Hoda Kotb has been a face of the Today show for 17 years. And while the anchor recently announced that she will be leaving the program in 2025, she still plans to take on new professional endeavors and maintain her title as a busy mom.

Most recently, Kotb hosted a 3-Day Wellness Retreat with Today in Austin, Texas, which featured mindfulness sessions and healthy, satisfying meals.1 After this weekend, Kotb sat down and answered EatingWell’s questions about the event—plus some more questions about her routine. Learn more about Kotb’s favorite fall recipe, snacks that she and her family love and the most important piece of cooking advice that she learned from hosting Today.

Do you have any favorite fall recipes that are must-makes for the season?

In the fall, I will take a chicken, throw it in a big pot and boil it for as long as possible. Then, I’ll throw in tons of veggies, salt and seasoning so it turns into this veggie, chicken-y broth. I take the bones out and put [the liquid] in the blender until it’s this beautiful, creamy puree. My kids can’t see the chicken or the veggies, and they love it. I feel like it’s a healing elixir. It’s so frothy and yummy.

Are there any snacks that you always have on hand for you and your family to stay energized and satisfied?

We eat Vermont meat sticks like they’re going out of style. We have them on an Amazon recurring order. We also eat very regular snacks, like Pirate’s Booty, pretzels and Cheez-Its. We love guac. We have a lot of cheese. I also take frozen bananas, put them in the blender, add some half and half. It’s like ice cream, and the kids devour it. Sometimes I’ll throw a few strawberries in, too.

Best piece of cooking advice you’ve learned on Today?

Keep it simple. It’s easy to overcomplicate. When chefs come on the Today show, it’s usually an easy recipe. I don’t think it has to be complicated to be delicious. Also, grill everything.

What has been the best part of the 3-Day Wellness Weekend in Austin? 

The best part was watching people who came in as complete strangers become forever bonded, and also watching transformations in real time, myself included. The idea that three days can start a path of changing your life seemed impossible to me, until this weekend. Women who didn’t think they were seen were seen. It was beautiful. It was everything. It was perfect.

Do you have any nutritious dinners that stand out in helping you feel your best? 

At the retreat, I had delicious grilled salmon and fresh veggies, including squash and sugar snap peas. I like my veggies not too cooked, and these were perfect. I was exhausted, and after I had this meal, I was so focused. It just reminds me that when you put good stuff in, you become good.

What does “eating well” mean to you?

It means caring about yourself. It means wanting to be there for your kids. Eating well means wanting to be strong and set a good example for your kids, because they’re watching you.