Fridge Voyeur is a virtual visit into the chill zone of the Spoon Crew — our team, our friends, and some of your favorite wellness gurus. We may eat a lot of plants, but you better believe there’s a whole lot of variety, and a bit of naughty, going on behind closed doors. We know you want a peek ;)
This week, we’re peeking into the fridge of health coach, Carolina Poli.
Splendid Spoon: Hey Carolina! Tell us a bit about yourself.
Carolina Poli: Hi there! I'm Carolina, Certified Health Coach, kale-obsessed, mom of two sweet boys, and wife. I am originally from Brazil but have been in the US for the past 13 years. I am a long time vegetarian turned into vegan six years ago - when I started to dive deep into the world of health and wellness. When I am not with my kids or trying new recipes, I am working on my coaching practice, thekaleclub.com, to help women prioritize their health + happiness while staying true to themselves. I believe that health is much more than the food we eat and it can certainly shine through in a variety of ways. Having healthy relationships, regular physical activity, a fulfilling career, and a spiritual practice can fill our soul and satisfy our hunger for life.
SS: What are the 5 kitchen staples you can’t live without?
CP:
- Bananas: We consume so many bananas a day that my apartment sometimes look like Bananaland… It’s my go to snack for the kids and a staple in our daily smoothies.
- Almond milk: We don’t consume dairy so almond milk is our best option for lattes, smoothies, or any savory dish that needs a milky flavor.
- Nut butter: We just love every kind of nut butter. When I feel inspired, I like to make my own butter mixing different nuts together.
- Kale: I try to consume 8 cups of green vegetables a day, which is basically a green smoothie and a salad and kale is my favorite dark leafy green.
- Quinoa: I could eat quinoa every day… the flavor, the texture, and the nutritional value of quinoa are on point for me!
SS: What’s the weirdest thing in your fridge?
CP: Vegan kombucha gummies that I just bought from my favorite ferments shop here in Brooklyn.
SS: What differences in your health and creativity do you see and feel by eating a healthy diet?
CP: Having a healthy lifestyle, cooking and feeding myself with nourishing foods supports my body and mind to perform at their best capacities. I feel truly energized and usually don’t need to rely on coffee to run my daily activities at work and especially with the kids. My immune system gets a strong boost and my digestion gets on track. Also, my mind has so much clarity that work flows easier. That’s why I always have a couple of Splendid Spoon soups and smoothies in my fridge. It truly helps me to get through those days when I have no time to cook but still need a nourishing and delicious meal!
SS: What’s your fave sweet and what’s your fave savory?
CP: I do have a sweet tooth and usually have to control myself not to eat a whole bag of peanut butter chocolate cups. My favorite savory meal is pesto pasta and kale chips are my favorite savory snack.
SS: If you were one thing in your fridge, what would it be?
CP: Cauliflower - so versatile that it can basically turn into anything. I love embracing changes and would be happy wearing many hats :)
SS: What food do you turn to when you want something comforting or nostalgic? Although we eat to keep our bodies strong and healthy, food also connects us to our past, to friends, and to different times in our lives.
CP: Yes, definitely. When I want something nostalgic I usually turn to my Brazilian roots and go for a big plate of rice, black beans, sauteed kale, fried plantains and yuca. And honestly nothing would make me happier :)
Be sure to check out Carolina's Instagram, @the_kale_club_ny. Craving some of Carolina's Splendid faves? Check out this week's menu here.