Nutrition Entrepreneurs Ventures Fall 2022

FALL 2022 EDITOR

Meagan Nielsen, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN

INCOMING EDITOR

Leda Medina, RDN, LDN, CDCES

EDITORIAL BOARD 2022-2023

Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT

Beth Stark, RDN, LDN

Jessica Oswald, MS, RDN, LD/N

Heather Rudalavage, RDN, LDN

Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT

Stephanie Dorfman, MS, RDN

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 © 2022 Nutrition Entrepreneurs All rights reserved

Note From the Editor

MEAGAN NIELSEN MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Is it just me or do the summer months always seem to fly by? One minute you’re soaking up the sun at your niece’s softball game and then suddenly you notice the leaves in your yard are already changing color It’s always bittersweet making this shift in seasons but I try to focus on the positive: change is inevitable and you can use it to your advantage You likely learned something or heard a phrase that really resonated with you over the last few months We all have something that hits us a little differently and you need to sit with it until you realize how you can use that in your own life/business If you haven’t experienced anything like this yet, my hope is that something in this issue resonates with you so that you can continue to develop your game plan to thrive as an entrepreneur

Whether you’re in a goal-line stance about to score a huge new contract or you’re 3rd-and-20 on your own 10-yard line, your next play can be a game changer I encourage you to take one thing from this issue of Ventures and incorporate it into a strategy for success

Meagan Nielsen, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN, is a sports dietitian, privatepractice

owner, and is the team dietitian for USA Weightlifting In her free time, she enjoys picking up heavy things and then putting them back down (AKA training/competing in powerlifting) During football season, you can find her screaming at the TV while texting her dad about each play during their favorite collegiate and professional teams’ games

Meagan Nielsen, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN newsletter@nedpg org

Email NEadmin@NEdpg org

Enjoying our new layout? Snap a selfie with this magazine in a fun place and post it to IG or Facebook with #VenturesNEwhere

Letter from the Chair

STEPHANIE DORFMAN MS, RDN CHAIR

I love the fall! Watching the leaves change color to create a beautiful foliage and stepping on the crunchy leaves are two of my favorite parts of autumn The changing of seasons (if you are in a location where you experience all four seasons) is a wonderful and natural reminder to take time to reevaluate some things Whether it be business strategies or life events, what are you currently doing that is “working” and bringing you joy? And, what are you currently doing that may be energy-zapping?

Here are some ideas to go into this new season with strategies that set you up for success and put you in your zone of genius:

y Review your systems. Your business systems are in place to help things run smoothly, not make things more confusing Take some time to review the platforms you are using for your email marketing, scheduling, client management, social media posting, etc� and make sure they are working for you, not against you�

y Optimize your calendar. However your brain works, make sure you have your calendar set up in a way that is easy for you to follow and stay on top of all tasks� Platforms like Asana or Notion (or the many other options out there) can help keep all of your “to-dos” in one place and improve your time optimization

y Ask for help. Even if you are the sole employee in your business, it is important to find “your people” to go to and ask for help, validation, agreement, reassurance, whatever you may need in the moment Having a community or even just a few people who value similar business and nutritional ideals can be extremely helpful It’s tough to admit sometimes but it is impossible to know everything! Working together and leaning on others for assistance can only make us better and broaden our horizons as dietitians and business professionals

y Leave time for yourself. Don’t forget - your business doesn’t run without YOU! How can you integrate time for self-care into your schedule? What are things you can do to rejuvenate yourself either before, during or after a busy day at work? Even though you’re not technically working on your business, you are bettering yourself, which will reflect in future business moves I hope you all go into fall with a fresh view and open mind Business strategies are constantly changing That’s okay and actually necessary for business growth and improvement From season to season, let them be a reminder for you to take time to process and think about new strategies for yourself and your business� Happy fall!

Stephanie Dorfman, MS, RDN is passionate about all things wellness, running

outdoors, puppies, peanut butter and spreading all of the joy When she’s not at her corporate food service job, you can find her running (usually in Astoria or Central Park), baking challah, or laughing with family and friends During the summer months, look for her at her favorite sleep-away summer camp, where her family still works and where her grandparents met Stephanie loves being able to combine all her passions into her profession every day

It’s About More Than Winning

JESSICA OSWALD MS, RDN/LD CHAIR-ELECT

“The game has got to be about more than winning. You’re part of something here … along the way, I want you to cherish it, because when it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”

Tony D’Amato, Any Given Sunday

Not winning is hard, really hard It really stinks when it affects something that you’ve been working on for a long time and something that you’ve been pouring your heart and soul into

As a nutrition entrepreneur, not getting that win can look like any number of things Maybe your original business idea didn’t get enough traction so you had to pivot Perhaps you created a beautiful lead magnet but no one is signing up for it Maybe you launched a course or a group program and fell far short of the number of people whom you were expecting to sign up You didn’t win and it feels crummy

These non-wins, these failures, can happen for any number of reasons and these reasons aren’t necessarily you These reasons aren’t necessarily the market for your service or product Sometimes, failure happens and that’s okay

WHY DOES FAILURE FEEL SO CRUMMY?

Because we’re humans We’re conditioned to avoid pain This is for good reason - to keep us alive Failure is painful We’ve been taught that failure is a sign of weakness We’ve been taught to believe that failure is bad� However, as a nutrition entrepreneur, failure can be an opportunity

Learning from failure, when done well, can be an experience that can elevate your nutrition entrepreneur journey To begin to do this, you need to start shifting your view of failure Failure is not always bad Sometimes failure is inevitable Sometimes failure is good Let’s cover a few ways that you can get back in the game after failure

GETTING BACK IN THE GAME

Don’t play the blame game. When something fails, we naturally want to find someone or something to blame We blame ourselves� We blame a process� We blame the market for not being ready If we blame someone or something, then we can quickly look at what is being blamed for what to fix next time Breaking failure down in this way is too simple and it only looks at the “bad,” blameworthy reasons for failing When something fails or doesn’t work, don’t rush into immediately finding what you must blame Instead, pause and start with asking if anything or anyone is to blame or if you can move into the “learning” from the “failure” phase

Cultivate a culture of experimenting. We’re dietitians We’ve got a science background We know what experiments are because we were taught how to experiment from a food perspective I distinctly remember a food science class in which I experimented with pound cake and failed miserably I’m positive that we all have a similar story There was nothing wrong with that failed pound-cake experiment In fact, it taught me that you really shouldn’t mess with the pound-cake formula That food science class was a culture of experimenting My classmates and I tried things� Sometimes it worked� Sometimes it was a spectacular failure How can you create this same attitude in your business or nutrition entrepreneur journey? What is truly possible when you accept the mindset of experimenting? If you create this culture of experimenting, you’ll create an environment where learning and innovating are at the forefront so that your business can focus on thriving Sometimes failure is a byproduct of that, but so is success

Analyze the failure. To really do this, you have to move past the blame game and look at the root causes behind the failure When a failure happens, it’s likely that you can identify an obvious reason for the failure Don’t stop at that obvious reason Continue asking “why ”

Let’s say that you launched a new program or course and didn’t get the sign-ups that you were expecting The obvious reason for this failure might be that the market was not ready for your program or course� Why? Why weren’t people ready? Maybe you discover that they weren’t ready because the marketing for this program or course happened less often than for other things that you launched Why? Why was the marketing for this less? As you think about it, you realize that the excitement from your team wasn’t there for this program� Why? Why was excitement less? See what we’re doing? We’re truly trying to get down to the base reason that this failure happened

No matter the failure, no matter how hard it is, remember, it’s about more than winning Learning from failure, when done well, can be an experience that can elevate your nutrition entrepreneur journey

Jessica Oswald, MS, RDN/LD, is the owner of a private practice specializing in intuitive eating and meal planning She’s also the clinical dietitian at a pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities Jessica enjoys cooking, reading, and training for the occasional half-marathon She’s also a proud cat mom; ask her about that time she crawled under a car to rescue a kitten

Staying Relevant with Social Media: IG Posting Strategies

AMANDA SAUCEDA MS, RDN, CLT PAST CHAIR

Could you imagine how rich we would be if we got a dollar everytime the Instagram algorithm changed? In fact, the always-changing nature of the algorithm is the one constant thing we can rely on

Even though it can be very frustrating to not know exactly what to do when creating content for Instagram, there are strategies to make Instagram work for you by experimenting with the following strategies� Take what works and leave the rest� At the end of the day, the only wrong way of using social media is if the strategy (or even the platform itself) doesn’t work with your values

PICK A THEME TO HELP GUIDE YOU.

A theme can help give clarity on what you want to post for the week

I suggest picking a weekly theme because it will give you structure while still allowing you flexibility to adjust when you get a creative hit This can keep your content authentic and relevant to timely news, events, etc

If you’re feeling pretty solid you can create a monthly calendar with a theme for every week Think of a theme as a building block so if something comes up and you need to adjust your schedule, you can just move around the weeks

USE YOUR RANDOM THOUGHTS AS INSPIRATION FOR POSTS.

Those random thoughts you have around food in your everyday life can be great inspiration for posts Two of my most popular posts were inspired by looking at my kitchen counter�

I saw some baby spinach in my fridge and did a side-by-side post comparing it to regular spinach� Then I saw some berries on the kitchen counter and thought about how quick the berry lifespan can be So I created a post talking about differences between fresh and frozen berries

Little moments like these have simple but impactful messages that can resonate with so many people

VIDEO CONTENT CAN BE SIMPLE. Your video content, called reels on IG, can be very simple

When I first started creating videos, I thought it had to be a longer video and/or a recipe The thing is, longer videos are great but not every video has to be that long

Well-designed videos can be 15-20 seconds Sometimes that’s plenty of time to get across a simple message or “hack ” A lot of times, these shorter posts are more widely shared�

Create video templates or have topic buckets to help you get started� For example, you can have topics that range through recipes, kitchen hacks, answering questions

submitted by your audience or collaborations with other creators

TRY INTENTIONAL SCROLL TIME TO GET INSPIRATION.

All those fun videos you see in your scroll time - save them! Then when you are ready to create posts, you can refer back to them as a way to get the creative juices flowing�

CHUNK TASKS TO BEAT BURNOUT. Bunch similar tasks together so it's easier on your brain and helps you beat burnout Chunking similar tasks helps you stay focused on similar tasks which helps you create more momentum

Dedicate time to create posts in Canva, or block time to record a couple reels Then allocate time for edits and captions I want to point out that sometimes certain tasks will take what seems like forever and other times you’ll get a task done in the blink of an eye Follow your creative bursts because those are the times you’ll get something done quicker�

One last piece of advice: include your time and energy as a metric to see if Instagram (or any social media) is working for you� One of the quickest ways to burnout and resentment is feeling trapped by suggestions and rules you have to follow Find what works best for you and your business, and roll with it If social media is something you enjoy posting on and it works for your company, then have fun with it� If social media isn’t your thing and you feel uncomfortable posting on the platform, then don’t

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

What I Didn’t Learn from Working with a Business Coach

KRISTI COUGHLIN MS, RDN DIRECTOR OF MEETINGS

Business coaching seems to be a big trend these days I’ve heard fellow dietitians talking about group coaching sessions starting at $125/month and reaching over $10,000 for a multi-month package for individual coaching

If there is one thing I am familiar with, it is turning my money over to someone to help level up my business Over the years, I’ve sought coaches in various formats I’ve had four business coaches, participated in countless group coaching calls, paid for online courses and worked with a few mentors

One coaching situation that stands out was my signing up for services after high-pressure sales techniques In other words, these techniques exploited my pain points to pressure me into making an emotional decision That situation did not turn out as described in the sales call Shocker, right?!

DO YOU NEED A BUSINESS COACH?

It took me four business coaches to realize I didn’t need one; instead, I needed to work on myself

What do I mean by working on myself? Digging deep and better understanding my core beliefs, including those that held me back from recognizing my worth After working with a few non-traditional therapists, reading self-help books and getting highly introspective, I’ve finally found clarity Now I understand:

y How confident are you in your ability to sell to someone? Does it feel weird telling someone you are the best person for the job? No matter how well you formulate your sales pitch, potential customers will notice your inability to speak confidently about yourself

y Do you feel comfortable when telling someone your prices? Can you confidently ask a customer or client for money? If you feel uncomfortable asking for money, you will not overcome this by working with a business coach who tells you to “raise your prices ”

y Do you know how to validate yourself, your skills and your abilities? How skilled do you think you are in sharing positive and reassuring words with yourself? If you cannot validate yourself, you won’t be able to help your clients (who also need to learn to self-validate)

FREE OR LOW-COST BUSINESS HELP

Here are some great ways to get free or low-cost help with your business:

Small Business Development Centers Provides free advising and technical services for entrepreneurs and small business owners You can also get low-cost training programs on a variety of topics, such as finances, marketing and business plan development

SCORE Mentorship

A free mentoring program for oneon-one assistance from experts on entrepreneurship, in-person or remotely� In addition to mentoring, SCORE offers free online workshops and on-demand courses, as well as a library of online resources

NEDPG Mentor Services

As a member of NEDPG, you have access to free mentoring provided by seasoned nutrition entrepreneurs Mentors are available for one-on-one calls by area of specialty

1 Why I had a hard time selling myself to others

2 What caused me to feel uncomfortable about asking for money

3 What I needed to overcome my (what felt like) debilitating self-doubt in the business world

If you want to successfully apply any knowledge gained by working with a business coach, you need to put in the work to learn about yourself Why is this so important? You cannot seek external validation; it won’t sustain you long-term You must know your self-worth and how to self-validate, which only comes from within yourself Thankfully, I can now say I have learned to validate myself and I know my worth�

BEFORE HIRING A BUSINESS COACH

Figure out what you need for yourself before working with someone I highly encourage you to do some selfreflection before making a decision

If you want structure to assist you in the process, consider reading The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte

Here are a few questions to help you:

If you find yourself uneasy or struggling to answer these questions, it’s an indication that you might want to work on yourself before hiring a coach

If you cannot validate yourself, you won’t be able to help your clients (who also need to learn to self-validate)�

All in all, I hope you hire a business coach for the right reasons Knowing how to validate yourself will help you succeed when you are finally ready to take the leap and hire a business coach

Kristi Coughlin, MS, RDN, is not your typical nutrition entrepreneur Afterrecognizing private practice wasn’t her thing, she opened Bring About Happy — an uplifting productbased business In her spare time, Kristi can be found eating pizza, at the lake with her husband and kids, or drinking coffee with friends

Taking a Leap of Faith Into a New Endeavor

ADERET HOCH

MS, RD, CDN SECRETARY

I’m writing this article while sitting in my new home� I recently made a huge move from New York to Tel Aviv, Israel Although I’ve wanted to make this move for many years, I had to wait until I had my career set up in order to allow myself to take a leap of faith

When taking a leap of faith into a new endeavor, there is no right or wrong way to go about it Rather, it’s about gut feelings and trusting your instincts This is true for both your personal and professional life

The COVID pandemic has pushed many of us into new or changed situations, professionally For myself, I know that within the last three years I have become an RD, completed my master’s degree, opened my private practice, and taken on a full-time role with a health tech company And that’s just the big stuff!

So with all these new endeavors, here is what I learned to consider before taking the leap

1 Take a step back and look at the big picture. Why are you doing this? As any dietitian knows, it’s important to be motivated to make change It’s the same when we are considering taking on a new endeavor Decide where it fits in the big picture of your long-term plan Is this undertaking going to get you where you are trying to go? Or at least be a stepping stone to something else? Make sure the leap of faith has meaning to you

2 Being a little scared is good. Feeling challenged is good; pushing yourself beyond what you perceive to be your comfort zone is good But if the endeavor pushes you too much beyond your comfort zone, it’s also okay to say no Evaluate the situation and how you feel about it Taking on a new endeavor can be scary Fear is a mindset Finding someone to talk

it out with - a friend, colleague, coach, mentor - whoever is going to lend her or his ear and support can help to give you the strength that you need to move forward when you’re scared�

3 Be confident. We are all guilty of falling into the imposter-syndrome trap� We are quick to believe that we can’t do something or we don’t know something or we aren’t the experts we claim to be This is normal Taking a leap of faith requires us to push past that feeling and believe that you got this! ‘Cuz you do

At the end of the day, you know what is best for you and when an opportunity comes your way, you’ll be able to know whether it’s worth

taking it on Sometimes you won’t know how it’s all going to play out, but as entrepreneurs we should always be ready to jump into the unknown

Aderet Dana Hoch, MS, RD, CDN, lives in New York and Tel Aviv, Israel� Aderet has been a practicing RD for over two years She is the owner of Dining with Nature by Aderet and works full-time for a health tech company You can just as easily find her roaming around the farmers’ market as you can with a glass of white wine in hand while binge-watching Chopped�

Coming Up With a Name For Your Business

HEATHER RUDALAVAGE RDN, LDN CPE COORDINATOR

Coming up with a name for your business (or even an Insta Handle) can seem overwhelming, but sometimes, a name will just jump out and claim you as its owner! Here is a little story of how I came up with the name for my business and how my business was created from a name

Many moons ago, I was a stay-athome mom with dial-up internet and three young children I loved being home with my kids but it was also a lot of long days with little to no appreciation or intelligent conversation I was ready to go back to work, but I questioned if being a dietitian was even the right career choice for me

During that time, I did A LOT of soul searching I got into the whole spiritual, thoughts-become-things sort of thing I’m pretty down to earth, but I found the more I practiced, the more connected I became, and it was pretty cool I even received a

few messages from the other side from friends and family, but we can talk about that another time After a year or so of pondering my path, the idea bloomed that I could just start my own private practice� It combined the things I liked best about my old job in clinical (talking and helping people) with the flexibility I needed So, first I Googled “how do I start a nutrition business?” In my defense, it was 15 years ago Amazingly, that initial search brought me to the Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG page I knew right away these were MY people�

After I attended an NE pre-FNCE® workshop, I was inspired to hang out my shingle� I even had a name in mind� So back to Google I went to search for my business name to make sure it was available When I searched “intuitive nutrition,” the book Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elise Resch popped up I had never heard of the book, but I ordered it and read it cover-tocover I couldn’t believe that not only were there dietitians that thought the same way I did, but they had written a brilliant book I reached out to Evelyn and she emailed me back and told me

I had just missed the first IE (intuitive eating) training in Los Angeles but they recorded it on - wait for it - CDs, and I could listen to the training and become certified I was over-the-moon excited



For you younger NE members, a CD is a compact disc

Those things I learned back when I was knee-deep in the “woo”? Well, it turns out thoughts do become things, and if you spend time asking your heart for guidance, it will always come through

If your heart is not speaking up, you can help it along by:

y Playing around with your initials or acronyms

y Creating a mashup with the words that are most important to you and your business

y Using foreign words, especially if you speak another language or have family from another country

y Considering mythology or your favorite literature Do some research to see if there is a god or goddess who fits your business’s vibe

The name for your business will come to you, but even if it doesn’t, there is always the straightforward “Daisy the Dietitian ” As Tom Cruise says in Top Gun, “It’s not the plane; it’s the pilot ” You are the pilot and you don’t need a clever business name to get started in business In fact, sometimes it’s best to just get started and let the name come to you

Heather Rudalavage, RDN, LDN, CPE coordinator, is the founder of Intuitive Nutrition When she isn't working to help clients legalize carbohydrates and feel good in their bodies, she is probably traveling She is married to her high-school sweetheart, so while she can't give you dating advice, she has traveled to over 20 countries, so if you want tips on touring Italy to India, she is your gal

How to Be a Spokesperson

BETH STARK RDN, LDN DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Have you ever seen a fellow Registered Dietitian’s name, likeness and credentials attached to a brand or product and wonder “how did she or he land that gig?” You aren’t alone! I often ponder this myself when I see nutrition entrepreneurs representing brands in media segments, on their social media platforms, in print or elsewhere Read on to uncover what you need to know about being a spokesperson, with tips to get your first big break

Due to my limited personal experience in the spokesperson realm, I sought out two, well-known dietitians to offer their valuable insights: Liz Weiss, MS, RDN, of Liz’s Healthy Table and host of the Eat, Drink, Live Longer podcast who brings her perspective as a brand spokesperson, and Julie Stefanski, MEd, RDN, CSSD, LDN, CDCES, FAND, a current spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics�

Q: What does it mean to be a brand/Academy spokesperson?

Acting as a brand spokesperson for a food product “can mean a variety of things based on the contract you have with your client” according to Liz Your deliverables may include recipe development and blog posts, media appearances, being quoted in articles or staffing a conference expo booth With your integrity and credibility on the line, “the key to working with a brand is that you are aligned with their product and messaging ”

Comparatively, as an Academy spokesperson, you’re representing the dietetics “brand” with the “goal of promoting the value of RDNs and NDTRs in a public format,” says Julie� Where a food-product spokesperson needs to be aware of product nutrition attributes, health benefits and usage ideas, Academy spokespeople must be aware of current Academy policies and the latest evidencedbased, nutrition science to share with the general public

Q: What is one of the biggest benefits of spokesperson work?

As one would expect, being a spokesperson comes with an array of benefits from building your network to fostering professional growth and sharpening new skills Of course, being recognized as a spokesperson also has the potential to open new doors along your career path� And let’s not forget that for RDs who work as brand spokespeople, doing so serves as a valuable income stream

Q: What is one of the biggest challenges/downsides of serving as a spokesperson?

While there are typically more upsides than downsides, Liz draws attention to exclusivity that may extend for months beyond the completion of your work Her advice is to “be mindful of this and make sure your exclusivity clause ends soon after your commitments are met ” Essentially, be thorough when reviewing your contract to avoid a potentially sticky situation or lost opportunity

Julie also points out that “putting yourself in the public spotlight is not always an enjoyable experience,” especially when vocal individuals take to social media to disagree with the facts that were presented

Q: Have you ever passed on a spokesperson opportunity and why?

When evaluating a spokesperson opportunity, there are a few key considerations to guide your decision and remain ethical Julie notes that “it's important to make a wise decision in promoting products that may not be evidence-based ” Further, “it's also critical for dietitians to follow Federal Trade Commission guidelines in making it clear that compensation has been provided for endorsement of the product ”

You also want to be confident that the brand and what it stands for aligns with your personal and professional nutrition philosophy and brand Liz

notes that there are two reasons she has passed on an opportunity in the past: “the first is a conflict with another client The second is that I’m not aligned with the nutrient profile of the product�” Working with brands and products that you authentically use and believe in makes for the best kind of partnership

Q: Name one thing a nutrition entrepreneur can do in the next 30 days to set herself or himself up for their first spokesperson opportunity.

If you’re like me, at this point, you may feel even more energized by the prospect of working as a spokesperson So, what’s the next step?

Julie touts the value of networking, “One person can't take on every opportunity that's presented Networking can help your professional growth because if you are connected with other dietitians and are knowledgeable in certain areas, they may pass the opportunity on to you if you are a better fit�”

Liz also adds that RDs can “identify brands they are excited about and start following and engaging with them on social media When you feature the product/brand in a social post, tag them ” Additionally, if you don’t have a media kit available on your website, put one together with links to past examples of work to send to potential clients as a way to showcase what you can bring to the table

Now that you’re armed with a few tangible tips and takeaways from the experts, don’t delay Go after that brand you have had your sights set on and crush that first spokesperson gig!

Beth Stark, RDN, LDN, is the owner of Beth Stark Nutrition, a nutrition and food communications consulting business Beth finds joy in family time, a fresh cup of coffee, lake life and chasing sunrises/sunsets

Implementing Self-Care for a Successful You & Your Business

LEAH TSUI MS, RDN DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP

Fall comes with a similar energy to the new year where the sensation of “back to school” resonates with me, even though I’ve been out of school for five years now Summer was wonderful with longer days to spend time outside soaking up the sun But as the season turns with an energy of change, I want to focus back on my business� How have I been doing with my private practice? Have I been taking care of myself to show up as the best I can be, both personally and professionally?

This brings me to self-care Yes, a hot topic, and quite the buzzword from six years ago Self-care was introduced in the 1950s as how “one cannot adequately take on the problems of others without taking care of oneself,” described by Aisha Harris in A History of Self-Care� As nutrition entrepreneurs who are serving patients in 1:1 counseling, working with branding and marketing or managing corporate wellness programs, we cannot show up for others if we don’t take care of ourselves first

I’m a sucker for reading about people’s self-care routines and what successful entrepreneurs do to make the most of their days Through trial and error, I’ve found that it all boils down to what works the best for me - all while working to separate from “hustle

culture” and the toxic thoughts of “I have to be working 24/7 in order to be successful ” When I implement my selfcare on a regular basis, I feel happier, more fulfilled and satisfied with my life�

I won’t tell you what I do on a daily/ weekly/monthly basis (no need for comparisonitis!), but I will challenge you to think about some categories of self-care that you already implement or would like to include To take it one step further, place each tool of selfcare underneath a time constraint, such as five minutes, 30 minutes or 60+ minutes This tactic helps you to assess if you can squeeze in a shorter, self-care moment on busy days, or where you can intentionally block off an hour in your day

INTENTIONAL MOVEMENT

y If you work from home or in an office, do you take time to get outside and enjoy some fresh air?

y What does intentional movement look like for you? Is it walking, running, gym time, yoga, stretching, swimming, group fitness classes, etc ? Is it using apps like YouTube or ClassPass to take classes at home, with the option to attend in-person classes too?

y Do you get up and walk away from your desk throughout the day?

NUTRITION – Yes, as dietitians, sometimes we need our own reminder!

y Do you have water within reach on your desk?

y Do you have a scheduled meal break in your day?

y What are some meal prep foods you can purchase or make to make your day easier? (e g , hard-boiled eggs, cut-up fruits and veggies, snack packs in the pantry)

RELAXATION

y Scheduling a massage or acupuncture appointment

y Taking a bath and lighting a candle (cliché, but still counts)

y Meditating – using an app like Calm, Headspace or Balance can help for guided practice

PRODUCTIVITY

y Find a way that works best for you to get things done Using the Focus setting on your phone/laptop to silence alerts and notifications or downloading an app that amplifies your focused time can be helpful

y Set time boundaries with work, especially for those working from home� When do you want to start your workday? And can you set an alarm to alert you to shut down your computer and walk away from your desk at the end of the day?

y Use color coding with multiple calendars to manage your time� Block out time for different tasks and use colors to categorize by topic

SOCIAL TIME

y When can you check in with your fellow nutrition entrepreneur friends? Are you able to connect in-person or virtually? Setting up times to meet gives you something to look forward to and to have an environment of pseudo-colleagues if you’re a solopreneur

y Make time to see your own friends and family Having time away from your business where you aren’t constantly thinking about it ensures that you free up brain space, which perhaps even allows you to come up with new ideas

Leah Tsui, MS, RDN, is the owner of Leah Tsui Nutrition LLC, where she does 1:1 counseling, corporate workshops, and consulting for several start-ups Leah combines her love of sports nutrition and gastrointestinal health with an intuitive eating approach In her time off from being an RDN, you can find her coaching functional fitness at her favorite gym, reading a book (or two!) for the book clubs she's in, or running along the beach

Product Reviews

Title: Complete Intermittent Fasting

Author: Jean LaMantia, RD

Date: 2020

Publisher: Rockridge Press

Price: $19 99

As a dietitian in private practice, I have many clients interested in intermittent fasting After reading this book, I can now confidently answer their questions on the benefits of intermittent fasting, how to fast, what to eat/drink before and during the fast, contraindications to fasting and how to handle special situations� I appreciate the research-based information the author provides to answer all my and my clients’ questions

The first half of the book is informative and provides practical advice on how to fast� I especially appreciated the explanations of different types of fasting and the benefits of each one based on current research The second half of the book includes over 80 pages of recipes

Although this book is written for the client, I think a client needs to be working with a dietitian to fast properly to ensure adequate nutrition I recommend this book to dietitians for their own personal libraries and for their clients who are interested in intermittent fasting

Reviewer: Kelli Worley-Hendren, MS, RDN, LD

Title: Owner/Practitioner

Affiliation: Nutrition Solutions, LLC

Title: I'm Full: Remindful Eating Tips to Feel Great and Make Peace with Your Plate

Author: Theresa Yosuico Stahl, RDN, LDN, FAND

Price: $17�95 (paperback), $9�99 (kindle)

Publisher: Theresa Yosuico Stahl

Date: March 2022

Have you been searching for the perfect resource to share with clients on expanding their understanding and practice of mindful eating? Look no further than I'm Full: Remindful Eating Tips to Feel Great and Make Peace with Your Plate

Registered Dietitian and mind-body medicine practitioner Theresa Stahl takes a holistic approach to help readers experience the pleasure of food while nourishing a healthy body

Written in small digestible chapters and presented as 52 tips, this book is sure to educate, inspire and motivate anyone seeking to improve his or her relationship with food Divided into three sections:

Hunger, Fullness and Mindful Eating Tips to Improve Eating Skills Tips to Manage Stress and Improve Mood

I love how Theresa has shared her favorite quotes and poems throughout the book I would have loved to have space for personal notes and reflections

With over four decades in nutrition and wellness, Theresa Stahl, RDN, LDN, FAND, uses her personal and professional experience to craft an easy-to-read book that educates and inspires

Reviewer: Yvette Perrier Quantz, RDN, LDN

Title: Founder of Foodspirations® & Customized Nutrition Newsletters

Author of The Little Black Book of Foodspirations® and Prayers and Petitions for My Cancer Warrior

Title: Craft: The Eat Fit Guide to Zero Proof Cocktails

Author: Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD, with Ethan Skaggs

Date: 2022

Publisher: Pelican Publishing Price: $22 00

As an RDN specializing in mindful eating, I love that Craft: The Eat Fit Guide to Zero Proof Cocktails focuses on mindful drinking This book is designed to provide inspiration and guidance not only to people who are not drinking alcohol, but also for those who are Originating from a city known for partying and drinking, New Orleans, the book contains 50+ creative cocktails using zero-proof spirits, fresh herbs and alternatives to sugar that will be enjoyable to even the savviest cocktail connoisseur� As opposed to sometimes sickeningly sweet mocktails or virgin versions of cocktails, Craft’s innovative cocktails are zero-proof with no added sugar Even 100% fruit juice is limited to one ounce per serving

Learn about the items to keep in your zero-proof toolkit, including base ingredients, sweeteners, syrups, bitters, fresh herbs, barware, glassware and garnishes Inspired by the gorgeous photos throughout, I was excited to try the refreshing, flavorful Ginger Tea-Ni Delicious!

I highly recommend this book for curious clinicians and clients adventuring into the fun, delicious and nutritious world of alcohol-free cocktails

Reviewer: Theresa Yosuico Stahl, RDN, LDN, FAND

Title: Nutrition consultant, author, speaker

Affiliation: RemindfulEating com

Incorporating Yoga Into Your Life/Business

LYNNEA MELHAM ED D , MHS, RDN, RYT GUEST AUTHOR

If you’ve ever spent any length of time with someone who regularly practices yoga - a yogi, as these individuals are sometimes referred to - you would likely agree that a warm, comfortable vibe radiates from a yogi’s mere presence Character traits such as self-confidence, discipline and emotional strength tend to swirl around yogis, and even disseminate into the paths of those around them Benefits of practicing yoga include managed anxiety, improved mood and mental clarity, strength development, improved flexibility, and the enhancement of overall emotional and physical wellbeing

During yoga teacher training, and while practicing yoga postures and guided breathing techniques regularly, I expected to experience the well-known benefits of yoga However, other impactful aspects of yoga practice that I did not expect are those that can be carried off the mat and practiced within daily lives I have found that a regular practice of yoga has made a difference in how I respond to people and situations

The key has been adopting, and attempting to follow, the philosophical guidelines known as the yamas and niyamas, adopting a practice of meditation and remembering to use deep-breathing techniques regularly�

When I choose to embrace the yama known as “ahimsa” or non-violence, for example, I am able to begin to think through ways of creating balance within my day If I over plan or expect too much of myself in a 24-hour time frame, I am prompted to consider how not allowing for balance is causing internal violence (stress) Internal violence can eventually lead to relational conflicts with colleagues, family and even clients, causing the stress to expand even more Recognizing the imbalance, embracing the situation with some deep breathing and then making the necessary adjustment of priorities can do wonders in keeping peace

Meditation is another aspect of yoga that can be helpful with managing time and stress I’ve learned that the practice of meditation means something different for many people In the world of yoga, meditation is often done during a practice and encouraged outside of yoga classes It is often most beneficial to begin meditation for three minutes at a time and then work up to 10-15 minutes and then expand the time frame This is primarily meant to be a time of quiet focus Find a sitting position that can be maintained Closing the eyes or establishing a soft gaze is recommended The mind will wander and that is fine; bring the focus back as many times as necessary My experience with meditation has been extremely positive I find that I do best meditating in the mornings and my focus is almost always balance - maintaining balance within my day, life and career�

While there are many breathing techniques used in yoga practice, “square breathing” is one that I

tend to use daily As is the case with deep-breathing techniques in general, square breathing offers a calming effect and leads to a state of refocusing To try square breathing, breathe in four counts, hold the breath for four counts, and then exhale slowly for four counts, then let the breath hang at the exhale for four counts before starting the inhale again Three or four rounds of square breathing does wonders for a busy day!

Incorporating a yoga practice and adopting these related techniques can guide us toward growth in many areas of our personal and professional life In addition, Deborah Adele explains that these practices are a way of fostering wellbeing through community and connections – an excellent portal toward success!

Seek Balance, Be Well, Feel Peace – Namaste

REFERENCES:

1 Adele, D , 2009 The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice. On-Word Bound Books, Duluth, Minnesota

2 Siber, K (2015) Yogajournal com

3 Swenson, D , 1999 Ashtanga Yoga, The Practice Manual. Ashtanga Yoga Productions, Austin, TX

4 The Eight Limbs of Yoga –Explained. Yogaharta com eau

Lynnea Melham, Ed D , MHS, RDN, RYT, is the owner of Dress Well Boutique and a professor in the College of Health at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana When she isn’t working at her eco-friendly fashion boutique or teaching, she enjoys practicing yoga, hiking and powerwalking She also likes to spend time with her family, cook and read

How to Write a Cookbook And Get It Published

CARLY KNOWLES

MS, RDN, LD, PCD GUEST AUTHOR

Do you love writing about food, developing recipes, and researching nutrition information? Do you have a unique point of view and a clear voice in the nutrition field?

If you’ve considered writing a cookbook, below are some strategies that can help you turn your foodloving dreams into reality

If you’re anything like me, I always knew I wanted to write a cookbook I visualized myself putting a collection of recipes together one day and holding a beautiful cookbook in my hands I’m thrilled to say that day finally came in 2020

My cookbook, The Nutritionist’s Kitchen: Transform Your Diet and Discover the Healing Power of Whole Foods, was published in December 2020

I learned a lot on my cookbook-writing journey, including how to get your initial thoughts out of your head and “onto paper,” how to organize those thoughts so you can share them with an agent and publisher, and how to market your book and yourself

If you want to write a cookbook, here’s what you need to know

1. You need a clear voice and a unique point of view (maybe even three). What’s your hook? Are you a skilled gluten-free baker? Do you meditate in the kitchen while cooking?

Whatever your unique approach is, make sure it’s clear and interesting I recommend coming up with two or even three subjects you’re interested in and researching each one thoroughly�

Flush out a few ideas with friends and family or jump on social media and poll your audience What are they interested in learning more about? Remember you will be spending a lot of time researching and writing on the subject, so make sure it’s something you’re passionate about

2. Conduct market research on each subject.

This step is often overlooked but is critical to submitting a decent book proposal and writing a great book

I recommend going to your local bookstore, grabbing a stack of books on the subject or related subject, and getting cozy with your laptop or paper and pen

Questions to ask yourself What exists in the market currently that’s similar to your idea? Who’s the author? Who published the book and when? What do you like and don’t like about the book? Does the author include more than just recipes? Is it presented in a unique way? What’s appealing about the presentation or format?

Take notes and pictures of the book and anything else that stands out You will likely reference this information in your cookbook proposal

3. Write a cookbook proposal. Writing a proposal is a necessary and very important step� This is how you clearly articulate your idea to an agent and any potential publishing company

Some items to consider

y What’s the working title?

y Why this subject and why now?

y How does my subject fill a need in the market?

y Who’s your target audience?

y What would the table of contents look like?

y How many chapters are there and what are the chapter titles?

y Have you included two or three sample recipes with photos

y Who’s the competition and what makes your book stand out?

4. Consider working with a literary agent.

Working with an agent isn’t necessary but it may be helpful, especially for a first-time author An agent can help you perfect your book proposal, help

you find the right publishing company, and advocate for you and your book when it’s time to negotiate a contract You will likely need to submit your book proposal (or at least a polished draft) to an agent in order for the person to consider representing you

Alternatively, you can choose to represent yourself and bypass an agent, working directly with a publishing company if it accepts unagented proposals

5. Find the right publisher. Do some research upfront and find publishing companies that can help bring your vision to life Each publishing company and imprint typically, but not always, has a theme for the books it represents� Working with a publishing company that has experience representing similar subjects or like-minded authors can be of great benefit to you and your book especially when it comes to marketing If working with an agent, that person can help you find the right publishing company to represent your work�

 An imprint of a publisher is a trade name under which it publishes a work� A single publishing company may have multiple imprints

So, if you’ve been thinking about writing a book, here is your sign to get started I encourage you to take something that stuck out with you from the above recommendations, and take the next steps toward getting yourself published

Carly Knowles, MS, RDN, LD, PCD, is a master'seducated, Registered Dietitian, certified doula, cookbook author of The Nutritionist’s Kitchen, and culinary instructor She specializes in pregnancy nutrition and lifestyle support including individual and group nutrition coaching as well as media consulting for healthy food brands

Interview With a Successful Food Blogger

SARAH HARPER MS, RD, LDN GUEST AUTHOR

Shannon Cebron is a data scientist located in Baltimore, Maryland Shannon’s blog, Yup, It’s Vegan, features food that is 100% free of animal products In her spare time, Shannon likes to compete in ultra-marathons

Q: Tell us how you got started with food blogging.

I started learning how to cook with my brother who is a professional chef

We would make elaborate meals together for the holidays Then, I became a vegan in college, before it became as trendy as it is today I was cooking a lot of meals for myself because there was a lot of bad vegan food out there I needed to learn how to make vegan stuff so I documented it on my blog Starting out, I would write things like “today I did my laundry and made a vegan pizza ”

Q: What’s an ingredient that you can’t live without?

Paprika! I am part Slovakian and cook with at least 15 different kinds of paprika

Q: What are your favorite game-day dishes to make?

I love deviled potatoes, which are roasted potatoes that are stuffed with a mixture of plant-based mayo and herbs, similar to deviled eggs Additionally, cauliflower wings along with their lesserappreciated cousin, broccoli wings

Q: What are your greatest rewards of being a food blogger?

When I get comments like “This was so good, my picky five-yearold liked it” or “ This was so easy; I can eat vegan!” I love bringing joy to people’s lives and to inspire others to explore vegan cooking

I also enjoy the flexible schedule and the source of a side income� I like that if I get too busy with life or other work, I can just pause production on the site and it still lives on

Q: How long did it take for Yup, It’s Vegan to start seeing success?

Success came after a post I wrote went viral - a Copycat Chipotle Sofritas recipe Additionally, it took about one-and-a-half to two years before the blog became profitable�

Q: Did you ever think that you would be so successful?

No, I don't think so? About five years ago, I noticed I was making a decent side income from the site And now I make five times that much

Q: How long does each blog post take to create?

I test each recipe four to five times and each post takes about 30 to 40 hours to complete However, if it is a baked good, it’s over 40 hours

Q: How important is SEO (search engine optimization)?

SEO is the most important thing and that is the reality of the situation I spend a lot of time optimizing SEO� My philosophy is that SEO is like an art form�

Q: Any last nuggets of advice for aspiring food bloggers?

Starting out, focus more on the quantity of content rather than quality� If you want to be successful, it is important, early on, to grow your site

Ask yourself “Who is your average visitor?” Focus on creating something that the average visitor wants To be successful, it is important to create something of value that sets you apart from the other bloggers

Don’t get hung up on the success of others Look at your own metrics I recommend using Google Analytics to see how many people are visiting your site I check this about once a month Look at what types of things people are looking for and look at topics not generating any momentum�

Sarah Harper, MS, RD, LDN, has a passion for all things food Previously working as a clinical dietitian, she is now venturing into the realm of nutrition entrepreneurship When not frolicking around the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dog, she enjoys sharing her culinary adventures on her food blog

Don’t get hung up on the success of others Look at your own metrics�

Save the Dates!

THIRD ANNUAL NEDPG SPRING SUMMIT MARCH 2 THROUGH MARCH 9, 2023

NE DPG Spring Summit is a one-of-a-kind, virtual event that delivers in incredible ways Designed entirely by nutrition entrepreneurs for nutrition entrepreneurs! We understand your unique needs at all stages of business which means you’ll find the information you’ve been craving

This year’s theme is Energize The Spring Summit Committee has meticulously selected topics, content and speakers to provide a well-rounded experience You’ll definitely feel the energy of the event which will spill over into your business practices Bonus, you can earn 13+ CPEUs

HIGHLIGHTS

Over 10

Virtual networking event with

rooms for more engaging

community boards to discuss all sorts of

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Flexibility to attend the event in real time or watch recorded sessions as your schedule allows.

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Cost-effective event: CPEUs just over $4.00 each. Plus, no travel expenses.

6301 Snidercrest

Mason, OH 45040

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC

AN EVENING OF NETWORKING, FOOD, & FUN

Saturday, October 8th | 6:30 PM-8:30 PM

Hyatt Regency | Orlando Room, Orlando N

HALFIE HOURS

Oct. 19 | 2 PM EST Morgan Sinclair, MS, RDN, LD Branding, Marketing Strategy, All DIY

Nov. 16 | 2 PM EST Deanna Wolfe, MS, RDN Standing out in the sea of social media

Dec. 14 | 2 PM EST | Felicia Porrazza , MDA, RDN, LDN, CPT, NBC-HWC Taking your private practice to the next level - interns, insurance and motivational intervening.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Visit nedpg.org/fnce for more information. We can’t wait to see you in October!

Increasing Demand in Your Private Practice Through Instagram Oct. 5 | 1 PM EST Speaker: Lauren Sharpe, RD

Setting Prices for Your Business Oct. 25 | 1 PM EST Speaker: Sara Haas, RDN, LD

Cultivate Confidence - The 10 Cs to Identify Your Calling and Build Your Brand Nov. 10 | 1 PM EST Speaker: Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD