Faithful Steps

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

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for education only. It does not replace advice, testing, or treatment from your healthcare provider. This is the final article in our metabolic syndrome series. We began by asking, “What Is Metabolic Syndrome?” Since then, we have looked at high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and a larger waist size. Now we are looking at the fifth sign: high blood sugar. Remember, you do not need all five signs to have metabolic s

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

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

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

(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 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

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

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