Wellness Activities At Home

This is an unprecedented time for all of us and it has certainly been a challenging one. Below are some ideas of things you can do at home centered around health & wellness. Let’s consider this a running list! Please DM or email me if you have something to add, let’s share ideas and get through this together!

Peloton: You don’t need to buy the bike, try the app through the 90 day free trial and you will have access to a variety of classes including yoga, strength & stretching.

Dance Classes: This recommendation came in from Savannah, GA and we need to try! Steezy Studio, they are currently offering a one week trial period for free and have monthly plans. This looks like a lot of fun and they offer classes for all levels!

Yoga: Many local studios have organized virtual classes, some are free and some are paid and as much as we can keep supporting businesses in each of our communities all the better! Supta on Nantucket is offering many classes throughout the week. Some other studies we follow: The Salty Buddha in Salem, MA; Yoga For Bad People.

Pilates: Again, you can support your local studios, but some studios we follow offering virtual classes: Studio47Pilates.

Btone: When I lived in Boston this class used to kick my as* and was really effective in toning my body. Btone now has 10 studios and they are offering modified at home classes. When we are allowed out of the house be sure to try one of their locations to try the reformer!

Meditation: I toured Inscape in NYC a few years back, a really cool space and they also offer an app. Other apps available: Headspace, 10% Happier plus many more you will find in the app store.

Holly Ruth Finigan: You might know Holly from the Nantucket blACKbook, she has been an amazing connector and supporter on island for quite some time now. She has been on an amazing spiritual journey and is now offering a variety of workshops including the next one on April 18th called “Wake Believe.” Check out her site and keep an eye on upcoming events!

Tara Krueger Healing: Tara came highly recommended by one of our followers and she is offering zoom intuitive Meditation & Reiki classes. Be sure to visit her website to as Tara also offers private healing sessions that can be done remotely.

Soul Cycle: I love Soul Cycle and it is something I really miss. They are now offering off bike classes so be sure to check out their schedule!

Personal Trainers: Have a trainer you love? Ask them to do a zoom session with you! One trainer on island that many of my girlfriends rave about is Amy Sanford. You can follower her on instagram, her handle is @elevateamy.

Cooking: A few cookbooks we love for healthy eating: Eat Clean, Play Dirty by Sakara; Food Food Food by The Ranch Malibu (I just completed a retreat at the Ranch in March, I wish I could go back!); Radiant by chef and nutritionist Mafalda Pinto Leite.

Have more recommendations to share? DM us on instagram or email Erin@ASaltySoul.com so we can continue to add to this list!

Thank you!

A Health Retreat - The Ranch Malibu

Wow is this such a crazy time for all of us!  Most important, I hope you, your families & loved ones are safe & healthy. It is so important more than ever that we try to stay positive, support one another and get really creative on how to stay entertained at home!  And let’s please share those ideas! 

Lunch in the Garden

For most of us, our lives have kind of shutdown and it is taking some getting used to. With this extra time, I am trying to think of things I have wanted to do and never find the time for. I realized it has been 11 months since the last time I published a blog post.  As we all daydream about traveling again, I want to tell you about a recent trip I took that I felt was incredibly beneficial to my health, both mentally and physically.

I work full-time in Real Estate and own & run A Salty Soul, so like most of us, I never stop. And often I put my health on the back burner. I was feeling run down and exhausted and I knew I had to do something about it.   I had been following The Ranch Malibu on Instagram for a few years and one dreary, winter morning I reached out to see what availability they had and booked myself on their week long retreat.

I hold a special place in my heart for California and whenever I go, I feel at home. I enjoyed a week soaking in the west coast before checking in for my 7-day stay at the Ranch.  They picked a group of us up in Santa Monica one Sunday mid-day and I was nervous to see what the rest of the group would be like, would they be friendly?  After loading up, we drove through Malibu and up a mountain road to get to our destination.   More people joined later in the day and ultimately, we had such an amazing and interestingly diverse group of fifteen people.  People came from all over: The Philippines, Indonesia, The Cayman Islands, California, Chicago, Vail, Texas, NYC, Canada and of course Nantucket.  

The Ranch is meant to be a detox and a reboot - there is no caffeine, alcohol, sugar and you eat a plant-based diet.  Water and tea are served at all meals.  I was most nervous about caffeine withdrawal, so I switched to decaf about 3-4 weeks prior to arrival and surprisingly I was okay without it.  I will admit, I went right back to coffee upon return, it’s my morning ritual that I love!

The schedule each day basically went like this: 

• 5:30am: wake up to Tibetan chimes 

• 6am: stretch class

• 6:45/7am: foot wrapping, gear prepping & breakfast 

• 7:30am: depart for hike in the vans 

• 8am: start 4 hour hike 

• 1pm: lunch (beach or at the Ranch) 

• One massage per day in the afternoon 

• 3pm – 5pm: two workout classes 

• 5pm: Yoga 

• 7pm: Dinner 

For that week, we were a community. We ate our meals in a beautiful dining room, we set out on challenging hikes together and we laughed (and bitched!) a lot.  I loved hearing everyone’s stories and what an accomplished and welcoming group.  

Each day we hiked for four hours and it was challenging, especially for those of us that live in very flat places!  But it felt so good to be outside in the fresh air, in nature and taking in all of the beauty and reflecting on a lot. This trip made me realize how much I love hiking.  The guides are amazing and have the system down so everything is seamless.  We had walky talky’s should anyone get lost (did not happen!) and they make it really comfortable whatever level you are, no one really knows where they stand in the pack which is how it should be. 

The staff was really great, accommodating and very knowledgeable. The owners are a dynamic, entrepreneurial couple (Sue & Alex) who live nearby on the property. They each came to hike with us one day during the week and were really passionate about what they do and were so easy-going and fun to be with.

The food was incredible and the progression through the week was fascinating.  At the very first meal I think all 15 of us were not certain it was enough food to get us by, everything totaled up to 1400 calories per day. But as the week went on, and we were incredibly active, the food was plenty and packed with so many nutrients. It does make you realize our portion sizes are likely more than what our bodies need. It sure helps having a talented chef on hand, so while I don’t think I can fully maintain this at home I want to try to mix in more plant-based meals and implement some of things I learned. The Ranch just launched a new cook book which I highly recommend, you can check it out HERE.

The Ranch also offers a 4-day program which I am sure is great but if you can do the 7-days, I would recommend it.  A week really helps you get into and change your body and outlook.   If you decide to go, a few tips I have:

·     Packing: I was so stressed on what I would need. Have layers as temps range morning to evening but for the hikes and working out, you can bring a few outfits/pieces you can intermix.  The amazing staff does your laundry EVERY day, Monday through Friday.  The next day your clean clothes are folded and appear on your bed. 

·     Shoes: I wore trail running shoes which worked great for me vs hiking boots.  Just be sure to break them in VERY well before you go. 

·     Bring flip flops or comfy shoes to get into after the hike!  It is like getting out of ski boots after a day on the mountain, dreamy!  

The gardens and farm on the property.

I left this trip feeling incredibly re-energized and excited.  When I got home, it started to feel like things were really starting to fall apart in the world.  As we are all at home these days, I am reflecting on the amazing experience I had and the wonderful group of people I got to spend the week with.   I was lucky to go on this adventure and I hope to go again one day.  I think the biggest take away which is really applicable right now is that our health is so important.  Eating quite as healthy has not been as easy these days, I will admit, but I am trying to get outside while we still can!  Bottom line, take care of yourself especially right now!

Salty Soul Spotlight - Erin Kopecki

I could not be more proud of the work Erin Kopecki is doing in our community. She has the entrepreneurial spirt, amazing & kind demeanor, and I simply love that she is helping a really important group here on island. I have an Uncle who has permanent brain damage and through this have come to understand and respect the challenges of home-care and caring for a loved one from afar.

Erin is the type of person you just want to be around as she radiates positive energy. I am excited to share the work that Erin and her company are doing in our community because I hope more families learn about TUCKed In Eldercare, geriatric care management services. It is incredibly important for all of us out here on Nantucket and even more so if you have an older relative living here seasonally or year-round. Cheers to you Erin and the great work you are doing! Please read below to learn more about this amazing Salty Soul!

XO,

-The other Erin

Q: How long have you being living on Nantucket full-time and what brought you to the island?  

A: I moved to Nantucket in October of 2015- crazy to think this fall will mark 4 years living the island life!  I wasn’t one who summered on Nantucket before taking the leap to be a year-rounder.  I moved here not knowing anyone or anything about this beautiful little island, in the middle of fall leading into those “dreadful” winter months (which I happen to now look forward to).  Thanks to an career opportunity at Our Island Home, I became a wash-ashore. 

Q: When did you start TUCKed In Eldercare and what should people know about the service you offer?  

A: After working at Our Island Home for two and a half years, I venture onward to start Nantucket’s very own Aging Life Care Management business- TUCKed In Eldercare.  We recently celebrated our one year anniversary.  TUCKed In Eldercare is here to provide ongoing advocacy, support, management, and so much more to our clients and their families.  It’s important that I offer families the opportunity to maintain that child-parent relationship, as so often the roles reverse when our loved ones grow older.  
In a way you can think of us as a surrogate family member, an aging expert and consultant, or a “wedding planner” for growing older and aging in place.  Let us help you, by taking on the stress, so you can continue making memories and enjoying life with your loved ones as they journey through the aging process. 

Q: How did you originally get into this area of focus?  It is admirable and we love the work that you are doing! 

A:  A big shoot out goes to my Grandmother- she is the reason to my career path and achievements.  I embraced the moments we spent together and looked up to her as a young girl.  Unfortunately, she passed when I was twelve, soon leading me to volunteer at nursing homes.  I discovered a new passion- eager to make a difference in the lives of seniors.  I studied gerontology and management as an undergraduate and graduate student- a licensed nursing home administrator, certified care manager, and a family volunteer with the Alzheimer’s association, I am here to make a difference in the lives of our Nantucket seniors.      

Q: Are you able to also help families with loved ones that are not perhaps elderly but might have brain injury, other disabilities, etc.?  

A: I am here to make an impact, hoping to help as many individuals within our community.  I am always willing to learn about the client and family’s needs and goals; however, if I don’t feel qualified or have the necessary education and background to best assist the family I would be sure to point them in the direction of someone who would be better suited. 

Q: What is the best way for someone who is interested in your service to contact you?

A:  I am reachable by phone, text and email: 508.577.5057 or erin@tuckedineldercare.com  
You can also learn more about my services at: www.tuckedineldercare.com and follow us on Instagram tuckedin.eldercare.

Q: On a personal note, we hear you are engaged!  Who is the lucky guy?!?!  And how did he propose?

A:  I am- it’s been a very exciting 4 months, involving lots of celebrating.  The lucky man is Danno Lynch (I too am a lucky lady!).  Danno is an agent at Fisher Real Estate as well as a fishing charter captain and a volunteer coach for youth hockey and lacrosse.  Apparently Grandmothers play a big role in our lives- his Nana was the reason we met.  Lucky for us, Danno’s Nana lived where I worked- we will always be grateful for Our Island Home and our Grandmothers for bringing us together.