What RDs Do: Jessica Coll, RD, IBCLC

JESSICA COLL

INTERNATIONAL BABY LED WEANING

NETWORK OF REGISTERED DIETITIANS

for something nutrishus

Jessica is another dietitian that stands out due to her unique credentials (IBCLC) and as you'll see, she has carved herself quite a niche. Having recently added a second child to our family, her area of expertise is definitely on my mind. It always inspires me to see the work dietitians do in areas that I don't work in and I love that she shares her expertise not only with parents, but also with other dietitians.

Why did you become a RD? 

I’ve always been passionate about food but the real reason is that the dietetics school was right around the corner from my house!

What area of dietetics do you work in? 

My work is quite specific. I’m the founder of the International Baby Led Weaning (BLW) Network of Registered Dietitians (RDs). I train RDs to give BLW workshops locally. I also have a BLW online course for new parents and a BLW recipe book. I currently have 60 RDs in my network, in 8 countries!

How would you explain what you do? 

I support the members of the network with questions about breastfeeding, infant nutrition or marketing their in-person workshops.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

Every day I answer questions from the BLW online course for parents and from the RD members of the network. I offer webinars about BLW to RDs on a regular basis (please email me at jessica@jessicacoll.com for the next one). I strive to balance everything so work in short stretches and sprinkle yoga sessions and runs throughout the day. Since I work from home, I like to prep meals during my work breaks as well.

I’m currently recruiting new RDs across the world to give BLW workshops so I have several video meetings scheduled throughout the week. I’m often a guest on podcasts and Facebook live videos for various organizations and TV shows.

What has been your career path? 

After completing my dietetics internship in Austin (Texas), I worked there as a dietitian for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program at the clinic level and State level for a total of 4 years. The year-round hot temps and amazing rock climbing and running community was great. What’s more? I got to learn Spanish while working there. That’s also where I was able to get all my lactation-specific hours to become a lactation consultant. I decided to start a family back home in Montreal in 2012 and started my business when my daughter was one year old. I started by doing in-home consultations for both infant nutrition and breastfeeding but quickly realized that I needed something more. I started giving workshops about BLW and after giving sold out workshops for a few years and having another child, I founded the International Baby Led Weaning (BLW) Network of Registered Dietitians. Basically, I provide everything RDs need to give BLW workshops in their own city. I can now spend more time with my kids and still have a successful business. I support the RD members of my network by helping them with breastfeeding and infant nutrition questions and marketing their workshops.

What advanced education or special training do you have? 

I’m an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now? 

In five years form now, BLW will be the norm for babies across the world.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up? 

BLW is very controversial for many RDs. Some RDs are “for it” and some are “against it”. Since BLW makes sense developmentally with 6 month olds being able to grab large objects and bring them to their mouth, it’s all about making sure parents are doing it safely. The other myth is that BLW babies are more at risk of choking compared to babies being offered purees. This is actually backed up by recent peer reviewed journal articles.

What do people think that you do for a living? 

They think I’m a TV star!

What are you passionate about in dietetics? 

I’m passionate about letting babies feed them selves so they can be stimulated from all their senses and learn to eat enough, but not too much. It’s amazing to watch them go!

What is your favourite meal? 

My favourite meal is sushi and yes, sushi can be offered to babies in a way that’s totally safe!

More about Jessica:

BLW Network for RDs: https://www.jessicacoll.com/BLW_network.html
free BLW cookbook: https://jessicacoll.com/
Facebook: Nutrition for babies
Instagram: @nutritionforbabies

Thanks Jessica! Find out more about What RDs Do.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

What RDs Do: Steph Langdon, RD

STEPH LANGDON

SOMETHING NUTRISHUS & WHAT RDS DO

hosted by Brooke Bulloch

What RDs Do Interview Series – TAKEOVER!

Hey, hey! It’s Brooke Bulloch here from Food to Fit in Saskatoon! I had the pleasure of being highlighted as part of the What RDs Do Interview Series back in October 2015. Today I’m taking over Stephanie Langdon’s What RDs Do!

With Stephanie celebrating 7 years in business this week AND her 100th What RDs Do interview coming up in August, I thought it was an opportune time to take over and interview the very creator of the What RDs Do Interview Series!

Stephanie is a fellow Saskatoon-based Dietitian and entrepreneur who is doing incredible work for the profession. As founder of the What RDs Do blog and as part of Dietitians of Canada's Brand Ambassador team, Stephanie’s efforts to educate the public and promote the invaluable and diverse work of Dietitians is admirable. As someone who inspires me, I wanted to give the spotlight to her today!

Thank you, Stephanie, for all you do and for this incredible blog series. Happy 7-year anniversary!

Why did you become a RD?

I was pursuing a science degree, perhaps headed towards Physiology, but unsure what I’d do with it. I took an introductory nutrition course and loved the practicality of what I learned, so I decided to apply to the College of Nutrition. I was an athlete at the time, so I saw the obvious connections to performance and thought sport nutrition might be an end goal for me.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Private practice: consulting and communications

How would you explain what you do?

I try to balance being a mom with running my business (a work-at-home-mom). I work with many agriculture/commodity/industry groups helping with presentations, resource development, event attendance, media, social media and strategy. Like most dietitians I do many things. I curate/run this blog series, I do a bit of work for our Sport Medicine and Science Council of Saskatchewan, for our local Canadian Forces, and freelance projects. I am also on Dietitians of Canada’s Brand Leadership Team as the SK/MB (Saskatchewan/Manitoba) Team Captain.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

My day/week might consist of:

• sport nutrition presentations for active 13-18 year olds
• formatting blog posts
• reading journals, books, websites, and media to stay up on research and trends
• creating social media content
• responding to emails
• seeing the occasional one-on-one client
• I am also sometimes working at events, creating content/resources, sitting in on meetings or listening to webinars

What has been your career path?

I have worked in private practice since I finished my internship. I initially planned to work in sport nutrition, and in Canada that was the path that made sense – self-employment. Prior to that I was an elite athlete (Team Canada and pro volleyball) and worked at Lululemon while finishing up my degree. Since then it has just been the evolution of my practice as different things have interested me, I’ve learned to say NO to things I’m not passionate about or weren’t a good fit, and I became a mom.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I have my BSc. Nutrition as well as various certifications/courses/conferences/webinars etc. that I constantly take part in as continued learning in the various areas I work in (Craving Change, Motivational Interviewing, sport nutrition, agriculture, social media, etc.)

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

As someone who advocates for the profession, I hope that people come to know what dietitians do (which is varied) and who dietitians are, as well as the difference from nutritionists. I hope that health insurance plans cover dietitian services so that they’re more accessible. I am also intrigued by how the environment shapes our behaviours so I hope to see health promoting spaces and places so that healthy choices can be the default choices. With the strong influence of social media I also hope we move away from unrealistic ‘ideals’, can live authentically off-line and stop judging/shaming others, as there are many ways to be healthy.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

We don’t just make meal plans and take away your favourite food(s).

What would you like people to know about RDs?

We work in a variety of settings, not just in hospitals and we’re here to help with various nutrition/eating/food topics, whether that’s dealing with a chronic illness, a picky eater, preventative health care, policy creation, brand messaging, recipe development, or helping sort through all the misinformation out there. The list goes on and on (as you’ve seen in this series!).

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

The ‘personal opinion/celebrity’ type information that can mislead people and perhaps even be dangerous. It’s great that people are talking about nutrition, but there are so many promises of quick fixes and an obesogenic environment that we have our work cut out for us in years ahead.

What do people think that you do for a living?

I’m not sure, as it’s hard to articulate what I do. I think it took a few years before people realized this wasn’t my hobby, but my job, and was paying the bills.

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

Habits and prevention. We live in the moment and think about immediate enjoyment, not always the long-term consequences, we also have ingrained ways of doing things. I’d like to help people create healthy habits and be able to make informed decisions about food – whether that is choosing to have the ice cream or blueberries, there’s room for it all and there isn’t a single ‘correct’ way to be or eat healthy.

More about Steph:

Facebook: Steph Langdon, RD
Twitter: @nutrishusRD
Instagram: @langdonsteph
LinkedIn: Stephanie (Wheler) Langdon, BSc. RD
Pinterest: @NutrishusRD

Find out more about What RDsDo.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

What RDs Do: Jessica Levinson MS, RDN, CDN

JESSICA LEVINSON

NUTRITIOULICIOUS
for something nutrishus

I've crossed paths with Jessica a few times online now. As I learned more about her, I actually noticed many similarities - we both started our practices right after becoming RDs, we both work in communications and with commodity groups, and we both have nutritious inspiration in our business names! Jessica creates delicious recipes and takes beautiful pictures as well; I know I'm going to try her family favourite recipe listed below.

Why did you become a RD?

What initially drew me to study nutrition and become a RD was the desire to help people learn healthy eating habits, but over the 10+ years working as a dietitian, my interests and work as an RD have changed to communicating nutrition messages on a larger scale through media and writing, as well as a focus on helping people feel confident in the kitchen and get healthy meals on the table that their whole family will enjoy.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Nutrition communications and culinary nutrition.

How would you explain what you do?

I own a food and nutrition communications and consulting business in which I am a spokesperson for food brands and commodity boards with a focus on culinary nutrition, recipe development, and writing.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

Most of my days are spent between my kitchen and my computer. On any given day you’ll find me testing recipes and photographing them in my kitchen, sitting at my computer writing articles and blog posts for my personal blog and client blogs/websites, photo editing, and engaging on social media. There are times when I travel for work for television segments, SMTs (Satellite Media Tours), and/or shooting videos on behalf of clients.

What has been your career path?

I started a private practice immediately after I passed my RD exam and while trying to build up the practice I started working as a nutrition editor at an online publishing company, which was where I realized how much I loved to write about food and nutrition. I spent some time working for an eating disorder day treatment program, which was always an interest of mine, but I realized it wasn’t for me, and went full force into growing my own business, Nutritioulicious, as a nutrition communications and culinary nutrition focused business working with food brands and commodity boards as my primary clients.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I have a master’s degree in clinical nutrition.

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

I’d like to see a continued and improved acknowledgment by the media and public that registered dietitian nutritionists are the food and nutrition experts. I’d also love to see more dietitians become aware of all the opportunities that are available to them within the world of nutrition.

What would you like people to know about RDs?

That we don’t all wear white lab coats and work in hospitals.

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

Now that I am a mother, I’m especially passionate about helping families feel empowered to get healthy meals on the table and meals that everyone will eat. I am a big advocate of parents making one meal for everyone – no short order cooks – and realizing that their kids don’t need “children’s food” – they can eat the same thing that adults do.

What is your favourite meal?

That is such a hard question – I have so many favorites! One of my favorite meals is one that my whole family loves and my children devour – Peanut Soba Noodles with Crispy Tofu and Vegetables

What tip(s) would you give to our readers?

Enjoy food – don’t make it a choice between “good” and “bad” foods. All foods can have a place in a healthy diet and the most important thing is to eat food you enjoy and that tastes good. Food should be nutritious and delicious, or as I like to say, Nutritioulicious!

More about Jessica:

Website: Nutritioulicious

Twitter: @JlevinsonRD

Facebook: Nutritioulicious

Instagram: JLevinsonRD

Pinterest: JLevinsonRD

Thanks Jessica! Find out more about What RDsDo.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

Time for what?

Time has been on my mind a lot the last month. I am still trying to sort out my role as a working/stay-at-home mom (17 months in, as of today). The past 17 months have gone by as fast as everyone said they would. I am fortunate that I have been around for many/most of our little one's cherished moments. I am fortunate, because I am self-employed and my husband and I have prioritized spending as much time with our daughter as we can. Everyone has different goals, priorities, challenges, etc. in how they live and of course in how they act in the roles of parenthood.

Recently, in my attempts to minimize clutter in our house I came across an old goal setting exercise that we had done (or that I had made us do!). The recurring theme for me was time. A few of my goals for things I 'wanted' were:

• time for me
• time with my husband
• time with my kids
• time to read, watch movies, and workout
• freedom with my time
• to set my own hours (which obviously relates to time)
• to retire early (also relates to time)

*One of the goals for things I 'didn't want' was: to be overwhelmed with my time.

Our time is limited and we don't know when it will end. This of course brings me to mindfulness and I constantly try to live in and enjoy my present situation. I get ahead of myself too often or I think of others things I 'should' be doing. I have also tried to minimize things so that I can free up my time for other things.

Perhaps time is also on my mind because I'm approaching a birthday. I have no problem getting older, it's part of life after all, and I think I improve with age (or I at least try to be better every day). I just found (or made) time to jot down this post. I've mainly been sharing my #WhatRDsDo series which I'm really excited about, and life has been keeping me busy. I am however not going to apologize for my absence from personal posts. Life does and should happen. I am a rare millennial that is trying to unplug, to be present offline. I enjoy social media and I also work in that space, but I don't want to miss out on my life.

 

I have plans to get you to reflect on how you're spending (or if you're wasting) your time, how you maximize your time, how you'd like to spend your time, what you've learned that has improved you with time, etc.

My blogging time for today is over, so I hope you had a good time reading and I hope you come back to share.

Cheers,
Have a good time! ("we're here for a good time, not a long time!" - Trooper)

Steph Langdon, RD
www.nutrishus.com

What RDs Do: Sarah Remmer, RD, CDE

SARAH REMMER

FAMILY NUTRITION EDUCATOR, FREELANCE WRITER

for something nutrishus

Sarah was a dietitian I reached out to when I was considering starting a private practice right after university. She is a busy mom of three and successful entrepreneur that has carved out a niche for herself.

Why did you become a RD?

I became an RD because I was passionate about food and health and extremely interested in nutritional science. When I learned that I could become a Dietitian—someone who counsels people on how to eat better, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. I always knew that I would be in private practice--I wanted to listen to people who had the desire to change their lifestyle, and counsel them based on their personal needs.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Pre- and post-natal nutrition, pediatric nutrition, and picky eating.

How would you explain what you do?

I work with expectant moms, new Moms and families to help establish healthy eating habits from day one. My passion is helping parents navigate “the trenches” of feeding (starting solids, feeding your toddler/preschooler, picky eating, mealtime battles etc.). Although I counsel parents one-on-one both in person and virtually, the majority of the work that I do is media-related (blogging and freelance writing) and online education (e-courses). I’m the nutrition blogger for the Canadian award-winning parenting blog “Erica Ehm’s Yummy Mummy Club”, I contribute to my own blog regularly, I’m a regular contributor for Alberta Milk’s More About Milk blog and I do freelance writing for parenting publications such as Today’s Parent Magazine. I also consult for the food industry (brands that I believe in and use myself) and work with local business’s such as the Children’s Cottage (crisis nurseries) and daycares to provide nutrition education and menu planning services.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

Right now, I’m just trying to keep up with blogging as I have a 6 week old at home (as well as my two other kids), but typically I work 3 days a week and would see one client max, write a blog post or two, do some consulting work such as menu planning, work on an upcoming e-course and spend time networking on social media.

What has been your career path?

I have always worked in private practice to some degree, but have also worked in the hospital, in gyms and in private clinics. When I had my first baby, I decided to focus exclusively on baby and kids’ nutrition (specifically educating parents on how to best feed their families and nurture a healthy relationship with food) as well as disordered eating patterns in the teenage years and adulthood (and how to prevent these behaviours from an early age). I discovered blogging and have slowly transitioned from in-person counselling to educating a wider audience through the creation of online resources, writing and blogging for parents of babies and young kids.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I was a Certified Diabetes Educator for five years prior to deciding to focus on pediatric nutrition, I have a very keen interest in intuitive and mindful eating as well as Eating Disorders and have trained under and worked with many Psychologists, Doctors and Dietitians who specialize in the area, as well as performed hours of my own research on the subject (and have years of my own counselling experience in Eating Disorders).

I have done specialized media training (TV, and radio) and more recently (the past 5 years) have been to several blogging/writing conferences where I’ve trained and learned how to be a better writer.

I have also spent hundreds of hours learning and reading about kids’ nutrition and picky eating and working closely with experts in the area. I’m also excited to become certified as an SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Feeding Expert in the Spring of 2016 so that I can better educate parents and caregivers on how to healthfully feed kids with feeding difficulties.

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

I’m hoping that RDs continue to be recognized as the leading experts in nutrition and food and that we become better recognized (and compensated for) for the amazing work that we do.

More about Sarah:

Website: www.sarahremmer.com
Blog: www.thenondietdietitian.com
Twitter: @sarahremmer
Facebook: Sarah Remmer, RD

Thanks Sarah! Find out more about What RDsDo.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

What RDs Do: Jennifer House, RD, MSc

JENNIFER HOUSE

FIRST STEP NUTRITION

for something nutrishus

Today we have Calgary-based dietitian Jennifer. She is a self-employed mom (something I'm still figuring out) and has done some unique things in her practice such as e-courses and co-authoring cookbooks. Like other dietitians, she's a life long learner and has chosen to focus on moms-to-be, moms, and baby nutrition.

Why did you become a RD?

I’ve always been interested in food and cooking. My mom didn’t keep a lot of processed food in the house and I eventually grew to appreciate that! I went right into dietetics from high school, and knew that nutrition would always be practical knowledge to have for me and my family, at every stage.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I have a private practice called First Step Nutrition, specializing in new moms, moms-to-be & their babies.

How would you explain what you do?

I help families to nourish their growing families with confidence. Common concerns include pregnancy weight gain, postpartum weight loss, meal planning, starting solids, allergies and picky eaters. I offer e-courses, individual consults, meal plans and grocery tours, and will speak to groups.

On more of the industry side, I also do some menu plan creation for daycares. I analyze recipes for the nutrition facts table for Baby Gourmet foods as well as providing them with blogs.

I’ve co-authored two cookbooks, one with Wean Green and a new book from Baby Gourmet. In both cases they have created the recipes and I’ve reviewed them and provided the nutrition text.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

A large part of private practice includes booking clients, invoicing, website maintenance, blogging, emailing newsletters and posting on social media.

On a typical work day, I might write a blog, see a client and go speak to a mom’s group about starting solids.

What has been your career path?

After graduating, I worked for just a few months casual in a rural hospital before heading back to school for a MSc in Human Nutrition. I enjoy being a student! After that, I worked casual at the Calgary Children’s Hospital and for Healthy Babies, working on projects such as the folic acid project and Health Weight Gain. After having my first son in 2007, I decided I wanted a flexible schedule and was able to transfer my past work experience to start First Step Nutrition.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I have a thesis-based MSc from UBC. I also love taking any course targeted at dietitians, such as Stephanie Clairmont’s cooking classes and DC (Dietitians of Canada) Learning on Demand classes. I’m currently taking online courses on developing e-courses (ironic, I know!), and sales pages. I also take lots of social media and small business training, for managing my business (as our university training did not cover this)!

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

I would love to see dietitians seen more positively in the public eye. This requires dietitians sticking to our code of ethics, and not promoting or accepting funds from companies such as Coke and Nestle.

It’s great to see more dietitians in the media and getting the word out about evidence-based nutrition. I hope this continues!

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

I am not judging you for eating cake, unless you would like to pay me to do so :) In fact, I’m eating the cake myself!

What would you like people to know about RDs?

We have at least 5 years of university-level education. We definitely learn more than the food guide in our training, and many of us don’t even promote the food guide.

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

Mis-information about what a dietitian is, and what a nutritionist is. Lack of trust in evidence-based information. Many people choose to believe everything they read (which is scary these days!).

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

I’m passionate about getting babies off on the right foot with breastfeeding, starting solids at the right time with good foods, and establishing a healthy feeding relationship. This will affect the child for their whole life!

More about Jennifer:

Website: www.firststepnutrition.com
Facebook: First Step Nutrition

Twitter: @firststepnut

Thanks Jennifer! Find out more about What RDsDo.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

Day 22: Messes to Clean

Perspective makes a huge difference. I skim over social media as I try to not spend too much of my time reading status updates etc. I do of course try to stay on top of food and nutrition trends and current research. From time to time, a shared post will catch my eye. I recently saw one relating to gratitude, so it definitely made me pause (see below). It was so simple, but such a great reminder. I chose to share what I'm grateful for this month, as I know I can be a bit negative or complain about things in my personal life; when in reality I have a great life. Sometimes the little things we complain about exist because of the wonderful life we're leading.

This may or may not strike a cord with you, but I wanted to share it:

I am grateful for: a life where all my basic needs are met

How you look at things really makes a difference and we forget how far we've come. I am grateful for so many things and I hope I continue to be content with my life and not take it for granted.

Don't you just 'love' to clean?
Steph Langdon, RD
www.nutrishus.com

Day 18: So Much to Learn

In less than a year I have learned a lot from my daughter (too much to go through here). I thought I would be teaching her, but she is teaching me. Like my husband, she is also making me a better person. She causes me to slow down, drop what I'm doing and be in the moment; she helps me be mindful. She needs me to put her first. She teaches me patience, since things take longer when I need to get her ready, bring her along, stop mid-way through to help her, or completely abandon what I was doing when she wakes up. It's a new life! I do love it and I always wanted to be a mom, so I am very fortunate that I get to learn the role. I think it may be a lifelong lesson though.

Since I love quotes and don't have much time for this post, I figured I would include a few that speak to patience and learning from our mistakes. I have never really liked making mistakes (or asking for help), but I understand that they are learning opportunities. I hope I can help my daughter to see mistakes as opportunities or challenges to improve. We need to make mistakes to learn, so I am happy to have the chance to learn to be a mom (and learn to be a new version of myself). My perfectionist tendencies want me to succeed right away, but that isn't realistic, and sometimes good enough, is good enough.

I am grateful for: my daughter and all that she has taught me in her mere 11 months of life

What have you learned lately? (or what have you failed at and are attempting to learn from?).

Here's to personal growth and lifelong learning!

Steph Langdon, RD

www.nutrishus.com

hiah chat - Michyla Kielo

Bio of Michyla Kielo: I am a Registered Massage Therapist, and teach infant massage classes to new parents.  I am also a farm wife and full time Mom to Alyssa (7), Evan (5) and Riley (5). My husband Brett and I operate a grain and beef farm which is still growing and keeps us very busy! I also run 10K’s and half marathons, ride horses and barrel race.

Blog: www.runmommyrun3.wordpress.com

Twitter: @RunMommyRun3

Website: www.kielomassagetherapy.com

1. What does healthy mean to you?

To me, healthy means balance. Eating well, being active, and making time to do the things that make you happy are all important to me. I think it’s very easy for moms especially to put themselves last, but we need to have something in our lives for ourselves too. 

2. Do you feel you live a healthy life? How? (Or what would you change?)

I do feel I live a healthy life. We try to eat healthy, though there are days when I admit that doesn’t happen! One of the great things about being on a farm is that our children can play outside and ride their bikes all day, and it makes me happy to see them enjoy being active. 

3. What is a healthy meal you often eat?

I love stir fry. If some vegetables get forgotten in the back of the fridge it’s a great way to use them up. My kids aren’t fans though, so I save them some raw veggies and take their chicken out of the mix before I put the sauce on. We eat a lot of apples and bananas for snacks and have a large garden in the summer which is very helpful when I’m cooking for 9-10 people during harvest time on the farm!

4. How do you stay healthy when life gets hectic?

I pack my kids’ school lunches the night before so I’m not as rushed in the mornings. When we go to the city for errands and groceries I pack snacks and water bottles for everyone, and often pack lunches as well. I’d rather take a half hour break for them to eat a picnic and run around a park than go to a drive thru. When we travel to horse events we always pack our own food as well, so the kids know they can just go get snacks out of the cooler instead of asking for money to buy the unhealthy concession options.

5. What is one of your challenges or struggles when it comes to leading a healthy life?

We live 45 minutes away from the nearest grocery store, so I only go to the city and get groceries once per week. With five people in the house I find it challenging to be able to get enough fresh produce to last a week. This results in me buying larger quantities, but then we struggle to eat it before it goes bad! Either way, it just doesn’t seem to last a week and by days six and seven I’m  struggling to find healthy options for school lunches and snacks.  I’m also bad for not getting enough sleep!

6. Are you currently working towards a goal?

My current goal is to run a personal best time at the Saskatchewan Marathon on May 31 in Saskatoon. My current PB is 1:56:26, set at this race in 2013. I am confident I will be able to take a couple minutes off. 

7. What motivates you to be healthy?

I’ve always been active, but only in the past eight years or so have I worried much about eating healthy. I feel much better now and have more energy than I did in my twenties. Seeing  my kids making healthy food choices is a good motivator too.

8. What is a treat or indulgence that you enjoy?

Cookies.  I love cookies. And wine! 

9. Any inspiring words or comments that you’d like to share with our readers?

I stuck a sign on my treadmill this winter that says “just when you are about to give up is when a breakthrough is about to happen.” This got me through a lot of boring runs this winter when it was too cold or dark to go outside.

Good luck on the 31st Michyla!