I know that when you take care of yourself and are happy and healthy, you are better for those around you and your environment.

The fact that anyone would find me sexy is very, very flattering, but ridiculous. I so don't believe it. But I'm flattered. Truth is, I don't lift a finger to look sexy. Ever.

Food is a passion because I basically grew up in a kitchen. My mother was a gourmet chef and I'm the youngest of five kids. We would always congregate in the kitchen.

Well, I had done nudity in one other thing, but nudity for an actress is a very particular thing. It has to do with the material, and making sure it's not gratuitous, that it's done in a way that's shot beautifully, and it's for a reason. And I'd never played a lesbian before.

I get to wake up and do what I love every day and I don't take that for granted. I feel grateful for it every day.

I never think of myself as any kind of sex symbol, but I get letters from all over, all sorts. It's really cool. I get a lot from inmates, which is kind of scary. But the best was the guy who wanted to send me a plane ticket to fly me to his prom.

Of course, we're supportive of the gay and lesbian community. I've just never portrayed that on camera. Once I met Taylor [Schilling] I knew that it was going to be really comfortable and okay, but the nudity was a little bit of an issue for me.