On the twelfth day of Blue Christmas, my true friend, Doris Hobbs sent to me a T1D Exposed calendar to celebrate people living well with diabetes.
Divabetic is celebrating a Blue Christmas to bring attention to the mental health issues related to living with diabetes.
You probably know better than we do how diabetes affects your holiday experience. You might feel the weight of diabetes more at this time, because you can’t let go and celebrate like everyone else. Or maybe you do let go and then beat yourself up over it.
That’s why we asked our panel of experts, friends and past Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests to spread some holiday cheer by sharing their favorite products to help keep you ‘happy and healthy’ all year long.
Doris’ pick: The T1D Exposed Calendarfeatures twelve powerful men and women living with type 1 diabetes who are showcasing a passion in their portrait. Type 1 diabetes is part of their lives, but is not the single story of their fascinating existence. Living with T1D changes a person’s body, and the T1D Exposed calendar features tasteful nude portraits of individuals embracing those changes and their lives with type one.
The mission of The Nude Diabetes Advocacy Project is to promote awareness, connect people living with type one diabetes (T1D), and fundraise for both local and global diabetes organizations.
“Shedding my clothes for diabetes awareness has brought me a sense of empowerment that I literally can’t express in words, says, Doris Hobbs aka ‘Miss June’.
A San Francisco based Luxury Liaison, Doris bridges the world of MEDIA with unmistakable elegance through both written Storytelling & Visual Imagery with her website, Rich In Love. This accomplished Media Expert and Fashion Doyenne breathes new life into her sought-after glamour persona & profitable branding campaigns while maintaining a voice as a Diabetes Awareness Advocate.
“What the T1D Exposed calendar creators, Tara Layman and Kat Reedare doing is truly an artistic expression in regards to the auto-immune disease that is much needed in today’s society”
What was it like to pose nude since especially since shedding the clothes and he shame that is associated with our bodies can be difficult?
“Having never posed nude within my career as a luxury model I surprisingly wasn’t terrified; I actually had the opposite reaction. I instantly became rather invested and driven to move forward and participate,” says Doris Hobbs. “I literally didn’t want to leave the shoot as I feel so comfortable in my own skin for the first time. The emotion that overcame me when I set my eyes on the final image as “Miss June” was a glamorous moment I will forever remember.”
I love this fabulousT1D Exposed calendar! I admire the bravery and self acceptance of all 12 participants about their experience living with type 1 diabetes. There’s no shame in their game, and there shouldn’t be any in yours! Be inspired to show the world that you’re living well with diabetes.
On December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we’re celebrating a Blue Christmas. I chose this theme in December because ‘Blue’ is the color that I feel is most closely associate with diabetes and more importantly, it gives us an opportunity to raise awareness for the mental health issues related to diabetes which are often overlooked and ignored. Some listeners may feel that talking about depression is depressing which is understandable. However, I feel it’s far more important to reach out to those coping with diabetes distress and burnout and let them know they are not alone.Please join us!
TUNE IN! December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Elvis Presley on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6 PM, EST. We’re discussing ways to not let diabetes make you feel ‘blue’ during the holiday season with our panel of experts. Guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Rachel Zinman, Dr. Mandy Reece PharmD, CDE, BC-ADM, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Are you feeling ‘blue’ this holiday season?
If so, you’re not alone. While it’s true that sadness and/or depression at holiday time can be a reaction to the stresses and demands of the season, people with diabetes are more likely to be depressed than others states David Spero BSN, RN for Diabetes Self-Management.
Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression. Depression can lead to poor lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy eating, less exercise, smoking and weight gain — all of which are risk factors for diabetes.
The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together. And effectively managing one can have a positive effect on the other.
If you think you might be depressed, seek help right away. Your doctor or diabetes educator can refer you to a mental health professional.
We understand why the holiday season can be difficult for people living with diabetes, or their loved ones.
It’s bound to be a stressful time as you are confronted with numerous social commitments, overly helpful relatives, busy holiday travel, financial burdens and an abundance of food and drink indulgences. A dizzying array of demands — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, on top of managing your diabetes can ruin your holiday spirit and compromise your hurt your diabetes health.
If you’re fearful about the toll the holidays will take on your diabetes then let us help.
Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression. Seek out community, religious, sports and/or other social events. They can offer support and companionship.
Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. And learn to say ‘no’. Saying ‘yes’ when you should say ‘no’ can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity.
Still feeling blue?
To help you de-stress and feel blessed I‘ve put together my first-ever 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift List!
Apart from repeated listenings to Elvis Presley sing ‘Blue Christmas’ in preparation for December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast, I was inspired to compile this 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift Guide after reading this blog post:
”Several friends and I are planning on doing the 12 Days of Christmas for a lady who really needs some pampering right now. She is sole care-giver to her husband, who is a double amputee, has diabetes and is on dialysis everyday. We are wondering what are some things we could give her to correspond to each of the 12 days. Doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, can be cute or funny. Just something to let her know we are thinking about her” posted on thriftyfun.com
If you’re feeling stressed about overspending during the holidays but still want to be show your gratitude to that special someone living with diabetes in your life, then check out our 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas list:
Day 1 – Board game. I love Quiddler, winner of over 20 Best Game Awards. It’s easy to learn and fun for everyone! The goal is to arrange all the cards in your hand into one or more words. My friends and I had a blast playing this game in Ptown over the Columbus Day weekend.
Day 2 – Pair of gloves. Peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes. Poor circulation and loss of feeling in the hands can cause people with diabetes not only to have cold hands, but also to fail to realize when cold temperatures are endangering their hands. UGG now sells gloves for men and women! Their rich leather gloves lets you use your touchscreens while keeping your hands warm. … Leather and sheepskin. Everybody I know raves that they are the “Best Gloves” ever owned. Warm, snug, and striking appearance.
Day 3 – Picture of the friends, co-workers, nieces, nephews, pets and/or grandkids (three).
Day 4 – Four single servings of a healthy snack! Since portion and calorie control are much easier to calculate, single-serve food products provide the health and wellness many are looking for with the added benefit of convenience. I like to carry Emerald 100 calorie pack, natural almonds & walnuts packs around with me as I run checking out all the holiday windows in New York City.
Day 5 – The Best of the Temptations Christmas album. How it relates to ‘5’? (The “Classic 5” lineup of the Temptations featured: David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and Eddie Kendricks. The Temptations’ version of ‘Silent Night’ is the most beautiful version. The “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” intro is from Floyd Cramer’s medley. First released August, 1980, on the Temptations’ album “Give Love At Christmas.”
Day 6 – Six pack of seamless socks. I used to giveaway Dr. Scholl’s Seamless socks at various Divabetic outreach events. They were the most popular giveaway I had! Constructed with premium materials, features a soft, non-binding top that doesn’t constrict your legs. Moisture dispersion technology keeps your feet dry and antimicrobial properties keep your feet feeling fresh. These socks feature a smooth toe seam to prevent irritation and friction on your toes, and a cushioned bottom for additional protection. The socks are cotton-free to reduce moisture absorption and latex-free to help avoid common allergic reactions
Day 7 – Lucky 7 lottery tickets!
Day 8 – 8 oz diabetic foot & body creams from Dr. Greenfield’s and/or PEAK 10 SKIN care products. Dry skin, a frequently overlooked complication of diabetes, is an irritating side effect of chronically high blood glucose levels. Try these tricks to keep your skin healthy and soft. Dr. Greenfield’s Diabetic Foot Cream helps reduce the risk of foot complications due to diabetes. The patented formula of emollients, vitamins, antioxidants and protein luxuriously moisturizes and softens feet while reducing painful cracking and dryness.
PEAK 10 SKIN skin care products use high levels of proven active ingredients that will make a difference in the hydration and protection of your skin. PEAK 10 SKIN products contain no parabens, no added fragrances, no gluten and are never tested on animals.
Day 9 – A gift certificate for Nine West Shoes (flats preferred).“You only get one set of feet in this lifetime,” says Dr. Curry. “It’s important to take care of them properly. The sacrifice of wearing the latest fad in shoe wear is not worth the health risk of permanent foot deformities with accompanying knee or hip pain.” Our pick is to add a dose of luxury to any holiday ensemble with the Nine West® Sholette loafer.
Day 10 – Ten hours of great movies (your favorite DVD’s)
Day 11 – Eleven toothbrushes (one for almost every day of our Diabetes Blue Christmas celebration! ). Regular dental visits are important. Do you know tat when diabetes is not managed properly, high glucose levels in saliva may help bacteria and plaque thrive. Plaque that is not removed can eventually harden into tartar? Research suggests that treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar management, and decrease complications.
Day 12 – Calendar. Grab a T1D Exposed calendar. The mission of this beautiful Nude Diabetes Advocacy Project is to promote awareness, connect people living with type one diabetes (T1D), and fundraise for both local and global diabetes organizations. Living with T1D changes a person’s body, and the T1D Exposed calendar features tasteful nude portraits of individuals embracing those changes and their lives with type one. Our good friend, Doris Hobbs, participated in this year’s calendar.
Remember, the holiday season can be an extremely stressful time for all of us. But stress, both physical and mental, can send your blood sugar levels out of whack. It’s important to start taking steps now to relax, unwind and/or mediate to keep yourself and your family healthy for life.
TUNE IN: Don’t miss December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Elvis Presley on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6 PM, EST. We will be discussing ways to not let diabetes make you feel ‘blue’ during the holiday season with our panel of experts. Guests include ‘Walking With Peety’ Author Eric O’Grey, Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
NEED MORE INSPIRATION? Our panel of experts, Divabetic community members and past Diabetes Late Nite guests will be sharing their Blue Christmas Gift suggestions on this blog for the next twelve days to help you enjoy the festive spirit of the season without compromising your diabetes health!
I know many people in our Divabetic community don’t like to celebrate the holidays because they feel they may disrupt their diabetes care. But with a little pre-planning and guidance from your healthcare entourage you can still enjoy the festivities associated with Father’s Day without failing your diabetes.
Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing our Divabetic ‘Spaghetti Western’-themed Father’s Day Celebration blog posts showcasing healthy recipes, expert advice on portions and diabetes sexual health-related issues from our favorite diabetes experts, chefs, stylists (Diabetes Advocate & ‘Rich In Love’ Spokesmodel Doris Hobbs shows off a vintage Western look in the photo above) and party planners.
Since our a Father’s Day BBQ’s can spell trouble for anyone watching their weight and/or managing their diabetes I asked registered dietitian, diabetes educator, and Mindful Eating expert, Megrette Fletcher M.Ed., RD, CDE to share her tips on portions to help you stay on track with your diabetes self-care. Below are Megrette’s Tips on Portions in celebration of Father’s Day:
Do you get confused (or downright afraid) when your health care provider talks to you about changing your diet to better manage blood sugars. Fear not, eating the “right” amount of food is easy if you start by asking a few simple questions.
First – eat when you are hungry. By asking yourself, “Am I hungry?” you can uncover if you are truly hungry. If you are not hungry but you still want to eat, then you may be coping with situations in your life through food. For most people, this isn’t a problem, but if you are always coping with a bowl of ice cream at 9 p.m., is it working? Sure, it tastes yummy while you are eating it, but when the bowl is empty are you filled with a sense of health and wellbeing or guilt, blame and shame?
Many dads think, “I can’t have ice cream! I have diabetes!” The idea of forbidden foods because you have diabetes only drives the fear and misinformation about this disease. Remind yourself – all foods fit! The question is how much and how often. Restriction, regarding of the underlying intention, creates the conditions for you to feel deprived. At some point, your resolve will snap, causing you to overeat not with a serving of ice cream, but with a pint of ice cream! This type of overeating is the issue because it becomes a pattern. The cycle of overeating, repentance, and repetition is currently under study by leading neuroscientists. Thus far, the research is teaching us deprivation doesn’t work!
This Father’s Day, take a deep breath and take charge of your diabetes. Start by asking the first two questions in the Mindful Eating Cycle – “Am I Hungry?” and “When Am I Hungry?” If you think you are hungry, great! Get curious and ask the next questions – “When am I hungry? When I see food? When I am offered food?” Dig even deeper and notice where in your body you are feeling hunger.
It isn’t a waste of time to take a few seconds and be certain you are physically hungry instead of being tempted to eat. In our food abundant society, temptation starts the moment you wake up. You are bombarded by hundreds of cues to eat! At some point, you need a system to address the hundreds of food choices before you, which is why the Mindful Eating Cycle is so helpful.
To learn more about mindful eating and diabetes care, please visit www.AmIHungry.com. This website created by Dr. Michelle May is full of terrific resources to help you manage your blood sugar by getting curious about your hunger! You can also purchase the book, Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetesfor an in-depth understanding of mindful eating and diabetes.
Megrette Fletcher M.Ed., RD, CDE joins us on July’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast schedule for Thursday, July 13, 2017, 6 PM, EST. On this podcast we will be celebrating our 7th Anniversary of ‘wellness with a wow’ podcasting. Guests include the Charlie’s Angels Of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.
TUNE IN: Tuesday, June 13, 2017 for Diabetes Late Nite with music by Maxwell. We’re talking about Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) with musical inspiration from Maxwell. Along with fellow musicians D’Angelo and Erykah Badu, Maxwell has been credited with helping to shape what has been termed the “neo soul” movement that rose to prominence during the late 1990s. Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is an accumulation of fluid in the macula-part of the retina that controls our most detailed vision abilities-due to leaking blood vessels. In order to develop DME, you must first have diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye (retina). Poorly controlled blood sugar is a risk factor. Early symptoms include floaters, blurriness, dark areas of vision, and difficulty perceiving colors. Blindness can occur. Guests include singer Alfa Anderson, Diabetic Macular Edema patient Maryanne Kass, Artist Bryce Chisholm, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring selected songs from several of several of Maxwell’s albums courtesy of SONY Music.
For the past twelve years at our Divabetic live events, on our podcasts and inner blog we’ve been promotinga ‘New Attitude’ about living with diabetes to help you ‘Keep Your House A Home’ by learning to prevent a diabetes health-related complication from occurring.Now we’re sharing our decade’s worth of our ‘diva brand of diabetes outreach’ advice and suggestions with you so that you won’t have to avoid the holidays in order to take charge of our diabetes.
Our Divabetic Mother’s Day Celebration embraces an Old Hollywood aesthetic to encourage you to shine the spotlight on you and your diabetes health!
We believe diabetes doesn’t have to dim your dazzle! You can still embody Old Hollywood glamour and the kind of woman who is accustomed to attention from throngs of paparazzi!
Sure, it can be challenging at times to enjoy the holidays when you’re living with diabetes especially if you feel like you can’t enjoy the foods your actually preparing for your family and friends! Why not take the opportunity this Mother’s Day to change your mindset as well as your family’s about what healthy tastes like?
One of our favorite experts,’The Decadent Diabetic’ aka Chef Ward Alper shares this Oscar worthy menu for a Divabetic Mother’s Day Celebration.The Decadent Diabetic’s menu includes Cucumber Soup, Smoked Salmon & Brie Omelet, Roasted Asparagus and Tart A Citron. Below is Chef’s Ward Alper’s recipe for Tallulah Tart A Citron (See all of the Decadent Diabetic’s Old Hollywood inspired Mother’s Day recipes on Divabetic blog).
½cup toasted nuts (either Almonds, Walnuts, or Pecans)
¼ c. GRANULATED SUGAR SUBSTITUTE
1 pinch salt
¼ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp. baking powder
4 tbsp.butter or margarine
1 large egg
Filling Ingredients:
1 pkg reduced fat (not fat free) cream cheese at room temperature
2/3 cup GRANULATED SUGAR SUBSTITUTE
juice AND zest of two lemons (about 7 tablespoons)
3 large eggs
How Chef Ward Alper Prepares the Recipe:
Roll out the crust on flowered surface to about a 14 in circle. Using your fingers fit into tart pan. This dough is fragile and will break. Not to worry just piece it together with your fingers. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes before filling.
Beat cream cheese in the bowl of a food processor or electric mixer until smooth. Add GRANULATED SUGAR SUBSTITUTE and beat until incorporated. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Add the lemon juice BUT NOT zest of the lemons. Beat until well mixed. BY HAND stir in the lemon zest.
Pour into the crust and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
Serve garnished with a few lightly sweetened Blueberries or strawberries or raspberries.
Tallulah Bankhead was an American actress of the stage and screen, and a reputed libertine. Bankhead was known for her husky voice, outrageous personality, and devastating wit. Originating some of the 20th-century theater’s preeminent roles in comedy and melodrama, she gained acclaim as an actress on both sides of the Atlantic. Bankhead became an icon of the tempestuous, flamboyant actress, and her unique voice and mannerisms are often subject to imitation and parody.
“Tallulah Bankhead was a great character,” says the Decadent Diabetic. “I actually got to see her on stage in Midgie Purvis. It lasted maybe two performances. It opened with her coming down a staircase with two wolfhounds. As Lily Tomlin would say: “its a look”.”
‘Can I have a healthy baby if I’m living with type 1 diabetes?’ is one of the most common questions we’re asked at Divabetic diabetes outreach events. Our good friend, Diabetes Advocate and Author, Ginger Vieira recently co-authored a new book, ‘Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes’(subtitled “Your Month-to-Month Guide to Blood Sugar Management) with Jennifer C. Smith RD, CDE.
“The book will likely be referred to as “the Type 1 pregnancy bible” before long,” reports Nancy Sayles Kaneshira for Diabetes Lifestyle’s website.
The books covers “Mama’s Mental Health,” nutrition, blood sugar management, what to expect at doctor’s visits, and Ginger’s personal pregnancy diary (pictured right). With countless tips, dietary recommendations and personal stories in addition to their own, the authors ably guide the reader through preparing for pregnancy all the way to baby’s birth, and throughout the challenges of postpartum diabetes control.
This book is so jam-packed with information it should come with a yellow highlighter. BUY NOW
Hollywood Fact: Regardless of what you or I may think of Joan Crawford’s mothering skills and/or allegations of physical abuse towards her children, many single mothers of adopted children owe her a great deal of gratitude. Joan adopted three children—Christina and twins Cathy and Cindy—as a single parent, which at the time was prohibited in California. She used her fame and finances to arrange the adoptions through an agency in Las Vegas.
Diabetes Advocate, Author and Spokesmodel, Doris Hobbs shows off one of the biggest fashion secrets in Hollywood; the nude colored shoe. Nude shoes are ultra- flattering shoe because they elongate your leg and virtually go with everything. Plus, they’re perfect for summer? Every Hollywood starlet’s wearing them now—Miranda Kerr, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Blake Lively, to name a few—and the result is legs for days, to put it mildly.
Pampering gifts like products from PEAK 10 SKIN®are always a great treat to any Mom…at any age! Whether it’s your daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, wife or your Mother, women love things that make them feel pampered and special. PEAK 10 SKIN® have a couple different gift sets that we put together with Mom’s in mind, but they will also custom design a gift for the Mom’s in your life. For custom gifts, simply call or email us. Beautiful gift wrap available , too! Remember, all of products are professional spa quality and are paraben FREE, gluten FREE, cruelty FREE!
PEAK 10 SKIN® is offering this Special 30% Discount Offer to our Divabetic community (use the Divabetic coupon code: divabetic (all lowercase))
Don’t forget to use your coupon code: B2B(40% off)
PEAK 10 SKIN® recently repackaged the new SOOTHE hand cream in a pot for ease of use. The product was too thick to come out of the tube with ease. It comes in 2 sizes; 2oz/$18 and 4oz/$28. These could be perfect gifts as well. These prices are BEFORE your discount is applied.
Making a Mani/Pedi kit of SAVE MY SOLE & SOOTHE hand cream would be fabulous! If you get the 2oz of each, that would be a $36 retail/$21.60 for you!
For the past twelve years at our Divabetic live events, on our podcasts and inner blog we’ve been promotinga ‘New Attitude’ about living with diabetes to help you ‘Keep Your House A Home’ by learning to prevent a diabetes health-related complication from occurring.Now we’re sharing our decade’s worth of our ‘diva brand of diabetes outreach’ advice and suggestions with you so that you won’t have to avoid the holidays in order to take charge of our diabetes.
Our Divabetic Mother’s Day Celebration embraces an Old Hollywood aesthetic to encourage you to shine the spotlight on you and your diabetes health!
Sure, it can be difficult at times to enjoy the holidays when you’re living with diabetes especially if you feel like you can’t enjoy the foods your actually preparing for your family and friends! Why not take the opportunity this Mother’s Day to change your mindset as well as your family’s about what healthy tastes like?
One of our favorite experts,‘The Decadent Diabetic’ aka Chef Ward Alpershares this Oscar worthy menu for a Diabetic Mother’s Day Celebration.The Decadent Diabetic’s menu includes Cucumber Soup, Smoked Salmon & Brie Omelet, Roasted Asparagus and Tart A Citron. Below is Chef’s Ward Alper’s recipe for Catalina Cucumber Soup. (We will be posting one recipe each day throughout the upcoming week).
(4 8 ounce servings, Net carbohydrates: 6 per serving)
Ingredients:
1 medium to large sweet onion Sliced (thick or thin, your choice)
2-3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
2-4 cloves crushed and chopped garlic (depends on how much you love garlic)
1 – big stalk of celery, roughly chopped
Black pepper to taste
Salt to taste
2 Tablespoons flour
1 ½ quarts Low sodium chicken broth
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons fresh dill (1 if you use dried)
3-large Cucumbers
3-4 heaping tablespoons sour cream
Chef Ward Alper’s Preparation:
Note: No need to finely chop any of the vegetables in this recipe. They will all be blended smooth at the end.
Peel the cucumbers and using the tip of a teaspoon, remove all of the seeds from the cucumbers Chop roughly.
In a good sized soup pot sauté onion in olive oil or butter until soft but not brown. Add salt and pepper about one minute into the process.
Add garlic and flour. Cook for one minute or so. Slowly add the chicken broth stirring so as not to have lumps. Add the juice and zest of the lemon.
Add ½ of the cucumbers to the broth. Simmer for 15-20 minutes on low heat.Remove from heat, let cool, and then add the remaining portions of the cucumbers, reserving some if you wish for garnish. Using an immersion blender, whip the soup until smooth.
Add the sour cream. Blend to combine.
Note: Quickest if you have an immersion blender stick, but it works in a processor. Just do it in small batches.
Let cool in the refrigerator overnight!
While your soup’s cooling why not turn up the heat with a touch of Old Hollywood glamour?
Spokesmodel, Author and Diabetes Advocate Doris Hobbs (‘Rich In Love’) beautifully captures the essence of Old Hollywood in this vintage ensemble.
“A type 1 diabetic since 2014, I follow the strength of my father who has been living with type 1 diabetes since the age of two. His determination to take control of the illness has shaped my mission,” says Doris.
Doris is living proof that living with type 1 diabetes doesn’t have dim your dazzle!
She adds, “We, as a society, have a tendency of suppressing our fears, as mastering those can be difficult and takes large amounts of will and courage to look in the mirror and say, “I will succeed; I can do this!”
You don’t need to be a red carpet Old Hollywood bombshell to harness the power of black clothing because it matches everything! It’s great for mixing and matching, for layering or for helping your ‘Revenge’ red lips standout.
MAKE UP TIP: Grab a lipstick brush and your favorite shade of red to apply a gorgeous red lip, completing the Old Hollywood glam look. To clean up the edges and define your lips, dip a concealer brush into just a pinch of concealer and outline your lips, paying particular attention to the corners and the cupid’s bow for extra crisp definition.
The key to achieving a classic, glamorous Old Hollywood look and style of entertaining lies in the details. We all know that the little details that make the ordinary become extraordinary can be daunting! But the first detail to achieving the glamorous life of your favorite Old Hollywood actress, Loretta Young, Grace Kelly or Norma Shear is focusing on you and your diabetes health!
Prioritize means “to put in order of importance”.And as a busy mom, grandmother and/or daughter with diabetes you must continually do this over and over again, making choices based on the priorities you have built. If you aren’t clear on your priorities I believe you will continually run into trouble trying to balance everything. Do you know what your priorities are for yourself and your diabetes health? Are you living your daily life with those in mind? I think a great way to get an handle on what those priorities are is to take a walk outside alone without your iPhone. Take a minute to smell the Spring flowers and when you get back from your walk, sit down and make a list.
“ If you’re not organized, you can’t find what you need to cook anything, says Susan. “A for meal preparation. That means instead of stuffing certain items in your cupboard or fridge just because you found a space where it fits, organize by use instead. Group similar items together and keep healthy snacks in plain view.”
Do you have a few empty make-up bags from a give-away or promotion?
Susan suggests “to stay organized, use a medium-size makeup bag for blood glucose-checking supplies and a different one for fast-acting sources of carbs, such as glucose tablets. Keep your supplies close to you in style!”
Speaking of giveaways, pampering gifts like products from PEAK 10 SKIN®are always a great treat to any Mom…at any age! Whether it’s your daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, wife or your Mother, women love things that make them feel pampered and special. PEAK 10 SKIN® have a couple different gift sets that we put together with Mom’s in mind, but they will also custom design a gift for the Mom’s in your life. For custom gifts, simply call or email us. Beautiful gift wrap available , too! Remember, all of products are professional spa quality and are paraben FREE, gluten FREE, cruelty FREE!
PEAK 10 SKIN® is offering this Special 30% Discount Offer to our Divabetic community (use the Divabetic coupon code: divabetic (all lowercase))
Don’t forget to use your coupon code: B2B(40% off)
PEAK 10 SKIN® recently repackaged the new SOOTHE hand cream in a pot for ease of use. The product was too thick to come out of the tube with ease. It comes in 2 sizes; 2oz/$18 and 4oz/$28. These could be perfect gifts as well. These prices are BEFORE your discount is applied.
Making a Mani/Pedi kit of SAVE MY SOLE & SOOTHE hand cream would be fabulous! If you get the 2oz of each, that would be a $36 retail/$21.60 for you!
We know many people in our Divabetic community don’t like to celebrate the holidays because they feel they may disrupt their diabetes care. But with a little pre-planning and guidance from your healthcare entourage you can still enjoy Easter related festivities without failing your diabetes.
From the annual Easter Egg Roll to eating iguana, turtle and the world’s largest rodent in Colombia, there are many different Easter traditions around the world to choose from!
Easter is the most important religious holiday in the Greek Orthodox calendar. Shops line their windows with brightly-coloured wrappings for Easter candles and chocolate eggs. Greek families sit down to a meal of whole roasted lamb or kid goat on Easter Sunday.
Germans like to decorate trees with hollowed-out, painted eggs for Easter. One elderly man has taken the art form to an extreme degree.
An old European tradition of tapping eggs together in a contest to see which is the strongest is enjoying a revival in Louisiana. The town of Marksville claims to host the oldest “egg-knocking” competition in the United States. Competitors pair up on the steps of the courthouse on Easter Sunday and knock the tips of two eggs together. If the egg cracks, its owner is out of the competition. The process continues until just one egg remains.
Instead of tucking into chocolate eggs, Colombians like to eat iguana, turtle and the world’s largest rodent for their traditional Easter dinner.
We say, whatever you and your loved ones may choose to do, “Don’t let diabetes dim your dazzle!”
We asked several experts, Cookbook Author, Holly Clegg, Wine & Spirits Expert Samantha Shaken Baker and diabetes advocate, author and model Doris Hobbs to share their favorite recipes, picks and fashions to encourage you to celebrate a Divabetic Easter in style without compromising your diabetes health.
With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy, healthy and practical recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim & TERRIFIC® and her more health focused Eating Well cookbook series, including newly released 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY edition of Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association.Clegg who attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School has appeared on Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today, QVC, The 700 Club, USA Today, Cooking Light Magazine, Web MD, and Huff Post.She has consulted for Walmart, Teflon, The Coca-Cola Company, and hospitals throughout the country. Here’s Holly’s suggestion on to make a simple, impressive way to dress up eggs for Easter:
“These colorful Western omelet ingredients are piled on an English muffin and make this the ideal grab and go satisfying breakfast” says Holly.Egg beaters may be substituted for the egg and egg white combination.
Makes 6 muffins
1/2 cup chopped Canadian bacon
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped tomatoes
2 eggs
5 egg whites
Salt and pepper to taste
3 whole-wheat English muffins, halved
1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded Cheddar cheese
1. In nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook Canadian bacon 2 minutes or until begins to brown.Add onion and, green pepper sautéing until tender.Add tomatoes, cook 1 minute.Remove from pan, set aside.
2. In small bowl, whisk together eggs and egg whites.In same nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, scramble eggs.Season to taste.When eggs are almost done, stir in bacon onion mixture.
3. Meanwhile, toast muffin halves.Divide egg mixture to top muffin halves.Sprinkle with cheese.
Note:The prepared muffins may be refrigerated and reheated in the microwave or in oven preheated at 350°F. about 5 minutes or until well heated.
“Glamour is the feeling of beauty, with an undertone of femininity, while looking like a lady, for all occasions,” Luxury Spokesmodel, Diabetes Advocate, Contributing Style Editor & Published Writer,Doris Hobbs explains. “Glamour is an illusion, a form of mystery revealing a fragile state that changes with time. Glamour, from my perspective, is defined as recreation from all facets of our lives. Perhaps the best way to describe it is with a ravishing red lipstick, a sensual hourglass silhouette, and style inspiration from such mavens as Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, and Jayne Mansfield.”
Vintage brooches are colorful, eye-catching sparkle and for a small investment, you get a big return style wise!
Did you know back in the day women wore “Scatter pins”, a matching set of two or more pins that were grouped together on a blouse or sweater?
If you love vintage brooches, there is no need to curb your enthusiasm because you think you wouldn’t get a chance to wear all the ones you find. There are plenty of ways to show them off!
DIVABETIC TIP: While alcohol can make blood sugar drop too low, certain beverages (such as beer or sugary mixers) can cause a blood sugar spike. What’s more, consuming more than one or two drinks can cloud your thinking and affect other food choices you make that day, which can also affect glucose levels.
What’s brunch without a little bubbly?
We asked Samantha Shanken Baker, who helps presents memorable food and wine events like the Annual Harlem Eat Up! to suggest a great tasting champagne for under $50. Samantha’s pick is G.H. Mumm Brut Champagne Cordon (retail $45) featuring a delightful notes of flavor—dried apricot, candied orange peel, nut and smoke. This very harmonious dry Champagne is still elegant and light-weight. The rich, toasty note lingers on the vibrant finish. Oh la-la!
DIVABETIC TIP: Heavy black pumps paired with lightweight white dresses can be an odd combination. If you wear a white dress in the spring , better options include natural toned or white sandals. If you choose to wear white in fall and winter, brown shoes still look better than black (and for sticklers to the rules, white shoes should be avoided after Labor Day). HOW TO WEAR WHITE
Why not enjoy a Coco Mimosa?
I love serving my guests mimosas at Brunch. The name of one of the characters. “Coco Mimosa”,from our upcoming Diabetes Mystery titled “Gypsies, Tramps & Peas” inspired this new tropical twist to a mimosa. It’s as easy as pie! Just splash some coconut flavored light rum over fresh orange juice and champagne.
DIVABETIC TIP: The weather is warming up and the cherry blossoms are in bloom – looks like spring has finally sprung! It’s the perfect season to jump start a walking program. It’s easy, safe, and inexpensive. It’s also relaxing and at the same time invigorating, requires little athletic skill, and does not call for club membership or special equipment other than sturdy, comfortable shoes. And it is fun and natural — good for your mind and self-esteem. LEARN MORE
Let a new walking shoe get you in the groove!
We love these striped spring flat mesh casual walking shoes (pictured above)! They’re breathable slip ons and reasonably inexpensive. BUY
According to the Who What Wear website florals are a big trend for Spring 2017. Sound familiar? Well, this time around, the scale, fabrication and mood is more exaggerated than ever! Designers are encouraging you to be in full bloom from head to toe—shoes included. From double doses of Rococo-style jacquard florals with ruffles and raw hems at Marques’Almeida to subdued, blousy ’70s bouquets at Chloé and neon carnations at Balenciaga, there is nothing standard about these arrangements. No ditsy prints here in this S/S 17 version of the fashion trend, thanks.
“Eat with color and you know you are eating healthy! This overnight sensation with bright colors and flavors will wake up those morning taste-buds!” says Holly.
Makes 8 (1-cup) servings
8 ounces ground breakfast turkey sausage
1 onion, chopped
1 red, green, or yellow bell pepper, cored and chopped
5 (8-inch) 98% fat-free flour tortillas, cut into quarters
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1. Coat 13x9x2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large nonstick skillet, cook and crumble sausage until starts to brown. Add onion and bell pepper, cooking until sausage is done and vegetables tender. Add spinach, garlic and green chilies; cooking until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
3. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, half-and-half, chili powder, cumin and cheese.
4. Spoon one-third of sausage mixture in baking dish. Top with one-third tortilla quarters and one-third cheese and green onions. Repeat layers, ending with green onion. Pour egg mixture evenly over casserole and refrigerate, covered, at least 6 hours or overnight.
5. Preheat oven 350°F. If using glass baking dish, place in cold oven and bake 50-60 minutes or until bubbly, golden brown and knife inserted into custard comes out clean.
DIVABETIC TIP: Want to get more for your money? Buying fruit and vegetables in season often helps! Prices usually come down when a fruit or vegetable is in season. In addition, the quality of the produce (taste, texture, freshness, etc.) is at its best. When you buy produce that is out of season (for example, buying berries in the winter), you are likely buying food that has been shipped hundreds or even thousands of miles. It is usually more expensive, less environmentally-friendly, and the quality not as good.
LISTEN NOW: Cook Book Author Holly Clegg podcast interview. With over 1 million books sold, Holly reigns supreme when it comes to helping today’s busy person cook everyday meals that are fast and fit into an overall healthy lifestyle.Known as the “Queen of Quick,” Holly’s recipes are time, user and pantry-friendly. LINK
What’s trending in Diabetes Wellness for Spring? Here are three recent diabetes and health & wellness headlines that caught our eye!
An amazing app that helps you improve your A1C!One Drop | Mobile provides real-time and historical blood glucose data and analytics to subscribers and their healthcare providers, allowing both to see relationships between specific health behaviors and health outcomes.
Whether you’re hosting a St. Paddy’s party or simply want to green-ify your day, check out our Divabetic St. Patrick’s Day suggestions! From head-to-toe fashions to the tastiest low carb beers, we’ve put together our picks to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without compromising your diabetes wellness.
“Green is the color of hopefulness, and of our connection to nature. It speaks to what we call the ‘re’ words: regenerate, refresh, revitalize, renew. Every spring we enter a new cycle and new shoots come from the ground. It is something life affirming to look forward to,” says Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
Though many women may recoil when they are told green is the Color of the Year — some think it is hard to wear — Julianne Moore wore leaf green Givenchy to the 2016 Screen Actors Guild awards, and Hillary Clinton wore it on the campaign trail. And let’s not forget that green is Viola Davis‘ color! She wowed on the 2012 Oscars red carpet in a green Vera Wang gown and a year later the star stepped out yet again in the vibrant hue — by way of an emerald green duchess satin creation by Escada.
“Glamour is the feeling of beauty, with an undertone of femininity, while looking like a lady, for all occasions,” Spokesmodel, Diabetes Advocate, Contributing Editor & Published Writer, Doris Hobbs explains. “Glamour is an illusion, a form of mystery revealing a fragile state that changes with time. Glamour, from my perspective, is defined as recreation from all facets of our lives. Perhaps the best way to describe it is with a ravishing red lipstick, a sensual hourglass silhouette, and style inspiration from such mavens as Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, and Jayne Mansfield.”
Doris doesn’t let diabetes dim her dazzle! Her glucose monitor of choice is the One Touch. One Touch meters have sufficient memory to store up to 500 tests. This meter results include dates and times, and 7-, 14- and 30-day averages. You can even use your meter to monitors before and after meals.with large display screens, bright backlit displays, and quick screen navigation. When you insert a test strip, the results appear in five seconds; fewer glucose test strips are wasted, as well. Plus, these devices, like the Mini, are small and lightweight.
Speaking of fashion, dozens of women with diabetes say they’d rather risk injury (and potential amputation) than hoof it in traditional diabetes-friendly shoes, which are, by design, wider, more cushioned, and more supportive than your average Manolo.
When you have diabetes, you need to take special care of your feet. That’s why it’s important to check your feet daily and choose your shoes wisely.
Wear well-fitting, comfortable shoes to help keep small foot problems — like a corn, blister, or a callus — from turning into severe ones.
What makes a shoe friendly for people who have lost sensation or have other complications due to diabetes-related nerve damage? It’s all in the construction and fit. People with neuropathy (nerve damage) might not be able to tell when a shoe fits poorly. A podiatrist or a certified shoe fitter can help. Visit the Pedorthic Footcare Association (pedorthics.org) to find a professional nearby.
Once you know your correct size:
Look for shoes that don’t have pointed toes. Instead, choose ones with a spacious “toe box,” so your toes have plenty of wiggle room. That way they won’t be crushed together. You’ll have less chance of corns, calluses, and blisters that can turn into ulcers.
Avoid high-heeled shoes, because they put pressure on the ball of your foot. If you have nerve damage, you might not realize that area is sore or getting calluses. High heels can also cause balance issues, especially if you have nerve damage.
LISTEN NOW:Diabetes Spotlight on Dr. Maasi J. Smith, from Philadelphia (PA). Dr. Maasi J. Smith, founder and director of Rittenhouse Foot and Ankle Associates and manufacturer of Dr. Smith’s Foot Care, a complete line of natural foot care products. Dr. Smith trained in podiatric medicine and surgery with further emphasis on diabetic wound care. His products reflect an interest in providing natural remedies instead of prescriptions which usually include harsh chemical ingredients. This diabetes community trailblazer has also made a mark in the literary world with his self-published work of fiction, Mischiefmakers, which is available on Amazon.com.
Why not treat yourself to broccoli? It is very high in fiber and delivers a potent package of Vitamin C — 135 percent of what you need in a day — plus potassium and iron, Postman says. White adds Vitamin K and folate to that list. Like other green cruciferous vegetables (such as Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage and bok choy), it contains nitrogen compounds known as indoles, which, Postman says, have been shown to prevent stomach tumors. In fact, eating broccoli may help reduce the risk of other cancers, too, by virtue of its being rich in carotenoids, antioxidants that are thought to “sponge up free radicals that promote cancer,” Postman explains. Broccoli is also“very high in calcium for a vegetable,” she adds, “though some will quibble” that not all the calcium it contains is easily absorbed by the body.
Tip: For broccoli and other green vegetables, steaming is the best way to retain nutrients; boiling, microwaving or stir-frying may leach some away.
Each year, more than 33 million Irish-Americans and fellow partiers worldwide raise pints of Guinness and forkfuls of cabbage in the name of the Ireland’s primary patron saint. But the good times are too often ruined
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that there’s an increase in binge drinking around holidays such as St.Patrick’s Day, and with binge drinking comes drinking violations, accidents, and even death
Find out how alcohol can effect your diabetes this St. Patrick’s Day. While moderate amounts of alcohol can cause blood sugar to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level — sometimes causing it to drop into dangerous levels. If you are in doubt about whether drinking alcohol is safe for you, check with your doctor.
LISTEN NOW:Diabetes Roundtable inspired by Hoda & Kathie Lee. The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic takes on the hot topic of ‘Drinking Divas & Diabetes’ with inspiration from Kathie Lee and Hoda. Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb always seem to have a drink in hand for the fourth hour of The Today Show. If you’re around a TV at 10 AM with nothing to do, you should be watching the fourth hour of Today filled with Hoda and Kathie Lee’s theater reviews, occasional dancing, wine reviews and women issues.
“There’s a Japanese concept called ‘forest bathing,’ which says that when you are feeling stressed, one of the best things to do is go walk in the forest,” Ms. Eiseman said. “But if you can’t do that, what can you do? Bring green into your environment. Put in on your body, or in your house or near your desk. That symbolic message is very important.”
This year one of our goals at Divabetic is to encourage our divas to embrace the holidays like Valentine’s Day without compromising their diabetes health.
Celebrate your health and take some time to enjoy your own wellbeing and happiness. Here are some ways you can love yourself this Valentine’s Day:
Love your exercise. Spending some time outdoors, at the gym, or on your yoga mat is a perfect way to give back to you. Exercise will help boost your mood, leaving you feeling happier and more relaxed. Regular exercise will also help prevent or manage a wide range of illnesses.
Love your health. Without health we can’t have happiness, which is why it is so important to take time to look after ourselves. This Valentine’s Day, think about your heart and work on ways to reduce unnecessary stress in your life.
What if, when you make your list of valentines, you include yourself this time? Showing yourself and your diabetes health some love could be your sweetest decision yet….
If we don’t take the time to honor and appreciate ourselves, how can we expect that others will?
With this inspiration, we hope that you feel the love from everyone around you, including yourself – maybe not just today, but year round! Happy Valentine’s day!
Susan Weiner MS RDN CDE CDN, 2015 AADE Diabetes Educator of the Year and author of “The CompleteDiabetes Organizer: Your Guide to a Less Stressful and More Manageable Diabetes Life” offers this advice for Valentine’s Day:
1 – Start the day with some love. Toast up a piece of whole grain bread and prepare a bulls eye egg in a non stick pan with a bit of olive oil. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out the middle of the toast, and place the toast on top of the egg, so the heart shape is visible. It will bring a smile to your lovers face!
2 – Use an empty heart shaped box, and small pieces of colorful plastic wrap. Use sliced bananas, melon, and strawberries and drizzle a small amount of dark chocolate on these sweet fruits. Place the chocolate drizzled fruit in the wrap and fill the box. Homemade, delicious and thoughtful. If you choose to dip the fruit in hot dark chocolate, consider adding a few nuts for extra crunch and texture.
You may chalk it up to another Hallmark holiday, but there’s no denying that Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to put on a cute outfit and hit the town. Whether you’re going out on a romantic night on the town. Why not ‘Go Red!’ and raise awareness for heart disease in honor of Valentine’s Day?
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
Type 2 diabetes independently increases the risk of heart disease in pre-menopausal women and those in the first years of menopause, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association High Blood Pressure Research Scientific Sessions 2013.
What does the color red say about you?
The red dress effect is a putative phenomenon in which people wearing red clothing, such as a red dress, are perceived to be more sexually appealing than they are when wearing other colors.
Research has shown that wearing red clothes can make women more attractive to men. But do women take advantage of this fact by wearing red when they want to attract a man’s attention?
“A woman’s closet can foster strong relations by serving as a reminder to ones nostalgic roots and past, communicating an authenticity of its own,” says Rich In Love Fashion Blogger, Spokesmodel, Author and fabulous Diabetes Advocate, Doris Hobbs. READ MORE
From style to Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, who is living with type 2 diabetes, is determined to show the world how to manage diabetes and still eat decadently.“A diagnosis of diabetes doesn’t have to mean the end of great eating!”, says the Decadent Diabetic.The Decadent Diabetic’s advice for home cooks for Valentine’s Day:
Make it simple and ahead: It is Tuesday and you probably had to work and will need to work tomorrow.
1- Make as much as you can ahead of time. You don’t want to slave over a hot stove and fall asleep in your food
2 – Keep it light. A heavy meal may keep you from “getting lucky”
3 – Make sure it is something the one you love… loves. Nothing can put a damper on a romantic meal like the other person saying : “I don’t eat that.”
4 – Finish with Chocolate. It is Valentine’s day…do I need to say more?
Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND author of “Sex and Diabetes” and “The Secrets of Living and Loving with Diabetes” offers this advice to couples for Valentine’s Day:
1 – Hug!Every day, hug your partner until you both feel relaxed. It’s a non-sexual hug that nurtures your emotional needs while it enriches your relationship.When you feel more connected, romantic moments get even better!
2 – Do one romantic thing for your loved one each day – send a loving text, call to say you miss them, place a romantic note in their sink, buy their favorite food, etc.Show that you are thinking of them.Very romantic!
It’s difficult to love yourself and your diabetes health if you’re constantly feeling deprived of the foods you love. The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris, who is living with type 2 diabetes, wants you to have your cake and eat it, too, without sacrificingyour diabetes self-care.
Stacey has created recipes for making breads, cakes and other desserts diabetic-friendly by swapping out the sugar, blending the flour and cutting the milk carbohydrates.
Songs have been written about every topic imaginable, but the best ones — from swooning ’50s ballads to contemporary club bangers — have been penned about the ups and downs of being in love. One of our favorite pop stars is George Michael.
Few songwriters from the 1980’s were as capable of writing both heart-wrenching torch ballads speaking to the essential isolation at the core of the human condition, and sugary pop trifles where the only word you needed to understand was “jitterbug.” And the best of his songs usually fell somewhere in between, bold and bubbly declarations of independence and deliverance that still admitted how scared and unsure he was about all of it, a too-rare combination of pro prowess and outsider insecurity that seemed to make him more relatable the more popular he became.
LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael podcast. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Poet Lorraine Brooks.
Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.
Finally, Valentine’s Day offers the perfect excuse to get educated about Heart Health. Your heart isn’t only your most critical muscle — it’s what keeps you alive, after all — but also one of the hardest working. It ticks 24-7 and except for the times when you’re relaxing or sleeping, it rarely gets a break. Below, find fascinating facts about your heart that might inspire you to give it a little more TLC every day.
Want to know how big your heart is? Make a fist. Heart size depends on the size of the person as well as the condition of their heart. Generally speaking, a healthy heart is about the size of the person’s fist.
During the average human lifespan, the heart beats over 2.5 billion times. The human heart beats approximately 100,000 times per day and 35 million times each year of life.
Every minute, your heart pumps about five quarts of blood through a system of blood vessels that’s over 60,000 miles long, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That translates to about 2,000 gallons of blood every day.
This year Divabetic is actively encouraging you to enjoy the holidays like Valentine’s Day! We don’t think celebrating holidays, special occasions and other meaningful moments in life has to mean compromising your diabetes health either. Put the focus on family and friends, fashion and activities and not on food. Enjoy what you do eat. Savor each bite! Most important, remember to include time for exercise, meals and relaxation. The holidays will only be great if you’re in good health to enjoy them.
We’re asking our team of experts to share their best diabetes advice, recipes and fashion and beauty products so that you can ‘glam more, fear less’ with each celebration.
Shortly after attending culinary school to become a pastry chef, Stacey Harris was diagnosed with diabetes. She was devastated since she enjoyed baking and loved to eat sweets.
What’s a ‘divabetic’ with a sweet tooth supposed to do?
Stacey started to experiment with a lot of artificial sweeteners and was mainly disappointed with the results. After many experiments, Stacey Harris developed a formula that consistently turned out delicious confections even a non-diabetic would love. She’s now known as the ‘Diabetic Pastry Chef’ and has written cookbooks filled with delicious recipes for you to enjoy! Here’s one:
Ingredients: 1 cup milk, 3/4 cup alternative sweetener such as Whey Low D, Truvia or Splenda, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 lb frozen raspberries
Directions: Add all ingredients in order listed to blender container. Stacey uses a Vitamix blender. With Vitamix begin at variable speed 1 , increase to 10, then high.Press ingredients into the blender with tamper. In 30 to 60 seconds the sound of the machine will change and 4 mounds should appear. Stop the blender immediately and serve. The ice cream can of course be frozen. Other berries can be substituted for raspberries.
This recipe can be made with other sturdy blenders following the manufacturers instructions.
Do you love fashion?
‘Rich in Love’ Vintage Style blogger, Doris Hobbssharesher favorite dresses from the he 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards’ Red Carpet on February’s Diabetes Late Nitepodcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Many of our favorite stars arrived looking utterly glamorous to honor their peers for their achievements in film and television
Doris says the first thing she remembered after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was that she had two options: she could allow it to control her life or find the unbinding courage from within the tragedy; she chose courage.
“The next few days were consumed with perplexed emotions, mostly of denial pooled from the self-belief that I could be a rare case and mysteriously cured,” says Doris. “I was given a new role and lifestyle of living with type 1 diabetes. I immediately chose to not wear it as a sympathy garment; instead I’d rather refashion how others perceive such a life-altering disorder. Aside from a select group of family and friends that knew of my health struggles, I somehow managed, two days after the news was confirmed, to conduct an on-location photo-shoot for my vintage-inspired style blog, Rich in Love Fashion. I knew without a doubt at that moment that I had a purpose on earth and found myself more determined to not allow diabetes to hinder my little girl dreams.”
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and the Diabetes Late Nite team are honored to participate in the Second Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the Spare a Rose, Save a Child campaign” onFebruary’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6 PM, EST.
“I’m thrilled to support such a worthwhile cause by participating in Diabetes Podcast Week again this year, ” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.”We’ve got a really wonderful show planned featuring guests Chef Ward Alper ‘The Decadent Diabetic’ and Diabetes Advocate and ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger, model and diabetes advocate Doris Hobbs along with many of George Michael’s greatest hits.”
The “Spare a Rose, Save a Child” campaign encourages people to buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.
Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Poet Lorraine Brooks.
“I’m thrilled to support such a worthwhile cause by participating in Diabetes Podcast Week again this year, ” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.”We’ve got a really wonderful show planned featuring guests Chef Ward Alper ‘The Decadent Diabetic’ and Diabetes Advocate and ‘Rich In Love’ blogger, fashionista and diabetes advocate Doris Hobbs along with music from George Michael.”
The idea behind the “Spare a Rose, Save a Child” campaign is simple: buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.
Mr. Divabetic will be happily broadcasting live on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6- 7 PM, EST. Guests include Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ blogger, Doris Hobbs,the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.
We’re throwing our first-ever Divabetic Valentine’s Day Party! We’re sharing expert advice on food to nourish your heart, fashions to boost your spirit and fabulous diabetes self-care tips to make your life easier. Whether you’re married, single or dating, our goal is to encourage you to show how much you care about yourself and your diabetes health.
Throughout February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we will be featuring music by George Michael courtesy of SONY Music.
Diabetes Podcast week founder and fellow podcaster, Stacey Simms says, “I’ve participated in and enjoyed Diabetes Blog Week for a long time. After I started my podcast, it seemed like a natural fit to create #DPodcastWeek. Once again, we’re using our microphones to get some attention for a terrific charity, the Spare a Rose, Save a Child campaign.”
During the week of February 6, 2017, podcasters who sign up will include information about Spare a Rose in their shows and on their websites. Listeners are encouraged to learn more and to consider making a donation.
That’s it! Stay tuned for more on #DPodcastWeek, coming February 6, 2017.
