Tag: Lorraine Brooks

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Can You Reserve Diabetic Retinopathy?

The average woman takes 17 minutes to apply eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara and groom the eyebrows before going out for the night. If you spend that much time making your eyes look beautiful, why not spend a little extra finding out what’s happening inside them?
Make time for an annual eye exam. The macular edema and proliferative retinopathy treatments can prevent vision loss and even restore some of your lost vision.

Can You Reserve Diabetic Retinopathy?

You can’t reserve diabetic retinopathy. But we can reduce our risk of developing diabetic retinopathy or help stop it from worsening by keeping our blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels under tighter management.

Divabetic Tip

Create your healthcare entourage of healthcare collaborators who address your needs. Trying to manage all the aspects of diabetes can be overwhelming. If you’re not tech-savvy, it can be downright frustrating. It’s okay to ask for help. Managing diabetes means managing the health of the whole body. This is why you’ll want a diabetes care team with specialists from different fields.

These can include:

  • Primary Care Provider (PCP): This doctor (MD or DO), nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA) gives you routine medical care, including physical exams, lab tests and prescriptions for medication.
  • Endocrinologist: This doctor (MD or DO) specializes in diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine system (the system that produces hormones such as insulin).
  • Ophthalmologist or Optometrist: This doctor (MD/DO or OD), also known as an eye doctor, diagnoses and treats eye diseases and disorders.
  • Podiatrist (DPM): This doctor, also known as a foot doctor, is trained to treat feet and lower leg problems.
  • Pharmacist (PharmD): This professional knows about medicines, what’s in them, and how they interact with each other.
  • Dentist (DMD or DDS): This doctor knows about oral care and is trained to care for your teeth and gums.
  • Registered Nurse/Nurse Navigator (RN): A nurse in your doctor’s office who helps coordinate your health care needs.
  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN): A dietitian is a nutrition expert (what food your particular body needs to stay healthy). Talking to a registered dietitian nutritionist, not your yoga instructor, will help you use what you eat and drink as tools for managing your blood glucose.
  • Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES): Previously known as Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs), these are health care providers with extensive training and experience working with people with diabetes who have passed a credentialed board exam. They can help you figure out how to manage what you need to do to manage your diabetes in a way that fits with your daily life, routines, environment, and family dynamics.
  • Mental Health Professional: This person may be a psychiatrist (MD or DO), psychologist (PhD) or clinical social worker (LCSW or LISW). These professionals can help you deal with the day-to-day challenges of living with diabetes and more serious emotional issues. Be sure to work with a mental health professional who understands diabetes and the medicine and insulin you take that may affect your blood glucose.
  • Fitness Professional: A physical activity specialist may be an exercise physiologist, personal trainer, or physical therapist. These professionals can help you find safe exercises and ensure you get the most out of your exercise program. Be sure to work with a fitness professional who understands diabetes and the medicine and insulin you are taking that may affect your blood glucose.

Choose diabetes care team members who can provide the level of support you want and help when needed. The more information you can give when you get help, the easier it is for someone to assist you.

On this episode of Divabetic’s podcast, we’re discussing 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.

Podcast guests include singer Alfa Anderson, Diabetic Macular Edema patient Maryanne Kass, Artist Bryce Chisholm, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout the podcast, we will feature selected songs from several of Maxwell’s albums courtesy of SONY Music.
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Beware of Portion Distortion!!!

You’ve probably noticed that food portions have increased. Some portions are called “super size,” while others provide enough food for at least two people.
Sadly, the calorie content at popular U.S. fast food restaurants has shot up over the past three decades, according to a new study.

TIME magazine reported on a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which compared food at 10 fast food restaurants: Arby’s, Burger King, Carl’s Jr, Dairy Queen, Hardee’s, Jack in the Box, KFC, Long John Silver’s, McDonald’s and Wendy’s over twenty years: 1986, 1991, and 2016. Researchers found that, on average, the calorie content of entrees went up by 30 calories a decade, while the calorie content of desserts went up by 62 calories a decade. Menu items also had a major increase in sodium content – about a 4.6% daily value increase per decade for entrees.

If seeing is believing, these ice cream cones on Tumblr are a perfect example of how enormous our portion sizes have grown!!
Whether you’re eating at home, at a restaurant, or on the road, these tips can help avoid portion distortion.
  1. Eat your food off a plate instead of out of the box or bag.
  2. Avoid eating while watching TV or doing other activities.
  3. Eat slowly and stop eating when you start to feel full.
  4. Cut meal servings in half.

Internationally recognized nutritionist and portion-control expert Dr. Lisa Young, Ph.D., RND ( Author of The Portion Teller Plan) joins us on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast. Other guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr.Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Catherine Schuller, and Diabetes – What To Know Facebook Community member Crystal.  Throughout the podcast, we will play music from Dolly Parton’s Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack courtesy of SONY Music.

How much are you really eating?

More than you think, especially if you think these servings seem small.
Dr. Lisa Young’s The Portion Teller Plan will teach you how to understand portion sizes to lose weight and stop dieting, regardless of your portion personality. Are you a mindless muncher who snacks all day, a dinner lover who enjoys one big meal a day, or a volume eater who always wants to sit down with a huge plate of food at every meal? No matter your eating habits, The Portion Teller Plan offers a personalized eating plan that is right for you. Instead of giving up the foods you love, learn to smartsize them with the help of one of the country’s leading nutritionists.

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Divabetic Remembers Diana Ross in Lady Sings The Blues

Diana Ross’s iconic performance in Lady Sings The Blues inspires us to discuss the link between diabetes and depression and diabetes distress.

When Diana Ross chose to make her feature film debut playing the role of Billie Holiday in the biopic Lady Sings The Blues; there were more than a few skeptics. The Motown Queen’s solo career started as a slow burn – only one of her four post-Supremes albums to date had made the US Top 40.

Thankfully, she persevered through people’s doubts and the physically and emotionally grueling film production. Her captivating performance on film and record earned her an Academy Award nomination and a #1 solo Pop Album in the US — aptly, on the chart date that would have been Billie’s 58th birthday, April 7, 1973. The double LP features Ross singing gems from the tragic singer’s catalog, such as God Bless The Child, Strange Fruit, and the title song.

Sadly, Billie Holiday had already been gone for 13 years when Lady Sings The Blues was released.

Why Is It Called the Blues?

In the 19th century, the English phrase blue devils referred to the upsetting hallucinations brought on by severe alcohol withdrawal. Over time it was shortened to the blues, which described states of depression and upset, and it was later adopted as the name for the melancholic songs that the musical genre encapsulates.

If you’re feeling blue, symptoms include sadness, lack of sleep, or loss of appetite. Depression has these symptoms and more, including prolonged insomnia, significant weight loss or gain, and extreme fatigue or disinterest in regular activities.

Many people with diabetes struggle with depression. The daily demands of diabetes can be stressful and lead to symptoms of depression. Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may make symptoms of depression worse. Don’t be afraid to seek help.

What Is Diabetes Distress?

According to our friends at Diabetes.UK, diabetes distress is what some people feel when they’re overwhelmed by the relentlessness of diabetes. This can lead to diabetes burnout.

Diabetes distress has been described as worrying about not taking enough care of your diabetes but not feeling motivated to change. Symptoms include avoiding going to appointments or checking your blood sugars, making unhealthy food choices regularly, and feeling alone and isolated.
Many people feel like this sometimes, but you must get help.

Billie Holiday was a true artist of her day and became a social phenomenon in the 1950s. Her soulful, unique singing voice and ability to boldly turn any material she confronted into her music made her a superstar of her time.

Today, Billy Holiday is remembered for her masterpieces, creativity, and vivacity, as many of Holiday’s songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday’s poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz voices of all time.

Billie Holiday inspires us to talk about the  ‘MILESTONES’ related to diabetes wellness with a stellar lineup of guests featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Susan Wiener RD, CDCES,   Best-Selling Author Brenda Novak, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.

This Divabetic podcast features music from across Billie Holiday‘s extraordinary career, including What A Little Moonlight Can Do, Them There Eyes, That Ole Devil Called Love, Blue Moon, Strange Fruit, God Bless the Child, and more courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

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A Little Respect by Lorraine Brooks

Enjoy this poem, A Little Respect, by Lorraine Brooks. Lorraine shared this poem on Divabetic’s podcast inspired by Aretha Franklin. 

Over the years, Lorraine has shared poems shedding light on society’s shame and blame directed at people with diabetes’s size and shape. Aretha Franklin struggled with several undisclosed issues (pancreatic cancer, type diabetes, tobacco use) and fluctuating weight issues throughout her career. It’s been reported that at age 34,  Aretha started yoyo dieting with alternating weight loss and gain.

A LITTLE RESPECT by Lorraine Brooks

Look at me.
Look at the pain
In my eyes.
All that you see
Is my
Overweight size.
Inside is a person
Who needs to
Be heard.
Needs to let go of
The hurt
I’ve incurred.
I’m not uninformed
And I’m not unaware.
I am not lazy
And yes, I DO care.
I haven’t abandoned
My health or my needs.
I’ve just redefined
What it means
To Succeed.
I am not here
To live up to your charts
Or conform to your standards
For my body parts.
It’s not called depression
It doesn’t need meds
I won’t go to blazes and
I won’t drop dead.
I don’t have the answer
To all of life’s queries,
I don’t want to hear about
All of your theories.
Just treat me with value
As part of the clan
And do not compare me to those
Smaller than.
Look at me
Look at the smile
I reflect
And treat me with love
And a little
Respect.

Enjoy this episode of Divabetic’s podcast with music from Aretha Franklin.

Aretha Franklin was considered the legend of legends, a groundbreaking singer with the fortitude to transcend race and genre, using voice as the bulldozer to break down every barrier set up in her way.

Aretha’s health journey sparks a discussion about the uncertain connection between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Long-standing diabetes can be considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It causes a modest increase in the risk of 1.5- to two-fold. Other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), family history of pancreatic cancer, obesity, and specific genetic syndromes.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Diabetes Strong’s owner Christel Oerum, Beautyphonics CEO and “Beneath The Makeup” Author Suzanne Perez, Jessica Clark, and Trisha Artman.

This podcast features music from Aretha Franklin’s ‘Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’ courtesy of SONY Music.

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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Buttons by Lorraine Brooks

Enjoy this poem, Buttons, by Lorraine Brooks, whose monthly poetry contributions on Divabetic’s podcast help inform and enlighten our listeners. Over the years, Lorraine has helped me champion a weight-neutral approach to managing diabetes. She has shown me and countless others how focusing solely on the number you see on the scale can harm your diabetes health.

Taking a weight-neutral approach involves working outside the confines of weight loss as the primary goal for managing your diabetes. The goal is to respect the body and learn how to cultivate healthy habits. Unlike traditional approaches to weight loss, weight is not used as an indicator of health. The focus is on size acceptance, consistent self-care behaviors, and diabetes care. You can be healthy at every size. 

BUTTONS by Lorraine Brooks

I’ve never had buttons

On top of my jeans

I’ve only been able

To wear size of “queens”.

Elastic has often been

Something I needed

In clothing that made me feel

Somewhat defeated.

I longed for the feeling

Of putting on pants

Not worrying if people

Looked at me

Askance.

No more stretch fabric

And no more a “plus”,

And seeing my booty

As big as a bus.

I’m tucking my shirt in,

I’m wearing no sleeves,

My body is freedom

My body believes.

The old grey sweatshirt

That I used to dread

I’m wearing a cardigan sweater

Instead.

I know that this “victory”

Might not seem much

And that I am not “perfect” or

Gorgeous and such.

But trust me and listen

When I have to say

I buttoned my jeans today…

Hip, hip hooray!

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic plays the food game, Serve, Taste or Trash! at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York.

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Divabetic Remembers Doris Day

Somedays, you have to say, “Que Sera Sera.”

On this episode of Divabetic’s podcast, we pay tribute to Doris Day. Her music, films, glamour, and perkiness are sources of happiness for many people.

Doris Day was the queen of early ’60s comedies, coyly flirtatious films filled with sexual innuendo and double entendres. The most famous of these, Pillow Talk (1959), the first of three that co-starred Rock Hudson, established her persona as an independent and successful career woman, as comfortable in the board room as she was in jazz clubs. Like her other roles, her character didn’t see herself as incomplete without a husband—an idea still quite revolutionary at the time. She got on with her life. Her characters often had chic apartments, exciting jobs, and smashing wardrobes. In most of her films, Doris showcased a spunky, can-do personality and jaunty independence.

Doris Day experienced many professional and personal ups and downs in real life, but nothing seemed to dim her dazzle. She said, “No matter what happens if I get pushed down, I’m going to come right back up.”

Often Doris Day credited her pets for their support during hard times. She was a lifelong animal lover and advocate who used her celebrity status to make a difference for animals.

Pets can help their owners overcome depression through their companionship and unconditional love. They possess the natural ability to help you relax and enjoy life more. Pets can also help when you experience times of loneliness. They can also help lower blood pressure; if trained, they can alert their owners to dangerously low blood sugar levels.

Pets can also help you improve your lifestyle. Eric O’Grey’s weight had ballooned to 320 pounds, and he was spending more than $1,000 a month on medications for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol when his naturopathic doctor suggested he adopt a shelter dog.

Eric took that advice, heading to the Humane Society, and adopted an obese middle-aged dog named Peety.

Together, Eric and Peety started walking for at least a half-hour a day. Eric also adopted a plant-based diet. Ultimately Eric lost 140 pounds, and Peety lost 25 pounds.

Hear Eric’s interview on this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast.

Another book, Elle & Coach: Diabetes, the Fight for My Daughter’s Life, and the Dog Who Changed Everything, describes how a trained diabetes alert dog can help alert its owner to low blood sugar levels. It’s the true story of a Type-A mom struggling to care for a daughter with Type 1 diabetes and of an incredible service dog who changes their lives for the better.

Listen to our interview with Elle & Coach author Mark Dagostino about his book on this podcast:

Our Doris Day Tribute Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES, Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDCES, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author and Romance Psychology Expert Rachel Van Dyken and Marguerite van Reenen from South Africa.

We feature music from the Essential Doris Day Collection during this podcast.

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Adopted Dog Sparks 100+ Pound Weight Loss

This past Saturday, I attended Broadway Barks, a free event promoting pet adoption, hosted by Bernadette Peters and Randy Rainbow.

Since its inception, Broadway Barks has helped thousands of NYC shelter animals find permanent homes.

The event prompted me to revisit a past Divabetic podcast with guest, Walking With Peety: The Dog Who Saved My Life Author Eric O’Grey, who turned his type 2 diabetes diagnosis around after adopting a rescue dog.

Eric O’Grey’s weight had ballooned to 320 pounds, and he was spending more than $1,000 a month on medications for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol when his naturopathic doctor suggested he adopt a shelter dog.

Eric took that advice, heading to the Humane Society, and adopted an obese middle-aged dog named Peety.

Together, Eric and Peety started walking for at least a half-hour a day. Eric also adopted a plant-based diet. Ultimately Eric lost 140 pounds, and Peety lost 25 pounds.

Hear Eric’s interview on this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast.

Podcast guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog, and Scent Detection Expert Debby Kay, Walking with Peety Author Eric O’Grey, Poet Lorraine Brooks, ‘Yoga for Diabetes’ Author Rachel Zinman, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.

Throughout the podcast, we will feature songs from P!nk’s Beautiful Trauma album courtesy of SONY Music.

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Out Gay And Here by Lorraine Brooks

Over 37 million Americans have diabetes, and 96 million have prediabetes. This includes people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQAI+). About 25% of gay or bisexual men and 14% of lesbian or bisexual women have been diagnosed with diabetes, compared to about 10% of the general population.

If you’re a member of the LGBTQAI+ community, learn about factors that may put you at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Divabetic can help you take charge of your health. You are not alone; we see and hear you.

Mr. Divabetic is an openly cisgender gay man who advocates for diabetes. He sees similarities between accepting your sexual identity and accepting a diabetes diagnosis. Both identities seem steeped in shame and blame by the general public.  Coming to terms with who you are and/or your health status is a powerful journey in self-love and self-acceptance.

“My coming out journey transformed my life,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. “It was a powerful act of courage, self-love, and acceptance. Not everyone chooses to do it, and that’s okay. I traveled across the country to California to seek my truth. I needed that much distance from friends and relatives to feel safe. At the time, I felt I could resume my life on the East Coast if no one knew what happened on the West Coast. However, I realized once I kissed another man that I was gay and began the lifelong process of coming out to my friends, my family, my co-workers, and acquaintances. There were many difficult and awkward conversations. I have been shamed and have lost work because of it, but I don’t regret it.  Coming out is a lifelong process because every time I meet and become friends with someone new, there’s a feeling inside me urging me to speak my truth. Keeping my sexuality a secret feels toxic.”

Poet Lorraine Brooks shares this beautiful poem, Out Gay & Here, to celebrate Pride Month.

Out Gay And Here by Lorraine Brooks

 

so tell me what it meant to you
in all your human glory
the fears, the chance, the honesty,
the day you told your story.
was shame the thing that kept you from
revealing your true wants?
were you afraid of hearing
all the ridicule and taunts?
or did you hold your head up, high
defying any doubt…
and did you shout with confidence
I’m here, I’m gay, I’m OUT?!?
did parents, friends, and foes alike
recoil in true disgust,
or did your people smile and say
we thank you for, your trust?
did you feel better having said
what some already knew,
and were you now beginning to
explore a better “you”?
is being out the best thing
that you’ve ever done so far?
or were you left with wondering
why you are who you are?
is life a bit more happy now
that you have said the word?
has anybody turned away
and left your voice unheard?
have you been embraced by
a community of peers?
and have you now acknowledged
that you’re one of all the queers?
you’re here, you’re out, you’re satisfied.
you’re lesbian, you’re gay.
you’re trans, you’re bi, you’re curious…
but mostly, YOU’RE OK!!
you’ve partnered with,
you’ve broken up,
you’ve shut your mouth,
you’ve spoken up.
you’ve bagged it up,
you’ve not complained,
you’ve used a whip,
you’ve been restrained.
you’ve doggy-styled,
you’ve been on top,
you’ve started it,
you’ve made it stop.
you’ve been alone,
you’ve been in pairs,
you’ve shaved it or,
you’ve cut its hairs.
you’ve used your tongue,
you’ve used your hands,
you’ve tied it up
with rubber bands.
you’ve worked it in,
you’ve done without,
you’ve muzzled it,
you’ve made it shout.
but in the end
you’ve all declared…
in voices loud and clear…
this is who,you are and now…
YOU’RE OUT AND GAY AND HERE!!!

The newly redesigned rainbow flag ensures inclusivity is at the heart of the LGBTQ+ movement. The new design incorporated intersex people into the movement and was led by Valentino Vecchietti.

On this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast, Mr. Divabetic spotlights LGBTQAI+ people living with, affected by, and at risk of diabetes with music from Indigo Girls.

Research shows that LGBTQAI+  people have unique health disparities and worse health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts regarding diabetes care and education.

Guests include The Flood Girls & The Small Crimes of Tiffany Templeton, Author Richard Fifield, and Heart Health advocate and fabulous drag queen, Mutha Chucka, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.

Mr. Divabetic stops by the Gay Pride March in New York to raise awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way. The first March was held in 1970 and has since become an annual civil rights demonstration. Over the years its purpose has broadened to include recognition of the fight against AIDS and to remember those we have lost to illness, violence, and neglect.
Mr. Divabetic plays his food game, Serve, Taste or Trash! with participants and crowd goers to help encourage people to read nutritional labels. You might be surprised by the facts. In the game, you are given three choices of popular snack foods: a Kit Kat White Chocolate bar, a Balance Bar (Yogurt Honey Peanut), and a Vita Coco Pure Coconut Water with Orange, 11. 1 fl oz. To play, you must decide which item you’d serve, which you’d taste, and which you’d trash. Can you tell which one contains the most sugar? Kit Kat White Chocolate bar contains and the Balance Bar (Yogurt Honey Peanut) both contain 18 grams of sugar and a Vita Coco Pure Coconut Water with Orange, 11. 1 fl oz. Contains 20 grams of sugar.

We’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ on this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast with musical and identity inspiration from Ricky Martin.

 

Since Ricky Martin came out in 2010, he’s been a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. and his native Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin said, “I just wanna be free,” upon receiving GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, which honors gay entertainers who promote equal rights. Martin opened up his life to Vanity Fair in its April 2012 issue and spoke candidly about his twins, Matteo and Valentino, and his longtime partner, Carlos Gonzalez.

As an openly gay man, Mr. Divabetic is honored to shine the spotlight on members of the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes. Guests include Stephen Bernstein, Greg Rubin, Maria Salazar, Maya James, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

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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Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade 2023

Mermaids of nearly every imaginable description (Swedish Fish singing ABBA and Mime-Maids) lined Surf Avenue in Coney Island for the 41st Mermaid Parade. 

It was an incredible display of art, body positivity, cleverness, and creativity.

This year’s parade is billed as the nation’s largest arts parade.  Hip-hop legend Kool Keith was its king, and city Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo was its queen.

The main goal of the parade is to spread positivity and fun, and it continues to do so year after year.

The Mermaid Parade is all about body positivity. Body positivity is a movement that promotes acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, and physical abilities.

According to the Office on Women’s Health, a healthy body image means feeling good about looking and feeling comfortable in one’s body. Conversely, they report that having a negative body image can put one at a higher risk for mental health conditions, including eating disorders.

The true meaning of being positive about your body is self-acceptance and learning what is healthy specifically for you.

It’s a gathering of scantily clad folks who aren’t afraid to wear sequins, bare midriffs, fins, and sea-inspired costumes in broad daylight, with thousands of people watching.

The Mermaid Parade allows women to dress up as Drag Queens.

“Just like the Halloween parade — it’s all authentic New Yorkers. And this is an authentic New York event, she said.

The parade has been held nearly every year since 1983 but went virtual in 2020 and was canceled in 2021 because of the COVID pandemic.

The Mermaid Parade is a chance to get made up, express yourself, hear live music, see classic cars, and enjoy the creative spirit of New Yorkers.

Organizers estimate hundreds of thousands of people come out each year.

A ceremony on the beach also marks the start of the official summer swimming season on Coney Island.

Check out Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, Gypsies, Tramps & Peas.

Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy caterer in Coney Island. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party aboard a yacht for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found swimming with the fish. Was it an accident or foul play? Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario, and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand.

Can Mr. Divabetic prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea?

Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his friends, some sassy mermaids, and a cooky fortune teller. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer, he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.

USA Today Best-Selling Author, Tonya Kappes, Asha Brown, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic,’ Seveda Williams, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay MEd, NDTR, Mama Rose Marie, and Lorraine Brooks help the fruit suit-clad sleuth in this seaside adventure.

Divabetic Mysteries podcast features music from the original cast recording of ‘Gypsy’ courtesy of SONY Music.

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Habits by Lorraine Brooks

Poet Lorraine Brooks shares her poem about habits on Divabetic‘s Healthy Swaps podcast. We’re offering simple ideas to help you live your best diabetes life on our podcast.
We understand many people deal with diabetes distress and feel overwhelmed by the rentlessness of diabetes.

Feeling this way about your diabetes is understandable and it’s a natural reaction for anyone that’s been diagnosed with a long-term health condition.

Lots of people feel like this sometimes but it’s important you get help. If you don’t get support to help you cope, you’re more likely to reach burnout and that can be really serious. Please let us join you on the journey.

Habits by Lorraine Brooks

To do somethig once

Doesn’t make a habit yet
You have to repeat
Some habits are good
Like eating our vegetables
And counting our carbs
Bad habits die hard.
Our chooices become lifestyles.
And sometimes are poor
What is a habit
A behavior that binds us
But you can break free
To age with kindness
Cmes from having good habits
From when we are young.
I dont mind aging
Because I have formed habits\
That serve e well now
I’m aging like wine
Rich and mellow and sparkling
My habits paid off
I know I’m OK
I have worked hard to get here
And I will not quit

Be Kind To Yourself

Try to manage your expectations about your blood sugar levels and A1c test results and set smaller, more realistic goals.

It also helps to stop using phrases like ‘good’ or ‘bad’ blood sugar – as this can constantly feel like you’ve done something wrong. Talk about high or low blood sugar instead.

Taking time for yourself, like booking a massage or setting an evening aside for a long bath can help you relax.

We’re sharing healthy swap ideas 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 Mama Rose Marie. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

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 in this YouTube video. 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.

 

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