#WeeklyWisdom and Top 5 Inspirational Nutrition Noshes

Nosh One.  Wisdom.

Do you take enough time each day for human connection?

There is this new feature on my smartphone telling me each week my amount of screen time. Anyone else shocked by their stats?  This was a wake up call for me. There is nothing, I mean nothing, in this world more important than daily human connection and I feel we are slowly drifting farther and farther away from it. And no, a simple hello to someone as you are walking into work does not count as the human connection we need to be embracing. 

There must be a plan to put your phone away to give you the time to connect with actual humans that you can see, smell and touch. Social media is not going to love you at the end of the day. Hug you when you when you are sad. Talk with you about things on your mind. Be there for you when you are most happy. It is merely a glimpse into the lives we lead and if we are living there inside our social media, we are missing out on our actual lives. 

Make a plan for your daily social media but also make a plan for daily human connection. 

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation.

Today’s conversation is with Danielle Bertiger, a communications expert who fell into health coaching, fitness and food and is now on her way to a masters in Nutrition Communications and her RD.

From time to time, I always love to podcast with future dietitians and Danielle was a great person to meet. She shares her personal story of falling into the food and fitness world while working after she complete her undergraduate degree in communications. During that time she decided to become a health coach, found a passion for food and recipe creation and also pursuing her certification in group fitness classes. And then, she thought, hey, I also want to get a masters in nutrition education and become a Registered Dietitian. This woman is passionate about her future profession, is  great at multitasking and is looking forward to starting her internship.

Please enjoy my conversation with Danielle

Connect with Danielle on her website and Instagram

Nosh Three. Weekly #Hellyeah

One of the ways I like to connect with humans is through a variety of activities with other Registered Dietitians. There is such a great variety of us in our state. I have made great relationships with dietitians at a state level and now I am excited to get more involved on a local level with my district, Central Iowa District Dietetic Association, CIDDA.

Our first CIDDA meeting of the year was at Della Viti Wine Bar in downtown Des Moines.

Have you ever had a wine bar experience?  All you need is a card that you load with money and then you can choose wine by the glass. 

CIDDA Leadership L to R:  Ali, Anne and Erin

#UndeniablyDairy cheese deliciousness to go with our vino!

The night was a success and I highly recommend seeking out your local District Dietetic Association or State Affiliate to create connections with other RDN's in your community.  Not all meetings are formal so there are options!

Nosh Four. Weekly Kickass Jams.

Find this weeks "Better Together" Playlist on Apple Music and Spotify 

Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now. 

I work at the Fleur Drive Hy-Vee (which is right by the airport if you ever fly into Des Moines) that conveniently has a clothing store called F&F Clothing. Cutest and most reasonably priced clothes, for the whole family: baby, kids, men and women, that are well made. It just so happens they created a shirt specifically for me. Just kidding. But I like to think they did. I am on a no-buy-until-next-July but I couldn't resist a white, polka dot and cherry shirt. Soooo excited to wear 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!

#WeeklyWisdom and Top 5 Nutrition Noshes

Nosh One. Wisdom.

What was one of your favorite birthday celebrations to date?

Birthdays are THE BEST holiday. It is the day you came into this world to make your mark. That day started a lifetime of endless possibilities, learning experiences, challenges, hopes, dreams and developing meaningful relationships. It is your day. It deserves to be celebrated. You deserve to be celebrated, every year of your life. 

I love to celebrate my family and friends birthdays, more than any other holiday on the calendar. I always had lovely birthdays. My Mom would make the most beautifully decorated cakes by hand. One that sticks in my memory is a big pink heart with her famous chocolate cake in the inside. I can still remember blowing out the candles on that special cake and having my parents, sister and grandparents sweetly singing Happy Birthday to me. 

I hope you have memories like this of your birthday and I also hope you are able to create more of them in the future. The day you were born is an important part of history.  No matter what your age, you are never too young or too old for others to sing to you while you blow out your candles. 

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation.

Today’s conversation is with Jen Plaggemars, a registered dietitian who fulfilled a dream to go back to culinary school and become a chef.

Do you ever scroll through social media to find a recipe for something but you’re not quite sure what that something is?  Then you come across photos that start to make you hungry and you must know what the recipe is? Insert Chef Jen. Jen and I worked for the same company for few years, but we really didn’t know each other until I saw a photo of these gorgeous fried plantain chips with a chipotle pineapple guacamole dip and I wanted, no...needed, to be her friend.  She is a dietitian and is now following a dream of being a personal chef and has created a pretty delicious life that I am excited to share with you.

Please enjoy my conversation with Jen

Connect with Jen on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Nosh Three. Weekly Inspiration. 

Being able to celebrate the birthdays of people we love and care about always inspire me. It reminds me another year has passed and each birthday I celebrates reminds me to reflect on what I have accomplished over that past year. I review all my goals: personal and professional. It is a quarterly check in to see where I am at or what I have forgotten about. I am also inspired greatly by the humans who I celebrate these birthdays with.  I am a big card person, so I spend time picking out the perfect card for each of them. In the card, I tell them how they inspire and influence my life in a positive way. I also make sure to remind them of why they mean so much to me. Who know other people's birthdays could be a source of personal and professional inspiration? I was fortunate to have another year to celebrate 2 fabulous ladies, my Mom and my frista (friend from another mista) Carlena. 

Nothing says pure joy like a birthday donut with sprinkles and coffee of course!

It is always fun to celebrate my Mom on her birthday.

The sweet little cake the ladies at the Hy-Vee on Fleur made for her. We really have
the best bakery in Des Moines. 

Happy Happy Birthday to Carlena. We spent the night under the red lights of Parliament Pub West

Had to take a break from cutting a rug and soak it all in. 

Nosh Four. Weekly Music Inspiration.

When I went home to spend the day with my Mom for her birthday, I had to have a playlist to start the day with donuts and coffee on "The Patio."  Hope you enjoy my birthday beats on Apple Music and Spotify.

Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now. 

A few years ago, I went on this fantastically amazing trip to St. Helena and Napa Valley California. At almost all the restaurants we dined at, there were roasted shishito peppers on the menu as an appetizer. I loved them. As I was perusing my favorite Hy-Vee on Fleur Drive, I found a bag courtesy of Melissa's Produce and I immediately grabbed some. I am so glad I did. I roasted the whole bag and munched on them for lunch. According to the Melissa's website "shishitos are traditionally served in Japanese cuisine roasted and tossed with sesame oil and a dash of soy sauce." They are mild but lively, sweet and have a hint of smoke to them especially when roasted. Until you get a orange mature one, then the lively factor skyrockets. You might choke a little and your eyes might water, I cannot confirm or deny this happened :).

Roasted Shishitos: Preheat oven to 375 degrees, clean peppers, pat dry and lay in a single layer on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and generously sprinkle freshly cracked pepper and course salt. Bake until peppers skin start to brown slightly, 3-5 minutes, turning once.

Next time, I am trying it with sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds and light soy sauce for dipping.

~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!

#WeeklyWisdom and Top 5 Nutrition Noshes

Nosh One. Wisdom.

 

Did you attend your State Fair this summer?  

I think State Fair's get a bad rap sometimes. We assume everything is either farm related or it is a deep-fried something on a stick that lasts for 10+ days in the summer. What I have realized over the past few years is State Fairs are a long-standing traditions of the celebration of what your great state is all about. It celebrates culture, industry, culinary experiences, competition, music, family and agriculture. It is a place where the whole population of a state can come together and celebrate. 

People in Iowa are always a little jazzed about the State Fair each year. I used to question why it was such a big deal. Now that I have had the joy to attend, I understand why. People put their heart and their soul into what they bring to the fair. It is a place learn about things you may not give a thought to in everyday life. It is place to meet new people from around your state. And it is place to indulge on a fried Snickers on a stick and not get judged by anyone as chocolate runs down your face. 

Damn that was good. 

Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation. 

Today’s conversation is with Dr. Maree Ferguson, a visionary and leader in the field of dietetics who created Dietitian Connection for dietitians to feel supported along their professional journey.

I truly believe in being in the right place at the right time, which is exactly where I met Maree. Maree and I were doing a mini expo at the Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG meeting at FNCE last year and I was so interested in the work she is doing. She has created an international resource to help dietitians live out their dreams in their careers with support and guidance. Her extensive education and work experience makes her the perfect leader of this great organization. Get to know Maree a little more and why Dietitian Connection might be an organization you want to be a part of.

Please enjoy my conversation with Maree

Connect with Maree on the Dietitian Connection website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Nosh Three. Weekly Inspiration. 

The Iowa State Fair never disappoints when it comes to inspiring me. Because I never really went to the fair as a child, I find it to be a great opportunity to spend the day and soak it all in. For the past three years, I have had the opportunity to be one of the judges of the Farm Bureau Cookout Contest. I am always excited for the food and I am always inspired by the cooks who show up and make such amazing creations with a lot of love. This year was no different. What inspires me the most is when each contestant tells me about their dish. They use such passion when they create the recipe and then the excitement of sharing it with me. It inspires me to be more excited about cooking food for people because I know it can be tasted. For a limited time you can get the 2018 Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest Recipes here. 

Official Iowa Farm Bureau Judges binder with my friends Brian, Don and Amanda. 

Chicken Bomb by Gene Petersen was filled with some spicy jalapeño goodness.

Veal Bison Burger by Anthony Phelps - had a nice kick of Anaheim Peppers and freshly grated parm

Grilled Pizza by Scott Degeneffe with pork and chicken thighs. 

He did 2 kinds: Mediterranean and BBQ. The pizza dough was made from scratch. 

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast by Drew Sallee.
Look at all that crispy bacon and you can't see the vegetable cream cheese and diced
mushrooms inside. 

Italian Fattie by Dusty Wilson - this was a new dish to me and it was delish!

Bacon Wrapped Chicken by Cadin Peciovsky (loved the cherry garnish touch)

Mac and Cheese Bacon Hamburgers by Kim Pepin (and a bonus chocolate cupcake from the grill). 

Our Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa State Fair Queen presiding over the winners. 

The special butter carving was 100 years of John Deer Tractors. 

A trip to the Iowa State Fair always means a trip to see the infamous Midwest Dairy Butter Cow. 

Who knew a pumpkin could grow to be almost 800 pounds? Too bad it wasn't orange. 

I also had to stop and see the Heifer judging...they look so pretty when they come to show. 

I ended the day with a couple scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream
from the Dairy Barn. I would call this year another success. 

Nosh Four. Weekly Music Playlist. 

I know Iowa does not seem like the most glamorous state to live in but I sure do like living here. Whenever I travel, I always look forward to coming home. Enjoy this weeks inspired by "Home" music playlist of the week on Apple Music and Spotify. 

Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now. 

After all the delicious eats at the Iowa State Fair, I had to come back to reality and get a little food focused on nutrition. I am probably a little late to the game with these goodies, but Perfect Bars are pretty amazing, especially the Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter. Why are they Perfect? This is why and is taken from their website:

"Over 20 nutrient-dense organic whole foods provide a good source of vitamins and minerals on-the-go. Plus, with ingredients such as kale, spinach, alfalfa and celery, you will finally be able to tell your mother that you’re eating your vegetables!"

I like that they are refrigerated, gives them a different taste and texture from other bars and they are very hearty. I tend to not get as hungry when I have these for a snack because of the protein and real ingredients. I highly suggest you give them a try if you are a bar person like me. 

~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!