I love the color effects in that Marie Claire editorial, it feels like summer. Here's an article/interview with Lonneke from modelinia.com about her eating habits. There's also a bunch of pics on the site as well.
Let Them Eat Green!
It’s easy being green when model Lonneke Engel is at your table. Modelinia spent a day with Lonneke and got the skinny on healthy eating and living.
By Fabiana Santana
Photo by Gigi Stoll
She’s been a successful model for 13 years, having graced the covers of countless magazines, walked the runway for Chanel hand in hand with Kate Moss, and posed as the face for brands like Guess?, Cover Girl, and Ralph Lauren—who she had an exclusive six-year contract with. But these days, modeling is not all that fills up Lonneke’s days. She recently completed her health counselor certification and is on the road to making herself, and her model mates, healthier and happier. “In school, I needed to practice working with clients, so I would work with my model friends backstage at shows or on shoots on how they can start eating and cooking with organic foods.” And she is readying for the launch of her company’s website, Organiceyourlife.com, where she will share her tips for eating and living green.
“I eat what the seasons bring. In the winter, I like hearty and warming food, and in the summer I choose light, bright foods. On the site I will share all I am learning.” Diet, she says, is a personal choice. “It’s important to experiment with different food groups and pick a lifestyle that works for you.” The Dutch stunner travels back to Holland every chance she gets, but is happy to call New York home when she’s working. And when she is, there are a few favorite places she likes to visit.
BREAKFAST: Liquiteria Juice Bar, 170 Second Ave, 212.358.0300,
liquiteria.com
“I eat breakfast every day. It is so important, especially when I am working—otherwise I will crash. I am just a better model when I eat breakfast.” Her favorite breakfast is a low glycemic meal of oatmeal and fruits from East Village juice bar Liquiteria. “I love the oatmeal because it’s organic and I can mix in whatever I want. Raisins are the perfect natural sweetener, so I get those, apples, bananas, and cinnamon.” Instead of coffee, Lonneke opts for fresh juices, and here she chooses the Liqueteria Skin Trip—an aloe, carrot, and spinach filled fresh-pressed juice. “I just got off a plane last night, so this will really brighten me up today.”
LUNCH: Counter Restaurant, 105 First Ave, 212.982.5870, counternyc.com
This bistro specializes in vegan food using local and sustainable produce from the same farmer’s market Lonneke shops at, one of the reasons that she chose Counter for lunch. “I love to come here with my sister and girlfriends and have good food and good conversation. It’s a very comfortable, casual place, and the food is amazing.” Lonneke, who prefers to eat a vegetarian-based diet that is almost all vegan, eats as often as she likes throughout the day. “I don’t watch calories or pay attention to numbers.” Instead she pays attention to how her body feels and how she looks in the mirror. Favorite snacks include things like avocado and trail mix filled with nuts and goji berries. The draw for her at Counter is a selection of food that really appeals to everyone. “All my friends eat differently, and here they all can enjoy themselves.” For lunch she opts for a cauliflower risotto made with organic chopped and pureed cauliflower (and no actual pasta), an oversize vegetable plate, and the hummus platter. “It makes my mouth water!” Instead of indulging on a glass from the lengthy organic wine list, Lonneke decided on water from a fresh young coconut. “Coconut water is full of potassium and it’s delicious.” Another reason she chooses locally sourced restaurants? “Because the money goes back to the farmers.”
DINNER: Pure Food and Wine. 54 Irving Place, 212.477.1010. purefoodandwine.com
For dinner, Lonneke introduces us to the raw food lifestyle at Pure Food and Wine. “I love restaurants like Pure in the summer. The food is light and refreshing.” Here she chooses veggie lasagna, where zucchini slices are substituted for pasta, and spicy Thai lettuce wraps made with cabbage and collard greens. “This kind of food makes you feel good. And when you feel good and treat yourself better, you’re happier and you attract that same kind of energy.”
One of the most useful things she learned in school was being aware of what she was eating. “We have to read ingredients in everything we eat that has a label. Here is a good rule: If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it. Once you start eating right, your body craves the healthy stuff. There are too many shortcuts for us, things like sweeteners and aspartames, but we have to make the decision to be more cautious and knowledgeable about what we are eating.”
And, she says, it’s okay to make mistakes. “There are no rules. Just listen to your body and try to live a good, full life that includes good food. Nobody is perfect. Just do your best and you will be fine.”
Things you want to know about Lonneke Engle:
So, what’s in her fridge right now?
“Coconut water, agave syrup, oatmeal, raisins, bottles of Kombucha tea, peanut butter, frozen edamame, Hoegaarden beer—great to wash your hair with!”
What’s for dinner tonight?
“Depends on what is at the farmer’s market.”
She’s an expert at…
“Packing. And I am very organized.”
One thing she eats that she knows she shouldn’t:
“Dutch liquorish! It’s sweet and salty and chewy all at the same time.”
Favorite thing to do when she isn’t working:
“Spend time with my boyfriend—he’s the one! And ride my horses that I have in Holland.”
First thing she bought with her first modeling job paycheck (from a job with Bruce Weber
“A horse.”