Check Out Farah Nizam Belanger’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Farah Nizam Belanger.

Hi Farah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I’m a foodie. And I’ve mostly always been into my health. I believe that great oral hygiene, a happy gut and a clear brain and heart can get you far. I grew up around medicine with an immigrant mother who was one of the hardest working ER and Family Practice docs I have ever known. I spent many days of my childhood soaking in mom’s medical journals and looking at diagrams and pictures of the human body. Frankly, I always secretly dreamt of becoming someone successful in the medical field.

Fast forward to the early to late 2000’s. By this time, I had lost my father to complications from an aortic aneurysm. Dad suffered from heart disease most of my life and didn’t prioritize his health the way he could have. Mom was beginning to show significant cognitive decline. She later became diagnosed with moderate stage dementia and eventually lost her battle with Endometrial Cancer in 2019. Mom too, didn’t really focus on her health and lifestyle choices. My two older brothers battled heart issues along w Type 2 diabetes. The younger of the two passed away suddenly at age 53 from sudden cardiac arrest in 2022.

Honestly, it seems I was the only one who paid attention to how I wanted my journey of health to look. Although, in 2010, I had a major setback. I experienced severe digestive and respiratory issues for a few years. I would have bouts of debilitating stomach pain and pneumonia. It was absolutely awful. At the same time, I was trying so hard to maintain an exercise regimen. I’ve always loved exercising. But it was impossible as the illnesses would take me down for weeks on end.

It wasn’t until late 2011 where I began to make huge changes. I saw my first holistic practitioner and he set me on the path to wellness. The biggest tool? Food. I had to reset my body, so I completely dove in and repaired my systems and my skin from the inside out. WIthin 6 months of strict, clean eating and some probiotics, I was healed. So what did I do? I went back home. I “traveled” to India, my motherland in my home kitchen. India, a land deeply rooted in history, culture, food and spirituality. I started using sophisticated spices as I taught myself to cook. The aromas and flavors transported me back home with my family and all of the Indian parties we would attend during my childhood. Reminiscent of a time when I would enter an aroma-filled haven of an uncle and aunty and immediately feel the warmth and sense of community as we gathered and shared delicious and flavorful food and desserts. I remember being so curious and wanting to try it ALL! What a lucky kid!

That’s what babydaal is to me. A marriage of two worlds. One of great vitality, culture and sophistication. And another of connection, simplicity and warmth. At its heart, my brand celebrates the convergence of these realms, united by a mission to offer unprocessed, flavorful foods that promise an adventure in every bite, all while wrapped in the embrace of love. babydaal brings to the table a unique explosion of Indian-inspired spices and ingredients, making each meal or snack not just a nourishing experience, but a journey to explore and savor!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Becoming a small business entrepreneur after being a stay at home mom for many years was a huge transition. I have three amazing kids ranging in age form 6-21 and I’ve always felt like I had a hold on most things like being a support system for them in and out of the home.

Shortly after I decided to take on babydaal, I joined a few local Farmer’s Markets which ran through the entire weekend. My days consisted of baking all week in preparation for these markets and then once the weekend came, I’d be completely consumed by setting up, working and taking down the markets. I missed a few soccer games for my youngest, Seneca and that was really hard. I went into this realizing that I found this passion of mine later in life and adding the experiences of the loss of my parents and brother really drove home the “life is really precious” message. I know we don’t get this time back and I want my kids to remember my face in the crowd rooting for them. So after about a 6 month run for each market, I decided to take a break and see how I could continue to find success in other ways.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

Professionally, I’ve called myself a domestic goddess. Ha! Truly, I tend to have a tough time with the “So what do you do?” question. It’s always set off a lot of nerves and discomfort because I seemed to carry some guilt that I made the choice to stay home and raise my kids. Fast forward to today…I’ve never considered myself an artist until the past year really diving into babydaal. I create colorful, flavorful and healthy superfood combinations! I come from a culture with taboos and stigmas about many things and I am a sort of rebel in the way that I love to take risks and explore outside of the box. If you walked into a store today and saw babydaal on the shelf, you should be intrigued and excited to take your granola game to the next level! You just have to see for yourself and you’ll understand. My granola is unlike any other you’ve tried! It’s unique and fun…kinda like me

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?

Pricing:

• $11-$12

Contact Info:

• Website: www.babydaal.co
• Instagram: @babydaalco
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/farah-belanger-8123a0253

Image Credits
Single shot (green jumpsuit): Rob Andrew