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 singer and songwriter, Chloé Caroline.
Splendid Spoon: Hey Chloé! Tell us a bit about yourself.
Chloé Caroline: Oh hey! Well, I was born and raised in LA, I’m a beach baby through and through. I just love to be outside in the sunshine and being active in the fresh air — I’m a free spirit for sure! I’ve been writing and singing songs since I could talk and now I get to share them with the world by releasing them, traveling for shows, and even getting to act or place them in film and on tv. For the last six years, I’ve split my time between Nashville and LA. I’m an independent artist so I carry a lot of different roles on my shoulders, both on the business and creative side of things, plus travel, so everyday is jam-packed and is FAR from a consistent 9–5pm routine (aka I don’t really ever get a lunch break!). It’s a major balancing act between trying to be focused and also stay healthy and happy which is why I think it’s so important to nourish the body and mind. There’s also a fan base out there that I feel I have a responsibility to be real with, to share positivity in the ups and downs. Not only is there the pressure to be “perfect” and have everything figured out but when your life is on display, it’s easy to forget that that’s not reality and its more important to promote a lifestyle that’s authentic and that living a life of moderation is do-able for everyone — we all have days where we fall off the wagon but that’s part of being a well-rounded human.
SS: What are the 5 kitchen staples you can’t live without?
CC: 1) Olive oil: no explanation here!
2) Almond milk: I try to avoid dairy when cooking at home and I make a TON of smoothies with fruit, PB powder and kale/spinach, so those are def staples
3) Bananas: an easy, cheap energy source, AND a smoothie base
4) Nuts or nut butter: protein source perfect on the go and again, in smoothies!
5) Santa Maria seasoning: makes any veggies, meat, fish, WHATEVER taste so flavorful that its hard to mess anything up, it’s perfect. I also love to put a little sprinkle on baby bell peppers to snack on.
BONUS: Peppermint or green tea (good for singing and your soul!).
SS: What’s the weirdest thing in your fridge?
CC: My dad’s homemade Marmalade in a mason jar that he made at our summer cottage from over a year ago.
SS: What differences in your health and creativity do you see and feel by eating a healthy diet?
CC: I’ve always been exposed to a wide variety of healthy foods growing up in California. Fruit and veggies are everywhere, as are Trader Joes. I’m lucky to have had a family that embraces incredible home cooking with variety, and even embraced my 9 year long vegetarian phase by helping me prepare separate meals in middle and high school. However, when I got out of college I really started to become more mindful of what a clean yet balanced diet was. I stopped eating cheese on a regular basis and almost all dairy in general and my skin cleared up immediately. I just became more mindful of added sugars and processed foods and not only saw myself in the best shape I’ve ever been in but also in a better head space. I actually find myself enjoying those treats when I do have them in a more moderate way as well. It’s been so fun getting imaginative in the kitchen and trying to create twists on some of my former not-so-healthy favorite foods. I can make it through long 10 hour writing sessions without craving something bad for me at the end of the day.
SS: What’s your fave sweet and what’s your fave savory?
CC: Favorite sweet: chocolate anything and everything or banana cake (I have SUCH a sweet tooth). Fave savory meal: spinach and cheese anything or salmon. Fave savory snack: I’m OBSESSED with Skinny Pop Old Cheddar Popcorn and just popcorn in general, you don’t even understand.
SS: If you were one thing in your fridge, what would it be?
CC: Dill pickle — stands out from the other veggies with a “tang” and is unapologetic for being different. Still remains authentic to where it came from (hey, cucumber) while satisfying your weirdest craving. They’re also far more loved than hated!
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.
CC: For something comforting — dry cereal (KIND almond butter granola is one of my faves!) or popcorn. I’m such a snacker over being a meal person. For being nostalgic — a cold banana. My mom used to come into my room when I was a little girl after I’d wake up hungry in the middle of the night and lay with me in bed with that as my snack until I fell asleep again.
Be sure to check out Chloé’s single, “Old Souls” and catch her singing her heart out somewhere between Nashville and Los Angeles on her Instagram, @imchloecaroline. Craving some of Chloé's Splendid faves? Check out this week's menu here.