Thrive with Diabetes

01/05/2026

✨ Carbs aren’t the villain. Context is. ✨
I’ll say it louder for the folks still side-eyeing beans 👀

Complex carbs + fiber + protein + healthy fat = blood sugar peace.

This Italian Bean Salad is proof that you don’t have to fear carbs to feel good in your body. Increasing my fiber and pairing it intentionally has been a total game-changer for my blood sugar, my relationship with food, and yes, slow, sustainable weight loss.

I’m a slow loser (and proud of it). This approach didn’t rush results, but it changed everything. No spikes. No crashes. Just nourishment that actually sticks.

🥗 Fresh, herby, salty-sweet, protein-packed
🫘 Beans doing the MOST (as they should)
🫒 Don’t skimp on the olive oil—it’s flavor and function
👇 Recipe below—save this one 👇

🥗 Italian Bean Salad
Toss together:
• 2 shallots, diced
• 2 bell peppers (red/yellow), diced
• 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup artichoke hearts (in water), chopped
• ¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
• 1 can cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
• 1 can pinto beans, drained & rinsed
(use whatever beans you have—this recipe is forgiving)
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil), sliced
• 1 cup mini part-skim mozzarella balls
(or 4 Laughing Cow wedges, halved or quartered)
• Italian seasoning, to taste
Dressing (½–1 cup total):
Whisk together and pour over salad
• 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (or ACV / white wine vinegar)
• 6 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (the good stuff—worth it)
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• ¾ tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp garlic (or 1–2 cloves, minced)
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ tsp Italian seasoning

🕒 Best after chilling 30–60 minutes
🍽️ Even better the next day
💚 Blood sugar-friendly, fiber-forward, real-life food


EatTheBeans
SlowAndSustainable BloodSugarWins RealLifeNutrition
ProteinAndFiber HealthyFats AntiDietCulture
DiabetesSupport GlucoseFriendly FoodFreedom

01/05/2026

Locked in like my CGM on game day. 🩸📈
Blood sugar steady, nerves a little spicy, faith in the Black & Gold at an all-time high. 🖤💛

Tonight’s game plan: hydrate, adjust, cheer loud, repeat.

Steelers football is stressful… but we’re still built for it. 👊🏽🏈

Let’s handle business.
Beat the Ravens. Always.

01/01/2026

Product review nobody asked for but everybody needs:

I tried Tyler Candle Company Glamorous Wash – Diva so you don’t have to. (The cover photo speaks volumes.)

Did it do what it promised? ✔️
Did it leave my laundry smelling glamorous? ❌
Did it aggressively body-slam my nostrils with PATCHOULI? 💀 ABSOLUTELY.

If you hate patchouli, consider this your jump scare warning.

Infuriatingly strong. Lingering. Personal.
0/10 for me—this is a no-go, do-not-pass-GO, straight to scent jail situation.

BUT I did find my soulmate scent in a laundry booster, and she’s on her way.
Stay tuned, I will absolutely be oversharing when it arrives.

12/31/2025

Plot twist: I’m back. 💉✨

More real life. More learning curves. More thriving, without permission.
Let’s do this.

12/31/2025

I’m coming back.
More real life, more learning curves, more thriving-without-permission energy.
Stay tuned… this chapter’s a good one. 💉📚❤️

06/11/2025

To my fellow diabetics this may impact you!

Soda Recall: Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar cans contain full sugar >> https://twtr.in/3gI7

07/25/2024

Research is beginning to support the omega-3 healthy fats are major preventative pieces for complications. Fish oil is easy to find and some really great sources out there.

Patients with type 2 diabetes who consumed fish oil supplements had a lower risk for both macrovascular and microvascular complications, according to a cohort study.

07/09/2024

I am a huge fan of the Mediterranean lifestyle because it's balanced approach to lean protein, healthy fats and whole grains. It's always nice to see research support this approach not just for Type 2 but for Type 1. They are so distinctly different yet some interventions help both!

CHICAGO — For adults with type 1 diabetes, the Mediterranean and DASH diets could help reduce the risk for CVD, according to research presented at NUTRITION.Both diets emphasize plant-based foods, lean proteins, healthy fats and low intake of sugars and processed foods, Arpita Basu, PhD, RD, a...

07/09/2024

This is an important distinction for when to take metformin. As always check with your doctor.

Timing of Metformin Important in Metformin-Treated Type 2 Diabetes suggests a new study published in the Diabetologia.Metformin lowers postprandial glycaemic excursions in individuals with type 2...

07/07/2024

Shout out to Bits of Joy for these adorable Diabetes stickers. I am so glad I found you!

07/04/2024

This is such an important difference to make for individuals. Yes, carbs release insulin but for some, protein and/or fat will trigger a rise in blood sugar and therefore a release of insulin.

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or flash glucose monitor are useful tools to see how someone's body responds to different nutrients and pairings. I'm a huge advocate for all diabetics to use a CGM or flash glucose monitor to learn their body and the changes over time. It will allow you to make those nutrient decisions.

When it comes to managing blood sugar levels, most people think about counting carbs. But new research from the University of British Columbia shows that, for some, it may be just as important to consider the proteins and fats in their diet.