{"id":155704,"date":"2020-07-29T02:00:30","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T09:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/?p=155704"},"modified":"2020-08-17T09:27:56","modified_gmt":"2020-08-17T16:27:56","slug":"padma-lakshmi-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/padma-lakshmi-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Padma Lakshmi On How She&#8217;s Adjusting to the New Normal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Through her show, <em>Taste the Nation<\/em>, Padma Lakshmi has found that food brings a universal, shared sense of comfort and joy.<\/p>\n<p>Even though she\u2019s been adjusting to the \u201cnew normal\u201d with her daughter Krishna, she\u2019s finding ways to appreciate small yet joyful moments through home-cooked meals.<\/p>\n<p>Ahead, Lakshmi shares what she\u2019s looking forward to this fall, how she finds her confidence, and the top spices everyone should have in their kitchen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>As we\u2019re all adjusting to a \u201cnew normal,\u201d how are you going to look at fall differently this year?<\/strong><br \/>\nI think this year has been tough on all of us for so many reasons, but I do think there are silver linings in that we have appreciated and have really learned how to prioritize what\u2019s important.<\/p>\n<p>Right now, it\u2019s about taking care of each other, making each other laugh, [and] doing things that are nurturing \u2014 both for others and to ourselves. This holiday season we may not be able to get together in large groups to celebrate as we usually do, but we can harvest the joy in simple things with a smaller group of those we love.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bx-J9KchF-9\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"12\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bx-J9KchF-9\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Padma Lakshmi (@padmalakshmi)<\/a> on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2019-05-27T15:34:28+00:00\">May 27, 2019 at 8:34am PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><strong>What are some recipes you look forward to cooking with Krishna this season?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019m excited to make khichdi with her. It\u2019s a comforting South Indian porridge of rice, lentils, and other vegetables. There\u2019s also a dish I cook with my mom called rasam, which is a sour tomato and tamarind soup. It comforts us in the same way chicken soup would.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Congrats on <em>Taste the Nation<\/em>! What is one thing you hope viewers take away from the show?<\/strong><br \/>\nI hope that people who watch the show come away feeling that we are all much more alike than we are different. I hope they gain a better understanding of some of these immigrant and indigenous communities and appreciate their contribution to what we know as \u201cAmerican\u201d cuisine.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do you think it is about food that brings people together?<\/strong><br \/>\nFood is a way to express your love to family. Sharing dishes and recipes and family history creates intimacy. We learn about each other through the food we cook and eat. We all have such warm and deep memories attached to food. It can be a great way to rekindle that nostalgia and comfort.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/ByLAItmB4wX\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"12\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/ByLAItmB4wX\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Padma Lakshmi (@padmalakshmi)<\/a> on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2019-06-01T15:18:47+00:00\">Jun 1, 2019 at 8:18am PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<strong>You personally chose No Kid Hungry as this season\u2019s charity. Why is this charity important to you?<\/strong><br \/>\nI love No Kid Hungry because they help ensure that children get the nutrition they need, like healthy breakfasts at school and free food during the summertime. I hope that people who watch the show come away feeling that we are all much more alike than we are different. I just think kids deserve an equal chance at creating their own success, and that\u2019s better achieved with a full stomach.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What words of encouragement do you have for women who find it hard to celebrate their achievements?<\/strong><br \/>\nI feel that women have been taught to downplay their achievements and not to brag, but if you\u2019re proud of your work, then feel free to express it! When you look back at your life, you\u2019ll want to remember those moments and cherish them. It\u2019s important for the psyche to enjoy achievement. There\u2019s a rush waiting for you at the end of your quest.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You\u2019re so comfortable in your own skin. How did you build up that confidence throughout your life?<\/strong><br \/>\nI feel more confident in my 40s than I ever have. I think it comes from having a better understanding of the world and my place in it. I have the confidence now to voice things that I wouldn\u2019t have 20 years ago. I feel secure in my convictions and my achievements.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top five spices everyone should always have in their kitchens?<\/strong><br \/>\nThyme, oregano, sumac, za\u2019atar, and Maldon or fleur de sel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Any exciting projects coming up?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019ll be shooting Top Chef shortly! But I can\u2019t say where yet! It\u2019s a secret. I\u2019m also working on a children\u2019s book that will be published next year.<\/p>\n<p>xx, The FabFitFun Team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":"Through her show, Taste the Nation, Padma Lakshmi has found that food brings a universal, ...","author":422344,"featured_media":155708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[201],"tags":[],"thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/static.fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/23102012\/padma.jpg","thumbnail_url_middle_card":"https:\/\/static.fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/23102012\/padma-386x200.jpg","formated_date":"July 29, 2020","category_name":"Members Only","category_icon":"https:\/\/static.fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/11113301\/iSiu0EDM.png","author_name":"Monica Chang","trending":false,"sponsored":false,"random_color":"#0eba2b","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155704"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/422344"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155704\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/155708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=155704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}