The Chatty Gourmet

This past week I was able to attend the Natural Foods Expo in Anaheim and it was amazing! Coming from a nutrition/food background I felt right at home. I have gone to expos before in the past but this one was all about natural and healthy products, it full of "good for you" foods. We usually go in a big group, Susan, Kerry, John, Erin, Monya and myself but this time I was the only one available to go and it was a different experience. As I was walking up and down these long aisles packed with every product imaginable I was really able to realize just how many companies are out there trying to get good food and products to the consumers. I just never realized how big these food shows really were, they are enormous and there is something out there for everyone. There was natural, organic, vegan, non-dairy, fresh and frozen. Whatever "healthy" product you were looking for it was there! 

The day before I attended a "Healthy Baking Seminar," with our chocolatier Tracy. It was so interesting and we both learned so much about where the trends in healthy baking are today. There was such a diverse group of people there, food scientists, vice presidents of major food manufacturing companies, nutritionist and product developers.  By chance we sat at an all-woman’s table for lunch and it was so motivating to hear where everyone came from and what they did in the world of food. Being that I am still pretty young it really got me thinking about how much more studying I would like to do and reconfirmed my true passion to work with food and healthy living.

I feel very lucky that I am given the opportunity to attend events like these, I enjoy them so much! It is such an indescribable feeling to be in a room filled with your peers who share the same passion as you do and who are making a difference in the world of food and health today.

"Jack had his appointment today for his monthly IV Chemo and for the first time he got a Batman Band-Aid after they took the IV out! That made his day; he was very proud of it and had to show EVERYONE! The hospital always has regular Band-Aids, but the kids really light up when they get a special kid Band-Aid."

Jack is one of our new friends at CHOC. Jack’s mom sent us the note above along with the great idea to take up a collection of Band-Aids for the kids at CHOC who have to go through the arduous task that is Chemo. When we heard about this great cause, it was a no-brainer for us to run out to the local drug store and buy out the Band-Aid section. These brave little kids need all the fun and happiness that they can get. It is amazing what we take for granted and impossible to think that a Thomas the Train Band-Aid can make all the difference in the world.