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10 Minutes With Maria Menounos on Cooking, Balance and More

It’s not every day that you get to talk to Maria Menounos. But friends, today is that day!

via GIPHY

We last spoke with her after she published her cookbook, The EveryGirl’s Guide to Cooking. This time around she was doing interviews on behalf of Home Chef (more on that in the interview), so we took the opportunity to ask her all about her life in and out of the kitchen. Read on for the Qs and the As!

Interview With Maria Menounos

Fit Bottomed Eats: You’re certainly a busy woman — and yet you still find time to get creative in the kitchen. How do you stay inspired to make healthy meals on the regular?

Maria Menounos: My days are definitely busy! Between work and home, I am always on the go. I love the flexibility and convenience of cooking with Home Chef. There’s a ton of variety and everything arrives straight to my doorstep. I love how the fresh, pre-portioned ingredients make putting together a delicious meal fun and stress-free, even on busy nights! On a busy night, I recommend the Ginger Ponzu Salmon as a delicious meal that can be prepared in 30 minutes. It is easy to be creative in the kitchen when you have Home Chef as your secret ingredient.

FBE: What are your top tips for keeping dinners quick and easy (but still healthy and delicious, of course!)?

Maria: I have my secret cooking tips I always love to share with readers. Here are a few of my go-to cooking tips below!

  • Trying to incorporate more whole grains into your diet? Cooked grains like quinoa or brown rice will keep for several days covered and refrigerated. Taking the time to cook up a pot of your favorite grains over the weekend will ensure you’ve got quick portions at-the-ready for speedy meal prep.
  • The easiest way to slice leafy herbs like basil and sage is to stack the leaves and roll them tight into a cylinder. Thinly slice the cylinder crosswise and you have yourself a chiffonade. Sounds cheffy, but it’s super easy.
  • Need a quick dessert for a crowd? You’ll want to keep this idea in your back pocket! Serve colorful mixes of seasonal fresh fruit layered with vanilla Greek yogurt in wine glasses and leave to chill in the fridge. You’ll have individual portions of an easy dessert ready in a flash for your next dinner party.

FBE: You’ve been candid recently in discussing the fact that, when you were diagnosed with a brain tumor last year, your priorities were out of whack. Could you tell us a few ways in which you’ve changed your life to be more focused on your health since then?

Maria: I’m meditating daily and making time for fun, family, friends, and hobbies. Playing guitar has been incredible for my focus and creativity.

FBE: With your new approach to maintaining balance, how do you select what projects to take on and what to say no to? Do you have any tips to offer for others who are realizing they’re putting too much emphasis on work (or another aspect of their life) and want to make some changes?

Maria: Creating balance in your life is so important! I try to choose projects I am passionate about and want to spend my time supporting. I think it is important to know what matters most to you and put that first. There are only 24 hours in a day, so you need to make sure you are spending them doing what you love with the people you love.

FBE: What’s coming up next for you?

Maria: I can’t wait for my wedding in Greece and my honeymoon!

And, now we’re hungry! And dreaming of a trip to Greece. Thanks for the great interview, Maria! —Jenn

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