Into the Fridge 😊
Grace Clarke on her dreadful smoothie and semi-permanent blush
Grace Clarke 😊
Grace is the founder of GGC Consulting and GraceAI, a marketing strategy and calendar generator (basically a clone of her brain). She also runs the Gen Z BOD, an insights network of young people, is an artist, and splits her time between New York and Paris. I think it’s safe to say that Grace inspires everyone she meets, myself included.
What is your fridge philosophy?
I feel so lucky to even have an answer to this. So much goes into having flexibility and access here - drinkable water, a safe home, electricity. Just wanted a moment to acknowledge that.
Right now, food at home is functional. It has to be easy to get proper nutrition. Even if the flavors are less tantalizing. That’s what restaurants are for, and I live in New York, the greatest city in the world for a delicious dinner at 6pm — the ideal time.
I’m building a new AI product, and that means I have to be extra-regimented if I want to achieve my goals. I quite like that my decisions are pre-made for me — current Grace taking care of future Grace is fun. How much can I make possible just with small decisions?
Your fridge is always always always stocked with ____.
Frozen spinach that I put in everything, hard boiled eggs, apples, chicken breast, baby bell peppers and cucumbers, dark chocolate, ground turkey, Siete tortillas, greek yogurt (any brand), OWYN protein shakes.
According to research cited in the New York Times just this month, 60% of the average American’s diet comes from processed food. As they explain it, “the same foods that are linked to increased risk of diabetes and some cancers.” If you take nothing else away from what I write, please know this: nutrition and sleep are miracle drugs. Everyone — everyone — deserves access to them.
Top 5 condiments, go.
Guacamole (homemade): In 2012, Mark Bittman designated it a condiment in “Beard on Food” on page 86. And so it was written.
Kikkoman Soy Sauce: I crave its vibrant, tangy alive-ness - on plain rice, steamed broccoli.
Primal Kitchen Ketchup: because french fries are my second favorite food on earth.
Olive oil (Graza, obviously): I understand most think it’s an ingredient, but it is the ideal crude condiment. I think about it every day.
I don’t care for another enough to attach myself to it…
Fine, I’ll open it up to pantry too. Let’s hear your favorite snacks / pantry staples:
Tostitos Hint of Lime, Bellway fiber powder, Isopure protein powder (chocolate), high-protein penne pasta, Twizzlers, Sour Patch Kids, extra-crunchy peanut butter (Gif!), Trader Joe’s peanut butter pretzels
Whole Foods makes incredible prepared double chocolate chip cookies
Also beef jerky: always stocked at the International Space Station partly because it’s classified as IM, or Intermediate Moisture (foods with some moisture but not enough to cause immediate spoilage)
I promised myself during my (viral, sorry but it’s true) annual planning I’d eat fewer processed snacks. But…I’m working a lot, and this feels like a fine vice for now.
A meal that’s on heavy rotation these days:
I’ve made the same dreadful smoothie nearly every day for five years: a ton of frozen spinach, chocolate Isopure powder, AG1 powder, and OWYN protein drink. I justify this mirthless optimization because the rest of my life is (mostly) a high-octane pursuit of genuine joy. But I’m a Virgo — efficiency and systems are pleasure as well.
Let’s go a little deeper…
What’s the mantra you keep coming back to?
Let them tell you no, don’t tell yourself no. (Desensitize yourself to being told “no” as fast as you can.)
Follow your plan, not your mood.
Don’t be afraid to be seen trying. (Being a beginner is an amazing resilience builder - and it’s so pure. Inspire others!)
Can I share some things that are more instructional? Me: yes, please
Kat Cole invented the “hot shot rule”: Envision a badass in your role tomorrow. What is one thing they would look at and immediately address? Then go do that thing. The trick is taking action right away, within 24 hours. I love that, and her.
Fall in love with the practice of learning. Whenever I feel unmotivated, all it takes is reading an article I’ve saved and want to learn from, and zoop! My wheels are turning.
And on that note: just take action. Courageous action builds confidence, not the other way around. Andrew Shaw said “You don’t need more information. You need implementation.” As if we need to read just one more newsletter, listen to one more podcast and we’ll know what to do. No! Stop that. The people who learn are the people who launch and listen.
What products / practices are part of your regular mental wellness habits?
Therapy
Mindset training with my business coach
Loftie clock and amber nightlights: they fixed my bedtime and wakeup routine
My Whoop
Hooga amber booklight: no phones in the bedroom!
Water. So, so, so much water. Never out of an Owala or Stanley — when they fall, they’re inappropriately loud
Reminding myself that we are all essentially our wounded 10-year-old selves, just with better vocabulary and adult money. My sister taught me this phrase by Ram Dass, and it’s now a life philosophy: “We are all just walking each other home.”
Creating time and space — being frazzled is really not me at my best.
And your physical?
I am a known plastic surgery lover and in many ways, I’m high maintenance to be low maintenance. I invest a lot to have more time.
Hair:
Magic Sleek straightening and Becca Kraeger keeps me blonde. (But not blonde enough, Becca!).
But the real secrets to hair growth: I trim my own hair monthly, and I sleep in a satin bonnet
You must do these things if you want longer, stronger hair that breaks less often
the bonnet in question Beauty: Working at Allure drained my interest in makeup (and marketing it), but it fueled my pursuit of gonzo DIY beauty. I still want to look the way I want to look: polished and poised
I dye my eyebrows with mens beard dye, and then I laminate them with Lash Up
I have semi-permanent blush tattooed on my cheeks, by artist Savannah at Velvet NYC
Crest Whitestrips really do work, and my boyfriend has gotten me into mouth tape
I use EltaMD SPF because I haven’t properly researched Korean sunscreens yet
Fitness:
I lift very heavy weights once a week with Alex Stamenkovic, recreate that once a week myself, and go for very long walks a few times a week
I’m doing the NYRR 9+1 marathon entry program right now, so I’m occasionally training for a run. I could walk and walk and walk for hours…
What do you think is the most underrated part of wellness?
Mindset. Every time you say “I am” or “I always” your brain believes it as fact. And suddenly, you’ve made that a part of your identity. You have got to reprogram a self-identity that serves you. And laughing. It is a sensational feeling. It’s contagious! When someone laughs on the subway next to me, I start laughing too.
Also, I think GLP-1’s will be mainstream in 2025, and the people who judge them now will be using them soon.
…and overrated?
Cardio.
Picture this: you wake up one morning and feel like shit. What’s your next move:
Drink water, so much water.
Say to myself: I am the type of person who’s very fine feeling awful. I am the type of person who moves through it calmly.
I imagine conferring with people I admire about what they think I should do: Kara Swisher, Michelle Obama, some other people I won’t mention publicly, and get their advice.
Get a large coffee from the bodega with whole milk.
Do one quick thing that kicks my sense of momentum into gear, like responding to a simple email, or calling my mother.
Give us your ride or die wellness products:
My “personal bad ass” iPhone note where I keep track, all day, of things I’m proud of doing or saying, decisions I made, to reinforce them. Aside from that, my Loftie clock.
One thing you do everyday that makes you the most YOU version of yourself:
In the spring and summer, every day, I water my garden. It might seem like a silly hobby for a busy founder, but listen:
it brings me joy (I do better work when I’m in a good mood)
it slows me down (I do better work when my nervous system is chilled out)
and watching nature grow is just a marvelous thing (I do better work when I remember how I fit into this humongous world)
Whose taste inspires you?!
Honestly, my own.
Big thank you to Grace for showing us a little taste (sorry) of her life. You can learn more about her work on her site and her Instagram, and her fridge favorites + more are here.
Feel free to leave a comment or respond to this email with questions you want asked, people you want featured, or anything else that’s on your mind. Don’t be shy, I love hearing from you. I’ll see you with a review soon!
Ah, Grace! Lovely!
I love Grace! I’m off IG this summer and I don’t miss much, but I do miss her stories!