Camila Alves McConaughey Says This Is the Only Type of Salt You Need in Your Kitchen

Camila Alves McConaughey knows the value of a well-stocked pantry. As mom to a 13-year-old, an 11-year-old, and an 8-year-old, food goes fast in the McConaughey house. And Alves McConaughey—the founder of Women of Today, an online community to share lifestyle ideas and recipes—has fallen into the same trap many parents experience: being so busy that you barely have time to eat and end up picking off your kids’ plates instead. 

She wants you to stop that. “Taking time for yourself is so important. I can’t take care of everyone else if I am not taking care of myself too,” she says. “The tank cannot be empty. We have all done that, and we know it doesn’t work well.”

Alves McConaughey also doesn’t want you to think of mealtime as a luxury you can’t have. “That time is sacred, and what we nourish our bodies with is so important,” she says. It’s why she swears by prepping meals for the week ahead—to make mealtime less of a headache. “It’s the key to making everything go smoothly. Yes, it means you have one day with a lot of work, but all the others go smoother!”

So what do Alves McConaughey and her family eat at home? And what’s the best meal she’s shared with her husband, Matthew? Take notes, because she’s telling us not just what’s in her pantry, but also how to make her favorite dishes. Time for another edition of Glamour’s How I Eat at Home.

Glamour: What kind of eater are you? Adventurous? Picky? 

Camila Alves: I would say that I’m an experimental eater. I am always looking for new ways to experience food and cooking. Sometimes it works out well, and sometimes not at all, but that’s the beauty of trying new things. I love to keep things local when possible and also pretty healthy. But I definitely have my splurge moments.

What’s your favorite healthy snack, and what’s your favorite splurge snack?

Salted cashews, truffle almonds, and fresh fruit. But I also have a weakness for French fries, chips and salsa, and bread. I always need more.   

How much do you eat at home during the week versus going out or ordering in? And what do you like best?

I eat at home majority of the time. When eating out, it’s hard to know what’s in your food, so the majority is at home. When I eat out, it is more of a fun experience. But we often try to switch things up in the kitchen and experience new cultures through cooking, because there is so much out there. We grow our own fresh vegetables and herbs that we can use in our cooking. When we do go out, it’s always a fun treat.

What’s your favorite place to order in from? And what do you love to order?

Both are in Austin. We love Sway, which is a modern Thai restaurant, and I get the Mother-in-Law Bowl and the brussels sprouts. We also love Fresa’s Chicken, and I order the Achiote Citrus Chicken with rice and beans and the Mexican street corn. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

What are the staples in your kitchen? 

Flake salt is always in my kitchen. It is a better-for-you salt and one of the healthiest you can have because it is natural and minimally processed. Avocado oil is another must-have ingredient, along with fresh lemons and garlic. If you can give me one more, I’d like to add beans. With just these ingredients, I can make fresh dressings, marinades, and slow-cooked beans!

What’s your favorite kitchen appliance and why?