WELCOME TO WELL AND FULL!
Hi, I’m so glad you’re here! My name is Sarah, and I created this blog in 2015 to share recipes that are good for the body and soul. Here, you can find a variety of recipes, including vegan, plant-based, gluten-free, and vegetarian options.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
I was a sophomore in college when I first dreamed about starting a blog. Over the years, I created a number of blogs about yoga, gourmet food, lifestyle, etc. While I loved all of those categories, none of them were truly my passion.
After I graduated from college, I took a job in corporate finance that led to a total burnout in only a few years. This was mostly because I had started getting sick – debilitating yet amorphous gastrointestinal symptoms that no one could pin down. It was at this time when I decided to start Well and Full as a vegan blog. During those years, I experimented with vegan, raw, and stereotypically “healthy” recipes, but I still didn’t feel better.
Fast forward four years. I finally found healthcare professionals who would listen to me – a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician’s Assistant – after years of pleading with doctors to do more testing. A capsule endoscopy ordered by the PA quickly found ulcers in my small intestine.
I have Crohn’s disease, and a type of arthritis that goes along with IBD (enteropathic arthritis), and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. While getting these diagnoses were difficult for me to process mentally, I feel as though that process has given me a new direction in life.
While a bit disillusioned with the healthcare system, I was incredibly inspired by the nurses who had helped me along with my journey. Not long after, the coronavirus hit America hard. I saw so many images on the news of families suffering, doctors and nurses working without proper PPE, and so many preventable deaths. I felt a calling; I felt like I had to help. So, in May 2020, I signed up for my first classes for nursing school.
While I took classes like Anatomy & Physiology, microbiology, etc., I wanted to jump into the healthcare field to see the real-life applications of my studies. I decided to enroll in an accelerated Emergency Medical Technician program in the summer of 2021, and got a job as an EMT soon after.
When I started working on an ambulance, I immediately felt – this is it. I love working as an EMT, being out on the road, working in different environments, and getting to spend time outside (which, after working in corporate finance, I don’t take for granted!). I made the choice to take a step back from nursing school because I feel satisfied in my current career as an EMT. I now work two jobs, one for a commercial ambulance service, and one for a town ambulance.
MY APPROACH TO WELLNESS
I learned from my own experience that loading up on quinoa, kale smoothies, and açaí bowls isn’t a magical pathway to well-being, despite what you might see on social media. Creating diets centered around deprivation or restriction may lead to deleterious mental health effects. I also strongly believe that health is not a one-size-fits-all practice. What works for one person may not work for you, and that’s okay!
FUN FACTS ABOUT ME
- I live in Connecticut with my husband Jon, and my dog Ivy!
- Ivy is my rescue baby and she is the light of my life. You can read more about her here!
- I’m a classically trained pianist and sang competitively in school. Music is a huge part of my life.
- Reading is one of my great passions! I started reading at the age of four, and have read over a thousand books since then. Some of my favorites include the Millennium series by Stieg Larsson, The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd, and My Life in France by Julia Child.
- My other hobbies include ice skating, rollerblading, hiking with Jon and Ivy, and yin yoga.
WELL AND FULL GROUND RULES
Keep it kind, keep it respectful! Above all, have fun!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
P.S. The best way to get ahold of me is through the comments! I absolutely love hearing from my readers, and I respond to each and every comment I receive. But if you’d like to send a private message, please feel free to drop me a line at wellandfull@gmail.com.
32 Comments
Rosemarie Unshelm
December 28, 2016 at 2:42 amHi Sarah,
I would like to put your recipe of your vegan buddha bowl in my new book about mitochondria. I just want to ask you, if this is okay with you?
Sarah
December 28, 2016 at 9:22 amThanks for asking Rosemarie! Unfortunately, I do not allow my recipes to be posted in places other than this website. This is for the sake of copyright and to ensure the quality of my recipes.
Cristina Muller
January 8, 2017 at 2:44 amGreat page Sarah will try one of your recipe next week but hard to choose as they all seem so delicious. Will let you know more after the first trial.
Sarah
January 8, 2017 at 8:29 amYes, please do! I’d love to know what you think! :D
Shauna
January 17, 2017 at 12:34 pmI just found your blog today – it looks wonderful! I just decided today that I’m going to go 100% Whole Food Plant Based so you’re posts are just what I was hoping to find. Thanks :)
Sarah
January 17, 2017 at 3:50 pmI’m so glad to hear that Shauna!! I hope you like the recipes here :) :)
Clean eating is good for the soul | Healthy Living
March 12, 2017 at 8:25 pm[…] based on vegans and healthy recipes. One blog that really inspired me to try this new lifestyle was Well and Full, this blog has different recipes and is updated […]
Loraine
June 22, 2017 at 12:30 pmI just sent you an email as well but I just wanted to say, fantastic articles with a great background about the chakras.
Sarah
August 22, 2017 at 1:58 pmHi Loraine, I will get back to you ASAP!
Destiny
October 12, 2017 at 9:28 pmHey Sarah! Oh my gosh, you have such an adorable blog! I’m doing a feature article on some great vegan recipes, and I’d love to include one of yours! Let’s chat! Shoot me an email and I can fill you in.
Sarah
October 13, 2017 at 12:15 pmAbsolutely! I’ll send you an email right now :)
thefolia
October 20, 2017 at 7:46 amThose pictures if Ivy licking the strawberries…what a moment caught on camera!
Sarah
October 20, 2017 at 11:55 amHaha thank you! She’s always so curious :)
Corinne Kruger
October 26, 2017 at 5:40 amI recently decided to change my life in a small way but in a way that would drastically impact the way I eat, cook and live. I have made the life-altering change from meat-loving carnivore to complete herbivore! At first, the thought was quite daunting. I use to be a “no-garnish on my burger” kinda girl. Unlearning the way I have perceived food for the past 23 years of my life was not easy! However, coming across your website has been an absolute saving grace. Your recipes are tasty, easy to make and look beautiful! There is a massive misconception about vegetarian/plant-based food – that it is brown and bland and boring but your blog is a major game changer! THANK YOU, Sarah! :) with love from Cape Town, South Africa
Sarah
October 26, 2017 at 10:29 amDear Corinne, thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comment!! It means the world to me to know that some of the recipes here may have helped you on your journey a bit! :) Transitioning to vegetarianism or veganism can definitely be daunting, and there are still a ton of stereotypes about this way of eating (it’s all rabbit food!!). But it’s seriously SO AWESOME that you’re going on this plant-powered journey, and if you ever have any recipe ideas or suggestions, I am all ears! :D I hope you have a wonderful day!
Emily
December 4, 2017 at 11:47 amMy family has been plant based for about a year, but we have an eighteen year old vegetarian, a two year old who likes the occasional chicken nugget at a restaurant, a six year old who loves salad of all things, and my husband who has a sweet tooth and occasionally does dairy! I have found your blog thoughtful and well curated. Thanks for putting in so much work ~ it is very obviously a labor of love and I appreciate the energy you are putting out into the world!
Sarah
December 4, 2017 at 11:57 amHi Emily, thank you so much for your kind note!! It really means a lot that you like the work I’ve done here :) I hope you enjoy all of the recipes you try!! Happy Holidays from my family to yours :)
Diane Sabino
January 3, 2018 at 10:01 pmHi Sarah,
I was a very strict vegan a few years ago but decided to incorporate a bit of animal protein back into my diet. Well, the holidays did me in! I really overdid it!!! I have spent the last 3 days not feeling well…acid-reflux, bloating, etc. I made a decision that I needed to go back to super clean eating. Just making the decision was freeing. I have spent many hours today looking up Buddha Bowl recipes and found a lot of good ones (I think!). I was on soooo many sites but when I found yours, I hung around. I read your story. I LOVE what you’re doing and I love the way you write. Keep up the great work!!! (I too have a blog. It is hard work and I applaud you)
Sarah
January 3, 2018 at 10:12 pmHi Diane, thank you so much for your thoughtful note!! I’m so glad to hear that you like this blog :) I put my heart into every recipe I create and every post I write, and it means a lot that you appreciate it! I hope you love the buddha bowl recipe and any other recipe you try here! Hugs!
Ronja
January 28, 2018 at 8:44 amHi Sarah,
I love your blog and I especially loved the recipe for the Cinnamon Chai Banana Bread but can’t find it anymore :(. Did you take it down? Any chance that you could send it to me?
Best, Ronja
Sarah
January 28, 2018 at 3:35 pmHi Ronja, thank you so much for writing! Unfortunately, I had a bunch of technical issues last spring, and I lost a few of my recipes while my website was down. However I think you’d love this almond banana bread recipe! :)
Jennifer Dolan
February 5, 2018 at 6:26 pmSarah,
My name is Jennifer Dolan. I am a dietitian in Philadelphia, PA. I love your blog and would like to promote you. I recently started a podcast where I interview farmers, foodmakers, and chefs to promote people that follow “slow food” principles. I would love to interview you for my podcast. Please let me know if you are open to being interviewed. You can email me at jennifer@jennifermdolan.com. If you want to hear one of the podcasts, I recommend the kombucha podcast I did with Jessa Stevens of Inspired Brews in Philadelphia since you are a vegetarian. My podcast can be found on i-tunes (jenniferstwist).
Sarah
February 6, 2018 at 12:45 amHi Jennifer, thank you so much for reaching out! I will send you an email ASAP :)
Jody
October 18, 2018 at 8:52 amHi Sarah,
Thank you for your recipes. I’ve been vegetarian and vegan since age 19 and now eat all vegan.
I’m happy to try your recipes. I have to eat 100% organic as I developed Lyme disease 5 years ago
and have been battling it ever since. I can’t wait t try the Pumpkin soup. In fact- today in Northeast CT
it’s 32 degrees and a great day to try it. My American Bulldog Rocky is a rescue dog too. My daughter
and I rescued him from a kill shelter and he’s been with us for over 4 years. Have a great day and
in Thank You for the recipes.
Sarah
October 18, 2018 at 3:29 pmHi Jody, thanks so much for leaving a note!! It’s great to e-meet another Nutmegger :) I really feel for you, I had Lyme Disease when I was 5 and it was really hard to get better. Apparently it never really leaves your system :( But eating a plant-based diet definitely helps!
Your pup Rocky sounds like a wonderful dog! :) I’ve found that shelter dogs are really special because they appreciate having a loving home so much. Sending hugs to you and him from me and Ivy :)
– Sarah
Rachael Cheung
February 16, 2019 at 4:55 pmStumbled upon your recipe on Pintrest (Whole Food Prep Masters instagram) and really like your website layout and content! :) Thought I’d just leave you with a compliment! Have a great day ;).
Sarah
February 18, 2019 at 12:42 pmThank you so much for your kind words, Rachael! I really appreciate it :)
Barbara
July 24, 2020 at 12:10 amHi Sarah,
Just found you and your recipes and I can’t wait to try them :). I am new to this vegan journey but it has been so fun so far and I am learning how to cook all over again!!! Stay safe, strong and well!!!
Sarah
July 29, 2020 at 8:48 amHi Barbara, I’m so glad to have you here! I hope you enjoy all of the recipes :)
Rose McInerney
October 19, 2020 at 11:52 pmHi Sarah,
Just sent you a note and didn’t read through your bio – now I’m even more impressed. I live in New Canaan and hope to connect after finding your Sunday Root recipe. Keep up the inspiring work and sending you energy and joy! I have two websites – Sipping on Stories and Womanscape. Hoping to connect with thanks, Rose
TinaLorrane Wrotenbery
October 24, 2021 at 10:16 amHi i just came across your website in search of Chakra support foods . My husband and i are trying your smoothie 1 a day for each chakra. Im thrilled and will post your link on my reinvention website TinaLorrane.com
Thanks!
Sarah
October 29, 2021 at 3:05 pmHope you enjoy the smoothies :)