Wisdom Wednesday

This week, take time to be grateful. Take time to look at all the great things happening in your life, without wanting, without needing, without looking into the future. Look at what is happening RIGHT NOW. Never let the things you desire make you forget what you have in the present. At any moment, it could all be gone. When you are in love with your life and are grateful for all it gives you, you have everything you could possibly need. 

I am so very grateful...for everyone and everything in my life. 

Weekly Conversation

I am grateful this week for my conversation with Food Scientist (and also the wonderful editor of my book), Susan Bingaman. 

From time to time, I want to have conversations with guests who are not registered dietitians, but have a deep connection to food, nutrition and wellness. Susan is one of those fascinating guests whose lifelong passion has been the science of food. As a little girl, Susan always found herself in the kitchen with her family cooking and this passion lives on in her today. My conversation with her is about being a food scientist, working in a test kitchen and the importance of recipe development. It is a great listen for anyone who has an interest in the dedication to creating recipes with love and that taste great. 

And in the spirit of one of Susan's favorite quotes from Ina Garten:  "If someone can do something better, let them." Please enjoy my conversation with Susan. 

Week in Review 

This past week, I am grateful for the opportunity to experience something new and attend an evening with Henry Rollins. What I know about Henry was that he was a hard core front man for a band in the 90s and he had a cameo in Sons of Anarchy. I had no idea he is a writer, journalist, comedian radio host, has his own publishing company and tours with his spoken word in intimate speaking engagements. I was encouraged by a friend to go to his show at Hoyt Sherman in Des Moines because of his motivational and entertaining way he speaks to a crowd. I was floored because I had this idea of who he was in my mind and left knowing a completely different side of this human. He is very intelligent, well traveled and extremely motivating. I am encouraged to be extraordinary and never stop learning. If you have the opportunity, catch him on tour or check out his website for all the amazing things he does. 

I am also grateful for Arron Smith, president of the Iowa State University Student Dietetic Association, who at their meeting this past month, hosted a fun interactive quiz for the students and used my book as a prize!  Emily Lensing was the winner of the book for her essay answer on the difference in a Dietitian and a Nutritionist. Proud of Emily and all the other RD's to be at Iowa State for being a part of their student organization!

Workout Playlist of the Week

In continuing with my theme this week, I am sharing my grateful and thankful playlist.  I am so grateful I can exercise everyday.  Make sure to get your "Thanksgiving" treat at the end of the playlist!  Listen to Thankful Workout Playlist of the Week by Anne Elizabeth on Apple Music. 

 What I Love Right Now

During these short days of fall/winter (looking forward to the longer days of January), I am very grateful for a warm, caffeine tinted latte to get me through the afternoon. Around 3 pm is when I notice my need for a little pick-me-up. Latte's can be expensive and I do not have a latte budget, but I have figured out an easy way to make my own.  Make a pot of your favorite coffee. Pour 1/4 cup of low-fat milk, my favorite is Fair Life milk for extra protein, into a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake the milk for about 30 seconds. Then take the lid off the jar and microwave the foamy milk for about 45 seconds. Pour 1 cup of hot coffee into the warm milk. 

I love the latte plain but if you would like to mix it up, try this new gourmet spice blend from McCormick: Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Chia Seed seasoning. It is the perfect topper and mix in to your homemade, cozy latte. It is a great way to add a little more nutrition to your beverage and is great with oatmeal, yogurt and pancakes. The perfect spice for this time of year. 

So very grateful...

~AE

Wisdom Wednesday

Everyday is a chance to achieve, but only if you are setting goals for yourself. You don't have to shout them to the world, but it is important to nourish yourself by aiming toward things you want for yourself. I believe it is necessary to set daily and future goals to stay alive in your life. Do not expect anyone to give you a high five or a good game for accomplishing anything, but do give props to yourself. In the end, it is you who feels the reward, it is you who believes you can do anything and it is you who is going to proud of who you become because of what you can achieve. 

 Weekly Conversation

My conversation this week is with Jodi Schweiger, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, a wife, a mom and one of my mentors. When Jodi got out of her internship, she approached a retail business, basically cold calling them and explaining to them why they needed a registered dietitian. In her jobs to follow, she carried on this entrepreneurial spirit and has made things happen for herself professionally. Jodi's story is inspirational and noteworthy. Enjoy listening to her story on iTunes: Conversations with Anne Elizabeth: Jodi Schweiger, RD, LD, CDE

Week in Review

This past week was the amazing Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting. The theme was Refresh, Restore, Renew Your Passion for Nutrition. We had a great line up of speakers discussing Marketing with a Heart from Chere Bork, food safety, food waste with author and columnist Judy Barbe, changes in recommendations for dyslipidemia with Dr. Jim Painter, disordered eating, malnutrition, food donation and many other fantastic presentations. The best thing about the annual meeting is one of my dear friends Brenda, comes and spends a few days with me. We really recharge each others batteries so I feel the conference does restore my passion for nutrition in many ways.

I also received the Outstanding Dietitian of the Year award and I am very grateful for the wonderful dietitians I get to work with as a member of the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. We have over 900 dietitians in our amazing state and I would have never met any of them without the opportunity to volunteer and be a leader for our profession. 

Workout Playlist of the Week

I am enjoying these last few days of nice weather to hit the pavement without snow gear!  Daylight savings time is working itself out, slowly, with my workouts and sleep. Hope this playlist helps keep you motivated this week. The first song is my new favorite from Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. You should check out the video, the concert scenes were taking in Des Moines at Wooly's this summer and I was there!!!! Listen to Workout Playlist of the Week by Anne Elizabeth on Apple Music

What I Love Right Now

At our annual meeting, we got some awesome swag and I had to share my 2 favorites. Mocu Kombucha is this great tasting, high probiotic powder that keeps my tummy happy and my immune system strong, especially when traveling. It is this great tasting powder that you just mix with water (in my Yeti of course).  My favorite flavor is the Pear Ginger Zing, but there are other great flavors too. The best part is the story behind the brand. I had a chance to speak with Toby, the owner of Mocu, and his quest for health is inspiring. This is a must have addition for your health. 

My other favorite is a Eco Lips, a local company who makes THE BEST LIP BALMS (I have a tiny obsession with lip balms). Eco Lips is based out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and uses only the best natural and organic ingredients in their balm. They have a new balm called their MONGO KISS™  made with cocoa butter and Mongo Oil from Africa. It is like "butter" when it hits the lips. I love it!  Eco Lips is also such a cool company, you can create your own balm. I may have a tube in the kitchen, by my bed, at work, in my car, in my gym bag....you get my drift. 

Another love of this week was making homemade potato soup over the weekend. It was a beautiful weekend full of work, walks and relaxing, so soup felt like a perfect fit. Make sure to make it with love and enjoy!

Pretty Damn Perfect Potato Soup

Serves 12

Ingredients:

12 slices of center cut bacon, diced

1/2 medium white onion, diced

2 large carrots, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

8 small golden potatoes, diced

sea salt to taste

fresh cracked black pepper to taste

7 cups low sodium chicken broth

4 tablespoons all purpose flour

1 cup 2% milk

10 ounces heavy cream

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar (white or yellow), divided 

3-4 green onions, diced

Instructions:

1.  Place diced bacon into a large pot over medium heat and cook until bacon is crisp. 

2. Remove bacon and rendered fat from the pot and place on paper towels to drain, set aside. Do not clean the pot and place back on stove bring back to medium heat. 

3. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery and potatoes to the pot, season with salt and pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes. 

4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil, cooking for an additional 10 minutes. 

5. While the potatoes are becoming tender, whisk the flour into the milk and then adding to the soup. 

6. Bring the soup to a gentle boil for 3-4 minutes. 

7. Place 3-4 cups of the soup into a blender and process until smooth (be careful, it's hot!)

8. Add the blended soup back into the pot and check seasoning. 

9. Add in cream, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 of the bacon pieces, warm the soup for about 2 minutes on low heat. 

10. Use remaining bacon, cheese and diced green onions as toppings. 

~AE