What's In Your Refrigerator?

You can learn a lot about someone by looking in her refrigerator.

Is there anything expired in there? What’s that mystery thing in the Tupperware in the back? Is that a candy bar hiding behind the fat-free salad dressing?

Speaking of other people’s refrigerators, I visited my mom several years back and snagged a Gatorade out of the fridge on my way to the gym. During my run, I took a swig of the “Gatorade” and discovered that it was actually a very strong margarita, most of which ended up spat all over the treadmill. From that point on, I’ve been suspicious about pretty much everything in her refrigerator. (Side note: This has nothing to do with this issue; I just wanted to share that story.)

Anyway, we girls have a complicated relationship with food. We all have our favorite foods, our trigger foods, and food we won’t touch with a 10-foot pole. (Example: A coworker who shall remain nameless hates peanut butter. Peanut butter!).

But what we’re really striving for in our relationship with food is balance. Eating the things that we like in healthy portions and getting enough exercise to allow for the occasional cupcake binge. (Side note #2: The Her Nashville Sugar Rush is July 25. Save up your calories for that one.) We can’t always be perfect — this girl may have made a 3 a.m. McDonald’s run last night — but we can’t beat ourselves up over it. Food should be enjoyed!!

And we’re sure you’re going to enjoy this issue. Chris Chamberlain did a great round up of some off-the-beaten-path options all the way to IKEA in Atlanta and back, including those famous meatballs. Kim Green gives us a glimpse into the masterminds behind local award-winning hotspot The Catbird Seat. Local foodie Paulette Licitra shows you how to cook like an Italian, and even novice cooks will be surprised by how simple it is.

Have a hot night out? Erin Burcham Taylor shows you how to get ready for it, and new contributor Heidi Jewell (undertheguise.com) has the perfect outfit for your culinary outing. Also, we check in with our 2011 Sugar Queen Mignon Francois of The Cupcake Collection, who will be back at our upcoming Sugar Rush to defend her crown! (Side note #3: I’m prepping for the Sugar Rush and the massive consumption of favorite summertime foods by committing to a month of exercise at various studios and gyms around town. My first month is at the incredible Krank Nashville — read all about the fitness adventure here and here.)

So, since summertime is all about cookouts and ice cream, let’s stop treating food like the other F-word and commit to living well and celebrating all of the great food we have in Nashville.