And my favorite part... the wonderful community, reconnecting with friends and making lots of new ones! I hope many of you will be in attendance.
I will be taking part in the Event Welcome: Uniting Your Community to Inspire Health Friday morning, moderating a session called: Balancing Perspectives: A Look at Real Life Post-Bariatric Surgery later that day.
I'm also hosting two lunch talks, Holidays and Celebrations: Tips for Staying on Track on Friday and Linking With Others: Finding Your Support System and Tools Online on Saturday.
Sneak peek at some goodies I'm packing up for my table mates including the appropriately (since we're in peanut country) Celebrate Vitamins (sponsor & #YWM2016 exhibitor) Peanut Butter Protein 20 Protein Powder.
If you are close... come! There's 3-day and single day on-site registration, health professionals can earn up to 16 CE units too if you need added justification ;) Oh and locals can get a FREE Pass for the Community Outreach Day Event on Saturday. They have access to some cool special programming, the health testing, the free samples and swag in the exhibit hall. See the link for more info and if you have a pal in the area tell them to come by.
If you are not headed to #YWM2016 this year, please consider attending the event next year. Psst... the 2017 location will be announced Friday night at the costume party. Watch my twitter feed for the breaking news! It really is an event not to be missed. For me... it's a way to renew my commitment to my health. It energizes me and the inspiration and motivation carries me throughout the year. Well worth the price of admission! I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Catch a glimpse of all the fun on social media: I will be tweeting, snapping pics, maybe even taking a few videos from inside the action (and behind the scenes) so if you want to follow along be sure to follow my social media accounts:
Twitter (where I will be the most active)
The official hashtag is #YWM2016 if you'd like to follow that and be sure to follow the Obesity Action Coalition's (convention hosts) tweets too.
In honor of my trip I made a couple recipes this weekend...
My take on one of the most famous soups in America. It's served in the dining room of the United States Senate every day, a tradition that dates back to the early 20th century. I remember reading about it when I was a whippersnapper and on my first trip to DC in 6th grade I got to try it. I wasn't impressed.
Can you find me?
My version adds a little Italian flare (aka flavor) with a little Rosemary and a topping of shaved Parmesan Cheese. Hmmm maybe those government folks in Washington DC would get more work done if their soup tasted like this ;)
Shelly's Senate Bean Soup
2 cans White Beans, rinsed and drained
1 Yellow Onion, diced
2 Green Onions, diced
3/4 cup Cooked Ham, cubed
1/4 teaspoon Rosemary, dried
a few twists of Black Pepper
3 cups Chicken Broth
Parmesan cheese, shaved for top
Saute onions in a drizzle of olive oil till golden. Add ham and seasonings and cook about 1 minute more. Add beans and broth and simmer for 20 minutes covered.
Puree soup. A groovy gadget like this works great or you can do it in batches in a blender.
Simmer 10 minutes longer. Serve with a shaving of Parmesan cheese.
and since technically our beautiful hotel is in Virginia, famous for peanuts here's a peanut recipe...
Shelly's 5 Minute Peanut Butter Protein Cake
1 Egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons Milk
3 Tablespoons Sugar Free Vanilla Torani Syrup
1 Tablespoons Canola Oil
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix
3 Tablespoons Powdered Peanut Butter (aka Peanut Flour)
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
Pinch salt
1 - 2 cup Measuring Cup or Microwave Safe Mug
Topping: Smucker's Sugar Free Strawberry Topping, No Sugar Added Homemade Whipped Cream
In a measuring cup or microwave safe mug, Mix egg, milk, syrup and oil and combine thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix pancake mix, powdered peanut butter, protein powder (I used Vanilla but (or Peanut Butter Protein Powder if you have it would be great too) and salt. Tip dry into wet and stir till combined. Nuke in microwave for 2 minutes on full power (start with 2 minutes & add 20 second increments as microwave wattages vary, top should be dry like picture below.) Let it sit for three or so minutes (it pulls away from the sides) before tipping the cake onto a plate. Yields 4-5 slices
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon... and if you are not joining us this year... make these recipes, follow the tweets and make plans to come next year! You will be glad you did!
