Diary of a Nutritionist

Happy New Year!

Happy 2011!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!

Over the past few months, my life has changed drastically. I have A LOT going on. A LOT of good stuff. A lot of traveling, studying, work, learning… future planning.

It is always fun to see life unfold, sometimes very unexpectedly. I have always believed in the phrase “everything happens for a reason.” However, the real treat is being able to take a step back and see that rhyme and reason. I wish we were able to write letters to our younger selves. Heck– there is a lot I would tell that little girl.  I could have helped her tremendously. One of those things, of course, would be what nutrition actually means. I cannot stress enough how much nutrition changed my life (and not just externally). If only I had known what I know now, I would have saved many tears, time, and money. But of course, everything does happen for a reason, and I am very happy to be sitting where I am today. That being said, it is also the reason that I am so passionately determined to educate those around me, especially the young, so that they may skip a few steps in the learning process. I am not looking for perfection… but I educate out of love (and because selfishly, I want those that I love, to live long and healthy lives).

That being said, I need to hear from ya’ll. 2011 is a going to be a big year for me. What would you like to hear about on Diary of a Nutritionist?

What topics?

Recipes? Raw? Vegan? Cooked? Non-Vegan?

What about me?

Every post has always been inspired by my readers, in addition to those around me. I tend not to talk about what I eat often because frankly, it can be rather boring. That being said, I have a few new roles in my life…  Big roles… which has meant that I am no longer just feeding myself, nor are all the meals I have been making vegan (though yes, I remain vegan).

So you tell me… What do you want this blog to mean to you?

~ – ~

This week starts Week 4 (of 8 ) of training. It is my last week in Dallas before February.  In the midst of it all, I will be on the lookout for your guidance.

Until then, I leave you with this new salad recipe.  The avocado– blissful and buttery, the chopped dates– like a sweet and chewy candy… the mango adds unexpectedly sweet, and tangy character, while the onion is pungent, the basil– fresh, and the asparagus, just barely bitter enough to make each bite uncharacteristically unique.

This is truly a salad to share with guests… especially those that think salads are boring. ha!

A Tropical Winter Salad

Serves 1 (just double the ingredients, etc. to make the right amount)

• 2 Cups Mixed Greens (and/or spinach)
• 2 asparagus spears, peeled with a carrot peeler
• 1/8 cup zucchini, peeled with a carrot peeler (stop peeling when reach the seeds)
• 1 medjool date, pitted, and roughly chopped
• 2 pieces dried mango, roughly chopped
• 1/2 small avocado
• 1/8 cup, red onion, very thinly sliced
• 4 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• fresh ground pepper, to taste

I drizzled 1/2 tsp of basil infused olive oil over this salad.  Because the avocado is so rich, this salad does not require a lot of added fat, or oil.

This year I am going to make a conscious effort to eat more greens, and eat a grander assortment of veggies. I tend to eat my favorite foods (ahem, coconuts) often. I want to explore seasonal vegetables, and explore new flavors.

Right now I am loving dates.  What foods are you loving right now?

New Years Resolutions?

What are your thoughts on this salad?

Thanks all!! <3

-L