Harlem’s ‘Queen of Soul Food’ Sylvia Woods dies at 86

New York’s legendary “Queen of Soul Food” Sylvia Woods, whose iconic restaurant drew dignitaries and ordinary folk from all over the world to Harlem to taste her fried chicken, died Thursday at 86.

News that she died broke just as Mayor Bloomberg was paying tribute to the 50th anniversary of “Sylvia’s” at a gala reception at Gracie Mansion.

“We lost a legend today,” the mayor said. “Generations of family and friends have come together at what became a New York institution.”

The Woods family said she was surrounded by loved ones when she lost her battle with Alzheimer’s.

Tributes quickly began pouring in.

“Sylvia’s has been more than a restaurant, it has been a meeting place for black America,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who recalled dining there with everyone from President Obama to Caroline Kennedy.

Rep. Charles Rangel said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of a friend.

“She was a dynamic, warm and kind woman whom the entire Harlem community will miss,” he said.

Rangel called the eatery, where he recently celebrated his squeaker primary win, “a magical place that brought the community together.”

“Sylvia’s may have been famous nationally and internationally, but its soul has always remained in Harlem,” he said.

Former Mayor David Dinkins called her an icon.

By Edgar Sandoval, Michael J. Feeney And Helen Kennedy / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

How healthy is your barbecue? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops by the Big Apple BBQ Party to find out how everyday people stay on track with their health goals at outdoor picnics  and summer fun.

Mr. Divabetic hosts Diva TalkRadio, a dynamic free online and mobile podcast channel featuring health care professionals, beauty, image/style and fitness experts, entertainment industry leaders and VIPs: women and men living with, at risk of and affected by diabetes.

LISTEN NOW: Free Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Rev Run Podcast http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/06/12/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-rev-run

For more glitter, games and glucose advice visit: www.divabetic.org 

Jessica Simpson Buys Pedometers for Everyone in Her Weight Watchers Group

Hopeful Weight Watchers crusader Jessica Simpson indulged this week with a rather sizable purchase.

The singer, fashion designer and television personality aiming to shed some of her baby weight bought her entire Weight Watchers group pedometers.

“Just bought all the girls in my @weightwatchers group pedometers to track their steps,” she Tweeted. “10,000 steps a day = 5 miles! Let’s step it up!”

Simpson, who has signed to serve as a spokeswoman for Weight Watchers, must lose 20-30 pounds by late August if she still wants to rake in $4 million from the company, Us Weekly reports.

“There’s not a goal weight – I just want to feel normal and fixate on inches,” she said to People near the end of May. “I really want to set small goals, so I’m constantly reaching goals and not looking at something so far ahead.”

What are you eating? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks to everyday people about their healthy appetites at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA.

Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red TOMATO carpet at Thomas Jefferson University Hopsital, Philadelphia, PA,  the American Diabetes Association Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conferences in  San Diego, CA and Austin, TX in Fall 2012. For more glitter, games and glucose advice visit: http://www.divabetic.org

LISTEN NOW: The Golden Rules of a Diabetes Diet http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/06/01/studio-d-the-golden-rules-of-a-diabetes-diet

Jordin Sparks Stunning 50 Pound Weight Loss

“American Idol” champ Jordin Sparks  is flaunting her incredible 50 pound weight loss on the cover of Shape magazine‘s latest issue. Inside the magazine, the 22-year-old spilled her get-slim secrets and revealed why she suddenly felt motivated to make some major life changes.

“I just wanted to be healthy,” Jordin said. “It was just before my 21st birthday. I had walking pneumonia, couldn’t breathe and felt totally fatigued. I remember thinking, ‘I’m in my prime. I should be happy and fit.’ That was the moment I decided that changes needed to be made.”

After she found her motivation, it was time to get to work — which Sparks admits was was pretty daunting. “I knew I had a long road ahead of me,” she revealed. “I was barely working out, and my diet was a mess. I had to address when, what, and how much I was eating.”

She started exercising some major portion control and began by walking around her neighborhood until she felt confident enough to take up hiking. Since then, Sparks has started hitting the gym and taking Zumba classes to dance her way slim.

A year and a half later and 50 pounds lighter, Jordin is celebrating just how far she’s come. “For me to even be talking about bikini confidence is crazy. If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I probably would have been like, ‘What are you talking about?’ So it’s actually huge for me to even feel OK with putting a bikini on.”

What are you eating? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks to everyday people about their healthy appetites at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA.

Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red TOMATO carpet at Thomas Jefferson University Hopsital, Philadelphia, PA,  the American Diabetes Association Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conference in Austin, TX in Fall 2012. For more glitter, games and glucose advice visit: http://www.divabetic.org

LISTEN NOW: The Golden Rules of a Diabetes Diet http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/06/01/studio-d-the-golden-rules-of-a-diabetes-diet