This week, I managed to sit down with the effortlessly beautiful Saffron Sharpe (@saffronsharpe) (who’s basically every girl’s #fitspiration) for what was supposed to a quick chat over lunch at Wild Honey @ Scotts Square. It turned into a pretty long one, and she dished the dirt on her workout routines, eating habits and food obsessions. Spoiler alert: she’s a foodie! (And just in case you’re curious, we both got the Canadian Breakfast).
RL: People are constantly asking you about your eating habits and workout routines on your Instagram page. Do you actually eat healthy and work out all the time?
SS: Not all the time! This is going to sound so boring and cliche, but moderation is the keyword. I usually limit my carb intake so I have a lot of quinoa, and I know it sounds gross but I assure you that it’s pretty delicious when you cook it right. I didn’t like it until my mum taught me how to cook it properly: you’re supposed to wash, soak and cook it like rice, then add butter. It’s not that bad, I promise!
I also have just half a bowl of rice, get beehoon if I feel like having noodles, eat a lot of vegetables, and swap out carbs with extra cheese on my salads if I’m trying to get lean. My mum cooks a lot and I LOVE her cooking – she roasts chicken almost every day so I have chicken on a daily basis. I’ve always been eating healthy as my mum is pretty health-conscious, and since I never had much fast food as a child, I don’t really crave it. BUT if I do indulge in fast food, I’ll definitely order a McSpicy!
I also enjoy working out and it isn’t a chore for me, so my diet isn’t that strict. I even run on holidays or do a short circuit (usually just the warm up section of the Insanity workout) when I feel bloated! I really enjoy going for Spin class as well – I’m pretty bored with going to the gym these days. Oh, I also have a Kit Kat or some sweet fruit after dinner most days, and I love ice cream!
RL: Ooh, so you have a sweet tooth then?
SS: Yes! I love sweet-salty things most: savoury ice cream like Sea Salt Gula Melaka and Salted Caramel from Creamier, chicken and waffles with maple syrup, honey butter fried chicken… You name it. I also love chocolate and lemon tarts, and I’m super basic so I love Açaí Bowls as well, especially the ones from HAAKON. Extra points because they’re supposed to be healthy and good for you, but you have to be mindful of not eating too many of them – once again, moderation is key!
RL: Yeah, Açaí Bowls really aren’t as healthy as you’d think, especially when they come with so many toppings! What would you say is your ultimate comfort food?
SS: Bak Chor Mee and Mee Pok, HANDS DOWN! I just grab some from the hawker centre closest to my house, and I sometimes go to Meng’s Kitchen to get my fix. My mum also makes amazing lasagna, and it’s one of the best things in the world. It’s actually my favourite thing to eat! I also love pumpkin pasta, butter chicken and margarita pizza.
RL: Woah, you really love all kinds of food! What’s the one thing you really dislike?
SS: My mum would scold me if I were picking at my food, so I’m not a picky eater; but the one thing I can’t stand is Mayonnaise. UGH. I think Japanese mayo is tolerable in small amounts, but the sort you get in a jar is just too much for me to handle. I saw a video of someone eating copious amounts of mayonnaise and I wanted to gag. It’s so gross!
I can’t stomach the idea of eating Balut and insects either, but I’ve never actually tried them. The worst thing I’ve ever had was chicken that wasn’t cooked properly and was sort of raw and slimy in the middle – but I actually had chicken sashimi and it’s surprisingly good!
RL: Okay ew, your uncooked chicken story really grossed me out. Let’s talk about something more pleasant – what are your favourite restaurants in Singapore?
SS: I really like Japanese, Italian and Thai food. Right now I can’t get enough of Grounded by Common Man Coffee Roasters, it’s a new cafe that’s right by Yoga Movement – I actually just tried yoga for the first time yesterday and I’m SO tired today – but they serve really good and wholesome food. I also love Odette, Fat Cow, and Tatsuya, and I’m obsessed with Tendon Itsuki!
RL: Hah, I remember my first time trying yoga – I actually thought I was going to die the next day. Where is your favorite travel destination?
SS: For sure, I feel your pain! Definitely London. The weather is perfect and they have such a wide variety of good food!
RL: London really is amazing! So is the best meal you’ve ever had something you ate there?
SS: London has a great variety of food, but the best meal I’ve ever had was definitely something I had in Melbourne. It was there that I really learned to appreciate wine, and they have really fresh ingredients! Actually, no… The best meal I’ve ever had is definitely my mum’s lasagna. (Are you seeing a trend here?) She really is the best cook – she does it so well that I rarely have to! I do cook a little, but I can’t bake – it’s so difficult. I tried making Black & White cookies and they turned out all fluffy and cakelike.
RL: Is there anything else you’d like your followers to know about you?
SS: I’m 20 this year – I took a gap year to travel and focus on other things, but I’ll be attending SMU’s School of Business this coming semester.
I’m definitely a dog person; I love French Bulldogs and Shiba Inus!
I’m a single child but I’ve always wanted a sibling.
I’m a very light sleeper, so I can’t stand people who snore!
I want to pick up either Japanese or Spanish. Mandarin Chinese is my second language, but it’s SO HARD.
I love nature, but I’m not into camping and roughing it out – I’d love to go Glamping, though!
Interested in visiting some of the places mentioned? Here’s where to find them:
Find Wild Honey @ Scotts Square at 6 Scotts Road, #03-02, Scotts Square, 228209
Book a table at Wild Honey @ Scotts Square and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG
Find Creamier at Blk 128 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-835, 310128
Find HAAKON at 118 Holland Ave, #01-03 Raffles Holland V, 278997
Find Grounded by Common Man Coffee Roasters at 22 Martin Rd, Singapore 239058
Find Odette at 1 Saint Andrew’s Road, #01-04, National Gallery Singapore, 178957
Find Fat Cow at Camden Medical Centre #01-01, 1 Orchard Blvd, 248649
Find Tatsuya at 22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel, 228221
Find Tendon Itsuki at 101 Tanjong Pagar Rd, 088522
