It’s important for anyone with diabetes to rise to the occasion, not delay and get an annual eye exam from an ophthalmologist so that diabetic retinopathy can be detected early.
In its early stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR), you may not notice any symptoms or changes to your eyesight that this condition is damaging your eyes. If it is not detected and treated in a timely manner, your vision can be damaged permanently.
A basic eye exam cannot detect all aspects of diabetic retinopathy so you will require special exams. To get a better look at the inside of the eye, your doctor might use eye drops to dilate the pupils and may then view the retina with lenses and a special light called a slit lamp.
What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?
Over time, high blood sugar damages the walls of the small blood vessels in the eye, altering their structure and function. These blood vessels may thicken, leak, develop clots, close off, or grow balloon-like defects called microaneurysms. Often, fluid builds up in the part of the retina used in tasks such as reading. This condition is called macular edema.
What is Macular Edema?
Like I mentioned above, macular edema is the build-up of fluid in the center of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye and the macula is the part of the retina responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. Fluid buildup distorts vision
In advanced cases, the retina loses its blood supply and grows new, but defective, vessels. These fragile vessels can bleed and cause more problems, including glaucoma.
I had my pupils dilated at my recent eye exam. It’s not painful, and the peace of mind alone is worth protecting my sight was worth any discomfort with light sensitivity.
Still, hesitating to go to the eye doctor? Let the R & B group, Deele‘s biggest hits, “Two Occasions”(you’ve got two eyes, right?) inspire you to schedule a regular eye exam to maintain healthy vision.
There is a big difference between comprehensive eye exams and routine eye exams. Routine eye exams are the appointments that you make when you need to get a new prescription for your glasses.
A comprehensive eye exam is typically an annual appointment where your eye doctor checks both your vision and overall eye health. This is important because the eye is a small, complex, and essential part of the body. Not only do our eyes help us to see, but they can also show signs of other eye and health conditions.
We’re talking about Eye Challenges related to Diabetes with musical inspiration from TLC on August’s Diabetes Late Nite Podcast on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, 6 PM, EST
Guests include two leading doctors, Optometrist Sherrol Reynolds M.D. (Associate Professor and Chief of Advanced Ophthalmic Care at the Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, President of the National Optometric Association (NOA)), Retina Specialist and Surgeon Rishi Singh, M.D. (Retina Specialist and Staff Surgeon at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic), two Diabetes Eye Health Advocates Andrea Sledge and Natalie Karabel, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.
Throughout our podcast, we are featuring music from TLC’s CrazySexyCoolalbum courtesy of SONY Music.
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 Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FANDon Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.
Keith was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in 2006. However, he doesn’t feel his family history of diabetes (a few extended members with diabetes) is responsible for his diagnosis. Instead, he blames his eating habits.
“I didn’t take my diabetes seriously for the first ten years of my diagnosis,” Keith admits. “I never checked my blood sugars. I wasn’t exercising or watching what I ate. My doctors told me I had diabetes, and I didn’t do anything about it. I had all the information at my disposal. But I wasn’t applying it. I’d lie about checking my blood sugars with my doctor. My doctor would look at my blood work and challenge me. My grandmother had this saying, “someone will never do what they need to do until they’re ready to do it” — which pretty much sums up my mindset back then.“
Looking back, Keith feels his careless attitude could result from no one around him growing up taking their diabetes seriously either.
“As a kid, we referred to diabetes as ‘sugar.’ I knew I had diabetes, but it was just a word; I didn’t think of it as a disease. I never thought it was something fatal. Or as something that could take your limbs, sight, or life. I didn’t put any of that into perspective for the first ten years.”
“My close friend’s unexpected passing from diabetes was a wake-up call. That’s when I started to manage my diabetes. ”
Keith continued with regular doctor visits but started to adhere to a medication routine, exercising at home (watching exercise DVDs), and eating healthy.
Eventually, he had to have part of a toe removed.
“My foot issue happened about five years ago after I got serious with my diabetes.”
Keith’s foot issues sparked his desire to have weight loss surgery.
“Four years ago, I had gastric sleeve surgery. Several friends and family underwent the same surgery, so I knew about it. I talked to my doctor about it after I found out it would help with my diabetes.”
“I was pretty successful at managing my weight until I got the Security job in December of 2020. The stomach is a muscle and can be stretched back to its original shape if you’re not exercising and eating right. Both of which have happened since taking this job. I’ve been doing ok since being off for the summer, but at 56 years old, it’s hard to get that momentum back and in high gear to where I was before getting my job.”
Managing diabetes at work can be challenging, especially if you cannot get up and move around freely. I spoke to Keith about his new security job on the NBC TV show, The Blacklist, what a typical day is like, and how his work environment has been affecting his diabetes wellness.
Q: What is your typical schedule for the day and week when you work security?
A: On the Security job, I work 16-18 hours or more a day. I don’t get any breaks; the only break is when you go to the bathroom. Lunch is brought to you from craft services. So basically, you on your post from the time you arrive at 4:30 am until you leave, which can be anytime in the evening/night.
Q: How does your work schedule affect your health?
A: My health has been up & down gained weight since starting this job on 12/2020.
Q: Has your sleep schedule changed?
A: I don’t get much sleep. I get up at 2:15 am and work till at least 7 or 8 pm.
Q: Has your diet changed since starting your job? Gained or lost weight since working this job?
A; I have gained ten pounds. I’ve gone from 176 lbs to 186 lbs (I was weighed at the doctor today).
Q: Has your fitness level changed?
A: With these job hours, I haven’t worked out since starting the job.
Q: Have you been to the doctor since starting this job? If so, have there been any changes? What are they? In meds? A1C? etc.
A: I still make all my doctor appointments, my weight has gone up my A1C fluctuates from good to not so good. I blame it on me being a foodie and craft services and having no self-control.
Photo by Flex Point Security on Unsplash
Q: How much physical activity do you get at work? If you don’t get physical activity, then describe what you do – are you sitting all day, in one place, moving around from area to area, etc.
A: I get absolutely NO physical activity on this job. I sit, stand, walk, but it’s not enough to break any kind of sweat or get the body in a serious routine. I have to control my eating, and that’s it with this job.
Q: What do you typically eat when you’re at work?
A: I eat pretty healthy. I eat many fruits, vegetables, some fish & chicken, water, tea, nuts, etc.
Q: Do you bring your own food, or is it provided?
A: We have Craft Service, which has EVERYTHING you can imagine, from shrimp calamari ribs soups, fish wraps, vegan dishes, cakes, pies, cookies, etc. So I eat pretty healthy fruits, vegetables, fish and chicken nuts, water tea sometimes snacks like cookies, chips, gummies, but not much.
Q: Describe some of the challenges you face managing type 2 diabetes at your job?
A: As I mentioned before, I’m a foodie, and there isn’t a lot to do. You’re bored lots of the time, so I eat it’s all me. So I’ve gotta have better self-control.
Q: What would make it easier for you to manage your diabetes at work?
A: Honestly, not going back. The job is also located on the water, so it’s extremely cold even when the weather is nice outside. The studios are located right alongside enclosed parking lots. There are always continuous drafts. No matter how layered up you are being in one place for hours, the cold still creeps in on the body.
Q: Any additional thoughts on the ‘the struggle is real’ scenario?
A: As I mentioned earlier, I’m a ‘foodie.’ I’ve got to have self-control over myself; I can’t give in to boredom. I must develop a backbone.
Since many of us are facing similar issues that Keith mentioned, I reached out to Divabetic friend and colleague, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND to get her advice on the issues that Keith is facing in his current work environment.
Jill has authored four books. Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Week is a bestseller and can help you manage your weight and blood sugar at the same time. The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition offers solutions to your everyday food and nutrition problems – no matter how busy you are. 21 Things You Need to Know About Diabetes and Your Heart gives you specific actions to take to improve your health right away. And Jill’s newest book Prediabetes: A Complete Guide leads you through dozens of concrete steps to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic health problems.
Q: What advice can you share for someone who tends to overeat out of boredom?
Jill Weisenberger (JW): I like making rules with exceptions. For example, “I do not eat unless it’s a meal or a planned snack. Period. Except when … ” So, for me, it’s except when I’m offered something I will have no opportunity to try another time (gelato in Italy, Sacher torte at the Sacher Hotel, etc.)
Q: What strategies can you share for someone who is surrounded by too much food at work that’s trying to maintain a healthy weight?
JW: Same as above. Additionally, I think it’s important to build in treats. Once I worked at a job that always had lots of junk food. So I planned that every Wednesday afternoon, I’d pick one thing. I did that for 8 years.
Q: What advice can you give someone who admits to having ‘no self-control’? (I know you have written about this topic. Can you also share the link to one of your blog posts on it?)
JW: Most importantly, address your environment. You have more control over your environment than you do over your willpower.
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 Salad Making Party with our special guest, Nationally recognized Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes EducatorJill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FANDon Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.
Eating a salad sounds healthy, doesn’t it? But a leafy green salad can go bad when you pile on the high calorie and high carb toppings, dressings, and other deep-fried offerings.
How do you make a great-tasting salad without sacrificing your diabetes wellness?
Special Guest, Jill Weisenberger shares 2-3 of her favorite nutrient-dense salad and tasty dressing recipes that you can make at home and answers your nutrition questions.
Sometimes scrolling through Instagram pays off. I came across this easy-to-make Eating Well’s Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark recipe. It’s a perfect Summertime time snack because this treat is frozen so you can break it into chunks just like chocolate bark. I shared this recipe with my friend and fellow Divabetic Mystery podcast castmate, Seveda Williams. Seveda has appeared in Gypsies, Tramps & Peas (‘Boom Boom LaRue’), Swan Wake, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes (‘Agnes Frumpster’), Kill Me Madam (‘Goldie Hightower’), and the upcoming A Christmas Peril (‘Ruby Garland’) podcasts.
“This year’s podcast is an early Christmas treat because it’s so much fun to be a part of. On top of the crazy plot twists, there’s so much great information and explanation. Plus, this year’s mystery has an important message to share with isteners.”
Seveda texted me back that this Greek Yogurt Bark is delicious! “It’s a delightful cold treat that’s easy to make, says Seveda. “I added some vanilla bean, cinnamon, and pistachios because I love chocolate and pistachios. Keep in mind, it takes a while to set up in the freezer so leave it in overnight.”
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare. It’s low calorie, low carb, gluten-free, and low sodium. Plus, it’s packed with protein.
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 Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FANDon Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.
Eating a salad sounds healthy, doesn’t it? But a leafy green salad can go bad when you pile on the high calorie and high carb toppings, dressings, and other deep-fried offerings.
Tune in to Divabetic’s 11th Podcast Anniversary with musical inspiration from Toni Braxton. Click Here.
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 Dr. Sara Reece, PharmD – NGMC, GME, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Keith Anthony Fluitt, and Sonya Hogans. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.
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 Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FAND on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.
Eating a salad sounds healthy, doesn’t it? But a leafy green salad can go bad when you pile on the high calorie and high carb toppings, dressings, and other deep-fried offerings.
How do you make a great-tasting salad without sacrificing your diabetes wellness?
Special Guest, nutritionist Jill Weisenberger shares her favorite nutrient-dense salad and tasty dressing recipes that you can make at home and answers your nutrition questions.
Divabetic is committed to making sure that every ‘wellness with a wow’ program event that you register for is going to be great!
Just because something is called a salad on the menu does NOT make it the best choice.
Here are a few tips for making sure your stay on track with your health goals when you eat salad:
Reach for darker greens, such as spinach, leaf lettuce, arugula, kale, and watercress, instead of iceberg lettuce.
Croutons don’t add much nutritional value, but they can add a lot of calories. So if you like a few crunchy toppings, add a tablespoon or two of chopped walnuts or flax seeds.
Nationally recognized Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator and Author Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND is the author of four books. Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Weekis a bestseller and can help you manage your weight and blood sugar at the same time. The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition offers solutions to your everyday food and nutrition problems – no matter how busy you are. 21 Things You Need to Know about Diabetes and Your Heart gives you specific actions to take to improve your health right away. And Jill’s newest book Prediabetes: A Complete Guide leads you through dozens of concrete steps to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic health problems.
Learn to finally Stick With It and keep your motivation and willpower up for healthy lifestyle habits. Jill Weisenberger’s Stick With It is a self-paced video course that guides you step-by-step to the healthy habits you want. You’ll learn why your motivation and willpower move up and down like a roller coaster and what you can do to keep them up higher and longer.
We’re thrilled to announce that the reigning Ms. Texas Plus U.S United, Andrea Sledge, has chosen Divabetic as her platform for this year’s pageant.
Andrea told us, “I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2011. My diagnosis was a complete surprise. I had attended a health fair at work, and they took my blood sugar, and the nurse immediately asked me to sit, asked me if I felt ok and then told me my blood sugar was 325.” She continues, “I had been seeing a doctor for regular physicals, but he never said a word to me even though I have a family history of diabetes. My maternal grandmother and both of my paternal grandparents suffered from diabetes.”
“Once I heard the words ‘you are diabetic,’ I was in denial! I went into a deep depression., I immediately thought of myself as less than. So I searched for an outlet that would help me get back to ME. I started competing in pageants and using diabetes and diabetes awareness as my platform. It made me so much stronger because then I took control of how it made me feel and the stigma surrounding diabetes. I wanted people to understand that being diabetic does not look nor define you as a person. You just have to do some things differently, but you can still be social. I did pretty well for several years until 2019 when I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy.”
Diabetic retinopathyis when high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can swell and leak. Or they can close, stopping blood from passing through. Sometimes abnormal new blood vessels grow on the retina. All of these changes can steal your vision.
Diabetic retinopathy is best diagnosed with a comprehensive dilated eye exam. For this exam, drops placed in your eyes widen (dilate) your pupils to allow your doctor a better view inside your eyes. The drops can cause your close vision to blur until they wear off, several hours later.
During the exam, your eye doctor will look for abnormalities in the inside and outside parts of your eyes.
There are two main stages of diabetic eye disease.
NPDR (non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy)
This is the early stage of diabetic eye disease. Many people with diabetes have it.
With NPDR, tiny blood vessels leak, making the retina swell. When the macula swells, it is called macular edema. This is the most common reason why people with diabetes lose their vision.
Also with NPDR, blood vessels in the retina can close off. This is called macular ischemia. When that happens, blood cannot reach the macula. In addition, sometimes tiny particles called exudates can form in the retina. These can affect your vision too.
If you have NPDR, your vision will be blurry.
PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy)
PDR is the more advanced stage of diabetic eye disease. It happens when the retina starts growing new blood vessels. This is called neovascularization. You might see a few dark floaters. If they bleed a lot, it might block all vision.
These new blood vessels can form scar tissue. Scar tissue can cause problems with the macula or lead to a detached retina.
PDR is very serious and can steal both your central and peripheral (side) vision.
If you have proliferative diabetic retinopathy or macular edema, you’ll need prompt treatment. Depending on the specific problems with your retina, options might include: injecting medications into your eyes, photocoagulation, panretinal photocoagulation, and vitrectomy.
While treatment can slow or stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy, it’s not a cure. Future retinal damage and vision loss are still possible.
Even after treatment for diabetic retinopathy, you’ll need regular eye exams. At some point, you might need additional treatment.
“I was totally blind for about a year after my surgery. I have now lost my vision in my left eye, but I am still pressing on,” says Andrea. But, she adds, “I chose not to quit the pageant because I can inspire others to push past the curve balls life throws at us.”
The mission of the U.S. United Pageant is to promote health, fitness, and inner beauty among women and children of all ethnic groups while producing positive role models for the community; to develop women that will promote self-confidence, self-worth, moral, academic, and social support for our youth; and to publicly recognize women who have obtained personal, professional and community achievements.
“Following your organization, Divabetic, over the years has really helped me in so many ways,” says Andrea. “One thing I do that makes me feel better when I am feeling down is put on makeup!! I also practice meditation to keep myself centered. In addition, I believe mediation aids me in achieving better health. It helps me manage my blood pressure and stress which is no good for anyone, but surely not a diabetic.”
Regular eye care can have a life-changing impact on preserving your vision. Eye diseases are common and can go unnoticed for a long time and/or have no symptoms at first. A comprehensive dilated eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is necessary to find eye diseases in the early stages when treatment to prevent vision loss is most effective.
This August, we’re focusing on eye health, and vision loss related to diabetes with two leading doctors(an Optometrist and a Retina Specialist, and Surgeon)and two diabetes advocates, and musical inspiration from TLC.
Did you know August is Vision & Learning Month?
The goal of this national observance is to help increase awareness among parents and educators on the prevalence of undiagnosed or misdiagnosed vision problems.
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults. This is a growing problem as the number of people living with diabetes increases, so does the number of people with impaired vision. Diabetes can cause a disease of the eye called diabetic retinopathy (DR). In its early stages, you may not notice any symptoms or changes to your eyesight, and you cannot tell that this condition is damaging your eyes. If it is not detected and treated in a timely manner, your vision can be damaged permanently.
Among adults aged 45 and over with diagnosed diabetes, 9.2% had vision loss due to cataracts, 4.1% had vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy, 2.2% had vision loss due to macular degeneration, and 2.1% had vision loss due to glaucoma.
Guests include Sherrol Reynolds M.D. (Associate Professor and Chief of Advanced Ophthalmic Care at the Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, President of the National Optometric Association (NOA)), Rishi Singh, M.D. (Retina Specialist and Staff Surgeon at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic), Andrea Sledge, Natalie Karabel,Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.
Throughout our podcast, we are featuring music from TLC’s CrazySexyCool albumcourtesy of SONY Music.
This August, we’re talking with two leading doctors(an Optometrist and a Retina Specialist, and Surgeon)and two diabetes advocates about eye health, and vision loss related to diabetes with musical inspiration from TLC.
Let this be a friendly reminder to get your eyes checked. Why? A routine, comprehensive eye exam can detect vision problems, eye disease, and general health problems before you are aware a problem exists.
Did you know that August is Vision & Learning Month? The goal of this national observance is to help increase awareness among parents and educators on the prevalence of undiagnosed or misdiagnosed vision problems.
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults. This is a growing problem as the number of people living with diabetes increases, so does the number of people with impaired vision. Diabetes can cause a disease of the eye called diabetic retinopathy (DR). In its early stages, you may not notice any symptoms or changes to your eyesight, and you cannot tell that this condition is damaging your eyes. If it is not detected and treated in a timely manner, your vision can be damaged permanently.
Diabetes can lead to swelling in the macula, which is called diabetic macular edema. Over time, this disease can destroy the sharp vision in this part of the eye, leading to partial vision loss or blindness. Macular edema usually develops in people who already have other signs of diabetic retinopathy.
Fortunately, diabetic retinopathy and macular edema can be treated and even prevented if caught early (which is why getting an annual dilated eye exam is so important for people who have diabetes).
Another eye problem that’s more common in people who have diabetes is dry eye. According to the National Eye Institute, dry eye is a condition in which the eye does not produce tears properly. It can also involve tears not having the right consistency or evaporating too quickly. Tears are necessary to help maintain moisture on the surface of the eye and for clear vision. In many cases the surface of the eye becomes inflamed; if not treated, pain, ulcers, scars, and possibly loss of some vision can occur. One study showed that people who have diabetes have a 50% chance of getting dry eye.
Among adults aged 45 and over with diagnosed diabetes, 9.2% had vision loss due to cataracts, 4.1% had vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy, 2.2% had vision loss due to macular degeneration, and 2.1% had vision loss due to glaucoma.
Guests include Sherrol Reynolds M.D. (Associate Professor and Chief of Advanced Ophthalmic Care at the Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, President of the National Optometric Association (NOA)), Rishi Singh, M.D. (Retina Specialist and Staff Surgeon at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic), Andrea Sledge, Natalie Karabel, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.
Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcasts mix great music with diabetes information, health tips, real-life testimonials, and common sense advice to help you live well with diabetes
Throughout our podcast, we are featuring music from TLC’s CrazySexyCool album courtesy of SONY Music. CrazySexyCool has been certified 12-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), making TLC the first girl group in history to be awarded Diamond status. CrazySexyCool has since sold over 14 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album by an American girl group.
In addition to its commercial success, the project was also critically acclaimed and earned six Grammy nominations. The group would take home hardware for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (“Creep). The trio also broke ground by winning four MTV Video Music Awards in 1995 including Video of the Year. This made TLC the first African-American act to ever receive the honor.
A number of R&B groups would follow in the footsteps of TLC and leave their mark on the music world. But, none have yet to duplicate the magic captured by T-Boz, Chili, and Left Eye.
Released on November 15, 1994, CrazySexyCool served as a rallying cry for young women across the globe embracing their liberal nature, while analyzing various matters of the heart.
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.
TabithaBrownis 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!
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.
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 Braxtonwants to normalize mental health? She admits she has a sober, sound mind and body. But, Tamar told ET’s Kevin Frazierthat 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!
Valerie Bertinelli confessed she made the ‘mistake’ of reading some ‘comments’ online about her weight as she clapped back with a powerful video message. Valerie Bertinelli is done with body shaming.
The 61-year-old took to social media to clap back at a comment made about her weight with an emotional video where she confessed being “vulnerable” was difficult. “When you see somebody who has put some weight on, my first thought is that person is obviously going through some things because if I could lose the weight and keep it off, I would,” she said in the Instagram post shared on Friday, July 9, responding to “someone” who “pointed out” out she “needed” to lose some pounds. “But since I haven’t been successful with that my whole entire life, at 61 I’m still dealing with [it],” she said through tears as she spoke to the camera, makeup-free. “You think I’m not tired of it, lady? Where’s the compassion. You think a stupid little comment like ‘you need to lose weight’ — not f***
Yes! Valerie Bertinelli responds to weight-shaming and we love her for it!!! Judging a person does not define who they are, it defines who you are! No one should sacrifice their mental health to live up to someone else’s expectations.
According to Healthline, body-shaming “involves criticizing and harassing overweight people about their weight or eating habits to make them feel ashamed of themselves,” with the intent to “motivate people to eat less, exercise more, and lose weight.”
Some believe that making others feel ashamed of their weight or eating habits may motivate them to get healthier. However, scientific evidence confirms that nothing could be further from the truth.
If you are going through these same things, remember you are not alone. Actress Emma Stone said, “There’s a sense that we’re all ‘too’ something, and we’re all not enough. This is life. Our bodies change. Our minds change. Our hearts change.”
Body Shaming Yourself
A social media troll body-shamed actress Valerie Bertinelli but most of the time we body shame ourselves. The worst part is that when we talk to ourselves we use much more toxic language than Valerie’s troll did.
Self-shaming is a destructive mindset. When we body shame ourselves we are working against our bodies and putting obstacles from attaining our diabetes health goals, and our overall sense of well-being.
“We know that people who experience body shaming are at a much higher risk for both depression and anxiety disorders,” said A. Janet Tomiyama, an associate professor of health psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles in Washington Post. “It’s easy to see how feeling bad about yourself could lead to more serious emotional troubles.”
One way to break the cycle of negative talk is to write down everything your body does for you. Going forward, every time you experience a negative thought about your body, try to replace it with something from your gratitude list. If you started to spiral into shame, quickly correct yourself.
Mama Rose Marie and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek returned safely from their ‘Theo & Louise’ whirlwind cross country travel odyssey this past weekend. We attended an outdoor family wedding in Missoula, Montana, on the 4th of July. It was lovely to celebrate all things ‘Red, White, and Blue’ in such a picturesque part of America.
My second cousin, Maria, and her husband, Nate are not living with diabetes. My maternal grandmother, Maria’s maternal great-grandmother, Mary Zinni, had diabetes. She died of heart failure at the age of 78. This year, marked the 100th Anniversary of her marriage to my grandfather, Dominic Zinni. Although my grandfather could not read or write, he raised several college graduates. I’m proud to say our family legacy includes several teachers, doctors, lawyers, horticulturists, civil engineers, energy healers, retail specialists, artists, musicians, and a happy healthcare host!
If you are and you’d like some tips to celebrate the ‘Big Day’ with Diabetes tune in to Divabetic’s Bride’s Guide to Diabetes podcast using this link:
We were overwhelmed by the scenery and overjoyed to be part of such a beautiful celebration. The bride and groom wrote rhyming vows that they exchanged to each other to everyone’s delight and astonishment! Several couples were asked to offer their pearls of wisdom to the newlyweds. Mama Rose Marie shared insights into her 50 + years of marriage to my father, Stanley Szadek, Jr. during the ceremony.
“I’d like to compare my fifty years of marriage to the fifty or so mile journey I took from my hometown of Batavia to my new home in Rochester. A long stretch highway that my husband drove with me by his side in our blue-colored 1959 Opel car. Although our journey started with love, first and foremost, like many newlyweds embarking on a new life together, we were scared. We wondered if we had enough things in common to stretch the distance and bridge the gap between our pasts and our future. And probably most of all, we wondered if there was some map to lead us in the right direction. Midway through the years, we found ourselves no longer traveling alone. There were three then four children in the backseat. The small car we started out in was now a full-sized station wagon! Bumps in the road that once brought tears or laughter became precious memories between my husband and me as we kept driving. At some point, we didn’t need a map because we had our faith, commitment, and strength to lead us in the right direction after a half-century together.
As you begin your journey together, I want you to know the only road map to follow in your marriage is the one in your heart. It’s not where you go, but who you are traveling with that’s important. Congratulations!”
If Missoula, Montana sounds familiar to you, it’s because our recent Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Author Richard Fifield (The Flood Girls, The Small Crimes of Tiffany Templeton) lives there. Unfortunately, epic travel delays prevented a face-to-face meeting but you can still enjoy our interview with the best-selling author on June’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast using the link below:
