"If it's not a Hell Yeah then it's a Hell No" Weekly Wisdom

Nosh One. Wisdom. 

When was the last time you said yes and didn't 100% mean it?

I am a sucker for saying yes. I never want to disappoint anyone and I think I can truly can do everything. Which I can, but I cannot do everything. I don't have enough time. I had to establish guidelines to what I can or cannot commit to. And I know I have pissed people off along the way by saying no. I have pissed myself off by saying no. I have felt guilt and shame for letting people down. 

Nah, not really into that anymore. 

I decided I cannot say yes anymore if I cannot 100% mean it with my whole heart and soul. And I don't want you to do it anymore either. How many times has someone asked something of you and you break out in a cold sweat because you said yes, regret it and have anxiety about it until it's come and gone?  Your whole week is affected by this decision and you run multiple "how can I get out of it" scenarios through your head. It is not the way to live.

When you take back your decisions, empower yourself with being comfortable with a simple no, you get your life back. Your precious and important life you need to be living FOR YOU.  No explanation needed, no sentences following your "no" response. You must live your life for you and find the comfort in choosing exactly what you want to do by embracing the hell yeah. 

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation. 

April #EmbracetheHellYeah Conversation

What makes you say “hellyeah” at the end of the day?  For any question I am asked or I ask myself, if I cannot 100% say hell yeah as my answer then it is a hell no. I want you to embrace saying yes with your whole heart and soul by enjoying every part of your authentic life. At the end of each month, I want to get more up close and personal with you all on the other side of the airwaves and share with you more about how my podcast guests are I are doing our best to #embracethehellyeah.  This month’s topic is inspired by a post made by my previous podcast guest, Mitch Zandes about NOT being an entrepreneur.

Connect and let me know what you think by emailing me or connecting with me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

Nosh Three. Weekly Hellyeah!

How is your April going?  Is it full of Spring and green?  Finally in the beautiful Des Moines, I am getting glimpses of that spring life I love...tulips and daffodils and my grass is slowly getting green. Which means lawn mowing life is back in effect but I am totally cool with it, beats snow scooping any day. 

At work this month, our Dietitian Pick of the Month is Vega Plant-Based Protein and I will be honest, plant-based proteins have really not been on my radar. I remember trying them a few years ago and did not love them but Vega has completely changed my mind. I partnered with my Caribou coffee to create a Matcha Smoothie with Vega Vanilla Protein and it is delicious. This particular part of the Vega line is a greens blend and has broccoli, alfalfa, spinach and kale in it without any obvious taste. I need all the help I can get with my veggie intake. There are many other flavors and products in the line. I highly recommend giving it a try if you use protein powders as part of your healthy lifestyle. 

A few Saturdays ago, I was approached to come and do a couple presentations for our local Navy service men and women on energy drinks and fad diets. I always have the nervous excited feelings before a presentation because I want to do a great job and I want it to be interesting. It all went really well. I met some great people and had some great questions. Before I left, the Commander left me with a challenge coin in a parting handshake. What a gesture. I had huge happy tears in my eyes walking back to my car. It is awesome to know you make a difference in a world where not a lot of positive feedback is given. These are the priceless connections I hope to continue to make. 

April also means my Gramma Alice celebrates her birthday! I got to see her the day before for a visit and my Mom had her down for dinner on her special day. This beauty celebrated 93 years on this earth. There are some solid genes in this family. 

There are many dietitians out in the world doing great things and I am always grateful to be listed amongst them on occassion. The Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group (NEDPG) reviewed my book and placed it in their Ventures Newsletter among other authors. These kind of things always remind me to not put off your passions or things you want to do. If you feel a tug on your heart to do something, now is the time! I also greatly appreciate the NEDPG for all they do for dietitians. If you are looking at what DPG's to join this year, I highly recommend it. It is not just for business owners but for anyone who has a dream of speaking, writing, publishing, and coaching. 

I rounded out April getting to see some of my Omaha friends in a very random and fun way! Taina, Lacey and Bobby had a fun day in Des Moines and ended up in my neck of the woods because of a special collab between Bobby's brewery,  Kros Strain Brewing Company and Barn Town Brewing on the Neighbors Being Neighbors special brew to support Iowa & Nebraska flood victims, with $2 from every pint being donated. And let me tell you, it is delicious!  Perfect citrusy spring/summer flavors. Why not drink some beer for a good cause!  And if you ever go to Omaha, you must stop by Kros Strain Brewing Company (get the Fairy Nectar, it's my fav).  What a great Sunday afternoon!

Nosh Four. Weekly Soundtrack. 

Enjoy this months music soundtrack on AppleMusic and Spotify. 

Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now. 

Ending this month with a lovely Easter with my Mom was pure joy. It was an easy breezy Sunday, full of good conversation and a lot of food. Working in grocery store, I have seen Easter candy for at least 2 months. After walking by the Cadbury mini eggs and jelly beans at least 5000 times, I bought a bag of each and took them home over a month ago. Mom held onto them and we finally got the chance to bust these babies out. The Cadbury mini eggs didn't stand a chance and I think there are some jelly beans left. I will finish those up on my next visit. 

~AE

*All views and opinions on products, food and businesses in this blog post are my own and are not sponsored in any way. I just love to share great things!

Easter 2019 Weekly Wisdom

Can there be too much of a good thing?

I am 100% guilty of picking out all the red and pink jellybeans and only eating those flavors. You can imagine how excited I was when I saw Brachs and Starburst came out with their "only red" bags for Easter this year. I did pause for a minute as I was picking out another red bean. Do I do this in all aspects of my life?  Do I only selectively choose the same thing over and over and cowardly not branch out?  

I do!  I totally do this. And I wonder why I get frustrated when my favorite options are available. Sure this is a rando analogy but I am guilty of putting all my energy and thought into one thing at a time. In which I have determined is not always the best way to go. Having different "baskets" just helps to offer balance in our lives. Putting energy into different passions can only help encourage a well-rounded approach to life without the disappointment when things don't work out. 

Maybe save Easter for the time you "pick out all the pink and red jellybeans" and in life, place your eggs in many different baskets.  You might find a new passion for a new flavor in your life. 

#embracethehellyeah | #lessstuffmorelife

~AE

Be the Things You Love The Most About People Who Are Gone Weekly Wisdom

Have you ever lost one of you heartbeats?

This past Saturday my cousin Lindsey lost her her husband, Justin, to Mucosal Melanoma.  Justin was diagnosed less than 2 years ago and fought cancer with superhero powers, all the while loving his family as hard as possible. Justin is a man who amazed me every time I was around him. He is always cool, calm and collected, which was something I admired and always wanted in a significant other.  I loved talking with him during family get togethers, just sitting on the couch over a couple of cocktails. Even during the hardest days during treatments, he was always comfortable talking about what he was going through, with complete honesty and composure. 

My favorite things about Justin is he shopped for Lindsey and bought her the cutest clothes with a great sense of style that was spot on! He also loves his two girls, Ally and Lucy with every ounce of his being and didn't mind being out numbered by always joining in all the girlie fun - possibly even wearing a tutu. Then there is his passion for donuts, which is something I greatly appreciated. He is a great man who will always be remembered. 

The best way to honor those who go before us is to be all the things we love the most about them.  Use their words in conversations in your everyday life. Carry on their passions when you can. Actively show others what they would do in any given situation. Pause and ask yourself what your heartbeat would do. Always be grateful for the place they have in your life because you are forever changed with having them in your presence. 

Rest in Peace Justin. I will always try to bring the donuts. 

#embracethehellyeah | #lessstuffmorelife

~AE

Bloom Where You Are Planted Weekly Wisdom

Do you appreciate and flourish in the place you are right now?

There is much pressure in the world to "do more, be more, make more money, have more things, go more places." And I know many of us can easily get caught up in this mentality. I know I have and do on occasion. There are days I want more but what does more really mean?  Does it mean I will be happier or more satisfied with the overall quality of my life?

I think this is a great thing to do for yourself today:  define what more means to you and your life. Get out a piece of paper and do not think about it, just start writing down all the things coming to mind. Then review the list and compare to what you already have.  You might be surprised on how you are already achieving and getting more in the place you are right now.It is kind of like shopping online. "Oh hey, I really like this shirt, I am going to get it. Wait, I better check my closet first. Yep, there is a shirt very similar I already own. I really do not need to buy this shirt."

Every day, you are growing, advancing and blooming in the life you want to live. There is nothing you need more of.  Empty out your shopping bag. 

#embracethehellyeah | #lessstuffmorelife

~AE