NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH — WEEK 4: Feel Good With Healthy Habits

As we wrap up National Nutrition Month, this year’s theme— “Discover the Power of Nutrition”—reminds us that healthy habits go beyond what’s on our plate. The choices we make each day can help us feel our best, reduce stress, and support long‑term wellbeing. This week, we’re focusing on simple routines that make everyday living healthier and more enjoyable.

Feel Good With Healthy Habits

• • Practice safe food handling at home
    Good nutrition starts with food safety. Washing hands and surfaces, cooking foods to the proper temperature, keeping raw and cooked foods separate, and storing leftovers safely all help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
  • Plan ahead to ease mealtime stress
    A little preparation—such as planning meals for the week, prepping ingredients, or keeping a few go‑to staples on hand—can make mealtime smoother and more enjoyable. Small steps can save time and help prevent last‑minute food decisions that feel overwhelming.
  • Move your body in ways that work for you
    Physical activity doesn’t have to be intense or complicated. Enjoy a walk, try gentle stretching, dance to your favorite music, or choose activities that fit your abilities and bring you joy. Every bit of movement adds up to better physical and emotional health.

✨ Team Member Spotlight: Cassandra Pedersen
Cassandra Pedersen is our dedicated Registered Dietitian at Ecumen St. Benedict’s in St. Cloud, and we are so grateful to have her as part of our Ecumen team. She has been with Ecumen for a little over two years now, but her connection to St. Benedict’s goes back much further. When St. Benedict’s joined the Ecumen family, we were incredibly fortunate to welcome Cassandra and the deep expertise she brings. 

Cassandra has spent most of her career working with older adults and brings a thoughtful, resident centered approach to everything she does. She has seen a great deal of change at her site over the years and always meets it with grace. Cassandra is continually looking for opportunities to improve current practices, making them more efficient, effective, and supportive of resident wellbeing.

This week, she is sharing energy ball recipes. She says that she loves having these on-hand for when she is running short on time and needs a quick balanced snack. Feel free to customize them any way to meet your current goals or flavor profile—ENJOY!

12 Energy Ball Recipes (Healthy Snack Recipes) – The Real Food Dietitians.