Faithful Steps

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 article is for education only and is not a substitute for medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider about your blood pressure, medicines, and personal health needs. In the first article in this series, “What Is Metabolic Syndrome?”, we learned that metabolic syndrome is a group of five health risk factors that often occur together. High blood pressure can be one piece of that pattern. But why does blood pressure start to rise in the first place? And if something i

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

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

If you came to our church, there is a good chance you would meet Mary before you even made it through the door. Mary is tiny, about 4 feet 10 inches tall and slightly built, but there is nothing small about her presence. She has one of the biggest smiles and kindest faces you could imagine. She greets everyone with the kind of smile that makes you feel she is genuinely happy you came. Mary is also a prayer warrior. She is always thinking about other people, always giving, 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

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

Why You'll Love This Dill Tartar Sauce This simple homemade dill tartar sauce is the perfect companion for my Bacon-Wrapped Tilapia, adding a cool, creamy flavor that complements the crispy bacon and tender, flaky fish. It's also delicious with grilled, baked, or pan-fried fish, salmon patties, shrimp, crab cakes, or almost any mild seafood. Since it's so quick to make, I often keep a small batch in the refrigerator to add fresh flavor to a variety of meals throughout the wee

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

There's something comforting about a pot of homemade soup gently simmering on the stove. This Vegetable Cabbage Soup is one of those recipes that fills the kitchen with wonderful aromas and brings people together around the table. Loaded with colorful vegetables, hearty white beans, and a flavorful broth, it's a simple meal that's both satisfying and nourishing. I especially enjoy making this soup when I'm taking a dish to a church potluck because it makes a generous batch, t

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

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,

I have made this recipe as written and I have also made it lactose free. Please feel free to view my website for the Ricotta alternative and use plant-based Mozzarella cheese. Ready to Take Your Next Faithful Step? Let Dorothea walk alongside you with personalized low-carb guidance, prayerful support, and practical next steps for better blood sugar and more energy. Book Your Free Discovery Call AI image, the real dish deal looks much better INGREDIENTS 2 Medium sized eggplan

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