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In the age of PR gifting and paid influencer partnerships smattered all over social media, it's hard to know whether a recommendation is wholehearted or winking. Is this product actually a must-have? Or did you get it in a gift bag and, yeah, it's not too shabby. Or worse (but understandably)—did your friend found a company and you’re giving her free press?
We want to know: What do people spend real dollar dollar bills on? We're dying to hear what you buy and re-buy, what you recommend with every fiber of your being, what your hard won earnings go toward. With brands sending free stuff to the microest of influencers, we decided it's high time for a roundup series that includes exclusively products that have been purchased and loved outright. Think of Receipts as a fun-things-only money diaries.
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Nowadays, wellness-y things like chlorophyll, ashwagandha, and plant-based eating are a part of mainstream nomenclature and culture. However, before Erewhon was a global phenomenon, there were two women in New York City paving the way for optimal self-care and holistic health in 2012—Danielle DuBoise and Whitney Tingle, aka the Co-Founders of the celebrity / model-coveted food delivery service Sakara Life.
Since inception, Sakara has transformed millions of lives through its Signature Nutrition Program, functional products, and supplements. Both Whitney and Danielle are national best-selling authors with Sakara’s debut cookbook EAT CLEAN PLAY DIRTY, while currently co-hosting the Sakara Life Podcast.
Both Duboise and Tingle spilled the piping hot herbal tea on everything they hold close in their everyday self-care routines, and we have no notes.
Whitney’s Receipts
“I tried everything to cure my acne and nothing worked. It wasn’t until I started treating it from the inside out that I saw real change and results. These meals fixed my gut, which then healed my skin.
Our Sakara Signature Nutrition Program is based on our proprietary nutrition philosophy, focused on cultivating a diverse gut microbiome. Eating this way cleared my skin after years of chronic cystic acne. Now I use it to maintain my overall health and metabolism. I cannot live without these meals, and they taste amazing. I eat these meals throughout the week. I don’t know what I would do without them.”
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“I love to put our Beauty Water Drops in every glass of water that I drink. Not only do I love the taste (I think it makes water much more delicious to drink!), I love how I feel when I’m truly hydrated. I don't think about these drops like a supplement, I think about it as I'm re-wilding my water, turning my water back into that mineral-rich water that it used to be before it was stripped of its minerals and purified, leading to better and longer-lasting hydration (they call it the Sakara Glow for a reason!).
If you are looking to improve hydration and absorption of minerals, try adding these to your water. Start with spring water then start adding the drops slowly, even just a few drops at a time if you’re new to them. Stir well, and adjust to taste.”
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“Anyone looking for an ultra refreshing mistable toner, this is it. I love how soothing and nourishing this toner is. Not to mention the clean ingredients, like aloe and prickly pear for hydration. It also contains Griffonia, a shrub native to Africa that contains 5-HTP, a natural precursor to the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin. I like to use this first thing in the morning. I spritz it on my face and follow with moisturizer on top. I do this instead of washing my face in the morning to maintain the natural oils on my skin.”
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“If you have not switched to a natural deodorant yet, or if you're still using an aluminum-based deodorant, this is your sign to switch. I know it can be a little challenging at first but finding one that works best with your own personal body chemistry is the way to go. I’ve been into trying natural deodorants for so long, I love trying new ones but these are my staple rotation.
I love Salt + Stone, their Santal scent in particular is my favorite. It’s gender neutral and so fresh. I also love the one I picked up from Bite ($44) at Erewhon. I like that this brand is refillable so that means less waste, and I have the Neroli scent. Lastly, my holy grail—Agent Nateur x Shiva Rose’s Holi Rose N4 Deodorant ($28) is one of my all time favorites, which is why I’m currently waiting for my refill to arrive. It’s very effective and has the most beautiful rose scent.”
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“This product is new to me, I just picked it up last week, but I am already obsessed. This soft hydrating serum is great for anyone looking for a product to strengthen and add shine to their hair. I put a few drops in my palm and rub my hands together then run through my hair, focusing on the ends. It smells so good and I love how shiny it makes my hair, plus it’s strengthening and helps with split ends. I don’t feel like I need to use any other products when I use this.”
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Danielle’s Receipts
"Health really does start and end in the gut, and one of the best ways to take care of your gut is to ensure you're getting enough fiber every single day. It’s recommended to get 35-50 grams of fiber per day, and most people are getting under 15g. Starting with one scoop of this per day is a great way to start upping that number. What’s really special about this powder, is that the 6 grams of fiber per scoop comes from 10 different whole food sources. Different fibers feed different kinds of bacteria, which supports gut diversity - the number one indicator of a healthy gut!
I’ve been using this product since we launched it earlier this year, using 1 scoop mixed with water, twice a day, for a total of 12g additional fiber in my day.”
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“You may be sensing a trend, this is another product I love to support gut health. Over 80% of your immune system is located in your gut. This probiotic contains strains that will help with everything from immune system support, to mental clarity, better sleep, and hormone support. It’s an easy way to tend to your microbiome. I take 2-4 capsules per day, sometimes more if I’m not feeling well. These are also great for travel and have saved me from a stomach bug that my kids and husband both had.”
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"If you are looking for lightweight, clean coverage, Saie Slip Tint is my number one recommendation. I love this light coverage product with SPF. It helps me look and feel refreshed without a heavy makeup feel. It’s never cakey, super lightweight, and lasts all day! I use it every day. It’s all I wear. “
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“Water has generally lost its structure because of how it's treated in modern times, and that is thought to keep it from supporting our bodies the way it used to. Structuring your water today helps water find its original structure, the way Mother Nature intended. It’s so important to drink enough water every single day, and it’s important that water is clean and filtered. I pair this system with their mineral filter which enriches water with 76 trace minerals. This has several benefits, including enhancing the nutritional value of the water and improving its taste. Trace minerals are essential for various bodily functions, supporting everything from enzyme processes to cellular health. I added their water structuring device to our system to further enhance water quality.”
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"If you’re looking for an eco-mattress that you can really trust but also sleep well on, this is it. It’s so comfortable, made from clean materials and I don’t have to worry about off-gassing of chemicals. I’ve had mine for a few years and am in the process of ordering more for the rest of our rooms. I also love their sheets and mattress cover.”