YouTube and Bridal Upate

Hi friends!!

Well, it has been a month since my last post and I thought I'd share a bit about what is going on.  I have oficially started my YouTube channel (TheYogiRD), so be sure to check that out!! I try to keep my main content videos between 5 and 10 minutes, but some recipes require more time (and editing!!)

So far, I am having tons of fun talking to the camera!  I have made a recipe video, but the free video editor I downloaded will not convert the footage into a format that YouTube will accept...so the recipe will be held off a bit longer.  At least until I can figure it all out...

If you follow me on other social media, you may have seen information about a 30 day challenge...well, that one is not running due to lack of participation. I would really like to run this program as I know it can help so many people learn about eating for health instead of aesthetic reasons. So, if you (or someone you know!) is interested, please let me know so I can send you more information.  All of my contact information can be found on my website www.TheYogiRD.org

The second topic I would like to share with you is my BRIDAL YOGA/NUTRITION packages! Feeling and looking great on your wedding day is nothing to sneeze at. In order to look beautiful, you have to feel beautiful from the inside out. That is why I crates these packages! Whether you want just yoga, just nutrition, or a combination of the two; I can create a program just for you!! Visit my website for more information!

Much love!!

TheYogiRD on YouTube!

Hi Friends!

It has been nearly a month since my last post, and I thoroughly apologize.  I have been working hard on the second beta version of my 30 Day Challenge series!  It will be starting October 1st and I have 10 spots open.  If you are interested in learning about nutrition fundamentals, then please join now. We will explore macronutrients, how to incorporate more plant foods (and why!), mindful eating techniques, and so much more.

Ok, enough of the promotion stuff...

Any who, the weather here in Illinois is beginning to become more fall-like.  That means, cool crisp mornings, increased rain, and cloudy grey skies.  I love this weather; it makes me feel very creative and inspired! That being said, I am thinking about turning this blog into a YouTube channel.  What do you think?

I think it could be a very fun and exciting adventure; talking instead of typing, connecting with all of you through my actual voice instead of my writing, and being more able to take you with me on the road.

Let me know in the comments what you think!  And if you'd like, let me know what kinds of health topics you'd like to see first on my channel!

Much love!

p.s. The blog will stay live, I will just be posting less frequently :)

My Dream Yoga Retreat

Hi there!

This week's post is going to be a little different. I have been inspired by a project Eventbrite is running where they influencers to share a post about their Dream Yoga Retreat! Naturally, I jumped at this opportunity for two reasons: 1)I love to dream and create events like this and 2) I hope to one day host a Nutrition and Yoga Retreat, so what better time than now to begin brainstorming?!!

Are you ready to jump into my dream world?  All you will need is an open mind and a heart full of love and wonder (that's where every magical journey begins!). All of these ideas and thoughts are completely my own, so let's go!

Location and Duration:

 

• This would be a week-long yoga and nutrition retreat located on a private beach near the mountains of Oahu, Hawaii.
• Soft sands surround the open air bungalow where meals are shared and lectures are held. Leaf-shaped fans keep the Eco-friendly rooms cool.
• Morning yoga classes are held on the beach, sometimes even in the shallow water; afternoon yoga classes are held beneath the canopy of palm trees; and evening classes are held either in the bungalow or on the beach.

Theme:

• I have so many ideas for retreats, but this retreat would focus on women.  
• Classes would focus on women's health and body positivity through nutrition and yoga.
• A spin off of this retreat could be a men's only retreat in which the topics would include body positivity for men as well as men's health.

Yoga Classes:

• Goddess Flow for beautiful bodies
• Yin Yoga to unwind and stretch out
• Cultivating Power for self-love
• and more!

Nutrition Workshops:

• Mindful/Intuitive Eating
• Meditation and Food
• Choosing the "Right" Foods (a class on contemplating "What is healthy?"

As you can see, this is just one step in creating a retreat, but it is one that I hope to come to life one day.  Would you go to a retreat like this?  Let me know in the comments!!

Be sure to check out Eventbrite's Online RSVP page as a way to support local yoga event creation and provide a convenient way to RSVP to yoga event.

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.

 

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!

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!

A Podcast I have been LOVING!!

Hi friends!

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

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!

Weekend Recap Part 2: New Plant-Based Milk!!!!

Disclaimer:  This post is not sponsored and there are no affiliate links.

I'm back!  Woah, two posts in a week?!  Am I going crazy??  Nah, I just have a lot to say!

To continue with my weekend recap:

By 1pm, The Grove was getting crowded and hot, so we left and shared a veggie burger at a local restaurant because we'd be eating again in a couple hours.

At 4, we met up with a friend at a Thai restaurant. Yummmm!!

Then, we ended the evening cruising along the lake on another friend's boat.

Sunday was a day to catch up!  Typically, I try to restock our fridge, plan for the week, and go for a walk/bike ride.  Well, Andrew and I were both tired from Saturday, so we stopped by a few stores to top off our fridge and cabinets before heading home to chill and relax.

While we were out, I wanted to stop by Whole Foods because we hadn't been there in awhile and I love to check out new vegan products.  Found this gem!

I heard about Ripple several weeks ago and couldn't wait to try it!  It is a 100% plant based milk (made from pea protein) that has the same amount of protein as cow's milk.  Now, you all know I don't stress over protein as here in America, it is VERY hard to have protein deficiency unless you are living off of solely highly refined foods (like cookies, chips, and cupcakes).  That being said, some people are concerned, so this is a great option for those who want a higher protein in their milk (compared to almond and rice milks which barely offer 1 gram...eat those foods in their natural state and that's a whole different story!)

And before you ask, yes this is high in sugar, but it is also their chocolate version, so what do you expect?  Ripple's standard milks have just 8 grams for the sweetened and zero for the unsweetened.

I have loads of recipes to share with you and possibly a yoga video in the future!!!

Have you tried this milk? What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

Weekend Recap Part 1: Planning for July 4th

What a weekend!

I have a weekend recap for you all, plus 3 tips for staying hydrated during next weekend's Independence Day festivities.

Saturday started with a car wash!  If my car could talk, it would say, "Finally!  Thank you for cleaning me up!".  I got the outside of the car nice and shiny, and vacuumed the inside as well.

Then, Andrew and I headed to The Grove for their Heritage Festival.  Many people know of this place because they had a field trip here in elementary school!  It even has a beautiful space called The Redfield Estate in which you can hold events such as weddings and dinner parties!  I can do a whole post on just the wedding planning at this place!  Let me know if this is something you are interested in by leaving a comment below!

While at The Grove, there were volunteers dressed up in mid-18th century clothing and doing reenacting of what it was like to live at this home in its prime.  Below is a man acting as a school teacher.  He asked all of the young boys and girls to behave and even taught them how to bow and courtesy! School was so different back then! (Note the chalk board and iron stove!)

 This is the school house from the outside.  An exact replica, built in 1982 that could have up to 33 children from grades 1 through 8 learning at the same time!

The day started to get very warm, so Andrew and I decided to cool off with a snack of fresh juicy watermelon under the shade of a tree.  Delish!  Note the multiple napkins...I still had loads of watermelon juice all over my face!

While at The Grove, we learned to march Civil War-style, dipped candles, saw how to make linen from flax, and simply walked the grounds enjoying the sun.  Whether or not you have kids, if you enjoy history and learning, this place is for you!  I really wish I would have made a candle, but there were too many kids at the time and I've made my own taper candle before...

To keep this post form getting too long, I will stop here.  Be on the look out for part 2 coming soon!

 

Let Your Inner Child Free

Take some time for yourself this week!

Stretch...

Walk...

Run...

Dance...

Play...

Let your inner child run free!

 

During June, I am implementing the Beta version of my new online community!  Leave a comment with some of the nutrition questions you might have, or a health topic you would like to learn more about.  The first 10 comments get a chance of trying out the next launch of the community in October for 50% off!!

Let's Get WILD!

This Tuesday marks mine and Andrew's one year wedding anniversary!

To celebrate, we decided to use some of the hotel points we received and take a day trip to Whitewater Wisconsin.  In case you did not know, Andrew and I are huge outdoor fans!  We love going on bike rides, hikes, and camping.  Any time we can get outdoors is time well spent.  For this reason, we planned a bit of hiking as well as visiting a local museum.

Our first stop, Second Salem.  After work on Friday, we drove just over an hour to get to Whitewater.  Andrew had found this brewery and they had two veg-friendly options (both are sandwiches).  We each got this delicious grilled portabella sandwich on ciabatta bread.  The sandwich and side salad both had their house dressing which was a tomato-based vinaigrette! Vegan for the win!

After filling up, we walked around town before settling down at our hotel in Fort Atkinson, WI for the evening.

On Saturday morning, we got up and had some breakfast, then planned out our day over coffee.  We started with the Hoard Museum, which had three spectacular exhibits:  1) Abe Lincoln's influence in Fort Atkinson, 2) a life size replica of the Hoard House, and 3) an exhibit about Native American Mounds.  There was also an exhibit about the history of the dairy industry, which neither of us were all that interested in...and you probably can understand why...

Before leaving the town, we found a replica of Fort Koshkonog and an awesome adventure course to try out!  I had never done one of these before and I must say, I had a blast!  I just wish we had a course like this by us...I'd workout there every day!

After learning about Native American burial mounds, we found a brochure for a set of mounds nearby!  So, after a lunch at Paddy's Irish Pub (where we also found a vegan Reuben sandwich!!!!), we drove 10 minutes to walk around and learn about the 2,000 year old Mounds. 

Needless to say, it was quite beautiful and serene.

We ended our day trip by visiting a local winery and then driving home to see Captain America:  Civil War.  All in all, I don't think we could have had a better trip.  Day trips can be so amazing because you feel like you are on vacation, but you still have time to get home and get ready for the week ahead.

Question of the Day:  If you could pick one place to take a day trip, where would it be?

Top 3 Mother's Day Ideas!!

Happy May!!

With Mother's Day being just around the corner, I thought I'd share some fun ways to celebrate all mothers.

It is important to note here that moms come in many shapes and forms.  Here are just three of the types of moms I have met in my life:

• Best Friend's Mom- This is when you and your best friend are so close, it is like you share moms.
• College Mom- This is not a sorority-type, but that teacher or boss (you know who you are!!) whom you spend every day with sharing stories, learning, and growing.  During the college years, you find this person, not as a replacement, but as a rock for you to be supported on while your mom is miles away.
• Mom Mom- This is the woman who raised you.  Whether she gave birth to you, adopted you, or simply raised you as her own, this woman knows every thing bout you.  She was probably there for many milestones in your life.  

All of these types of mothers help to raise stubborn kids into outstanding adults.  They make sure you are taken care of, well fed, and show respect.  These moms make you feel strong and secure in the person you are becoming.  They show you so much love, it sometimes makes you want to cry.  

These women are strong, dedicated, under-appreciated, and loving all at the same time.  

You know your mom better than anyone else.  So, this Mother's Day, show her how much you appreciate her by doing something a little different:

• Instead of taking her to brunch, surprise her by making breakfast!
• Instead of buying her yet another piece of jewelry, take her to a garden and spend the whole day walking, talking, and admiring the beautiful flowers.
• Instead of buying a card, write her a poem or a simple note telling her how much she means to you.

Remember, it is not the size or dollar amount of the gift, but the thought that goes into the gift that counts.  And hand-made or donation-based (i.e. donating to a charity in her name) gifts are always welcome.

What are you doing for your Mom this Mother's Day? Let me know in the comments!

P.S. Here's an adorable shot of our tortoise!  If you've been following the blog for awhile, you will see how big she's gotten.  She now loves to climb out of her tank, or even on top of the lights!!

Earth Bites for Earth Day

Earth Day is this Friday (April 22nd, 2016)!

Disclaimer:  Graphic pictures are used.

I have always loved this day of celebration for Earth.  It is our home, our breath, our food, and so much more.  It brings us happiness when the sun is shining warm on our face, sunsets make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and with each passing season we get to see all cycles of life.  With each passing human generation, the earth changes.  Change is and can be a good thing, but it can also lead to increased danger and disease.

The main reason I initially was drawn to a plant-based diet was for weight loss/health.  Once I began eating unlimited fruits and vegetables with loads of whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, my eyes were opened to the huge impact our diets have on the planet.  Protecting the environment is just one of the several reasons I have stuck to this lifestyle for nearly 4 years now.

According to a recent article in Science Daily, research is showing that "climate change could kill more than 50,000 adults in 2050 world wide due to changes in diets and body weight from reduced crop productivity..." (1).

Source

The good news is that by making simple changes to the food we put in our mouths several times per day, we just might be able to slow down (maybe stop or reverse when other factors are added in!!) climate change. (2)

Have you thought about the fact that it takes water and food to "raise" the animals that people use for food?  That we use tractors (that use fossil fuels and expel CO2) to plow, plant, fertilize, water, and harvest our crops?  What about all the manure produced from livestock farms?

Here are a few fun facts for you (3):

• Around 30% of the world's ice-free surface is used to grow food for livestock (pigs, chickens, cows, etc.)
• In North America and Europe, a cow consumes about 75 to 300kg (34-136lb) of grasses or grain...to produce 1kg (2.2lb) of meat produced. Seems a bit inefficient to me...
• "Each year the livestock sector globally produces 586 million tons of milk, 124 million tons of poultry, 91 million tons of pork, 59 million tons of cattle and buffalo meat, and 11 million tons of meat from sheep and goats. That 285 million tons of meat altogether — or about 36 kg (80 lb.) per person, if it were all divided evenly. It’s not — Americans eat 122 kg (270 lb.) of meat a year on average, while Bangladeshis eat 1.8 kg (4 lb)."

Beyond the fact that I don't condone eating animals, none of these things are inherently bad on their own (in terms of emissions produced).  The issue arises when there are so many of these facilities (not just farms) producing these gases in quantities our planet can just not handle.

By reducing the amount of meat and dairy one consumes (or eliminating it all together!!), the emissions produced would decrease by 1230 kilograms or 1.4 US tons per year (2)!!  If you ask me, that is a pretty simple switch.

To help you start your journey towards helping this beautiful planet we all live on together, I have created a delicious, quick, and easy recipe just for you!  This recipe can be used as a snack or even as a meal!  It is also 100% plants.  To make the recipe even more environmentally friendly, be sure to use local and organic ingredients as much as possible.  For example, instead of buying processed nut butter, buy your favorite type of nuts from a farmer's market and blend them up at home.)

Earth Day Bites

You will need:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup unsweetened dried fruit (like dates, raisins, etc.) 
• 1/2 cup raw nuts/seeds (like walnuts, cashews, or chia seeds)
• 1 tsp cinnamon

In a food processor or blender, dump in all of your ingredients and blend until sticky.  Scrape down the sides as necessary.  Feel free to add in any other flavors of choice like lemon zest, cacao nibs, or coconut flakes!   When the mix it ready,  it should be able to be molded into a ball easily.  Make several bite-sized pieces, then pop into the fridge for at least 30 minutes.  This will help the bites stay together more easily.  Option:  Before serving, roll the bites in chia seeds, coconut flakes, or cocoa powder for extra pizazz.  Share with friends! ...or not...I won't judge :)

The earth is our home.  It is the only one we have, for now, so why not take a small step towards making it as great as it can be.  Not only will eating more plants protect the animals, trees, and planet; it will also increase your own health as well!  Remember, I am not asking for perfection, but the next time you are about to make a meal or sit down at a restaurant, think about the impact your food choices have on the world...and order a veggie burger instead.

What is your favorite way to celebrate Earth Day?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Resources:

1. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160302204506.htm 
2. https://student.societyforscience.org/article/your-food-choices-affect-earth%E2%80%99s-climate
3. http://science.time.com/2013/12/16/the-triple-whopper-environmental-impact-of-global-meat-production/

5 tips For Mindful Eating

I'm sure, by now, you have heard of mindful eating. But, have you tried it? Do you know what it is or how it works?

Let's take a step back for a moment and define mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice that involves being present and aware of what is happening right now, in this moment. It can be applied to all sorts of scenarios like during exercise, at work, writing a paper, brushing your teeth, and even eating. For the sake of keeping this post concise and on topic, I will be focusing on just the eating aspect of mindfulness.  But, leave a comment letting me know what other topics you'd like to learn how to apply mindfulness to and if it fits within the context of this blog, I just might do another post about it!

To apply a mindfulness technique to your eating routine is very simple...you slow down.  Ok, you caught me, that is not so easy!  Just ask my husband, when I am hungry, I eat VERY fast.  So fast, sometimes, that I have finished my bowl of food before my brain and stomach have even registered that I have eaten!

I know I am not the only one who gets like this, so I have created a checklist of 5 things to keep in mind while you enjoy a meal.  Before we get into that, though, I want to let you know that you do not have to do all of these at every meal, unless you are ready for it!  For most of us, it is beneficial to start with being aware of just one of the items below for a few weeks.  Once your body and mind get comfortable with this new task during meal time, it will be easier to keep introducing more.  Just like with exercise, you don't want to take on too much in the beginning.  This can lead to stress and burnout which will mitigate the positive effects this practice can have on health like improved digestion and absorption of nutrients.

So, without further adieu, here are my top 5 tips for Mindful Eating:

Have you practiced mindful eating before?  Let me know what has worked for you in the comments!

Lemon Poppyseed Overnight Oats

According to my Instagram, you all wanted the recipe for the Lemon Poppyseed Overnight Oats I made the other day!

Well, I had them again this morning and made the recipe even better be adding in a secret ingredient!...Almond!!

Since it is nearing spring-time, I am starting to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables (instead of frozen/cooked), dress in brighter clothes, and just feel more alive all together! Does this happen to you too? 

The inspiration for this recipe came from that feeling of being alive.  Lemons have that pungent flavor and taste like spring to me, so I tend to start squeezing lemon juice on everything this time of year! Honestly, I put the ingredients together, hoping for something at least half way edible, and it turned out amazing!!

Lemons are so good for our bodies.  They are full of phytonutrients (like vitamin C) that are good for boosting the immune system, and antioxidants that help to neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation.

Like many recipes, if you do not like a certain ingredient or would like more (or less) sweetener, feel free to change it up and make it your own. 

Also, if you haven't heard...I am asking for 10 people to be part of my up-and-coming online nutrition community!  It is 100% FREE and will be during the month of June.  This is the beta-version, which is why I am keeping the group small.  It is only required that you participate in two 1 hour Q&A sessions during the month.  We will be going over all-things nutrition and health! Click here to submit an entry if you'd like to be part of this community!!

Turtles, Tea, and History!

Was it just me, or did this weekend fly by?!  Note:  This post is pretty long, so grab a cup of tea and a snack...it's ok, I'll wait...

Ok, are you ready for the recap of this fun-filled weekend?!  Here we go!

Here in Chigagoland, we are finally getting a taste of spring and had some beautiful weather (in the 50's!!) especially on Sunday.

Once in a great while, Andrew and I will get a weekend "off" (by this, I mean nothing pressing going on, but we of course still make plans to do something. 

Saturday was pretty booked because I had a half-day seminar (8am-2pm) with the North Suburban Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Since I am on the board, I had to get there a bit early to help set up but it was so worth it because the speakers were wonderful and I was very inspired by them all!  It is always a breath of fresh air to be around like-minded people!!

Here's the line up:

• Our first speaker, Rachel Bassler, RDN, LDN, CSSD discussed the 2015 Dietary Guidelines, specifically the update on the guidelines to dietary cholesterol (another post on that later, this one is already long enough)...
• She was followed by Dr. Kristina Martinez, PhD, RD who discussed the associations between diet, gut bacteria, and metabolic disease.  Very interesting stuff; I love all this new research on gut-health! (another post later on this topic as well; for now, here's a little sneak peak)
• At 10am, Krista Varady, PhD discussed he research on alternate day fasting.  She is also the author of The Every Other Day Diet.
• by 11, we had a break and got to sample some goodies (which my stomach  Iwas very thankful for!!)
• From 11:20-2pm we had a panel of 6 different dietitians from all scopes of practice (bariatrics, eating disorders, home health, an author, pediatrics, and private practice)

The panel was probably me favorite part just because it is so fun to hear about another dietitian's journey and the two RD's that talked about how they got started in private practice and building their own brand of course inspired me the most (as I am doing the same!)  So, thanks Lara and Dawn for great inspiration!

The rest of Saturday was meal prep, and family time with the in-laws!

Sunday was much more chill. Several months ago, I saw a flyer for a Tea and Tour at The Grove in Glenview and immediately booked it.  The cost was by donation and we got tea and a tour of the Kennicott house (which I visited in 4th grade for a field trip!)

Our tour was in the home of Dr. Robert Kennicott (a man of many hats).  He was first and foremost a medical doctor in the mid-1800s, a husband, and a father of 7 children. 

We had some tea and little treats.

The strawberries were delicious!

This is his office.  On the left are medicines followed by his desk, and a dental drill (the tall thin thing...) The table in the foreground is actually the table he'd use to assess patients! Right in his own home!!

A wood-burning stove to feed the family

Can you spot something unique about this picture?  Leave a comment to let me know what you think it is!!

1800's dishwasher

After the tour, we walked around a bit and got to see a small wildlife sanctuary.  The above picture is actually a Black Rat Snake!

So many cute turtles!!

And finally, we got to see the archives (not open all the time).  This is where they keep actual pieces of things from the Kennicott family that they have found on the grounds of the home.  Pieces of history!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend as well!  Don't forget to leave a comment letting me know what you think is unique about the picture above!!