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 LifeAuthor 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 PeetyAuthor 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.
Mr. Divabetic talks with international yoga teacher and author Rachel Zinman, living with LADA diabetes, on Divabetic’s popular podcast on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 6 PM, EST.
Rachel shares how she overcame the years of frustration and confusion associated with a misdiagnosis.
There have been many bumps in the road on Rachel’s journey with LADA diabetes (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) related to her initial misdiagnosis. She was initially misdiagnosis with type 2 diabetes. Although many of her symptoms were similar to type 2 diabetes, she has another condition that may be more closely related to type 1 diabetes called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).
It’s not uncommon for someone with LADA to be initially misdiagnosed. Unfortunately, the years spent treating the wrong condition without success can take a toll on your mind, body, and spirit. She shares how yoga and meditation helped her to overcome years of frustration and confusion.
Rachel shares a guided meditation, “Compassion Meditation,” focusing on self-love and compassion to help you live well with diabetes. Rachel’s meditation references Tara, a female deity in both Hinduism and Buddhism. Tara personifies compassion and offers salvation from suffering. She is thought to have been born of empathy for the suffering world and is regularly invoked for protection, guidance, and deliverance from difficult situations.
In Hinduism, she is the second of the ten Mahavidyas, avatars of the great Mother Goddess Mahadevi.
In Buddhism, Tara is a savior deity who liberates souls from suffering. According to origin tales, she emerged from the tear of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara who cried when looking upon the suffering world. She is therefore associated primarily with compassion but can take on many forms to help and protect her devotees.
“If you are at all open or curious to learn about an ancient holistic way of healing and supporting the body, this book is for you. Zinman is clearly an expert and looks so glowingly healthy at 50 years old, one may wonder just how much benefit we too can get from incorporating some yoga into our lives.”—Diabetes Daily
“Meditation teaches the mind and body to relax”, says Rachel Zinman.
Divabetic partners with Yoga For Diabetes Director & Author Rachel Zinman to present five guided meditations to help you live your best diabetes life.
“Meditation just means concentration,” says Rachel Zinman. “After meditation, you’ve left feeling a sense of peace that can help relieve the stress you may experience from managing your diabetes.
She has been practicing yoga since she was 17. It’s been a natural part of her life ever since. Rachel feels the mind training in yoga has helped her cope with the stress, fears, and anxiety associated with managing diabetes.
Sit somewhere comfortable. You can sit in a chair, on the floor, or on your bed to participate in Rachel’s guided meditation.
Each guided meditation begins toward the end of each podcast episode.
Rachel Zinman leads us in a Hamsa guided mediation. The Sanskrit word Hamsa translates as a swan. In yoga, the word breath is also known as Hamsa. A swan symbolizes the ability to discriminate or recognize the difference between one thing and another.
“Judgement and discrimination are extremely useful when making decisions in our diabetes lives,” says Rachel.
Focusing on our breath can help us visualize something that’s real and tangible. One method of using the breath in meditation is to focus on the mantra hamsa. This meditation comes from the short Hamsa Upanishad, which explains the mystical nature of Hamsa, the inner swan located within all.
Rachel Zinman presents the five-element guided meditation that can be done anywhere. Every sense relates to an element. This meditation minimizes fatigue in the mind and body and can reconnect you to the universal flow of nature. As you read through the prompts, allow your mind to relax so you can experience what is suggested. It’s that simple.
Rachel Zinman helps you to work with your subconscious mind to set an intention for the New Year and visualize a luminous lotus.
Sankalpa mediation helps you set an intention. Sankalpa is the Sanskrit word for intention. San means “to become one with,” and Kalpa means “time” and “subconscious mind. You set the intention through sound, repetition, and breathing. Once you choose a word or phrase to move and support you into the New Year, repeat the word to create a mantra to calm your mind.
You can repeat your Sankalpa to yourself at any time to reconnect with your positive intention.
Feel free to listen to all of Rachel Zinman’s guided meditations anytime you feel stress or tension.
“Usually, my first thought in the morning is, what’s my blood sugar?” says our friend, January podcast guest Rachel Zinman, who has been living with type 1 diabetes for thirteen years. After that, the Yoga For Diabetes author tells herself, “I have to get up, get my meter and check my blood sugar levels.”
Before she adopted diabetes psychologist Mark HeymanCDCES’s “diabetes might be challenging, but I’ve got this” motto, Rachel viewed the numbers on her meter as judgments. Now, she sees her morning blood sugar levels more or less as just numbers. As a result, she doesn’t take them so personally.
“Working with my diabetes educator taught me to manage my diabetes in terms of a balance beam rather than a tightrope,” she admits.
Now, Rachel shifts her mindset when she experiences high and low blood sugar levels. “I don’t think I will fall off a tightrope. I’ve learned I’ve got room to change things and open up my range like I’m on a balance beam. That has really changed how I feel. I feel better. I feel like I have a lot more freedom with food and insulin.”
She confesses she’s blown away that she can enjoy her favorite breakfast food, avocado toast with normal blood sugars!
How about you? What is the first thought of your day?
Rachel joins us on Divabetic’s January podcast to share a guided meditation as part of our new year’s tradition to help center listeners’ minds, bodies, and souls.
Would you like to recharge today? Listen to Rachel’s 2022 meditation. It’s all about invoking sunlight to create a new vision for your diabetes life.
What’s the First Thing you Say to Yourself in the Morning?
Do you feel good every morning? Does each morning bring with it another ray of hope, a reason to fight for your dreams and keep your spirit alive? Well, it should, and here is one of our favorite self-talk examples to tell yourself every day, first thing in the morning, for a better, happier, healthier day, every day.
“I am the best version of me. I am unique, I am priceless and I am amazing and nothing can change that.”
Our friend, Yoga4diabetes Founder and Author Rachel Zinman shares her morning self-talk on Divabetic’s podcast with music by Teddy Pendergrass. Arthur Aston, and Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDCES. Rachel will be presenting a guided mediation you won’t want to miss!
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?
Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chefand Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller on Wednesday, February 9, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.
The Diabetic Pastry Chef prepares her Valentines-themed Sugar-Free Cake Pops Recipe and shares Expert Baking Tips for using Sugar Substitutes, and her Favorite Kitchen Tool! Join us on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST
Starbucks’ New Zero Creamers contain 20 fewer calories and 6 grams less sugar per serving than Starbucks’ existing options.
The American Heart Association recommends capping daily sugar intake at 24 grams (6 teaspoons of sugar). If you consume two tablespoons of the regular creamer, you’re already reaching half of your recommended limit.
The new Starbucks’ creamers come in caramel and hazelnut flavors, inspired by their popular in-store drinks caramel macchiato and hazelnut latte, respectively.
The ingredients listed on the Zero Creamer bottles are nonfat milk, heavy cream, vegetable oil, buttermilk, salt, sucralose, gellan gum, and natural flavor. The regular liquid coffee creamer contains nearly the same ingredients with sugar instead of sucralose and slightly less salt.
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener and sugar substitute made from a chemical process that tweaks sugar to form a calorie-free sweetener 600 times sweeter than sugar. According to WebMD, sucralose is marketed as Splenda. The difference between Splenda and other sweeteners, like aspartame (Equal) and saccharin (Sweet’N Low), is that it’s actually made from real sugar. This gives it a taste that is generally more preferable compared to other artificial sweeteners.
Listen to Divabetic’s free monthly podcast on-demand featuring music from Teddy Pendergrass‘s album, Life Is A Song Worth Singing,and guests: Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Build Jake’s Place Executive Director Arthur Anston, and Yoga For Diabetes Author and Founder Rachel Zinman
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?
Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party on Zoom with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chefon Wednesday, February 9, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST.
During this virtual Baking Party on Zoom,The Diabetic Pastry Chefwill prepare a Valentine’s Day Sugar-Free Dessert recipe and share expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and flours in your favorite recipes.
Over 150 people registered for our recent Divabetic Baking Parties on Zoom so don’t miss out!
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?
Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this free, fun Virtual Valentines-themed Baking Party on Zoom with our special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chefon Wednesday, February 9, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST.
During this virtual Baking Party on Zoom,The Diabetic Pastry Chefwill prepare a Valentine’s Day Sugar-Free Dessert recipe and share expert baking tips for substituting sugar substitutes and flours in your favorite recipes.
Over 150 people registered for our recent Divabetic Baking Parties on Zoom so don’t miss out!
After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Stacey Harris, known as The Diabetic Pastry Chef, taught herself how to make pound cake, pecan rolls, pies, muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods with about half the carbs you’d get from a traditional bakery item.
“I started experimenting by using almond milk or whole milk mixed with water to cut down on carbs, then tried different flours, incorporating white whole wheat flour, soy flour, oat flour, black bean flour, and other alternatives into my brownies, cakes, and cookies,” she said in a How 2 Type 2 article.
She adds, ”To cut back on sugar, I started using all-natural substitutes, like agave nectar, and trying erythritol. I also bake with a store-bought blend of sugars that tastes delicious.”
The Diabetic Pastry Chef
Join us for Divabetic’s first podcast of the year featuring Rachel Zinman, Arthur Aston, and Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDCES on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, 6 PM, EST.
Our musical inspiration, R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass, who was not living with diabetes, overcame many obstacles and continued to sing after a car crash in 1982 that left him in a wheelchair.
Before the crash, Teddy Pendergrass’s explosive, raw voice earned turned him into an international star and sex symbol. His masculinity, passion, and the joys and sorrow of romance were featured in songs such as Close the Door, Love T.K.O, and other hits that have since become classics.
Teddy’s longtime collaborator Kenny Gamble said, “He had a tremendous career ahead of him, and the accident sort of got in the way of many of those plans.”
Mr. Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down – still able to sing but without his signature power. The image of the masculine, virile lover was replaced with one that drew sympathy.
But instead of becoming bitter or depressed, Teddy Pendergrass created a new identity – that as a role model, Mr. Gamble said.
“He never showed me that he was angry at all about his accident,” Mr. Gamble said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “In fact, he was very courageous.”
After extensive physical therapy, he resumed his recording career. He had Top 10 rhythm and blues hits and gold albums into the ’90s.
We hope Teddy Pendergrass helps inspire you to focus on the positive in the face of challenges related to managing your diabetes.
Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music by Teddy Pendergrass courtesy of SONY Music.
“Usually, my first thought in the morning is what’s my blood sugar?” says our friend Rachel Zinman, who has been living with type 1 diabetes for thirteen years. After that, the Yoga For Diabetes author tells herself, “I have to get up, get my meter and check my blood sugar levels.”
Before she adopted diabetes psychologist Mark HeymanCDCES’s “diabetes might be challenging, but I’ve got this” motto, Rachel viewed the numbers on her meter as judgments. Now, she sees her morning blood sugar levels more or less as just numbers. As a result, she doesn’t take them so personally.
“Working with my diabetes educator taught me to manage my diabetes in terms of a balance beam rather than a tightrope,” she admits.
Now, Rachel shifts her mindset when she experiences high or low blood sugars. “I don’t think I will fall off a tightrope. I’ve learned I’ve got room to change things and open up my range like I’m on a balance beam. That has really changed how I feel. I feel better. I feel like I have a lot more freedom with food and insulin.”
She confesses she’s blown away that she can enjoy her favorite breakfast food, avocado toast with normal blood sugars!
Rachel shares a guided meditation on January’s Divabetic podcast scheduled for Tuesday, January 11, 2022, with music by Teddy Pendergrass, as part of our New Year’s tradition to help center listeners’ minds, bodies, and souls.
Click HEREto read the three things that help Rachel Zinman start her day with a positive mind frame.
Whether you’re focused on losing weight or want to add a little extra sparkle into your daily diabetes self-care, we’ve got you covered with this year’s DivabeticHoliday Gift Guide 2021. We believe in thoughtful gifts that bring a little happiness and good health into your life.
Our friend, Rachel Zinmanis an internationally renowned yoga teacher and writer. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2008. She started her Yoga For Diabetes blog to share with the diabetes online community how yoga has helped her manage diabetes.
“As far as Yoga Mats go you can’t go past a Manduka mat, Rachel says.
Durable, eco-friendly, and ultra-dense cushioning for superior stability and joint protection. Mandukahas a range of mats that are specific to a personal practice. If you need more grip, something eco-friendly, or a mat with a line down the center to guide you with alignment – they’ve got it!
New to yoga? Manduka offers two Foundation mats that provide an ideal combination of cushioning, durability, and performance at excellent value.
According to research, yoga therapy increases the number of insulin receptors and increases the proportion of receptor binding in patients with type 2 diabetes. It improves insulin kinetics by reducing fasting insulin levels, shifting the peak insulin level to the left, and by normalizing the insulin-to-glucose ratio. Read More
“I’ve been teaching and sharing on Manduka mats for years and it’s the preferred mat in many yoga studios so they have a proven track record too,” Rachel adds.
Rachel Zinman is absolutely passionate about Yoga, its true meaning, and its message. She first came across Yoga at the age of 17 and has never looked back! In her book, Yoga for Diabetes, Rachel shares her personal journey and her hard-won wisdom gained from her own experience of yoga and diabetes.
“If you are at all open or curious to learn about an ancient holistic way of healing and supporting the body, this book is for you. Zinman is clearly an expert and looks so glowingly healthy at 50 years old, one may wonder just how much benefit we too can get from incorporating some yoga into our lives.”—Diabetes Daily
For information on Rachel Zinman’s yoga classes, workshops, retreats, and training are designed to lead you step by step to the total understanding of Your Self visit: Rachel Zinman Yoga.
Our friend, Yoga For Diabetes Author Rachel Zinman shares a guided mediation on Divabetic’s popular podcast. Check out Diabetes Late Inspired by Aaliyah with 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 featuring music from Aaliyah’s Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number album courtesy of SONY Music.
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.
Although Aaliyah died at the age of 22 and had a short music career due to her early passing, the singer’s music helped to redefine R&B, pop, and even hip-hop. And her legacy continues to live on. Her hard work ethic, creativity, and her sweet demeanor have inspired fans over the past two decades.
January’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.
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks with Rachel Zinman about how yoga and meditation practices can help you to manage the mental health aspects of living with diabetes.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Aaliyah’s Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number album courtesy of SONY Music.
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