Etheridge says that healthy eating and exercise are an important part of her life. Her exercise plan includes at least 30 to 45 minutes of cardio three times a week. "I try to mix it up," she says. "I have hiking very close to me, it's always fun to get out in nature, but also at home I'm fortunate to have a treadmill and an elliptical. I love the elliptical. It's so easy on your body. I turn the TV on and watch E! True Hollywood Story and work out like everybody else."

Her eating plan is simple, and she admits to being human. "I try to eat low on the carb level, but of course I was watching Monday Night Football with pizza in front. I'm completely human. And I give myself that. I don't ever diet. I just watch what I eat all the time and if I find that it's headed one way – because you can feel the sugar levels in your body. You can feel when you crave carbs and sugars. And once you kind of get your head around that you understand, 'Oh, that's why I'm dying for that.' And I can cut back on it. I love fruits and vegetables and protein. I don't eat red meat, but that's just a personal choice. I also try to stay low on dairy, and that's also just a personal choice. It's not always the best thing for me as a singer."

She admits that she is big on comfort foods and will occasionally splurge on sticky cinnamon buns or chips and salsa. She also notes that setting a good example for her kids is important. "I don't want them to have food issues by telling them no, they can't ever have this, and then doing it myself. I just prepare them, ever since they were born, healthy food, and organic is very important."