14 Things You Didn’t Know About Jillian Harris

Jillian joined forces with her cousin, dietician Tori Wesszer, to craft a collection of recipes and entertaining tips contained in her first-ever cookbook, Fraiche Food, Full Hearts. When asked what part of the creative process she loved most, Jillian told HGTV Canada: “I think the photoshoots. I mean, they were the most stressful, but that’s when we all came together. [Tori and I] had to fit in 10-20 recipes a day with 10-14 people in the house at once – the kitchen would be a disaster and we would smell like fried onions, but it really was the most fun. I miss those days.”

In her cookbook, Fraiche Food, Full Hearts, Jillian opens up about her family’s food journey – with a specific focus on plant-based eating. “[The cookbook] is not a diet book or a vegan book – it’s really approachable and flexible for the average family,” she tells HGTV Canada. “I didn’t go plant-based for medical or health reasons. I felt that it was better for the environment and animals, but I’m a hypocrite because I still sometimes eat chicken and dairy.”

For additional food inspiration, try one of these easy plant-based recipes for beginners that will make you drool.

In addition to The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, Jillian has also appeared on Canada’s Handyman Challenge and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with Ty Pennington. She’s now in her fifth season of Love it Or List it: Vancouver with co-host Todd Talbot.

Watch the latest episode of Love it Or List it Vancouver now!

Jillian has officially passed the much-coveted Instagram milestone of one million followers! When asked how she would celebrate, she said: “Drink! Just kidding. Todd says, ‘just close down your Instagram,'” she laughs. “It’s been an awesome journey. I would say 99.9 per cent of people are lovely and supportive and kind and resilient. There is obviously a downside that comes with having an online presence; you put yourself out there and people could say some really nasty things, but luckily there’s a Block button and it works really well.”

Jillian, who gave birth to daughter Annie in September 2018, was pregnant while filming the first half of the fifth season – and it wasn’t always easy. “I had a really difficult pregnancy and then I went back to work with a five-week-old,” she says. “I was just exhausted and miserable for the first three quarters of the season. Trying to be happy-go-lucky and funny on camera is not always the easiest when you’re 40 pounds heavier and you’ve got a human living in you.”

“With both of our kids I didn’t do a super juvenile design,” she says when describing baby Annie’s nursery design. “I like a space that is a bit more timeless and [something] that kids can grow into. With Annie’s room, I feel she’s going to love it when she’s three or four and I think she’s going to love it when she’s five or six. It’s pretty muted and gentle.”

Related: Jillian Harris Gives a Tired Home a Much-Needed Wake-Up Call

Jillian inked her grandmother’s name, Marjorie, on her right foot as a tribute to her beloved relative. She says her granny was wild and hilarious, so we’re pretty sure she approved of of this nod to their strong relationship. Sadly, Jillian’s beloved granny passed away in July 2019. As Jillian described her to HGTV Canada, “She was literally, to all of us kids, our best friend. She treated us all like that. She was so non-judgmental and always just wanted us to be happy … sometimes she wouldn’t leave her house for months and we’d call her and ask how she was doing. She’d be like, ‘oh excellent, I am just so busy today,’ and you could hear the news on [the TV] in the background. She just always made the best of every situation.”

Jillian’s adorable pooches, Nacho and Peaches, are celebrities in their own right – they even both have their own Instagram accounts. Check out @nachocilantro and @peachespasutto.

Related: 7 Natural Cleaning Tips for Pets That Actually Work

It’s undeniable that Jillian and co-host Todd have great onscreen chemistry, but like any professional relationship or friendship, it can require a bit of work. “It’s like asking a pastry chef how he makes his croissants so fluffy. We have to work on our relationship,” Jillian explains. “Sometimes we actually really do annoy each other and we don’t like each other, but we know we just have to get over it and move on. Otherwise it’s not fun for the viewer.”

Despite the fact that she spends most days filming in Vancouver, she actually lives in Kelowna, which is a roughly four-hour drive outside the city.

Although she currently resides in Kelowna, BC with her family, Jillian was actually born in Peace River, Alberta, and was a longtime resident of Vancouver before moving away.

Jillian announced her engagement to Justin Pasutto through social media in December 2016, a few months after the birth of their son Leo. Since then, the couple have welcomed daughter Annie, although Jillian admits she’s no closer to setting a wedding date. In September 2018, she admitted on her website: “We STILL don’t have a wedding date! LOL!! We are getting closer to setting one and we are getting more and more excited about the big day.”

Check out Jillian’s website where she blogs about everything from food and fashion to beauty and decor. And, much like her Instagram account, it’s a great place for adorable pictures of her son Leo and daughter Annie.

Among Jillian’s favourite flowers are hydrangeas, wisteria, peonies, lilacs, roses and lavender.