Well, I gotta say that all you readers out there seem to be very interested in the life of Sarah B – education, lifestyle, diet, workplace…whew! I am struggling to keep up with all the questions, so I thought it was time to start an FAQ page. And since I am on my annual juice fast this week, I really need to get out of the kitchen!
I hope this answers the bulk of your inquiries – my husband is getting jealous of my computer.
Why did you start My New Roots?
I started this blog because I wanted to share the incredible knowledge I had received through my education in Holistic Nutrition. I discovered so many things that I believed needed to be public information, not just for those who can go to school to study in this field. I wanted to set up a non-biased space for people to come and learn about how to take better care of themselves through diet and lifestyle, as I have seen immense changes in myself since making little, positive changes every day.
I was so tired of being bombarded by self-interested media and half-truths about how to look after myself, and I knew I wasn’t alone. Since my education was almost like a user-guide for my body, mind, and spirit, I thought it was time to spread the word! When I discover something new I am simply too excited not to share! We’re all in this together – let’s help each other be the best we can be! (Yes, I was probably a cheerleader in a past life).
What is your Education?
I am a Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Nutritional Practitioner (CNP). To obtain this accreditation, I attended the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto, Canada. IHN is a private college that offers an intensive 1 year full-time or 2 year part-time program based on a university-level curriculum with locations in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada.
Students graduate with a diploma in Applied Holistic Nutrition and have earned the designation of Certified Nutritional Practitioner (CNP), with full qualification to receive the Registered Nutritional Consultant Practitioner (RNCP) and Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner (ROHP) designations.
I really loved this school because of its incredibly diversified curriculum, and the education I received gave me a great springboard to continue in my own way. You do need to be certified to practice legally as a Certified Nutritional Practitioner (not a dietitian, as you may know). A word of caution: you will not be recognized by the medical community with this designation, so if a private practice is what you’re looking for, go for it. Even if you just want the information for yourself, it is truly the best year of education you’ll receive about your body, mind, and how to take care of yourself in a holistic, natural way.
Since I lived in Canada at the time I took my education, I really don’t know anything about the schools in other countries. You’ll have to look up CNP certification programs if you live elsewhere.
What exactly is Holistic Nutrition?
The best way to define Holistic Nutrition is a health care system based on integrating the physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional and spiritual components of someone’s life. It emphasizes personal responsibility and a cooperative relationship between practitioner and client. Working with both the diet and lifestyle, I help people return to a state of healthy balance and well-being.
How did you start cooking?
When I moved from Toronto to Copenhagen I found out that I couldn’t legally practice, so I wrote a list of the jobs I really wanted to do instead. Without thinking about practicalities or what was “realistic”, the one thing that kept coming up was cooking. What?! “I am not a cook”, I kept saying to myself. “I have no formal training, no experience besides making food for myself and developing recipes for My New Roots, so how in the world can I expect a restaurant to hire me based on the fact that I like to fool around in the kitchen?” I finally got sick of doubting myself, realized it was clearly what I wanted to do, so I pulled up my socks and headed out to every single veggie-friendly restaurant in the city.
Well, sure enough, someone took a chance on Sarah B. In my interviews I just let my honest passion for food and learning shine through, so of course I got the gig. Of course.
I am now working at two restaurants, and every day I have the complete honor of feeding people delicious, whole foods, and opening their minds to the fact that healthy can taste amazing! Looking out over a packed house with everyone eating the food I have put so much love, intention, and energy into gives me goose bumps every time. I know they leave feeling better than when they came in, and I have played a small part in making their day a little brighter and their bodies a little healthier.
How did you learn how to cook?
I taught myself. See answer above.
What is your food philosophy?
A lot of people want to know “what I am” – vegetarian, vegan, raw foodist, fruitarian, macrobiotic…guess what? I am a person who eats!
My food philosophy is this: I hate labels. They stink. They force a person to define themselves in very rigid terms, beat themselves up if they suddenly eat something that doesn’t fit that definition, and I know I never want to have to label what “kind” of diet I subscribe to. Being dogmatic about anything, for me, just doesn’t work. Being flexible does. Yay.
I eat almost entirely organic food. My diet consists mainly (like, 99%) of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds. I probably eat an egg once every couple weeks if the mood strikes me, and sometimes I will enjoy some goat or sheep dairy in very small amounts. You’ll even catch me nibbling on a freshly caught fish once or twice a year at our summerhouse (if I know where it came from, who caught it, and that it was killed humanely, I’m game. Why not? There is nothing like a fish straight out of the ocean!)
The only label I’ll slap on myself is “whole-food-lover”. Nothing makes me feel better, think better, and look better than whole foods! And the big bonus? I never count calories or worry about my weight because I know that if I eat this way, my body will be in a perfect state of balance and health, naturally.
What are some tips you would give to other food + health bloggers?
I get this question a lot, which kind of makes me laugh because I don’t feel very qualified to answer, but I’ll take it as a huge compliment! Depending on the reasons that you blog, or “where you want your blog to go”, here are my top three pieces of advice:
1. Don’t give up. You will undoubtedly come to a point where you think: No one is reading this. Nobody cares. This is so much work. What’s the use? But I urge you to keep going. It has been three and a half years of non-stop blogging for me. Most of the time I feel totally inspired, excited, called to keep on keepin’ on. Some weeks, I want to just throw up my hands and forget about it, but I don’t. My perseverance has paid off so, so much, and I know that I am finally making a difference, however small it may be.
2. Get a good camera and learn how to take beautiful pictures. Food blogging is no longer just about the recipe – you gotta have the images to draw people in. Since I invested in a DSLR, things have really taken off and my photos are much better than they used to be (have you been back in the archives to my first year of posts? Actually, don’t look!). Use natural light whenever possible. Beautiful food can suddenly look crazy-gross with a flash or under fluorescent light.
3. Reach out. Get your recipes on as many other sites as you can (Tastespotting, FoodGawker etc.). Use Facebook (something I am still adjusting to!), Twitter if you like. It’s all about getting your blog to reach as far as it can in as many different platforms as possible.
Are you currently accepting clients? Can you work with me over the internet?
The way I work is this: if you have a health goal or specific concern, we can have a consultation, then I will decided whether or not to accept you as a client. It really depends on your issue, and I need to be fair in assessing whether or not I think I can actually help you. This is in everyone’s best interest.
That being said, I much prefer to work in person, face-to-face, and I take on very few cases – I am a pretty busy girl!
If you email me about a personal health issue, I may answer, but don’t count it. Please understand that I don’t love giving out advice over email if I don’t know the entire extent of your problem and health history. Again, if you want me to consider you for treatment, email me about that instead.
How did you start writing for other publications?
The other publications I write for, both on a regular basis, and one-offs, have contacted me because they have found my blog through the grapevine (thus the importance of reaching out to other sites, and never giving up!).
Do you charge for writing articles and photographs?
Yes. If you are interested in hiring me to write an original article and recipe with photographs, contact me for more information at: sayhello@mynewroots.org
Where do you work in Copenhagen?
It’s a treasure hunt! Come and find me….
Do you make money through your blog?
Nope. I do it because I love it. And doing what you love is the whole point of living, right?
*** On a final, yet very important, note I just need to say that I am BLOWN AWAY by the comments and emails you’ve been sending me lately. Like, you actually taking time out of your day to send some love my way? Ridiculous! It means more than you will ever, ever know. You keep me going post after post, motivating me to continue. I have a lot of love for this community we’re building together, and I promise to continue giving you the best that I can, every day.
In love and gratitude, always,
Sarah B
I love your blog so much and have made several recipes off here that impress me every time! I always hear that nutrition and physical activity go hand in hand as far as health goes so my question is, do you work out regularly/ have a fitness program you follow? What type of exercise is your favorite?
Such a lovely, inspirational blog, thank you
Love this blog 🙂
… you are so inspiring and … real … i love your work and recipes … keep being awesome …
1001HealthBits.com is slightly obsessed with you!
your story is inspiring – thank you for sharing
I found your blog through Roost Blog. And wow, am I ever glad I clicked over. Your writing, your thoughts, photos + food are like a breath of fresh air. I feel completely inspired every time I leave your blog. Thank you!
I am sooo happy I “stumbled” across this blog, and more importantly this post. Your comment on labels totally resonates. I’ve just completed a 30 day vegan challenge (successfully, yay!) and I’m left feeling so torn on what to do now. I like your philosophy and it is inspiring. Thank you for sharing! Vanessa
I’m a big fan of your blog and your food philosophy in general. I especially love what you said about not putting a label on your diet. It’s something I’ve struggled with when people question the decisions I’ve made in regards to the food I eat. Thanks for writing this post, you made that question seem so much simpler!
Sarah B,
I found your site through Sarah Wilson and I’m so so happy. I love your style and openness and fresh-thinking. And the recipes, of course! Divine.
You have a big fan in Portland, Oregon!
Cheers to you,
Samantha
This blog is so awesome! It’s my food inspiration. I also find it so cool that you moved from Toronto to Copenhagen – I’m living in Toronto right now, and I’ll be doing an exchange in Copenhagen next year. Have any advice to give? I’ll definitely be trying to search out your restaurants while I’m there!
Thanks so much, Sarah! We love you, and keep doing what you’re doing!
I love FAQ posts like yours, Sarah B, learning some of the back story of people I admire. Thanks for going to the trouble. It’s a real pleasure to read your work.
Hey ya’ll!
WOW ~ what an amazing response! I am so flattered by your thoughtful comments and glad to hear that this may have clarified some of your questions.
For those of you who asked more, however…
Rachel: I am married to a Dane, so I am able to work here legally.
Malin: as far as I know, there is nothing like the program I studied, here in Scandinavia. Booo.
Mandy: I am planning on writing a post about coffee at some point. For now I will just say keep your intake to 6 oz.(175 ml)/day.
Crystal: Yes, I am from Toronto.
Love to you all, thanks for ongoing incredible support!
XO, Sarah B
Okay, I have to comment. For some time, I’ve been reading your great posts. This is my kind of eating – I have even introduced your blog to my all-time favorite eating spot: Rawsome Cafe here on my small West Coast Canada Island. Enough drooling over my keys, struggling to hear my music over my growling tummy and wallowing in wonderful tidbits of education.
I wish I enjoyed cooking, but preparing raw or wholesome is the closest I come to putting together dishes with love.
Thank you for being a teacher and sharing your recipes. You are incredible. Thank goodness you studied this field.
Love reading more about you Sarah. So glad you’ve received the recognition you deserve! You’re truly an inspiration 🙂
Sarah, you’re gorgeous!
Beautiful site! I’m an absolute fan. A totally non-creepy foodie fan.
Your answer on what´s your food philosophy – well put! That´s exactly the answer I´ll give the next time people ask me all kinds of questions about my diet. Thank you for a great blog!
I’m a fan too! Always enjoy seeing what you are cooking.And you’re from Toronto too? Canadian?
I stumbled upon your blog earlier and wanted to drop to say hello. I just (well, almost a year ago) moved to Denamrk from the US. I had no idea you were in CPH, just discovered that! Love your blog, and I can’t wait to read through all of it.
I absolutely LOVE your blog and it gives me so much inspiration – every day! I recently started my own blog focussing on fast, healthy and yummy food for both babies and adults.
Pop by some day! 🙂
http://lillamatderiven.blogspot.com
I have another question, how do think/feel about drinking coffee? I’m kind of a coffee addict and I’m wondering how good or bad it is for my body. Thanksss! X Mandy
Really love your blog and I am your latest follower! I think its such an inspiration for many many people! I just posted something about your blog as well. Keep up doing the good stuff, and thanks for answering your FAQ! 🙂 X Mandy
I recently found your blog and I love everything about it; the holistic thinking, the recepies and pictures, your writing… Your education seems really interesting, do you know if there is others like it in scandinavia? Where did you grow up? Sorry, more questions 🙂
I’m so glad you made a FAQ page – I loved getting to know more about you and your blog + work. You’re an inspiration! You’ve already accomplished so much all by following your dreams and sharing what you know about eating healthy.
I agree so much with your food philosophy–and the idea that we are all responsible for our own health.
Can I ask how you are able to work in Denmark? I’d love to do that but seem to keep hearing you need special visas.
I have only just recently come across your blog and have loved every recipe I’ve read so far. Keep up the amazing job! And good on you for following your dream to cook and feed people. As a trained chef I admire people like you who even though you are have not “studied”, do it, everyday because you simply love it 🙂
I absolutely love your blog. The best foodie one I have come across in a long time! Thank You for the info and the cool quirky recipes… Your quite the writer to… Maybe you should do a book one day!
All my love from Oz x
Love love love it. I don’t blame any blogger who makes money, but it definitely adds something to the value of yours that you’re doing it purely out of love.
I also really appreciate your philosophy about food. Couldn’t agree more.
Thanks for sharing!
I’ve just found your blog through Green Kitchen Stories and I am really happy for it.
We love and cook the same type of foods, so I just need to start try your super recipes. It was nice to read about you, good luck with all the things you do!
Best wishes from Hungary!
There is such a hunger in the world for information and direction on how to eat healthy! I have started learning and practicing a few tricks of the trade (healthy morning smoothie with maca, hemp protein powder, soil-based probiotics, chlorella… you get the picture) and now my friends and family are looking to me as some all-knowing health guru, which I’m not! I appreciate your blog and all the information you make available to the searching masses.
Ah, I’m so glad you wrote about the ebbs and flows of blogging inspiration. I’m currently at the stage you described where you’re convinced no one is reading it and discourage by how much time it takes to blog.
Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
aw, nice to get to know you a little better. Love the blog, keep up the great work! 🙂
Hi! I recently discovered your blog and have been following since. Thank you so much for the incredible recipes on the blog, as well as the information about Holistic Nutrition on this post. It truly sounds fascinating and I wonder why the Medical world isn’t paying much attention it deserves. The FAQs were wonderful and it’s so great to know you more 🙂
Thanks!
Stephanie
I love your blog! Thanks so much for the invaluable information. I’ve been committed to living a healthy lifestyle and your blog has been so inspirational. Thank you very much for taking the time to share all your knowledge!
Much love,
Kari
I love your blog – always so full of lovely new recipes to try and gorgeous photography! Many thanks for all your advice and info and for inspiring us to be healthy and enjoy great food! 🙂
I am a huge fan of this blog, and I am so happy that you took the time to fill us in! You are a completely inspiring person. Way to go.
best,
Sandy Caribou