On today’s show, the incredibly lovely Lexi Kornblum Davidson joins us to talk about her brand new book, ‘Lexi’s Clean Kitchen,’ share some healthy wedding hacks, and also chat about how she’s found balance in her healthy but still indulgent lifestyle.
We’re back with our 81st episode of the Fed+Fit Podcast! Remember to check back every Monday for a new episode and be sure to subscribe on iTunes!
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Episode 81 Links
- Check out Aaptiv HERE and be sure to use the code “fedandfit” at checkout for a FREE 30-days!
- Snag a copy of Lexi’s new book, ‘Lexi’s Clean Kitchen,’ HERE!
- Find Lexi’s blog HERE.
- Find her on social media @lexiscleankitchen
Episode 81 Transcription
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Cassy Joy: Welcome back to another episode of the Fed and Fit podcast. Today I’m joined by an extra special guest; my friend, fellow blogger; oh my gosh. She’s probably one of the best bloggers I know, actually. I tell everybody that. {laughs}
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Oh stop it!
Cassy Joy: You are! I’m joined by Lexi Kornblum Davidson, which is the name on her brand new spanking book, which we’re going to talk about today; Lexi’s Clean Kitchen. You’ve probably come across her website, www.lexiscleankitchen.com. She has a wealth of amazing recipes. She does an awesome job of labeling them paleo, gluten free; and really you can find anything on Lexi’s site. She’s really dedicated, always puts out fresh, new, incredible content. I’m so inspired by her. She’s been on this show before, but today we’re going to talk about her book. Welcome to the show, Lexi!
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Thank you so much, and thanks for having me. I’m so happy to be here.
Cassy Joy: Oh my gosh. The pleasure is all mine. I’m so excited to have you here! So I have your book in front of me, and it is stunning.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Thank you.
Cassy Joy: No surprise.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Thank you, thank you.
Cassy Joy: I know you poured your heart and soul into this thing. How long did it take you to write it?
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: So, actually we were talking about it the other night. From start to finish, with the whole entire process, it was 2 years. But, in terms of just writing the book, I would say a year, and year and a half. Just all in.
Cassy Joy: I know. You were {laughs}. I mean, Lexi and I were both in editing and writing process together on our books, and I remember at PaleoFx we were sitting there on the couch commiserating {laughs}.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: {laughs} It was like, oh my gosh I still have so much to do!
Cassy Joy: It’s so much to do! Well you knocked it out of the park. It’s really, really dense. And that’s something that… So Lexi was kind enough to let me publish one of her recipes from the book on my website, https://fedandfit.com. And it is these creamy chicken bacon spaghetti squash boats. And I’m not even; they’re so. It’s a mouthful, in more ways than one. But they’re so delicious; and I’m not even kidding you, Lexi. I made them, and I had planned; we had other dinner plans. I think we were going over to a friend’s house, or something. So I made them and I had every intention of spooning them off into little containers and I’d freeze them and I’d just reheat them whenever we needed a freezer meal. And they didn’t make it a day in my kitchen. Austin was like, you need to make that again. {laughs}
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Aww, I’m so happy! That makes me so, so happy.
Cassy Joy: They’re so good! So you guys can find that on there, with links and everything to Lexi’s book. Which of course we’ll post up in the show notes. But just looking at this recipe; as an example of how dense this book is; she gives you this awesome recipe, right, and it can almost be seen as kind of a template to use spaghetti squash in this way, to make really clean, delicious, nourishing food. But she also provides two variations. So you’re never going to get bored. I feel like you really went; you went the extra 10 miles. Really. That’s not easy, not simple. So I’m really blown away. The book is incredible.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: You’re so sweet; thank you. Yeah, I really wanted to give people the opportunity to explore on their own a little; take the recipe and kind of have fun with it if they want to. Or just have the options to make different variations and just go from what’s in the book. So I really tried to give options.
Cassy Joy: That’s so cool. It’s so well organized. I’m also going to make the pad Thai.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yay! I love that one.
Cassy Joy: Oh my gosh, it’s so good. I’ve also made those pots; the s’mores pots de creme. So. Ridiculous. Just ridiculous.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: You know what, I love those because you don’t even need the marshmallow meringue or the graham cracker crumbs. You can just make them, put them in little shooter glasses with some fresh fruit and a little mint, and just a great dessert.
Cassy Joy: Totally. And that’s what I did for half of them. When I made it, I was texting Lexi; or maybe we were Snapchatting, I don’t remember {laughs}. She’s like; how did they come out? And I was like, well I got a little impatient, and for the first batch, we just ate the chocolate, and then I went ahead and did the other. And it was so good, and I was so glad that we had company over that night, otherwise I would have eaten them all by myself.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yep. And you can eat them at like room temperature or in the fridge and get two different consistencies, so it’s kind of fun.
Cassy Joy: So cool! I mean, really, it’s beautiful. You do a wonderful job of providing a lot of really neat, informative graphics on your website. How to build the perfect smoothie; that’s the first one that comes to mind. That’s yours, right? {laughs}
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah.
Cassy Joy: And I feel like that influence really wove into the book. So as far as the front matter goes, what were some of the; I don’t know. When I think of your content, I think you just find a way to hack clean eating, and you present it in a really fun, easy to understand, approachable way. So what were some of the nuggets that you really wanted folks to get from your book as far as really big takeaways to help empower them in the kitchen?
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah. So in the front matter, some of the things I did that I really felt strongly about was you’ll see there’s a pantry staples guide. There’s also a guide to different equipment and stuff like tools that I use in my kitchen; but the pantry staples guide is like a full blown, every spice I use, but then I bolded the ones if you’re only going to get 5 to 10 get these. But, there’s a link on that page; I think it’s page 20 or 30. It takes you to my website where there’s a printable checklist PDF of the pantry staples guide, so that way you don’t have to lug the book to the store, but if you want that guide you can find the PDF that’s in a little bit different format than the book to make it really easy for you to go to the store, figure out what you need, figure out what stuff you’re going to buy, how you’re going to clean out your pantry and how you’re going to kick start your healthy living or your new diet or lifestyle, wherever you’re at on your journey.
Aside from that in the front matter, there’s also a link. When I talk about meal planning and all different ways to have success, there’s also a link on that; I think that’s; one of them is 20 and one of them is page 30. To finding a meal plan template. I talk about meal planning and there’s the link for you to go print out your own meal planning weekly dinner guide. So that’s kind of a fun resource too. So those were the two that I was like; I want those in there so people can go to the store, they can shop, and then they can also write out their meals and feel organized and really have success when they’re cooking during the week and on the weekends and all of that.
So in the front matter, I was like, I need to get that in there for people. I felt so strongly about it. And in the back of the book, there’s the cheat-sheet section, which has graphics similar to my blog. There’s how to build a juice, how to make a soup, and why I did that was because I wanted you to have all the soup recipes, for example, that are in the book, but be able to say, “Oh I don’t have these ingredients. But look; I do have two cups of chicken broth, I do have this protein, I do have; oh look I have beans in my pantry so let me kind of whip it together, and it kind of walks you through those steps. So you can get a little creative and experiment on your own, also.
Cassy Joy: Oh my gosh, so brilliant! And they’re so cute!
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Thank you! And there’s also a “what’s in season when” guide, which varies a little by where you live. But I tried to get it for the most part accurate, and there’s a kitchen conversion chart, because I always need that and I always reference that in my kitchen. So just little things I know would be helpful for me that I really wanted to included for the people buying the book.
Cassy Joy: Oh my gosh; so, so neat! Isn’t that funny, when you write a book, you wind up including things that you personally want.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Oh yeah.
Cassy Joy: You’re like; I really want this information at my fingertips.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Exactly. I’m sure some people are really good with kitchen conversions, but I’m not one of them.
Cassy Joy: {laughs}
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: So I was like; it’s going to be in the book.
Cassy Joy: I’m not either. I have an app on my home page of my phone to help me.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Like how many cups are in a pint?
Cassy Joy: Exactly! Hey Siri, how many tablespoons are in a half cup again?
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Exactly.
Cassy Joy: Because by then your fingers are all gross, and you can’t pop on your phone.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Actually that’s a good idea. I’ve never used Siri for that.
Cassy Joy: Oh my gosh. I feel like Siri is my sous chef. {laughs}
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: I’m going to start using that. I’m going to Snapchat you while I do it.
Cassy Joy: Do it; that’d be awesome. Man that’s really great. It really is super dense. So you’ve got right at 150 recipes in here?
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah, it’s actually over 150 when you include all the variations. Like the chia pudding, there are 4 ways; the waffles there are 4 flavor variations. So it’s well over 150, but that was kind of the base number. There’s just so much, and I wanted to make it such a big, practical, and approachable resource with tons of recipes and tons of variations, just kind of a one-stop shop. There’s my basics with dressings, sauces, mayos; just kind of like an overview. And there’s crust and pizza and crackers and all that kind of fun stuff.
Cassy Joy: Just incredible. And I really love the way it’s all laid out. It’s just so darn pretty, Lexi!
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Thank you so much.
Cassy Joy: And it has me inspired again. Because you know after you write a book you’re like; and done. Probably going to be the only one. {laughs}
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: What will book be in? I’m like, what are you crazy?
Cassy Joy: Exactly, I know. Give me a minute {laughs}.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah.
Cassy Joy: It’s like after people after a baby; “So are you guys thinking about having a second?” {laughs}
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah, or like once you get married. “So when’s the baby coming?” It’s like, we literally got married 5 hours ago.
Cassy Joy: {laughing} Oh my gosh. Lexi also recently got married, which is why her married name is now on her book. And it was just the most stunning wedding. Was there any; this is a surprise question, but did you have any hacks for the bride who is trying to do sort of, I don’t know, maybe not completely squeaky clean, but a cleaner approach to diet or lifestyle at a wedding, just trying to make it a little bit more of a healthy affair.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah. I mean, what I love about wedding food, and people say; did you have paleo food at your wedding, or did you have this and this and this? And I mean honestly, if you have a meat dish and it’s like meat and vegetables, that’s generally what that is, or a fish dish, kind of not picking one of my friends is doing fried chicken and waffles at her wedding, which is so cute, but that obviously wouldn’t be the route if you’re trying to make it a little bit more of a healthy affair. But I kind of love that, because it is meat and vegetables, or it is a seafood dish with mashed potatoes and veggies. So off of that, it’s not too bad. I guess you could always ask them to steam the vegetables instead of tossing them in a ton of oil or random stuff. But that’s what I like about weddings, is you have that option off the bat.
Cassy Joy: Totally, you’re so right. And you just seemed, from afar, watching you and admiring all of your wedding stuff, you just seemed so calm, cool, and collected. Like you just; I mean, I know you were also working to finish the book, which is amazing that you combined all of that at once. But I know a lot of people listen here, and they’re trying; I don’t know, we tend to talk about mindset tricks a lot on the show. Do you have any tips for someone who’s feeling a little stressed out about a wedding or who wants to approach it from that sort of balanced perspective?
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah. The day; I hear a lot of people, they’re like; oh, the day of I was such a looney toon. I was like, at this point, it’s going to be what it is. I really tried to step back and be like; if there are a few things that go a little wrong or go a little off, it’s not about that. You’re probably going to be the only one that notices it. Like I was the only one that noticed little things. But it’s about the marriage. It’s about the love in the room, and you’ll feel that. You just can’t sweat the small stuff that day.
And actually, I have a fun fact. It’s a little different.
Cassy Joy: Oh good.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: But on my blog I asked people for tips before the wedding, and it was like; step back, enjoy the moment, it goes fast. And then someone told me not to lock your knees. And I was like, wow that’s such an interesting tip, I wonder why they said that. And then if you Google it; if you lock your knees because you’re nervous or you’re just overwhelmed, which people do, you could pass out.
Cassy Joy: {laughing}
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: So I made sure not to lock my knees. So don’t lock your knees the day of the wedding. {laughs}
Cassy Joy: Oh my gosh, that’s a very good tip.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: I know. Well I was like; wow, I wonder, there must be a reason that someone said that.
Cassy Joy: You know, I hear that in Crossfit a lot, don’t lock your knees in certain movements.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah. I mean, it’s probably a little different for that. {laughs}
Cassy Joy: {laughs} I don’t know, I mean it could be that. If someone passes out while they’re holding heavy weights! {laughs}
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Totally. Don’t lock your knees. But in terms of mindset; honestly. I was talking to someone recently, and they were like; at the first look, the bride didn’t want to have her future husband kiss her because she didn’t want to ruin her lipstick. And I just kind of think, you really have to think about what it’s about and just step back and be like; my hair is done, I look beautiful, it’s all ready to go, and just enjoy it. Don’t get a hair touch up, maybe. Don’t make yourself so crazy. I know it’s easier said than done, but just at that point, it is what it is.
Cassy Joy: Totally. Enjoy the party. That’s a really good point. You and I talked about it, but it poured down rain at my wedding. And I vividly remember; I think I remember thinking, ok. And the same is true in cooking and in businesses and in relationships or anything. You put in the work, and then once the work is put in, you just enjoy it. You sit back, and you kind of; I don’t want this to come across the wrong way, but you use it. Use the hair, use the makeup. Wear it, use it, and use it up.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Work it.
Cassy Joy: Work it! {laughs} Get some lipstick on your future husband’s cheek, or whatever.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: It would make for a really cute picture. And actually you’re a really good example; because it rained, and some people might totally freak out, like, oh my goodness, what does that mean, the day is ruined! And actually rain makes some of the most beautiful pictures at a wedding I’ve ever seen. So you just have to not sweat the small stuff. It is what it is and it’s going to be beautiful and it’s going to be perfect regardless.
Cassy Joy: I love that. And I love what you said; just feel the love in the room. Because it’s so true. It’s unlike anything else in the world.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Every single person that you love, obviously that can be there, is in one room for like 4 or 5 hours, and rarely will you ever get that again. So it’s so special.
Cassy Joy: So special. It gives me chills just thinking about it. That’s so sweet. Oh my gosh. Ok well that kind of brings me into another question I have for you. In terms of just healthy living in general, you’ve been living this way for years now, eating this way, and you and I both, I feel like, have a good balance. We like to go out to eat sometimes, and we like to have the occasional cocktail. Do you have any tips for somebody who is maybe trying to figure out how to have a balance with a healthy lifestyle? Because that’s a question I get a lot; because folks are trying to, and that’s what we do in the Project, is try to walk people through that process of going from diet to lifestyle.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah.
Cassy Joy: What are some of your tricks that you’ve found to bridge that gap?
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah, you know honestly Cassy, it wasn’t always this way. When I had terrible stomach issues in 2013, I was so strict with my diet. I wasn’t making gluten free pizza or eating baked goods that are on my blog. Even though they’re a better option, I wasn’t doing that. And you know, at that point I always told people, you don’t have to think of it as forever. But if you’re trying to eliminate things to heal certain elements, or certain things, you might have to be strict for a bit, and just know it won’t be forever. Eventually you’ll add back in the eggs that you want to add back in, or whatever it may be.
So eventually once I really started healing my stomach and realized; ok, I’m feeling good, I can bring stuff back; it was a lot about that balance. How do I not eat the pancakes every day now that I used to not eat. Or can I go out to dinner, but I don’t feel like I can. I don’t feel like I can go out to dinner and have some of that cheese because I don’t eat dairy. It’s that whole balance of, how crazy are you going to get, and how crazy are you going to be. And if you were really strict, how do you kind of bring stuff back in and not feel a certain way about it?
So in terms of finding that balance, I think just the mindset; mindset again, so important, of not driving yourself crazy and living a little, and the boundaries that you obviously feel comfortable with and that work with your health issues or your goals, whatever they may be. But really just; it’s a hard one because it really depends where people are on their journey.
Cassy Joy: Totally.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: But letting yourself live a little and know that you’ll wake up in the morning and you’ll be ok and you know what; you’ll listen to your body. You’ll wake up, and you’ll be like; oh I did not feel good after that appetizer that I ate last night, or whatever it may be, and then you’ll kind of go from there and figure out what works. But I mean, you have to live a little. And I talk about balance in the book, and just kind of having that and not being so crazy. Because you have one life.
Cassy Joy: Totally. That’s awesome.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: So I’ll have my occasional cocktail.
Cassy Joy: {laughs} Beautifully said. I love it so much. We don’t have to; there are also people who want to put limitations on stuff. Well, I will have one cocktail a week, but no more. And then if they have two, they feel like they goofed up. It’s like Lexi said; I totally agree. It’s about listening to your body, living a little, and trying and challenging yourself. It doesn’t happen overnight, but challenging yourself to keep an open mind, to; I don’t know, just rolling with the punches and giving yourself a little room and a little grace.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Right. You know one of my blogger friends, Jordan, from the Balanced Blonde; she used to be vegan and she wrote this book on it because she ended up leaving her vegan community and going, and she had orthorexia. She was so obsessed with healthy eating and healthy diet and food that she wasn’t eating anything. She was so strict and so confined that it made her have an eating disorder. So it really obviously depends on where you are in your journey, because if you’re making yourself that crazy, that’s not a way of life. That’s not a healthy lifestyle. So it’s balance in all of those different areas.
Cassy Joy: Mm-hmm. That’s great. It’s a really great topic. That may be something we cover more in-depth on this show at one point in time. Ok, so, when you write a book; you’ve cooked everything in here multiple times, because you have to test it, you craft the recipe, and then you have to photograph it and all that stuff. But is there a book; or excuse me, a recipe in your book that you have made more than the others just because you wanted to? What’s been kind of your favorite that you turn to a lot?
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah. Well, the waffles and pancakes, they’re the real deal. They’re fluffy; those are just, I make those all the time, especially when we have company over for like brunch. The beef and broccoli I love. It’s simple, but you can also throw it in the slow cooker and have it cooking all day, which is kind of cool, so there are two different options there. Also, what was the other? Oh the avocado toast. It’s not your average avocado toast. It’s not just avocado smashed with a fork; it’s really unique and different, and there’s a few different bread options. There’s the bread that’s in my book, there’s sweet potato buns, and all that kind of stuff. So I love those; I can’t stop making them.
Cassy Joy: Those are; oh my gosh, I wrote them down. Because I’m going to make them now.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yay!
Cassy Joy: I’m so hungry!
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: You’ll love the toast.
Cassy Joy: I can’t wait! It’s kind of like, you shouldn’t go to the grocery store hungry; I feel like I shouldn’t talk to my food blogger friends when I’m hungry {laughs}.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: It’s like when I’m scrolling on Instagram, and I’m like; oh no. Not the time, I’m too hungry. {laughs}
Cassy Joy: {laughs} I totally get that. Well, you’re getting ready to kick off a book tour! Do you want to tell us; this show is going to air, let me just make sure I know what day we’re talking to people; the 14th!
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Oh.
Cassy Joy: So tell everybody about your book tour and where they can come find you.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Yeah, so I’ve patterned with Whole Foods market for the book tour. So we’ve released the first leg of the tour which is in North Atlantic; so it’s Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine. And I’m actually doing a signing in Dedham, Massachusetts on Thursday the 17th; and it is a cooking demo so it’s going to be super fun, so you can check out all the tour dates so far, and more will be added in different states. So stay tuned, and sign up for my email list for that. But on www.lexiscleankitchen.com/events you’ll see everything laid out really easily, how you can find me. But they’re really fun, and there’s going to be swag bags with all my favorite brands and products, and all sorts of fun stuff that we have planned. So I’m super excited, the first one is tonight.
Cassy Joy: Oh my gosh, I’m so excited for you I can’t wait to watch from afar!
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Thank you.
Cassy Joy: I think I’m just going to book a ticket and come surprise you at one.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: I would freak out!
Cassy Joy: That would be so fun! Or you could just come to San Antonio, whichever.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: I know. I’m going to; once we start planning that area, obviously.
Cassy Joy: No pressure. I know how it goes; when you do a book tour, you can’t go everywhere. You just can’t.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: I know. We started here because of the holidays and there are so many blackout dates between Thanksgiving and Christmas. So I’m like; I’ll just stay in the local states and then we’ll continue on in the New Year. New Year, New Year.
Cassy Joy: I love it. I love it so much. Man; so great. I’m so freaking proud of you Lexi.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Thank you.
Cassy Joy: I mean, this book is phenomenal. You guys can find it; I’m holding it in my hands. I like, cherish it. And it’s substantial. You can find it at Barnes and Noble nationwide; you can find it on Amazon; Lexi’s Clean Kitchen. And I will link up to everything; I’ll link up to her website and to the book, and to her book tour, all in the show notes, where you can also find a transcript of today’s episode.
Lexi, thank you so much for coming on!
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Thanks for having me! It’s always my favorite, having a chat with you.
Cassy Joy: Oh, stop it! You’re the best. {laughs}
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Love you. Thank you for having me.
Cassy Joy: Oh my gosh, I love you. Thank you so much. Good luck; you’re going to crush it. I know you’re going to knock them dead, set the world on fire, all of the good things. I’m just so proud, I cannot wait to watch it all unfold.
And thank you so much for joining us everybody; we’ll be back again next week.
Lexi Kornblum Davidson: Whoo!
