Saturday, July 30, 2016

Interview with Anne from fANNEtastic Food!

I am very excited about this week's post!  Do you know why...?!

Because I have received the opportunity to interview Anne from fAnnetastic Food!  I found Anne's blog several months back and have been a devout reader ever since.  Her quality of her writing and pictures are fabulous!  Not to mention those recipes and fitness tips!...Click the link above to check it out!

So, without further adieu, let's jump right in! Take it away Anne!

Can you tell the readers about yourself and your blog?
Hi! I'm Anne, a Registered Dietitian with a Masters of Public Health in Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I started my blog back in 2009 as a way to show others that eating healthy and staying active didn't have to be hard or stressful - and can even be fun!  


Describe how you first got into blogging about nutrition.
I was a career changer - I worked in communications/writing for 5 years before deciding to go back to grad school to become a dietitian - and I started my blog just as I was starting my prereqs for grad school. I wanted a place to share my journey going back to school and following my dreams - and a place to share all my recipes, health tips, and fitness and travel adventures, too!

With running a private practice and keeping a blog going strong, what is your #1 tip for managing time?
This is a hard one - I'm always juggling a lot of different projects - but I find trying to stick with a typical work schedule is key for me, even though I work for myself and technically could work whenever I wanted. I also tend to do certain types of work at different times of day based on my energy levels. So for example, in the morning I do emails and quick writing - such as my lifestyle type blog posts. In the afternoon, when I feel caught up on email/pressing items, I close all the other windows on my computer and spend time writing more in depth posts. I try to schedule my client meetings on the same days, too, so I have bigger blocks of time free for writing on my non-client days. 

What is your favorite health topic to write about (i.e. food, fitness, etc.) and why?
Probably fitness! I enjoy writing about food and sharing recipes, but I really love writing about fitness adventures - especially anything involving the great outdoors, like hiking trips or fun running adventures!

Do you have a specific project or event you are working on that you can share? 
I just launched a 6 week intuitive and mindful eating virtual group program (www.JoyfulEatingProgram.com) with 2 fellow dietitians. The first session was earlier this summer - and we'll be hosting our second session in October. It's been fun to collaborate with others vs. always working solo!

Where can we find you? (social media, website, etc.)
Blog: www.fANNEtasticfood.com Social media: @fANNEtasticfood

When you are not blogging or counseling clients, what do you enjoy doing most?
Being outside! Hiking, running, exploring!

If you could offer someone your best health tip in just one sentence, what would it be?
Spend more time in nature - and eat your veggies!      


Thank you so much, Anne for taking the time to share a bit about yourself!

If you or someone you know is a nutrition or fitness professional with his or her own blog, and would like to be featured here, please contact me and leave a link to the website and/or blog.

 

Monday, July 25, 2016

5 Places to Eat Vegan at Universal Studios/Disney Springs!

Fi friends!
If you follow my Instagram, you may have noticed that my hubby and I, along with my parents, were recently on a vacation! We recently got back home from our first trip to Universal Studios!!  If you are a Marvel of Harry Potter fan (like we are...), this must make your bucket list! We spent 4 days at the park and two of them were spent mostly in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley!!

I tried to take as many pictures of the food I ate as I could, but sometimes I was just too hungry or the lighting was of...However, I did manage to get some amazing foodie pictures for you! Warning, if you are hungry, grab a snack; if you are not hungry, you may be after reading this post!


Diagon Alley:

  • Leaky Cauldron- Ploughman's platter (serves 2)- sans the Scotch eggs or the Vegetable Platter (not on the menu)- salad with dressing of choice (Italian or lemon slices for vegan option), roasted beet salad, slices of bread (Lighting is really dark, so none of my pictures turned out...)
  • Pumpkin Juice- pumpkin puree, apple juice, and apricot juice...nuf said
  • Butterbeer- the actual soda is vegan, but the topping is not...I have a delicious vegan version to share this Fall!!

Hogsmeade:


  • The Three Broomsticks- Most sides are vegan like steamed veggies, baked potato, and corn on the cob!

Luigi's Pizza:


  • They have a pasta with marinara and a minestrone soup!

Mythos Restaurant:

  • Located in Universal's Islands of Adventure, this restaurant has won "best theme park restaurant" for 6 years!  They do offer two vegan options; a Pad Thai and a wonderful Hummus Platter (may be seasonal) served with a fennel salad and olives!

Disney Springs:

  • Erin McKenna's Bakery is a vegan and Gluten free bakery!  I tried the brownie cupcake with vanilla frosting and it was so moist and delicious!  You would never know it was both vegan and gluten free!

  • B.B. Wolf - has an Italian Veggie Sausage that is made with eggplant and is served with peppers and marinara and homemade pickles!



And of course fresh fruits and veggies are sold at kiosks around all parks.

Most of these items I would not eat on a regular basis, but it is more than okay every now and then (aka it is vacation after all...).  It also goes to show that there are plenty of vegan options at theme parks, you may just have to ask and/or get creative.

If you've been to Universal or Disney, let me know of some of your favorite vegan foods!

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Hometown Fest FUN!

Hi Friends!

I hope you all had a safe, fun, and enjoyable 4th of July weekend!  Andrew and I had his step-brother and sister over for Friday through Sunday, so we decided to take them to the Hometown Fest just down the street.  There was a HUGE parade (we stood there for nearly 2 hours watching the floats!), then we had a picnic lunch and walked around the fair.  And, of course, we finished off the night with a Harry Potter movie!  We have been re-watching the movies lately as we will be visiting Universal next week!

Take a look below to see some of the fun things we saw!


A delicious vegan spread of hummus and veggie sandwiches on ciabatta bread with fresh blueberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe!
Below are pictures from our nature walk!  I learned so much and found out that my favorite wild flour, Queen Anne's Lace, is also called wild carrot!!  All these years and I had no clue!
The picture below is actually a wild rose plant!
I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating this weekend!

Friday, July 1, 2016

A Podcast I have been LOVING!!

Hi friends!

I am very excited to share with you a podcast that I have been absolutely LOVING!

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Suzanne is wonderfully well spoken and finds some of the most inspiring and "crush-worthy" (as she would put it!) yoga teachers out there. Be sure to check out her podcast by clicking on her logo above!  And be sure to follow her on social media as well!

As a dietitian and yoga teacher, I have found it can be tough to balance life with work with starting a business.  The people interviewed on this podcast have done that and more!  They have succeeded as entrepreneurs in the world of yoga; a world that can discourage making money as it may seem "un-yogic" to some.  However, spreading the messages of yoga through teaching classes, retreats, and workshops can help so many people find ultimate health and vitality.  This is what inspires me to do what I do:

  • The "ah-ha!" moment on a person's face when the message they have been hearing for so long finally clicks.
  • The "I just did that?!" look when a person balances in crow pose for the first time.
  • The light and joy that fills a person's soul when they learn how to regularly nourish their bodies; both physically and mentally.
  • The youthfulness and playfulness that arises from within when practicing yoga or creating a fun new recipe.
  • The love and laughter of a shared experience.
  • Learning about the passion from within that drives people who love what they do.
I could go on and on, but you see, having my own business helping others to heal their bodies and calm their minds is my ultimate dream.  And you, yes you, are helping me strive for that dream just by reading this post!

I am honored to have found so many teachers, books, blogs, and podcasts to help me down this path.  But, I am most thankful for everyone who has supported me thus far (including you!).

So, if you have not already, check out all of my other social media; Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (links below this post) all at TheYogiRD and let me know What inspires you to do what you do?

Much love!