Dina specializes in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, Botanical Medicine, Food Science, Pediatric Nutrition
Dina's interests include food studies, culinary history, recipe collecting, baking, cookbook reading, traditional medical systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.
Degree work included course work and clinical practicums fulfilling core requirements for eligibility to take the credential examination to become a Registered Dietitian.
Studies included a two-year certification program as well as two years of advanced graduate work. A three year mentorship was also completed to meet the requirements of the American Herbalist Guild to apply for the registered herbalist designation.
In recent years, Dina's focus has shifted from clinical nutrition practice to recipe development and food blogging. She maintains a website that explores culinary herbalism through the deliciousness of using herbs and spices in baking. Dina follows a regular posting schedule which includes detailed plant profiles, seasonal articles on herb related topics, and recipes. She also journals on her journey to improving her baking skills.
Dina is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian and Herbalist. She has worked in a variety of professional settings including clinical hospital-based and outpatient, community, and private consulting. Her work extends to diverse populations encompassing all ages and socioeconomic classes, but her true love is working with children and their families. She has received specialty certifications in functional nutrition and plant medicine.
For the past 25 years, Dina has been immersed in the science and culture of nutrition. She has worked with critically ill patients in hospital intensive care units designing nutrition plans for those unable to eat. She has counseled developmentally delayed children and their families to assure proper growth and development. Dina has managed a community-based preschool food service program acting as food buyer, menu planner, and cook. In all aspects of her career she has prioritized an individual approach to client care; thus, deepening her understanding of effective nutrition practices.
Two years ago, Dina became a food blogger by launching a website that blends her two professional passions - nutrition and herbalism. The website's contents includes blog posts of varied length and style. Plant profiles and themed articles are longer and detailed while recipe and journal posts are less formal and shorter in length.