Into the Fridge 🥹

Ochuko Akpovbovbo on linguine pasta and reading a good book

This glow comes from within, I mean it

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo 🥹

Ochuko is a brand marketer at Adidas and the writer of

as seen on

, a newsletter about culture & consumerism. She’s currently based in Germany (!!) and is from Nigeria, though she’s lived in Canada and the US somewhere in there. She has impeccable taste, especially when it comes to books & interiors, and her minimalist lifestyle — which you will see soon — is truly aspirational to me.

She bought extra vegetables just for this interview <3

What is your fridge philosophy? 

Waste not, want not. If it makes it to my fridge, I need it to make it to my mouth.

Your fridge is always always always stocked with ____.

• Greek Yogurt: I’m not a breakfast person; I rarely eat before noon. But sometimes when i wake up feeling hungry but am too lazy to make an actual meal, I have a go-to blueberry and banana smoothie thats super filling and easy to make.

• Bananas: The texture really bugs me so I can't eat them alone, but I NEED it in my smoothie or pancakes.

• Ghanaian Chili: I put it in every slightly complicated dish I make. Game changer.

• Eggs: Large ones specifically. I go through a 12 pack most weeks.

Top 5 condiments, go.

I’m really not a condiment girl. Condiments live and die in my fridge (lol). The only two I use regularly are:

• Cholula Hot Sauce: for my guacamole and egg sandwich 

• Heinz Sriracha Mayo: for my tuna sandwich 

There’s something very artistic about her fridge door…

Fine, I’ll open it up to pantry too. Let’s hear your favorite snacks / pantry staples: 

This is hard. I’m also not a snack girl! I love a meal meal. If I’m not making it, I’m not cooking it. So I have no snacks, which always bugs people who come visit me.

But here’s other fun stuff I have:

• Curry Sauce: Chicken curry is my go-to; and the only way I eat veggies

• Jasmine Rice: when I say I love a meal — I mean pasta and rice. I know  way too many variations of each 

• Linguine Pasta: this and only this 

• Plantains: if you haven't tried fried deep plantains, I feel so bad for you 

A meal that’s on heavy rotation these days:

So I don't eat breakfast, but I love breakfast food. I recently learned

1. that I like sourdough bread

2. how to make my own guacamole

So I’ve been making these sandwiches with guacamole, arugula, sourdough bread, fried eggs, balsamic vinegar, and hot sauce. It’s messy and yummy!

Take it in, folks — everything about this is stunning

Let’s go a little deeper… 

What’s the mantra you keep coming back to?

All I have is all I need.

What products / practices are part of your regular mental wellness habits? 

I’m not a 'wellness' girly. I make very little effort to form good habits. But I also have very few vices so I think it balances out. 

• I go on walks a lot. My only form of exercise and I get to clear my head and will often pray too. My best ideas come on my walks.

• I spend very little time on social media. I’m in and out so fast, and considering that my newsletter is about consumer news and trends, I think people find that very surprising…

I have so many good view-related jokes, but I’ll spare you all

And your physical?

I don't own any skincare products. None at all. I have amazing skin and I learned a long time ago not to mess with it. I use Dudu Osun black soap on my face and body. Morning and night. That’s it.

What do you think is the most underrated part of wellness? 

Kindness. And peace of mind.

…and overrated?

Stuff, stuff, all the stuff!

Picture this: you wake up one morning and feel like shit. What’s your next move: 

Go back to bed. Try again in an hour.

Don’t forget, wellness can look like a beautiful home with lots of sunlight and plenty of books

One thing you do everyday that makes you the most YOU version of yourself: 

Read a great book!

Whose taste inspires you?! 

• Nana Agyemang

• Sofia Richie, love her style

• And also my friend Marian!

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Big thank you to Ochuko for showing us a little taste (sorry) of her life. You can find her must-read newsletter here, and her fridge favorites and 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!