Reboot Your Resolutions

In 2011, after growing tired of failed juice cleanses and unrealistic get-thin-quick regimens, Whitney Tingle and Danielle DuBoise started Sakara Life, an organic, vegan, New York City-based meal delivery service. The Sedona-bred best friends’ delicious offerings have made them a favorite with the likes of Leandra Medine, Lena Dunham, Lily Aldridge, and Karolina Kurkova. During a time of year when resolutions are all but a speck in the rearview mirror, we ask the duo to re-inspire us with their own health routines.

As owners of a health food company, what do you eat during an average day? Whitney: We’re always switching it up, but we’re sure to get four to six cups of fresh greens; sulfurous veggies like kale, cabbage, or cauliflower; and enough good fat like hemp, avocado, or coconut oil. The key to eating this way and loving it is variety.

When you’re not eating your signature Sakara dishes, where do you eat out in New York City? Whitney: Souen, Siggy’s, and Dimes are great places to get fresh, delicious food. Danielle: Butcher’s Daughter and Chalk Point Kitchen. I treat veggies as a main, not a side.

You have a ton of clients who are models. What is the ideal modern model diet? Whitney: Models these days aren’t living on vodka and cigarettes. In order to get a body like Gisele or Lily Aldridge, you have to be hitting the gym like a true athlete and fueling your body with energy-packed, nutrient-rich foods. Hydrating foods like greens and vibrantly colored foods like beets, carrots, and berries help give you that “ready-for-my-close-up” glow.

When you’re in a rush, rather than grabbing an energy bar or chocolate, what do you choose? Danielle: We grab something fresh and organic if we can. But we don’t freak out – we know that our next meal is around the corner, and a little bit of hunger here and there won’t kill us. Also, what’s so bad about chocolate? We just make sure it’s milk-free and as dark as we can get it.

How about your exercise routine? Whitney: Simple: Move as much as possible, but don’t stress about it. We try to sneak movement into our days whenever we can–group push up challenges, mid-day twerk practice, et cetera…. But when we can get a full workout session, we’ll head to one of our favorite classes to let loose: The Class, modelFIT, SoulCycle, Physique57, or Ballet Beautiful.

Is your beauty routine all-natural, as well? Whitney: Yes! We make our own toothpaste, face wash, and dry shampoos out of all natural ingredients, and are really careful about staying away from harmful chemicals like phenoxyethanol and triclosan. For the face, we love Bee Yummy Skin Food – it’s completely natural and organic, and technically edible – and, for the body, we adore Jiva Apoha’s soul-healing body oils. And we are so excited that CAP Beauty has finally opened! It’s a one-stop shop for everything natural beauty. All that said, our skin routine is similar to our food philosophy, if we can’t do all-natural all the time, we don’t stress. And, of course, food is the best beauty routine. Trust me, eating the hydrating, healthful diet of fruits and veggies is what really gives you the clear skin and youthful glow.

What about facials? Our ultimate treat is energy facials with Maureen Dodd at the Ash Center. She uses a wand developed with NASA technology to break up scar tissue—great for acne scars, like I have!—and plump up the skin to get rid of and prevent wrinkles. She is such a healer by nature that the session is healing for your entire body, mind, and spirit.