Rogers is also a chefand an inclusive one at that.
So [I] just wanted to start the conversation.
EatingWell: What life lessons have you learned since moving from New York and L.A. to the farm?
Photo:David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Mulberry
Rogers: You have to create your own spaces.
I can play music as loud as I want and I can do whatever I want.
I smoke meat all hours of the night, and I love it.
With one thing you lose, you gain something else, but I’m loving it.
Rogers: I love pilates.
I also love Krav Maga.
I walk a lot.
And I’m always lifting heavy stuff anyways, but yeah, just like being active.
But pilates is really mindful.
You get to think about it and flow, and you get to get strong that way.
EatingWell: Do you have a favorite training shoe?
Rogers: I love my HOKAs.
Those are my favorite hiking shoes, for sure.
EatingWell: How do you prepare your eggnog for the holidays?
Rogers: I’m Puerto Rican.
I grew up drinking coquitos, so eggnog wasn’t even really something I grew up drinking.
I like to add a little crunch in mine with cookies.
They kind of mend the milkshake.
I like graham crackers or gingerbread.
I also like shortbread, stuff with a good crumble.
Rogers: Being a chef, I have a lot of allergies.
I want people to enjoy and to feel love.
This is going to be good for you.
It’s going to feel good, and you’re going to love it.
You’re not going to suffer for it afterwards.
EatingWell: Whats one absolute must-have at your familys holiday dinner table?
Rogers: Must-have is gravy.
If I don’t have a gravy to pour on stuff, I don’t know what is happening.
Quite frankly, I’m offended.
You go to someone’s house, and there’s no gravy?
Like, what was I supposed to do here guys?
What was the plan?
Im a saucier, though, so I am partial to sauces.
I want to dip, smother, pour and all that good stuff.
I just think gravy is the best part of every holiday.
EatingWell: What advice do you have for cityfolk that want fresher food options?
Rogers: I would see what farms are around.
Theres a lot more of us than people think.
EatingWell: What advice would you give to people wanting to start growing plants in their homes or apartments?
Rogers: Funny enough, I got one of those little kits that you sit on your countertop.
It was herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and mint.
It was so easy, and then you always have fresh herbs.
I go to the grocery store and a lot of stuff tastes very tasteless to me.
it’s possible for you to just [grow] it on your countertop and see the difference.
Thats a great igniter for the next step of what you’re going to grow.
EatingWell: What does eating well mean to you?
Rogers: Eating well means good quality.
If youre eating good quality ingredients, I think that’s the key.
If I’m going to eat butter, it’s going to be really good-quality butter.
If I’m going to eat meat, it’s gonna be really great meat.
That to me is eating well, which makes it so that I don’t really diet.
I think that people misunderstand what eating well is.
I believe in purposeful eating.
