November and Thanksgiving #EmbracetheHellyeah Nutrition Noshes

None One. Wisdom. 

What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?

I couldn't resist this quote because it is just too good!  I think the thing I love best about Thanksgiving is all the laughter to be heard between my family and friends. For the past 5-6 years, I head to spend Thanksgiving with my Mom, Aunt Polly and Uncle John and a plethora of other family members and people who have turned into friends. Each year, it is a VERY memorable experience. I was thinking about last year and how completely random it all was and all I can do is laugh. And all I can think about is the laughter I shared with others who were there. I don't even remember what we had for dinner or how much I ate. All I remember is the people I got to share the holiday with. 

I choose to focus on laughter because for the last few years, everyone who attends signs a table cloth. And in the last few years, we have lost one or more of those people. The tablecloth is a reminder of the Thanksgivings in the past, the special memories we have of them being there and all the goofiness happening that year. When people gather, there is always joy, no matter what sadness has followed. 

This year, there will be a couple signatures missing off the tablecloth again. It is amazing what a difference a year can make. This year, I will choose to remember the laughter from conversations with Justin and Mr. Morrissey. Justin's always started with a little smirk and mild chuckle and Mr. Morrissey's bright smile and boisterous laugh.  I am so grateful to have had Thanksgivings with them and no matter what food I eat or cocktails I drink, I will be present and make memories of everyones laughter.

Laughter is a melody, A concert from the heart. 

A tickling by the angels, Creative living heart. 

Laughter heals and comforts

 It's sometimes gentle, sometimes bold 

Laughter is a freeing dance 

Performed within the soul.

#embracethehellyeah | #lessstuffmorelife

Nosh Two. #EmbracetheHellYeah Conversation. 

Conversation 153: November #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.  It’s Thanksgiving week and I am sharing my 3 tips to stay sane and focus on gratitude, not food. 

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

Nosh Three. November Hell Yeahs!

November came and went, quickly, but my most favorite part was getting to spend almost 5 whole days with my friend Brenda in sunny Florida. We relaxed, we ate food, we walked beaches, we looked for seashells, we had cake by the ocean and watched sunsets. We got to slow down and just be. It was lovely!

Sunglitter!

Raw oysters are always a favorite!

Shell Island. 

All the seafood in one delicious dish from the Saltwater Grill

Cake by the Ocean courtesy of the Donut Hole.  

The sunsets were the best part because they are Brenda's favorite part. 

Nosh Four.  Monthly Mixtape. 

November's Mixtape is an oldie but a goodie. Find my #Thankful playlist on Apple Music and Spotify. 

 Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now.

Before I headed out on vacation, I got my dietitian self all recharged with the Iowa Academy Annual Meeting and being a preceptor to this fine gent, Brody. If you have never been a preceptor or mentor before, I highly suggest you do it. Just once. It completely reminds you why you do what you do for a living and how important it is to pay it forward. I know the dietetics profession would not exist if it wasn't for preceptors. Brody, you are going to make a great dietitian, congratulations on the amazing future ahead. 

~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!

Holiday! Celebrate! Wisdom Wednesday

This giant jug of happiness has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me in my life. For the past 2 years, I have been putting in my daily joy into my jug and every February 17th, I take time to review all the amazingly wonderful things that have happened over the past year. I don't always put happy but I always write something encouraging growth, change, challenge and just pure happy. This year, it was more jam packed than the year before. I am going to go out on a limb and say this has nourished my soul and my being more than I have ever imagined. I end each day with a positive thought, who knew what an impact it would have on me. I sleep better, I feel better, I have more energy and most importantly, I am proud of and happy with my life. A reminder like this, is beyond priceless.  Time to start filling your jug.

Weekly Conversation

 My conversation today is with Chef Andrew Kintigh

As registered dietitians, we love food and know exactly how food functions in our bodies and many of us incorporate cooking and recipes into our profession. Enter, Chef Andrew. As a registered dietitian, I value the expertise the professionals who work with food daily, which is knowing the science behind cooking. Chef Andrew is someone I have gotten to know over the past couple years and I value him and his education because he knows more about cooking than I do.  Chef Andrew shares his journey and a few tips and tricks for the dietitian who loves to cook.

Please click here to enjoy my conversation with Chef Andrew

Birthday Weekend in Review

I took off on a jet plane and headed to sunny Florida for a little birthday weekend o' fun and to do a little podcasting along the way with someone I am very excited to share with you in a couple weeks!  I was wisked away from the airport by some great friends with a goodie bag of all things I love in pretty gold and hearts and pink and chocolate and popcorn and vodka and lemon and ahhh, so sweet. We hopped on A1A Beachfront Avenue and drove down the coast. It was gorgeous. It was rejuvenating. It was inspiring. It was exactly where I wanted to be.

We ended up at Cocoa Beach for a day and felt the sand between our toes, with the cool ocean breezes running through our hair and had cocktails at sunset. Cocoa Beach is a great beach town to walk around, clean and the beach is full of open space. I would highly recommend as a great place to visit.  

After a day of exploring and since I have been on an oyster adventure this year, I had to add Florida to my list. We took a little stroll from our hotel and went to a low-key open air bar called The Thirsty Oyster looking for shrimp cocktail, oysters and beer. Of course I needed a few french fries too!  We tried both the cooked and the raw and the raw were much better and my favorite. We ordered 3 different times because we couldn't get enough. The bar was nothing fancy but the atmosphere was cool and laid-back. 

The next day we continued our travels by Vero Beach, Jupiter, West Palm Beach and Delray Beach to Boca Raton. We stopped in West Palm Beach to cruise around the city, see the shops and sit and listen to the ocean at nightfall. There is nothing like the ocean at night. It is my favorite lullaby. 

As we made our way back from our little beach getaway, my last couple days were spent in Orlando. No, not Disney. Been there done that, will probably not do it again. Instead, we spent an evening downtown Orlando which I have never been. 

I entered downtown through Church Street where there is an historic train station and a stunning development in the heart of the city. There is cool vibe and a variety of dining and drinking options, including movies, theater and living spaces which is close to the Amway Center. We ventured further into the downtown area and walked around the infamous park in the middle of downtown, Lake Eola. 

I adored our walk around this park and the lake. At night, there are people everywhere with a playground for kids, amphitheater and swans.  There were paddle boats, but that is not my jam thanks to my cousin Lindsey and a stint in Boise. I am sure I will revisit that story someday. Anyway, you must escape from the high-rises and inner city feel by heading for a walk at Lake Eola. 

After we stopped at a few local watering holes of which I do not remember the names of because I was indulging in a few libations, one of my friends told me from the start of the evening we would end up going to Gringos Locos for the some of the best tacos called the Double D's.  Yep, these bad boys were pretty delicious. I think it is the kick ass queso in between the shells. I ordered 3 and I ate 2 1/2. And I had chips and quest too. And I may have had a very large beer in a brown bag. 

The next day was full of hydration, a day out on the lake in the boat, mimosas and a lovely quite dinner at home of filets, caramelized onion mashed potatoes, a dreamy kale salad, with wine, great company and conversation. And if this wasn't enough, 2 of us ladies were celebrating being badass Februarians and were treated to our favorite desserts of cheesecake and key lime pie. I think I should celebrate birthdays with other more often because a variety of dessert is involved. We ended the night in the hot tub and 5 hours later, I was headed back to Iowa. What a great birthday. 

Workout Playlist of the Week

In honor of the year I was born, here is a playlist of songs created 41 years ago to get your sweat on!

 Listen to 41 Years Ago Workout Playlist of the Week by Anne Elizabeth on Apple Music 

What I Love Right Now

I love this hilariously awesome gift. Now I can brush my teeth to the sweet sounds of the Biebs and snuggle up with him by the fireplace every night thanks to Jason. 

~AE