Wisdom Wednesday

I wish we lived in a world of pure sugar everywhere, but that is not the case. Once in awhile our tongues get burned by too much salt. 

In a world full of both sweet and salty, trust your gut. Your brain can play tricks on you by overthinking, your heart can be completely blind, but the vibrations your body picks up on...those you need to trust. You feel them deep down inside and the feeling does not go away. 

Listen to and feel the energy given to you and may you always be able to choose the flavors YOU desire. 

AE

1 Way to Use Joy in Your Nutrition Counseling

Original post in Stone Soup Blog for Food and Nutrition Magazine June 27th, 2016. Hope you enjoy!

"Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys." — Anonymous


One year ago, I read the quote above and it really resonated with me. As RDNs, we are trying to nourish our clients with reliable science-based nutrition education and healthy food. We help them work through their problems, both emotional and physical. How many times have you worked with a client and the majority of the session is negative talk, using the words "can't" and "won't"?
I think this emphasis on the negative misses something. Instead, let's start talking about joy: both of the clients and of ourselves.
As registered dietitian nutritionists, we give a lot of ourselves to our clients because we really, truly care about them. We want them to be healthy and happy. We want them to meet their goals and find the perfect wellness balance in their lives. When it does not happen, we take it personally and burden ourselves with the negative results or inadequacy of our expertise. Their problems become our problems. I certainly have experienced this.

"Jar of Joy"

So last year, I started a little experiment to break the habit. I started a "Jar of Joy." At the end of each day, I dated a small piece of paper, wrote down at least one thing that brought me joy and placed it in the jar.
Then, at the end of the year, I emptied my jar and read 365 papers full of perfectly wonderful joys.
When taking a longer view, I realized the things that can feel negative in the moment can equally be seen as "beautiful chaos" and provide inspiration and goodness. After writing my daily joy, it was easy to forget the problems of the day or things I was struggling with. If this simple task could do this much for me, I knew it would do amazing things for my clients.
I'm now in year two of my "Jar of Joy." I am continuing to write my own daily joys. I'm even encouraging some of my clients do the same. When a client arrives for an appointment, we start with a written joy. It starts our session in a positive way, reminds them they are working toward their own personal greatness and recognizing the good in their life.
I keep each paper they bring me and when they are finished working with me, we read them together. It not only is a celebration of their wellness success, but also reminds them of how they responded to everyday life by experiencing joy and in turn became healthier along the way.

Anne Cundiff, RD, LD, FAND, is a retail dietitian in Iowa. Read her blogs, Nutritional Noshes and Crazy Cool in the Kitchen, and follow her on Twitter.


AE

Wisdom Wednesday

By the time a smile actually comes across your face, your insides are already glowing, bubbly and happy. It comes from deep down from our insides. Thus is how you know how real and simply amazing a smile is when its present on our faces and grazes our lips. 

There are people who bring this amazing phenomenon out of our crazy and complicated insides. They do it often and bring out the most pure and brilliant smiles that glow in your cheeks and your eyes. 

A person who makes me smile like this a tiny but mighty gift. 

Yes, I'll take more of that. 

AE

A Week of Transitions

Hey yo! June is in full swing and transitions and transformations are happening a plenty. Over the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have been in a health challenge with 2 of my girls, Stacey and Laura. I kind of jumped on board after the guidelines were established, but I am still really happy I did. We are focusing each challenge on health and wellness. We are almost done with the first one of 21 days that will end, ironically at 11:59 pm on the 21st. I am transforming myself into a healthier me and I am kind of digging it. The next challenge is a little longer and a little tougher, but that is perfect to keep me on track this summer. 

Along with my own personal wellness challenge, I am assisting Hy-Vee Fitness's personal trainer Andrew, get kids fit over a 5 week fitness and nutrition challenge this summer. We are 2 weeks in and it was perfect timing to talk National Dairy Month. We focused on how milk really does a body good and how chocolate milk (yes creamy and delicious chocolate milk) is the BEST recovery drink after a any physical activity. Move over sports drinks....who doesn't love chocolate milk? 

This week, I also spent some time talking, catching up and laughing with a couple of my favorite people, Amanda and Jodi. Jodi drew this adorable little picture and this "Picasso" gives a pretty great idea of this friendship. Jodi and I like to refer to ourselves as the "oldies but goodies."  

Friday was one of my biggest transitions of the year so far. I had completed by services as President of the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A year never seemed so short!  It was one of the greatest experiences I have ever been bestowed. I was supported by a fantastic Board and Council who unselfishly volunteered their time to continue the greatness that is the Iowa Academy. I decided to greet my ladies and gents with a few breakfast noshes to get the day started as a thank you for all they have done over the past year. I am very proud of all that was accomplished and looking forward to all that will be accomplished in the future. 

Executive Board Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2015-16. Lori Winborn (Past President), Anne Cundiff (President), Christy Freese (President Elect)

My predecessor, Lori, was a phenomenal leader and teacher. She was always there for support and guidance, which was vastly needed on occasion. My successor Christy, was also inspiring by the way she processed and thought out next steps and the future needs of the Iowa Academy. Pretty proud of the Executive Board of 2015-16. 

Then it was time to pass the gavel and Christy became the 2016-17 President of the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

And here is the new Executive Board of 2016-17, me, Christy and our new President Elect, Becky Prostine. These ladies are going to do amazing things, you just watch!

This president was ready for a little celebratory cocktail. The night was beautiful on Friday and it was great to slip off my shoes and sip on something cold. 

The week ended with it being Father's Day Weekend and my first Father's Day without my Dad. This picture was taken 2 years ago on Father's Day and it just makes me smile. My Dad always was so happy to see me. He gave the best hugs and kisses any girl would love. I missed those this year. But reflecting over the past week, I felt them. I felt the hugs and kisses of a proud and loving father. And that is all I could ask for when he is worlds away.  

AE

Wisdom Wednesday

Received this from my friend Brenda a few weeks ago and I can't get it out of my head. Surround yourself with people who make your heartbeat, who take your breath away and encourage you beyond belief. 

These people are your heartbeats.

My tribe makes my heartbeat and are the greatest gifts I have ever received. 

AE

Friends, Memorial Day, Golf, Music, Future, and Real Deal Kind of Weekend

I think summertime likes to give me more time than I know what to do with by providing longer, sunny filled days and endless opportunities of excitement. However, it does rob me of known indoor activities like writing and blogging. So being the wise adult that I am, I know now to place an alert in my phone that says (no joke):   "Hey Anne,  I know you're having a blasty blast but it's been 2 weeks, have you blogged?"  

The first official holiday weekend to kick off summer fun started with a little trip to Omaha to have Happy Hour with my frista and other lady friends. We dined on sushi, had a few Grey Goose and waters and had endless laughs. Those girlies just make my day and it is always fun to go back and catch up with them. 

One of our favorite spots is Kona Grill because they have killer happy hour sushi and cocktail specials on their amazing patio. The only thing I wonder about Friday's in Omaha is does anyone work past noon?  Geez.....

After a delightful night with the girls, I headed back to my roots to enjoy seeing my beautiful mother, family and the peace and quiet.

There was a time in my life I felt leaving Panama and not looking back was the best thing in the world. Thing is, all roads lead back to the foundation of my life. There is a sense of peace and calm in this small but mighty Iowa town 

(cue John Cougar Mellencamp and the sweet sounds of Small Town). 

When I am back in the hood, I love to head out and hit the pavement with an exploring run. So many fun memories come rushing back and I feel like I could run for endless miles (which let's be honest, 4 miles is more like it and realistically my limit).  The train tracks line the east side of town and run through Whispering Pines Park, which was frequently traveled on by a slew of girls on bikes.

There is this calming sense of comfort as I drive up Main Street and see the homestead on the right. The home I spent the majority of the youth in, sprayed endless amounts of hairspray in, sang karaoke to Cyndi Lauper with my girl gang, ate homemade pizza under the kitchen table, slammed a few doors in, shed a few tears in and shared a life with my amazing parents and sister. I may have also kissed a few boys on the front porch as well.

We picked beautiful peonies in our backyard to take to my sweet Papa and sister on Memorial Day.  Peonies are one of my favorite flowers and they are everywhere in Panama. My mom has these stunning pink ones in the back yard.

 I had a little help from my friend Gypsy. She is also my fur baby, Lil g's momma. She loves to tag along in the backyard and supervise all the happenings.

I also couldn't resist one of my most guilty pleasures from my Mom's garden:  ONIONS!  Oh my goodness, I seriously can pick this straight from the ground, wash it off and eat it like candy. I don't mind dipping it in a little salt if it's handy. The best part about this is I know she planted them for me because she runs as fast as possible away from onions. So thank you Mom for this produce pleasure!

After a relaxing time back home, another work we started. Except this week was not only short, but it was our annual managers golf outing. 

There were over 300 managers who spent the day out on the links. Even though our team didn't win anything,  I would say our team won in the entertaining and a blast to be with division.  Thanks Matt, Jason and Stacey for making it such a fun day!

Each year, my summer officially starts with the first concert I go to.  Last year, I pledged to attend 3 concerts (minimum) a summer because there is nothing better than witnessing music in its most vulnerable and creative space: live. I also pledged to be open to new and different types of music to expand my horizons and the first one up did a lot of expanding.  It was an enjoyable night of creative outlaw country at Wooly's. 

The end of week was full of new adventures. I met up with this lovely, who I haven't seen for a long time when she was my intern!  I am proud of Jena and all of her dietitian accomplishments thus far. It is great reconnecting with dietitians I have worked with in the past and hear about all the amazing things they have done and are doing. 

The Principal Charity Classic was back in town this past weekend and it was a pretty kick ass day out on the course. I enjoyed a few beers, soaked up some sun (with SPF 30 slathered all over of course!) and hung out with some of my favorite people. 

Whew! Holy Sh*% that was a crazy, busy, beautiful week!  I love this time of year. I love making memories and being with people who make my heart beat. 

AE