Tag Archives: Diabetes

Ketolicious Kitchens Launches Keto Mexican Comfort Food Product Line

GILBERT, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- Ketolicious Kitchens recently launched a new brand - Sonora™ - that caters to the Keto and low-carb lifestyle, specifically those looking for authentic Mexican fare. Founded by Lupita Aguilera Hicks, she shares that the basis of her product line all started at home. Some of her family members experienced serious complications from heart disease and diabetes and she even observed close friends who died from related complications from the disease.

After diabetes claimed her grandmother's life, she made it a personal mission to help not just her mother and friends manage their health through better food, but to bring these healthy, new choices to the world.

Lupita said she tried to find off-the-shelf options that would allow her to create family favorites, but she came up short each time. She sought healthy choices combined with the flavors and comfort from her childhood in Sonora, Mexico. After much experimenting on her own, she realized she could create great tasting keto meals that didn't taste like keto substitutes.

"For me, Sonora means flavor, family and home," Lupita says. "And, it's healthier comfort food."

The current Sonora™ product line consists of four dry mixes for tortillas, tamales, pan dulce (sweet bread) and bolillos (French bread). And, people who buy the mixes don't need to add eggs or milk. All that's needed is a little water (and love!).

The dry mix ingredients are natural and include items such as almond flour, eggs, yeast and salt - real ingredients for people who want to enjoy the flavors of Mexico without the heavy carbs. There's one-gram net carbs per tortilla; 4 grams net carbs per tamale; 8 grams net carbs per pan dulce; and one-gram net carbs per bolillo.

Mike Hicks, Lupita's husband, directs product development and experienced first-hand how a low-carb ketogenic diet could help him to lose weight and lower his A1C numbers.

These simple and delicious "just add water" recipes are perfect for anyone who is trying to reduce their carb intake, reduce inflammation and improve their overall health.

"The Sonora brand gives people healthier choices when it comes to home-made desserts and breads," he says. "Plus, they taste as good or better than the traditional carb-heavy versions. There's enormous potential here."

About Ketolicious Kitchens, LLC:

Ketolicious Kitchens, LLC is a Mexican-American/Native American, woman-owned company proudly based in Gilbert, Arizona. All products are low carb and no sugar added.

MORE INFORMATION:

Sonora Kitchen: https://sonorakitchen.com/

Ketolicious Kitchens: https://ketoliciouskitchens.com/

Ketolicious Kitchens recently launched a new brand - Sonora™ - that caters to the Keto and low-carb lifestyle, specifically those looking for authentic Mexican fare. Founded by Lupita Aguilera Hicks, she shares that the basis of her product line all started at home. Some of her family members experienced serious complications from heart disease and diabetes and she even observed close friends who died from related complications from the disease.

Related link: https://ketoliciouskitchens.com/

Designer John Robert Wiltgen Beats the Odds: ‘The Candy in My Pocket’ – An Inspirational Memoir About Designing Your Best Life

CHICAGO, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- With holiday shopping just around the corner, John Robert Wiltgen's riveting memoir "The Candy in My Pocket" (ISBN: 979-8986007007), is now available for the gift giving season. As a type 1 diabetic for more than 55 years, Wiltgen has been a successful business owner and now author whose memoir describes his journey of finding joy and success amidst a life riddled with obstacles and despair due to insulin-dependent diabetes.

Critics describe "The Candy in My Pocket" as an inspirational but irreverent story about designing your best life despite horrifying circumstances.

His memoir journals the dramatic days of his forty years as an award-winning designer commissioned by celebrities, world leaders, and other luminaries; his (secret) debilitating and death-defying battle with diabetes; and the struggle to hold on to himself and those he cared about along the way.

"I first knew I was going to live an extraordinary life when Zsa Zsa Gabor said I should be on stage," said Wiltgen.

But then Sid Caesar told him, "If you don't have tragedy, you won't have comedy."

The years have taught Wiltgen they were both right.

Wiltgen was diagnosed with T1D when he was eight. At that time, his parents were told he would not live to see 40. For a kid from a middle-class suburb of Chicago his life has been exceptional.

He graduated high school in three years.

When he was 16, he apprenticed at a theatre working with Hollywood legends such as Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor, Louis Jordan, Leslie Caron, Syd Caesar, and Imogene Coca.

Wiltgen started his own residential design firm at 18 and never looked back-even when he could not see. "After all, who wants to hire a blind designer?" he laughs.

Wiltgen fought diabetic retinopathy in his early 20's for four years and won. A year later he was told he needed a kidney transplant. Performed at the University of Minnesota, it is now 36 years post-surgery and still functioning! "The surgeons told me it would last 12-15 years but they were mistaken," said Wiltgen.

In his 30's he developed heart disease, fought cellulitis, osteomyelitis, a below the knee amputation, pulmonary fibrosis and skin cancer.

Wiltgen also survived COVID in April of 2020 when no one knew anything about it. "The doctors would not come into my room. Instead, they phoned me on the hospital's phone to find out how I was doing," he said.

Nonetheless, his memoir includes larger-than life tales that are extremely entertaining. Though his life involves many tragedies, it also includes exciting personal and professional adventures as well as celebrity cameos with stars such as Jane Seymour, Timothy Hutton, Angelina Jolie, Sean and Robyn Wright Penn, Steve Harvey, John Cusack, the former Governor and First Lady of Lagos State, Nigeria (who is now running for President of that country) and Jesus.

His career has included designing homes across the United States, Canada, Mexico-even Africa. Wiltgen has appeared on HGTV, NBC, FOX, WTTW etc. His completed projects have been featured in more than 200 newspapers and magazines not including the hardcover coffee table books that also display his work. He has received 45 awards from his peers.

Navid Ziran, an orthopedic trauma surgeon said, "I perform many amputations due to diabetic foot infections and am very familiar with the effects of diabetes on the mental and physical quality of life as well as the overall longevity."

"The five-year mortality rate after an amputation is 62%," Ziran noted. Other individuals would have died a long time ago, yet he not only survived but became a world-renown designer," said Ziran.

"John is a quintessential example of how the human spirit can not only adapt but also flourish and succeed despite overwhelming obstacles. Truly, his life story embraces "ad astra per aspera"-a crooked path leads to the stars," said Ziran.

"I would say that regarding survivability and inner strength, John represents the end of the bell curve for not only diabetic patients but also humans," he concluded.

Holly Hunt, founder of the celebrated luxury home furnishings and design brand said, "John has a talent for storytelling and writing as well as for design, but the most important part of this memoir is his amazing energy and determination to live with the debilitating disease type 1 diabetes, Hunt said. "He enjoys a full life gathering fabulous, famous and adventurous friends, and gives back to many far more than he takes. He never looks back, always forward choosing to be happy and fully engaged while hiding his scars and physically damaged parts with Versace!"

Cynthia Rowley, global fashion designer, remarked, "I laughed out loud at every story. John's triumph over medical adversity is enormously uplifting. He chooses joy, happiness and unwavering positivity in his quest to live life on his own terms. I have never met a person with more energy and pathological optimism."

"I wrote this book to help people of all beliefs and backgrounds remain optimistic in the worst of times-no matter what personal or professional challenges they're dealing with," stated Wiltgen. "You might not have diabetes or know someone who does, but we all have challenges-and need stories exemplifying how to live our best lives-or, at least, laugh while trying!"

"The Candy in My Pocket" would make a great holiday gift not only for any one of the 500,000,000 diabetics around the globe, but for anyone fighting a debilitating disease. It can be purchased online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, the Book Depository, even Walmart.

MORE INFORMATION:

For more information, please go to the following websites:

https://www.jrwdesign.com/

https://www.jrwdesign.com/awards/

https://www.jrwdesign.com/jrwd-press/

https://www.thecandyinmypocket.com/

A portion of the profits realized from the sale of this book will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

John Robert Wiltgen has spoken on numerous topics at various venues including colleges, trade shows, private clubs, professional organizations and numerous podcasts. He's appeared on HGTV's I Want That! Baths; I Want That! Kitchens; and Homes Across America as well as NBC's Open House, Fox Television, and WTTW. He is a great interview.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John Robert Wiltgen started writing as soon as his mother bought him a used Underwood typewriter at a garage sale. During middle school he was editor of the school newspaper. He graduated high school in 3 years studying art, literature, creative writing and theater. After a brief stint at design school, he embarked on his career as a residential designer and never looked back.

Wiltgen continued to grow his award-winning and successful residential design firm while fighting many obstacles. He obsessed over making his client's worlds beautiful taking him across North America and halfway around the world-from Chicago's Gold Coast to Africa's Ivory Coast. John Robert Wiltgen Design is synonymous with its reputation for excellence and superior quality in design, styling, and craftsmanship.

"The Candy in My Pocket" is Wiltgen's first book-a very personal memoir. However, he promises to delve into writing fiction next.

About his life John likes to quote the American writer, Elbert Hubbard. Born in 1857, raised in Illinois, he wrote, "Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out alive."

With holiday shopping just around the corner, John Robert Wiltgen's riveting memoir "The Candy in My Pocket" (ISBN: 979-8986007007), is now available for the gift giving season. As a type 1 diabetic for more than 55 years, Wiltgen has been a successful business owner and now author whose memoir describes his journey of finding joy and success amidst a life riddled with obstacles and despair due to insulin-dependent diabetes.

Related link: https://www.jrwdesign.com/

Dissecting Inflammation to Understand Chronic Disease in Type 2 Diabetes

LA JOLLA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Scientists are pursuing novel strategy to understand the source of inflammation in chronic diseases at the molecular level. Dr. Marcelo Freire at The J. Craig Venter Institute, is among the scientists conducting this provocative research and he's the lead and senior author of a recent study, "Transcriptomics of type 2 diabetic and healthy human neutrophils."

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 415 million people worldwide, and its prevalence is rising in adults, increasing the risk of developing co-morbidities such as inflammatory lesions on limbs, eyes and periodontal tissues. In fact, patients with diabetes are more prone to develop severe forms of COVID-19. Recently neutrophils have also been associated with inflammatory pathways in Sars-CoV-2 infections.

Thus, demonstrating that diabetics fail to respond to microbial/viral and metabolic challenges due to deficiencies on immune cells. However, clinicians are unable to accurately predict which patients will develop chronic inflammatory and associated co-morbidities.

"Unravelling immune and lipid mechanisms of diabetes can advance our understanding of the disease," Freire says. "We found that aberrant inflammation is a molecular source of chronic disease in type 2 diabetes and that's reversible."

In laboratory studies, researchers identified two pathways that dysregulate inflammation in type 2 diabetes. By employing a global analysis of RNA (transcriptomics) from innate immune cells, they discovered novel immune and lipid-related genes that are chronically suppressed.

Though chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes have excellent therapeutic modalities that focus on blood sugar levels and insulin, none currently control the disease-associated chronic inflammation.

In this study, human neutrophils (the most abundant leukocytes in the blood) were evaluated via transcriptomics for the first time. This new survey of human neutrophils provides access to the scientific community about regulatory signatures and mechanistic information of in health versus disease.

"Collaborative efforts have been established to expand the knowledge in our lab and others to expand the field of neutrophils and investigate the source of inflammation to other organs," Freire says.

Inflammatory networks derived from neutrophils can become informative in terms of early diagnostics of diabetics and future development of therapeutics.

For this work, the researchers treated human cells ex vivo with a novel fatty acid, resolvin E1 (RvE1), known for its pro-resolution functions. The application of this exogenous therapeutic showed that type 2 diabetics are not irreversibly damaged and that the treatments that reduce chronic inflammation may rescue the phenotype. Because Freire's team has expertise in inflammation and the receptor-ligand axis, they were able to assay human cells with tailored amount of RvE1 to further advance precision medicine.

In addition to conducting RNA sequencing (transcriptomics) and analysis of full neutrophil transcriptomes, the team used cell culture to enhance concentrations of RvE1 for both healthy and diabetic neutrophils The scientists tested control treatments to account for placebo stimulation of cells, but genes that were deficient or saturated in diabetic subjects only changed after specific concentrations of RvE1 were added, demonstrating that chronically inflamed cells are responsive

"There's much more research ahead, but the findings around unresolved inflammation should be a starting point to develop novel biomarkers for chronic disease severity and treatment," Dr. Sarah Kleinstein, first author of the study, says.

Freire agrees that the research is just in the beginning and future plans include furthering their understanding of diabetic heterogeneity and diagnostic/therapeutic development.

"We aim to find a better solution to monitor and treat chronic inflammation," Freire says.

Read an accelerated article preview of the study in BMC Immunology here: https://bmcimmunol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12865-021-00428-6

About the J. Craig Venture Institute

The J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) is a world leader in genomic research with 160 scientists and staff who are bold innovators fearlessly pursuing revolutionary ideas. It's registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has a long track-record of creativity and an interdisciplinary approach to genomics. It's committed to accelerating foundational scientific research to drive advances in human health and environmental sustainability.

For more information about JCVI: https://www.jcvi.org/

Scientists are pursuing novel strategy to understand the source of inflammation in chronic diseases at the molecular level. Dr. Marcelo Freire at The J. Craig Venter Institute, is among the scientists conducting this provocative research and he's the lead and senior author of a recent study, 'Transcriptomics of type 2 diabetic and healthy human neutrophils.'

Related link: http://mfreire@jcvi.org

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams Gets with the PLAN Joins Health/Fitness Coach Marci Kenon’s ‘Check Your Risk’ Diabetes Awareness Challenge

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Eighty-eight million adult Americans are on the borderline of developing type 2 diabetes and the majority haven't a clue. Marci Kenon, founder of New York-based Preventive Lifestyle Assistance Network (PLAN) has joined in a collaborative effort with Francheasca Roberson, executive director of California-based nonprofit The Eight, Inc., to break the chains that type 2 diabetes has on members of underserved communities around the country. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams also joins as an ally in the effort.

With November being National Diabetes Prevention Month, their "Check Your Risk" (CYR) Awareness Challenge hopes to encourage one million Americans to answer the one-minute survey of eight questions to assess their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The survey can be found at https://www.checkyourrisk.org/survey.

With many not realizing that type 2 diabetes is not only preventable, but reversible with changes in lifestyle, especially nutrition and exercise, the team is poised to readily assist. Persons whose results indicate that they are at high risk will be invited to a free webinar to learn more about type 2 diabetes.

Kenon's organization, PLAN, focuses exclusively on providing the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP), a preventative agenda helmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to those in need. "With knowledge comes power," says Kenon, who was diagnosed with borderline diabetes in 2012 and attended a six-week diabetes prevention program. "I was stunned to hear my blood sugar was high. I had to practice what I preached to the clients I started to train as a fitness instructor the year I was diagnosed."

For Eric Adams, the Borough President of Brooklyn, NY, the endeavor is also personal. Adams was afflicted by type 2 diabetes at one time, even losing his vision. "There was almost a surrender to the disease until my vision loss," Adams recalls during an interview with the Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine. "That was a wake-up call. If I am going to lose this war on my health, it is not going to be without a battle." Adams conducted research and changed to a whole food, plant-based diet, reversing the symptoms of the disease that nearly robbed him of his driving rights.

The outbreak of the coronavirus has highlighted the pervasiveness of obesity and type 2 diabetes among Black and Brown people around the country. The CDC has warned that type 2 diabetes increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black adults have a higher prevalence of obesity and are more likely to suffer worse outcomes from COVID-19. Racial and ethnic minority groups have historically not had broad opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health, and these inequities have increased their risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19.

Kenon and Roberson grasp the enormity of the diabetes and obesity problem, and it motivates them to do their part to impact the health and wellness of those who need it most. "There are a lot of resources available to the people we serve but they don't know these resources exist," cites Roberson.

With no end in sight for COVID-19 and the increasing cases of diabetes, the CYR challenge will continue beyond National Diabetes Prevention Month. The team is looking forward to working with Adams whose compelling story gives hope and guidance to concrete ways to prevent and reverse this devastating disease.

In addition to Adams, CYR has early support from the adult ministries department of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, a Protestant denomination known for its strong emphasis on the importance of living healthfully. Their focus on proper nutrition, exercise, rest, and meditation are all major components of their Eight Principles of Health and in alignment with PLAN's overall approach.

"We look forward to reaching one million Americans," Kenon shares confidently. "Then the goal will be increased to reaching 10 million people. With 88 million lives at stake though, we are only scratching the surface."

Take the "Check Your Risk" Awareness Challenge at: https://www.checkyourrisk.org/survey.

Follow the PLAN on Facebook at: PreventiveLifestyleAssistanceNetwork (https://www.facebook.com/PreventiveLifestyleAssistanceNetwork/ ), Instagram at @taketheoneminutesurvey (https://www.instagram.com/taketheoneminutesurvey/) and on Twitter at @PreventivePlan (https://twitter.com/PreventivePlan).

MEDIA CONTACT
Makeda Smith
Jazzmyne Public Relations
makeda@jazzmynepr.com
323-380-8819

Marci Kenon, founder of New York-based Preventive Lifestyle Assistance Network (PLAN) has joined in a collaborative effort with Francheasca Roberson, executive director of California-based nonprofit The Eight, Inc., to break the chains that type 2 diabetes has on members of underserved communities around the country. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams also joins as an ally in the effort.

Related link: https://www.joinplanglobal.com/

Health and Fitness Coach Marci Kenon Expands PLAN to Prevent Diabetes in New York’s Underserved Communities

HARLEM, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- When the pandemic hit, certified lifestyle coach Marci Kenon was knee deep in serving her Harlem community, specifically targeting the marginalized and underserved sectors. As the founder of Preventive Lifestyle Assistance Network (PLAN), her agency, launched last year, focuses exclusively on providing the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP), a preventative agenda helmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

With COVID-19 targeting Black and Brown people who have co-morbidities like type 2 diabetes, reaching at risk people became even more crucial for Kenon. PLAN recently signed an agreement with Healthfirst, a leading Managed Care Organization (MCO), to deliver the NDPP on a broader scale. In addition, a series of online NDPP classes will be offered in both English and Spanish beginning Thursday, September 10, 2020. PLAN is a certified New York State Medicaid Provider.

According to the CDC, over 88 million American adults have prediabetes, yet eight in ten don't know they have it. Without taking action, many could develop type 2 diabetes within five years. NDPP is an evidence-based, year-long program conducted by lifestyle coaches who help people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes reverse the course.

PLAN offers a one-minute risk test on its website at https://www.joinplanglobal.com/ for anyone to check their status. Those at risk can register for a NDPP class.

The statistics on how Black and Hispanic New Yorkers disproportionately contract the coronavirus, suffer with severe symptoms and die at higher rates than whites, highlight the importance of prevention programs like the one Kenon has made the center of her Harlem-based company. PLAN originally launched its first in-person NDPP class at Ephesus SDA Church on Malcolm X Boulevard in the heart of Harlem.

"The coronavirus struck and disrupted that class," Kenon recalls, talking about the uncertainty of life in New York as COVID-19 hit New York with intense cruelty. "I really thought I would wake up and realize it was all a bad dream. Fortunately, we were able to transition from in-person to virtual because we were conducting an NDPP class online before the coronavirus descended."

Feeling a strong desire to help during the height of the pandemic, Kenon started volunteering at the NY Common Pantry, near her home in East Harlem. That is where she met Michael Montanez, a diligent, dedicated worker who is going to conduct PLAN's first Spanish-language classes.

"Marci's vision for our community's overall health is extremely expansive," expresses Montanez. "I'm excited to join PLAN with bi-lingual class offerings. The addition of Spanish classes is a critical step toward effecting awareness and change across our combined communities."

It was while pursuing a certification in personal fitness training that Kenon was told she was pre-diabetic during a routine medical exam. The doctor who sounded the alarm had lost her mother and grandmother, both double amputees, to complications related to type 2 diabetes.

Kenon created PLAN and became an official provider for NDPP. With New York State Medicaid now covering the full cost of the program, PLAN is positioned to more positively assist with impacting clients on an even grander scale. PLAN is one of a handful of companies that exclusively conducts this 22-module course.

"We start with weekly core classes that focus on making small lifestyle changes," Kenon explains. "We then transition into maintenance-mode with one class a month. We have a speaker series and a private Facebook page to nurture support. Our goals are losing weight, lowering blood sugar levels and increasing overall wellness. We are a small team and specialize in providing our clients with extra attention and care."

Kenon previously worked in the music industry for many years as a columnist/feature writer for Billboard magazine, interviewing celebrities that included Diana Ross, Jay Z and Jada Pinkett-Smith. She exited the music industry with the production of a documentary produced in 2004 in partnership with Image Entertainment, entitled "Higher Ground: Voices of Contemporary Gospel Music," featuring Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams.

With new partners, a new team member and a new pandemic-inspired attitude for change, Marci Kenon has a PLAN for better health for the community she serves!

Get the with the PLAN at https://www.joinplanglobal.com/.

Follow the PLAN on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PreventiveLifestyleAssistanceNetwork/, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/coachmarcinyc/ and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PreventivePlan.

View the PLAN promo at (YouTube): https://youtu.be/bSt9YG1XMsg.

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT
Makeda Smith
Jazzmyne Public Relations
makeda@jazzmynepr.com
323-380-8819

When the pandemic hit, certified lifestyle coach Marci Kenon was knee deep in serving her Harlem community, specifically targeting the marginalized and underserved sectors. As the founder of Preventive Lifestyle Assistance Network (PLAN), her agency, launched last year, focuses exclusively on providing the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP).

Related link: https://www.joinplanglobal.com/