Yep, I'm Alive...

Wow, has it seriously been two months since I have posted on here?  Things have been so crazy with calving, blogging for money...ha! (check out BEEF Daily) and planning for my wedding in October.  Just thought I would check in and post a cute new photo of my sister, Courtney, and my soon-to-be sister-in-laws, Jill and Shelby.  I have been traveling so much and working constantly, so it was so nice to get together and just relax.  They stayed for the weekend, and we, of course, we squeezed in some SHOPPING!  It's good to be a girl, isn't it?

I Heart Beef

Have you heard about the "I Heart Beef" campaign going on this February? I'm doing my part to celebrate each and every day.  This is a photo from a recent date night with my fiance after being away and traveling for the past two weeks.  We had ribeyes, twice baked potatoes, corn, wine and carmel, fudge trifles. Yum!

The checkoff-funded consumer survey used as a foundation for the campaign found:

• In this month of romance, beef is the preferred choice of Americans (62 percent) because nothing says love like a great steak dinner for Valentine’s Day.
• Americans associate steak as a “best match” for love (44 percent), romance (42 percent) and passion (41 percent)—more so than other high-end proteins.
• When it’s time to share that Valentine’s Day meal, beef wins. A ribeye (35 percent) or T-bone steak (32 percent) are chosen as the best meal to share with a significant other.
• Americans most often associate beef with celebrations (50 percent), compared to chicken (18 percent), pork (17 percent) or fish (15 percent).
• Sixty-two percent of Americans say they choose to prepare beef if they are looking for gratitude or appreciation from their dinner partner.
• Fifty-three percent of Americans identify filet mignon as the food most associated with candlelight romance and 50 percent of Americans think filet mignon is the best way to say “I love you.”

Blog Training with the Beef Ambassadors

Talking "shop" with the 2010 National Beef Ambassador Team during their blog training session with me in San Antonio, TX.  Check out their blog, www.beefambassadors.com.  Pictured below from LR: Amanda Nolz, Ellie Hoffschneider, Jackson Alexander, Malorie Bankhead, Mandy-Jo Laurent and Becky Vraspir.

In Case You Missed It...BEEF Daily Blog Spots

Jan. 25, 2010: HSUS Haiti Relief Efforts, Who Are They Kidding?

Jan. 26, 2010: Greetings From San Antonio, More HSUS Hoopla

Jan. 27, 2010: Masters of Beef Advocacy Commencement, See You At The Trade Show

Jan. 28, 2010: Beef Industry Embraces Online Social Media Tools

Feb. 1, 2010: Beef, What's The Future?

Feb. 2, 2010: Celebrate "I Heart Beef" This February

Feb. 3, 2010: Beef Market Update From Cattle Industry Convention

Feb. 4, 2010: Yellow Tail Wine Donates $100,000 to HSUS

ND Farm Bureau's Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference

Participating in the panel, "Beef - What's the Future?" with several distinguished members of the North Dakota Farm Bureau.

Presenting my speech, "Stand Up, Speak Out, Tell Your Story," with producers at the NDFB Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference.  I truly enjoyed my time with these folks, and I learned so much to take back to the operation, as well.

Only in Texas

Only in Texas...would this happen to me. Chatting away with my favorite MN Cattlewomen at the trade show, and they bought me a ride on this African Watusi steer. Seriously embarrassing. A crowd gathered, strangers took my picture and they kept saying, "Isn't that Amanda Nolz with BEEF Magazine?" Ugh...

Two words: SAN ANTONIO! That's where I'll be this Monday thru Friday. Can't Wait! Stay tuned for updates as I meet up with cattle producers in the BEEF booth and speak with graduates at the Masters of Beef Advocacy commencement ceremony. Hope to see you there!