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

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

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

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

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,

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