Medicare Covers Obesity Counseling (sort of)

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Cheryl Harris

I generally post on food and my thoughts on health, but I feel like this is important enough to make an exception!  Medicare has decided that only physicians, nurses and physician assistants are qualified to provide people who are very overweight with nutrition counseling services.

Let me start off by saying I don’t really have a horse in the race.  I don’t accept Medicare and obesity has never been my primary area of interest or practice.  But no matter how you look at it, this is a huge problem.

Most doctors receive little to no nutrition education–1/2 a day, tops.  Nurses receive about 20 hours.

That’s it.

Is that who we want supporting weight loss and behavior change?

I’ve had the pleasure to know many fantastic doctors and nurses, and despite their huge among of knowledge and skill in their field, they rarely have the training or experience for intensive, long term nutrition counseling.  Unlike RDs, they didn’t get training for 5 (or more) years on nutrition and behavior change.

And think about it.  How long do you have to wait to see your primary care doc?  Can you see them being available sessions for weekly sessions for weight loss clients?  I’m afraid this just doesn’t compute for me.

To the best of my knowledge, nurses and doctors that accept Medicare are increasingly squeezed and overworked.  So not only do they lack the knowledge, they also lack the time to give quality services or learn more so that they’re able to.

Lots of people stand to lose here.  As far as I see it, the only people who benefit are those selling surgery or diet pills/shakes, and there’s been some question of conflict of interest among those who made this decision.

And this isn’t even a matter of debate over RDs vs CNS vs other nutrition or coaching degrees.  At the end of the day, if the people who can provide this service according to Medicare don’t have the time or training to actually do it, people simply miss out on this benefit.  Or, people will only get support if they can afford to pay for it out of pocket.  It also makes it more likely that people wanting to lose the weight will fail, because they won’t have the support the need.

And this affects pretty much everyone, because either the hundreds of dollars that could go for nutrition counseling will now be tens of thousands for surgery, or increased medical expenses.  So, if you’re so inspired, you can call your government representatives
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.

And now, we return you to your regularly scheduled program of munchies and stress relief.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

My Goals–Dec Sanity Challenge

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Cheryl Harris

I am so glad that the December Sanity Challenge is underway!  Since it first came to mind a week or so ago, life has become increasingly INsane.  I left my job at Kaplan Center on Tuesday, which was very sad, but the drive became too long and it was a huge physical drain.  Instead, the plan has been to work at home, and I’ve started working on some nutrition education webinars AND now it seems, am very close to committing to write for a nutrition magazine, too (details to come…) Somehow, just like that, I forgot about my plan to take more time to relax.  How does that happen so quickly??!!?? Also, I was nominated by NDVDA as Emerging RD leader for VA so I’ve been working on pulling together my application and letters and such.

The new things are delightful, but they also require TIME MANAGEMENT, which is not traditionally one of my strengths.  I’m like one of the cats, I get distracted by whatever flits by. (Or for anyone who watches the Daily Show or has seen the movie Up, SQUIRREL!)  So I will need to seriously build some structure in order to meet these deadlines and take care of myself, too.

So my sanity goals this month:

  • Exercising 3-4 times a week.  Ideally, Mondays, Weds, Thurs and Saturdays, and doing my fun PT exercises daily.
  • Waiting at least 2 hours before making Internet purchases.  Hopefully by then I’ve figured out that I don’t need whatever wonderous toy they’re selling
  • Meditation twice daily.
  • 6 desserts in December.  That’s it.
  • Writing a schedule next Tues.
  • Heading off on a silent retreat this weekend!  Way to get off to a good start.

Anyone else?

Posted in cheryl's musings, contest | Tagged | 8 Comments

December Sanity Challenge

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Cheryl Harris

‘Twas the night after Thanksgiving…and I realized that I had already bought more than I needed, committed more than I intended, and slept less than I wanted.  And it wasn’t even December yet!  So it dawned on me—how about a December Sanity Challenge?  Surely I wasn’t the only one who easily gets swept away in the craziness.

Here’s my confession: I love making candy.  Always have.  I mean, really love it.  Fudge, pralines, chocolate covered orange slices, brittle…you name it.  Yes, I’m a Registered Dietitian, most of it I can’t even eat because of my allergies and intolerances, but that hasn’t stop me from making batch after batch!   Perhaps I owned a bakery in a past life and was used to making food for an army?  I totally get carried away with it and take a fun activity and push it to excess, and that takes so much of the joy out of it, even if it’s just once a year.  I fully believe I can balance my desire (and love) of giving with my need for self-care, even if that means a little moderation.  I’ll be posting more on how I plan to reign in my inner over-baker.

Pictured to the left is the great Zen Master Houdini and Mr. Dude.  Happy Hou, clearly, does not need a sanity challenge.  However, we humans usually do.

So here’s the scoop on the December Sanity Challenge.  It can be on whatever YOU need to work on to stay sane during the holiday season:

  1. Balancing commitments to others with commitments to yourself
  2. Getting in physical activity
  3. Creating a happy balance around food
  4. Getting enough sleep!
  5. Making wise financial choices
  6. Focusing more on living beings than material “stuff”
  7. Whatever else speaks to you along these lines

The challenge—post on what you plan to do to make your holidays sane, happy and healthy.  Make it specific!  Not just “I’ll get more sleep”, but “I’ll get at least 7 hours of sleep, 5 days a week”.  Not just “I won’t go crazy making desserts”, but “I’ll make a maximum of XX desserts, and space them out over XX time”.  You know what you need to do to keep this doable, and writing it down will help you get there!

As a little added incentive, for each post on your intentions and your progress you link back here or one of the other co-hosts, you’ll be entered to receive a $50 gift certificate to Nutsonline.com  (they are not sponsoring, I just wanted something with healthy gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, etc. options)

And so I asked some of my favorite peeps around the web to join me in hosting a December Sanity Challenge, and here’s our line up:

I hope you choose to join us, too.  Grab a badge (many thanks to Valerie!)and we’re good to go!

Posted in cheryl's musings, contest, December Sanity Challenge | 16 Comments

Menu Plan Monday–Monday Nov 28th

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Cheryl Harris

I hope everyone had a good holiday!  We did.  It was super relaxing and I caught up on work, which was quite needed.  I posted on the abundance of things I’m thankful for, and I have to say this was one of my favorite thanksgivings ever.  Love is really all that matters…and between Mr. Dude and the kitties, we’ve got enough love to go around.

And something fun to look forward to: I’m hosting a December Sanity Challenge!  More details to follow soon.

This weeks’ menu plan is hosted by Our Frugal Life and the theme is twist on pizza.  Hmmm…aside from Alta’s pizza (which is AMAZING, btw) I haven’t done much in the way of pizza.  Ok, twist my arm, Alta’s pizza it is!

Interested in hosting?  I’m sure Heather would love to hear from you!

Monday:
Ginger Lemon Chicken and broccoli

Tues:
Curried beef and cauliflower

Weds
Alta’s Pizza

Thursday:
Salmon on a bed of baby greens

Friday:
Leftovers

Fun Stuff:
Chocolate hazelnut torte (AKA E’s Cake)

Posted in menu plan | 3 Comments

Thanks for Beginnings, Middles and Ends

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Cheryl Harris

Giving thanks is super easy this year because I’ve had so many wonderful things happen just in the past few weeks:

  • Nomination for Emerging Dietetics Leader of the Year from the Northern Virginia Dietetics Association
  • Quotes in the Washington Post
  • A nice mention in the Washingtonian Blog

It’s been a real whirlwind of a November!  And as really amazing as all of those have been, it’s the people in my life that I am most grateful for.

I am beyond grateful to my husband, who is such a wonderful source of support.  I am so grateful to my clients, and it is such a blessing to me to be able to have the privilege to work with and support so many lovely people.  And I am grateful to the two beautiful furrballs (purr-balls?) who make me laugh and light up my life in so many ways.

I’m grateful for new beginnings  (a new project!), and I’m even grateful for the endings (leaving my old job at Kaplan ).  Leaving is sad, and it’s painful but in a normal, natural sort of way when you have to give up something you’ve treasured that’s beautiful, but simply no longer fits.

And, of course, I’m grateful for the mystery of what’s ahead in the new year and beyond.  And the apples from the Farmer’s Market waiting to jump into my pot.

Wishing you and yours many blessings…and ability to savor them, too.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Menu Plan Monday-Nov 21st

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Cheryl Harris

It is beyond me how it could be Thanksgiving already. Our plan was to visit E’s great grandma, but she just passed away, so…plan b is to chill out and have an extremely low key Thanksgiving, which sounds about perfect. I know that may sound boring, but I’m in the middle of job transitions and construction at home, so no obligations is truly a beautiful thing. All I want is applesauce, and I’ve got a bunch of apples from the Farmers’ market, so that should be super easy.
If you’re still hunting, the Washingtonian Blog was nice enough to have a gluten-free T day roundup! and I have my Thanksgiving newsletter and recipe roundup here.

And my camera picked an appropriate time to stop working, so no pictures, but my goodness, I shouldn’t have a hard time finding a sale to get a new one.

Our hostess this week is Heather of Celiac Family and the theme is Thanksgiving. If you want to host upcoming weeks, I’m sure she’d love to hear from you.

Monday:
Curried chicken and cauliflower

Tues:
Leftovers (I’m at class)

Weds:
Beef Stew

Thurs:
still up for debate…

Friday:
out for dinner. Not Thanksgiving dinner, but a fun, tasty GF dinner, most likely at Mike’s American Grill

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Pizza, a vegetable? *sigh*

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Cheryl Harris

It’s not just the food, it’s the message…

If you haven’t seen the news, Congress, in their infinite wisdom, has declared pizza a vegetable. And I am so frustrated and disappointed.

The best thing about kids is how they’re little sponges. And the hardest thing about kids is that they’re little sponges. They learn by absorbing what they see. So not only are they failing to receive adequate nutrients from the school lunches, but they are getting a template for how to feed their bodies. And I, for one, think that’s a recipe for disaster.

Now, before someone says that I’m blowing this out of proportion, I have taught children’s cooking classes in inner cities where the common belief is that broccoli comes from Safeway. There’s no sense of a connection to where it’s grown, or how it comes to show up at the grocery store. I grew up in a suburb of NYC, and I never saw actual live growing broccoli until I was in my 20s. Many children will still learn to appreciate good, real food at home, but especially the ones that DON’T have that opportunity NEED that opportunity at school!

Somewhere along the way, we’re going to realize that kids’ nutrition is not just a health issue, but a matter of national security. Somehow I doubt that considering pizza as a vegetable is going to help grow strong, health human beings who are physically fit and capable. For many, school meals may be the main opportunity for balanced meals, and this isn’t the way to make that happen.

This isn’t to demonize pizza. It can absolutely be part of a healthy, balanced diet. But it’s simply not a vegetable. Period.

To read more, see Food Politics.

Posted in cheryl's musings | 2 Comments

Fun stuff and a mini menu plan

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Cheryl Harris

I’m super jazzed.  WashingtonPost did a feature on Celiac and a gluten-free diet and included some of my thoughts, too!  http://wapo.st/ug1iKz

I also did my annual T day roundup.  G-Free turkey list?  Check!  Recipes?  Check!  Tips for making it go smoothly?  You got it

I also posted an update on my life, which currently involves concrete everywhere at home.  And yet it’s all for a good cause–a garage by snowfall (fingers crossed).

Food…well, a mini meal plan is in order, because chaos has reigned. I already made Black Bean Brownies this week since a friend had to put her dear kitty to sleep, and NinjaBread Birthday cookies are on the lineup for tomorrow.

Oh wait, you mean food food? I suppose one cannot live on brownies and cookies alone. Angela is our menu swap hostess and she’s chosen slow cookers, and so I will dig for mine. Please also see Celiac family for future hosts/hostesses.

Monday:
Marinated herb chicken w/broccoli

Tues:
Leftovers (late night class)

Weds:
Quinoa and kale pesto

Thurs
Something slow cooker inspired?

Friday:
Leftovers

Posted in menu plan | 3 Comments

Change in the Air

Posted on November 5, 2011 by Cheryl Harris



It is the season of change…as we see the trees go from a brilliant display of leaves to bare, it’s never more obvious that change is all around us. And I’m so aware of it myself this year. We’ve bought a house, sold a house, I’ve gotten a new office, and have another big job transition by the end of the month, and an even bigger one on the horizon. Some medical issues have popped up, others have faded. I’ve handed over Menu Plan Monday, too, but that’s probably not as earth shattering! All of them are positive changes, or things that I trust will be positive in the long run.

Now, we’re starting a relatively big construction project, and the bobcats and constant noise are pretty palpable reminders. Change. It’s up there with death and taxes.

I’m lucky that I like change, or at least I like it on paper. And yet sometimes it overwhelms me. I love the idea of having a garage, and yet the noise, debris and having people out my window daily doesn’t ring my bell. It’s such a perfect analogy for life, often there’s a lot of chaos, excavation, uprooting necessary for something new and beautiful to move in.

Change is happening, when I like it and when I don’t. My intention is to find ways to manage the stress, and (dare I say?) remember to enjoy the process.

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty ~Maya Angelou

Posted in cheryl's musings | 2 Comments

D-Tox January Cookbook

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Cheryl Harris

So nice to be back online! The people doing our garage addition cut some of the wires, and then bye, bye intertubes! I’m so glad to be back online to share this fun new cookbook. I was honored to participate and share my tips for living well with cancer.

D-Tox e-Cookbook Now on Sale!

One cold January, 20+ bloggers came together for 31 days to share 31 nourishing and detoxifying smoothie, juice, and soup recipes. The blogosphere buzzed with great new ways of upping the intake of fruit and vegetables to start the year off right.

Gfree Mom’s January D-tox event was so well received that these 20+ bloggers decided to write and publish an e-cookbook—capturing these fantastic recipes, tips and tricks in one place.

And so without further ado, we announce the release of Eat Fresh and D-Tox Your Life: A Collection of Smoothies, Juices, Soups and Tips for the Whole Family. Not only will this book provide you with inspiration to increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, but it also benefits others. All proceeds from this e-book go directly to MitoAction.

MitoAction and Their Mission.

MitoAction is a Boston-based nonprofit helping children and adults with mitochondrial disease navigate the complex journey of managing the disease. MitoAction’s mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone affected by mitochondrial disease through support, education, outreach, and advocacy initiatives. You may read more about MitoAction here.

What is Mitochondrial Disease?

Mitochondrial disease is a genetic, neurodegenerative disorder that occurs when the mitochondria fail to produce enough energy for cell or organ function. More common than cystic fibrosis, mitochondrial disease can develop in both children and adults and is often misdiagnosed. Mito symptoms are varied and progressive, and can include stroke, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, and organ failure. Mitochondrial disease is related to many other conditions, including autism, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.

Download Your e-Cookbook Today!

To download your PDF e-cookbook Eat Fresh and D-Tox Your Life and support the efforts of MitoAction, click here. In this e-cookbook you will find:

> Tips like “How to Hide Greens” & “Smoothies and the Color Wheel”
> 9 Kid-Friendly and Beginner Smoothie Recipes
> 19 “Now I’m Feeling Braver” Smoothie and Juice Recipes
> A handful of soups, Detox Tips and More!
> Personal stories from, and hyperlinks, to each blogger’s website
> $10 suggested donation. Click Here to download.

A Dedication.

Gwen was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease, she was not able to eat and had to receive IV nutrition. She has spent as much of her young life in the hospital as out, and was the recipient of a multi-organ transplant, which included a new stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and spleen.

Today, as always, she and her family are fighting to help her live a healthy life and allow her to do as many of the things young kids like to do as possible. Recently, Gwen was to be able to savor a bite of banana! As food bloggers, we live and breathe food, so we’d like to dedicate this book to Gwen.

Join the Effort.

If you would like to promote and sell this e-cookbook on your site, please feel free to do so. Use the content of this post freely (copy and images) and grab the badge below and link it to this url. And THANK YOU for your support!

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