A Day In The Life Of: Ali Bonar

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Ali Bonar — founder and Chief Vibes Officer of Oat Haus, the company behind Granola Butter® — the world’s first oat-based spread. After recovering from a decade-long struggle with food and body image, Ali created Oat Haus to bring joy back to eating and reimagine allergen-free snacking. Today, Oat Haus is sold nationally at retailers like Whole Foods, Target, and Costco, and has developed a devoted online following.

Our conversation explores Ali’s approach to wellness, which blends intentional habits, self-compassion, and the flexibility to adapt. From her morning red light therapy to prioritizing protein at breakfast, Ali’s routines are less about perfection and more about creating sustainable, feel-good practices that support both her body and mind.

Morning: Starting with Intention

Ali’s day usually begins at 6 a.m., often awakened by her dog. Her mornings are intentional but approachable:

• Red light therapy (10 minutes): Ali uses this for her Hashimoto’s antibodies and enjoys sipping water while she does it. She admits she’s not always great about drinking enough water throughout the day.
• Coffee: A double espresso with a dash of heavy whipping cream is her go-to pick-me-up.

Morning movement is important to Ali, though she adapts to her schedule. On office days (3 days per week), movement might happen at lunch. On her work-from-home days, she loves a Pilates class or a long walk with her dogs. Movement is not only about physical health — Ali notes it’s a key support for her mental health and consistency, especially after recovering from a period of injury or downtime.

Breakfast: Protein is non-negotiable. After years of “fruit-first” mornings per restrictive diets, which wreaked havoc on her blood sugar, Ali now opts for eggs on toast with cheese, finding that protein gives her steady energy and satisfaction.

Dietary Approach & Recovery

Ali follows a gluten-free diet due to Hashimoto’s but stresses that wellness is personal — what works for one person may not work for another. She’s also dairy-tolerant. Ali openly shares her past struggles with restrictive eating and emphasizes that feeling normal around food is possible. Today, food no longer consumes her thoughts, and she approaches it with curiosity, joy, and moderation.

Midday: Work, Focus, and Fuel

At the Oat Haus office, Ali’s days are always packed. She makes a point to fuel her body so she can stay focused:

• Lunch: Often a simple sandwich at her desk; she admits to eating while working but tries to get up for a walk in the office park when she can. Noise-cancelling headphones and a phone-free approach help her focus.

Ali has also been setting boundaries to protect her mental energy. She credits The Brik for helping limit after-work social media scrolling, giving her more time to read fiction and relax instead of maxing out her productivity every day.

Evening: Wind Down and Other Self-Care

Ali’s evenings are intentional but low-pressure:

• Bedtime: Usually 10–10:30 p.m.
• Monthly bodywork: Massages for physical relief and mental clarity from hunching over a desk
• Quarterly Botox: Aesthetic choice she started at 25, but now approaches mindfully
• Travel & social time: Prioritizes trips with girlfriends and embraces flexibility — she doesn’t stress when wellness routines take a backseat

Creativity, play, and downtime are important for balance. Ali experiments with practices like hypnosis and has fun with small rituals like nail care.

What She’s Tried (and Not Loved)

• Tried many supplements but found them overwhelming; loves omega-3s and vitamin D, and recommends working with a professional rather than following trends online.
• Wellness predictions: Ali believes we’ve reached peak wellness/biohacking, and she sees people craving simplicity, being outdoors, and more play rather than complex routines or tons of supplements.

Her Best Advice

• Simplify & personalize: What works for one person may not work for another.
• Set boundaries: Protect your mental space and energy.
• Listen to your body: Recovery, movement, and nutrition are personal and adaptable.

Extended Episode in the Looli App

If you have the Looli app, the conversation continues with Ali, diving deeper into:

• How to prioritize life when balancing business, personal brand, and personal wellness
• Maintaining self-belief
• Tips for anxiety, depression, and body image recovery
• Hashimoto’s management and alternative treatments like acupuncture or dietary changes
• Journaling tips, prompts for beginners, morning, sleep, self-love, and body image
• Navigating food manufacturing and safety standards at Oat Haus
• Why the company removed seed oils from their products

Ali’s story is a reminder that wellness is less about perfection and more about flexibility, joy, and self-trust. Her approach blends intentional habits, playful routines, and thoughtful boundaries — all while running a successful business and prioritizing what truly matters.