Dietetic Internship: 20% finished

7 weeks ago I left Charlotte, North Carolina, for the cold winter of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I confess that I amaze myself with my ability to handle the cold weather. I am sure that any native Iowan would laugh and say that I do not handle the cold very well, but I do not think they realize I poorly I handled our 'warm' winters in Charlotte.

The transition to Iowa has been easier than I expected. God has really blessed me with an excellent program, family to live with, and a church community.

The internship program I am in is actually more of an accreditation program - it is what teaches me how to think and work like a dietitian so I can get my license. So, far I have finished 20% of the program. The first two weeks were orientation, the second two weeks focused on diabetes, and the fifth week was in a pediatric clinic for children with disabilities and developmental delay. And, honestly I think I found my place in the dietetic world last week working with children.

We had diagnoses from Spina bifida to Cerebral Palsy to over-eating and obesity. Every child was unique and required unique nutritional care. I loved figuring out the child's needs and talking to the families. I feel like this is the area where I could make the most impact. Not only are you teaching parents how to help their child, but you can also inspire them to practice healthy eating habits.

Pediatrics also plays into what I would love to do internationally which is fight malnutrition. I believe that if we help children thrive nutritionally and not just survive that they will be given the best opportunity in life. Nutrition plays into cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. And, to give children who are currently starving the chance to thrive is my dream. In a few months I will get the opportunity to go to India and study malnutrition for a month. I am beyond excited. I know that God is providing this experience so that He can use me in big ways in the future. Pray for me that God can use me in this way.

Next week is my 6th week in the program and I will be in cardiology. I am excited to learn more this week! And, I will be 1 more week closer to 25 which is my last week!

This was my first Dietetic Internship post. Stay tuned for more about my journey!

International Dinner Parties: China

China Night

Lydia brought out some of her decorative Chinese hats and paintings for the night. We ate fried rice, chicken potstickers, sweet and sour chicken, and bok choy - all with chopsticks!

Welcome! Ai-ya! There is a ton of delicious food!

Potstickers are very labor intensive and I was very thankful for some extra awesome helpers. You take wonton wrappers and place the chicken mixture in the middle then fold in half and pinch the sides together. The mixture is a combo of napa cabbage, shredded boiled chicken, sesame seed oil, soy sauce, white vinegar, ginger, green onions, and chicken broth. Then you fry them - and as seen below frying can be dangerous so you might need extra protections.

The meal was a success!

A small meal since I was snacking while cooking. 

We even tried Dragon Fruit! Which tasted like a kiwi and potato - not the best flavor.

For dessert we had coconut pudding with mashed mango on top!

Overall fantastic night with great friends! We loved our visit with China. Please join us again for our next International Dinner Party!
#TraveltheWorld

International Dinner Party: Southern Cooking

We celebrated the fourth of July Southern style!

Or at least that was the plan.

Menu

Buttered Biscuits

BBQ pulled chicken

Pigs in a corn cake

Mac & Cheese

Corn on the Cob

Sauteed greens

Sweet Potato Pie

 I will confess that I have never met a food I could not make, but then I met Southern cooking. I decided to follow recipes since I was less familiar with making southern food. Not only was I out of my comfort zone, but I was also crunched for time as I had to work 11-6 that day. I tried to make the macaroni and cheese ahead of time... which means around 8 in the morning before work... and baked it when I came home. Unfortunately, it quite possibly was the worst macaroni and cheese I have ever made. And, I've made some killer Mac & Cheese before. But, that's what I get for following a recipe right? Haha. Actually I guess I just picked poor recipes to follow. I'm not quite sure how my friends felt about the meal, but they probably would agree that my weakness is cooking southern food. 

Aside from the Macaroni and Cheese everything else tasted pretty darn tasty :)

I hope you enjoyed our Southern Night, join us again soon for our next International Dinner party!

#TraveltheWorld