On the Road Again with the Food and Nutrition Expo Conference! Part 1

Since 2017 is quickly coming to a close I had the best opportunity this past October in going to the Academy's Food and Nutrition Expo Conference 100th Anniversary in Chicago! I was so excited to go to Chicago which is the headquarters of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year is my first year as Secretary of Dietitians Integrative and Functional Medicine Group (DIFM) so I was also excited to see our symposiums that we were having at the conference also!!

After 2 days of DIFM Executive Board Meetings and doing secretarial work, I had the chance one night with my fellow DIFM friends to go to this incredible restaurant called True Foods Kitchen run by the famous renowned physician, Dr. Andrew Weil. I have never heard of this place until we met with our wonderful waiter who explained the concept of the restaurant. All of the meals that were prepared there was seasonal, anti-Inflammatory, gluten-free, naturally organic, vegetarian and vegan offerings! I could not believe it and I was skeptic on the taste of the food and for my very sensitive stomach.

So I first decided on try one of their beverages while my fellow DIFM friends ordered some of the appetizers. I tried 2 different beverage and the first was the Sparkling Antioxidant Tea that consist of organic iced green tea, pomegranate, lemon and the second one was the Pressed Apple Soda which consist on sparkling water and fresh apple juice. Both of these beverages were delicious and no negative reactions from my stomach at all.

Then I tried that appetizers which were Edamame Dumplings (dashi, white truffle oil, asian herbs), Herb Hummus (greek salad, feta, grilled pita bread) and Kale Guacamole (pink grapefruit, cilantro, roasted poblano, sunflower seeds & pita chips). Everyone of those appetizers were tasty and flavorful!

Then came my entree that consist of Ancient Grains Bowl with Teriyaki Shrimp, miso glazed sweet potato, turmeric, charred onion, snow pea, grilled portobello, avocado and hemp seed. One bite of this I felt that I had gone to anti-inflammatory HEAVEN! I could not believe that this combination of food could be so good!!

After walking back from the restaurant to my hotel room to go to bed, I was afraid that I might have that gassy feeling that you sometime have after eating out in a restaurant. I am happy to say that that night and the next day no gastrointestinal problems and I have tremendous energy in the morning and no pain nor problems throughout my whole entire body. I was full and satisfied with no cravings at all for any desserts! I am convince that if I ate this way everyday that I would see tremendous improvement in my body, mind and spirit! Check out in 2018 when I will start a new transformation of eating and living!! I just found that True Food Kitchen restaurant is now in Buckhead, Atlanta! I am definitely going to stop by there this month and bring friends and family there!

The next evening I had the change to spend time with my buddies from NOBIDAN (National Organization of Blacks in Dietetic and Nutrition) at their annual meeting and dinner. I am also NOBIDAN Second Century Liaison for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The NOBIDAN Board was working hard that evening and they did a excellent job. Sadly, our Founder and first NOBIDAN Chair Dr. Sara Wilder past on in 2008 but since it was the 100th Anniversary of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics FNCE, NOBIDAN wanted to do a special tribute for all of her professional accomplishments and memorable achievements. Dr. Wilder's son came to the NOBIDAN Member Reception and Dinner and we all had such a great time listening him talk about how proud he was of her! NOBIDAN was able to present to Dr. Wilder's son a beautiful plaque and this exquisite blanket with her picture on it. Also during the NOBIDAN Educational Dinner Reception and Business Meeting Speaker Arion Kennedy, PHD did a workshop on new insightful information on the " Growing Incidence of Vitamin D Deficiency in the African-American Community."

NOBIDAN also gave their official history book for the 100th Celebration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This is our history that will forever preserved. Thank you so much for everyone on the NOBIDAN Executive Committee Board for doing this especially NOBIDAN's Chair-Elect Rojean Williams, MS, RD, LDN. Rojean Williams was the main person who collected all of the historical information for the NOBIDAN History Book. I am proud to say that yours truly is acknowledge in this book too!