What inspires you?

All of us have been inspired by someone in our lives or maybe by a few people whether it be a parent, sibling, spouse, teacher, mentor, coach, athlete, or even a celebrity (yes there are some inspiring ones).  I am touched and inspired by people everyday and they help me to see that in life even the smallest things can make a difference.  Many people misinterpret me when I say that my degree is in Nutrition.  No I do not make diet plans for people to lose weight.  I am not a certified nutritionist that you would consult in a gym.  Being a registered dietician has much more to do with than just writing diet plans.  Sure we know how to develop diet plans and know what foods are good and bad and how they effect the body, but we also see the deeper meaning of nutrition.  How many people know what a food desert or food injustice is?  What does the farm bill entail?  Many people don't know the answers to these questions.  In my education we study all aspects of nutrition from a medical point to a governmental point.  Yes government and policy has a huge impact on nutrition.  Many of our congress members work everyday on policies to help feed our communities.  I have advocated to three of them and they were quick to respond to my letters.  Recently I wrote to Senator Campos on how they plan on getting New Mexico grown produce served in our schools.  The future well being of children is near to my heart and I hope to one day use my career to help the children in our community.   How many people know that New Mexico has one of the biggest food deserts in the country, meaning that many families don't get enough healthy food to eat because of where they live and they simply can't afford to get healthy food.  The lack of nutritious food available has caused 1 in every 3 children to become obese, that is almost 50% of the population.  Because of the rising costs of supplies and the devastating effects on the environment many of our farmers are having a hard time growing crops that are good enough to harvest.  There are two projects in Albuquerque called Project Feed the Hood and La Coesecha that work to get fresh produce to the low income families in the community.  These people inspire me with the amount of time and work they put into making sure these families have fresh produce every week and still it is not enough.  Its hard for these projects to stay funded because here in New Mexico we have a huge lack of resources.  Hopefully, I can be a part of a change even just a small part.  Recently, my husband came to me with an idea.  Just something he wants to do to give back to those less fortunate.  Along with our family and friends we plan on making sack lunches to donate to the Albuquerque rescue mission.  Maybe this is a project that we can grow overtime.  All projects start off small before they are big.

Candida!!

Recently I was doing some research on the cause of migraines and how they are related to the way people eat.  I believe that everything in some way that effects our health is associated with the types of foods we feed our body.  While I found some very interesting research on migraines I stumbled upon something else entirely.  We have all heard of Candida (yeast in the body) but its not just a yeast infection.  With all the antibiotics being put into our dairy and meat that we consume the natural bacteria that we have in our intestines is being killed off.  These bacteria are essential for maintaining balance in the body.  Because of  the antibiotics we are consuming with the meat there is a buildup of candida in the gut.  This buildup of yeast has recently been linked to hypoglycemia, depression, anxiety, digestion issues, bloating, and weight gain.  Worst of all it prevents our kidneys from filtering out the wastes that need to be eliminated.  Due to the hypoglycemia there is an increase in sugar cravings causing you to take the plunge into something full of sugar therefore sending blood sugar levels through the roof.  While this research is still new to me I will continue to dig further.  Some of the articles I have read suggest taking grape seed oils, olive oils, and abstaining from antibiotic filled meats by buying certified organic meats.  I will continue to post as I learn more.

Eating Healthy on Vacation by Cole Millen

 This is a great article that was written by one of the blog followers! Please read it.

Eating Healthy on Vacation
One of the challenges of eating healthy that trips up many people is how to keep the pounds off when traveling on vacation. Even people that do a great job of following a nutritious diet regiment at home can find themselves struggling to stay away from junk food when navigating unfamiliar places and changing schedules. Planning for the stress and differences that a vacation forces upon us is a proven way to reign in the urge to throw up our hands and overindulge.


Healthy Snacks for the Trip
By keeping healthy snacks on hand, it is much easier to resist the urge to eat fast food simply because it is convenient. Airport and roadside restaurants are not known for their healthy menus. That is why it is important to be selective when deciding on a place to eat. By grazing on healthy foods throughout the day like nuts and fruit, your body will never feel starved. When we feel grumpy and hungry from a sugar low, this state often leads to making bad choices out of desperation.
Being hydrated is  also important for good health and also prevents overeating. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go. Drinking a full glass of water before a meal is a proven strategy to keep you from overeating.
Hotel Risks
Just say no to the mini bar in your hotel. You will save money and calories from the junk food that is stashed there. Once you finally arrive at your destination, stop by a local grocery store and pick up plenty of healthy snacks to take to the hotel with you. Be sure to ask hotel personnel that know the area well for restaurant choices for healthy eating options. Be sure to ask them what type of foods the restaurant serves, since that person's idea of healthy might be different from yours.
These risks are very often avoidable by doing a little research prior to booking your trip. In my experience, consumer reviews regarding hotels and restaurants are the best way to truly determine the good from the bad. On a recent trip I found a site that had different reviews for hotels in Las Vegas regarding the amenities offered, restaurants within and nearby, as well as facilities. This was extremely helpful in finding the right hotel for my healthy lifestyle and ultimately led to me booking a hotel with a complete gluten free restaurant within!
Restaurant Tips
Jump onto the Internet in your hotel and look up the menu for several restaurants you are considering before heading out the door. Sometimes the most recommended restaurants are very unhealthy choices. By reviewing the menu ahead of time you can look for the word clues that can shed light on what your true healthy options are, if any. Fried foods are definitely something to be avoided. The word fried may not be used in an entree description. Instead, words like battered, breaded and crunchy may be the tip you need to stay away. Other descriptive words that often mean trouble are rich, creamy, decadent, and buttery.
Once you find a great place to dine, eat a little healthy snack like an apple before heading to the restaurant. This prevents you from gobbling up the bread they bring out before the meal. A snack before your meal will also discourage ordering a fattening appetizer.
While it is impossible to control your environment when traveling, being prepared for these differences can keep you on the right track. The key is to never let yourself get too hungry so that you eat whatever is available in a pinch, which is usually unhealthy fast food. Carrying healthy snacks and water helps. Checking restaurant menus ahead of time also makes practical sense.