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

My picture of cooked Low-Carb Bacon-Wrapped Tilapia with 4 pieces of bacon on each fillet. The secret to this recipe is starting with frozen fish. Baking the fish from frozen gives the bacon time to slowly render and become crispy while the fish cooks gently. As the bacon cooks, its smoky flavor has time to season the fish, creating a tender, flaky fillet wrapped in crisp bacon. This simple technique is what makes this recipe so delicious. INGREDIENTS 4 frozen tilapia fillets

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

Recipe Inspiration: I discovered the original recipe on Low Carb with Jennifer and immediately thought it looked delicious. After making it several times, I adapted it to fit our family's preferences by changing the vegetables, adjusting the seasonings, and including an easy lactose-free option. This is the version we love and make in our home. 4-5 Boneless, skinless chicken thighs 4 Cups of bouillon (I use Better than Bouillon, chicken) 1/2 Onion, diced, (I used a sweet onio

(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

Tender, flavorful, and almost effortless. Some days are busy. Other days you're tired. And sometimes you just want to put dinner together in the morning and not think about it again until it's time to eat. That's exactly why I love this crock pot pot roast. Simply add the ingredients, turn on your slow cooker, and let it do the work. If you have one of the newer programmable crock pots, it's even easier. Set it, forget it, and come back to a delicious meal waiting for you. By

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,

Want a creamy ricotta substitute that is dairy-free, high in protein, and low in carbs? Try my homemade tofu ricotta recipe here. INGREDIENTS 16 oz firm Tofu, drained well 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil Optional: Fresh parsley Fresh basil Red pepper flakes DIRECTIONS Drain tofu well and gently press out excess mo

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

Soft, Flexible, and Made with Just 6 Simple Ingredients. These homemade low-carb tortillas are easy to make and surprisingly versatile. They are soft, flexible, and work well for tacos, wraps, burritos, quesadillas, or even as a flatbread. Best of all, they are made without cheese and use simple pantry ingredients. This was the first time that I sucessfully made homemade tortillas. My husband, Michael, even gave me the thumbs up. Ingredients · 1½ cups fine almond flour

Food has always been tied to love, celebration, comfort, and connection. Family cookouts. Church potlucks. Holiday gatherings. Birthday parties. Sunday lunches. Dinner with friends. Food brings people together. That is why changing the way you eat can sometimes feel difficult. Whether you are trying to lower carbs, support better blood sugar, lose weight, reduce inflammation, or simply make healthier choices, gatherings can feel challenging. You may look at the table and see

When many people think about diabetes nutrition, the first thing they think about is carbohydrates. And yes, carbohydrates matter because they usually raise blood sugar the fastest. But diabetes nutrition is about much more than just counting carbs. Protein matters. Fats matter. Food quality matters. Balance matters. For many years, people were taught that fat was bad. We were told to buy low-fat foods, fat-free foods, and avoid fat whenever possible. Unfortunately, many of t

Preparing for Difficult Days With Faith and Wisdom Sometimes emotions feel like riding a seesaw. There are moments when life feels balanced. We feel calm, strong, and able to think clearly. During those times, making good choices often feels easier. Then there are other moments when life shifts quickly. Stress rises. Fatigue sets in. Emotions feel heavy. The balance changes, and suddenly even simple decisions feel much harder. I think most of us know what that feels like. In

There was a time in my life when food became comfort. Not nourishment. Not fuel. Comfort. When I was depressed, overwhelmed, grieving, or emotionally and physically exhausted, food often became something I leaned on. Food felt easy. Food asked nothing from me. I didn’t have to talk to it. I didn’t have to explain myself. I didn’t have to tell it why I was hurting, exhausted, overwhelmed, or sad. For a moment, food felt like comfort. It felt like relief.

Many people living with diabetes also live with high blood pressure. In fact, these two conditions often go hand in hand. When blood sugars stay elevated over time, the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, and nerves can all be affected. This is one reason why managing diabetes is about much more than simply watching glucose numbers. One thing I have seen over many years of nursing is that when people begin moving toward a more natural low-carb lifestyle, many start seeing improvem