Connection & Joy in the Berkshires

As a busy mom of two young children, it can be easy to get lost in the day-to-day chaos and forget about the little things that bring us joy. However, I am determined to make my wellbeing a priority and find a balance between my roles as a mom and an executive.

While some may assume that working for a wellbeing brand means I have all the answers, the truth is that I am still human and constantly learning. That's why I recently visited my colleagues at Miraval Berkshires, where I was able to refresh my mindset and jump-start some new rituals that I have been incorporating into my daily life. I am grateful for their tireless efforts to bring joy and inspiration to our guests, and I feel lucky to have been able to experience it firsthand with my family.

Thank you to all the teammates at Miraval Berkshires, especially Gilbert Santana , Bridget Desrosiers , Luke Bloom , #JeremySmith, Amy Goddard , and Thilanka Hewa kadawedduwage .?

FAMILY CONNECTION

During our visit, we had the pleasure of visiting with Gilbert Santana, the wonderful and energetic General Manager at Miraval Berkshires. He was thrilled to welcome us to the inaugural Family Connection Week, which turned out to be an incredible experience for all involved.

Gilbert told me that the week far exceeded his expectations, and he was touched to see families and friends creating lifelong memories through shared experiences. From the family activities to the educational programs, every moment was a highlight. It was heartwarming to see the nooks and crannies of Miraval Berkshires filled with smiling families engaging in conversations and playing board games, all without a cell phone in sight.

NUTRITION CONNECTION

Attending a cooking class with my daughter turned out to be an amazing experience, all thanks to Chef Jeremy Smith. He exhibited an exceptional level of expertise in engaging children of different ages. The class was both fun and educational, and I am now a firm believer that the younger generation will be better off concerning nutrition and mental health. Growing up, I knew the facts, but these topics weren't part of our daily discussions or routines. However, with the healthy way to nourish the body and the importance of mental health normalized, I am confident that my kids will have a better future than the previous generations. I am grateful to Chef Jeremy for making it enjoyable, showing us healthy alternatives to scrumptious desserts, and allowing my little one to play with chocolate to her heart's content. I sincerely appreciate the effort and commitment Chef Jeremy put into the class; it was indeed an unforgettable experience.

NATURE CONNECTION

Luke Bloom is an incredible Director of Integrated Wellness at Miraval Berkshires, and I feel extremely fortunate to have gotten to know him over the past four years. He started out as a colleague, but today I am proud to call him a friend. One of the many things that I appreciate about Luke is his passion for the natural world. He has taught me so much about the healing power of nature and how important it is to foster an appreciation for the environment in our children.

During our visit, Luke took our family on a hike through the forest. It was such a special experience to be able to introduce my work family to my home family, and I will always treasure the memories we made that day. Luke was patient and kind with my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and he even helped her collect some birch tree bark to use as a nature-made coloring book. My daughter was captivated by Luke's knowledge and enthusiasm, and I know that his lessons about nature will stay with her for a lifetime.

Luke's extensive knowledge of the outdoors is truly impressive, and he has inspired me to explore the outdoors in new ways. From new research on the root communication system between tree families and walking around my lawn barefoot to ground myself, and I have noticed a significant difference in how I feel. Even though I live in the suburbs and don't have access to the same kind of forest-bathing experiences as I would at Miraval, I still feel more grounded and connected to nature thanks to Luke's guidance.

TEAM CONNECTION

I also had the opportunity to meet with some of the most incredible teammates in marketing, PR, sales, and events. They are not only smart but also dedicated to their work and the brand's mission of helping people live a balanced life. I am grateful for their energy and passion for the work they do, which keeps the magic running behind the scenes. Their fresh brainstorming and open-minded approach toward change left me impressed and inspired.

A special shoutout goes to Sr. Marketing Manager, Amy Goddard, who went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable stay. She even invited her daughter to meet and cook with my kids, which was a beautiful connection. My daughter loved spending time with Amy's daughter, and my baby son simply adored snuggling with Amy. It was a special moment that we were fortunate to experience.

HOLISTIC CONNECTION

During my stay, I spent some quality time with Bridget Desrosiers, the Master Stylist & Trichologist, who gave me insights and solutions for thin hair and psoriasis. Bridget's knowledge of utilizing natural herbs and products to promote blood flow and nutrients for hair growth was impressive.

Bridget showed me the best products to use from my favorite hair product line, Oribe, along with a Mason Pearson brush with 100 strokes a day. It may sound daunting, but trust me, it's therapeutic and calming. Bridget taught me that hair grows from a clean and healthy scalp and that it's all about blood flow, which is true for personal growth as well. We also discussed the stressors that can come with psoriasis and how it even affects the people around you. The ritual of hanging upside down with a grapeseed oil scalp massage is part of the remedy, and it's incredibly calming for the mind and soul as well. The natural DHT regulation in grapeseed oil can help unblock the follicle from the inside, promoting blood flow and nutrients that create hair growth.

One of the most remarkable experiences with Bridget was visiting her natural apothecary filled with dried flowers and herbs. She made me a custom tea for the body with Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, which promotes hair growth when used consistently. It was a holistic remedy that left me feeling rejuvenated and energized.

I am excited to announce that I will be hosting a LinkedIn Live session with Bridget soon. Her energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge are too much to capture in one blog. I hope you are as excited as I am to learn more about her work and insights.

BAKING CONNECTION

Meeting Chef Thilanka was an absolute pleasure, and I was blown away by his incredible talent and warm approach. Our encounter began with a beautiful apple amenity, which he took the card to the next level by printing it on edible paper. Although my daughter couldn't wait to taste it and ate it before I could read the entire message, the apple dessert Chef Thilanka crafted was a work of art that was just as delicious as it looked. We were so enamored by its beauty that we let it sit out for too long, and he had to send us another one to taste. His creative expression and commitment to the ethos of our brand are unparalleled, and he never ceases to amaze us with his limitless talents. It's worth noting that he hand-sculpts all of his chocolate showpieces without using any molds.

During our meeting, I was inspired to ask Chef Thilanka for some gluten-free baking tips, as I had been recommended to try it as part of my inflammation journey. As a chef who teaches a gluten-free baking class at Berkshires, he gave me endless suggestions, from bread to cookies, cakes, pastry, and even gnocchi. Being of Italian heritage, I was grateful for his expertise. He even shared his recipe for a gluten-free sourdough starter with me, which I've been working on for the past seven days. Although it can be a bit cumbersome, Chef Thilanka encouraged me to stick with it and be patient, as the type of gluten-free flour used, the temperature in my house, and my binding agent can all affect the starter's success. He stressed that education should be shared, and I'm excited to test out some of his recipes and share them with you. Please find the buckwheat flour sourdough starter at the end of this note.

What I found most impressive about Chef Thilanka was his warm and friendly approach to cooking. He believes that dessert and bread can be part of a balanced life and made in a slightly healthier way. He has endless suggestions on how cooking can bring new life into your home and daily routine, and he encourages people to enjoy their food while balancing it with other activities like yoga or a longer walk. I feel incredibly lucky to have met him and have him as a coach to guide me on my gluten-free journey.

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GRATITUDE & CONNECTION

Lastly, I want to express my deep gratitude for the Miraval and Berkshires community and my colleagues who have created unforgettable moments for me and my family. After nearly four years with this brand, I highly recommend a visit as a mother and leader. The inspiration and balance it provides are something I'm honored to share with you, and I hope it sparks a bit of your own. Even if you can't make it out personally, Miraval offers extensive online resources that capture the magic in our robust blog and video library. You can even meet more of the incredible specialists who create the magic.

I am optimistic and enthusiastic about the new rituals I am implementing in my life. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to witness the magic of Family Connection Week at Miraval Berkshires. It has reminded me of the importance of finding balance and making time for the things that truly matter.

In this chapter of my life, I feel busy and stretched, but incredibly fulfilled and grateful. I believe that a balanced life is the goal, and the journey is what you make of it. So, I'll continue to share some simple learnings that work for me along the way. But for now, I must go feed my sourdough starter.

Until we speak again,

The Nerdy Weekender, signing off with optimism and enthusiasm.

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Chef Thilanka’s Sourdough Starter

Making a GF sourdough starter can sound intimidating, but it is really quite easy. Follow Chef T’s recipe below and start by ensuring you are adding natural wild yeast from apple skin and raw honey to achieve great results. It can take up to 12 days to get the sourdough starter going depending on the type of flour, water and climate of your home.

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Ingredients:

·????? 25g Buckwheat Flour

·????? 30g?Water

·????? 1t Grated Apple (with skin)

·????? 1t Raw Honey

Day 1-

·?????? Mix all the ingredients together and aim for a porridge consistency. Sometimes the flour absorbs water differently, so adjust it with water to reach the porridge consistency. Leave it at room temperature until the next day.

Day 2-

·?????? Feed your starter with 15g of Buckwheat Flour and 20g of water. Leave it again at room temperature until the next day.

Day3-

·?????? Repeat the same feeding process, 15g Buckwheat Flour and 20g of water.

Day 4 to 12-

·?????? You should start to see some activity (bubbling). Begin feeding it with 10g of buckwheat flour and 15g of water.?

To Maintain:

·?????? For the best results, feed it every day or minimum 3-4 times a week.

Note, you do NOT discard any of your starter.