September Newsletter | Sorogi Health
September is Small Steps, Big Wins Month
The quote of the month: “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
Small Steps, Big Wins: A September Reset
This month, we are focusing on the power of small, intentional choices that build lasting results. Whether it is nourishing your body with seasonal ingredients or showing up for your own health in simple ways, every step adds up. We are making butternut squash soup infused with ginger and garlic as well as roasted butternut squash with beets and protein to help you fueled this month!
September’s recipes bring both comfort and energy to your plate.
We also kicked off the month with our latest community community gathering where we celebrated fresh starts and shared inspiration for the season ahead.
Scroll down to explore the recipes, revisit event highlights, and take your next small step toward a big win this September.
August Spotlight: All Things SNAP-Ed
This August, Sorogi continued to empower our community through both direct and indirect SNAP-Ed education efforts, reinforcing the idea that small steps lead to high goals when it comes to health and nutrition.
Our direct education took place on August 4th at the Washington Senior Wellness Center, where our new RD, Andrea C. Troutner, RD, LD, LDN, CDCES, FAND, delivered an engaging presentation on diabetes and food to 27 participants. Through practical tips and nutrition education, attendees left with tools to make healthier food choices, an important step toward long term wellness.
Alongside those classes our indirect education focused on outreach to broaden awareness of SNAP-Ed resources. At the Covenant Baptist Health Fair (August 9th), the Cancer Support and Wellness Expo (August 16th), and the Edgewood Market (August 16th), we distributed OVER 100 My Food Plate Guide flyers designed for parents, adults, seniors and breastfeeding mothers.
We also supported families at back-to-school events hosted by Gospel Ark Temple Church (August 20th) and DC’s Community Day (August 21), sharing SNAP-Ed resources with those preparing for the school year. We closed the month at the 9th Annual Community Day Health & Wellness Fair (August 23), hosted by the DC Department of Health, where we joined a community-wide push for wellness and shared additional nutrition guides.
Through these efforts, whether in classrooms, churches, markets, or health fairs, we reminded our community that each flyer shared, each class attended, and each conversation about food choices represents a small but meaningful step toward the bigger goal of building healthier lives together.
Stay connected with us @SorogiHealth across all platforms (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and Facebook) for regular updates, helpful tips, and resources tailored to support a healthier lifestyle.
Small Steps, Big Goals: Healthy Cooking in Action
Last month at Sorogi, we highlighted how taking simple steps in the kitchen can lead to lasting health goals. Through our healthy cooking demonstrations, we explored how small changes such as choosing fresh ingredients or trying new recipes, can build momentum towards bigger wins for wellness. Each session gave participants the opportunity to try at home, one meal at a time.
In Person Events
Throughout August, we hosted two live SNAP-Ed events on August 9th and 30th at 11:00 am EST. Check out the recipe in detail with the nutrition highlights below
Check out the recipe in detail with the nutrition highlights below
Recipe: Beet And Lentil Citrus Salad
Ingredients:
4 Large beets, washed and trimmed
½ cup Beluga (black) lentils, rinsed can (can use canned lentils)
2 oranges, peeled and segmented
4 scallions, sliced on bias
2 Tbs pistachios, chopped
4 cups arugula
6 Tbs while balsamic vinegar
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp miso paste
2 Tbs olive oil
1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard
Directions:
Preheat oven 425 degrees. Wrap beets in aluminum foil and roast until tender when pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes. Remove form oven and set aside to cool.
Add lentils to medium saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered until tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Drain and put in a bowel.
Once beets are cool enough to handle, unwrap and, using a dry paper towel, “wipe” off skin. Cut into bit sized wedges.
In a large bowl, mix ½ vinaigrette with arugula
Top salad with beets, lentils, oranges, scallions, and pistachios
Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over salad
Place all ingredients for dressing in mason jar and shake vigorously until combined.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to join us as we cook, learn, and grow together.
Virtual Events
We hosted two virtual cooking demonstrations last month on August 14th and 28th at 6:00 pm EST. Registered Dietitian Wintana Kiros outdid herself last month.
Check out the recipe in detail with the nutrition highlights below
Recipe: Ginger Berry Smoothie
Ingredients:
½ cup plain Greek Yogurt
1 banana, frozen
1 ½ cups mixed berries
1 inch ginger, peeled and chopped
1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
1 Tbs almond butter
Directions:
Place all the ingredients in a blender and purée on high until smooth. Add additional almond milk too thin if mixture is to drink with a straw.
We’re now averaging 30 participants per session (virtually and in person)—thank you for your enthusiasm and support!
Our next virtual cooking demonstration is scheduled for September 25th, 2025, at 6:00 PM EST.
Our next live cooking demonstration is scheduled for September 27th, 2025, at 11:00 AM EST.
Be sure to follow us @SorogiHealth on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay informed about upcoming events!
Your Health Matters Podcast Season 3 Episode 3
“Adapting, Engaging and Growing Together”
We’re BACK!!! In this episode of Your Health Matters, Dr. Okafor and Dr. Ayuk dives into the latest at Sorogi, from exciting new community engagement programs to the vital role of health education. They talk about the realities of funding challenges, the resilience to adapt, and why community partnerships matter now more than ever.
You will also hear reflections on the success of this summer’s programs, the power of provider referrals, and a reminder we all need: the importance of rest, for both providers and the communities they serve.
Tune in to learn how Sorogi is building toward a healthier, more connected future.
Look Out for our September Blog Posts!
Blogs are posted on the 1st and 3rd weeks of each month!
September is Small Goals, Big Wins Month. We encourage you to:
Take a few minutes to explore our resources focused on nourishment, rest, and self-care
Reflect on simple, intentional ways to restore your energy and prioritize your wellbeing, one habit at a time.
Sorogi Announces a New Collaboration: Expanding Impact Through Partnership
Andrea Ciccone Troutner is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics with over 31 years of experience in clinical and corporate wellness. She is President of Health Care for Wellness LLC and holds licenses in D.C. and Maryland, where she also serves as a National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach.
Andrea joins Sorogi’s ADCES-Accredited Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program as an instructor, drawn to Sorogi’s strong wellness programs for people with and without diabetes. She looks forward to sharing her expertise and supporting clients in diabetes prevention and management.
What’s New at Sorogi: Recipes, Fitness, and More!
We are excited to introduce some new features at Sorogi that are designed to support your health and wellness journey. Our brand-new recipe library is now live on the Sorogi portal, giving members access to step-by-step recipes that include ingredient amounts, full nutrition facts, and the ability to customize meals for carbs, fat, and protein. This makes it easier than ever to tailor your daily nutrition to meet your personal goals.
Alongside this, we’ve redesigned our fitness program to offer a balance of cardio, strength training, and functional movement education for all levels. The beginner track will continue as it is, while the advanced track brings fresh cardio and strength training options. Sessions alternate weekly, beginner one week, advanced the next, with special Saturday sessions focused on movement education, equipment use, and advanced training.
Later this month, we’re also launching 1:1 sessions, a new initiative led by our nutritionists and fitness instructors. These sessions will help participants tailor their wellness plans and better understand how to meet their personal health needs. Recruitment is now open for our September cohort, so be sure to visit sorogi.com to learn more and get involved.
Our Programs
We offer a variety of programs designed to help individuals manage or prevent chronic health conditions:
Diabetes Prevention Program
Every Monday at 5pm EST
Diabetes Self-Management Program
Every Tuesday-Thursday at 6pm EST
Hypertension Management Program
Every other Monday at 6pm EST
Weight Loss Program
Every Saturday at 10:30AM-11:30AM EST
Nutrition Education
Every other Thursday at 6pm EST
SNAP-Ed Programs/Live Cooking Demonstrations
Every Thursday at 6pm EST
Come Check Us Out!
We recently updated our website! Come check us out and leave us a comment on the contact page!
Thank you for being a part of the Sorogi Health community. We’re excited for what is ahead! Please feel free to give us a call at (202) 594-9994, visit our website, or stop by our office 4514 Benning Rd. SE Washington DC 20019. See you soon!