June 29, 2010

Publication title: self.com, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: Ashley Mateo

Healthy Tips From Sarah McLachlan

The Lilith founder is the only artist performing at every one of the 36 dates on the tour’s schedule this summer. At 42, the mother of two knows how important is to stay healthy and fit in order to give each show her all.

“When I turned 40, I thought, I’ve got to get myself in shape here, just to chase after these young kids!” the Canadian singer-songwriter tells SELF. “I really got into running, and I did a half marathon last June.” To inspire herself while pounding the pavement, she listens to The Killers. “Hot Fuss rocks,” she says. “It’s such a great motivator!”

In addition to running—she told us she’s particularly fond of “trail running, which I usually do with someone else”—McLachlan hits the yoga studio. “I work out three days a week, but that’s not enough!” she says.

An avid supporter of animal welfare (you know you’ve seen her ASPCA ads featuring images of shelter animals and her song “Angel”), McLachlan was a vegetarian for seven years, until she “fell off the wagon.” “I’m sure I’ll piss people off by admitting that, but I don’t eat a lot of meat, mostly fish,” she says. She also snacks on “tons” of fruits and vegetables, grains like buckwheat and healthy treats like dark chocolate.

“I’ll let you in on my secret,” she spills. “There’s this guy online, his company is Rogue Chocolatier. He’s a beans-to-bar chocolatier. He buys the beans, roasts them, grinds them and makes them into a fine, dark chocolate like I have never experienced. It just melts on your tongue.”

Her only food philosophy these days? “Moderation.”

McLachlan may not be a vegetarian anymore, but she still supports the ASPCA. Her “Angel” ad, which began airing in 2007, has generated more than $30 million for the organization, and she’s filmed two more commercial spots since, featuring her song “Answer” and a cover of “Silent Night.”

“I’m like the Sally Struthers of the 21st century for animals!” she says. “It was three hours of my time, and now wherever I go, people are like, ‘Oh, you’re the ASPCA girl!’ It’s not about my music, it’s like, ‘I love your ad, I have three rescue dogs now!’ The animal lovers come out in droves.”