Nutritious choices made simple®
As a Registered Dietitian, Garrick brings knowledge of nutrition and public health to Guiding Stars. Garrick develops, manages and coordinates nutrition and wellness programs and tools utilizing Guiding Stars for our clients and community. He is passionate about helping people lead healthier lives and making the healthy choice the easy choice. Garrick has experience in community, research, and clinical nutrition and most recently worked for the University of New England as the Senior Nutrition Program Coordinator for Maine SNAP-Ed. There he managed and trained nutrition educators in a statewide nutrition education program for low-income Mainers.
Garrick earned his bachelor's in Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Maine and his master's in Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Rhode Island. Garrick grew up in central Maine and feels fortunate to be living and working back in Maine.
During the holiday season, we see an increase in efforts to address hunger like food drives, fundraisers for area food banks and volunteering at food pantries, food banks, food rescue organizations or free, community meal programs. This additional help is welcomed by our hunger relief partners who support the 37 million people in the U.S. […]
Do you have Friendsgiving plans this year? This holiday, where you share a meal with friends in lieu of family, is increasingly popular among millennials. The concept might have started with college students or coworkers who didn’t have a place to go or the ability to travel home for Thanksgiving, but now it has taken on a life of its own. Groups of close friends (often in their 20s and 30s) gather the weekend before Thanksgiving for a feast in addition to the main holiday event. I’m sure you can understand the appeal of an evening with best friends and more of those classic holiday dishes. But this trend can double an already indulgent holiday. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered with our better-for-you Friendsgiving menu.
Getting out the door on time can be challenging for families. One blip in the typical, hectic routine can derail an entire morning, leaving everyone frustrated and late. Skipping breakfast is not the solution, in terms of health, when time is tight. The benefits of eating a nourishing breakfast are worth the effort. Notably, people who regularly eat a healthy breakfast tend to perform better at work and school. And if the meal is made at home, it can have a positive effect not only on your overall health, but also your budget. These breakfast ideas won’t break the bank and will keep your family full, satisfied, and ready to tackle the demands of the day.
Happy Halloween! It’s almost time for families to go trick-or-treating around the neighborhood or, as I recently learned from my son’s daycare, a trunk. Here are some tricks for making this year’s Halloween a treat for the entire family. Let’s get this party started…
If you’ve read one of my blogs before you’re most likely aware of my affinity for one-pot meals. For me, it all comes down to convenience. These recipes usually have more streamlined prep and fewer dishes to wash at the end. On busy weeknights, that’s a win-win. Cooking this way doesn’t have to be at the expense of flavor and nutrition either. Follow these tips to make sure that your one-pot meals are not only tasty, but also nourishing.
Meal planning and cooking at home are a few effective strategies for eating better on a budget. I encourage people to look at what they have in their pantry already and what is on sale at their supermarket to guide their meal planning. By following these tips, you can purchase less food at the store and save money. You will waste less food and the ingredients you do buy will be at a good price. I like the challenge of piecing together a meal this way with what I have on hand plus a few common grocery list items. It’s like Top Chef on a budget.
Health experts tout the health and social benefits of eating a meal together as a family, but parents cite too little time as a barrier to making this happen. On weeknights, families may have even less time to cook a meal due to busy schedules. Here are a few of my favorite timesaving swaps to help families spend less time cooking and more time around the dinner table.
What type of fish comes to mind when you think of school lunch? Is it breaded, deep-fried fish sticks served with a mayonnaise-based tartar sauce? Because that’s what I think of and it’s not exactly the most nutritious representation of fish. Thankfully, more skilled foodservice directors are finding new, creative ways to incorporate nutritious seafood options into their menus and budget. I discuss here why this is so important.