Faithful Steps

AI Image Faithful Steps provides general education and practical ideas. Please talk with your healthcare team about your individual care. Bread. Potatoes. Rice. Pasta. Sometimes the hardest part of changing how we eat is thinking we must give up the foods we enjoy. You may also wonder, “If I eat less of those foods, won’t I still be hungry?” A smaller portion of carbs does not have to mean a smaller, less satisfying meal. You can change the balance of your plate, try tasty su

Faithful Steps provides general education and practical ideas. This article does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk with your healthcare team about your own care. Follow your prescribed plan before changing any medicine. Why Is My Blood Sugar High in the Morning? You wake up, check your blood sugar, and feel let down. “I haven’t eaten all night. Why is it high?” It can feel unfair, especially when you have worked hard to care for yourself. But your body

This photo is AI generated, not a real client Each condition has its own needs. But when combined, food restrictions may overlap, and everyday choices can become more complicated. Medical Disclaimer: This article is for education only. It does not replace advice from your healthcare provider. Food, fluid, protein, potassium, and phosphorus needs differ from person to person. Ask your healthcare provider or dietitian before making major changes. When Healthy Choices Become Con

Metabolic Syndrome Series This article is part of the Faithful Steps Metabolic Syndrome Series. We have already looked at what metabolic syndrome is, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol. Now we are looking at another piece of the puzzle: waist circumference. Medical Disclaimer This article is for education only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider about your own health needs, med

This story is based on a real nursing experience. Identifying details have been changed or limited to protect patient privacy. It is shared for education and reflection and is not a substitute for medical advice or professional nursing guidance. Working on a med-surg unit means caring for all kinds of people. Some are young. Some are older. Some have lived with chronic illness for years. Others are suddenly facing a diagnosis that may change their lives. Some illnesses become

Part 4 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. Another Piece of the Metabolic Syndrome Picture Metabolic syndrome is not just one health problem. It is a group of changes in the body that tend to happen together. These changes can raise the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In this series, we

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 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

Inspired by a classic recipe. Adapted for my kitchen. Many of our favorite recipes have a story to tell. Goulash is one of them. The original Hungarian Gulyás dates back centuries and was prepared by cattle herders who slowly cooked chunks of beef with onions, water, and later the rich paprika that became a hallmark of Hungarian cooking. As the recipe traveled across Europe and eventually to America, families adapted it using ingredients that were available to them, creating

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

Looking for a delicious low-carb meal that's simple enough for a weeknight but special enough to serve guests? These Easy Low-Carb Shrimp Chile Rellenos are filled with tender baby shrimp, sweet onions, garlic, creamy Queso Blanco, and just a touch of Mexican cheese. Best of all, there's no need to roast or peel the peppers first, making this recipe both easy and flavorful. Servings 4 servings INGREDIENTS 4 large poblano peppers ¾ pound tiny baby shrimp, peeled and deveined (

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

(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