Wellness Made Simple with Erin Stewart

When we met Erin Stewart at The Well in downtown Austin one sunny morning, her positive energy was contagious. It was immediately obvious why so many women turn to her for food and fitness motivation. After talking to her for nearly two hours while enjoying avocado toast and cozy drinks, we left inspired by the unique wellness journey that led her to Austin and the creation of her current business, Savor + Sweat. 

Identifiying the need for a holistic approach to well-being

After growing up in Florida and studying dance at SMU in Dallas, she spent most of her 20s in New York City. Stewart’s journey in New York laid the foundation for her unique approach to fitness and nutrition. As a professional dancer navigating auditions and immersing herself in the emerging fitness scene by teaching barre at boutique studios, Stewart identified the need for a holistic approach to well-being. Having struggled with digestive disorders since childhood, she realized the powerful impact of lifestyle and nutrition on her overall health. This revelation led her to adopt a holistic perspective, including an anti-inflammatory, plant-forward diet. Stewart’s journey through dance, fitness, and personal health experiences started to converge, forming the basis for her future endeavors in the wellness industry.

Health-supportive cooking

Stewart felt better and better as she modified her diet — cutting out dairy was a huge help — but her fascination with food extended beyond her personal health journey. While working in New York, she witnessed a transformative moment in the culinary scene, where vegetables and whole foods were increasingly celebrated. This inspired her to incorporate health-supportive cooking even more into her lifestyle, leading to the establishment of her granola company, O’Cookies Wholesome Bites. Her passion for food and dedication to well-being eventually led her to enroll in the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts, further solidifying her connection to the culinary world.

While she and her husband eventually left New York to move to his hometown of Houston, Stewart had always felt a magnetic pull towards Austin. This attraction intensified after opening DEFINE Body & Mind, a fitness concept that combines Pilates, barre, and indoor cycling. While in Houston, Stewart and her business partner franchised the DEFINE concept, leading to the opening of a corporate store in Austin. Stewart spent a lot of time in Austin at that studio, often staying the night in the mini-apartment upstairs. She and her husband started their family in Houston around that time, so her dream to move to Austin was put on hold until Stewart stepped down from her role at DEFINE in February 2020. Amid COVID-19 challenges and new ways of working, she and her husband decided they needed to make the move to Austin that year before their oldest son started kindergarten. The pivotal decision, influenced by the pandemic and a desire for change, launched a new chapter for Stewart and her family.

Launching Savor + Sweat

The challenges — and opportunities — posed by the pandemic prompted Stewart to pivot to virtual platforms to continue seeing her private clients. After six months, recognizing the potential to create a larger community, Stewart fully launched Savor + Sweat, which now offers a fusion of cooking classes and workouts on an app that organizes weekly meal plans and exercise routines. She also offers in-person workouts and events in Austin, which are full of energy and a like-minded community. 

“It’s about moving to the music in a way that feels good and creating an energy and flow,” explained Stewart. “My long-term goal is to help you find your posture and connect with your core so you can walk around and stand up straight through your abs.” 

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Savor + Sweat’s philosophy is deeply rooted in Stewart’s past life as a dancer, barre instructor, and fitness studio owner. The platform offers a variety of workouts, including athletic barre, cardio, and HIIT classes, all focusing on functional movements for sustainable fitness and longevity. On the culinary side, Stewart aims to make cooking approachable and enjoyable, encouraging subscribers to plan ahead to cook three health-supportive recipes each week. 

“What you need to feel grounded is going to change with every person in every phase of their life,” said Stewart. “I want to provide the tools for people to understand what to reach for based on their cravings, and then more importantly, how to cook with whole food ingredients to make delicious food.”

Stewart’s journey from a professional dancer to the founder of Savor + Sweat is a testament to her unwavering commitment to holistic well-being. Her experiences in dance, fitness, and the culinary world have converged to create a platform that empowers individuals to embrace a balanced and healthful lifestyle. As Savor + Sweat continues to evolve, Stewart remains dedicated to providing a sustainable approach to fitness and nutrition, inspiring individuals to enjoy the journey to a healthier and happier life.

Vibrant Carrot-Turmeric Hummus 

INGREDIENTS

• 4 to 5 medium carrots, scrubbed and chopped 
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• Pinch of sea salt and black pepper 
• 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained
• 1 teaspoon freshly-grated turmeric 
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons tahini 
• Zest and juice from one lemon, plus more lemon juice to taste if desired
• Vegetable crudites to serve (colorful cauliflower, radish, carrot spears and endive spears) 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line sheet pan with parchment paper.

Toss the carrots in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Spread onto the lined sheet pan, and roast in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, until fork tender. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. 

Meanwhile, combine the chickpeas, grated turmeric, garlic, tahini, lemon zest and juice from one lemon in the bowl of a food processor. Add the cooled carrots and pulse the mixture a few times. Scrape the bowl down with a spatula. Continue to pulse, scrape down, and pulse, adding a little water one tablespoon at a time if necessary, until well combined. With the machine still running, add the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil in a steady stream until smooth.  Season with sea salt and pepper. Add more lemon, if desired. Transfer to a serving bowl. 

Serve with your favorite crudités or crunchy crackers.