About
Contact me – E-mail: clausen_dj@yahoo.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/daniel.j.clausen
Hello there! My name is Daniel Clausen and I’m currently a junior in college at UW – Stevens Point majoring in dietetics. I’m working toward becoming a Registered Dietician and eventually working in some sort of community-based field, such as community nutrition education or foodservice management for schools. I want to help others live healthy lives, feel good about themselves, accept who they are, and love themselves.
This blog is a journal of sorts – it details my life through random thoughts, daily events, and the struggles I face. I’m working on recovering from anorexia and OCD and I use this as a tool for coping with stress, sharing my emotions, and trying to motivate others to overcome some of the same problems I run into. For more information about how this came to be and how I arrived at the place I’m at today, check out the “My Story” page.
Seeing as this is the “About Me” page, I guess I’ll share a bit of myself with you. Food, music, writing, learning, experiencing – all are things I enjoy in life. I’ve been playing guitar for about 8 years now (though less than I’d like to because of college) and rock and metal are my favorite genres to play. However, I enjoy almost all genres of music. From rock to rap, swing to jazz, hip-hop to trance, and country and anything between, I’m open to listening to.
I also enjoy playing video games; going for walks, jogs, or bike rides; spending time with my family and friends; cleaning and organizing; doing puzzles and mind games (crossword anyone?); writing, blogging and list making; and, of course, working with food.
Cooking is a passion of mine that I developed before I went to college. Originally it was a tool that I used for me ED that allowed me to control exactly what went into my body. Now it’s an outlet for creativity, a way to express my curiosity, and an effective way to share some love with others. I’m open to all types of cuisines and I enjoy fresh produce just as much as homemade baked goods.
I’m trying to move away from labels, but I guess you could call me a vegetarian. I prefer to eat natural, whole foods and I consume a plant-based diet with the occasional bit of butter, yogurt, or eggs here and there. Part of my food philosophy focuses on ethics though, so I make sure that any animal products I do consume are organic and, if possible, certified humanely raised. I like to do what’s good for my body, the animals, and the environment.
I’m a fun-loving, studious, and smart-mouthed kid just trying to regain the happiness in life that I once had. I welcome you to follow me and my journey toward a recovered life, good eats, a college education, and helping others to the best of my abilities.
August 24th, 2011
Jun 02, 2010 @ 18:28:44
Dear Daniel,
I found your blog a few weeks ago and bookmarked it away. Why did I not sit down and read this before?
Your story is my story on multiple points, except that I am four years younger and still struggling to come to find the healthy balance.
I have that same [at-times] all-consuming desire to make other people healthy! Just like you, “I want to teach people the truth about eating whole foods, healthy foods, and foods that make you feel good.” I believe that proper nutrition in the foundation of physical health.
At one point I would have left out “physical.”
At one point I was obsessed with shoving facts down people’s throats; my blog is partially an outlet to all my rants and opinion-spouting. Sometimes, I still feel bitter when I see people eating horrible things – resentful towards the American food industry, or bitter that no one will listen to the truth I’ve tried to tell them. I’m very intolerant of ignorance.
These were facets of my disordered eating that I am now recovering from. Now, I realize that health is all about BALANCE – balance of not only physical, but also mental, social, emotional, and spiritual. Yes, they are all related, but you can’t ignore any one area. Nutrition is a balance of healthful food and habits and indulgences.
How can I condemn others of their unhealthy eating habits when I was trapped in unhealthy eating cycles myself? How can I judge them as unhealthy when health transcends the physical? These are truths I have to constantly remind myself of.
Struggling with the idea of perfection is another thing we share. I used to be obsessed with perfection! My own idea of it, that is. Little did I know I was, and am, already perfect as God’s child.
I was a vegetarian for a few months, and I desired to be one for several years before that. But then I realized the conflicts and personal problems it created.
Cooking is my primary hobby, besides blogging. I suppose blogging encompasses all my hobbies: writing, photography, computer stuff, cooking, health and nutrition. I like running and being outside.
I’m glad I found your blog!
Alisha
Jul 27, 2010 @ 09:54:03
Hi Daniel,
Your blog and this post in particular inspired me to check out what I need to do to get a degree in dietetics! I think it’s awesome what you’re doing, and so great that you’ve discovered these things so young! I’m still (relatively) young, but I’ve already gone through college and earned a master’s degree in something completely unrelated (and unfulfilling!). I have a newly found passion for cooking and fueling my body with healthy foods, so this is really an exciting prospect for me! With more research and a little more planning, I hope to make becoming an R.D. a reality for me. Thanks for the inspiration!
Good luck.
Jul 27, 2010 @ 14:13:52
I’m glad I could provide a bit of inspiration for you! I’m sorry to hear that your degree is unfulfilling but I hope that you’re able to make the best of it and do what works best for you. It’s nice to see others learning more about healthy and real foods and how great they make your body feel, and I’m wishing you the best of luck on your journey to become and RD as well!
Oct 05, 2010 @ 09:00:52
Hey!! i’m going to school to be an RD as well! So excited for you, the world NEEDS more RD’s. I cant stress that enough… I’d love to chat anytime! i’m always interested in talking to fellow nutrition students
Dana
http://happinessiswithinblog.com
Jan 17, 2011 @ 19:33:03
Hi Daniel,
I hope this question is okay. I am 30 year old female, very underweight (as yourself). I face increased challenges since i’m dealing with a lot of bowel and digestive issues. Nevertheless, I’m thinking I need to gain. Do you count calories? I currently do not exercise because my energy is so low and my weight so low. Really, I need to straighten out my digestion issues to better it. However, I cannot afford to lose more weight. I really am at a very low number and I fear hospital. I’ve been there before and I refuse to go back there. So, do you count calories? I know people say it is about the quality. But surely the math comes in to play. I’m very different from you because I do not eat vegan at all. In fact, I am very heavy on animal products and dairy. But, I’m just too afraid to be restrictive. Anyway, I would be interested in your thoughts.
Apr 01, 2011 @ 21:57:14
Just found your blog – looking forward to following your journey as you work on your goals! Very inspiring.
May 13, 2012 @ 08:30:53
Daniel, I found your blog today, and I am going to be following it from now on. I had anorexia as well, and I am working on eating normally again!!! It is nice to find a blog is about the things that I went/are going thourgh. I am at a almost normal weight now, but that does not make it easier. I will be praying for you and God bless!!!