Nice to meet you Nicole! Want to start things off by telling us about yourself?

I'm a founder of Bonberi, a digital destination for all things well-being, and Bonberi Mart, a plant-based grab-and-go store in New York City. I'm also the author of Body Harmony, which is an intuitive guide to plant-based eating.


I'm originally from New Jersey, so I grew up going to New York City delis and corner stores. I just always loved how convenient they were. When I started to shift my lifestyle to more alternative, natural living, I wished for a place that married convenience with all things non-toxic and good for you. That's sort of how my idea for Bonberi Mart came about.

Whoa, that's pretty amazing! You've obviously mastered the art of eating well. What else do you do to stay physically healthy?

I started practicing yoga when I was in college and it's been a grounding exercise that I consistently come back to. I like all different kinds of workouts but yoga has meant much more to me, physically and spiritually. It's gotten me through so many challenges in life. I try to move my body and sweat every day, but it's not always through yoga. That's another great thing about it though, no matter how much time passes, your mat is always waiting for you.

Very true, part of why we love yoga too. Can you walk us through a typical day for you?

Being a mom of two, there are routines that are really important. The first thing I do when I wake up is conscious breath work for one minute. It just sets the tone for the rest of the day. Then I'll make breakfast for the kids and get them ready for our walk to school. I stop by Bonberi Mart for a nut milk latte before my workout. I'm definitely a caffeine-before-workout type of person. As for work, any day might mean content creating or recipe testing or being at the store if we're having an event. I feel like I'm constantly just moving around.

What about at the end of the day? Is there anything you do to decompress?

I do have a pretty disciplined meditation practice and it shifts, but right now it’s kundalini yoga actually. I like to do that and the infrared sauna. I feel it's a great release.

Do you have personal favorites from the BY collection?

Totally! I’m obsessed with the gray argyle set (The Softmark Refocus Cropped Tank and Legging). I also love a onesie. In summer I always wear the short onesie and the longer onesie in fall, especially in fun prints. It just takes the guesswork out of getting dressed and makes life so easy.

Are there any other things that you find comfortable and comforting?

I try to talk about comfort food and redefining what that means. It doesn’t have to be something that is overindulgent and you feel guilty about eating. It’s something that just feels like home and grounds you. So comfort food for me is both the green juice I’ve had every morning for years, as well as a hot soup that my mom used to make. She’s Korean and would always have stews on the stove and that smell is super comforting to me.

Speaking of food, we’re excited about our special Beyond Yoga x Bonberi Mart salad.

Yes, I am too! Since we’re transitioning into fall, I wanted to come up with something that was light, bright and crisp but also grounding. Honeycrisp apple was the hero ingredient and then I added kale and white cabbage alongside quinoa, roasted potato, and crunchy veggies. I always encourage eating with the seasons. Fruits and vegetables always have the most vitality when they’re at their peak, even better if they’re local too.

We can’t wait! Before we part, do you want to leave the BY community with any words of wisdom?

A lot of us are searching for that magic answer in terms of wellness, but what that answer is going to mean for me is going to be different for you. The only way to discover what true wellness means for us is to get quiet and intuitive, listen to what your body is asking you for. I would say the first step is listening to your cravings, which aren’t a bad thing. Even if it’s junk food that you want, you can affirm that inner voice by allowing it instead of denying it. Eventually you’ll start to recalibrate and crave things that are actually nourishing but still feel indulgent. What I want in July is different from what I want in January. In my thirties it was different from now in my forties as a mom. Cravings shift over time. Just listen to and trust yourself!

Thanks so much Nicole! One last thing, where can people find you IRL or online?

If you’re in New York City, you can visit Bonberi Mart and try my recipes in a bowl, ready to go. Online you can find me on my personal Instagram, my store Instagram, TikTok and my website.