I Passed!!!!!

Hi Friends!!

I am happy to announce that I passed my RD exam!!!


You know what that means, right??

Of course you do!  It means that I am going to hold myself accountable for doing weekly nutrition-related posts!  They will be posted every Wednesday morning as a middle-of-the-week nutrition reminder.

I also got my first job as an RD (registered dietitian) at Baxter healthcare.  I will be on their Be Well team to help with health promotion programs for Baxter employees around the world!  Pretty cool job, I'd say!  I am also really excited to announce that I will also be opening the doors to my own private practice!  In addition to having a part-time job at the local park district, I am also starting my own business.

This is where I need your help!  Help me in naming my business!  The winner will receive a 5 flavor sample pack of Shakeology!

Here's some criteria:

• easy to pronounce and remember
• catchy
• focuses on nutrition and yoga
• holistic

You can submit your idea in the comments below, or share it on my Facebook page @lifenutritionyoga

The first post for this blog will start tomorrow and will be tips on how to enjoy your Independence Day foods and drinks while keeping your body healthy!

Becoming an R.D.

After reading a post from Kath Eats, I realized how important becoming a Registered Dietitian is to me and that there are people out there who have to take extra time and go back to school.  I have been following Kath's blog ever since I started blogging myself and have enjoyed her pictures of food and fun!  I have been wanting to become an RD for awhile now and I know it is my calling, but I got scared when I found out that I will have to take the Masters and Internship program together due to the fact that I already have a BA in Exercise Sport Science.

I have recently been looking at Dominican University and some other local schools.  Andrew has a great career right now and we are going to stay in the mid west for awhile longer.  As much as I would love to go to North or South Carolina or even Hawaii to get my accreditation, it would not be practical.

As for now, I am doing a bunch of research and trying to start a small business (the Salt Scrubs).

My lunch today was a delicious salad!  Considering that it is winter time, I have been more in the mood for comfort foods like warm soups and stews, casseroles, and other hearty dishes that warm the soul, stomach, and home.  After buying a good amount of produce from Costco on Sunday, I figured that salads are going to become part of my daily meal plan once again (I don't want my money to go to waste!)

I then made desert (for after dinner of course).  I am so proud of myself because I made this up right off the top of my head!  I just hope it tastes as good as it looks and smells:

• 1/2 c rolled oats
• 2 T apple butter
• 2 T flax meal
• 2 T soy milk
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1 T dried cranberries
• 1 T chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray 2 small tart pans with cooking spray.  Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well.  The mixture should be just moist, not wet but not dry (add a little more soy milk if the mixture is too dry).  Spoon the mixture equally among the pans and sprinkle with brown sugar.  Place in the heated oven and cook until firm and pulling away from the sides of the pan (about 15-20 minutes).  Enjoy!

Luana ola!