Family recipes and bike rides help actress Bridget Moynahan stay balanced

On CBS’ “Blue Bloods,” now in its sixth season, Bridget Moynahan stars as Assistant Dist. Atty. Erin Reagan, who is not afraid to stand up to her police commissioner father, played by Tom Selleck. Next up, she’s appearing with Keanu Reeves in the “John Wick 2” sequel, scheduled to open in 2016. Before turning to acting, Moynahan, 44, was an international model, although her passion for food — eating, cooking and sharing her culinary creations — ran counter to the stereotype of that profession. In her first book, “The Blue Bloods Cookbook” (St. Martin’s Press), she combines anecdotes with easy-to-follow recipes as she encourages readers to create family memories around the dinner table.

How did you learn to cook?

By spending time with my mom in the kitchen. She taught me to cook and bake. I always helped out preparing food for holidays and other events. While I was gathering ideas for this cookbook, I used some of my mom’s hand-written recipe cards and realized that with my own family I have kept up many of her traditions. Although we’re not Swedish, every Christmas Eve we have Swedish meatballs and tons of side dishes. … Conversations in the kitchen with family or friends while we’re cooking a meal together can be very special.

What types of exercise do you do?

I like to stay active. I run, play tennis and ride my bike all over New York City. For my core I do Pilates. I have tried yoga, but my joints are incredibly loose so it’s too easy for me to get injured doing it. Growing up I played sports year-round. Thankfully, I have a son [8-year-old Jack] who likes to play sports. We ride bikes together and play soccer, tennis and baseball — though my throwing skills have not improved with age [she laughs].

What do you do to recharge?

Going to the beach is fun. I like to read and still am into hardcover books. … I always am playing catch-up with sleep. If my body is telling me I need to lay down I try to find a place to lay down for 20 minutes. When I am working 12 to 14 hour days, I often turn the lunch break into a nap break.

What are your drinks of choice? Do you ever juice or do a cleanse?

I like black coffee and drink a lot of water. No juice or sodas. At work, throughout the day I drink herbal or green teas. If I splurge on a cocktail, it’s a martini straight up with three olives. … I like the idea of juicing or a cleanse, but the times I have tried them my energy has dropped. I feel better and have more energy when I have solid protein in my diet.

What about your diet. Are there foods you gravitate to?

Cheese and potato chips. I love salty, and buttery and creamy. But, like anything else in life, you have to have balance. I joined a CSA, a Community Supported Agriculture [group], so I get in-season, organic vegetables from local farms. I grew up eating meat and potatoes … so it’s fun to find new and healthful ways to cook with in-season produce.

health@latimes.com

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