Wisdom Wednesday: Going Back to Cali....

I am pretty sure most of my adventures in life are fueled by my tribe and food. As a registered dietitian, I do talk about food a lot, but I also love to eat food with the people I love. I am so thankful for flavorful adventures with the heartbeats in my life. Food always taste better when consumed amongst great conversation and great people. 

The last few weeks have taken me back to some familiar places. Going to California has always been a favorite destination of mine. I have fond memories of the beauty that is California. This trip it was my time to experience Cali in a different way and to create new memories. It was great to go with a couple of my lady friends I enjoy spending time with. 

Nothing beats a little quite time while on vacation. Quiet time meaning a play list I love, a little run and the ocean. I enjoy vacationing with family and friends but it is part of my passion to always take a little time for me and do something I will remember for a lifetime. Not only did I get a workout in, but I spent this time looking into the future, how exciting it is going to be and adding to my mental "to-do" list. 

After my alone time, I reconnected with the girls and we headed out to explore the area around our hotel by the bay. We started walking and landed in Little Italy. Little Italy was bustling with good vibrations, delicious smells and a variety of restaurants and bars. We had so many places to choose from and decided fresh seafood and craft cocktails were calling our name.

We landed at Ironside Fish & Oyster Restaurant in Little Italy. We were immediately drawn to the large doors opening up to a cozy patio, ambient lighting and a hip, young vibe. There was a bit of a wait, so we cozied up to the bar while we waited on our table.  They had a lovely craft cocktail menu with their own twist on classics. I ordered the Old Ironside which was their take on the Old Fashioned. They had a nice selection of cocktails, craft beers and wine selection. We each found a delicious beverage to start the night. 

The best part about the Ironside is the fish is fresh daily. They had the local fisherman who provide the protein listed on their menu to know where the fish came from. After gazing around the room and reading the menu, I noticed one particular dish being served:  the Lobster Roll. I have always wanted to try this decadent dish and it seemed like this to be a perfect place. I was not disappointed. The buttery and delicious freshly baked roll, complimented by fresh lobster in a light cream sauce and my favorite, topped with thinly sliced onions rings. It was so filling, I could barely make a dent in my fries.  I would recommend dining here if you are ever in the area.

After dinner we were stuffed so decided to venture around Little Italy and walk off a few calories. However, we were drawn into a quaint little shop on the corner by sweet smells of gelato and lattes. We were greeted in Italian and were called Bella (which I think I could get use to) and immediately felt the coziness of this little cafe.  Pappalecco's had a lovely variety of freshly made gelato. We could try a bite of all the available flavors to see which one would be our favorite. I did try all of them. No kidding and ended up with mint chocolate chip and a delicious latte.

I got to end the night with these lovelies, sipping on lattes, laughing and indulging in the creaminess of Papplecco's mint chocolate gelato. Pure bliss!

The next day, after a great workout at the hotel gym, I headed back to Little Italy because I noticed signs for their Farmer's Market. I knew it would be a great way to experience the delicious food from California. I was especially interested in the fruit and avocados I could buy and eat while I was there. There is nothing like these fruits straight from the farm.  There was a lot of cool breads, dips, organic products, flowers and homemade empanadas, enchiladas and tortillas that I could not get enough of.

I loaded up on passionfruit, peaches, avocados and something new I had never seen or tried before, white grapefruits.

The pro blanco or white grapefruits were the sweetest and juiciest grapefruits I had ever had.

The “white gold” is a cross between a pomelo and a white grapefruit, with bright green to lemon yellow skin, a thick rind, and sweet flesh with almost no bitterness. I went back to the hotel and devoured them with my yogurt parfait and coffee on my hotel patio.  After I indulged in my Cali foods, it was off to the beach for some sand and sun.

We ventured to La Jolla. Amanda wanted to kayak through the caves and Jodi and I decided to grab a seat on the beach and catch some rays. 

There is nothing like your toes in the sand, the water and the cool breezes off the ocean. After Amanda braved the waves with her muscles and determination, we found a cafe along the beach to indulge in some snacks so Amanda could refuel after her kayaking workout.

I also decided I wanted to see the infamous San Diego Zoo, so I grabbed an Uber. Growing up near Omaha, Nebraska, I have been pretty spoiled being able to go to the Henry Doorly Zoo any time. I also wanted to compare the two. I did enjoy the San Diego Zoo, but it was a very hot day. Not a lot of the animals wanted to be social.

I always love to see the elephants. I wish they could talk so they could share with me everything they know and remember. Quite a few of the elephants have been a part of the zoo for over 30 years. It was so warm that day, one of the elephants was begging the zoo keepers to let him in the care station where they wash them and keep them healthy. I think he wanted a cool shower!

The snow leopard was also a fun part of visit. There was a service dog with a group of kids and this kitty cat wanted to desperately play with all of them. He kept snuggling closer to the glass where the kids and dog were. He would put his paws on the glass and then kind of meow/roar and roll around wanting to play.

After a long day in the heat at the zoo, I took an Uber back to the hotel with an adorable driver named Joe and decided it was time for some delicious Mexican Food. We stumbled upon this hip and cool place called El Camino. I loved the cool vibe it had with fun signage, a dimly lit dining area and a cool patio with bar tabletops. The crowd was hipster-ish and even thought we were right below the flight pattern of planes coming into the airport, we quickly got used to the loud sounds of the planes landing. We met a few new friends on the patio and Stacy was our favorite in her pretty pink dress.

We ordered table side guac (because I just had not got my fill of avocados yet) and I could resist enchiladas with mole sauce. It wasn't on the menu but I asked if they could make it. I was not disappointed. I have to apologize, I ate it so quickly, I forgot to take a picture of both the guac and the enchiladas. Needless to say, it was a great dinner to end the trip and I would also recommend making a stop at this tasty restaurant.

As soon as I got back from Cali, it was back to work and another one of my favorite times of year, the Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest at the Iowa State Fair.   This was the 53rd year of the contest and I was asked again to judge with Chef Terri Kohl. 

It was great getting to know Chef Terri. She loves food, cooking and teaching. She enjoys offering classes from specifically themed culinary classes, recipe demonstration and private cooking classes.  We were in charge of the turkey and lamb categories this year.  Here are pictures of our favorite dishes.

Sage Buttered Turkey by Dawnette Richards from Vinton Iowa won the Turkey category as well as Grand Champion. It was delicious!  

 Rylan Crowley won the Lamb Division with his Lamb Sliders. This was one of the most delicious lamb recipes I had ever had. The Iowa Farm Bureau puts out a cookbook each year with the recipes or feel free to shoot me a message and I will be happy to share them with you!

After the Cookout Contest, I got cooking with Chef Andrew. Chef Andrew has a great segment every Friday and Saturday on KCCI, Channel 8 here in Des Moines where he creates amazing recipes and dishes to go with the specific time of the year. September is Family Meals Month and I am promoting the health benefits of eating meals together as a family. Kids are happier and healthier, more likely to do well in school and have less depression and social issues.

I encourage families to take pictures of themselves dining together and sharing a family meal. For every picture you take of your family sharing a meal and posting it on social media with #HyVeeFamilyMeals, Hy-Vee will donate $1 to Meals from the Heartland. 

Chef Andrew shared one of his favorite healthy family friendly meals, Southwestern Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini. It was fun to make and even better to eat. Make sure to tune in this month!

The rest of my food adventures included a couple of birthday celebrations. My mom came to celebrate her birthday in Des Moines, where we did a little shopping and a lot of eating delicious food. Including a little stop at Whole Foods for a container of Gummy Stars. Damn I love those things and now I have her hooked on them. 

I made Mom a little white coconut cake. Mom loves white cake, so I decided to spruce it up with a little toasted coconut and a whole lotta candles for her to make a ton of wishes on!

While mom was in her cake coma on Sunday morning, I snuck out to KCCI with Sung Hee, a partner I enjoy working with. She works for Iowa Choice Harvest, a local company that secures and distributes locally grown Iowa produce to retailers and businesses, including schools and school lunch programs. One of my favorite products is their frozen apples. I always have a bag on had to warm in the microwave with cinnamon sprinkled on top for the perfect healthy and quick dessert. 

After TV, I went home and awoke Mom from her birthday slumber and we hit the town for a little more shopping and birthday sushi. Sushi is so much fun with mom because we both enjoy similar flavors. We order things we both like and then share. A new place opened up in my Waukee hood and we decided to give Wasabi a try. 

How cute is she?  Love her!

A little gyoza to get us going. 

Not as cute as my momma. But just as happy!

If you have not been to Wasabi, we absolutely loved it!  The atmosphere is awesome, the decor is hip and cool. I did not feel like I was in suburban Iowa at all. The rolls were beautiful, fresh, creative and delicious. Highly recommend a trip to this new additions to my neighborhood. Check out the menu here. 

After a whirlwind of a weekend of vacation, eating, and cooking, I had one more important birthday to celebrate. My Omaha lady tribe got together at a cool hip place in Omaha known as Pitch Pizzeria for awesome appetizers, happy hour cocktails and birthday conversation surround my beautiful frista Carlena.  The best part about her birthday is she had 3 desserts in 3 different places that night and she ended the night happy and dancing all the way home. And let me tell you, she has some pretty impressive birthday moves. 

Well, recapping all of my wisdom, food wisdom that is, has brought me joy and happiness to relive it with you. 

I will say I am a little full...

AE

It's Been A Year

I really love to capture moments where no one knows I am watching. Two beauties against a beautiful background. Makes me smile. The last weekend of July marked the first year anniversary of my Dad's passing. I cannot believe it has been a year.  A year of not seeing his inviting smile, feeling his loving embrace and hearing the words "how's my baby girl?" It was a tough weekend and we all thought of him and celebrated him in different ways. It's funny, this picture is a celebration of him. He would look over the deck like this into the backyard when he was out grilling his girls a tasty meal. I picture it clear as day. What a great memory of a great man. 

Another candid shot I took this particular summer weekend of my Gramma furiously reading. She loves to read, anything and everything. When she is reading, nothing else exists. I think I could have set off a firework behind her and she wouldn't have wavered. I love this about my Gramma. She reads and continues to educate herself on the world around her. She dives into books, newspapers and magazines like Michael Phelps does into a pool; completely absorbed and present in the moment of what she is reading.  When she finished, she asked "were you waiting on me?" not knowing how much time had passed by. 

After a lovely weekend with my family, I came to the Monday crazies known as the beginning of the work week.  Nothing out of the ordinary, just Monday. I just wasn't ready yet!  What filled my Monday with less crazy and a lot of joy was a kind gift from my co-worker, Bonnie. She knows my love for polka dots and even calls me "Dot" at work, which I absolutely love!  While she was out shopping, in her free-time outside of work, her sweet heart thought of me when she saw this box. She left it in my office with a note saying for my "what nots."  I seriously got tears in my eyes because it touched me so deeply. She will never know how much this means to me and I cannot wait to fill it with my "what nots" aka joys starting this new year. 

Mid week took me home again to hang out with my momma and do some busy business work. Since I had been thinking about my Dad grilling, I really wanted to do some grilling myself on his grill. When I am out there attempting this skill my Dad mastered, I feel really close to him, like he is there will me, whispering to me the proper instruction and his noteworthy pats on the back. It is very calming to be out there. I also have a feeling a watchful eye was helping prevent overcooking or burning anything (which I totally needed, thanks Dad!). 

Mom and I shared a lovely meal of grilled chicken and a little love from her garden: fresh basil, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes. The best part of the garden was picking a questionable pepper that mom thought was sweet when she planted it. We cut that baby open, seeded it and was going to make it part of the salad. Good thing we took precautions, my tongue barely touched it and it was on fire. I think mom's patch of peppers is going to be a little bit spicy. 

Her backyard is full of gorgeousness (besides herself). These hydrangeas....swoon. Not only am I a fan of polka dots, but anything white....completely my jam!

Later on in the week, I was asked to be the nutrition expert for an event for Jolly Time Pop Corn. It was great to meet the owner, Garry Smith and hear his speak so passionately about his popcorn, his family and his company.  I was enthralled how health of his employees is important. Each day, everyone of his 170 employees start off with 10 stretches to get them in the right frame of mind for the day, with Garry leading the stretching in the offices. These daily stretches may also prevent injury such as carpal tunnel and back issues. Personally, I took notes and will incorporate them into my daily routine.

With health in mind, Jolly Time has a great challenge going on right now called the Healthy Pop Challenge. Once you join the challenge through September 7th, you can receive a free workout band, awesome coupons, delicious recipes, an easy get fit while you pop workout and be entered to win a FitBit. Making simple swaps in the summer with your snacks can give you more energy for all the activities that you love. Healthy Pop Pop Corn only has 20 calories per cup! I can eat a whole big bag for 100 calories, which is very exciting to me. I am a huge fan of quantity. Not only is it low in calories, it is a good source of fiber and energy boosting vitamins. The smell and the warmth of fresh popcorn is more satisfying than room temperature bland snacks. I personally would rather have a whole cup of popcorn than 3-4 potato chips.  I had a movie date with my friend Stacey this weekend and popped my own bag for the theater. Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone!

The week ended with an awesome presentation I did with my co-worker Chef Stacey for Life Care Services in downtown Des Moines. It was great spreading the good word about healthier eating on the go and at work. We had great discussion on how to eat more balanced and practicing portion control no matter what foods you choose. Stacey whipped up some delicious recipes for everyone to try! She always amazes me with her easy recipes and how great tasting they are. We compliment each other very well when we present together. She knows the nutrition after it hearing it a thousand times from me and I can brag on how much I have learned from her. 

Accompanying me these past 3 weeks was a new intern that I had the privilege to be a preceptor for. Sonja is such an amazing person and hard working!  She did such a great job taking on a lot of my responsibilities impeccably well. Either I am great at teaching and/or she is great at learning. We will chalk it up to both. I really do feel very lucky to be entrusted to educate future Registered Dietitians. I had amazing preceptors and enjoy paying it forward. 

When an intern starts with me, I tell them two things:  

1. I am a bit crazy (Shocker) 2. I want them to have fun while they learn. 

When they leave, I hope they can say #2 was achieved. I cannot wait to see what Sonja does in her future and how she changes the world of dietetics. 

AE

Friends, Memorial Day, Golf, Music, Future, and Real Deal Kind of Weekend

I think summertime likes to give me more time than I know what to do with by providing longer, sunny filled days and endless opportunities of excitement. However, it does rob me of known indoor activities like writing and blogging. So being the wise adult that I am, I know now to place an alert in my phone that says (no joke):   "Hey Anne,  I know you're having a blasty blast but it's been 2 weeks, have you blogged?"  

The first official holiday weekend to kick off summer fun started with a little trip to Omaha to have Happy Hour with my frista and other lady friends. We dined on sushi, had a few Grey Goose and waters and had endless laughs. Those girlies just make my day and it is always fun to go back and catch up with them. 

One of our favorite spots is Kona Grill because they have killer happy hour sushi and cocktail specials on their amazing patio. The only thing I wonder about Friday's in Omaha is does anyone work past noon?  Geez.....

After a delightful night with the girls, I headed back to my roots to enjoy seeing my beautiful mother, family and the peace and quiet.

There was a time in my life I felt leaving Panama and not looking back was the best thing in the world. Thing is, all roads lead back to the foundation of my life. There is a sense of peace and calm in this small but mighty Iowa town 

(cue John Cougar Mellencamp and the sweet sounds of Small Town). 

When I am back in the hood, I love to head out and hit the pavement with an exploring run. So many fun memories come rushing back and I feel like I could run for endless miles (which let's be honest, 4 miles is more like it and realistically my limit).  The train tracks line the east side of town and run through Whispering Pines Park, which was frequently traveled on by a slew of girls on bikes.

There is this calming sense of comfort as I drive up Main Street and see the homestead on the right. The home I spent the majority of the youth in, sprayed endless amounts of hairspray in, sang karaoke to Cyndi Lauper with my girl gang, ate homemade pizza under the kitchen table, slammed a few doors in, shed a few tears in and shared a life with my amazing parents and sister. I may have also kissed a few boys on the front porch as well.

We picked beautiful peonies in our backyard to take to my sweet Papa and sister on Memorial Day.  Peonies are one of my favorite flowers and they are everywhere in Panama. My mom has these stunning pink ones in the back yard.

 I had a little help from my friend Gypsy. She is also my fur baby, Lil g's momma. She loves to tag along in the backyard and supervise all the happenings.

I also couldn't resist one of my most guilty pleasures from my Mom's garden:  ONIONS!  Oh my goodness, I seriously can pick this straight from the ground, wash it off and eat it like candy. I don't mind dipping it in a little salt if it's handy. The best part about this is I know she planted them for me because she runs as fast as possible away from onions. So thank you Mom for this produce pleasure!

After a relaxing time back home, another work we started. Except this week was not only short, but it was our annual managers golf outing. 

There were over 300 managers who spent the day out on the links. Even though our team didn't win anything,  I would say our team won in the entertaining and a blast to be with division.  Thanks Matt, Jason and Stacey for making it such a fun day!

Each year, my summer officially starts with the first concert I go to.  Last year, I pledged to attend 3 concerts (minimum) a summer because there is nothing better than witnessing music in its most vulnerable and creative space: live. I also pledged to be open to new and different types of music to expand my horizons and the first one up did a lot of expanding.  It was an enjoyable night of creative outlaw country at Wooly's. 

The end of week was full of new adventures. I met up with this lovely, who I haven't seen for a long time when she was my intern!  I am proud of Jena and all of her dietitian accomplishments thus far. It is great reconnecting with dietitians I have worked with in the past and hear about all the amazing things they have done and are doing. 

The Principal Charity Classic was back in town this past weekend and it was a pretty kick ass day out on the course. I enjoyed a few beers, soaked up some sun (with SPF 30 slathered all over of course!) and hung out with some of my favorite people. 

Whew! Holy Sh*% that was a crazy, busy, beautiful week!  I love this time of year. I love making memories and being with people who make my heart beat. 

AE