Celebrity Charcuterie at Halloween Dinner

Last night’s Annual Pumpkin Carving Party was an absolute blast, especially with the fun food game, Celebrity Charcuterie! I created different plates of foods to see if guests could guess the identities of several Halloween-themed famous figures: Big Foot, Bewitched, Angelica Huston, the Mummy, and Ichabod Crane.

Despite being busy catering and sprucing up my Princess Frogs and Mermaid outdoor Halloween displays, I still found time to vote.

Thank you, Carol Seitz, for the great photo capturing the creepy creativity of our tablescape. 

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops by the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island to raise awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way.

Are Two Masks Better Than One?

The trend of double or triple masking has quickly caught on. President-elect Joe Biden, sportspersons and many experts have added another level of ‘protection’, many are also opting to choose to don a face shield over a face mask.

What’s going on?

On Thursday night I watched Fox News host Laura Ingraham’s take on this topic.  For the record, I periodically watch Fox News to understand how people, with opinions that differ from mine, view the world.

Laura Ingraham reported that wearing two masks instead of one was not effective. Her guest, who she identified as a doctor, corroborate her theory. They mentioned many reports to support their opinions which infers that wearing two masks is ridiculous.

Not only did I nod along in agreement with their assessments, but I questioned the logic behind doubling up on masks. The next day I even shared Laura Ingraham’s opinion with friends on a Zoom call.

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

This news caught my attention because multiple members of my family contracted COVID over the holidays. They were tested before gathering, wore masks and still contracted COVID. Collectively they have spent days, nights and weeks wondering and worrying how they contracted COVID and which family members is responsible for the spread. I also have several friends who double up on masks every time they walk out the door.

This is why I decided to do my own research and google the effectiveness of wearing two masks instead of one. Basically, there’s plenty of research that supports this concept which is disheartening to me. There are also stories stating that Fox News Host Laura Ingraham incorrectly interprets data for her own purposes.

Here’s what I found to support and question the effectiveness of doubling up on face masks:

advisory.Com reports research has led some to begin layering masks for extra protection. If you start layering masks, “you start achieving pretty high efficiencies,” Marr said. She explained, “The air has to follow this torturous path. The big things it’s carrying are not going to be able to follow those twists and turns” through the obstacle course created by the mask fibers.

READ MORE

On December 18, 2020, CNN reported that ‘Researchers reject Fox News Host Laura Ingraham’s misuse of their studies to support mask denialism in a story by Oliver Darcy. The story clearly states that authors from two studies reject how (Laura) Ingraham and other mask doubters have portrayed their work. Each of them told CNN Business that they fully support the recommendation from health experts that people wear face masks while out in public.

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The Times of India reports that the only people who should consider using more masks than one is if you are in a high-risk place are a healthcare worker who faces high exposure or if you experience trouble finding a good quality mask which doesn’t fit you go

READ MORE

health.Com reports ‘Double the mask, double the protection? Not necessarily’. The article then mentions that one small study directly addresses the benefit of wearing two masks simultaneously, but it hasn’t yet been peer-reviewed (which means the results shouldn’t be used to guide doctors and clinicians yet). In that study, the researchers found that a two-mask “sandwich” might prove better when a higher-functioning mask isn’t available.

READ MORE

 

We’re talking about a ‘New Year, New You‘ attitude about living with diabetes with musical inspiration from Aaliyah on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Pendulum Therapeutics CEO and Co-Founder Colleen Cutcliffe, Ph. D., (the maker of Pendulum Glucose Control), Virginia Valentine, APRN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Dr. Darren Wayne from MealBetix and Yoga For Diabetes Author Rachel Zinman.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Aaliyah’s Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number album courtesy of SONY Music.

‘Don’t get down, get DIVA’ about wearing a face mask! Check out our friend, Evetta Petty’s fabulous coordinated hat and mask collection for Harlem’s Heaven Hats.

 

 

Marvelous Mask & Hat Combinations by Harlem’s Heaven

For over 20 years, our friend, Evetta Petty has designed hats in her uptown New York studio, Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop. Her hats have captured worldwide attention and have been worn to the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot in England. Recently, she’s put her design skills to work making fabulous, functional face masks.

Don’t get down, get DIVA!

Having type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19.  But living in the new ‘normal’ and wearing a mask out in public doesn’t have to cramp your style. You can stay safe, live well with diabetes, and still feel beautiful wearing one of these gorgeous hat and mask combinations!

When sick with a viral infection, people with diabetes do face an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), commonly experienced by people with type 1 diabetes.

Learn the signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and be sure to talk with your diabetes care team about when to check for ketones and when to contact your doctor if you have them. And if you are sick, know what to do.

Q: Tell us about your face mask collection. What colors and styles do they come in? Are they for both women and men?

Evetta Petty: My mask collection is functional and fun. Its for ladies and gentlemen. I use the same high quality textiles for my masks that I use for my hats which makes them very special. I’m using beautiful brocades In rich jewel tones and rhinestone embellishments for the couture mask collection.

Q: How can people purchase your hats and masks? 

Evetta Petty: You can purchase my hats and masks on my website www.harlemsheaven.com and we will promptly ship them out. My Hat shop up in Harlem has been closed during this pandemic and will reopen as soon as the law allows.

Visit Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop at the Bryant Park Winter Village (1065 6th Avenue and West 41st Street) from November 16 – December 2, 2020

Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop is located 2538 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.   (@W.147) New York, NY 10039. Phone:  212-491-7706. Store hours: 12PM to 6PM. Closed Sunday & Monday. Appointments available after hours

Hat Designer, Evetta Petty

See hat desginer, Evetta Petty’s sensational hat designs sweeping across the New York Fashion Week runway. Evetta who attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City was inspired by the exhuberance of the Poppy Flower for this unique collection. Her hat designs are fierce!

Listen to Divabetic’s 10th Year Podcast Anniversary Special with music from the world’s most famous “Divabetic”–  Ms. Patti LaBelle. She’s encouraging a ‘NEW ATTITUDE’ about living with diabetes! Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle, RN, CDE, Dr. Andrea Chisholm OB-GYN, Luther McRae, Mama Rose Marie, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Seveda Williams and Terri Seidman.

Where can you find Customer Service for Word

Divabetic Tea Time Poem by Lorraine Brooks

Last night, the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosted Divabetic’s free, fun Tea Party in celebration of National Diabetes Awareness Month with special guests: Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine SchullerTessie’s Teas’ owner Rose Hall and Harlem Heaven’s Hats owner Evetta Petty.

To everyone’s delight Poet Lorraine Brooks shared a poem about each of our guests after their presentation. Enjoy!

Divabetic Tea Time Poem by Lorraine Brooks

Showing hats to cover our heads

Whether we’re sporting a crewcut or dreads

Many styles to make us happier

Looking cool and looking dapper

Plaids and checks and stripes and such

Fabric lovely to the touch

So get your canes and gloves and spats

And visit Harlem’s Heaven Hats!

Join us in a cup of tea

Chamomile or lemon-y

Ways to heal for young and old

Meditate and heal the soul

Sit and think and leave your strife

Breathe and cleanse your spirit life

Only teas can can lift you up

So come and join us in a cup.

Fashion style and a little blush

Make you look exotic and lush

Sport a scarf or wear a tie

A little shadow for the eye

Tweeze the eyebrows and the chin

If you look good you will grin

We all want to look much cooler

So take a tip from Catherine Schuller

Divabetic’s virtual outreach event kicked off with a live Harlem Heaven’s Hat show featuring model Jennifer Lui at the Harlem’s Heaven’s pop up shop in Bryant Park ‘s Winter Village Shops in New York City.  Harlem’s Heaven Hat shop specializes in providing the right head wear and face mask for the right occasions.

Rose Hall, the owner of Tessie’s Teas, shared how simple daily meditations can help relieve stress, anxiety and even reduce your blood pressure over a cup of tea.  Tessie’s Teas are all natural caffeine-free, chemical-free instant crystallized teas that meet all of your healthy-living needs.

Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, who is a fashion curator, former plus model, coach, speaker, writer, producer, and image consultant, demonstrated eight different and divine ways to wear a scarf in honor of Dr. Deborah Birx. Dr. Birx’s ever-changing scarves captivate the internet in her daily White House Coronavirus Task Force briefings. One popular scarf was by Hermès, or, to be precise, Hermès’ “Retour à la Terre”, in peach. We know this because there is an Instagram account devoted to Dr Birx’s scarves!

 

Are you interested in learning how to bake with sugar substitutes? Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 10, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE REGISTRATION 

Diva-Style Face Masks To Stay Safe And Stylish

For over 20 years, our friend, Evetta Petty has designed hats in her uptown New York studio, Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop. Her hats have captured worldwide attention and have been worn to the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot in England. Recently, she’s put her design skills to work making fabulous, functional face masks. 

Q: Tell us about your face mask collection. What colors and styles do they come in? Are they for both women and men?

Evetta Petty: My mask collection is functional and fun. Its for ladies and gentlemen. I use the same high quality textiles for my masks that I use for my hats which makes them very special. I’m using beautiful brocades In rich jewel tones and rhinestone embellishments for the couture mask collection. 

Q: What inspires you?

Evetta Petty: I’m inspired by my world travels. What comes to mind is my trip to India. The beautiful buildings and the colors of the spices in the marketplace. I bought beautiful fabrics and trimmings that I use for the masks. 

Q: How has your life changed living in New York City and you’re living with type 2 diabetes since the pandemic? 

Evetta Petty: Being quarantined at home during this pandemic is very challenging with Type 2 diabetes. I’m really being careful not to overeat because food is too available. The good thing is that I can do some healthy cooking and try new dishes that I normally would not have the time do. 

Q: How do you cope with the stress and anxiety?

Evetta Petty: Being busy making masks and adding new items to my website has given me a great since of accomplishment. I really have been able to keep the stress level down by concentrating on daily tasks and limiting my time watching the News.  I realized early on that when I watched the News all day, it gave me too much anxiety. 

Q: You also amazing design hats! What are some of your favorite designs for Summer?

Evetta Petty: My favorite Summer hats are super wide brims with floral trim. You get ultimate Sun protection as well as high style. I’m pairing them with matching masks. 

Q: What fashion advice can you offer for wearing a hat with a mask?

Evetta Petty: Masks are the new accessory and should be coordinated with your hat for a very cohesive ensemble. It’s a great look. 

Q: How can people purchase your hats and masks? 

Evetta Petty: You can purchase my hats and masks on my website www.harlemsheaven.com and we will promptly ship them out. My Hat shop up in Harlem has been closed during this pandemic and will reopen as soon as the law allows. 

Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop is located 2538 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.   (@W.147) New York, NY 10039. Phone:  212-491-7706. Store hours: 12PM to 6PM. Closed Sunday & Monday. Appointments available after hours

Hat Designer, Evetta Petty

See hat desginer, Evetta Petty’s sensational hat designs sweeping across the New York Fashion Week runway. Evetta who attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City was inspired by the exhuberance of the Poppy Flower for this unique collection. Her hat designs are fierce!

We’re talking about Secrets to Longevity & Diabetes with musical inspiration from Dionne Warwick on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. Guests include The Lager Queen of Minnesota and Kitchens of the Great Midwest Author J. Ryan Stradal, Deborah Greenwood PhD, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Fonzi Thornton, Rachel Stahl MS, RD, CDN, CDE, and Lorraine Brooks. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Dionne Warwick’s ‘Dionne’ album featuring I’ll Never Love This Way Again and Deja Vu courtesy of SONY Music.