Nutrition Advice for Halloween

While listening to the radio the other day, I heard a little blurb on the best and worst Halloween candy.  Now, being a future dietitian I legally can't recommend candy, but if you MUST eat candy this Halloween here are the best and worst (according to Yahoo News):

THE BEST - (All have no fat and are 'relatively' low in calories and sugar)

• Jolly Ranchers (3 pieces)
• Blow Pops (1 pop)
• Gobstoppers (9 pieces)
• Pixy Stix (7 straws)
• Candy Corn (19 pieces)

THE WORST - (All are high in calories, sugar, fat and saturated fat)

• Mr. Goodbar
• Nutrageous
• Snickers
• Baby Ruth

Bibbity Bobbity Boo

The North Carolina State Fair is a huge deal and I had the privilege of working there for the past 3 weeks.  I wish I would have taken more pictures of this amazing event, but I didn't.  Luckily my sister did and you can see them here.


To give you an idea of how popular the state fair is:


9,250,000 = approximate population of NC
409,847 = approximate population of Raleigh (where the state fair is held)
1,091,887= this years attendance at the state fair


It's almost a sin to not go.


There are so many amazing things at the state fair.  One thing that I found amazing was the first place pumpkin.

It weighs over 900 lbs!!!

That may make you reconsider ever using "Pumpkin" as a term of endearment. 

This also makes Cinderella's pumpkin-turned-carriage seem plausible.  

Major Accomplishments of the Last 2 Months

At Melissa's request I am now back to my blog.  I can't even say that I have been really busy since I have moved home, because I haven't.  So, there is no good excuse for my neglect.  I'm not sure anyone really cares anyway.....

BUT, I will still post.  Since coming home I have had to face some interesting challenges.  The main one I would say is how I can fill my days with productive things so that I don't feel like a completely useless human being at the end of the day.  To make myself feel better about what I have done with my time, I will list what I have accomplished.

1.  I learned how to take in a skirt-not as easy as it sounds.

2.  I learned how to use a leaf blower (the kind that you put on your back).

3.  I painted my parents hallway yellow.

4.  I have read 4 books.

5.  I made bread that actually tasted good.

6.  I increased my weekly running mileage to 27 miles. 

7.  I worked at the State Fair.

8.  I made dinner for my family most nights of the week.

9.  I have grown some muscles in my upper body thanks to my gym that has an awesome weight lifting class.

10.  I beat Wade in bowling.

and... that's all I can think of.

I really can't complain that this time is particularly difficult.  I mean, I can always complain about something, but it has been really nice to completely relax before my internship starts in January.

Now, my question for you is:  What would you do with your time if you didn't have to work?

People I LOVE

I am sometimes just so overwhelmed when I think of all the wonderful people in my life.  Just this week I have heard from several of them and they have made me so happy.

1.  Julia Boyce, my dear old neighbor from Presidio.  She sent me a random text message just telling me that she was thinking of me.  I miss making treats with her and talking about life and being able to run right over to her apartment to say hello any time I want.

Julia and me sledding last winter

2.  Tiffany Feller, aka Tiffy,  friend who was once my roommate.  She called me today from the grocery store to ask me the difference between pure vanilla and imitation vanilla.  Basically one is more expensive than the other, although pure probably gives a better flavor.  She's making banana bread.  She said she just wanted an excuse to call me.  We talked about Halloween and what we are going to be.  Tiffany and her husband love Halloween more than anyone I know and this year I'm going all out in honor of them.  

Tiffany and her husband, Jared

3.  Becky Tingey, aka Becky Bennett, my old friend from home.  We have been playing phone tag for weeks now and we finally caught each other.  I love talking to Becky because she is so cool and makes me feel cool.  Becky is amazing and she inspires me to be amazing.  She teaches kindergarten and was teacher of the year last year and it was only her second year teaching!  She lives all the way in California now.  :(

Nancy, Me and Becky on a hike a couple of years ago

4.  Emily Tuioti, aka Emilita, Em-dog, former roommate and friend.  Emily lives all the way in New Zealand.  Exciting, huh?  It breaks my heart that she is so far away, but at the same times makes me so happy that she is living the dream.  I finally talked to her this week-the first time since she's gotten married.  

Emily and Tinoa on their wedding day

5.  Libby, aka Sister Driebergen, Sister Dri-booger, Sister D, favorite mission companion, friend.  Four years ago on Monday, Sept 4th Libby and I met for the first time at the MTC.  She was SUPER late and I thought she might have decided to get married at the last minute instead of go on a mission.  Luckily she showed up and gave me a HUGE hug.  I was a little scared by her energy at first, but in just a short time we realized that we were a perfect match for each other.  We ended up spending almost 1/3 of our missions together.  We were pretty much MFEO.  

Libby and me on the porch of our apartment in Frankfurt having dinner

These are just a few of the many amazing people in my life that I adore.  If you didn't make the list this time, it doesn't mean I don't love you, you just didn't talk to me this week.  

Grown-up Kid

I was talking to my 4-year-old nephew, Charlie, the other day.  "Krissy," he said, "are you a mom?" "No, Charlie, I'm not a mom."  "Are you a kid?" he asked.  "No, I'm not a kid either."  "Oh, then you're a grown-up kid, right?"  "Uh, I guess so."



Later I asked Charlie if there was a difference between moms and adults, and there isn't.  So, in Charlie's mind I won't be an adult until I have children.  I'm fine with that.  In fact, after thinking about it, I feeling like a grown-up kid is the perfect description for me, and not just because I just moved home at the age of 25.

I am an adult in so many ways:  I do my own laundry, make decisions, cook, do my own taxes, make appointments, pay attention to politics, don't pass notes in church anymore, can carry on conversations with almost anyone.



I am also a kid in so many ways:  I like to play with my food, I like cartoons, I like playing outside, I like it when people do things for me (my laundry, my taxes, making my appointments, etc), I like dressing up and pretending my life is something that it isn't.

Even though in Charlie's eyes once I get married and have children I will officially be an adult, I will probably, at least I hope, always be a kid in grown-up form.