“… I'm gonna see the world. Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Colosseum. Then, I'm comin' back here to go to college and see what they know. And then I'm gonna build things. I'm gonna build airfields, I'm gonna build skyscrapers a hundred stories high, I'm gonna build bridges a mile long...” – George Bailey, It’s a Wonderful Life
Just like young George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, I too wanted to see the world and lead a remarkable life. I just didn’t know quite exactly how to go about that.
Six years ago I never could have even remotely imagined I would be where I am now. In Dillon, Montana as the Dietitian for an amazing company like Great Harvest . Life has proven to me that it will take you on a completely unpredictable journey and that it will also run its course to put you right where you need to be try as you might to plan it.
I grew up in a suburb just outside of Chicago and when it came time for college I decided to pursue Art and Design at Iowa State University. Halfway through my freshman year I realized I needed a little more adventure in my life. That is undoubtedly what I got. Come August, I had moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. I became submerged in the sports of rock climbing, skiing, mountain biking, trail running, fly fishing, and even gave ice climbing a try. I transferred to Colorado State University initially with the intention of continuing my degree in Art and Design, which all changed when I stumbled upon the Nutrition and Food Science major. It was one of those ‘duh’ moments when I recognized that this was exactly what I wanted to be doing with my life.
I graduated with a BS in Nutrition and Food Science, Dietetics and had to peel myself away from the mountains to head to San Antonio, TX to complete a dietetic internship. I interned at a health system and had experience working in a variety of clinical and community settings. Shortly after graduating from my internship, I obtained my Registered Dietitian status and worked for a while in Houston as a clinical dietitian in the home setting. But I never stopped itching to amp up my life again with adventure and the mountains.
So one day at a bookstore, I thumbed through Outside Magazine’s annual compilation of “The Best Places to Work” (which are defined as companies that ‘balance productivity with an active, eco-conscious lifestyle’) looking for any job that would potentially hire a dietitian. Resting at #43 was Great Harvest Bread Company. Low and behold, they were the only one of 50 companies looking to hire a Nutrition Specialist. When I read the job description I was stunned as I couldn’t have scripted out my dream job better myself, even better was that it was in Montana.
Now, I am exactly where I want to be and it truly is a ‘wonderful life’ for me. I just completed my first marathon, I have moved to beautiful place full of opportunity, and achieved my dream job working for an admirable company. I will promise to put my utmost into being a nutrition resource for you all as I am absolutely thrilled to be part of Great Harvest.
Now I ask you…Where do you want to be in life? What will it take to make your life even more wonderful than it may be already?
Perhaps it entails feeling more energized so you can play with your grandkids, fueling your body as you train for a race, nurturing yourself and your baby through pregnancy, or maybe it’s even breaking the long line of heart disease in your family. Whatever it may be, the upcoming New Year is a great time to put these goals into action.
You may not know exactly what it will take for you personally to get you there, but I certainly can help by providing you with fun, helpful, and interesting bits of nutrition throughout this next year. So let’s wrap up 2010 by celebrating with family and friends, maybe even sing Auld Lang Syne by the fire and recognize how precious life really is. Let’s recognize what we can do to elongate our time with loved ones and increase the quality of life we have just through what we eat. Don’t forget to fill me in on what you want to know about nutrition this upcoming year… But in the mean time… Happy Holidays!
