"Better" Weekly Wisdom

Are you doing and being the best human you can be?

I hope we are all doing the best we can in our lives. This is one thing I journal about each day, how was I better today?  This idea of being better, doing better is something that should be at the forefront of each start of the day. 

If you are not working on being better, how can you expect others to do the same?  We must set an example for the other humans in our lives who are watching us, listening to us. There are more eyes on you than you know, especially in the social media landscape. There are people who look up to you and you might not even know it. So if this is true, what are you showing them?  Are you showing them your best?

We can all do better. 

The question is, are you willing to do the work it takes to be better?

Start in your own circles, the people who get to share a part of everyday with you. Your family, your friends and even your social media circles. Show them how being better happens in your life and show them everyday. In tumultuous times like these, we get fired up, engage and put a lot of effort to be better. Then it wears off after weeks, months, years. The issues are still there, but our engagement wears off. Don't let it. And if you keep it present in your everyday life, then you're doing better. 

Learn, listen, engage, and be consistent in doing better. 

#Freedom | #EmbraceTheHellYeah

AE

"The Story" Weekly Wisdom

 

I may have been told once or twice that I am awful at story telling. I tend to just get to the point and deliver it. No fluff or pizazz, maybe a few wild hand gestures but I admit, pretty dull. I know people who are great at it and keep me hanging on a thread to hear the end. I admire their story telling talent and appreciate the creativity that comes with it. But a story does not need to have a grand delivery to make it interesting. I believe a story with an elaborate delivery usually means it's fiction and I will take for what it's worth. I have been told a bit too many of those in my day and always hold a bit of caution in my heart. 

In reality, a story can just be a story. 

We all have a tale to tell, whether it comes from our creative side or it comes from a life lived so far. Do we share it with our voice, with a pen, with a computer that I am typing on right now? Or do we keep it to ourselves and just keep on living?  I suggest sharing it - in any creative way you feel represents you. It might be jazzy or a little mundane like mine, but it is yours and worth sharing. My man friend, who I am beyond proud of, is sharing a version of his story so far with a new music album this week. He is great at story telling.  His music tells his story but also lends the listener to create their own. It truly is an art and something I know I can learn from when I continue to tell my own story. 

What kind of story teller are you?

Listen to the new album Lonestar by the Gemini

#Freedom | #EmbraceTheHellYeah

AE

"Beef It Up" Weekly Wisdom

May is National Beef Month

In the past, there has been a lot of dialogue about agriculture and its effects on the environment. I think this had led to a lot of confusion for all people, including health professionals on how they view food from crop and livestock production. It has gotten a little cloudy and I feel it has taken many of us away from the nutrition these foods provide us. That's why I want to celebrate beef month. 

I am not here to educate you on how currently, emissions from cattle, including those that come from the feed production, fuel, and electricity only account for 3.7% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. But I want to share why beef is happiness to me. Not only is beef delicious and nutritious, but the beef industry continues to implement numerous proven sustainability practices throughout each and every step of the “pasture-to-plate” process that contribute to the way beef is responsibly raised today.

Being responsibly raised and being full of nutrition is why beef makes me happy. One of the biggest way beef has made me happier is because of my own personal health. Because beef has 10 essential nutrients, it has added back some nutrients I was missing from my diet and I have to share with you my own personal story. 

I love beef and all animal proteins but because of a busy lifestyle, my intake decreased. I wasn't finding less time to cook as much with a crazy work schedule. As a result, I was getting less protein, becoming more fatigued, and noticed a few more strands on my hair brush. This led me to a trip to the doctor and I found out I was iron deficient and I knew I needed more protein in my diet with beef. Sure I could take a supplement but I am a firm believer in food first and beef has protein, iron, selenium, vitamins B12 and B6 and zinc - the major nutrients I was missing for energy, muscle growth, and preventing hair loss. As a dietitian, I know all of these are so important to make sure my brain is working, my hormones and thyroid are functioning properly and to keep my stress levels down. 

Along with increasing my produce intake to 6 servings a day, I increased my lean beef intake to 12 ounces a week for 3 months and noticed a change in all my symptoms including my iron deficiency. My favorite recipe right now is this Mediterranean Beef and Salad Pita. Making time to make meals in a non-negotiable and I am happier because I feel better. 

So in a way, maybe money can buy me happiness and health with a delicious burger, a sirloin steak, or a savory pita?

#freedom | #EmbraceTheHellYeah

~AE