INTRODUCTION
What is Sakara Life?
Sakara Life is an incredible wellness lifestyle brand founded by powerhouse female entrepreneurs and friends Whitney Tingle and Danielle DuBoise. Both women struggled with various aspects of their health before they found that they could heal and find balance by feeding themselves nutrient dense, plant-forward meals. They worked with chefs and nutritionists to develop a rotating menu of organic, gluten-free, plant based meals to help bring this magic to the masses. They delivered meals to their first clients via bicycle, navigating the streets of Manhattan in true startup style.
As the years passed, Sakara Life began shipping meals nationwide and expanded its product lines to include supplements, water-fortifying drops, protein bars, and more. Celebrities, athletes, and people from all walks of life heartily sung the praises of the brand, which has helped so many people (myself included) feel their best and heal their bodies.
Living the Sakara Life At Home
I used to work as an attorney in NYC and one of the best perks of the job was tons of free food. We often received sumptuous catered lunches and if we worked past 6pm (which was fairly common), we are able to bill our late-night takeout to the client.
At least, that’s how things worked pre-quarantine. During the pandemic, attorneys were no longer able to bill overtime meals to clients while working from home. This meant I had to up my cooking game substantially.
After making a few of my favorite dishes over and over again, I was in a bit of a rut. As amazing as it is, one can only eat penne alla vodka so many times. I had ordered the Sakara Life meals on and off for the past few years, and I had always been curious about the 10-Day Reset. Since I finally had the time (and the need) to cook, I decided to go all in.
Preparing to Start!
Sakara Life describes the 10-Day Reset as a “DIY Detox Box.” It contains a recipe and instruction booklet with 20+ plant based recipes as well as enough Detox Bars, Energy Bars, Detox Tea, Beauty Water Drops, Detox Water Drops, Daily Probiotic Blend and Sakara Life Super Powder to get you through the 10-day program (and then some).
The recipe booklet includes important information such as the 10-Day Reset Guidelines, an ideal day of meals and supplements, a description of the products and their benefits, and more. It is completely foolproof and can be self-replicated once the original 10-Day Reset is over (I may make this a quarterly thing).
Equipped with my booklet, which includes a comprehensive shopping list, I made my way to Whole Foods. Some of the ingredients I already had, such as EVOO, fresh herbs, rice, and oats. Others, I had to purchase. Some things, like amaranth, I had never purchased before.
Cost
The overall cost of ingredients will vary based on your area, but the cost of the ingredients still came out to significantly less than the cost of a full 3-meal/ 5-day Sakara Life Meal Program. The only trade off is that you are prepping and cooking everything yourself!
Let’s Get Cooking!
On Monday, it was off to the races! It was definitely challenging at first juggling cooking with Zoom calls and emails. I learned that doing as much prep as I could the night before was the best way to ensure a smooth day of cooking (and eating, yum!) the next day.
It was a lifesaver having the bars as snacks. During the times that I got caught up working on something, I was not tempted to reach for junk. The teas, fortified waters and probiotics helped me stay on top of my fluid intake, and the meals themselves kept me hydrated all day due to the high water content of the ingredients.
Breakfasts usually consisted of the recommended shake using the protein powder, although there were other yummy-looking recipes that I will try next time. Lunch was usually some sort of soup or salad and the evening was usually something involving sautéed veggies and grains. Certain meals, like the butternut squash tacos and the kale and white bean soup, produced enough left overs for another meal. However, for the most part, I cooked a new recipe for each meal. In total, I prepared 16 new recipes in 10 days (plus a bonus recipe that I made up myself!)
I also filmed the entire process, so if you are curious about what the process was like and how I felt at the end in a video format, be sure to check out my Instagram Stories highlight titled
One of the best things about using the Sakara Life recipes included as part of the Reset was that the meals were nutritionally balanced. As a lifelong vegetarian, I am always keeping an eye out for getting enough sources of plant-based protein in my meals.
You will have to get the 10-Day Reset to see the Sakara Life recipes, but I will share with you a delicious breakfast recipe I created myself using the Sakara Life Super Powder:
My Sakara Life Recipe
Breakfast Protein Bowl
- 1 packet Sakara Life Protein Powder
- 1.5 cups coconut yogurt
- 2-3 Tbs Seasonal fruit
- Goji Berries
- Chia seeds
- Hemp hearts
Directions: Mix the coconut yogurt with the protein powder in a bowl. Gradually stir in powder to avoid clumps. Garnish with fruit, goji berries chia sees and hemp hearts.
10-Day Reset Program Results!
Overall, I had an incredible experience with the 10-Day Reset. I’ll start with the physical:
- Weight Loss
- I maintained approximately the same weight, though I did not embark on the 10-Day Reset for weight loss. My clothes are definitely loser, and my face looks a bit slimmer, so perhaps it just did not show up on the scale due to water retention or other factors.
- Overall Appearance
- My facial skin looked a bit plumper and more hydrated and the whites of my eyes were whiter. I had a bit more of a “glow” than I did at the beginning of the program.
Now, for the real transformation! It was surprising to unpack how the 10-Day Reset prompted such a strong emotional journey:
- I realized that this was the first time that I’d cooked consistently for myself in MY ENTIRE LIFE. I love cooking and I am great at it, but this was the first time that I had to actually plan out days worth of cooking consistently. In some ways, I had been letting my work schedule get in the way of some important self-care, both in the kitchen and beyond.
- I felt very proud of myself for choosing a more eco-conscious, environmentally friendly way of cooking. I was raised vegetarian, but my ultimate goal is to transition into a majority-vegan lifestyle. This was the first time that I consistently stuck to a vegan diet due to my own efforts, rather than through a meal delivery service.
- Cooking so much initially felt a bit time-consuming, but became a very grounding ritual. Wielding a large, sharp knife to chop a variety of fruits and veggies meant that I had to pay close attention to the task at hand. At the same time, it gave my mind a break from engaging with the tasks of the day and I was able to zone out a bit while I cooked.
Sakara Promo Code
If you would like to try Sakara Life’s 10-Day Reset, Sakara meal deliveries, or anything else on the Sakara Life website, you can use my exclusive promo code XOAZEEZAH for 20% off. Valid for first-time customers.
Try your own meal program: use Sakara promo code XOAZEEZAH for 20% off sitewide
I highly recommend the 10-Day Reset, and I am grateful that I had the time and resources to complete it. Completing the program gave me such a sense of confidence in myself and overall vitality. It also inspired me to start getting creative in the kitchen! For examples, check out my post on my Feta Stuffed Roasted Peppers recipe or my Cauliflower Steaks with Turmeric Sauce.
Feel free to drop questions in the comments!
Shop Sakara Life – The 10 Day Reset Is Here!
