Health
Habits
Food
Weight 
Better Than Butternut: Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe
10 Simple Ways To Eat Less Without Noticing
Juicing: Stupid and Pretentious or Nourishing and Enlightening?
10 Tasty Carbs That Won’t Make You Fat
How To Start Working Out When You Don’t Like To Exercise
Focus More on Your Brain and Less on Your Diet if You’re Serious About Losing Weight
Home Court Habits: The Secret to Effortless Weight Control
10 Reasons You Aren’t Losing Weight When You Think You’re Doing Everything Right
How To Burn More Calories Without Breaking A Sweat
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Foodists
Summer Tomato is 5 Years Old! Let’s Celebrate with Free Stuff
Dessert Tomato in Kyoto
I was one of those kids that couldn’t wait to be a grown up. Whenever anyone asked how old I was I would calculate it out for them to the hour, not wanting to lose credit for a single minute I spent on this planet. I was so confused whenever my mom seemed to forget her age (“I’m 35. Or am I 36? What year is it?”). How could she possibly forget something so important?
Fast forward three decades and not only can I not remember my own age, I can barely remember my own baby, Summer Tomato’s, birthday.
I spent most of yesterday on a flight home from New York, completely exhausted. I didn’t even check my calendar until that evening when I needed to know my schedule for today. Then I saw the date.
March 25. Isn’t that important for some reason? Oh! It’s the day I launched Summer Tomato. How long ago was that? Holy crap, it’s been 5 years!
And I didn’t even plan anything. Such a bad mom.
So much has happened since 2009, but I couldn’t help but reflect on the thousands of emails and comments I’ve received from readers telling me how my work has changed their lives. That’s what keeps me going and is why I spend so much time thinking about the future, and how I can help even more.
But before we jump too far ahead, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve all come. And like any good birthday celebration, there’s got to be some presents.
To celebrate 5 years of Summer Tomato, I’d love to hear the biggest A-Ha! moment you’ve had since discovering this blog. What epiphany did you have about your approach to food and health? What post (or chapter) were you reading when it hit you? How did it change your daily behavior?
Tell me about your biggest Summer Tomato A-Ha! moment in the comments below, and I’ll send a signed copy of Foodist to two lucky readers (US and Canada only, please).
Consider this my gift to you for 5 years of support.
Cheers,
Darya
My biggest aha moment was realizing I didn’t have to deprive myself of my favorite foods. Eating whole foods most of the time has been the key to my losing twenty pounds of fat so far. I’ll reach my goal weight in another twenty five pounds.
My biggest aha moment was to eat being mindful. Makes a very big difference to be fully in the moment as you eat. You will notice when your meal is filling you up and not eat more than you body wants.
My a-ha moment was when I made your recipe for summer squash pasta with simple tomato sauce. I didn’t realize that something so healthy for you can be so quick and easy to make, and also delicious! I realized that eating healthy, instead of dieting, like you say, really does work. It was a revelation to me that someone was finally saying all the things that I was sort of thinking about, but wasn’t letting myself actually eat because of the fear of ‘not being on a diet’. Your outlook has helped me come to terms with that fact. Your website is a huge motivator for me to keep on the right track and embrace all the wonderful variety of foods out there.
When I realized I could focus on adding good stuff, rather than “giving up” foods that are not nutritious. When I added the fresh, whole foods I had neither cravings nor room for the junk!
My a-ha moment came before I actually started reading your blog in conjunction with The Quantified Diet but I have enjoyed everything you have posted. I love your whole food, just be you style. Congrats on 5 years. Here’s to many, many more!
My A HA moment came with your article on How to quench cravings.
I really identified with the illustration of riding the urge like the waves of the sea. But the real kicker for me was when you said to Observe it passively with out judgement. I would always get a little annoyed before when I had a craving but not anymore.
Isn’t that an amazing trick?! Makes me feel like a buddhist monk every time I get an urge and decide to just feel it without doing anything. So empowering.
My A-Ha (duh!) moment is simple; when I finally realized the direct correlation between what I eat and how I feel. It was a game changer!
My ah-ha moment is when I changed my lifestyle in part with the sound advice backed by science from your site. 60 lbs. lighter I feel and look better and continue on that path. It was not too hard when you put your mind to making that change in your life. I also look forward to your emails to see what else I can change to continue on this life long journey
When you were at Sage on Monday and were talking about habits, it occurred to me that this concept wasn’t just limited to health and nutrition. Establishing good habits and eliminating bad ones is important in all aspects of life.
TOTALLY. I’ve used the skills I’ve acquired around eating to have a better website (work more effectively), spend more time with friends, learn to meditate, keep up my Italian language practice and so much more.
Keep up the good work!
I’ve only been following since I saw your segment on the FixFood webinar, but I LOVE your blog and newsletter. My biggest AHA…..I’ve been following these principles for a month now and I’ve discovered I’m not hungry, my weight is dropping, and I LOVE vegetables. This is totally new for me as I avoided veggies….that was before I tried the roasted cauliflower recipe. I’m also cooking and enjoying eating REAL food. Thank you for your inspiration and example.
My A-ha moment wasn’t a moment but several moments, which means several different posts, and how they built together to help me realize that the best way to be healthy is to eat food that’s tasty (and good for you — you talk about this in “How to Eat Half a Donut”). Starting with “yes” rather than “no” and not fighting myself. Those were both very important things.
I am new to the blog but I am encouraged by the practical information for a healthy lifestyle. It is easy to be tempted by the quick fixes but it is a lifestyle of healthy living that is needed achieve your goal. Your blog brings all the components together in one space with easy to read advice. Love it!!
I love your approach to food and life. Its as simple as “food is life” and both are what you make of it.
Cheers.
Xxx
I would have to say my moment is coming to the sudden realization that the approach to food in my life has been skewed or formed in a way that related to society as normal or acceptable and it wasn’t something that was based or formed for me. The approach my parents had taken to feeding me wasn’t wrong but it could have been better and what i’ve learned over the years from this site and have passed on to them and friends has made our lives much better!
Thanks Darya!
Happy BIrthday Summer Tomato!
I’m excited to have discovered Summer Tomato – just yesterday – as in birthday yesterday! Happy Birthday!
I have learned so much from your blog about healthy eating as a lifestyle not a diet. I especially took note on your discussions about sugar as well as artificial sweeteners.
Wow!
I must have picked up on you on March 26, 2009…!
Congratulations, and thanks for everything.
d.
I am new to Summer Tomato so I am still seeking my “aha” moment and looking forward to reading Foodlist. Thanks!
My aha moment was when I heard your secret to eating slower.
At your recent lecture in Albany you mentioned the method of putting down your fork before your next bite. I think I eat too fast and all day yesterday I would pick up my fork and literally go AHA! I’m still chewing and the forks in my hand!
P.S. Happy 5th Year Since Launch day!
My biggest Aha moment was realizing that I could have a salad for lunch instead of a sandwich and feel satisfied. I have eaten sandwiches for lunch ever since I could remember, and this was a big change in mindset.
I have picky eating disorder (or selective eating disorder). The number of foods I ate could be counted on my fingers and toes. I ate the same thing every day for my entire life: potatoes. I was afraid to try any new foods. (I was interviewed for a front page article of the Raleigh, NC newspaper about all this.)
I found your blog because I was desperate to get better and to be healthier and more normal. I hadn’t tried a new food since I was a toddler (I’m 27) but your food descriptions gave me the courage to try. Because of your blog I now love petite green peas, which you said were sweeter (they are!) and are my first green food ever. I tried roasted cauliflower after you raved about it and compared them to my favorite food. I tried eggs and now enjoy them scrambled. I’m not totally cured but because of this blog I found the courage and the confidence to branch out and discover a healthstyle.
OMG this almost made me cry. I’m so happy for you, congratulations on your continued adventure into food 🙂 xo
A-ha Moment? Your post on NEAT. Thanks, Darya. Really enjoy your blog/newsletter.
I realized that eating healthy is not boring at all and incorporating wonderful roasted veggies, steamed veggies and tomatoes into my everyday living brightened up my life and my family appreciated the meals. I explored and enjoy creating special meals for family and friends.
My A-ha moment…short and sweet was when I stumbled upon your blog and realized the educated approach to a healthy body was the best way to go.
thank you, congrats are in. may you have 5 more years even better than the first five. ive been doing off processed for 2 yrs. but I still don’t feel good. off sugar, soda, white stuff.but I feek pudgy. and im 5’9 in so im tall. really. iexercise most of the time. I stay busy. have a retired husband. so we cut and rack wood for our wood stove. that’s good strength training. have a blessed week.
My moment came reading “10 Simple Ways to Eat Less Without Noticing”. I’ve spent years looking for the Big Silver Bullet and this article showed that little changes that are easy to make are more effective.
I love love Summer Tomato. Eating clean has not only made me feel/look better, but I have successfully lowered my blood pressure without medication! That was definitely my aha moment 🙂 I can’t wait to read Foodist
Darya, It was about 5 years ago that I started getting healthy. Your blog then was among the first I signed on to to get inspired and learn more about what eating healthy means nowadays. Congratulations and happy birthday!
Congrats! My A-ha! moment was the realization that healthy habits and a hectic, busy work/life schedule are not mutually exclusive, especially with a little advance planning. I recently completed a PhD program (in Neuroscience as well) and was finding myself exercising less and eating out more frequently as the work load piled on. The discovery of your site helped me to quell those bad habits, arming me with the information and motivation to substitute healthier ones that ultimately make me happier and more fulfilled. Thank you!
The biggest aha moment I’ve had was realizing I could trust my hunger and my body as long as I’m feeding it only the best whole, real food!
Had to be the curry cauliflower – it’s always hard finding new ways to make vegetables and this one was a huge hit with the kids. Even my daughter’s friend who basically (sadly) eats mostly chicken nuggets and mac ‘n cheese ate it!
My ah ha moment is realizing my eating is so related to my emotions and I am working hard on finding other coping options besides eating junk. It is a tough journey and I appreciate your website and insights
Congratulations, Darya! I hope to be still reading your awesome blog in another 5 (or 10!) years time.
My Ah-Ha moment has to be your how to use your brain to lose weight post (http://summertomato.com/use-your-brain-to-lose-weight) – The idea that we fail at our conscious decisions to eat correctly because, like any muscle, our willpower is drained was an amazing turning point for me. It just made so much darn sense!
Thanks and please keep posting, your blog rocks!
It was so simple. I “recalibrated” at the beginning of the year and realized that I feel better when I eat better. It’s such a straight-forward concept but I guess I had to experience it to fully realize it.
I think my A-ha moment was when I decided to branch out a couple of weeks ago and tried a pomegranate for the first time at the age of 40. And guess what? I loved it!
My biggest aha! moment was hearing you speak in a video conference about not dieting and how free you are now. I changed my life with intuitive eating back in 2011 and was convinced I would never diet again. I started falling back into the diet mentality earlier this year, but hearing your talk brought back my confidence. I was reminded to get back to my roots and what really works.. not dieting, but eating mindfully. Happy 5th Birthday, Summer Tomato!
Congratulations! I am still in the beginning stages, have not read the book yet, so really have not had an a-ha moment. But the simple reminder that has stood out to me the most so far, is to chew more, which I am trying to apply. thank you!
My biggest aha moment is that your blog has taught me healthy eating can taste just as good my favourite unhealthy foods! Obsessed with your cauliflower that tastes just as good as French fries and your eggs that taste like bacon!!! I haven’t touched a French fry in 2014 with your help 🙂
I never really had an “aha” moment. I spent my teens and twenties trying to be thin, then gained and lost and gained and lost. Totally messed my body up as far as food goes. Now I am considered obese, but I focus on eating simple, good food in moderation, and I feel much better. I don’t have diabetes, I don’t have high blood pressure. If only I could break my addiction to Mt Dew Throwback …
Happy Birthday and congratulations on your success! I spent most of a year thinking I was a year older than I was. My boss corrected me one day. I realized age in years wasn’t really important!
One of my AH! moments is realizing how much you care about helping people and sharing your knowledge, that and your roasted cauliflower recipe!
Robert
😀
Congrats on your major milestone! My “a-ha!” moment was reading your post “Focus More on Your Brain and Less on Your Diet if You’re Serious About Losing Weight”. What an amazing article. To me, that post is the epitome of what your blog is about. I think neuroscience is fascinating and to have it combined with healthy eating info. is brilliant. Thank you for starting your blog!
My aha moment came when I realized I could pack a healthy lunch everyday. At first it took a long time, but after a while I could pack it in a few minutes. Eventually coworkers were admiring my lunch and I was the healthiest eater they had ever known! Just a small, intelligent change, no fad diets. All thanks to Summer Tomato.
My aha moment was learning to incorporate new vegetables into my diet, like kale. I planted lots of kale last year and it grew like crazy. I had to find more uses for it and I grew to like it a lot. It freezes well too. I am looking forward to growing and eating more kale again this summer. I have learned to add other vegetables to my diet, but kale was one of the best finds. Now I always shop for vegetables first at the grocery store.
One of my a-ha moments…realizing that everything I put in my mouth is there by my choice.
My Aha moment was the joy of finding others of like-mind when it comes to eating healthy and enjoying the juicy delicious flavors of truly healthy food! A BIG FAT HEALTHY AHA when I discovered your site this year <3
Darya-Thanks for sharing your passion with us. It is a great gift you choose to continue to give. My Aha moment was right around my birthday…Cookie Monster was in the background enjoying late night cookies – it was a habit that was created for late night snacking…brushing teeth has worked along with switching the sweet with water. Why does the obvious sometimes elude us?!!
I think the obvious eludes us most of the time because we’re on autopilot, especially at night when we’re already drained. That’s what I’m here for 😉
Hi Darya,
I Love reading summer tomato and eating healthy!
Many thanks for all the wonderful recipes and healthy tips. Congratulations on 5 years of making people happy and healthy.
Victoria