Usually, it’s all about the food, but here’s a short break to discuss…well, people who discuss food. Maybe that’s not so much of a stretch?
Sometimes people choose a career. My career choose me. Since I’m from a Middle eastern family, food is pretty much the center of everything. Happy? Eat! Sad? Eat! Hungry? You get the idea. Food was always central, and my first language, so to speak. Becoming a nutritionist and dietitian was a natural choice.
As the years went by my own health issues began, I wondered if my diet could help, especially since many of my problems were gastrointestinal issues! More than one doctor gave up and said, well, you’re a dietitian, figure it out.
Initial allergy tests did little, but going gluten free was HUGE for tummy issues, pain, energy and more. Many allergy and food sensitivity tests later, I found that I had a lot of food triggers. I learned how to manage a gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soy free, peanut free, shellfish free, corn free, sugar free diet and still make good, healthy food. Then it dawned on me that I’d unintentionally stumbled into a unique niche. It’s fascinating, fun, rewarding, and such a delight! I’m very lucky that I get to work with fabulous clients, discussing things that are always interesting to me. www.harriswholehealth.com
This post is in honor of National Registered Dietitian’s Day, which is March 11th. I didn’t have a clear vision of where I’d be as an RD, but it’s been a great journey. Please do check out sites of other RDs and give them a little love, too!
Beyond Prenatals – Food vs. Supplements and Real Advice vs. Fake Advice
Annette Colby – No More Diets! A Registered Dietitian Shares 9 Secrets to Real and Lasting Weight Loss
Ashley Colpaart – Dietitians working in food policy, a new frontier
Diana Dyer – There and Back Again: Celebration of National Dietitian Day 2009
Marjorie Geiser – RD Showcase for National Registered Dietitian Day – What we do
Marilyn Jess – National Registered Dietitian Day–RD Blogfest
Julie Lanford – Antioxidants for Cancer Prevention
Renata Mangrum – What I’m doing as I grow up…
Liz Marr – Fruits and Veggies for Registered Dietian Day: Two Poems
Meal Makeover Moms’ Kitchen – Family Nutrition … It’s our “Beat”
Jill Nussinow – The Registered Dietitian Lens I Look Through
Wendy Jo Petersen – March 11 is our day to shine!
Diane Preves – Registered Dietitians and the White House Forum on Health Reform
Andy Sarjahani – Dr. Seuss Tribute continued: Green Eggs and Ham and a Sustainable Food System
Rebecca Scritchfield – Big Tips from a “Big Loser”
Anthony Sepe – RD Showcase: Registered Dietitian Day, March 11, 2009
Kathy Shattler – RD Showcase for Nutri-Care Consultation
UNL-Extension, Douglas/Sarpy County – Nutrition Know How – Making Your Life Easier
Monika Woolsey – Dietitians–Can’t Do PCOS Without Them!
Monika Woolsey – In Honor of National Registered Dietitian Day
Jen Zingaro – My life as a Registered Dietitian
Stumble It!
Thanks for sharing this! And I think you’re right–this is the perfect career for you! You’ve definitely mastered the art of making food for restricted diets easy (and tasty!). 🙂
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The thing I love about your blog and your menus is that I can tell you love to eat and are passionate about food. It isn’t just a science experiment or math equation following nutritional guidelines for you. It’s also about the taste, presentation, and the emotional and nurturing experience of eating.
Keep those menus and recipes coming.
Wendy
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Cheryl,
Love your blog, thanks for participating! I’m forwarding it to our local celiac group to help promote it.
Look for a private email from me as well. 🙂
Monika
I’m glad you found your natural fit and that we can share with you in it.
Oh, I am so excited to see your blog! I now have a fabulous new resource for my patients!! Thanks for recognizing your niche and sharing! Happy RD Day!
First of all, you’re gorgeous! I love having a face to attach with my favourite bloggers.
Second, I really enjoy your blog because of the wonderful ideas your menus provide – even if I end up changing them to be vegan, it’s still wonderful inspiration, and honestly – if you didn’t tell us about all the restrictions, I don’t think people would catch on because your menus are so “full” of goodness.
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A fantastic read….very literate and informative. Many thanks….where is your RSS button ?
West LA Chiropractor: The RSS feed links are at the very bottom of every page, in the footer. “Entries (RSS)” and “Comments (RSS).” There’s also a link to each post’s comment feed at the bottom of each post (before the comments), where it says “You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed“
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Great story! Happy for you 🙂
I’m going to follow your menus and ideas. I’ve never eaten gluten-free, but we have a lot of stomach problems at our house and maybe this is the answer. Making special diets with foods that taste good is a challenge and I’m anxious to try some of your recipes.
Maybe I’ll even incorporate some of them into the next edition of my cookbook. Although it’s not for gluten-free diets, it is for good, healthy, tasty cooking. For those of you who are interested in great menus that are common foods, you might want to check out my book. Happy Cooking!
Oh, I am so glad to see your blog! Dietitian is the perfect career for you I think! In my opinion, your menus provide the wonder ideas… For that reason I really love your blog. Keep those menus and recipes coming 🙂
Jenifer
Food making and cooking is hard because you have to keep in mind the style of the food and the reason behind it. Vegitarians will no doubt want different food from say someone who needs vitamins and minerals after being sick from a disease.
I don’t think registered dieticians are appreciated as much as they should be. So thank you for what you do. My sister has a lot of medical problems and her RD is often a life saver (no pun actually intended there).
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It is great to see what was the ‘alternative’ to healthcare become the portal TO healthcare! Thank you for contributing! Many chiropractic offices now have strong referral networks of RDs, acupuncturists, PTs…this is how it should be – each specializing it their own kung fu!
Dr. Bobbee
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