Nicole Richie has just arrived at the photo shoot off a red eye from Paris but appears just as lively as her team, styling outfits, accessorizing the model, and art directing each shot. It is clear that this mom has learned how to master her schedule and does so quite elegantly, leaving us to question, how does she do it?
“It’s all about my on-the-go snacks!” she explains. A jet-setting mother’s purse is typically filled with antibacterial wipes, vitamins, toys, and makeup. But to Nicole, the most important items in her purse are the snacks she totes around to maintain energy running from place to place. “I keep a stash of roasted seaweed and almonds in my purse at all times.” Today we catch up with the petite mogul – actress, writer, designer, and mother to two young tots – at a Brooklyn photo studio where she is shooting the look book for her upcoming Winter Kate & House of Harlow 1960 collections. Sitting amongst patterned frocks, decadent jewelry, and over-sized sunglasses, she dishes to The Food-Life on what keeps her going on a busy day.
“I am very aware of what I put into my body; I try to always eat well and healthy. I notice that my diet really affects my energy level so I have figured out what foods keep me as energetic as possible!” she laughs. Between photo shoots, television shows and cameos, book signings, personal appearances, red carpet events and mommy duties, anyone would want to know what it takes to fuel this always glamorous multi-tasker.
Besides the snacks she never leaves home without, Nicole also derives energy from fresh pressed or fresh squeezed juices. “I am what you can call a juice fanatic.” She tells us. “I always carry around a green juice. They provide lots of energy when I’m running around.” Kale, celery, apple, pear, aloe, cucumber, and spinach combinations are mixed and matched to keep flavors interesting.
When she isn’t traveling for work and fueling up on seaweed, nuts and fresh juices, Nicole is at home and proudly takes on a domesticated role. “I am a huge cook, and I love cooking for Joel and the kids.” Her most famous dish? Brown rice pasta cooked in low-sodium vegetable broth and served with grilled herbed chicken. This is a family recipe passed down from her parents and slightly modified to keep with Nicole’s health conscious lifestyle – soon enough it will be passed down to her daughter Harlow. When asked about the recipe she demurs with a wink: “Sorry, I can’t reveal the recipe. It is a family secret and there is a very special spice involved.”
Since becoming a mother, Nicole has had to be more conscious of what she feeds herself and her family. One thing she prides herself on is keeping her family’s diet gluten free, as she believes gluten is one of the worst things one could put into their body. But she also has her moments of weakness. “Taco Bell is my guilty pleasure: it’s so bad but I sometimes just can’t help it!” she laughs. When in New York, she indulges by hitting up her favorite Japanese restaurants such as Blue Ribbon Sushi or Nobu. “Japanese cuisine is a way for me to enjoy decadence without compromising my health.”
Nicole’s Favorites:
Balthazar
The Recent Additions
