The Backstory and a Little About Me

Hi, I’m Rachel.
In 2008, just before my junior year of college, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Since then, life has been a wild ride.
I’ve had two T1D pregnancies. One was a c-section, the other was a home birth VBAC …Who even am I?
I didn’t start T1D Living right away. At first, I was just trying to survive, not blog. But years later, after being diagnosed with a second autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, I felt like I needed a place to untangle everything I was learning.
One thing about me: I learn (and remember) best when I teach. Writing here has become my way of taking notes, processing, and passing along what helps me — whether that’s about diabetes, food, health, or just everyday life.
So welcome! I hope you find something that makes your own journey a little lighter and a little clearer.
Some fun & interesting facts about me:

WE HAVE CHICKENS
About 17 at last count… and five of them are roosters! My husband calls me a crazy chicken lady (and he’s not wrong). The obsession happened way faster than I expected.

I AM A GRAPHIC DESIGNER BY TRADE
These days I’m also a homeschooling, stay-at-home mom of two.

CONTROVERSIAL OPINION
Buying books and reading books are two totally different hobbies (and yes, I dabble in both).

VINEGAR LOVER
I unapologetically drink the leftover dressing straight from my salad bowl…like it’s soup.

NAMING OUR DOG
When my husband and I got a dog, we named him Jett…come to find out later that one of my dad’s childhood dogs (who sadly died as a puppy) was also named Jett.

MY KRYPTONITE
Chips. Hand me a bag of any salty, crunchy chip and all willpower vanishes. I’ll eat the whole family size bag, lick the crumbs (and my fingers), and shamelessly want more. Completely uncalled for.
