Hey there, I’m Sandra
aka San!
As a passionate food blogger, I’ve been creating and sharing delicious recipes since 2010. Throughout the years, I’ve had a blast experimenting with countless ingredients and flavors, perfecting dishes that not only bring joy to my loved ones but also resonate with millions of food enthusiasts worldwide.
From mouthwatering appetizers to decadent desserts, my foodie journey has truly been a labor of love. I can’t wait to keep sharing my food adventures with all of you!
One of the best things about being a food blogger is getting to explore and experiment with new and creative recipes that can truly elevate your meals. And let me tell you – finding easy recipes that can please all 5 of my awesome kids is like hitting the jackpot!
One of the best things about being a food blogger is getting to explore and experiment with new and creative recipes that can truly elevate your meals. And let me tell you – finding easy recipes that can please all 5 of my awesome kids is like hitting the jackpot!
Blogging Journey
With solid background in business and years working in the hustle of hardware and software sales, it definitely took some adjusting to transition into being a stay-at-home mom, taking care of my precious little ones. I was searching for something that would allow me to utilize my business experience and creative flair while still being able to be there for my kids and do what I love the most – being a mom!
An Inspiring Encounter
In 2012, I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah, a fellow blogger from High Heels & Grills. We invited Sarah and her husband over for dinner, and let me tell you, my husband and I were absolutely smitten with this adorable young couple! As we got to know them better, we discovered that Zach was serving in the military while Sarah and Zach were running a food blog on the side.
I was completely fascinated by this whole new world they introduced me to, and Sarah’s words of encouragement truly lit a fire in me to start my own blogging journey. And you know what? The very next day, I took a leap of faith and started my own blog.
The Turning Point
It was just a few short months after I started blogging that something incredible happened – one of my recipes went viral! And the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to travel the world, exploring 11 different countries. I’ve even delivered a baby pig or two, learned how to drive a tractor in a corn field, and pick cherries off an orchard! But the best part of it all? The incredible people I’ve met along the way, who have become my closest friends.
I truly believe that things always turn out how they should, and certain people come into your life for a reason. Sarah, food blogging is where I was meant to be, not just because of my love for food and being at home with my kids, but also because it allows me to work and support my family and our dreams, even with the challenge of eventually losing my hearing.
Quiet Resilience
The Unexpected Challenge in Childhood
When was in 5th grade, something unexpected happened – I started to lose my hearing in my left ear. Over time, I went completely deaf in it. It was a challenge, but I adapted and found ways to navigate life with ease. My amazing family and friends supported me every step of the way. Then, in 2016, after a family summer vacation, I began to lose my hearing in my right ear.
The Second Blow
After some time, it was discovered that I had Ménière’s disease and cochlear otosclerosis. After many doctor visists and a couple of surgeries it was determined that my best option would be a cochlear impact in my left ear, since the cochlear was completely fused with bone and I had lost all my hearing, there was really nothing to lose.
The Road to Normalcy
After 3 years of having received my cochlear implant, I finally feel like I have some normalcy in my hearing, at least on my left side. Eventually, I will be a bilateral cochlear implant wearer, but the process is long and challenging. I always thought getting my implant would be like those viral videos, where someone hears for the first time and they cry and are so happy. Well, it wasn’t. It required a lot of hard work, plenty of tears, and patience from everyone involved. Therapy and numerous appointments with my audiologist were necessary.
But I can finally say, it was totally worth it!
My Family
When Dash of Sanity was created, 2010, it was just my way to share my little bits of sanity. I shared my journey along with my husband Jake and our kids: Aiden, Jordan, Madden, Jersey, and Cannon. I was a busy mother of five young kids and an entrepreneur. I took sanity when I could get it, I went grocery shopping on Friday date nights, triple booked a Sunday brunch, accidentally melted my purse on our smooth top stove, rocked black sweats adorned with my kids tiny floured handprints all day, sent our 3-year-old to preschool a week early, and had my kids spontaneously rate my recipes on their own kid-created food scale from zero to five. I was and still am, well acquainted with the ups and downs of motherhood.
It’s been over a decade, and guess what? My kids have grown up so fast! Aiden is now in college at Embry Riddle (Florida), Jojo is dancing pre-professionally at Colorado Ballet, Madden is entering his senior year of high school and playing hoops, Jersey is starting her freshman year of high school and rocking competitive volleyball, and Cannon is in middle school – my biggest foodie and contributor to Dash of Sanity. Can you believe it?
Our Popular Recipes
Explore a handpicked selection of my daily must-haves – the ultimate tools I can’t imagine cooking without.
Sanity is still a rare find
— just ask my wonderful husband Jake, who has been my partner in Dash of Sanity and in life.
I owe him for keeping me sane!
A Dash of Sanity is here to share mouthwatering family-friendly recipes, handy travel tips, and everyday ideas, adding a touch of sanity to your dinner table, life, and motherhood – where dessert is always a must!
