It's always great to enjoy something that has added benefits to help others! With Earth Day being this month and an ongoing focus on sustainability, we connected with Danielle Lombard who we were first introduced to on the 21st season of The Bachelor and again when she was on season 4 and 5 of Bachelor in Paradise. In addition to being on the show, Danielle is focused on sustainability and doing what is necessary to benefit the Earth in a number of ways. We talk about how we can be sustainable in a number of ways as well as her partnership with Astral Tequila through their This Round's For The House which supports the Adobe Brick Project. She shares how we can participate and how it benefits Jalisco, Mexico.

ATHLEISURE MAG: You’re very passionate about sustainability. How have you incorporated that into your life and why is that so important to you?

DANIELLE LOMBARD: I’m really passionate about sustainability just because, I have a very deep appreciation for nature and I think that over the last few years, I have become really aware of the negative impact that we have on it. Especially during the lockdown and COVID, I bought a National Park pass and I was driving around to all of the National Parks. I just realized that this is something that I love so much and that I don’t want to lose it. So what are the things that I could do at home to help diminish my footprint. I think that I do that because I compost all my food waste now, I shop consignment and vintage as much as possible, I upcycle when I can and I just try to join a lot of neighborhood recycling programs – recycling my empty beauty products and supporting sustainable brands such as Astral.

AM: We love that. For someone who has not started their journey and maybe overwhelmed as there are so many things to do and ways to go about it, they may be looking for easy or simple ways that they can get to the starting line. What would you suggest to them?

DL: I mean I always tell my friends just "re" as much as you can in recycle as possible – as much as you can! I mean, I bring my reusable bags to the grocery store as opposed to getting a plastic bag. I can just use my reusable shopping totes. I always carry around my refillable water bottle instead of buying a plastic water bottle. And if you’re out and about, you can always ask for your bartender to make you a cocktail with Astral so that you’re supporting a good cause.

AM: Tell us about the Adobe Brick Project. I think that it’s really interesting and that they are building homes in Jalisco, Mexico. In addition to tell us about this, why did you want to partner on this with them?

DL: As you know, I love sustainability and I try to implement those practices as much as possible. Astral asked me to be part of their Earth Day initiative which is promoting the This Round's For The House, which is all the bottles that are being purchased are going towards the Adobe Brick Project. With that, they are using all of the upcycled adobe bricks to create homes is Jalisco, Mexico which is where their tequila is produced. So, I like that they are giving back to their community. This Earth Day, Astral is going to announce that they have 10 homes being built right now.

AM: That’s amazing and it’s really cool to see that by enjoying your favorite tequila shot or cocktail you can assist in this initiative. I’m assuming that you have a favorite recipe as well!

DL: I do! I did a trip with them in Joshua Tree which was wonderful! We had a mixologist help us create cocktails based on our signs. So, I’m a Capricorn and I’ve been addicted to this cocktail ever since. It’s called the Saturn Moon. It’s with Astral Tequila Blanco, fresh lime juice, agave, ginger beer which is one of my favorite mixers and then we also muddled a handful of fresh blueberries!

AM: That sounds really refreshing!

DL: It’s amazing and one of the favorite drinks that we had!

AM: I’m a Virgo and even I would want to drink that one!

DL: Ok, I’m a Virgo Moon! The blueberries were really a nice touch.

AM: We enjoyed seeing you on The Bachelor and The Bachelor in Paradise. What was your biggest takeaway from your time on the show?

DL: Oh wow, I think that for me, going into it, I had recently gotten out of a very unhealthy relationship where I was very codependent on this person and spent several years building up their career and life. When I left, it was just this process of rediscovering myself. I validated the fact that I was glad to leave the relationship and that it was a good decision. I left with a new sense of independence and who I was as a person and what my values were. I also left with some of the most amazing friends that I now talk to every single day!

AM: That’s amazing. We always love when we interview people whether they were competing or they were The Bachelor/Bachelorette, we just had Michelle Young a few months ago and we always like talking about the group chats and who’s in it. Who are the people you talk to?

DL: Oh yeah! It’s pretty wild because after you get off this show, it’s such a unique experience. It’s really nice to have those group chats to share what you’re going through right now, because no one else really knows. Even in past seasons, everything from each house there is always some tea that happens, but I talk to Raven, Alexis and Jasmine. Those are my core girls that I’m still friends with every day. I just had a canceled flight in Dallas and I went over to Alexis’ house and spent the night.

We're always on a mission to find our next favorite cocktail and Danielle's Saturn Moon, sounded refreshing. We're going to share with you the recipe for Saturn Moon and whatever your horiscope is, Astral has a series of Astralogical recipes for you that's in line with your sign or your tastebuds.

SATURN MOON

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

1.5oz Astral Tequila Blanco

.5oz Fresh Lime Juice

.5oz Agave Nectar

A Handful of Blueberries

Ginger Beer

HOW TO MAKE IT

Combine first three ingredients into a cocktail shaker and muddle lightly. Add ice, shake and strain into an ice filled glass and top with Ginger Beer.

IG @daniellellombard

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Andrew Ho