Into the Fridge 🫂
Erica Chidi on Bulgarian rosewater and drawing with pastels
Erica Chidi 🫂
is a writer, strategist, and health educator specializing in embodiment and wellbeing. She’s the author of Nurture, a book on pregnancy, postpartum, and early motherhood, and is behind , a newsletter that blends personal essays, soothing tools, and intimate advice to help you softly explore your inner world. She was co-founder and CEO of LOOM and previously co-hosted The goop Podcast. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times and Vogue, and she currently serves as a strategic advisor to Perelel Health and BirthFund, and consults for Nike, Rhode, and other companies creating high-impact products for women.
What is your fridge philosophy?
A fridge should be an organized feast for the eyes—colorful, inviting and alluring, but it doesn't give you choice paralysis when you want to get a quick snack or leave you stressed and confused about what to make for dinner.
Your fridge is always always always stocked with ____.
Broccolini, kale, baby gem lettuces, Bulgarian rosewater (always in my drinking water), pita bread, Fuji and Cosmic Crisp apples, almond milk, Ghia (particularly the sumac and chili), Lovely Bunch apple juice, Erewhon roasted chicken stock, La Fermière yogurts (orange blossom honey flavor), Lily’s eggs (best eggs ever!), and homemade mushroom chocolates.
Top 5 condiment picks, go.
Edmond Fallot Mustard (both seed-style and Dijon)
JEM Cashew Cardamom Almond Butter (addicted)
Fly by Jing Chili Crisp and Fly by Jing Sweet Zhong sauce
Fine, I’ll open it up to pantry too. Let’s hear your favorite snacks / pantry staples:
Eden pistachios
Vandy’s classic potato chips (fried in beef tallow — yes I am that person )
Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps (rosemary raisin pecan flavor—best one imo)
A rotating selection of teas, particularly Tulsi Sweet Rose, nettle, chamomile, and lavender
Nana Joe’s Paleo Sunrise granola (Orange Almond Butter flavor)
Tinned fish, usually an excessive amount of Agromar White Tuna Belly
Lots of ramen (my fiancee loves Sapporo Ichiban!)
PROMIX protein powder — Madagascar Vanilla flavor
A meal that’s on heavy rotation these days:
A slow cooker beef stew. I recently started using a crockpot—and fell in love with it. It’s the perfect cooking solution during busy days because you can just set it, forget it, and return hours later to a delicious meal.
Let’s go a little deeper…
What’s the mantra you keep coming back to?
“You can start the day over at any time.”
What products / practices are part of your regular mental wellness habits?
Regular sessions on my infrared mat and steam showers are key parts of my routine, along with daily use of my Dennis Gross LED mask.
I’m obsessed with Sofie Pavitt's Benzoyl Peroxide Mask—I still struggle with acne, and using it twice a day has helped tremendously.
I'm constantly misting Tower 28’s SOS spray and applying EltaMD’s Clear Sunscreen to combat PIH and hyperpigmentation.
I also hop on my MOVE by Power Plate while working out, or anytime I need to shake off sluggish energy during the day or wind down before bed.
I also unwind by drawing with pastels.
And your physical?
Daily meditation, walks several times a week, and weightlifting at least three days a week.
What do you think is the most underrated part of wellness?
Sleep. If you’re not sleeping well, nothing else really works. Prioritizing good sleep is essential.
And overrated?
Monk fruit and stevia. I can’t handle how they taste—let’s just stick to coconut or cane sugar folks!
Picture this: you wake up one morning and feel like shit. What’s your next move:
Immediately hop onto my infrared mat and stretch, followed by a steam shower.
Give us your ride or die wellness products:
Serotoner by CAP Beauty, Sofie Pavitt’s Benzoyl Peroxide Mask and Clean Clean Cleanser, Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant
Vanicream Dandruff Shampoo, The Good Stuff by May Lindstrom
Daily Iron Ease by Perelel, ChlorOxygen pills, LivOn Laboratories™ Magnesium
Plant Paper Toilet Paper, Cocoshine Toothpaste, H. Gillerman Organics True Relaxation Muscle Remedy
These are my everyday heroes.
One thing you do everyday that makes you the most YOU version of yourself:
This might be TMI, but it's… pooping. If I don’t, I feel nuts and it's a clear sign that my body is struggling and I need to make some adjustments.
Whose taste inspires you?!
Can I name three people? Tracee Ellis Ross, Solange, and Gwyneth Paltrow—whom I’ve been lucky enough to work with and call a friend.
The biggest thank you to
for sharing this glimpse into her life with us. I’ve been a fan of Erica’s for so long, so this has been such a treat for me personally. I find so much comfort in her Substack, , and you can, of course, follow her on Instagram. 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.
“You can start the day over at any time.” This just blew my mind and at the same time I'm mad that it never occurred to me. So simple, so smart. Love it 🩷🩷
my jaw dropped in the best of ways when I read "potato chips fried in beef tallow"!!