Wisdom Wednesday

I had a revelation this weekend. Maybe it is because I am older and wiser, maybe it is because I have decided to just be exactly who I am. I was sitting in a restaurant in Boston during FNCE, our national dietitian conference, and I decided I was not going to eat anything I did not truly enjoy anymore. As a registered dietitian, people think we eat a certain way and all like healthy foods. Nope. Guess what? I do not like salmon and I decided at that particular moment, I will not eat salmon anymore. I am not going to fit a certain mold. I am truly going to enjoy the food I like, regardless of what people think I should eat. Never ever eat anything you do not enjoy. "Just because" you think you are suppose to, whether it is healthy or trendy, it does not matter.  From this moment forward it is all about truly enjoying my food and making sure I truly enjoy the company I keep when I dine. 

Week in Review

Besides my revelation, Boston and FNCE were amazing!  This city is beautiful and was fun experiencing the history all around. I am not sure I have walked this much in my entire life, but it was all worth the many miles my feet put on. I was also especially excited to be there t in the members showcase to debut my first book. I still cannot believe I wrote a book!

2015 was a crazy, life changing year in so many ways. During the moments of deep sadness, I did something very personal and important to me to get through all the madness. I'm a Registered Dietitian...Now What?  Is a book about all the things I have discovered along the way so far in my career. It is for new RD's and RD's who are maybe stuck in their career and need a little boost. If you are a Registered Dietitian or know one, please get this book and bring back the inspiration and passion! I am looking forward to hearing registered dietitians tell their stories of passion and purpose through my very own podcast, Conversations with Anne Elizabeth.  I am so proud to be part of such an amazing and inspiring profession. I did this for me. I did this for my peers. I did this because we all have a story to tell. Hell yeah!!!

Along with the book release, my dear friend Jen Haugen and I decided this year to premier both of our books in the Member Product Showcase at FNCE. It was awesome networking with other dietitians and getting inspired by their interests and passions. Jen wrote a book this year too: The Mom's Guide to a Nourishing Garden. It is a wonderful and inspiring resource for mothers, gardening and also creating a nourishing life with your family. She has been such a great friend and inspires me in many ways to live out all dreams. It was a great experience doing this with someone who shares a vision of the future of registered dietitians.

A trip to Boston could not be discussed without a picture of my most favorite food experience. Believe it or not, it was raw oysters.  Our waitress at Atlantic Fish Company recommended these creamy delights along with their specialty Pear Martini. It was a perfect pair. Cold water raw oysters are the way to go. I had a ton of other wonderful food, but this wins according to my taste buds, hands down.  It was a beautiful night on the patio, with great company, delicious food and a perfect ending to a great trip!

Workout Playlist of the Week

In preparation for being on the road, I got as many workouts in as possible.  Guess I had a bit of house dance music in my head this week!  You can get my playlist HERE. 

What I Love Right Now

When I travel a lot, it does a job on my skin. I am no spring chicken anymore!  I also seem to get out of my skincare routine when I am having early morning meetings and late night dinners. To get my skin back in order, I am religiously preparing for the cooler temps and getting back on track. To do so, I use Arbonne F5 Hydrating Cleanser. I have oily skin, but it tones down in the fall and I need a little more hydration. 

I also have notice my eyes getting a little more intense from all the smiling I do!  The Arbonne RE9 Advanced Lifting and Contouring Eye Cream helps my concealer go on smoother and not settle into my laugh lines. I will also not go a night without my Tretinoin Cream. Since summer is over and the sun is less damaging, it is time to do some repair. Dermatologist recommended as the best anti-aging skin clearing and smoothing formula on the market!

It has been a great week and I know there is nothing more than greatness ahead!

~AE

Iowa Dietitians: The Real Nutrition Experts

I am a little bit in awe after this past week.  Of the dedication, devotion, passion and purpose I experienced with 249 other dietitians from Iowa. I realized now, more than ever, that I am one lucky gal to be the President of such an amazing organization, the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

We had our annual meeting in Coralville, Iowa with this years theme:  Registered Dietitians Living in the Heartland. Our meeting chair Bridget and her chair-elect, Tina, did an outstanding job organizing and planning this stellar event.

The best part about the meeting was having Registered Dietitians from all around the state coming together and rejuvenate all the reasons they have put their lives into this profession. I love meeting new dietitians and hearing about their interesting careers outside of the dietitian bubble I live and work in. It is also great to connect with dietitians I know but haven't seen in years.

Since our meeting was all Iowa based, I wanted to share my favorite Iowa products with the group. Frontier Coop based in Norway, Iowa is a company that has been an Iowa-based co-op for 40 years (before organic certification and before Fair Trade). Their history of sourcing and distributing natural and organic products makes us a leader in the natural products industry.  You can find our products at stores like Hy-Vee, Whole Foods and local natural food stores across the U.S. and Canada. 

Then there is this little place known to Iowa as Scratch Cupcakery. I stumbled upon this tummy pleasing bakery when I needed a sweet-treat for a dear friend's birthday. When I clicked on the "About" section of the website, the first line of this Iowa-based sweet treat heaven, completely got me:  "Ever had a dream that you just couldn't let go of?"  I know exactly how this Iowa entrepreneur feels and can relate. This bakery holds a special place in my heart because of their story, a very special birthday celebration and how they will help cater to individuals with food intolerance. Thanks for making me and 249 dietitians smile! 

My third Iowa product I love and wanted to share was Ecolips:  The best lip balm for the world. It is. For real. My favorite. I am obsessed with the perfect lip balm. It cannot be too thick, have staying power, moisturize and smell good. Check, check, check and check. They are also organic, gluten-free and cruelty free. What is also really cool is you can create your own perfect stick of balm. You can pick your ingredients, your packaging and the name of your lip-saving perfection, all from beautiful Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The last but not least favorite Iowa product I shared with my fellow dietitians, was Nicks Sticks. This is my go-to afternoon snack, everyday. I am on the go constantly and need a high protein snack with lower sodium and none of the junk found in other meat snacks. I am a big fan of their turkey and spicy turkey sticks. They are free of MSG, nitrates, and red dye. And Nick Wallace is the guy who makes these snacks. He is an Iowa farmer and lymphoma survivor. Who wouldn't want to share this healthful and delicious snack?

One of the best part of the conferences was spending time with friends. I had to reflect a little on my almost 15 years as a dietitian. I have made some of my best and long last friendships because of dietetics. My friend Jenny has been a friend since our internship and I would have never guessed we would have stayed so close and also become co-workers during the midst of our careers. And then there is my dear friend Brenda. She was my preceptor during my internship and has taught me everything I know!  She has been a person who has stuck by me through really difficult dietitian and personal experiences.

I am very fortunate to have had this experience in my professional life. These 2 days were meant for the dietitians of our organization to keep believing in their passion and purpose and to not lose site of why they are a Registered Dietitian.  I know that if there is a day I feel a little defeated, this president is going to jump into her comfy shirt, eat a cookie and know that she is a member of the greatest group of dietitians in the nation.

Week in Review

Did you celebrate your Registered Dietitian (RD) this past week?  March 11th was National Registered Dietitian Day during National Nutrtion Month. If you don't have your own personal RD, you really need one!  For any nutrition question you have, they are the go-to for the most sound nutrition advice. Nutritionist are not the same thing. Anyone can be a Nutritionist.

This is a great resource to explain why a dietitian is the nutrition expert:  http://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/about-us/what-is-an-rdn-and-dtr/what-is-a-registered-dietitian-nutritionist

I celebrated this day with a good book and a relaxing pedicure. 

The week quickly flew by with another fantastic week with the kids at Wright Elementary and Pick a Better a Better Snack. Milk, yogurt and fruit = smoothie love!  I shared with them my book of thanks for being brave and trying new healthy foods over the past year. 

Stacey and I worked on a "Healthier Happy Hour" Nacho recipe we are featuring this weekend at our Whole Health Experience at Hy-Vee Hall on Saturday, March 21st. 

And the week ended celebrating a member of my tribe's birthday. Happy Happy Birthday Kevin!  Can't wait to celebrate many more with you! 

       

Living Healthy and Happy: To Cleanse or Not to Cleanse

If you are someone that is trying to lose weight or start a healthy eating lifestyle, I can almost bet you have done a google search and have found numerous articles about cleansing. There are many detox drinks, smoothies, waters, teas, workouts and pills that claim "to kick start your weight loss with a clean slate." I love snacks and foods that are not always so healthy for me (hence the goodies above) and can understand why people think a cleanse is necessary. 

So, do they work?  

Are they necessary?

What does a dietitian recommend?

First of all, our bodies are amazing and have their own internal cleansing system. Otherwise known as your gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, gallbladder and liver. Our bodies have a natural way of taking out the good stuff, using the good stuff and ridding of the bad stuff. Why mess with something natural and proven to work? 

Also, there is this fascinating beverage called water, yes plain old H2O, that aids in the function of our natural detoxification system.

Here is the cleanse I recommend:

3 days of all natural foods, no packaged or processed products (fruits, vegetables, brown rice, quinoa, chicken breast, fish-1 fist size serving of each food group for 3-4 meals/day) and consume 80-100 ounces of plain water throughout the day. No soda, no coffee, no caloric beverages.  

I usually recommend trying the above first before considering any other cleanse. You are then more than ready to continue eating healthy and clean. I guarantee your energy will increase, your pants will fit better and you will be ready to increase your physical activity. 

And after those 3 days, follow-up with a nutrition expert, a registered dietitian, to continue the success of your jump-start. 

Wisdom Wednesday

You know who your Doctor is. You know who your Pharmacist is. You know who your Dentist is. 

Do you know who your Dietitian is?

Today is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day. If you need guidance on anything nutrition, you need to seek out the nutrition expert. 

Find your Dietitian here:  http://www.eatright.org/programs/rdfinder/

No More Diets

The best part of my job is helping people discover their own path to living a healthier life. I think sometimes when people make appointments with me, they think they are going to walk into the food police and are never going to get to eat foods they love and enjoy. So wrong!

I am a believer that all foods fit, just not in all shapes and sizes. There really are no bad foods, there are really bad portion sizes.

We have gotten so accustomed to what our minds think a portion size is, unfortunately, that is not what our body needs.  I have been using the plate method, or the new food guide pyramid known as MyPlate, for my 12 years as a dietitian. It is the easiest way to control portion size and establish balance.

Balance is the other component to eating well. When you take foods or food groups out of your diet, you are not combining the right nutrients to fuel your body or control your hunger. Each persons balance is different and that is where a registered dietitian comes in to help each individual discover their balance.

If you are struggling with cravings, eating large quantities of food, disrupted sleep patterns, low energy levels and decreased physical activity, your balance is off and needs to be restructured. Take an opportunity to meet with a registered dietitian to find your balance, feel energetic and live the healthiest life you can. 

You only have one life, make it the best one you can!  

To locate a Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian near you: http://www.hy-vee.com/health/hy-vee-dietitians/default.aspx

If you do not have a Hy-Vee close to you, find one nationally here:http://www.eatright.org/iframe/findrd.aspx