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 soup and stews, but you better believe there’s a whole lot of variety, and a little bit of naughty, going on behind closed doors. We know you want a peek ;)
This week, we’re peeking into the fridge of our friend and wellness guru, Summer Rayne Oakes.
Splendid Spoon: Hey Summer! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Summer: I like to find the extraordinary in the everyday person by inspiring and empowering them to live an active, healthy, fulfilling, and sustainable life. I try to live by example as much as possible, so I put a lot of effort into working on projects and ventures that help people.
Most recently I wrote a book called SUGARDETOXME, which comes out in March. I also run a website, which guides people through reducing their sugar intake affordably and effectively. I love to garden and grow things. In the spring, I plan to release a new initiative called Homestead Brooklyn, which teaches people how to merge country living with life in a more urban environment.
SS: What are your top 5 staples you can’t live without?
SRO: Shallots, Lemons, Lentils, Olive Oil, Apples (especially when paired with Black Betty Aged Gouda!).
SS: What’s the weirdest thing in your fridge?
SRO: Raw propolis with carob powder in a urine cup. It comes from my friend’s hives in the Dominican Republic. The urine cup was clean… I think.
SS: What’s your fave sweet and what’s your fave savory?
SRO: I’ve seriously reduced sugar in my diet (hence my work). However, as a former entomologist, my favorite sweet has to be my collection of honey from around the world that I’ll occasionally treat myself or my friends to.
Savory is definitely herbs. I grow my own herbs, like curry and oregano, indoors, so I tend to put them in everything!
SS: If you were one thing in your fridge, what would it be?
SRO: Bee pollen. It’s nourishing, uncompromised, and a little bit crunchy.
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.
SRO: You can almost always find homemade vegetable broth in my fridge or freezer. I’ll sip that straight up — or I’ll cook some lentils or grains to add and make a soup out of it. I can’t think of anything more comforting!