Weekly Wisdom and Only Getting Better Top 5 Nutrition Noshes

Nosh One. Wisdom.

Have you heard the breaking news?

Being a human is hard. We put so many things on our plate at one time and try our hardest to harness our superhero powers to make it all happen. Each time we conquer a task, a new challenge arrives. How we address and attack the challenge is all on ourselves. Do we take the "whoa as me" approach or do we take the view of "I got this?" The ultimate question is are we even putting ourselves out there for the challenge?

Things don't get easier, no matter which approach you choose. This is why is it called a challenge. I challenge myself, get out of my comfort zone and try new things to get better. I want to be better. I want to be better at all the things that scare the crap out of me. I want to get better at being a great human. If things seem easier, then I know I am getting better. 

And knowing is half the battle. 

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation. 

Today’s conversation is with Liz Dunn, a registered dietitian with a passion for sports nutrition, being active and wheelchair rugby.

This is another episode of where I sing the praises of Instagram and how it brings people together. I started following Liz last year and I remember the first photo of hers I saw. It was of her with holding her paper stating she had passed the RD exam. But what really caught my attention was she said in the caption “I may not be where I hoped to be at this point, but that’s ok.”  I remember thinking, neither am I and you know what, it is ok! There is so much more to Liz’s story and I am happy we were able to have such a great conversation.

Please enjoy my conversation with Liz

Connect with Liz by email, her website Adapting Nutrition and follow her on Instagram

Nosh Three. Week in Review. 

How can I not have a great week with a food this delicious and a sign this adorable?  It is really fun being a retail dietitian. I get to be around food and people and fun all the time. Every month, we have a dietitian pick in the store and this month is a really great one. Avocados are really popular right now but there are still people who are scared of these green balls of goodness. I get the opportunity to educate everyday but the best part is getting the opportunity to have people of all ages taste food where food means the most. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the face of someone who thought they didn't like a food, give it another try and tell me they liked it. It is the best. 

This past week, we finally got to close out my March Birthday celebrations with my friend Ryan's 40th year on this earth. 

Kevin threw a great get together to celebrate this special milestone in Ryan's life. 

We of course had Cocktail Club with a Sloe Gin Fizz, which I have never had before.  Anything with a cherry on top is something I knew I would like. It was very refreshing and not too sweet. I liked the combination of the fresh lemon juice and the soda addition for bubbles. I will have this again.

Kevin decorated with photos of Ryan all over the house. It was fun to reminisce the years since I have known Ryan and the years I hadn't. This is a kick ass idea for a future birthday of someone special in your life. Collect photos of who you are celebrating from different people like family and friends. Place them in different areas of the space you are holding the party. Kevin had them on balloons, hanging from doorways, on the refrigerator and in the space by the food. Each time you changed locations, you caught a different and fun photo of Ryan. 

The theme of the evening reminded us all we are never to old to enjoy anything you want in life. Including your own Magic Tracks Mega Set and being able to watch Wrestlemania and just be a kid again. Not everything has to be so serious all the time and we don't have to act our age all the time. It's only a number. 

Nosh Four. Workout Playlist of the Week. 

I am only getting better week by week with my workouts too. It is all about being consistent and working hard. It doesn't get easier, I just get better and stronger. I love noticing that as each week goes by and enjoying this weeks playlist on Apple Music and Spotify. 

Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now. 

I am very excited (and nervous) to have the opportunity to travel this week to Wisconsin and speak during their Annual Conference this year. I love Registered Dietitians and at this conference, I am getting the opportunity to speak to future Registered Dietitians, RD2Be's. Speaking is something that scares me and it never gets easier, I just get better. I get better because the people I am with at each conference I go to, make me WANT to be better. The Registered Dietitians and RD2Be's I meet along the way get me fired up to be a part of something greater than me.  WAND here I come!

~AE

5 Nutrition Noshes and Wisdom Wednesday

Nosh One. Wisdom.

Photo credit to my new friend and Registered Dietitian Karlee Adams on Instagram

Do you have this innate desire to make everyone happy like me?  This is something I have struggled with my entire life and it makes me sad I have done this for so long.  I would drive myself psychotically bonkers trying to be everything to everyone. Within in the past 3 years, I have LET. THAT. SHIT. GO. I am not a pizza. I cannot make everyone happy.  But I most definitely can make myself happy. Yes, me. Not anyone or anything else. Me. When I take care of me and all the atoms that compose this pretty awesome person, then I can share with others my happy. When I am radiating happy and when I have contagious happy, my tribe picks up on those vibes and in return are happier as well.  Take care of yourself, make yourself happy, "do" for you. When you can 100% do this, then you will naturally stop trying to be the pizza and instead you devour the pizza happily with others. 

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation.

The Story, Journey and Passion of Susan L. Roberts JD, MS, RD

My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Susan Roberts. Susan has been a pioneer in a variety of professional settings by creating her outstanding professional path. During college, she discovered her appreciation and passion for landscape architecture and agriculture blended well with becoming a registered dietitian. In the middle of her career, Susan went to law school to have the opportunity to influence food policy as a JD and RD.  In our conversation, she shares her passion for research, sustainable food systems, owning a private practice, advocacy and policy, childhood obesity, her joy of gardening and cooking, as well as working with the Let’s Move Campaign and the former First Lady Michelle Obama.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Susan.

Nosh Three. Week in Review. 

Why is it when we get older, time just flies by. I never thought I would ever say this, but it does. I am really enjoying starting my week off with flowers. There is something sweet and special about starting off your day seeing something that radiates happy.

Cocina Mexicana Hy-Vee 4th and Court Avenue, Downtown Des Moines, Iowa

I met my friend Nate and his wife for lunch at the new Hy-Vee in downtown Des Moines for great conversation. I also wanted to see the new store, get some goodies (loose tea and spices were on my list), try a few new things and experience lunch. With so many unique options unlike any other Hy-Vee from Hibachi, Italian, Deli and soup/salad combos, I reluctantly passed by the smoothie station (I will save that for a snack sometime, I was really hungry) and stopped at the Cocina Mexicana. I am very glad I did. 

Made-to-Order Burrito Bowl

Why I loved these eats is because of the variety of fresh options. And I love anything that resembles or tastes like Mexican food. I could eat it every day, not kidding. In less than 5 minutes, you can have a burrito, burrito bowl, street tacos or quesadilla made for you. There are 4 protein options:  Pollo Asado, Beef Barbacoa, Pork Carnita and Vegan Tofu Chorizo. There are a vast variety of toppings from black or pinto beans, cilantro or chili lime rice, salsas, fresh cilantro (YES!), avocado or guac, Monterey cheddar or Chihuahua cheese and fresh chips. The key word at the Cocina Mexicana is FRESH. Everything was so fresh and delicious. I had a burrito bowl with cilantro rice, beef barbacoa, fresh romaine lettuce, lots of fresh pico, fresh cilantro, guac, Chihuahua cheese and a berry La Croix. I couldn't stop eating my lunch but there was so much food for less than $6, so half of it went home with me for dinner. I will be going back and it will be fun to try a different combination full of color and flavor.

I was hungry for pasta and Italian food this past week and got inspired by new products I saw in the grocery store to try a new recipe.  I had some Jennie-O Italian Seasoned Ground Turkey in the freezer and some leftover red onion. McCormick Seasonings have come out with Organic blends and I was intrigued by the Italian Seasonings with Flaxseed. This would be a perfect addition to meatballs.

I mixed 1 pound of the ground turkey with 1 egg, 1/4 cup chopped red onion, 1 tablespoon of McCormick's Italian Seasoning and Flaxseed blend, and 1/4 cup of Aleia's tasty Italian breadcrumbs I had in my pantry. 

I sculpted these tasty bites into 12 nice sized meatballs, placed on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and popped them in the 350 degree oven for about 18 minutes. 

Meanwhile, I got busy preparing my "noodles."  These sweet potato noodles by Nora and Ashley's Veggie Plates (made right here in the Midwest) caught my eye in the grocery store. Zucchini, beet and butternut squash varieties are also available, but I am always a sucker for sweet potatoes. I have a spiralizer and have done my own sweet potato noodles, but it was a busy week and I needed the extra time.

I added a little olive oil to a skillet heated to medium and placed the whole container of noodles into the pan to warm them. I don't recommend moving them around to much because they will break easily on you. To cook, you will want to give them about 10-12 minutes, flipping once during that time. I like mine a little toasty and browned, so I let them cook for about 15 minutes. 

I then added a jar of prepare tomato pasta sauce and let it warm for about 3 minutes. 

I topped the pasta with 3 meatballs, freshly grated parmigiano reggiano and fresh basil. It satisfied my pasta desires and was very filling. I was not able to finish my plate, so half the noodles and meetings went to work for lunch the next day. 

Nosh Four. Workout Playlist of the Week.

You may have wondered why I share my workout playlist. I am motivated by music, all the time. From writing, to cleaning to exercise. Just like my food, my palate changes each week. I also like to keep my workouts efficient and effective, so 30 minutes or less for this girl, which is the length of my playlist.   I would love for anyone to share with me their playlists. I love new and different music, send it my way!  anneelizabethrd@gmail.com

This week is it all new songs I really like right now (well at least new to me!), just click this link!

Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now.

This girl. I love her all this time but this past weekend, I got to spend some precious and rejuvenating time with her. Carlena is my frista. The bestest friend a girl could have. She makes me laugh, she make things easy, she has the biggest heart and loves more than anyone I know. She is a great mom and wife. She is just awesome. Life is busy lately for both of us but we still make time to reconnect about once a month. Each time we get together, it is like we pick up right where we left off. She makes my heart and life full, I am so thankful for her. 

Blatt Beer & Table (try the Border Burger!!!!)

Nothing beats a weekend of burgers with your bestie. 

~AE

New Year Wisdom Wednesday

This week marks another year around the sun for me. While most of you were celebrating New Year's in January, I always celebrate MY new year on my day of birth. For many of you, the start of 2017 may seem like a lifetime ago. Did you make resolutions? I have never been quiet on my views of resolutions, they are complete bullshit. What I believe in is setting intentions and to truly intend to make them happen. This year is the most intentions I have ever set. I am going to work on eliminating all the excess in my life that does not bring me joy or increase time, my most precious currency. I am going work on embracing my life:  the good, the bad and the ugly, all of it and all of me. I am going to elevate others by compliments, hand written notes, praise and acts of gratitude. I am going to give myself the gift of experiences through doing things out of my comfort zone, travel and other adventurous activities I have wanted to do outside of my everyday life. I am going to live this trip around the sun with complete intention. 

Ditch the resolutions (which I am guessing are long forgotten) and set your intentions, there is always time. 

Weekly Conversation

My conversation today is with Courtney Slater, RD, LD, CDE

Courtney has a strong personal connection to nutrition because of her own personal experiences and struggles with diabetes and celiac disease.  She initially started her career path in education and teaching because she loved working with kids and along the way she realized she wanted to educate others as a registered dietitian. She is now meshing her 2 passions, kids and diabetes education. Her dietitian journey so far is very inspiring and she openly shares her insight on living and help others, especially children, with these diseases.

Click here to enjoy my conversation with Courtney

Week in Review

This past week was a week of work and more work, ending with a little visit from my closest and dearest friend Carlena. Whenever we are together, it is full of laughs and more laughs. I think we are the only ones that find us funny, which I love. We spent the afternoon catching up on life, having a few cocktails and then spent the evening dancing away. Always an adventure with this lovely. 

I have been grateful to have the last few weekend filled with friends and family to celebrate my New Years since I will be working on my 4th intention with having an experience on my day of birth. There is no other gift more important than time with friends and family and the joy of every experience with them. 

Workout Playlist of the Week

Alright 41, bring it on! 

 Listen to Happy New Year to Me! Playlist of the Week by Anne Elizabeth on Apple Music

What I Love Right Now

I adore breakfast right now. If I could eat breakfast for all meals of the day, I probably would. Which is funny because when I was younger, I really wanted nothing to do with breakfast unless it was pop tarts or cereal. As I got older, my dad would make breakfast/brunch on Sunday mornings and I think I have kind of caught the bug. 

I had this vision the other night of this dish which involved prosciutto, hash browns, eggs, chives and a homemade white and creamy béchamel sauce. For the love of breakfast, I gave it a whirl!

I browned up 2 cups of Simply Potatoes hash browns in 2 tablespoons of butter. While those were getting toasty and happy, I whisked the following together:  7 eggs, 1/2 cup Fairlife skim milk, 6 slices of La Quercia prosciutto, diced and 3 tablespoons of diced fresh chives with a pinch of salt and pepper. I heated my non-stick skillet to medium and placed the eggs mixture in, scrambling until done. For my béchamel sauce, I melted 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat and once melted, I stirred in 2 tablespoons of whole wheat flour. After about 2 minutes, the mixture starts to bubble (but watch it so it doesn't brown). I then added 1 1/4 cups of Fairlife skim milk and I continuously stirred until the sauce thickens and comes to a boil. Once it begins to boil, drop the heat to a simmer and add 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper and salt to taste. I then added 1/2 cup of 2% Sargento Shredded Sharp Cheddar and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Make sure to give it a taste and add salt if needed. By then, the potatoes are perfect, the eggs are scrambled and I was ready to plate. 

Place the 1/4 of the hash browns on the plate, top with a 1/4 of the egg scramble. Top the egg mixture with 1/4 cup of the béchamel sauce and sprinkle a few more chives on top. We had sides of fresh berries, cherry tomatoes and slices of avocado. Serves 4 people, heartily! 

Here's to another trip around the sun, full of complete joy, much love, endless adventure and time with who and what means the most to me in this world (and a slice of mom's homemade chocolate cake). 

Happy New Year!

~AE

Wisdom Wednesday

Yep, this is me! One adorable and badass babe born in February. I am pretty sure it is my favorite month because the world is splattered in glorious shades of pink and there is plethora of chocolate available everywhere. If you are like me and born in February or have someone in your life who is both adorable and badass, you are so lucky!  We are a group of people who have unique characteristics with a little bit of sass. We are original and not looking to copycat anyone.  Always expect honesty from us, no sugar coating a thing! We are very devoted friends, forever, to the very precious members of our tribe. Look for an innovative side from your Februarians, if you need help being creative or are in need for some inspiration, you know who to call. We are strong willed (my mom would emphatically agree with this trait) but tend to be reserved and quiet until we cannot hold back anymore.  And finally, my favorite adorable and badass trait, is that we love hard. We put our whole heart into people, places and things that bring complete joy into our lives. 

There is no love like the love of a badass, adorable, original, honest, innovative, strong willed and reserved babe born in February. 

Weekly Conversation

My conversation today is with Adria Huseth, RD, LD, CPT

Adria took a little different route to being a dietitian. She was not quite sure what she wanted to do in college and obtained a business degree. With strong family ties to health and the medical field, she always found the human body amazing and knew working in the medical field was in her future. After working in marketing research, she decided her love for the human body and food was her future and became a registered dietitian. In her current job with the National Pork Board, she has successfully combined business and dietetics as well as becoming a new mom and Certified Personal Trainer.

Please enjoy my conversation with Adria

Week in Review

This babe started off the month with A LOT of food, family, friends and fun!  I got to spend some time catching up with my previous assistant Erin and her adorable and sweet daughter Grace at Wasabi Waukee. The lunch menu is huge and has such great options. I chose the seared scallops on grilled zucchini with miso sauce, paired with some pipping hot green tea. This is the same place my mom and I had sushi not to long ago and so far, everything has been delish!

New Year Celebration was early this year with my heartbeats!  My mom and cousins Christine and Denis came down for the weekend and seriously, I was completely overwhelmingly grateful for everything they did. My mom did some major hustle in the kitchen. She made my favorite snack mix, homemade muffins, homemade lasagna, a beautiful fresh salad AND, the creme de la creme, my favorite chocolate cake. I am sad I did not get pictures of this beautiful food, but since I have a few leftovers, I plan on celebrating in the near future and will share then. At almost 41 trips around the sun, I still love to be spoiled by my mom. She is too sweet to me, her strong willed child.

Christine brought fun and pretty polka dots and stripes to decorate my pad. She also made these beautifully deep red roasted tomatoes and goat cheese on toasty garlic-rubbed bread (I loved it so much I had to share the recipe below).

The next day was the big football game and I had to get some steps in to burn off some of the eats from the day before. Karlie and I hit the pavement for a walk in the sunny, brisk winter day. It was just what I needed to make more room for more food. 

I pretty much woke up and had cake and ice-cream for breakfast, snack mix for my midday snack, and then Christine whips up this. Fresh oysters, topped with a homemade compound butter and breadcrumbs, broiled in the oven. Damn. I don't know what else to say. So good.  Let's just say my pants were a little tight on Monday and it was all completely worth it!

Workout Playlist of the Week

Early New Year Celebration = major need for my Badass Babe Playlist to un-snug my pants. If you need some major workout motivation, let these songs get ya moving! Also, I included a fun song for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday for your cool down.  

Listen to Badass Babe Playlist of the Week by Anne Elizabeth on Apple Music

What I Love Right Now

The tomato appetizer above is a must make for your next party. They are rich in flavor and pair well with goat cheese (mascarpone would be tasty too). I snapped a picture of the recipe Christine brought and just had to share. The tomatoes would be a great addition to pasta or pizza too!

For those of you gearing up to celebrate Valentines Day, this takes the top of my list of "something sweet" to give your special person or people. Ghirardelli has their milk and dark chocolate squares made special for the holiday with sweet messages embossed on white chocolate hearts in the middle. And how can you not LOVE the adorable pink packaging?  

XOXO

~AE

Anyone else's pants tight right now?  Tis the season to be happy! Just be happy, however you define it. Who cares if your pants are tight. What matters are the meaningful relationships and simple joys you have in your life. Time is precious and if you are pre-occupied with shopping, eating and a bunch of other exhausting happenings, you are missing out on priceless moments with people. Put your credit card away, stop shopping online and put your phone away. Grab a cookie, unbutton your pants and engage in a conversation with the people who mean the most to you as 2016 is slipping away. 

Weekly Conversation

I did this crazy-ass thing this year and started doing a podcast. It has been one of the most exhilarating things I have done. I have enjoyed every conversation I have had with the people I love the most, the people who love food and care about health:  Registered Dietitians. As I am getting ready for 2017 and more adventures, I wanted to share the one podcast that started it all. Number one, numero uno, my first. It is even more crazy that since I had my conversation with Jena, she is now a new mother!  Time flies people, don't waste a single moment. 

Please click here to head over to iTunes and listen to my conversation with Registered Dietitian,

NEW MOM, and my friend, Jena Hunt.

Week in Review

I have some amazing friendships and this week was a great celebration of them. My friend Erin married the love of her life, James. It was a little dicey at the beginning of the day with a snowfall, but love prevailed and it all cleared up by the afternoon. They had a beautiful wedding and I know they will have a joyful life together. This picture says it all. 

The tribe also got together and had a cookie and cocktail club. Thankfully, we had a responsible member of the party to maintain motivation for the task at hand. Stacey, Cyril and Hollis manned the kitchen and created some delicious eats. 

Our theme for the party was to make a holiday cookie that reminded you of your childhood or something you made with your mom. My mom made a ton of cookie delights when we were kids. I know we tried to help, but I am guessing we were much of a help by licking bowls and spoons and eating cookie dough. I do remember my Dad loving all the treats my mom made and sitting at the table during the process sneaking bites. I made these peanut butter blossoms with Cyril helping me roll the dough and then dip them in sugar. This was my sissy Kate's favorite holiday cookie, so it only seemed appropriate to make them. 

Jason was in charge of making the cocktail, which seemed appropriate to have cranberry juice, with a splash of vodka for the cookie party.

Justin made some delicious peanut butter cookies with chunks of peanuts in it. Kevin got after it and made sugar cookies (with sprinkles!!!) and black raspberry jam cookies. He would not give me the recipe for the jam cookies, but they were delicious and sooo pretty. 

Workout Playlist of the Week

Listen to Anne Elizabeth's "Pants are Tight" Workout Playlist of the Week on Apple Music.

What I Love Right Now

I got a pretty kick ass package in the mail this past week.  Thank you Sierra!

About 6 months ago, I was out shopping with my mom and we saw a cool display of beautiful soaps at a local retailer. What was even better was the luxurious smells coming from the display. I was drawn to the lavender and the lemon poppy seed bars coming in all shapes and sizes. There were actual poppy seed in the soap. As we did more investigating, the company Pacha Soaps did not only have an impeccable message and mission, but were locally made in Hastings, Nebraska. (Side note:  for those of you who do not know, my college roommate, well-known organic chemistry guru and potato and vinegar loving, Katie Hervert Thomas is from Hastings). I love supporting locally created products and businesses and I love great smelling and beautiful personal products. 

"We are dirty hippies with a clean purpose."

"Pacha Soap is on a mission to provide the highest quality products, to promote health and well-being around the world and to implement sustainable solutions to the poverty cycle....all with veracity and love!"

Pacha Soap also gives back, number three of why I love their products. They have their "Raise the Bar" campaign to help someone in need. For every bar purchased, a bar is donated to a variety of people, including children in developing countries. This campaign also supports developing careers in soap making  for men and woman in developing nations. 

These colorful, fragrant and handcrafted soaps come in a variety of versions:  handouts loaves, bars and moons with scents like Ruby Red Grapefruit, Frankincense Myrrh and Pocket Full of Cozy; logs that are moisturizing and exfoliating with flavors of avocado, carrots, rosemary and eucalyptus; and soaks and scrubs for the bath. 

Their new product is this bar soap variety pack. You get a great selection of their scents in a smaller bar than the normal size. The bars last a long time and fill your shower or bath with scents reminiscent of essential oils. My mom loved the variety pack so much, she places a different bar underneath her pillow each week just to have the lasting and relaxing scents fill her slumber. 

I got these as stocking stuffers for all members of my tribe this year, head on over to Pacha Soap to explore their great products, learn more about their great mission and find a store closest to you to purchase a unique, made in the Heartland gift for those who make your heart beat. 

~AE