Yo-Getter Spotlight: Toni Snearly from Food (Just Sayin’)

Over the years, we’ve connected with so many amazing blogger moms. Many of these women wanted to know more about the food they feed their families and we wanted a way to empower them with information and continue the dialogue on healthy eating. We are all trying to communicate the same message: We’re invested in feeding our families in a healthy way, and in order to do so, we need to know what’s in the food we’re eating. As a result, the Yo-Getters ambassador group was born!

We wanted to get to know this passionate group of moms better so what better way than to highlight a new Yo-Getter each month? Our latest Yo-Getter under the spotlight is Toni Snearly! Toni has been blogging in one capacity or another since 2007 and currently blogs at Food (Just Sayin’). In addition to running a home bakery and homeschooling her son, other roles include: Smart phone addict, Queen of Sarcasm and lover of all things food.

In Toni’s words, food is one of the basic needs of life. The rest of life’s successes are built on this healthy foundation. Why not make it the strongest it can be? Organic, healthy food for the win! Aside from organic milk, she confides that her favorite Stonyfield product is the Whole Vanilla Yogurt because it’s so versatile! Or wait…maybe it’s the Caramel Oikos…decisions, decisions…

Chandra Carson: Thanks for joining me Toni! Can you tell me a little about yourself and your family?

Toni Snearly: I am an only child, married to an only child with an only child. Our small family of 3 resides in northwest Indiana where we enjoy a lifestyle of traveling, homeschooling and eating as much good food as possible. I, myself, have been active in blogging and social media for many years. I can also be found attending media events, filling orders in my home bakery and sitting on the front porch dreaming of culinary school.

CC: Can you also describe your blog and what inspires your posts?

TS: My blog, Food (Just Sayin’), was originally started to simply talk about all things food. I love to cover all topics from recipes to food festivals to famous chefs to product comparisons. But most of all, I enjoy discussing organic living. My family and I live an organic eating lifestyle so, I feel the need to spread as much information as I can to others who are interested or wanting to know more. I am forever writing blog posts in my head. Whether it be the latest “foodie” movie or a situation I saw at a grocery store, I have a million posts stored in my brain. The difficult part is getting it all down in type. Sometimes I find so many things I want to talk about that it’s overwhelming. Everywhere you look, there is inspiration to talk about “something” food related.

CC: And what do you like to do when you’re not blogging?

TS: Wait…people do other things beside blog? Wow…um…well…most of my life revolves around food. When I’m not talking about food, I’m reading about food. If I’m not reading about it, I’m cooking or baking. We also have a small garden where we like to grow and can some of our own products. Aside from food related fun, I do love to travel and learn about other cultures (and their food.) Of course, as a homeschooling mother, I also enjoy giving my son hands on experiences with trips, museums and things of the like.

CC: Can you share any tips or secrets from the Snearly kitchen? What are your favorite meals to cook?

TS: The biggest tip I can give from the kitchen, is to just get IN the kitchen and cook! The more you do it, the better you will become. As far as favorite meals to cook, I love a challenge…especially with cultural meals. I like to try new things I’ve never done before…like cooking Mexican meals in clay pots or making Indian foods with new and exciting spices. If you don’t expand your horizons, you’ll never learn.

CC: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

TS: Definitely cheese. I’m not sure why, but I guess it’s the one food I can say I never tire of…and is always completely satisfying. Also, it can be eaten cold, warm, melted, soft, hard and even moldy. Well, I don’t prefer moldy, but some do!

CC: Can you share any tips for getting kids to eat healthy?

TS: If you’re able, start them early on making healthy choices. My son is now almost 13 and enjoys eating good, organic foods. He even asks for organic milk when he goes to his grandparent’s house. Our rule is mainly, out of sight, out of mind. If the processed snack cakes and junk type foods aren’t available, they can’t eat them. Also, fast food is not considered an option by us. It’s just as easy to bring organic juice, granola and fruits to a baseball game as it is to bring potato chips and sports drinks. It’s all about choices and how you allow your kids to make those choices.

CC: Those are such great tips! Can you also tell us why is eating organic is so important to you?

TS: Probably at least 95% of our food is organic…though our top three foods would be organic milk, organic fruits and organic vegetables. As parents, we all do our best at keeping our kids safe and healthy. I want to know that my son is not putting anything in his body that will do him harm. I feel like by giving him organic food, at least I can recognize the ingredients and know that I am doing my best.

CC: So what is your favorite Stonyfield product/flavor?

TS: Aside from the Stonyfield Farm milk, I love being about to buy the plain yogurt in large tubs. I can use it for smoothies while still having enough left over to bake up some naan for dinner! I can’t choose a favorite…I also love the french vanilla yogurt, especially the consistency.

CC: Yum!! Ok, now name 5 items you never leave home without.

TS: Five items I never leave home without: A smartphone, a phone charger, baby wipes, Advil and a GPS (because all my friends know how I panic about finding a parking garage.)

CC: Thanks so much Toni! And where can our readers follow you?

TS: At my blog, Food (Just Sayin’), on Facebook and on Twitter!