of music with diabetes information.

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, virtual diabetes support program with style.

REGISTER NOW- FREE REGISTRATION 

Exercise Is Important!!

Some people hate to exercise, which is so sad because moving your body is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety and shake off a bad mood. You can also come up with a lot of creative ways to work through problems.

Exercise shouldn’t be drudgery or the way you compensate for overindulging.

It should be something you enjoy!

If you’re shaking your head in disbelief, why not figure out what setting appeals to you most? Ask yourself if you’d prefer to exercise outdoors or inside? Depending on where you live, you might be able to walk, run, bike, swim, or ski outdoors. Even gardening can count, as long as you’re working hard enough, so you sweat a little! Help yourself create healthy habits! If you join a gym, make sure it’s nearby, so you’ll be more likely to go there. Think about whether you’re more comfortable on your own or with a group. Most people agree that they do more sit-ups and push-ups in group exercise classes than they would on their own. Above all else, be kind to yourself. Find fun ways to reward yourself for working out and make a mental note of the days you work out instead of the days you don’t.

 

Tune in to the latest edition of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast mixing music with diabetes information.

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, virtual diabetes support program with style. Divabetic’s dynamic diabetes program features ‘What To Wear When Nothing Fits for Summer’ presented by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller and ‘How To Master The Menu at The Cookout’ presented by MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST.

REGISTER NOW- FREE REGISTRATION 

Toni Braxton Inspires Divabetic’s 11th Podcast Anniversary in June

We’re celebrating Divabetic’s 11th Podcast Anniversary with musical inspiration from Toni Braxton on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 6 PM, EST.

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. She also has overcome several setbacks in her life including bankruptcy, divorce, and a lupus diagnosis. Hopefully, she can encourage you to overcome the obstacles in your life that are stopping you from living your best diabetes life!

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,” Braxton said in a phone interview with Business Insider. “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.

Lupus also disproportionately affects women, and especially women of color. About nine out of 10 adults with lupus are women, with African American women being three times more likely than white women to be diagnosed with lupus. 

Since her diagnosis in 2008, Braxton has developed microvascular angina and blood clots. 

“Of the lupuses, I have the worst — but of the worst, I have the best,” Braxton said. “I’m always trying to be positive about it.”

Braxton said she reached a point where she could perform again by educating herself about the disease and using CBD to cope with her symptoms and flare-ups.

 

Faith & Diabetes

Carrie Underwood is inspiring us to talk about “keeping the faith when living with diabetes on this episode of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.
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?
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 their health of a Divabetic FB community member. In less than 10 years.
US research indicates religious beliefs can have a positive impact on how people living with diabetes and their spouses cope with the stress related to diabetes.
Carrie Underwood has sold 64 million records worldwide, scored 18 #1 singles, and earned nearly 100 major accolades, including six GRAMMY® Awards with hit songs including “Before He Cheats”, “All-American Girl”, “Cowboy Casanova”, “Blown Away,? ?See You Again,? and her six-week #1 breakthrough hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel”.
“I got to go into the studio to sing these songs that are so hopeful and so peaceful,” says Carrie Underwood. “I hope people find some peace and comfort in these songs.”
We will be playing selected songs from her Greatest Hits album throughout the podcast courtesy of SONY MUSIC. Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES, Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDCES,  Mama Rose Marie, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and  Carrie from New York.

Divabetic Raises Awareness for Disordered Eating Behaviors on Podcast

We’d like to thank We Are Diabetes founder, Asha Brown and Coach The Cures Trisha Artman for helping to raise awareness for disordered eating behaviors related to diabetes on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. These two advocates performed a short skit highlighting symptoms and common behaviors of disordered eating before a follow-up discussion with Integrated Diabetes Services‘ Dana B. Roseman, MPH, CDCES, RDN, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Below is the full script:

SOUND EFFECT: Street Sounds

Brittany (Asha): Thanks for coming with me to shop for Bridesmaid’s dresses. Glad you made it despite the traffic.

Jordan(Trisha): Sure, no problem.

Brittany: It’s so cool that Ashton’s letting us pick out our own dresses!

Jordan: I know, right? And we finally get to spend some time together. I never see you!

Brittany: Me too. Work is so crazy. I’m bummed I missed Ashton’s bridal shower. I heard about the cake!

Jordan: It was so much fun! Do you mean the Hummingbird cake from Magnolia’s?

Brittany: Yes, it sounded so good like everything else in there. I’m addicted to their chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting. I practically eat one every day.

Jordan: No way! If I ate cupcakes every day, I’d be as big as a whale.  How do you stay so thin?

Brittany: You’re kidding, right? I’m huge. Diabetes always gets in the way.

Jordan: What was that?

Britany: Never mind, let’s look for dresses.

Jordan: Didn’t you already show Ashton a dress last month?

Brittany: You mean the blush-colored Vera Wang? There’s extra fabric bunching around my waist now. I look pregnant in it.

Jordan: I don’t believe that! Your waist is so tiny. What are you doing?

Brittany: Oh, you know the same ole thing. Just a few more yoga classes.

Jordan: Why can’t that work for me? I go to spin class four times a week and still, I can’t seem to lose any weight. Hey Britt – let’s take before and after selfies to send to Ashton. C’mon, smile!

Brittany: No! I don’t like what I am wearing.

Jordan: Hey, are you okay? You look kind of pale.

Brittany: I’m fine. Let’s just sit down for a minute, okay?

Jordan: Should you check your blood sugars maybe?

Brittany: No, I checked before we met. I’m fine. Work is stressing me out.

Jordan: Look, there’s a Jamba Juice over there. Shouldn’t I get you something?

Brittany: No way! I can’t drink that. Their drinks are so fatting- just like milkshakes.

Jordan: Are you sure? Don’t you need to drink something?

Brittany: I’m okay, okay? I know how to handle this.

SOUND EFFECT: Street noise

Research suggests that eating disorders are probably more common among women with diabetes than women who do not have diabetes. However, those with type 1 are twice as likely to suffer from disordered eating patterns.

If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating behaviors please contact We Are Diabetes.

To hear Asha and Trisha’s performance and our follow-up discussion click on the link below: