Wisdom Wednesday

I had a revelation this weekend. Maybe it is because I am older and wiser, maybe it is because I have decided to just be exactly who I am. I was sitting in a restaurant in Boston during FNCE, our national dietitian conference, and I decided I was not going to eat anything I did not truly enjoy anymore. As a registered dietitian, people think we eat a certain way and all like healthy foods. Nope. Guess what? I do not like salmon and I decided at that particular moment, I will not eat salmon anymore. I am not going to fit a certain mold. I am truly going to enjoy the food I like, regardless of what people think I should eat. Never ever eat anything you do not enjoy. "Just because" you think you are suppose to, whether it is healthy or trendy, it does not matter.  From this moment forward it is all about truly enjoying my food and making sure I truly enjoy the company I keep when I dine. 

Week in Review

Besides my revelation, Boston and FNCE were amazing!  This city is beautiful and was fun experiencing the history all around. I am not sure I have walked this much in my entire life, but it was all worth the many miles my feet put on. I was also especially excited to be there t in the members showcase to debut my first book. I still cannot believe I wrote a book!

2015 was a crazy, life changing year in so many ways. During the moments of deep sadness, I did something very personal and important to me to get through all the madness. I'm a Registered Dietitian...Now What?  Is a book about all the things I have discovered along the way so far in my career. It is for new RD's and RD's who are maybe stuck in their career and need a little boost. If you are a Registered Dietitian or know one, please get this book and bring back the inspiration and passion! I am looking forward to hearing registered dietitians tell their stories of passion and purpose through my very own podcast, Conversations with Anne Elizabeth.  I am so proud to be part of such an amazing and inspiring profession. I did this for me. I did this for my peers. I did this because we all have a story to tell. Hell yeah!!!

Along with the book release, my dear friend Jen Haugen and I decided this year to premier both of our books in the Member Product Showcase at FNCE. It was awesome networking with other dietitians and getting inspired by their interests and passions. Jen wrote a book this year too: The Mom's Guide to a Nourishing Garden. It is a wonderful and inspiring resource for mothers, gardening and also creating a nourishing life with your family. She has been such a great friend and inspires me in many ways to live out all dreams. It was a great experience doing this with someone who shares a vision of the future of registered dietitians.

A trip to Boston could not be discussed without a picture of my most favorite food experience. Believe it or not, it was raw oysters.  Our waitress at Atlantic Fish Company recommended these creamy delights along with their specialty Pear Martini. It was a perfect pair. Cold water raw oysters are the way to go. I had a ton of other wonderful food, but this wins according to my taste buds, hands down.  It was a beautiful night on the patio, with great company, delicious food and a perfect ending to a great trip!

Workout Playlist of the Week

In preparation for being on the road, I got as many workouts in as possible.  Guess I had a bit of house dance music in my head this week!  You can get my playlist HERE. 

What I Love Right Now

When I travel a lot, it does a job on my skin. I am no spring chicken anymore!  I also seem to get out of my skincare routine when I am having early morning meetings and late night dinners. To get my skin back in order, I am religiously preparing for the cooler temps and getting back on track. To do so, I use Arbonne F5 Hydrating Cleanser. I have oily skin, but it tones down in the fall and I need a little more hydration. 

I also have notice my eyes getting a little more intense from all the smiling I do!  The Arbonne RE9 Advanced Lifting and Contouring Eye Cream helps my concealer go on smoother and not settle into my laugh lines. I will also not go a night without my Tretinoin Cream. Since summer is over and the sun is less damaging, it is time to do some repair. Dermatologist recommended as the best anti-aging skin clearing and smoothing formula on the market!

It has been a great week and I know there is nothing more than greatness ahead!

~AE

Dietitians, FNCE, Nashville and Passion

 

This past week, I took a little trip to the FNCE (Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo, aka Dietitian Heaven) in a little town called Nashville, Tennessee. I have never been to the city and  I got in really late on Friday night, but right outside of my hotel was this adorable park. The weather was really chilly but I had to get out to see the sites before it was time for business.

I am a little bit of a nerd. I have to keep up my routine while away from home, so every morning started out with a workout and some warm tea. I was pretty jazzed because I was the first and only one in the gym this morning, which is VERY rare at a dietitian conference.

Each year of the this conference, I get the joy of working with Kids Eat Right and informing other Dietitians about this great resource. Another joy of working this booth is meeting young, inspired and passionate Dietitians to be!  If you have not checked out the great resources for families and educators, please go to Kids Eat Right. And if you're a dietitian, take advantage of the many professional resources by becoming a volunteer today Kids Eat Right for Dietitians .

 

Meet the sweet Kristen who is an RD and Ph.D. student at Texas A&M and Genevieve is getting ready to apply for her internship AND getting married!

 

Antonio and Jen were awesome to hang out with. Antonio is passionate about all things nutrition and dietetics. I think he would specialize in everything he could. Jen is in her internship now and enjoys working with Pediatrics.

And my last day was with these beauties, Katie and Samantha. Katie is very passionate about diabetes and Samantha has worked in a culinary setting and enjoys retail nutrition.

 

Of course with hard work, there is a little bit of fun. I attended the Food and Nutrition Magazine, of which I am a guest blogger for their online blogging community, Stone Soup. It is a great area to find awesome articles from Dietitians. Feel free to check out my profile Stone Soup Blog.   They had a wonderful rooftop party with fabulous food and an opportunity to spend time with new and old friends.

 

Hello, yes my name is for sure Awesome!

 

 

 

 

I always love hanging out with my friend Jen Haugen.  She is seriously one of the most creative, talented and passionate dietitians I know. I always love catching up with her and all the exciting things her mind has wandering around. For some great inspiration about food and family, please check out her blog at Down to Earth Dietitian.

 

 

I was also surprised by winning the Top Blog Award for 2015. So fun!  I think I may have been sipping on a cocktail or eating food when my name was called. Not expected, but very much welcomed. Catch up on the 5 Reasons You Should Be Eating Frozen Foods.

 

Nashville is a great mix of everything. There was a ton of nightlife, great live music and food. Whenever I head to a city, I like to find out what is the signature dish.

 

I wandered by Savannah's Candy Kitchen just a few blocks from my hotel and found sweet treats everywhere. No, key lime bark is not signature, but if you no me, I never pass this up. And it was delicious.

But these caramel apples were on the list for homemade deliciousness using their signature pralines in the caramel mixture. Sugar coma that was well worth it.

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Of course, I had to indulge in some Tennessee whiskey. I asked the handsome waiter to pick it out for me, so I have no idea brand it was. I just wanted it on the rocks.  

As I listened to some live music and dined with my friend Kathryn, we enjoyed some fried green tomatoes (this is a must have in Nashville).

 

I also attempted to dine on the signature Hot Chicken, but wow. This was hot!  I later found out that some restaurants offer a level of hotness. I did not have a level choice, but I was thankful for the whiskey to calm the burn.

 

 Had. To. Do. It.
(and I decided it I don't think I will do it again).

On the last day, I found myself in the same park that I started exploring Nashville in. At the time that I took this photo, I was peaceful and feeling inspired. By the conference, by the other AMAZING Dietitians I had met and by this beautiful city. So much to see, so much to learn and so much to do!

 

 

Goodbye FNCE and Nashville. Thank you for a great experience and renewing my passion!