Star Mom: Christy Turlington

She's an internationally famous supermodel, an entrepreneur, a social activist and, most recently, a wife and mother of two children. So when Christy Turlington Burns contacted us to chat ‑- about life as a new mom and the causes and people who inspire her ‑- we were (a) shocked that she even has a minute to breathe, let alone interview, and (b) glad to oblige and share her message of do-gooding.

The 37-year-old stunner recently traveled with her mom to her mother's native El Salvador. As an ambassador for the humanitarian organization CARE, Christy met with local women as part of her commitment to empowering and helping them achieve independence. Read on to learn how this trip affected her, why she's so close with her mom, how a supermodel deals with pregnancy cravings ‑- and why she couldn't care less about the weight gain.

Congrats on the new baby! How does your daughter like being an older sister?
Grace, 2, loves being a big sister. She had been waiting nine months to see who was inside my belly, and now she has him! We all love playing together at home.

Any words of wisdom about "surviving" pregnancy?
I love being pregnant. Even though my second pregnancy was a bit tougher, I still loved it and miss it even now that I've had my son. It's such a good opportunity to take the best care of yourself without feeling at all selfish.

What were some of your cravings?
I always craved foods that I needed nutrients from. I guess it was my body's way of letting me know what I needed most. With Grace, it was avocado and lemonade. With Finn, I craved squash, pumpkin, tahini and nuts.

How did you keep fit?
Throughout both pregnancies I did yoga three times a week and Pilates once a week. I walked a lot and also got regular prenatal massages.

Did you have a favorite maternity frock?
I wore my brand, Nuala, throughout both pregnancies ‑- just sized up as I got bigger.

How did you cope with a changing body when you're used to being couture thin?
I think that shifts in one's body are natural ‑- not just in pregnancy but throughout a woman's lifetime. I don't think it's healthy to expect otherwise. An expanding body was a very small price to pay for the gift of being pregnant and the gift of a new baby.

Can you share some of your can't-live-without products for new babies?
I always try to use organic or environmentally friendly products. California Baby makes great shampoo and bath products with chamomile and lavender. I love Seventh Generation products too, especially the bleach-free diapers and baby wipes.

What's hardest ‑- modeling, mommying or being a businesswoman?
I think they're all challenging, but the ultimate challenge is finding a balance. Being a mom has felt the most innate. Modeling didn't require a ton of effort, and as a result, it didn't produce an immense amount of pleasure. Being a businesswoman certainly requires a lot of work and can ultimately be quite rewarding, but being a mother has given me the greatest reward on a daily basis.

What are your favorite parts about being a mom?
It's made my life so much richer. Having children puts so much in perspective, something that consistently and pleasantly astounds me.

The most frustrating thing?
I think there are daily difficulties, but I don't think there's one big frustrating thing. I feel pretty lucky to be a mom, and my kids are a constant reminder of that.

You were discovered as a young teen. How did your mom support you as your career was taking off?
My mom has always encouraged me to follow my gut and be true to myself. I think that's what's helped me maintain myself throughout everything thus far.

How does she inspire you now that you're a mom yourself?
She's just thrilled to be a grandmother ‑- especially one who's always available to support and spoil!

When you think of Christy Turlington, you think supermodel. What do you think would surprise people most about your day-to-day routine?
Probably that I'm extremely low maintenance. I prefer home-cooked meals to restaurants and because nearly all of our friends have small children, we tend to eat early and get to bed early too.

You must get approached constantly to do charitable works. Why CARE?
My mom's influenced me because she's always been involved with volunteer and relief organizations. She actually helped initiate the relationship with CARE. Once I started learning about this amazing group ‑- that the words care package were originated by their wartime efforts, that they've been working behind the scenes for 60 years and have projects in over 70 countries ‑- I was eager to help. CARE is unique in that it not only responds immediately to emergencies but really focuses on creating long-term sustainable projects.

How did the moms of El Salvador inspire you?
What's most incredible is their fierce determination. They've struggled so much and for so long but remain resilient and soulful. The women I met are true leaders ‑- they're educating themselves, each other, creating important infrastructures in their villages and planning for the futures of their children.

Your mom's from El Salvador. It must have been incredible going back for this cause.
She lived there for the first eight years of her life before moving to Los Angeles. While my sisters and I were growing up in California, we actually went to visit relatives quite often. I remember being surprised that it seemed so different and yet so similar to my own life. I've visited many times as an adult, but I think that my trip with CARE was probably the most powerful of all because I met with local women and was invited into their homes. During one of our visits to a local rural community, one young girl told me that she walked five miles with her baby to meet with us.

In addition to CARE, you've served as an antismoking activist. Beyond fashion, how do you hope to inspire the world?
I admire women who constantly challenge themselves and become more interesting and more experienced throughout their lives. My mom is that kind of woman: She always welcomes opportunities to try new things and travel to new places. I hope to be that kind of woman ‑- and an inspiration to my daughter and to other women who seek the same.

Source: IVillage (photo US Weekly via CBB)