Can you all believe it? It’s been one year since quarantine! I cannot fathom that one whole year has passed since the world entered uncertainty, mass deaths, quarantines, economic downfalls, mayhem, controversial politics, halted travel, social distance from friends and family, and more. All of that caused by a single virus.

When the media started talking about the virus, we were unaware on what to expect or what was about to ensue. They started talking about a quarantine and lock down in the United States after following in the footsteps of other countries. Nobody knew what that truly entailed. We thought that we would essentially be stuck in our homes for awhile with no way out.

Naturally, we all flocked to grocery stores and purchased food like a zombie apocalypse was about to occur. It also wasn’t just food. Toilet paper, paper towels, masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, and any anti-bacterial product flew right off the shelves. Those items wound up being sold by price gougers, or scalpers, as if they were selling tickets to the hottest, sold-out concert in town for a high premium.

At the beginning, I felt every emotion in the book. EVERYTHING changed rapidly. As the days, weeks, and ultimately months went on, it got harder and harder. We had to learn how to adjust quickly to this new normal whether we wanted to or not. In this situation, it was either adapt and learn to cope, or succumb to the fear and ultimately destroy our entire mental state.

I learned to deal with the uncertainty of the days as a result of the virus. I took it all one day at a time because in reality, that is all we could really do. Many of the days in quarantine, I spent thinking about my life and about what mattered the most. With the countless days at home, I took the opportunity to take online classes, create videos, write, and try my hardest to keep in touch with my friends and family.

Wholeheartedly, I couldn’t have survived this quarantine and the many days to follow if it wasn’t for my family and friends. I want to thank them for checking up on me, staying in touch, having Zoom calls, and just being there for me even though we were physically apart.

In the one year since quarantine, I am feeling a slight disconnect to my organic lifestyle. It isn’t that I am not living an organic lifestyle, because I am. But the organic lifestyle is very different at the moment. Every time I go to Whole Foods or other organic markets, the shelves are empty, and many organic products are unavailable. It consistently looks like someone panicked bought the whole store. I am not sure what is it or what is going on, but the shelves lack product and look ravished through.

On top of that, New Hope Network cancelled Natural Products Expo West for this year too. Without going to those shows or going to grocery stores often, it is hard to find new organic products and get inspiration for my blog.

I know this is temporary. We just have to hold on and get through this time period. As one of my favorite Broadway musical songs says, “Everything in life is only for now.” I thoroughly believe that. We must hold on and get through the dark days because brighter days are ahead.

As I reflect on this one year since quarantine, I am at a totally different spot in my life. In the craziest of ways, I finally feel grounded and serene, despite the world still in an uproar. Getting to that point took many months to reach! I adjusted some of my goals and I am currently working towards new achievements. Life throws us many curveballs, but it’s how you handle it and what you create next, where the growth comes in.

When adversities happen, they create new normals and new procedures. Eventually, we learn to adapt to those new normals and they develop into the norm. Life is constantly changing and we have to learn how to adapt to those changes. This pandemic has shifted our lives, but many new great revisions will come from this.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of the 500,000+ individuals who passed away from Covid-19. My deepest condolences and prayers to you all during this difficult time.

Thank you to our frontline workers for your continued hard work and sacrifices during this pandemic!

Ultimately, this isn’t over. We are not out of the woods yet. We still have a long way to go before things significantly get better. But they will get better and they are starting to! I am praying for your continued health and safety!

Love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”

The post One Year Since Quarantine appeared first on Sara's Organic Eats.

It’s finally here. The end of 2020. A time that almost all of us had doubts that we would never see. With March and April feeling like years away from December, we are finally at the end of 2020.

What a year it was. This was the year that I thought would be my best year. It started out that way. But, turns out, this was the year of major redirection. What felt like challenge after challenge was just part of the growing pains of moving forward to a new direction.

It was the end of my 20’s. I turned the big 3-0 in November. I thought that I would’ve achieved some of the goals I had before that time. But unfortunately, the pandemic happened, and everything changed. It’s funny because we can have all these plans and then life gets in the way. But hey, that’s life!

Ultimately though, maybe the things we thought we wanted, actually were never the things that we needed. Maybe we were destined for more or for something greater than anything we have ever planned. We just always have to trust that no matter what, there is something better for us and that everything ALWAYS works out for the best!

This year was also year 11 of my organic journey. I love my organic passion and I am so dedicated to it. But this year, I have never felt so disconnected from my organic lifestyle. Not shopping at Whole Foods or any grocery stores for 6 months had a major effect.

I of course ordered organic grocery deliveries from Whole Foods and other grocery stores. I bought organic products from there, but it was just not the same. Also, as I had mentioned in previous blogs, I couldn’t consistently receive organic products, or the shopper picked conventional products even when I selected organic. It was a nightmare, but I learned to cope. Desperate times surely do call for desperate measures.

We are living through such uncertain times and a lot of products were unavailable. I had to learn that I couldn’t always get organic products. In times of survival, all that matters is that you are sustaining yourself with good nutrients, not whether something is organic or not. This year, I thoroughly learned how to cope with that and learned to not make myself wrong for not eating organic. It wasn’t that I chose to not eat organic, but it just wasn’t always available. That was a hard lesson to learn, but an important one. It truly opened my eyes to reality.

Also, not attending any organic food shows this year affected me too. The conventions are where I reignite my passion and immerse myself in all things organic. It is where I also learn the food trends for the year and try all of the new products coming to market. After those shows is where I then develop new content for my blogs and social media accounts. So this year I have had to create new ways to come up with content, since going to an organic grocery store or food show was not an option.

Despite all of the hardships that this year brought us, there were still many positives that came from it as well. It is all about perspective and how you look at it. I learned a lot and went through some necessary hard growing pains. In the end, I’m thankful for everything that this year has taught me!

I read a quote by Melody Godfred that said “I thought 2020 would be the year I got everything I wanted, now I know 2020 was the year I appreciate everything I have.” That quote resonated with me and it is so true. That was the the theme of 2020.

I appreciate my family, friends, and everyone in my life. I am thankful for everything I have and everything I have experienced. Thank you to all of you who read my blogs and follow me on my social media accounts. Thank you for inspiring me and for letting me inspire you.

All things considered, 2020 was a significant year and the lessons we gained from it are immensely valuable as we continue to go through life. I refuse to deem this year as the “worst year of my life” because it wasn’t. It was just a different kind of year, where we had to learn how to adjust to a pandemic and make sacrifices for safety. This was the year where the small things significantly mattered.

As this year comes to an end, I hope and pray that you all stay safe and healthy. I hope that you all have a better 2021 filled with new possibilities, goals, and dreams. I pray that this world transforms into a kinder and safer place to live. As our world slowly but surely returns to “normal”, I hope that it changes back to a better and new normal. One where we slow down a bit, where we cherish our loved ones, where we aren’t selfish, and where love is the answer.

I wish you all health, happiness, success, peace, serenity, and a magnitude of organic love in the new year. May this next year be 100 times better than the previous one. Here’s to the end of 2020 and a brighter 2021!!

Happy New Year!!

Love always,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”

The post The End of 2020 appeared first on Sara's Organic Eats.

      Another year, another Thanksgiving. But why is this Thanksgiving different than any of the other Thanksgivings? Well, most people are still quarantined in their homes, we are living through a global pandemic, people are still hoarding toilet paper, and our typical Thanksgiving feasts are being broadcasted and sponsored by Zoom. What a time to be alive!

This year has taught us all that life is extremely short and all of our plans, goals, and dreams can be taken away quicker than a blink of an eye. As a result, we must always do what we can, when we can. We must also appreciate the people in our lives while we can. If you have the chance to do something, to travel somewhere, to spend time with someone, to call someone, or to express gratitude towards someone, do it while you can. Don’t wait for another time because another time may never come. That is what Covid has shown us. 

We just never know what life has in store for us. It is important to have goals and a plan in place, but we must also be versatile and resilient when things don’t go according to our plans. Life is funny. But in the end, everything always does work out for the best.

With everything this year, like many of you, I put a lot of my goals and plans on hold. I took a lot of time for myself to reevaluate my life. After many months in quarantine, I decided to change some of my goals. I took this year as a total and complete redirection.

Also, with turning 30 just a few weeks ago, I wanted to take action on those new goals and have a fresh new start. I didn’t want to wait for things to happen or let fear dictate my life anymore. The old me would’ve procrastinated and convinced myself why I shouldn’t go after my dreams. Or, it would take me a long time to finally take action. But, Covid put so many things into perspective for me. I no longer will sit around and put what I want to do on the back burner anymore. Life is wayyyyy too short for that!

I know Covid has put a halt on many of the goals and plans we wished to obtain this year. But, this year isn’t a total waste like most of you are saying. There are many opportunities out there and goals we can still go after. We just have to get creative, adjust a little bit, and also stay safe while achieving them.

So with this very unusual and challenging year, there is still so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my amazing family and friends. I am thankful for all of my readers, followers, and everyone that I have met on this journey. Also, I am so thankful for my organic lifestyle and for sharing my passion with all of you. This is a year to really hold your family, friends, and loved ones tight (within 6 ft distance of course). This is a year to keep in touch with others and make sure everyone knows they are loved, seen, cared for, and heard. Despite quarantine and all the tough times this year, I am so grateful for it all.

Covid has changed almost all of our lives and taught us what matters the most. Life is really about the little things. In the end, all that matters is how much you care, how much you love, how much you inspire, how grateful you are for everything, and the people that are in our lives. 

My heart goes out to everyone who has lost someone this year. It’s hard during the holidays because they remind us of those we have lost. But no matter what, they are forever in our hearts.

As this year is coming to an end, I am thankful for everything I have experienced! With organic thanks, I am also thankful for the new people that came into my life, the new goals that I am working towards, the opportunities that came my way, and this next chapter of turning 30. I am also thankful for the closed doors, as I realize now, it was just a redirection towards a path I am actually meant to go down.

I know it is so easy to feel defeated or mad for this year but when you are grateful through both the good and bad times, it makes a true difference in your life. Everything is a test and you will overcome it. If you choose to find the gratitude and thanks towards all situations, your outlook on life will change.

I wish you all so much love, happiness, health, and blessings! No matter which way you are celebrating, stay safe, and don’t forget to give organic thanks and show gratitude towards the ones who are in your life. Life is beautiful even through all of the hardships. Wishing you all a better last few weeks of 2020.

Happy Thanksgiving!

With organic thanks and love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”

The post Organic Thanks appeared first on Sara's Organic Eats.

Dear [Insert Name Here], 

     I am writing you this letter to let you know that changing your lifestyle and diet is scary. I know because I have been there. Change in general is frightening. The fear of the unknown will keep you stuck in a situation just for the sake of comfort. Your comfort zone is safe, but change can’t blossom from there. I am here to tell you that once you put on a brave face, get out of your comfort zone, and fight that inner self-doubt, I KNOW that you will succeed. Just imagine how great you will feel to know that you took a chance on changing your lifestyle and seeing positive changes in your life.

     You may be thinking, what will my family and friends think?, how am I going to make this work?, what if I fail and not stick through it? Trust me you will have page loads of reasons not to take a chance on something new. Just know that those are just thoughts and they will always be there. They are meant to keep you in a spot of comfort and fear to inevitably hold you back. Find a way to fight those disempowering thoughts and all of those negative doubts. You are so much stronger than you think and you have the power to fight those thoughts! Whether you are looking to change your diet to an organic, vegetarian, vegan, keto, paleo, or gluten-free one, just know that YOU CAN DO IT! I have faith in you that you can find a way to make it work, no matter the external or internal noises! It is time to reclaim your power! 

     I just want you to know that I have been in your shoes many times throughout my almost 11-year organic journey. There have been numerous occasions where I have had to think outside the box and move mountains to make my lifestyle work. During the past 11 years, while I was in college, traveling, going out to eat, holiday parties, family gatherings, hanging out with friends, dating, living with roommates/family, I have had to learn how to make this lifestyle work for me. It was a huge challenge. But when you are dedicated enough, you find any reason to make it work for you! You only see the possibilities and not the limitations.

     I have learned how to use my voice and speak up about the lifestyle I live to those around me. I made it apart of me. Instead of just “oh Sara eats organic”, it became “Sara is organic.” Once you decide on which lifestyle you want to start living, make it apart of you. I promise you that people will respect you for it even if they don’t agree with it or live it themselves. And if they don’t, that is on them and not you.  

    At the beginning, many people said such negative, mean, and hurtful comments to me about my organic lifestyle. Granted, organic was not as well known back then as it is now. No matter what, I never let that get me down or stop me from what I was doing. What they said did sometimes hurt, but it was more so annoying and unnecessary. You will run into that too. But don’t let that ever stop you from continuing to live the lifestyle that you choose.

     The reason for all of the outside commentary from family, friends, and people I met was because I was going against their version of the norm. Also, when you decided to make a change in your life, it scares the people around you. Even though they love you and want the best for you, they are afraid that you’ll change. They want you to stay the same version that they have of you in their minds. They are afraid that if you do something new it will change who you are and they will lose the person that they created in their head of who you are. What they don’t know is that they will be gaining a new badass empowered version of yourself in exchange.

     Remember, your lifestyle and diet is such a personal choice and decision. You have to do what is best for you and don’t let anyone deter you from your goals! Your health truly depends on it. Many of you think that you can’t change your eating habits because the other people in your household aren’t on board. For example, if you want to go vegan but your significant other is a meat eater, you might think that they won’t accept that. But I am here to tell you that you CAN make it work!!! It will just take some creativity. And sure, things will change, but they will change for the positive. Who knows, maybe when your friends and family see the changes in you, it will spark a change in them too.

     Also, when you start a new lifestyle and diet, it is inevitable that you are going to make mistakes. You are going to want to quit. You are going to want to return to your old ways. And let me tell you, THAT IS OKAY! It is bound to happen and there is no reason to beat yourself up over it. Just don’t forget to keep moving forward. This is a lifelong journey! Every time you fall down and fail, you are only going to get up that much stronger. Failing leads to victory which then leads you to the path you were always meant to walk down!

     Everyday you will learn something new about yourself. And you will be so happy that you committed yourself to something that is beneficial to you. The biggest investment and commitment you could ever make in your life is to yourself, your health, and your growth. Never sacrifice your health and your goals just to please others. Don’t stop yourself from doing something because others won’t accept you and you want to be accepted. That is truly a disservice to yourself! You don’t need anyone else’s approval! You want to do this because you want to see positive changes in your life, and you must not let anything come in between that!   

     I want you to know that I am proud of you for taking the first step. I am proud of you for taking the chance on something new to improve your health, lifestyle, and diet. Also, I am proud of you for breaking through all of the fear and the self-doubt, which is the hardest to accomplish. And even if you try a new lifestyle, gave it ample time, and it doesn’t work out, just be proud of yourself that you had the courage to take the first step. Most people never try. For that, you should feel gratified! 

No matter what lifestyle change you choose, I wish you all the best on this new journey of yours! You have the power do to anything that you set your mind to! This isn’t going to be easy, but I promise you that it will be worth it! 

Love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”   

The post An Open Letter To The Person Who Wants To Change Their Lifestyle And Diet appeared first on Sara's Organic Eats.

Hello, my name is Sara, and it has been 142 days since I have entered a Whole Foods Market. Just picture me with a surprised look on my face. My jaw dropped to the ground after I counted how many days have passed since my last trip to Whole Foods. That is unheard of for me. I rarely go a week without shopping at Whole Foods. But due to the pandemic, I have avoided shopping at all grocery stores.

I have tried to limit my exposure in public places and have relied on delivery services. I like ordering my groceries online, but it’s just not the same. For now, with the rising cases in Florida, this is the better option for me. Hopefully, I’ll get back in the store soon because I truly miss it.

Last week, I finally ventured to a local small natural grocery store. Unlike Whole Foods, this store is typically empty and it’s also small, so it was a good test. I was happy to peruse the aisles for new organic products and surround myself with all things organic. But, I still felt very uncomfortable. Even though the store was clean, empty, I was wearing my mask, social distancing, and taking all the necessary precautions for a safe shopping experience, I still felt anxious and full of germs. That confirmed that it is still too soon for me to go to Whole Foods.

Sadly, everyone and every place is viewed as a potential COVID-19 threat. I despise feeling that way because I love being around people, traveling, exploring places, and shopping at grocery stores. This is our current reality and it just takes some time to adjust to this new normal. Little by little, I know I will feel more comfortable shopping at Whole Foods and other large grocery stores.

This has been a challenging time for all of us. Every day is a new day, but it feels like the days are on repeat. Almost like the movie Groundhog Day. Somedays, I forget what day of the week it is. Even though I am keeping busy and staying positive, this pandemic feels like a nightmare you just can’t wake up from.

I took a minor break from writing for about a month. Because of the pandemic, I feel it isn’t right for me to post about organic information and products when several people have lost their homes, their jobs, and don’t know when and what their next meal is going to be. Organic food is unfortunately more expensive and considered a luxury for many people. Most people are looking to survive and not thinking about organic food. I just feel it is very insensitive of me to post about the organic lifestyle during this time for that reason.

However, in the back of my mind, I also have a voice that says, “but why wait to post new information?” All we have is today and this moment. There is no right time, we create the right time. Tomorrow or even later today isn’t promised. I may never know who comes across one of my blogs that needs it. So I am struggling with what the right way and time to post is.

With that said, I do apologize for my lack of sharing or writing. Rest assured, organic food is still my biggest passion! Once things start to calm down, I will continue to post more.

Since there is constant negative news blasted from every angle and especially on social media, I have tried to limit my social media use. I have spent a lot of my time in nature and on things that bring peace, happiness, and serenity to my life. So again, I apologize that I haven’t updated my social media accounts as much as I should.

I just wanted to share openly with all of you and let you know why I haven’t been as active on my blog or social media accounts. None of us really have the answers to what is going on, but we just all have to make the best decisions and take the necessary precautions for ourselves and our families.

Even with this stressful and unfortunate situation, I always look on the positive side. Instead of asking why is this happening, I have asked what is this trying to teach all of us. That has given me the power to get through some of the toughest days. In time, we’ll know. But for now, I am just taking this time to distract myself from the fact that I haven’t gone to Whole Foods in 142 days! I’m just kidding. I’m truly just using this time to focus on my growth, create new goals, and on what truly matters the most in my life.

I hope you are all staying safe !

Love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”

The post The Pandemic Chronicles appeared first on Sara's Organic Eats.

Did we make America organic again? It’s a question I ponder on as I look back on a blog I wrote called “Make America Organic Again” four years ago before the 2016 election. Considering the slogan “Make America Great Again” became huuuuugeee during the campaign, I decided to add “organic” to it and wrote a blog. Because the 2016 election marked an important turning point for America, I felt hopeful that food reform would’ve served as another main focus for any of the candidates that were running. But, it wasn’t. As I look back on writing the other blog, I thought I’d write a follow up one to see if we did make America organic again.

Organic food and accessibility to it significantly changed since 2016. But it did not change because of our current president or political leaders. Organic food changed because “we the people” purchased more organic products. As a result, the demand escalated, and more companies produced organic products.

Since 2016, awareness of organic food grew, and more people wanted to eat organic. Health transformed into a dire necessity. Many people desired to change their eating habits. Therefore, more people educated themselves on organic food and purchased more organic items.

The awareness came from advertisements, social media posts from organic food companies, Whole Foods Market, other natural markets, and influencers in the community. Sadly, our government leaders still rarely talk about food issues and food inequalities in this country. Truthfully, I was hoping that would change within the past 4 years or in the new election coming up, but it hasn’t.

Even though more people are educating themselves on organic food, the majority are oblivious to the issues within our current food industry. Or, they simply do not care enough. Food issues are hardly ever spoken about in the mainstream media. Unfortunately, the education isn’t there or the facts get denied by non believers.

When it comes to organic food, unless someone follows this niche industry, they wouldn’t truly know about it. The majority still views organic food as an expensive sham and food for the prestigious.

Then, in August of 2017, Amazon purchased Whole Foods Market. With the acquisition, it caused a lot of mixed opinions. But nevertheless, Amazon expanded Whole Foods Market and lowered the prices on many items. This allowed more access to new consumers. Also, Amazon introduced Whole Foods on Amazon Prime Now, where you can receive grocery deliveries within two hours. If you are a Prime member, when you shop at Whole Foods, they give you an extra discount on top of already discounted items. Many positive changes occurred with the purchase of Whole Foods.

In the past four years, the organic industry skyrocketed. Many new products arose, and more natural stores popped up around the country. In Florida, Lucky’s Market, Earth Fare, and Sprouts opened in different parts of the state. That was a great addition because now it was easier and more affordable to purchase organic products. Even mainstream grocery stores like Publix, Kroger, and Safeway, saw an increase in organic products on the shelves.

Unfortunately, at the beginning of 2020, both Lucky’s Market and Earth Fare suddenly closed. Even though the demand for organic food heightened, some stores still couldn’t survive against the competition of bigger markets.

So, to answer the question, did we make America organic again? Not fully. Until all of our food is organically produced, and all of the American people are eating organic, we won’t achieve making America organic again. Many people want to eat organic, but they lack the knowledge and financial means to have a full organic diet. It is sad and unfair. We must do better!

Despite it all, in these past four years, the organic industry grew tremendously. It got closer to making America organic again. But, we still have a long way to go. And to reiterate, it had nothing to do with our president and politics. In fact, I am still unaware of our current president or the new candidates stance on food in this country because it is rarely expressed. However, the industry grew because of the consumers and the ambitious producers who wanted to change our food system. This goes to show you that we vote with our dollars. Where we spend our money matters!

We’ve witnessed many organic companies, grocery stores, and products come and go. We’ve seen the several changes within the organic food industry, including Whole Foods. But what keeps on growing is the demand for organic and healthy food. We the people, everyone included, has the right to have access to organic food!

Lucky’s Market had a quote hung up in all of their stores that said, “Good food is a right, not a luxury.” I wholeheartedly stand behind that quote! Regrettably, that hasn’t fully changed since we “Made America Great Again.” Access to organic food significantly increased and prices did decrease. But, it still isn’t at a spot where it is affordable for everyone to have a full organic diet. Until we ALL have the right and access to good, organic, and clean food, will we then have finally made America organic again!

In the meantime, stand up for what you believe in, vote with your dollar, and fight for your right to organic food at affordable prices! Change starts with you first.

In the next 4 years, I will revisit this post and look back on how far we came. I will keep on fighting and advocating for organic food!  Maybe by then, or in my lifetime, I’ll finally manage to answer yes to the question on “did we make American organic again.”

Love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”

*DISCLAIMER: I am not endorsing any of the candidates or current president. All views I expressed in this blog are of my own and my passion for organic food. My hope is to live in a country filled with access to organic food for everyone!

The post Did We Make America Organic Again? appeared first on Sara's Organic Eats.

Two months ago, South Florida went into a quarantine. All of us lacked the knowledge of what we were about to endure. All we could do was prepare in the best way that we knew we could. When they announced that we were going into a lockdown, I literally thought that everything was going to shut down. I thought that grocery stores were going to close for a few weeks and that we would run out of food. Initially, I think that many people had that same thought which caused everyone to panic buy food and other unusual items at the stores.

After the news cleared up what quarantine entailed, luckily, they left the grocery stores and other essential places open. When the news broke out about the lockdown, I had friends and family from all over contact me and tell me to prepare and stay safe. After that, I prepared in the best way a Florida native knows how- via hurricane style. I actually did not panic buy or hoard items, but I did get enough food to last at least a week.

At that time, I went to Whole Foods Market to buy groceries, but the shelves already emptied out of the essential items that I typically purchase.  Honestly, the store was cleared out in more ways than when a hurricane hits Florida. I know I explained this in my other post, but us Floridan’s really only know how to prepare for shutdowns in the way we prepare for hurricanes. It is our second nature and we are so used to that.

I would’ve never thought that trip to Whole Foods would’ve been my last one for these past two months. Whole Foods remained open, but instead of going to the grocery stores, I decided to utilize the grocery delivery services. Even though I miss going to the grocery stores, I thought that delivery was the better option during this time.

These two months have felt emotionally draining, exhausting, isolating, worrisome, and just overall challenging. Sleeping well is non-existent and my dreams are overly vivid and intense. There is an extensive amount of news articles about the virus blasted to us from all different directions at every moment of the day. It’s overwhelming to say the least. We hear and see it through social media, news alerts on our smartphones, the television, or from friends and family. Even if we try to avoid the news, it is almost impossible. We don’t know what to believe with all of the different articles out there. Fear mongering surely takes the winner of the main objective of the news these days.

Many people have lost their lives as a result of the virus. Every day I read another article of someone dying. It breaks my heart for those individuals and their families.  Also, many people have lost their jobs, their homes, and are just struggling. The virus isn’t just costing the lives of the ones infected, but also to the ones that aren’t infected. This time is testing us and pushing us to our limits in ways we never knew possible. Furthermore, the overall theme of these past two months is loss.

Even with all of the loss, death, darkness, and destruction that is so present, there is still so much beauty left in this world. It is so hard to keep up with the ever-fleeting positivity, but I am trying my hardest. Staying home all day can cause stress and wreak havoc on our mental health, but to know we are safe and have this time at home that we will never have again is something to look on the bright side for. Also, sometimes we need to go through loss and dark days to appreciate the light and value in our lives.

On December 31, 2019, I saw the most beautiful rainbow in the Bahamas. I spent New Year’s there with one of my best friends. The rainbow was situated between the darkest of clouds. But even through those dark clouds, the rainbow was full and one of the brightest ones I have ever seen. Seeing that beautiful sight gave me hope for the new year of 2020. Also, it taught me that no matter the darkness, there is always something so bright that will shine through. It was a lesson that I needed at that moment. But it was also a tool I could carry with me through my life and the new year that was about to happen.

I came back from the Bahamas on January 1^st, 2020 with a new perspective and new goals. The beginning of 2020 started out remarkably. I had all of my travel plans booked for the next 3 months. Also, there were many celebrations and monumental moments coming up. New opportunities were happening for me and for once in my twenties, I felt like I was in the right spot and heading in the right direction.

The first week of March came and we were all presented with new obstacles. The virus started to hit the United States at that time, and we were all about to encounter many challenges. I had to cancel travel plans and things started changing rapidly. Life as we knew it stopped in that moment and this silent war of a novel virus ensued.

It’s been two months now since the quarantine began. To say this is a challenging time would be an understatement. We are all dealing with our own adversities through all of this. Most importantly, staying busy, staying connecting with your friends and family, and finding productive activities to occupy your mind are the best ways to get through this time.

Having all of this time on my hands, I have learned so much. I learned that life is just so damn short and the only constant in life is change. Change is hard and terrifying but it’s also necessary for the birth of a new chapter. In a moment, we can lose it all and also lose the ones we love. Our goals can be squashed in a matter of seconds. As a result, we must enjoy every single moment we have and live life to the fullest. We shouldn’t take anything or anyone for granted because you never know what will happen. It’s important to value the people in your life who are always looking out for you, care about you, and support you.

We can either let atrocities brings us down or we can face them head on and keep moving forward. In the strangest of ways this time has been a gift. I have done so many things that I haven’t done in a while. I started writing a lot, creating videos, taking walks every day, riding my bike again, and just spending quality time with my family that I am quarantining with. We were all so focused on work before that we forgot about the simple things that matter the most.

I have a new meaning of what it truly means to be human. When it all comes down to it, if money was non-existent and life didn’t operate from an economic standpoint, what truly matters is how much you love and care, what you do for others, and how you contribute to society. Love is always the answer to everything. Balance is the key to life. Also, health is so important, both physically and mentally. Without our health we have NOTHING, so it is important to take care of yourselves and be proactive about it.

Last week, I saw another rainbow. The sky behind the rainbow was a beautiful pink color. It was another reminder from that day back in December to remember to find the light through all of the darkness and that brighter days are ahead. It also was a reminder to be a light when you can’t find it and to also be one for others.

I know everyone is so eager to get back to how life was before. But, what kind of life was that? People were overworked, greedy, selfish, and uncaring. We were always on the run and rushed through life. Everything was about “how can this benefit me?” Social media took over our lives and real-life social skills and connection disappeared. The majority of relationships turned into “situationships” and catching feelings became a sin. Most people didn’t value others lives and lacked empathy for them. We became emotionally desensitized. People who didn’t show their emotions were deemed strong, while the ones who were more in tune with their feelings were labeled weak. kindness was also mistaken for weakness. The environment on Earth was also suffering greatly.

Do you really want to return to a life like that? 

Of course, not everyone was like that, but what we value in society is all backwards. I really hope that once places start reopening and life begins again, it blossoms into a whole new way of living. Maybe if we were all a bit kinder, friendlier and didn’t put so much value on materialistic objects, this world would be a happier place to inhabit. We don’t have to wait for others to change, we all have the power within ourselves to do it. If we want things to change, we must first start with ourselves.

Even though this situation we are going through is terrible, sometimes it really does take an illness or catastrophe to wake us all up to create a new better world.

As two months have passed and Florida reopened this week, I just hope and pray that things do get better! Only time will tell. It’s been tough not seeing my other family members and friends. I miss them so much! I will never take spending time with them for granted ever again. Hopefully, we will all get to see each other soon!  A hug from them will carry a new meaning.

My heart goes out to those of you have lost a loved one during this tragedy

Thank you to everyone on the frontlines for your bravery and hard work during this time!

After two months in quarantine, I have felt every emotion imaginable, but I am holding onto the hope and faith that this will all end soon so that we can start this new normal. Hopefully, they still have organic food in this new world or maybe it will all be organic! Again, an organic girl can dream. I am praying for better days ahead for all of us and I hope that you all stay safe!

Love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”

The post Two Months in Quarantine appeared first on Sara's Organic Eats.

Right now, we are all faced with many uncertainties and we are all going through some hard times. We are all taking shelter in our homes, or working the frontlines, and trying to make the best out of this tragic situation.

Staying organic during this pandemic has been extremely challenging, to say the least. Many of my close friends and family have asked me how I have been able to stick to my organic lifestyle during all of this. I thought I would share my experience with all of you!

So, a few weeks ago, when the virus just started to spread and the situation got more serious in the United States, I went to Whole Foods Market to purchase food. This was just a few days before they put Florida on a quarantine. At that time, my sister and brother-in-law decided to leave their home in New York City to come stay with us in South Florida. The household I live in went from 3 and one puppy to 5 and two puppies. I needed to buy food for them and for all of us for the next few days, so my cart was filled up more than usual.

After seeing a picture I posted of my filled shopping cart from Whole Foods, one of my friends texted me and said, “of course you would make an organic event out of this.” Which yes, that is true. In everything I do, I make an organic event out of it.

Why you may ask? Because I have dedicated 10 years of my life to living an organic lifestyle and everything I do is organic. Even during times of survival, when it doesn’t matter what you eat, as long as you have something, I still try to have organic food on hand. This is not in a hoarding kind of way. But, with proper planning and dedication, you can stay on your diet during these difficult times.

Now, with grocery stores shelves empty and non-existent grocery delivery service times, finding food, let alone organic food, to eat during this pandemic is difficult. Numerous conventional items are out of stock so many people who normally don’t purchase organic food are currently buying organic.

Luckily, I live in South Florida where we have Publix on almost every corner. Publix carries a large supply of organic products. Even if I can’t get to a Whole Foods, at least there are still other options. Not as much as Whole Foods of course, but they do have a good amount.

Since the quarantine, I haven’t left my house in three weeks. We have ordered grocery deliveries a few times, but not from Whole Foods. Trying to find a delivery time for Whole Foods with Amazon Prime Now is scarce and almost non-existent. On top of that, they found a few employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Whole Foods location that we usually receive the deliveries from, so we have avoided ordering from there too.

With some of the other delivery services, we can still receive grocery deliveries on the same day. I have heard from friends and family who live in other states that delivery times are showing two weeks out. After hearing that, I feel lucky that we are still able to get deliveries on the same day. Unfortunately, many items are unavailable or occasionally the wrong item gets delivered. For example, I’ll order organic produce and sometimes conventional produce comes. Through the delivery service, I select everything organic if they have it. However, it is a gamble with what actually arrives at your door. It is a nightmare, but better than the alternative of actually going to the store during this time.

Once we receive all of the products, we wash and sanitize everything! You just don’t know who has touched those products. You can never be too sure.

This whole situation is a catch-22. It is either you go to the grocery store and surround yourself with a bunch of people who might be infected. Or, you have your groceries delivered and the person handling them may have come in contact with the virus. Honestly, I am totally unsure of what the best measure is, but I am also scared to leave my house. I am not afraid to admit that because I think most of us are at this point. Also, I don’t want my family members to go to the store either, since some of them are high-risk or have low immunity.

Not going to the store and picking out my own produce and products is abnormal for me. This all makes me sad because I absolutely love grocery shopping! You can usually find me at Whole Foods at least 3 times a week. I miss it so much! In fact, I am experiencing major Whole Foods withdrawals.

So, during this difficult time, I am trying my hardest to eat organic food when possible. Luckily, most of the products that I typically use have been in stock at other local grocery stores, even without going to Whole Foods. We unfortunately can’t find everything. Above all, this pandemic has given me the test of trying to come up with meals to make with what we have.

This is an immensely surreal time we are going through and staying organic is a huge challenge, even for me. Ever since the first day I started my blog, I have always shared openly and honestly with all of you. So, I want to be upfront and tell you that I have not eaten everything organic as much as I normally do. It isn’t too far off, but with food flying off the shelves and me avoiding shopping at Whole Foods, it is a struggle.

I am trying my hardest not to torment myself if I don’t eat something that isn’t organic. Since I am so committed to the organic lifestyle,  whenever I deviate, it makes me feel moderately guilty. I know I shouldn’t feel that way, especially during these times, but I feel slightly defeated. Although, I do know this circumstance is an anomaly and desperate times do call for desperate measures.

Without a doubt, the most challenging part of all of this is having to adjust to the reality that I can’t consistently find all of the usual organic foods that I normally eat. I have to let go of making myself feel wrong or guilty for not eating as much organic as I typically would. I am just so grateful to still have access to food for nourishment whether it is organic or not because that isn’t even the case for many others around the world.

All in all, I know that this will pass soon! But for now, I am just trying to stay busy and spend time with my family. Additionally, my biggest goal is to just stay as healthy as possible both physically and mentally.

I am praying for you all and sending you so much strength and organic love! Stay safe!

Love,
Sara, “S.O.Eats”

P.S. I would like to give a shoutout to my cousin for giving me the idea to write this blog! Thank you for your bravery working the frontlines during this difficult situation.

The post The Challenge of Staying Organic During This Pandemic appeared first on Sara's Organic Eats.

Last week, turned out way different than I originally planned. I was supposed to be in Anaheim, California for Natural Products Expo West, which is the largest natural and organic food convention. I look forward to attending that show every year! I had every intention of going, until many companies and buyers decided to cancel. As a result, I made the decision to do the same. Then, while I was cancelling my trip, New Hope Network made the announcement they were postponing the show. It was the right decision, considering the uncertainty of the Coronavirus. Ultimately, they decided to cancel Expo West 2020.

My theory on still going to the convention was based on the fact that the virus just started entering the United States and there were very few cases. The cases were not even in the Anaheim area yet. What I felt was that if something were to happen to me, at least on my last days, I would have spent them doing what I love to do, which is surrounding myself with organic products. I know that thought is a bit morbid. But in a way, it gives me a sense of comfort and calmness instead of freaking out.

The constant news thrown at us through social media, on our smartphones, on the TV, and just general talk amongst peers, certainly instills fear in us. That can make anyone feel on edge and it almost feels like the world is ending. It is all too familiar of a feeling for a Floridian like me, who has survived many hurricanes. The feeling and anticipation of a hurricane approaching Florida is an unexplainable feeling of doom and this Coronavirus feels pretty much the same. Although, when a hurricane is about to hit, there is no gas, no water, no wood, and barely any non-perishable food items. Obviously this isn’t a hurricane. Regardless, the way us Floridans are preparing for this is almost the same way they would for a hurricane. The only difference is that there is no toilet paper or hand sanitizer. The Coronavirus is a pandemic and the whole world is feeling its effects. No one is safe and even if you want to run, you can’t hide.

What you must do is try your hardest to remain calm, wash your hands, and be proactive. When events like this occur, we feel like we just want to hide and lock ourselves in our rooms. What makes me feel better about the situation and looking at it in a positive way is knowing that whatever happens to me, I know that I have lived a great life and I feel so blessed for everything I have been able to accomplish in my 29 years of life. Again, it is a morbid way of looking at this situation, but it is also a positive way of looking at it too. I know we will all be okay and whatever happens to us was always meant to be.

This is a good time to truly appreciate what you have, especially your family. When you count your blessings instead of thinking about all the things that are going wrong or things that you don’t have, it makes you feel less fearful and more thankful. Anytime you chose gratitude over resentment, you feel more at ease.

It’s unfortunate when bad circumstances occur, but there is always a lesson and reason that they happen. Just prepare in the best way you can to protect yourself and your loved ones. Don’t forget that in times of pandemonium to show kindness and humanity. In a crazy way, we are all in this together. And, the world may be in turmoil, but we must remember that life is still beautiful and this too shall past.

Stay safe!

Love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”

The post This Too Shall Pass appeared first on Sara's Organic Eats.

So You Want To Go Organic?

Have you ever felt like your current lifestyle wasn’t working for you anymore? You feel tired all the time, unhealthy, and feel like you’re in a rut? Well maybe it is time for a change! It is a new year and a new decade. Now is your chance to finally do something good for yourself! One of the most common new year’s resolutions is to go on a diet. I don’t believe in the word diet, but I like to call it a lifestyle change.

So, you want to go organic? Organic eating is a return to tradition. It isn’t a new fad or something that is cool or prestigious. However, it is making a comeback into the mainstream and it is a huge buzzword in the media today. There are numerous benefits to having an organic diet. Those include supporting family farms, eating less pesticides, eating foods without added hormones and antibiotics, or eating foods that are not genetically modified. Eating organic is also better for the environment.

Most people want to start eating organic because they don’t want to eat foods with added chemicals or any other unnecessary additives. Also, because organic food is gaining popularity, people are starting to catch on and they are curious. Some may want to start eating this way because they think eating organic is cool (which don’t get me wrong, it totally is!), but really, it is just a return to the way our great grandparents used to eat.  Since eating organic is considered “new”, many people don’t know where to begin, which is where organic Sara, me, comes in. So here are 4 ways to start eating organic.

1. Start shopping for organic food
   • Visit your local grocery store, co-op, organic farm, or natural market i.e Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe’s. Even if you aren’t close to a well known natural market, most grocery stores nowadays carry a wide variety of organic products.
   • Simply buy your favorite products in their organic form. Either the brands you know have organic versions of the products you buy or find a new brand that sells your favorite product that is organically produced.
   • Start small by first buying organic produce, meat, and dairy, and then later incorporate other organic products.
2. Grow your own organic produce
   • Create a garden in your yard using organic soil and organic seeds and follow the organic practices to keep your produce all organic.
3. Research the organic lifestyle
   • Read and research what it takes to start living an organic lifestyle and to learn what it is all about before you begin. Learn how to read labels, learn about the organic standards, and learn what “organic” actually means. The more research you do, the more confidant you will feel.
4. Just do it!
   • Instead of contemplating or finding the right time to change your lifestyle, just do it right now! There is no better time than right now! You don’t have to wait for New Year’s Day, or Monday, or next month. Start NOW!

Once you start eating organic you will be glad that you did. There is something about eating food that is transparent about its ingredients and standards that makes you feel better. And also, organic food does taste better! Trust me, you can totally taste the difference.

When starting a new diet, you will make a lot of mistakes and you will learn what works and what doesn’t. Challenging yourself with a new lifestyle is all about trial and error. It will take awhile to find the balance. Don’t get discouraged or give up too early. You will have good days and you will slip up other days, but it is more than okay! What matters the most is that you found the courage to try something new, even if it isn’t perfect. Trust the process! It took me 10 years to perfect my own organic lifestyle and everyday I am still learning.

I encourage you all to try something new this year. It isn’t just a new year, but it is also a new decade. I started eating organic food and living an organic lifestyle at the end of 2009. It was just right before the 2010 decade started and I have never looked back. I can’t believe I have been living this lifestyle for a whole decade! I stand behind it wholeheartedly and it has changed my life for the better.

We are all unique and have very specific dietary needs. Even though I love the organic lifestyle and I believe in it 100 percent, I will never be the person to say “this is the only way to eat” or put someone down because they aren’t eating this way. I despise when someone does that to me and I will never do that to anyone. But, I will lay out all the facts for you, share my story with you, and I will let you make that decision on your own. Whatever lifestyle you may choose, I hope it brings a positive change for your life!

Happy 2020 everyone!

Love,

Organic Sara, “S.O.Eats”

*Just a side note, you can make the organic lifestyle as healthy or unhealthy as you like. Remember that just because something contains the USDA Organic symbol on the package, it doesn’t mean that it is healthy. Organic does not equal healthy! Organic is the way in which a product is grown and produced. Organic ice cream, cakes, and cookies are still going to deter you from your health goals.

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