As 2011 comes to an end, it’s the perfect time for reflection. Protestors around the world demanded that their voices be heard, and we lost tech visionary Steve Jobs whose legacy defined a generation. Congress blocked new rules to make school lunches healthier, while Medicare joined the fight against obesity. Though the world is in a constant state of motion and change, we think of our accomplishments from previous months and set clear goals for the year ahead.

At Integrative Nutrition, we are committed to being the catalyst for change.  We think of 2011 as a monumental year for health coaching.

Our students and graduates are changing the face of health and wellness. They are making headlines, creating new products, and enjoying continued success. They are also coming up with innovative new ways to bring health and happiness to a world that is primed for a shift from the status quo.

We recapped the first half of 2011 back in July. (Read our Half Year in Review for all the details.) The second half of 2011 has been action-packed as well.

Food Day is just around the corner on Monday October 24^th and it seems that the whole country is excited. Just take one glance at the Food Day website and you will see hundreds of events scheduled to take place from Washington to Maine. Just as Michael Jacobson had hoped when he founded Food Day last year, people are joining together to push for and celebrate healthy, affordable food that’s produced in a sustainable and humane way. Even Slow Foods is participating by encouraging people to take part in their second $5 dollar challenge on October 24^th.

There's no two ways about it – maintaining a healthy diet definitely takes effort. Between our many obligations, finding time in our fast lives to prepare a fresh, home-cooked slow food meal can be a challenge in itself.

The financial cost, however, does not have to be a strain. We firmly believe that healthy meals can be just as budget-friendly as fast food and freezer items. You just have to think a little ahead.

This is why we're so excited about Slow Food's $5 Challenge. The idea is simple - on September 17, your task (should you choose to accept it) is to eat a slow food meal for less than $5 per person. Your slow food meal can be a dinner cooked for yourself and a few friends or a whole neighborhood potluck! If you want to join a pre-existing event, the Slow Food website can even help you find a local $5 Challenge event.

We hope this challenge will help debunk the myth that healthy food has to cost more than McDonalds. Once we show our friends and families that a real "value meal" saves your health as well as your cash, the movement can expand.