2013 Diva Moments: Mermaid Parade

Mr Divabetic at the Mermaid Parade

2013 is quickly coming to an end and we’re taking a look back at a year’s worth of  Divabetic outreach. One of our favorite DIVA moments of 2013 was filming a video at the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island, New York.

The Mermaid Parade, founded in 1983, officially opens the ocean for summer swimming, teaches mythology to Brooklyn families, provides self-esteem for Coney Island and artistic self-expression for the New York City arts community.  Over the years the Mermaid Parade has grown into the largest event of the year at Coney Island and it is also one of the ten biggest parades annually in New York City. This year’s version featured dancers, bands, square politicians, people costumed as pirates, octopuses and sailors, and many women wearing fake fish tails on their bottoms and nothing but sequined pasties — or less — on top!

Each year the parade is presided over by a ceremonial “King Neptune” and “Queen Mermaid.” This year’s king was 30 Rock actor Judah Friedlander. The Queen Mermaid was journalist and “Real Housewives of New York City” star Carole Radziwill.

“It was surprising to meet so many people at the Mermaid Parade living with diabetes, says Max “Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.”Everyone we filmed was either living with or affected by diabetes. It really proved to me that diabetes is everywhere and there still isn’t enough awareness.”

Today over 23 million people are living with diabetes in the United States. Mr. Divabetic plays his food game, Serve, Taste or Trash! with participants and crowd goers to help encourage people to read nutritional labels. You might be surprised by the facts.

In the game you are given three choices of popular snack foods: Nestle Butterfinger candy bar, Pop Tarts (Hot Fudge Sundae) and a Topicana Cranberry Cocktail. To play you must decide which item you’d serve, which one you’d taste and which one you’d trash. Can you tell which one contains the most sugar? The Nestle Butterfinger (2 pieces) contains 48 grams of sugar, Pop Tarts contain 24 grams of sugar and the Tropicana Cranberry Cocktail contains 51 grams of sugar.

Mr. Divabetic’s New video from Feria de Salud

Mr. Divabetic at Feria de Salud

GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS: The happy healthcare host, Mr Divabetic raises awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way  at the American Diabetes Association’s largest Latino event of the year — Feria de Salud, at St. Mary’s Park in Bronx, NY.  The annual Feria de Salud Festival offers free health screenings and education to South Bronx residents about diabetes.

Play along with Mr. Divabetic as he challenges various participants including Mimi Gonzalez BS, RN with the food game, ‘Serve, Taste or Trash!’ In the game, players are given three choices of popular snack foods: Peanut Butter M & M’s, Yoplait Original yogurt and  Froot Loops.  To play you must decide which item you’d serve, which one you’d taste and which one you’d trash. Can you tell which one contains the most sugar? You might be surprised by the results. Froot Loops contain 18 grams of sugar, Peanut Butter M & M’s contain 22 grams of sugar and the Yoplait Original yogurt contains 26 grams of sugar.

Original music by Douglas Clay: www.douglasclaymusic.com

LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX: Mr Divabetic Show podcast featuring Author Kim Law, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic and Audrey McManus from Babeland  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/08/19/the-mr-divabetic-show-with-author-kim-law