TASTY TALK: GABBY REECE

Gabby with husband, surfer Laird Hamilton, and daughter, Reece, at the premiere of “Riding Giants.” (ph. Getty Images)

Gabrielle Reece is like a force of nature.  At 6’3” the pro-volleyball champion is a majestic and stunning woman.  She has always been recognized as a great beauty, but now, glowing in the early stages of pregnancy, she is more beautiful than ever.  And during a time when most women put their feet up and slow down, gabby revving into higher gear than ever, competing in volleyball tournaments.  No morning sickness here!

If there are two people in the world who symbolize healthy beach living, Gabby and her husband, legendary surfer Laird Hamilton. Although the couple spends most of the winter in Laird’s native Hawaii, (where the waves are better from November until March), come spring, they’re back in Malibu with a vengeance! Anyone who surfs is familiar with the sight of Laird, upright on a long-board, paddling towards the shore. And if Gabby isn’t at the local park with her daughter or scaling the "sand dunes” at County Line, she’s fighting to help preserve the environment. Tastybaby was thrilled to sit down with Gabby and find out what motivates her!

What’s your favorite family meal?
I really enjoy using the BBQ for family meals. Laird will cook fish on a tea leaf (to keep it moist by basically steaming it), and for the carnivores, a few rib eye steaks. A salad with a mix of veggies, fruit and nuts. Throw in cherry tomatoes, roasted pine nuts, blueberries, strawberries, yellow peppers, and some feta. Toss it with a balsamic vinaigrette. For an additional side, make a quinoa salad with a lime and olive oil dressing. Mix in parsley, sweet potatoes, corn, and edamame, and you are good to go!

What sports & activities do you enjoy with your children?
I love to walk the beach, swim in the pool or ocean, bump a volleyball around with my older daughter, hike with the kids, and even hit the driving range once in a while. My husband takes my daughter surfing.

What are the most important ways you keep your family healthy?
By being a healthy example. You can't tell your kids to go outside and play or eat healthy-- you have to get outside yourself and teach them how to enjoy healthy food. Children are smart and they will learn intuitively what is good about your day-to-day actions.

How do you teach your children to be kind to the planet?
We try and put the message in a context our kids will understand. For example, I tell my little one that we have to pick up the garbage on the beach so the dolphins won't get sick, that it's important not to be wasteful so we aren't using unnecessary trees. I believe we are born loving and connected to our planet, so it's just a matter of nurturing that relationship between our children and our Mother Earth.

What’s the best gift you can give your child?
The gift of learning how to take responsibility for your own happiness.

What’s your favorite thing your husband does with your kids?
My husband plays in a safe (but appearing to be dangerous) way with my kids. I love that they think they're living on the edge, but he knows just how safe it really is. It teaches them about taking healthy risks and that you can "play" even when you're all grown up.

What do you do to make your kids feel beautiful?
Since I have girls I am always trying to tell them how beautiful they are when they are "acting" pretty. Not putting on pretty things but being beautiful. So I try to reaffirm that message daily.

What do you do to make your kids feel powerful?
I tell them how powerful they are, and that with hard work they can do anything they want.

What trait do you hope your kids DON’T inherit?
I wish both my children the freedom to fully express themselves. I have had to work on developing, owning, and exposing my real voice. I hope they consider others, but don't do things to seek someone else's approval.

What’s the Tastiest thing about your children?
My little one is so robust and so full of life I want to eat her!