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Isn't It Confusing Enough

Isn't It Confusing Enough

March 28, 2023
By Mary Lou Block, Registered Dietician Isn't it confusing enough? Think again, if you don’t think everything can be spun to lead us in a particular direction. This even holds true in the world of nutrition. Deciphering nutrition is confusing enough. Now add in the possibility of a slant to the story, and we are truly left wondering, “What is a person to do?” What do I mean? National Nutrition Month is the annual nutrition campaign of my professional organization, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. March is this month! So, my friends, eat a more nutritious diet! But what does that mean?...Read more

Just Give Me Twenty Minutes!

Just Give Me Twenty Minutes!

January 17, 2023
By Mary Lou Block, Registered Dietician What is something important you can accomplish in 20 minutes? Start a project. Finish a project. Work-out. Research on the internet. Pick up in one room of the house. How about... Sit down and enjoy a meal?!? The last item doesn’t seem like an accomplishment, but it is! Did you know that many years ago Hippocrates said that all disease begins in the gut? That’s a big idea in today’s world of searching for truth in health. If your gut holds a key to your health, then maybe that changes the significance of a 20-minute meal. This may irritate those who...Read more

Coffee’s on!

Coffee’s on!

December 2, 2022
By Mary Lou Block RDN LMNT From the Boston Tea Party to the Americana cup of coffee of World War II, we are a coffee loving nation. Case in point, my entire family thrives on it, and holiday time is no exception. Does that resonate with you? Then don’t forget to include coffee on your holiday menu, and in fact, here are reasons to include it: Coffee consumption is perfectly healthy for healthy people. Drinking up to 3 cups/day is not associated with an increase in long-term health risks in healthy people. (1) Coffee consumption may help you avoid unwanted weight gain during the holidays...Read more

Sleep...a rare commodity?

Sleep...a rare commodity?

August 25, 2022
When I was young I once played the part of Snow White in a play. All was well, until my prince had to plant a grade-school kiss on my face to awaken me from slumber. It is an understatement to say that I was not in the market for romance, so I carefully positioned my head to receive this kiss. No damage done, my hair received the blow, but it did disrupt deep sleep and my aspirations for being a trader of commodities. After all, if rare commodities are traded on the commodity markets, then sleep could certainly be traded as a rare commodity. I just didn’t realize then how rare this sleep...Read more

Too much family togetherness...or just a little too much dehydration?

Too much family togetherness...or just a little too much dehydration?

July 15, 2022
By Mary Lou Block, RDN, LMNT A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream is a great Shakespearean comedy, but mid-summer day’s dreams might be great comedies, too. I mean, don’t conversations become a little humorous when summer family togetherness reaches a peak? There have been times this summer I have made a perfectly legitimate and interesting conversation point, when a confused look crosses my husband’s face. He responds with something like, “I have no idea what you are talking about!” I think to myself, “I can’t believe he’s day-dreaming when we are talking,” or “There must be something terribly wrong...Read more

The Kids are Home, Now What?

The Kids are Home, Now What?

June 15, 2022
By Mary Lou Block RDN, LMNT The long-awaited summer break is in full swing! Woohoo! Usher in the “not a care in the world” mentality, unless you are the one in charge of food for growing appetites. Suddenly, cooking responsibility, rises to a new level and best nutrition intentions fly out the drive through window. “Welcome to the kitchen, may I take your order, please?” Not that I am opposed to drive through dining, but honestly, let’s ask some serious questions. Can I really afford frequent fast food meals in 2022? Prices are going up everywhere. Add up the dollars spent at the drive...Read more

It's Time to Spring in to Garden Action, Part 2

It's Time to Spring in to Garden Action, Part 2

May 20, 2022
By Mary Lou Block, RDN, LMNT Of all the things to plant in your garden, it would be greens of some kind. I am sure you make a practice of planting them, since they are so good for liver detoxification, not to mention being chock-full of nutrients. So, as you are thumbing through the selection of seed packets, consider three rock star greens that are easy to grow in Nebraska. Kale belongs to the cabbage or brassica family, while spinach and swiss chard are members of Chenopodiaceae family. Try looking up the pronunciation of the later family, and enjoy a new conversation starter. Nutrient...Read more

It's Time to Spring into Garden Action

It's Time to Spring into Garden Action

May 3, 2022
By Mary Lou Block, RDN LMNT I have to admit, I am more of a wisher than a gardener. Of course, I have enjoyed some wonderful gardens in my life, even ones I have planted. At times the pressure of planting a garden is overwhelming though, and I am tempted to let Farmers Market deliver my produce later in the summer. After all, I don’t have time to garden, right? Nope, that can’t be the story this year. The looming high price of summer fuel is a heads up to prepare for higher grocery bills. With this in mind, I am all for getting out and digging in my garden and encouraging you to do the same!...Read more

Fight on...

Fight on...

February 17, 2022
By Mary Lou Block RDN LMNT Ever feel like giving up? Have you been in the battle too many times….to eat better, to lose weight, to begin an exercise program, to…….whatever? It probably doesn’t feel attainable or the effort worth it. Feeling overwhelmed with it all? Remind yourself of history and be encouraged. Near the end of the Revolutionary War “the Americans were burdened with war debt, food shortages and sagging morale. Something had to give. General George Washington decided to go for a knockout.”* He headed to what would become the final battle of the war, Yorktown. Just when he could...Read more

Duck Your Head

Duck Your Head

November 15, 2021
By Mary Lou Block RDN LMNT Duck Your Head When I tire of watering potted marigolds, I know am ready for fall’s end. But I can’t say I am ready to duck my head for blustery winter winds! Are you? Ducking your head for winter involves more than putting on your hat. If you really want to be ready, ramp up your immune system. Your Mother was Right How do you do this? Mind your mother, and eat liver? Actually it turns out liver is high in Vitamin A, and Vitamin A is crucial to a healthy immune system. Vitamin A is critical in several pathways of the immune system. Research shows that a constant...Read more

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