Registered Dietitian Day Wisdom Wednesday!

National Registered Dietitian Day. I never thought this day would exist back in 1997 when I decided that was what I wanted to be when I grew up. I am so happy it does.  Registered Dietitians (RD's) are my favorite people and let me tell you why...

The individuals who enter this profession do so with abandonment. The abandonment of being selfish. The very moment they decide to make this their purpose in life, they dedicate their lives to science and giving of others.  They have one title but carry so many responsibilities. They become counselors, educators, culinary experts, problem solvers, navigators, scientists, mathematicians, investigators, insurance specialist, advocates, speakers and authors. Sadly, this is only a small representation and sadly they do not get the proper appreciation and deserved respect. Registered Dietitians do all they have in their powers to help others live the healthiest life they can through food, nutrition and science. 

The next time you have a question about nutrition, make sure to seek out THE expert. Search for a professional with the RD credentials. This RD cared about YOU enough to go through extensive schooling, training and testing to provide you with the most accurate nutrition information. They did not do some bullshit class online or have a semester of it in college and declared themselves an expert. They became the REAL nutrition expert through the required discipline and dedication to this field. 

So I ask you today, find a Registered Dietitian on this 8th of March and give them a big-ass hug for being an awesome human being. 

Weekly Conversation

My conversation today is with Anita Turczynski, RD, LD

Anita is a one of those people you meet who just radiates positivity both personally and professionally. It was interesting to know she initially majored in accounting in college. While she was navigating her future career plans and after shadowing a registered dietitian, she truly discovered her passion for nutrition. This lead her to an interest in food service nutrition and also a love for nutrition education with children in a public school system. She enjoys the variety of working in school nutrition and also seeing how nutrition education in schools really impacts nutrition at home.

Please click here to enjoy my conversation with Anita

Week in Review

It is always fun to see yourself published in another place besides your own blog!  This past week, I had a fun little article in the Des Moines Register about one of my favorite foods: avocados. If you are looking for something a little different than guacamole, this quick read will leave you with a fun and adventurous recipe that will tickle your taste buds. Promise!  

Then there is this amazing member of my tribe, Stacey. On March 1st, she brought a brand new human that never existed before into this world. I am in awe of my girlfriends and boss ladies who took on the craziest and hardest profession of being a mom, plus everything else they do!  I don't know if my old age has made me realize how hard it to bring a human into this world and then to raise them to be a good human.  Stacey, you are a rockstar and Finley is one lucky girl to have you as her momma.

Workout Playlist of the Week

Hell yeah it had to be food inspired for National Registered Dietitian Day!  Righteously Delicious. 

Listen to Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day Workout Playlist of the Week by Anne Elizabeth on Apple Music

What I Love Right Now

I have decided to celebrate this past week with the perfect Registered Dietitian food. 

I am not kidding. Thanks to Hurts Donuts and Hy-Vee, I had donuts more than once this past week and I loved every bite.  No, I did not eat all of them in the pictures, I did share but this is probably why I love my job so much. I love being real. I love that my boss set a box of these donuts in front of me and I was happy to eat a chocolate glazed donut with toffee bits on it with out one worry of judgment. I love being able to tell a client who struggles with food addictions that I have mine too. We are human and it happens. We should not beat ourselves up and we should not have a bad relationship with food. When you start creating negative feelings about certain foods, it can lead to other issues which can be much harder to overcome.

I love food. I love eating food. These are 2 different sentences with 2 different meanings.

I love food for all the bizarre, sciency and intricate actions happening in our bodies after we eat. I love food because it may help prevent certain health conditions and may improve quality of life. I love food because it constantly starts conversations that matter.

I love to eat food because of how it gives me energy, endurance, brain power and strength. I love to eat food because it brings my heartbeats together at a table talking, laughing and sharing each others lives. I love food because it is art, it is a poem, it is a fond memory.  It is my mom's chocolate cake or my dad's chicken kiev.

I love food, I love eating food and I love being a Registered Dietitian. 

~AE

Wisdom Wednesday

There are many of days when "I. Just. Can't." I can't get out of bed. I can't get my butt to the gym. I can't get rid of the dark circles under my eyes. I can't fall asleep. The list could go on and on. The reality is, "I can." I give myself a little time to wallow in my own bucket of "can't" and then remind myself those things I can't or in all seriousness, "don't" want to do, someone else in this world wishes they could do all those things. What the hell am I complaining about?  I can get out of bed, I can get my butt to the gym, I can afford makeup to cover up my dark circles and I can do mediation to fall asleep. Whenever I let my emotions get the best of me, I let them beat me up for a few minutes, but I do not let them consume my day. The other 1435 minutes I have left in my day will be full of "I can."

Weekly Conversation

My conversation today is with Ellen Davis, RD, LD, CSSD

Ellen was always passionate about being an athlete since 7th grade running track and cross country. It wasn’t until college did she realize the connection nutrition had with her performance and health as a Division I athlete. She suffered from many injuries and realized how not fueling her body properly was part of the equation. By being an athlete herself, she wanted to help other athletes learn from her experience and now spends her time working with athletes at all different levels in all different sports. Ellen is one of the most kind and genuine woman and registered dietitians I know. She truly cares about her clients and believes their successes are also her own.

Click here to enjoy my conversation with Ellen

Week in Review

This past week was a busy and crazy one. I seriously felt a little zombie-ish because I missed out on some sleep, but I got shit done!  I had happy hour, a podcast and a laundry list of things to accomplish over the weekend. I helped a friend out and watched 3 dogs while he was unexpectedly out of town for his grandmothers funeral. For my readers, you know I do not own a dog and I like dogs, just not sure about 3 dogs. They were all super sweet and it was interesting having Dusty, Tucker and Hazel all snuggled in bed with me. I tried so hard not to move, I forgot to sleep! I shall never complain again about Lil g snuggling up next to me on occasion. Ever.

After this whirlwind of the weekend, I headed to work on Monday and my normal routine is to go get hot water for my a.m. tea. Bonnie, the manager of the Caribou, knows my love for polka dots and so graciously got me this clipboard with my initial on it. Seriously, such a joy to start the week out. She is just the sweetest. Big hugs all around!

Monday evening, I had the privilege to speak with and get to know the Central Iowa Dietetic District Association (CIDDA) and the Iowa State Student Dietetic Association. I shared with them one of my biggest joys (that cute little book I wrote) and why it came about. My biggest message of the night was to go after what you want, life is too short and too precious to not be doing things you love, so go find it!  It is out there just waiting for you!  The best part of the night was seeing new faces and seeing familiar faces.  I think registered dietitians are just the coolest people in the world and I am very lucky to have added more of them to my tribe!

Workout Playlist of the Week 

To be consistent with my Wisdom Wednesday quote, here are a few songs that help me get my shit together after I get my butt to the gym.

Listen to Anne Elizabeth's My "Gangster" Playlist of the Week on Apple Music

What I Love Right Now

Pretty excited about medicine to treat congestion and the sniffles, paired with a couple of donuts. This crazy Iowa weather is struggling with what season it is right now. Is it winter?  Is it Spring?  Either way, this did the trick (I think it was mostly the work of the pretty pink, red and white donuts). No time for "I can't!"

When was the last time you had a real carrot?  I mean the ones like this with the green tops and have been pulled out of the soil to create a lovely bunch like this? How lucky are we to live where we can get beautiful and delicious produce like this all year around!  This week, pass by the baby carrots and go for the real deal. You will be able to taste the difference.

My 5 minutes are over, off to rule the world!

~AE