Inside Rachael Finch's kitchen

If evidence were needed for the benefits of clean living, regular exercise and a win in the genetic lottery, former Miss Universe Rachael Finch is it. She fuels her modelling and TV career with very little red meat, stacks of vegetables and whatever fats and smoothies she feels her constitution requires on any given day. A devotee of Chinese herbalism, she's about to complete a health coaching degree by correspondence at New York's Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She lives in Sydney with her husband, dancer Michael Miziner, their daughter Violet, 14 months, and Michael's mother. She blogs about health, fashion, beauty and life at Rachaelfinch.com.

The Staples

My pantry

Quinoa, brown rice and chia seeds are the basis of healthy meals including Violet's baby food that I make. I might fry some tofu, simmer it in a spiced tomato sauce and spoon that over quinoa. I snack on nuts all the time and keep the nut jar constantly topped up. Organix extra virgin coconut oil is great for eggs in the morning and stir fries.

My fridge

There's always loads of fruit and veg. I have half an avocado a day for breakfast on wholewheat sprouted rye bread with a fried egg on top. Delicious. There's rice milk but in the warmer weather I'm liking unsweetened coconut water in smoothies. I like to add chlorophyll to water for hydration and cleansing.

I'm cooking

Last dinner at home

I roasted sweet potato in coconut oil, fried some mushrooms in olive oil and served them with an oversized pot of steamed vegetables – carrot, broccoli and cauliflower – sprinkled with salt and pepper.

Secret vice

Old Gold dark chocolate with roasted almonds. I think if you just have a couple of squares each day it fulfils that craving and you tend to binge less.

I'm drinking

I only have one coffee a day in the morning from the Nespresso machine – a long black with just a dash of milk. Then later in the day if I want a hot drink I'll have Twinings English Breakfast tea and in the evening I'll have chamomile or pomegranate and blueberry teas. We're given our red wine by a friend who makes it under his house in Manly. Every batch is different and it's all preservative-free. But I only drink a glass every three weeks or so. Alcohol's not a big part of our lives.

My toolkit

Michael bought me these Global knives five years ago for my birthday and they're my babies. The drying rack is brilliant for all Violet's bottles and things. The wooden salad bowl from Ikea feels earthy and organic, which I love. I have a few of them because there's always a salad on the go.

Favourite

The Vitamix I use probably twice a day for smoothies and all of Violet's meals. If I could recommend one investment to everyone it'd be that. It's stronger than anything else I've tried and breaks the food down on a cellular level so it's easier to absorb the nutrients, apparently. I couldn't live without it.

Inspiration

It all comes down to ingredients, what's in season and how I feel. If I've been shooting all day in winter in swimwear and I'm freezing it'll be hot soup on the menu. I hate following recipes and I'm not a cookbook type of girl.

Kitchen highlight

I love the deep drawers. There's so much room in them.

Most memorable meal

Every year we go back to Townsville where I'm from, for a week at Christmas and the lunch is always really special. Last year was the most special of all because it was the first one we had with Violet who was three months old at the time. Just the home-cooked roast chicken and pumpkin and other vegies with the family beats all the flashy restaurant meals I've had.