Countdown to Thanksgiving.

November 24, 2015November 24, 2015Leave a comment

{Last Year’s Stuffed Mushrooms}

{Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Mushrooms}

{Parmesan Roasted Cauilflower}

Happy Almost Thanksgiving! Crazy to believe #1 that it is already the end of November, and #2 that the holiday season has begun! Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday considering I have a slight obsession with all things food: grocery stores, prepping, cooking…and well the vino of course! I have been browsing Pinterest the last couple of days trying to find some vegetarian side dishes that I am usually responsible for. Last year I made stuffed mushrooms, beet salad, brussels sprouts and I think if my memory serves me right I did a pumpkin cheesecake as well. YUM! I am salivating just thinking about it. This year I am leaning towards a slow cooker recipe for the mushrooms and roasted cauliflower with parmesan cheese (pictured above).

Since I don’t have a lot of time off on a regular basis (2 jobs, gym, traveling etc.) it will be nice to soak up 2 full days of rest and relaxation. Catching up with the fam bam will of course be an added bonus! Do you guys have any fun plans for Thanksgiving?? What are you making? I want to hear! Maybe we can feature some of your recipe newtritionsavysarah.com

Thanks Pinterest for helping me search for the perfect Thanksgiving recipes!

All about Dat Bacon.

November 16, 2015November 16, 2015Leave a comment

Note to Self: When going to the Beer & Bacon Festival BYOS (Bring your own snacks!) Obviously as a vegetarian I wasn’t in my element, but nonetheless it was a great time! The B&B Classic was held at San Jose Municipal Stadium in downtown San Jose. Local food and beer venders from around the Bay Area were where there with bacon treats….bacon scallops, bacon candy and heck there was probably bacon beer too! I will say, that churro was the bomb dot com and worth every calorie! The 20 or so local participating restaurants included Firehouse No. 1 Gastropub, Las Cazuelas, Habana Cuba, Psycho Donuts, Stanley’s Sports Bar, 7 Stars Bar & Grill, East Coast Alice and more. The 40 breweries and cider companies included, among others, Strike Brewing Company, Gordon Biersch, Wildcide Hard Cider, Golden State Brewery, San Francisco Mead Company, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company and Mavericks Brewing. There was also full access to the field with this event! It my first time to the stadium, and probably won’t be my last. Next time I’ll stick to the baseball events and leave more bacon for everyone else! Sunday was a beach day. Let’s just say I can never get enough sunset views. New week, new goals…Let’s do this!

Life is All Good.

August 8, 2013August 8, 2013Leave a comment

Good morning my friends! What a whirlwind of a couple weeks I have had. I recently moved out of my house that I was living in (such a blessing) to now be one step closer to the big apple. It seems like I have been dreaming for months now (since October-ish) that I was going to be living in New York City at some point this next year- I just wasn’t sure exactly when. Knowing you want to do something and then actually going through with it are two different scenarios. Knowing myself, lets just say I am a bit of a routine person. I like knowing my day, my workout, my job, and my basic agenda for the week. This doesn’t mean I don’t like being spontaneous because by all means I love adventure- but when the thought of actually picking up, leaving your “things” and moving across the country becomes reality it can be a little intimidating. Heck who am I kidding?? Extremely intimidating. It’s a little bittersweet when I think of leaving San Jose. I have worked at the same restaurant for four years now. Hard to believe, these people are like my family. I have so many regulars who are now friends and have been nothing but encouraging when it comes to the big move. Seeing the support from people who know me only from a server/customer perspective provides light at the end of the tunnel. My friends have also been super supportive reminding me that if it doesn’t workout I can always come back home. Everything always works out the way it’s supposed to, right? Most of the time if it’s not what we expect it is usually for the better. We meet the right people when the timing is right, and learn the lesson sometimes when the timing is wrong. I guess what I am getting at is that these next 2 months will be the most exciting as far as anticipation for the move. You’re never one hundred percent ready for anything- but that is the best part. Time to convince myself it will all be ok. I need let go of having control and see where life takes me! Life is all good my friends. Hope you are having a great week. =)

CSA. Learn it & Do it.

March 8, 2013March 8, 2013Leave a comment

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. This is something you should definitely invest some money in and be a part of. It requires no extra cost than what you are probably spending at the grocery store already. Every week you can receive a box full of fresh produce including vegetables and fruits that are locally grown and in season.

When considering whether or not to join a CSA, there are a few questions that you might ask yourself. Be sure to answer for yourself and the people you live with since asking other people to change their eating habits is not a small thing.

Do I like to cook and does my schedule allow me to make homemade meals most evenings?
Will it be fun to vegetables that are new to me?
How will I handle excess produce? (Do you have a neighbor who would like to get some if you get “behind”?) Feeling bad about wasting food is one of the top reasons former CSA members site for not renewing. If anything you can throw the extra veggies in your juicer or blender and get your daily intake of vitamins.

I know for me personally, throughout the week I frequent Whole Foods daily. Mainly because I buy as I go, and it prevents a lot of waste since it’s only me. I don’t mind considering I love to cook, I love good food and it thrills me to know that I have access to amazing foods. For some people going to the grocery store is a dreadful process. I think in order to change this, you have to take a little time out of your day to look up some recipes and find things you love. If you know how to read, you can learn to cook! No excuses.

Do your research and find a CSA close to home. Why is this important? Because the more local the ingredients the faster it hits your dinner table after being picked. Nutrient value is at the highest value when your food is picked and served in a short amount of time. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t always accessible, but since we live in a community where it is I recommend you take advantage of it!

Have a great weekend!

Here is a link to find a CSA in your area. Good Luck!

2012 At A Glance.

January 2, 2013January 2, 2013Leave a comment

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I was looking through pictures on my computer from this last year and it is hard to believe ALL the things that can happen in just a single year. Sometimes it can seem like ages or rather we forget all there is to be thankful for in a years time. Especially for new hairstyles (kidding-kind of). In all reality looking back through the millions of pictures we snap on our camera it is nice to reflect on not only the good times, but also the not so good times and the better things that have happened because of those not so good times.

This year I started in Tahoe with great friends, walked on ice which I was so scared to do (I think it was the beginning to working through my self inflicted fears). I went to Pebble Beach and met Darius Rucker at ProAM, heard Wayne Dyer speak which was LIFE CHANGING(I highly recommend you check him out for any self doubt in your life), started my blog Newtritionsavvysarah while also having over 5,100 views so far, joined a great community called FNS and started working out harder than I EVER have in my life, lost a dress size, became an auntie to one of my best friends baby, ran a few races, saw Tony Robbins speak in SF, created a vision board, heard some amazing music like Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Foo Fighter/John Legend/Black Keys in Central Park, and ~~Metallica~~ not so much,enjoyed the farmers market almost every sunday, cooked more, hiked Mission Peak, snapped more pics with my SLR (finally putting it to use), took a few trips to Sonoma for some wine tasting, visited my favorite -New York City -finally saw the 9/11 Memorial, visited the Bull on Wall Street for some good luck, enjoyed many laughs with coworkors and friends while reuniting with a best friend, played Mexican Train with family one too many times, volunteered, celebrated my 28th birthday, and was surrounded by amazing friends and family while doing it. I will say I have never felt so good in my life as far as health, outlook on life and direction. Can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store.

When I look back I am not only thankful for every good and bad thing that has happened (easier said when it’s over- I know), but I am appreciative of everyone who I can call a friend and inspire in any way. When people take the time out of their day to say they read my blog or I have influenced them in some way it is beyond rewarding. My passion in life is to not only educate people to live a preventative lifestyle and take ownership over their health but also encourage people to have fun while doing it! Heres to a Great, Prosperous, Blissful, Healthy, Bright, Delightful, Mind Blowing, Energetic, Terrific & Extremely Happy New Year 2013!

Sincerely,

Sarah Sotelo

Insta-Life.

December 7, 2012December 7, 2012Leave a comment

1.White Beans for delish WB soup!/ 2. Amazing Rainbow through the clouds.

3. Khloe enjoying a lazy sunday. / 4. Celery, Carrots, Onions- the best start to any meal.

5. Some QT with my niece Sydney. / 6. Khloe- 1 year later.

7. Berries w/ granola (breakfast) 8. Ahi Tuna @ Dry Creek Grill.

9. + 10. Enjoying the amazing colors of fall. #itsthelittlethings.

It’s Friday…my second favorite day of the week! What’s my first? Monday, because it’s a fresh start to get things done. I was a little under the weather this last week- not fully sick but just had a lingering cough. Happy to report it’s gone! Here are a couple of pictures that I posted on instagram since last Friday. There was so much rain, which means pretty rainbows, cooking, exercising and of course celebrating bringing my puppy Khloe home 1 year ago yesterday! I have made it a goal the month of December to cut out eating out as much (after the above pic haha), not only to save money but reep the benefits of upping my workouts and seeing results. I know this can be a struggle for people who have lack of time, but with a little bit of planning you set yourself up for success. It’s almost the new year which means new goals. Hard to believe! Some of mine will include financial, carreer direction and stepping up my workouts! Hope you all have a great weekend- get some sunshine, visit a local farmers market and RELAX! We all need a little more of that.

Just A Little Glimpse

November 26, 2012November 26, 2012Leave a comment

Wowee! Is it me or did this 4 day weekend fly by? Between volunteering, Turkey Trot, and eating too much I am ready to get back into the grind. Don’t get me wrong, I love holidays but by the end of the weekend it seems like I overdid myself and need some reality in my life. This including a good workout. I woke up today feeling a little under the weather, but am determined to pump myself with some wheatgrass shots, vitamins, and lots of hot tea. I will NOT get sick! Here are some pictures from my Thanksgiving. As always, it was a great time cooking, chatting and enjoying time with family. There was an excess of veggies (obviously)- my cousin made the coconut shrimp, and a delicious butternut squash/quinoa dish (recipe to come). I made a beet salad, veggie saute, mushroom gravy, brussel sprouts annnnd pumpkin cheesecake. It was amazing. Believe it or not, there was even a Turkey! I hope you all had a great holiday, ate too much and are ready to get back into Monday! Another opportunity for a great week.

Who Says I Don’t Like Turkey?

November 12, 2012November 12, 2012Leave a comment

I just signed up for the annual Turket Trot. Who else is running this race with me? This is probably the only turkey anything I will ever participate in and it’s for a great cause. The procedes of the race are donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, The Housing Trust of Santa Clara County, and the Children’s Health Initiative of Santa Clara County. These charities provide families with their most basic needs for “health, hope, and a home.” The Silicon Valley Turkey Trot is now in its 8th year and the total amount given to charity has exceeded $2.2 million. While we enjoy our families and Thanksgiving dinner- there are many people in need that can use our help. There are 9 days left to sign up….What are you waiting for? Just think….You can burn the calories before you eat the calories and give to someone in need!

Sunday Farmers’ Market

August 20, 2012August 20, 20122 Comments

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great 2 days off. My weekend was great- a concert Friday night, a gathering with long time girlfriends on Saturday followed by a relaxing Sunday. It was just what I needed after a fully scheduled last week. My favorite part of the weekend is Sunday Farmers Market. It’s an excuse to get out of the house, listen to some great music (this week was ragae) and support our local farmers, otherwise known as CSA (Community Supported Agriculture.) The best part is that EVERYTHING is in season, mostly organically grown (SO IMPORTANT) which means it probably looks a little different than your average grocery store, not to mention it’s cheaper. If you go towards closing time that is when the deals happen. Sometimes they will even do 2 for 1 just to get rid of the item. When I attend I usually go to the Campbell farmers market. This will soon be my new place of residence so it will just be a bike ride away. If you are one of those people who can’t see going to Whole Foods to pay the “high price” of organically/in season produce, I highly reccomend you attend your next farmers market. They are usually thoughout the week- some on Wednesday’s, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays. This is a great way to show community support as well as show that you care about what you are eating. As organic food is beyond important so is knowing where your food comes from. The idea that you actually know where your food is coming from and when it was picked is a far stretch from your standard grocery store where food is often flavorless + picked and shipped weeks before it hits the store or the dinner table. You are probably so used to the lack of flavor that you consider it normal. Imagine that…YUK!

What is your favorite Farmers Market?

List of Bay Area Farmers Markets

What is GMO?

Food for Thought…

Locally grown food tastes better- Food grown in your own community was probably picked within the past day or two. It’s crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor. Food studies show that the average distance food travels from farm to plate is about 1,500 miles. Wow!

Local Food is GMO free- Although biotechnology companies have been trying to commercialze genetically motified fruits and vegetables, they are currently liscensing them out to only large factory-style farms. Local farmers don’t have access to genetically motified sees, and most wouldn’t use if they could.

Local food supports local farm families– With fewer than 1 million Americans now claiming farming as their primary occupation, farmers are a vanishing breed and no wonder commodity prices are at historic lows, often below the cost of food production. The farmer now gets less than 10 cents of the retail food dollar. Local farmers who sell direct to consumers cut out the middlemand and get full retail price for their food- which means farm families can affort to stay on the farm doing what they love.

Local food is about the future– By supporting local farmers today, you can help ensure that their will be farms in your community tomorrow & the future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful & abundant food.