It's almost overwhelming to consider just how much the wellness landscape has changed in six years. It's far more vast than many of us could have ever anticipated. And it makes the prescience of Whitney Tingle and Danielle Duboise all the more applaudable: Seeing a clear opportunity to corner some white space in the market, the duo launched organic meal delivery service Sakara Life back in 2011. Thanks to an emphasis on quality ingredients, user-friendliness, and impeccable branding, the company has since evolved into something much more than the sum of its parts. Tingle and Duboise haven't just built a brand, but a full-blown lifestyle.
And naturally it's a lifestyle that the co-founders fully embody, all while devoting themselves to the (many) demands of running a startup. With that in mind, we asked Duboise and Tingle to share a typical day in their lives—from the health rituals they swear by to a behind-the-scenes look inside Sakara HQ. Check out their play-by-play below.
7:30 a.m.
Danielle Duboise: I wake up slowly (or with wet kisses from my Australian shepherd pup, Zen) and sip on Beauty Water ($24). It contains rose, which is anti-inflammatory—not to mention delicious. I also take my Daily Probiotic ($46), giving love to my gut first thing in the day.
Whitney Tingle: I like to reserve a little time in the morning—before email—for my body or wellness. I find that if I do it first thing in the morning, I’m more likely to do it that day than if I wait until evening after a full day of work. I like to do private pilates classes with Annie Venier at Le Petite Studio, or if I can’t make it to the gym, I like to do live video yoga or listen to a meditation from Ally Bogard.
8:30 a.m.
DD: Before coming into our gorgeous office, I’ll grab a coffee at my local coffee shop (I always use my Soma bottle instead of a plastic cup!).
WT: I add a spoonful of coconut oil and some almond milk to my morning coffee and perhaps a spoonful of Moon Juice’s Brain Dust ($38), which has functional, neuroprotective ingredients like lion’s mane, maca, rhodiola, and astragalus, if I feel like I need an extra boost.
10 a.m.
DD: I usually start my day with business update meetings—everything from finance, HR, and marketing to working on exciting upcoming projects. It’s a dynamic work environment, so I need my energy—thank goodness for my Sakara breakfast. This is about the time in the day I’ll enjoy it. We make sure that the breakfasts are satiating, thanks to the high plant protein content and fiber.
WT: We’ve made over lots of our favorite naughty foods—scones, waffles, granola—and transformed them so they’re flooded with nutrients, superfoods, and clean ingredients to help you feel amazing. Food is information, and we want to help give your body the information it needs to be your best self.
12 p.m.
DD: Afternoons are when I like to do my "deep" work and tap into my creative brain. It's time for me to focus and execute on projects.
WT: Or it’s time for a Facebook Live video! We love to engage our clients that way and answer any questions they may have—all while continuing to build our loving and incredible Sakara community. We’ll open up our lunches (yes, they’re Sakara; we honestly eat our food every day!) and dig in.
4 p.m.
DD and WT: Our kitchen team comes to HQ so we can taste-test a few new meals currently in the research and development phase. We source the highest quality ingredients locally and superfoods from around the globe to make our meals as nutrient-dense as possible. Then we work with top chefs to make sure they are as delicious as they are good for you.
But that isn’t always a fast process. Sometimes recipes stay in the R&D phase for six months before making their appearance on our rotating seasonal menu. Favorites include our Mermaid Salad, which includes seaweed (for detoxification and thyroid support) and truffle (because it’s delicious!).
6:30 p.m.
DD and WT: Early evenings are usually for external meetings with investors or potential partnerships.
7 p.m.
DD: Lately, since it's so nice out, I've been trying to take Zen to the dog park for a quick run. Dinner is usually Sakara unless my husband and I go out. My favorite dinner spot right now is Jajaja Mexicana on East Broadway. It's all plant-based Mexican food, and it's to die for.
WT: Time to sneak out of the office and grab a bite with my hubby. Sakara is all about the balance (you are what you do the majority of the time!), and we’re always up to try new restaurants in the city.
8 p.m.
DD: Nights are reserved for my husband and I. Sometimes we play music together (we're starting a band!), read, or catch up on Game of Thrones (I'm very behind).
11 p.m.
DD: My night routine is always to drink our detox water ($24 for 4) so I wake up de-puffed. I also take some big belly breaths to lower cortisol. Now, I’m ready for deep sleep. Lately I've been working on lucid dreaming, so I keep a journal next to my bed so I can write down everything I can remember from every dream. They say it helps your subconscious to speak more directly to your conscious self so you can begin lucid dreaming.
WT: I am very ritualistic with my skincare and never sleep with my makeup on. I like to use clean brands like Tata Harper and to end my day with a Beauty Chocolate ($45)—made with phytoceramides to improve skin elasticity and boost collagen production. I'm ready for a good night's sleep and to do it all again tomorrow.
Next up: Check out a day in the life of SoulCycle's badass CEO.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
