Monday, December 11, 2023 | 
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Amy Choate-Nielsen

Columnist & contributor

Amy Choate-Nielsen is a full-time mom and part-time writer. She spends her days at the park and her nights at the computer. She writes about family history and her quest to understand life while learning about her deceased grandmother Fleeta.

Amy Choate-Nielsen recently took her family camping to dive into summer.
Opinion
Big changes can throw identity for a loop, but life marches on
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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Opinion
Whether or not Mercury is in retrograde, cosmic insight reminds me of my friend
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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Opinion
Holidays bring new dimension to kids’ personalities
This Halloween season brought some new color to my kids’ metaphorical leaves
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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Opinion
Stepping stones can help you get through hard times
Sometimes, in hard and hurtful situations, you have to look for an inch of respite among the icy depths, and take a leap. With enough rocks, and enough leaps, eventually, I made it through to the end
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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Opinion
However unpleasant, clearing the clutter can bring clarity
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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Opinion
On the road, still learning to let pet peeves go
For those who shine their high beams into the eyes of oncoming drivers late at night, or roll through stop signs, or follow too closely, I will give you space, I will keep up my guard, and I will try to let my pet peeves go. But, I will still use my horn.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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Family
Looking to examples in the past with milk and art to make a difference today in education
My world has changed enough to make me realize that I may never influence national policy or solve the problem of climate change, but I can make a difference in my neighborhood. I can make a difference in my school.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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Opinion
Trip to the woods makes family confront fears, and it’s not all bad
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: As the new school year begins, I know I’m getting old
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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Entertainment
This Utahn’s not Jason Bourne, but you’d never know it from the former Navy SEAL’s books
As a father, former Navy SEAL and author of a new novel centered around global terrorism and a seemingly invincible special operations commando, Jack Carr lives a life that is almost as compelling as the likes of Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Eric Riddle tries out one of the photo stations as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Family History Library introduce a new 10,139-square-foot, interactive discovery experience in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Family feud over genealogy, a politician and Pocahontas comes full circle
Amy Choate-Nielsen has different political views from her father, but a disagreement over family history ultimately bridged the divide.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen's father created a keyboard layout that is beneficial to people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and taught her something about tenacity.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Dad’s tenacity makes dream a reality after 23 years
Amy Choate-Nielsen’s father, John Choate, created a new keyboard system that has been approved to help people with carpal tunnel syndrome.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Fear in the air leads to appreciation for life
Amy Choate-Nielsen had a hair-raising experience on a recent flight, and it’s making her grateful to be alive.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen took her family camping in Moab recently to dive into summer.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Sometimes summer’s unknowns are better than anything you’ve got planned
Amy Choate-Nielsen learned an important life lesson when she forgot her family’s tent on a recent camping trip.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen shares a live experience that taught her a lasting lesson.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: When life teaches a lesson, it’s best to listen
Amy Choate-Nielsen shares a live experience that taught her a lasting lesson.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Zack Erickson waits for his scene offstage during rehearsal for the JAKS Theatre Company’s production of Les Miserables, at the Black Box Theater in Salt Lake City on Monday, May 27, 2019. Erickson is a highly motivated 18-year-old, who is made of the stu
Entertainment
Teen lead in Utah ‘Les Miserables’ production has dreams fit for a hero
Zack Erickson graduated from the Utah Military Academy, and will perform the role of Jean Valjean in the upcoming Jaks Theatre Company production of “Les Miserables.”
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
A tourist pauses while cycling in China's countryside rice fields of Yangshou.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Life-changing moments can sometimes be the ones you don’t see coming
Amy Choate-Nielsen’s life is pretty predictable, except when it isn’t. In one harrowing experience, she learned that some of life’s unexpected moments can have the most impact.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
While on a trip outside the U.S. involving photographing interesting grave markers, Amy Choate-Nielsen lesson in a way that she could never forget that when you find yourself unable to act, and full of fear, you are not alone.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Life’s experiences build scaffold for beliefs and personal principles
Amy Choate-Nielsen shares her own story of “This I Believe,” in the style of journalist Edward Murrow’s radio show.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Arizona Moritzky stands with her husband in the early 1900s.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Heavenly help may explain how potential tragedy wasn’t so bad
As Amy Choate-Nielsen celebrates another birthday, she thinks about her great-grandmother and wonders if she may be a guardian angel.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen escaped to the desert to unplug from electronics, but when she came back, she decided to find a way to get back to her roots — through food.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: In today’s frenetic world, sometimes the body — and mind — need a cleanse
Amy Choate-Nielsen escaped to the desert to unplug from electronics, but when she came back, she decided to find a way to get back to her roots — through food.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen took some time in San Juan County, Utah, to explore what it means to detoxify.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: You can wash your hair — but toxic buildup isn’t just a scalp thing
Amy Choate-Nielsen has been thinking of detoxifying her life for awhile, and it started with a trip to the beauty salon.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Mother and daughter do homework together at home.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: For moms — and dads — taking care of kids takes all day
Amy Choate-Nielsen recently put her foot in her mouth, but she learned a valuable lesson.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen thought that baking bread while being busy was impossible, until a surprising neighbor showed her the way.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: The art of baking bread isn’t what you think
Amy Choate-Nielsen thought that baking bread while being busy was impossible, until a surprising neighbor showed her the way.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen has wondered if her cooking skills are lacking, compared to that of her grandmother's, and is it a generational thing?
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Generational complex boils down to one important thing — the kitchen table
Amy Choate-Nielsen has wondered if her cooking skills are lacking, compared to that of her grandmother’s, and is it a generational thing?
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen has high hopes for her children, but when it comes down to it, it's not really in her control.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Sometimes, when raising children, you have to hold your breath and hope for the best
Amy Choate-Nielsen has high hopes for her children, but when it comes down to it, it’s not really in her control.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen and her family take a moment to enjoy the view in Zion National Park during 2018.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: 2018 taught lessons of love and loss
Per her tradition, Amy Choate-Nielsen writes a Christmas card, late, as usual.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen's daughter pulled her youngest son on a sled on a recent winter outing.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Kids and the weather can be mercurial, but sticking out the storms is worth it
Amy Choate-Nielsen’s kids are growing up, and even though it comes with ups and downs, she’s glad she gets to come along for the adventure.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen rethinks her position about Santa Claus this year — and she's on board — she just hopes she's not too late.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Santa, this year, I’m on your side
Amy Choate-Nielsen rethinks her position about Santa Claus this year — and she’s on board — she just hopes she’s not too late.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen realized she needed to make a tough decision in order to slow down a little.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: When time refuses to stand still, it’s time to make a move
Amy Choate-Nielsen realized she needed to make a tough decision in order to slow down a little.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
Amy Choate-Nielsen loves the light — but not so much the dark. She decided to make a list of things for which she is grateful to focus on the light.
Opinion
Amy Choate-Nielsen: Thinking about things to be thankful for on Thanksgiving brings light and hope
Amy Choate-Nielsen loves the light — but not so much the dark. She decided to make a list of things for which she is grateful to focus on the light.
By Amy Choate-Nielsen, Columnist & contributor
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