Check our interview with best-selling author, health coach, and spiritualist Sahara Rose.
Sahara shares her wisdom as the author of the best-selling book, Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda, and host of the #1 iTunes ranked podcast, “The Highest Self Podcast”. The podcast has built up an incredible following, ranking it among the top 1% of podcasts on the iTunes store with 1 million downloads a month. To add to her impressive background, she’s been endorsed by Deepak Chopra claiming he has passed the torch of Ayurveda onto her, has written the foreword in both her books, and also described her podcast as “medicine for the millennials.”
Sahara is passionate about modernizing Ayurveda and wants to show people that they should eat according to their Dosha (the three energies that define every person’s makeup) and that knowing about it can help one live a healthier, more balanced life. Her first book, Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda, has sold over 40k copies and her new book Eat Feel Fresh: A Contemporary Plant-Based Ayurvedic Cookbook will be available in bookstores around the world on October 2nd.
Hi Sahara, please tell us a little about you?
My name is Sahara Rose, I’m the best-selling author of the Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda, and Eat Feel Fresh: A Plant-Based Ayurvedic Cookbook. I have been fortunate enough to have been been called “a leading voice for the millennial generation into the new paradigm shift” by Deepak Chopra, who wrote the foreword of both my titles. I host the Highest Self Podcast, ranked as the #1 top podcast in the spirituality category on iTunes. My real mission is to awaken people to their innate potential so they can share their gifts and fulfill their purpose on this planet.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Dedicated, joyful, connected
Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
My mother
How and when did you start into the healthy life and become an author?
Growing up, I was extremely unhealthy and addicted to junk food. I decided to begin practicing yoga at 12 and fell in love with the practice. I began reading books all about the yogic lifestyle, from authors such as Deepak Chopra, and it deeply changed the course of my life. I began traveling and volunteering in over 30 countries, learning about ancient healing cultures across the globe. When I was teaching health in the slums of India, I got very sick and it was then I discovered Ayurveda, which radically changed the course of my life. It healed my mind, body and spirit and I decided I would write a book on the subject—though I had never met an author. I spent two years living in India studying Ayurveda and eventually completed my book, then was hired by Penguin to write the official Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda, which became the #1 best-seller. Today, I have educated thousands on Ayurveda, written three books and I speak around the world. My passion is modernizing this ancient healing science so it can help people the way it has me.
Name one your strengths?
My perseverance
Best advice you have followed?
If you don’t follow your dreams, you’ll always live in regret
What is the Ayurvedic lifestyle?
Ayurveda is the world’s oldest health system, originating in ancient India over 5,000 years ago. It’s premise is mind-body balance, which is unique to your Dosha, or energy type. The three Doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha and they represent air, fire and earth. We are all a combination of all three Doshas, and they show up in unique symptoms in our minds and bodies. You can discover your Dosha on my unique quiz here.
Tell us about your best-selling book “Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda” and your newest book, “Eat Feel Fresh” ?
“Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda” essentially tells you everything there is to know about Ayurveda. If you have any interest in holistic health, nutrition self-care, meditation, yoga or spirituality, I can guarantee you will find lots of value in this book. It will take a total novice to becoming an Ayurveda expert by the end of the read.
Eat Feel Fresh is my modern approach to Ayurveda. It is unique, it is modern, it is plant-based, based on the guidelines of Ayurveda, but including ingredients from around the world. It looks at Ayurveda from today’s lens and shows readers how they can integrate this ancient wisdom into their modern lives.
Where we can buy it?
You can buy both on Amazon, Barnes + Nobles, Target, Walmart and wherever books are sold. Submit your receipt on eatfeelfresh.com/book to receive my bonus e-books.
And about your #1 iTunes ranked podcast “The Highest Self Podcast?”
You can find it on iTunes, Spotify and Soundcloud, as well as transcripts on highestselfpodcast.com
What is your favorite healthy food?
I adore the Whole Bowl from Café Gratitude, which comprises of the six tastes of Ayurveda. It comprises of sweet potato, adzuki beans, sea vegetables, steamed greens, quinoa, teriyaki almond and a delicious garlic tahini sauce. I could eat it everyday!
And your favorite cheat food?
Because my body is in balance and I eat the six tastes everyday, I don’t feel the need to have cheat foods. This is genuinely how I want to eat. However, I will add that I do eat dark chocolate sweetened with monkfruit, a non-glycemic sweetener, everyday and will not be letting that go any time soon!
Which project is still on your bucket list?
My next book on the Doshas, love, sex and relationships!
Any fitness tips you want to share with us?
Exercise right for your Dosha!
Vatas- opt for strength training and give your body a rest between reps.
Pittas- opt for swimming and yin yoga. Don’t overdo yourself.
Kaphas—opt for cardio. A Zumba class could be exactly what you need to get out of your slump!
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
I see myself having multiple books shedding consciousness on all areas of living, from wellness relationships to entrepreneurship to spirituality. I see my podcast continuing to grow and reaching millions of more people, planting the seed of their spiritual growth. I also see me being pregnant! (I’m getting married next summer!)
Who is your biggest beauty inspiration?
My grandmother. She has the most amazing skin. She is constantly making her own facemasks with every ingredient in her fridge, from strawberries to yogurt to honey. I think I got my knack for cooking, self-care and holistic health from her!
How would you explain your fashion style and what items in your closet can you not be without?
I love the bohemian, free-spirited look and am addicted to white. A flowy white dress is a must for me. Off-the-shoulder everything!
What are your makeup bag staples when traveling?
I don’t wear makeup unless I’m shooting video for a masterclass, like the Abundance Mindset Masterclass I just shot. If I’m traveling, I’ll bring an all-natural toner, serum and various doTERRA essential oils! I’m a big essential oil fan so all their incredible benefits.
Can you give us a diet or tips to follow for a healthy skin?
Eat right for your Dosha!
If you have dry skin (Vata), eat more warming, grounding foods like sweet potato, curries and golden mylk (which I have recipes for in my book Eat Feel Fresh!) Stay away from raw and cold food, like smoothies and salads.
If you have oily, acne-prone, irritated skin (Pitta), eat more cooling, hydrating foods like leafy greens and juicy fruits. Stay away from hot, spicy and acidic food, like hot sauce and coffee.
If you have congested or combination skin (Kapha), eat more stimulating foods like ginger, turmeric and cumin. I have an excellent recipe called CCF tea for this in my book, Eat Feel Fresh. Stay away from dairy and carb-rich foods.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
My grandfather, so I could learn more about my ancestry and Osho, so I could learn from his wisdom.
Something people don’t know about you?
I love to belly dance and trained in it for years!
What’s your favorite music?
Eclectic world music/ r&b.
Any future plans you want to share with us?
I’m currently planning my wedding for Hawaii next summer, which I’m very excited for! Envisioning a boho-beach-Middle Eastern vibe wedding on a private island.
Do you support any charity?
Yes, I sponsor a girl and grandmother through Cambodia Children Fund.
3 things you can’t leave home without?
Crystal, essential oil, waxelene
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Infrared hot yoga, dance hall dance class, acai bowl
What do you think of Social Media?
It’s an incredible tool to share your message and connect with people who inspire you.
Where can we follow you on social media?
@iamsahararose for daily Ayurvedic wisdom!
Song: Silent Ganges by Maneesh de Moor (which is the entry music to my podcast, Highest Self)
Travel destination: Bali (which is where I got engaged!)
Celebrity Crush: Hmm I have no idea, I don’t watch TV/ movies so I don’t really know who the actors are these days! My fiancé is my crush.
Restaurant: Café Gratitude and Beaming in LA
Actor/Actress: I love a lot of Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie choices
Quote: “You are a soul having a human experience.”
Book: Shantaram
Movie: Aladdin
Drink: Golden Mylk with ashwaghanda!
