Healthy Habits of a Registered Dietitian, Part 2

Today I am featuring some tips from a fabulous critical care dietitian, Erin Domachowski, MS, RD, LDN.

Here are the ways that she maintains her overall health and wellness:

1. Go on walks with my hubby. We love to take strolls through our favorite parks, local trails, or simply around the neighborhood. Not only does it give us a bit of fresh air and exercise, it allows us a chance to catch up about our days, vent, encourage one another, discuss our successes/failures and upcoming adventures. This is my favorite way to unwind after a hectic day and it gives us both the chance to communicate, which is so important!

2. Baking! And I mean the full-fat, lots of added-sugar kind (GASP!) There is just something about the measuring, mixing, decorating (and tasting, of course) that I find so relaxing. Baking is definitely one of my favorite ways to de-stress. To avoid eating all of the goodies myself, I tend to bake for friends, family, neighbors, etc. It’s always fun to give treats to others. I get the joy out of baking, and they get the joyout of eating!

3. Being in the great outdoors. My favorite types of exercise are those where you tend to feel like you’re having more “fun” than “working out”. I’d rather go for a long hike, a kayak trip, or swimming in a lake, than run for miles on a treadmill any day! My family has always been big into camping and outdoorsy things and I just love the atmosphere and how a bit of fresh air makes you feel so energized!

4. Meal prep. Believe it or not, this dietitian’s New Year’s resolution was to eat more veggies. Specifically, at lunch and to eat them more creatively (the salad bar and carrots with hummus were just becoming so blah). This involves some planning ahead and preparation, but it’s been fun to incorporate new things into my previously boring lunch box. I like to take my Sundays, search for new recipes, do my grocery shopping, and make ahead most of my lunches for the week. I’ve whipped up black bean veggie burgers, spaghetti squash “pasta” dishes, brussels sprout slaw, quinoa kale salad, and more. All it takes is a little planning ahead, and now it’s kind of a fun Sunday ritual.