Change Agents Change The World ���

AMANDA SAUCEDA MS, RDN, CLT

CHAIR

Imagine a Slinky at the precipice of a set of stairs�

All it takes is one little push for that Slinky to slink fluidly down the steps�

That first little push is all the energy a Slinky needs to get going and once it does, it will keep going until it reaches the end of the stairs� That first burst of energy is kind of like a change agent.

A change agent is someone who helps to bring about change or transformation� We can become change agents when we are volunteering, working in advocacy, researching, speaking and mentoring� As the chair of NE I am trying to be a change agent for our membership, trying to get that first burst of energy going� To be honest, sometimes this feels effortless (that’s due in large part to the amazing board that we have) and then there are other times it takes a lot of effort to get things going (like when I am trying to navigate the ins and outs of the Academy)�

The beautiful part about being a change agent is that the initial push can help inspire people to bring their own energy and gifts to the mix� Just like a Slinky going down the stairs, everyone can come together to make meaningful change within their organizations�

Not sure what steps to take? The first step is to identify something that would benefit from a change� One of the easiest ways to see where you can act as a change agent is to start

with something you are passionate

about� It could be something small or big� Then find people who can also add their gifts and energy to the mix� Together we can change the world!

Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT, loves pizza� She has a running list of her favorite places and places that she wants to try � Her number-one 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�

Volunteering as a Means of Self-Care?

KRISTI COUGHLIN

MS, RDN

INCOMING DIRECTOR OF MEETINGS

Volunteering is often thought to be synonymous with altruism, meaning you do something without expecting a benefit in return� However, volunteering actually goes beyond helping others without personal gain� This does not mean that when you help someone it is coming from a place of selfishness; rather, think of volunteering as a win-win situation�

When you volunteer, it is an opportunity to make a positive impact in someone else’s life� At the same time, you develop interpersonal skills,

such as listening, compassion and

empathy� This is because you have a front-row seat to experience other people and view their problems in a new light� Judgment often falls to the wayside as you realize the issues they face are different from what you originally thought, in turn, offering an opportunity to learn compassion�

In light of this information, volunteering can be considered a form of self-care� While self-care is primarily focused on oneself, it is important to remember that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing� Relating it back to nutrition, it is similar to the consequences of ingesting large amounts of vitamin C in a short period of time� Your digestive tract is likely to be upset by the nutrient that is typically considered to be a benefit� The same can be said for self-care� If you become too inwardly focused, it can closely mirror self-involvement; therefore, volunteering is a great antidote�

Here are some ways to volunteer and give back in your community:

WORK WITH A LOCAL NONPROFIT ALIGNED WITH YOUR BELIEFS AND VALUES.

In 2016, I moved to a new community� As a way to meet people, get involved and give back, I decided to take a position with a local nonprofit focused on establishing a dedicated space for kids� It was great to fill my cup while helping in a meaningful way�

DONATE ITEMS TO A LOCAL SHELTER OR RESCUE.

This can be done without spending your money� For your next birthday, consider requesting donations for your favorite charity� Recently a family member had a birthday and asked for items to donate to the local animal shelter� We all gave dog food, blankets and other requested items and it turned out to be a fun way to celebrate the day�

SIGN UP TO REGULARLY VOLUNTEER AT A LOCAL NONPROFIT.

Around the holidays, shelters and food banks will often see an influx of volunteers� However, they are in need of help year-round� Consider finding a nonprofit that is in need of regular volunteers, either weekly or monthly; your consistency in helping is valued� If you are not able to physically help at the center, ask for ways that you can help at home� You can also ask for a wish list of needed items and gather community members to donate the new or used items� After the Paradise, California, fires we had several families relocate to our town� A neighbor obtained a list of needed items and coordinated gathering donations from the community�

PARTICIPATE IN A MENTORING PROGRAM.

One way to give back as a mentor is to work with at-risk groups which would benefit from a positive influence in their lives� By being a mentor, you can help kids, youths and young adults navigate difficult times and guide them as they consider their futures�

FOSTER CATS, DOGS OR OTHER ANIMALS.

If you enjoy a hands-on, fully invested way to give back, consider fostering animals until they get a forever home� This especially helps rescues and shelters when they’ve met capacity limits�

Whatever you decide to do, consider your strengths and passions as a way to determine the opportunity that best suits your life� Find an organization that would benefit from your skills and get involved� As you help others, you also help yourself� Let volunteering be a form of self-care�

Kristi Coughlin, MS, RDN, loves spreading happiness with her business Bring About Happy by creating uplifting products inspired by former private-practice clients� In her spare time, she can be found with her family by the lake, traveling or enjoying her favorite food - pizza!

Nutrition Entrepreneurs CAN Make a Difference

YVETTE QUANTZ

RDN, LDN

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Since I was the oldest grandchild, this seemed to be the number-one conversation starter among my grandparents, aunts and uncles� While my answer changed as much as I did from the age of five to 25, the core message stayed the same: "I want to help people�"

I share this because, since becoming a dietitian 20 years ago, I've had the honor of talking with students and fellow dietitians worldwide� At some point, the question arises: "Why did you want to be a dietitian?" The answer is almost always the same, "I want to help people�"

There's no doubt the dietitian I was 20 years ago is different from who I am today� However, regardless of how I've changed, the desire to help people has remained constant� As a nutrition entrepreneur, there are days I ask myself, "Am I helping enough people?

Am I contributing to a healthier

community around which I live?"

The truth is, the answer was not always a yes� Sure, I was helping clients who could afford private nutrition sessions� I was also helping my colleagues create stronger connections with their clients with ready-to-use content and inspirational cards� Still, I knew I could do more�

A few years ago, I started working for Ochsner's Eat Fit Acadiana program� As a nonprofit initiative of Ochsner Health System, Eat Fit is designed to help the community live their healthiest, strongest lives� Our team of dietitians works with restaurants, markets and other foodservice establishments while also connecting with our local community, serving as a resource for all things wellness� I loved educating people on how to eat well when dining out and on the road� However, I knew many people struggled with food insecurity� How could I help more people eat well and feel better?

That's when it hit me� I observed the direct impact the pantry donations made on someone in my community� Change can start with me� Donating with intention during my kid's school food drive would result in someone else receiving nutrient-dense food� Increasing access and availability to more nutrient-dense food is a big step in creating a healthier community�

As a dietitian working with my local media, I could share this message with others� And you can do the same� Using your professional education and media platforms, share how people can donate with more intention and with healthier foods� Educate your community as to why the items being sent to your local food bank matter� Let others know we each play a role in building healthier, stronger communities�

A few ideas for donations include: y Brown rice, quinoa, wholewheat pasta or raw oats y Beans and lentils y Canned tuna or salmon y Natural peanut butter y Low-sodium soups y No-added-salt vegetables y No-added-sugar fruit y Powdered milk y Plant-based oils such as olive oil, grapeseed and avocado y Low-sodium seasoning, dried herbs and spices

Download the free Eat Fit App to access the Eat Fit Donation Pantry List to encourage people in your community to donate healthier, more nutritious foods�

Things to consider when spreading your message: y Avoid jumbo-size products y Avoid glass containers y Avoid donating expired products y Call your local food bank and ask if it needs anything specific Here are additional tools and resources to inspire your next food drive: y Feeding America y Food Dignity Movement fooddignitymovement�org y Food Dignity Podcast: Best

Donations for a Food Drive

And remember, we all can nourish and fuel a healthier community� From the words we feed each other to the food we share - what we give matters�

Yvette Quantz, RDN, LDN, will never turn down an invitation to connect over coffee� Serving as NE's Nominating Committee chair, she's driven to do work that matters� She enjoys the diversity of her career and currently serves as the marketing dietitian for Ochsner's Eat Fit Acadiana, as well as the founder of Customized Nutrition Newsletters, Foodspirations, and a part time-private practice, Food Therapy � When not supporting her clients, colleagues or community, she's watching Netflix dramas� After 16 years of marriage, her husband is still perplexed at this irony � As a dietitian, she reminds him it's called balance�