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Break free from the rigidity of dieting to discover a sustainable way of living that feeds your unique mind, body, and soul.

 
 
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hello beautiful!

I'm Lindsay Sparks, a registered dietitian on a mission to help others move beyond the numbers and recognize that their value and beauty comes from within. Life is more than just going through the motions, it's about getting in tune with your mind and body to live a life well-nourished.

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Services

 
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It's time to ignite and radiate confidence from within by creating the happy, healthy life you deserve. Together, we'll redefine the way you view what healthy is and help you make peace with food and your body.

 

Inspiration to Spark Your Life

 
 
 
 

Ignite Your Inner Spark

 
✨ Hands down one of THE best cinnamon rolls I’ve had in my lifetime. 🤤 . Heading home from a weekend spent in KC with family, and I can’t help but think about all the horrific “red” foods we enjoyed together [lots of sarcasm here 🙄]. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Weight Watchers @ww released a new app for kids ages 8-17 yrs old that encourages fat-phobia and morality around food + bodies (read more about it in an article linked in my bio). This app is unethical, demonizes many nutrient dense foods, and is downright dangerous for young, growing bodies and minds to be using. 👎🏼 Please discourage the use of this app, of putting kids on diets, and seek out a HAES informed pediatric dietitian if you are concerned about your child’s weight and/or nutrition. DM me if you need recs or resources!
We’ve got green beans galore from our garden and trying to get creative with ways to eat ‘em up. This instant pot green beans + Yukon gold potatoes + bacon from @ohsweetbasil was delish and so satisfying! What’s your fave way to cook green beans? . 💁🏼‍♀️Reminder: Potatoes are not “bad.” They are high in fiber and Vitamin C. They consist of carbohydrates. Carbs are an important source of energy and nutrients. You don’t have to restrict or eliminate them. Your brain and cells will thank you when they are adequately and consistently receiving their preferred fuel source—glucose! ✨
Did you know that your brain grows new cells every day? And that the brain grows even more new cells when you are learning new information and skills? Scientists have found that you can “retrain your brain” and develop new abilities all through your life. Pretty amazing! The behaviors, beliefs, and thought patterns you’ve held for so long are like well-beaten paths in your brain. It takes learning, patience, and practice to form new pathways. Something I often talk about with clients who have decided to ditch dieting or disordered eating behaviors is that this process is not linear. It’s more like a spiral. It’s a lifelong practice that has no “destination.” You won’t suddenly wake up one day and be a “perfect intuitive eater” and have zero body image issues. That is not realistic. What is realistic is embracing a growth mindset. What can you learn from challenging moments with food and/or your body? What coping tools, skills, or strategies help you spiral “up” instead of down? Think about what you are good at currently — how did you develop this skill or ability? Now apply this to something you would like to improve — maybe it’s your body image, your relationship with food/exercise, or your cooking skills. What steps can you take to nurture and grow these areas of your life? If you’re not sure where to start, reach out and get support. You deserve a healthy, positive relationship with food and your body.
Today is the last day of “World Breastfeeding Week” and I couldn’t help myself from sharing a bit about my personal journey with breastfeeding. I was fortunate to have had an uncomplicated birth and breastfeeding support immediately after birth. I’ll never forget how proud I felt with getting her first latch and the overwhelming rush of emotion in nourishing her for the first time, outside of my body. After getting home, however, breastfeeding quickly became tricky. I was not getting her to latch well and ended up with cracked, sore, bleeding nipples…Added to healing from a 2nd degree tear, lack of sleep, and a hormone rollercoaster…I remember about 2-3 days post-partum crying to my husband, “I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus.” Despite the hands-on experience I had as a dietetic intern at WIC and shadowing lactation consultants in the hospital, reading the “Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, by the La Leche League International back to front, and taking classes…it all seemed futile as I tried in real time to figure out awkward latches, nursing positions, cluster feeding, night feedings, feeding in front of visiting friends/family, etc… Needless to say, breastfeeding was not “easy” for me and I know I’m not alone. I’m grateful for my midwife, doula, and helpful partner. Without them, I’m not sure how I would have made it through as I honestly felt so frustrated and overwhelmed in the very beginning. I am now 4 months in exclusively breastfeeding Ginny, and pumping once/day for the few hours I work part-time. It has brought me lots of joy to be nourishing my baby in this way. Mamas, mamas-to-be, and folks who remain hopeful to have a baby/babies one day…I see you and I support you in whatever decision you make to feed your baby. You have to do what’s best for you and your family. Please know there are support systems and resources available if breastfeeding is your goal. Checking out your local La Leche League (www.LLLi.org) is a great place to start if you want to learn more. 💗
But diet culture would have you believe it does. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Should you eat carbs? gluten? GMOs? dairy? fat? sugar? sodium? anything with a label or longer ingredients list? Should you fast? drink celery juice? detox? eat past 7pm? exercise X days a week for X minutes? AGHH! It's SO overwhelming, am I right?! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The truth is, dieting and diet culture obscures your ability to TRUST your unique, individual body. It erodes confidence that you are the expert of YOUR body. You can meet your physical and emotional needs WITHOUT deprivation, restriction, guilt, and a bunch of mental gymnastics. And when you put weight + micromanaging your body size on the back-burner, you can learn how to better care for your "here-and-now" body today, and always. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I know it may seem hard to believe, but you don't have to diet or adhere to a "lifestyle change" (aka a "diet in disguise") to take care of yourself. Curious? Reach out! I'd love to help you discover a positive relationship with food, movement and your body.
Good morning, from my half-burnt-pancake-stack. 🙃 Not only did I about burn one of my pancakes to toast, but I also took a sip of maple syrup from a dish I was using to heat it up, thinking it was my coffee. 😅🤪 Just a wee bit sleep deprived today because Miss Virginia thought it would be cool to be a wild monkey last night. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Hope it’s not a sign of sleep regression I have heard much about at this stage...😬 How’s your Thursday going, friends?! 😆 P.S. I’m still avoiding dairy while BFing my dairy-sensitive babe and was stoked to find this non-dairy pancake mix that even packs in a little extra protein, from @birchbenders. Heck yes for convenience, nutrient density, and deliciousness! 👍🏼