#WeeklyWisdom and Top 5 #HellYeah Nutrition Noshes

Nosh One. Wisdom.

What do you always say no to but you really want to say yes? 

Hmmm, what does that mean you may be asking. I have always kind of lacked the ability to notice what is happening all around me. Not because I am unfocused but because I have struggled with thinking great things just don't happen around or to me.  Until I paid attention and understood great things are not going to happen unless I start making them happen. We cannot wait around for someone else to make greatness happen in our lives. We must make decisions, seize opportunities and starting embracing what is in front of us just waiting for us to reach out. 

We can put off a lot of things because we create every excuse we possibly can imagine. We tell ourselves we don't have time, we don't have the money, someone in my life thinks it silly, I can't take off work, I don't want to do it alone, I just can't.  There is no time like right now to embrace the hell yeah. Embrace the timing of your life as being the right time and don't hold back on anything you want to experience in your life. Don't pass up on the dessert, don't pass up on the concert you have been wanting to see, apply for the job, buy the shoes, go on the road trip, kiss that special person. If it makes you say hell yeah" you must embrace it. 

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation.

Today’s conversation is with Caroline Weeks, a Registered Dietitian who discovered dietetics through a unique journey while studying music performance.

Caroline and I met through the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics when she joined our team of media spokespersons. When we met, I knew this dietitian was going to be a mover and shaker in our profession. It was great to have this conversation with her because of how she discovered dietetics mid way through her college career, while she was studying music performance as a classically trained violist. Caroline shares her journey so far and how she is using all aspects of her education and experiences in  her life as a Registered Dietitian.

Please enjoy my conversation with Caroline

Connect with Caroline on Facebook, Instagram,  Linkedin and Youtube.

Nosh Three. Weekly #HellYeah. 

My friend Bri from @abitofnutrition shared a post on Instagram saying "Hype Yourself Up Before You Psych Yourself Out" yesterday and this really resonated with me this week. You know I like to find the joy in each day but I was kind of forgetting it because I was so overwhelmed with everything I had going on this past week. Burning to many candles at both ends, so to say and not feeling I was doing any of it very well. But then I got these lovely flowers in this powerful red color, which helps psych me up instead of telling myself I can't handle the craziness of it all.

I also thought it might be a good idea to try out the new burger place in town, Wahlburgers. Can you tell it was so hard to choose?  I wanted a little bit of everything so luckily by burger partner in crime agreed to share the Triple Decker Burger with me and then enjoy the french fries, sweet potato tots, mac and cheese and onion rings. All of it was delish!  The burger was perfectly cooked and the government cheese with Wahl sauce was the glue to hold it all together. Make sure to read all the toppings, they do put fresh jalapenos on some of their burgers and they are spicy. The onion rings, french fries and tator tots were crispy and tender in the inside and the mac and cheese was just the right amount of creamy and salty. I really wanted to try one of their milkshakes but I knew I couldn't handle the food and the milkshake, so there will be another trip in my future. 

Part of psyching myself out this week was having this lovely lady and RD2Be, Becca as my intern. I love having interns and being a preceptor, but I always worry I am not doing the best job or maybe they are not getting the experience they were looking for. We had a lot going on during her time with me and I hope she enjoyed being exposed to what a retail dietitian does. What I thought was so great about having Becca is she wanted to be here, but didn't need the contact hours. She did this all on her own time to get exposure to other community opportunities. Mind blown. Anyone who has ever been a Dietetic Intern knows how much madness there is during their internship and are wishing for some downtime. She mad the most of her downtime and hung out with me. Becca, I wish you all the best in the near future and will absolutely enjoy following your journey. 

As this is being released this morning, I am probably standing in my bathroom mirror going over my presentation today for the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAND) Annual Meeting starting today. I have been visiting other states and it feels so great to be a part of the meeting this year in my home state and helping my fellow Iowa RDN's to #embracethehellyeah!

In honor of this week, I am doing a special IAND discount on my book for anyone who might be interested. You can go to my website and get the book for $9.99 and free shipping, I'm A Registered Dietitian...Now What? starting today through next Wednesday. 

Nosh Four. Weekly Kick Ass Jams. 

With the time change, I am struggling to get out of bed so I am hoping this weeks playlist on Apple Music and Spotify will do the trick. It is a unique one and I really enjoyed listening to it this morning to get me psyched up!

Nosh Five. Things I Love Right Now. 

Last weekend, I went home to visit my family and celebrate my cousin Christine's birthday a little late. I found this bag of Reese's baking toppings and knew I had to make something with it for her. I also made some barbacoa tacos with fresh cilantro, tomatoes and onions but I didn't snap a photo because I wanted to leave the phone at home and be present in the moment with my family. However,  I did snap a photo of these brownies I baked prior to the trip home. I am still shocked I didn't eat any on the way because the smell was ridiculous!  I highly recommend this as a quick and cute dessert. All I did was make my aunties brownies with chocolate frosting and sprinkle it with the Reese's topping mix. A box mix and already prepared frosting would cut your time in half. I highly recommend making them in an 8x8 pan to get a thick and delicious brownie. It makes just enough for everyone to enjoy.

~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!

5 Nutrition Noshes and My Utah Adventure Wisdom Wednesday

Nosh One. Wisdom.

Why was I put on this earth?  What is my purpose?  There comes a time in your life when you ask yourself these questions and they are TOUGH questions. There are many things we like to do and are good at but am I and are these things making a difference?  Are they fulfilling you and helping others?  Purpose is a journey and takes time. It is so important to be gentle with yourself when the answers do not come as quickly as you like. But when the answers do come, it will all be worth it. The journey will be worth it. The joy will be worth it. The work will be worth it. 

Because you are worth it. 

~Photo credit and many thanks to my new friend and the beautiful Samantha Rasmussen for posting this picture with her adorable nails!

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation.

My conversation today is with Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach Andrew Salgado

As registered dietitians, we sometimes get mistaken for the expert in everything health related. We know as professionals that food, nutrition and physical activity have a very cozy relationship. I don’t know about you, but I was not trained at all in fitness and do not believe I am an expert, but I know how to find them. Which is why I wanted to sit down with Andrew Salgado who is a fitness expert, personal trainer and wellness coach. As Andrew puts it, whatever modality you choose you must have good programming because exercise is different from learning other things. You learn the concept and then your body executes the movement and you need proper body awareness for safety. Andrew is also very in-sync with communicating with his clients and meeting people where they are at on their wellness journey through wellness coaching, which sets him apart from a lot of other fitness professionals.

Please enjoy my fun, informative and down to earth fitness conversation with Andrew

Nosh Three. Week in Review.

This week was pretty amazing!  I had the opportunity to head to Salt Lake City, Utah and hang out with some of my favorite people, the Registered Dietitian's of the Utah Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It was a complete joy to meet new friends and be a part of something greater than I could ever be. 

I got to kick off the second day of their meeting with my presentation and creating a conversation about our story, passions, purpose, philosophy and intentions as Registered Dietitians. As a profession, we are caretakers and I am all about making sure we are taking care of ourselves too.

I met some fascinating Registered Dietitians and RD's-to-be with sincere stories and passions. It is contagious being around others who have all the same feels I do. Kelly was one of those lovelies who inspired me so much and shared how passionate she is for our profession. It touched me deeply and I was lucky to have had a great conversation I will get to share with you later in a podcast.

The day was beautiful in Salt Lake City and I headed downtown to explore the city. It was the perfect night for a walk. The city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and city is a comfortable place to explore. As the sun was setting and I got my bearings, I realized how close I was to Temple Square and got lost around the 10-acre complex in the center of the city. The spring flowers and blooming trees were breath-taking. I have never seen so many tulips and daffodils, in a plethora of colors. There is gorgeous fountains and educations statures around the square. It was educational, beautiful and peaceful. 

Salt Lake Temple

Downtown Salt Lake City

After Temple Square, I wandered over to State Street to catch a glimpse of the Capital at nighttime and then headed to the cool outdoor mall in the middle of the city, City Creek Center. I treated myself to a latte and did some window shopping (this girl can never just walk by a Tiffany's).  

Pork Tacos with Radish! My favorite!

I was completely losing track of time and started to get hungry. I did a lot of research on places to eat in Salt Lake City and there were a few places that interested me, but I ended up at a cozy place by my hotel. I have no idea what the name of the restaurant was, but the pork tacos hit the spot after my 20,000 step adventure. 

Last year, I started watching this show on AMC called Hell on Wheels. It was a little out of character for me to watch a show based on the Union Pacific's construction of the first transcontinental railroad, but after the first episode I was hooked because the show starts in Omaha, NE. Knowing from the show and history of course, the Golden Spike National Historic Site was a little drive outside of Salt Lake, so I had to go and see where the final joining of the rails from the west met the trails of the east. 

Site of the Golden Spike and where the 2 RR's joined. 

Chinese Arch named to recognize the Chinese who worked on the RR

You could also drive through the park and see where the cuts were made into the earth for the railroad to pass through. I was in complete awe on how they were able to cut through the rock with dynamite and by hand. When the rock was moved, you can still see some of the piles they made. 

I then headed back to the city and made a stop at the Great Salt Lake. It is the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere and has a green color because of the algae in the water. I also learned  most oceans have a salinity of around 3.5% and in some areas of the lake the salinity is up to 27%, so there is not any fish in the lake except for brine shrimp. It is an important place for a variety of birds who migrate. 

I then took a drive through Little Cottonwood Canyon, up in the mountains. It was a bustle of hikers, campers and skiers. I stopped for a moment to take in the clear air and listen to the waterfalls amongst the evergreen trees. Gorgeous!

Then it was time to head back to grab a bite to eat, so I ventured around my hotel again and landed at Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana and had a delicious freshly made dinner with a funky wood-fired pizza with more radishes!  

Panzanella Salad, look at the shaved Parmigiano Reggiano!

Special of the Day:  Sausage/Radish/Arugula/Avocado Creme

The Tiramisu was delish, paired with an Espresso

I ended the day, all cozied up in my bed and filled with so much joy from my adventure in Utah. I know I will be going back for more adventure to be had!  

Nosh Four. Workout Playlist of the Week.

Joyful Utah Adventure Workout Playlist of the Week by Anne Elizabeth on Apple Music

Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now.

I love that I was west enough to enjoy one of my favorite fast food places, In-and-Out Burger. This was my treat after my presentation. The cheeseburger, French fries and my favorite chocolate shake was the cherry on top of my weekend in Utah. 

~AE

5 Nutrition Noshes and Minimalism Wisdom Wednesday

Nosh One. Wisdom.

I am always searching for ways to experience and live a meaningful life. There should be more thought to WHY we focus on owning more things such as buying a bigger house, owning more pieces of clothing, having the newest technology, aimlessly wandering around a store and buying unnecessary things. There is always a way to accumulate more things without ever filling "the void." If you take a step back and ask yourself if an item is something you actually need or if it is something you just want, then you can better understand why you might be trying to filling an empty space inside yourself with material things. What is missing in your life that a bag from Target cannot fill?  Heal your holes so you can start living a life full of experiences and intention. 

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation.

The Story, Journey and Passion of Lucille Beseler, MS, RDN, LDN, CDE

My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Lucille Beseler who graciously took time out of her busy schedule to meet with me on a Sunday afternoon. She is a private practice registered dietitian, author and the owner of Family Nutrition Center of South Florida. She has a passion for cooking and painting beautiful flowers. In her spare time, she currently is the President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and has spent the last year inspiring other registered dietitians for the next century of our amazing profession and and our national organization. During our candid and down to earth conversation, she shares great advice for all dietitians on practicing, advocacy, volunteering, business and just being a great registered dietitian.

Click here to enjoy my conversation with Lucille as much as I did.

Nosh Three. Week in Review.

This past week has been all about the little but big things. Acts of kindness, out of no where with much meaning and intention.

 A couple of weeks ago, I did a presentation for a local Army Reserve unit in Des Moines for around 100 soldiers. It was a great opportunity to spend time sharing healthy nutrition messages and to offer my services for those serving our country.  Captain Jeremy Williams stopped into my office and presented this to me this past week. I am still speechless.

My sweet and sassy godson Charlie celebrated his birthday and the Big 4! There is something pretty  wonderful about a child and their birthday cake.  My sister celebrated her birthday this week, she would have been 42. Her birthday cake and everyone singing to always made her so happy, I can see her sweet face just thinking about it. I miss celebrating her special day with her and I will always sing her Happy Birthday on her special day. Happy Birthday Kate! 

I have this amazing client that has become a friend and she surprises me on occasion with something sweet and thoughtful. I embraced her message of "Happy Spring and Happy Everything."  I have been sharing her lovely message to as many people as I can. 

Nosh Four. Workout Playlist of the Week.

I took a little twist with my playlist this week and opted for a more minimalistic approach to the music. I found music I liked without words to keep me focused on being in the moment of being physically active and continue my doing things with intention. I was shocked how I focused more on proper form during my strength training. 

Minimalist Workout Playlist of the Week by Anne Elizabeth on Apple Music

Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now.

I have always liked something sweet after dinner. When I lived with my parents, it was part of the meal and was just enough to curb my sweet tooth. My mom would make baked apples and they were always so delicious. All she would do is bake the apples with cinnamon and serve them warm. It was so yummy. I kind of forgot how much I enjoyed them until this week. After a lovely dinner with a friend, I could smell cinnamon in the air. It quickly reminded me of home. 

This dessert is so simple to make and have big flavor and a lot of healthy! 

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Slice and cube your favorite apple, averaging 1 whole apple per person (4 people, 4 apples!)

3. Placed the sliced apples into the oven safe dish

4. Sprinkle apples with cinnamon, I recommend 1/2 teaspoon per apple

5. Add a little water to the dish. For 2 apples add 1/4 cup, for 4 apples add 1/2 cup. 

6. Bake for 10 minutes and stir so the water and cinnamon redistribute onto the apples

7. Bake for an additional 10 minutes and check for tenderness to your liking. 

8. Before serving, mix the apples with the cinnamon syrup at the bottom of the dish. Top with  a splash toasted oatmeal or a dollop of vanilla greek yogurt. 

~AE