I am leading a 1-hour webinar tomorrow titled Body Positive Nutrition: Integrate the Health at Every Size® Approach Into Your Practice. It’s worth 1 CPEU for dietitians. Participants can join live or watch the video on-demand anytime.
I am excited to share this perspective with my colleagues! Learn more and register.
1. Spicy Chicken and Spelt Salad
This weekend, I wanted to experiment with some exotic grains. Exotic grains can be difficult to find, but most health food stores and co-ops have an abundance. Spelt is the exotic grain featured in this recipe. It is an ancient grain that is similar to wheat. Kamut is a similar ancient grain, and I actually substituted kamut in this recipe. Other substitutions I made to this recipe included toning down the spice and substituting tofu for chicken. I also used a bagged shredded cabbage for convenience. The result was very tasty! I really like kamut; it has a rich, buttery flavor and a chewy texture. Try it!
2. Swiss oatmeal 
I also started making Swiss oatmeal this week to change up my morning oatmeal routine. This dish is served cold, making it perfect for a hot summer day. Stir together 2 cups uncooked oats with 1.5 cups low fat milk and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, add slices of fresh fruit, chopped nuts, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serves 4.
Posted in Uncategorized
Americans spend a lower percentage of income on food than any other nation. As a result, our food system has shifted to low-quality, calorie-dense foods. See what it is doing to our health… check out the below 2 minute video.
Posted in Food for Thought, Nutrition Info, Uncategorized, Videos
Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the contest. You all helped to make my grad school project a success, and I greatly appreciate it! I wish I could buy you all Amazon gift cards… but unfortunately I can’t afford it!
So, I wrote down the names of everyone who participated, multiple times for people with multiple entries, and used a random number generator from random.org to pick the winner! And the winner is… Rachel from http://coconutcrumbs.blogspot.com/. Congratulations, Rachel!
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That’s right, I’m giving away a free gift card just in time for the holidays, and you could be the lucky winner! Here’s how:
Want to improve your chances of winning? Submit multiple “contest entries” by:
The winner will be chosen using an automatic number generator, and he/she will receive an Amazon gift card worth $20 via email. The winner will be notified via email and announced on this blog. The contest begins November 25th, 2009 and ends December 2nd, 2009. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received.
Good luck and thanks for participating!
Posted in Uncategorized
We health professionals are always trying to come up with ways to get people to adopt healthy behaviors. I like this new idea to get people to take the stairs more often:
What other ways could we implement “The Fun Theory” to get people to adopt healthy behaviors? (Note: If you have a really great idea, enter the contest at http://thefuntheory.com/?q=rolighetsstipendiet to win $3700!)
Until a couple years ago, I had never tried a persimmon. Today, they are one of my favorite fall fruits! Here is everything you need to know about persimmons:
Fuyu persimmons are squattier than Hachiya persimmons and are flat on the bottom. Fuyus taste great raw, they have a sweet, cinnamon flavor
and a crunchy texture. This is my favorite type of persimmon.
Hachiya persimmons are heart-shaped. 
Hachiya persimmons are ripe when they are very soft, and are great for baking! Try adding Hachiya pulp to cookies, muffins and quick breads.
Fun Persimmon Facts:
Try my Fall Morning Oatmeal recipe, which is made with Fuyu persimmons!
Posted in Favorite Products, Nutrition Info, Uncategorized
Corporate wellness is an emerging trend, and one of my primary areas of interest.
What is “Corporate Wellness?”
Corporate wellness is the integration of preventative health services into the workplace. It can include health fairs with preventative medical screenings, lunch-and-learn presentations by health professionals, health coaching, and behavior change challenges.
Why the workplace?
Current research shows that every $1 spent on a corporate wellness program saves employers an average of $6 in health care costs and regained productivity. According to the Texas Commissioner of State Health Services, “The link between employee wellness and the bottom line is clear and consistent. Employers who integrate wellness in their overall objectives find they experience reduced absences, better morale, reduced health risks, and reduced health-care costs.” Employee health care costs are on the rise. Currently, employers spend an average of $5000 each year per employee on health care costs. Less than 5% of those costs go to preventative care. Now is the time for companies to invest in a corporate wellness program for their employees.
A Few Success stories
I recommend worksite wellness programs follow a Health at Every Size approach.
Resources:
For more information on corporate wellness, check out any of these resources:
Mitzi Dulan, RD, CSSD is a highly-regarded expert in the field of nutrition, exercise, and wellness. She is the dietitian for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals, and co-author of the new book The All Pro Diet (co-authored with NFL star Tony Gonzalez). Mitzi is also a cutting-edge nutrition entrepreneur and the owner of NutritionExpert.com.
I have been getting to know Mitzi over the past couple of months as one of her Virtual Interns. I have learned a lot from Mitzi, and wanted to share some of that information with you! So, Mitzi agreed to do an exclusive interview for my blog. Enjoy!
1. Tell us a little about your nutrition philosophy.
I want people to understand that you get out what you put into your body. I encourage people to eat foods with simple ingredients that are easy to pronounce. Actually, when you eat foods that are “closer to the ground” they taste better and provide whole food energy and nutrients. I also believe food should be an enjoyable part of life and it’s okay to indulge in your favorites from time to time.
2. What is it like being the RD for the KC Chiefs and Royals? What are some of the best parts? Biggest challenges?
I have always been a huge sports fan and grew up a Chiefs and Royals fan so sometimes I do pinch myself as I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with the players. The best parts are when you help a player improve his diet and he sees results. I also enjoy going to the games. The biggest challenges are when you want to help a player lose weight to hopefully help extend their career and decrease injuries but he hasn’t yet committed to putting in the extra effort to execute.
3. What is your favorite (or most important?) part of your new 
book, The All Pro Diet?
Getting people to pay attention to how they are fueling their bodies. I am an advocate of pure, real foods and avoiding artificial ingredients. Also, one of my favorite parts about publishing a book has been to get emails from people all over the country sharing their successes with me. It is an unexplainable feeling to read those emails. Very rewarding!
4. What advice would you give to a budding young entrepreneur?
Don’t get discouraged by hearing the word “no”. In fact, the more “no’s” the better. It means you are working hard. Pick up the phone and tell people what you want. Be persistent and always do what you say you will do. Hang around positive people.
5. What are your top 3 favorite foods?
Ice cream, strawberries, good cheese!
To learn more about Mitzi, go to NutritionExpert.com. Also, be sure to check out Mitzi’s blog for the latest nutrition info and useful wellness tips at NutritionExpert.com/blog.
Posted in Uncategorized
Nicole Geurin, MPH, RD 