If you were wondering why Eva Mendes [1] was nowhere to be seen while partner Ryan Gosling made his way around the award season circuit [2] with his movie La La Land, we think we have the answer. The Cuban-American actress is on the cover of Shape magazine's April 2017 issue, and in the interview, she's opening up about balancing her life as a new mom of two [3]. "What people don't know about me is that I love being home. Instead of hitting the red carpet, I'd rather be with our girls," Eva said about staying home with 2-year-old Esmeralda and 10-month-old Amada.
The private star might not talk much about her relationship with the Canadian actor [4], but she has no problem opening up about her favorite workout, glowing-skin beauty tips, and even her mom's Cuban cooking — she makes killer beans, apparently, and now we need her recipe! Scroll ahead for more quotes and photos from Eva's interview.
- On getting back in shape postpregnancy: "In some ways, it's been more challenging to get back in shape after my second daughter. Yet it's not as hard as I thought it would be, because I'm always running around with the kids. I never sit down — I'm on the move all day. And I don't keep junk food at home anymore, because I'm trying to set a good example. So there are no more Krispy Kremes for me to grab. But there is this app called Postmates that delivers whatever you want in minutes. It's almost as bad as having the food in your kitchen. Don't laugh, but they're on the way here right now!"
- On finding the workout that works: "Working out allows me to spend time on myself. Knowing that I have an hour to dedicate to my wellness is a priority for me now [...] I love doing intervals, like running and sprinting, and I see great results with that versus the 30 or 45 minutes of steady cardio I used to do on the treadmill. Between intervals, I lift weights. Right now I'm sticking to light weights because I have a herniated disc in my lower back."
- On her daily eats: "I usually start my day with eggs. I think they're like magic — you can do so much with them. I mostly keep it simple and have scrambled eggs and a piece of Ezekiel toast for breakfast . . . I grew up eating rice and beans, so I want some kind of grain in every meal. For lunch, I usually have salmon and rice or quinoa, and I try to include a salad. I'll eat the same thing for dinner. I'm a creature of habit in that way. I don't get bored with food. I try to think about it as fuel for my body. But what I am looking forward to the time when dinner becomes a sit-down situation again. Right now I'm in survival mode with two babies, eating on the go."
- On her favorite treats: "The mini [Cadbury eggs] and the big ones with the filling . . . [And] my mom makes the best black beans in the world. I'll never stop devouring them."
- On her tips for radiant skin: "For me, glowing skin comes from the inside. I start to get sallow if I'm not eating well. I take fish oil supplements. And I love coconut oil. I apply it to my face. That's my go-to. I also drink a lot of water. I always keep a bottle with me and kind of force myself to drink. My skin just looks better when I'm hydrated."
- On her beauty routine: "I wear makeup every day. Typically, it's minimal — a little eyeliner, lip liner and balm, and some concealer. It takes me about five minutes to apply it. But when I get ready for an event or a dinner, I do like to take my time putting my makeup on. To me, the process of getting ready can be really, really romantic. It takes me probably 45 minutes because I go very slow."
- On her fashion line, the Eva Mendes [6] Collection at New York & Company: "There are diverse body types in my family. One of my sisters is very voluptuous; the other one is skinny. It was really important to me to create a clothing line that embraces all those differences."