Happy National Registered Dietitian Day!
It’s also National Nutrition Month® ! The theme of NNM is "Nutrition From The Ground Up." I love this theme because it can be interpreted in so many ways!!
To me, "Nutrition From The Ground Up" most appropriately means that a healthy diet is based on plants – real foods that come out of the ground. Real food as our recent ancestors would have recognized it. Fruits + veggies of all colors. Nuts, legumes and seeds. Breads and grains. If your diet based around plants, fill the rest with whatever you want to complement your nutritional gaps. Ethically raised meats and dairy foods, of course, provide more nutrient density than desserts or alcohol might, so they would be preferred, but the choice is up to you! I try to base my meals around plants and complement with animals products – rather than starting with the animals and pairing with food from the ground 
It’s not what we don’t eat but what we do eat that matters.
So in honor of RD Day, I’m going to a late breakfast this morning put on by the hospital to honor the RDs! And tomorrow I’m attending the Charlotte Dietetic Associations Professional Day for RDs. Fun times.
I went to the gym a bit unwillingly this morning. I just didn’t know what kind of exercise I wanted to do! It was one of those days where if I’d had an elliptical in my house I would have been excited to hop on, but it was the drive to the gym I didn’t want to face. I went, though, and did 26 minutes on the Stairmaster followed by 15 on the Squirrelliptical. And then some stretching. I’m sore from my weights yesterday! And Emily and I have a big plans for tomorrow.
I came home and poured myself a cold one!
There’s no way I could have waited until 9 or 10 to eat after my workout, so I’m splitting the difference and having a smoothie now and a breakfast snack when I get there.
Smoothie Contents
- 1/2 banana
- 1/4 an avocado (first time I’ve done this! I couldn’t taste it but I do think the texture might have been thicker?)
- 1 big handful spinach
- 1 cup vanilla soy milk
- Greens packet (below)
- Handful ice
Vita-Mix away!
Topped with some Galaxy Granola – plus another layer when I got halfway down. The smoothie filled my mug to the brim!
I added this packet I got at the Summit last year. It was very similar to Amazing Grass. Not sure I’d buy these grass packets with my own dollar, but they are fun to add when you have them on hand.
Karen brought back this mug from New Zealand!! I bet it thought I was about to pour beer in it. Muaahahha.
I’m wearing my Lands End green loafers and a green sweater! Celebrate the greens!
I’ll try to iPhone post my breakfast snack this morning and will probably have a very late lunch. And then Matt and I have a date after work!
Eat well today!
Gabriela says
This sounds strange, but I’m obessed with the color of your smoothie! It’s such a gorgeous green! I had a pair of those loafers in pink a few years ago, but I wore them so much they got absolutely trashed. They’re so comfy, though! Have a great day 🙂
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
lol– save some for St. Patrick’s Day, Kath!! 🙂
Are you going to watch Jamie Oliver’s new show about changing the lunch system in schools? I think it looks interesting!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
HAPPY REGISTERED DIETICIAN’S DAY!! I love how there is a day for everybody now 🙂
I love the from the ground up thing – I try and base my meals around simple, real food too – it makes me feel good inside and out 🙂
Love the breakfast smoothie – I just had one of them, post my first SIXTEEN MILE RUN!! Good times 🙂
Have a great 2nd breakfast!
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans says
Love love LOVE the green loafers! I’ve been on the lookout for the perfect pink pair recently…
Simply Life says
ooh great looking breakfast!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I love avocado in smoothies! At Trader Joe’s you can get frozen avocado halves, which make it even better! Thick and icy.
Daniel says
I’ve tried avocado in my smoothie and couldn’t really find a difference either. Maybe we could try freezing them?
Anyways, happy RD day, hope your breakfast is great! 🙂
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
You’re so green today; gearing up for St. Patty’s day?
ellen eats beets says
love the green theme!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
so cute! i LOVE those shoes…note to self, check out Land’s End later…and your smoothie sounds yummy! my sister made me one with avocado in it once, and it was so creamy and good! hope you have a great day and a wonderful date with the husband 🙂
The Paris Food Blog says
your shoes look like spinach!!!
a bientot
the paris food blague
Laura says
Happy RD Day! And thanks for posting about it exactly 8 minutes before I ran off to an appointment with my RD! Now I can REALLY suck up! 😀 😀
Paige(Running Around Normal) says
Oh my gosh, I was the same way this morning with my workout!! I got up at 4:45, then went back down for 5 minutes, started the coffee, then decided again to skip the workout. I hadn’t slept well and could have used the sleep, but then I just lay there frustrated. Ended up going, and doing a 3 mile run and weights LOL. So indecisive with such little sleep. Glad you were able to go in and get yours outta the way, too 🙂
Carolyn @ lovinlosing says
I need to find something green to wear for my Shamrock 8K next weekend!
Christie @ Honoring Health says
Happy RD day 😀
That smoothie is a gorgeous color! How do you like avocado in smoothies?
Kaite@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle says
I love adding avocado, I think it definitely ups the thickness! Happy RD day to you, have a fun breakfast 😀
rustique says
Mmmm. Does avocado really ever not belong?
Ally says
That smoothie looks amazing! Happy RD day!!
Kath, or anyone…I have horrible willpower. Especially at work, I do pretty good at home resisting things and not snacking after dinner but during the day different story.
And one of my coworkers is really a problem for me.
She is very nice but she is always selling candy bars, trail mixes – she has a box of them constantly for sale in the office – organizing baked good cook-offs, pies, breads, cookies, chili cook offs, and at least once a month birthday lunches. I try and make excuses not to participate but even if I don’t it seems as though there is always leftovers and I am always given them. I initially try and refuse but inevitably I give in and eat stuff like this. And since I have set a precedent of eating the bad stuff, they don’t understand that I’m trying to be healthier and not. I know the real problem is still ME not being able to say NO but is there something I can say to her in the meantime so she will politely not hound me if I initially do refuse? I feel like just saying no is rude. If I say I’m watching my weight or trying to be healthy I always get the you’re thin and you run, you can eat whatever you want response.
Rachel says
I think it is perfectly okay to just say no – you don’t owe anyone an explanation. If you do want to explain, I would focus on your commitment to eat healthier and fuel your body with essential nutrients instead of focusing on weight. I would respond to the “but you’re thin and you run” with the explanation that you really like how you feel when you chose better eats. Also, keep a stash of healthy snacks in your desk/office fridge/purse. When you have a temptation, whip out one of your snacks – it provides a built in excuse too. “No thanks, I already have something.” Hope this helps. Good luck – that is always a tough situation.
Nutritious Foodie says
Work temptations are really hard… I have co-workers who leave me a slice of cake or donut on my desk when I am away from it.. and I take it to the kitchen and throw it in the trash… and I can’t stand it when they say “oh you workout and your skinny you can eat anything”. Like Rachel said just tell them “No Thank you” You don’t need to explain to them why you are not participating in a cook-off or buying candies. Around girl scout cookie Sale time I put a sign outside of my office that says “I am not intrested in purchasing any cookies but will be more than happy to make a donation”…
Steph- Exercise Physiologist & Artist! says
IKnow how you feel. I have lost a total of 60lbs but over about a 6 yr period so I have suffered though every weight loss issue known to man!!
As you can see in my “name” I am an exercise physiologist now and I work with clients from all over the world regarding health, wellness, in all aspects (mental emotional spiritual physical)
#1 you DO NOT have horrible will power. The vast majority of people suffer with the same problems.
#2 you CAN be around these items and NOT eat them! Everyone has issues with this regarding certain foods. The more you fear these moments the more power you give to food. Food alone has no power it is what you think about the food that has power. Also sometimes people feel bad about themselves when others “pass” & they don’t. These people may sabotage you so they don’t feel as bad for saying yes. Most of the time people don’t realize they are doing this so don’t get mad just use this knowledge to help you say no when you are tempted to say yes.
#3 and the purpose of my blog is that once I stopped focusing on food, weight, restricting, over/under exercising, eating, and all the other physical things I was able to be around all tempting foods(most of the time!) and not eat it!!! It sounds crazy but it’s true!
This has gotten super long!! This is my passion so if you want any more info please feel free to contact me. I am here b/c I want to help others get healthy and happy!
stephanie says
Ally- I think many of us have faced this dilemma a time or two! I’ve slowly made some significant changes to my diet over the last year and was very “quiet” about it; I didn’t want to get into an ethical, physiological, debate over MY choices. At first if we went to dinner or a potluck type of thing, I gave in because I didn’t want anyone to feel offended that I didn’t eat their food or appear I was being picky. But I got over that quickly once I realized how BAD (physically and mentally) I felt after appeasing everyone else’s style of eating. Now I just politely decline and if the issue is forced, I’ll say something like “I’ve learned that my body just doesn’t feel so great if I eat that, so I really have to pass”. And I always have to remember, some people really just don’t know or understand nutrition and physiology; it’s never wrong to help educate in a polite, unforced manner.
Kath says
Ally,
Looks like you got some good advice. I’d agree that saying “no thanks” with a nice smile is all you should need to do. If you need more, say something about nutrient density being very important to you for all the phytochemicals for chronic disease prevention or something other than weight maintenance 🙂
Marisa (Loser for Life) says
Happy RD day to you!
Seth @ Boy Meets Food says
Wow, I had no idea there was an RD Day. I will have to send my Mom an email to wish her a happy one!
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle says
Happy RD Day! I bet that mug didn’t know it had another thing commin’…..A SMOOTHIE haha
jaclyn@todays lady says
Happy RD day!! You definitely fooled that beer mug, I don’t think he would’ve ever thought that you’d pour a greed monster in him! I love your shoes, they are so cute!!!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I have that exact Greens+ packet on my counter waiting to be used! I had an Amazing Grass and that one leftover from HLS 🙂 I also have a couple avocados ready to be consumed but I’m not sure I will put them in a smoothie if you said you couldn’t taste it. I love the taste of avocados so I think i’d rather eat it in whole form. Thanks for letting us know though.
Sophie says
Love the avocado combo! I’m definitely going to have to try that because I’m into the thicker green smoothies.
Danielle (Coffee Run) says
Happy RD day 😀
I’m excited for national nutrition month! The undergrads put on a bunch of programs and stuff
Cute shoes!
Joanne says
Really appreciate your interpretation of “Nutrition From The Ground Up” and how perfect is this statement:.”It’s not what we don’t eat but what we do eat that matters.” Words to live healthy by.
All that green. I think you might be getting into the St.Patty’s day mood. Love the mug and it looks so good in green 🙂
Jenn @ Livewellfit says
Eat well today is right! Ever since reading In Defense of Food, I will forever remember the simple phrase of eat food, not too much, mostly PLANTS! 🙂 It was such a simple idea but such a huge impact. Ever since incorporating more greens greens and more greens into my life, my body has just come alive! It’s been incredible!
Enjoy a lovely breakfast!
Kathleen says
I have a spinach smoothie almost 5 times a week! Yours looks yummy! I have been reading that alot of people are adding the avocado. I think that is my next thing to add. “Nutrition From The Ground Up” I have been slowly adopting this way of thinking and eating. Being in my 40’s I wish I would have done this at your age, but it is never too late, and I intend on living a long, long life because of my changed way of thinking!Happy RD!
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Have a great day. The love the national nutrition slogan.
skinnyrunner says
love your smoothie/beer mug! and the “eat well today”. simple and well put.
Ashley says
I love putting avocado in the GM’s!! Definitely helps thicken it up and make it a little creamier. So good!! I need some larger drinking glasses because the 16oz pint glasses just aren’t big enough for my GM’s…look like I need to go to Crate + Barrel 😉 [fyi- they have new spring colors of the mini spoons!!!!]
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
Love the color of the smoothie! Avocados are one of my favorite additions to smoothies that I really want to eat with a spoon. Adding chia seeds makes it downright pudding-like!
Lauren says
I think that’s the prettiest green smoothie I’ve ever seen. And happy RD day; I just texted my friend who is working on her dietetics degree. She didn’t know!
Allison K says
I loved this line “it’s not what we don’t eat, but what we do eat that matters”
So TRUE!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I love the smoothie cup! That looks great! I can totally celebrate this one. I will see how much green I can consume today! Totally my kind of celebration!
Kati @ Living Well says
That IS a great nutrition theme! And I agree with your take on it…start with plants and naturally grown foods. Then, do whatever works for you! Dairy, No Dairy, Vegetarian, Flexitarian, whatever! Love those green shoes- look very comfy :>
darryn (brio.gusto) says
AMAZING colour! My favourite!
Run Sarah says
Happy RD day! That smoothie is the prettiest coloured drink I think I’ve ever seen!
Cole says
I love avocados in smoothies. Definitely adds thickness. And I love the “nutrition from the ground up” idea
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
I love avocado in my smoothies! Last time I made it with a frozen banana + avocado and it ended up tasting like mousse. 😀
Jenn
Marina says
Your smoothie looks so cool in that glass!
I love putting avocado in smoothies, it gets more creamy that way
Rachel says
Happy RD day! I love the quote “its not what you don’t eat but what you do eat that matters!” I need to post that on my fridge! I have heard that avocados make smoothies really thick and creamy. I will have to try it. Hope you have a great late breakfast this am.
Nutritious Foodie says
I love Avocado in my smoothie I usually put 1/2 of one… It definatly makes it creamy
Heather says
that smoothie looks really yummy! mine always look a gross green color!
Kate Austen says
I’m trying to do my part in honoring RD Day (as well as Nutrition Month) by eating healthy.
I have a question though, if you don’t mind. I want to start exercising in the a.m., say about 6:00am. I know I should have something to eat before I exercise/walk/jog. Would a bowl of oatmeal be to heavy? If that’s not a viable option, would a protein bar (maye a Lara or Cliff) bar be more suitable?
Please advise and thank you for your blog. KERF is one of the blogs that has re-wired my brain into healthy living!
Kate
Kath says
Kate,
You really don’t have to have anything before if you dont’ want. I’d eat something a little lighter than oatmeal if you’re going as early as 6AM. Maybe just a banana with PB or toast? I’d skip the bars and eat real food 🙂
Kate Austen says
Thanks for the advice!
Steph- Exercise Physiologist & Artist! says
Hi Kath!
I work with several RD’s and none of them have mentioned today being RD Day! thanks for letting us know. I am excited to be able to congratulate them for all they do on their day!
RD definitely have the ability to change people’s lives. I know we do every day by giving our clients, knowledge, tools, and credible information about eating and exercising for a healthy mind body and spirit. I am amazed daily by the changes with see in people’s lives when they get these areas of their lives in order 🙂
Happy soon to be RD day to you Kath!!
Kelly @ Local Foodie Fight says
Love the NZ mug! and happy RD day! that is so fun. I am going to imagine from the ground up meaning from farm to fork 🙂
Hannah says
Now that is a gorgeous shade of green! Who wouldn’t want to drink that, honestly?
Angie says
Yay for RD day!! Hope you have a great one!
Love the green. Spring is here! 🙂
kalli@fitandfortysomething says
love the “cold” one and green slippers-how cute!
Lauren @ Eater not a runner says
Love that your shoes and smoothie match 😉
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
I fully agree with your “eating from the ground up” philosophy. Not only do people function better when they consume whole foods that are plant-based, but the environment and agriculture industry does as well.
Your green monster looks great! Thick enough to eat with a spoon, which is exactly how I like them. I just enjoyed a green powder infused smoothie for lunch myself! Perhaps it’s the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day that’s gotten into us.
Jil says
Aww love the loafers! Too cute!!
Julie says
Yeah, power to the green! I’m wearing green socks and made a green balloon today 🙂
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
how fun! i love big beer mugs but i don’t drink beer…this looks like a great way to use my simpsons one sitting in the freezer….
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
What a cool theme title. As I’ve been buying less and less packaged/processed food and eat more real food I really love the idea that it all comes from the ground up.
Enjoy your events.
Jess says
I love this line: “It’s not what we don’t eat but what we do eat that matters.” So true!
Laura says
As someone who is currently reading your blog in Dunedin, not that far from the Speight’s brewery, it’s SO bizarre seeing that mug on my Reader, heh. I can, however, at least say that I’ve never said “Good on ya, mate” in my life. 😀
Kath says
Cool!!! So far away!
Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl says
That is a beautiful smoothie, Kath! I just absolutely adore the color!!! 😀