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Presidents'
Message
By Melissa Halas-Liang, MA,
RD, CDE and Cindy Young, MPH, RD
It was a great year for LAD moving forward with improvements in
technology and our social media reach. Michelle Obama lead the way
by placing childhood obesity in the spotlight and creating healthier
options for our kids. Jamie Oliver made waves in America’s school
lunch program with his debut of his television show, Food
Revolution; it’s an exciting time to be a Dietitian! The obesity
rate in American continues to be center stage creating a demand for
our expertise and making Dietitians a permanent fixture in the
health care profession. As the young field of nutrition blossoms,
LAD continues to provide the education our members need to ensure
our livelihood and keep us up-to-date with nutrition trends and
research.
California Dietitians may soon be able to rejoice and join the vast
majority of Dietitians from other states who already have licensure.
If the revisions pass, and are done correctly, this will increase
our privileges and help to improve our recognition as experts in our
own state. CDA is committed to educating its members on the benefits
of licensure, clearing up any misperceptions or myths, and LAD looks
forward to supporting their message.
Both of us will be moving into our new roles as financial co-chairs.
LAD doors have opened up many career opportunities for us and
provided a venue for us to shape our profession. Joining our board
will help you grow your career, network in your professional
community and continually improve the dietetic profession. Visit our
Website and contact the incoming Co-Presidents, Art Kress and Kathy
Soltani, to see how you can get involved. Any and all levels of
commitment are greatly appreciated; help further the profession of
dietetics and your career at the same time!
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LAD participates in Public Policy
Education Day and the 2010 ADA Public Policy Workshop
By: Brenda Roche, MS, RD and
Moran Zoman, Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
Throughout the month of March, LAD members had the opportunity to
participate in several exciting public policy events. On March 8,
2010, the California Dietetic Association celebrated its annual
Public Policy Education Day in Sacramento. Over twenty LAD members
were in attendance including a number of students from Cal State Los
Angeles. In the morning, Public Policy Education Day attendees
gathered to hear messages from CDA leaders, received important
updates on the laws that govern dietetics in the state of California
and prepared for legislative visits. Assembly member Tom Torlakson
was honored as the 2010 Legislator of the Year. In the afternoon,
everyone had the opportunity to visit with their state legislators.
It was a fun, educational and exciting day for all!
On March 22, 2010, the ADA kicked off their 2010 Public Policy
Workshop. Members of LAD and the Los Angeles Collaborative for
Healthy Active Children were invited to view the live opening
session with ADA members across the nation. This webinar was hosted
by Brenda Roche at the University of California Cooperative
Extension. Attendees gained valuable information about public policy
objectives and how they affect the profession of dietetics, as well
as helped plan congressional district meetings. Attendees appeared
enthusiastic and excited following this discussion! LAD members were
also invited to view a follow-up webinar, Perspective from a State
Legislature, on April 6, 2010 at the same location. Attendees
learned first-hand from State Representative Carol Pitts (who is
also a registered dietitian) what works and what doesn’t when
delivering key food and nutrition messages to State Legislators.
This was yet another valuable and informative event for LAD members!
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Education Committee
By: Art Kress, MS, RD, LDN
and Kathy Soltani, MPH, RD, Co-President-Elects
As co-president elects of LAD, we have been proud to present some
interesting and informative programs during the past year. And
for the our last educational event, we were excited to join with the
Celiac Disease Foundation to present the program entitled "Celiac
Disease & the Gluten-Free Diet: What Every Dietitian Needs to Know."
Our speakers were Anne Roland Lee, MS,Ed, RD, LD and Shelley
Case, BSc, RD, the current Director of Nutritional Services for
Schar USA. Anne has worked for six years with the Celiac Disease
Center at Columbia University and many of her articles have been
published in journals such as JADA, Journal of Human Nutrition and
Dietetics and Current Nutrition and Food Science. Our second speaker
was Shelley Case, BSc, RD President and Consulting Dietitian at Case
Nutrition Counseling, Inc. She is a recipient of a Canadian Celiac
Association Honorary Life Member Award and has written numerous
papers on celiac disease and gluten-free diets. Her book
"Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide" was available
for purchase. In addition, over 50 gluten-free vendors were
present to display their products and answer your questions. This
was a rare opportunity to meet with experts on the subject of celiac
disease.
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Marketing Committee
By: Vilma Hernandez, BS,
Marketing Committee Member
Spring time is here! It is one of the most beautiful times of the
year. The bright and colorful flowers blooming all around remind us
about new life, growth and renewal. What a perfect time to thank and
appreciate those who are always with us, through good and
challenging times. It is with this thought that the Marketing
Committee would like to thank Yakult for renewing their commitment
in supporting LAD. In addition, we would like to welcome and thank
our new sponsor, the Walnut Board. Because of sponsors like you, LAD
is able to maintain a high level of vital nutrition education and
community outreach events within the Los Angeles region, and provide
high quality continuing education events to our members. We would
not be able to do these events without you.
The Marketing Committee would like to make a plea to our current
sponsors and members about our continuing need for sponsorship. We
are currently behind in reaching our goal of $3,000.00 for the year,
however, we are still optimistic that we can make it happen with
member support. If you happen to know of a company or party
interested in sponsoring us, please direct them to Nicole Meadow at
Nicole@nicolemeadow.com, or Vilma Hernandez at redy2runwu@yahoo.com.
In the meantime, continue enjoying all the beauty spring brings and
take time to smell the flowers.
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Diet Funtasia
By: Feon Cheng and Carol
Chen, Social Committee Co-Chairs
Many college students go on unsound fad diets. As LAD Social
Co-chairs, we put together the event Diet Funtasia at the Student
Union Plaza at Cal State Los Angeles, to show how the right diet can
be tasty, healthy and low-calorie. On April 7, 2010, LAD
collaborated with the student organization, the Student Dietetics
Association, to promote healthy nutrition among college students.
Together we brought to campus Le Cordon Bleu Executive Chef
Instructor Gill Boyd, who has 30 years of fine-dining experience, to
demonstrate how to combine both culinary excellence with all-natural
ingredients. Chef Gill firmly believes that healthy cooking does not
have to mean sacrificing good taste. The food he made was delicious
and we enjoyed the four hundred taste samples given away at the
cooking demo.
A big thank you to our Co-President Cindy Young and volunteer
Ani Vartani for representing LAD and helping educate the students on
good nutrition. A booth was set up where students were encouraged to
ask questions, have one-on-one consultation with participating LAD
board members and sign-up for membership in LAD. We were extremely
pleased with the turnout for Diet Funtasia and we look forward to
have you join us next time!
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Fundraising Committee
By: Brianne Kellogg, RD
Fundraising Committee Chair
LAD was able to donate a large basket, with a healthy baby & child
theme, to the yearly CDA Annual Meeting silent auction. Several
participants bid on the basket, Thank you to everyone who made
donations.
Proceeds from the silent auction benefit the CDAF, who provides
scholarships to qualifying dietetic students.
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Member Council Representative Report
By: Kelli Horton, MPH, RD,
CNSD, Member Council Representative
The Executive Board of the California Dietetics Association sends
its greetings! The CDA Annual Meeting had a great turn out of more
than 600 professionals in the charming downtown area of Oakland.
Dynamic speakers were the highlight of the event but the food
vendors in the exhibit hall received a lot of attention as well.
Where will next year’s Annual Meeting be held you ask? Right in our
own district! The 2012 CDA Annual Meeting will be held in Pasadena,
just a hop-skip-and-a-jump away.
At the pre-conference leadership meeting, the CDA Executive Board
made an exciting decision to expand the current Dietetics.org
Website. The plan is to include a ‘members only’ section that will
require a ‘login’ name and ‘password.’ This means that LAD will be
able to expand member benefits with its own secure site. CDA is
looking for bids from web designers, if you have any recommendations
please send an email to kelli.horton@va.gov and I’ll pass the word
along to the CDA.
You’ve probably heard the buzz about (and possibly been affected by)
the licensure issues for dietitians in our golden state. CDA is
actively going through the steps to secure licensure for dietitians
in California. It isn’t a fast process but CDA is systematically
going through the process to correct our Business and Professions
code, obtain political support so that we can create an oversight
board and be allowed clinical privileges. Sit tight and remember
that “good things come to those who wait.”
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Nominating Committee - Update on LAD
Elections
By: Jennifer Genens, MS, RD,
Nominating Committee Chair
The LAD elections for the 2010-2011 year have been completed and
once again we would like to thank all of those who voted, as well as
congratulate our new LAD Executive Board members. If you missed the
election but would still like to participate on the
LAD Executive Board, it’s not too late. The 2010-2011 year for LAD
begins in June, 2010 and the Executive Board will be looking for
persons to be appointed as Committee Chairs and Committee Members.
The duties and time commitments of Chairs and Committee Members is
very much acknowledged and appreciated. Giving back to our
profession by volunteering your time makes joining the LAD Executive
Board well worthwhile. This is also a great chance to learn more
about LAD and will help you to learn what is involved with being an
elected member, in case you are interested in running for an elected
position in the future. Each committee is vital to the ongoing
success of LAD. To learn more about the exciting opportunities
available on LAD committees, contact 2010-2011 LAD Presidents Art
Kress (akress@aol.com) or Kathy Soltani (kathysoltani@yahoo.com).
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Volunteer Committee
By: Cheri Kaczmarek and Randi
Drasin, Volunteer Committee Co-Chairs
Spring has arrived, bringing with it the end of LAD’s 2009-2010
year. Our amazing volunteers have assisted with continuing education
and community events held throughout the Los Angeles area. Always
eager to help in any way they can, members volunteered their time
and talents despite their own hectic schedules. The volunteer pool
climbed to 155 members this year, proving the dedication our
students and RDs have to the field of nutrition and the LAD team.
Observing first-hand many of these volunteers in action, we honestly
believe they are “simply the best”! Thank you for all of your hard
work, these events would not have been possible without you! Spring
volunteers include:
| Anna Zamano |
Mareena George |
Rosaisela Ponce
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| Brooke Horn |
Ani Vartani |
Carrie Gabriel |
| Aline Shafrazian
|
Bita Azizi |
Tomoko
Fujio-Petersen |
| Pat Spencer |
Soheyla Hashemi
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| Julianna Ashlock
|
Tonce Jackson |
|
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Here’s A Chance to Win a FREE LAD Membership and
Some FREE CPEs!
By: Navnidhee Batra Celly and
Alison Rosenthal, MS, RD, Membership Committee Co-Chairs
It’s that time again! The 2009-2010 year has flown by so quickly!
April 27 marks the beginning of our Early Bird Membership Renewal
promotion. If you renew your membership before June 30, 2010 you
will be entered into a drawing to receive your 2010-2011 membership
for free! To renew, please visit www.losangelesdistrict.org.
Once you have renewed your membership, refer a friend to LAD.
Beginning June 1, 2010 if your friend decides to join LAD, you will
receive free registration to a CPE event for both you and your
friend! Now isn’t that a perfect way to earn some free CPEs for your
portfolio and help your friends reap the benefits from their LAD
membership?
Here are the top 5 reasons to continue your association with LAD:
1. Expand your network through the CPE events, monthly dining club,
other social events and via the LAD Facebook page.
2. Receive information about job opportunities via e-mail.
3. Earn CPEs by attending events that are low cost or free to
members.
4. Use LAD’s free referral service for active members and reach out
to potential clients. To download the form, click here.
5. Become a LAD mentor and offer your expertise through
informational interviews. Student members can form a long-term
career guidance relationship with our LAD mentors.
The Membership Committee has also been working on improving the look
of our quarterly newsletter. We hope you got a chance to see the new
‘e-newsletter’ format. Send us your feedback at awechsler@gmail.com
or navnidhee@hotmail.com. Cheers!
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Career Guidance | Introducing Gigi Kwok,
LAD’s 2010-2011 Student Mentee!
By: Joyce Nakashima, MS, RD,
LAD Career Guidance Chair
LAD would like to welcome Gigi Kwok, LAD’s newly selected
President-Elect Student Mentee! The LAD President-Elect Student
Mentee Program selects one student member each year to learn about
LAD by working closely with the President-Elect, gaining leadership
skills and providing networking opportunities with RD’s, dietetic
interns, and other students. Gigi is a current graduate student at
Cal State Los Angeles majoring in nutritional science. She aspires
to be a public health dietitian and a professor. She plans to pursue
more education at Loma Linda University and focus her efforts in
nutrition research as it relates to childhood obesity, adolescent
obesity and clinical practice. She looks forward to learning from
all the members at LAD and working with the new executive board in
the upcoming year. Welcome Gigi!
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Dining Club - When in France…
By: Aaron Flores, RD
I was excited to join co-workers and make new acquaintances at LAD's
March 25th Dining Club event at Soleil Restaurant in Westwood. Not
only was it a great opportunity to mingle with some fellow RD's,
interns and students (18 in total) but it was also another great
opportunity to try some new food. Being a typical RD, I carefully
planned ahead by looking at their menu online. I learned that Soleil
is owned by a French-Canadian and they specialize in food from that
region. I was excited to try a specialty from Quebec called Poutine.
What is this dish, you may ask? Well it's not on any of your
low-calorie menu lists. It's a plate of French Fries, smothered with
gravy and topped with cheese curds. It's basically a Quebec version
of chili cheese fries. We shared a plate and everyone agreed, it was
quite good and worth trying at least once. Next, I ventured into
some classic French cuisine and had an escargot appetizer. Buttery,
garlicky goodness to say the least! If you've never tried escargot
(sea snails) give it a shot, they are fantastic and Soleil makes a
great version. I finished off the meal with a great pasta dish that
was topped with brie and assorted vegetables. Other adventurous
palates tried muscles, pumpkin ravioli, and crab cakes. Were these
the meals that I tell all my weight-loss patients to avoid on a
regular basis? Yes, but what better principle to practice
(especially with a group of dietitians) than balance, variety and
moderation. Was this meal good? Yes! Am I going to order it again
this year? Probably not, but when in France, or a French-Canadian
restaurant, I say throw caution to the wind and live it up! It was a
great evening filled with fun conversations and great food. I
encourage all of you to try a LAD Dining Club event even if it's
just to give your inner "foodie" a night on the town.
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Greetings from the Research and Grant
Committee
By: Turusew Gedebu-Wilson,
MS, RD and Mandy Graves Hillstrom, EdD, CDE, RD
We continue to share upcoming grant opportunities with LAD members.
The latest is from the American Diabetes Association. We are
available to help members who would like to take a stab at writing a
proposal. If members want a workshop on grant writing, let us know
and we can plan an event.
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LAD Reaches Out to Kids and Families
at Local Farmers’ Market on Sunday, April 11, 2010
By: Michele Coelho, RD Community Relations Co-Chair
LAD added quite a bit
of pizzazz and color to what was a dreary yet busy day at the Studio
City Farmers’ Market. We hosted an interactive booth for kids,
families and adults with the goal of promoting increased fresh fruit
and vegetable consumption. Volunteers were armed with fun and
engaging games and activity sheets from superkidsnutrition.com, a
mega nutrition Website for kids and families. Kids couldn’t pass up
our colorful booth that had music playing in the background praising
eggplant and strawberries. Games included asking kids to name
different colors of fruits and vegetables and to identify their
health benefits. Physical activity was also promoted as we had kids
hopping like bunnies and twirling like ballerinas. Parents joined in
on the fun as well. We had adults scratching their heads when we
asked them how many cups of fruits and vegetables they needed each
day to promote good health. Those that offered a guess were eligible
to enter a raffle for a gift card to a local supermarket and were
provided with nutrition education materials. Our booth was a hit and
couldn’t have been possible without our gracious volunteers!
LAD had a fun year of service and hosted booths at four community
events in the greater LA area. We welcome any suggestions or ideas
for future events in which we can continue to spread the message of
optimal health and nutrition. Contact us at michele.coelho116@gmail.com
and jjistrin@gmail.com.
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For Our Members :: CDA Districts :: Los Angeles District ::
Newsletter
