Q&A: Sara Forte

Sara Forte has made a name for herself in the health food industry, but that doesn’t mean she believes brownies are off-limits. The founder of blog Sprouted Kitchen and cookbook author (she’s working on her third) strives to help people unlock the power and potential of real foods with delicious recipes photographed by hubby Hugh. We chatted with the veggie-loving blogger about why it’s okay to indulge, how to stay healthy while slammed at work, and her dream dinner guests.

Tell us a bit about your journey. How long have you been creating healthy recipes?

A few years into college, I started working at the organic farm on campus and that whole experience changed what “healthy food” was for me. I was paid in produce, so I taught myself how to use them by way of reading recipes and watching Food Network. I messed up a lot but I learned. I worked for restaurants and caterers. All of these experiences contributed to my knowledge of food and hospitality. It has intrigued me for both its wellness and care-taking aspects. My goal is to share recipes for practical, produce-focused home cooking.

What does a healthy diet mean to you?

I absolutely think it is different per person. What we put into our bodies affects its performance — mentally and physically. I try to keep things like wheat to a minimum but by no means off limits. I love a good thin crust pizza and a brownie a la mode. I think it’s as simple as being mindful of what you’re doing, what goes in your mouth, paying attention to what sits in your gut after you eat it. I think a healthy diet is not one that controls you, but allows you to feel good and well with the nutrition it fills your beautiful body with.

How does your diet help you feel better, mentally and physically?

As an obvious statement: eating better makes me feel better physically. I have more energy, sleep better, am happier because I feel healthy in my guts. I don’t get this right all the time. All of our choices compound on each other and create good habits. I don’t think a good life begins and ends with your diet, but I absolutely think it is worth stepping back and seeing the holes where you are possibly self-sabotaging because of it.

Healthy nutrition tips for busy people?

• Prep food in advance. Make a couple dressings/sauces so you can easily throw together a big green salad or bowl of quinoa.
• Keep a well-stocked pantry so the burden of going to the store constantly doesn’t deter you from a wholesome meal.
• Find a few resources to inspire you to try new recipes.

Biggest misconception about healthy eating?

I think people see it as a set of rules, do and don’ts, things you’re “not allowed” to eat. I live within a pretty moderate view of eating “healthy,” where there is no black and white. I eat a delicious pasta dish but it’ll be small and my salad three times the volume. I don’t think healthy eating is never eating delicious foods that make you happy, it’s eating less of them, being moderate.

If you could cook any meal for anyone, alive or dead, who would it be, and what would you cook?

I would love to sit at a table of women I admire – Oprah, Michelle Obama, Harriet Tubman, Alice Waters. I would make them a Mediterranean-type feast with falafels and salad and grilled eggplant and hummus. That is my favourite meal for sharing.

Current favourite recipe?

I have been working on a double chocolate cookie recipe for my next cookbook made with coconut oil and almond flour and they are just so, so good.

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