I thought I would share a bit more with you about my recent trip to Boston. I tried not to make this the longest post ever, but there was just so much I wanted to share with you all!
Boston is, by far, one of the neatest cities I have ever been to. I couldn’t seem to get over the architecture and culture. It is absolutely breathtaking.
Boston’s Little Italy
My friend Missy in front of Modern Pastry Shop
Are you drooling yet!?!
We had a bit of rain a few days.
FNCE
FNCE was amazing! I have only gotten to attend this conference one other time, when I wasn’t yet a dietitian. It was such a different experience this time around.
Food
I was able to attend a few events while at FNCE. The first was a breakfast sponsored by the California Raisin Marketing Board.
Of course, the menu included all things raisins. 
Nothin’ wrong with that!
The other event I attended was sponsored by the Hass Avocado Board.
A delicious spread filled with yummy avocado filled foods.
Missy and I also ventured out for a fun dinner at a place called Legal Sea Foods.
I had an authentic bowl of New England Clam Chowder (or chowda’ as the locals might say).
Fun
Now I have to get talking about the expo. This place was huge!
I couldn’t resist all of the free goodies. Some of my favorite booths included Chobani Greek yogurt, Barney Butter (this stuff is delicious), and Laughing Cow. Ok, who am I kidding..there wasn’t a booth I didn’t like.
Kristen and I with Tony the Tiger. We couldn’t resist.
One of my favorite dietitians, Ellie Krieger, gave a food demo at the Almond booth.
Anthony Bourdain spoke at the closing session. He was not only inspiring, but hysterical!
I also got to meet a few bloggers. Jessie from The Happiness and Health…
and Corinne from Green Grapes Blog. (We didn’t get snap a pic 
).
It was so great meeting you gals!
Check out all the free swag I got! (This is only some of it) I am not going to lie, I had a bit of a difficult time getting it all into my suitcase.
Vitamin D
There were so many great educational sessions I went to, but I thought I would share with you one of my favorites. The session was on Vitamin D and presented by Dr. Holick, M.D., Ph.D.
Vitamin D Recommendations:
- 0-1 year age: 400-1000 IU/day
- 1-12 years of age: 1000-2000 IU/day
- 13 + years of age: 1500-2000 IU/day
- Obesity: 2-3 times more
Sources:
- Sunlight- 3000 IU
- 5-15 minutes all you need on arms or legs (not face), then put on sunscreen
- 10 am-3 pm-only time to get Vitamin D through sun (no matter where you live)
- Dairy-100 IU/serving
- Mushrooms – fresh 400 IU/serving, sundried-1600 IU
- Fresh wild salmon-600-1000 IU (Farmed Salmon-has little Vitamin D)
Fun Tidbits:
- When Vitamin D is made through skin, it lasts 2-3 times longer than in supplement form.
- Night sweating is a symptom of Vitamin D deficiency.
- Vitamin D2 is as effective as D3 when given daily.
- Study showed decrease flu when taking 1200 IU/day.
- Above about 35 degrees north latitude (Atlanta), little or no vitamin D3 can be produced from November through February.
- Without Vitamin D, only 10-15% of dietary calcium and about 60% phosphorus is absorbed.
If you have any questions about any of the information, feel free to ask!
I can’t wait to start planning my next trip! My friend and I have birthdays a day apart and were talking about going on a cruise. We are hopefully going to start looking into it soon.
Have you ever been to Boston? Do you think you get enough Vitamin D?
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I have never been to Boston, which is a shame, as one of my very good friends lives there. I hope that’ll change soon – and you just made me want to travel there even more.
As for vitamin D, I probably don’t get enough of it during the winter months in Scandinavia. It was interesting to hear that vitamin D2 is as effective as D3 if taken daily. As a vegan, I use vitamin D2, and am often told that our bodies barely absorb it at all – so this was great news!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Yeah, I was surprised by that fact as well. I am pretty sure I don’t get enough Vit D so I am trying to be much better about taking supplements ever since hearing that presentation.
Love the pictures. I’ve not been to Boston but have 2 friends in the area and hope to visit one day. I do take Vitamin D supps just in case – especially during the winter months. During the summer, I think I’m probably ok.
We were there also. I loved all the great facts on almonds and also fell in love with Barney Butter, my new fave food!! Anthony Bordain was awesome.
It was so much fun! I had never tried Barney Butter before and now I think I am hooked.
Great pics. I had a blast too and brought tons of free stuff home, and I even shipped some stuff. It was great meeting you in person, if only in passing through the mass hoards of people.
You too! I can’t believe I forgot to mention you as one of the bloggers I met. I guess it is cause i feel like I have met you at some point in Vegas.
Wow! What a fun trip! That expo is huge and looks like a lot of fun… also the conference- very nice! Learn lots!
Exploring Boston, raining or not, looks amazing! What a great experience!
I’m so glad you liked Boston! I think it’s a great place to go to college. I actually have never been to Modern Pastry; I always get sucked into Mike’s Pastries despite the crazy lines.
We actually went to both before making our decision. haha. Both places looked delicious!
I love Boston!!! Thanks for sharing your FNCE recap
I’m totally jealous of your free swag!
Great info on Vitamin D! I didn’t know night sweating could be a symptom of Vitamin D deficiency.
oh wow, i’ve heard Boston is such a fun town! i would’ve loved to see that expo too.
thanks for the info about Vit D. i *believe* i get enough, considering i live in a country where the sun shines most days. gotta be careful about the whole ozone thing though. funnily enough, i actually found the sun hotter in New Zealand.
Tony the Tiger is just as hot as Tony Bourdain….and it’s official….I AM JEALOUS!
And I’ve been soaking the sheets lately…I am going to up my vitamin D RIGHT NOW (living in Germany, I don’t get a lot of sun)
And thanks for directing me to Green Grapes!
Oh my goodness, for about 2 weeks I was having night sweats like crazy!! I looked up on the internet what might be causing these, and obviously nothing came up about vitamin D, so this is interesting!! So sad, I hope that wasn’t the reason. Anyway, they are gone now and I am taking ~1400 IU vitamin D each day, so maybe that WAS the reason!!
Glad you had a nice time at the conference. I can’t believe Anthony Bourdain was there. I would have LOVED to see him talk! And hear him, of course. He’s awesome.
Kristen, so great to meet you!!! You’re such a doll:) We shall catch up soon! xo
I’m glad that you enjoyed Boston. I live on the coast near New Hampshire, but I work in Boston. I prefer to live in more rural areas, but I also love the city.
Next time you come you might consider visiting either the Cambridge or the South End Formaggio (www.formaggiokitchen.com) to check out their interesting and unusual ingredients, especially cheeses.
-Gray
Glad you liked your trip to Boston! I grew up in Massachusetts and will always have a soft spot for that city!
I loved it! Can’t wait to go back.
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