An Attitude of Gratitude Helps Chase the Blues Away
We’re living in unprecedented times due to the coronavirus, but our attitude about this situation can be the difference maker! Some folks online are posting Chicken Little comments. Others are looking for opportunities to get involved by helping others in their community. They’re finding reasons to stay positive by giving thanks daily.
Ever since I read a book by Debbie Macomber, I’ve made a conscious effort to begin my day with gratitude. Two of her books that have inspired me the most are “One Simple Act: Discovering the Generosity of Gratitude” and “Be a Blessing: A Journal for Cultivating Kindness, Joy, and Inspiration.”
Here’s an example of what I’m grateful for today:
New beginnings and fresh starts, including spring cleaning. I always feel better when my windows and floors sparkle in the sunlight. Why not embrace the additional spring cleaning warranted by COVID-19? I’m choosing to give thanks for Clorox wipes.
A talented friend who’s willing to help me choose new paint colors and is excited about helping me redecorate. (We’ve had the same paint color for 17 years! It’s time for a change.)
Pets that offer unconditional love and faithful companionship.
The birth of baby animals. (Follow me on Facebook @EnchantedAcres for videos of newborn goats.) Every baby provides hope and promise for the future.
A freezer filled with homegrown chicken, locally raised beef and pork. Thanks to all the hours I’ve spent watching “The Food Network” while suffering from insomnia, I’m inspired to make do with what I have on hand. This is the perfect time to enjoy more meals together as a family. (Every Friday we share a recipe on “The Field Position.” Every Saturday I share a breakfast recipe on Enchanted Acres’ Facebook page; every Sunday I share a supper idea.)
The Audible app, which allows me to “read” while I’m driving. I love books! Because libraries have closed, this week I downloaded my first e-book. Your first download is free! (I’ve been on a World War II history kick lately. If that topic interests you, here are my top picks: “The Nightingale” and “Winter Garden” both by Kristen Hannah; “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” and “Cilka’s Journey: by Heather Morris; and “The Paris Orphan” and The Paris Seamstress” by Natasha Lester.)
Technology that allows us to stay connected and remain productive. When I was a kid, my mom set a timer to alert me when I had to get off a long-distance call. Now we have unlimited long-distance calling, so I can talk (and talk!) with friends and family. Facetime allows us to see their faces when we can’t visit in person. We also can conduct virtual meetings, too. Since it’s one of the busiest times of the year at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, I’m thankful for the technology that allows us to remain productive even if we’re working from virtual offices.
While I’ve been working from home this week, our family has been enjoying more meals together. My mom baked chocolate chip bars. She and my son also baked banana bread. I must increase my workouts while we’re all homebound during the COVID-19 pandemic, or I’m going to need bigger jeans! Fortunately, I have an online subscription to BeachBody on Demand®. I need to get motivated to use it! Can anyone else relate to this? Now that spring has sprung, I’m looking forward to walking outside.
While most Americans were busy stocking up on staples at the grocery store, I confess that I put a few books in my cart. Like mother, like daughter. My mom literally filled a cloth bag with library books before it closed its doors this week.
Happy spring! Here’s to an early spring filled with quality family time around the table. Today I’m sharing with you Debbie Macomber’s recipe for Gratitude Bread. Like my favorite author, I bake and cook to show those around me how much I care for them. Go ahead and bake someone happy!
Spring is a Fresh Start, so Try Something New in the Field
When the sun shines, the snow melts slowly and temperatures are above normal on a late Midwest winter’s day, folks across the Upper Midwest start thinking about the hope that comes from the changing of the seasons. No crop would ever get planted without optimism.
“South Dakota farmers came off an unprecedented in 2019 and then faced our hardest fall ever,” says Dustin Leiseth of Hazel, SD, who has farmed since 1999 with his father, Paul. “I was in Aberdeen for township meetings last fall, so I called Dad to ask how harvest was going. He said, ‘Well, nothing has broken down yet today.’ So… that’s how we were measuring success.”
Both final drives and the cleaning fan went out in the last 500 acres of combining. The Leiseth family finished the harvest on December 6, 2019. To commemorate the occasion, Dustin took a selfie in the field. Pictured with him are his father and Roger Adams, who has been one of Paul’s best friends since kindergarten. Roger has helped with harvest for years, taking vacation days to help the Leiseth family before he retired in 2014.
“I’ve never been so happy to be done,” says Dustin. “I told my dad, ‘You’re the only person I would want to do this with. I can’t see myself farming if one of my sons doesn’t farm with me. I’m going to tell my son, ‘This is our legacy. My grandpa moved here. Your grandpa and I have fought to keep this land in our family. I want you to farm with me and for this farm to be yours someday, if that’s what you want. Farming must be someone’s passion. No operation can truly be successful if the person who is running it doesn’t have a strong desire and passion for it.’ I just want us both to have open and honest communication when that day comes. It is, and always will be, about his passion in this life, not mine.”
Dustin is the third generation who felt called to farm this land, and he says he never wanted to do anything else. Like his father did upon graduating from high school, Dustin attended Lake Area Tech in Watertown where he learned many useful skills from electrical wiring to welding and carpentry.
“I was fortunate that my parents said they wanted me to come back to the farm,” says Dustin. “My wife understands this life comes with sacrifices. Bridget is very supportive. She makes my life even better, and she’s great with our sons. I make the farm go, and she keeps our family whole. Together we unify.”
Dustin and Bridget have two sons, 12-year old Preston and 7-year old Caleb.
“I get to raise my sons on the farm where they have the freedom to be who they are,” says Dustin, who enjoys fishing and boating with his family. He also enjoys hunting pheasants and white tail deer. “The boys ride bikes down the back-country roads and the 4-wheeler across the home section. They just experience good country living.”
Huntin’, fishin’, and lovin’ every day… That’s the prayer that a country boy prays.
Like the lyrics to a good country music song, Dustin is thankful that God blessed him this way.
“There are several things I enjoy about farming. Every day is different. Days may be similar, but no two days are ever the same,” says Dustin. “Spring is a fresh start and time to try a few new things like new seed varieties, increasing seed populations, or applying fertilizer at varying rates and application timing. I strive to try one or two new things each year. The good Lord only gives us a finite number of chances to plant and harvest on this earth, so I try to make each one better than the last.”
Rebuilding Roads & Roadways
Flooding washed away gravel and washed out culverts in 2019. Large amounts of snowfall this winter has many South Dakota residents concerned that snowmelt combined with spring rains will cause more flooding in 2020.
While many farmers are aware of how flooding in 2019 left their farm-to-market roads in disrepair, Dustin is aware of how much damage was caused statewide. He has been a township clerk for the past 10 years. He has served as
a director for the South Dakota Association of Towns & Townships for the past four years and as its president for the past two years.
“South Dakota has experienced two disasters in the past eight years that have involved FEMA,” explains Dustin, who started attending township meetings as a 17-year-old with his dad. “Our last disaster started at the end of March 2019, and 11 months later we haven’t received a check. Our township was the second out of 13 to complete all of our documents, but we’re still waiting for the money to arrive.”
Dustin Leiseth and his son, Preston, in February participated in the Polar Plunge on Lake Kampeska. The event raises approximately $45,000 annually for Special Olympics South Dakota and the Special Olympics Watertown.
Flood repairs push South Dakota townships to financial brink. As president of the state’s Towns & Townships association, Dustin attends meetings for the joint committee of Appropriations in Pierre. He meets with the Secretary of Transportation and the Association of Counties. Five entities have been meeting throughout the winter because they were supporting a bill to help fund large culverts.
There is a push from the hunting and gaming commission for township roads to be repaired and maintained, so hunters and fishermen can get to the sloughs. The problem is that neither the county nor state wants to pay townships to rebuild these roads. More money is needed for infrastructure repair at a time when statewide revenue is lower due to fewer hunting and fishing licenses.
“Hunting and fishing has been a large part of South Dakota’s tourism, so there is a push underway to engage the next generation. If kids don’t have a parent to go with, they grab their phones instead of a pole. When we were kids, we’d call one another and go fishing. That’s not happening today.”
Spring is on the horizon, so there is renewed hope that families will return to the great outdoors to enjoy camping, fishing and riding bicycles. To help power through these remaining late winter days and those damp, early spring days, Dustin is sharing with us one of his family’s favorite recipe for a hearty stew.
Teresa Erger Stays Strong by Adapting and Overcoming
During a trip to Alaska in August 2018 with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, Tess Erger decided she needed to make getting in shape a priority.
When life becomes challenging for people, they’re either going to get defeated or become more determined. Teresa (Tess) Erger of Brandon, Iowa, isn’t one to get knocked over and stay down. She has learned to overcome challenges by focusing on what she can do to make a positive difference in the world around her.
Teresa is a wife, mother of two, grandmother of eight, and an entrepreneur.
“Because I have my online gym, I don’t have any excuses not to work out,” says Tess. “I can take my ‘gym’ anywhere I go. I carry my iPad with me wherever I go. Last year when the combine broke down, I did my workout in the middle of a corn field. I also have grandkids, so that motivates me. I want to be a positive role model for them. I want to be the grandma that rocks, not the one who sits in a rocking chair!”
In April 2019, Tess opened her virtual gym. She has learned to overcome excuses and makes time to exercise daily. She also encourages others to do the same. Fifty-nine women and nine men join her regularly for virtual workouts.
Tess was an aerobics instructor in the 1980s, but like many of us, she has had lots of other demands on her time based on each chapter of life. She operated her own beauty salon for 15 years. When her children started high school, she went back to college and earned a degree in elementary education with endorsements in Pre-K Special Education and Reading. Tess also earned a master’s degree in Differentiated Instructional Strategies.
While she has always helped on the farm before and after her off-farm job and on weekends, Tess has served as her family’s official grain cart operator for the past 10 years. She has learned to adapt and fill a need as it arises.
Tess’s virtual gym is filled with daily inspirational messages, workouts and recipes.
“On November 19, 2015, our family was hit hard with the reality of how quickly life can change in a blink of an eye,” says Tess. “My husband, Dave, had a massive heart attack at the age of 52. He underwent emergency surgery that day and was resuscitated twice. You prioritize and look at life differently when you almost lose love someone you love.”
“Fast forward one year, and Dave’s health continued to decline. Doctors couldn’t pinpoint why, so we ended up going to the Mayo Clinic. After three days of testing, Dave was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus, Hashimoto, Sjogren’s disease. All three are auto immune diseases for which there is no cure. Dave’s disease is treated like cancer, so doctors use various medications to trick the disease into remaining dormant,” adds Tess. “We have spent so many hours, days, and weeks at the hospital dealing with the damage this disease has caused to my husband’s internal organs. His diseases have attacked everything from heart, lungs, kidneys and his nervous system to his eyes, teeth and skin. Eating healthy and getting fit became our main focuses to prolong and to give Dave quality life.”
Tess has a Group Fitness and Boot Camp instructor certification from the American Sports and Fitness Association. She also is certified in POUND, REFIT, BoKwa, and Zumba.
“I didn’t like being put in a specific category as a fitness instructor or having limitations as to what I could or couldn’t do, so I created my own program, routines, and workout programs. I created a group called ‘Choose to Change Group Fitness.’ I have been able to adjust, modify, and develop a program that works for all ages and stages of life. One thing that was missing from my program was a nutrition, supplements/vitamins, meal plans, and helping people change how they view fitness, health, and wellness. That is when I found BeachBody®.”
“Beachbody has such a great success record with workout programs, meal plans, and nutrition,” says Tess. “I became a coach and got my certification in Portion Control. Then I started an online virtual gym for both women and men. People can now workout in the convenience of their own home when it fits their schedules, and they have me as their personal coach, motivator, and biggest cheerleader. I help people work on professional development and help them find confidence in who they are and who they want to become.”
Fitness becomes part of your daily routine just like brushing your teeth or combing your hair, says Tess Erger. She adjusts, modifies and develop workout programs for people in all ages and stages of life.
Working vs. Working Out
“There is a huge difference in working and working out! I feel we need to workout at least 30 minutes a day to stay in shape, build muscles and stay strong, so we can handle all types of jobs and minimize the risk of getting hurt. Working out and getting our heart rate up also helps keep us from getting fatigued. When we workout, endorphins are released which make us feel better and makes us happier,” says Tess.
“On the farm, we work hard from dusk until dawn and even longer hours in the spring and fall,” adds Tess. “Some of the tasks and jobs that must be done require manual labor. Cleaning out a grain bin, for example, requires a lot of strength, endurance and cardio. It is back breaking work. The same is true with baling hay, picking up rocks, fixing equipment, feeding and caring for livestock, and more. There also are a lot of jobs that require sitting such as driving tractors, lawn mowers, going to agriculture meetings, and hauling grain to town.”
“My workouts are my therapy,” says Tess. “I feel lost when I don’t do them. Once you start this journey and you do it every day, it becomes part of your daily routine just like brushing your teeth or combing your hair. You do it without really thinking about it. I also need to release those positive endorphins in order to stay positive and keep my mind right. Dealing with a sick husband is stressful. Farming isn’t easy and it takes a lot of dedication and self-motivation to keep going.
Plan for Success
Planning ahead and learning portion sizes is key to success, says Tess. She uses Portion Control Containers because they take all the guess work out of how much to eat and what types of foods to eat.
Because the containers are color-coded, it’s easy to track and measure each of the food groups:
green for vegetables
purple for fruit
red for proteins
yellow for carbs
blue for healthy fats; and
orange for seeds or dressings.
“Many times, we order a salad thinking we are making a healthy choice, but it often is large enough to feed two or three people,” says Tess. “I plan meals on Saturday and prep on Sundays. I keep pre-measured snacks in baggies in the refrigerator, so they’re read to grab and go. I make it a rule to not eat in the car.”
Grapes, carrots, celery, strawberries, diced watermelon, peanuts and almonds are a few of Tess’s prepped “to go” snacks.
“When we go out to eat, I often request a burger without a bun, choose a vegetable or a fruit instead of fries, and take it easy on dressings and sauces. Remember, ‘dip, don’t drench’,” coaches Tess. “I choose fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. I try to stay away from pre-packaged or processed foods. If God created it, then you can eat it!”
With that said, Tess doesn’t believe in denying oneself from special treats. She says she isn’t going to pass up a piece of birthday cake or a homemade cookie. She just eats sweets in moderation.
“I eat to fuel my body not to fill my belly. I eat when I’m hungry not because it’s time to eat,” she says. “I monitor my moods and make sure I’m not emotional eating or sabotaging the progress I’ve made because I’m upset. Instead of eating to deal with my problems, I choose to push ‘play’ and do a workout instead. The most important thing is to make up your mind to get more active and eat healthy. We all can find time to do a 20 or 30-minute workout or move our bodies. You just need to find something you like to do and make it a priority to fit it into your schedule.”
Remember to practice patience. Results will come.
“It takes 21 days to build a new habit, three months to make it a routine, and one year for it to become automatic,” says Tess. “Keep in mind that our health is our wealth. Invest in yourself!”
To help you take a step toward healthy eating, today Tess is sharing with us a one of her recipes for Perfectly Portioned Lasagna Roll Ups. Perfectly portioned Lasagna Roll Ups use poultry sausage, frozen spinach, and three cheeses to make a crowd-pleasing dinner! Do yourself a favor and make a double batch. It freezes well.
This historic 19th century building has served many purposes throughout the years: church, masonry and horse barn. Today it houses the West Fork FFA’s Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), which range from farrowing hogs to laying hens and thriving bee hives.
Like many rural communities across North Iowa and the Midwest, Sheffield has a population of approximately 1,200. The community is bordered on all sides by productive farmland. The north side of town also is home to Sukup Manufacturing. Less than one mile from Sukup headquarters, there is a quaint little barn that Sukups rents out for use by the FFA. This late 1800s barn serves as West Fork’s Animal Learning Center.
Thanks in part to the Animal Learning Center and extra hours logged by a passionate teacher, the West Fork FFA chapter has nearly doubled in just two years. There were 37 members when Kaitlyn (Bonzer) Porter accepted the role as agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor here; today there are 63.
Half of the West Fork FFA’s chapter members live in town, and many of them are interested in raising livestock. Fortunately, these students can learn from a passionate agricultural education instructor both inside the classroom and outside in their Animal Learning Facility.
“During the 2017-18 school year, we had two gilts farrow their first litters in the Animal Learning Facility. Since then, our students have had a chance to breed their own gilts. This is an excellent opportunity for them to learn a little bit about genetics, how to artificially inseminate, and how the farrowing process works,” says West Fork FFA Advisor Mrs. Porter, 2016 recipient of the Iowa Agricultural Association of Educator’s Outstanding Young Member for the North Central District.
“Livestock births don’t always go according to plan, but we’ve had great support from our community members,” adds Mrs.Porter. “Local livestock producers have been a Godsend when some of these gilts have had trouble farrowing. It’s great to have interaction between community members and students because that provides more learning opportunities.”
In addition to farrowing sows, the Animal Learning Facility provides real-world supervised agricultural experiences (SAE) for other students interested in raising laying hens and bees. Students who house their SAE projects inside the Animal al Learning Facility are asked to sign a contract to ensure they take responsibility in their learning. When school isn’t in session, a student is chosen to take care of the barn and earns hours towards his/her Iowa Degree.
The FFA is as diverse as students’ interests. Take Hope Hartman, for example. “When she was a freshman, Hope was asked to join FFA. As a town dweller she was not sure what she could do in FFA but decided to give it a try,” says Hope’s mom Michelle Hartmen. “In FFA, I have seen Hope try things and go for projects that she never would have before. I have also seen her gain so much interest, take leadership roles and work very hard on our family Christmas Tree farm. FFA has so much to offer students, and I highly suggest that everyone give it a try as they enter high school!”
Hope is a great example of students finding their passion in AgEd and FFA. She was recently elected as chapter reporter.
Other leadership and development opportunities are offered to FFA members through a variety of contests and learning experiences since Mrs. Porter joined the faculty. In her first year, four teams competed in the North Central District Soils contest. Ian Latham, son of John and Shannon Latham, was a member of the team that advanced to the state competition. The Latham’s daughter joined FFA in her senior year. She’s had the opportunity to learn about species and crops we don’t raise, and she’s become intrigued by animal science.
Because a West Fork FFA member was elected to serve as a North Central regional officer, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds proudly sponsored the officer team’s polo shirts. Congratulations to Jason Meier on being re-elected for the second year as North Central District Secretary.
In May, the West Fork FFA will hold its 4th annual sale of vegetable garden starter plants, hanging baskets, and flower bed plants. Plans also are underway for the 5th Annual West Fork Summer Classic the first weekend in June at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hampton. The show began to get students more involved in the swine industry, as well as to raise funds for the chapter. The show is an Iowa Swine Jackpot Series (ISJS) sanctioned show, so for those circuit showers, registration will open online for the show. All youth are eligible for this show, however. Registration will take place the day of the show for those who are not an ISJS member.
“I enjoy watching students experience agriculture in so many facets,” says Mrs. Porter. “Some kids have little farm experience prior to taking class with me, so they get really excited about experiencing things that many typical ‘farm kids’ have been doing their entire lives like watching livestock give birth. Other kids that have been involved with agriculture for longer periods of time, and I really enjoy the challenge of teaching them new things. Seeing kids enjoy learning makes my job so rewarding!”
Front Row (L to R): Autumn Stonecypher, Mya Mathies, Elle Latham, Kale Petersen, Carson Nuehring (Sentinel), Collin Witte (Vice President), Grant Nuehring (President), Macy Dirksen (Secretary), Hope Hartman (Reporter), Ali Rice, Macey Rust, RaeLynn Nash, Tiyana Rogers, Kalli Trewin
Back Row (L to R): Nate Hubka, Ki Janssen, Max Heimbuch, Levi Janssen, David Sturges, Carter Koop, Cannon Craighton, Edison Caspers, Jason Meier, Kacee Guritz, Riley Peterson, Reed Stonebraker, Cassidy Wegner, Lindsey Eberling, Nick McKinney, Rose Rother, Brett Witte
Not Pictured: BetiJo Hayes, Nate Akins, Cail Weaver, Elli Weaver, Christian Dixon, Cole McKee, Ava Henricks, MacKenzie Ames, Josh Hagin, Nashuan Bryant, Keelee Sheriff
Many FFA chapters will be hosting spring banquets, and the summer potluck season will soon be upon us. April Hemmes of Hampton, Iowa, says she always took homegrown beef roast to potlucks when her kids were in high school. Beef Roast a classic meal that’s always a treat, whether or not you raise your own beef. In honor of National FFA Week and farmers like our friend April, today we’re sharing a classic recipe with you.
North Iowa Farmer Takes Step-by-Step Approach to Fitness
Just like his mentor Jason Landers of Strive Fitness, Phil Pitzenberger of Greene, Iowa, believes in a step-by-step approach to fitness. He puts on 5 to 9 miles a day during the cropping season as he climbs steps into the tractor cab, walks to equipment and climbs grain bins.
Phil’s days are especially busy from April through November as he grows seed beans for Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds and is a seed dealer. He and his brothers farm with their dad, Ted Pitzenberger of Tyden Farm No. 6. Phil also operates a custom spraying business with his brother Ian.
During the winter months, Phil stays active by lifting weights four times weekly.
“A good workout routine gives you so much more energy. After a month or two of not working out, I feel sluggish and find myself tiring more quickly,” says Phil, who started working out in high school when he participated in wrestling and football. “As I’ve gotten older, weight just doesn’t fall off like it used to by just lifting free weights. Now that I’m 42, it’s just an accomplishment to string together good workouts.”
“The scale isn’t the only measure of success,” adds Phil. “It gets tougher every year for me to see results when I start lifting again after harvest. I don’t ever feel intimidated in the gym because everyone is there for his or her own reasons. Everyone has had a first time in the gym, so I try to be welcoming for those who are new.”
As a proud father of three, Phil says his kids are his motivation to work out regularly.
“Staying committed to working out sets a great example,” says Phil, who also enjoys outdoor sports like hunting and fishing. Hunting is a natural physical activity that requires endurance to walk woods and track animals. Game meat also is nutritious and is generally a lean protein.
“I’m not sure how much hunting I would do if we didn’t have the ground that we have,” says Phil. “I didn’t have to introduce my boys to hunting because they want to go with me. It’s just something they have grown up enjoying. They also love fishing. Finn is the best fisherman, just ask him! While it takes a lot of work to take the boys fishing, it’s pretty satisfying watching them. They all stand there with a pole in their hands, anxiously waiting for a fish to bite.”
Outdoor activities and farming also provide this former agricultural education teacher with an opportunity for real-life teaching opportunities. Phil attended Kirkwood Community College before transferring to Iowa State University. He graduated from ISU in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. Phil’s wife, Lyndsie, graduated from the University of Iowa. As librarian for Greene Public Library, Lyndsie shares Phil’s passion for helping kids learn, discovering new things and using their resources wisely.
Today the Pitzenberger family is sharing with us a family favorite recipe for Deer Jerky.
Kayleen and Jason, owners of Strive Fitness in Greene, Iowa. Visit them online at www.StriveFitnessCenter.com.
Want to adopt a healthier lifestyle? Take it one step at a time.
“Imagine a long ladder. Every rung on the ladder is a simple, healthy change that you can incorporate into your life. Don’t focus at the top of the ladder. Focus on the rungs by making small changes, over time, to advance to the top. You can’t climb the ladder of health and wellness, if you are standing at the bottom with your hands in your pocket,” says Jason Landers, who in 2008 opened Strive Fitness in Greene, Iowa. Jason and his wife, Kayleen, operate Strive Fitness together. The 24-hour gym was named Strive because no matter what your health goals are, you must always “strive” to achieve them.
Jason has been striving to meet his health and fitness goals since he was in elementary school. That’s when he became fascinated with bodybuilding after watching Lou Ferrigno star in the TV show, “The Incredible Hulk.” Since the internet had yet to be invented, information about bodybuilding and training was scarce. Jason’s search for bodybuilding knowledge began by reading books, magazines, and renting old movies like “Hercules.” Jason laughs as he remembers sending in a mail-order ad for the Charles Atlas weightlifting plan which was advertised in the back of comic books and “Boys Life” magazine.
With the goal of becoming a professional bodybuilder, Jason’s journey covered many long years. He never lost sight of the desired results.
Jason was a junior in high school when he wanted to gain more size and strength for football. The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) was recruiting him to play, but there wasn’t an adequate gym in his rural hometown. So, Jason drove about 40 miles to Cedar Falls four to five times weekly to work out at UNI. There he met Joe Hatchett, a former national wrestling champ and a bodybuilder.
“I soaked up all the information I could while occasionally working out with Joe Hatchett,” says Jason. “He got me interested in trying the Teenage Mr. Iowa contest and helped me prepare for that.”
Jason continued to pursue his dream of becoming a professional bodybuilder even while earning an associate degree in Athletic Training. He then transferred to UNI where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and Wellness.
Pro Card Mr. Midwest 2003
Nearly 30 years after he was inspired by Lou Ferrigno, Jason won the 2003 Mr. Midwest bodybuilding championships. He earned his Pro Card and qualified to compete in the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF). Jason won Mr. Iowa twice before winning his Pro card.
The Pursuit of Health & Wellness
“You can’t change everything overnight, so don’t expect dramatic results fast,” says Jason. “If your health plan is too difficult to apply, you will fail. Incorporate small, additional healthy tasks into your daily routines that are manageable and build from there. For example, walking daily, taking the stairs instead of an elevator, or replacing soda with water with meals are very achievable changes.”
“The pursuit of health and wellness shouldn’t be about how you look or about the numbers on a scale. It should be about how you feel,” says Jason. “You can eat healthy and make good choices no matter where you are. Most fast food restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores all have healthy meals or quick snacks if you really look.”
Plan out your day ahead of time, so you don’t splurge on junk food because you were not prepared.
“The old saying, ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail,’ is very true with your daily nutrition. It doesn’t have to be complicated or hard. You can bring healthy snacks and substitute healthy alternatives. Google ‘healthy snack substitutes for junk food,’ and you’ll be amazed how simple and tasty some are.”
Motivation to exercise can come in many different forms. The trick, says Jason, is to use that motivation to fuel your exercise plan. Exercising with a partner or friend can help you both stay accountable. Rewarding yourself with a small gift might motivate you to complete several workouts in a row without missing. Changing your exercise routine every few weeks will help you stay challenged and prevent boredom.
“I love helping others pursue a healthier lifestyle. It’s satisfying to offer the community in which I grew up a healthy fitness resource,” says Jason. “Whether it’s weight-loss, strength training, or rehab, I really enjoy helping others with exercise and nutrition.”
Jason still enjoys working out daily. Although he’s no longer competing in bodybuilding competitions, he still maintains the basic bodybuilding lifestyle of good nutrition and training.
“I consume five or six small meals daily and that includes one or two protein drinks,” says Jason. “I work out every morning at 6 A.M., so I don’t have time to whip up my first meal of the day before work. I always rely on a protein drink.”
Today Jason is sharing a recipe for his favorite protein shake.
Small Changes Can Have Big Results: Push for a Better You
When we think about new year resolutions, “health and fitness” often bubble to the top of the list. As a member of Team USA at the World Triathlon, Jen (Farrer) Schweigert has that part down. And yet she says her goals for 2023 are bigger (and scarier) than ever. For example:
Run the Boston Marathon in under three hours.
Win a “70.3” — which is a half Ironman-distance triathlon before national and world races begin.
Place in the Top 5 in both the sprint and standard (Olympic distance) at the US National Championship races.
Place in the Top 10 (preferably Top 5) for the 70.3 at the World Championship races.
To be fair, Jen is not a newcomer to the world of competitive sports; she has mastered health and fitness across the globe. She travels frequently with her husband Jim, who — like the owners of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds — is a third-generation seedsman. Jim is president of Gro Alliance, which produces seed in the U.S. and abroad. The couple owns and manages a SNAP Fitness franchise in Platteville, Wisconsin.
Jen and her husband Jim
“It’s important to me to get in my workouts, so I treat a day of traveling like I do a day at home,” says Jen, who shares her experiences online (#runtheworld), using the handle @jendoestri.
Her road to becoming an elite global athlete wasn’t exactly textbook. Jen recalls being unhappy with her weight in college and deciding to make very small, deliberate changes in her diet. “Instead of 50 Cheese-Its, I would count out 25,” she says. “Instead of drinking three gigantic Cokes each day, I cut down to one.”
Eventually, Jen started running with a roommate. At first, she could only run one block before having to stop and walk. She worked up to running two blocks, then three . . . and, well, the next thing she knew “my roommate and I were running a 5K on Thanksgiving Day.”
Last year, Jen was a World Triathlon podium finisher in Dubai, where she placed 2nd in the Super Sprint — a finish she admits she didn’t expect. “My goal in the super sprint was to race hard, have fun, learn the course and shake off the cobwebs,” Jen says. “I had no idea I would do so well.”
Jen finished 2nd place in the Super Sprint in Dubai
While in Dubai, Jen was able to spend a few days absorbing the “beauty and opulence” of the city. She especially enjoyed the diversity (more than 200 nationalities), touring Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) and eating “amazing meals” of hummus, pita, tabouli and kebabs.
Jen’s advice for anyone wanting to have a healthier new year is pretty simple: Remember the work is worth it.
“As long as you continue to put in the work and stay consistent, it will pay off,” she says. “You will see results. I may be getting older, but I’m also getting better. I can’t wait to see what I accomplish in 2023.”
To help you prepare a healthy meal, today Jen is sharing with us one of her favorite salads. Once you begin eating more vegetables, she says your body will crave them. Here’s to craving salad with cheese and fresh berries!
Middle school is a time riddled with self-doubt and self-consciousness for nearly everyone. For Casey Schlichting of Clear Lake, Iowa, that time in his life was downright humiliating. One defining moment prompted him to make a lifestyle change.
“I was in eighth grade. At an Eagle Grove wrestling tournament, there wasn’t a heavyweight in my age bracket. They brought a Junior down to wrestle me, and you can about imagine how that went!” says Casey. “I was big, but I wasn’t strong. I couldn’t even do one chin-up. I decided I needed to do something about it, so I started going to the weight room.”
“When I was a freshman, my sister was a senior. All her friends looked out for me in the weight room,” adds Casey. “The senior class was supportive and encouraging. I was there every morning at 6:15 and completed an hour-long workout.”
Because the school didn’t serve breakfast at that time, Casey got the protein he needed by opening old school cans of tuna and packing boiled eggs. He says eating a well-balanced diet doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Rather than downing sugary drinks and empty calories, he continues to look for foods that are low in both sodium and added sugars.
“There are literally 100 different types of diets, but the ‘right one’ is the one that you can follow,” says Casey, who has learned that Keto isn’t right for him. He needs complex carbohydrates to provide energy to train for powerlifting and triathlons. He believes in eating all food groups in moderation.
Casey participating in a Sprint Triathlon.
Casey finds inspiration, as well as gains knowledge about health and nutrition, by following body builders and triathletes online. The White Rhino, who holds the all-time raw world record of 2,226.6 pounds in powerlifting, is one professional whom Casey particularly enjoys following.
With two triathlons under his belt, Casey is once again focusing on weightlifting. He competed in bench press competition while he was in high school. For many years, he was focused on power lifting. Now he’s has a goal of competing in the Strongman competition at the 2020 Iowa Games.
Summer also means Casey will log many miles again on his bicycle. He and Teresa enjoy going on bike rides with their twins. Their home is close to the trail, so they often bicycle to Big Blue or Clear Lake where they enjoy swimming before riding back home. Their daughter, Josie, also enjoys playing basketball and volleyball. Their son, Jack, isn’t sure if he wants to continue playing baseball this summer. He enjoys helping his dad and grandpa on the farm.
Schlichting Family
“I enjoy raising my family in the house where my grandparents lived,” says Casey. “At night, we can sit around the fire in our Adirondack chairs and watch the crops grow.”
While the Schlichting family eagerly awaits the change of season, they’re staying active inside. The family enjoys their Y membership where they can swim, as well as play basketball and racquetball. Teresa also enjoys yoga.
For more ideas on how your family can stay active this winter, follow Casey and the other members of Iowa Food & Family Project’s Farm Team during their 10 Week Wellness Challenge. Better yet, join along! Although it’s too late to register for this particular challenge, it’s never too late to begin your own health and wellness journey! To help you get started, today Casey is sharing one of his favorite post-workout breakfast recipes, Stan Efferding’s Monster Mash.
Some days, it can feel like connecting with consumers is nearly impossible.
With each trendy diet, noisy advertisement or misinformed social media comment, it seems like the distance between the 2% who farm and 98% who don’t is widening.
In my consumer-facing role with the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP), I work to unite Iowans in conversations about modern agriculture. I work to showcase the work farmers do to raise safe, nutritious products to feed their families, neighbors and the world.
Each time I speak with a farmer, their question to me remains the same: “What do consumers really want to know about farming and how can I connect with them?” This leadership and openness are the first steps in shrinking the seemingly significant divide between consumers and farmers.
And the bridge goes both ways. More than 130,000 Iowa consumers (that’s the combined population of Iowa City, Cedar Falls and Boone!) are engaging with Iowa FFP content, activities and events. They’re hungry to meet farmers and have authentic conversations about how food is grown and raised.
Each year, Iowa FFP conducts a Consumer Pulse Survey among food purchasers in the state. Now in its eighth year, the survey gauges grocery shopping habits, food label influence and attitudes toward farming.
These objective survey findings shape Iowa FFP’s approach to connecting farmers and consumers. And best of all, these findings can help farmers answer the question: “What do consumers really want to know about farming and how can I connect with them?”
Here are three key takeaways from the most recent survey:
Iowans are fans of farmers: 83% of grocery shoppers agreed they have a positive opinion of farming in Iowa. In fact, 9 in 10 agree that farmers are on the right track with building strong communities and providing safe foods.
Trends aren’t that trendy: Only 3% of food purchasers shop for groceries online. Almost 9 in 10 shoppers agree they are unlikely to replace meat with imitation meat for any given meal.
Mistrust in food marketing: Half of shoppers seek information on front-of-package food marketing (call outs like “organic,” “hormone-free” or “all natural”), with 83% finding it misleading. Since 2016, the purchasing influence of front-of-package marketing has dropped from 32% to 19%. Food quality and price of food top the list as the most important factors when grocery shopping.
The November 2019 survey had 597 responses and 307 were engaged with Iowa FFP as monthly newsletter subscribers. Respondents’ age groups, income levels, education levels and geographic regions closely follow the state’s population, resulting in a 4% margin of error. Blue Compass, a digital marketing agency in West Des Moines, conducted the survey analysis from data collected through Dynata’s business-to-consumer panel.
For additional survey insights and resources that connect farmers and consumers, visit iowafoodandfamily.com.
Content fills Dr. Seuss books with relatable messages and fun pictures for all ages. We took bits and pieces from Dr. Seuss’s collection and celebrated Rachael Bruns and baby Bruns last week at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.
Rachael has been a part of our team since May 2018 and currently serves as a Sales Account Manager. She has a knack of building relationships with dealers and regional sales managers she works with daily. We wanted to turn Rachael’s attention from helping others through the shipping season to celebrating herself and baby Bruns by throwing her a surprise baby shower!
Green (deviled) eggs and ham (balls) starred as the main appetizers for Rachael’s celebration. We also had goldfish in a fishbowl accompanied with Red Seuss Juice & Blue Seuss Juice. Members of Team Latham had the chance to offer their advice for the soon-to-be parents of Baby B. We wrapped up the celebration with gift opening and exquisite Dr. Seuss sugar cookies for dessert.
Celebrating team members started with Evelyn Latham by sharing the gift of presence. Surprise baby showers and bridal showers do just that – it allows us to take a break and enter conversation with each other. I am thankful to be a part of a family-owned company that honors these values and celebrates one another’s milestones.
From all of us at Latham Seeds, we wish Rachael, her husband Jeff, and Baby Bruns the absolute best. Congratulations again, Rachael!
Today we are sharing the delicious ham ball recipe from the shower. These can be used as an appetizer or main dish. Enjoy!
We’re living in unprecedented times due to the coronavirus, but our attitude about this situation can be the difference maker! Some folks online are posting Chicken Little comments. Others are looking for opportunities to get involved by helping others in their community. They’re finding reasons to stay positive by giving thanks daily.
Pets that offer unconditional love and faithful companionship.
