Rachel Hunter - Luxury Mindset
Rachel Hunter is an internationally known supermodel from Auckland, New Zealand, who began her successful career at the age of seventeen and has appeared on notable magazine covers and in films and television programs worldwide. Most recently, Rachel embarked on an odyssey exploring beauty and well-being in cultures all over the globe for her acclaimed television program, “Tour of Beauty.” She released a best-selling book chronicling her incredible experience, which is currently for sale in New Zealand and coming to the states soon.
Born into a spiritually open family, Rachel had a deep connection with her late mother who sought many different and diverse spiritual practices. An open mind and heart became the legacy she passed on to Rachel. After her mother’s death in 2017, Rachel fully immersed herself in the formal study of the ancient practices of yoga in the foothills of the Himalayas under the teachings of master teacher Anand Mehotra. Having completed over five hundred hours of Registered Yoga Training (RYT) and several master modules in meditation, Rachel is trained in all facets of the eight limbs of yoga. Rachel’s transformational, dynamic practice includes breathwork and various disciplines of yoga with an emphasis on the Vedantic and Tantric traditions, incorporating Himalayan Kundalini. Rachel completed her Masters training in 2019.
Rachel is also now brand partner for the probiotic rich, Sofi-award winning yogurt brand, DAH!, the #1 India-style, slow-cultured yogurt brand in the U.S. which features a popular plant based line of almond milk yogurt cups and dairy lassi smoothie drinks.
We sat down with Rachel Hunter for insight on her meditation lifestyle and mindset.
Jamie Agoglia: How does daily mediation allow for a luxurious lifestyle and mindset?
Rachel Hunter: Luxury is a word that has different meanings to people in different ways. Meditating takes us to an awareness that is grateful and connected to self. Whether we are laying in the grass, or in a lavish home, “luxury” is a mindset. We can then use this knowledge to expand our ideas of “luxury” and enjoy the daily luxuries without worry or stress, or thinking of other concerns. It’s great to “have luxurious things,” but are you in joy and happiness when experiencing them? Luxury is a lifestyle, a mindset, not an object.
Tell us about spending quarantine in India. What was that like?
Although it was not planned, lockdown in India ended up being an incredible experience, one that will stay with me forever. Really for all of us. We are in unprecedented times. I was at Isha Yoga center in South India when quarantine began, and had been in a program of silence. I was studying at Sadhguru’s ashram, a well-known Mystic, who is known around the world. I had come to the South of India to Go to a friend’s wedding and to go to a known celebration in India called Mahashivaratri. After that I had decided to stay. For practices in yoga, and little did I know the world would progress. I was in silence for about 18 days, just days after that the world went into a lockdown. I came out of silence to face a new society. I was grateful for the experience where I was, as there was 2,500 of us within the the ashram each respecting the 6 foot distance, while going about the day, doing yoga practice, going to the temples within the ashram, many walks down to Adi Yogi within the ashram, peacocks surrounding the space, eating. Really deeply profound experience. To have this time to really go on this journey within, while maintaining the awareness of how Isha provided for the surrounding community with food and wellbeing of the community.
Over the last few years I have been to India many times. Traveling into the Himalayas, studying Yoga in Rishikesh, traveling to the great city of Kashi - Varanasi, through Rajasthan, and into the south of India over the last few years.
What are everyday mindfulness techniques you can share?
Take time in the morning to connect to your breath, a small meditation to start with. I love setting intentions. Be grateful for life. Being aware of connection to self. I love honoring the elements. Food and wellbeing is important of course as well.
Tell us about your partnership with DAH! Yogurt.
My work relationship working with DAH! is incredible and so genuine to me. It is a synergy I only dreamed of. Their plant based yogurt line made of almond milk is so delicious and perfect for dairy free eating, and the Lassi smoothie yogurt drinks are filled with billions of probiotics giving options to consumers, and offering gut health. Lassi is so delicious, and I would drink Lassi daily in India, which is where I first experienced it. I love to create yogurt bowls and make parfaits and other recipes with the almond milk yogurt. I also had Dahi in India daily, which they just added to the DAH! line as of September 1st. I love the work relationship I have with DAH! as we are synergistically aligned, and it is a product I truly love to eat. DAH! is a conscious brand which is so important, and exemplifies the ancient values of India I embrace.
“I love, love this recipe and it is one of my favorite dinners to make. It is an amazing, light, fresh incredible meal featuring a little spice and sweet from the potatoes. The Plain almond yogurt by DAH! adds cooling, soothing, and delicious flavor, plus offers beautiful structure.”
DAH! Curried Stuffed Vegan Sweet Potatoes
Servings: 4
Total Time: 50 min
Skill level: 2
Ingredients:
4 medium sweet potatoes
1 15-ounce can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 can of black beans
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 clove of garlic, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon of cumin
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt
freshly cracked black pepper to taste
A dollop of DAH! plain almond yogurt (dairy free)
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stab each sweet potato a few times around with a fork and place them on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes-1 hour or until tender and easily pierced with a fork.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add in the olive oil. Once hot, add in the garlic, black beans, chickpeas, cumin, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 3 minutes.
3. When sweet potatoes are ready to serve, cut the center of the potatoes open and mash the inside. Divide the chickpea mixture evenly among the potatoes. Add a dollop of DAH! plain almond yogurt.