Malin Akerman's secrets to health and happiness

Malin Akerman has parenting on her mind. She can’t escape it. In less than a year, she’s become Mom to an entire brood of youngsters. In April, 35-year-old Akerman gave birth to her first child, a son, Sebastian and come September, the Swedish-born Canadian actor portrays Kate, a party-girl-turned-third-wife to Bradley Whitford and stepmom in Trophy Wife, a new comedy series premiering on CTV.

“Kate falls in love with this man who just happens to have three kids and two ex-wives,” she explains, “It’s based in the truth of love and what love sometimes comes with.”

Akerman, who's calling from her place in the tony Los Feliz neighbourhood of L.A., explains that she and her musician husband, Roberto Zincone, are on a stay-cation. She chirps, “I’m at home and I do not feel at my sexiest. I’m in my pajamas, and I probably stink and these clothes needed to be in the laundry three days ago.” After a beat she laughs, “It’s fine!” Oh, the beauty of parenthood.

Q: What’s your morning routine?
A: Whatever baby wants. It’s waking up and feeding baby; changing baby’s diapers; playing with the baby and hopefully having time for a shower while he takes his nap and then getting right back at it again. It sounds very exciting, doesn’t it?

Q: Do you regularly see any health practitioners?
A: I do go to an acupuncturist every now and then, whenever necessary. If it’s to de-stress, they have pressure points for that. I love it.

Q: When do you feel your absolute best and healthiest?
A: When I get the chance to workout or get into a workout routine. I alternate between Spinning and Pilates.

Q: What do you know now that you would tell your younger self?
A: Put down the vodka.

Q: What one thing do you always make sure is stocked in your fridge?
A: Cheese.

Q: What are your non-negotiables in terms of vices or guilty pleasures that you would never give up? A: I would never give up Nutella. There’s not a chance in hell. I eat it by the spoonful.

Q: What's your strategy for managing the pressure from Hollywood around body image? A: There hasn’t been a role that required me to lose a bunch of weight or gain a bunch of weight so I’ve been able to live a stable, healthy lifestyle. I do not read tabloids and try not to get involved in the head trash. I am an actress and play different people; I’m not a model, so I think it’s just keeping two feet on the ground and living a normal life at home with my husband.

Q: What are your desert island beauty products?
A: Smith’s Rosebud lip balm. And Neutrogena sunscreen -- I’d get burned to a crisp if I didn’t. And coconut water. You have to keep hydrated. People always forget about the inside part.

Q: What’s the best advice you've ever been given?
A: There’s always something positive in every situation.

Q: You can fit one more thing in your suitcase, is it Lululemon or Louis Vuitton?
A: At this point, probably Lululemon.