Meet OAMM blog partner Sarah of Real Food and Ice Cream
Or maybe we should call her Wonder Woman. She has two full-time jobs: obstetrician and mom of two. And she still finds time to cook amazing whole foods for her family and blogs about her recipes at Real Food and Ice Cream. She also shares on her blog her struggles and successes in her own food journey, starting at the tender age of six. She finally quit what she calls “chronic dieting” when she welcomed her two little girls into the world. She committed herself to learning about her body and the food she put into it. While she set out to give her girls a better start than she had, she discovered a renewed passion for food and found that real food was not only healthy but satisfying. We love Sarah’s story and her recipes!
Connect with Sarah on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for more recipes.
Original: Veggie Quesadillas with Beet Greens Pesto (vegetarian)
Freezable: Veggie Quesadillas with Beet Greens Pesto (log-in required)
Original: Honey Nut Granola (diet, Weight Watchers, vegetarian, low-carb)
Freezable: Honey Nut Granola (log-in required)
Other great recipes from Real Food and Ice Cream that you can find as part of your OAMM membership:
- Tropical Protein Smoothie: Original, Freezable
- Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats: Original, Freezable
- Vegetarian Cincinnati Chili: Original, Freezable
- Lemon Basil Ricotta Pasta Bake: Original, Freezable
How long have you been blogging about food?
I started my own blog in July 2014 but have been a blog follower for so many years before that!
Have you always loved cooking, or was it a skill that you learned to love? Who taught you to cook?
I’ve loved cooking for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching cooking shows, long before Food Network. Anyone remember Jeff Smith, the Frugal Gourmet? I picked up some cooking skills from my dad. He worked in a restaurant for a short time during my childhood, but I’m mostly self-taught.
What is your favorite meal to serve to family and friends? What is your favorite treat to make for yourself?
This is a really difficult question for me… my family actually jokes that I never make something more than once! I’m always trying new recipes!
Ok, then let’s share Sarah’s reader’s favorites:
- Salmon Tacos with Avocado Crema
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup with Maple Bacon
- Autumn Wheat Berry Salad
What is your favorite kitchen tool or gadget? Tell us a little about how you fell in love with it and how you use it in your kitchen.
It is so simple, but I love my garlic press. None of that teeny-tiny chopping, and the garlic scent doesn’t linger on my fingers as long!
When you are meal planning or looking for new recipes, what kind of guidelines do you follow for choosing them or what gives you inspiration in the kitchen for new flavors?
I’m always on the lookout for meals that are healthy and relatively quick for the weekdays. I try to use real, seasonal ingredients and keep highly processed ingredients at a minimum. I love trying lots of new flavors, and I’ll try anything once! Unfortunately, that doesn’t always go over well with the kids, but I keep trying!
What items are ALWAYS on your grocery list? What items will you NEVER put on your grocery list?
We eat a crazy amount of oatmeal – it is ALWAYS on my list. Also apples, bananas, baby carrots, nuts, seeds, plain yogurt, milk, and eggs. We gave up soda a couple years ago, after a long love affair with Diet Coke. Now it’s on the NEVER list!
Tell us the best kitchen tip or trick that you’ve ever discovered.
Ha! Yeah, nothing. I still consider myself just a home cook who is always trying to get better.
What do you like to do when you aren’t cooking or blogging?
I’m usually always busy doing something. My “real job” is working as an obstetrician, so the hospital is where you’ll find me Monday–Thursday. In the evenings, I’m doing homework with my two daughters, and Friday is my day to work on the blog and go for long runs. The half-marathon is my favorite distance, so I’m always trying to squeeze in time to run.
Have you ever freezer cooked? Share some of your favorite recipes or tips.