Join Us for December’s Divabetic Club in Philadelphia

Divabetic

I’m looking forward to hosting December’s Divabetic Club at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital today on Thursday, December 17, 2015, 12 PM – 1 PM.

This month we’re focusing on the  importance of practicing ‘Gratitude’ in your daily diabetes life along with a special A1C Champion presentation by Robert Gaskins and samples of a few of our ‘Favorite Things’ for the season.

Gratitude helps us see our situation whether we’re newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for more than a decade in a way that can lessen panic, and could open up our thinking to new solutions for our health. When we can see the good as well as the bad, it becomes more difficult to complain and easier to find a solution.

Here’s a ‘divabetic’ tip: try to give at least one fabulous compliment each day of the holiday season. It can be to a person or it can be asking someone to share your appreciation of something else like “I love how peaceful it is in the morning, don’t you?”

Do you ever feel deprived of all the holiday dazzle because you can’t let go and celebrate like everyone else?  Well, I’m excited to announce that one of our ‘Favorite Things’ this year is Gaeter’s low glycemic Ice cream. We’ll be giving out free samples during our Annual Holiday Celebration.

Did you know that Graeter’s low glycemic ice cream has 50% of the sugar (as regular ice cream) which makes it a deliciously responsible indulgence?  Monk fruit is the magic behind Graeter’s new recipe. It sweetens their ice cream while maintaining a texture comparable to other traditional handcrafted flavors. The natural sweetener not only cuts the sugar in half, but offers 25 percent less calories and fat.

Graeter’s worked with the Glycemic Research Institute^® to develop and test their ice cream’s impact on blood-sugar levels. Graeter’s low-glycemic ice creams meet the certifications of the Glycemic Research Institute criteria for a low-glycemic food suitable for people with type 2 diabetes.

The line contains three of our classic ice cream flavors: Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean, Mint Chocolate Chip and Butter Pecan.

The Divabetic Club blends diabetes self-management education, group support with online empowerment tools in a way that enlightens participants and motivates them to improve. Divabetic’s uniquely different outreach and online programming comforts, connects and empowers its community to “Glam More, Fear Less” so that no one has to struggle with diabetes alone or in silence.

Divabetic Club Philadelphia is sponsored Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, works collaboratively with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and is a signature program of Divabetic.

Thursday, December 17, 2015, 12 PM – 1 PM

Divabetic Club Philadelphia
Hamilton Building
1001 Locust Street, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
FREE ADMISSION
Register: 1-800-JEFF-NOW

Don’t Eat Any Foods Your Grandmother Didn’t Eat

Divabetic Club

“Don’t eat any foods your grandmother didn’t eat,” said Amy Corse RD, CDE at Divabetic Club – Philadelphia on Thursday at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

My Great-Grandmother never cooked with guar gum, carrageenan, mono- and diglycerides, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, modified food starch, soy lecithin and any number of other ingredients found in today’s processed food. She would never eat cotton, but cottonseed oil is commonplace in all sorts of the “edible foodlike substances” found in supermarkets today. She didn’t have frozen yogurt, McDonald’s or sports drinks.

Food came from farms and small markets in the early 1900’s, and because food preservatives were not widely used yet, food was fresh. Because of the lack of processed food, their diets were nutrient dense allowing them to get the nutrition they needed from their food.

The key term here, of course, is “food.” We need to make distinctions between real food and “food-like products,” Corse told the members of the Divabetic Club after a healthy cooking demonstration by  Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Executive Chef Joseph Mascino.

Food was not yet treated with additives, antibiotics and hormones to help  preserve shelf life.

Some guidelines for improving your diet include:

• Don’t eat food with more than five ingredients, or with ingredients you can’t pronounce, or that contain high-fructose corn syrup (which serves as a ‘marker’ indicating that the food is highly processed).
• Eat only food that you have cooked, or could cook.

 Michael Pollan, a  journalism professor at the University of California at Berkeley and author of the bestselling book The Omnivore’s Dilemma advises, “Any processed food can be changed overnight to correspond with food fads. You can even rejigger bread along Atkins lines.” So the “loudest foods in the market” he said, are processed foods, touting their nutritional virtues via a $42 billion marketing industry, while “these poor whole foods just sit there silently.”

Our grandparents did not fall victim to fad diets, food marketing, calorie counting, and other detrimental dieting habits that are popular today (in part because the marketing infrastructure didn’t exist yet). Because of this they had a healthy metabolism, and ate according to their body’s needs and cravings.

 REGISTER NOW: Divabetic’s Mothers & Daugthers Tea with Special Guests Catherine Schuller and Yago Jones on Saturday, May 30, 2015. FREE. 1-800-JEFF-NOW

LISTEN NOW: March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Carrie Underwood

Who’s the Boss at Your Doctor’s Appointment?

Divabetic Diabetes Late Nite

August’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Miranda Lambert focuses on self worth and diabetes on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, 6 – 7 PM, EST.

Many  people with diabetes have their self-worth challenged when they see their doctor. They feel stupid asking questions or they’re too embarrassed to ask questions. Tune in to hear the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic discuss this “HOT TOPIC” with Neva White MSN, CRNP, CDE, the leader of the Divabetic Club – Philadelphia held at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.  Below are three great tips on taking charge of your next doctor’s visit:

#1: Consider taking someone with you.  Think like a ‘Golden Girl’  and ask your your pal, friend and confidant to come with you to your next doctor’s appointment. An extra pair or ears and eyes…and an extra brain…has been invaluable in helping me to not feel intimidated by even the most curt and brusque of doctors.

#2: Bring a list to the appointment.  Hollywood legend, Bette Davis was on the right track when she wrote a letter to Daddy. You can take a page from her book and jot down a list of questions for your Doctor. The list can help manage time so that you don’t linger on one item too long, or stray off onto something

#3: Repeat back your understanding of the plan of action. Take a cue from singer/songwriter Nina Simone who sang ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ and make sure you clearly understand what your doctor is telling you.  When you sense your time is up, briefly feedback to the doctor what you understand has come out of the appointment.

Don’t miss August’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Miranda Lambert on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, 6 -7 PM, EST. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Mama Rose Marie, Author Kim Boykin and Marina Tsaplina.

TUNE IN: Mr. Divabetic Show on Breast Cancer & Diabetes featuring Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. April Speed, Mari Michelle Ruddy, Mary Sue Englund and E.P. McKnight.

Divabetic Club Pays Tribute to Mr. Malcolm

One of our Divabetic Club members, Mr. Malcolm recently passed away. We celebrate  Mr. Malcolm’s enthusiasm, support and kindness of our diva brand of diabetes outreach.  Mr. Malcolm assisted our team at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital with all the aspect of  our various outreach efforts. He often shared very powerful, personal testimonials about living with diabetes that will never be forgotten and always valued. He will be missed.

Mr. Malcolm was featured in last year’s Plate Poetry Project video series. His testimonial is very inspirational.

The Plate Poetry Project provides a unique forum for people living with diabetes to share their personal journeys with others. Where they’ve been, where they are and where they’d like to be. Participants express hopes, fears, joys, sorrows, challenges and inspirations using a total of 9 words. What’s on your plate?

Manage Your Diabetes Like A Diva!

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic is joined by Neva White, CDE from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to discuss the benefits of  using ‘Pattern Management’ in your daily diabetes self-care.

Learn how to manage your diabetes like a diva! Join the Divabetic Club  in New York, NY, Cleveland, OH and Philadelphia, PA.

Come to Divabetic Club – Philadelphia on Thursday, March 15, 2012, 12 – 1 PM at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. It’s free and fabulous!

For more information go to the CALENDAR section of: www.divabetic.org

Divabetic Club Cleveland: Today, My Blood Sugar’s My Best Friend!

How about yours? How do you feel about your blood sugars? Imagine what would happen if you treated your blood sugar as a friend rather than foe today. Woudn’t it be great to experience a day when you looked at your glucose monitor and smiled!!!

Join the Divabetic Club – Cleveland on Saturday, March 10th when we discuss the Happinesss Project and discover the different ways a good moods can change our health for the better! Plus,  we will talk turkey … turkey bacon, turkey sausage, ground turkey, all sorts of turkey products.  Are they better choices?  Should I be buying them?  How do I know?

Our monthly empowerment sessions aim to help you learn how to take charge and live better with diabetes. Each session covers everything from glucose monitoring to exercising to gardening for healthy eating. A bonus: you’ll make lifelong friend

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland

3601 Green Road, #100, Beachwood, OH

                             

Dining Club

Ruby Tuesday

24325 Chagrin Road (in the Giant Eagle plaza), is the next stop for the dining out club.

Dates include lunch on Monday, 3-19 or Dinner on 3-26.

Reservations are necessary…call or e-mail MaryAnn at 216-591-0800 ormnicolay@diabetespartnership.org

 Remember, if the weather is bad, check channel 3, I-Alert for cancellation of Divabetic Club. Get the dates and diva details on upcoming Divabetic outreach events in the CALENDAR section of www.divabetic.org

Divabetic Club: Diabetes 12 Steps

Over the years, I’ve been told my Divabetic monthly meetings, The Divabetic Club, are like typical AA Meetings. “What?!!!! ,” I replied.

“How can you compare diabetes with alcoholism. No way!!!”

So okay, at our  Divabetic Club meetings women and their loved ones come together to ‘share’ their experiences living with diabetes. The good, the bad and the ugly … “I’ve lost weight, gained weight, exercised, over slept, binged, thrown up, stopped taking insulin, checked five times a day, stopped checking and/or didn’t take my dog for a walk for a week”-style confessions … with tears or laughter. And yes, Divabetic Club’s golden rules are: no judgements and keep coming back!

But still I didn’t get it. I didn’t see the similarities.

Of course, I’d like to think that I was blindsided by the fact that we dress it up a bit with a feather boa! (Maybe the feathers threw me off.) But now, seven years after we sold our first Divabetic ‘Sugar’s the Bitch. No Me.’ t-shirt, I get it. I see.

Divabetic is about ‘acceptance.’ Divabetic is about learning how to accept your diabetes. We understand that the  journey toward acceptance  has nothing to do with time. You can be newly diagnosed or living with diabetes for decades before you accept your diabetes. That’s okay.  Because once you do, you learn diabetes is no longer about ‘neglect,’ it’s about ‘respect.’ And that’s what “Keeps Your House A Home.” 

You don’t have to like it, but you do have to manage it. One day at a time. just like AA!!!  Here are The Divabetic 12 Steps (by The Divabetic Club NYC:)

1. I have faith in the cure. I acknowledge that diabetes is something that I will live with every day of my life.

2. I have made a conscious decision to improve my care and therefore the quality of my life.

3. I will respect not neglect my diabetes and I embrace the idea of self- management.

4. I am more than my diabetes but I acknowledge that diabetes may always be a part of me.

5. I understand that despite my best efforts diabetes can often throw me a curveball. I hold myself accountable for my current quality of life I forgive others for past imperfections.

6. I understand that my numbers give me greater awareness and are not an indication of personal failure.

7. I have the power/strength/perseverance to overcome these pitfalls.

8. I acknowledge and appreciate the concerns my family members and friends have for my well-being.

9. I will not judge others based on their personal habits.

10. I will consult with a qualified healthcare professional before engaging in any new form of treatment.

11. I recognize that my body, my diabetes and my life experience is different from the person sitting next to me.

12. I will help encourage others to improve their care.

Divabetic Club: 7 Habits of Effective People Living With Diabetes

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic is joined by special guests, Neva White, MSN, CRNP, CDE and Stephanie Gaber, PharmD from the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA to talk about the Divabetic Club – Philadelphia program.

Mr. Divabetic kicked off this FREE monthly meeting for men and women touched by diabetes with a ‘Dancing In Cars’ fitness routine set to an Aretha Franklin classic.  The divas and dudes weighed in about Paula Deen‘s recent confession about living with type 2 diabetes during our Hot Topics discussion folllowed by a feature presentation on  ‘The 7 Habits of Effective People Living With Diabetes’ by Stephen Covey and the American Diabetes Association of Educators (AADE).

JOIN US IN FEBRUARY: Our next Divabetic Club – Philadelphia program is Saturday, February 4, 2012. Find out more about Divabetic’s ‘free and fabulous’ monthly education meetings at: http://www.divabetic.org

Divabetic Club Presents ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People With Diabetes’

Divabetic: 7 Habits Of Effective People Living With Diabetes

At our upcoming Divabetic Club – Philly meeting at Thomas University Hospital,  Thursday, January 19, 2012, 12 -1 PM, Neva White  CDE will be presenting the ‘7 Habits Of Highly Effective People Living with Diabetes’ 

The ‘7 Habits Of Highly Effective People Living with Diabetes’ were developed by Dr. Stephen Covey and the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE.)  Their goal is to teach people to begin with global principles of effective living and then use those principles to guide their responses to diabetes.

Dr. Stephen  Covey revolutionized business management with his seven principles of living life effectively. When his wife was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, he realized that his seven attitudes could help people living with diabetes to gain control of their lives. Together with the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), he has created a booklet melding his seven management principles with the AADE’s seven self-care behaviors.

The first principle, “Be Proactive,” teaches us that although we have no control over what life brings us, our response to those circumstances is entirely within our control.

The second habit, “Begin With the End in Mind,” means that we need to articulate our ultimate purpose and then set goals that will lead to its achievement.

The third principle, “First Things First,” tells us to focus on what’s really important, not just urgent superficialities that do not further our mission.

Habit Four, “Think Win-Win,” involves creating positive energy when working effectively with our medical team and our loved ones.

Habit Five, “Seek First to Understand,” teaching us to really listen to others, allowing us to understand and then be understood by our healthcare team.

The sixth habit, “Synergize,” encourages finding a solution that is greater than the sum of the parts.

And the seventh habit, “Sharpen the Saw,” involves taking time to engage in activities that are physical, mental, spiritual, and social so we can see that we change our own lives.

Dr. Covey says that by incorporating the first three habits of self-management and personal leadership, the next three of interpersonal leadership, and the last habit of self-renewal, his wife transformed her diabetes from a negative into a positive for herself and their whole family.

It’s all about personal responsibility and integrity, he says. “The heart of the whole thing is finding meaning to your travails, to have some sense of purpose that drives you on. I’m going to find meaning in it, and I’m going to use it to bless not just my life, but other people’s lives.”

FREE DIABETES OUTREACH

Divabetic Club – Philadelphia

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Thursday, January 19, 2012, 12 -1 PM

for more information go to: divabetic.org 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People With Diabetes booklet is available at www.diabetes7.org. It’s free. The AADE seven self-care behaviors (Healthy Eating, Being Active, Monitoring, Taking Medication,
Problem Solving, Healthy Coping, and Reducing Risks) can be found at the AADE’s website at http://www.diabeteseducator.org.

Mr. Divabetic’s Favorite Things #11: Healthy & Delicious!

Mr. Divabetic Favorite Things #11

Number #11 on Mr. Divabetic’s Favorite Things list is Cabot’s Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese.  One 1-oz serving has just 70 calories & 4.5g fat.  And we have learned over the years, that less fat -not ‘no fat’ – means better flavor and texture. Our divas love Cabot Cheese  too!

We’ve been giving away free samples of Cabot Cheese at every stop on the Golden Girls outreach tour. Recently, our Golden Girls tour stop in Philadelphia, kicked off free monthly Divabetic Club meetings at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital hosted by Mr. Divabetic and featuring friendly diabetes educators, guest doctors.

Cabot Cheeses are all natural, crafted and aged by the farm-family owners of 90-year-old Cabot Creamery Cooperative without any additives or preservatives. It’s lactose free, calcium-rich and delicious, the winner of national and international competitions as “the world’s best cheddar.”

Want to see the other great gift ideas for someone living with diabetes on Mr. Divabetic‘s Favorite Things list 2011? Watch #diabetes video now