Conversations With Anne Elizabeth

Conversation 27:  My Mother’s Day Special, Ruth Huebert “I did know about a dietitian (before you became one) but I probably wouldn’t have known the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist. I think a lot of people get that confused. I now know what I’m talking about (when I tell people the difference.” -Ruth Huebert My conversation today is with my 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 lightbulb 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 enjoy my very special conversation with my Mom on Mother’s Day.   This Episode is Spon

Conversation 26:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Jennifer DeWall, RDN, LD, CSSD, CIC®   “When you have a new position you can overestimate what can be done in a year, but you can underestimate what can be done in 5 years. You think you should be making all these great leaps and bounds but it takes a little bit of time .” - Jennifer DeWall, RDN, LD, CSSD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Jennifer DeWall. Jen is enthusiastic and open to anything when it comes to being a registered dietitian. In her career, she has placed herself in new positions and welcomed the challenge to create and define those positions. Jen grew up in a home where health and wellness was extremely important. She had an aunt who was a registered dietitian in private practice who in a roundabout way, maybe lead her to her own private practice today. In our conversation we talk about her love for preventative health, sports and athletes, working as a dietary aide, experience with policy, her advice when havin

Conversation 25:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Ashley Pringle, RD-to-Be “I knew at some point businesses and corporations would require you to become a registered dietitian. I feel like I need to be educated enough (in dietetics) to help people. I don’t think a nutritionist is going to have the education that we get in MNT (Medical Nutrition Therapy). I’m that type of person, if I am going to do something I am going to do it 100% and whole heartedly and do it right.”- Ashley Pringle My conversation today is with RD-to-Be, Ashley Pringle. I wanted to have a conversation with Ashley, because she went on a trip with a friend to India and decided to go back to school to help people by being a registered dietitian after working in the business world as an HR recruiter. She reveals her perspective on going back to school, the internship application process and where she see’s herself practicing. Not only is she waiting for her internship match, she is getting married in 6 weeks. I am excited to share her journ

Conversation 24:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Brian Smith, RDN, LD “Finally, I found something that fed my heart (dietetics). I truly believe that where your greatest desire intersects with where you see the worlds greatest need is where you need to be. If you are fulfilled, happiness will follow.”- Brian Smith, RDN, LD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Brian Smith.  I have to tell you, sitting and talking with Brian is like sitting with a friend I have known for a 100 years. He is so warm and welcoming. What I love about this conversation with Brian is that he has had multiple careers, has traveled around the world, was a star college athlete, brews his own beer, loves to cook, is raising 2 daughters after the passing of his wife and still lives a good examined life with much satisfaction. He truly embodies the definition of living his passion by being a registered dietitian. If you are someone who has found dietetics later in life, you will find a great connection with Br

Conversation 23:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Susan L. Roberts JD, MS, RD “I think it is really important for us as professionals to call ourselves, we are food and nutrition professionals. We often time say we are nutritionists or we are nutrition professionals, in reality food is what gives us the nutrition. And food, in my belief, as I have been in my career a long time, it’s the food that’s what really important and how that food is grown. You know all that kind of stuff and the sustainability issues are probably more important than the nutrition issues and we really need to be looking at all the issues as professionals in that arena. We can really broaden our area of what we think of as our profession.”- Susan L. Roberts JD, MS, RD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Susan Roberts. Susan has been a pioneer in a variety of professional settings by creating her outstanding professional path. During college, she discovered her appreciation and passion for landscape architecture and agri

Conversation 22:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach, Andrew Salgado “If somebody shares their health or wellness experiences, I feel very honored because I feel that health is a very personal thing and if they share that with you, they’re able to tell you what they are going through right now. (When they share this with me) It’s like “wow, that for sharing that with me” and I definelty want to do my best because they’re sharing that for a reason. I try to do my part in taking the information and trying to work with them, find them (my clients) right where they are and I try to meet them at that spot.” - Andrew Salgado   My conversation today is with Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach Andrew Salgado. As registered dietitians, we sometimes get mistaken for the expert in everything health related. We know as professionals that food, nutrition and physical activity have a very cozy relationship. I don’t know about you, but I was not trained at all in fitness and do not believe

Conversation 21:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Lucille Beseler, MS, RDN, LDN, CDE “As a young dietitian you don’t appreciate all the people you meet along the way. I would say to our young dietitians, stop and savor the moment and appreciate the people that you come in contact with along the way. They may see things in you that you do not see in yourself.” - Lucille Beseler, MS, RDN, LDN, CDE My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Lucille Beseler who graciously took time out of her busy schedule to meet with me on a Sunday afternoon. She is a private practice registered dietitian, author and the owner of Family Nutrition Center of South Florida. She has a passion for cooking and painting beautiful flowers. In her spare time, she currently is the President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and has spent the last year inspiring other registered dietitians for the next century of our amazing profession and and our national organization. During our candid and down to earth conversation, s

Conversation 20:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Chef Andrew Kintigh “It’s all science. Whether it’s baking or traditional cooking. It’s the same when you’re plating a normal entree or a salad, there’s all those components that the chef or even the cook (and you don’t have to be a chef to cook great food).  There’s so many chefs that aren’t classically trained that are better than chefs that haven’t gone to school. If you’re going to go to school, you definitely need the real life experience of working on a kitchen line and “being in the weeds” - Chef Andrew Kintigh My conversation today is with Chef Andrew Kintigh As registered dietitians, we love food and know exactly how food functions in our bodies and many of us incorporate cooking and recipes into our profession. Enter, Chef Andrew. As a registered dietitian, I value the expertise the professionals who work with food daily, which is knowing the science behind cooking. Chef Andrew is someone I have gotten to know over the past couple years and I value

Conversation 19:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Anita Turczynski RD, LD “I was asked to give nutrition talk at my daughter's pre-school (at the time) and I researched fun activities for kids nutrition education. That lead me to providing a presentation for Child and Adult Nutrition Education Programs on teaching nutrition education. I have realized that child nutrition is a passion of mine. It’s not work if you love it. There is always something new to learn.” - Anita Turczynski,  RD, LD My conversation today is with Anita Turczynski, RD, LD Anita is a one of those people you meet who just radiates positivity both personally and professionally. It was interesting to know she initially majored in accounting in college. While she was navigating her future career plans and after shadowing a registered dietitian, she truly discovered her passion for nutrition. This lead her to an interest in food service nutrition and also a love for nutrition education with children in a public school s

Conversation 18:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Jenny Norgaard, RD, LD “Food is Medicine. We live in a society where there are so many resources for people to reach out and get help to be healthy. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple because it is always the answer.” - Jenny Norgaard, RD, LD My conversation today is with Jenny Norgaard, RD, LD Jenny and I go way back to meeting each other during our internship and have shared many great experiences we still discuss and laugh about today, as well as a lifelong friendship.  She initially was going to go into nursing and decided after a conversation with a registered dietitian in her hometown, she was hooked. After experiencing a variety of careers in the dietetics field, Jenny currently feels at home and is very passionate about the preventative side of health and wellness. Please enjoy my conversation with Jenny. Links from the Conversation Connect with Jenny through email at jnorgaard@hy-vee.com   Iowa State University

Conversation 17:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Kathryn Thompson, RDN, LD “Finding the balance of what you eat and what you do is very important for someone recovering from an eating disorder because it can become an issue for compulsive exercise. When I teach multiple (fitness) classes a day, you won’t see me going all out. I am the instructor and I’m their (participants) biggest cheerleader in the room. That balance, I’ve found that and it works for me because I have to be very aware of things in my life. ” - Kathryn Thompson, RDN, LD My conversation today is with Kathryn Thompson, RDN, LD Kathryn is someone I have had the joy of collaborating with on different projects involving school nutrition and health. I remember the first day I met Kathryn and her smile and energy were absolutely contagious. As I have gotten to know her over the years, we developed a great friendship and I learned more about her journey to being a registered dietitian nutritionist. She has had an eating diso

Conversation 16: The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Courtney Slater RD, LD, CDE “I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 5. I have always had to know the information that’s in food. When I was 17, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease then I started having to eat gluten-free. My whole life has revolved around food one way or another.  If I can go into diabetes education and if I can help prevent one kid from making those same mistakes that I made (as a child with diabetes), then I am doing my job.” - Courtney Slater, RD, LD, CDE My conversation today is with Courtney Slater, RD, LD, CDE Courtney has a strong personal connection to nutrition because of her own personal experiences and struggles with diabetes and celiac disease.  She initially started her career path in education and teaching because she loved working with kids and along the way she realized she wanted to educate others as a registered dietitian. She is now meshing her 2 passions, kids and diabetes education. Her dietitian j

Conversation 15:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Adria Huseth “Don’t be surprised if someone tells you that a business degree is a good with dietetics or a psychology degree because I think having a dual degree or  other focus definitely makes you more marketable (as a dietitian)” - Adria Huseth, RD, LD, CPT My conversation today is with Adria Huseth, RD, LD, CPT Adria took a little different route to being a dietitian. She was not quite sure what she wanted to do in college and obtained a business degree. With strong family ties to health and the medical field, she always found the human body amazing and knew working in the medical field was in her future. After working in marketing research, she decided her love for the human body and food was her future and became a registered dietitian. In her current job with the National Pork Board, she has successfully combined business and dietetics as well as becoming a new mom and Certified Personal Trainer. Please enjoy my conversation with

Conversation 14:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Ellen Davis RD, LD, CSSD “I truly developed a passion for nutrition and dietetic when I was running track and cross country at the University of Missouri. I realized far too late in my career as a Division I athlete that I was making poor fueling choices. I made it my goal to become a sports dietitian. Looking back, it was a challenge but I think that is what we do as dietitians, we just put our heads down and just do it. ” -Ellen Davis, RD, LD, CSSD My conversation today is with Ellen Davis, RD, LD, CSSD Ellen was always passionate about being an athlete since 7th grade running track and cross country. It wasn’t until college did she realize the connection nutrition had with her performance and health as a Division I athlete. She suffered from many injuries and realized how not fueling her body properly was part of the equation. By being an athlete herself, she wanted to help other athletes learn from her experience and now spends her

Conversation 13:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Chere Bork MS, RDN “I think what comes up is thinking about letting go of perfection. I really believe perfectionism kills. It kills our spirit. I have seen it kill my dietitian clients. Everyday do something that is imperfect and write it down. The more you grow your life, the more you grow your fun.” - Chere Bork MS, RDN My conversation today is with Chere Bork MS, RDN Chere Bork is an energy igniter, speaker, media spokesperson, a registered dietitian and is truly living her passion and purpose by helping others living a life where she believes that knowing your purpose, energizes your life, which creates your happiness which you need in order to live healthy and then you can truly feel balance and authentically love your life.  I meet Chere a few years ago and listened to her speak at a conference about this exact topic which I feel has had a sincere impact in my current life. I was excited when she was our keynote speaker at our Io

Conversation 12:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Brenda Shannon RD, LD “I knew I always wanted to do clinical (dietetics) and I knew it was a good fit for me because it is interesting and exciting. It kind of fits my life over all. When I leave work, I leave work and I don’t  have to take it home with me.” - Brenda Shannon, RD, LD My conversation today is with Brenda Shannon, RD, LD By listening to my conversations, I hope you know by now how much I enjoy talking with registered dietitians and having them share their story. There is truly something special when I can share the story of a registered dietitian who had a huge impact in my life by being my preceptor, co-worker and now one of my most dearest friends. Brenda chose to become a registered dietitian a little later in life and has worked in a variety of settings with her current position as  a registered dietitian in Iowa who works for a special population of individuals at Glenwood Resource Center where her clients have signif

Conversation 11:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Jen Haugen RD, LD “Everyone has a book inside of them because everybody has a story to share. We are all drawn to stories and how someone else’s life can affect your life and impact you and inspire you and I think every dietitian can help someone.” - Jen Haugen, RD, LDN My conversation today is with Jen Haugen, RD, LD Jen is known nationwide as the Down to Earth Dietitian and I couldn’t agree more. I have been lucky to be a Nutrition Communicator for Midwest Dairy with Jen for the past 4 years and getting to know how her personal life has really influenced her professional life as a registered dietitian. She has come full circle with her passion of gardening, nutrition and nourishing the lives of others, especially her family and moms. As long as I have know Jen, I had no idea how deeply rooted gardening was in her life. It is wonderful how she is sharing her love for growth from the ground with growth at home around the dinner table. S

Conversation 10:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Beth Sloan RD, LDN “To convince dietitians to be preceptors is one thing and I think we that we need to really come together as a profession and really look at what is important and how are we educating our future dietitians and is this model working?  And if this model is not working, how can we change that? ” - Beth Sloan, RD, LDN My conversation today is with Beth Sloan, MS, RD, LDN Beth Sloan is a registered dietitian I was thrilled to meet upon my journey to New Orleans. She is a native to New Orleans.  We had a great conversation about her journey so far. She has worked in clinical, outpatient diabetes and cardiac rehab, public health and currently is a professor at Nicholls College in Thibodaux, LA, where she is the Director of Dietetics and is an Assistant Professor of Dietetics specializing in teaching, evaluating, and advising undergraduate dietetics students. Not only is she a professor, but currently is the President of the

Conversation 9:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Dorria S. Amer, MPH, RD, LDN “ I was restless because I wanted to be self employed and then I realized, well I can be. I always wanted to work for myself and I never wanted to dread Mondays. ” - Dorria S. Amer, MPH, RD, LDN My conversation today is with Dorria S. Amer, MPH, RD, LDN As I have set out on a quest to meet registered dietitians, I decided I would make it a priority whenever I go to a new city, I would meet up with registered dietitians from this location. I headed to New Orleans in October of this year and had the great opportunity to meet Dorria Samer. Dorria graciously opened up her beautiful shotgun home up to me and we had a great conversation on her comfy couch. Dorria has had a fascinating career so far as a registered dietitian with family roots and first job out of college in California, an internship and next career moves taking place in Boston, and certain events happening in her personal life leading her to her cur

Conversation 8:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Food Scientist, Susan Bingaman “There was never a connection but the lightbulb went off. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had those big college books where you are trying to figure out your life, looking at all the majors in the majors in the colleges. I was in the Food/Dietetics section and Food Science was in there. I thought it sounded ridiculous and my mom goes, that’s you. Wanting to help people cook is what I want to do. Dietitians know how the food acts in the body. I know how food acts in the food ” - Susan Bingaman My conversation today is with Susan Bingaman, Food Scientist From time to time, I want to have conversations with guests who are not registered dietitians, but have a deep connection to food, nutrition and wellness. Susan Bingaman is one of those fascinating guests whose lifelong passion has been the science of food. As a little girl, Susan always found herself in the kitchen with her family cooking and this passion lives on in her t