12 Cozy Mystery Authors and Their Readers to the Rescue Down Under

Looking for cool cozy mysteries for hot summer days?

Then you’ll love the Summer Snoops Down Under collection of stories in this purr-fectly paw-some cozy boxed set from twelve USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon best-selling authors including Judith Lucci, Colleen Mooney, Anna Celeste Burke, Dianne Harman, Sam Cheever, Amy Vansant, Fiona Quinn, Cindy Bell, J.A. Whiting, Kathi Daley, Summer Prescott and Tonya Kappes.

These cozy, friendly stories are full of wily sleuths, cagey plots, and un-fur-gettable tails on sandy beaches, in shimmering waterways, at mountain top resorts, and small-town celebrations!

Judith Lucci: The Most Slippery Crime of the Year: Death on the Slopes – When the pour is just too perfect.
Colleen Mooney: Politicians, Potholes and Pralines – There’s no place like New Orleans to have a good crime!
Anna Celeste Burke: A Tango Before Dying – When trouble waltzes in, it’s not long before Georgie Shaw and Detective Jack Wheeler step in when a famous ballroom dance champion is murdered.
Dianne Harman: Murder in Cottonwood Springs – Sheriff Rich got the call every lawman dreads – a relative’s murder. And it’s even worse when it’s your sister.
Sam Cheever: Bayou Bubba – Where Miss Chance meets Cal Amity.
Amy Vansant: Pineapple Lies – If Janet Evanovich and the Golden Girls had a baby, it would be the Pineapple Port series!
Fiona Quinn: Mine – A sleepy town in southwest Virginia wakes up to a nightmare of untimely deaths.
Cindy Bell: A Tough Case to Crack – It is a race against the clock to solve a murder so Nuts about Nuts can open on time.
J A Whiting: Reversal of Fortune – Will Claire’s paranormal intuition help solve the case or will her skills fail her when she needs them the most?
Kathi Daley: The Curse of Hollister House – How is one to start again after losing the one thing that speaks to your heart and fuels your passion?
Summer Prescott: Spellstruck – If you liked Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, you’re going to love Spellstruck. Pirate, the talking cat, will charm your socks off!
Tonya Kappes: Stamped Out – More than mail is being delivered…there’s a murder ’bout to happen!

All proceeds from the Summer Snoops Down Under boxed set  support the Wildlife Victoria charity rescuing wildlife affected by the bush fires in Australia.

BUY NOW

There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’ in Divabetic’s 8th Annual Mystery Podcast, Kill Me Madam, set to debut on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, 6 PM, EST.

But resentment, greed and Britannia’s own bad dealings turn everyone into a suspect when she’s found dead in the parking lot just before the Annual Decadents on Deck! Bake Off competition is about to kick off. Delusional baker and amateur sleuth Mr. Divabetic is even shocked to find himself being treated as a suspect in the case by the local police, after meeting her just once! As if his life wasn’t crazy enough before, escaping a murderous mishap in New York and attempting a fresh start in Nantucket has turned into a complete and utter baking disaster, now Max, along with his friends and nosy mother, have to add tracking down a murderer to his To-Do list, as well. Can our team hunt down the real murderer before they strike again? Will he become the next victim? Can Max ever manage to bake a cake that’s actually edible?

Divabetic’s Mystery podcast cast includes Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.

TUNE IN 

 

31 Days of Divabetic Podcasts: Day Nine

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 9, we’re spotlighting our Studio d: Diabetes Foot Care podcast from April 2012.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic steps in the studio with Dr. Maasi J. Smith (DPM), founder and director of the Rittenhouse Foot and Ankle Associates in Philadelphia (PA) and the website, www.mybadfeet.com, to talk foot care, diabetic wound care and to get general advice for healthy feet.

Bad feet are scary; but Dr. Maasi Smith (DMS) has seen it all and is committed to promoting foot health. This award winning surgical podiatrist admits that our feet are often the most neglected part of our body.

Due to the suppression of the immune response and reduced blood flow to the feet in people with diabetes, the body may be unable to heal wounds you suffer to your feet. As sensation has already been reduced, if you aren’t checking your feet regularly, you may not realize your feet are injured until it’s too late. If left untreated, bacterial infections can lead to gangrene, which may require amputation to ensure that the infection does not spread to other parts of the body.

What Can I Do?

There are some simple precautions you can take to keep your feet healthy as a diabetic.

  • Check your feet daily.
  • Keep your diabetes well managed.
  • Wash your feet daily.
  • Keep your feet moisturized (but no lotion between the toes, as moisture here can create conditions friendly to fungal infection).
  • Encourage circulation in your feet by wiggling your toes and changing positions regularly.
  • Meet regularly with your trusted podiatrist.

If you’re living with diabetes, it is crucial that you ensure foot health by working with your podiatrist to reduce the likelihood of infection and quickly treat any infection that arises.

Many foot conditions can worsen without prompt treatment from a qualified podiatrist. So don’t hesitate – if something feels wrong, call your healthcare team.

<iframe width=”100%” height=”180px” src=”//percolate.blogtalkradio.com/offsiteplayer?hostId=135761&episodeId=3074995″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Divabetic’s free 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. All podcasts are available on demand at blogtalkradio and i-Tunes. 

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

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, fun Virtual Scavenger Hunt on Zoom with special guest, Best-Selling Intimacy & Diabetes co-author, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:35 PM, EST.

One lucky winner in our random drawing will win Janis Roszler’s best-selling e- book, Intimacy & Diabetes. A second lucky winner in our random drawing will win a Dario Blood Glucose Meter starter kit. This all-in-one pocket-sized device can track blood sugar fluctuations and trends and identify hyper/hypoglycemic episodes right from your smartphone, providing readings within as little as 6 seconds. It’s scientifically proven, HIPPA compliant, and includes Dario Coaches to offer support and motivation to help manage your diabetes.

REGISTER NOW

 

Thank you to everyone who has taken measures to protect our Divabetic community members and their loved ones by wearing cloth face coverings and social distancing. We are so grateful! Divabetic will continue to provide free Virtual Diabetes Outreach events with qualified health experts to keep you safe, informed and connected. Please join us!

 

 

Patti LaBelle’s Freeform Apple Tart Recipe

Patti LaBelle was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over 25 years ago and it took awhile for her to get in tune with her condition. She admits she was angry at first but now this self-proclaimed Divabetic” says she’s not just living with diabetes, she’s living well with diabetes.

She’s  incorporated small changes into her recipes to make them healthier. Enjoy her Free-Form Apple Tart recipe from Eating Well, which uses light sour cream and just a little butter to keep calories in check.

Patti LaBelle’s Freeform Apple Tart 

Ingredients (Partial List) 

  • 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons ice water
  • 2 tablespoons light sour cream

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:190 calories; 11 g total fat; 6 g saturated fat; 25 mg cholesterol; 80 mg sodium. 21 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 3 g protein. Serving Size: 1 Slice

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RECIPE 

Patti LaBelle tells Rachael Ray she calls herself a ‘Divabetic’
Don’t Get Down, Get Diva!

Patti LaBelle loves being in the kitchen even after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This might sound strange for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to hear since many of them have knee jerk reactions to modifying their diets. But Patti LaBelle told People magazine that cooking for herself is why she’s still alive because she controls what she puts in my food and avoids all the things that aren’t good for diabetes. In her latest cookbook, Desserts LaBelle: Soulful Sweets to Sing About, she’s modified some of her signature recipes for fellow “divabetics” using sugar substitutes and cutting down on butter.

Poet Lorraine Brooks shares her thoughts about modifying recipes while sheltering in during the pandemic in her poem, Alone In The Kitchen.

Free Virtual Diva-Style Diabetes Outreach on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:30 PM, EST

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?

We are having a ball at our free virtual events. Stay safe, stay in and join us for some good times connecting with other people living with diabetes.

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Indoor Scavenger Hunt on Zoom with best-selling Intimacy & Diabetes co-author, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:30 PM, EST.

Relationships play an important role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even our casual relationships. Janis will answer your questions about how diabetes affects the 8 types of IntimacyAesthetic, Spiritual, Intellectual, Social, Emotional, Affection, Physical, and Sexual.

MythBusters: White Foods Are Unhealthy

Recent Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND, who is a nutrition professor at Boston University and the host of the health and wellness podcast SpotOn!, says that the biggest nutrition fallacy she sees online is the advice to avoid white foods.

“The biggest myth is that white foods, such as pasta and white vegetables, are nutrition slackers compared to whole grain and more colorful, phytochemical-rich veggies,” explains Salge Blake as reported in US News & World Reports. “This is totally wrong.” Pasta is fortified with riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, iron and especially folic acid, a B vitamin that is critical for pregnant women – and many don’t consume enough folic acid in their diets. Similarly, a cup serving of potatoes (about one small baked potato) costs less than 20 cents, yet will provide over 650 milligrams of blood pressure-lowering potassium. Because most Americans don’t get enough of this nutrient, a potato is a cheap way to fight high blood pressure. In addition, Jones explains that white foods like Greek yogurt, natural aged cheeses and milk, potatoes and even many enriched grains can contribute significant amounts of nutrients: calcium in dairy, fiber and potassium in potatoes and B-vitamins in enriched grains. “Ironically, one of the most popular veggies these days just happens to be white – cauliflower!” Jones notes.

READ MORE

Diabetes Late Inspired by Heart

We’re talking about ‘HEART HEALTH & DIABETES’ with musical inspiration from the rock band “Heart” on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than adults without diabetes.

People with insulin resistance or diabetes in combination with one or more of these risk factors are at even greater risk of heart disease or stroke. However, by managing their risk factors,  people with diabetes may avoid or delay the development of heart and blood vessel disease.

The rock band “Heart” was started in Seattle in the 1960s.Heart’s mix of hard rock and folk yielded one of the longest lasting and most commercially successful bands of all time. The band is fronted by sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson who wrote many of the band’s songs.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Author of ‘Nutrition & You’ Dr. Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND Mama Rose Marie, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Heart’s “The Essential Heart” album courtesy of SONY Music.

LISTEN NOW