Poet Lorraine Brooks – Page 2

07/25/2018

Our 5th Annual Diabetes Mystery Podcast, ‘Swan Wake’ Coming in September

Join us for Divabetic’s fifth annual Diabetes Mystery podcast, ‘Swan Wake’ debuting on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST.

This year’s whodunnit tackles diabetes wellness issues related to Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), smoking, drugs and medication interactions and gluten-free foods.

Here’s a quick synopsis: When the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic heads to the Gotham City Ballet Company’s box office to fix a mix up with his ‘Swan Lake’ tickets he’s faced with a even bigger problem – a murder. To make matters worse, one of his latest culinary creations, a gluten free cheesecake, seems to be covering the victim’s face. Even more shocking are the numerous scandals swirling around the Gotham City Ballet and it’s members that have everyone walking around on tip toes. Could our happy healthcare host’s questionable culinary skills make him an accessory to the crime or even a possible side dish? Now Mr. Divabetic with the help of his team of whip smart Diabetes Educators, a Best-Selling Mystery writer and his own nosy Italian Mom must whip up his own crime-solving recipe, and fast–before a hearty dose of intrigue and a deadly dash of danger ends his diabetes advocacy and healthy catering career once and for all.

Our Swan Wake cast features Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, We Are Diabetes organization founder Asha Brown, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Mary Ann Nicolay MEd, DTR , Mama Rose Marie and Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ and Poet Lorraine Brooks.

Throughout Divabetic’s fifth annual Diabetes Mystery podcast we will be featuring music from Leonard Berstein‘s recording of ‘Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op. 20’ in celebration of the centennial of America’s greatest classical composer and conductor courtesy of SONY Music.

What is PCOS? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs. PCOS) is associated with a high-risk of development of Type 2 diabetes. Both conditions share insulin resistance as an important pathogenic factor.

05/24/201805/29/2018

Patriotic Cookies Recipe by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

Memorial Day festivities are times to gather together with family and friends and celebrate the beginning of the summer season while also remembering lots of U.S. citizens who were drafted and who were required to fight far away from home and loved ones. They can also become ways to commit to healthy living and activity to avoid diabetes health-related complications.

The Diabetic Pastry Chef Stacey Harris is helping Divabetic encourage you to celebrate the holidays without compromising your diabetes wellness.

When Stacey Harris was studying to become a pastry chef, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Rather than give up her chosen profession, she began creating more diabetic-friendly desserts. By using blended flours and a combination of sugar and sugar substitutes, reducing milk carbohydrates, and eliminating trans fats, Stacey Harris has transformed more than 200 desserts into diabetic-friendly delights.

Patriotic Cookies Recipe by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

Cookie Dough Ingredients

1 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 stick butter, sliced

1 large egg

1/2 cup granulated sugar substitute such as Swerve

Directions:

Sift together flour, baking powder and baking soda. Cut in butter until crumbly.

Beat together the remaining ingredients with mixer until well blended; add to dry mixture. Divide dough in half and chill for several hours.

Roll out the dough on a floured board 1/4 at a time. Cut into star shapes with floured cookie cutter. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees until cookies are a pale golden color. Remove from oven and cool cookies on a baking rack. Once cool, frost with icing and decorate with tubes of red and blue decorating gel.

Swerve Icing Ingredients

1 stick butter, softened

1/3 to 1/2 cup Swerve Confectioners

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 Tbsp milK

Directions:

With mixer, beat butter until light and fluffy. Add Swerve and beat for 5 minutes. Add vanilla and milk and beat for an additional 5 minutes.

Divabetic presents Diabetes Awareness Day featuring a Dog Fashion Show, Health Screenings, Healthy Food Tours, Diabetes Alert Dog Demonstrations, Poetry Readings, Art Displays & More on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at Mosaic Central Farm Market in Fairfax, VA

Here’s a complete listing of Events & Activities:

9AM -12 PM Lions Free Sight & Hearing Screenings for Adults & Children: Lions Club District 24A Sight and Hearing Van hosts free sight (including glaucoma) and hearing screenings for all visitors (men, women, and children). They will also offer a paper screening test for diabetes and blood pressure testing.

10 AM Healthy Food Tour of Mosaic Central Farm Market with Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator Nadine Young RD, CDE with Virginia Hospital Center: Learn how the season’s best fruits, vegetables and artisanal foods can fit into your meal plan. Visit different booths to pick up tips on preparing seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as local dairy, grain and protein products so you can build your healthy plate.

10:30 AM Dog Fashion Show Registration & Rehearsal: Dogs of all breeds and sizes are welcome to compete on the red carpet for fabulous prize awards compliments of Mosaic Central Farm Market vendors. REGISTER NOW: https://goo.gl/forms/WWxkBrs7ugpfK38P2

10:45 AM Healthy Food Tour of Mosaic Central Farm Market with Dietitian Nadine Young RD, CDE with Virginia Hospital Center: Learn how the season’s best fruits, vegetables and artisanal foods can fit into your meal plan. Visit different booths to pick up tips on preparing seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as local dairy, grain and protein products so you can build your healthy plate.

11:30 AM Dog Fashion Show: See the best dressed dogs pose on the red carpet at our 2^ndAnnual Dog Fashion Show. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic:

12 PM Diabetes Alert Dog Demonstration & Talk: Find out how dogs help people manage their blood sugar high’s and low’s, answer your questions and share resources for purchasing a diabetes alert dog and/or training your own pet. Presented by internationally known Scent Detection Dog Expert, Debby Kay and Health Educator, Kathy Gold RN, CDE

1 PM Plate Poetry Project & Workshop: What’s Eating You? Fine Artist Susan McCaslin’s Plate Poetry Project explores the conversations that people have with themselves while eating. Our Divabetic volunteers help adults and kids to express their mealtime thoughts and concern after reading aloud several of her poems. Generous donation provided by Onieda.

Don’t miss the Capital Jazz Fest featuring Luther Vandross’ longtime collaborator, renowned bassist, producer and songwriter Marcus Miller. Marcus Miller hosts the Late-Night Jam Session on Friday, June 1, 2018, 11:30 PM – 2 AM. The Capital Jazz Fest takes place at Merriweather Post Pavilion, located at 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, Maryland. The venue is 28 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. and 18 miles southwest of Baltimore.

One of Divabetic’s favorite Marcus Miller and Luther Vandross tunes is “Never Too Much” featured on Luther’s platinum album, ‘Never Too Much‘.

05/22/201805/23/2018

Happy Diabetic’s Grilled Veggie Kabobs of Love Recipe

Memorial Day feels like the unofficial beginning of summer. It means lots of socializing, get-togethers with friends, picnics, sunshine, barbecues, and outdoor activities.

It’s also the beginning of the season of fresh, locally grown ingredients, so there’s no better time to invigorate those Memorial Day barbecue and picnic spreads with locally sourced items from surrounding farms and farmers markets.

If you’re thinking of serving food that’s ‘Lean & Green’ for Memorial Day, this veggie recipe from our good friend, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ is for you!

Happy Diabetic’s ‘Grilled Veggie Kabobs of Love’ Recipe

The Veggies-

12 Grape tomatoes
12 white button mushrooms
2 red onions cut in quarters
2 yellow peppers, cut in 1inch squares
12 slices yellow squash
12 slices zucchini
Bamboo skewers soaked in water so they will not burn.

The only MARINADE you will ever need-

1/4 to 1/2 cup good quality olive oil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

2-3 cloves chopped garlic

Sea salt to taste

Fresh cracked pepper to taste

½ fresh lemon juice- slice the lemon after juicing and add to the marinade

½ fresh lime juice- slice the lime after juicing and add to the marinade

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Let’s Put It Together!

MARINADE: Mix all ingredients together in in a glass bowl.
Arrange vegetables on skewers and place in a large zip lock storage bag. Pour the marinade into the bag with the veggie skewers and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Preheat a grill on medium high flame or an oven at 375 degrees. While cooking turn and brush with marinade for 10 minutes or until cooked tender and slightly charred.

In a recent profile on the Everyday Diabetes website, Chef Robert Lewis admitted that he feared the worst for his own love of great food following his diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes in 1998.

“I suspected that my days of good eating were over,” Lewis writes on his blog. “Yet, as I worked through my ups and downs, I came to realize that the selection of foods I could and should eat was vast and included many of my favorites. This motivated me to attempt to create delicious, diabetic-friendly dishes that were also easy to prepare.

Today he’s a man on the go! is a man on the go. When he’s not working as a director of training for 60 restaurants in the Midwest, he’s traveling around the country as a keynote speaker for Taking Control of Your Diabetes and/or hosting his own podcast, ‘The Happy Diabetic Kitchen Podcast’! Read more about Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ in Diabetes Health Monitor magazine.

A vegetarian diet has been shown through research to promote weight loss and lower A1C. This was done without carbohydrate and calorie restrictions, so it may be that a vegetarian diet may be just the one for you. As always, check with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your lifestyle to find out what the potential impacts (whether positive or negative) may be on your health.

Shift away from meats on the barbecue grill by injecting recipes with beans and grains. They help to drop the risk of type 2 diabetes by one-quarter, according to Harvard researchers. Whip up a whole-grain pasta salad with an assortment of slivered or chopped carrots, celery, scallions, red bell peppers, and yellow squash. Or try an Asian Noodle Salad for a yummy twist on a classic.

Here’s a complete listing of Events & Activities:

9AM Lions Free Sight & Hearing Screenings for Adults & Children (until 12 PM): Lions Club District 24A Sight and Hearing Van hosts free sight (including glaucoma) and hearing screenings for all visitors (men, women, and children). They will also offer a paper screening test for diabetes and blood pressure testing.

11:30 AM Dog Fashion Show: See the best dressed dogs pose on the red carpet at our 2^ndAnnual Dog Fashion Show. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic:

1 PM Plate Poetry Project & Workshop: What’s Eating You? Fine Artist Susan McCalsin’s Plate Poetry Project explores the conservations that people have with themselves while eating. Poet Lorraine Brooks helps adults and kids to express their mealtime thoughts and concern after reading aloud several of her poems.

Don’t miss the Capital Jazz Fest featuring Luther Vandross’ longtime collaborator, Marcus Miller.

Capital Jazz Fest will take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland and will feature over 25 national acts on two big stages!

02/28/201803/13/2018

Healthy Cuban Pork and Black Beans Recipe by Holly Clegg

‘La Reina de la Salsa’ is our musical inspiration for the upcoming Diabetes Late Nite podcast on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 PM, EST.

March’s musical inspiration, Celia Cruz did not have diabetes but people of Hispanic and Latino origin are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes as well as experiencing diabetes health-related complications such as amputation.

However, there’s recently been a breakthrough in preventing amputation in Cuba thanks to a unique Cuban product Heberprot-P, a drug that has sparked acclaim for its effectiveness in controlling and healing diabetic foot ulcers.

This drug registered in 2006 was created by Cuban scientist Jorge Berlanga and a team from the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of the island.

It contains epithermal growth factor (EGF) as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, while being applied by direct infiltration or injections in the wound site closing the ulcers in a period of 45 to 90 days.

“With the application of this medication, we were able to reduce amputation rates in the country from 70 percent to 5 percent today,”said Dr. Jose Fernandez Montequin.

Currently, Heberprot-P is registered in 23 countries and is effectively applied in 10 countries that have already authorized its use and marketing.

Best-Selling Cookbook author Holly Clegg, who will be joining us on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast, shares her wonderful Cuban recipe to help you add some flavor to your menu without compromising your health.

“This fabulously flavored diabetic-friendly pork tenderloin recipe is ideal for a slow cooker,” says Holly Clegg.” I like to serve with yellow rice.”

Cuban Pork and Black Beans Recipe from KITCHEN 101 Cookbook (Crockpot Convenience Chapter)

Ingredients

2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins

Garlic powder

2 onions, chopped

1 (15-ounce) can black bean soup

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (10-ounce) can tomatoes and green chilies

1 tablespoon chopped jalapenos

2 tablespoon ground cumin

2 tablespoons lime juice

Directions

1. Season pork tenderloins heavily with garlic powder. In 3 ½-6-quart slow cooker, insert plastic liner if desired. In slow cooker, combine all ingredients.

2. Cook on LOW 6-8 hours or until pork tenderloin is tender.

Makes 8 servings

Nutritional information per Serving: Calories 245 Calories from Fat 23% Fat 6g Saturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 76mg Sodium 527mg Carbohydrates 17g Dietary Fiber 5g Total Sugars 5g Protein 29g Dietary Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 4 lean meat

Terrific Tip: Add dried herbs to the slow cooker in beginning of cooking, and fresh herbs just before serving.

Nutritional Nugget: A nutritional gem, beans provide an excellent source of fiber and folate, helping with digestive health and weight maintenance.

With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy healthy everyday recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim&TERRIFIC® and Eating Well cookbook series, including Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association.

This newly revised and expanded 15-year anniversary edition of Holly’s Eating Well Through Cancer includes chapters on nourishing foods that are best tolerated to ease common side effects such as nausea, sore mouth and throat, taste changes, neutropenia and weight loss. With easy everyday recipes using familar ingredients, you’ll find this book an invaluable recipe resource for cancer prevention

Holly Clegg attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School, London. For more information, visit About Holly or The Healthy Cooking Blog for more recipes and tips.

LISTEN NOW: Mr. Divabetic shines the spotlight on author and chef, Holly Clegg, in this half-hour special edition of Diva Talk Radio. This fun-filled food frenzy will feature expert advice on quick, flavorful and healthy eating from Holly’s latest book, ‘Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age’

TUNE IN: March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. Guests include Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.

01/29/201802/20/2018

Cuban Style Chicken Soup (Sopa de Polla) by Holly Clegg

In March, we’re spotlighting ‘Cubans & Diabetes’ with musical inspiration from ‘La Reina de la Salsa’, Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 PM, EST.

Our musical inspiration, Celia Cruz did not have diabetes but her late husband, Pedro Knight, who was an accomplished Cuban-American trumpeter who managed the career, had type 2 diabetes.

Mr. Knight’s physical and mental health declined after his wife’s death in 2003 reports the Mercury News. He fainted and required hospitalization after a July 2004 cancer fundraiser in Miami in Cruz’s honor, and doctors described it as a combination of diabetes-induced low blood pressure and emotional breakdown.

Best-Selling Cookbook author Holly Clegg, who will be joining us on March’s Diabetes Late Nite, shares her wonderful Cuban recipe to help you add some flavor to your menu without compromising your health.

“Cuban chicken soup takes a short cut using Rotisserie chicken,” says Holly. “What’s great about chicken soup is you can adjust the recipe adding whatever you want according to how you feel and what you like!”

Cuban Style Chicken Soup (Sopa de Polla) by Holly Clegg from Alimentándose bien durante el cáncer: Recetas fáciles y recomendaciones durante y después del tratamiento.

Makes 8 (1-cup) servings

Ingredients:
1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 red bell pepper, cored and chopped

1 yucca, peeled and cut into one-inch cubes (about 2/3 cup)

1 cup peeled red potato small chunks

1 plantain, peeled and diced

6 cups fat-free chicken broth

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

4 cups skinless rotisserie chicken chunks
2 tablespoons lime juice

Cilantro, optional
Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In large pot coated with nonstick cooking spray, add green onions, red pepper, yucca, potato, plantain, chicken broth, garlic, cumin and oregano; bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 20 minutes or until vegetables tender. Add chicken, stirring, until well heated.

3. Add lime juice and cilantro if desired and season to taste.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 216 kcal, Calories from fat 24%, Fat 6 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Sodium 947 mg, Carbohydrates 21 g, Dietary Fiber 3 g, Total Sugars 6 g, Protein 21 g, Dietary Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 1/2 lean meat

Terrific Tip: Fresh On average, one medium lime produces about 2 tablespoons of lime juice; but you can also look for lime juice in the grocery to keep on hand at all times.

Nutritional Nugget: Yucca is a good source of the mineral, potassium, which aids the body in building muscle and electrical heart activity. To reduce the sodium for diabetic friendly, use low-sodium chicken broth.

With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy healthy everyday recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim&TERRIFIC® and Eating Well cookbook series, including Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association.

This newly revised and expanded 15-year anniversary edition of Holly’s Eating Well Through Cancer includes chapters on nourishing foods that are best tolerated to ease common side effects such as nausea, sore mouth and throat, taste changes, neutropenia and weight loss. With easy everyday recipes using familar ingredients, you’ll find this book an invaluable recipe resource for cancer prevention

Holly Clegg attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School, London. For more information, visit About Holly or The Healthy Cooking Blog for more recipes and tips.

LISTEN NOW: Mr. Divabetic shines the spotlight on author and chef, Holly Clegg, in this half-hour special edition of Diva Talk Radio. This fun-filled food frenzy will feature expert advice on quick, flavorful and healthy eating from Holly’s latest book, ‘Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age’

TUNE IN: March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. Guests include Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-RiggsMSEd,RD,CDE,CDN, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.

11/08/2017

Self-Compassion and Diabetes Self-Care by Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE

“Be nice to yourself… It’s hard to be happy when someone is mean to you all the time.”
― Christine Arylo

What is self-compassion and how can it help you to better manage your diabetes self-care?

Self-compassion is treating yourself with the same kindness and support that you would provide for a friend. A recent research study conducted with people with diabetes demonstrated that self-compassion was significantly and positively correlated with higher well-being, lower A1C, and higher engagement with all self-management behaviors. Self-compassion is closely associated with emotional resilience, including the ability to sooth ourselves, recognize our mistakes, learn from them, and motivate ourselves to succeed. Self-compassion is also correlated with reduced levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and shame.

Anyone can learn how to be self-compassionate. Begin by acknowledging how you feel. For example, recognizing that you might feel angry (“I hate my diet restrictions and I’m not losing any weight”); victimized (“I know other people who don’t exercise, and they don’t have diabetes”); or doubt (“My blood sugar levels are always too high. Maybe I am a ‘bad’ diabetic?”). Next, acknowledge that others would probably have similar feelings in the same situation. You are not alone. Finally, express kindness to yourself. What would you say to a friend in your shoes? Perhaps you would say: “It can feel very unfair when you try hard to follow a diet program and you don’t see results right away.” Once you shift your frame of mind from a threat state to self-compassion, you are likely to find yourself calmer. Maybe you can review your menu plan and realize that you have included healthy food choices, but the quantities are too much?

5 Simple Strategies to Soothe Yourself

How would you treat a friend? Respond to yourself in the same way you would respond to a close friend when he or she is suffering.
Explore self-compassion through writing. Write a letter to yourself about your feelings (such as shame, insecurity, etc.) from a place of acceptance and compassion.
Write a self-compassion journal. Keep a daily journal in which you process your difficult issues through a perspective of self-compassion. This activity will help make self-kindness and mindfulness a part of your daily life.
Change you critical self-talk. Acknowledge your self-critical voice and reframe your observations in a more friendly way. Challenge your negative assumptions about yourself and instead use kinder and gentler self-talk.
Taking care of the caregiver. Keep your heart open and help you care for and nurture yourself at the same time that you are caring for and nurturing others.

Self-compassion is about how you motivate yourself; instead of doing it with blame and self-criticism, self-compassion motivates like a good coach, with encouragement, kindness, and support. It’s an example of the Golden Rule in reverse: Learning to treat yourself as you would treat others in need – with kindness, warmth, and respect.

Let’s remember the original and real Diabetes Hero!

Sir Frederick G. Banting, Primary Discoverer of Insulin

If you have diabetes, November 23, 2017 will be Thanksgiving…. And November 14th will be ‘Thanks Given’!

Dr. Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDE aka “Dr. Bev”, is a clinical psychologist and Certified Diabetes Educator with a private practice in Baldwin, NY. She was honored in 2016 with the “Certified Diabetes Educator Entrepreneur of the Year Award.”

She is the author/editor of two diabetes self-help books which include insightful lessons of empowerment written by successful men and women with diabetes. She has published articles in print and online about diabetes management – always with the focus on emotional adjustment. Dr. Bev has been quoted in numerous magazines and contributed to a monthly diabetes advice column online. She is a frequent contributor to the Divabetic Diabetes Daily Wire, where she blogs about diabetes topics from the psychological perspective.

Dr. Bev has lived successfully with type 1 diabetes for 42 years. You can connect with her on her website www.AskDrBev.com and on Twitter @AskDrBev.

Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE talks about ‘self-compassion and diabetes’ on our blockbuster Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from Whitney Houston on World Diabetes Day on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 6 -7:30 PM, EST.

Enjoy an exclusive first listen of “Whitney Houston – I Wish You Love: More From ‘The Bodyguard’”ahead of the album’s release date courtesy of SONY Music on November’s Diabetes Late Nite. This 25th anniversary of “The Bodyguard” soundtrack album features the hit song, “I’m Every Woman” echoing the recent statistics that 1 in 10 women are now living with diabetes.

Throughout the podcast we will be talking to experts about ways to safeguard you and your family from experiencing diabetes health-related complications such as stroke, blindness and amputation.

November’s Diabetes Late Nite guests include Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Constance Brown Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDE, Mindy Bartleson, T1D, blogger at “There’s More to the Story”, and author, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’.

09/26/201710/12/2017

Diabetes Friendly Taco Tuesday Recipes with Chef Robert Lewis

Enjoying ‘Taco Tuesdays’ no longer has to compromise your diabetes health thanks to our friend, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’. He’s agreed to share a few of his favorite healthy fish taco recipes on our Divabetic blog to help celebrate the 4th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast: ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Peas’ available for free on demand at i-Tunes.

Our zany seaside caper takes place in New York City’s historic seashore, Coney Island. Chef Robert Lewis plays a retired lifeguard amputee name ‘Fast Freddy’ who still likes to swim in the ocean.

Don’t let diabetes dim your DAZZLE! Get in the spirt of our Coney Island caper and enjoy the first of several fish taco recipes, Grilled Fish Tacos.

Grilled Fish Tacos by Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’

What’s in it? (Ingredients)

1 lb Tilapia , cod or mahi mahi fillets

2 Tbsp canola oil

1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 clove garlic , minced

1 1/2 tsp of New Orleans style Blackened seasoning

6 corn or flour tortillas

1 large avocado , sliced

Sour cream , cotija cheese, hot sauce or salsa, for serving (optional)

Let’s put it together!

In a mixing bowl whisk together canola oil, lime juice, garlic, Blackened seasoning. Place fish into a gallon size resealable bag and pour marinade over fish. Seal bag (evenly coat fish with marinade) and allow to marinate in mixture only 20-30 minutes.

Preheat a grill or a pan on the stove to medium-high heat. Brush grill grates with oil and place fish on grill. Grill until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side (cook time will vary based on thickness of fish). Transfer to a plate, break into pieces and serve in warmed taco shells with cabbage slaw, avocado slices and other optional toppings.

Slaw Recipe by Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’

What’s in it? (Ingredients)

1/2 small red cabbage , cored and sliced thin (8 oz)

1/4 cup cilantro , chopped

3/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice

1 Tbsp canola oil

Let’s put it together!

Add cabbage, red onion and cilantro to a medium mixing bowl. Pour lime juice and canola oil over top and season lightly with salt and pepper. Toss to evenly coat. Enjoy!

In a recent profile on the Everyday Diabetes website, Chef Robert Lewis admitted that he feared the worst for his own love of great food following his diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes in 1998.

Listen to our 4th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast entitled ‘Gypsies, Tramps and Peas’.

Synopsis: Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy diabetes-friendly caterer. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found sleeping with the fishes. What it an accident or foul play? Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, an amorous amputee 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, CDE, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, Mama Rose Marie and Poet Lorraine Brooks help the fruit suit clad sleuth in this seaside adventure. Healthy delicious recipes provided by Chef Robert Lewis and Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’.

This year’s mystery podcast features music from the original cast recording of ‘Gypsy’ courtesy of SONY Music.

05/20/2017

Ashley Nell Tipton Says ‘It’s My Body, It’s My Health, It’s My Choice’ Regarding Gastric Bypass Surgery

Earlier this week Project Runway Winner and Plus Size Fashion Designer, Ashley Nell Tipton announced on Facebook that she’s had gastric bypass surgery. The overwhelming amount of backlash she received from her ‘fans’ on Facebook forced her to to respond, “It’s My Body, It’s My Health, It’s My Choice.”

I was so shocked at how hateful and evil the comments were directed at her that I wanted to publicly express my support for her decision to improve her health.

I’ve hosted many podcasts to tackling the topic of ‘shame and blame’ associated with body image, with the help of Poet Lorraine Brooks, and the enormously negative impact it often has on someone’s ability to manage their diabetes health.

In a survey of over 5,000 people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the market research company dQ&A found that stigma affects a majority of patients’ view of their disease and approach to their management.

Lorraine and I have discussed numerous times the importance of self-acceptance is to managing your health.

Ashley made reference to her own journey of self-acceptance on FB, ” To accept oneself just the way you are is the first step. Not an easy step. Suffering through a lifetime of being made fun of, being looked and laughed at for how I appear was not easy.”

I’ve even dedicated an entire episode of Diabetes Late Nite on weight loss surgery options and diabetes with musical inspiration of Etta James. Etta James also underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost over 200 pounds.

The response to Ashley’s announcement only reinforces how very little the general public truly understands about gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery refers to a surgical procedure in which the stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a much larger lower “remnant” pouch and then the small intestine is rearranged to connect to both.

Gastric bypass surgery often improves the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, even before patients start to lose weight. Why?

“What we found is that the secret for the cure of diabetes after gastric bypass lies in the intestine,” said Dr. Nicholas Stylopoulos, principal investigator at the Division of Endocrinology at Children’s Hospital Boston and Boston Medical School, in an interview with Healthline. “The key message is that after gastric bypass the intestine becomes the most important tissue for glucose use and this decreases blood sugar levels.”

According to People magazine, Tipton began working with a personal trainer two to four times a week, and meeting with a therapist to deal with her emotional issues. But nothing seemed to be helping and she wasn’t losing weight.

“I went to multiple doctors to make sure that I’m taking the right anti-depression medication, and make sure that my blood pressure’s okay,” she told People. “I found out that my blood pressure wasn’t okay and that I had a fatty liver. All these health risks were coming up. I was like, no wonder I’m not happy, because my body is working 10 times harder to try to be healthy.”

Tipton began discussing the option of having weight loss surgery with her therapist, and decided to meet with a surgeon for a consultation. After taking some initial measurements and running a few tests, the surgeon delivered some alarming news — her metabolism was not functioning.

“That really concerned me,” she says. “He explained to me how weight loss surgery can re-boost your metabolism and help you eat right. Weight loss surgery isn’t going to make you lose weight, it’s a tool to help you lose weight. Half of it is the surgery, and half of it is you eating what you’re supposed to eat and exercising.”

Although the criticism Ashley received is still mind boggling to me, Ashley’s powerful response is awe inspiring.

“When I realized that my personal power lies in by loving myself the way I am not the way others want me to be was life-changing. By loving myself the way I am allowed me to love myself enough to then change how I wanted to be. I want to be healthy. Not because you want me to look and be a certain way but because I want to! Getting this surgery is a personal decision. Choice I wanted to make for MY health, For my body and for My Life. Don’t you think it’s time we all respected people’s personal choices?,” she posted on FB.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Late inspired by Etta James. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Dr. Monique Renee Rolle DPM, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Susan Greenberg Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, and Mama Rose Marie. Prize giveaways courtesy of Earth Brand Shoes, Dr. Greenfield’s Diabetic Foot Creams, Cabot Cheese and Nu Naturals.

Throughout the podcast we will be spotlighting Etta James’ iconic recordings from the “All The Way” and “The Essential Etta James” albums courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

01/15/2017

Love Your Diabetes Health with a Divabetic’s Valentine’s Day Celebration

This year we’re encouraging you to ‘sparkle’ not just survive the holidays if you’re living with diabetes. From feeling deprived about what you can eat to feeling embarrassed about living a sexual health related complication, diabetes can make it difficult at times to get in the spirit!

Coming soon our favorite experts, Stacey Harris aka the Diabetic Pastry Chef, ‘The Decadent Diabetic‘ aka Chef Ward Alper, Wine & Spirits Expert Samantha Shaken Baker, Certified Diabetes Educators, Patrica Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND and Rich In Love Fashion style Blogger, Published Writer, Diabetes Advocate, and Spokesmodel, Doris Hobbs share their advice on loving the holiday without compromising your diabetes health.

Look for our Diabetic Valentine’s Day Celebration’s diabetes self-care advice, healthy and delicious recipes, beauty and fashion tips and favorite love songs on this blog and our upcoming February Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST.

Did you know that Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400?

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.) Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

Did you know that Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s?

In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.” Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year!

TUNE IN: February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, ESt. Guests include Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, Rich In Love style blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Mama Rose Marie and Poet Lorraine Brooks. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

12/31/2016

‘Don’t Look Back’ by Poet Lorraine Brooks

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Another year means a new beginning for all of us. This is a perfect time to dream big and to become a better person than you were before. Divabetic’s aim is to encourage you to ‘sparkle’ not just survive with diabetes in 2017. Whether you’re confused about nutritional labels, outraged over health costs, stuck in a fashion rut, discouraged by your food choices and/or at a loss for words, we’re sharing expert advice to empower you to have a ‘New Attitude’ about living well with diabetes.

Poet Lorraine Brooks shares her words of inspiration in her newest poem, ‘Don’t Look Back’:

Another year of life and love

And many things to be proud of.

Surviving all the ups and downs

The strength to smile, instead of frown.

Many people we lost last year,

And still we strive to be of good cheer.

Forward looking, into the sun,

Thankful for things done and undone.

Ever increasing our knowledge and worth

Enjoying all of our time here on earth.

We strive to be honest, courageous, and bold,

Regardless of age, trying not to act “old”.

Accepting the world with its troubles and woes,

And being OK with your friends and your foes.

What have we, then, at the end of the year,

When the clock is ticking, and midnight is near…

When we look into the eyes of our lovers

And look back at everything we’ve discovered

And understand all, of the things we have lost

And celebrate all of the bridges we crossed

And drink a big toast to the ones who passed on

Who we still love and cherish although they are gone

While the seconds are counting down to a few

And we take a deep breath to start anew

And the crystal ball moves down its silvery spike

And we wish for all of the things we would like

When its only 10 seconds left in ’16

And our hearts begin pounding while watching the screen

And there they are playing Auld Lang Syne

And we lift our glasses and toast with some wine…

What we have is stillness deep in our heart

And a new dedication to make a new start

To open new chapters and write a new book

And follow new avenues over the brook

Inventing new attitudes, trying new thoughts

Forgetting all yesterdays and what they have wrought…

Here’s to tomorrow

Cheers to the dawn

New times are coming

Time to move on.

Good lives I wish you

And also for me.

And toasting to everything…

Effortlessly.

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Divabetic wants to inspire you sparkle not just survive with diabetes in 2017. We’re asking our favorite experts in beauty/fashion, food and diabetes self-care to share advice on how to celebrate the holidays without compromising your diabetes health. Chef Ward Alper, The Decadent Diabetic share his healthy and delicious recipes for the perfect Divabetic New Year’s Day Brunch to help you kick off a New Year with a New Attitude! READ: http://divabetic.org/2016/12/29/the-perfect-bubbles-buffet-blouse-for-a-divabetic-new-years-day-brunch/

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LISTEN: Laugh a little, Learn a lot! Enjoy an exciting mix of diabetes education, poetry, games, prizes and music by today’s hottest artists courtesy of SONY Music on Diabetes Late Nite. Divabetic’s free monthly podcasts are available for free on demand anytime, anywhere on i-Tunes, Divabetic.org and blogtalkradio.com.

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LISTEN: Mr. Divabetic Show on Women’s Health Issues in 2017. From reproductive rights to Medicare coverage, there could be a lot of policy changes impacting US women over the next four years. Additionally, many women may feel threatened from hearing about a powerful leader’s many sexual assault accusations and the rising incidents of hate crimes post-election. Guests include: Dr. Andrea Chisholm OBGYN, Peak 10 Skincare founder and Domestic Violence Advocate Connie Elder, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Mary Ann Hodorowicz RD, CDE, Asha Brown, and the President of Women in Government Relations, Kathryn Schubert.