Weekly Wisdom and My Wisconsin Adventure Top 5 Nutrition Noshes

Nosh One. Wisdom.

When was the last time you did or said something to lift someone up, without expecting anything in return? Did you regret it?

When I started working in retail, part of my training was to greet and say hello to every person I encountered during my day at work. I had never done this before. I remember working in the hospital and walking down a long hallway with one other person coming toward me and neither one of us acknowledging each other. This happened all the time and now looking back, I am so mad at myself for not being the one who took the initiative to say hello. Why didn't I just do it? 

Now, I find myself greeting everyone I encounter all day, every day and everywhere. It has trickled into my everyday life:  at the gas station, at the hair salon, at the vet. I am throwing out hellos and smiles like I am getting paid $1000 for each one. I do not give one thought to wanting something in return. Some people do not respond back, some people look at me like I have lost my mind and some people give me all the feels with a smile of their own. 

I have never regretted smiling, saying hello or giving out a compliment to a complete stranger or someone I know.  Everyone is going through something and even though I have no idea what it is, I know am going to be a second of positivity in their life at that moment and lift them up.   

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation. 

Today’s conversation is with the woman who gets me excited to cook, try new things in the kitchen, makes me laugh, has 4 kids AND is very passionate about having a lot of color on her plate, my friend and chef, Stacey Wertzberger.

Stacey and I started working together almost 10 year ago and we have collaborated on many cooking and nutrition projects. Some of these have been at work and some of them have been outside of work as we have become friends. Stacey has a realistic and down-to-earth outlook on food and cooking, which applies to how she prepares food in all aspects of her life. Stacey has taught me a lot about food but especially has changed my feelings about cooking, that is doesn’t have to be complicated.  In our conversation today we talk food, cooking, kids and how she decided to try a new adventure: completing her first Half Ironman.

Please enjoy my conversation with Stacey

Connect with Stacey by reading her blog Embracing My Chaotic Life and following her on Instagram

Nosh Three. Week in Review.

This was such a great and exciting and scary week for me!  I have known for quite a while that I would be heading to the Wisconsin Dells to speak to future registered dietitians for the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for quite a while, but it doesn't bring the excited/nervous jitters down.  I was so honored and grateful to be chosen to speak for their first student focused presentation.  After a crazy beginning of my flight being delayed and rescheduling, I got to the Wisconsin Dells and was greeted by WANDA. She is fancy!

Their theme this year was Passion Into Action, which was right up my alley.  They had a great speakers lined up in their amazing 3 day annual meeting, including my friends Jen Haugen, who was providing a pre-conference gardening workshop and Chere Bork who was the motivating closing presentation. I unfortunately did not get to see either because of my flight, but I am sure they were nothing but amazing!

I got to start the day with some delicious eats and was so happy to see yogurt and cheese on the buffet. I mean I was in Wisconsin, cheese is a food group. 

I absolutely loved talking with around 65 RD's to Be about starting their career. There were so many things no one told me and to be able to share this passion and insight with them was wonderful. The best part was connecting with a few after the presentation and also on social media so I can continue to follow their journey. Again, I want to lift them up and help them be confident in moving forward with all the unknowns about starting in this awesome profession. 

After presenting, I also got the opportunity to podcast with a few amazing WAND members to be revealed at a later date. This is also such a great part of the journey, listening to other people's stories and passions about being a Registered Dietitian. The two members I podcasted with, sincerely chose this profession and that gives me all the feels. 

This experience was priceless. The people I had the opportunity to meet and the passion I see in so many of my peers, is what being an RD is all about. I love our tribe! Thank you to the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for an experience I will never forget. 

Nosh Four. Workout Playlist of the Week. 

I always like to do a playlist with all music either about the state or the location I am going, but there is not a lot of songs about Wisconsin. Who knew?  But there is this legendary music festival occurring every Summer, that I have had a longing to attend for as long as I can remember. I finally put a reminder in my phone to make sure I get online to see when ticket sales open next year for Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This years line up is AMAZING, so I decided to create my playlist from the artists I would have like to see (there are a ton but these are my top picks).  I will just close my eyes and pretend I am there this June/July. Find the playlist on Apple Music and Spotify. 

Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now. 

I know I have said this before, but there is nothing like a handwritten note. This little note I received after my presentation was something that lifted me up. It was also hand stamped and I could feel the love. Never underestimate the power of a handwritten note. Another opportunity to make someone feel special. 

~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