Sara Tenenbein, a Los Angeles-based health writer and speaker, overhauled her life in 2011 and launched the blog Me, Redone to share her experiences with the world.
Tenenbein grew up eating the normal food that most people eat: fast food, sweets, and processed foods. But after running into some health problems, she became interested in healthy eating and a new lifestyle. Her blog began small but has become more popular and has given her more opportunities to speak and connect with audiences around the country. She posts nutritious recipes, natural beauty products, and other healthy living tips.
She shared a few thoughts about her life and career with The Scoop: SpringVegas during a recent interview.
How did you get where you are today?
The health and wellness part came because I ran into some health issues along the way, and I really got interested in taking care of yourself, and not just curing whatever ills you, but preventing it.
Because of her health issues, she was inspired to change her lifestyle and try her best to not get a serious illness again. Her lifestyle and diet didn’t change in one day; it was a gradual change where she cut things from her diet one at a time.
During the process, she began blogging casually with friends.
It started off as something more internal for me and my friends, but as I kept getting emails from people who are going through something similar things the blog gained more popularity through that way.
Her advice for anyone wanting to develop a persona blog is to write about things you love and know about. Tenenbein says it’s important to write often and write something that people will want to read. Her blog attracts a smaller group of people, but the people who read it are passionate about it.
My blog is more about people who like food and love beauty products, but who are also concerned about what’s in them.
If one were to look inside your fridge what might they see?
Lots of lemons and limes, because I use them for everything. I use them for cleaning, in my water, in juices, and salad dressing,s so I always have a ton of that. I have lots of greens, like green beans, lettuce, and kale. I have carrots and beets soaking in coconut milk for chocolate mousse later. I have whatever is in season in California, so tomatoes, squash, and just a lot of produce. I also love my condiments.
Tenenbein feels like lucky to live in California because of all of the resources for healthy foods. She participates in community supported agriculture, where participants buy a farm share and get a box of produce of whatever is in season each week. She likes to be close to her source of produce, which is why she usually shops at farmers markets. Every once in a while, she will shop at the supermarket for simpler items such as apples.
If one were to look in your makeup drawer what might they see?
Tenenbein also uses natural beauty products and says that by using these, her skin has gotten clearer. She has a mix of ingredients in her drawer because she also makes some of her own.
I make my own makeup remover and deodorant, and some stuff like that. Then I’ll have some of my more natural brands. My favorite brand right now is Jane Iredale, which is like a luxury skincare makeup brand. It’s a very happy medium between having integrity of ingredients, but quality product as well. I also love Bare Minerals foundation.
Tenenbein uses a more natural perfume called Auric Blend. Instead of a spray perfume, it is a perfume oil. It still smells good, but it avoids any fragrance chemicals, she says. Tenenbein discovered that Caroline Kennedy also really loved this perfume.
How do you feel like this healthier lifestyle has changed you?
Well, if you want to look at the very vanity aspect of it, I have lost weight and my skin is clearer, so those things are great. In general, I am just more aware of what I put in my body. … I feel like I have more energy and I feel like I have the body I was meant to have versus the one that was created by the food I was eating before.
Tenenbein has been influenced positively by this change in several ways; she has even convinced her husband to join her in a healthier lifestyle. She tries to cook at home as much as she can but will go out occasionally to “fun eat.” One of her favorite places to go is Chipotle because they offer some healthier options such as a burrito bowl.
Tenenbein actively uses her blog, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Anyone can subscribe to her emails for weekly posts and can follow her on all social media to get tips on a healthy lifestyle. For any questions, people can email, info@meredone.com.
