Unmaking Support Services During COVID

Going out for necessities now requires a lot of thought and preparation – whether it be gloves, a mask and how you bring those items into your home.  So to make life a little easier how do we care care for ourselves and come out on the other side healthy and ready to reenter the new normal? Here are some of the services and sites we have discovered during COVID19. 

Food:

1. Groceries: Instacart – I had used Instacart on trips but since COVID it is a weekly order. Although it was tough at the beginning of COVID to get a delivery, it is easier now with being able to schedule the day and time you want your groceries delivered. Some shoppers are better than others but in general it works. My recommendation is to schedule your groceries at a time you are available on your phone since as your shopper picks out your products they will text you “approvals” for changes and if you are not available you might get a brand you do not care for.
2. Produce: Ayala Farms – I have ordered produce boxes in the past that were hit and miss but this one is outstanding. Their standard box is $50 and contains a vast amount of produce that took us at least 2 weeks to eat – a nice selection of cauliflower, kale, broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, herbs, strawberries, oranges, lemons, avocado, etc.
3. Miscellaneous food items: Vitacost – I have frequently recommended Vitacost for supplements but during COVID I have relied on them for many items. The list includes nuts butters (sunflower, walnut, almond, peanut), sparkling water, tea bags, lotion, toilet paper, olive oil, vinegar, wild tuna, apple cider vinegar, etc. Quality of products is excellent, and shipping is free for purchases over $50.00
4. Nuts and Nuts Butters: Avila and Sons Farms – I’ve been enjoying pecans, walnuts and almond butter from Avila Farms for a while as they sell at my neighborhood Farmer’s Market, but I’ve opted to avoid the market during COVID. Their nuts are beyond fresh and beat anything you would purchase at a grocery store.
5. Protein: Omaha Steaks – Although I was reluctant to order from them, I succumbed and placed an order for some steak filets (grass-fed) for Jeffrey and wild salmon for me. Everything arrived in nice vacuum-sealed pouches on black ice and each piece of salmon lasted me 3 meals. They have it dialed in. 

Vitamins/Supplements:

I recommend avoiding Amazon for supplements due to lack of warehouse temperature controls. The online places I recommend are Vitacost, Walgreens and one of my new favorites Bulksupplements.com. They carry a high quality powder form of quercetin which is now thought of as one of the main anti-viral supplements to fight COVID19. Consumer Labs (a non-biased lab that tests supplements for integrity) gave their quercetin the highest rating.  

Masks and Hand Sanitizers:

1. Masks – Get a Mask – Since the N-95 respirator mask are impossible to get at this time, we found this company which carries masks and filters. They are very helpful in gathering supplies in being prepared for what’s next.
2. Bella Canvas – Great little masks that are made in the US that work well with other masks to bolster a good fit. They work well for a walk in the neighborhood or a quick errand.
3. Alcohol and Hand Sanitizer – Eye Glass Supply Store – Since both these items have been non-existent in stores who knew an eyeglass place would carry it. They have a nice supply of both and ship quickly.
4. Hand Sanitizers, lotions and soap – Oregon Rain Soap – I heard about this company from a client and am beyond impressed with their products – besides the sanitizers, they have a large selection of wonderful gluten-free lotions and soap at excellent prices.

Health Apps and Podcast:

To be honest I’ve ignored most health apps till COVID but times have changed. A client told me about Down Dog,  which is as you might have guessed a yoga app.  It’s free for a week and then there is a charge BUT it’s worth the cost. You put in your preferences for music, time (5 min to 60 min), what part of the body you want to focus on, the level/intensity and time for cooldown.  There is NO wasted time and I feel like it’s helped me in so many ways with stretching, strength, etc. I highly recommend it.

Another app called The Tapping Solution is a quick easy way to help with COVID19 stress and anxiety. Tapping has been around for many years and is also known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). It simply is a way of tapping on specific meridian points on your body to help calm the nervous system – it’s beyond simple and I was impressed at how easy and helpful it can be. There are enough free ones in the app to start with and if you like it there are more that carry a charge.

Finally, a fellow colleague started an excellent podcast called Psychological Resilience in the Time of Coronavirus. Ann Marie Roepke, Ph.D. gives weekly 20-30 minute segments on navigating the challenges we face. It is very helpful in getting another perspective and easy to incorporate into a walk or other activities during the day.

During COVID we no longer have the luxury of purchasing our usual items at our typical stores or having our usual routines. Since we are all in this together, I hope sharing sites to get your essential needs met will “unmask” part of the challenges. I have to wonder when the COVID journey is over perhaps our habits will be changed forever – only time will tell!

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