Category Archives: Thoughts & Food Philosophy

I hope you all have had a fabulous holiday season with family, friends, and great food. While I haven’t been posting too many recipes in the last month (let’s be honest- there’s so much food everywhere you look, there’s not a big need to cook even more), I’ve had some great conversations and questions about health at a lot of holiday dinners and parties this season. It seems to be on everyone’s mind these days, and how appropriate with January’s resolutions a few days away!

It’s so apparent that people are starting to care more about their health- it’s everywhere these days. In magazines, newspapers, on TV, we are constantly bombarded with messages about what to do to be “healthy”. Every article, story, or scientific study has a new specific claim about what you have to do and eat to be healthy. Have you ever noticed that every study or article says something different? So not only are people confused, but our own way of judging the accurateness  of a study is  all wrong too. We’ve been told some messages over and over that we believe them, but are they even correct?

Take, for example, this question I received on Monday night. We were all at dinner in Seattle and someone started talking about this guy they heard on the radio who claimed his key to health and longevity was eating only 1 meal a day, at night. They incredulously looked at me to confirm that this was outrageous right, Sarah?

Actually, no it’s not. Eating one main meal a day is actually a very healthy thing to do, and I do it all the time.

But- don’t you need to eat 6 meals a day to keep your metabolism up? If you don’t, your body thinks its going into starvation mode, doesn’t it?

Everyone at the table nodded in agreement. Yes, I know that is what you always hear, I said. But, think about it. If you are eating when you are not hungry, your body is telling you it’s not ready for food yet. If it was, you would get hungry. It’s either working on food you ate the night before or eating your fat stores. The more you eat as a programmed robot, the more fat you will become.

Intrigued, everyone kept watching me.

“But what if you get so cranky that you have to keep eating all day long?”

Well, I said, then I can tell you are not eating real food. (Real food being what this entire blog is based on- food that has been around forever, nutrient dense foods, foods that kids can recognize and foods that have very little ingredients on the label, if there is a label at all). When you eat real food, your body can digest and assimilate it so much better- it can actually use that food as energy instead of storing it as fat. Instead, we are taught to watch our calories (whether they are useful calories or not doesn’t seem to matter), work out like a maniac, and eat all the time. Doesn’t sound like much fun, huh? It’s not. And it definitely doesn’t make you any healthier, skinnier, or built.

I’m not advocating starving yourself or anything like that, but the truth is, we’re such worriers about our food intake. If you eat better quality raw materials for your body, you will function better and with less food overall.

As we approach 2011, I really challenge you to think twice about all that advice floating around. Does it really make sense? Do you agree with it just because it’s something that you’ve heard so many times? Are there other motives behind the studies? A prime example of this is the concept that everyone should be eating dairy for strong bones. We need calcium, right? That’s what the Got Milk? campaign says at least.

However, the dairy industry contributes the most money per capita to the USDA organization. You know, the ones that create the food pyramid and back all the milk and protein and dairy commercials? They aren’t saying to eat dairy because it’s truly good for you- they say that because they make huge amounts of money for saying it, and even more when people believe it and buy those products in bulk every week. Apple farmers, however, don’t make much of a profit, and are therefore useless for the USDA to promote. It’s a little scary, isn’t it?

So as we approach a brand new year, I encourage you all to get a little bit more educated about what you are truly doing for your health. Don’t get fooled by rumors and speculation. It’s time to take it in your own hands and not just rely on what you are told.

Let’s make it a goal to be just a little bit healthier- cleaner, and wiser in our food choices this year. Make a pact to ignore any claims you see on foods in the store. Don’t believe everything you read- find out for yourself.

If you would like some great book suggestions, reading materials,  or more help on getting healthier this year, let me know. May you have the happiest of New Years!

And seemingly better than ever. Seattle Restaurant Week (Fall version) starts again next October 17th-28th (note Fri and Sat nights are not included). So many good ones to pick from- trusty delicious favorites and all the new places you’ve wanted to try one of these days. If you do pick one, or a few, post your review here.

It seems that Labor Day hit and we woke up to Fall- cozy sweaters, football games, crunchy leaves (or umbrellas for those of you in Seattle) and crispy apples of all kinds. Although I love summer an inordinate amount, Fall is one of my favorite seasons as well.  It’s time to get back in the groove, and there is something enjoyable about having a fresh start to a new season.

And what better way to kick it off then by doing a short 5 day cleanse? What does a cleanse do exactly and why do they always seem so scary? To answer number two: that’s because most of them are a little scary. And weird. You know you’ve seen them on the shelves at grocery stores, or in US Weekly as stars get ready for awards seasons. That is not the kind of cleanse I’m talking about. The one I am about to do is a nourishing cleanse, meaning you are eating real food throughout. Even better? The focus is on fresh, local and seasonal apples and pears, plus great dinners. Overall, it’s  a little bit lighter and a little bit cleaner fare than the average week for most people, but you’re still eating as you need to- no starvation or liquid diets here.

What is the purpose of a cleanse? Simply, that overtime, your body builds up a lot of toxins from living your everyday life- from the air you breathe, the products you use, and most importantly, what you eat and drink. We know that those things aren’t always perfect- especially after a great “birthday season”, summer parties and barbeques galore.  Your body has great complicated systems in place to rid yourself of most of those not-so-great things, but again, over time, the effect can add up and cause some stress on your system. So why not help your body out a little bit (for once, for some of you!) Toxins and chemicals can weigh you down-  not only energy wise, but through physical appearance and even on the scale.

And so, here we go! With the 1st official Husky home game of the season tomorrow (Go Dawgs!), next week will be the perfect time to get a little jumpstart before the cooler weather, the rest of football season, and holidays come rolling around. Your body does a lot for you. Why not give it a little treat? 5 days is nothing compared to 365.

If you would like to find out more about the cleanse or would like to join, send me an email at sarah@onvo.com. Kickoff sessions are next Wednesday 9/15 and October 6th at onvo in Bellevue. Visit the website here.

In honor of the onvo spring cleanse this week, a trip to Pike Place was in need as 4 of the nights are vegetable-only themed. Stay tuned for some creative takes (read: some good ones, and probably some strange ones). It’s all about the vegetable love this week, my friends.

It’s very nice to meet you.

I’m Sarah. This blog is somewhat of a dream come true for me, as anyone who knows me knows I love health. Anything and everything related to health, I’m there.

Let me paint you a picture.

Nothing makes me happier than an hour at Whole Foods wandering around, a perfectly crunchy apple, or a sweat drenched workout. I get giddy over the sight of a new blog post on 101 Cookbooks, and can hardly contain myself when I find a great vegetable recipe or the perfect running shoes.

Ah ha, you think. Another one of those health nuts. She probably just loves kale and wheatgrass. Well, kale- I dabble. But wheatgrass? No way. But, give me a great glass of wine, or blackberry crisp on a hot summer night, and I’m just as happy, let me assure you.

It’s real food after all, isn’t it?  In fact, that is what Simply.Real.Food is all about. It’s about enjoying real food, but more so enjoying life and what it means to be healthy and alive.

Not only is health a passion and hobby of mine, it’s my job too. I am a food and nutrition counselor by day at the most amazing place called onvo, just outside of Seattle. I do a lot of 1:1 personal training in nutrition and food, grocery store tours, pantry makeovers, and food prep lessons. Interested? Let me know.

Bottom line is that I love helping people feel better. So whether it’s a new recipe idea, new workout to try, a great restaurant, article or book, I hope to keep you all in the loop on the things that lift you up and make you feel great inside and out.

All the best,

Sarah