Nutrition Entrepreneurs Fall 2019

Ventures Enterprising News & Ideas for Nutrition Entrepreneurs

Factor in the Fun! - Getting FUN-Ready!

Lisa Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND Chair As entrepreneurs, we are busy, wellscheduled and prioritized, and may think to ourselves … how do we factor in the fun? After all, having fun makes life much more enjoyable for you and, let’s face it, those closest to you. Here are a few fun tips for getting fun-ready: • Laugh often: People love to laugh. Can you recall a time when you laughed and felt bad … at the same time? You probably can’t. Laughter can have an immediate physical effect on the body, including the ability to help lower blood pressure, release endorphins, decrease pain, improve memory and many others. Simply put, we all need laughter, and the more we have, the better we feel. Schedule in laughter daily just as you would your exercise routine.

•F ish for fun: Would you like an element of surprise in your day? If so, grab an eye-catching jar that you can place in prominent view on your desk. Mine is orange, which is said to enhance creativity. Next, grab a blank piece of paper and make a list of at least 10 different fun things you would like to do. Not everyone has the same idea of fun, so this is an exercise best to be performed on your own. Fold each paper individually and place them in

the jar. Each day pick one out and get to it! Please note: skydiving is probably not one of the things you should write down since you cannot perform it in your backyard. Try to think of things that you can do without much planning, e.g., bouncing on a trampoline, flying a kite or solving a crossword puzzle. Whatever floats your boat!

• Try something new: Part of having fun is being open to trying something new. When was the last time you tried something new? It could be a new food item at your favorite restaurant, cooking a new recipe or a new wine pairing with dinner. New experiences bring fun and creativity into your life. Try something new today!

We all need to prioritize fun. What are you going to do today to have fun and get ready for NE-thing?

“Today was good. Today was fun.

Tomorrow is another one.” -Dr. Suess “If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right.” -Bob Basso Lisa Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND, is a funny speaker and former stand-up comedienne. She is not just mildly amusing - she is really funny. Lisa was bitten by the comedy bug at a young age, entertaining her family at the dinner table with knock-knock jokes. Soon, she discovered SNL and would memorize bits and make her siblings perform them. Today, you can find Lisa chasing after her one-year-old daughter, and after volunteers to watch her daughter so she can perform improvisational, sketch and stand-up comedy again.

Fall 2019 Volume XLII Number 2 Figuring in Fun: Finding Inspiration, Creativity and Balance

In This Issue: Factor in the Fun ����������������������Front Cover Fill Your Cup First �������������������������������������������2 Think Hard, but Not Too Hard �����������������3 Crush Your Next Crisis… �����������������������������4 Be Creative with Finding Inspiration ���������������������������������������5 Is There Any Fun in Your World? �������������5 Five Things to Inspire Creativity ���������������6 Sustaining Success and Serenity All At Once �������������������������������������7 Five Ways to Give Your Brain a Break �����������������������������������������7 Five Ways to Set Boundaries Around Social Media �����������������������������������8 Five Tips to Building a Thriving Business Through Creativity ���������������������9 Find JOY in the Day-to-Day �������������������� 10 How To Have Fun as a Mompreneur �������������������������������������� 10 What's Your Happy Plan? ������������������������ 11 Three Keys to Balancing Your Life with Creativity �������������������������� 12 Find the Fun in Social Media ���������������� 13 How Communities Spark Creativity ������������������������������������������ 13 The Simple Formula to Maximum Fun and Maximum Productivity ���������� 14 Figuring in Fun �������������������������������������������� 14 Members on the Move ���������������������������� 15 Diversity and Cultural Equity in Dietetics �������������������������������������� 16 Finding Inspiration, Creativity and Balance ���������������������������� 17 Product Reviews ���������������������������������������� 18 NE at FNCE ���������������������������������Back Cover

Ventures EDITOR Kim Hoban, RDN, CDN, CPT

INCOMING EDITOR Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN

EDITORIAL BOARD, 2019-2020 Lisa Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND Nicole Rodriguez, RDN, NASM-CPT Elana Natker, MS, RD Emily Merklen, MS Cathy D’Orazio, MS, RDN, LDN Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT The newsletter pertains to the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and reproduction rights are reserved. Publication of an advertisement in the Ventures newsletter should not be considered as an endorsement of the product or advertiser by the DPG. Viewpoints and statements in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect policies and/or positions of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. © 2019 Nutrition Entrepreneurs.

All rights reserved.

WE WELCOME INPUT FROM OUR MEMBERS. PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR: Kim Hoban, RDN, CDN, CPT NewsletterEditor@NEdpg.org

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ADDRESS CHANGES AND MISSING ISSUES If you have a change of address, please contact the Academy with your new address information. If you missed an issue, email Lauri Egan at NEadmin@NEdpg.org

Fill Your Cup First Kim Hoban, RDN, CDN, CPT Newsletter Editor With no time clocks to punch and the potential to always be doing more for our businesses, as entrepreneurs it can be hard to prioritize fun, even when we know it is good for our overall well-being. The good news is that fitting in fun can be good for our bottom line too. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so stepping away from work to fill your cup first with fun, creative endeavors allows you to return to it ready to fully pour yourself in.

Looking for some simple ways to figure fun into your business model? I’ve got you covered with my top three tips:

1. S chedule fun time.

Sure, spontaneity is fun, but planning date nights, happy hours and family events into your calendar just like you do client calls and appointments makes them more likely to actually happen.

2. A dd play to your work.

When attending professional conferences, like FNCE® which is fast approaching, be sure to build in some time around educational sessions to connect with

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colleagues or friends and family in the city you’re visiting. I like to start or end conference days by getting out to explore the food, fitness or social scenes. In fact, my next step after registering and booking my conference stays is usually to check out the best running routes, fitness classes and ice cream spots in the city.

3. B e a beginner.

Take on a challenge and learn something new. Whether you want to improve your photography skills, learn a new language or finally figure out Excel, feeding your curiosity can motivate you and inspire some new business ideas and projects too.

Fun might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the success of your business, but it can be essential in keeping the creative juices flowing. Fill your cup first, so you can pour more of yourself into the people and projects you are passionate about.

Kim Hoban, RDN, CDN, CPT, is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and NASM Certified Personal Trainer with a passion for empowering women to live their healthiest and happiest lives. When she's not busy fighting diet culture, you can find Kim on the run, exploring a new hiking trail or in the kitchen cooking or procrasti-baking. Kim lives in Long Island, New York, with her fiancé, their son and two rescue pitbulls.

Think Hard, but Not Too Hard Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT Secretary Finding creative inspiration is just like Goldilocks trying to find just the right temperature for her porridge and just the right-size chair. You have to test a couple of ideas out before you find what feels right for you. The problem that arises, at least for me, is when you feel like you keep trying tons of ideas and nothing feels right, or worse yet, feeling like you have writer’s block.

One tip is to think about things, but not too hard. Naturally, the next question is what exactly does that mean? It means that sometimes when you are trying to find just the right idea it’s going to take some attempts. But the trick is to not force it.

And that is where the “not too hard” advice comes into play. You want to think about your problem but you don’t want to make something work that isn’t right or the best you can do.

So here are a couple of ideas to help you find inspiration and creativity by thinking just the right amount.

1. P hone a Friend: NE is such a huge resource so don’t be afraid to get on the NE Hub and ask for help. Working as an entrepreneur can get isolating so it’s easy to forget that there are tons of people ready and willing to help with a fresh perspective.

2. Take a Drive: This one is a favorite of mine. I’ll take whatever problem I am trying to solve and just place it in the back of my mind and then I’ll take off for a drive. This simple act can be very powerful. I’ll be thinking about the problem but not really because I am focused on driving, and some really great ideas will pop into my head when I’m driving.

4. Switch Tasks: Know when to throw in the towel for that task and be OK with moving away from it for a while.

This can also mean that you schedule certain tasks during the time of the day where you are most creative. For me, that is in the mornings.

5. S tart Streaming: This might seem counterintuitive but sometimes I like to look away and watch a show for five minutes. Watching something fun that I enjoy helps me find some creativity.

The tricky part with this is to be careful to not get sucked in!

Amanda loves pizza. She has a running list of places that are her favorites and places that she wants to try. Her numberone pizza place used to be a luggage room in the golden days of Hollywood and has a fermented sourdough crust that is to die for.

3. G o Outside: Fresh air is cleansing.

When I am struggling with getting creative, I go outside with my dog and just sit, or I will literally just take a quick lap around the backyard and walk right back in refreshed and ready to work again.

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Crush Your Next Crisis Moe Schlachter, MS, RD, LD, CDE Director of Member Services As an entrepreneur you signed up for uncapped growth, calling your own shots and building your legacy. Your confidence is well-placed and intuition rightfully trusted.

You have what it takes to make it big. Did you read the fine print, though? Or did you skim past the part declaring that you are solely accountable for management and response to emergencies whether or not you had a hand in creating them?

Business crises come in many shapes and sizes, but they can all grind our operations and faith to a halt, threatening the realization of our dream. While we can’t always see a threat coming, there are manageable steps you can take before, during and after a crisis to fortify your business and overcome your next hurdle.

Identify your team It’s only natural to feel alone when it feels like the wheels are falling off. That is why it is so vital to map out your team structure and update it periodically. For all the sole proprietors out there: you have a team too! Your referral network, interns, close

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business associates, mentors, DPG and more can all jump into battle with you when you are in need.

Trust your plan You put all that work into your business plan; you may as well put it to work. Even if your plan doesn’t have an emergency response protocol, there is plenty of relevant information in there to guide you out of your predicament. The plan’s vision, written with a clear perspective, can keep you from betraying your principles in times of panic. Your strategy/action plans can remind you to get back to basics and mobilize you when you stall out from feeling overwhelmed.

Face the monster under the bed This is a tough one for me too, but it’s important. Invest time and energy into assessing your blind spots. This will require getting really vulnerable and probably a little humble. Collecting anonymous customer feedback is effective, but expect a modest response rate. A SWOT analysis can be valuable but it can also be diluted by our optimism.

Consulting your inner circle can be a powerful experience if you and your tribe have established a safe line of critical communication. The more you learn from these initiatives, the less susceptible you become to future threats.

Scrap Your journey ends when you decide it does - and not any sooner. Setbacks are painful, but they don’t have to be the end. Fight for the reality you aspire to, and do whatever it takes with ample consideration of your physical and emotional wellbeing. Picking up a PRN shift, downsizing a lifestyle or even spending your Saturday nights driving for Uber might not be what you envisioned, but they can keep you afloat while you prepare for the next big push.

If you’re facing or recovering from a crisis, you are not alone. Be kind to yourself, trust your preparation and lean on your team.

Learning from mistakes and proactively seeking out weaknesses can feel like a punch in the gut, though there are few experiences quite as valuable. Flip through this issue and take pride knowing you’re part of an elite group who are ready for challenges and triumphs alike: Ready for NE-thing!

Moe is the president of Houston Family Nutrition (HoustonFamilyNutrition.com), a clinical nutrition, culinary and media services corporation. Moe is a sucker for all things nostalgia including vintage soda shops across Texas where he and his family like to dive into floats and banana splits.

Moe proudly welcomes dietetic interns for rotations at his clinic throughout the year.

Be Creative with Finding Inspiration Emily Merklen, MS Director of Communications In today’s world, we rely heavily on social media and utilizing technology to find inspiration in most aspects of our lives - what project we want to conquer next, what meal we want to make for dinner, what new trendy restaurant or food product we should try, and so on. While social media and the internet are overflowing with tremendous amounts of inspiration from dietitians and entrepreneurs alike, relying so heavily on these sources keeps our eyes locked on our screens and unaware of the world right around us. While the weather cools off and summer escapes us, try these tips to be creative in finding your inspiration this season without scrolling on your screen:

1. Visit a coffee shop. Go with no

technology in hand. Perhaps there is a coffee shop or café close to you that doesn’t offer WiFi, or maybe you leave your technology at home and drive or walk to your go-to spot. Bring a journal with you and allow yourself to reflect on your past accomplishments, future ideas, the environment around you anything that comes to mind. Allowing yourself to be in the moment and not distracted by notifications can get your creative juices flowing. Who knows what you’ll think up?

2. A ttend a local event/venue you

haven’t been to before. Whether it be an open mic or spoken word event, art gallery or library, allow yourself to be there in the moment with no distractions. Listen to the passions of others, see the colors, shapes and lives portrayed in new modern art, and read a page or maybe even a whole book about a topic you are not familiar with.

When you step outside of what you know and are used to, you learn new things and become inspired by the people and places around you.

3. S ign up for a cooking class with

friends or family. There’s nothing better than discovering a new culinary trick or favorite recipe that you would never have thought of yourself. Get your inspiration flowing by signing up for a cooking class; get out of your culinary comfort zone and leave the technology in your bag. This may inspire your next meal, cookbook or business post.

It may seem like a daunting task to ignore your notifications and put technology aside for a day or so, but at the end of it you’ll have discovered new places to go, new activities to do and you may even light the inspiration in others to do these things as well.

Emily recently completed her MS-DI at Bradley University and is currently living in New York City. Emily loves to travel and experience new food and cultures, and her travels have brought her to South Africa, Australia and Peru, among other places. She runs her own blog on instagram at @borntokale.

Is There Any Fun in Your World?

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Five Things to Inspire Creativity Brooke Fredrickson, RDN, LRD, CDE Treasurer Being an entrepreneur is hard work. Even when you are not at work, you are constantly thinking about it – your next social media post, that upcoming class or that book you keep telling yourself you are going to write but never make the time to do it. Am I right?

I don’t know about you but I often find myself so focused on what needs to get done that I forget to have fun and completely lose my sense of creativity.

I mean, the reason I went out on my own was to have more work-life balance and flexibility, but somehow that gets put on the back burner when it comes to projects and deadlines.

Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed and burned out, here is what I do for inspiration.

1. Take a break from social media Social media sucks the life out of me, especially if I spend too much time

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scrolling my news feeds. When I see what everyone else is doing, I tend to fall into the comparison trap and start second-guessing myself. Nothing zaps my creativity more than this.

2. G et outside Fresh air helps to clear my mind. A good walk while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature often gives me a new perspective on life. It enables me to return to work with a fresh outlook.

3. H ave set work hours It is really easy to allow work to invade my personal time if I am not intentional about it. I try to stick to my “office hours” and not sway from them. My body and mind need rest from work, and I need a fulfilling life outside of work. I make sure to prioritize my family and friends and other things that are important to me.

4. R emove the clutter I don’t work well when my life feels cluttered - whether this is physical clutter like a messy office, a cluttered schedule or a cluttered mind. Sometimes “cleaning out

the closet” helps to open up space for creativity in my work. If you are lacking margin in your life, make a list of things that you can do without and get rid of them if you can.

5. Journal Sometimes just taking a few moments to write down my thoughts and feelings opens up a floodgate of ideas.

I like to reflect on where I’ve been and where I would like to go with my life and business. It usually ends up as a brainstorming session resulting in a strategic plan for moving forward.

Think about the life you want to live and make it happen. No one wants to look back at the end of her/his life with regrets about working too much. Make time for the things that are important to you and don’t forget to have fun.

Brooke is a business owner, speaker and writer. She offers nutrition counseling and healthcare consulting services in rural North Dakota. Her passion is to help women overcome body image issues and rigid eating patterns through her faith-based approach. She loves to be outdoors, spend time with her family, and eat really good food.

Sustaining Success and Serenity All At Once Finding Work-Life Balance Megan McFadden, RDN, CD Director of Meetings Have you paused recently to evaluate your priorities and how you are spending your time?

Are you practicing what you preach? Do you need to find a way to reinvigorate the meaning behind your work?

Did you know that our nation has set aside vast tracts of land for public use? From the peaks of Yosemite to the canyons of Zion, the remoteness of the Channel Islands to the majesty of Mount Rainier, the National Park Service preserves and protects some of our nation’s greatest natural treasures.

Spending time unplugged in nature, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of our country’s natural beauty is just what the doctor, or dietitian in this case, ordered.

Ready, set, find a National Park near you!

Attend a ranger program to learn more about the human history in the parks. Learn about the way the Native Americans treasured and lived in harmony with the lands they called home. You may find yourself inspired to support the consumption of more sustainable food sources.

Next, hike your choice of miles and miles of trails and allow your head to clear from all the stressors of daily life. At the conclusion of your adventure you may just

find yourself buzzing with creative ideas for your next entrepreneurial endeavor.

Whatever you choose to do and wherever you choose to go, I encourage you to unplug, get outside and take pause to consider what you are doing and how it is meaningful to you and the greater community you support.

Undoubtedly, identifying ways to relax and enjoy life away from the office will reignite your passion for work and help you achieve a work-life balance that you never believed was possible.

If she's not talking nutrition, then you can find her giggling with her three little ones or planning her next trip. With her passport at the ready, Megan is always up for a new adventure.

Five Ways to Give Your Brain a Break Mandy Enright, MS, RDN, RYT Director of Sponsorship Let’s face it – if you’re an entrepreneur, that brain is going 24/7. You barely finish one project before the next idea or deadline pops up. This ongoing wheel of work can not only make you feel physically burnt out, but totally tires out the brain as well. Feeling uninspired and overworked these days? Check out how you can get your creativity mojo back and inject some new life into your biz with these Five Brain-Break Tips.

1. G et out of the dietitian bubble.

We have amazing resources for RDs who are looking to be in business for themselves among DPGs, courses and social media. Unfortunately, at times it can feel overwhelming and even a little intimidating seeing all the great work our colleagues are doing. We feel we need to be doing it all to keep up. Unfortunately, these recycled ideas start to all look the same. Want to truly set yourself apart from the competition? Interact with people outside of our profession.

Learn what’s new and fresh in other

industries and apply it to your business. Plus, you never know whom you’ll meet through networking.

2. K eep an idea journal.

Ideas hit us any and all the time.

You can’t possibly be expected to remember them all. And some ideas that seem great initially maybe aren’t all that great once you go back to review. Keeping a journal allows you to jot those ideas down as they come, reflect, develop or trash them. I recommend keeping a small notepad next to your bed for when those ideas hit you in the middle of the night, and utilize the “notes” feature on your phone for other times ideas hit and its easy search functions.

3. C lear your head.

You phone needs time to recharge and so do you. Learning a meditation practice is a great way to allow your mind to clear, hit “pause” for a few moments, and find clarity.

Check out apps like “Calm” or “Headspace” to help you get started with a meditation practice and clear out the brain clutter.

4. S et “no-work” hours and spaces.

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to have undefined boundaries between work and non-work hours, especially

if you work at home. Set specific times in your calendar when you will not do work. Maybe even set a daily cut-off time. Likewise, designate certain areas of your home to be “work-free” zones, like the bedroom or family room. If you’re in there, the laptop is elsewhere.

5. G o away.

Nothing clears the mind like getting away from it all. While a two-week Caribbean vacation may not be feasible, getting away from your work zone for a few hours, evening, or even a weekend can help you to return with a clear mind and fresh ideas.

Remember – all work and no play makes the RD Entrepreneur dull! Find ways to add fun into your work and your off-time to keep things exciting and new. You became an entrepreneur to have the life you dreamed of and the flexibility to work when you want. Your brain does a lot for you. Be a good boss and give your brain a break every so often. You’ll be happy with how it repays you.

Mandy is the owner of Team with ME: Nutrition & Fitness Consulting. This Jersey Girl Mermaid is ready to meet you on the water anytime for some SUP Yoga or just a simple lazy paddle. Mandy is fur mommy to a spunky and silly Cavalier appropriately named Shiva the Diva.

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Five Ways to Set Boundaries Around Social Media Alissa Rumsey, MS, RD, CDN, CSCS Mentor Programs/ Services Social media is a nonnegotiable for most entrepreneurs. We live in a digital world and we need to be where our customers are online in order to connect and engage with them. So when you use it as a primary or secondary source of customers and business, it’s hard to know where and when you can draw the line.

I struggled with setting boundaries around my business social media use until fairly recently. Last fall, I went on a 10-day solo trip to France. As part of my experience, I decided that I didn’t want to be distracted or to “numb” with social media. I hired an intern to post on my Instagram stories and I paid another dietitian to moderate my private Facebook group. The first few days I kept habitually reaching for my phone, but two or three days in I stopped thinking about social media all together. I was fully present and engaged the entire time and came home feeling mentally and emotionally rested.

It is possible to set reasonable, realistic social media boundaries and stick to them without having your business suffer. Here are a few of the ways that I’ve found help me to share and connect on social media authentically while being able to spend most of my time off-screen.

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1. Only check social media during specific times. It can easily become habit to pick up your phone several times an hour to check social media. (iPhones now show you how much time you spend on social media, which can be a great wake-up call!).

Create boundaries around when and where you’ll use social media. For example, I have a rule where I won’t check social media (or email) until I’ve gotten dressed and made my coffee; most days I try not to check it until I’ve crossed off at least one task on my to-do list. You can also create rules like only checking X times per day or limiting it to X minutes per day.

2. Batch-schedule your social media posts. There are dozens of apps that will do the social media posting work for you. This way you can batch-write and schedule posts, so you don’t have to be on your phone several times per day. Apps like Later, Planoly, Tweetdeck and Hootsuite allow you to schedule Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter posts.

3. K eep your phone out of the bedroom.

Having your phone on a nightstand makes it hard to stop from doing a quick social media check when you’re lying in bed. And I don’t know about you, but those “let me just check Instagram quick” moments end up being more like 20 mintues (or more) of my morning or evening. Keep your phone in another room when you go to bed, or plug it in across the room and invest in an alarm clock instead.

4. Make one day per week social mediafree. Pick one day each week you will not post or check any social media.

Saturday or Sunday tends to be the easiest for me, especially because they are the lowest engagement days for me anyway so I feel okay not checking in.

5. Once a month, go social media free for two to three days in a row. This one might be the toughest but also the most important. Unplugging from social media for several days in a row gives your brain a chance to breathe, reboot and have more time for family, friends and that work project you’re trying to get through. This is easiest done while traveling but can also just be a few random weekdays. If you’re worried about unplugging from social media for so many days in a row, schedule posts ahead of time and/or consider paying an intern or student to post for you.

Alissa is the owner of Alissa Rumsey Nutrition and Wellness, a private practice that specializes in intuitive eating, body acceptance and disordered eating. She is also the founder of the Dietitian Entrepreneur Mastermind Retreat and is passionate about empowering dietitians to confidently start, grow and scale their businesses. More often than not she can be found traveling around the world, laptop in tow.

Five Tips to Building a Thriving Business Through Creativity Nicole Aucoin, MS, RD, LD/N, CrossFit Level 2 Trainer Authors and Writers With so many businesses promoting similar services in a limited market, standing out is essential to the success of your business. However, you don’t necessarily need to have the creativity gene in order to craft a clear message that makes you stand out.

Here are five strategies you can apply that allow you to stand out, while still staying loyal to who you are as a business.

1. C REATE A CLEAR MESSAGE Storybrand's tagline is: "If you confuse, you lose. Creating a clear message is the best way to grow your business."

It's important to create a clear message that relates to your ideal client. You need to talk about his/her problem and how you can help her/ him.

As a Storybrand Certified Guide, I’ve realized the impact that creating a clear message can have on businesses.

You are losing money, leads and business if you confuse your potential customers.

While this may seem like an obvious step (many businesses start with a mission and a vision), it can be easy to unintentionally develop multiple messages over time or confusing branding as your business evolves.

Take a step back and ask yourself: If I had never seen this message before,

how would I respond to it? By sticking to one clear message, you are actually helping yourself stand out. This makes it easier for your potential clients to understand how you can help them.

2. S HOW EMPATHY You need to make your message relatable. It's important to show empathy and also authority. You can do this by sharing a personal story that relates to the client. If the client feels that you understand the problem she/he is struggling with, the client is more likely to open up to you. Then, once the person sees he/she can relate to you, you can establish that you are the expert by sharing how you have helped people in the past and how you can help him/her.

3. S HARE YOUR CLIENT SUCCESS Your ideal client needs to see people just like her/him seeing results and success. Talk about your clients’ success. Find unique and creative ways to share what your clients have accomplished. This can be done in graphic form, video and quotes.

Do not stick to just one method of sharing - your clients all respond to different types of media so share the same success story in multiple ways.

You should be highlighting success stories on your social media, blog, website, email, newsletter and in your physical location.

4. B E CONSISTENT WITH YOUR MESSAGE With so many different nutrition companies out there, it’s important that you find your niche and run with it. People need to see your message consistently and if they read it from

different places, that’s even better!

Guest-write for a local magazine, health food store or local partner. Ask to be a guest on a podcast and share your story.

People need to hear things eight to 10 times before taking action so the more places they can read about your business, the better. Be consistent with putting your content out on social media, email and your blog.

You want to be the first person they think of when they are looking for help with nutrition and that means your message needs to be consistent.

5. F IND A LEADER IN THE INDUSTRY There are so many dietitian resources out there, including rd2rd.com and growyournutritionbusiness.com.

Instead of wasting time reinventing the wheel, find people who are doing it well and partner with them. Creativity doesn't mean that everything you do has to be original.

You can use existing resources and apply them in different ways to make yourself stand out.

As an entrepreneur, it’s important that you set yourself apart from the crowd.

Create a clear message, relate to your clients, show empathy and authority to become the leader in the nutrition and wellness industry.

Nicole is the founder of Healthy Steps Nutrition and believes something as fundamental as nutrition shouldn’t be complicated. She owns a mentoring business where she empowers fellow nutrition experts to build a comprehensive nutrition business without reinventing the wheel. She is the author of Nourish: Grow Your Nutrition Business From the Ground Up.

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Find JOY in the Day-to-Day Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD Specialty Group Chair: Speakers/ Media As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of making things happen. I can say I am guilty of that more times than not! But the truth is, you can have all the money and all the work in the world and be unhappy and unfulfilled.

If we focus so much on the “to-do”and lose sight of what brings us joy, we end up getting burned out and losing our creativity and passion.

When it comes down to it, being happy isn’t enough; it’s joy that drives you to want to keep going, work harder and truly enjoy what you do. Happiness is defined as a state of well-being and contentment, but joy is defined as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. As NE member Dawn Jackson Blatner says,“Let joy be your compass! Now, do you still have to hustle? Yes, but let joy guide you.” Joy brings fun in the midst of business and busy-ness. Dawn believes, and

I have to agree, that “adding fun and joy into your life and business isn’t silly, but the key to success! Fun brings more bravery, more creativity and more energy.”

the ocean or a mountain that makes you stop and remember what life is all about?

Sometimes the smallest things can bring joy into our day.

So how do you find JOY in the different aspects of life?

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uggling the day-to-day: When you are in the midst of tasks and work, find something that brings you joy. Maybe it is the creativity in creating a presentation or set styling for a TV shoot. Maybe you can use your expertise to encourage a fellow dietitian or connect over coffee to talk and recharge. Maybe a song comes on in your office that you love and you get up and dance to it. Whatever it is, each day look for something in the balancing act of life that brings a beam of joy into your day.

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n-the-go: Whether you travel for work or travel to chase kids, being on-the-go non-stop can wear you out.

Take time to pick out something that truly brightens your day. Did you see a rainbow and remember the brilliance of creation?

Maybe you meet a stranger on an airplane and have a fun and inspiring conversation.

Are you traveling and see a cool sight like

ou: Take time to figure out what brings you personal joy. For me, it is sitting on a patio with wine, talking with a friend. Maybe it is spending time in nature or going on a date night. If you burn the candle at both ends, it burns out faster. Come up with three things that bring you joy and if you don’t know what those are, think about what makes you tick. What is it that would make you drop everything and do it? That is likely what brings you joy.

Hustle is required, but joy should be the driving force behind the hustle. If you will let joy be your guide, you’re sure to find more creativity, inspiration and fun in everything you do!

Amy owns her own consulting business and is a Certified Sports Specialist in Sports Dietetics. With a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in exercise and sports nutrition, she is passionate about marrying the two to provide quality, science-based nutrition information through speaking, media, writing and consulting.

How to Have Fun as a Mompreneur (or Dadpreneur) Nicole Goodrich, MS, RDN Specialty Group Chair: Private Practice Is there any more FUN now that you are a mom and an entrepreneur, AKA Mompreneur? The words FUN, CREATIVITY and BALANCE may be missing in your life, both personal and business. Life as a Mompreneur may have you more exhausted and brain-fizzled than ever before. Let’s face it, business ownership can be challenging and, with the mix of raising a family and balancing schedules and childcare, it is a bit more complex.

Prior to parenthood if your creative juices were flowing, you could keep feeding them until you were done. Now, you may have to stop just when the good stuff starts flowing.

The word “balance” is an evil seven-letter word since work-life balance has taken on a new meaning - survival.

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So how do you get the FUN back into your business and your life so you can be creative, get inspired, and have balance?

Schedule in the fun! I know it may lack spontaneity, but it’s a great option when you are being pulled in many directions.

Start with self-care. It’s amazing what a date night, or whatever time you crave, can do for the brain. When we redirect the brain, we make room for dreaming and inspiration. Schedule it on the calendar with the open mind that it can change because life is funny that way. But do your best to keep that date.

Schedule creative time for your business.

Plan time that is a few hours without the distractions of kids, phones or emails. Maybe it’s time at a favorite coffee shop. Whenever or wherever, make the commitment that at least once a month it’s a creative date with your business to explore, remember your “whys” and sketch out what makes your business yours.

Accept what can bring you peace. This is an important one. You are an amazing Mompreneur, but knowing and accepting your limitations is a huge piece of bringing the fun back into your life. Create your realistic plan. You don't have to do it all, have it all and conquer it all right now. Have a one-year plan and then a five-year plan that are realistic for your business life as a mom.

Happy FUN planning!

Nicole is a passionate dietitian who is the founder of several businesses including Anderson’s Nutrition, a multi-state, multi-dietitian private practice, and Nutrition Business Consultants and Services, which is geared to assist dietitians create and grow their businesses. She is a mom to two young kiddos, married to a foodie and loves to travel! Over 20 countries toured and many more on the list.

What’s Your Happy Plan?

How to Instantly Sprinkle Your Life With More Fun, Focus and Balance!

Lesli Bitel, MBA, RDN Specialty Group Chair: Coaching When is the last time you had some serious fun?

We all know that regularly injecting fun into your day can make you more creative, productive and less stressed. Fun even enhances your relationships and your health. So why is it that we often find ourselves feeling overworked and on the brink of burnout where fun and inspiration at work can feel elusive to the point of unattainable in our day-to-day lives.

Here’s a newsflash - if you’re not having fun while running your practice, your clients can feel it. Your attitude - happy or miserable, positive or negative - is reflected in the way you talk to your clients, write newsletters and emails and even how you sell your services. You alone set the emotional tone for your business.

So, if you want to run a successful practice and build a full roster of committed clients, you’ve got to get into your happy place.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. C ultivate positive emotions such as joy, gratitude and inspiration.

Research shows that experiencing positive emotions on a regular basis creates an “upward spiral” helping us to create more positivity and build resilience. Intentionally focusing on the good can help build your positivity muscle so you can cope more easily with the ups-and-downs of life. With a positive attitude you see the bright side of life, become optimistic and expect the best to happen!

2. S ay “no” to things in your business that don’t make you giddy with joy.

Yep - you read that right. Dump (or delegate) the stuff in your biz that’s bringing you down. Instead of writing up a boring business plan full of drudgery, write your happy plan and think of it as a big, wonderful commitment to yourself and your clients.

3. Take time off and go on vacations.

It’s important to spend time away from work to be with family and friends. Time off helps you maintain perspective on the challenges you face, and improves performance. So take some time off; you’ll be better because of it.

4. D on’t take yourself too seriously.

Humor is a very important part of building a business. Try not taking yourself too seriously and being willing to have a sense of humor. Along with that, smiling more throughout your day and not taking failure too seriously can make a huge difference in your outlook.

5. G et enough quality sleep. Not a big surprise here but so many of us don’t do this. Even if you “think” you don’t have time, strive to make seven to eight hours of sleep each night a nonnegotiable and reap the rewards of increased serenity, productivity and improved EVERYTHING! Lesli is a marketing and sales expert who works with entrepreneurial RDNs who are great at what they do but struggle with the business side of creating joyful and prosperous practices. In her work, she shows clients how to create their “dream business” by attracting loyal, committed clients; selling with authenticity; and scaling their businesses by creating diversified revenue streams including group coaching programs and digital courses. When she’s not helping RDNs run businesses that they love, she can be found doing Lagree workouts, exploring new travel destinations with her family or hiking with her Australian labradoodle, Rocky.

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Three Keys to Balancing Your Life with Creativity Jessica Beardsley, MS, RD, LD Specialty Group Chair: Second Career Dietitians We are all creative … We create things, ideas, solutions.

Maybe its a painting or a blog post or maybe it’s a creative solution to a problem.

We ALL are creative beings and this is essential for survival. Creativity is at the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs; it is integral to self-actualization. Maslow suggests that psychological health does not depend on productivity, but rather the real connection with psychological health is creativity.

But first we need to have our basic needs met. Are you sleeping well each night?

Drinking water? Do you have shelter? Food?

Safety? It seems like we should know these things as most of us are trained healthcare professionals, but it’s surprisingly common for knowledgeable RDNs to neglect some basic self-care in pursuit of work and productivity.

Okay, got your basics? Good! It’s important to start with basic needs because the next step toward unlocking our inner-creators involves risk and vulnerability. In Brené Brown’s research on shame and wholehearted living, she has found that creative people embrace vulnerability.

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change” ~ Brené Brown.

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This requires acceptance of uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure. It takes courage to be vulnerable, and while it may seem scary, vulnerability is not a sign of weakness.

Simply following well-worn paths of what has been done before and performing the same tasks over and over can feel comfortable. But this may not seem fulfilling because creativity is stifled. Leaning into vulnerability will feel uncomfortable, but it is also necessary for the flourishing of creativity.

Here are a few ways to lean in to vulnerability and unlock your creativity:

brain cells form in the hippocampus. Even more beneficial than simple silence is pure solitude. Choosing to be alone is not the same as being bored or lonely. Instead when you spend time in solitude, free of distraction (no phones, music, computer) and social responsibility, your mind is free to flow. Creative thinkers like Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton worked almost entirely alone. Spending time alone and in silence may be really uncomfortable at first, but give it time and it will flow into a freedom of creative thought. Prioritize and schedule a time for (unplugged) solitude to allow your creativity to flourish.

Rejection Therapy

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In his 2015 Tedx Talk, Jia Jiang describes how he desensitized himself from the pain of rejection by engaging in Rejection Therapy for 100 days. Talk about the ultimate in vulnerability! Jiang filmed himself every day asking a stranger for something the person was sure to say “no” to, like asking to borrow $100 or trying to get a “burger refill” from a fast food restaurant. He found that simply asking and engaging with an initially scary process could lead to some pretty amazing results. From his rejection therapy he overcame his fear and shame of rejection and found he was able to get some of the things he was asking for, simply by staying engaged in the process and asking questions. Lean in to rejection and see what emerges.

Silence Spending purposeful time in silence improves focus, productivity and creativity.

Neuroscience reveals that silence can help

Play like a child. Anything goes. Free write/ draw/talk with abandon. Don’t filter or edit.

Children aren’t limited by linear thinking as adults are. If they want to solve a problem and don’t know the boundaries, they will come up with solutions and try them out.

Don’t stop an idea before it starts. Use improvisational games to increase creativity in group atmospheres or even alone.

The concept of “yes, and” is based on the idea that you never contradict a partner (or yourself) but rather build on the idea.

Improv games force you to find connections using associative thinking (ie. creativity).

Jessica is a nutrition and lifestyle counselor in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She loves to read cookbooks but hardly ever follows a recipe as she prefers to use them as “inspiration.”

She loves coaching her clients to make real-life changes for improving their health. When Jessica isn't cooking or talking about food, she enjoys rock climbing, dancing and reading with her two daughters.

Find the Fun in Social Media Emily Holdorf, MS, RDN, LDN Specialty Group Chair: Technology/ Social Media You may be thinking, how can I make social media more fun?

Most of us initially created a social media account way back when to connect with friends, pass time, and because it was this new and exciting platform. Now that you have a business, you’ve most likely either transitioned your personal accounts to business accounts or have dual accounts.

In a world where we can’t seem to escape social media, it can be hard to focus on the fun.

We all have been there where social media feels like just one more thing to check off the to-do list, you waste time endlessly scrolling, or you just feel overwhelmed by it. Social media can feel like a full-time job. So how can we figure in the fun, find inspiration, and balance along the way?

Find new friends

Take a break

No, I’m not saying get rid of all the friends you have and find new ones. Reach out to like-minded business owners, people in your community or someone who inspires you. I really think the most fun part of social media is making those connections. You never know what kind of opportunities may come from it, plus it’s a great way to learn from others and get creative. I have so many social media friends turned real friends. When I go to conferences and trips, I have people I can connect with and make those experiences more fun. Take a chance and just start commenting, liking and sliding into those DMs (this is totally normal nowadays).

There’s nothing wrong with taking a break from social media. It may seem as though we must be present on social at all times and be connected 24/7, but in the end that’s not great for our mental health or our in-person relationships with family and friends. Plus, who wants to feel like she or he is working all the time? Whether it’s taking one day a week off social media or taking a few days off once a month, find a balance that works for you.

Set time limits If you’re really feeling stressed and burned out by social media, set time limits for yourself. If you know you’re going to get distracted when you log on, set an alarm so you don’t go down a rabbit hole. I like to set intentional reminders on my phone, so when I get notified I’m only going on social media for one specific reason. For example, I’ll comment on five people’s photos or reply to comments on my posts.

Balancing all the different aspects of our businesses is tough. Even though some days social media may seem to have more cons than pros, you can still go back to the roots of why it was created and have fun with it!

Emily is the owner of EmPowered Nutrition, which focuses on Intuitive Eating for busy, young professionals. You can typically find Emily in the kitchen creating recipes and taking pictures of food for her blog. When she’s not practicing nutrition, she’s exploring the Charlotte food scene, eating ice cream and spending time outdoors.

How Communities Spark Creativity Kimberley RoseFrancis, RDN, LD, CDE Hub Manager A few years ago when I started my YouTube channel, it was a difficult process. What would my focus be? How can I grow my audience?

Would I even attract nutrition-related professionals? I had so many questions but few answers. Most important, my concern was related to finding inspiration, creativity and figuring out how to juggle this new nutrition-related activity. Whoosh—can you imagine I did all of this while maintaining a full-time job? At first, my YouTube channel was not as successful as I hoped it would be. I attribute this to the fact that I did not understand the platform nor tap into the available resources I was provided from like-minded creators. Having a proper understanding is applicable not only for YouTube, but for all nutrition entrepreneurs.

As the Nutrition Hub Manager I rely heavily on my early YouTube days to understand the platform. Finding inspiration, creativity and most importantly having fun is an integral part of growth and success. Once you understand the platform and dedicate a little TLC - time, learning, and computing - the rest is smooth sailing. Today, I would like to share these tips with you:

1. Comments - the comments section is the best way to gather inspiration. Not only does the comments section give you ideas, but it allows you to freely engage with an audience of people who have the same interests as you.

2. C ommunities and Groups - surround yourself with resourceful people.

Finding a community is an integral part of creativity. One way I stay creative is by interacting with a group of gifted dietitians.

3. Search - One of the most popular axioms I stick by is “seek and you shall find.'' If you search hard enough you will find what you are looking for and, might I add, be successful at it.

Interested in finding comments, communities and groups to help you as an aspiring or current entrepreneur? One of the best ways to have fun and find balance, inspiration, and creativity is by being active on the NE Hub. The Hub is a great space for all NE members to connect, exchange ideas, and simply be in the know. The NE Hub is a favorable place to ask questions and get a response from other professionals.

Kim is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a Certified Diabetes Educator with close to a decade of clinical experience. She thinks of herself as a virtual cheerleader!

Kim has two passions: the first of which is for students and dietetic interns. For this reason, Kim started a YouTube channel and has created step-by-step nutrition support videos and worksheets to help future dietitians accomplish your goals. Her second is for those newly diagnosed with diabetes or have uncontrolled diabetes and related complications. She has also created video resources for her clients and also provides nutrition counseling sessions to reach them health goals.

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The Simple Formula to Maximum Fun and Maximum Productivity Chere Bork, MS, RDN Abundance Ambassador Do you feel like you are living your life on autopilot? And you never have enough time for fun?

Do you feel like your to-do list grows every day and along with it your anxiety? Here are three tips to help you achieve the magic formula of being productive and peaceful with your fun-o-meter on max.

Orient your life around what you love your values.

Your values are the north star of your heart. They guide and direct you to what is truly important to your heart. What gives you the greatest joy and pleasure?

Schedule those on your calendar first.

After you schedule what you love, think about what you can automate or simplify.

Simplifying your life enables you to have time for what is truly most important, whether it is your RDN career, your relationships or hobbies and passions.

Remember the three D’s - do, dump or delegate. Ask yourself: What must I do, dump or delegate to orient my life around my values?

Declutter!

There are two types of clutter: physical and mental. They are both closely related.

We have heard many times "a cluttered space equals a cluttered mind." They both usually show up at the same time in our lives. Clutter is a space issue. Physical clutter is the result of valuing our stuff, but not valuing it enough to find a permanent home for it. Mental clutter - resentment, worry, guilt, and doubt impacts our relationships and our ability to feel grateful, inspired and creative.

After carrying around the weight of our stuff for a while, suddenly we can hear ourselves saying, "I want my space!" We truly know that what we really want is effortless ease, peace and lightness—and that is found in the spaciousness. Ask yourself: “Which do I value more, my space or my stuff?”

Be grateful and notice your blessings.

There are two kinds of dietitians dietitians who always focus on what is NOT working and those who focus on what IS working. Who do you want to be? We think we need more and more and more, when, in fact we need less.

We need less clutter, less distraction, less busyness, less overwhelm. Never let all the things you dream about wanting and getting let you forget about the

wonderful things you already have. I have used many gratitude journals, but love the one Jen Haugen, RD, gave me best. It is called Good Days Start with Gratitude Journal by PrettySimpleBooks. com. Ask yourself: What am I grateful for today?

Bonus Tip: Decide.

You can say you want more fun and more balance. But life is not about goals as much as it is about decisions. Until you decide, nothing changes. What you decide, you get. The power is in your decisions, not your goals. Decide today you are a deliberate creator of a productive, peaceful life. Decide today and every day that your fun-o-meter is on max.

These four tips are the magic formula for a life well lived with no regrets. Are you ready? Great! Start today!

Chere Bork, AKA “The Dietitian Energy Igniter,” is the happy owner of cherebork.com and a Law of Attraction coach. She gives RDNs a confidence boost to live the lives they have always wanted. She helps them find clarity so that they can be the best they can be. She thought she was a failure many times in her career. And every time the challenge and adversity created a more beautiful, meaningful life. She wants that for you – a beautiful, meaningful life!

Figuring in Fun Hilary Downey Student Article As a full-time student who is busy with undergrad studies and preparing for internship while also building my brand and business, it is easy to put myself on the back burner and forget that I should be enjoying my work. Factoring in fun time when the to-do list is a mile long and the stress feels heavy can be difficult, and if you are like I am, you may sometimes feel like you cannot have the best of both worlds.

However, while just as there is a time to work hard, there is also a time for relaxing and creating fun in your life and even in your entrepreneurial journeys and studies. It is imperative to remember why we pursue entrepreneurship. Why? Because it is fun and enjoyable! So, why not bring the fun into our work? Ensuring that even when I am busy grinding away I am still able to

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have fun and create a balance between school work and enjoyment is key to not only avoid burnout, but to also live a fulfilled life. Hint: it also makes for great blogging or social content too.

Bringing fun into my business allows me to find inspiration in the parts of nutrition that I truly enjoy. It is easy to bury myself under textbooks and sit in front of my laptop creating content all day, but what has been a huge turning point for me as a student and in my business is viewing nutrition experiences as fun by getting out into the world and creating experiences around nutrition - attending food festivals, traveling to neighboring towns and exploring their farmers’ markets, visiting local farms and gardens, attending cooking classes, touring a chocolatier shop, experimenting in the kitchen, finding unfamiliar foods in the grocery store and creating recipes with them. Not only are these experiences fun and connect me with my community or a new community while giving me the opportunity to make connections and new

friends, I am also able to use them in my business by blogging about them and/or sharing them on social media. Real-world experiences are great for inspiration in my business. This also translates into helping me in my studies because I am reinforcing the concepts and information I am learning in the classroom.

It can be difficult when we are busy to find the time to have fun, so bringing the fun into building your business and tackling your studies allows you to get creative and draw inspiration from real-world application.

Explore something new, develop a new recipe, or interview someone you admire. It is your business and your life, so you get to decide how much fun you have with it.

Hilary Downey is a senior at the University of Central Arkansas. She will graduate in December of 2019 as a double major in nutrition and psychology and will apply for a 2020 dietetic internship. She is currently growing her brand and online business in order to open her private practice helping women across the world develop healthy habits.

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE Angela Grassi, MS, RDN, LDN, is pleased to share the news that her best-selling book, The PCOS Workbook: Your Guide to Complete Physical and Emotional Health, is now available in a 2nd edition. Angela's Online PCOS Training Course for RDNs is now open for fall enrollment. For more information on these and other PCOS resources, please visit the PCOS Nutrition Center Website, PCOSnutrition.com.

Christine Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND, was featured in the Expert Advice page of the August 2019 issue of Naperville Magazine.“It’s Just Lunch” included eight tips for building a midday meal that kids crave and parents can pull off. As sister publication to Chicago magazine and Splash, Naperville Magazine is the premier lifestyle publication of Chicago’s west suburbs. In addition, she was quoted in the July 28 issue of Parade Magazine.

Elieke Demmer Kearns, PhD, RD, recently launched Nosh.it Food Facts, a credible source for easy-to-digest (pun intended) food information - including nutrition, food labels, production/ agriculture, and of course #science. Elieke’s innate curiosity, appreciation for complexity, and passion for bringing people closer to their food makes Nosh.it the perfect place for you and your clients to find complex food topics explained in an approachable way. Follow along on instagram via @Nosh_It_FoodFacts or connect with Elieke via NoshItFoodFacts.weebly.com.

Sarah Hojnacki, MS, RDN, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian with eclectic experience.

For over eight years she has worked independently as a nutrition business consultant, clinical consultant, professor and health coach. She now specializes as a health insurance advisor helping individuals, entrepreneurs and small businesses (especially fellow RDNs!) that aren’t covered under employer plans obtain affordable health coverage. Her own struggles with insurance as an entrepreneurial dietitian led to the career shift that now benefits fellow professionals.

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Diversity and Cultural Equity in Dietetics Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN Diversity Article

how I listened and learned from patient experiences. I learned firsthand that there is no one-size-for-all and that all people’s stories and experiences must be honored.

Tell us a little about your background.

What is your definition of diversity and why it is important in the dietetics field?

I am a Registered Dietitian and completed my master’s degree at New York University and clinical rotations at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. After completing my studies I moved on to manage a DOHMH-funded Food and Nutrition Service program for homeless and unstably housed people living with HIV/AIDS. After the birth of my daughter, I started my private practice focused on risk reduction and management of diet-related chronic illnesses. I am an adjunct at New York University and continue to see patients while working as a nutrition expert across multimedia platforms.

In terms of my cultural and ethnic background I identify as a first-generation American of Afro-Caribbean descent and use the pronouns she/her/hers. I was born to Caribbean parents from Trinidad & Tobago and Haiti in Massachusetts where I spent my early years until my family moved to New York.

How has your background enhanced your dietetic practice?

My experience as a woman of color in the health and wellness field as well as my work experience and continuing education has enhanced and informed my dietetic practice in a multitude of ways. During my time as a program manager, I completed a number of continuing education programs centered around gender and sexuality as they related to inequitable healthcare systems. Prior to that as part of my undergraduate program I studied critical race theory. Having the opportunity to work with patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds coming from all five boroughs of New York as well as the world expanded

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When I think about creating equitable healthcare systems and fostering diversity in the dietetics field, I think we need to start by creating safe healthcare spaces that include all people. I believe that we need to adjust our standards and move away from able-bodied white cisgendered heteronormativity as the benchmark.

My definition of diversity includes understanding and respect for people from different races, genders, sexual identities, nationalities, religions, socioeconomic status and abilities. Diversity also includes systems where stereotypes are challenged, assumptions are removed and antibias learning is involved. As health care providers we treat people from all walks of life and in theory should do so from an unbiased perspective. It’s important for each of us to examine our preconceived ideas about a person or groups of people.

When we have providers who represent the diverse backgrounds that mirror the patients we work with it, this allows patient interaction and health outcomes to flourish as well as an opportunity for providers to learn from each other.

How do you encourage people to honor the uniqueness of each individual?

I encourage people to honor the uniqueness of each individual by expressing a willingness to learn as well as to be exposed and have interpersonal relationships with people who are different from them. I encourage practitioners to embrace as well as respect differences while working against internal and systemic biases.

How do you challenge and promote sensitivity and inclusion in the dietetics field?

To promote sensitivity and inclusion in the dietetics field, anti-bias education needs to be an integral part of the path to becoming an RD. I challenge and promote sensitivity by including discussions centered around anti-bias nutrition care in the classes I teach to future dietitians. I also use national platforms to engage in constructive discussions about health disparities in marginalized communities of color.

What is one tip you have for others to be more culturally sensitive/aware?

There are several wonderful cultural equity tools that can be used for provider self-reflection and in turn help providers equitably serve a multi-cultural patient community. I urge all providers to continually seek out opportunities for continuing education focused on cultural competency. Below are continuing education tools and cultural competency workshops that I recommend: • Racial Equity Tools • The Center for Cross-Cultural Health • The Center for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity • The Center for Immigrant Health • The Cross-Cultural Health Care Program

How would having more diversity in dietetics providers improve our field?

Having more providers from varied backgrounds and life experiences expands perspectives in care. In addition, patients will have greater access to many types of providers for their nutrition care.

Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, runs a Brooklyn-based private Maya Feller Nutrition and is the author of the forthcoming cookbook, The Southern Comfort Food Diabetes Cookbook, out October 1, 2019. You can follow Maya on social at @mayafellerRD.

Finding Inspiration, Creativity and Balance Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN Guest Article At some point in our entrepreneur journey, most of us learn that we can’t do it all. I truly believe it’s possible to do everything moderately well, but to really succeed, it helps to let go of doing everything and bring some clarity to what you really enjoy doing. In other words, focus on the parts of your business that excite you.

If you’re not sure where your inspiration and creative passions lie, that’s okay perhaps the points below will help you.

These tips have helped me learn to harness my creative energy, while focusing on my business vision.

1. S et small goals and reward yourself for meeting them.

Are you someone who gives up on yourself or never sees goals to the finish? Perhaps having a small reward at the end will help. Maybe that means a weekend away if you’ve met your client goals for the month or landed a big partnership. Or, maybe it’s as simple as signing up for a local race or taking a weekday off to spend time with your family. While rewards can be businessoriented, I prefer turning to aspects of fun outside of business as a break away.

Remember, time away can lead to more inspiration and big ideas!

2. C heck in with yourself.

Are you stressed, anxious, tense, sleeping enough? Are you making time for fitness and fun? These questions can lend themselves to valuable insight about your work/life balance. If you value quality time away from work either by yourself or with friends and family, follow up with yourself to see if you are prioritizing that enough. I know if I’m not giving myself enough breaks, I become more short-sighted, feel easily overwhelmed and my sleep is affected.

I’ve learned to intentionally set time for brainstorming and reflection once a week.

3. O utsource when you need to.

After checking in with yourself, you may notice you’re spending your creative “work” time on tasks you don’t actually enjoy. Maybe your most creative time block is in the morning but that time is being designated towards something else. Are you able to reclaim that time or move things around? Are you taking advantage of time blocks and spending your time focusing on things that will move your business forward? If not, consider outsourcing. Outsourcing, while it is an expense, can be a great way to give yourself more time to focus on things that bring you joy, both in a creative and business sense.

Maybe that means hiring an additional staff member, or outsourcing billing and accounting to a company that specializes in those services.

Personally, I treasure my creative windows in the morning for writing and brainstorming.

I block off my mornings whenever possible and try to schedule conference calls for later in the week after business necessities are done. I’ve contracted with virtual assistants to help with small projects so I can free myself up for big-picture things and fun.

In this stage of life, fun looks like training for a fall marathon. The beauty of being an entrepreneur is we get to figure out what works best for us, to some extent, and capitalize on it.

I know that I formulate some of my best business ideas while doing distance training runs. That is a value for me, so I make time for it. Remember that creative time can be spent outside of your actual business “tasks” and shouldn’t be underestimated. The more we relinquish trying to do everything, the more balance we gain in our creativity, inspiration and work/life balance.

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN, is a freelance writer and the creative mind behind Bucket List Tummy, where she offers healthy recipes, nutrition counseling and consulting services.

When she’s not working, you can find her training for her 3rd marathon, exploring the local eats, and adventuring with her husband, dog and 16-month-old daughter.

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Product REVIEWS Enjoying Food Peace: Recipes and Intuitive Eating Wisdom to Nourish Your Body and Mind

Pursuing Private Practice for Intuitive Eating What is included in the price: Intensive Pursuing Private Practice course which includes 10 modules of Business Foundation information, detailed lessons on how to help your clients feel fabulous about food, Facebook group support and accountability, monthly group coaching calls and the Pursuing Private Practice book series (digital copies). This also includes 8 CEUS.

Author: Bonnie R. Giller, MS, RDN, CDN, CDE Price: $29.99 (plus sales tax)

Required/recommended equipment: Internet access, Chrome, etc.

Review: Have any of your clients ever struggled with the endless cycle of dieting? This book is an invaluable resource to anyone wanting to give up diet mentality. Enjoying Food Peace provides anti-diet insights along with balanced recipes. The introduction shares the philosophy of intuitive eating as well as guidance for gentle nutrition. Like most cookbooks, you can find chapters such as “soups and salads,” but Bonnie also features a unique “kugels and latkes” chapter. Like intuitive eaters, the author does not put any food off limits in her recipes.

Enjoying Food Peace would be especially helpful for dietitians using intuitive eating principles with clients in private practice. Bonnie is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor so she helps coach the reader and simplify healthy eating.

Most recipes use common ingredients and are appropriate for beginner cooks. This is a great resource for anyone who is trying to combat diet mentality and make peace with food.

Major Function: Help dietitians build a private practice grounded in intuitive eating

Reviewer: Jess DeGore, RD, LDN, CDE, CHWC

The quality and depth of content in this course are impressive. Included in the cost are digital downloads of two e-books on pursuing private practice and growing your practice, a downloadable workbook and videos of Jennifer guiding you through each module as well as recorded group coaching calls. Additionally, the Facebook group support is phenomenal both from a feedback perspective and a support mindset.

Title: Private Practice Dietitian and Nutrition Consultant Affiliation: Dietitian Jess Nutrition

Target Audience: Dietitians either thinking about starting a private practice or in the beginning stages of opening a private practice.

Capabilities: Provides ground-up content for starting a private practice, everything from taking insurance to marketing and from financial information to work/life balance.

Limitations: None observed.

Review: Are the steps to creating your own thriving private practice daunting? Do you focus on intuitive eating but want to know more about how to make it your full-time job? Jennifer McGurk’s Pursuing Private Practice for Intuitive Eating will guide you every step of the way, providing accountability, support and answers to the many questions that opening your own practice will inevitably have you asking.

Even if you have started your own practice, this course is filled with tips, tricks and food for thought that will have you thinking differently about your business.

This course includes comprehensive information on the steps to opening your own practice - recommendations for creating a vision, guidelines for branding, marketing, office space, and steps to start taking insurance. Jennifer dives into more about intuitive eating and specifically details on how to make it a cornerstone of your practice and how to support your clients using intuitive eating.

I did not observe any weak spots in this course or any areas of room for improvement. The professionalism, detail and passion for helping dietitians create thriving practices were evident in every area of this course.

I wish I had signed up for a course like this prior to opening my own practice.

It would have saved me time, effort and lots of hair. I highly recommend this course to any dietitian considering opening her/his practice especially if the dietitian is a weight-neutral, intuitive eating practitioner.

Reviewer: Erica Mouch, RDN, CD Title: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Affiliation: NE DPG, Erica Mouch Nutrition

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A Dietitian’s Guide to Professional Speaking – Expert Advice for Pitching, Presenting & Getting Paid

Intuitive Living

Author: Jessica Setnick, RD

Can be purchased at: intuitiveliving4life.com

Price: $22.00 Review: Ever wonder how speakers like Mark Bittman can make $25,000 from one speaking engagement? Or how one presentation at SXSW could skyrocket your career? In Jessica’s book A Dietitian’s Guide to Professional Speaking, she outlines step-by-step how to get started in the world of professional speaking. This guide is an excellent resource for any dietitian interested in learning how to incorporate public speaking into his/her business.

Jessica outlines in detail every part of the process from deciding how to craft your unique speaking platform (USP), to how to reach out to contacts, and even how to negotiate your price. Jessica coaches you through some money-mindset hacks, and goes into the specifics of how to market yourself as a dietitian speaker. My favorite quote from the book was:“You are not paying yourself to speak” – meaning, even though you might not think your knowledge or experience is that impressive, to the right audience your time and experience are extremely valuable.

The book includes practical tips and tricks on how to stay organized, how to pitch PR contacts, and even how to prepare when arriving to a new venue or setting. This book is an easy read for any nutrition entrepreneur who wants to add another income stream into her/his business, amplify her/his message or shift into the world of professional public speaking.

How to Make the Healthiest Decisions Using Personality Type Author: Roberta Schwartz Wennik, MS, RDN Price: $14.99 Format: Electronic Review: There is intuitive eating and now there is Intuitive Living, a personalitybased approach to eating and lifestyle habits. Wennik is an RDN and certified expert in the use of the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®) who puts the power of healthier lifestyle choices back into your hands with a practical game plan called the Z-Pattern of decision-making based on The MBTI®. The author helps readers identify their type and understand their dominant personality trait after answering a short easy-to-take quiz. Through fun pictures, step-by-step exercises and practical examples, the author demonstrates how this approach helps with the what-why-when of making food and other decisions on the best and worst days. The author includes comprehensive holistic recommendations to balance healthy eating (distinguishing appetite versus hunger), exercise, stress and relaxation. This is a perfect tool for dietitians counseling clients to make mindful decisions about their lifestyle choices. Included are downloadable journaling forms.

Reviewer: Barbara Baron, MS, RDN, CDN, FAND Title: The Family Meals Dietitian, Food & Nutrition Consultant Affiliation: Barbara Baron Nutrition

Reviewer: Anabelle Harari, MS, RYT Title: Dietetic Intern Affiliation: NE DPG, Wellspring Nutrition

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Ventures

www.nedpg.org

Enterprising News & Ideas for Nutrition Entrepreneurs

Kim Hoban, RDN, CDN, CPT 24 Copperbeech Road Saint James, NY 11780

NE at FNCE® Saturday, October 26 6:30–9:30 PM Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG Networking Event: Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of NE Thing Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Join us for great food, beverages and an exciting evening to network with your colleagues at the enchanting Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Sponsored by NOW®.

Sunday, October 27 2:30–3:00 PM NE Member Focus at the Life Extension Booth Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) Exhibitor Booth #713 Visit the Life Extension Booth to get a Free Life Extension Kit available for NE members while supplies last.

5:15–7:00 PM Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG Super Specialty Sunday Event Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (HQ Hotel) Grand Ballroom Salon E Specialty Group Rockstars come to answer some of the FAQs of NE members. Come to ask your own questions and network with fellow entrepreneurs.

Monday, October 28 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM NE Spotlight Session - Intellectual Property Rights : Liberty, Ethics, and the Pursuit of Legal Protection Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC), 113-ABC This session will examine the knowledge needed to protect your (or your organization’s) intellectual property. Presented

by Joanne Larsen, MS, RD, LD, and Richard Pierce, Attorney, Moderated by Lisa Jones, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND. 9:00 AM–1:00 PM Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG/MIG Showcase Booth #1904 Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) Stop by the NE DPG booth #1904 where all the buzz is. Do not miss the Survival Swag so you can be ready for NE-thing. The very popular one-on-one mentoring is happening at the booth again this year..

NOON–1:30 PM NE Lunch Sponsored by Quaker Speaker: Ellie Krieger, MS, RDN Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (HQ Hotel) Independence Ballroom “Oats: Your whole-in-one ingredient for developing recipes, telling a nutrition story and making food look good!” Come grab lunch with NE while being educated, entertained and inspired by Quaker.