I find myself having a lot of conversations about food lately.  This isn’t entirely unusual, as it is one of my favorite subjects, but specifically I’ve been thinking about how confusing nutrition has become.  Between diets touting bullet-proof coffee, weight loss plans which sell processed foods, and confusing food packaging there are a lot of mixed messages when it comes to what’s best for our health.

Though I’ve always had an interest in nutrition I also have a a not so desirable habit of avoiding situations where I don’t know what to expect, so I’d never actually taken the time to visit a dietician.  Where does one find a dietician? How much does it cost? What can I expect at my visit? Curiosity got the best of me when I found out I could visit a nutritionist at MARTIN’S.

Here’s what I learned:

1. It’s not expensive. Turns out, you can see a registered dietician for almost free.  It may sound swanky to have a personal consultation with a nutritionist but really there’s no need for insurance, no need for tons of cash.  Visiting a nutritionist at MARTIN’S costs $20 for a one time consultation, but you receive a $20 gift card to MARTIN’S at your visit.  I don’t know many people who don’t need groceries, so this chalks up to a practically free visit in my book.

2. You can start with the basics. Labels confuse you? Serving sizes confusing? What’s good fat, bad fat and is there such a thing as in-between fat? You’re not alone if you’re confused by nutrition labels.  A MARTIN’S nutritionist has the advantage of being able to take you right out on the floor of the grocery store to talk labels and serving sizes of your favorite brands. No judgement coming from them, they’ll start wherever you are.

3. Good eaters can still learn something. Although I like to think I’ve got a better-than-average handle on nutrition, and I’m a pretty healthy eater, I still had holes in my diet (specifically calcium) that I didn’t think about until my nutritionist pointed them out to me.  I also learned that I should be incorporating a little more vitamin c to my morning breakfast as that helps me absorb the iron in the eggs.  I also realized I had slacked in reading nutrition labels, something I had done more diligently in the past. Even if you’re doing pretty well, a free(ish) visit with a professional might help you round out your diet a little better.

4. Good food is really pretty simple.  Somewhere down the line health seemed to get complicated. There are tons of fads out there and not just ones that raise eyebrows (like cricket flour for example).  It can feel very overwhelming.  A visit to a MARTIN’S Nutritionist won’t result in a new regimen of Cricket-Flour-Kale-Wheatgrass-Goji-Berry-Quinoa-Smoothies with a side of essential oils and gluten free, fermented sauerkraut… (sorry to disappoint). It’s not going to require you to spend a ton, or eat anything weird.  It’s good basic nutrition, small changes and healthier choices which can make a big impact on your health.

Here are a few tips for when you go:

1.  Come in with a goal.  Perhaps you hope to lose weight, have more energy, or just find out where you’re lacking and what you’re doing right. The personalized consultation is just that- personalized, a MARTIN’S nutritionist’s only agenda is to help you achieve your personal goals whatever those might be.

2. Track your eating the week before.  You don’t need to get too detailed, but keep an eye out for what you’ve been eating during the week, this will help your nutritionist get a better handle on where to start making better choices.  Same thing with any supplements you might be taking.

3. Write down a couple questions. Just like being at the doctor, you tend to forget your questions once you get there… then you find yourself during the week thinking “I should have asked about that” of course, you can schedule as many appointments as you’d like (and you’ll keep getting those gift cards) but you can make the most of your appointment if you don’t forget to ask about those specifics.

4. Don’t forget the children.  Sure, you might have a nice well rounded salad on the daily… But kids (and sometimes spouses) are notoriously picky eaters.  The MARTIN’S Nutritionists are armed with a few tricks of the trade to help you introduce new foods into their diet, they’ll help you find better alternatives to their pre-packaged favorites, tips on trying new things or meet with the kids for a kid-friendly lesson.

Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s some delicious lemon yogurt calling me…

Not ready to go it alone? Martin’s hosts classes for both kids and adults which you can learn about here.
Interested in making an appointment with a nutritionist at MARTIN’S?

Caroline Roessler, MS, RDN is in-store nutritionist for MARTIN’S in Midlothian VA call 804-794-7074 for an appointment.

Valerie Pulley, RDN is the in-store nutritionist at MARTIN’S in Short Pump on John Rolfe Parkway and Glen Allen. call 804-364-3644

Like this article? Check out these

Are Your Eating Habits a Mess? Here Are 14 Ways To Get On The Right Track

7 lessons I Learned from Going Gluten Free for One Month

Heart Health for the Whole Family

MARTIN’S is a sponsor of Richmondmom

Starting solids is a fun rite of passage for both parents and babies… but those little packages can feel really wasteful not to mention it gets expensive quick!

Relay Foods, Chop Suey Books, Franklin Goose and Hip to be Round are hosting a free baby food demo at the Hip to be Round store in Carytown.

You’ll learn how to make your own baby food, hear tips, watch the process and taste the final product.
In addition to learning a thing or two you’ll  have a chance to meet other moms, win door prizes and get a discount on nursing apparel.

DIY Baby Food Demo
Thursday, March 26, 2015
6:30pm
Hip to be Round in Carytown
3124 W. Cary Street
Richmond, va 23221
No RSVP necessary.

Hip to be Round is a sponsor of Richmondmom

It’s time to Wine Down at The Wine Loft!
Call your friends, get your sitter, do whatever you need to do to make sure you’re hanging out with us Wednesday April 1, 2015.

Each month we give away great prizes, soak up a relaxed atmosphere, chow down on delicious free appetizers and have a really great time… who knew philanthropy could be this fun?!
If you haven’t joined us for Wine Down yet here’s what you can expect:
– $10 at the door goes directly to charity.
– Generous glasses of wine at a great discount.
-Delicious FREE appetizers provided by The Wine Loft (if you haven’t been there yet, you’re in for a real treat).
– Raise more money for the selected non-profit by purchasing raffle tickets and winning great prizes.
-Meet new people (like Richmondmoms Christa and Sarah) and network or grab a quiet spot for you and a friend to enjoy a kid-free night to catch up.

As much as $1,000 is raised each month in just a couple hours at each event at the Wine Loft so feel good about connecting with other parents, family-focused businesses and raising money for a great cause.

In April we raise a glass (and some funds) for the incredible work done by Safe Harbor.

Safe Harbor is the only dedicated sexual and intimate partner violence program in Henrico County. Our mission is to empower survivors of sexual and domestic violence to transform their lives, and to promote healthy relationships for all. SafeHarbor offers comprehensive services for survivors of sexual and/or intimate partner violence including: A 24-hour helpline, children/youth services, community education and training, trauma-informed counseling, court advocacy, emergency shelter and hospital accompaniment. All of our services are confidential and free of charge to anyone seeking help. We are here to create a community filled with happy, healthy relationships. Join us!

Wine Down
At The Wine Loft in Short Pump
April 1, 2015
6:30pm
All funds will be donated to Safe Harbor.

RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook!

For businesses owners who would like to donate a raffle prize, we appreciate you! Please contact us:christa@richmondmom.com.

These events may also be sponsored by businesses owners. If you’re interested in sponsoring a future Wine Down event, let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

March means spring!
Spring means outside!
Outside means FESTIVALS!

It’s time to get outside and breathe some fresh (not frozen) air.

Fill your calendar with these awesome outdoor activities:

March 6, 2015

Squirrels First Friday Fan Fest & Ticketpalooza
5:30PM-8:00PM
The Diamond
In homage to the Squirrels 2015 Free Shirt Fridays, the first 100 fans who purchase tickets during the First Friday Fan Fest & Ticketpalooza on March 6^th will receive a free T-shirt. Happy hour drink specials will be available from 5:30PM-7:30PM just as they will be all season long during Free Shirt Friday games. Fans can also enjoy live music, concession items and a sneak peak at the new upgrades taking place at The Diamond. FREE to attend.

March 14, 2015

Shamrock the Block
11:00 am- 5pm
1301 North Boulevard, Richmond , VA 23230

Shamrock The Block is free to attend, with great food, live music all day and plenty o’ green beverages for you to enjoy safely, so bring a designated driver. Special kids area with face-painting, bounces, games and more. Come early though, as some lines can get long. FREE.

St. Paddy’s Day Palooza  ***THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY MARCH 15***
11:00am-5:00pm
Innsbrook Pavilion 4901 Lake Brook Dr.

Last year over 10,000 people attended the family-friendly St. Paddy’s Day Palooza a benefit for St. Baldrick’s Innsbrook is gearing up to help you shake off the winter doldrums and enjoy everything Irish! Families can enjoy live music, Irish dancing, bands, food, inflatable: slide, moon bounce, and obstacle course, ice cream, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and a hot air balloon.  Free to attend.

Shockoe Festival
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
17th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220

Live music, Irish dancing, beer, Irish coffee and food. More information to come.

March 15, 2015

St. Paddy’s Day Palooza 
11:00am-5:00pm
Innsbrook Pavilion 4901 Lake Brook Dr.

Last year over 10,000 people attended the family-friendly St. Paddy’s Day Palooza a benefit for St. Baldrick’s Innsbrook is gearing up to help you shake off the winter doldrums and enjoy everything Irish! Families can enjoy live music, Irish dancing, bands, food, inflatable: slide, moon bounce, and obstacle course, ice cream, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and a hot air balloon.  Free to attend.

March 21 & 22, 2015

Church Hill Irish Festival
March 21 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.
March 22 the HillTopper 5K race will begin at 8:00 am. The festival closes at 6:00 pm

In addition to great entertainment, there will be plenty of family fun, including children’s games, a large children’s play area, face painting and Irish-themed crafts. Over thirty Irish vendors will be in attendance. Food and refreshments will also be available. Enjoy wonderful “Irish Lasagna” prepared by the Ladies of St. Patrick’s, “Fish and Chips” and other favorites provided by Rare Olde Times Irish Pub, and many more.
A $5.00 donation will be collected at the gate, proceeds benefit neighborhood causes as well as St. Baldrick’s Society and the historic preservation of St. Patrick’s Church.

March 27-29, 2015

Virginia Horse Festival 
March 27: 1-9 p.m.
March 28: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
March 29: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A three day festival perfect for horse owners, riders and enthusiasts. Food vendors, storytelling, horse shows and more.  Find out more about this family friendly event here.

 Get the mid-week update from Richmondmom by signing up for our newsletter. You’ll get an up-to-date look at kid and family friendly events and activities in the Richmond, Virginia area as well as great stories, school and playgroup information, dinner ideas, shopping, camp informations, volunteering and a whole lot more. Sign up for our newsletter here and find us on Facebook.

EXTENDED: Register and book your FREE photo session before March 22nd!

Spring time is here!! It’s time to shake off those February blues and put on your spring time shoes!

We’re super excited about this contest because not only do you get a FREE hour long spring time session with Butler Photographic Artistry at their absolutely gorgeous studio with cute and cuddly live animals, BUT you also have the opportunity to win our prize package sure to make your spring pretty amazing for the whole family!

A special thanks to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU for sponsoring our contest this year!

How to Enter (please read carefully, you must complete each step to be entered into the contest.):

1. Register your child(ren) March 1 through March 22nd, 2015.  If you have more than three children you may fill out a second registration.  Register here.

2. To help you schedule your portrait session, Butler Photographic Artistry will reach out to you after you submit your nomination and schedule your FREE appointment between March 1 – April 4, 2015.
Your photo session will take place at the beautiful Butler Photographic Artistry Studio and photos will be available for purchase*. (Hurry! Sessions are limited.) If you would like to call and schedule your appointment you may do that as well:804-744-4700

Butler Photographic Artistry will provide Richmondmom.com with a photo of your child for our website and voting page after you have your photos taken.

3. Voting will begin April 8 – 25.  Spread the word friends, parents, grandparents and get them to vote in the contest.

4. Winner will be determined by most unique votes and announced in our newsletter and on Richmondmom April 29, 2015.  Our grand prize winner will receive our prize package.

*Although it’d be a shame to miss out on the opportunity for a free session and beautiful photos, there is no purchase necessary to enter or win.

 

Age categories for the contest are:

• 0-2 years
• 3-5 years
• 6-8 years
• 9-11 years

Check out our fun family prize package below:

A Portrait Wall Panel valued at $1249 from Butler Photographic Artistry

Summer Membership to Midlothian Athletic Club

Supernova Year Membership to the Science Museum of Virginia 

4 Garden Passes to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

4 Tickets to Arena Racing USA

One month of free classes at Romp n’ Roll

 

 

The School of Performing Arts in the Richmond community – SPARC – has provided incredible performing arts experience to students in the Richmond area for over 30 years. SPARC has full-day and half-day camps for students ages 4 to 18. With camps from June to August, every student can find a camp to help them shine!

Cheryl Lage of RichmondMom.com wrote in her article, “Fanning the SPARC”, “As a part-time (9-3:30 daily) working-in-an-office mama, the timing seemed ideal . . .confidence levels rose. Comfort acting, singing and dancing translates well to increased ease in presenting oral reports, speaking at assemblies, conveying the morning announcements. Thank you, SPARC. We’ll be back…probably this summer!”

Voted Style Weekly’s Family Favorites Winner for 2014!

Camps for Pre-K through Rising 3^rd Graders

SPARCLERS Jr. Ages 4+ (Pre-K – Rising K) and SPARCLERS (Rising 1^st – 3^rd Graders)
NEW in 2015: SPARCLERS Camps are now one week sessions. Three exciting themes have been created so campers can participate in multiple sessions and have a unique experience each time.
Journey with us through the world of performing arts in just one week! SPARC’s youngest campers will learn the building blocks of performance – acting, singing, and dancing – as they work together to create a final show for family and friends.

Frozen Follies
June 15 – June 19 | Epiphany Lutheran Church
July 6 – July 10 | Bon Air United Methodist Church
July 20 – July 24 | Randolph Elementary School (*New Goochland Location*)

Imagination Explorers
June 22 – June 26 | Epiphany Lutheran Church
July 13 – July 17 | Bon Air United Methodist Church

Dragons and Damsels
June 29 – July 3 | Epiphany Lutheran Church
July 20 – July 24 | Bon Air United Methodist Church

August Adventure Jr. – Annie Kids (Pre-K – Rising 1^st)
Half Day from 9:00am to 1:00pm for Ages 4+
In partnership, SPARC and Cadence Theatre Company present Disney’s Annie Kids, an abbreviated version of the beloved Broadway show. Students will learn about the rehearsal and performance process while improving their musical theatre skills with new friends. Camp will end with a final performance for friends and family. Half day students will attend from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., with optional after-care available from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
August 3 – 14 | Choose one of three locations: St. Mary’s, St. Cat’s, or Tuckahoe Pres.

August Adventure Jr. – Annie Kids (Rising 2^nd – 4^th Graders)
Full Day from 9:00am to 3:00pm
In partnership, SPARC and Cadence Theatre Company present Disney’s Annie Kids, an abbreviated version of the beloved Broadway show. Students will learn about the rehearsal and performance process while improving their musical theatre skills with new friends. Camp will end with a final performance for friends and family.
August 3 – 14 | Choose one of three locations: St. Mary’s, St. Cat’s, or Tuckahoe Pres.

Camps for Rising 4^th through Rising 8^th Graders

BRAVO JR.! (Rising 4th-5th Graders)
This engaging summer camp offers a daily rotation of creative performing arts training taught by some of Richmond’s leading professional artists! The camp ends with the debut of an original show created by the campers and lead staff. Extended care hours are available.
June 15 – July 10 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Tuckahoe Presbyterian

BRAVO! (Rising 6th-8th Graders)
Each day is filled with engaging performance arts activities such as; acting workshops, musical theatre training, audition skill building, creative movement and artistic collaborations. Students work with professional guest artists to learn about visual arts, stage combat, stage make-up and much more! The camp ends with the debut of an original show created by the campers and lead staff. Extended care hours are available.
June 15 – July 10 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Collegiate School

SummerStarz Touring Ensemble (By Audition Only) (Rising 4th-8th Graders)
Each summer, SPARC’s SummerStarz performing ensemble brings a free, family-friendly performance to over 1,000 people in the community. In 2015, SummerStarz will perform the brand new, award winning musical The Grunch. Summerstarz rehearses for five weeks and then tours the Metro Richmond area for several performances, from July 20-24, 2015.
June 15 – July 24 | Choose one of three locations: St. Mary’s, St. Cat’s, or Tuckahoe Pres.

SPARC Performing Arts Camp (Rising 5^th – 8^th Graders)
This one-week camp focuses on acting, singing, and dance. Students will learn age-appropriate games, exercises and performance material that will be showcased for friends and family on the last day of camp.
July 27 – July 31 | Randolph Elementary School (*New Goochland Location*)

August Adventure Jr. – Annie Kids (Rising 2^nd – 4^th Graders)
Full Day from 9:00am to 3:00pm
In partnership, SPARC and Cadence Theatre Company present Disney’s Annie Kids, an abbreviated version of the beloved Broadway show. Students will learn about the rehearsal and performance process while improving their musical theatre skills with new friends. Camp will end with a final performance for friends and family.
August 3 – August 14 | Choose one of three locations: St. Mary’s, St. Cat’s, or Tuckahoe Pres.

August Adventure – High School Musical 2 Jr.(Rising 5th – 8th Graders)
9:00am to 3:00pm
This smash hit musical comes to life on our stage in Disney’s High School Musical 2 Jr.! SPARC, in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company, will work with campers on all aspects of performance; acting, singing, dancing, props design, set design, costume design and more as they work together to stage the popular show. Camp will end with a final performance for friends and family.
August 3 – August 14 | Choose one of three locations: St. Mary’s, St. Cat’s, or Tuckahoe Pres.

Camps for Rising 9^th through 12^th Graders

ADVANCED BRAVO! (Rising 9th – 12^th Graders)
Designed for the upper level teen who wants to dive into the world of acting, comedy and script writing. Elements of comedy improv, acting and scene work will be the focus, but students will enjoy additional workshops on music, dance, visual arts, combat, and many other exciting theatrical techniques. The camp ends with the debut of an original show created by the campers and lead staff. Extended care hours are available.
June 15 – July 10 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Collegiate School

Summer Acting Studio (Rising 9th – 12th Graders)
Learning to audition well is not easy! Students will focus on monologue selections, character development and audition management practices under the guidance of experienced professionals. Students will also receive the rare opportunity to have professional directors critique their audition pieces at the end of the session!
August 3- August 7 | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Richmond Triangle Players

SummerStock (Audition ONLY) (Rising 9th – High School Graduate 18 and under)
SPARC’s Summer stock ensemble allows students to perform in either a straight play or a musical. In 2015, student will perform in either You Can’t Take It With You or Hairspray.
June 15 – July 26 | 1:00 – 5:00 pm | SPARC Center

SummerStock Tech for Teens (Rising 8th – 12th Graders)
Students will get hands on instruction from theater professionals in all basic areas of technical theater: set design and construction, costumes, lighting, sound, and stage management. At the conclusion of the program, students will be assigned to work as part of the technical crew for one of our Summer Stock productions.
June 15 – July 17 | 9:00 – 1:00 pm | SPARC Center

SUMMER REGISTRATION: Begins on February 2^nd. Register online at www.sparconline.org.
For registration questions contact Adriana Green at (804) 353-3393 ex 221 or agreen@sparconline.org.

This article was sponsored by SPARC.