Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?
Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, virtual diabetes support program on Thursday, April 15, 2021, 7-8 PM. Click here to register
April’s program features two presentations: ‘What To Wear When Nothing Fits’ presented by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller and ‘What To Eat When Dining Out Mexican’ presented by MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR.
What To Wear When Nothing Fits
We want to help you embrace the body you have now. Don’t put off looking great and feeling like yourself in your clothes until that elusive one day you hit your goal weight. One tip that style experts advise is to try Shift, A-line and Wrap Dresses to create a more hourglass shape.
Catherine Schuller is one of the Plus Size Industry’s pioneers. She is a former Ford model, consumer advocate, promoter, marketer, editor, image consultant (Certified by AICI), author, andentrepreneur.
What To Eat When Dining Out Mexican
Traditional Mexican food is loaded with carbohydrates which cause blood sugars to rise. One solution is to order tacos! As long as you order corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas since they are much smaller in size, and therefore lowercarbohydrates. Additionally, Guacamole is made from avocadoes, which are loaded with healthy fats and very low in carbohydrates.
MaryAnn Nicolay is a Registered Dietetic Technician and has worked with the Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland for over 20 years. Her primary responsibility is to develop and implement diabetes education materials and activities in diverse and/or underserved communities.
Fashion Curator, Plus Model and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller demonstrates different ways to wear a scarf.
Silk scarves date back to 1300 BC where Ancient Noble and Royal Egyptians wore them according to FelicityB. Queen Nefertiti was frequently depicted wearing scarves around her iconic headdress.
A beautiful scarf worn on wrist, neck, waist or even on your head can easily transform an outfit. All you have to do is learn those scarf tying techniques and memorize them for a lifetime, since scarves never go out of style.
We’re talking about the symptoms, causes and prevention of stroke with Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller and musical inspiration from Angela Bofill.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the US. As many as 5 to 14 percent of stroke survivors have a second stroke within one year.
Angela Bofill suffered two strokes but neither stroke could take away her positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit. After she lost the ability to sing, she returned to the stage for “The Angela Bofill Experience” in which she skillfully narrated her life story, while her band and other singers .
Throughout the podcast we will feature music from Angela Bofill’s albums Angie and Angel of the Night courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic promotes “wellness with a wow” to change attitudes and to encourage prevention, early action, and education to manage diabetes and diabetes-related complications. Through innovative programs, virtual outreach events, and online communities, Divabetic is a circle of care and support, providing a link between patients and their healthcare teams, translation of clinical speak, and a bridge between denial and acceptance, fear and confidence. We meet the challenges and opportunities of diabetes care and concerns with a “Glam More, Fear Less” philosophy so that no one has to struggle alone or in silence.
At Divabetic, we want to empower you to stay healthy and positive about diabetes self-care management AND to do it in a bold and sassy way. Visit: divabetic.org
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!
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 styles are new for Fall?
Evetta Petty: For fall I focused on the classic pillbox hat, it’s so sultry and sophisticated and the mask is an added plus. I also wanted to showcase a dressy holiday FASCINATOR or cocktail hat with a Couture mask for the holidays. It’s the new normal with HIGH STYLE!
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 to 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: 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!
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.
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.
Divabetic hosts a sneak peek of Clued Inn: The First-Ever Diabetes & Heart Health Escape Room Experience at Hale Organic Salon in New York City scheduled for National Diabetes Alert Day, Tuesday, March 26, 2019 sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Guest presenters: Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Susan WeinerMS RDN CDE CDN FAADE, Catherine Schuller and Joe Murray will be discussing how your body shape relates to your risk for heart disease.
Does your Body Shape signal Heart Problems?
Having an apple shaped body – one where too much fat is stored around the middle (waist) – may be a warning sign that you are at risk for heart disease and other health problems, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer states Dr. Tony Hampton, an obesity expert at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago and a member of the Obesity Medicine Association.
A clue to your risk is where your body stores excess fat. So, paying attention to the size of your waistline may be a more effective strategy for good health than focusing strictly on your Body Mass Index (BMI), or your overall weight.
Body types shaped like a carrot, a pear or an hour glass tend to carry lower risk for heart disease, even when carrying extra fat.Divabetic’s Sneak Peek for Clued Inn: Diabetes & Heart Health Escape Room features Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE (author of MY SWEET LIFE: Successful Men with Diabetes and MY SWEET LIFE: Successful Women with Diabetes), Susan Weiner MS RDN CDE CDN FAADE (author of The Complete Diabetes Organizer, Diabetes: 365 Tips for Living Well) Hale Organic Salon owner and Master Stylist Joe Murray. The program is hosted by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.
Don’t miss Clued Inn, the first-time Diabetes & Heart Health Escape Room Experience scheduled for Diabetes Alert Day, Tuesday, March 26, 2019 in New York City sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Free Admission. Space Limited.BOOK NOW
We know many people in our Divabetic community don’t like to celebrate the holidays because they feel they may disrupt their diabetes care. But with a little pre-planning and guidance from your healthcare entourage you can still enjoy Easter related festivities without failing your diabetes.
From the annual Easter Egg Roll to eating iguana, turtle and the world’s largest rodent in Colombia, there are many different Easter traditions around the world to choose from!
Easter is the most important religious holiday in the Greek Orthodox calendar. Shops line their windows with brightly-coloured wrappings for Easter candles and chocolate eggs. Greek families sit down to a meal of whole roasted lamb or kid goat on Easter Sunday.
Germans like to decorate trees with hollowed-out, painted eggs for Easter. One elderly man has taken the art form to an extreme degree.
An old European tradition of tapping eggs together in a contest to see which is the strongest is enjoying a revival in Louisiana. The town of Marksville claims to host the oldest “egg-knocking” competition in the United States. Competitors pair up on the steps of the courthouse on Easter Sunday and knock the tips of two eggs together. If the egg cracks, its owner is out of the competition. The process continues until just one egg remains.
Instead of tucking into chocolate eggs, Colombians like to eat iguana, turtle and the world’s largest rodent for their traditional Easter dinner.
We say, whatever you and your loved ones may choose to do, “Don’t let diabetes dim your dazzle!”
We asked several experts, Cookbook Author, Holly Clegg, Wine & Spirits Expert Samantha Shaken Baker and diabetes advocate, author and model Doris Hobbs to share their favorite recipes, picks and fashions to encourage you to celebrate a Divabetic Easter in style without compromising your diabetes health.
With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy, healthy and practical recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim & TERRIFIC® and her more health focused Eating Well cookbook series, including newly released 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY edition of Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association.Clegg who attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School has appeared on Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today, QVC, The 700 Club, USA Today, Cooking Light Magazine, Web MD, and Huff Post.She has consulted for Walmart, Teflon, The Coca-Cola Company, and hospitals throughout the country. Here’s Holly’s suggestion on to make a simple, impressive way to dress up eggs for Easter:
“These colorful Western omelet ingredients are piled on an English muffin and make this the ideal grab and go satisfying breakfast” says Holly.Egg beaters may be substituted for the egg and egg white combination.
Makes 6 muffins
1/2 cup chopped Canadian bacon
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped tomatoes
2 eggs
5 egg whites
Salt and pepper to taste
3 whole-wheat English muffins, halved
1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded Cheddar cheese
1. In nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook Canadian bacon 2 minutes or until begins to brown.Add onion and, green pepper sautéing until tender.Add tomatoes, cook 1 minute.Remove from pan, set aside.
2. In small bowl, whisk together eggs and egg whites.In same nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, scramble eggs.Season to taste.When eggs are almost done, stir in bacon onion mixture.
3. Meanwhile, toast muffin halves.Divide egg mixture to top muffin halves.Sprinkle with cheese.
Note:The prepared muffins may be refrigerated and reheated in the microwave or in oven preheated at 350°F. about 5 minutes or until well heated.
“Glamour is the feeling of beauty, with an undertone of femininity, while looking like a lady, for all occasions,” Luxury Spokesmodel, Diabetes Advocate, Contributing Style Editor & Published Writer,Doris Hobbs explains. “Glamour is an illusion, a form of mystery revealing a fragile state that changes with time. Glamour, from my perspective, is defined as recreation from all facets of our lives. Perhaps the best way to describe it is with a ravishing red lipstick, a sensual hourglass silhouette, and style inspiration from such mavens as Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, and Jayne Mansfield.”
Vintage brooches are colorful, eye-catching sparkle and for a small investment, you get a big return style wise!
Did you know back in the day women wore “Scatter pins”, a matching set of two or more pins that were grouped together on a blouse or sweater?
If you love vintage brooches, there is no need to curb your enthusiasm because you think you wouldn’t get a chance to wear all the ones you find. There are plenty of ways to show them off!
DIVABETIC TIP: While alcohol can make blood sugar drop too low, certain beverages (such as beer or sugary mixers) can cause a blood sugar spike. What’s more, consuming more than one or two drinks can cloud your thinking and affect other food choices you make that day, which can also affect glucose levels.
What’s brunch without a little bubbly?
We asked Samantha Shanken Baker, who helps presents memorable food and wine events like the Annual Harlem Eat Up! to suggest a great tasting champagne for under $50. Samantha’s pick is G.H. Mumm Brut Champagne Cordon (retail $45) featuring a delightful notes of flavor—dried apricot, candied orange peel, nut and smoke. This very harmonious dry Champagne is still elegant and light-weight. The rich, toasty note lingers on the vibrant finish. Oh la-la!
DIVABETIC TIP: Heavy black pumps paired with lightweight white dresses can be an odd combination. If you wear a white dress in the spring , better options include natural toned or white sandals. If you choose to wear white in fall and winter, brown shoes still look better than black (and for sticklers to the rules, white shoes should be avoided after Labor Day). HOW TO WEAR WHITE
Why not enjoy a Coco Mimosa?
I love serving my guests mimosas at Brunch. The name of one of the characters. “Coco Mimosa”,from our upcoming Diabetes Mystery titled “Gypsies, Tramps & Peas” inspired this new tropical twist to a mimosa. It’s as easy as pie! Just splash some coconut flavored light rum over fresh orange juice and champagne.
DIVABETIC TIP: The weather is warming up and the cherry blossoms are in bloom – looks like spring has finally sprung! It’s the perfect season to jump start a walking program. It’s easy, safe, and inexpensive. It’s also relaxing and at the same time invigorating, requires little athletic skill, and does not call for club membership or special equipment other than sturdy, comfortable shoes. And it is fun and natural — good for your mind and self-esteem. LEARN MORE
Let a new walking shoe get you in the groove!
We love these striped spring flat mesh casual walking shoes (pictured above)! They’re breathable slip ons and reasonably inexpensive. BUY
According to the Who What Wear website florals are a big trend for Spring 2017. Sound familiar? Well, this time around, the scale, fabrication and mood is more exaggerated than ever! Designers are encouraging you to be in full bloom from head to toe—shoes included. From double doses of Rococo-style jacquard florals with ruffles and raw hems at Marques’Almeida to subdued, blousy ’70s bouquets at Chloé and neon carnations at Balenciaga, there is nothing standard about these arrangements. No ditsy prints here in this S/S 17 version of the fashion trend, thanks.
“Eat with color and you know you are eating healthy! This overnight sensation with bright colors and flavors will wake up those morning taste-buds!” says Holly.
Makes 8 (1-cup) servings
8 ounces ground breakfast turkey sausage
1 onion, chopped
1 red, green, or yellow bell pepper, cored and chopped
5 (8-inch) 98% fat-free flour tortillas, cut into quarters
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1. Coat 13x9x2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large nonstick skillet, cook and crumble sausage until starts to brown. Add onion and bell pepper, cooking until sausage is done and vegetables tender. Add spinach, garlic and green chilies; cooking until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
3. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, half-and-half, chili powder, cumin and cheese.
4. Spoon one-third of sausage mixture in baking dish. Top with one-third tortilla quarters and one-third cheese and green onions. Repeat layers, ending with green onion. Pour egg mixture evenly over casserole and refrigerate, covered, at least 6 hours or overnight.
5. Preheat oven 350°F. If using glass baking dish, place in cold oven and bake 50-60 minutes or until bubbly, golden brown and knife inserted into custard comes out clean.
DIVABETIC TIP: Want to get more for your money? Buying fruit and vegetables in season often helps! Prices usually come down when a fruit or vegetable is in season. In addition, the quality of the produce (taste, texture, freshness, etc.) is at its best. When you buy produce that is out of season (for example, buying berries in the winter), you are likely buying food that has been shipped hundreds or even thousands of miles. It is usually more expensive, less environmentally-friendly, and the quality not as good.
LISTEN NOW: Cook Book Author Holly Clegg podcast interview. With over 1 million books sold, Holly reigns supreme when it comes to helping today’s busy person cook everyday meals that are fast and fit into an overall healthy lifestyle.Known as the “Queen of Quick,” Holly’s recipes are time, user and pantry-friendly. LINK
What’s trending in Diabetes Wellness for Spring? Here are three recent diabetes and health & wellness headlines that caught our eye!
An amazing app that helps you improve your A1C!One Drop | Mobile provides real-time and historical blood glucose data and analytics to subscribers and their healthcare providers, allowing both to see relationships between specific health behaviors and health outcomes.
