Divabetic Pink Champagne Holiday Gift Guide 2021, #2

Whether you’re focused on losing weight or want to add a little extra sparkle into your daily diabetes self-care, we’ve got you covered with this year’s Divabetic Holiday Gift Guide 2021. We believe in thoughtful gifts that bring a little happiness and good health into your life.

Holiday Mindful Eating Tip of the day from Lisa Young: Ask yourself, am I hungry?, eat slowly, and enjoy your company along with your food!

Herb Scissors Retail: $10.67

Fresh herbs enhance the flavors of all foods, especially vegetables, which will help you to reduce using salt to perk up your meals. These scissors are perfect for basil, thyme, dill, parsley, chives, mint, fennel. You can use directly over a pan or plate to make perfectly sized, restaurant-quality quick, and impressive garnishes for soups, salads, pizza, and side dishes.

Our friend, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND, a registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Prediabetes: A Complete Guide, demonstrated how to use herb scissors in a recent Divabetic Zoom program.

With a motto like,” I make nutrition science understandable, realistic & delicious,” Jill specializes in customizing plans to help people living with, affected by, and at risk of diabetes to maximize their health.

Jill quickly snipped a bunch of fresh herbs to season her soup. She showed us that this kitchen tool is a big help in curbing the need to grab the salt-shaker for your recipes. Available on Amazon.

BUY NOW

In this video, Jill Weisenberger shares her favorite healthy salad and salad dressing recipes, suggested new flavor combinations to perk up meals, and answered questions on nutrition. Enjoy this sneak peek of what you missed on a recent Divabetic Zoom program! Join us for Divabetic’s free Holiday-themed Sugar-Free Baking Party with the Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris on Thursday, December 9, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST. Register Now

Prediabetes: A Complete Guide by Jill Weisenberger

The latest numbers from the CDC suggest that nearly 1 in 3 adults have either prediabetes or diabetes. These are alarming numbers, and finding out that you are the one out of three can be even more alarming. Shock, denial, and confusion are not uncommon reactions. But there is a flip side to learning you have prediabetes. It can be scary, but it’s also an opportunity—an opportunity to “reset,” to improve your health and to get yourself in better shape than ever. Let Prediabetes: A Complete Guide show you how!ho

Divabetic Holiday Playlist: Kelly Clarkson never fails to bring us joy! Her new Christmas album is a total delight. This duet “Under the Mistletoe” with Brett Eldredge gets us up and dancing every time we play it!

https://youtu.be/y9jTpv1r_KI

11/23/202111/23/2021

Free Baking Party with The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Register now for Divabetic’s free Holiday-themed Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 9, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom. One lucky participant received a free Splenda Gift Basket featuring a variety of their products.

After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Stacey Harris (The Diabetic Pastry Chef) taught herself how to make pound cake, pecan rolls, pies, muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods with about half the carbs you’d get from traditional bakery items.

Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef captured the hearts and the taste buds of our attendees on Divabetic’s free Baking Party in September. She returns to demonstrate how to make sugar-free Linzer tarts on December’s Divabetic Baking Party on Zoom.

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?

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Holiday-themed Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 9, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER – FREE REGISTRATION

10/03/202110/03/2021

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

If you’re like me, you buy pumpkins to carve, not to eat. However, pumpkin is low in calories and rich in beta carotene (a powerful antioxidant), making it a great addition to your breakfast menu!

Enjoy this sugar-free pumpkin pancake recipe from our good colleague and special guest on December’s Baking Party on Zoom, Stacey Harris, aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef.’

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe by The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup white whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cardamom

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

3 Tbsp dry sugar substitute

1 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk

2 large eggs

1 cup pure pumpkin puree

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

2 Tbsp vinegar

1 tsp molasses

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.

In a separate medium mixing bowl, combine wet ingredients.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined.

Drop batter onto a hot greased griddle or skillet. Flip pancakes when the edges turn brown. Serve with canola butter or butter and top with sugar-free syrup.

Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ has created a simple four-part substitution system that turns any decadent dessert into a diabetic-friendly delight. Learn more about The Diabetic Pastry Chef‘s Book available on Amazon.

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?

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06/22/2021

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

05/02/202105/02/2021

Cellulitis & Diabetes: What To Know

We’re blogging about cellulitis and diabetes after one of our good friends and Luther fans sent us photos from a clinic being treated for cellulitis with a back drain. Their healthcare provider mentioned that high blood sugars were feeding their infection.

What is Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. It occurs when bacteria enter through a crack or break in your skin. The affected skin appears swollen and red and is typically painful and warm to the touch.

It may contain blisters exuding clear or yellow fluid or pus. Cellulitis can occur on any part of the body but is most common on the lower legs or feet.

Cellulitis & Diabetes: What’s the Connection?

Research shows that diabetes predisposes a person to common infections, such as cellulitis and pneumonia. Poor glycemic management was linked to the development of cellulitis.

Elevated blood sugars can increase the risk of skin infection and that the infection could also raise blood sugars. Additionally, the reduced blood flow from vascular problems could increase the risk of infection. This is why people with diabetes and those with poor circulation need to take extra precautions to prevent skin injury.

Foot and skincare are extremely important when you have diabetes especially when blood sugars are out of control. Visit your physician and podiatrist on a regular basis and request a full foot and leg exam.

Cellulitis can be prevented with diligent attention and care. Know what to look for and take active steps to make sure you do not end up with this unnecessary and possibly disastrous problem!

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 event 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

FREE REGISTRATION – REGISTER NOW

04/17/2021

Divabetic Healthy Swap: Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream

Make cutting calories a little easier with this easy and flavorful substitute!

Maryann Nicolay MEd, NDTR shared how she makes an easy swap using Greek Yogurt instead of Sour Cream on Thursday’s free Divabetic Zoom program.

Greek Yogurt has fewer calories, less fat, and more protein and calcium.

Nonfat Greek Yogurt has approximately 130 calories per cup, 1 gram of fat, and 8 grams of carbohydrates. Regular Greek Yogurt has about 300 calories, 23 grams of fat, and 7 grams of carbohydrates per 1-cup serving. One cup of sour cream (even low-fat) has many more calories than Greek yogurt! One cup of reduced-fat sour cream has approximately 400 calories, 32 grams of fat, and 16 grams of carbohydrates.

We ran to the store on Friday morning to give this swap a test spin. It turns out Greek Yogurt and Sour Cream taste super similar too! It wasn’t weird tasting at all.

“What I love about Maryann’s swap is it’s so sly that you can sneak it past your inner saboteur,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. “There’s no taste deprivation, and it’s easy!

For swapping a dollop of Sour Cream on your baked potato, nachos, or chili, a 1-to-1 ratio for non-fat-free Greek Yogurt will do the trick. Add Greek yogurt to dressings or dips as a substitute for Sour Cream too.

Save the date for Divabetic’s next free Zoom program in June.

Divabetic’s Luther Vandross Tribute podcast guests include Lisa Fischer, Jason Miles, Jeff James, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Chuck Flowers.

By the time Luther Vandross headed to the studio to record his fifth album Give Me the Reason in 1986, he’d become one of the most successful soul singers of the first half of the eighties. His four previous albums have been either certified platinum or double-platinum in America.

For Luther Vandross’ fifth album Give Me the Reason, the album comprised nine tracks including the hits: So Amazing, There’s Nothing Better Than Love, Stop To Love and Give Me The Reason.

Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s Give Me The Reason album courtesy of SONY Music.

03/05/2021

Divabetic Word Puzzle #4

Can you find the THREE WORDS below that are connected to diabetes wellness? Each word starts with one of the choices from the left side column. It then continues with something from the middle column and then finishes with something from the right side column.

Clues:

The chemical reactions which keep us alive
A unit of energy.
A substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life

Tune in To Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring Mila Clarke Buckley ‘The Hangry Woman’, Sex Therapist Janis Roszler, PhD, RD, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Bella Krueger and music from Celine Dion’s ‘Falling Into You’ album.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic Syndrome is a combination of several medical issues. Together they increase your chance of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The condition is also known as insulin resistance syndrome. According to a national health survey, more than 1 in 5 Americans has metabolic syndrome

Insulin resistance means that the body does not use insulin efficiently to lower glucose and triglyceride levels. A combination of hereditary, genetic and lifestyle factors may result in insulin resistance.

Need A Boost?

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 event with style. Divabetic’s dynamic diabetes program features ‘What To Wear When Nothing Fits’ presented by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller and ‘How To Master The Menu at Your Favorite Mexican Restaurant’ presented by MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR.

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION

11/18/202011/18/2020

Divabetic Tea Time Poem by Lorraine Brooks

Last night, the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosted Divabetic’s free, fun Tea Party in celebration of National Diabetes Awareness Month with special guests: Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, Tessie’s Teas’ owner Rose Hall and Harlem Heaven’s Hats owner Evetta Petty.

To everyone’s delight Poet Lorraine Brooks shared a poem about each of our guests after their presentation. Enjoy!

Divabetic Tea Time Poem by Lorraine Brooks

Showing hats to cover our heads

Whether we’re sporting a crewcut or dreads

Many styles to make us happier

Looking cool and looking dapper

Plaids and checks and stripes and such

Fabric lovely to the touch

So get your canes and gloves and spats

And visit Harlem’s Heaven Hats!

Join us in a cup of tea

Chamomile or lemon-y

Ways to heal for young and old

Meditate and heal the soul

Sit and think and leave your strife

Breathe and cleanse your spirit life

Only teas can can lift you up

So come and join us in a cup.

Fashion style and a little blush

Make you look exotic and lush

Sport a scarf or wear a tie

A little shadow for the eye

Tweeze the eyebrows and the chin

If you look good you will grin

We all want to look much cooler

So take a tip from Catherine Schuller

Divabetic’s virtual outreach event kicked off with a live Harlem Heaven’s Hat show featuring model Jennifer Lui at the Harlem’s Heaven’s pop up shop in Bryant Park ‘s Winter Village Shops in New York City. Harlem’s Heaven Hat shop specializes in providing the right head wear and face mask for the right occasions.

Rose Hall, the owner of Tessie’s Teas, shared how simple daily meditations can help relieve stress, anxiety and even reduce your blood pressure over a cup of tea. Tessie’s Teas are all natural caffeine-free, chemical-free instant crystallized teas that meet all of your healthy-living needs.

Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, who is a fashion curator, former plus model, coach, speaker, writer, producer, and image consultant, demonstrated eight different and divine ways to wear a scarf in honor of Dr. Deborah Birx. Dr. Birx’s ever-changing scarves captivate the internet in her daily White House Coronavirus Task Force briefings. One popular scarf was by Hermès, or, to be precise, Hermès’ “Retour à la Terre”, in peach. We know this because there is an Instagram account devoted to Dr Birx’s scarves!

Are you interested in learning how to bake with sugar substitutes? Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 10, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE REGISTRATION

07/16/202007/17/2020

Win A Dario Blood Glucose Meter Starter Kit at Divabetic’s Zoom Party

Join us tonight for Divabetic’s free, fun Virtual Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party on Zoom with special guest, co-author of Intimacy & Diabetes, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:35 PM, EST.

One lucky participant will win a Dario Blood Glucose Meter Starter Kit during our random drawing (no purchase necessary). You must register for Divabetic’s Zoom Party on Eventbrite to be entered into the random drawing. Enjoy this special Dario discount for the Divabetic community!

The Dario Blood Glucose Meter starter kit is a 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.

What women with diabetes say about Dario:

“It’s allowed to control my diet a lot better and by numbers have come WAY down,“ says Barbara, 64 years old. “ “You can’t go wrong with it. It’s all inclusive, it synchs to your phone, you just can’t go wrong with it.”

“I like Dario for the compactness. I can have 3 different testers that all go into the same app. If my purse isn’t near me, I just grab my tester that’s in the kitchen,” says Mary “It’s great that the data is all recorded together no matter which meter I use. And I love that it’s compact. It’s helped me manage my diabetes because it’s readily assessable. I don’t skip testing because it’s so easy to keep with me and take a test.”

https://youtu.be/6kkyWyPai0U

Join us for Divabetic’s free, fun Virtual Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party on Zoom where everything you need to win a raffle prize is within your own home. Whether you have had diabetes for a long time or have only recently been diagnosed, having a diabetes management plan and supplies in place are essential for living life to the fullest.

Our entertaining night of virtual diabetes wellness, healthy smoothies, and conversation features best-selling Intimacy & Diabetes co-author, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND.

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 Intimacy: Aesthetic, Spiritual, Intellectual, Social, Emotional, Affection, Physical, and Sexual.

Janis shares her amazing Almond, Wild Blueberry and Flax Smoothie recipe from her best-selling book, Intimacy & Diabetes during this 35 minute outreach event.