Behind the Scenes: Cheese Overload, Comfort Food Cravings & Finding Balance

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” – Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food (both highly recommended reads).

These simple words from Michael Pollan represent some of the most profound and actionable advice on healthy eating I’ve ever encountered. They distill complex nutritional science into an intuitive, understandable philosophy. It’s a mantra I often repeat to myself, aiming for balance and mindfulness in my daily diet. However, life, especially when you work in the culinary world, has a funny way of challenging even the most well-intentioned principles. Today, my personal food philosophy veered dramatically off course, transforming into something more akin to: Eat food. Way too much. Mostly cheese.

The Delicious Demands of a Cheese Episode Shoot

The day’s main event was the taping of a cheese episode for our show. For a cheese lover like me, this was, in many ways, a fantasy come true – a dream assignment that promised an indulgent exploration of various artisanal and classic cheeses. Yet, by the time I finally walked through my front door, the feeling wasn’t one of blissful satisfaction, but rather a profound sense of having overdone it. I felt, quite honestly, rather like crap.

Filming a cooking show segment is far more involved than simply preparing a dish once. For our cheese episode, we had to taste our way through each of four distinct segments. Each segment required at least two full run-throughs – once for the primary shots where I’m interacting with the camera, and then again for close-ups and detail shots, known as “cutaways.” These cutaways capture all those little moments viewers don’t consciously notice but which are crucial to the show’s flow: the precise slice of a knife, the sizzle as cheese melts, the nuanced layering of ingredients, or the casual grab of something from the fridge. Each of these takes demands tasting, ensuring that the food looks and performs perfectly for the camera.

Compounding this was the sheer quantity of food. Imagine eighteen or so different chunks of cheese, each carefully selected for its unique flavor and texture profile, lying around the set. Alongside these were generously portioned pots of fettuccine Alfredo, rich and creamy, designed to showcase a particular cheese, and stacks of gooey, perfectly grilled cheese sandwiches. The production team had prepared everything meticulously, ensuring ample supply for every take and angle. The temptation was, to put it mildly, immense.

When the cameras were rolling, tasting was a professional necessity. But the real challenge came when they stopped. While I did make an effort to slow down, it was difficult to truly cease grazing amidst such a bounty. The aromas, the textures, the sheer accessibility of it all meant that my resolve to “not too much” was severely tested. I tried to mitigate the dairy onslaught by attempting to “ballast” all that cheese with a few healthier options, like handfuls of walnuts, some sweet prunes, and a bit of broccoli. While these additions certainly provided some much-needed fiber and nutrients, they likely did little to counteract the cumulative effect of a day filled with copious cheese consumption.

The lingering effects of my cheesy indulgence spilled over into my evening. I grazed continuously throughout the day, and by dinnertime, I had zero appetite for a proper meal. My thoughtful husband, Mike, fended for himself, while our little one, W, slept peacefully through the chaos. Upon waking later, and in classic kid fashion, W opted for plain popcorn and dried apricots while settling in to watch Wall-E, blissfully unaware of the cheesy saga that had unfolded earlier.

A Nostalgic Craving: The “New-School Cuban Lunch”

Later that evening, as I was catching up on emails and performing my nightly ritual of reading Green Eggs and Ham for what felt like the kajillionth time (a surprisingly good exercise for speech articulation, I’ve found), a very specific, almost forgotten craving surfaced. It was for a “Cuban Lunch” – do you remember those? They were these wonderfully waxy peanut and chocolate bars, individual portions nestled in little ruffled rectangular red paper cups. I’m fairly certain they were discontinued before I even turned ten, but the memory of them, of my mom buying them along with sponge toffee (still one of my all-time favorite confections) at the small grocery store near our house, is incredibly vivid. It’s funny how certain memories, particularly those tied to childhood treats, can remain lodged so deeply in your brainpan for decades, while more seemingly important information is jettisoned off to oblivion after a mere week and a half.

The sudden trigger for this deep-seated memory was unclear, but once it sparked, I simply had to recreate them. A quick rummage through my pantry revealed a bag of chocolate chips and some salted peanuts – the perfect starting point. My homemade version isn’t an exact replica of the original Cuban Lunch. It’s softer, more akin to a truffle than the waxy, slightly firmer fudge-like texture I remember. However, I struggled to find a better way to describe it than “new-school Cuban Lunch” because the essence, that delightful combination of sweet chocolate and salty peanut, was definitely there. This treat is, decidedly, not low fat or low calorie. But sometimes, a little indulgence is exactly what the soul needs. And frankly, these require less than 5 minutes of actual work – if you can even call stirring ingredients together and pouring them into molds “work.” It’s a small price to pay for a moment of pure, unadulterated comfort and a journey back to childhood.

The Elusive Pursuit of Exercise and Work-Life Balance

Speaking of things that challenge my “not too much” philosophy, let’s talk about my early morning workout regimen. Or rather, the brief, shining moment that was its existence. It lasted exactly one day. On Monday, I was up early, energized, and managed to complete my stint at the gym. It felt great, a perfect start to the week. However, by the end of that very day, we found ourselves half an episode behind schedule. The subsequent days meant I had to be out the door by 6:30 AM to make my call time on set. To squeeze in even a brief visit to the gym would have required waking up by 5 AM.

Given the intense filming schedule, my nights hadn’t been long enough, and both nights preceding these early calls involved being up with either my son or our dog. It quickly became a stark choice between sleep and the gym. My brain, as anyone who knows me well can attest, does not function optimally without adequate sleep. With an entire crew working around Ned (my co-host) and me, relying on our ability to be present, articulate, and quick on our feet, I felt an immense obligation to be as cognizant and sharp as possible. Prioritizing sleep, in this instance, became a non-negotiable act of self-preservation and professional responsibility. The gym, regrettably, had to take a temporary backseat.

Navigating the Weight Journey and Connecting with Community

Despite the culinary indulgences of a cheese-filled work day and the nostalgic comfort of a new-school Cuban Lunch, I have, by some miracle of willpower and conscious effort on other days, managed to stay the course on my personal weight management journey. I’m currently teetering at the brink of 200 pounds. This is a significant milestone for me, a point I honestly never thought I’d have to cross back over again in my life. Yet, even with the small setbacks, I am genuinely happy that I am not back to the much more challenging position of working my way down from 300. It’s a reminder that progress isn’t always linear, and that even small victories, like not regressing significantly, are worth celebrating. Every step, every conscious food choice, every moment of self-awareness contributes to the larger picture.

This journey, with its ups and downs, is something I know many of you can relate to. I’d love to hear how you are all doing, what challenges you’re facing, and what small victories you’re celebrating in your own health and wellness pursuits. Sharing our experiences can be incredibly empowering and supportive.

On a different note, I finally heard back from the Superstore regarding our Book Club. I’m excited to get this organized and connect with more of you in person! I am planning to schedule it for the week of the 23rd. Please keep an eye out for more details soon, and I look forward to discussing some great reads and sharing more stories with you all.