Ventures FA L L 2 0 2 3 | VO L U M E L I I | N U M B E R 2
In This Issue: Note From the Editor ������������������������������ 2 Letter from the Chair: Work-Life Harmony �������������������������������� 3 Creating a Pace That’s Your Own ����������������������������������������4 How to Avoid Burnout by Creating Boundaries in Your Private Practice ����������������������������� 5 Spice Up Your Week With a Spontaneous Outing �������������������������6 Five Ways to Stay Active While Working From Home ��������������� 7 Finding Harmony Beyond the Screen: Unveiling the Myth of Perfect Work-Life Balance ���������������� 8 How to Manage Your Time as an Entrepreneur ���������������������9 Using AI & ChatGPT to Connect with Clients �������������������������� 10 The Power of Flexibility: Adapting Work-Life-Play Balance to Changing Seasons ��������11 Product Reviews ��������������������������������������12
Squash Your Goals at Your Own Pace: K E E P I N G A BA L A N C E I N WO R K , L I F E A N D P L AY
Strategies to Build Better Habits Both Professionally and Personally ������������������������������������������13 Policy Advocacy Corner ���������������������14 Diversity Corner ���������������������������������������15 Back Cover ������������������������������������������������� 16
Ventures FA L L 2 0 2 3
Note From the Editor L E DA M E D I N A RDN, LDN, CDCES NEWSLETTER EDITOR
EDITOR Leda Medina, RDN, LDN, CDCES
INCOMING EDITOR TBD
EDITORIAL BOARD 2023-2024 Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT Jessica Oswald, MS, RDN/LD Leah Tsui, MS, RDN Stephanie Dorfman, MS, RD 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.
As dietitians, we tend to be perfectionists and want to know all the details before venturing forward, leading to endless to-do lists. Am I right? These strengths are what have helped us succeed in our careers and personal lives. For the most part, we are prepared and organized individuals. As entrepreneurs, however, we are hit from all angles which may create chaos for our perfectionist side. The learning and creating never stop. Whether it's learning SEO (search engine optimization), creating a website for the first time, or learning new counseling skills, we are constantly going. This can be thrilling to many of us creators but, nonetheless, overwhelming.
WE WELCOME FEEDBACK FROM OUR MEMBERS. PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR:
Being consistent and showing up for your business, all while also trying to be present in our lives for our families and ourselves, is a difficult mission. This is the reason why the Fall Newsletter is: Squash Your Goals at Your Own Pace: Keeping a Balance in Work, Life and Play. Balance to me means finding a nice rhythm that agrees with your life to achieve optimal wellness. Just like rhythms change with different settings, so do our lives.
Leda Medina, RDN, LDN, CDCES newsletter@nedpg.org
Below are two concepts I use in my life that help me create balance.
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THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “WASTED TIME.” I AM WHERE I NEED TO BE - ALWAYS. I am constantly battling feeling behind in my personal and business life. I am learning to master that my life is my own. It is my experience that makes up my life and no one else's. For this reason, I am never behind; instead, I am exactly where I need to be. Learning to take life as an experience rather than the end goal is allowing me to be fully present rather than thinking about my to-do list or about the future. As many of us know, being present has many positive effects on our emotional and mental health and well-being.
FIRST, AWARENESS, THEN REFLECT AND CORRECT. I am passionate about intuitive eating and believe the concepts introduced in intuitive eating are not only applicable to our relationships with food but also useful in our dayto-day lives. Creating awareness and reflecting upon our day is crucial to our overall wellness. By knowing how our energy is showing up (e.g.. rushed, laughter, forced, bored, etc.), we can reflect and correct as we go. If we’re bored, maybe we need a creative outlet or a walk in nature. As we move along by reflecting and correcting, we learn to find a balance intrinsically that can help us create a balance extrinsically, allowing us to show up with power and enthusiasm more often than not. My hope is for you to take away the individual concepts of our writers and help fit these concepts into your life to help you find a rhythm (balance) that fits your individual needs and life. Leda Medina, RDN, LDN, CDCES, founder of Dietitian Your Way, a referral website connecting Registered Dietitian Nutritionists to clients with the goal of helping RDNs thrive in their own businesses. When she isn’t working to help our communities’ health one dietitian at a time, she is spending time with her English Bull Dog, Capone.
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Letter from the Chair: Work-Life Harmony J E S S I CA OSWA L D MS, RDN/LD CHAIR
The phrase and concept of “worklife balance” has been around since the 1970s/1980s. Work-life balance was quite the hot topic as it aimed to view the employee as a whole human, who was an employee with family, friends, hobbies, interests and a life outside of the workplace. Work-life balance focused on work not taking too much time away from the employee’s outside-of-work life and was supposed to decrease stress and reduce burnout. For nutrition entrepreneurs, it seems impossible to not let our personal life slip into our work life and vice versa. Because of this, achieving work-life balance is challenging. We attempt to wear many hats and fill many roles - business owner, CEO, family member, friend, awesome dietitian, chef, writer, blogger, mentor, etc. In my opinion, work-life balance, even when following the best work-life balance practices, seems to create more stress and burnout. We aren’t the only field experiencing this, and so the concept of work-life balance had to evolve. The replacement concept that I like the most is “work-life harmony.”
harmoniously in my life, I realize that the only hat I have to wear is the hat that is mine, because I am my work, a friend, a sister, a cat mom, and I am so much that does not have to be perfectly balanced. It all just has to exist peacefully and contentedly within me. I hope that you feel like you have worklife harmony, but in case you need a little help, here are a few ways to start finding your own work-life harmony. y Find your passion. Enjoy what you do. This can be the work that you do, a hobby or something that interests you, but find something that you are passionate about and embrace it. y Be flexible. Work-life balance focuses on dividing balanced time among everything. Worklife harmony recognizes the shifts between different aspects of your life are flexible and fluid. Sometimes one aspect may need more focus than another. Adapt, change and be flexible to what needs your time and attention.
y Be present. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, be present in that moment. If you are at work, be present with your work tasks. If you are at the park with your family, be present in being outside and spending time with those you love. Jessica Oswald, MS, RDN/LD, is a dietitian living in Fort Worth. Her primary dietitian role is as a pediatric dietitian at a small hospital for children with developmental disabilities. Jessica also owns her own business, Friendly Nutrition, which has recently gone through a change in direction and is now focusing on meal planning. Jessica is obsessed with Peloton (yes, it’s a problem) - you can find her on the leaderboard as @Go_JesO_Go.
Jeff Bezos said the following about shifting from a work-life balance mindset to a work-life harmony mindset: "I think work-life harmony is a good framework. I prefer the word 'harmony' to the word 'balance' because balance tends to imply a strict tradeoff. In fact, if I'm happy at work, I'm better at home. And if I'm happy at home, I come into work more energized." When I think about things from a harmonious aspect instead of a balanced aspect, it doesn’t seem as daunting to create the right amount of space for each. Work, home, friends, interests and hobbies need to be able to exist in harmony together. When I think about these things all existing
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Creating a Pace That’s Your Own L A R I S SA LO U F M A N MPH, RD, LD, CLC, CCRC DIRECTOR OF MENTOR SERVICES
Before I decided to launch my business at the beginning of this year, I had contemplated pursuing the endeavor for years. A combination of not knowing where to start, having zero business experience, and fear prevented me from taking the plunge. However, when my good friend and nursing colleague reached out to me to be her wellness business’s designated RD, I decided it was a sign to finally dive in. I decided to take basic steps to get my philosophy, services and prices defined for my colleague and then work on further tasks later. From the start, I knew I wanted (and needed) to take it slowly. I tend to go all out when I decide to pursue a project, and I did not want to put all my efforts into my business just to get burned out before I really even began. So, how exactly do you figure out how to “run” your business at a pace that feels right for you? Below are a few suggestions.
STOP TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES Progress is progress - no matter how slow. The important thing is to remember to keep going. In today’s world, there’s increasing pressure to do “all the things” to get your business noticed launch a website, post daily on social media, find time to actually develop the products and provide the services that you want to offer, bring in revenue and more. Despite all this, I am here to tell you that you can create a business that runs at your own pace. Take the time to build your foundation and stop comparing yourself to everyone else.
FIT YOUR BUSINESS INTO YOUR IDEAL LIFESTYLE Think critically about how you want your business and values to fit into your desired lifestyle as you create or continue your business. For me, I need my business to focus on work that I am passionate and knowledgeable about to stay motivated - even when times get tough. It was also crucial to be location-independent and set flexible hours which would give me the necessary time to learn about
how to run a business and integrate work-life balance into my life (AKA spending time with family, gardening and traveling). Keep these things in mind as you make business decisions.
MAKE A SEMI-STRUCTURED PLAN If you are like me, you may benefit from creating a semi-structured, weekly work-plan. On Mondays, I review my accounting spreadsheet. On Tuesdays, I provide nutrition coaching. And so on … Using a “to-do” list or online platform (such as Asana or Trello) can help you stay organized and track progress. By choosing tasks to perform on designated days, I have a rough weekly plan to follow. On those days that I need a break, I just pick up where I left off the week before.
CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED ENTREPRENEURS One thing that I have quickly learned after starting my business is that I am not in this alone. Connecting with other business owners has made an invaluable difference in my progress. I have been fortunate enough to meet several entrepreneurs who enjoy engaging in conversations about all things “business.” Reach out to your local small-business network for guidance and free resources. Not only can networking help you brainstorm new ideas, but talking through challenges can help you identify potential solutions, resources and opportunities that you might not have discovered alone. Get connected by registering for NE’s free online Mastermind Pilot at nedpg.org/mastermind coming up on October 18th from noon-1 p.m. EST. Larissa M. Loufman, MPH, RD, LD, CLC, CCRC, owner of The Global Harvest RD. Larissa has been strongly influenced by her Ukrainian heritage and loves learning about different cultures, languages, history and foods on her international travels. She will meet you anywhere there is a beach, water and sunshine.
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How to Avoid Burnout by Creating Boundaries in Your Private Practice J E S S I CA B EA R DS L E Y MS, RD, LDN NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Time and energy are precious. In private practice, it is easy to give all our time and energy to our business and clients leaving nothing for a balanced life. I found myself becoming resentful of my business and clients when I did not leave time for my family, hobbies, exercise and mental rest. Running a private practice with stress and resentment leads to burnout fast. One of the best ways to create balance in work and life is by creating and maintaining solid boundaries. Boundaries are guidelines that you create and live by to support your best life. Here are some boundaries that have worked for me: y Don’t work on the weekends. My weekends are protected time for myself, my family, church and leisure activities. If I accidentally see a work-related email (because you know, I’m on my phone), I will not respond until Monday. Work or client emails often require my focus and time. If I let my brain shift to work even for a minute, it will actually take 10-20 minutes and might swirl around and pull my attention, even while I’m trying to be present with others. y Leave work at your desk/office. My home office is in our basement and it is the only location where I do work-related stuff. I have a nice setup with a large desk and tons of plants and books. While I could work anywhere in the house, I’ve found it's important for me to keep physical boundaries between work and life. I do not want my kitchen or bedroom to be associated with work. My mental space is dear to me and when I’m away from my office, I’m not working. y Reserve one day a week for admin. Like I said earlier, I do not work on the weekend. My re-entry into my work
week is on Monday with an admin day. I spend time prepping for clients, handling work emails, corresponding with colleagues (therapists, doctors), managing finances, marketing and continuing education. When you set aside a work day for these tasks, you are more free to focus on clients during client meetings. y Only take clients who are a good fit for you. This can be hard especially if you're starting out and want to say yes to everyone. Be warned; taking on clients who are not a good fit leads to resentment, stress and burnout. A good fit for me would be a client over the age of 20 who reaches out to make her/his own appointments (not done by parents); who is not actively seeking weight loss or can agree to put that goal on the backburner for our work together. I work with some folks with eating disorders (EDs) and they can take up more mental energy and time. I currently don’t take more than five to six clients with EDs depending, to ensure that I have enough time and energy to be a good provider. Keep in mind the amount of emotional toll each client takes and refer to other providers when you do not have the bandwidth. y Don’t work outside of your favorite work hours. I love working in the mornings and will see clients as early as 7 a.m. I end my workday at 3 p.m. when my kids are home from school. In the past, I tried working between 3 and 6 p.m. but found that I was distracted and less efficient. I would also find myself resenting a client who was preventing me from spending time with my family. It was not the client’s fault because I was the one who set my hours. When you respect your hours, then your clients will respect them too. I’ve honed these boundaries over the years to support my best life. I have the freedom to be the best provider I can be as well as balancing my home life
and hobbies. I enjoy my work with my clients and don’t resent them for taking my time. Consider a picture of your best life and build your boundaries and private practice around that. Jessica Beardsley, MS, RD, LDN, private practice dietitian, loves to help her clients be free from dieting while partnering with them on their journey to intuitive eating. After six months in Australia, Jessica is back in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where she is enjoying driving on the right side of the road again. You might find Jessica dancing in her kitchen, climbing rocks or jumping on the trampoline with her kids.
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Spice Up Your Week With a Spontaneous Outing S U SA N A DA M S MS, RD, LDN, FAND POLICY ADVOCACY LEADER
One day this summer, I sighed, knowing I had one million things to do, both work-related and home-related. I found myself totally ineffective in managing my time. I asked myself, What to do first? There was so much on my plate and, not knowing where to start, I needed a break. My husband suggested taking the day to walk the grounds of Winterthur, the DuPont estate in Delaware not far from our home. We spent the day walking among shaded trees and wildflowers. It was lovely and just what I needed. Upon arriving home after enjoying the afternoon complete with a delicious lunch, I spent a short time prioritizing my tasks for the next day. I was able to focus and felt a renewed and fresh perspective on life and work. Sound familiar? Think you may be too busy to take the time to re-group and refresh? In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, filled with routine tasks and responsibilities, perhaps you need a spontaneous, impromptu afternoon. These unplanned respites offer us a breath of fresh air and a new perspective. Just what we need! Join me in exploring the “why” behind those spontaneous trips and how they might be the best suggestion to help you get more and better work done in your week. Whether you are seeking a change of pace or just a different frame of mind, a midweek escape might be your ticket to higher productivity.
ESCAPE FROM ROUTINE One of the most appealing aspects of a spontaneous day trip is the escape from day-to-day routine. A spontaneous escape surprises us with new and different opportunities to get out of our ruts. A much-needed break from our everyday life and grind.
EMBRACING SOMETHING NEW Setting out on a spontaneous day trip requires embracing the unknown. Unlike vacations that take months to plan and require loads of money, a spontaneous day trip can be inexpensive and local.
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Many of us have not explored our own backyard communities, opting for vacations to explore far-away bucketlist countries and experiences. Is there a small museum, zoo or arboretum in your community that you have always wanted to visit? The middle of the week may be an opportune time to visit when the crowds are thin. Your spontaneous weekday getaway will unfold for you in a surprising way. Make sure your phone is charged so you can take a picture or two of what you see, hear, smell and taste. A picture will remind you that there is always something new to discover and help you to look at your world with fresh eyes. Use those pictures to help you add new thoughts and ideas to inspire your work when you return to your routine.
NURTURE YOUR INNER CHILD Remember what it felt like to have a whole day to dream and explore when you were a young child? Connect back to that inner child and ask yourself what type of day would make you most happy. The picture of the “perfect day” will be different for all of us, of course, but give yourself permission to connect to your dreams. I love to walk in the woods but you might want to see that adventure movie at a matinee. Go for it and embrace what comes your way.
BE SAFE! Must be the mother in me, but remember to be safe. If you are escaping to an isolated area or going out alone, remember to make sure your cell phone is charged and leave a note as to your whereabouts and expected time to return. Stop at the ATM and bring a credit card for those unexpected expenses. Prioritize safety so your spontaneous day trip doesn’t end badly.
UNPLUG AND RECONNECT WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS You might want to reconnect with a friend to share your escape. You might be surprised at how quickly your friend says “yes” to that quick day trip to the shore or mountains, or even that sweet little antique shop in the next town. Perhaps you are by yourself; in that case, reconnect with yourself by breathing deeply and enjoying every minute of this well-earned break.
REJOIN YOUR LIFE At the end of your spontaneous break, take the time to think about what you learned today. I promise you that this day was not a waste; it was a necessary diversion on the road to a well-lived life. Embrace the joy of unplugging and discover the memories a spontaneous escape can bring to you. You will be surprised how good you feel. Enjoy! Susan Adams, MS, RD, LDN, FAND, is a Registered Dietitian who consults with assisted living accounts and an educator at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that specializes in educating the next generation of nutrition professionals. She believes that food and nutrition heals others and enjoys helping the next generation and the greatest generation. Susan loves potatoes and has never met a potato that she didn’t like.
Five Ways to Stay Active While Working From Home J E S S I CA CO RWI N MPH, RDN DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES
Working from home certainly has its perks, one of them being the added flex for fitting in fitness. As nutrition entrepreneurs, we know the benefits of physical movement. Strength training, Pilates, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), yoga, walking or running - all have their place in supporting both physical and mental health. Whether you work the OG 9-5 or run a more random routine, here are five tips to ensure you are feeling your best as you run your biz virtually.
1. Create a dedicated workout space. Set up a designated area for exercise in your home. It could be a spare room, a corner of your living room, outside on your balcony or in the backyard. Having a specific space dedicated to workouts will help you mentally prepare for your exercise session. This first step can also simplify the choice to squeeze in a workout, as everything you need will be right there, ready and waiting.
2. Prioritize sleep. A good night’s rest is foundational. Without it, not only will you make poor food choices, but you will certainly be less inclined to choose to move – and more inclined to sleep in or nap. If sleep is a struggle for you, establish a bedtime routine – one that begins 10 hours before you need to wake, in which you shut down your screens and slow down.
3. Start out strong. Wake up, caffeinate (and/or hydrate) and crush that workout. This way you can get sweaty before your camera turns on, while simultaneously taking advantage of that morning cortisol rush. Cortisol is a hormone that naturally rises as melatonin drops each morning; it helps us get up and go. Not a morning person? Try adding a great playlist to take your energy up a notch. Either way, if you can ingrain this into your routine (wake, sip, go!), the technique of habit
stacking will enable you to seamlessly flow into your workout. Habit stacking is the process of creating a new habit onto one that is already established. For example, you already make coffee each morning, so while your coffee brews, you start practicing a one-minute meditation. So, whether you slip out for a run or click “play” on blogger and YouTuber Heather Robertson’s latest HIIT workout, get up and get going.
4. Equip your office. Stuck in back-to-back meetings all day? This is where a well-stocked office comes into play. Step number one: buy or build your own standing desk. This can be a game changer and it can be as simple as installing a wall shelf or fold-down desk, pulling up to a bar-level countertop or buying an adjustable standing desk converter. Once you can stand, you can wrap a fitness band around your legs or ankle weights and bust out some leg lifts to shape those glutes. If weights or bands are nearby, you can also build five-minute movement snacks throughout your day. Other tools to bring in movement include exercise balls as chairs, bosu balls to practice balance, a biking desk or portable bike pedals you can place under your desk.
Jessica Corwin, MPH, RDN - Despite transitioning away from entrepreneurial work this year as Jessica jumps into new roles in the field of Women's Health, she couldn't pass up the opportunity to give back to a DPG that has inspired her for over one decade. The variety and depth of information shared in this group is just incredible, whether you are an entrepreneur or not! Jessica has 15+ years of experience in public health, culinary medicine, group education, as well as writing and editing. That being said, she works hard in order to play hard, soaking up the sun on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan with her three children, husband, and boxer dog.
5. Create community and accountability. Last, but far from least, fill your lunch hour (or happy hour) with others #IRL (in real life). Join an online fitness group workout with a friend via video call or grab your neighbor who also happens to work remotely and head out for a walk. Having someone to share your fitness journey with can help you stay accountable and motivated. Plus, it’s nice to have a friend to laugh off your ridiculous attempt at that 25th burpee pushup or vent about that one colleague. Moving your body throughout your day is a powerful move for entrepreneurs. This can serve as a stress-management tool while also leveling up your energy and productivity to help you succeed as the nutrition boss you are.
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Finding Harmony Beyond the Screen: Unveiling the Myth of Perfect Work-Life Balance C E L E ST I N A B RU N E TT I RDN, LD GUEST AUTHOR
I, like many entrepreneurs, chose this life because of the flexibility that comes with working for yourself. You can call the shots in your business, make decisions that align with your values, and in theory achieve the infamous work-life balance! This may be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t believe the perfect balance exists. Hear me out. There are times in our lives when different things take precedence. Our businesses, our families, and our self-care needs all have ebbs and flows and it’s never truly balanced. There have been periods where I worked 60+ hours a week in my business and missed out on fun. There was a time when I needed to take three months off from my business because I was so burnt out, I just couldn’t. Neither of these scenarios was sustainable for achieving the goals I set out.
After doing all the things, then doing none of the things, and all the selfintrospective work, I’ve learned a few concepts about how to use my time wisely when promoting my business on social media platforms (LinkedIn & Instagram) and having a life outside of that world, that I want to share with you. Define your purpose and goal. Determine whether you're using these platforms to showcase your expertise, connect with colleagues, share educational content with prospective clients, or build your brand. Having a clear purpose will guide your content and interactions, preventing you from spending hours scrolling on these apps. Set boundaries. Establish clear boundaries for yourself around using social media. Consider having limits around what times of day you access the app, the duration of time you spend on it, the purpose of your time spent on it, as well as what you’re open to sharing. Prioritize self-care. Prioritize your well-being. Social media can be overwhelming, and promote feelings of not-enoughness or imposter syndrome which can all lead to burnout. To mitigate this, I like to happy-sandwich my social media experience; do something that fills my cup, hang out on a social media app for a bit, and then do something that fills my cup. Perhaps it isn’t about dividing your time equally to achieve the “balance,” but rather more about allocating your energy to the tasks that light you up or people who need you. Three key strategies to follow when promoting your business on LinkedIn and Instagram are: Share stories. Your lived experience matters, and prospective clients will resonate with your journey. On LinkedIn, keep your connections updated by publishing a monthly newsletter. On Instagram, share your experiences in stories and through reels.
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Genuinely interact. Our businesses don’t exist in a bubble; it’s important to bring the social back into social media by using these spaces to genuinely connect with colleagues, uplift others, learn from fellow dietitians, and share your unique voice. Embrace collaborations. Business is better with a buddy. Collaborations not only strengthen connections with colleagues but also can help to enhance your visibility and create new opportunities. “Go live” to share different perspectives on a topic or create a collaborative carousel or reel. There are a plethora of apps to choose from and it’s important to: y Remember that it’s not about being everywhere online, it’s about being impactful. y Prioritize yourself and choose apps that you feel most comfortable on and where you’re getting engagement. y Notice when the app is no longer life-giving; that means it’s time for a break. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to finding your perfect “balance” on social media, but I do believe that finding what is sustainable for you within the ebbs and flows is totally doable. Celestina Brunetti RDN, LD, is a connector of dietitians and the owner of The Dietitian Collaborative. Celestina is human-design obsessed and loves integrating human design into the collaborative virtual connection spaces she hosts for fellow dietitians. Fun fact! Celestina is an Air Force spouse and this lifestyle has allowed her to live on three continents. When she’s not connecting with fellow RDs (or moving lol) you can find her on a long walk with her dog Luna.
How to Manage Your Time as an Entrepreneur J E S S I CA K E L LY RDN, LDN DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP
Time is precious, especially when you are an entrepreneur. And if you are anything like me and other nutrition entrepreneurs I know, you wear multiple hats and often have multiple balls in the air at once. I am still early in my entrepreneurial ventures, but have quickly realized the importance of planning ahead to best manage my time. Here are a few tips that have helped me tremendously, and hope they can help you as well. 1 Plan your week ahead. Every Sunday night I look ahead at my Google calendar and transfer everything to my paper planner. I know it is 2023, but I don’t think I will ever give up my paper planner. It makes me happy, and writing my personal appointments, scheduled clients, meetings, and grad school assignments down makes everything more tangible for me. I have been gifted Vera Bradley planners for years, and the sections for stickers, phone numbers and addresses make planning much more fun and practical. 2 Time block. I have noticed I am more productive when I block time off for one specific activity. Since I am in grad school, this has helped me block off time for homework (for example, 7-9 a.m.) before I start seeing clients. Knowing this task is in my calendar, and visually seeing I have two hours to complete it, makes the task seem less daunting and more manageable. I also have time-blocked off an hour for other activities such as reviewing and replying to emails, attending a webinar to get a CEU, etc. 3 Color code. I started color coding before my entrepreneurial days and have stuck with it ever since. Color coding makes it easier to look at my days and weeks and know what type of appointment or commitment I have and when. Personal appointments are yellow,
Nutrition Entrepreneur meetings and commitments are orange, my business items are in green, and schoolwork due-dates are in blue. Not only does it make it easier to see what I have going on - it is also prettier to look at. 4 Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. This can be hard for sure. I am really crunched for time and when I have to get client notes completed or have a project due date that is creeping up, those will become my most important tasks for that day or week. This is where the timeblocking piece comes in handy and makes it easier to set aside time for each important task. 5 Delegate (if feasible). As entrepreneurs, we tend to want to do it all. While we definitely are capable of that, this can lead to burnout quickly. I encourage you to delegate items and tasks. Maybe this is a dietetic intern or a virtual assistant you hire for a few hours per week. This takes the stress off your plate and opens up time for self-care.
6 Silence notifications during working hours. When there is so much to get done and an endless to-do list, turning off that distraction has helped me greatly. I set my phone to work mode from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This disables all notifications and only allows my ICE (in case of emergency) contacts to be able to call and text through. Jessica Kelly, RDN, LDN, currently works as a contract dietitian for Dietitians on Demand at a site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She counsels clients with DM and/or HTN and CHF. She also sees clients for 1:1 counseling sessions in her private practice, Nutrition That Heals Powered by Berry Street. She is so honored to be a part of the NE community again this year and so excited to continue to get involved. When she is not working, she can be found spending quality time with her boyfriend (Bernard), cat (Gary), and golden retriever (Lola) in their new home in Lancaster City.
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Using AI & ChatGPT to Connect with Clients Y VE TT E Q UA N T Z RDN, LDN MEMBER AWARDS
As tech experts work hard to ensure endless possibilities in how AI and ChatGPT can provide valuable support in business, nutrition professionals must understand that these tools will not replace the personal connection, education, expertise, or comprehensive care Registered Dietitians offer. Dietitians will play an essential role in ensuring the accuracy of information in ChatGPT's knowledge base. As the world of AI and ChatGPT continues to evolve and expand, Registered Dietitians need to understand how they can leverage these forms of technology to streamline their work and enhance their client experience. Here are a few ways Registered Dietitians can utilize AI and ChatGPT: y Provide immediate responses and offer real-time support y Assist in assessing and tracking clients' progress y Serve as a virtual assistant y Automate appointment scheduling y Send reminders to clients y Provide educational resources and recipes based on the client's needs and preferences y Answer common nutritionrelated questions Ideas to get started: 1 Familiarize yourself with ChatGPT. You can refer back to my previous article, AI and ChatGPT As Tech Tools to Stay Energized, in the Summer 2023 issue of Ventures, for ideas on how to get started experimenting and exploring how to utilize AI and ChatGPT. 2 Identify your goals. Determine specific areas where ChatGPT can be valuable for your practice. It could be answering questions about setting up an appointment, areas of your specialty, or even answering common nutrition questions. 10 | nedpg.org
3 Develop prompts. Create a list of prompts, such as text, questions or information, that let AI know the response you are looking for. These prompts can serve as conversation starters for ChatGPT. A few example prompts to use include: y Rewrite the blog post from this URL (insert URL) into an Instagram post y Brainstorm content for “Healthy Holiday Snacks” for a blog post y Draft a welcome email for new clients The key is ensuring the prompts are clear and specific to generate helpful responses. 4 Test and refine. Start engaging with ChatGPT using your prompts and evaluate the quality of its responses. Refine your prompts based on your feedback, making them more precise and tailored to your needs. 5 Supplement with human expertise. While ChatGPT can provide valuable information, remember that it's an AI model and does not have the same level of knowledge or experience as a Registered
Dietitian. Use ChatGPT's responses as suggestions or starting points, and always rely on your professional judgment and expertise. Remember, use ChatGPT to complement your expertise as a Registered Dietitian, not as a replacement for your years of education, internship and experience. Regularly assess the effectiveness and accuracy of the information provided by ChatGPT to ensure the best outcomes for your clients. Yvette Quantz, RDN, LDN, will never turn down an invitation to connect over coffee. Serving as NE's Member Awards Chair, she loves supporting dietitians working to make an impact. When not supporting her clients, colleagues, or community to nourish an elevated life with words, food, and service, she's soaking up time and sharing adventures with the people she loves.
The Power of Flexibility: Adapting Work-Life-Play Balance to Changing Seasons L E S L I E WE I D N E R RDN WEBSITE DIRECTOR
Finding a work-life balance is crucial to being able to adapt to the everchanging world of entrepreneurship. In order to achieve this, it’s important to have the skill of flexibility. When the seasons change, priorities tend to change. Learning to be more flexible and adaptable to these changes can enhance success both personally and professionally. Just as the seasons change, our lives and businesses go through different phases. Sometimes we may feel highly productive and have lots of energy, while other times call for relaxation or rejuvenation. There are also times when we are full of creativity, and other times when we are more comfortable maintaining versus growing our businesses. Recognizing these various phases can help us find a healthy work-life balance.
SPRING - GROWTH In my business, spring represents growth and new opportunities. It’s a time when I feel the most creative, and tend to launch new services or set new goals to achieve. As the weather gets warmer and the days gradually get longer, I enjoy spending more time outdoors, which helps refresh my mind and boost my energy levels.
SUMMER - RELAXATION During the summer, I’m unable to focus as much of my time and energy on my business compared to other times during the year. This used to really bother me but instead of fighting it, I learned how to embrace it. Since my kids are at home with me in the summer, I have to be more flexible. Summer seems to be the slowest time for my business, so I try to focus my energy more on being present with friends and family.
FALL - PRODUCTIVITY Fall tends to be the busiest season for me, not only in my business but in life as
well. Once the kids go back to school, there are more activities going on and more things to plan. After taking some much-needed time off to relax during the summer, I enjoy getting back into productivity mode, reassessing my goals, and making sure I’m on track.
WINTER - REFLECTION Following a productive fall season, things start to naturally slow down in the winter. Once the weather gets colder and more time is spent indoors, it’s easier for me to adapt to a more relaxed schedule. Between school breaks and holidays, life can get really hectic. That’s why I make sure to carve out time to reflect on the systems in my work (and life) that are working well versus those that are not and make adjustments as needed. Finding a work-life balance isn’t just about adapting to the changing seasons. There are many benefits such as reduced stress, improved productivity and enhanced wellbeing. Instead of trying to balance a rigid schedule between both your work and personal life throughout the entire year, aligning your schedule with the changing seasons can dramatically reduce your stress. Being more flexible with your schedule throughout the year can also enhance productivity, especially when you notice that your energy and levels of focus tend to change from season to season. Flexibility also enhances your overall well-being because it teaches you to prioritize self-care, which in turn can improve your mental and physical health. Balancing work, life and play may seem challenging, but it’s entirely doable with a flexible mindset. Being adaptable doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your own self-care or personal goals to achieve success in your business. It just means you need to find more creative ways to incorporate them into your life as it evolves. Embracing the power of flexibility, no matter what time of year, will help you thrive in both your personal life and as an entrepreneur.
Leslie Weidner, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a virtual practice where she provides 1:1 nutrition coaching for women in perimenopause. She enjoys helping women over 40 learn how to eat in a healthy, balanced way that supports their hormonal health without any strict rules or diets. Leslie is passionate about the principles of mindful and intuitive eating, which she discusses often on her IG and FB accounts. On the weekends, you can find Leslie hanging out with her husband and watching their two boys play basketball, football, baseball or soccer, depending on the season.
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Product Reviews Bariatric Toolkit: Everything you Includes all the handouts, assessment forms, templates, procedures, Need to Prepare and protocols to run your bariatric program and prepare your clients for surgery. your Clients for
Bariatric Surgery
Includes: handouts, assessments forms, procedures for running your own bariatric nutrition program, and what to discuss at each session
Author: Kelli Worley, MS, RDN, CSOWM, LD
Author: Mary Angela Miller, MS, RD, LD
Date: June 2022
Publisher: The toolkit is delivered electronically to download and can be purchased on the website: https://intentionaleating.net/product/bariatric-toolkit Price: $59.00 Review: With the new American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) guidelines, more obese Americans will qualify for bariatric surgery. Are you ready for the surge in clients as a means of weight management? Kelli Worley, owner of Nutrition Solutions, with over 10 years working in bariatrics, has a comprehensive and affordable Bariatric Toolkit that will assist you in preparing clients for metabolic and bariatric surgery. As a reminder, do review with the bariatric surgeons that you are working with any guidelines that you will be giving to their patients. It has been my experience that these surgeons may have definite opinions on various topics. This comprehensive toolkit provides the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with an array of tools including an extensive healthy questionnaire and documentation guidelines, as well as helpful client-focused handouts such as a Behavior Change Checklist to Prepare for Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery and Summary of Diet Progression after Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery. I especially liked the handouts focusing on vitamin and mineral supplements and protein drink choices. I found in working with this population that clients like to be guided through the process and be given specific recommendations of various products to try. The handouts on Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery and Tips for Managing Nausea and Vomiting were also informative. Reviewing the Bariatric Toolkit will assist the dietitian nutritionist practitioner in preparing clients for the surgery and what to expect afterward. The toolkit reminded the practitioner that metabolic and bariatric surgery is just a tool that clients can use in their weight management journeys. Information on how to structure post-surgery sessions, which is essential for losing and then maintaining the weight loss, is provided in this toolkit. I would have liked to have seen in this toolkit a bariatric healthy plate to be used post-surgery along with the included pre-surgical healthy plate. Additionally, in referring to postsurgical stomach pouch size, using common items for visualization such as an egg for the Roux-en-Y and a small banana for the sleeve gastrectomy would be more useful than using fluid ounces or milliliters. In summary, the Bariatric Toolkit is a wonderful reference for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists if they are new to this field or are even a seasoned professional in this arena. The toolkit has practical information that will assist the practitioner in advancing to the next level when working with clients in managing their weights. Reviewer: Mary Lane-Carlson, EdD, MPH, RDN, CDCES Title: Nutrition Consultant Affiliation: Retired Manager of Options, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Preparation and Support Program for Kaiser Permanente, Downey, CA
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Title: Food Safety e-flashcards
Title: Bariatric Toolkit Review
Date: 2021 Publisher: Self-published. To purchase go to: https://keepsafefood.com/shop/foodsafety-certification-flashcards Price: $19.99 Review: Do you work in food service management or culinary nutrition and need a fun, easy way to study for the food manager safety exam? Look no further. Here is a review of The Food Safety Exam Flashcards. Mary Angela Miller, known as the “Food Safety Dietitian” on social media, created these decks to share her wealth of knowledge of food safety. These cards provide an organized way to learn 400+ facts on food safety to help you become a food safety expert. Decks are categorized into 20 topics from allergens to temperatures and thermometers. The number of cards for each deck set varies by topic. For example, there are 12 allergen cards and 17 dishwashing safety cards. The cards can be printed, folded and cut if desired. A PDF guide on using the flashcards is provided. Some of the information overlaps; however, repetition may help with knowledge retention. Entrepreneurial RDs wanting a deep dive into food safety would also find these valuable. My professional opinion is that this is a creative and affordable way to study for the Food Safety Exam. Reviewer: Lisa Andrews, MEd, RD, LD Title: Owner & Nutrition Consultant Affiliation: Sound Bites Nutrition, LLC
ATTENTION: If you would like to have your product reviewed by one of our NE Members, please send in your products to newletter@nedpg.org.
Strategies to Build Better Habits Both Professionally and Personally JA I M E J. L A R E S E MS, RDN, CTTS, NBC-HWC GUEST AUTHOR
Most of what we do in our day-today lives is comprised of habits we have created over our lifetimes and are neither good nor bad. To put it simply, without habits we wouldn’t otherwise be able to manage all the repetitive things we do automatically that over time have created well-worn synaptic paths in our brains. Most of what we do – how we drive, how we brush our teeth, how we put on our clothes, you name it – are just habits. We’ve practiced them so much they’ve become automatic and subconscious. Many of our habits, though, affect our wellness. Whether habits are considered good or bad, both these types of habits are repetitive actions or behaviors that have either positive or negative consequences for our physical, emotional and psychological well-being. These habits encompass many lifestyle behaviors that include, but are not limited to, eating, drinking, sleeping, tobacco use, social media, time management, etc. As nutrition professionals, we are trained to help our clients assess and manage their own habits and assist them in setting goals for positive change, but often we are left with our own habitual struggles. Regardless of our being nutrition experts and behavior coaches, we are also human. Utilizing solid strategies to help us build better habits in our own lives not only helps us professionally but also helps us personally. The first and most important strategy to utilize in building better habits is understanding which ones you want to change. Once you’ve identified your list, it’s important to raise awareness of your thoughts, feelings and behaviors (and understand how they influence each other) because your behaviors are driven by your thoughts and emotions every time. Your habits, therefore, are developed by those repeated behaviors. As a practice in mindfulness, it can be helpful to chart
it out and simply pay attention – either in the moment or retrospectively. What was the situation? What were you feeling? What were you thinking? What behavior then ensued? This is a crucial step for us to identify the unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and think about what can be done differently to break the pattern. Since it is repeated behaviors that create habits, this awareness strategy becomes the foundation for intervention. Upon assessment, if you have unhelpful thoughts that led to a particular behavior you want to change, it’s important to do the following: 1 Recognize it – what were you thinking or telling yourself? 2 Question it – is your thought realistic? 3 Ask yourself – is this a helpful thought? 4 What alternative thoughts could I practice instead? 5 What behavior could I engage in instead? A habit is not created randomly, so with awareness you’ll recognize these thoughts and behaviors are simply on repeat. Over time and with practice, regardless of the feeling you initially have, your thoughts
can become more positive, hence influencing your behaviors and ultimately leading to a better habit. Practice makes progression, and thus reflection can be an additional tool as you work through these repeated patterns of thoughts and behaviors. While the above strategy is one of many in helping to develop better habits, I have found in my own life that by simply practicing more mindfulness – being fully present in the moment – I am able to better direct myself. Of course, there is always room for growth, and I encourage you if you want to be an expert in anything, including your own behaviors, to read more books. Some of my favorites include “Atomic Habits” by James Clear; “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Franklin Covey; “The Habit Blueprint” by Patrik Edblad; and “Better than Before” by Gretchen Rubin. Jaime J. Larese, MS, RDN, CTTS, NBC-HWC, is the MOVE! program coordinator for the Montana Veterans Administration and a dietitian/ health coach for Nourish. In her free time she usually does something outdoors, practices her cooking skills, or curls up with a fabulous book.
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Policy Advocacy Corner E L I Z A B E T H PA L M E R - R E E D MPH, RDN, CNSC, LD REPRESENTATIVE TO THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
The Dietitian’s License (LD) is a consumer-protection tool employed by 46 out of the 50 United States. State licensing laws help healthcare consumers identify and access qualified nutrition professionals for safe and ethical nutrition therapy. Dietitian licensure also provides assurances for health insurance companies and state governments. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) supports professional licensure for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and other qualified nutrition professionals to protect the public by enforcing objective standards in education, work experience and exams. Professional nutrition standards ensure competency when providing complex care, such as medical nutrition therapy. The Academy says all people are more likely to thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition when they have assured, identifiable access to safe and effective evidenced-based nutrition care services from qualified providers. In states without licensure, other nutrition professionals or paraprofessionals may be reimbursed for nutrition services, despite meeting only some of the qualifications required to become an RDN. For example, California, Colorado and Virginia laws restrict usage of specified titles to credentialed practitioners but do not require licensure or certification by the state. Currently, RDNs carry the burdens of time and cost associated with obtaining a license. License applications vary between states from laborious and expensive to relatively simple and low-cost. A lengthy process of obtaining a license can delay work start dates. Renewal cycles
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also vary from one-year to five-year cycles - all greatly impacting RDN administrative time and expenses. To relieve these burdens on RDNs, some states do not require licensure. In my state, Colorado, licensure has not been supported by either the members or non-members of CAND (Colorado Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics). According to CAND, members have been surveyed several times over the past eight years with little interest shown to support licensure. At this time no licensure activity is currently taking place in Colorado. I hold RDN licenses in states outside of Colorado and have observed differences between states with and states without licenses. Overall, it seems states with licensure have less impact from non-medical diets and more responsiveness from medical professionals and healthcare consumers. Many non-qualified nutrition professionals would love the Dietitian licensure requirements to disappear. Florida recently saw a large win in support of RD licensure (Del Castillo v. Secretary, Florida Department of Health). In fact, the Florida court’s decision was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. For the next 12 months, the Academy is partnering with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Council of State Governments to explore a potential new interstate licensure compact for Licensed Dietitians. The Academy was selected through a competitive DOD grant to work on a licensure compact for the nutrition and dietetics profession. The licensure compact would work similarly to a driver’s license. The licensed RDN would be able to work in all states that require licensure using only one license. The licensure compact would provide a cost-effective and time-saving multi-state platform for licensed states. The Academy feels this is beneficial for all RDNs, especially those in transition such as military families or RDNs relocating to a new licensed state.
RDNs whose “home state” is an unlicensed state would not be able to work in states within the compact licensure agreement. Using Colorado as an example, RDNs in this state would not be part of the licensure compact because Colorado lacks RDN licensure. Unlicensed RDNs would only be able to work in other states that do not require licensure. Please join this important conversation by attending the Academy's Weekly Licensure Office Hours, Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. (Central Time), and/or by joining the Licensure Affinity Group meetings, the third Friday of every month from 3 to 4 p.m. (Central Time). For more information: www.eatrightpro. org/news-center/ public-policy-news/ licensure-compactexploration-update www.compacts.csg.org/ compact-updates/theinterstate-compactfor-dietitians/
Elizabeth Palmer-Reed, MPH, RDN, CNSC, owner of Apple a Day Nutrition Consulting, LLC since 2004. After raising two daughters with celiac disease she opened a gluten-free baking company and provides classes and tours for gluten-free living. Elizabeth can be found hiking the Flatirons and zooming around Boulder with her husband on their electric bikes. Combining work and pleasure this year she will be traveling to the Amalfi Coast for a conference then off to Machu Picchu this fall to hike with friends - all fueled by a love of great food and continued learning from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Diversity Corner D I A N A M E SA RD/LDN, CDCES
Diana Mesa is an RDN and Diabetes Educator in Miami, Florida. She is the founder of En La Mesa Nutrition, which helps Latinas honor their health through their cultural food as well as healing their relationships with their food and body. Her clients often have disordered eating related to the shame of eating the foods they grew up with. Diana understands this well as she was born in Cuba and came to the United States as a child. She started out with a desire to learn architecture, but when she excelled at a basic nutrition class, she was hooked and instead decided to pursue dietetics. She completed her study at Florida International University along with a very supportive internship program via KADDI (Keith & Associates Distance Dietetic Internship), which she recommends highly. Q: How has your background enhanced your dietetic practice? A: Diana understands what clients are going through. In the U.S., “there’s a misconception that we don’t eat veggies and our foods are too greasy and starchy.” Social and political factors impact food in Cuba; there is less diverse eating due to a lack of access to food variety. Here, one sees the abundance of foods, including those high in fat and sugar. That’s attractive to someone used to scarcity and can contribute to disordered eating. Q: What is your definition of diversity and why is it important in dietetics? A: Diversity is upholding people, and their voices, perspectives and body diversity. The majority (80%) of RDNs practicing in the U.S. are white women - which does not reflect the demographic of those we serve. Diana notes that people trust someone
who understands their culture and lived experience and someone who looks like them. She saw a publication recently featuring a group of Latina dietitians; one was not Latina but had a Latino last name by marriage. There are many Latina dietitians out there who are doing great and not getting recognition. “An ally would step down and let real Latina voices shine.” Q: How do you encourage people to honor the uniqueness of each individual? A: We tend to get lost in comparing and competing with each other. We can develop self-compassion and get curious about stereotypes or biases we may hold. When providing culturally responsive care, we may go in with the “best of intentions and preconceived notions” of what the person is experiencing. “Going in (instead) with curiosity is a beautiful thing,” Diana shares. Q: How do you challenge and promote sensitivity and inclusion in the dietetics field? A: Diana is vocal on Instagram and stresses having these conversations and asking questions in a curious and nonjudgmental way, to create a safe space for learning. Challenging beliefs triggers defense mechanisms, but “when you highlight other people’s stories, you challenge in a gentle way. It’s easier to listen to a story without getting defensive.”
Q: What is one tip you have for others to be more culturally sensitive/aware? A: Get out of your bubble. If serving a new culture and community, get immersed in it by going where the people go on the weekends and listening to their stories to better understand what they see from a food and systems perspective. Q: How would having more diversity in dietetics providers improve our field? A: It could spur more diverse research, more applicable modalities to a variety of races and cultural groups, improvement in health disparities among cultural groups, and even increased value and compensation for the dietitian role. Diana emphasizes that people from diverse backgrounds are not satisfied with the status quo, and challenge and push it forward. “Dietetics needs to see that renaissance.” Diana was interviewed by Annette Snyder, MS, RD, LD, owner of NourishYOU, LLC, a virtual private practice based in Iowa.
Q: How has diversity helped you in your job role? A: Often, meeting hiring quotas is a driving factor in bringing more diverse employees on board. “It’s a double-edged sword,” she says, as this can be performative if companies aren’t upholding the voices and perspectives of these diverse groups of people. “We are not hearing these voices, and we have a lot of work left to do.” This is her passion.
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Upcoming NE Events
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 1 P.M. EST
5 Ways to Get Started with WeightInclusive Care Speaker: Heather Caplan, RDN
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 12:30 P.M. EST
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18, 2023 NOON EST
TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2023 1 P.M. EST
NE Halfie Hour with Mastermind Event Red Flags: Signs of Disordered Jen Nguyen, nedpg.org/mastermind Eating and Eating Disorders RDN, CDN in Nutrition Counseling Speaker: Sumner Brooks, MPH, RDN
MARCH 4 THROUGH MARCH 7, 2024
Spring Summit 2024