Faithful Steps

Chicken legs with onions served with cauliflower rice cooked in the flavorful juices from the crock pot. Sometimes a recipe needs a second try. The first time I made these crock-pot chicken legs, they were good, but I knew they could be better. So I made them again, adjusting the onions, garlic, seasonings, and cooking liquid until we had the flavor we wanted. Then I discovered one more bonus—the juices left in the crock pot made a delicious way to cook cauliflower rice. What

Part 3 of the Faithful Steps Metabolic Syndrome Series This article is for education only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your own health, medications, and lab results. When you have blood work done, you may hear, “Your cholesterol is high,” or “Your triglycerides are high.” You may be given medicine or told to change what you eat. But what does that actually mean? And why do triglycerides, cholesterol, blood sugar, blood p

This easy dinner combines tender chicken, broccoli, and a homemade Alfredo sauce in one baking dish. There is no need to cook the chicken or thaw the broccoli first. Prepare the sauce, pour it over everything, and let the oven do most of the work. Servings: 6 Oven temperature: 375°F Baking dish: 9 × 13-inch INGREDIENTS Chicken and Broccoli 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes 1-pound frozen broccoli, not thawed ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon garlic p

This rich and creamy Alfredo sauce is made without flour or added starch. Enjoy it over riced cauliflower, low-carb pasta, zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, steamed broccoli, or roasted cauliflower. It can also be used in casseroles or served with chicken, fish, or shrimp. INGREDIENTS • 2 tablespoons butter • 1 level teaspoon jarred minced garlic • 1 cup heavy cream • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese • ¼ teaspoon black pepper • Salt to taste, added at the end only if ne

Eating low carb doesn't mean giving up the foods you love. Almost any favorite or traditional meal can be adapted into a delicious low-carb version. This Coconut Lime Tilapia is inspired by the bright flavors of Southeast Asian cooking, with coconut milk, lime, garlic, ginger, and warm spices creating a creamy, flavorful sauce. It's naturally lactose-free, too. Served with cauliflower rice, it's a simple low-carb meal that proves healthy changes can still taste delicious. Ser

This colorful Mediterranean-inspired skillet combines tender eggplant, green bell pepper, chicken, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning in a flavorful one-pan meal. Servings: 4 INGREDIENTS · 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, OR 1 lb cooked or rotisserie chicken, shredded or cut into bite-size pieces · 1 medium eggplant, cut into bite-size pieces · 1 green bell pepper, chopped · 1 small onion, chopped · 2–3 cloves garlic, mince

Is Your Body Trying to Tell You Something? Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your healthcare provider. Have you ever noticed that health problems seem to appear one at a time? Then, before you know it, it can feel like your health has started snowballing downhill. One year, your doctor tells you that your blood pressure is too high. A few years later, your cholesterol or t

Right from my oven There is something special about homemade bread fresh from the oven. If you enjoy the hearty texture of traditional rye bread but prefer a milder flavor, you'll love this loaf. This low-carb sandwich bread has a satisfying chew, slices beautifully, and is sturdy enough for sandwiches and toast while remaining tender and flavorful. This recipe was tested using fresh eggs from our own hens, but store-bought large eggs work beautifully, too. Whether served war

If you're living with diabetes, you've probably seen the plate method. Half the plate is usually filled with non-starchy vegetables. Another section is protein, and another is carbohydrate. It's a simple way to begin thinking about a meal. But when I look at that plate, something seems to be missing. Where are the healthy fats? This is especially important if you're trying to eat fewer carbohydrates. When we reduce carbohydrates, we shouldn't simply take food away and leave o

Sometimes dinner isn't planned. Michael and I hadn't had a chance to go grocery shopping, and we were running low on food. So I looked at what we still had in the house: ground sausage, a head of cauliflower, a red onion, frozen mushrooms, Rotel, tomato sauce, garlic powder, and cheese. It was enough. Because many of the foods we normally keep on hand can be used in lower-carb meals, I didn't need a special trip to the store to make dinner. I could take what was available and

The best diabetes care doesn't happen when one person carries all the responsibility—it happens when you work together. There were many times while caring for my first husband, Robbie, that I became mentally and physically exhausted. As a registered nurse, I also spent years caring for patients with diabetes, so I understood the seriousness of the disease. But understanding diabetes didn't make me immune to being tired. Life doesn't stop because someone has diabetes. There we

Teaching Children What to Do in a Diabetes Emergency When we think about teaching young children, we usually think about colors, numbers, and the alphabet. But sometimes, there are other lessons that become just as important. My first husband, Robbie, had diabetes. He was diagnosed with type I diabetes when he was just four years old. Like many people with diabetes, he occasionally experienced severe episodes of low blood sugar. There were times his blood glucose dropped belo

(And I'm Not Talking About Insulin Shots) Most of us have heard the expression, "calling the shots." It means being in charge. It means making the decisions. But when diabetes starts calling the shots—and I'm not talking about insulin shots—it can slowly begin making decisions you never wanted it to make. It tells you that you're too tired to enjoy your grandchildren. It tells you that your feet hurt too much to take a walk. It tells you that your blood sugar is too high, so

Disclaimer: The patient story shared in this article is based on a real experience, but identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider. "I feel fine." I've heard those words more times than I can count. People skip their yearly checkups for many reasons. Some don't have health insurance. Others don't have a primary care provider. Some say the

Disclaimer: The information shared in this article is intended for educational purposes only and reflects our family's personal experiences along with general medical information. Our experiences may not be the same as yours. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Never start, stop, or change a medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider. If you've watched televi

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have been life-changing for many people living with diabetes. Devices such as Dexcom G7, Dexcom G6, and Freestyle Libre 3 allow people to monitor glucose levels more closely without repeated finger sticks. These devices can provide valuable information about blood sugar trends, helping people make better decisions regarding food, activity, medications, and insulin. But there is one frustration I continue to hear over and over again: “My sens

For many people living with diabetes, pain becomes an unwelcome daily companion. Sometimes it starts slowly burning in the feet, tingling in the toes, numbness in the hands, or leg cramping that wakes you in the middle of the night. Other times it feels like stabbing, electric, or shooting pain that comes without warning. This kind of nerve pain is often called diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy happens when high blood sugar over time damages the nerves, especially in the feet,

A Conversation Between a Caregiver and a Loved One With Diabetes Diabetes affects more than blood sugar. It affects energy. It affects emotions. It affects communication. It affects marriages. It affects families. Many people think diabetes is only about food, insulin, and glucose numbers. But those living with diabetes—and those caring for someone with diabetes—know it affects so much more. It can create fear. Frustration. Exhaustion. Misunderstanding. Loneliness. Sometimes

Recently, I created a Pinterest pin that feels deeply personal to me. At first glance, it may look like a beautiful image with soft colors, a swirl of light, and different scenes representing important roles in my life. But to me, it means much more. It tells my story. For over 40 years, diabetes has touched my life in just about every way imaginable. I am not diabetic myself. But I have lived alongside diabetes for decades. As a nurse, I have cared for countless patients liv

Garlic not only tastes wonderful, but it also has many other potential health benefits. Some of its potential benefits include: May support heart health: Garlic may help lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure and can modestly reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. Rich in antioxidants: It contains sulfur compounds, including allicin, which have antioxidant properties that may help protect cells from oxidative damage. May support the immune system: Some studie