Nutrition 4 The Average Joe

01/02/2026

Accessing Nutritious Foods Virtual Town Hall

January 9th, 2026, at 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM CST

Overview:

Join us for the “Accessing Nutritious Foods” Virtual Town Hall, a dynamic discussion exploring the critical role of nutrition assistance programs, such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), in supporting the health and well-being of individuals and families with an interdisciplinary lens.

This interactive session will highlight:

• The importance of SNAP and WIC in improving access to healthy foods and supporting long-term health outcomes.

• Barriers that prevent eligible individuals from accessing these programs include systemic, logistical, and awareness challenges.

• Existing resources and strategies that can help bridge gaps in food access for underserved communities.

• Advocacy opportunities for healthcare professionals, including dietitians and physicians, to promote equitable access to nutritious foods through policy engagement, community partnerships, and patient education.

Participants will gain actionable insights and practical tools to help improve nutrition security in their communities and support efforts to shape policies that advance health equity.

Whether you are a healthcare provider, community advocate, or policymaker, this town hall will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to make a meaningful impact in ensuring all Illinoisans-and beyond-can access the nutritious foods they need to thrive.

Hosted by: The National Hispanic Medical Association and we’re very happy to have IAND’s very own Nutrition Services Payment Specialist joining as a panelist!!!

Registration Link in bio!

Flyer attached.

12/17/2025

Always fills my cup meeting with other passionate people☕️

December’s LAHIDAN Chicago Meet-Up 💖 Support your local Latino owned businesses during this time!!!

10/16/2025

This past Sunday, I was thrilled to moderate the Spotlight Session, “Enhancing Nutrition Through Cultural Adaptation: Perspectives and Realities in AAPI, Black, Latino, and South Asian Indian Communities,” at in Nashville, TN!

This session held special meaning for me — the idea first took shape over a year ago, and through collaboration with like-minded professionals, it evolved into a platform to explore how culture, nutrition, and healthcare intersect in deeply impactful ways. A heartfelt thank you to Nutrition Education for the Public DPG for believing in the idea and in me! 💛

As I shared in my opening remarks, our work as nutrition professionals extends far beyond providing information or evidence-based guidelines. It’s about ensuring that the care we deliver is meaningful, relevant, and reflective of the diverse communities we serve. In a nation of more than 340 million people, cultural identity is inseparable from food, health, and well-being. Too often, interventions are designed as “one-size-fits-all,” overlooking the traditions, values, and lived experiences that truly shape how people eat and engage with health.

That’s where cultural adaptation becomes essential — moving beyond translation to a thoughtful process that centers community voices, acknowledges social realities, and integrates both surface- and deep-structure strategies to make nutrition care equitable and effective.

I was honored to facilitate this discussion alongside our incredible panelists:
Dr. Sudha Raj, Dr. Jera (Qianhui) Zhang, Denine Rogers, and Clarissa Rivera, who brought both cultural and professional perspectives from the AAPI, Black, Latino, and South Asian Indian communities. Collaboration from LAHIDAN MIG, NOBIDAN MIG, IND MIG, and the AAPI MIG were what brought us all together! Together, we explored what culturally responsive care looks like in practice and how it can drive better health outcomes for all.

10/14/2025

Definitely got my steps in for the at !

Can’t wait to recap the travels and experience from this year.

09/24/2025

After months of planning, our 2025 Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation Raíces Public Policy Conference: Education, Engagement & Empowerment has officially come to a close!

This year’s conference brought together leaders, advocates, and community members committed to shaping policies that uplift and empower Latino communities across Illinois. From powerful discussions to meaningful connections, we are grateful for the engagement and energy each of you brought to the table.

Thank you to the nearly 1,000 people who joined us, contributed their voice, and helped make this year’s Raíces Conference a success.

Make sure to keep an eye out for our upcoming Raíces Report, which will highlight key data from the discussions and help us continue promoting equitable policies across Illinois!

08/19/2025

Educational Opportunity Alert!

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (PI: Minakshi Raj, PhD) invite RDNs working in nursing homes or hospitals in Illinois to attend a workshop at Clark Lindsey Village in Urbana, IL to learn about the history, benefits, and uses of culturally diverse spices and herbs on September 26th, 2025 from 7 am to 3:30 pm. Breakfast and lunch are included. The workshop includes educational sessions, including a food demonstration. Also excited to say I am stoked to be presenting “Spices and Herbs in Practice: Enhancing Health, Cultural Connection, and Dietary Adherence”!

Attendees are also invited to enroll as participants in a related IRB-approved study involving completion of a pre- and post-session survey to evaluate changes in knowledge and confidence related to spices and herbs.

Participants will receive an Amazon gift card upon completion of each survey.

RSVP at the link in my bio!

Any questions can be directed to Minakshi Raj at 
mraj@illinois.edu or the Aging, Caregiving, and Technology Lab at  hk-actlab@illinois.edu.

07/30/2025

This past weekend, I had the honor of speaking at the Dream. Plan. Achieve. event hosted by Palenque LSNA for youth exploring their next steps after high school or college.

It was an incredible opportunity to connect with students—many of whom are navigating similar challenges I faced as the “first” in their family to pursue college, graduate school, and beyond.

The panel shared honest reflections on both the struggles and successes we’ve experienced, along with practical advice on how to keep moving forward.

I left feeling truly inspired and grateful. Thank you to Palenque LSNA and Edgar Vilchez for the invitation and creating such an intentional and empowering space for youth. My cup is full! 💫

06/23/2025

05/16/2025

During pregnancy, women and their unborn children are at higher risk for foodborne illness, which is also known as food poisoning. A woman’s immune system changes during pregnancy, making it harder to fight off certain harmful foodborne infections. Use the following tips to help reduce the risk of...

05/15/2025

A couple of weeks ago, I participated in the Derby for Diabetes walk with to not only support the Wisconsin Lions Camp towards their diabetes camp but also to support my sister !

Here’s to all the people out there diagnosed with diabetes who are out there learning, and implementing strategies to live their healthiest lives. Shout out to for their support to this diabetes camp.

03/15/2025

The Chicago Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics coordinated a trip to The Greater Chicago Food Depository for an opportunity to pack meals during National Nutrition Month!

In total, today’s volunteers at the morning shift packed a grand total of 14288 lbs. of Food Repacked,and 11907 Meals Repacked!

Mason & I personally scooped over 5,000 lbs of pasta today with our two other helpers🤣