Ciara has been busy. The Grammy Award-winning artist released a few new songs over the summer from her forthcoming album, including "Jump" and "Treat." Not to mention the recent launch of her new skin-care brand, OAM (On A Mission) Skin. And at the end of September, Ciara collaborated with Summer Walker to release "Better Thangs," a feel-good anthem.
With all of this on her plate, it's hard not to wonder how the iconic "1,2 Step" singer maintains balance and prioritizes her health. So POPSUGAR caught up with Ciara in an exclusive interview to discuss how she stays fueled for her performances, why food remains near and dear to her heart, and her recent partnerships to connect more people with nutritious meals.
"Finding joy and self-love are extremely important to me," Ciara says in response to being asked what keeps her grounded. "My family and friends are my everything, and making the time and finding new ways to spend time together always makes my heart feel full — even if it's just school drop-offs and pickups with the kids," she says.
Focusing on good health and eating nutrient-rich food are also big parts of Ciara's push for self-love. "To me, health is wealth, and with my busy and active lifestyle, it's important that I take care of myself in order to show up every day with energy and a positive attitude. I love being able to cook healthy meals at home when time permits — while still having better-for-you snacks and sweet treats when I'm traveling to keep life balanced."
"It's important to me because it's a critical issue that affects every type of community across the country, regardless of background."Watch This!
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"When I eat healthy, I wake up energized and have a clear mind to tackle the day," she goes on to say. "But it's important to also satisfy that sweet tooth when you need it." Her personal favorites are Rice Krispies treats or dairy-free ice cream (particularly, salted caramel!). As a mom of three, Ciara says her go-to dinner recipe has become a family staple: "We love a classic marinara dish using penne pasta and tomato sauce with some grilled veggies or lean protein on the side — you really can't go wrong."
Ciara recently partnered with the grocery app Instacart to bring her passion for healthy food to the delivery company and help launch Instacart Health. The new initiative highlights products curated by professional health experts, showcases a collection of new healthy recipes from wellness publications, and makes it easier to shop with SNAP benefits in an effort to expand access. But the R&B star isn't new to the fight against hunger. In the last few years, she partnered with Feeding America and Unilever's "Share a Meal" campaign to support awareness around food insecurity. "I saw an opportunity to make a positive impact on people today as well as the next generation," Ciara says.
When asked what drew her to this kind of work, she replies, "It's important to me because it's a critical issue that affects every type of community across the country, regardless of background." More than 100 million people in the United States suffer from diet-related diseases because of lack of reliable access to nutritious food, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Ciara ads, "I'm so excited that people are now able to shop my grocery cart, and I hope it'll inspire people to eat more healthy foods, create a balanced grocery order, and try out new recipes!"
Born in Texas, the "Better Thangs" singer says her childhood influences how she approaches diet and health, especially training as a performer. "I'm a Southern girl, and growing up, I had a very traditional Southern diet. As I've gotten older, it's become all about 'total wellness,' and that's all about finding balance," she says. That means "fueling up with food that keeps my body and mind feeling good and doing the things I love, like spending time with my family — that's Better Thangs!"
