Looking forward to spring!

Hello everybody! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Yesterday was the first day of spring – can you believe it?! The sun’s out for longer at night, the temperature is creeping back up, and we get to look forward to growing season!

Truth be told, spring has never been a particular favorite of mine. It starts out muddy and cold, and before long its pouring, and then we get a few short weeks of temperate weather before delving right into summer. But, with spring comes the new growing season as we eagerly anticipate the farmer’s markets and fresh produce at the grocery store.

Today I thought I’d put a little list together for those who are looking to shop seasonally because produce (1) tastes better, (2) is much cheaper, (3) and can be purchased locally. If you’re keen on finding some spring produce when you go grocery shopping, keep your eyes out for this produce.

• Apricots
• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Honeydew
• Limes
• Mango
• Peas (snow peas too)
• Pineapple
• Rhubarb
• Radishes
• Spinach

This is just a small list, and be aware that not every area has the same availability. But be sure to try and incorporate some of these items in your meals this season for a fun and fresh taste after the hearty flavors of winter!

Enjoy the season!

❤

So you want to be a nutrition student?

Today I’m about to get up close and personal with you. I’m going to tell you future nutrition students some things you might not want to hear. Some of the things I say may make you question yourself. But let me make myself 100% clear: despite everything I say today, I couldn’t be happier with my choice to become an RD. So yes, even when I lay out all my frustrations with this field, know that I am content with my choice because it feels 110% right.

Regardless, if you’re thinking about majoring in nutrition in college, considering becoming an RD, or if you’re already in nutrition and debating switching majors, this list might be something for you to take a peek at.

Ten Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Nutrition Student:

1. Everybody else thinks you’re “just studying food so how hard can that be?”
2. If you think you’ll “just be studying food” you might want to reconsider.
3. Justifying that nutrition is science is a daily occurrence.
4. It’s expensive. And I don’t mean just tuition expensive, I mean be prepared to dole out a lot of money between memberships to professional organizations, your internship, and random things your professors want you to have.
5. Oh yeah, that internship. 1200+ hours working for free and slowly dying for 10 months? Sounds fun.
6. Ooh did I mention how competitive this field is? The internship only matches about 50% of its applicants. Good luck! (<– Not sarcasm, I know a lot of you have submitted DICAS recently and I know you’re waiting on pins and needles, so really, good luck!)
7. If you’re becoming an RD (which you should if you want to do anything nutrition-related) get ready to sit for a tough credentialing exam after your internship.
8. All your friends will suddenly stop wanting to eat around you (possibly). Or, they will constantly be looking at your plate and dissecting what you’re eating. You’re a nutrition student and you’re having a cookie? *gasp*
9. This field is so vast it’s so hard to pick what direction you want to go in (which isn’t totally bad).
10. You will doubt yourself and your desire to follow this path. Stay strong because it will be worth it in the end, I promise.

I’m making nutrition sound like a pile of poo, but I promise it’s not. And maybe these don’t apply to every nutrition student out there, and maybe they won’t apply to you, but throughout my time these are some of the things I’ve encountered. Nutrition is a fascinating subject and it opens the doors to being able to help so many people. I don’t regret my choice for a second, but I do wish that I came into it more prepared than I was. Hopefully armed with this short list of sarcastic quips you feel a little bit more prepared for the journey you’re about to embark upon.

Have a wonderful week ya’ll.

❤

You Can Still Get Your Five-a-Day in this Winter

Hello all! So, we are definitely into the thick of winter. Living in Upstate NY, I can definitely attest to brutal winters – and it’s definitely a season I’m not a fan of. For all you winter fans out there, you enjoy the season that seems to last forever. I’ll stick with loving fall 😛

What to do with the food in your fridge if the power goes out?

Hello all! This post comes after a pretty serious storm worked its way up the East Coast of the US last weekend. Cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and NYC got slammed with snow, ice, etc. a couple weeks ago and left many without power. Because I’m sure this is not the last winter storm (or just severe inclement weather in general) I thought it would be pertinent to discuss what you should do with the food in your fridge/freezer when the power goes out.

Evaluating Your Weight Loss Plan

Hello all! I hope you’re having a productive start to the week. As of today I’m gearing up to head back to school tomorrow (or technically Wednesday since I don’t have classes Tuesday). Come May I’ll officially be done with my DPD coursework (party time!) – and after spending six years in school at that point I’m so ready for the internship and a transition to online learning. It definitely won’t be easier, but being in a classroom has become tiring after all this time.

I hate this time of year

Well, not completely. I guess what I really mean is I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I’m sure everybody can relate in some capacity (or I could just be crazy – it wouldn’t be unusual).

24 Things I’ve Learned in 24 Years About Nutrition, Fitness and Wellness

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear Aprylle, happy birthday to me!

Hello friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend 🙂 My birthday was Friday, so I definitely enjoyed having some time off and relaxing a little bit before I go back to school on Friday (crazy right?!). How has summer flown by so quickly?! Oh, I know, because I’ve been so busy working, taking a class, etc. etc. Life story right? At least I’m really looking forward to getting back into the school year and enjoying my last year of the DPD work before I move into my internship (whoa, what?). And it’ll be my last year living on a campus. Ever. That’s so weird.

Anyways, this week I was inspired by this video by Karlie Kloss she filmed on her birthday and listed 23 things she learned in 23 years. Since this is a healthy living/nutrition blog I thought it would be apt to tailor it to nutrition and health specific things. What have I learned in all my 24 years about nutrition and health? Here we go!

What’s the Deal with Organic?

Should I or shouldn’t I?  

Hello everybody! I hope those of you in the US enjoyed a holiday of cookouts and honoring those who have given their lives in service to our country. In other parts of the world I hope you are having a fantastic Tuesday!

So in light of it being March Against Monsanto over the weekend I wanted to talk about something that can be a little, if not totally, confusing.

Top Tips to Combat Cravings!

It’s not quite as easy as the one-two punch routine.

Hello everybody! First off, I wanted to apologize for missing a post last week. Things were crazy hectic with finals and moving back home for the summer and I just didn’t get around to sitting down and writing up a good post for you guys.

Breakfast – Tips and Tricks for the Most Important Meal

Hey everybody! I hope the start of your week is kicking off with some FORCE! Yes, I went there. Forever the nerd, remember? In honor of all of us wanting to be Jedi or Sith (whose side are you on?) and have some awesome Force-wielding skills, I thought I’d talk about the importance of breakfast. Because, let’s face it, if we want to do some cool, mind-bending tricks we’re gonna need our energy for the day.