Tag: Divabetic

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Apthropologie’s Holiday House In New York City

Decor, Design, and Diabetes

As I strolled down the street in September, I was taken aback by a brownstone adorned with holiday decorations, two months ahead of schedule!

Seeing the lavish garlands adorning the exterior stair railing piqued my curiosity, prompting me to dash up the stairs to unravel the mystery behind Christmas’s early arrival in the Upper West Side of New York City.

Upon stepping through the magnificent oak doors, I found myself in the Anthropologie Holiday House in collaboration with Terrain. This free four-story holiday extravaganza was a dream come true for holiday enthusiasts.

The immersive experience offered a plethora of festive decor available for purchase. It was truly a sight to behold, a treat for the eyes!

For individuals managing diabetes who often perceive the holidays as a time of deprivation, this experience was a game-changer.

The guilt-free enjoyment of holiday decor and decorations was a delightful revelation. It offered a way to savor the holiday spirit without the concerns of excess fat, alcohol, calories, and salt. After all, it’s not the plate but what you serve on it that causes unexpected highs and lows in blood pressure and blood sugar.

One of the most striking sights was the floating holiday tree on one of the upper floors, a truly unique and captivating display.

The checkerboard cabinet in the kitchen caught my eye with its playful design and practicality. It provided a clever solution for concealing a second set of plates and dishware.

The luxurious sheets, lush throws, and comfy duvet covers were irresistible to the touch.

They boasted exquisite designs and unparalleled softness that would complement any bedroom in the house.

The whimsical Christmas tree decorations were equally enchanting.

They featured vibrant colored glass ornaments that breathed life into any home during the holiday season.

Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, RDN, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, the co-authors of Divabetic’s new e-book, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, offer advice on managing diabetes sexual-health related issues in the bedroom.

The dining room tablescape was a masterpiece for those with a more refined taste.

Anthropologie had collaborated with the MET Museum to create a one-of-a-kind Gilded Age-inspired collection of dishware and crystal.

The design team meticulously studied historical flatware and dishware at the MET, infusing the museum’s cherished pieces with a distinctive Anthropologie sensibility.

The result was a tablescape that set the stage for the entire Holiday House experience.

Set your table in truly artistic fashion with timeless tableware from Apthropologie’s conversation pieces in a variety of modern and classic styles.

Pattern Management is a skill that can help you manage your diabetes like a diva! The happy healthcare host is Mr. Divabetic, and Neva White, PhD, RN, CCRN, CNE, the leader of the Divabetic Club—Philadelphia. These two advocates discuss the basics and benefits of Pattern Management.

Dviabetic Club was a free monthly diabetes wellness program presented in New York, NY, Cleveland, OH, and Philadelphia, PA, that boasted 75-100 participants monthly. Our unique mixture of traditional diabetes education, motivation support, beauty and style tips, and hobby demonstrations offered something for everyone.

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Itzhak Perlman Peforms Back-To-Back Performances in Richmond, Virginia

This past weekend, Richmond, VA’s historic Carpenter Theater, built in 1926, was ablaze with back-to-back performances by Itzhak Perlman.

The legendary violinist has been a long-standing advocate for accessibility after being diagnosed with polio. I chose to seek employment working for Mr. Perlman after experiencing Luther Vandross‘s difficulties using a wheelchair after suffering a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes.

I discuss finding Luther after his stroke in the Luther: Never Too Much documentary, which will be released on streaming platforms in January 2025.

I decided that if I returned to personal assistant work, I would prefer to work with an entertainer who requires my help beyond picking out the green M&Ms from a bowl in the dressing room. Mr. Perlman’s ongoing issues related to accessibility in travel and hotel accommodations piqued my interest. Helping a legendary performer of Mr. Perlman’s stature do what they love, like performing live for an audience, brings me joy.

His first performance, “Cinema Serenade,” featured film scores by John Williams, Ennio Morricone, and Erich Wolfgang Korngold.

Valentina Peleggi conducted this survey of cinema’s most moving melodies from iconic films such as Casablanca, Cinema Paradiso, Out of Africa, and many others.

Sunday’s “Afternoon with Itzhak Perlman” had the legendary violinist sharing childhood memories, telling jokes, and recalling career highlights interspersed between musical selections encompassing his phenomenal career. Itzhak Perlman’s back-to-back performances closed the Richmond Symphony‘s spectacular Strad Fest.

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Diabetes Outreach At the New York Auto Show

We’re bringing our dazzling approach to diabetes outreach to the New York International Auto Show in New York City. The New York International Auto Show is North America’s first and largest attended auto show, featuring 1,000 vehicles plus the latest in tech, safety, and innovation.

Play along with Mr. Divabetic and participants in Divabetic’s ‘Serve, Taste or Trash!’ Game. In the game, you’re given three choices of popular foods. You must decide which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste, and which one you’d trash. The game’s goal is to encourage people to become more open-minded eaters:

Mr. Divabetic wants to raise awareness of the precautions people living with diabetes should take before getting behind the wheel. Did you know that sudden bouts of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can lead to confusion, delayed reaction, visual disturbances, or loss of consciousness when driving? Even in the absence of low blood sugar, people with diabetes may have impaired vision or nerve function in the feet, which can affect driving. While most accidents related to diabetes complications happen to a small group of people with Type 1 diabetes who need to take insulin, people with Type 2 diabetes are also at risk.

Tune in to Divabetic’s free monthly podcasts hosted by Mr. Divabetic on blog talk radio. Divabetic’s dynamic free online and mobile podcast channel features live and archived programs and specials. Guests include healthcare collaborators, beauty, image/style, fitness experts, entertainment industry leaders, and VIPs: women and men living with, at risk of, and being affected by diabetes.

Join Divabetic’s Facebook page, follow Mr. Divabetic on Twitter, and learn more about sponsorship opportunities and event details.

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Luther: Never Too Much Documentary Trailer

Watch the trailer for LUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCH, an intimate look into a musical icon’s stunning life and career. From filmmaker Dawn Porter (John Lewis: Good Trouble), it features interviews with many of Luther’s closest friends, collaborators, me(!), and fans, including Mariah Carey, Dionne Warick, Valerie Simpson, Roberta Flack, Jamie Foxx, and more.

Luther fans will hear how he got his start after crashing a recording session for David Bowie’s Young Americans and becoming one of the most sought-after backup singers for artists such as Chic, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, and Aretha Franklin before his 1981 solo breakout R&B hit Never Too Much.

The Here and Now artist suffered a stroke related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes in 2003. This inconceivable occurrence was the founding inspiration for me to start Divabetic. As Luther’s assistant, I wanted to encourage a new attitude about diabetes. One of our guiding principles is for people living with diabetes to create an entourage of care featuring family, friends, and healthcare collaborators to help with their self-care management.

Sadly, Luther was never able to recover fully. I stayed with him, supervising his care and rehabilitation until he died in 2005. Diabetes may have silenced one of the world’s greatest voices, but his worldwide influence endures.

Get inspired to stay healthy and upbeat about your self-care through Divabetic’s tribute podcasts, videos, Zoom meetups, and more.

Luther: Never Too Much documentary opens in theaters in select cities beginning November 1. Nationwide preview screenings October 30. Presented by Giant Pictures and CNN Films.

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Spinning Around in The Soul Train Dance Line at the Luther Vandross Celebration in Harlem

Just wanted to share this amazing experience from Thursday night’s Soul Train Tribute to Luther Vandross at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, NY.

We kicked off the free outdoor screening of the Luther: Never Too Much documentary with a Soul Train Dance Line, and it was genuinely heartwarming to see so many people, including those using mobility devices, participating with such an upbeat attitude and joyful spirit.

It’s reported that as high as 80% of non-traumatic lower limb amputations happen due to mismanaged diabetes. Regardless of how or why someone experiences a lower limb amputation, it can stop them from wanting to take care of themselves and their diabetes self-care in the future. Allowing these people to still participate in social events and gatherings could boost their morale.

Moments like these remind me of the incredible resilience and determination of people facing challenges. Witnessing someone joining the Soul Train Dance Line on her scooter made me smile and brought back many beautiful memories of our past events.

We can’t wait to return to more outreach events soon to spread positivity and help everyone glamorize good health!

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Freddie Jackson Diagnoses With Kidney Disease

Freddie Jackson has been diagnosed with kidney disease. According to People Magazine, he made the statement yesterday on his social media.

“After a lot of thought and reflection, I’ve come to a point where I feel I’m ready to talk about a recent chapter in my life,” Freddie Jackson, 67, said in the video. 

Freddie Jackson, who topped Billboard’s R&B singles charts in the 1980s with a slew of hits including “You Are My Lady,” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” and “Jam Tonight,” said that he hopes his work with the National Kidney Foundation will “help shine a light on the importance of this issue.”

“It’s important to me that I share this with you, not just as a part of my personal story, but as a way to make a positive difference,” Freddie Jackson said. He’s partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness about kidney health and provide support. 

Freddie Jackson is not living with diabetes, but there is a strong link between mismanaged diabetes and kidney disease. 

Over time, diabetes that isn’t tightly managed can damage blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood. This can lead to kidney damage and cause high blood pressure.

High blood glucose, also called blood sugar, can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys. When the blood vessels are damaged, they don’t work as well. 

On this Divabetic podcast, we’re talking with Nephrologist Dugan Maddux about kidney health. The music is by H.E.R. courtesy of SONY Music.  


High blood pressure can also damage your kidneys.

Keeping your blood glucose levels and blood pressure within your target range is the best prevention for kidney disease. But it sounds easier than it is. If you’re struggling to manage your diabetes and blood pressure, seek help. A team approach to managing health conditions with competent, friendly, and open-minded collaborators.

Freddie Jackson thanked his fans for their support: “As I take this step, I’m turning my personal experience into a platform for greater understanding and advocacy. With your help, we can work towards better awareness and improved outcomes for everyone with kidney disease.

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Free Screening of Luther: Never Too Much Documentary Tonight!

Join me tonight for the free screening of the Luther: Never Too Much documentary, live Luther Tribute performances by Keith Anthony Fluitt, and a Q&A Panel with Fonzi Thornton and Dawn Porter in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem.

Knowing and working for such an incredible artist and caring man was an honor. It’s a privilege to appear in the documentary to raise awareness of the tragic consequences of mismanaged type 2 diabetes. Seeing the trauma I experienced in my face on screen as I recalled the initial moments after Luther’s stroke made me realize how grateful I am to everyone who has supported, encouraged, and partnered with me on my various diabetes outreach efforts through my nonprofit organization, Divabetic. Org

Sadly, I wasn’t able to help Luther initially after he suffered a stroke. Heed my advice: if you are someone you love who has experienced a stroke, don’t wait to seek help or try to sleep. Every minute counts. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the potential for brain damage and disability.

Act F.A.S.T. to help identify the early signs and symptoms of a stroke:

F: Is there drooping on one side of the face? Is the person unable to smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped? 

A: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there? Is there weakness or numbness in an arm or leg? 

S: Is the person’s speech slurred or garbled? Are they unable to speak at all? Do they need help understanding what you’re saying to them? 

T: If you notice any of these signs, call emergency services immediately

If you’re a Luther fan, please, “Keeping Your House A Home” by learning how to prevent diabetes health-related complications such as stroke, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, and blindness has been my mission for the past 20 years, and it will continue to be.

If you see this documentary or love Luther’s music, you owe it to his legacy to educate and empower yourself about your health.

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Murder Plain As Vanilla Mystery Podcast

Enjoy our fully animated Mystery podcast, Murder Plain As Vanilla, packed with excellent diabetes information, a fun whodunnit, and many crazy characters.

Our mystery podcast is not just for mystery lovers. It’s an engaging way to learn about diabetes and self-care. Amidst colorful characters, thrilling adventures, and delightful settings, we offer health and wellness tips to help you take charge of your diabetes self-care.

We also promote the idea of thinking like a detective when you experience unexpected blood sugar fluctuations. Look for clues, gather data, talk to witnesses (friends, co-workers, and family members ), and present your ideas to healthcare professionals for solutions.

A team approach to managing your diabetes is also a great idea.

Here is a summary of Divabetic’s 10th Annual Original Mystery podcast, Murder Plan As Vanilla. Mr. Divabetic, a baking enthusiast, is invited by his arch-nemesis, Renata Whisk, to participate in the Visions of Vanilla baking competition.

The Visions of Vanilla competition will feature renowned culinary giants such as Lily Frost, Best-Selling Cookbook Author, Green Thumb Gourmet, Hazel Honeywell, and the Cannoli Countess. Max, who owes his mother a debt, accepts the invitation.

The competition will feature renowned culinary giants such as Lily Frost, Best-Selling Cookbook Author, Green Thumb Gourmet, Hazel Honeywell, and the Cannoli Countess. Max, who owes his mother a debt, accepts the invitation.

However, before Max can start baking, he discovers the dead body of the Vanilla King of Madagascar. As luck would have it, Max was the last person to see the Vanilla King alive.

To prove his innocence, he seeks help from his team, USA Today’s best-selling author Tonya Kappes, health educator MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR, former FBI Agent Pauline, and his mother, Mama Rose Marie.

Things take a turn for the worse when another baker is found dead near Max’s station, raising suspicions about his involvement in the murders. Even Max’s mother is at risk.

Now, with only Renata Whisk’s Puffed Pastry recipe, a rolling pin, and his team’s expertise in solving murders and providing diabetes health information, Max must solve the mystery or die trying.

Diabetic Mysteries: Murder Plain As Vanilla features Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Lorraine Brooks, Mama Rose Marie, MaryAnn Nicolay, Catherine Schuller,  Dave Jones, Seveda Williams, Leisa Chester Weir, and Amparo Peterkin. Written by Max Szadek and Wendy Radford. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir. Animated by Max Szadek

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Luther Vandross Soul Train Tribute in Harlem

Join me for the upcoming ImageNation’s SOUL TRAIN Tribute to Luther Vandross on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 6 PM, in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, NY.

It’s going to be a sensational night celebrating Luther’s legacy. The night starts with DJ Stormin Norman and a Soul Train Dance Line. Several local performers will perform, including Chandlar and Karen J, Chris Rob, Heshima, Michael Pollydore, and our friend Keith Anthony Fluitt. Keith performed a few of Luther’s iconic hits at Divabetic’s Luther Vandross Music & Style Celebration in April. 

After the outdoor screening of the Luther: Never Too Much documentary, Director Dawn Porter and singer and songwriter Fonzi Thornton participate in a Q&A session.  
The celebration continues with an AfterParty featuring live bands and a DJ interweaving Luther Tributes in their sets at Shrine World Music Venue, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between 133rd & 134th Streets, New York, NY 10030.

Earlier this week, I spoke to one of the event organizers,  Joy Enterprises’ Marko S. Nobles, owner of Rhythm and Soul Radio.  Marko spent years learning, growing, and becoming an experienced PR, Marketing, Radio, Event Production, and Entertainment professional.

Marko’s Rhythm and Soul Radio played Ivan Hampden Jr. and Paulette McWilliams‘ song “Mama Kitchen Table” last summer. Paulette and I wrote the lyrics to this song, which topped the UK Soul Charts. Marko, a stroke survivor, said Joy Enterprises hosts a Soul Train Tribute every year to celebrate Don Cornelius‘s legacy of Don and the artists who appeared on Soul Train. Past honorees include superstars Stevie Wonder, Prince, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown.  

“I grew up on Soul Train,” says Marko. “It was a Saturday morning staple in our households.” When I asked Marko why he chose Luther as this year’s featured artist, he said, “Luther had strong ties to the Apollo, starting with ‘Listen My Brother.'” A teenage Luther Vandross was part of Apollo’s musical ensemble, Listen My Brother, which performed several times on Sesame Street during its early seasons.

Every year, there’s an independent film tied into the celebration, along with multiple mini-concerts featuring local independent artists performing songs by their legends. 

“I’ve always been into radio,” adds Marko. His company, Rhythm, and Soul Radio was born from his weekly Tuesday night WHUR radio show on City College, which follows our friend Alyson Williams’ program. 

Like the upcoming Luther Celebration in Harlem, Marko’s internet-based Rhythm and Soul Radio channel celebrates independent artists.

On this Divabetic podcast, writer Clarence Waldron talks about his stroke, recovery, working as Senior Editor and Writer of Jet Magazine, and his memories of Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin.

In the documentary, I discuss the traumatic moment when I discovered Luther after he suffered a stroke related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, Luther’s recovery was short-lived; he passed away in 2005.

Twenty years ago, Clarence interviewed Luther’s mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross, for Jet Magazine after Luther suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes. Clarence and Marko’s stories are excellent reminders of why it’s essential to ACT F.A.S.T. if you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke. The acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time) has been used by the National Stroke Association, American Heart Association, and others to educate the public on detecting stroke symptoms.

I styled one of Luther’s outfits for the “I Know” album uncredited. At the time, Luther had gained considerable weight and was not interested in clothes or being photographed. 

By this time in my tenure with Luther, I knew I had to bring some clothes (in his sizes) to supplement what the stylist had brought to shoots. I found a navy blue Polo Anorak jacket with a white stripe down the sides at Bloomingdale’s that camouflaged his size. Much to Luther’s dismay, the photographer shot Luther on the back of the set piece. It was a bare wood wall. I think I kept the jacket 🙂 George Corsillo, who designed Luther’s album covers starting with the Night I Fell In Love, was involved in the shoot. If I recall, Luther loved the cover design from the first minute he saw it.

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Chobani Zero Sugar Yogurts

Have you tried Chobani’s Zero Sugar yogurts? If so, please share your comments to add to our upcoming blog post. 

Small changes can help manage diabetes, but where do you start? Many zero-sugar, less-sugar, and reduced-sugar foods have a strange aftertaste or leave you unsatisfied and wanting to eat more. The more these products proliferate in grocery store aisles, the more hopeless our search becomes. We’d love to hear what works or doesn’t for achieving your diabetes health goals. Let’s help each other out with some valuable insights!

Mr. Divabetic talks to nationally-recognized Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND about The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes digital download.

Podcast guests include Catherine Schuller, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RD, CDCES, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, MEd, NDTR, and MamaRose Marie. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

With a few simple swaps, you can help live your best life while managing your diabetes. Our experts offer straightforward, simple, and fun swap ideas for drinks, medications, self-care, and fashion. Plus, we share style tips and words of inspiration to help you maintain a healthy habit.

Developing these habits isn’t always easy. Adapting to a new routine can be tricky, and it’s often tempting to want to return to old ways if we don’t see immediate results. One of the biggest mistakes people make when forming a new habit is taking on too much too quickly.  Focus on what’s working in your diabetes self-care plan before overhauling diabetes management. Instead of decluttering the entire house, why not focus on one room or closet? Why not focus on the calories you drink rather than everything you eat?  If you want to eat healthier, try replacing one dessert daily with a piece of fruit rather than cutting out sugar completely. If you’re going to get into hiking, start with a walk at lunchtime. Setting small goals you can achieve will help keep you motivated along the way.


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