Strong Looks Better Naked

by Khloé Kardashian

  3. Drain well, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.

  4. Add olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper, garlic, and chives to taste. Mash the cauliflower with a potato masher until it resembles mashed potatoes, adding 1 tablespoon of water at a time if necessary for consistency.

  Homemade Hummus

  Add some pita chips, and you’ve got my favorite snack.

  2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained

  1/3 cup tahini

  3 tablespoons lemon juice

  2 garlic cloves

  1 teaspoon salt

  3 teaspoons olive oil

  Pinch of cumin

  1. Place all ingredients into the bowl of a food processor or a blender.

  2. Puree until smooth.

  3. Enjoy!

  I Dream of Ice Cream

  Serves 2

  2 ripe bananas, peeled, chopped, and frozen

  Handful of blackberries

  Dash of almond milk

  1 tablespoon walnuts or almonds.

  Dash stevia

  1. Place ripe bananas, almond milk, nuts, and stevia in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth.

  2. Top your “ice cream” with extra walnuts or almonds.

  3. Voilà!

  Finally, I’d like to end this section by urging you to cut loose and celebrate once in a while. You deserve it after all those sweaty workouts. It’s not always about health. Sometimes you want something because you love it, like my breaded chicken. It’s a very simple recipe and quick to prepare. The chicken is really good, and it won’t last. Whenever I have company, people request my breaded chicken. I always make twice as much as I think I’m going to need, and my guests gobble up all I’ve made and want more. I’ve never once had leftover chicken. Fix some yourself. You’ll see.

  Khloé’s Famous Breaded Chicken

  Serves 4

  4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  2 eggs

  1 cup flour

  1/2 cup bread crumbs

  1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers

  Lawry’s seasoned salt

  Lawry’s garlic salt

  Black pepper

  4 tablespoons unsalted butter

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  2. Wash the chicken breasts well and pat them dry with paper towels.

  3 In a small bowl, beat the eggs.

  4. In another small bowl, mix the flour, bread crumbs, crushed Ritz crackers, salts, and black pepper together.

  5. Dip the chicken breasts one at a time first in the beaten eggs and then in the flour mixture.

  6. Place the chicken breasts in a Pyrex dish and add lots of chunks of butter. Bake, uncovered, in the oven for about 50 minutes, or until juices run clear when pierced with a fork.

  In the spirit of occasionally indulging and in honor of my new TV show, I present this next section on Kocktails with Khloé.

  Kocktails with Khloé

  The Kris Jenner

  Serves 1

  This famous Kris Jenner is a straight shooter. It is her go-to that always does the trick. We call this Mom’s Personality Juice.

  Belvedere Vodka

  Diet tonic or soda water

  Limes

  1. Fill a Baccarat highball glass with ice to the very top.

  2. Fill the glass halfway with Mom’s beloved Belvedere Vodka.

  3. Top the glass with diet tonic or soda water (depending on Mom’s mood).

  4. Squeeze two wedges of lime into the beverage and throw them in there for extra oomph.

  5. Strain the mix into a glass with ice.

  6. Garnish the drink with a mint sprig and a watermelon wedge.

  Elderflower Champagne Pitcher

  Serves 8

  1 cup fresh strawberries

  1 bottle Champagne

  1 cup elderflower liqueur

  12 ounces club soda

  1. Wash and stem the fresh strawberries.

  2. Add the Champagne, elderflower liqueur, and club soda to a large pitcher. Stir well.

  3. Add strawberries.

  4. Serve and enjoy!

  Water-Minty-Melon

  Serves 1

  2 fresh mint leaves

  11/2 ounces premium vodka

  11/2 ounces fresh watermelon juice

  1/4 teaspoon agave syrup

  Sprig mint (for garnish)

  Small wedge watermelon (for garnish)

  1. Rip the mint in half to release its flavor and throw into a shaker.

  2. Add vodka, juice, and agave syrup.

  3. Shake with ice.

  I also love this one without the vodka. You can just serve the delicious watermelon juice with mint and a splash of club soda for the fizz.

  Part 2

  * * *

  MIND

  Chapter 3

  Get Your Head on Straight

  Strengthening my body strengthened my mind, but it is also true that you need a strong mind to get a strong body. The thing about making changes in your body is that you can’t do it without getting lots of help from your mind. You need discipline and awareness and dedication. From time to time, your mind is going to refuse to help you, and you’ll stumble, maybe even fall, but there’s always tomorrow. Not making it to the gym for two or three days in a row is not fatal, but it’s a mistake, and you need to get your mind right. There’s a great quote about this: The first time is a mistake. The second time is a choice.

  Let me give you an example of one of my bigger mistakes.

  My father, Robert Kardashian, passed away on September 30, 2003. I was nineteen at the time, and to say I didn’t handle his death well is an understatement. I didn’t turn to drugs, but I certainly drowned my sorrows in drink, and the partying soon got out of hand. I was underage and behaving recklessly in clubs and at private parties, and I found myself surrounded by people who didn’t have my best interests at heart. It was pretty much “Don’t worry. We can get you into this club.” Or “Here, have one more drink for the road.” Or “It’s too early to go home. Let’s hit so-and-so’s house. He really knows how to throw a party.”

  Looking back on this period these many years later, I realize that I was doing what most of us do: trying to avoid my pain by numbing it. (In my opinion, this is the source of almost all addictions.) And in fact during this period I became aware of how easy it is to become a binge drinker and a binge eater. I see pictures of myself at the time and I was so bloated that I look like I’m forty-five years old!

  I also pulled away from the people who were closest to me, distancing myself from my family. It was the first time in my life I had ever done anything like that, and they were very concerned, but being around them served only to remind me of my father, and I found that too painful.

  I wasn’t strong enough to handle the pain or to get help—from my family, friends, or even myself.

  The Queen of Denial

  I still remember the day Kourtney called to break the news about his death. We’d all been expecting it, of course, but it was still a shock. She reached me at my apartment and said, “Dad passed away.” And I was hysterical for about two or three minutes. Then I stopped screaming and went into the bathroom and started doing my makeup.

  My best friend, Malika, was there, with her twin sister, and both of them were really concerned. They didn’t understand why I was so calm. Easy: I had gone into total denial. I was thinking, “My dad didn’t really die.” I asked them to invite some friends over, and they weren’t sure it was a good idea. “Is that what you really want?” Malika asked. “Yes,” I said. “Yes.” And that’s how I got through the first night. By having friends over and drinking and snacking and acting as if Kourtney had never called. I didn’t even cry.

  At the funeral, though, when I saw my father in his casket, I completely fell apart. I don’t remember the details, but apparently I was an emotional wreck, and I’m told that I was so distraught I actually passed out. At one point I fell to the floor kicking and screaming, and I had to be sedated.
It was really intense. I refused to believe my father was gone. I wanted to believe it was all just a bad dream.

  That’s when the partying started. Again, my refusal to accept my father’s death turned me into the definition of denial.

  People would approach to express their condolences, and I would brush them off. “What are you talking about? I’m fine. Everything’s great!” I was so fragile that I was scared to even acknowledge what had really happened, because to acknowledge the truth was to feel unbearable pain.

  Just as my life was beginning to spiral completely out of control, my family came to the rescue. My mom and Kourtney had a store called Smooch, and the space next door had just been vacated, so she took over the lease and decided we were going to open a woman’s boutique and call it DASH. She came to me and said, “Khloé, you’re going to be running this store. Don’t worry. We’re going to figure things out.” Actually, to be honest, she was a bit more blunt. It seemed harsh at the time, sure, but it was exactly what I needed. She is the oldest of my sisters and the most level-headed, and she took it upon herself to turn me around.

  The only previous retail experience I’d had was when I was sixteen and had worked in a clothing store, so clearly I had a lot to learn. But as soon as I started, I loved it! It was such a healthy way to deal with my sorrow. Just getting up, going to work, and being productive changed my entire outlook on life. I still missed my father, of course, and there were times when I cried myself to sleep at night, but I knew I would survive.

  At the time, Kourtney was living in a townhouse in Calabasas, and she asked me to move in with her. She sort of conned me a little. “You’ll save on rent. It’s close to the store. And it’ll be fun to live together.” Because I was still a teenager, I was a little rebellious and wanted my independence, but the truth is, it was nice to be taken under my sister’s wing, to be pulled back into the family again. I missed that connection, so I’m grateful that Kourtney took me by the hand and led me back to the fold.

  You Need a Reason to Get Out of Bed

  The fact that I had to go to work every day made a huge difference. I learned the importance of purpose and structure. I had responsibilities at the store, and that made me feel good. And I was so busy I didn’t even have time to think, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s a form of escape, sure, but it’s a productive escape. There were days when we hardly had time for lunch. One of us would grab takeout and we’d eat while we talked about our day: how sales were going, which items seemed to sell best, whether we should change the window display—stuff like that. It was an exciting time. We had started the business together, and it was already beginning to take off. Plus every morning when I opened my eyes I had a reason to get out of bed. People lose sight of that. You need a reason to get out of bed, whether you’re going to a job or the gym or taking care of your kids. A life without structure is too risky. A life without structure is the road to collapse. When I look at my friends who live without structure, and at that own chaotic period in my life, I understand how easy it is to lose control of your life. You’ve got to hold on tight to those reins. You have to be in control. You are responsible for your own happiness.

  When I look back on those booze-fueled nights that preceded the turnaround, I’m almost embarrassed. The whole experience was so sloppy. I’d stumble into bed and wake up in a fog that lasted well into the next day, and in the evening I’d start all over again. It defied comprehension. I remember thinking, “This is no fun. Why am I doing this to myself? I feel like shit.” But I couldn’t find the strength to stop.

  I didn’t end up in rehab or anything, because Kourtney put her foot down and forced me to take control of my life, but I probably came close. And I am still mystified by the appeal of alcohol: It didn’t make me feel any better, it didn’t fix anything, but I kept going back for more. Crazy, huh? It’s like that definition of madness: You keep doing the exact same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. That was definitely me.

  On the other hand, just to clarify, I am not anti-drinking. I think drinking in moderation is fine, and—if you believe the science—might even have some health benefits. But drinking to deal with your problems is not the way to go. And anyone who drinks and loses control—well, I know from personal experience that this is not a pretty sight.

  Still, for me, this period was very scary, and now I’m all about staying in control. Then again, I’ve also come to terms with the fact that life is unpredictable. You’re pretty sure you know what’s coming five minutes from now and what’s going to happen tomorrow, but sometimes you’re just plain wrong. Is it scary? Sure, sometimes. Is it unpleasant? On occasion, absolutely. But that unpredictable quality also makes life interesting and exciting, and I’ve learned to embrace the unexpected. Nowadays I tell myself, “Whatever happens, I’ll deal with it.” And I do. Partly because I have a good mind-set, and partly because there is no other choice. This is life. Shit happens. You could put on a crash helmet and lock yourself in a padded room and maybe you’d be a little safer, if that’s what you want to call it, but who wants such a boring, lonely life? Not me. One of the reasons life is exciting is because it throws lots of shit at you, and whether your experiences are good or bad is ultimately determined by the way you deal with those surprises, unpleasant and otherwise.

  Now, to be completely honest, I wouldn’t have said the same thing years ago. Three years ago, I was looking for stability and predictability. I was worried about my so-called five-year plan, because I didn’t have one. But now I realize that I actually thrive on chaos. I think all of the Kardashians do. We like drama because it’s like a shot of adrenaline. We like problems because suddenly we have another opportunity to find a smart solution. I think this is a much healthier way to approach daily life. You can and should try to impose order on your life—get a job, pay those bills, etc.—but you shouldn’t freak out when the unexpected happens. People who are obsessed with control are the first ones to lose control when something doesn’t go their way.

  Certainly you are the captain of your own ship. And you have to steer it. But things are never going to come together exactly as you imagined. Take a look at your goals. Open your eyes to other opportunities. Get involved with your community and with the world around you. If you’re not excited about your life, it’s up to you to make your life exciting. It’s one thing to be laid back and another thing entirely to push yourself, and I belong to the latter category. I believe you have to be your own engine, find your own purpose, but I started figuring that out only when I began working at DASH. The job gave me purpose and direction. Work changed my life.

  I remember talking to a friend about this and he told me that life was a lot like being on a bike; if you’re standing still, it’s really hard to maintain your balance. But if you’re moving forward, you don’t even have to think about it. The bike pretty much balances itself. And that is absolutely true.

  Plus I found that people are more attracted to you when you’re healthy and productive. Everyone wants to get on the train when it’s moving, but no one is interested when it’s stopped. I had gone from an inactive, purposeless life to one that was productive and exciting and full of promise. All because I was working.

  Well, maybe not all. The other important thing I learned from the experience was that I’d made the mistake of trying to outrun my pain, when what I really needed to do was face it. If you don’t face your pain, it will have a terrible hold over you. But once you acknowledge it, you come to understand that it is neither as powerful nor as terrifying as you imagined.

  That was over a decade ago, and a great deal has changed since, but I know one thing for certain: I am never going to make that same mistake again. Alcohol and drugs don’t hold any appeal for me. Life is about choice, and the right choice tends to be the harder choice, but it’s worth it.

  Somebody once said, “Suffering is not caused by pain, but by resisting pain.” I couldn’t agree more.

  Now I know what you’re thinki
ng. Sometimes we’re in a place in life where it’s really hard to get motivated. And we might not be lucky enough to have a sister come to our rescue. Plus many of us don’t have jobs that excite us. And you know what? All of that is valid, but it doesn’t change reality: Each of us is the architect of our own future. Each of us is responsible for finding our own way.

  And sure, motivation can be a real bitch, but you won’t get strong without it. In my own life, two elements that are really critical are structure and routine, and knowing that keeps me motivated. I start my day with my workout because that lays the foundation for everything that follows. I get my heart pumping. I sweat. I feel good. And I use all of that good energy to put a positive spin on my entire day.

  If I miss my morning workout, it doesn’t exactly ruin my day, but somehow I don’t feel complete. I like to start the day strong, and sometimes I end it strong, too—by running over to Equinox in the early evening for thirty minutes on the treadmill. Not a bad way to end the day! A little alone time, half an hour of exercise, and reflection.

  Of course, like everyone else, I have mornings when I feel completely blah and don’t even want to get out of bed. I force myself to get up, drink my big glass of water, have my coffee, and start moving. And while the schedule isn’t the issue—some people are happier going for a run at the end of the day, when they get home from work—I do think structure and consistency are critically important. That way you know what’s expected of you, or more specifically, what you’re expecting of yourself, and you’re more likely to follow through.

  So for me it’s all about the morning, waking up motivated. I’m going to Gunnar’s. I’m going to sweat. Then I’m going to go home and shower and get ready for work. And that motivation carries over. I approach work with the same energy that I approach the gym, feeling fueled by my time at the gym, and that’s no accident—it’s learned behavior.