Meet Jen from Down-to-Earth Dietitian

04/25/2014

Jen Haugen grew up gardening, an activity that created lasting memories of eating ripe tomatoes straight from the garden. Jen continues to pursue her love of gardening and food as a registered dietitian, aspiring to connect families with the fascinating adventure of food, from farms to tables.

Sharing the path of food from the field to the fork is just the beginning at Jen’s blog Down-to-Earth Dietitian. Her blog is filled with goodies like ways to transform your morning and how to give family breakfast a makeover.

We love Jen’s practical and approachable take on health and nutrition. Recently, we got the chance to catch up with Jen to get the skinny on some of her favorite tricks of the trade, her inspiration and more.

What inspired you to become a blogger? 
I was inspired to start my Down-to-Earth Dietitian blog because I have a passion for “unearthing the journey of food” and sharing that adventure with other moms who may not be as familiar with how food arrives on their plates. I started my blog two years ago as a way to let out some creativity and share meal ideas with moms, but I have come to hone my voice into what I really love writing about: the journey of food – the path it takes from the farm to the plate – and how to take that food and turn it into a nourishing family meal.

Favorite food to eat:
It’s hard to choose, but I’ve always loved pizza and salad.

Favorite food to make:
It’s more of a meal – Thanksgiving dinner with the turkey, my special cranberry apple walnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole – the whole thing.

Sweet or savory … or both:
Ooh, I’ll have to say savory. I will even eat last night’s supper for breakfast on occasion.

Favorite trick of the trade when it comes to cooking:
Planning on Sundays by cutting up veggies, removing meat from the freezer and inviting my kids into the kitchen to help create a meal together.

Nutrition advice you live by: 
Moms are the nutrition gatekeepers and have the power to change the health of their family by teaching cooking skills and planting a garden together with the kids. To know food, you must know the journey.

What is the hobby you don’t get to do nearly enough?
Camping

Biggest misconception about food you come across:
The misconception that modern day agriculture is causing more harm than good. Nothing could be further from the truth.