Comedian Patrice O’Neal dies at 41 from Stroke related to Diabetes

Divabetic: Comedian Patrice O'Neal

Comedian, Patrice O’Neal, who roasted Charlie Sheen, died Tuesday from complications of a stroke he suffered last month. O’Neal’s manager, Jonathan Brandstein, said he died at a New York-area hospital.

Patrice O’Neal, 41, was a veteran stand-up comic who gained a wider following through TV and radio. O’Neal grew up in Boston and started his stand-up career there. He boisterously took on controversial topics like race, AIDS and his own struggle with diabetes in his live performances. He was loud and unpredictable, frequently veering away from prepared material with a curse-laden segue.

 

He appeared on Conan O’Brien and David Letterman’s  late-night TV shows and was a frequent guest on the “Opie & Anthony” radio show on Sirius XM. His first hourlong special, “Elephant in the Room,” debuted on Comedy Central last February. O’Neal had half-hour specials on Showtime and HBO and was the host of “Web Junk 20.” He also acted in the TV series “Arrested Development”. Chapelle’s Show” and “The Office.”

 

O’Neal, who was 6 feet 5, weighed about 300 pounds and had diabetes suffered a stroke Oct. 19, 2011.  Diabetes is a significant risk factor for stroke,according to the National Stroke Association. Other risk factors include obesity, atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure — which, according to the association, “is one of the most common causes of stroke because it puts unnecessary stress on blood vessel walls, causing them to thicken and deteriorate.” When that happens, “cholesterol or other fat-like substances may break off of artery walls and block a brain artery.”

“Strokes are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the second-leading cause of death in the world — so it happens to a lot of people,” said Dr. John M. Kennedy, director of Preventive Cardiology and Wellness at Marina Del Rey Hospital.

Diabetes & Domestic Violence: Is There A Link?

Divabetic: Domestic Violence & Diabetes

I can’t help but wonder how diabetes is related to abuse after reading the recent headlines about the Syracuse University. No, I’m not saying there’s a link between sexual abuse and diabetes (yet) but I do think these types of headlines give us an opportunity to speak more openly about more sensitive issues.

Several Diva TalkRadio programs this past year dealt with domestic violence. At first I thought the topic of ‘domestic violence’ had little or no relevance to a ‘diabetes’ podcast but boy, was I wrong!

I guess like most of the world I was naive to what’s really going on in homes around the world. I quickly realized how prevalent abuse is by listening to testimonials from women during our podcasts. So, is blood sugar a contributing factor to abuse? 

We know that anger and frustration can be common reactions when someone has a chronic disease like diabetes. Diabetes is a lot to cope with, especially when you think of it in terms of day after day for a lifetime. Plus, physiologically, when someone’s blood sugar fluctuates, spikes or drops, it can produce feelings like anger, anxiety, or depression that are really out of the control of the person experiencing them.

But that’s no excuse to for abuse and yet it may be easy for girlfriends, spouses or siblings to overlook or make excuses for angry reactions because of these reasons.  Abuse can be actual physical contact, like hitting, slapping, pushing, or otherwise inflicting bodily harm, but it can also be threatening, making a spouse feel intimidated or scared.

It’s important to remember that anger that escalates into physical, verbal, or emotional abuse is not a normal reaction.

Divabetic  strives to be a safe haven for women affected by diabetes and their loved ones to share their struggles and successes as well as secrets. If you are in a relationship that is abusive, it is important to tell someone that you trust: a friend, counselor, social worker, or your healthcare provider. Abusive relationships are often isolated ones, where the abused spouse lives in secrecy and fear. Telling others breaks the silence, and enables the abused partner to more easily seek help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE(7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224.

Supermodel Superfoods: Cocao Powder

Divabetic: Supermodel Superfoods

Many people consider eating chocolate a “guilty pleasure.” But the reputation of chocolate as a junk food should be attributed to commercial processing and refining techniques, and the other ingredients commonly added, most notably white sugar.

All chocolate is made from the cacao (cocoa) bean, and cacao beans in their natural, unprocessed, unadulterated state are rich in nutrients and beneficial to health.

Cacao has more antioxidant flavonoids than any food tested so far, including blueberries, red wine, and black and green teas. In fact, it has up to four times the quantity of antioxidants found in green tea.

Cacao beans are rich in a number of essential minerals, including magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese.

You may also be surprised to learn that dark chocolate can help you lose weight! Because it has appetite-suppressant properties, cocoa is often added to weight loss products to help control hunger.

While you may think that chocolate is “fattening”, the truth is that the fats found in cocoa butter are actually healthy fats! Cacao contains oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat which is also found in olive oil and is believed to raise the level of the “good cholesterol” known as HDL cholesterol.

FRIENDLY WARNING: If you’re suddenly jumping for joy and thinking “wow, there’s a chocolate that actually good for me! where do I get it?”  Be warned that cocao tastes bitter! It’s not nearly as sweet as Hershey’s that’s for sure

Cacao powder is simply the cacao bean, that through a cold-pressing process, has had the fat (cacao butter) removed. With the fat removed, cacao powder becomes hydroscopic, so it dissolves easily in liquids. Cacao powder can be used to make chocolate by mixing it with cacao butter and sweetener  like light agave nectar.

Cacao powder is the most versatile of the raw cacao products, because it is finely ground and ready to be added to smoothies, homemade energy bars, raw and baked bars, cookies, and other desserts. It blends well with water, nut and dairy milks.

Diva Of The Week: Kelly Clarkson – Mr. Know It All

Lately, it seems like every TV network has their own award show. Yes, I’ve been trying to watch as many as possible in an attempt to get up to speed on new music.

After sitting through several forgettable Award Show live performances, two artists stood out from the crowd.

Kelly Rowland’s  live performance of her song, ‘Motivation,’ really made me think twice about her as a solo artist! She was awesome! She sang, danced and seemed in total command of the stage – she was a diva!

Well, the other diva was born in the spotlight. She has somehow managed to stay on top of her game since she made her debut on ‘American Idol.’ Okay,  first I must admit I hate the dress but that’s where my hating stops cause Kelly Clarkson’s inspired live performance of ‘Mr. Know It All’ blew me away.  It was a new arrangement with lots of horns – so much fun! Her performance is why I love music.  Can’t wait to see her perform again – maybe it will be at Madison Square Garden in 2011!!

 

Diva Of The Week: Kelly Rowland – Motivation

Lately, it seems like every TV network has their own award show. Yes, I’ve been trying to watch as many as possible in an attempt to get up to speed on new music.

After sitting through several forgettable Award Show live musical performances, two artists stand out from the crowd.

Kelly Clarkson’s inspired live performance of ‘Mr. Know It All’ blew me away. It was a new arrangement with lots of horns – so much fun!

And Kelly Rowland’s  live performance of her song, ‘Motivation,’ really made me think twice about her as a solo artist! She was awesome! She sang, danced and seemed in total command of the stage – she was a diva!

After watching Kelly’s blockbuster performance, you might find yourself asking, “Beyonce who?”

See it for yourself!!

Miranda Kerr Swears By Sunwarrior Protein Powder: What The Heck Is It?

Divabetic: Sunwarrior Protein Powder

Victoria’s Secret model, Miranda Kerr, said she lost the baby weight by drinking a power smoothie every morning which has Sunwarrior protein powder in it. Tonight, Miranda is walking the runway in the Victoria Secret Fashion Show in skimpy underwear after giving birth only a few months ago.

So what is it? And how can we get some?!!!!

Sunwarrior is a brand of raw vegan protein powder, meaning it is not heated over 90 degrees and contains zero animal products or animal derivatives.  It is made from whole grain brown rice and doesn’t contain any soy.

Benefits of Sun Warrior:

• Amazing nutritional profile: 80 calories, 16 grams of protein per serving
• Non-GMO
• Gluten free
• Great in recipes
• Very high quality (85% protein)
• Easily digestible
• Free of animal products
• Pretty easy to mix in water or milk
• Not made from Whey
• Great source of protein for vegetarians/vegans/those who enjoy brown rice protein

Sunwarrior Protein Powder Price: $42.95

By the way, let’s remember that models aren’t doctors. It’s important to check with your doctor before you try any new food products to make sure  they’re right for you.

Miranda Kerr Wears Million Dollar Bra on Victoria Secret TV Show Tonight

Divabetic: Support Can Be Beautiful

On this year’s ‘Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show,’ the woman wearing the multi-million dollar bra will be Miranda Kerr. The bra was designed by London Jewelers and embellished with nearly 3,400 precious stones including 142 carats of diamonds. She said it was a lot of fun to wear  but more for the novelty of wearing $2.5 million dollars.

As for how they decide who gets to wear the bra, Kerr joked that there was “a bit of a catfight backstage.” Based on the audience reaction, maybe they should be showing footage from that as well.

Broadcast in more than 180 countries, the $12 million made-for-TV-event attracts the world’s top models and features A-list musical guests. And it’s all designed to burnish a brand that peddles fantasies to everyone from teenagers to suburban housewives of America.

There will be a total of 69 looks worn by 36 models, more than ever have walked the runway at the annual underwear spectacle. This year’s show  features performances from Nicki Minaj and Maroon 5 — whose frontman, Adam Levine, dates Victoria’s Secret model Anne Vyalitsina — and headliner Kanye West with surprise guest Jay-Z.

“It’s become a performance-slash-lifestyle-slash-variety show and, of course, with models wearing intimate apparel,” says Francois Lee of ad buying firm MediaVest. The special has shifted from “just an extension of a catalog to really showcasing the lifestyle aspect of the brand.”

What A Girl Wants: Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 6

Divabetic: Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 6

Check out the hot, hot, hot Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 6 racing shoes that are designed to be worn barefoot with an open-mesh upper and perforated sockliner to keep feet cool.

They’re so hot they’re on Oprah’s 2011 Favorite Things list. And these shoes will definitely get you noticed. They are THAT bright! With neon patterns (they glow in the dark!)  these sneakers are designed to meet the needs of triathletes.

Inspired by Australian Triathlon enthusiasts looking for a lightweight, racer-like yet supportive feel.  But take it from Oprah, you don’t have to be a triathlete to enjoy these shoes – they’re versatile, fun, visible and offer a good combo of structure and light weight for all levels of runners.

Speed laces save time in transition, and come in either standard or elastic form.

Snooki’s Confessions Of A Guidette

Divabetic: Snooki's New Book

Hold on to your pouf!

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi’s back on the book shelves with her new book, Confessions of a Guidette. It’s part memoir/part guide on, you know, how to be your very own guidette. It’s hard to believe any woman would strive to be one but  thanks to this book, you too can live the Jersey dream.

 

 

Below, a few tips to get you started ..

“A guidette has to know how to have fun anywhere. Like, if you’re stuck in a cardboard box, you have to rock it.”

“Your hair should make you six inches taller”

And a guidette must own hoop earrings. “And they have to be big enough to fit a Red Bull through.” 

I don’t know how popular this item will be but I found her guidette beauty tip interesting to say the least — Snooki’s kitty litter facial: Use clean litter, mix it with hot water, and apply it for 10 minutes.

“Guidettes are born with attitude … like, get out of our way, we don’t care what you think. Unless you’re a mirror.”  This last tip might be a necessity for those of you who try her kitty litter facial.

Can I Give Blood If I’m Living With Diabetes?

Divabetic: Can I Give Blood?

Yes, you can donate blood if you’re living with diabetes as long as you are  in good health, be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last 56 days. Plus,  you meet the following criteria:

Your sugar level is tightly managed

Your blood pressure is below 180/100.

You are not anemic

Most blood banks usually check for donor eligibility through a series of other questions and tests, so keep in mind that you might still be disqualified.

If you are eligible to donate, make sure you have an adequate meal and drink extra fluids to replace the volume being removed. Around that date, it’s important to eat iron-rich foods (such as spinach, kale, and lean red meat). And as always, stay away from fatty foods, which might affect some of the tests done to determine eligibility.

You may experience high blood sugars due to the stress factor of giving blood. Also, if you drank juice and ate sugary foods to revive you after giving blood, that may be an even more direct reason. If the high sugars persist, carefully review your lifestyle.