Patti LaBelle has garnered gold records, fame and fans for more than three decades with chart-topping R&B songs and award-winning albums. LaBell's successful career began in the 1960s when she led The Bluebells to a "gold single" with I Sold My Heart To The Junkman. Since then, the Philadelphia native has been a chart staple through hits with the futuristic trio LeBelle. Later, LaBelle launched a stunning solo career with over 30 charted singles including 1983's If Only You Knew, a pop and R&B #1 single On My Own, and with a more recent hit, Somebody Loves You Baby. LaBelle's award winning album, Winner In You also served to establish her as a musical icon. In addition to her feats musically, LaBelle is also a notable author of such best-selling books as her autobiography, Don't Block The Blessings. She has also proven herself as an excellent TV, theatre and movie actress.

Her credits include her role in the Emmy-award winning television show, Motown Salutes the Apollo and Broadway's Your Arms Are Too Short To Box. LaBelle is also recognized for her tireless devotion to humanitarian work. She serves as the spokesperson for the National Monority AIDS Council's "Live Long Sugar" campaign; and the National Cancer Institute.

Patti LaBelle released her third literary project on April 14, 2003. Her latest book is entitled: Patti LaBelle's Lite Cuisine - Over 100 Dishes With To-Die-For Recipes.

Patti LaBelle is the author of three books on cooking. Cooking is very important to her and her family. Patti knows that what we eat can cause us health problems.

Many people do not know that Patti La Belle has diabetes. This is a disease that can cause many problems for people. Patti decided to take control of her diet and focus on her health. She cooks with low fat, low in salt and low sugar. Yet, her meals taste great. She has learned that cooking food is a real science. How you cook can make foods both nourishing and tasty. If you do it well, you can also enjoy your way to good health.

Seventeen million Americans have diabetes. This disease is caused when the body does not produce or use a hormone called insulin. This natural drug of our body changes sugar into energy. Without insulin, people become very ill. They can become blind or even die from kidney disease.

Diabetes can run in a family. Or it can be caused by how we live. Doctors think that not getting enough exercise or eating many starchy or sweet foods can cause this disease.

Make a list of the things that you do to stay healthy. Do a report on diabetes and see if anyone in your family has this illness. Start to think about what you eat every day. It is a matter of life and death. Check out this web site: http://www.diabetes.org/main/application/commercewf