At the Table with Sara and Juli

At the Table with Sara Polon, Soupergirl, sustainable programs, fair food and Shark Tank

In this episode of At the Table we had the pleasure of speaking with Sara Polon aka Soupergirl. Sara Polon graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied history. Her career path then took many meandering twists and turns including working at an Internet start-up, leading tours through the Middle East, and several years as a stand-up comic in New York.  In 2008, she founded Soupergirl along with her mom, Marilyn Polon (aka Soupermom /Chief Anxiety Officer). The duo were ahead of their time when launching a “direct to consumer” business in 2008! They grew the business from a local delivery concept to a nationally recognized soup company. Their soups and gazpachos can be found at major retailers such as Whole Foods, Costco, Safeway, Shoprite, and more. Throughout every step of growth, the Polons have stayed true to their mission - producing food that is good for the consumer and good for the world. Their hand-crafted, plant-based, kosher products are sourced from sustainable farmers that respect the earth and the labor force. As they grow, they have become extraordinarily focused on the sustainability and justice of their supply chain. Soupergirl was the first CPG brand to receive a Fair Food certification in the summer of 2022. Soupergirl has received national press, and has been featured in such publications as the Washington Post, Food and Wine, O Magazine, and more. The soup duo has also been seen on national tv -  ABC's Shark Tank, NBC's Today Show, and CBS’ The Dish.

At the Table with Christina Badaracco MPH, RDN, LDN, navigating our food system, labels and the farm bill

In this episode of At the Table we met with Christina who works as a healthcare consultant, author, and thought leader, focusing on advancing the role of nutrition in healthcare. She applies her expertise in healthcare and public health research, policy, and practice to support leading healthcare institutions, life science companies, healthcare professional associations, and other stakeholders to improve care delivery and health outcomes. She also regularly writes, teaches, and develops trainings and programs about nutrition, culinary medicine, and sustainable agriculture—including directing award-winning and innovative culinary medicine trainings for various healthcare organizations, publishing 5 cookbooks for the Transamerica Institute, coauthoring Mix It Up: The Culinary Medicine Cookbook for Mixing Things up in the Kitchen and The Farm Bill: A Citizen’s Guide, and co-developing a culinary medicine course at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and lifestyle medicine program for MedStar Shah in Maryland.  https://www.christinabadaracco.com

At the Table with Lilian - Parenting kids with extreme food allergies, navigating school systems and the Teal Light Community

In this episode of At the Table we sat down with Lilian Wanandy-Perez. Born in Zurich, Switzerland, and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, she grew up savoring the rich flavors of her mother's home-cooked meals. Although she didn’t initially share her mother’s love for cooking, it was during her studies at Imperial College London, where she earned a degree in Biochemistry, that Lilian discovered the therapeutic power of cooking and baking as a creative outlet. When her kids were diagnosed with multiple severe food allergies, she was determined to keep being creative in finding solutions, creating new recipes and providing her kids with the same positive food experiences she had growing up (and dreaming maybe one day for the food allergy community). Now, through her coaching platform Teal Light, Lilian empowers individuals and families navigating food allergies to live fully and fearlessly.

At the Table with Kendra Bjoraker PhD - The impact of a rare disease diagnosis, mental health, the process of grieving

In this episode of At the Table, we sat down with Kendra Bjoraker to discuss the impact to the individual and family when diagnosed with a rare disease. Dr. Bjoraker also opened up about her own personal experiences, and touched on the importance of mental health support and the grieving process. Dr. Bjoraker is a pediatric neuropsychologist with specialized expertise in rare genetic conditions. With faculty appointments at the University of Minnesota and Children’s Hospital Colorado/University of Colorado, she has pursued extended studies in genetics, metabolism, and neurodegenerative conditions. An advocate, researcher, and speaker, Dr. Bjoraker has numerous publications on rare genetic conditions. Her work focuses on multi-disciplinary approaches to care, seeking to improve health outcomes and alleviate stressors associated with pediatric and adult conditions, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life for her patients. Dr. Bjoraker currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she owns a consultancy business 3:1 Neuropsychology Consultants, LLC

At the Table with Hilary Kave RD - Sports nutrition, Macronutrient needs, supplements and the Paris Olympics

In this episode of At the Table, we met with Hilary Kave, who is a Registered Dietitian (RDN) for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, where she crafts personalized nutrition plans to help athletes fuel their bodies for peak performance in intense competitions. Originally from the Midwest, she entered the field of nutrition with a clear mission: to help individuals from all backgrounds develop a positive relationship with food, adopt sustainable habits, and achieve peak performance. In this episode we discussed the best ways to fuel when exercising, the different nutrient requirements throughout the life cycle (kids vs adults) and the use of supplements.