They have each other. Miss America 1999 Nicole Johnson is a diabetic, but she’s also a mom, author and advocate who’d like to invite you to take a walk. There are many beautiful places to talk a walk around Tampa Bay, and this April, here in Kelly’s Kitchen we’d like to invite you to join Nicole and many others for the JDRF Walk on April 21st, that starts at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, and continues down Bayshore Boulevard. A favorite place to get in some exercise and now to learn more about diabetes and the many people affected throughout the Bay area.

   Nicole is the Executive Director of Bringing Science Home at the USF Health Design Center, and a diabetic herself, diagnosed in 1993. She told me how people told her how many things she wouldn’t be able to do…and of course, did she listen? No! Nicole is an accomplished woman, and shared some time with us recently to talk about what diabetes is, and how it affects your lifestyle.

  For many with diabetes, it can be difficult enough to maintain a home, a family, and a job. Try adding the title of Miss America to that when it was something that the organization had not dealt with before, and Nicole told us how that worked!  But it is very much about family for Nicole, because diabetes is something that affects the whole family, from meal preparation to exercise and lifestyle. But thanks to her cookbooks, it makes it fun for the family to get involved, and makes eating right a lot less work. Her latest is Nicole Johnson’s Diabetes Recipe Makeovers.

   Nicole’s dedication has resulted in raising over $26 million dollars for diabetes programs and research, and she’s continuing her education at USF, working toward her Doctor of Public Health Degree. Please visit her website and learn more about her tremendous dedication to raising awareness and someday, finding a cure.

   To join the walk on April 21^st, please click here and get your team together today!

   Listen to my full interview with Nicole here!

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone - Audrey Hepburn