From pyramid to plate

When I was at the California Dietetics Association conference last month, one of the keynote speakers talked about and showed pictures of the different food guides from various countries throughout the world and then discussed the similarities and differences. It was fascinating. He did not even show our food pyramid, saying it was too horrible and a waste of time to talk about.  He then hinted that some changes may be coming.  Well, apparantly as of this Thursday,  this familiar image will be done away with:

I agree that this pyramid has its flaws, (though I wouldn't say it was horrible).  Who looking at it would be able to explain what those different sections represent and how that is translated into a healthy diet? (The full, complete version does have these labeled but it is rarely used) One strength Mypyramid had though was definitely in the emphasis it placed on exercise and how that is an important component of a healthy lifestyle.  

So what will the new pyramid look like?  According to this New York Times article , it is going to be in the shape of a plate. I like this. Of the different international food guides, there were two (Mexico and England) that I really thought were good visually and both of these were also in the shape of a plate. 

 It sounds like the new US pyramid will be even better than these since it will have half the plate filled with fruits and veggies, emphasizing the importance of a diet higher in those food groups.  This is what, as dietitians, we tell people to do already for a healthy diet and so it will be good to have the food guide reflect this.

I'm excited to see what it looks like!  I will definitely post a picture once it is unveiled.

My Birthday Boy

Eric's birthday was last week.  It came right in the middle of a busy week for him with finals coming up in a matter of days now. I was sad that I had to work 8am to 7pm that day, but I don't think Eric really was.  It meant that he got to get a lot more studying in than if I had been there. :) He was still working on his schoolwork when I got home and I had to pry him away.

Although he was so busy, I was able to get him to celebrate a little.  He started off his birthday with waking up to yummy, hot cinnamon rolls in the morning.  Thank goodness for an amazingly simple overnight cinnamon roll recipe!

Once I got home, he got to open his presents and eat cake along with homemade frozen yogurt.

Tonight we are going to finish off his birthday season with a trip to Baskin Robbins.  Gotta love those birthday clubs!

I love you Eric!! Happy, happy birthday!

A new day

You know those days where it feels like everything that possibly could has gone wrong?  Yesterday was one of those. It started with me forgetting to bring my water bottle to work (I drink a lot of water so that is a very traumatic thing) and falling asleep during a meeting with my preceptor and all her bosses (yes, everyone noticed). And it was only downhill from there...  By the end of the day I was so ready to just go to bed and be done with it.

Isn't it wonderful how bad days (usually) only last one day?  I woke up this morning (after actually sleeping a decent amount of time knowing I had another early meeting today) feeling wonderful. The day went great and I decided my preceptor doesn't feels as negative about me as I was sure she did yesterday.  In fact we spent half the day gossiping away.  And the best part about today?  I finally have contacts again!! After work I went and got the contact exam.  I have been holding out ever since my contacts ran out in China, I kept saying it was too expensive.  Eric finally told me it was my birthday present so that I would do it. :) How good this feels after a year and a half with only glasses!  Can you tell I am happy?

How time flies...

It feels like just yesterday that I was here...

...at the airport in Jakarta, Indonesia with my MTC buddies (Elder Trevor Ross, Elder Michael Cheney, and Sister Tashina Etter) meeting our (amazing!!) mission president, President Jensen. What fun we had together helping each other as we struggled with the language in the MTC and then later as we battled the bugs, heat and everything else in Indonesia. Hard to believe its already been almost five years since we started our missions together.  These wonderful people will always hold a special place in my heart.

 Last Saturday, I was able to go to the sealing of Trevor to his bride, Marie, in the San Diego temple. It was a beautiful ceremony and I am so happy for him and Marie!

And Michael is also getting married this month.  My elders are sure growing up!  I miss you all, especially you Mbak Tashina - pink suitcases and all. :)

Weekend with the family

May happens to be a big birthday month in my family and so Eric and I drove up to my parents this last weekend to spend two days partying it up in Fontana.  It was kind of nice having the birthday fun spread out over more than just my actual birthday - made for a 'birthday season' as my day called it.  I could go for a birthday season every year! :)

The birthday group: Eric, my little brother Edward (he is actually an April birthday, but we let him join in too), me and my niece Beckah (we share the same birthday).  And there are still a couple that couldn't be there.

The amazingly yummy cake that Eric made for me on my birthday.  You can find the recipe here.

The other, more important reason we came for the weekend was that it just happened to be Mothers Day. So we got to celebrate my mom and the amazing mother she is to all of us. I only hope that someday I will be as loving and wonderful of a mom as she has always been to me.  I love you, Mamma!

My amazing Mom

Easter

Eric and I had a nice, simple Easter with just the two of us.  We had our Easter baskets (Eric was very excited to get his basket), colored eggs, and had our very untraditional Easter dinner of chicken and asparagus. 

The day before we had a stake service project at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. We got to wear the bright yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests (pretty stylish) and cleaned the gravestones. It was a great way to start Easter.

Looking good!

Probably the prettiest spot I've ever seen for a cemetery.  It overlooks the ocean and the view is amazing.