Tag: health

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Murder Plain As Vanilla Mystery Podcast

Enjoy another excerpt from Divabetic’s 10th Annual Mystery podcast, Murder Plain As Vanilla, streaming on Spotify, iTunes, and BlogTalkRadio.

This scene spotlights the misleading information provided on food labels. Specifically, we discuss the difference between ‘natural’ and ‘organic.’ Recent surveys indicate that consumers are willing to pay more for “natural” and “organic” labeled products with vaguely defined words.

The FDA has considered the term ‘natural’ to mean that nothing artificial or synthetic (including all color additives regardless of source) has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in that food. However, the FDA does not consider whether the term ‘natural’ should describe any nutritional or other health benefit.

Sadly, natural products aren’t the only labels to go virtually unregulated. Terms like “lightly sweetened,” “made with real…,” and “multigrain” are also more a branding strategy than a substantive label, forcing shoppers to stay vigilant if they’re buying healthy foods.

Our mystery podcast isn’t only for mystery lovers. It’s a fun way to learn about diabetes and self-care. In between colorful characters, crazy adventures, and mysterious surroundings, we pack health and wellness tips that can help you take charge of your diabetes. We also encourage you to think like a detective the next time you experience unexpected blood sugar fluctuations. Search for clues, collect data, talk to witnesses, and bring your ideas to the authorities (healthcare collaborators) for solutions. A team approach to managing your diabetes isn’t a bad idea either. Here’s a short synopsis: When Mr. Divabetic’s arch-nemesis baking sensation Renata Whisk calls, offering a chance to participate in the Visions of Vanilla baking competition, he can’t refuse. It’s an invitation to compete against culinary giants Best-Selling Cookbook Author Lily Frost, Green Thumb Gourment, Hazel Honeywell, and the Cannoli Countess and, most importantly, a chance to pay back his debt owed to his mother.

But before Max’s hands touch flour, he discovers the dead body of the Vanilla King of Madagascar. As luck has it, Max is the last person to see the Vanilla King alive. To prove his innocence, he enlists his team, USA Today’s best-selling author Tonya Kappes, health educator MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR, and his mother, Mama Rose Marie. But when another baker’s dead body is found near Max’s station, even his mother tastes a recipe for disaster.

Now, armed with only Renata Whisk’s Puffed Pastry recipe, a rolling pin, and his team’s expertise in solving murders and dispersing diabetes health information, Max has no choice but to solve the mystery or at least die trying.

Co-Starring Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Dave Jones, Seveda Williams, and Amparo Peterkin. Script Editor Wendy Radford. Producer, Leisa Chester Weir. Music from the Broadway Cast albums of Anything Goes courtesy of SONY Music.

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Murder Plain As Vanilla Video Excerpt

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

When Mr. Divabetic’s arch-nemesis baking sensation Renata Whisk calls, offering a chance to participate in the Visions of Vanilla baking competition, he can’t refuse. It’s an invitation to compete against culinary giants Best-Selling Cookbook Author Lily Frost, Green Thumb Gourment, Hazel Honeywell, and the Cannoli Countess and, most importantly, a chance to pay back his debt owed to his mother. 

But before Max’s hands touch flour, he discovers the dead body of the Vanilla King of Madagascar. As luck has it, Max is the last person to see the Vanilla King alive. To prove his innocence, he enlists his team, USA Today’s best-selling author Tonya Kappes, health educator MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR, and his mother, Mama Rose Marie.

But when another baker’s dead body is found near Max’s station, even his mother tastes a recipe for disaster. 

Now, armed with only Renata Whisk’s Puffed Pastry recipe, a rolling pin, and his team’s expertise in solving murders and dispersing diabetes health information, Max has no choice but to solve the mystery or at least die trying. 

Co-Starring Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Dave Jones, Seveda Williams, and Amparo Peterkin. Script Editor Wendy Radford. Producer, Leisa Chester Weir. Music from the Broadway Cast albums of Anything Goes courtesy of SONY Music.

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Highlights From Divabetic’s Menopause And Diabetes Panel Discussion

Enjoy highlights from Divabetic’s World Menopause Day Panel discussion on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Our panel was moderated by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller and featured Dr. Julianne Arena, Donna Rice, and Amparo.

 

According to research, hormone levels (most notably estrogen and progesterone) fall dramatically during menopause. Changes to our hormones can affect our blood sugar levels and make managing diabetes more difficult.

Dr. Julianne Arena is a double board-certified physician, a board-certified OBGYN who applies traditional, integrative methods and a multi-layered approach to helping women with sexual health and intimacy issues. She’s also a practitioner of Cliovana, the only treatment available that improves long-term clitoral stimulation with proven sound wave technology. Her goal is to help women create optimal and vibrant lives.

Catherine Schuller is the go-to person in the image industry for all things style and fashion for the plus-size woman. She began as a former Ford Model and became a spokesperson for the industry, a retail editor for Mode magazine, and wrote the highly acclaimed how-to guide The Ultimate Plus Size Modeling Guide, which has helped thousands of young women who want to enter the plus size modeling field. She is a frequently quoted media expert on the puls-size market. She has appeared five times on The View, The Today Show, The Early Show, eight times on Neal Cavuto’s Your World, and many television and radio shows across the United States.

Donna Rice is a registered nurse and a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She is a national and international thought leader and author of four books, including Divabetic’s ebook Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide To Love And Intimacy With Diabetes. She is a Past President of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists and the Past President of the  Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute for Baylor Health Care Systems in Dallas, Texas.   Donna is the Chief Operating Officer for DiabetesSisters and The Chief  Evangelist for Call-ai, working on voice-driven AI for diabetes care and education.

Divabetic’s e-book, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love And Intimacy With Diabetes is available now.  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 health care 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 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.

BUY NOW: $4.99

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Judging And Grudging by Lorraine Brooks

On Divabetic’s March podcast, Poet Lorraine Brooks reads her latest poem, Judging and Grudging.

Judging and Grudging is about Lorraine’s recent real-life encounter with a podiatrist. “I felt she was quite offensive in her lack of knowledge and her lack of using the appropriate language,” says Lorraine. “She was making judgments about me and how I handled my diabetes.”

Judging and Grudging by Lorraine Brooks 

My new podiatrist, who has never met me,
Feels it is her duty to address my diabetes,
Which does not offend me, although her comments make it clear
That she doesn’t “get” me.

She asks for my latest a1c, and the date,
And l dutifully tell her it was just last month,
that l stay on top of my bloodwork every 90 days,
And it’s been hovering around 8.

She doesn’t even look up from my feet
She shakes her head and makes that disapproving face,
While telling me l could “do better”, and l should lose weight
But in that moment, l refused to feel defeat.

I politely said, with all due respect, that statement is offensive
You have not done a history or proper exam,
You are making assumptions about who and what l am,
And your assessment of me is anything but comprehensive.

First of all, l am type 1, not 2,
I’ve had this disease for over 40 years, and yes, it is a struggle.
But l have no complications, and that includes my feet,
And now l feel l must educate you.

Everything in my life is not a result of what you see.
Every medical concern needs to be addressed objectively.
Whatever you would tell someone of average size
Is exactly what you should be telling me.

Pinched nerve? Tell me what to take, what to avoid, help me to cope.
Gastric reflux? Give me some practical advice l can use.
Don’t assume everything is about my size
Meet me where l am. Offer me hope.

Acknowledge that weight is just another statistic
That health, and well-being, are what you prescribe.
Tell me I’m ok without reservation
And examine yourselves to be more realistic.

Mr. Divabetic discusses language’s power to help or harm someone’s ability to manage their diabetes self-care with guests, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDCES, FADCES, and Lorraine Brooks. March’s musical inspiration is Prince and the New Power Generation. We feature songs from their Love Symbol album to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its release, 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, hosts Divabetic’s upcoming free, fun Virtual Mother’s Day-themed Baking Party with special guests, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.

Win gifts courtesy of Arthel Neville Design FABULOUS East/West Tote, Dr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Care gift set, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes‘s Camper Cozy Mystery, Walden Farms Zero Calories, Zero Net Carbs Salad Dressings, and Peak 10 Skin’s Save My Sole Foot Rescue Cream during Mr. Divabetic’s random drawings. You must be present at our Baking Party to be entered in our gift drawings.

Over 150 people registered for our last Divabetic Baking Party on Zoom, so don’t miss out!

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION

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Divabetic Mysteries: A Christmas Peril

Join us for Divabetic’s Annual Mystery podcast: A Christmas Peril scheduled for Thursday, September 30, 2021, 6 PM, EST.

The holidays are full of surprises after Mr. Divabetic becomes the new pastry chef at the St. Nicholas Nursing Home. But adjusting to life in a Christmas Village is not all sugarplums and candy canes. Especially when a cantankerous resident, a real-life Ebenezer Scrooge, named Mr. Pincher almost dies——shortly after eating one of Max’s peanut butter swirl brownies. So despite all of the ingredients for danger, Mr. Divabetic, our team of amateur sleuths, and his overly protective mother must set out to find the real culprit. Or will his name end up on a lethally naughty list?

This year’s Divabetic Mysteries: A Christmas Peril is based on the real-life story of 36-year-old Kevin Houdeshell who ran out of insulin over the New Year’s holiday in January 2014. He ended up with dangerously high blood sugars that spiraled into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), leading to him die alone in his apartment.

Thanks to the Houdeshell family for their advocacy with the Emergency Insulin Act of 2019 and the emergency prescription refill legislation, what happened to Kevin doesn’t have to happen to anyone else in several states. Known as Kevin’s or Howdy’s Law, it allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of a chronic maintenance medication if the doctor cannot be reached. States that have passed Kevin’s Law include Ohio and Florida in 2016; Arkansas, Arizona, Illinois, and Wisconsin in 2017; Idaho, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee in 2018; and Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah, and West Virginia in 2019. In many states, votes in favor of the legislation were unanimous.

Starring Mr. Divabetic. Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Maryann Nicolay  BA, DTR, Catherine Schuller, Terri Seidman, Wendy Radford, Seveda Williams, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, and Trisha Artman.

 

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Jeffrey Osborne Shares Secrets to Good Health

“It’s hard for me to do these concerts and watch people walking in with canes who can hardly move,” said Jeffrey Osborne in an interview with Real Health. “People don’t realize that’s a result of their diet.”

The 72-year-old Grammy–nominated singer–songwriter,  and musician has watched several of his eleven siblings succumb to different chronic illnesses. “I have only one sister left,” he says. “I have three brothers still living; the others either died from cancer or suffered from clogged arteries.”

Jeffrey Osborne rose to fame as the drummer and lead singer of the American R&B/Soul group L.T.D in the 1970’s. Recently, he released his first album of original material in 15 years entitled Worth It All.

Back in mid-’70s, Jeffrey Osborne toyed with the idea of becoming a vegan. “But it wasn’t cool then, and there wasn’t as much research at that time or great products like there are now,” he says.

What Is A Vegan?

A vegan is a person who does not eat any food derived from animals and who typically does not use other animal products. Foods from animals that vegans do not eat include eggs, cheese, milk, and honey. Foods made from plants that vegans eat include: Fruits and vegetables. legumes (peas, beans, and lentils), nuts and seeds, breads, rice, and pasta, dairy alternatives (soy milk, coconut milk, and almond milk) and vegetable oils.

Vegan Diets & Diabetes

Studies have shown that those people who follow a low-fat vegan diet, avoiding meat and dairy, lower blood sugar levels very efficiently and lose weight reports Diabetes UK. Researchers have shown that people with diabetes who eat a vegan diet also lower their cholesterol and improve kidney functioning.

Jeffrey Osborne tried adapting a vegan diet again in 2017, on his 28-year-old son’s recommendation after their family watched the documentary, What The Health, about our nation’s health and how big business influences it.

“I did not know half of the things going on with the beef and poultry industries, and that just opened my eyes to so much, and that’s what started me.”

Now he and his family follow a plant-based diet. “It’s been incredible,” he says. “I feel so much better and have more energy, and I feel good. My bones and joints— everything—feels so good.”

“Worth It All finds Osborne picking up where he left off in the vein of new songs with 2003’s Music Is Life, remarkably displaying as much vocal agility and ease with range as ever atop a variety of urban-contemporary grooves and melodic R&B ballads that often reach back to harmonic and structural sensibilities of ‘80s soul while bearing a rhythmic foundation that adult-contemporary audiences came to appreciate during the early 2000s,” writes Justin Kantor for Soultracks.com.

READ MORE

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Diabetes Late Nite Podcast Inspired by Anthony Hamilton

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic rings in the holiday season with inspiration from Grammy® Award winner Anthony Hamilton on Diabetes Late Nite.

This fast-paced, fun-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice focuses on healthy celebrations for the holidays.

Diabetes Late Nite guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Susan Weiner RD, MSN, CDE, CDN, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Author Lisa Eugene, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.

When it came to recording for his first ever Christmas album, “Home For The Holidays” Anthony Hamilton said, “This album is for the people who really love the holidays and what feelings they bring. I wanted to remember every joyful, wholesome, tender, raw moment you feel during the holidays. I feel like some of the things we enjoy most, we can only feel with our hearts.”

Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring songs from  “Home For The Holidays” courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

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Rebel Wilson’s Nothing Is Forbidden Diet

“I (now) have this state of being,” says a slimmed down Rebel Wilson, ” which is not my quote, but I go, ‘Nothing is forbidden.’ We’ll be like, ‘Should we get In-N-Out burger?’ And I’m like, ‘Nothing is forbidden.’ I can go there, I just might eat half of what I used to eat before. You know? And I’ll have a burger, and a few fries, and then you feel fine.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHzkoqZrU4b/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In a recent interview with People magazine, Rebel went into more detail about how she has been shedding the pounds.

“Before I was probably eating 3000 calories most days, and because they were normally carbs, I would still be hungry,” Rebel Wilson confessed.

“So, I’ve really changed to eating a high-protein diet, which is challenging because I didn’t used to eat a lot of meat.”

The actress confirmed to her fans that she had lost over 60 pounds this year, putting a lot of the loss down to her passion of hiking.

She revealed the exciting milestone on Instagram on Sunday, sharing a photo of her weight on the scale, saying that she had reached her goal weight with time to “spare”.

“Hit my goal with one month to spare! Even though it’s not about a weight number, it’s about being healthy, I needed a tangible measurement to have as a goal and that was 165 pounds” Rebel captioned the instagram post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIQW8BBrNK9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

During an hour long Instagram Live video, the comedian fought back tears as she revealed to her fans that she did not treat her body with the “love and respect” it deserved in the past.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIMssdkAjTN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“I would wear my weight as a bit of a barrier, so people wouldn’t get close to me,” she continued.

She has spent the better part of a year working to correct “bad habits to healthier ones”.

“I think I was emotional eating, and overeating at times, because I wasn‘t loving myself enough either,” Rebel Wilson said.

“And it does come down to that self-worth and self-love.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFm3CKRMCBX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

We’re talking about Amazing Weight Loss Journeys & Diabetes with musical inspiration from Jennifer Hudson on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Guests include Vanessa Hunter, Dr. Wendy Rapaport PsyD, Dr. Stewart Harris, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Autumn Reed.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”

 

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3 Sure Fire Ways to Increase Your Sleep from Susan D’Addario

Did you know that restorative sleep is imperative to living healthier, happier and longer?

Certified Sleep Science Coach and  owner of Back-To-Sleep Susan D’Addario‘s advice to help you enjoy consistent, improved sleep:

3 Sure Fire Ways to Increase Your Sleep Tips

Morning and Lunchtime

1). Get strong light exposure for 1 hour daily. Try to get 30 min in by 8:30am (or as close to that as possible), and repeat at lunchtime, (between noon-2:30pm). You can either go outside without sunglasses or use a light box and/or Re-Timer Light Therapy Glasses. If using a light box, make sure it is close to your face – approximately 12-16” away – and do not look directly into the light.

8PM

2). Dim all lighting. Dim all your devices sufficiently by making sure the backlight display is turned down as far as possible while still allowing you to see what’s on the monitor. Also, don’t forget to dim the ambient room lighting. Purchasing extension cords with built-in dimmers for lamps is a great way to go dim!

3). Block all blue light. While in your devices’ settings, also make a point to activate blue-light blocking filters. Moreover, consider wearing blue light blocking glasses with AMBER/ORANGE lenses until you get into bed and the lights are out. Should you awaken during the night to use the restroom, put these glasses back on and avoid looking directly into any light source.

Susan D’Addario shares sleep tips on Gotham Volleyball’s Home Life virtual outreach event on Facebook Live.

https://www.facebook.com/GothamVolleyball/videos/2650250065191834/

Susan D’Addario, CSSC, (Certified Sleep Science Coach), loves to help people to heal and feel better about themselves! For the past 24 years, she has worked as a licensed psychotherapist helping adults with life struggles getting in their way of growth, self-esteem and inner happiness.

Approximately 8 years ago,  she opened her mental/emotional healing work to include the body. Susan is fascinated by the interactions amongst body, mind, spirit and well-being. This broader perspective came out of her own life experiences, explorations and passions into the worlds of wellness, nutrition and other holistic arenas. As part of this expansion, 2 years ago, Susan became a CSSC and created Back-To-Sleep!

For more great sleep information, and/or a 30-minute Breakthrough to a Great Night Sleep complimentary session, feel free to contact Certified Sleep Science Coach, Susan D’Addario, at susan@back-to-sleep.com.

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Divabetic Mystery Phrase #33

Can you solve Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #33? Our phrase is measured by the force that pushes on the walls of your blood vessels as they carry blood and oxygen to your organs (systolic pressure) and the force that’s created when your heart rests between beats (diastolic pressure).

Do you know what Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #33 is?

Diabetes damages arteries and makes them targets for hardening, called atherosclerosis. That can cause high blood pressure, which if not treated, can lead to trouble including blood vessel damage, heart attack, and kidney failure.

There are several ways in which high blood sugar levels in the blood can increase blood pressure:

  • The blood vessels lose their ability to stretch.
  • The fluid in the body increases, especially if diabetes is already affecting the kidneys.
  • Insulin resistance may involve processes that increase the risk of hypertension.

In 2012, researchers quoted figures suggesting that 30% of people with type 1 diabetes and 50–80% of those with type 2 diabetes have high blood pressure in the United States.

The combination of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes can greatly increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

If your blood sugar level is too high, you may experience: increased thirst, frequent urination an fatigue. However, the American Heart Association (AHA) stresses that most of the time there are no symptoms for high blood pressure (also known as hypertension).

People usually find out they have high blood pressure when a doctor takes a blood pressure reading, or they take one themselves at home.

The reading will give two numbers:

  • The systolic is the top number
  • The diastolic is the bottom number

According to the AHA, the results will be one of the following:

  • Normal: Systolic below 120 and diastolic below 80
  • Elevated: Systolic 120–129 and diastolic under 80
  • Hypertension stage 1: Systolic 130–139 and diastolic 80–89
  • Hypertension stage 2: Systolic 140-plus and diastolic 90 or more
  • Hypertensive crisis: Systolic higher than 180 and diastolic above 120.

What is considered normal blood pressure for people with diabetes?

On the basis of recent studies, most people with diabetes should have a blood pressure that’s more than 130/80 mm.

People with diabetes can help decrease the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease by managing their blood sugar levels.

 

Here area few effective ways to lower your blood pressure levels:

  1. Stop smoking
  2. Increase activity and exercise more
  3. Lose weight if you’re overweight
  4. Cut back on sugar, refined carbohydrates and processed foods

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE REGISTRATION

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