Tell us a bit about yourself and your brand?
I’m a southern girl- born and raised in the rural south and now living in Atlanta. I’m a writer, media spokesperson, and consultant. I blog at MarisaMoore.com, where you’ll find nutrition tips and simple seasonal recipes. I launched my consultancy 4 years ago upon leaving an awesome full-time job at the CDC. Building on my clinical nutrition and wellness background, I now focus on functional and culinary nutrition, and enjoy showing how easy and delicious it can be to eat well. With science as my foundation, I use a small step, food first strategy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not a one-shot, all or nothing thing. It’s a process and my goal is to make it a little easier, one tasty morsel at a time.
What’s your favorite part about being a dietitian? I don’t get bored with work. Ever. Being a registered dietitian nutritionist gives me countless opportunities to see and do new things. And helping others is in my DNA. I’m grateful to have chosen a career that lets me marry my love for science and passion for food with educating and helping others.
Describe what your typical week looks like?
One of the things I like most about my job is that I don’t have a typical week. One day I could be in my home office doing research for an article or writing to meet a deadline. The next day, I’m in the kitchen working on new recipes or heading to a TV studio for a story on the latest nutrition hot topic. Later that week, I could be developing a workshop or working with a restaurant client to create healthier menu options.
How do you find balance between work & personal?
It’s easy to work all day- even if it’s fun things like watching a cooking show or taking food photos. To remedy this I try to start and end my workday around the same times. I transition into personal time each day by walking my dog (Biscuit) then preparing dinner. Regular physical activity helps me relax. I jog most mornings, take a yoga class on occasion, and dance salsa as often as I can. I always leave the studio or dance floor feeling invigorated. To connect with friends and be active at the same time, I invite friends to catch up over a walk, hike, or a dance class. And a few times a year, I close the laptop to visit family and experience new places. I aim to visit 2-3 new countries every year.
What are 3 foods you can’t live without?
Black beans, sweet potatoes, and avocados- though cinnamon is a close runner up!
Great interview! Love reading about your RD spotlights, gives me so many new people to follow.