#WhatIEat: Irish Model January Russell Winters

Irish model January Russell Winters doesn’t just have a fabulous name,‘she also enjoys an enviable fashion career which is simply booming of late. While she lives in Dublin, January also models with agencies in London, Paris, Istanbul, Madrid and most recently Milan, the latter of which she spent her summer exploring when not working on very glamourous assignments.

Besides pursuing her modelling career, January is putting the finishing touches to a fashion blog with fellow model and best friend Jenny Drea – both made our Instagram round-up of models to follow. And even though Gold-and-Bold.com is basically a newborn in blogging terms, it’s already evoking that Studio 54 glamour which is our Pinterest spirit animal.?

With a job that differs every day, January’s foodie life is one that could descend into grab-and-go.?We catch up with the model to see how she strives for a healthy and hearty balance, in the fifth installment in our #WhatIEat series. For previous examples, check out Susan Jane White’s contribution here and last week’s interview with restaurant entrepreneur Carolanne Rushe here.

January on her diet in general.

“I’ve been a vegetarian for nearly all of my life. I eat a lot of eggs, nuts, seeds, salads, cheese , fruit and vegetables. I try and eat healthy but I also like to treat myself, a lot. My Mum, Hermione Winters, has always done a lot of work with Slow Food. She’s taught me to eat local produce when I can. I prefer independent coffee shops, delis and Irish cheeses and I try to shop local. She’s also an amazing cook. Any of the cooking skills I have I owe to her, but I have a lot to live up to.”

How her job makes sticking to a plan difficult.

“I spend a lot of my days running around town in between castings and jobs, so my diet really depends on whether I’m home or not, I’m not great at bringing pack lunches.”

Breakfast thoughts.

“I’m not a big fan of breakfast so I usually wait a few hours after I’ve woken up to eat. Hot water and lemon as soon as I wake. Then onto the harder stuff – coffee, then a juice. My favorite thing to have in the morning is eggs and bread. Any sort of eggs with any sort of bread, it’s all good. The cheesy eggs (made with Gubeen cheese) on toast from the Pepper Pot in Powerscourt are the absolute best.”

?

“If I’m at home for breakfast I might have porridge with toasted seeds and coconut oil or a bowl of fruit, nuts and yogurt. Whatever I’m in the mood for.”

When It Comes To Lunch…

For lunch, I like a good salad or something fresh. At home I’ll have avocado and boiled eggs, with some olive oil, salt and pepper on some McCambridges brown bread or some Sourdough, plenty of real butter! I get the eggs from chickens in my Mum’s back garden.”

“For on the go I love the salad boxes from The Good Food Store on George’s street. Everything they dish up is pretty delicious but my favorite is the sweet potato salad.”

“I like to squeeze in a coffee at lunch time too. Clement and Pekoe on South William Street if I have time to sit down, or Butlers if I don’t. The free chocolate makes my day!”

What’s For Dinner?

“If I feel like being good I have a big salad. Mixed leaves, baby kale, lemon juice, olive oil, olives and avocado. I top it off with some Kimchi. I get it from new Irish start up company The Cultured Kitchen. I’ve recently learned how good Kimchi is for the body so I’ve been topping off most of my meals with a forkful of the good stuff.”

“I’m also mad for Italian food. I make a vegetarian twist on the classic Carbonara. Instead of Pancetta I use tomatoes, toasted seeds and red onions. I make the sauce by stirring in an egg and some cheese instead of using cream.?I finish it off with some fresh basil and a glass of wine.”

Her Go-To Snack?

“Nuts, I’d like to say a handful but its nearly always the packet…”

Favourite Meal Ever?

“One of my ?favourite meals ever is the Palak Paneer from Kinara kitchen in Ranelagh. It’s spinach with pine nuts in a creamy mild curry sauce, I’m always craving it!”

What’s Her Working Out Regimen?

“In terms of working out, I’m a member of Crunch Fitness in DunLaoghaire. I go there about 3 or 4 times a week, mainly for the Steam Room if I’m honest. I like the Pilates, and abs classes there too. I go running at least once a week with my dog Twinkle, she’s quite strong so she keeps me at a good pace.”

She May Have Picked Her Guilty Pleasure Up During Those Trips To Italy…

“I have a lot of guilty pleasures – one of them is fresh raspberries and dark chocolate.?However, my biggest has to be ice cream. Ice cream always puts a smile on everyone’s face, especially mine.”

Follow January on Instagram @JanuaryWinters.