Shelley A. Rael, MS RDN

I am not really “from” anywhere in particular – the given of being a Navy “brat” and moving about every 2 years – all stateside.

I have lived in the Pacific Northwest, New England, the South, the Southwest, and the southernmost state.

I have never, ever owned a Barbie doll. It doesn't bother me. What does bother me is when people say, "Every girl had a Barbie doll."

By the time I was 13 had been to 49 states. It took another 32 years before I finally checked off my 50^th state.

Growing up, I absolutely HATED P.E. and sports. I was a reader and I am still a reader.

I moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico against my will in 1984. Never left.

I am a Wife of one, Mom of one, since 2014, a Nana of one, and Dog Mom to two. 

In my 30’s, completed in several endurance events including running half-marathons, two marathons, and five La Luz Trail Runs; cycling events including four centuries (two on a tandem) and four sprint triathlons (if it wasn’t for the swimming…).

When I travel I feel that the trip must revolve around the food experience from food trucks on Oahu’s North Shore to Katz’s Deli in NYC to a Salmon Bake in Juneau, Alaska.

I really enjoy outdoor experiences from snorkeling in the Florida Keys to stand up paddle boarding in Waikiki, kayaking in Alaska to bicycling the national monuments and sites in Washington, D.C.