Want to brush on something I care a lot about: taking care of "self". It sounds selfish, but it's one of the most generous things you can do. When you are comfortable and confident in your skin, you think of your self less. It frees you up to care for others. Which is really important. Because we need each other more than we think. And in this world, more often than not, we have to fight for it. As of this week, I'm finally legal to practice (yay). What does that really mean? Need to define it for myself, too.
Dietitians are accredited by the American Dietetic Association after a 4 year degree in nutritional science, 1 year of applied practice, and then they sit for an exam. Then they are eligible to work in corporate wellness, hospitals, community health clinics, school districts, or design public health policy. They contract with media as spokespeople (like Joy on the Today Show) or write for nutrition columns in magazines (like Keri for Women's Health). Registered dietitians conduct research for publication, teach at universities, counsel sports teams and athletes (like Jen from SLU), create in new products for food companies (CLIF Bar , anyone?), or work for themselves through private practice.
Food is one of the most inclusive topics out there, so most are willing to listen to what someone else has to say about it. And it's kind of frightening how many people try to impart "knowledge" for the sake of a capitalistic venture. Accuracy of the message is often debatable.
Was reading this morning: "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good but the good of others."
So the truth here is that you can choose to listen to or read whatever you want. Isn't freedom great? But it's only to your benefit to choose the source wisely: fruit is only going to be as good as the vine it comes from.
Beneficial. Constructive. For the good of others. So defining my practice threads into giving counsel that is based on research findings, not the health section at Barnes and Noble (Skinny Bitch...enough said). Creating options that work regardless of income. Giving every client an exceptional amount of dignity. Reworking current literature into public health messages that are easy to understand. Helping the mom on food stamps, the cancer patient, the obese executive, and the elite athlete perform their best and practice self-care. And help them breathe a little easier. This life is not all pansies and puppy dogs, but it's meant to be beautiful. And enjoyed. Far from isolation. So I guess that's a large part of my practical pursuit. Because we're all practicing something.
