“The biggest misconception about me is that I never eat treats and that I have good skin,” confesses British VOGUE contributing editor and author Calgary Avansino...
Looking at the blonde Californian beauty, you can see why people would think these things: she’s a perfect picture of glowing health. She’s also bound to inspire you to start focusing on improving your own wellbeing. Avansino’s approach to health is to “start making it part of your lifestyle forever. Not something you focus on in January or before summer. It has to become an integral part of your ways, your habits and your identity. Start to think of yourself as ‘a healthy person’”. The mother of three lives in London and has just published her first book Keep It Real: Create a healthy, balanced and delicious life – for you and your family. We were thrilled to interview her on everything from health and happiness to stress and style and also get a sneak peek inside her fabulous new book… For more information, go to www.calgaryavansino.com.
Images by Kristin Perers for Keep It Real: Create a healthy, balanced and delicious life – for you and your family
When I wake up...
I quickly get in as much “me time” as possible before the house begins to rumble. I do a few emails, get dressed without a baby under one arm and prep breakfast for the whole crew.
Before I go to bed...
I take magnesium, turn on my SAD light alarm clock and plug my phone in to charge outside the bedroom.
Life as a mother of three is...
Deliriously hectic and wonderful at the same time. I’m learning to embrace the chaos and enjoy the moment – that’s one of my goals for 2016.
My approach to wellbeing is…
Making it part of your lifestyle forever. Not something you focus on in January or before summer. It has to become an integral part of your ways, your habits and your identity. Start to think of yourself as “a healthy person”.
The food groups I avoid are…
Sugar (although that’s technically not a food group) and processed food generally.
I treat myself by...
Lounging in my pyjamas on weekends and making pancakes with the kids – and watching more than one episode of a TV series that I’m into with my husband on a “school” night.
The biggest misconception about me...
Is that I never eat treats and that I have good skin.
My role model is…
A little bit of every woman working her tail off, pushing boundaries and making it happen! I admire them all!
The definition of success is...
Liking what you do and being proud of what you’ve done.
If I wasn't doing what I'm doing today…
I’d either be an interior designer, own a stationary shop or be a university professor of women’s studies – they couldn’t be more different, I know.
My mother taught me…
How to be a good mother.
I moved to London because...
We wanted an adventure. We thought we would stay for three years and it’s been 16! The greatest city on earth.
Happiness is...
Not thinking about how you need to be or how you should act – just being the real you, there’s an amazing freedom in that.
My time management secrets are…
Lists, lists and more lists. I create different lists for every segment of my life: website, book, Vogue, kids, house, etc. That way every list is manageable (sort of). I also send myself endless emails (it’s like virtually talking to yourself but more socially acceptable) and I’m a Prime Amazon junkie. I’m not really proud of it, but I’m always doing more than one thing at once.
In my kitchen cupboard you’ll find…
Everything you need to make and eat healthy, delicious, and nourishing meals. And I mean everything… it’s stuffed to the brim.
Today I’m wearing…
Emilia Wickstead trousers, a J. Crew denim shirt, Gianvito Rossi shoes and a vintage belt.
The last meal I ate was….
At a breakfast meeting and I had the most delicious smashed avocado, poached egg and fresh coriander on gluten-free bread; plus a matcha green tea. I could have stayed until lunch and gladly had it all over again.
My style essentials are…
Colour and print – ideally together in the form of a dress.
My children have taught me...
What it feels like to be loved without any judgment. They just LOVE me and I’m going to relish in it for as long as I can because they’ll be teenagers before I know it and all that will change.
I relax by…
Changing out of my “work” clothes, putting my hair up in a ponytail, taking off my make-up, turning on some music and getting on the floor to play with my kids.
I get stressed when…
I’m running late. Everyone’s time is as precious as the next and I think it’s just plain rude to be late.
My next travel destination is...
Our next big trip is Japan! I’ve never been and couldn’t be more excited. The food is going to blow me away, I’m sure. But before then we’re heading to Amsterdam and Berlin on an informal WW2 history tour because my 10 year old is obsessed.
After I finish writing this I’m going to...
Move on to the next thing on my to-do list.