The NEW Candid RD

The Candid RD is back!  After a brief blogging hiatus my mind is refreshed and my blogger "pallet" is clean.  I'm ready for a new start.  Are you ready to join me?!

I did something very important while I was gone.  I married the man of my dreams.

We were married on the beach in Bald Head Island, North Carolina

O-H-I-O
Yes, we are HUGE Ohio State Buckeye Fans!

With wedding planning no longer taking up all of my time, I'm ready to get back into the world of blogging, but I'm starting with a (somewhat) new format. 

My focus with this blog has always been to make nutrition simple, understandable, and unambiguous.  The article abstract below, which can only be read in full by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics members, reiterates the fact that dietitians have an important responsibility to assist in clearing up the false food/nutrition/health information that is so easy to get a hold of in today's crazy world.

 Source: www.EatRight.org (The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)

There is inaccurate information about nutrition, food, and health everywhere, and dietitians are constantly looking for ways to convince people that not everything they hear is true (even if their doctor, or Dr. Oz says it is).  I do not believe that I know everything about nutrition, but my goal still remains the same; I will strive each and every day to clear up the confusion that surrounds the topic of nutrition and health,  and to make a healthy diet and lifestyle more achievable for anyone who is interested (hopefully, you!).



The following is my plan for this blog; 

MONDAYS

Motivational Monday: Mondays are the start of the week, so why not start off on the right foot?! I'll provide motivational quotes, the latest research that may motivate you to start making a healthy change, and helpful tips on how to get into the "healthy eating groove" and/or how to get up and get moving!

Source: iStockPhoto

Or

Meatless Monday:  I'm a huge fan of meat, I'll admit it, but I also love knowing that there are so many great recipes out there with zero meat/poultry/fish, but which still contain plenty of filling protein.  Some of my favorite meatless meal components are tempeh, beans, and portobella mushrooms.  I'll share some of my favorite recipes with you, so you can see for yourself!

This is a Tempeh Salad Sandwich.  See my vegetarian recipes on the sidebar of this blog!

TUESDAYS

Confused Day Tuesday:  The public hears conflicting messages about food, nutrition, and health each and every day.  One day fructose is fine, the next it makes us fat. One day low-fat is the way to go, the next day it's low-carb.  One day margarine is better than butter, the next day we're told to throw out all of our margarine.  One day vitamin E supplements promote brain function, the next day it promotes heart attacks.  What should we believe?!  My Tuesday posts will be focused on clearing up those nutrition and food-related topics that cause so much confusion (and most of the time they will be topics about which even dietitians can be confused!).

So much information.....what should we believe?!

WEDNESDAYS

Whatever Wednesday:  On Wednesday I will post ... whatever I feel like posting! It may be a new favorite recipe (I like quick and easy recipes) or a blurb about a recent nutrition-related article.  Who knows!?

THURSDAYS

Thrifty Thursday: When it comes to educating people on how to eat healthier, and live healthier lifestyles, I like to focus on doing so in a realistic and frugal manor.  I'm not cheap, but I did grow up with an accountant father who taught me how to spend my money wisely, and a mother who taught me that no food should ever be wasted, and that I should look for deals wherever I can!  Thursdays will focus on how I eat healthy on a budget, and how you can too.

Money is certainly not everything, but if you can find ways to live healthy without spending all of your money on food, why not do it?!

FRIDAYS

FAQ Friday!:  I've been asked so many nutrition and food-related questions via Twitter (@CandidRD),  Facebook  (The Candid RD), e-mail,  MyFitnessPal , and Instagram (TheCandidRD) and obviously, in person. On Fridays I want to share the questions and my answers with YOU!


 Please feel free to e-mail me your questions and I can add them to my weekly postings.

Question: What can I do about my picky eater?!

Question: What do I eat if I have IBS? Do you have recipes for the Low Fodmap Diet?!

Question:  I used MyFitness Pal.  Should I really eat those extra calories I burn during my workout?

These posts will also include information about the Low FODMAPs diet (FODMAPs Friday!), which is a diet for those with IBS. I've been following a low FODMAPs diet for several years now, and it's changed my life (for the better).  My recipes are often not 100% FODMAPs-free (that's difficult, especially when you live in an Italian household!), but I do provide modifications for you to make them at least lower in FODMAPs, which is often all you need to feel better!

SATURDAYS

Saturday Sabotage:  Have you noticed that even your local hardware store now sells candy bars?  Have you noticed that it's almost impossible to go out for dinner or go to a dinner party without consuming more than 1000 calories?  On Saturdays I'll provide examples of how our environment (and...ahem...weekends!!) can sabotage your health and wellness goals, and how to avoid the sabotage.

Saturday Swap:  On some Saturdays I will post recipes that you can swap for your favorite weekend treat.  An example might be a new healthier dip for your chips, or a healthier holiday dessert for your weekend holiday party.  This is just another way to help you dodge the sabotage!

NOTE:  I'm not planning on posting every Saturday, but when I have something to post, I will.

Our environment makes it very difficult to stick to our goals! (Photo source: iStockPhotos) 

I will not be posting every day, as I have a full time job, and....a husband :)  But, I am going to try to post at least 4 times a week and I look forward to being your source for accurate and understandable nutrition information.

Thanks for reading!

The Candid Rd

NOTE: I love comments!  But, be sure to come back to read any replies to questions or comments, as they do not go directly to your e-mail.

Wedding Recap, Wedding Tips Needed, and The X Factor

Nick and I just got back from my cousin's wedding. We always have such a good time when we get to leave Columbus for a while, even if just for a day.

I gave the camera to my mom to take a picture of us before we left the hotel, but she seems to have trouble with cameras that are six years old...



I'm no fasionista, but I do know that animal prints are "in", so I thought I'd show off my tight snake skin skirt on my blog. It was a score at Kohl's. The shirt is from White House Black Market. The wedding was pretty casual so I thought this outfit worked out well. It was perfect for dancing.....

We will not be playing the Electric Slide at our wedding, but I'm always down for it at other people's wedding (I guess).

If you read my blog regularly, you know I'm obsessed with wedding cake. I was slightly sad to see that the wedding "cake" was cupcakes, however, these were AMAZING. They were moist and the butter cream frosting was some of the best I've ever had. It had that very defined almond extract taste, which I love. Two things I will not having at my wedding; fondant and cupcakes (I'm a cake snob, what can I say?!).


I haven't talked about my own wedding plans on the blog yet, but today I'm going to give a little insight. Basically Nick and I are doing a destination wedding sometime in Fall of next year (I don't want to give the date on my blog because of those weirdos who read blogs for information like this!). We are going to Bald Head Island, North Carolina and I couldn't be more excited. So far I have;

• Bought my dress
• Chosen my bridesmaids
• Picked a florist
• Picked a photographer
• Picked an officiant on the island
• Chosen the caterer
• Chosen the location of the ceremony and reception
• Created a list of the people we are inviting
• Created the invitations
  

Still left to do is;

• Send the invites
• Register for gifts (FUN!)
• Pick out bridesmaid dresses
  
• Create the programs
• Write the vows
• Create centerpieces

This is where I need your help! Do you have any tips for writing vows? Do you have any ideas for beach wedding centerpieces? I love the simple idea that they used at last night's wedding (below). I want to choose something that can be made by my crafty aunts, or that really doesn't cost a whole lot.

Last but not least, have you been watching The X Factor?. I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of the show, however, one of the final contestants, Josh Krajcik, used to work at the burrito shop that Nick manages!! Yep, Nick comes home every day with a new story of a newspaper or TMZ having called the store and interviewed him, or come in with cameras to tape "Josh's previous place of employment". It's AWESOME! And, if you haven't heard Josh sing, you're missing out. Check out his first audition video here (it's the third one to the right). And of course, VOTE FOR JOSH!!!!


QUESTION: What are your tips for writing wedding vows? Any ideas for beach/fall themed centerpieces?