Fun 2023 Highlights

Just a personal reflection of my year with snippets and pics

The year has been a whirlwind. I think I say this at the end of every year because time always seems to speed up and fly by. Personally, professionally, socially, and politically, there has been a ton that has happened. What’s always so interesting to me is thinking that nothing substantial has happened, but it's quite the opposite when looking back at pictures and posts. So I thought I would have some fun and put together some highlights for the year that were not just professional but also on a personal level.

And now I present my 2023 highlights in no particular order…

Women’s Heritage Month at NBC Studios

In front of NBC studios and Chrissy King and I during the presentation.

I received an email one day asking if I would be interested in doing a talk on diet culture and body liberation for the Women’s Heritage Month celebration. Absolutely I was! For starters, it was NBC, which is a big deal. I also got to present with my friend Chrissy King, and I enjoy any chance to talk about diet culture. I had a great time with this open discussion, and what made it even better was the fact that it was at the intersection of Black History Month and Women’s History Month. Also, Chrissy and I did not plan on the neon-colored pants. Great minds think alike.

Getting into the groove

Back in the studio this year, getting into the groove again.

I have been taking ballet classes for what seems like forever now. (I also have a complicated relationship with the activity, which I will write about soon.) I used to go consistently to classes for about five years and then took a bit of a hiatus due to my going back to school and changing careers. Then, once I felt as though I was getting back into it, COVID hit, and the studios closed. After a few months of trial and error, I can say that I have officially found my groove, and it has made me so much happier.

Bucket list hikes

Feeling on top of the world during my hiking trips.

I live in New York City, but just a hop skip away (it seems like more time when you’re on the Metro North) is Hudson Valley. I did my undergrad at the Fordham University location in Tarrytown, NY (now closed), and I have friends who live in the region now, so it feels like my second home. That being said, I always felt like I had never explored the hiking trails that the Hudson had to offer. My goal was to plan at least one big hiking trip, and I wound up doing two. I hiked Beacon Mountain and Washburn Trail in Cold Springs, NY. Both trails were such a great challenge of strength, and the views were absolutely breathtaking.

I wrote a book!

Many hours spent in the coffee shop trying to forgo writer's block.

I’m writing a book! Well, I finished and turned it into the publication, I should really say. This book has been in the works for about two years now. It was back in 2021 when I decided to clear out the spam folder of my email account, and that was when I found an email from an editor at Simon & Schuster asking me if I had ever thought about writing a book. Honestly, no, I hadn’t, but after some back and forth and meetings, I took a plunge and thought, what do I really have to lose? I know this is supposed to be a 2023 year in review and I am talking about 2021, however, it was this past year that I officially turned everything in. After lots of coffee, imposter syndrome, and sleepless nights, my paper baby is coming in August of next year! Stay tuned for more details.

More fresh flowers

Walking out with a bouquet and the arrangement that I turned it into.

Why is this on the list of highlights? I think finding ways that we can all partake in self-care is important. Something as simple as buying flowers for myself to make me smile is important. I’m a big fan of color, and doing flower arrangements myself has turned into a hobby. It’s all about the small things in life, and with the world in constant dismay, why not?

Social media turned reality

Meeting dietitians in real life.

Sometimes being a dietitian can feel weird. There are many of us, but at the same time, it can feel as though I don’t have many. A factor in the parasocial media relationships that we have with each other is that seeing and meeting each other in real time feels like a treat. The above pictures are from a trip to Savannah, Georgia, where I had the pleasure of meeting a few internet friends and seeing old ones again. These trips are the highlight for me, and even though they are technically work-related, we managed to have a blast connecting and learning.

Riviera Maya, Mexico

My mom and I and also the menu from my presentation on Power Breakfasts.

Believe it or not, this was a work trip. I normally do cooking demonstrations and presentations for my job, but receiving an invitation to do this in Mexico, seemed like a no-brainer. I was asked by UNICO 20°87° Hotel to do a presentation for their Aura Wellness event. Aside from the obvious reason why I said yes, I was also able to bring a plus one, so I brought my mother along for the adventure. Yes, this was work with the presentation, but it was also so incredibly fun. I look at every presentation I do as an opportunity to grow and learn with public speaking, but it also always makes me realize how many people are truly craving nutrition information. This trip was delightful and a 10/10. It was also mom approved.

This is a snippet of my presentation that the hotel put together for media.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

It was really hard to choose which pics to highlight from this adventure, but I settled on the beautiful scenery and the giant tortoises.

This was definitely a trip of a lifetime. I’ve become more and more comfortable traveling solo, which adds to the excitement of exploration. I booked this tour on a whim, not really knowing what to expect, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I spent nine days in Ecuador, island hopping through the Galapagos as well as exploring the city of Quito and the village of Papallacta. I had a hard time narrowing down which pictures to showcase because there were so many fun ones to choose from. However, it’s safe to say that this was by far one of my personal 2023 highlights.

That’s a wrap!

These are just some highlights and definitely not a recap of the year in its entirety. Other fun adventures include moving into a new apartment and starting a Substack, which I have wanted to do for a while now. I wanted this newsletter to have a more personal feel so you all can get a feel of my personality. There’s more to me than talking about diet culture, I promise! I personally can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store. Talk soon!

-Shana