AM: Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about yourself and Deliciously Vibrant; when did it begin, what does Deliciously Vibrant mean, and what is its mission?
SS: Hi there, I’m Sarah, Holistic Nutritionist, Health Coach and Founder of Deliciously Vibrant. I started DLV almost 5 years ago while I was still in Nutrition school. I wanted a platform where I could share my recipes with friends and family. At the time, I had no idea it would evolve to become what it is today: a site where people can find inspiration for healthy recipes, healthy living, clean beauty and travelling.
The name Deliciously Vibrant is inspired by my mission:
Teaching people how to achieve vibrant health through delicious and nourishing foods.
On top of educating my clients about the healing powers of deliciously vibrant nutrition, I also guide them in making better lifestyle choices that can support their health and spark joy within.
Deliciously Vibrant is all about empowerment and self-confidence because ultimately I believe that we all have within us the wisdom we seek outside of ourselves. I am just here to help you uncover it.
AM: Where are you from originally and how did you end up in Spain?
SS: I was born and raised in Brussels, Belgium. However, I was never truly inspired by my home country and longed for a life lived in North America. So, after high school, I moved to Canada, where I lived, worked and studied for about 10 years.
Once I had completed my diploma in Nutrition, I had a deep craving to travel around the world to discover new cultures and explore holistic health abroad.
After living abroad and travelling around the world for about 3.5 years, with my partner, we decided to relocate to Spain for 2 reasons: one being that we both LOVE the idea of residing in Europe to be able to travel some more and the second being that I wanted to be closer to my family members in Belgium.
AM: What was your experience with food and self-love growing up?
SS: I have always been a foodie. For as long as I can remember, I would always look forward to eating and I am still very much obsessed with foods. Today, I just have a better understanding of which types of foods are truly nourishing to my body and support my health.
When it comes to self-love though, I was a late bloomer. Growing up in a bi-cultural and bi-racial home made me feel like I never truly belonged anywhere. I wasn’t African enough, and sure wasn’t Caucasian either. So, growing up in Belgium, I struggled a lot with my identity and loving myself.
It was not until the end of my teen years that I was able to fully embrace my cultural heritage and be proud of my roots.
However, I would say that I truly discovered self-love (the kind that’s independent of any exterior validation) about 4 years ago when I started travelling around the world.
AM: Where did you come to understand that body and mind wellness were linked?
SS: That question makes me smile as I remember precisely the moment I was introduced to the power of the mind when it comes to health. A few years ago, I was at a low point in my life where my negative thoughts truly weighed on me and made me feel depressed and unhappy too frequently. I was tired of always being down. One cold February evening, after my gym class at the YMCA, I found myself feeling down again. It was dark outside, which didn’t help my mood. So, I decided to not go home right away and I ended up in a bookstore. There, for the first time in my life, I decided to explore the Self-Help section. Not knowing exactly what to look for, I simply grabbed the first book that jumped at me – so to speak.
That book (“The Secret”) changed my life and kick-started my journey into holistic health. Prior to that, I knew about the importance of eating healthy and exercising but I had no idea about the mind/body connection.
AM: What advice would you give to a woman looking to begin her wellness journey? What are some steps she can take to begin?
SS: My best advice is to start with small but consistent changes. I always recommend a change in diet as well because good nutrition has such a drastic impact on our well-being.
AM: Please share with us a favorite recipe of yours.
SS: Ouuh, that’s a tricky question. But since it is Summer here in Spain, one of my favourite recipes at the moment is my Spring Quinoa Salad. It is so tasty and refreshing. The perfect meal when you’re trying to stay cool on a warm summer night.
AM: What sparked your love of travel?
SS: I would definitely say that my mom is the one that sparked my love of travel. When we were kids, she would often take my brother and I on vacation with her (with or without my dad) to different countries in Europe. I keep some of the best childhood memories from these annual summer trips with my mom and brother.
AM: Where was the last location you visited and which location has been your favorite thus far?
SS: The last place I visited was Playa del Carmen and Tulum in Mexico, right before moving to Spain. I absolutely loved it there and would go back for another visit for sure in the near future!!
Sorry, I can’t choose just one favourite location; so here are some of my favourites so far: Tulum (Mexico), Nice (France), Sydney (Australia), and Hoi An (Vietnam).
AM: What book(s) are you currently reading and do you have a favorite that you recommend?
SS: I am currently reading the Woman Code by Alisa Vitti.
And a new favourite of mine is: The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer.
I love Sarah’s positive message and candidness about her journey to self acceptance as a biracial woman. I’m learning from so many amazing women what it means to love yourself and the path they are taking other women on as they learn to embrace their identity as well.
You can find Sarah sharing more of her fabulous recipes and travel inspiration via Instagram or her website, Deliciously Vibrant. Feeling like you’re body needs a reset? Connect with Sarah here. Her kind spirit and zest for life are palpable through her beautiful site and colorful Instagram feed.
All photos courtesy of DMA International.
No Comments