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”

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I am so thankful for organics. This is the time of year where we reflect on all the things we are thankful for. Although everyday is a chance to show gratitude, this time of year is especially important. This year has been a fantastic year! There have been many ups and downs but I am so thankful for it all.

This year, I have seen a major increase in organic products. Just the fact that Expo West had about 85,000 attendees and the show tripled in size shows how much the natural product industry has expanded. For one, many conventional brands are adding an organic line of their famous products. That means that the organic lifestyle is coming into the mainstream. Also, with the acquisition of Whole Foods and Amazon, the prices of some organic products are decreasing. That’s something to be thankful for. Hopefully, Whole Foods will stay true to their core values as they move forward. Even though our food system is still broken, there are still many companies that are defying the odds and not selling out to big corporations. Despite it all, I am thankful that people are starting to purchase more organic foods and products.

I want to say how thankful I am to my family and friends. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by people who have supported me through my endeavors. Most of my family and friends do not follow an organic lifestyle or aren’t as dedicated as I am. But, they still support me and will take me to organic restaurants or buy me organic chocolate. I couldn’t be doing what I am doing without their support.

This year, I was fortunate to spend about 2 months in Los Angeles. One of my close friends from high school lives there and he showed me around Los Angeles. He does not follow an organic lifestyle but of course he knows that I do. The few times we met up, he took me to a few different organic restaurants, which was so nice of him. He didn’t have to do that. I felt so thankful that he went out of his way to accommodate my lifestyle because not that many people are willing to do that or are open to it.

I never mentioned this or fully explained it but at 18 years old I went through some health issues. Someone at that point mentioned to me that I should change my diet to an organic one. With changing my diet, it didn’t only include food. It also included hair products, body products, makeup, and more. After changing my lifestyle, I felt so much better and my health issues weren’t as prevalent. I fell in love with the lifestyle. It saved my life at that moment and I have never looked back. I will write a full blog post soon going more in depth on this. But, I am thankful for organics because it not only saved my life but it gave me life as well. It is my biggest passion that I love sharing with all of you and everyone around me.

Lastly, I want to apologize to my loyal readers that I have not written a new blog post in awhile. Even with my fantastic year, I have had a major case of writers block. I know it is no excuse but I feel with opening myself to the world, I personally need to feel open in order to give you my best work. I take pride in Sara’s Organic Eats and I always want to deliver something that I love with full passion and from the heart. But don’t worry because there will be more posts coming soon! I am so thankful to all of you (my readers and followers) , for allowing me to share my passion with you.

Remember, life is short. Always show gratitude every chance you get. Always take the opportunity to brighten someone’s day. Kindness goes a long way.

The organic lifestyle has changed my life in so many more ways than I could ever imagine. I am grateful for everything that has happened to me whether it was good or bad because it got me to this moment. Find your passion because once you do, your life will change forever.

Happy Holidays!

Love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”

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What is the most traditional Halloween candy you could possibly think of? CANDY CORN! Candy corn is delicious and nostalgic. Traditional candy corn is made with artificial colors and flavors. Sweet’s Candy Company created a natural candy corn. It is made with non-GMO ingredients, no artificial colors, and it is gluten free. The original candy corn is layered with white, orange, and yellow colors. This brand contains a full color on each piece. The colors are made with fruit and vegetable extracts like pumpkin, carrot, and apple. They smell like marshmallows with a hint of orange and lemon. They are delicious! I wanted to make a candy corn milkshake because 1. I love milkshakes! And 2. Because I love candy corn! . This candy corn milkshake is so easy to make! You can make candy corn milkshakes for Halloween and serve them at your parties.

These are the brands and ingredients I used to make this delicious Candy Corn Milkshake recipe. You can buy Sweet’s Candy Corn at Whole Foods Market. Also, if you want to make a candy corn rim on your glass, you can melt an organic white chocolate bar to make the candy corn stick. I used Green&Black’s organic white chocolate. You can find Green&Black’s chocolate bars at Whole Foods Market and most natural markets.

I hope you all enjoy my Candy Corn Milkshake recipe! Have a wonderful Halloween! I hope you celebrate with lots of treats that don’t contain any tricks!

Happy Halloween!

Love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”  

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This organic peppermint cookies and creme milkshake is a delicious treat for the holidays. It is so creamy with a hint of peppermint. You can never go wrong with a cookies and creme milkshake. I use all organic ingredients to make this milkshake. I recently found organic peppermint cookie sandwiches at Whole Foods Market in Savannah, Georgia last week and as soon as I got home from my trip I wanted to create a milkshake to share with all of you.  

(These are the brands I used for the ingredients to the organic peppermint cookies and creme milkshake recipe)

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season with the ones you love. I wish you all the joy and happiness! If you are looking for a special treat for you or for Santa, I hope this organic peppermint cookies and creme milkshake will suffice. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”  

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Holidays occur throughout the whole year. During the months of October through December, when all the big holidays arrive, we give ourselves the permission to gorge a little more than normal thus resulting in forgetting our “diets”. Let’s face it, those holidays are all centered around food first and family and friends second. Our coworkers bring in all these amazing cookies and cakes into the office and there are so many sweets lingering around the house. We tell ourselves “It’s the holidays, it’s okay.” I am sure many of you can relate to that statement. The holidays are a time to enjoy and celebrate with our families and friends and of course to eat our family’s best dishes. The most important thing to remember and to teach ourselves is portion control so that we are able to maintain our weight, still eat our favorite foods, and not pack on those lovely holiday pounds. Also, to maintain an organic lifestyle during this time of year, the best way is to cook with organic ingredients and only keep organics in the house. I am here to tell you that it is possible to get through the holiday season without ruining your organic lifestyle and without buying new pants.

Now if you are like me, who is very devoted to an organic lifestyle, how do I possibly make it through the holiday times with eating organic and maintaining my weight?

Here are a few things that I do.

1. Since I love to cook and bake, I have taken on the liberty to cook at almost all of our family functions during the holidays. That way, I am certain that everything has been prepared using organic ingredients.
2. I make all of our family’s favorite holiday dishes using organic ingredients when in the past we used conventional ingredients.
3. Sometimes we have parties or holidays at my family’s house and they have been so supportive that they will make organic dishes for me. Also, I will usually make something as well and bring it to the party.
4. Even with the holiday season I still shop, eat, and keep organic food in the house. I wouldn’t sabotage my lifestyle just because these holidays are surrounded by high fattening, un-organic, sugar laden, tempting foods. But, I want to be clear and tell you that I still do eat high fattening, sugar laden foods but made organically and of course in moderation.
5. The way I maintain my weight during the holidays is really all about portion control and eating small amounts and trying my hardest not to take seconds. I have taught myself the power of portion control and self control and that has made all the difference.

Here are a few things you can do. 

1. You can offer to cook for your families and find some healthy alternative recipes that still taste great.
2. Keep organic foods in your house.
3. Go out and buy organic ingredients for your recipes. This is the only sure way that you know you are sticking to an organic lifestyle.
4. If you are going to a family or friends house during the holidays, make a few dishes or desserts that you know you will eat and with organic ingredients.
5. Don’t be afraid to tell the host of the holiday dinner you are going to, of your dietary lifestyle.
6. Portion Control is the most important to learn and it takes a lot of discipline but you can do it!! It really is all about mind over food. The best advise is to use smaller plates. The smaller the plate you use, the smaller you will take. Also, if you try something and don’t like it, don’t force yourself to eat it.

Food brings us together and reminds us of our memories and our family. What makes the holidays so special are the people we share it with especially those friends and family members we only get to see once a year. So please enjoy the food that has been so lovingly prepared. Just remember that you have the willpower to stay on track during the holidays and you can eat food without it eating you.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones!

Love,

Sara, “S.O.Eats”

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