Cuddled up in a soft white blanket on her Los Angeles patio, Chrissy Teigen still exudes her signature charm, but her outlook on life has transformed. The mother of two is introspective, calm, and surprisingly serene after navigating a tumultuous year. In September 2020, she and her husband, musician John Legend, experienced the heartbreak of losing their third child, whom they lovingly named Jack. Following that tragedy, Teigen faced public scrutiny for previously surfaced social media messages. She turned inward, embarking on a path of self-discovery and healing. “I feel very good,” she reflects now. “I feel like I’ve had a lot of closure.”
Creating Amidst Chaos
Teigen’s newfound peace didn’t come easily. At 35, she has embraced sobriety and attends therapy several times a week to unpack layers of insecurity, anger, and disappointment. “I think that’s where the real growth happens, when your world is turned upside down,” she acknowledges, noting that although she’s not fully healed, she is making progress.
To cope with her grief, Teigen immersed herself in creating her third cookbook, Cravings: All Together: Recipes to Love, set to release on October 26. The recipes focus on comfort food—simple, accessible dishes that her children, Miles, 3, and Luna, 5, would enjoy. “For me, it’s very personal,” she says of her cookbook. “I was deeply involved, but it’s also things that I really, really needed to eat and things that I wanted to make.”
In a conversation with Mommy & Me, Teigen opens up about her hard-won lessons, new beginnings, and the comforting power of food.
Finding Calm
Teigen explains how the cookbook served as a refuge during difficult times. “After everything happened, I craved comfort food, so I wanted to be fully immersed in the cookbook process.” Unlike her previous book, where she struggled with postpartum depression, this project became a source of survival. With her co-author, Adeena, living with her during the process, Teigen found support and inspiration. “It was really cool because we got to see what we could do with just the bare minimum,” she shares.
Reflecting on her journey, Teigen is grateful for the lessons learned. “I needed to be shaken up and humbled. I wasn’t treating my body well before Jack, and now I understand how precious life is.”
Mom Life and Cooking Adventures
When asked about her calm demeanor, Teigen credits therapy for helping her let go of anger. “I was kind of an angry brat before, but now I don’t hold any anger,” she admits. This transformation has allowed her to reconnect with friends and embrace life fully. “I feel like I’m a better mom, a better wife, and a better friend,” she states.
Teigen also discusses how she explained the loss of Jack to her children. They were aware of the situation and have found ways to honor his memory. “They always say, ‘Don’t forget baby Jack,’” she says, highlighting the importance of keeping his spirit alive.
Teigen humorously shares her experiences as a mom, including her kids’ cooking habits. “Miles loves to cook if it involves something gross, while Luna is very thoughtful about the process.” She emphasizes that despite her efforts, her kids still enjoy classic favorites like Happy Meals and pizza.
Through her journey, Teigen has learned that parenting is about balance and embracing the chaos. For those interested in enhancing their own journeys into motherhood, this blog post offers excellent insights and resources, like those from Make A Mom on fertility supplements and pregnancy guidance.
In summary, Chrissy Teigen’s journey through grief and self-discovery has shaped her into a more grounded individual. Her cookbook reflects her need for comfort and connection, while her experiences offer valuable lessons for navigating the complexities of motherhood.
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