Beautiful Bathrooms & Managing Diabetes In the Bathroom

Bathroom

Everyone loves a beautiful bathroom, right? Look at poet, artist, designer Apryl Miller‘s magical Eastside home in New York City!

It is truly an artist’s paradise with colorful patterned tiles, whimsical cabinetry, and breathtaking views. But even the most beautiful bathroom can’t magically fix the challenges of managing diabetes.

Managing diabetes is super important, especially when it comes to bathroom-related issues. Things like constipation, diarrhea, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence can affect daily life and personal dignity.

Sometimes, people don’t recognize the early signs of diabetes or pre-diabetes and go on living without making necessary lifestyle changes. This can lead to serious complications down the road. It’s essential to keep a close eye on blood sugar levels and follow medical advice to help prevent issues like bowel control problems.

I remember speaking with a woman who had unmanaged type 2 diabetes. She shared her struggle with not recognizing when to use the bathroom until it was too late. While determined to get her life back on track during college, she faced this personal challenge. High blood sugar can cause nerve damage in the digestive system, making it harder for her body to function correctly.

Plus, certain medications like Metformin, Ozempic, and Monjaro can have side effects that include diarrhea. It’s really important to take charge of diabetes management, not just for physical health, but also to maintain that sense of dignity and well-being. Let’s remember to be proactive and take steps toward better health! The first steps to overcoming the burden of diabetes management involve education, setting realistic goals, and building a support system. 


Don’t try to change everything at once. Focus on one or two manageable goals at a time, like adding more servings of vegetables or exercising for 15 minutes a day. It takes time to make lasting changes and see results. Celebrate your successes and don’t get discouraged by setbacks.

Focusing on understanding diabetes, making small, achievable lifestyle changes, and connecting with others can help ease the feeling of being overwhelmed. 

Emmy Award-Winning Alyson Williams Is Living With LADA

Emmy Award-winning singer Alyson Williams shares her experience of living with LADA (Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) which develops in adults and shares characteristics with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

XX

Alyson Williams, well-known for her hit singles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as Just Call My Name, Sleep Talk, My Love Is So Raw, and I Need Your Lovin, inspires many with her music and her journey.

Living with LADA presents its own unique challenges, especially while touring and performing in different cities.

Alyson emphasizes the importance of self-care, encouraging everyone to prioritize their health regardless of their career demands. Seeking support from healthcare professionals can make a significant difference in managing fluctuating blood sugar levels.

Remember to treat yourself kindly today! Focus on positive self-talk, engage in self-care activities, and don’t hesitate to reach out to loved ones or diabetes support groups. It’s a journey we can navigate together, and every step counts!

You are doing great by taking care of yourself and staying informed.

GLP-1s Are Helping People

willpower

In last Sunday’s New York Times’ Opinion section, Dr. David A. Kessler, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner and author of ‘Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight,’ writes about his personal weight maintenance issues. 

In the article, he admits that he has gained and lost weight repeatedly, putting on 20 pounds, taking it off, putting on 30 pounds, and then taking it off again. 

His schooling and various degrees have not helped his metabolism fight the food industry’s highly processed, ultra-formulated, addictive food products. 

Side note: My friend, High Voltage, has repeatedly shared the same thoughts with me over the last decade. 

In Dr. Kessler and High Voltage’s opinion, our food has been engineered to manipulate the brain’s reward system. Food cravings and weight gain are not due to a lack of willpower; they result from issues related to one’s brain chemistry.  These foods, engineered to make certain people eat more, have resulted in a health catastrophe. 

Dr. Kessler writes, “GLP-1s appear to modify addictive brain pathways that are activated by ultraformulated foods, helping people to change their body weight in a decisive way.” 

Using GLP-1s has helped Dr. Kessler control the addictive circuits in his brain and helping him to reset his appetite. 

I’m sharing this post because I disagree with our society attaching shame and blame to GLP-1s. I hope people using these drugs are experiencing Dr. Kessler’s results. 

Happy Mother’s Day

Lambs

Happy Mother’s Day!

Today, let’s celebrate the incredible strength and pioneering spirit of mothers everywhere! One remarkable story is that of Elizabeth Hughes Gossett, who became the first American woman to receive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes. Her journey began in 1919 when she was diagnosed at just 12 years old.

Before she received insulin in 1922, Elizabeth faced tremendous challenges, as her health deteriorated and her weight dropped to a mere 45 pounds. However, with the groundbreaking treatment pioneered by Sir Frederick Banting, everything changed. Elizabeth started receiving insulin injections, and soon after, she began regaining her strength and vitality, illustrating the power of resilience and hope.

Insulin is not just a major medical breakthrough; it transformed lives, and Elizabeth’s story has inspired many as a true pioneer in insulin therapy. In 1930, she married William T. Gossett and welcomed three beautiful children into the world, showing that love and determination can overcome any obstacle.

Today, let’s honor all mothers and their amazing journeys, just like Elizabeth’s. They inspire us with their courage and remind us of the power of love and perseverance. Wishing a joyful and uplifting day to all mothers!

Barbie & Ken Podcast on Love, Sex and Intimacy with Diabetes

For the past 64 years. Barbie has been a part of our lives, a cultural touchstone, or the quintessential image of what a woman should be but never will be – a sex or beauty object. Greta Gerwig’s big screen makeover and the related marketing blitz are making us revisit and reevaluate Barbie’s impact on our lives, including our sex lives.

After all, if Barbie and Ken are confused about what to do at sleepovers, you might be too, especially if you’re dealing with sexual health issues related to diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in nearly all countries. People with diabetes experience sexual dysfunction more often than the general public.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Divabetic Podcast guests: Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, RDN, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, the co-authors of Divabetic’s new e-book, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, available on Amazon.

Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, book one in the series, is your key to a happy, healthy intimate life with diabetes. Inside you’ll find: The common physical and emotional sexual complications of diabetes and treatment options for men and women. An overview of diabetes nutrition, physical activity, weight loss, and diabetes medications Information on how aging impacts diabetes management and intimacy. Guidance on how to talk to your healthcare provider about intimacy-related issues. Ideas and techniques for building sexual intimacy and communicating effectively with your partner. Tips to help you avoid dangerous or money-wasting fraudulent sexual treatments, Authors Dr. Janis Roszler and Donna Rice use humor, helpful examples, and insightful questions to present key topics about sexual health in an engaging, approachable way.

This series is perfect for anyone (regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, or health status) looking to rekindle intimacy with their partner or be proactive about their sexual and emotional well-being.

In Bed With Barbie & Ken Podcast features music by Doug Clay.

Divabetic Mysteries: Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu

Divabetic’s 9th Annual Mystery podcast, Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu, is packed with loads of diabetes information and self-care tips wrapped up in a cozy mystery radio drama.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, lands his to-die-for job as a caterer for the nation’s hottest health guru, Wendy Wattage’s Wellness Retreat on the Jersey Shore.

Everything seems low pressure and low calorie until the body of the nasty food critic, Marilyn Macaroni, is found stabbed to death with one of Max’s new chef knives. Now he’s the prime suspect in a big, fat murder investigation!

Can he and his team of friends, diabetes educators, and his nosey Italian mother, Mama Rose Marie, find the killer before the police arrive? Or will he be trading his fruit suit for coveralls with stripes? Weight loss murder never tasted so good.

Starring Mr. Divabetic, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Maryann Horst Nicolay MEd, NTDR, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage,’ Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller, Dave Jones, and Lorraine Brooks. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir. Special thanks to our colleague, the multi-talented Wendy Radford.

Divabetic Mystery Podcast’s goals are: Encourage people with diabetes to problem-solve issues related to their self-care, like their favorite TV detectives (ie. write things down, search for clues and share information with your healthcare collaborators and ask questions) Manage diabetes as a team rather than go it alone.

Divabetic’s 9th Annual Mystery podcast, Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu, is packed with loads of diabetes information and self-care tips wrapped up in a cozy mystery radio drama.

WDAS-FM Promotes Divabetic’s Free Program in November 2025

I’m excited to update you about my journey in diabetes and stroke advocacy! Being featured in the documentary Luther: Never Too Much truly reignited my passion for this important cause. It reminded me how vital it is to gather and support those at risk or affected by diabetes, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.

I took the opportunity to share my personal experience regarding Luther’s health crisis, hoping it could spark a meaningful discussion about the health risks of mismanaged diabetes.

My message to Luther fans is to listen to your body with the same intensity as you listen to your favorite Luther songs.

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be partnering with the Frasier Family Coalition for Stroke Education & Prevention and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to present a free diabetes outreach program during National Diabetes Month this coming November!

On the same day I confirmed this program, I had the chance to connect with Patty Jackson, an incredible radio personality and stroke survivor. Patty has been a steadfast supporter of my efforts with Divabetic outreach for the past twenty years. She has consistently uplifted our mission through interviews and social media collaborations.

I’m genuinely grateful to everyone who has been a part of my journey in diabetes outreach. Together, we’re making a difference!

Patti Austin’s Remarkable Health Journey


After two weeks of exploring Luther’s health crisis through the documentary Luther: Never Too Much on CNN, I want to take a moment to highlight the inspiring health journey of Luther’s friend, Grammy Award-winning singer Patti Austin.

Patti has faced several challenges, including struggles with weight management and a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. In 2005, she made the empowering decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery.

“I had gastric bypass surgery a year and a half ago, and my life was saved by it, ” Patti Austin said in an interview.

Since then, she has successfully managed her weight, proving that with the right support, change is possible.

Patti’s story serves as a testament to the idea that seeking help can empower individuals to take charge of their health.

While her surgical option may not be suitable for everyone, it’s a reminder to explore the various resources and tools available for improving one’s health an weight management.

If you tune into Patti Austin’s Facebook channel, you’ll see her radiating positivity and joy! Her infectious energy and great sense of humor are truly uplifting.

She looks and sounds fantastic, making it a pleasure to witness her living her best life!

We hope to highlight new tools available to support your diabetes wellness journey at our upcoming Divabetic’s free program in November 2025 in Philadelphia, PA.

Divabetic: Welcome To The Comfort Zone


We’re here for you, no matter where you are on your diabetes journey! Whether you’re newly diagnosed, have been managing your condition for over 50 years, juggling multiple health challenges, facing a setback, or simply trying to come to terms with it all, you’re not alone.

Remember, there’s strength in community. There are others out there who understand what you’re going through, and together, we can support each other!

Buffalo-Style Baked Carrots

Baby carrots are a quick, easy snack, but plain carrots can get boring. Why not turn your next bag of baby carrots into a spicy treat? Try adding hot sauce. Surprisingly, carrots enhance hot sauce’s flavor and texture, making it hotter and more enjoyable. Enjoy this quick, easy recipe.

Buffalo-Style Baked Carrots

Ingredients

1 lb baby carrots

1/2 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 cup milk

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon yeast

1 cup buffalo sauce

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/2 cup of blue chees crumble

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Rinse carrots and dry. Combine flour, garlic powder, salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Add milk, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce and stir until the mixture turns into a thick batter. Using a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs and yeast. Dip each carrot into the batter, then then into breadcrumbs. Place each coated carrot on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Remove carrots from the oven, toss with buffalo sauce, and garnish with chopped parsley and blue cheese crumble. Adjust the heat of the sauce to suit your taste. It is delicious!!

Enjoy this animated scene from Divabetic’s 10th Annual Original Mystery podcast, “Murder Plain As Vanilla,” streaming on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and BlogTalkRadio.