Week 2- Sunday

On Thursday, we had an MNT patient in for weight loss. I asked her what her weight loss goals were and she said she doesn't care about the number on the scale and just wants to be healthy for a change. It gave us a new turn on the session and thinking of the BGDDA talks, I realize the session couldve been a lot different. I really loved the topics because counseling is a passion of mine which I hope to do some day soon. With that young woman, we could have listened to her more and not given so much advice, but rather let her see her own issues in a different light enough to change them.
This upcoming week will be pretty full and assignments that I'll have this week are to put up a bulletin board Monday or Tuesday for National Nutrition Month which will have the new Dietary Guidelines on them, a article for friday for the commodities day, and a talk about sweeteners that I will give on Thursday to a group of diabetics.

Week 2-Wednesday

I was hesitant at first about how my WIC sessions were going, but now I feel very comfortable and I don't think I'm too behind. I completed the Commodities article that we will send out next friday for people to receive with their food. I wrote it on the new Dietary Guidelines and gave sodium levels for the general population as well as those at risk because older adults are the most common people receiving these commodities.
We have had some interesting patients including one 3 month old who was FTT. We had to refer him to Danville Peds for a quick appointment. It was really sad how small this baby was. I've learned the importance of regular and adequate sized feedings for infants through this situation. I do like the variety of patients in this rotation, it keeps things interesting.
The counselor forgot about our interview and she contacted me at the health department. So we wouldn't have to worry about that again, she decided that itd be best if I emailed her the questions. She was somewhat helpful along with the district nurse I met with Tuesday, but I'm looking forward to my other one with an Extension Agent.

Week 1- Sunday

On Thursday, we travelled to Mercer County Health Department and worked there for the day. Our first patient was an MNT and there are very few of them at the Boyle County Health Department. We had two total this week and the form was very extensive, including diet recall, medical history, meds, readiness to change, and labs if available. I wish I had more information to go by, but Julie said we can ask the pt all the questions if necessary. Its interesting to see some patients who don't want any education, they just want the food. Some of the patients mothers have needed the education but when asked if they'll do MNT, they usually refuse.
On friday, I did my hands experience with the coordinator who does most the follow-ups. It was a familiar client who hadn't yet had her baby. We discussed the feelings she may have post-partum and ways to combat them.
I plan to meet with the Boyle County HS Counselor tomorrow as scheduled for an interview. Hopefully she has some information on the community.

Week 1 Wednesday

We have been getting a variety of patients in for WIC certs, recerts, or follow ups for nutrition educations. The RD doesn't do many MNTs here but she suggests it with those at nutritional risk. The problem is it is more money out of the patients pocket and many of those at nutrition risk don't want to be counseled.
On my first day, Brittany and I both got our Environmental facility inspection done. We went into two city elementary schools and assessed their cafeterias and their school environment. The health department has 2 Environmental Specialists and both went along.
For WIC consults I have been calling in a few patients and asking various questions for their recertifications. The certs are more conversational that I thought they would be. I'm pretty comfortable talking with the patients, but I'm still learning what all should be asked along with the codes.

Week 2

I didn't realize that I didn't post this week, I hope its okay! Everything wrapped up well at Kroger and I liked the variety. Friday we worked in the office in the morning. I had researched the ginkgo supplement for them and typed up a summary to be able to share with interested customers. So I shared that with them that morning. I found that in a very large, long term (6 year) study, they found no difference in cognitive decline in the group taking the supplement than with those taking the placebo. They get interesting questions about products or ingredients and want to be able to help them.
We also went back to the stores in the afternoon for the Grand Opening. One of the two stores had the grand prize and much advertising was used. Whereas they didnt put much emphasis on the other store. I got a chance to tell people about NuVal in both stores. Our booth was available at both. I made the display for one of the stores comparing the different products NuVal scores.
I'm glad to be getting into the health department tomorrow.

Week 1- Sunday

I am looking forward to this week. We are putting up a booth at two separate Kroger stores in Lexington where we will educate customers about Nuval and any nutritional questions they may have. Amey was hoping to have some materials to give out, so I am creating one for Nuval that will be personalized for Kroger as well as easy to understand. Right now they only have a general brochure from NuVal and many of the services in the brochure are not yet at Kroger. I am also about finished completing a Gluten Free Shopping Tool as the RDs get many questions like "what CAN I eat?". Many times, those questions are left incomplete because there are many options. My tool will show the customer the ingredients to stay away from and other tips like calling the manufacturer. I'm hoping to have a lot of interaction with customers at the Grand Openings Wednesday and Thursday.

Week 1- Wednesday

Kroger really is a new experience all its own. I have been helping Amey plan for upcoming events and yesterday she led two grocery tours at Richmond Kroger which I attended. She introduced me to the head chef of one of the Lexington stores and many of the managers. The tour talks about the NuVal score for most food categories and how specific nutrients in those categories influence the score.
She and Leigh, the other RD covering the area have their own office in a smaller store. Tomorrow they are going to be on WKYT news at noon. They will air live around 12:30 and Amey plans to present economical nutrition tips and options at kroger along with a recipe I manipulated. We worked together on what they would talk about and the recipe. I think this line of work is really interesting because of all the variety. Looking forward to the other things coming next week.