Each month from September to April, two Nutrition Workshops on the same topic are offered each month in the AM and PM at the Dahl Y in La Crosse in HLC Classroom A (kitchen teaching classroom). All are welcome regardless of where they are in their nutrition journey! No nutrition coaching consultation is required. Something delicious will be served, so a small fee will be charged to cover the cost of food served to participants and other workshop materials. A more detailed description of each workshop will be published in the month of the workshop. 

December: Healthy holiday alternatives

As you prepare for the holidays, we encourage you to consider healthy alternatives to traditional ingredients in your favorite holiday foods. In this workshop, you will receive recipes, handouts with substitutions for ingredients, and a holiday challenge. Additionally, we will discuss how to creatively enjoy the holidays savoring your favorite foods, yet avoiding weight gain. Along with the information that will shared, a delicious beverage, savory appetizer, and sweet dessert will be served.

The information provided in these workshops is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Presenters for the Nutrition Workshops bring a wealth of experience as indicated in their bios below:

Presenter: Gretchen Newhouse, Ph.D., Dahl Y Wellness Director, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach

Gretchen’s approach to wellness encompasses a holistic perspective that ultimately empowers her clients to live life well autonomously and independently. Wellness has been a lifelong passion for her since childhood. She participated in collegiate athletics in both volleyball and basketball. After college, she pursued other wellness adventures like bicycling across the United States, running a marathon, various other running events, and outdoor adventure activities. Continuing the pursuit of learning everything wellness led her to successfully earn a Ph.D. and then teach at several universities, including the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for 16 years. Her wellness journey has not come without challenges as a former yo-yo dieter and cardio addict, then diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s: hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid) after the birth of her third child. Daily, she seeks knowledge on wellness and experiments with new workouts, nutrition, and recipes that will eventually help her clients in the future.

Presenter: Laurie Nelson RN, Food Forest Coordinator

Laurie was hired as the Food Forest Coordinator, at the La Crosse YMCA, in June 2023. She has had her hands in a garden since she was a child. She grows her own vegetables, fruit, and flowers and has been focused on healthy eating and exercise for many years. She is a veteran nurse of 30 years working in critical access hospitals and running a cardiac rehab unit. She spent many years working with high-risk teens and families. Laurie is also an artist and has recently expanded into textiles and specifically dying natural textiles with leaves and flowers. She grew up on a farm and later ran her own cattle ranch and understands the closer your food source is to the dirt the better it is for you. She believes in grounding in nature to improve your mental health.

AGE: 10 + YEARS OLD

AGE: 10 + YEARS OLD

AGE: 10 + YEARS OLD

AGE: 10 + YEARS OLD