What's in a chef's fridge?

I got asked this question today. It's actually a common question that I'm sure most people ask chefs. At least they want to!

My answer is that it depends on the season and my mood. Right now, I'm into making soups & stews like there's no tomorrow. It's healthier and plus the weather permits it as well. I'm still eating oatmeal for breakfast because it reminds me of my grandmother. I drink tea everyday ( I alternate between:green tea, earl grey or pomegranate) in the afternoon. My cheat foods include diabetic sugar free cookies, sugar free chocolate and vanilla bean yogurt. The more I read, the more I see that sugar really is the root of so many diseases and health problems. It's difficult because I have a special place in my heart for baking. Let's face it, it's hard to bake without real sugar. Correction. It's hard to bake delicious pastries without real sugar. I'm not a holiday baker. As a chef, that goes without saying. I bake to relax, show gratitude to friends and neighbors(that sounds so 1950's!), for experimentation or maybe because the apples looked great at the market. Maybe I got inspired to make a pie?

Currently, I have a ton of fresh fruit and veggies. I precut and prepare them so when I get a hunger bug, I take a bite out of something healthy. I'm very proud that there's very little meat in my fridge. And the meat I do have is organic and hormone free. I have a respect and appreciation for the meat I do eat now and it feels good. It feels socially and morally correct. I have milks, all natural yogurts(favorite brands are wallaby organic:vanilla bean and brown cow:lemon), silken tofu, fresh berries, cheeses, lots of garlic, mushrooms, tuna salad, low fat turkey sausage, whole grain bread and organic juices. I love Central Market's organic apple juice. It's much better than my old favorite diet cherry pepsi.

I hope this healthy kick lasts and isn't just a "kick." My skin is much healthier looking and has a glow(so I'm told). I've managed to avoid Austin's hellish allergy season, which nearly killed me last year. Seriously! I went to the ER twice and it was utter misery. I was fatigued, dehydrated and was sick as a dog for weeks. Luckily, I've managed to avoid it all this time around. So maybe there's something to all this eating organic. It's really the only major thing I've changed in my eating. It feels like a positive change.

Tonight I'll be making vegan mushroom burgers! I'm not vegan, but LOVE this recipe. Foti goes crazy (in a good way) whenever I make this because he can't believe there's no meat. Best of all, he doesn't even miss it. Chef's secrets...

There's what's in my fridge! I should start asking people what they have in theirs now!