This year’s Mystery podcast, Murder As Plain As Vanilla, is set in a real place – The Hedges Inn in East Hampton, NY. Our excellent narrator, the lovely Lorraine Brooks, explained how the Hedges Inn was named after one of the Hamptons’ founding families who settled there in 1644.
Two hundred years later, the restored family home became a boarding house. Word quickly spread nationwide about Mrs. Hedges’s delicious New England cooking. Her outstanding reputation turned her home into a place where the elite liked to meet and eat.
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. After all, 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 lying in a bed of roses. As luck has it, Max is the last person to see the Vanilla King alive. Rumors start swirling about Max’s past involvement in legendary TV Chef Sweet Sally Buttercup’s untimely demise. 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. Could he be ladling out something lethal?
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. To win the Visions Of Vanilla grand prize, it will be a fight to the death.
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.
We’re taking you inside some of the most beautiful homes to raise awareness for diabetes in a new way with our new podcast series, Divabetic Home Tours.
From the kitchen and bathroom to the family room and bedroom, diabetes affects all aspects of your home life.
We’re sprinkling between pictures of rooms with diabetes advice and videos from Homeworthy’s most gorgeous homes to spark your interest in self-care.
Welcome to the Divabetic House Tours: the Kips Bay Show House New York edition.
Celebrated interior designers transform a luxury Manhattan home into an elegant exhibition of fine furnishings, art, and technology each year. This event began in 1973 when several dedicated Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club supporters launched the Decorator Show House to raise critical funds for after-school and enrichment programs for New York City children. Over the decades, the project has become a must-see event for thousands of design enthusiasts and is renowned for sparking worldwide interior design trends.
Throughout our tour, enjoy Divabetic’s exclusive audio of wall-to-wall diabetes advice and conversations room-by-room to help you keep your house a home.
Start in our state-of-the-art kitchen and meet Jill Weisenberger RD, CDCES, who chats about how to make your food environment less stressful.
Outside stress triggers our drive for comfort food, including excess sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets such as baked goods. At the same time, during stressful moments, we tend to lower our intake of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. This, in turn, leads to a higher risk of insulin resistance, excess visceral fat, and type 2 diabetes.
MaryAnn Nicolay talks about reading nutrition labels. One tip for people with diabetes or prediabetes is to focus on the total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and calories to help reach your health goals.
Plus, before you, treat yourself to Paulette McWilliams’ soulful song, Mama’s Kitchen Table.
Gospel Singer Pat Lacy shares how she practices portion control. One option is to reduce your carbohydrate portion sizes and keep them to less than a quarter of your plate. Still hungry? Fill up on green vegetables and eat lean protein and healthy fats instead.
Foods high in good fats include vegetable oils (such as olive, canola, sunflower, soy, and corn), nuts, seeds, and fish.
Stroll through the spacious family room where Lorraine Brooks and RachelZinman get comfy on the sofa and talk about the feelings related to managing diabetes in today’s world.
Clarence Waldron tells how acting F.A.S.T. after experiencing a stroke was the key to his recovery.
Don’t leave before clicking on the LINK to share a free pre-diabetes test with our loved ones.
The Center for Disease Control offers a National Diabetes Prevention Program to help people with prediabetes make lasting lifestyle changes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Relax in the luxurious spa-inspired bathroom, where you can pick up tips from beauty and style tips experts and find out how diabetes can affect your skin, hair, and teeth.
For instance, hair loss can be a symptom of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Experts believe it is caused by hormonal imbalances, poor circulation due to hyperglycemia, or an autoimmune disorder. Hair loss can often be reversed with medications and by tighter blood sugar management.
Falling can be a concern if you live with diabetes and have peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage (loss of sensation in the feet, legs, and hands), retinopathy (damaged blood vessels in the eyes), and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Mama Rose Marie offers an easy tip for anyone afraid of falling in the shower.
Crawl into bed for some pillow talk on addressing and overcoming intimacy and sexual health concerns.
Even though people with diabetes are at a higher risk for sexual problems, a study in Diabetes Care found that only about half of all men with diabetes and 19 percent of women with diabetes have broached the topic with a doctor.
Dr. Janis Roszler PhD opens our eyes to what intimacy can mean for people affected by sexual health issues related to diabetes.
Many men with erectile dysfunction, for instance, later learn that they have diabetes. For people with diabetes, sexual problems can indicate nerve damage, blocked arteries, and even out-of-whack hormones.
Ambrice Miller founded Relic Interiors, a dealing company that curates incredible art, antiques, and beautifully handcrafted furniture. She gives a tour of her English countryside home.
Men and women experience low libido as a result of poorly managed diabetes. If your sex drive is stalled, look at your diabetes management and take steps to lower your blood glucose levels. Then, consider your medications. Certain drugs, such as antidepressants, can reduce sexual desire, so be sure to talk to your doctor.
Divabetic’s Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide To Love And Intimacy With Diabetes is available on Amazon
Finally, if you don’t stumble on any surprises, crawl into bed for guidance on overcoming sexual health and intimacy concerns.
Plus, at the end of the tour, you can get a copy of Divabetic’s Top Questions to discuss at your next Doctor’s visit.
Divabetic: It’s All About Attitude!
This Homeworthy episode features the beautiful Connecticut home of renowned interior designer Bunny Williams. Bunny graciously invites us to tour her 1860s Falls Village home and discover her converted barn that was originally a garage, but is now filled with many of her and her husband John Rosselli’s extraordinary antiques.
We’re talking about spouses living with diabetes with musical inspiration from Country Music superstars Tim McGraw & Faith Hill on the episode of Divabetic’s podcast.
Managing diabetes can be stressful and may place a strain on relationships. However, any chronic condition can increase the need for emotional support and the potential for frustration and tension, leading to conflict.
The key is to talk openly and clearly about working together so you’re as healthy as possible. Don’t assume your loved one will feel burdened by diabetes-related tasks or expect them to be ready to take on the caretaker role. Ask them how they’d like to help, and be open to their answer. Your healthcare collaborators may be able to connect people with programs that help cover the costs of diabetes care medications and supplies.
“We just made a commitment early on, when we first decided we were getting married and having kids, that we wouldn’t just walk out the door when problems arose,” said Tim McGraw. Tim and Faith Hill met for the first time in 1994 at a gig in Nashville. Two years later, they were married.
Podcast guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Jaye O’Grey, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, Diabetes Podcast Week founder Stacey Simms, and Mama Rose Marie.
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.
Diabetes podcasts are fast-paced, full-filled hours of diabetes education, wellness advice, poetry, games, and music that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”
Divabetic’s faith-based diabetes community outreach program, “Hat Boxing Competitions,” was presented in multiple tri-state area churches.
This program celebrates the glamour and style of church hats in a hat box decorating contest. Refereed by healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, this is one competition where everyone wins.
Our program consisted of a Hat Fashion Show celebrating Divas Of Distinction, a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist’s Presentation, a Speed Boxing competition, a Chair Workout, live entertainment, Hat Boxing Presentations and Speeches, and a Grand Prize presentation.
Several weeks before the program, contestants picked up hat-boxing packets containing plain hat boxes, diabetes information, stroke survivor testimonials, and healthy lifestyle messages at the church sanctuary. We also included tips from our favorite diabetes educators, nutritionists, and workout instructors.
Enjoy this nutrition tip from our interview with Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND from our Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis Turnaround podcast.
Over 30 contenders from Bethel Deliverance International Church (Wyncote, PA) showed off their creativity at one program.
Hat Boxing contestants brought their decorated hat boxes to the competition. Entries were decorated with messages of diabetes information, encouragement, and empowerment and presented to the judges.
New York Fashion hat designer Evetta Petty, the New York City Hat Boutique Harlem’s Heaven owner, shares how she stays on track with type 2 diabetes while running a successful small fashion business.
Carrie Underwood inspires us to discuss Faith and Diabetes on this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast.
Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Dr. Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDE, Neva White DNP, CDCES, Mama Rose Marie, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and special guest Carrie from New York.
Help Us Light the Way During National Diabetes Awareness Month (November)
Approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Did you know that over 80% don’t know they have it? Prediabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
This November, join Divabetic’s Blue Candle initiative and encourage your friends, co-workers, and family members to be screened for pre-diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers a quick, easy online Pre-Diabetes risk test.
Be by their side when they check, and share your experience of living well with diabetes so they can see that living well with diabetes is possible. Together, we can help others come out of the dark, address their diabetes health status, and start living their lives to the fullest.
Clarence Waldron talks about his stroke, recovery, working as Senior Editor and Writer of Jet Magazine, and his memories of Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin.
Twenty years ago, Clarence interviewed Luther’s mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross, for Jet Magazine after Luther suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes.
Clarence’s story is an excellent reminder of why it’s essential to ACT F.A.S.T. if you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke. The acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time) has been used by the National Stroke Association, American Heart Association, and others to educate the public on detecting stroke symptoms. Earlier treatment results in a greater chance of recovery, a reduced likelihood of permanent disability, and a lesser need for extensive rehabilitation.
I asked Poet Lorraine Brooks to write a poem about living with diabetes with no regrets for our podcast featuring music by Edith Piaf.
Born in Paris in 1915, Edith Piaf became a national treasure. She was the voice of France. She began her singing career on the streets, and her only musical apprenticeship came from listening to singers on the capital’s popular radio stations. Her iconic hit, “Non, je ne regrette rien” spent seven weeks atop the French Singles & Airplay Reviews chart. I was inspired to email Lorraine with a laundry list of ideas. My list included having noregrets when checking blood sugars in public, noregrets for standing in front of the exercise class to be closer to the instructor, noregrets for asking for substitutions at the restaurants, noregrets for having dietary restrictions or bringing your meal to a party, and noregrets about firing your doctor.
No Regrets by Lorraine Brooks
Je ne regrette rien.
The where and the why and the when.
If I have a need that is pressing
I never find that it’s distressing.
Like pricking my finger for testing
Or foods that I may be ingesting.
I do notregret when they stare…
Or that I receive Medicare.
I take stock of all of my needs
And all that I need to proceed.
Why regret what makes me feel better?
Maybe it’s ME that’s the trend-setter!
I spend no time feeling regret.
Or that some might think me “heavy set.”
Life is too short for that worry.
So I’ll order that Indian curry.
As long as I’m smart and stay mindful
There’s no reason not to be prideful.
Pack up your cares and remorse.
And stay on your self-caring course.
Kick that regret to the curb.
And start living the life you deserve.
Listen to Lorraine Brooks perform her poem, No Regrets, on Divabetic’s podcast.
Edith Piaf inspires us to discuss living with ‘NO REGRETS’ on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.
We all have regrets. It is part of human nature. However, hanging onto regrets takes up space and keeps us from enjoying the present moment. The stress factor wreaks havoc on the cells of the body. It affects our blood pressure, energy levels, hormones, and immune response. It also affects the mind. Our thinking process becomes clouded, mistakes are made, and poor choices lead to increased stress. All of these things can affect our diabetes wellness.
If we look carefully enough, we will see that they hold a lesson for the things we regret doing, and if we learn from our regrets, then the regret has served us well.
Edith Piaf’s unique ability to sing from the heart enchanted audiences beyond Paris. Her songs touch one’s heart and spirit, even if one cannot understand the words themselves.
Edith Piaf is helping us sing your praises! We applaud your determination, persistence, and efforts to stay healthy and upbeat about your daily self-care. Together, we are changing the way people learn to live with diabetes.
Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Dr. Lori Shemek PhD, Dr. Andrea Chisholm OBGYN, Cindy Lou from the ‘Diabetes What To Know’ community, and Mama Rose Marie.
This podcast features music from the ‘EDITH PIAF TOP 40’ album courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic podcasts are fast-paced, full-filled hours of diabetes education and wellness advice encouraging listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”
Help Us Light the Way During National Diabetes Awareness Month (November)
Approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Did you know that over 80% don’t know they have it? Prediabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
This November, join Divabetic’s Blue Candle initiative and encourage your friends, co-workers, and family members to be screened for pre-diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers a quick, easy online Pre-Diabetes risk test.
Be by their side when they check, and share your experience of living well with diabetes so they can see that living well with diabetes is possible. Together, we can help others come out of the dark, address their diabetes health status, and start living their lives to the fullest.
Clarence Waldron talks about his stroke, recovery, working as Senior Editor and Writer of Jet Magazine, and his memories of Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin.
Twenty years ago, Clarence interviewed Luther’s mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross, for Jet Magazine after Luther suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes.
Clarence’s story is an excellent reminder of why it’s essential to ACT F.A.S.T. if you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke. The acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time) has been used by the National Stroke Association, American Heart Association, and others to educate the public on detecting stroke symptoms. Earlier treatment results in a greater chance of recovery, a reduced likelihood of permanent disability, and a lesser need for extensive rehabilitation.
Last night, I saw Karyn White at City Winery in New York.
For those too young to remember, there was a moment in the late 80s when Karyn White was right up there with the best of Janet Jackson, Jody Watley, and Miki Howard. She became the first female artist to have her first three solo releases hit #1.
Her iconic R&B singles: “Superwoman,” “Secret Rendezvous,” “The Way You Love Me,” and the Billboard Hot 100 number one single “Romantic” are part of the soundtrack of my life.
I was looking forward to the concert, but I was a bit hesitant. Karyn White disappeared from the music industry as quickly as she arrived.
Her career took off like a rocket after signing to Warner Bros. Records, where she was paired with Babyface and LA Reid on her debut album. Karyn White hit the jackpot.
Her platinum-selling debut made her a star right out of the gate, quickly becoming recognized as one of the best releases of the New Jack Swing era.
She worked with Jimmy Jam and future husband Terry Lewis on her sophomore album, Ritual of Love.
Sadly, lOL reports her absence from the industry was partly due to a terrible divorce from the love of her life and icon, Terry Lewis, and her mother’s death. On the upside, she started an acting career.
Back to seeing the show. I arrived at City Winery feeling a bit apprehensive. Recent lackluster Miki Howard and Regina Belle performances will do that to you.
However, I’m happy to say that from the moment Karyn White stepped on stage, she had me. She was so exuberant and enthusiastic about being in New York and performing. I couldn’t help but feel her joy even though I was sitting in the back row. Her voice was strong, vibrant, and full of emotion, And at 60, “The Queen of New Jack Swing” held her own with two much younger backup vocalists. New Jack music isn’t kind to the knees of people over 50, but she turned it out.
I yelled, “YASS, QUEEN!”
I’d love to restructure her setlist, add a few cover songs, let go of her dancers and dress her in a fabulous gown.
If Karyn. White’s in town, I recommend going to see her!
We’re celebrating Divabetic’s 12th Year Anniversary of Podcasting with musical inspiration from Babyface and music from his A Closer Lookalbum courtesy of SONY Music. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks,Susan WeinerMS, RDN, CDCES,FADCES, Ivan Hampden Jr., and Collage Artist Tom Cocotos. Hosted by Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek.
Our musical inspiration, Kenneth Edmonds, known professionally as Babyface, has written over 250 top-10 R&B and pop hits, working with Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Luther Vandross, and Whitney Houston.
“The blessing of being able to write music and let the music speak for itself is you let the melodies and the lyrics and the groove talk to people instead of me talking to people,” says Babyface.
What makes Babyface so great? His ability to craft a song that touches our emotions captivates our ears and perfectly harmonizes every word. It’s a rare gift that not many people have in music.
“I would say that I’ve been lucky. Being blessed and not really ever giving up,” says Babyface.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your diabetes wellness journey! We’re looking forward to sharing more insight and advice on diabetes self-care from experts and peers, along with more great music in the next year!
My New York Fashion Week festivities began with the 92Y’s Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis and Gabriela Hearst. Coming directly from New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ fashion event at Gracie Mansion appeared to knock Fern off her game, but Gabriella Hearst sparkled when she hit the stage.
Gabriela Hearst wears multiple hats. She is the founder and creative director of her namesake fashion brand, creative director of Chloé, and is a wife and mother. She’s also the leading advocate for sustainability in fashion. Her website states her line is committed to making the highest quality possible product with the lowest impact on our environment.
But she works in a luxury business where clothes and handbags pay bills and salaries. Balancing the books between the environmental and business bottom lines can be challenging.
One of the keys to her success, she admitted to Fern, is that she rarely listens to advice from men. She feels women will find the solutions for climate change.
Gabriela believes less is more. Galvanizing metal, like silver and gold, to produce the hardware on Chloe’s luxury bags creates a lot of toxic waste. Her solution? Cut back on the amount of different metals being used. She and Chloe use only one gold and one silver to produce their handbags.
Additionally, 60% of fabrics used are “lower impact” materials, and Under Chloé no longer sells cotton T-shirts, to avoid the water-intensive production of that fabric.
Cashmere has been replaced by recycled cashmere, and denim by circular denim, made of a mix of recycled cotton and hemp or linen.
Gabriela Hearst was born in Uruguay, where she learned a commitment to sustainability working on her family’s ranch. She applied what she learned to fashion. She started her signature clothing line with an environmentalist approach. However, she doesn’t believe “vegan” leather is an environmentally friendly choice. “For as long as we are eating meat, leather is a byproduct of that,” she told the Guardian. “So it is a good fabric to use. When I go home to my ranch in Uruguay, they ask me – what’s happening in the north? They are having to burn leather, because people want to wear polyester instead. The idea that vegan shoes are helping the environment is just good marketing.”
Earlier this week, the Museum of FIT honored Gabriela Hearst with the 2023 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion.
Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president of FIT, said, “The industry is moving toward collections with a conscience. Gabriela is a role model for designers who are embracing their responsibility to reduce and prevent climate change. She leads by example using deadstock fabric, eliminating plastic in her work, and she even created the first carbon-neutral runway show.”
Over the next two weeks, she will present her Gabriela Hearst collection in New York and show her final Chloé collection on Sept. 28 during Paris Fashion Week. As reported, Gabriela Hearst is stepping down as creative director of Chloé this fall after a three-year collaboration.
Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller is a passionate advocate for sustainably in fashion. Catherine shares how ‘Cloth Swaps’ are helping fashionistas get their fix without harming our environment on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.
With a few simple swaps, you can help live your best life while managing your diabetes. Our experts offer straightforward, simple, and fun swap ideas for drinks, medications, self-care, and fashion. Plus, we share style tips and words of inspiration to help you maintain a healthy habit.
Developing these habits isn’t always easy. Adapting to a new routine can be tricky, and it’s often tempting to want to return to old ways if we don’t see immediate results. One of the biggest mistakes people make when forming a new habit is taking on too much too quickly. Focus on what’s working in your diabetes self-care plan before overhauling diabetes management. Instead of decluttering the entire house, why not focus on one room or closet? Why not focus on the calories you drink rather than everything you eat? If you want to eat healthier, try replacing one dessert daily with a piece of fruit rather than cutting out sugar completely. If you’re going to get into hiking, start with a walk at lunchtime. Setting small goals you can achieve will help keep you motivated along the way.
Guests include Catherine Schuller, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RD, CDCES, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, MEd, NDTR, and MamaRose Marie. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic presents a diva-style approach to diabetes empowerment on this podcast for fashion lovers. We’re playing our Buy, Borrow, or Burn! fashion game features plus-size swimwear and iconic swimsuits worn by Halle Berry, Farrah Fawcett, and Annette Funicello.
Plus, get the scoop on what Hemoglobin A1 C is on ‘Sexy Little Numbers’ with Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.
Guest include Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Kendra Charisse Porter body expert, style architect, and founder of Honor You ( image consulting agency), Dalia Strum, consumer and business strategic digital media expert and fashion-related social media shopping consultant and special guest, Alexis living with type 1 diabetes from New York City.
Divabetic will present its 10th Annual Divabetic Mysteries podcast, Murder Plain As Vanilla, this fall. The cozy mystery podcast features a Murder She Wrote-style whodunit with loads of diabetes and self-care information.
Murder Plain As Vanilla Synopsis
When Max’s arch-nemesis baking sensation Renata Whisk calls late at night, offering a chance to participate in the Visions of Vanilla baking competition, he can’t refuse. After all, 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 for using her credit card at the Jersey Shore to buy kitchen equipment.
He arrives bright and early at the historic Hedge’s Inn in East Hampton, New York, with nothing to lose. But before his hands touch a flour canister, he discovers the dead body of the competition’s sponsor, Conrad Rivera, the Vanilla King of Madagascar, lying in the Hedges Inn’s bed of roses. As luck has it, Max is the last person to see the Vanilla King alive. Soon, rumors are swirling about Max’s involvement in legendary TV Chef Sweet Sally Buttercup’s untimely demise at Central Park’s Gingerbread Man competition. To prove his innocence, he enlists his team, USA Today Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, health educators MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, and his mother, Mama Rose Marie. But when another baker’s dead body is found near Max’s baking station, even his mother refuses to taste his newest recipe. Could it be as lethal as a cup of kale hot cocoa?
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. To win the Visions Of Vanilla grand prize, it will be a fight to the death.
This popular podcast will be available for free on all streaming platforms. Stay tuned for more details!
Tune in to Divabetic’s 9th Annual Mystery podcast, Tomorrow Is Not on The Menu.
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, Dave Jones, Catherine Schuller and Lorraine Brooks. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir. Special thanks to our colleague, the multi-talented Wendy Radford.
The Holidays are full of surprises— especially after Mr. Divabetic gets a new job as the pastry chef at the St. Nicholas Nursing Home nestled in a cozy Christmas Village.
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. Despite all of the ingredients for danger, Mr. Divabetic, our team of amateur sleuths and his overly protective mother — set out to find the real culprit hoping his name isn’t on a lethal naughty list.
Our story was inspired by Kevin Houdeshell’s tragic true-life story. Thanks to the Houdeshell family for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the Emergency Insulin Act of 2019 and the emergency prescription refill legislation. Known as Kevin’s or Howdy’s Law, it allows pharmacists to dispense an emergency supply of chronic maintenance medication if the doctor cannot be reached – a common-sense act that could save a life.
Starring Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie Gentle, Terri Seidman, MaryAnn Nicolay, Trisha Artman, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, and Wendy Radford. Special thanks to the Houdeshell family and Pharmacist Mandy Reece. Original music by Ivan Hampden Jr., Celine Dion’s vocals courtesy of SONY Music. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir.
There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten-time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’.
But resentment, greed, and Britannia’s own bad dealings turn everyone into a suspect when she’s found dead in the parking lot just before the Annual Decadents on Deck! Bake Off competition is about to kick off.
Delusional baker and amateur sleuth Mr. Divabetic is even shocked to find himself being treated as a suspect in the case by the local police after meeting her just once!
As if his life wasn’t crazy enough before, escaping a murderous mishap in New York and attempting a fresh start in Nantucket has turned into a complete and utter baking disaster, now Max, along with his friends and nosy mother, have to add tracking down a murderer to his To-Do list, as well.
Can our team hunt down the real murderer before they strike again? Will he become the next victim? Can Max ever manage to bake a cake that’s actually edible?
Divabetic’s Mystery podcast cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.
Artist Heidi Hankaniemi creates one-of-a-kind artworks by collecting and compiling numerous pieces of laces. Her mission is to give discarded handiworks and the creators a new existence.
While heading to the subway, I stumbled upon her work on display at Chashama Work/ Display Space in Chelsea, New York. Heidi came out to talk to me when she saw Joe and I discussing her artwork outside on the sidewalk in front of Chashama Work.
Heidi patiently answered my battery of questions with an upbeat and friendly demeanor. She explained that many works feature lace and embroidery from different centuries and places worldwide. When I asked her how she decides which pieces and how many to put together, she said her process is organic. As she talked us through the exhibit, she mentioned that her earlier works are large tapestries of all-white lace, but her latest works incorporate different colored lace and flower embroidery.
In an interview the Finnish Cultural Institutein New York for their Creative Conversations series, Heidi said, “I love the handmade and tactile aspects of textiles and appreciate the process of working by hand. I find damaged and discarded handiworks at flea markets, and people send me things they don’t know what to do with. I mend them and construct them into larger pieces in my “Mending Tapestries” series.”
Ten years ago, she underwent surgery for a brain tumor. During her recovery, she continued to hand-sew lace and embroidery into art. While the doctors were stitching her up, she said, she stitched together fabrics. She found the practice of mending to be meditative and therapeutic. Heidi gained the strength to persevere through her health crisis from the generations of women before her who created vintage pieces of handwork. Her website states that her work “draws from domestic activities: habits, objects, and intimacy, and looks for ways to create paths between the private and the public, between the inside and the outside.”
Her fascination with lace began at an early age. She admits, “I handmade objects have a physical memory and absorb the essence of their makers. The sewing process is essential to Heidi. Piercing the fibers, she says, allows her to create both a physical and an emotional bond with the material.
Through her art, she’s found a beautiful way to give old pieces of lace and embroidery new life. People hire Heidi to create works of art to memorialize past generations from their family’s lace and embroidery. As she put it, the sewer’s essence is embedded in the fabric each time the cloth is hand-pierced with thread. I immediately thought of my grandmother’s Hummel collection displayed on dollies when she said no one puts lace dollies under the TVs today. These commissions are wonderful and sustainable keepsakes.
Heidi’s work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions in Europe and the United States, including at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, St. Petersburg Metro Museum, and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. It has also been featured in publications ranging from Artnet, Vogue UK, FJORDS magazine, Elle Deco ES, Elle Decoration UK, Elle UK, Architectural Digest, Frame, I.D. magazine, Interview magazine, Crystallized, Dazed and Confused, Marie Claire to Hello and Hola!.
Divabetic Image &. Style Advisor Catherine Schuller shares how the newest trend in shopping, Fashion Swaps, is a sustainable way to express your sense of style on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.
With a few simple swaps, you can help live your best life while managing your diabetes. Our experts offer straightforward, simple, and fun swap ideas for drinks, medications, self-care, and fashion. Plus, we share style tips and words of inspiration to help you maintain a healthy habit.
Developing these habits isn’t always easy. Adapting to a new routine can be tricky, and it’s often tempting to want to return to old ways if we don’t see immediate results. One of the biggest mistakes people make when forming a new habit is taking on too much too quickly. Focus on what’s working in your diabetes self-care plan before overhauling diabetes management. Instead of decluttering the entire house, why not focus on one room or closet? Why not focus on the calories you drink rather than everything you eat? If you want to eat healthier, try replacing one dessert daily with a piece of fruit rather than cutting out sugar completely. If you’re going to get into hiking, start with a walk at lunchtime. Setting small goals you can achieve will help keep you motivated along the way.
Guests include Catherine Schuller, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RD, CDCES, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, MEd, NDTR, and MamaRose Marie. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.
Lorraine Brooks shares her thoughts about her experience of living with diabetes on Divabetic’s popular podcast. It’s a splendid thing that makes our diabetes podcasts so unique. Occasionally, we challenge her to write about a specific topic. When we do, she always delights us with her prose. Our podcast focused on vision, which many of us take for granted. If you’re living with diabetes, make time for an annual exam to protect your eyes. Your vision is too important to take for granted, as it has an astonishing impact on your quality of life. To convey our message, we asked Lorraine to share a poem about taking things in life for granted.
I Woke Up This Morning by Lorraine Brooks
Iwokeup this morning, as always,
And while walking through my hallway,
I looked in the mirror, reflecting,
And thought, why am I so rejecting?
There’s food in my pantry and clothes on my back
And 2 cars in my garage.
I‘ve plenty of colleagues and friends; I don’t lack,
I‘m blessed with a fine entourage.
There’s heat in the winter and cool when it is hot,
There’s no way I‘m doubting the blessings I‘ve got.
So what if I need to count calories now,
I still can consume that dessert anyhow.
My kidneys are fine, and my eyesight’s okay,
And I can still sleep at the end of the day.
I have a few dollars, and I can have fun
And not have to justify it to anyone.
I make my decisions and live with my fears
And thankful for 65 wonderful years.
This life here on earth can be tragic enough
Without adding to it irrelevant stuff.
The gift is in living and doing our best.
And then letting go of all of the rest.
So have a good time and be of good cheer.
And you will enjoy the time you have here.
Positive vibes and a will to stand tall
And living won’t be any trouble at all.
Listen to Lorraine Brooks perform her poem, I Woke Up This Morning, on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast 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. He scored a major hit and won awards for his song, Fortunate, featuring a message that aligns with our podcast theme.
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. 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, Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and Mama Rose Marie. This podcast features songs from several of Maxwell’s albums courtesy of SONY Music.
