More from Adam Richman: 5 Food Terms You Need to Know

ABOUT ADAM RICHMAN:

Adam currently hosts Food Fighters on NBC, and has previously hosted Man v Food, Man Finds Food, and Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America on The Travel Channel. He has written two books: Straight Up Tasty: Meals, Memories, and Mouthfuls from My Travels and America the Edible: A Hungry History, from Sea to Dining Sea. You can follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

The Food Fighters host wants us to give these five polarizing dishes a second chance.

Theres no food Adam Richman hasnt tried, and we commend his open mind when it comes to polarizing platters like *tongue* or *pt*. Here, the *[Food Fighters](http://www.nbc.com/food-fighters)* host and gastronaut makes his case for five such dishes, whether it's a matter of preparing them properly, or simply changing one's perspective. 

Adam Richman On: 5 Foods That Dont Suck As Much As You Think

My days are super inconsistent; one day I could be jumping on a plane to do work in L.A., another I could be filming content or working in restaurants around the city learning from different chefs about another culture of cooking. The mainstays in my schedule are an early morning gym session (resistance, cross-fit, running, swimming) followed by a second breakfast. By 8 a.m., I am sitting on an espresso and have jumped online to answer emailLunchtime can sometimes involve recipe testing or research. The afternoon is filled with filming and liaising with my business partner before hitting the Australian morning social media rush (sometimes on another espresso), then a second session at the gym.

To me, [clean eating and exercise] are factors of how you become healthy, not maintain good health. To be healthy means you are happy. My number-one rule is that no matter what I eat, it has to be delicious. I am a whole-foods advocate in that I eat plenty of color and minimally processed food, but I do love pasta (particularly from scratch). I have a pretty serious sweet tooth, but an even stronger mental state. Chocolate, for example, does wonders in releasing serotonin: the happy hormone.

On the Biggest Diet Mistake Guys Can Make

People focus so much on eating super clean and exercising that they neglect the role that hormones play in reaching this goal. If you are super strict, you can cause serious stressand as a result your cortisol levels increase and in turn inhibit insulin production, which blocks the ability for fat oxidation. This essentially means you cant burn fat under stress.

On Getting Camera-Ready and His Glorious Hair

Are you ready for this? I jump in the shower and put a shirt on! (Hopefully I remember to iron it beforehand.) I am super casual about being in front of the camera. If I start to do things that I wouldn't normally do, it will take away from my being genuine.

It seriously surprises people when I tell them [I style my hair with] salt water and a towel. Because I am in the ocean so much back home [in Australia], it naturally cleanses it and gives it that waxy notion, I guess. All I do is get out of the shower, dry it with the towel, and move it to one side.

This has made me realize I am only everyones best friend because I feed them. Back home its [all my friends]. Here, I have taken gluten-free muffins to my publisher, Simon & Schuster, so the team can let me know their thoughts. The one who wins the most [free food] is the doorman of my apartment.

On How to Start Cooking If Youre a Rookie

The first thing everyone should master is a great spaghetti bolognese. There are no rules, so you can put a bit of yourself into it. It goes a long way, everyone loves it, and its an awesome way to learn some wicked cooking techniques but I swear mine is the best.

On Cooking for a Date (and What to Drink)

For starters, the Chicken and Herb Balls from DudeFood are epic to share and paired best with a Pinot Grigio. The Fish in the Bag is a super easy [entre]and it is so entertaining when [your date] tears open the paper at the table. Serve it with a Riesling. For dessert, you cannot miss with my recipe for Getting out of the Doghouse [dark chocolate ganache with a shortbread base, paired with raspberries]. Finish with a lovely pinot noir.

 Get more of Dans wicked recipes and life tips by snagging your own copy of DudeFood.

The chef discusses good eats, fitness, and how he gets his signature messy mop.

As a fitness guru, TV personality, world-renowned chef, and author of the recently released cookbook [*DudeFood*](http://books.simonandschuster.com/DudeFood/Dan-Churchill/9781476796895), Dan Churchill has a pretty packed scheduleyet remains one of the most laidback guys we know. We sat down with the star of *MasterChef Australia* to get a glimpse into how he does it all (and looks so darn good doing it).

How to Eat (and Feel) Healthy: An Interview with &#8220;DudeFood&#8221; Author Dan Churchill



###Birchbox Man: What is the most common bad habit that people make at home, as far as leaving a carbon footprint?
Scott McGillivray: Little things like leaving the lights on unnecessarily or leaving the AC on high all day while youre at work. Its all those small but bad habits that add up to a big carbon footprint  and a big cost. There are home energy monitors that [are] easily accessible to most homeowners and can really open their eyes as to their environmental impact.

What are three proactive things homeowners can do to be more green-friendly?

1. If you have air conditioning, adjust the temperature in your home by two degrees (cooler in the winter, warmer in the summer).

2. Upgrade all lightbulbs to energy-efficient LED bulbs and add dimmers if possible. 

3. Install a low-flow shower head (an easy DIY project that anyone can do). 

4. Upgrade to Energy Star-rated appliances. 

5. Switch out your traditional water heater for a tankless model.

What are the main questions that potential homeowners or renters should ask if they want to be especially conscious of energy consumption?

Homeowners can get a home energy audit which will really answer all the questions they might have (or didnt even think to ask) about where their home is performing well in terms of efficiency, and ways in which they can improve. Theyll find out whats the biggest energy drain in their home and be given a list of recommendations to fix the problem areas.

Renters can start by asking landlords smart questions about their unit: How old are the appliances? When were the windows last replaced? What type of heating/cooling system is in the apartment? Its also worth asking for small upgrades/repairs to your unit to help increase energy efficiency, like fixing drafty windows or doors.

Are certain cleaning products actually more eco-friendly than others?

Of course. Eco-friendly and natural products have come a long, long way in the past 5-10 years. Its now super easy to replace any cleaner you have under your sink with an eco-friendly alternative, and for the same price point. And I always feel that if you have an easy and effective eco alternative, why not use it? Its not just better for the environment, but its also better for your home and the health of your family.

So many real estate TV personalities have great hair (you, Jonathan Scott, Madison Hildebrand). Whose do you think is the best?

Wow, tough call. Not sure I can beat Madison in the hair department, but I think Ive got a leg up on Jonathan!

What is the secret to your TV-ready hair?

My hair kind of has a mind of its own. I dont use too much product, but hairspray is a necessity if Im going to be on camera on a humid day especially. Otherwise I just let it do its thing and hope for the best.

We chatted with the TV host to get a few "green living" ideas (and for some intel on his impeccable hair).  

[Scott McGillivray](http://www.scottmcgillivray.com) is a triple-threat when it comes to finding and upgrading a home: From real estate to financing to renovation, McGillivray's expertise has put him in the spotlight on numerous home-related [television programs](http://scottmcgillivray.com/shows), including ten seasons of HGTV's [Income Property](http://www.hgtv.com/shows/income-property). With so much experience under his tool belt, McGillivray also knows a few ways that renters and homeowners can be more eco-friendly (thus cutting costs and energy consumption). We chatted with him to get a few "green living" ideas (and for some intel on his impeccable TV-star hair).  

Go Green at Home: Eco-Friendly Advice from Scott McGillivray, HGTV's Real Estate Expert

Birchbox Man: One of our favorite parts of No Lands Man was the chapter about your dads unorthodox strategies for getting discounts at IHOP. Did you inherit his love of brunch?

Aasif Mandvi: My dad's attraction to brunch was not the hip factor. For my dad it was a combination of a lot of food for not a lot of money. My dad was like, "Brunch every day!" In New York brunch is kind of chichi. I just go to my local diner, Utopia Diner on 72nd and Broadway. Thats where you'll find me.

Mandvi: Three egg whites scrambled, turkey bacon, home fries.

In the book you talk about several style icons that had a big impact on you growing up. How did they affect you?

Mandvi: Style icons change over the course of your life. An early one for me was The Fonz. Not just the leather jacket, but the whole persona of the American male. For me that was about impersonating an iconic American image that I ultimately wasnt part of. I never felt like I could be The Fonz. I gravitated to Omar Sharif because of the dignity and integrity he had as a brown man navigating a white world in Hollywood. He wasn't playing a servant. He had a certain dignity. Thats something that was important to me as something to hope for, to dream of in terms of the characters I played or the way I portrayed myself in Hollywood. It wasn't always possible because of cultural restrictions.

A line like you cant be Michael Jackson all the time unless you are Michael Jackson is remarkably poetic for a teenager.

Mandvi: MJ was important to me because at a time when I didn't know who I was, he was playing with race and identity and manipulating them on his own body and also in the culture at large. Whatever you think of him, here was a guy saying Im going to be whatever I want, I'm going to take ownership of the identity I create. That is something that I had never really thought was possible previously.

How will we survive without Jon Stewart at the helm of The Daily Show?

Mandvi: Thats what people at the show are saying as well. Im sure thats a question that everyones asking. I have no idea. The Daily Show will continue on but Im sure it will be a different animal.

Mandvi: Its a grueling job. If anyone ever came to me and offered me the hosting job, I would be incredibly honored and I would have to consider it. But I dont know what my answer would be.

Your work in front of the camera requires wearing a lot of suits. Any tips for buying one?

Mandvi: I dont often buy a suit right off the rack. If youre going to buy a suit, get it fitted. Thats my advice. I never wore suits to work before I got to The Daily Show. But theres nothing like a great suit.

For a limited time you can get a free copy of "No Lands Man" when you spend $50+ in the Birchbox Shop. Just use the code NOLANDSMAN at checkout (while supplies last).

We caught up with the author and beloved "Daily Show correspondent to chat about Michael Jackson and power breakfasts.

*Daily Show* correspondent [Aasif Mandvi](https://twitter.com/aasif) moved around a lot as a kidfrom Bombay to Bradford, England, to Tampa, FL. It was tough at the time, but the melding of cultural influences produced a wildly unique sense of humor, and one heck of a story. Or really, lots of stories. Mandvis book of essays, *[No Lands Man](product:18307)*, is this months Birchbox Man Book Pick. We caught the funny guy and [web series auteur](https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/halal-in-the-family-a-web-series-by-aasif-mandvi) before he headed to LA to work on HBO's upcoming political comedy *[The Brink](http://www.hbo.com/the-brink#/)*, and picked his brain about the book, as well as the future of *The Daily Show* sans Jon Stewart.

Birchbox Man Q&A: Aasif Mandvi Recalls Childhood Style Icons and His Fathers Brunch Obsession

"I use an app on my phone that monitors my sleep, and it wakes me when I am at the top of a sleep cycle and almost awake anyway. My whole day is better without an old-fashioned alarm jerking me from a deep sleep."

"I make our coffee using upgraded coffee beans, Brain Octane Oil, and grass-fed unsalted butter. It gives me energy and focus for hours, and removes foods power to distract me or waste my willpower on resisting cravings. Im full until I eat a late lunch around 2:00 p.m. or so."

"Take some vitamins and nootropics (nutrients that help brain function). Our food is not as full of nutrients as it used to be, and our stress is higher. I take the supplements on my top 10 list and a carefully crafted stack of other nutrients that best support my biochemistry."

"Moving every day is important, but often I dont have a free hour for a long walkId rather play with my kids! On those days, I jump on a vibration plate for five or ten minutes at a time to rev up my system, get my lymphs circulating, and recharge between meetings. It moves 30 times per second at the frequency NASA identified for astronaut recovery."

"I dont go a whole day without eating at least one or two delicious meals full of healthy fats: usually a combination of avocados, grass-fed butter, and Brain Octane oil (coconut extract 18 times stronger than coconut oil). A low-fat diet makes you weak. A diet high in unhealthy fats also makes you weak."

"Whether its using my heart rate variability trainer, a short meditation, or just taking some short, deep breaths, I train my nervous system to remain calm and composedin 'rest and digest' rather than in 'fight or flight.'

"Chocolate is a superfood chock-full of antioxidants (much like coffee). Pick a bar with no or low sugar content, and from a single estate to minimize toxins that are common in lower-quality chocolate."

8. Lie on a sleep induction mat for a few minutes before bed.

"An acupressure mat stimulates the bodys acupressure points to induce muscle relaxation, release of endorphins, and help you fall into a deep sleep."

"I have a sleep sensor embedded in my mattress, and the app on my phone, so I get a whole nights worth of sleep data without lifting a finger (or a pillow).

"For the last 696 nights, I had an average time in bed of five hours and 57 minutes. I went two years on less than five hours every single night when I was starting Bulletproof and working a demanding job as vice president at a big company. I can comfortably get four-to-five hours a night. Even two hours is enough for a night or twomy brain still works!"

"Every night, I put my young kids to bed, and we list the three things were most grateful for that day. It resets the body so your nervous system stops preparing for flight or fight and starts looking for all the amazing opportunities there are."

The state of high performance involves a lot more than just butter in your morning coffee (but thats an excellent start).

Dave Asprey credits bio-hackingthat is, manipulating internal and external environmental factors to seize control of your biologyfor his 100-pound weight loss, 20-point IQ boost, and ability to stay fully functional on as little as two hours of sleep. But how does the CEO and devoted family man do it all in a 24-hour day? Read on for the 10 habits he would never skip. 

How to Bio-Hack Your Day: 10 Tips from Dave Asprey, Inventor of Bulletproof Coffee

Think about your style not only in terms of the clothes you wear, but of the image, vibe, and attitude that you exude. You can change in and out of your clothes, but a scent has more depth. Choose one that draws you in; it will likely draw others in, too.

1. Citrus: As the name states, these are all citrus-derived scents. They are described as fresh, bright, and juicy.

2. Aromatic: These are herbs, grasses, and other mossy or rooty notes. They are brisk, green, and more woodsy.

3. Aquatic and Ozonic: Marine and airy notes. They are very crisp or refreshing.

4. Woody: Similar to aromatic. These include woods, resins, and incenses.

5. Florals: Oddly enough, these run the spectrum between dainty and rugged. Some are very strange. I personally love how jungly, green, and crunchy a gardenia can smell.

Using a darker, woody fragrance may say you have a more serious, mysterious, or rugged personality, and something fresher and brighter may represent a lighter, more outdoorsy personality. Dont try too hard to match your multilayered personality to one scent. That's why we make more than one: So you can use different ones depending on your mood.

This is fragrance, not a marriage. It's an easy, attainable luxury, so you should have fun with it and vary your scents, whether from weekday to weekend, or from one season to the next.

Research the FragranceOr At Least Read the Packaging

Most fragrances have a backstory, which can be a great conversation piece when people ask you about your scent. For example, each one I create comes from an actual site visit to somewhere remarkable. It has to have a great story and a natural scent must be involved. This gives the fragrance a unique identity and provides me with creative direction. I use the ingredients present in the place, which will then determine the scent family. From there, I refine what kind of man or woman would wear it and decide which season is best for launch.

Click here to watch Carlos Huber describe his own finishing touchesboth on crafting scents and on his own personal style.

This article is part of the Birchbox Man 31-Day Challenge for January 2015. Click to see all daily challenges and to learn how you can win sweet stuff all month.

Fragrance expert Carlos Huber of Arquiste Parfumeur outlines the basics of picking your perfect cologne.

Of the five senses, scent is the one most strongly linked to memory and association. This is why fragrance can play a huge part in making a good impression: It adds complexity to your persona. To help you find a scent that matches your mood and style, we tapped the brain (and nose) of Carlos Huber, founder of [Arquiste Parfumeur](/men/brands/arquiste). Here are his tips on picking the perfect fragrance and, in turn, making a favorable and lasting impression.

Hey there!

Adam Richman On: 5 Foods That Dont Suck As Much As You Think

How to Eat (and Feel) Healthy: An Interview with “DudeFood” Author Dan Churchill

Go Green at Home: Eco-Friendly Advice from Scott McGillivray, HGTV's Real Estate Expert

Birchbox Man Q&A: Aasif Mandvi Recalls Childhood Style Icons and His Fathers Brunch Obsession

How to Bio-Hack Your Day: 10 Tips from Dave Asprey, Inventor of Bulletproof Coffee

How To: Pick Your Signature Scent

Adam Richman On: 5 Foods That Dont Suck As Much As You Think

How to Eat (and Feel) Healthy: An Interview with &#8220;DudeFood&#8221; Author Dan Churchill

Go Green at Home: Eco-Friendly Advice from Scott McGillivray, HGTV's Real Estate Expert

Birchbox Man Q&A: Aasif Mandvi Recalls Childhood Style Icons and His Fathers Brunch Obsession

How to Bio-Hack Your Day: 10 Tips from Dave Asprey, Inventor of Bulletproof Coffee

How To: Pick Your Signature Scent

How to Eat (and Feel) Healthy: An Interview with “DudeFood” Author Dan Churchill