"More Than Enough" Weekly Wisdom

 

I love this one. It’s simple. But it has a kind of quiet power.

On days when life feels just okay, remembering that we already have more than we think can shift the whole vibe.

When I look around — the relationships I treasure, the health I'm working for, the morning coffee, the strength I’m building — I see that “enough” is already here.

And when I recognize enough, I’m freer to enjoy more — not because I need it, but because I’ve acknowledged what’s already good.

For this week, maybe try this: pause for a moment. Take a deep breath. Name one thing right now that you truly have. And then whisper: thank you. Let that ripple out.

When we anchor ourselves in gratitude, we don’t just add more to our lives — we amplify what’s already there. And that? That feels like magic.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

#freedom | #EmbraceTheHellYeah

~AE

"Thanksgiving Gratitude" Weekly Wisdom

 

Who will be at your Thanksgiving table this year?

I am very thankful for those NOT at my table this year. I will miss my heartbeats dearly, but I know it's the right thing to do to keep everyone safe. I look forward to the next time we can share a meal together and it doesn't have to be a holiday. There are so many opportunities to be with our loved ones throughout the year, maybe we think about doing that more instead of packing it all within a couple months. 

Anytime can be the most wonderful time of the year. 

With an empty table this year, I am still whole heartedly grateful and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. 

#embracethehellyeah

~AE

#WeeklyWisdom and Top 5 #Thankful Nutrition Noshes

Nosh One. Wisdom.

During the holidays are you more thankful?

I am a recovering "thankful during the holidays" addict. I used to be the person who would be more kind, thoughtful and generous from Thanksgiving until New Years. I admit, I didn't really think about feelings of or showing gratitude during the rest of the year until about 4 years ago when everything went to hell in a hand basket in my life and I had a big fat reality check. Gratitude should be practiced ALL YEAR LONG in EVERYTHING WE DO. From the minute we open our eyes to when we close our eyes, there is so much to be thankful for.  Remember what you are grateful for when someone cuts in front of you at the check out line on Black Friday or when a family member is on your last nerve because of too much together time. 

Grateful is a positive feeling of gratitude and thankful is act or gesture of gratitude. 

Be grateful in your heart and mind, be thankful with your words.  Everyone likes to hear kind words, not just your family and friends. Thank the cashier at the gas station, thank the person who gets your popcorn at the movie theater. Write a review for a local business who gives great customer service. This year, I am very thankful for the ability to work, to make money and to be able to buy elastic waistband pants. Thank you Karen at F&F for checking me out yesterday so I could buy my pants and thank you to my crazy family for taking potato casserole and ham seriously at Thanksgiving. 

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation. 

I feel every great conversation is had over a meal or a cocktail (or mocktail if you choose). These conversations take on their own life and travel into unique directions, which is what truly matters. Periodically, I will putting on my party pants, pouring myself something refreshing to drink and inviting a guest to just see where the words take us. In this episode of Cocktails and Conversations, I invited back one of my favorite guests, Carrie Moody. You may remember this beauty from Episode 72. This fun loving, meal prepping, dancing queen and I chat about “all the things and all the feels” as the holidays approach.

Cheers to the upcoming holidays and click here to listen to the podcast

Nosh Three. Weekly #Hellyeah. 

Hello holdiay time of year again and you better not be losing your mind with preparing like mad for the big dinner or frantically worrying about getting all the things shopped for on Black Friday. What I do hope is you just take a few moments for deep breaths and gratitude. I am always very thankful for much in my life and I try to make it known outside of the holiday time, this year is no different. Besides my family and friends, I am very thankful for all my podcast guest and listeners since I launched Conversations with Anne Elizabeth just over 2 years ago. I hit a milestone with 100 episodes a week ago and I am excited to keep it going and being the worlds #1 Dietitian Cheerleader!  Thank you to everyone who listens and even more, thank you to all health professionals out there, trying to do their best to serve our communities.

100 Episodes of Conversations with Anne Elizabeth Podcast 

I am looking forward to heading west, picking up Mom and going to see family in Omaha this Thanksgiving. This is the one time of year I get to see my aunties, uncle on my Dad's side as well as my almost-like-a-sister cousin Lindsey and her family, as well as other cousins and friends. We always have plenty of food but I do not like to come empty handed. In the past, I would be a little creative but I am going no-stress this year and bringing a pre-made French Silk Pie. Mostly because I really do not care for pumpkin pie and really want a piece of this and because I want to enjoy Thursday morning with sleeping in, a workout, and a latte. A little self-care if you will. I know this will set the tone for a much more relaxing day. Hey, don't be scared to be the one who shows up with something pre-made from the grocery store. Carrie and I talk about this too in the podcast this week.

Thank you to the Fleur Hy-Vee for making Thanksgiving easier and happier!

Nosh Four. Weekly Kick Ass Jam. 

This weeks #Thankful Playlist is on Apple Music and Spotify. Perfect for a workout or driving over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house.

Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now. 

I thought this was pretty awesome. My financial advisor, Travis Gaule, hosted a floral design class for his clients. A service he wanted to provide to add value for his customers who purchase his services. A group of ladies and Travis had a lovely time with Emily of CamBam Floral Designs and creating our own floral masterpieces. Why this resonated with me and why I love this is because a business that goes over and beyond for their clients means the world to me. It is extra work he does not have to do that takes him away from his family in the evening BUT he cares and wants to show it. I love my flowers, they are very pretty but I love great customer service even more. I feel valued and appreciated which in turn makes me want to do the same for others. Thank you Travis for caring about your clients, I am very thankful for this.

~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!

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