Top 5 Nutrition Noshes and Weekly Wisdom

Nutrition Nosh One. Wisdom.

I appreciate my Mom so very much. I appreciate all Moms very much. I cannot imagine how hard it is to be a Mom. Just think of the journey. No journey is the same and no journey is easy. No child is easy. In my eyes, it is the most difficult and challenging job on the market. I know my Mom has had her struggles and I also know she has had many joys. I know I might have been one of her biggest struggles and I hope one of her biggest joys. There is nothing I can do to repay my Mom for all she has done. She has comforted my tears and fears, kept me safe and alive, kept me fed with good nutrition and food, and hugged me when I wasn't so huggable. I know I was (and maybe still am on occasion) a pain in the ass sometimes, but I also know I am loved so very unconditionally. That is the beauty of our relationship. One we only share. I am so glad she chose me to be her daughter and I am so glad she was chosen to be my Mom. 

Nutrition Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation.

My conversation today is with my beautiful Mom, Ruth.  

I was excited to sit down today with my Mom on Mother’s Day, which is a very special day. I always go back and see her every year and just celebrate her being my Mom. In a conversation a couple of months ago, my mom made the sweet comment that she was the “original dietitian.” That is when the light bulb went off and I thought it would be a great idea to do a special Mother’s Day podcast with my Mom (and hopefully more). My Mom is great and I love her with all my heart. She really is the inspiration of me becoming a dietitian and I am very thankful.

Please click here to enjoy my very special conversation with my Mom this past Mother’s Day

Nutrition Nosh Three. Week in Review. 

May is the start of warmer weather here in Iowa. We start to shed some layers of clothing, but sometimes a little too soon. I was fortunate to attend an event put on by the Iowa Food and Family Project with these lovely ladies, Paige and Anne. We started the day bright and early at 4:30 am without realizing how cold it was outside. While we shared information about local food products, we snuggled and drank a lot of coffee. The event's focus was centered around the local farms and food the great state of Iowa has.  We even had the privilege to meet the new Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Purduehttps://www.usda.gov/. To make the day even more fun, we partnered with the guys behind Tres Mentes Salsa, a delicious and local salsa made right here in Des Moines. If you haven't tried their salsa, you are missing out!  I always have a container of their medium salsa in my fridge for to use as salad dressing, tacos and a great topper for baked proteins. 

An exciting year of FNCE is approaching in October and I am still trying to figure out if I am going to attend this year. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is celebrating 100 years in their hometown, Chicago. It is very close to me this year, so I will be considering it pretty hard. I know it will be the most exciting one yet to see where our profession is headed in the next 100 years. 

I enjoyed a lovely breakfast at my favorite local spot, Cozy Cafe. I can walk to it from my house, so it balances out my latte and enormously delicious portion of hash browns. The food here is homemade, fresh and yummy. You should see their selection of homemade pies and muffins. I am pretty confident a plateful of hash browns and a latte are the way to go for breakfast. Top that off with great company and conversation and I am in weekend heaven. 

On Mother's Day, I jotted home to spend the day with my special lady. We really didn't have anything planned so that lead to opening up a bag of Cheetos (which is one of my Mom's and I favorite crunchy snacks). If I haven't shared this before, I like to eat Cheetos with a fork. It prevents the orange, cheesy finger madness and I also can't overdue it on those crunchy suckers. They best part about my weird fork-eating Cheetos habit, is my friends know me so well, they send me pictures of others doing the same thing!  My friends Carlena and Jenny both send me pictures of their littles munching down our favorite snack with a fork. If anyone else shares in this ritual, send me pictures please. I would love to see them!

We did eat something else besides Cheetos. I was trying to think of something easy and fun for a sweet treat for Mom and Gramma on Mother's Day. A yogurt parfait kept coming to mind, but I wanted to mix it up. As I was contemplating a change of dessert and wandering through the ice-cream aisle, I spotted the waffle cones and bowls. What a perfect vessel for a yogurt parfait!  It was fancy, fun, easy and delicious. 

Mother's Day Parfait

Serves 4

4 - 5.3 ounce containers of Dannon Vanilla Light and Fit Greek Yogurt

2 large prepared blueberry muffins, cut into cubes and divided

1 cup of granola, divided

2 cups of fresh fruit, diced and divided

4 waffle bowls

1. Place divided blueberry muffin in each bowl. 

2. Top with container of yogurt.

3. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of granola on top of yogurt.

4. Top with 1/2 cup of your favorite fresh fruit. 

Nutrition Nosh Four. Workout Playlist of the Week. 

Of course it is Mom inspired!  Dance party in the living room anyone? 

Click here for some fun songs you probably haven't heard but I know you will like!

Nutrition Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now.

Well hello there. 

If you have ever had a morning flight on United Airlines and are in need of much needed travel nutrition, you may have encountered one of these tasty treats. Insert Stroopwafels. Until recently, I have only had them when I was traveling. After posting a picture of a recent Stroopwafel flight on my Instagram, I received confirmation of Stroopwafel retail spottings across Des Moines.  One of those locations was less than 1/2 mile from my house. Since they appear to be infiltrating Walgreens, if you haven't had one of these Dutch delicacies, you must give them a try. (Are you picking up on the waffle obsession this week?). There are many different brands out there, so I cannot speak to any other brand or flavor but the original from Daelamans. My favorite way to enjoy is to place one of the toasted waffles filled with caramel, cinnamon and real bourbon vanilla on top of a piping hot cup of coffee. The waffle and caramel inside starts to soften and the sweetness pairs perfectly with the bitterness of the coffee. I obviously stocked up on a few that day of discovery. Then I went online and realized there is chocolate ones, bags of mini ones and I can even get them by the case. I might be in a little trouble!

~AE

Week in Review: Heartbeats, Music and My Favorite Summer Cocktails

Greetings to all my nosh readers!  How in the heck is your summer going?  I hope it is going as awesomely wonderful as mine. Happy Happy week it was!  There is nothing more in this world that nourishes my soul more than time with family and friends, aka my "heartbeats" (see the beautiful Carlena and Stacey above) and music. Seriously. This week was time with my heartbeats AND live music, all in the same day!

This is only a sneak preview to my summer concert music review, but absolutely one of my favorite musicians, Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness was back in the "Moines" this summer. Carlena, Stacey and I dined at John and Nick's delicious salad bar, prime rib and Orchid Martini's prior to the sold-out event. The Orchid Martini is one of my favorite cocktails because I really enjoy the taste of Chambord. Here is my favorite at home recipe from Williams Sonoma and Balthazar Restaurant in New York City. 

Balthazar French Martini:  Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. chilled vodka
• 1 oz. pineapple juice
• 1/3 oz. Chambord
• Ice cubes

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, pineapple juice, Chambord and ice cubes. Shake vigorously to produce a frothy head and strain into a chilled martini glass. Serve straight up. Makes 1 martini.

Another great place to enjoy an Orchid Martini and my absolute favorite place is Francies. It was on their daily special from the day I moved here but recently has been taken off this past year. It is not on the menu, but if you order it, you will be pleasantly surprised!

The girls and I braved the hot temps outside, managing to sing our hearts out and dancing the night away at Wooly's. Well done Andrew!

The weekend brought a day of belated birthday celebrations of my friend Amanda and I's birthday. We started with mimosa's and mani's and shopping. I am most excited about my Yeti purchase (yeah I know, I am late to the game) and have started my own "melting" experiments with my first adventure being leaving the house at 8 am with ice, leaving the Yeti in my car all day and rechecking it when I leave work at 6:30 pm on a 90 degree day.  I will be sure to share my other Yeti experiments with you in a later blog post. Since it was blazing hot outside, again, we took a little siesta break and had the most delicious watermelon martini's from Bonefish Grill. Now I really thought I loved the Orchid Martini but nothing screams summer like watermelon. Amanda introduced me to this smooth and delicious drink with fresh muddled watermelon and cucumber all chilled by frozen watermelon cubes.   I was inspired to find a copycat recipe and upon my consulting with the "googles"  I discovered Bonefish Grille provides a video on how to make it and the recipe.  

Bonefish Grill Fresh Watermelon Martini

Ingredients:
1.5 oz – Your Favorite Vodka
2 each – Cucumber Slices
2 cubes – Fresh Watermelon
.25 oz – Simple Syrup
.50 oz – Fresh Sour Mix
Procedure:
Combine the watermelon cubes, cucumber slices and simple syrup in a glass and muddle well. Add your favorite vodka, and fresh sour mix. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass! Garnish with frozen watermelon cubes or a fresh cucumber slice.
 
Secrets to Shake it Up:

• Really impress your friends by making your own refreshing cucumber vodka! Slice a cucumber and place in your favorite vodka and allow to infuse for 24- 48 hours.
• If you like your cocktails on the sweeter side add a bit more simple syrup.
• Like Margaritas? Substitute Tequila for Vodka and increase your sour mix to 1.5 ounce, shake and strain over ice into a glass with a salt rim! Recipe Link here

After we decided to not indulge in another watermelon delight, we hit up a few more shopping stops and decided it was just too hot for us to be moving and grooving all over Des Moines. So we decided to find the closest place with AC and delicious cocktails, completing Amanda and Anne's Day O' Belated Birthday Fun at our new favorite neighborhood spot, Gilroy's Kitchen in West Des Moines.  This kitchen, pub and patio is a great central location between all of my heartbeats and we met up with Jason, Justin, Kevin and Ryan. My favorite thing about Gilroy's is the #RedHairDontCare theme with entertaining restaurant and menu design, names for their cocktails and delicious food (the food deserves an entirely separate blog post). I have tried a few cocktails off the menu, but today, I recently found my favorite in the "I Love Lucy."  Now, I do not have the recipe for this gem, so you will just have to swing by and enjoy one for yourself. It is a refreshing combination of cherry vodka, strawberry puree, muddled cucumber and signature ginger beer, brewed right here in Des Moines and famously known as Wertzberger's Ginger Beer.

It was the perfect way to end a pretty stellar day and the perfect mid-summer recharge retreat. Refreshing cocktails, relaxing conversation and my heartbeats. Who could ask for anything more?

AE

For the Love of Music

I love music. Music speaks to me in so many different ways. From each intricate note and instrument to the lyrically poetry that tops it off like a cherry on an ice cream sundae. I especially enjoy live music. There is no other feeling than when I put my hand on my chest during a live performance and feel the music in the core of my body.

In the past couple weeks, I have had an amazing live music journey of 3 stages in my life. The 3 bands I have had the joy to see live have made a lasting impression in my melomaniac life. 

If you appreciate music like I do, go see the artists you love. Even if you only see them once or 25 times, there is a reason why they are on your playlist. There is nothing more real than seeing music live. I swear there are songs that I didn't like when I listened to a bands CD but once I hear it in person, I find myself appreciating it and wanting to hear it again. 

Summer of 2015 is full of my favorite music memories yet!  These 3 bands represent significant times in my life, college, my late 20s and life as it is right now.

3.  Dave Matthews Band 

http://davematthewsband.com/
Back in April of 1995, Blues Traveler came to Omaha, NE and my new favorite up and coming band, Dave Matthews was the opener. I had Under the Table and Dreaming and it was a top played CD on 5th Floor Swanson Dorm at Creighton University. I was so excited for this amazing concert!   When we got there, it was announced that Dave Matthews Band had cancelled. Devastated!!! Forward to 20 years later, and constant fan of DMB, I FINALLY got to see them live. I have had many favorite DMB songs over the years and even though only one of them was played, it was still an amazing show. They sound exactly like they do on all their CDs. I went with my dear friend Amanda and we enjoyed the soothing sounds of DMB.  DMB is my first love of a band. It is hard to list which albums are my favorite, but Under the Table and Dreaming, Crash, Live at Luther College and Stand Up tend to be the most listened too. This is my band where I have purchased all their CDs and can listen to everyone start to finish.  I guess good things come to those who wait! 

2.  Andrew McMahon
(aka Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin) 

http://www.andrewmcmahon.com/
In July of 2006, I went to another one of my favorite bands, O.A.R, again, in Omaha, NE with my best friend Carlena. I always like to see the opening band to see if I can discover new music and Jack's Mannequin was the opener. I was hooked. The lead singer was on stage with a baby grand and sang/danced and was amazing during the show. I immediately went out and bought their album Something In Transit and connected with their beachy piano tunes. This turned into the 2nd band of which I bought every album (under numerous names) and still love the transgression of the lead singer, Andrew McMahon's, music. I have seen Jack's Mannequin/Andrew McMahon 5 times and they/he delivers at each and every concert. This time Andrew McMahon performed in Wooly's  (http://www.woolysdm.com/), a cozy venue in Des Moines, IA and my friend Stacey (newbie to the Andrew McMahon scene) and I were shocked by the number of people in attendance and the youth of the crowd. Finally, after more than a decade, Andrew McMahon is being played on the radio and a new fan base has emerged.  My favorite song will always be I'm Ready, even though I did not hear it this time. But I can honestly say, I have being singing along to all his songs, almost since the start and I will see him anytime he is in my general direction.

 

1.  Heartless Bastards
 http://www.theheartlessbastards.com/
Last year, I was introduced to rock and roll again, by listening to a new band to me, Heartless Bastards. Who you say?  Exactly. They really are not a band you stumble upon, so I am a lucky girl to know someone who has a sense for my music taste. The HB's have been around since 2003, with the recent release of their 5th album. Who knew?  Since I was new to the band,  I only had a couple of their albums, The Mountain and Arrow. When I listened to The Mountain the first time, I remember hearing one of their songs, Sway, on one of the TV series soundtracks I liked to watch. (Soundtracks are a whole other love of mine, but we will save that for another post). Arrow, by far is my most favorite album of theirs, but their new release Restless Ones is really growing on me (it is in rotation on my workout playlist which is sacred, sacred ground) especially now that I have seen them live!  Since I have seen them, I am venturing out to purchase their earlier albums as well. They played their first song, Gray, off their first album Stairs and Elevators and this one I really felt in my chest and not going to lie, gave me a few goosebumps.  I know it's a great song when that happens. Out of all the concerts I have seen so far this summer, Heartless Bastards has been by far my favorite and is my favorite concert of 2015.  Maybe because they represent new music in a new stage of my life, maybe because they are just a really great band and sound fantastic live.  They just might be the greatest band you never heard of....
 

Spend the money, even if it's the cheap seats.  Put your hand on your chest and let the music just fill you up will all of its goodness. It's worth every penny. It's worth the goosebumps.

Week in Review

It has been a crazy and fun week again!  I started another blog with my co-worker and pretty cool friend, Stacey. Stacey is a chef that I work with and we have had a great collaboration over the years. I am lucky to work with a chef who cares about health and wellness as much as I do. Each week we are doing cooking videos, recipes and weighing in on hot topics in the news. Make sure to follow us each week, you will thoroughly entertained and maybe learn something new. Crazy Cool and in the Kitchen:  http://crazycoolandinthekitchen.blogspot.com/?m=1

Nothing says summer like ice cream. I have been a little obsessed with it since Stacey made homemade deliciousness this past week. There is nothing like homemade vanilla ice cream (oh and chocolate too). Sure you can buy ice cream but have you made a batch from scratch lately?  Make a memory this summer and make your own. It doesn't compare to anything you can get in stores.

I ended the week with a little trip to Omaha for a concert with my frista and her hubbie. The bands were straight from the 90's and brought back a lot of memories from high school and college. We were surprised by how many of the songs we knew and relived a lot of random moments. It was a beautiful night under the stars for 2 of my favorite things: dear friends and live music. 

Week in Review

Another week in the books and another National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day celebrated. I take it all in good fun, but I really like to celebrate all the great dietitians in my life. I have had some pretty upstanding role-models and preceptors that have shaped my own career and philosophies about nutrition. It all started with an elective nutrition class in college that was taught by a Registered Dietitian that lead me to where I am today. And that I am grateful for. I hope all dietitians out there felt celebrated this past week and excited about what the future holds for our profession.

I discovered a new addition to my morning protein shake this week, matcha. Matcha is a supercharged green tea that is a fine powder. Matcha has antioxidants....

6.2 TIMES THAT OF GOJI BERRIES 

7 TIMES THAT OF DARK CHOCOLATE 

17 TIMES THAT OF WILD BLUEBERRIES 

60.5 TIMES THAT OF SPINACH

It is metabolism-enhancing, stress-reducing, age-defying, immune-boosting, cholesterol-lowering and cancer fighter. One cup of matcha has more antioxidants than 1 cup of regular tea and has around 130 times the amount of antioxidant EGCG than 1 cup of regular green tea. I put 1/2 teaspoon of this powdery powerhouse into my shake in the morning and I am awaiting my super powers to present themselves. Fingers crossed I can fly or I would be happy being able to complete a 10K that is quickly approaching in less than 5 weeks. 

I ended my week with some live music and fabulous friends. I am obsessed with music (because it has 2 things I am mesmerized by: people that can play an instrument and words). Brett Dennen was awesome live and the venue was perfect. Our group shared a bunch of laughs and some pretty stellar dance moves. I just can't get it "Out of My Head."

Week in Review

Started this week with a beautiful sunrise. I feel fortunate for each one I get to see because that means I have another day on this earth, a second chance to make the day the best it can be and to get things right. No matter what, I try to remember that each day is a blessing and I can be better than the day before. If I can be a little better each day, my hope is that if I don't see another sunrise, I will have been the best version of me.

 

We had our annual Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics meeting this week and I was way more involved than I ever thought I would be. I had the privilege to present and introduce our group to a fantastic marketing plan to set dietitians as the go-to nutrition experts in our state. I was also humbly awarded the Medallion Award by my peers. I am happy to be working with such an outstanding group of professionals. Watch out 2015, hopefully my presidency will be a succesful and fruitfall one!

 

On Friday, 12 friends and I attended the P!NK concert in Des Moines. It was an excellent show and we all shared many laughs, cutting edge dance moves and a love for music. Erin, my friend's niece, experienced her first concert. Just seeing her eyes light up and her excitement, took me back to my first concert. I have always loved music, but seeing it through the eyes of a teen for the first time, renewed that love and appreciation of music for me. 

I ended my week with homeowner, adult responsibilities by cleaning up the yard and preparing for the long winter months ahead. It was a beautiful day of sunshine and 50 degrees but full of bittersweet memories of the passing of our warm weather. 

The days are shorter, the nights are longer and time moves on. Another reason to be thankful for each sunrise and sunset. Another day to be thankful for being alive and being ready for the days in my life that are to come. 

Week in Review

Fall is officially here, my absoltutely favorite time of the year. Our store has embraced the season and fall colors and foods are throughout. The weather was a little bipolar this week with 90+ degree weather days, followed by a crazy storm with sideways rain, bringing on cooler temps and perfect sleeping weather.

Chef Stacey and I had our Tailgate Throwdown during the storm, not a huge turnout but we did have some takers. Excited my assistant Erin is back to help with our crazy dietitian life! I was also very happy for Stacey to win with her Spicy Corn Dip with Pita Chips.

Friday brought a beautiful night with good friends and good live music in downtown Des Moines. It was the perfect evening to end a long week.

I ended the weekend baking cookies for a friend with the windows open and the fall breezes flowing throughout the house. Fall really energizes me to cook more and even exercise more. Running outside in the fall is so perfect to clear my head and get ready for another week. And who wouldn't want to come home from a run with the smell of fresh cookies luring me in?  Yes, I will have one, or two.