so here she is, i know you’ve been waiting for this one.
ever since my gorgeous and divine friend, raquel perry aka the fitness stalker, appeared in my girl crush series, i’ve had many people refer to that “amazing,” “beautiful,” and “inspiring” woman.
she is all of those things and more.
lucky us we get to see what is in this bionic’s woman’s fridge:
When the lovely Ms. Osumi honored me with her request to write about, and photograph the innards of my fridge, I must admit, I was nervous. Not nervous because I don’t enjoy letting peeps in on my lifestyle, or habits, (in fact I will gladly bore you to tears with the details of my beloved green smoothie,) but because I was sure that everyone expects my refrigerator contents to be nothing but lettuce, kale and alfalfa sprouts.
I do buy a lot of greens. Kale, spinach, chard and broccoli are always in the crisper. Organic is a must when it comes to these gems. But, there is certainly more than the green stuff. Allow me to give you a guided tour:
Firstly, my green smoothies are a part of my daily routine. So much so, that when we went to the desert for Spring Break with the kiddos, I packed my trusty Vitamix. I usually use a base of the So Delicious unsweetened vanilla coconut milk. Sometimes I opt for unsweetened vanilla hemp milk, or organic unsweetened vanilla almond milk. I add in frozen banana, Warrior Brand Raw vegan protein, and flax seeds, chia seeds, and tons of greens. There is no special recipe, I like to add in as much of the green stuff as possible, since thanks to the fruit and protein powder, you really cannot even taste it.
Next on that top shelf, is Veganaise. This mayonaise-like spread has won over everyone in my family, including the picky hubby and kiddos. Same goes for Earth Balance spread that I swear is as yummy as butter. K.T.’s Gingerade Kombucha are a must have, as are Ritual Wellness organic cold pressed juice. Spicy Greens is my current fave. The Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Limeade are also in large supply after Ms. Katie O turned me on to them!
Bread is almost always the sprouted Ezekiel bread, flax-seed version. Delish, extra fiber and again, a hit with the entire fam.
I also have on hand the cinnamon raisin sprouted grain English muffins. This is a handy breakfast for the kiddos with a dollop of Earth Balance spread and honey. In fact the tortillas by Ezekiel are also always in the fridge.
While I do not eat meat of any kind, except the occasional fish, my family does. All meats are organic and grass-fed when possible. I always have black beans that I have made with lots of garlic, and onions, or some chickpeas at the ready for a quick addition to a salad or meal.
RP’s makes a gluten-free fresh pasta made from brown rice flour. I especially adore the no-bake lasagne sheets, which make for any easy veggie lasagne that I pack as many vegetables into as I can. I also make the fusilli with hemp seed pesto.
I am currently loving “White Girl Salsa,” in Mild Tomatillo flavor. If the name weren’t chuckle-worthy enough, then the flavor will win you over. Even though I am part hispanic, I am a wimpy white girl when it comes to spices. This salsa is perfect for my mild hotness. 😉
This time of year you will always find organic Honeycrisp apples in the fridge. Either eaten alone, or made into a baked apple, dusted with cinnamon and stevia, and finished off with a bit of plain coconut milk yogurt, they never fail to satisfy.
Cheese is not off-limits for me. In fact, I LOVE it. It was far easier eliminating meat from my diet than it would be to cut out mozzarella, feta or goat cheese. I just make sure they are organic varieties.
Finally, let’s check out the freezer. Frozen grapes, (to nosh,) frozen berries, bananas, spinach, and pineapple and frozen wheatgrass cubes are always stocked and ready to be made into a smoothie. I buy organic ice cream for the kiddos and Matt, and So Delicious brand coconut ice cream for me. Chocolate is the flavor I have been grabbing lately, and I top it off with a spoonful of peanut butter or Nuttzo.
Bottom line is, that while I may have the reputation for never eating anything “fun” I enjoy everything I eat. Food enjoyment is a funny thing. Once your body learns to taste real food, limited processed foods, and not tons of added sugars, it not only adjusts, but learns to love the taste of things in their more pure state. Same goes for water consumption. Start lugging and chugging that water bottle everywhere you go, and it becomes second nature.
I have been through so many “diet phases,” and have found that the best diet, is not a diet at all. It’s one’s daily way of life that is sustainable, and not overly complicated. Eat real food, limit processed foods, and added sugars, and you can’t go wrong. Our bodies are such amazing machines that we ask so much of on a daily basis, doesn’t it make sense to fill it with the best fuel possible? And if eating organic, drinking alkaline water and limiting foods that are processed helps with my longevity and that of my family, then I am all for stacking that deck in our favor.
Love this column!! What an incredible bod – well done you! I could never have a body like this – never never as I like crappy plastic cheese and white bread too much. I am totally hooked on Komboocha, but now my kids can’t buy it for me as it has trace alcohol apparently…which then explains why I like it so much