The Juniper & Oak Wellness Weekly
- Dana King
- Nov 28
- 3 min read
Issue 11, November 28, 2025
New to the Blog…
Here is a short excerpt from "Every breath"…
My mom, Marmie, fought pancreatic cancer for 7 years. This is almost unheard of with pancreatic cancer. Most people die within weeks to a few months of diagnosis as this type of cancer is well advanced before symptoms typically appear. By God’s grace, we did not have to say goodbye to Marmie as abruptly as the statistical average.
Medically speaking, the seven years can only be described as a fight. Fighting the cancer. Fighting the side effects of treatment. Fighting our fears. Fighting to trust God and surrender our will.
Let's talk about sugar (what your medical provider wants you to know)...
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Sugar intake can make or break your health. Let's talk about it!
Your body needs carbohydrates in order to function well. It is God's design. He has supplied for this need with the fruits and vegetables he has provided. Man, in all our fallen glory, has infected his good plan with ultra-processed versions. These versions are addictive and offer no nutritional benefit.
A healthy diet consists of complex carbohydrates - fruits and veggies your body has to work to breakdown. These foods serve many valuable nutritional purposes. The breakdown of one ingredient, God-given foods provides our body with the vitamins, minerals and fiber it needs.
The food you eat is the fuel your body burns for every one of its processes. Inadequate fuel creates deficiencies. Your body cannot function as it is intended without proper nutrients. Fatigue, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, headaches, bloating, joint pain, mood changes can all be traced back to a poor diet.
Simple sugars are a tangible illustration of sin in our lives. The more sugar we eat, the more we want. We rationalize, make excuses, and lower our standards incrementally until one day we wake up and ask ourselves, "How did I get here again!?!".
Make no mistake, the most impactful lifestyle modification you can implement is to reduce your sugar intake.
Benefits of reducing your simple sugar intake:
Weight loss and management
Reduced joint pain
Stabilized mood
Type 2 Diabetes prevention
Metabolic Syndrome correction
Decreased UTIs
Reduced cravings
Can lower blood pressure
Reduced brain fog
Protecting cardiovascular health
Actionable steps to reduce your intake:
Eat one ingredient foods
Avoid ultra-processed foods
Move your body daily (the more you move, the less you look for food to satisfy)
Light weight resistant training (stronger muscles burn more sugar)
10 minute walks after meals
Focus on protein to feel full & satisfied - this matters!
Don't drink your sugar (juices, sodas, teas are sneaky sugar sources)
Plan meals without a carb base (Spaghetti squash or Zucchini noodles instead of pasta)
Plan ahead - don't wait until you are starving to prepare your meals or snacks
Want to know more? Juniper & Oak Wellness Co. is ready to help. Click the booking links below to schedule a Discovery Call, Wellness Coaching Session, or NP Well Care appointment.
What I am loving...
CHRISTmas!
I listened to this podcast last year for Advent and cannot wait to listen again this year. I also have this book ready for daily Advent readings. Full disclosure, I also have this one and this one. Please don't judge. I am not sure I will read all three but I am thankful to have as resources.
In keeping with our sugar theme...
While I am not advocating desserts, I will say there is a time and place for special treats to celebrate the season and love on your family. I am not typically a pie fan but I have recently found two recipes I love and will make for special occasions. Who knew pies were fun to make!?! I found this recipe in a Southern Living magazine two years ago. It has become a Thanksgiving and Christmas tradition. This one from Joanna Gaines is also well loved in our family.
But GOD!
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5
Grace & peace,
Dana
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*The information contained on this Website and in the Resources is not intended to take the place of medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a health care professional. Nothing on this website shall be considered, construed as, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any action taken based on the contents of this Website or the Resources is solely at your own discretion, risk and liability. https://www.juniperoakwellness.co/disclaimer
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