Ten years ago, while training for bodybuilding competitions, I learned how much impact a repetitive meal plan can have on physical goals. During that time, I maintained roughly 12% body fat, which is at the lowest end of the healthy range for women. To achieve that, I ate the exact same meals every day for months.

This bowl was inspired by one of my favorites from Life Alive. It is the kind of meal that reminds you that beautiful food does not have to be complicated. You take a few fresh ingredients. Treat them with respect. Add a sauce that makes your shoulders drop a little. Suddenly you feel human again.

Ingredients (Serves 2) For the bowl 1 cup cooked sushi rice or brown rice 1 cup cubed extra-firm tofu (pan-seared or air-fried until golden) ½ cup diced cucumber ½ cup shredded carrot ½ cup pickled or fermented daikon or kimchi ¼ cup thinly sliced red cabbage ¼ avocado, sliced or cubed 1 tablespoon sesame seeds ¼ cup sprouts or microgreens Optional: nori strips, edamame, or mango for brightness

Cucumbers are 95% water, which means every bite is like a sip of hydration your body didn’t have to remember to drink. That hydration helps your skin look plumper, your energy feel clearer, and your digestion stay smooth. When you’re hydrated on a cellular level, your glow shows up naturally—it’s your body’s way of saying thank you.

I break my fast around 1:30/2PM and finish eating by 7PM. That gives me time for one solid meal, a snack, and sometimes a little sweet moment to close it out. Here’s what my days look like.