Occupation: I'm a registered dietician. I run a private practice in Sandy Hook called Reality Bites, and I see patients there. I also do nutrition writing for a website that is a peer-reviewed site targeted to health professionals. I do a lot of pu
Occupation: Iâm a registered dietician. I run a private practice in Sandy Hook called Reality Bites, and I see patients there. I also do nutrition writing for a website that is a peer-reviewed site targeted to health professionals. I do a lot of public speaking at local gyms, schools, and for Newtown Youth & Family Services.
Family: My husband and I have three children. Jagger, who will tell you she is 5¾ years old; Acadia is 3½ years old; and then Axel is my finale and he will be 2 years old soon.
Pets: We have a fish named Zucco Danny Zucco Helfand. He really spices up our house. He is a red beta.
How long have you lived in Newtown? We have been here for three years. We moved from New York City.
What do you like to do in your free time? Iâm pretty voracious for politics these days. I donât actually have much free time, though. I mostly just pay attention to as much political stuff as I can. I do like to read and I like cooking.
Do you have a favorite book? My favorite book is probably The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It really spoke to me at that time in my life when I was reading it. My favorite author, though, is John Irving. Right now I am reading Midnightâs Children by Salman Rushdie and itâs delicious.
Do you have a favorite travel destination? The best trip of my life was to Baja, California. We flew to San Diego, rented a car, and drove all the way to the bottom of Baja, camping along the way. It was amazing. Iâm also a big Block Island fan. We go there every August.
What is the best thing about Newtown? My friends would tell you that it is the fact that it is so close to the City. But I think everyone here has a nice understanding of family coming first. Thereâs a nice Norman Rockwellesque quality to Newtown, and an appreciation for how things should be done.
Who was the biggest influence in your life? My dad. Heâs a molecular geneticist and he is the perfect balance of predictable unpredictability, so I know Iâm always going to have fun with him. I think that is absolutely reflected in how I am with my kids now. I can always let them figure out ways to be creative. What comes out may be something I never thought of before, and I think my dad did that, too.
Do you have a personal philosophy? I always kind of have a changing theme song in my head. Right now, itâs âLong Ride Homeâ by Patty Griffin. When Iâm getting my kids ready for school I hear âThe Zooâ by Simon and Garfunkel or âRocky Raccoonâ by the Beatles. You always need a soundtrack for your life.
Do you have a guilty pleasure? I like martinis, scotch, and beer and yummy cheese and caviar. Everything in moderation, so thereâs always time for all of my guilty pleasures.