Rachel Hunter has been busy. The supermodel—who has appeared on magazine covers ranging from Vogue to Rolling Stone to Sports Illustrated, had a contract with Cover Girl, and more—was not only the host of Rachel Hunter’s Tour of Beauty television show on Imagination Television, but is the DAH! yogurt brand partner, a yoga and meditation teacher, lives a healthy lifestyle, and is the mom to two grown children. We caught up with her to talk about what she’s been up to, health, wellness, and more.
Green Living (GL): Touching back on your television show Tour of Beauty, what inspired you to do the show?
Rachel Hunter (RH): I had just finished shooting a TV show in New Zealand. I was sitting with Bettina, one of the producers of the show, and she was like, we need to do another show! We sat and brainstormed different ideas. As a New Zealander, we are known to be travelers and explorers. And, I have a history in beauty and fashion, as well as a deep love and curiosity of nature, world, and cultures. This was to be a journey of incredible discovery to see the true integration of beauty in many forms and ways of living. The show really embraced this in many ways, and many times the most memorable moments were subtle in community.
GL: You’ve traveled a lot around the world, spending much time in India especially… what you have learned that most surprised you and where was that?
RH: From my timing filming “Tour of Beauty,” many of the countries hold such a strong place in my heart, and while visiting so many, I felt, “I could live here!” I learned so much! The world is rich in diversity, and rich meaning, not wealth in a monetary form, but so deeply rich in many other ways. Community, community, community! The abundance of the heart! The happiest moments are moments we feel are unknown are experiencing at that moment. The moment we experience we expand and feel more connected and relax into what becomes known. Understanding and being open. Community, experiencing the warmth of the many people with their big hearts and open homes to eat and be a part of. Today in this world situation we are in. These memories I have and many of us reflect on, the true simplicity of connection. Merely sitting and eating, being close and connecting.
GL: You also have a book out?
RH: The book is available in New Zealand. It is of my travels while filming the first series of Tour of Beauty. I hope to bring it to the U.S. and UK soon.
GL: You are also very into yoga, and I heard you have completed more than 500 hours of Registered Yoga Training (RYT), and more. How do you think doing yoga affects you personally?
RH: Yoga means to yog—unite. So this is a journey of discovery that is not an end date or ‘ok I’m done now.’ For me, the asana [postures] were my entry point. Since training in India for the last three years, this practice of yoga goes beyond the postures. It’s all about breathwork, meditation, focus, bliss, and self-study. These are all limbs of yoga. I love life and I love being involved in life. I love being a mother, having fun, working, enjoying friends, etc. But, I love the non-seeking of who I am. For me, this is endless and I will always be discovering externally and internally! After my mother passed away three years ago, I wanted to pilgrimage through India to help let go of the grief and answer some deep questions. Restless soul syndrome. Within India and in myself I found stillness and joy. The people again embraced and the sense of inclusiveness and community. To sit on the side of the streets see the colors of the people, sipping a chai and eating prakora.
GL: You are also a trained meditation teacher and have spent many hours and years studying meditation with some top experts. Can you tell us more about this?
RH: Practice, practice, practice! Some meditations in the morning are great; some not so great. My thoughts come, but I now can giggle and am less hard on myself. No judgment during or after meditation. It is what it is, and that’s ok. Meditation is a beautiful way to stabilize the system. It’s beautiful listening to talks of teachers and people who know this practice, and who have studied this ancient practice. Many people think it is to rid thoughts; this does happen, it takes time. There are many ways and paths to this. You will find that path when it shows you. Mantra and breathwork are lovely ways to enter into meditation.
GL: You of course eat healthy, and currently work with DAH!, the 2020 Sofi Award-winning yogurt brand. Can you share what drew you to the company and what you like about it.
RH: It is a dream partnership! This is when situations align. The message of slow culture, the essence of the brand, the India connection. The brand teaches you to slow down, eat well, enjoy life, meditate. This is an amazing mindset for a brand, and their product line is just, WOW! Plant-based yogurt! Lassi! And now Dahi too! High probiotics (15 billion per serving). The union here is united! Yoga and meditation unite us further. The founders are authentic, the brand is authentic, and the product is delicious and authentic. While spending time in India I fell in love with Lassi, and that is what first drew me into DAH!
GL: Do you have any favorite flavors of DAH! Specific products?
RH: The Alphonso Mango Lassi is a favorite, and all the plant-based yogurt. DAH!’s plant-based products include Almond Yogurt, and the brand’s newest offering Oat+Almond+Coconut [OAC] Blended Yogurt that is 100% plant-based. It contains no added sugar and is packed with 50 billion probiotics to benefit the body and gut health. Just simply amazing! I love having mine with fruit, nuts, and seeds. I often pair the Lassi with papaya. A healthy breakfast to start the day!
GL: As a brand partner for the company, you also share some of your favorite DAH! recipes. Can you tell us one of your favorites?
RH: Sweet potatoes or papaya, topped with the almond yogurt, honey, fruit and nuts, or flax seeds. There are so many ways to get creative with DAH!! I also love to make yogurt smoothies with the strawberry Lassi, or breakfast bowls with the blueberry almond cups. What is great about it is that you can drink the smoothie as-is, or just enjoy one of their yogurt cups while at the beach, in the morning, for a midday snack, or they’re perfect for a picnic or on-the-go. (To learn more about DAH!, visit www.dahlicious.com or Follow @Dahlicious on social media.)
GL: Do you incorporate any other mindful, sustainable or eco-friendly practices into your life?
RH: I stay in my lane! Be conscious! Keep my consumption down!
GL: How have you been coping during COVID? Have you slowed down at all or still keeping a busy schedule?
RH: I was part of a silent retreat for 18 days and in an ashram in India for four months, so yes, I have slowed down. I returned to the U.S., and yes, the slowing down is real. I always make it a point to get out of the house to hike, get fresh air, and of course, do yoga.
GL: Any projects the horizon that you’d like to share?
RH: Releasing my yoga platform which can be found on my website, www.rachelhunter.com.
GL: Anything else you’d like to share?
RH: Be well, listen, and connect (responsibly) with social distancing. Reach out to each other during these times.
Photos courtesy of DAHlicious.
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