Available for Nutrition Counseling

Helping, coaching, or counseling people one on one on nutrition has been a passion of mine that has never died for the almost past twenty years. If anyone ever asks you, do you know of a registered dietitian who I can see to get nutrition counseling from, could you kindly direct them to my website? The website will contain information as to what services I offer and how to get in touch with me. Either you, your friend, acquaintance, or family member does not have to live in my state, because I would be more than happy to help you or them via Skype or on the phone...however, the individual does have to live in the U. S. of A. Thank you ahead of time!

My website can be found at www.jejerd.yolasite.com. 

Vegan Pumpkin Cream by Michaela

I am very pleased and honored to have my former student, now colleague and friend, Michaela Ballmann, guest post on my blog. Michaela is a registered dietitian who completed her master of science degree in nutrition and dietetics from Loma Linda University in 2010. She graduated as president of her class and was definitely one of our cream of the crop students. Michaela currently works as a clinical inpatient dietitian at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California. At the same time, she is working on launching her private practice called Nutritionally Speaking. Please learn more about Michaela at her website, listen to hear podasts, and read her nutrition information there at...www.nutritionallyspeaking.org.

Thank you, Michaela for taking your time to guest post and for sharing this wonderful recipe with us. I wish you continued blessings on your current position in working with patients and on your new company!

The Following Is Written By Michaela Ballmann, MS, RD

During the Fall season, I like to take advantage of the very convenient (and nutritious) canned pumpkin that hits the stores.  Besides tasting amazing, pumpkin is incredibly high in vitamin A and is also a good source of fiber, potassium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins C, E, and K.  In other words, pumpkin is full of good stuff to keep you healthy! Here’s a recipe to try if you want more pumpkiny goodness in your life:

Recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Cream

Note: I use canned pumpkin in this recipe. If any of you live near a Trader Joe’s, check out their organic canned pumpkin that’s in stock for the holidays.  If you want, you can use a pumpkin or squash from the farmer’s market, bake or roast it, and scoop out the filling. I have not tested the recipe with this method, but give it a try if you’d like!  Also, for those with soy allergies, Greek yogurt might be a good sub for the tofu.  Some adjustments to the thickener may be necessary.

Who doesn’t like creamy goodness? I know I do!  This vegan take on whipped cream is high in protein from the tofu and gets an extra dose of nutrition and taste from the pumpkin.  Try it in parfaits, as a twist in tiramisu, or as a topping or dip.  The possibilities are endless!

Ingredients:

 1 package of Silken Tofu (I used Firm Lite Mori-Nu)

  1 15 oz. can of Organic Pumpkin (or ~1.5 cups of pureed pumpkin)

¼ cup Maple Syrup (or other sweetener)

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Optional: 2 Tbsp Cornstarch/Arrowroot

Directions:

Blend all ingredients together until very creamy. Include cornstarch/arrowroot if a stiffer cream is desired. Chill in refrigerator before serving.  Enjoy!

 

Nutrition & Dietetic Students Being Filmed

I feel absolutely blessed to be working for one of the most wonderful universities there is, which is Loma Linda University. I am one of the assistant professors on the faculty of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Professions. The opportunity of working with and educating the future registered dietitians is what I love about my job. Our students are absolutely outstanding, amazing, hard working, and have great compassion for their patients.

For our capstone course for the M.S. students, we incorporated the opportunity for them to practice being media dietitians. For one of their projects, we had Stew Harty, media pastor of Loma Linda University Church (LLUC), work with our students in filming them and giving them media lectures. Before coming to LLUC, Mr. Harty was involved in the filming industry in Hollywood.  Needless to say, Loma Linda is very blessed to have Mr. Harty on board. Our students did a great job in their media video project. My apologies to all my awesome students that I don't have pictures of all of them due to my battery running out on the day of filming. However, I'm able to put a few here. 

The location of filming was in the newly renovated kitchen in our department where students learn the art of cooking.

Student Zsaleh presented a wonderful demo on cooking garlicky pasta.

Student Devon made a nice presentation on how to make "Berried Treasures", a beautiful fruit parfait breakfast for kids.

Student Jackie presented on the proper ways of motivating children to eat well.

Student Melani presented on the importance of meal planning and emphasized that it's not a hard thing to do.

Student Jigna actually had me be her "host" and she made an important presentation on foods those with diabetes can enjoy.

Our programs at Loma Linda University include a B. S. in Nutrition and Dietetics, M. S. in Nutrition and Dietetics, and an M.P.H. in nutrition. If you are interested in becoming a registered dietitian, you can find more information at www.llu.edu/nutrition. Come join us! We would love to have you.

We all had such a fun and great day filming. It was definitely memorable for all of us!