This obviously looks different from my regular nutrition + recipe posts, but the magnitude of everything that has happened in the year and these past few weeks pushed me to gather up all my thoughts in a way that reminded me of why I initially wanted to start blogging almost 8 years ago – to share a perspective from my own lived experiences that might be different from you, in hopes that it serves you in some way. You can take or leave what you need from this. I don’t believe we all need to agree on the same things. Perspective is a beautiful thing and so is having the respect to acknowledge somebody different from you. The election brought something up that I felt like I needed to share – the topic of representation in the media.
(images courtesy of Amazon)
Regardless of whether you’re a salad lover, avoid leafy greens at all cost, or are somewhere in between those polar spectrums, there are always ways to make them 50% more enjoyable. Here are the only 3 tools you really need to make your next salad top notch:
It’s so simple that it’s almost basic – but also where we start. How many times have you awkwardly tossed your salad in a bowl that’s too small? It’s time for an upgrade, my friend – tossing it in a bigger bowl helps the flavors + ingredients mix better so that your ratio of bites per leafy green vs bites of the fun ingredients aren’t too off.
Freaking game changer. Salads are almost always more enjoyable when they’re properly dressed and chopped. I’m not sure I know of ANYONE who enjoys chewing an entire red bell pepper in one bite. Chopping everything together blends the dressing and flavors seamlessly. Especially important if someone is a borderline salad lover – getting a chopped salad that’s perfectly combined might just be what converts them from the “meh” to the “damn this is good” side.
Photos: Emily Williams Photography
It’s not uncommon to see dietitians with a Master’s degree these days, especially with the new graduate degree eligibility standards from the Commision on Dietetic Registration that requires all dietitian registration eligible candidates to have a graduate degree prior to the dietetic internship, effective January 1st, 2024. A master’s degree in nutrition seems logical, but what about a master’s in business administration?
One of my most frequent questions from students is in regards to my dietetics path – mostly because it’s more on the unconventional side and doesn’t fit into a “traditional” RD route where I didn’t immediately go into a clinical job after graduation. While I want to be a resource for you and provide helpful information / guidance to steer some of you in the direction you feel most drawn to, the bottom line will always come back to emphasize this: there’s truly no path that’s a one-size fits all.
However, the beauty of this constantly evolving nutrition/dietetics industry is that there still SO many directions you can take and merge with an area you feel strongly about. You’ve got to trust that you’re able to create a niche that serves an audience who will resonates with you the most. Don’t be afraid to consider the option of being the first to pivot into uncharted territory. Honestly, one of the best advice I’ve ever received/ live by is that if you don’t ask or try, you’ll never know. I’ve learned that everyone has great ideas, but not everyone takes action to execute – and that’s what separates you from being where you are now and where you want to be.
This post is created in partnership with Manitoba Harvest. Thanks for supporting projects that make Nutrition Happen!
It seems like everyone is talking about their morning routines lately, and we know that they’re a topic of interest for good reason. There are a handful of science-backed studies that shows a connection between overall mental health, sleep, stress, and how our intentions set in the morning can truly impact the rest of our day.
Nutrition Happens. We’re not solely focused on the food around here (even though we LOVE chatting about a good meal!) – we believe nutrition happens when we’re intentional about the way we’re feeding every aspect of life: the decisions we make for our bodies, the way we take care of our minds, and the relationships we choose to invest in.
While healthy certainly looks differently on everyone, one thing we can all agree on is this: health should be a judgement-free zone. Instead of focusing on perfection, we’re actively choosing to drop the comparison game and instead, celebrate people just the way they are. Because nutrition happens with no labels – whether you’re holding a green smoothie or a maple glazed doughnut. This series intends to share the incredible minds of Chicagoans in this community who share a similar passion for living their own definition of their best lives. Here’s how these Chicago locals are all making nutrition happen:
May’s note: They say you want to surround yourself with people that make you a better person and I’d say you’ll probably want to include Mary K on that list. When she told me one of her goals for the year was to publish a book, I knew it was only a matter of time. She’s a true triple threat: author, fitness trainer, tech marketer…..aka all-around boss. Mary takes a no bullsh*t approach to life and is one of the most driven people I know. Having friends like Mary pushes me to be clear about my goals, intentions, and what excuses I need to drop to get there. This is what genuine connection and friendships looks like: being able to empower each other to their fullest potential. You can find her on Instagram at @itsmaryk
Name: Mary Kesinger
Hometown: Jacksonville, IL
Business/ Occupation: Tech marketing, writer, fitness trainer
Nutrition Happens. We’re not solely focused on the food around here (even though we LOVE chatting about a good meal!) – we believe nutrition happens when we’re intentional about the way we’re feeding every aspect of life: the decisions we make for our bodies, the way we take care of our minds, and the relationships we choose to invest in.
While healthy certainly looks differently on everyone, one thing we can all agree on is this: health should be a judgement-free zone. Instead of focusing on perfection, we’re actively choosing to drop the comparison game and instead, celebrate people just the way they are. Because nutrition happens with no labels – whether you’re holding a green smoothie or a maple glazed doughnut. This series intends to share the incredible minds of Chicagoans in this community who share a similar passion for living their own definition of their best lives. Here’s how these Chicago locals are all making nutrition happen:
*May’s note: Teddy is the founder of the Gauge Collective (a digital marketing company) where he works collectively with digital freelancers to help small businesses build an effective social strategy. As a dietitian in digital marketing myself, I’ve loved what he’s been able to do in bringing a brand’s story to life. Teddy is well loved in the Chicago community and the MOST fun. We’re inspired here by his entrepreneurial spirit AND he keeps it 1000% relatable about his approach to health. You can find him on Instagram at @teddyheidt.