Divabetic Mystery Phrase #27

Can you solve Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #27? Our phrase is a great way to save time and money, as well as stay on track with your diabetes self-care goals.

Are you struggling with achieving your diabetes wellness goals?

Maybe you should consider planning your meals ahead of time. Experts agree that’s one of the key strategies for successful weight loss and/or tighter management of blood sugar levels is meal  planning.

If planning a whole week of meals ahead of time seems overwhelming to you then keep in mind that a few things prepared ahead of time will make it easier to eat healthy too.

Set yourself up for a week of delicious lunches without feeling guilty using meal-prep plans.  By prepping a week’s worth of lunches in advance (on Sunday, for example), you’ll avoid foods high in saturated fats, carbohydrates, sugar and calories and set yourself up for a week of diabetes wellness. Assembling meals ahead of time allows you to  portion sizes and ingredients, which can be beneficial if you’re managing a health condition—like type 2 diabetes—or trying to lose weight.
What should you eat? If you have diabetes, you should choose lean proteins, high-fiber, less processed carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables, and low-fat dairy.
Remember, if you weren’t packing any meals, one or two a week is a great start!
Setting small, realistic nutrition goals can also set you up for success. For example, try limiting sugar-filled drinks or setting a max number of days to eat out per week.
A registered dietitian can help you put together a diet based on your health goals, tastes and lifestyle. He or she can also talk with you about how to improve your eating habits, such as choosing portion sizes that suit the needs for your size and activity level.

 

Solving the Mystery of Your A1C 

Many people wonder how their hba1c number relates to their  blood sugar levels. After all, daily diabetes self-care management can be a jumble of numbers: weight, blood sugar levels, carbohydrate counts, fat grams, serving sizes, etc.  Hopefully, this handy chart will provide some clarification.

When it comes to the numbers, there’s no one-size-fits-all target. A1C target levels can vary by each person’s age and other factors, and your target may be different from someone else’s. If you feel your hbA1C number is on a higher side, say over 7 or 8%, do not worry! Knowledge is power. You can lower your hbA1C by creating your own personal self-care plan with your healthcare professional.

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Cooking Party on Zoom where everything you need to win is within your own home.

Whether you have had diabetes for a long time or have only recently been diagnosed, having a diabetes management plan and supplies in place are essential for living life to the fullest.

Don’t miss Divabetic’s virtual Cooking Party with special guest Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ on Thursday, August 13, 2020, 7 – 7:40 PM, EST on Zoom.

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you need to deny yourself all the foods you love, but you do want to make healthier food choices. One good choice is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are heavy in nutrition but light in calories.

During this virtual Cooking Party on Zoom, Chef Robert Lewis will prepare a recipe that won’t compromise your diabetes wellness. Register Now

31 Days of Divabetic Podcasts: Day Five

Divabetic’s first Annual Luther Vandross Tribute from April 2011. Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, who worked for Luther Vandross for more than 14 years, hosts this special hour-long birthday tribute to the late Grammy Award-winning legend. Guests include friends, family and colleagues who remember the moments, the music, the man and the motivation to ensure that no one has to struggle with diabetes alone or in silence.

Luther suffered a stroke related to mismanagment of type 2 diabetes in 2003. He died in 2005.

What happened to Luther is not unique.  In general, people with diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to have a stroke than people without diabetes.

Stroke is a condition in which blood vessels in the brain are damaged. Strokes are characterized by a number of factors, including the size of the damaged blood vessel, where in the brain blood vessels have been damaged, and what event actually caused the damage.

Let Luther’s voice  inspire you to take a look at the medical and lifestyle risk factors and ask yourself what you can do to help reduce your risk of stroke.

“Our first podcast sounds like a crazy party line,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. “Everyone’s talking over each other, sharing their favorite Luther memories and celebrating our collective history.”

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke is a crucial first step to getting someone help before it’s too late reports Healthline. In an effort to help people remember how to recognize a stroke, the American Stroke Association endorses the mnemonic FAST, which stands for:

Other symptoms that can signal a stroke include sudden:

https://youtu.be/Gu2JBMNBbKo

Celebrate ELEGANCE in Music, Love & Health with our Spotify playlist featuring the greatest Quiet Storm songs. Be inspired to learn more about the health and wellness issues affecting many of these vocalists and musicians to keep the music alive for future generations. Quiet Storm Fans on FB.

 

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #3

Can you complete the Mystery Phrase below? Diabetes self-care can be emotionally taxing, but reframing your mind-set can have powerful results. Upbeat, kind, encouraging and gentle words that you say to yourself can help!

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #3

Self-help books often promote the power of positive affirmations. If you’ve never tried them before, the idea can seem incredibly awkward to tell yourself how awesome you are. 

Positive affirmations help to re-program your thought patterns and change the way you think and feel about things. They are short positive statements that can help you focus on goals, get rid of negative, self-defeating beliefs and program your subconscious mind.

And yes, there is genuine theory and a fair amount of neuroscience behind this practice.

If you’re struggling to cope with your diabetes diagnosis: try repeating positive affirmations to yourself each morning to steer your mood in the right direction. This way of thinking can be helpful when the mental burden of diabetes management gets tough.

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #3 Answer

We’re talking about how to minimize the drama in our diabetes lives with music from the ultimate diva, Maria Callas on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late NIte podcast.

Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast

Are you a drama queen?

If there’s drama in multiple areas of your diabetes life, be honest with yourself—you’re the constant. Are you creating it? We don’t do anything repeatedly unless there’s something in it for us, so, what’s the payoff?

Every time we find ourselves immersed in something that seems overwhelming, we have an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better.

Guests include Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Lorraine Brooks, American Heart and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Rob Taub, Yoga for Diabetes Author and Director Rachel Zinman and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN,CDE.

Diabetes on Instagram Roundup #5

Some of our favorite #diabetes instagram posts from around the world to inpire you. In this roundup, our friend, Chirstel Oerum from Diabetes Strong hits a new milestone, a great green pepper sandwich recipe, amazing weight loss story, low calorie hard seltzer endorsement, and a few words and images to brighten your day!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYb3VbF47P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B2eqoJJhe-T/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhBiY1J-Uw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAg4mLRA3Iv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAg1tLHBTi_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgypvTH1yu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgu890pk8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgffUPBJPZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf8KS1DHTbt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Flours To Help Manage Blood Sugars Naturally #4

If you have walked down the baking aisle at your local grocery store lately, you may be tempted to start experimenting with unending varieties of baking flour.

Recently I discovered chickpea flour and felt bored and fearless enough to try it! 

Chickpeas

Chickpea flour or chana atta is a soluble fiber that not only reduces blood cholesterol levels but also aids in the slow absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, causing the blood sugar levels to rise slowly. It’s a great alternative to refined wheat flour, as it’s lower in carbs and calories yet richer in protein and fiber

Expert bakers and bloggers say that chickpea flour provides a sweet, rich flavor that works well in pizza crusts, crackers, and breads as well as desserts with strong flavors such as chocolate cake or pumpkin bread. It can even be used as a thickening agent in soups, sauces, and gravy in replacement of all-purpose flour or cornstarch. 

When using it in a recipe, it is recommended that you replace up to one quarter of the flour with chickpea flour. One-quarter cup provides 110 calories, 18 grams of carbohydrate, and 5 grams of fiber.

Here’s a great chickpea flour recipe off of Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B70vVEEp_XE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

We’re talking about Secrets to Longevity & Diabetes with musical inspiration from Dionne Warwick on this episode of Diabetes Late.

Living longer and increasing your life expectancy with diabetes doesn’t have to be a chore. From flossing your teeth daily to getting a good night’s sleep, there are simple things you can do to help you live long, happy and healthy life.

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.

Join us for Collar Greens Health & Wellness Day on Sunday, September 29, 2019

Join us Divabetic’s’ Collar Greens Health & Wellness Day outreach program on Sunday, September 29.2019, 9 AM – 1 PM at NOVA Central Farm Markets located at George C. Marshall High School, 7731 Leesburg Pikem Falls Church, VA 22043, 9 AM – 1 PM.  FULL EVENT DETAILS

Collar Greens Health & Wellness Day

This FREE diabetes outreach event features wellness education for pets and pet owners alike! Enjoy Dog Photo Contest, Market Food Tours with healthcare professionals, Live Cooking Demonstrations, Family & Dogs Scavenger Hunts, Amazing Service Dog Demonstrations, Live Music, Veterinarian Talks and more!

Guest Presenters include World Renowned Diabetes Alert Dog & Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Chef Scott Sunshine, Nationally Recognized Diabetes Educator, Kathy Gold, MS, RN, CDE, Tabouli: The Story of a Heart-Driven Diabetes Alert Dog’ Author Matt Pelicano, Homeward Trails Animal Rescue and more! 

Win $500 Gift Basket! Enter our Cutest Dog Contest on Instagram. Post your favorite dog photo with the hashtag: #centralfarmdogcontest. CONTEST RULES & REGULATIONS