The Road to R.D.

Over the years, The Brick House has been a place to share encouragement, tips, and how-tos, therefore, it only seems fitting to give a little info about my adventure into Dietetics that is only just beginning. As I was researching the field, I read many student blogs that were extremely insightful, so if you are considering a career in nutrition/dietetics, this may serve as a launch pad for you!

Let me give you a little background. My husband and I married shortly after I graduated from high school with honors in business and within our first year of marriage, my oldest son was born. I entered college, initially interested in computers, but then switched my focus to business. After a year, we relocated to Central Florida and soon baby #2 and baby #3 came along. I knew early on that I would homeschool them, so my days were filled with teaching them how to learn (I’d rather not fill their bucket, but rather, teach them to learn… but that is another blog post altogether). After 10 years of marriage, my husband and I began an installation business that is now in its 10^th year. In effort to assist him to the best of my ability, I took several classes through Daytona State Center for Business and Industry and Daytona State College Small Business Development Center. These resources were invaluable to the establishment of the business. A family based business offered several opportunities for our family. Aside from an income source, each of my children have been able to help their dad prepare for projects, learn a trade and be exposed to the entrepreneurial lifestyle (both good and bad). 

When the economy threatened to squeeze the life out of our business, I reenrolled in college. My oldest son began dual enrollment as a high school/homeschooler, my daughter was a freshman and my youngest was in 7^th grade, all homeschooling through Florida Virtual School. This offered some flexibility for me to study, work part time all the while trying not to lose my mind!

Initially, it seemed that the best thing for me to study was business management. During the second semester back, I took Biology (for non-science majors) with a professor who held a Bachelor’s in nutrition. He was assigned to teach this class in effort to convert non-science majors into science majors. It worked. While I always enjoyed reading about nutrition on a casual, need-to-know basis, I soon realized that I absolutely LOVED learning about the impact of nutrition on health. By this point I had begun cleaning up my diet and getting active, resulting in about 40+ lbs of weight loss. 

I quickly began researching the nutrition profession. Soon I discovered that the credentials for being able to work in the area of nutrition took dedication as well as commitment to a competitive education path. Quoting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, “All registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. This is a distinction that can matter a great deal to people’s health.” The time investment of education would only be well spent in a program that would allow me to serve the public as a qualified professional.  So I was on the hunt for an accredited program that would meet all of the needs of our family.

The Academy’s website offers links to the accredited programs throughout the country and explains the different programs. One option is to enroll in a Didactic Program (Bachelor or Master’s) plus internship. The other option is a Coordinated program that allows students to complete the didactic studies and complete supervised practice hours within their Bachelor or Master’s program. There were several blogs that I read in which students who had completed the Didactic program were having an extremely difficult time being placed in an internship. Only about 50% of the applicants get placed. This seemed like a very scary position, because without the internship time, the students were unable to take the Registered Dietitian’s exam. I called into the Academy and discussed the options with an advisor, and based on where we live, there were no local programs of either kind available. They suggested that I look for distance programs, and specifically recommended Eastern Michigan University Distance Coordinated Program in Dietetics. There were some huge advantages to this program.

·         I could stay in my area and do my coursework online

·         The science pre-requisites could be taken locally and transferred in (upon approval)

·         Because it is a fully online program, out of state tuition cost do not apply

·         It allowed me to become familiar with local dietitians while I secured preceptors for the program

In a traditional internship program, the field time is already prearranged by the internship program director. This very unique program allows the student to make contact with potential preceptors and establish supervised work hour rotations. I will come back to this in a bit.

The science of food...

So, with all of this information in hand, it seemed that I had a long road of science prerequisites to fulfill, and it seemed very daunting. So many of my classmates were already on a science tract, and I’m over here with a handful of business experience. Folks, my prayer life greatly increased as I worked my way through chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy & physiology, microbiology and biochemistry. My friends heard me cry and whine all the way through.

During the summer of 2013, I attended Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Symposium. It was so enriching. The information sessions were dynamic and I felt right at home. During a meet and greet session, a dietitian from my county gave me the number of someone in our area who was developing a local dietitian’s chapter. That put the ball in play with regard to securing preceptors for the program. She will never know how valuable that 10 minute conversation was to me.

In January of 2014, just 18 months after I set out to complete the prerequisites, I was sending in my application, which was a 3 ring binder full of requirements. At 37 years old, I was actually applying to my very first program of study, with a pocket full of life experience. The program has just 20 slots available each fall, and 82 students applied.  I was slightly nervous, but God opened so many doors up to this point, that I had a peace in the fact that I only wanted to do what HE wanted me to do, and if this was it, I would earn a spot. To be entirely honest, I am supremely humbled that He has opened so many very specific opportunities for me. It has been the sort of journey that I literally felt as if He walked every step with me, grabbed ahold of each and every door that we encountered and held it opened as I walked through... My most important task? Well, of course, it was to be WILLING to walk through the door. That required getting out of my comfort zone, breaking out of the mental box that I had myself in, and believing that He can do all things in me when I am willing to calm myself into His presence. 

Mid-March, my son trotted in with the mail and I mindlessly begin opening the letters. I look down to read the details of the letter in my hand and see that I had been accepted into the program! There was a mighty shout in the house that day!

So here I am, in May 2014, just a couple of months before I begin the program in late August, anxiously awaiting the experience of the next 2 years. While I feel like I have learned so much just in the preparation, I have not even begun yet.

Why did I choose nutrition/dietetics? Let me count the reasons:

·         I love food

·         I love nutrition

·         I love people

·         I love helping people

·         I love being a positive part of peoples’ growth and recovery

·         I love that God has created us in such a magnificent way, and that He has created food sources for us to specifically meet EVERY SINGLE nutritional need that we have.

In closing, while I am not YET an expert in the area of nutrition, I hope to share some things along the way that may spark a desire for others to take ahold of the great benefits that come from placing a priority on eating well.

Xoxo,

Tasha

Yummy Inside-Out Eggrolls

Sometimes I want a taste of Chinese food, without the guilt! The truth of it is, most original Oriental food is vegetable based, however when American-ized, we turn it into some deep-fried concoction.

This super fast concoction can serve as a side dish, or a main dish, depending on what you add. I will give you the framework for it, and you can do the rest...

If you are short on time, you can begin with a package of shredded cole slaw mix found in the salad area of the produce section, but honestly, you can make way more if you buy a head of cabbage.










1/2 half of a head of cabbage
3 medium-large carrots
1 onion (I used purple, but you can use a yellow onion)
2 stalks of celery
1 crown of broccoli
Soy Sauce or Bragg Liquid Aminos,a much better alternative)
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Sea Salt
Extra virgin olive oil
(optional) 2 eggs
(optional) shrimp, chicken, pork
(optional) water chestnuts
(optional) bean sprouts

Prep:
Using a julienne tool like Trademark Titan Peeler Plus Julienne Tool and Slicing Board,shred the cabbage.



One of my favorite kitchen tools is this julienne tool (and it the peeler is the sharpest thing I've ever seen).
It is easy to use and so versatile. It makes beautiful carrot strips for stir fry and can be used to make zucchini noodles. Use this to julienne the carrots.



Finely chop the celery, onion and broccoli with a knife, chopper, or throw it in the Ninjafood processor for quick work!

On a Electric Griddle orGrill/Griddle,turn the heat to medium. Place the red pepper flakes in the pan and begin to toast. Add 1 tsp of EVOO and add enough of  the vegetable mixture to the pan to cover the surface without  piling it too deep. You want to sauté the mixture, but not steam it. If you add too much, you may not get the yummy carmelization that tastes so good.

As the mixture becomes slightly translucent, you may decide if you want to add the egg or seafood/meat additions. The meat should be cooked about 90% before added to the veg mixture, because you do not want to overcook the veggies. During the last 3 or so minutes of cooking, add the soy sauce and sea salt to taste. Depending on how much vegetable mixture you have, you can determine the amount needed.

You can add brown rice to this dish and make it a complete meal containing plenty of vegetables, protein and whole grains!

*This post contains affiliate links. These products are items that I enjoy and recommend!

Clean Eating "Bite You Back" Black Bean and Brown Rice Soup

Market days always give me inspiration to get in the kitchen. There is something about gathering fresh ingredients that makes me feel like I am doing my best to nourish my family. I think about the verses in Proverbs 31:14-15 which say,

"She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants."

 

My children may argue that they are the servants :-).  Though most of the items at the market are not from far off, it does take some effort to go out of the way each week, but it is well worth it.

 

While I love to cook, I don't like to be pinned down to an exact recipe, simply because I like to work with what is on hand. If you do not have these exact ingredients, don't fret, just allow this to give you a little inspiration and make your tummy rumble...

 

This is where I began:

 

12 oz. pk. of dried Black Beans (soak overnight) ~ or begin with 3 16oz cans of black beans, rinsed

1 can of Rotel tomatoes

1 cup of brown rice

4 carrots

2 celery ribs

1 onion

1 red pepper

5 garlic cloves
1 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil

4 green onions

1 tsp. coarse sea salt

2 shakes of black pepper

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

2/3 tsp. cumin
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1/4 cup fresh oregano or 1 tsp. dried

You will add water to this recipe as you go along

 

 

If you have never used dried beans before, know that black beans are one of the more hard beans when they are dried. They need to be soaked overnight. In the morning, drain and rinse them thoroughly. Then put them in a stock pot with enough water to cover them about 2 inches deep in the pot. Place a lid on it, bring it to a boil, and then allow it to simmer for at least 1 1/2 hours. This can also be done in a crock pot, beginning on high until it is boiling, and then reduce to low for at least 2 hours.

 

*** Know that this recipe will work easily with 3 16oz cans of black beans, drained and rinsed. The dried beans are more economical, and have no added sodium, but feel free to do what works for you.

 

 

 

 

This recipe does not use premade vegetable stock, so we are going to make some of our own. Begin by chopping the onions, carrots, celery and red pepper.

 

 

In a skillet, or shallow sauce pan, place the cumin, crushed red pepper, tomato paste, olive oil, and use a garlic press for the garlic cloves. Turn the heat to just under medium. As the pan warms, you will begin to smell the cumin. Stir the cumin and the red pepper around to completely toast (it only takes about 30 seconds once the pan is warm. Begin to stir all of the ingredients together. The tomato paste will become more rich in flavor with the heat and the garlic will soften. Work this around for just 1 minute and incorporate 1/2 cup water. This is the base for which you will sauté the vegetables in. Go ahead and add the chopped veggies and turn the heat up slightly above medium. Allow this to cook for about 5 minutes or more. If it becomes too thick, add water by 1/2 cup increments just so that the mixture looks about like this:

 

It doesn't look like much, but I could eat these by themselves. They are so full of flavor! Check for tenderness. You should be able to easily bite into the carrots.

Now we are going to do the "hidden veggie" thing...

 

 

Do you have a Ninja? This is my kitchen workhorse! I use it to make smoothies, puree veggies for soup, or to hide ingredients that unsuspecting eyes may pick out if it were staring at them in the face.

 

I really like this particular model because in addition to the 72oz pitcher, it has the single serve blenders work well for making on-the-go smoothies, as well as the processer bowl and blade set, which is perfect for making salsa in! The instructions say that the processor bowl can be used to make dough as well (can you say pizza night?)

Ok, where was I? Right, first put the fresh oregano in (if you have dried, you may add it directly to the pot of beans). Pour the sautéed vegetables into the Ninja and puree until there are no visible chunks.

 

 



Before you add the veggies, go ahead and add the Rotel tomatoes and the sea salt. If you have begun with canned beans, you may want to scale back on the salt, as there will be some in the beans already.
Add the veggies and as much water as you need to make the soup stir easily and to your desired thickness. Simmer on medium low.

Now on to the brown rice...

 

Brown rice is becoming a regular household item, but I find some folks are still having difficulty cooking it. I have been using this Martha Stewart method for the last few years and it comes out great. The key is to leave the lid on (no peaking!) and just allow it to do it's thing. While your black bean soup is simmering, go ahead and cook up 1 cup (dry) brown rice, and when it is done, the soup should be perfect as well.

 

 

This is what you should have when it is all done... yummy goodness..

I added the rice directly into the soup and turned the heat off.

You may choose to keep your brown rice separate.

 

 





 

You can chop the green onions, adding the white/core section of the onions directly to the soup and using the green tops to garnish.

 I added a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt to compliment the spicy heat and to add some protein to this flavorful rendition of Black Bean Soup. The crushed red pepper steps things up a notch and makes this a festive bowl-full.

 

Beans and brown rice are both great sources of fiber and when they are combined, they give you a great complimentary source of protein. Eating whole foods is the way to go!

 

 "I love you once, I love you twice, I love you more than beans and rice"

 

Recipe By Tasha Brickhouse