Jennifer
Jennifer is public relations executive and the founder of J&L Communications. Rachel met Jennifer on a trip to New York, and the two got to talking about how they eat healthy while running their own companies. Jennifer keeps her portions in check, and cooks most of her food (we def want an invite to one of her weekend brunches!). On our to-do list? Make her jar salad and try out her fave non-alcoholic mixer, Seedlip.
Do you have any restrictions on what you eat?
No restrictions per se. I try not to deprive myself of things as I feel when I’m told “no,” my brain tells my body it wants that food even more! I try to eat all the bad/good stuff in moderation, and I work out to try and maintain everything. I try not to eat too late at night, and no snacking after dinner.
But, I do try and eat smaller portions during the day and healthy snacks. I might just have a smoothie around 7:30 a.m., and by 10 a.m., I’m having a handful of cashews or pistachios to keep me going until lunch, and after lunch I may have another handful of nuts or carrots and hummus to get me through until dinner.
Another great trick is to keep cut up carrots, celery, and radishes to have on hand in the fridge, and pull that out to snack on while you’re cooking dinner, maybe with hummus. I find I will snack while cooking, which kind of defeats the purpose, ha!
What is your go-to healthy lunch?
Jar salads! I just discovered this (late to the game), and it’s been a real life saver for me. I own my own business, so each week looks different. I may be in a client’s office, a workspace, or at home, so I needed something that could come with me!
Each Sunday I do food prep, which is key to set yourself up for the week. I’ll grill up a bunch of chicken breasts (but any protein will work), and I set up my assembly line: protein, garbanzo beans, shredded carrots, purple onion, hard boiled eggs, chopped nuts (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, etc.), fresh herbs (I like basil or dill), feta cheese crumbles, and finally lettuce, spinach, or some kind of greens on top.
I use 5 Ball Pint Mason Jars, and I add a little salad dressing to the bottom. I know I should make my own, but I don’t always, so I will use Annie’s Organic. It’s important the dressing stays at the bottom so it never touches the lettuce. After the dressing, layer all of your “hard” items like the onion, carrots, protein, basically, the things that won’t get soggy. Layer everything and keep the greens on top. When you dump it into a bowl, the dressing comes out last and tops everything. It’s a perfect travel lunch. These keep all week in the airtight jars, so I take one out each day!
What do you normally snack on throughout the day?
I never really considered my intimate relationship with cashews until you asked, ha, but I eat a lot of nuts and seeds as snacks. Sometimes I’ll have a thinkThin protein bar if I’ve got large gaps in between meals.
What time do you eat dinner?
8 p.m.
How often do you eat out or do delivery?
Delivery almost never. I eat out on weekends, usually one night, and then try to cook the other two, but sometimes it’s Friday and Saturday.
I also have started cooking brunch at home, and will have folks over. This way, I know what’s in what we’re eating, and it makes it feel like you’re out. I will do a veggie frittata and fruit salad, which is easy and fairly healthy!
When you eat out, are there any staples you always order?
No, I try to let myself have what I want, as I don’t eat out that often. For me, eating out is about portions. I try to keep the portions in control--maybe I’ll take some of it home with me. I was raised feeling like you have to clean your plate; not true, just stop when full!
I will say, if I’m at a diner for breakfast, I do try and get the salad and a side of avocado versus the home fries when I can. It’s just helpful to cut those out and replace with something just as good.
What’s your Starbucks/coffee shop order?
I try not to go there too much. One, because I live in a neighborhood where I’d rather support the little guys, but also because I don’t drink coffee. Not for health reasons; I am just one of those weird people who doesn’t like it!
I drink tea, and make my tea at home mostly. I’m obsessed with chai lattes and matcha lattes. Not super healthy or low in fat, mind you! So, if I make it at home, I use almond milk (again, little replacements just to minimize calories where I can).
“I was raised feeling like you have to clean your plate; not true, just stop when full!”
Cocktails, wine, or neither? What’s your drink of choice?
Oh man, wine is my downfall! And red wine, the most caloric of the wines! My drink of choice is a full bodied red in the fall/winter, and rosé in the summer, for sure.
However, what I have discovered recently is that really, drinking is just so social for me, and I just sometimes need the act of having a drink in my hand while I’m out. So, to that end, I’ve started to experiment with non-alcoholic mixers. There is an English brand called Seedlip that I’m loving. I have the spice flavor, and I’ll mix it with some fresh lime juice and diet ginger beer. Honestly, it tastes like a good Moscow mule!
I haven’t figured out the wine replacement yet, ha.
What’s your fave cookbook, website, or Instagram account for food inspo?
Pinterest search for recipes and food inspo
Listening to Dr Rhonda Patrick’s podcast lately. She has a PhD in biomedical sciences and discusses hot topics in nutrition, aging and health.
My favorite cookbook by far is Jerusalem: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi. Everything is super fresh and delicious, and actually pretty easy to make. The Chicken with Caramelized Onion & Cardamom Rice recipe is my go-to for dinner parties.
