While "cozy" (I say jokingly) is my middle name, "wellness" might as well be my last name. I get juice from curating spaces that create a calm, nurturing environment that leaves our guests feeling restored. Since opening up our Puyallup Riverfront Cottage, I have discovered Puyallup has this secret undercurrent of "wellness" culture: Juice bars, fitness centers, local owner operated restaurants serving farm-to-table fare. Whether you stay in or venture out, below I share what-would-I-do-weekend activities if I was doing a weekend of self-care and wellness. Pick and pull what feels right for what you need in the moment - always listening to your body.
Day 1 - Check in, Get Oriented:
- Get grounded and oriented to the cottage
- Turn on your favorite chill playlist (I like Cozy Coffeehouse Covers Playlist on Spotify) on the soundbar (directions in binder).
- Take a hot tub, wear the comfy robe when you get out feeling completely relaxed.
- Shower under the rain shower and use eucalyptus shower spray aromatherapy (included).
- Stretch gently to your favorite Zen music.
- Nourish your body with a healthy meal: salad, grain or salmon bowl. Farm 12 (scratch kitchen) has an amazing Harvest Salad and incredible Salmon bowl. You would have to order and pickup before you get into cozy mode. Or, you can order a salad that is made from Farm 12 via https://order.toasttab.com/online/valleyboss.
- Turn off your phone, put it in another room and sink into the cuddle corner on the sofa with the fire roaring and escape into your favorite book and drink hot tea with lemon.
- Turn on your favorite nature or white noise sounds with our sound machine to have your best and deep sleep.
Day 2 - All About the Body and Soul:
- Wake up without an alarm and listen to your body and decide whether you need a slow morning or if you're ready to move the body.
- Make your favorite morning drink: tea or espresso/coffee. Watch the river stream by and the birds circle do life.
- Do a 10-15 meditation/intentions/stretching with healing sounds music: Evolutioner.com is a favorite of mine.
- Make a body quenching smoothie (or your favorite breakfast) in house or pop into Juiced, a 3 minute drive or 10 minute walk, to get a smoothie and avocado toast. Or, if you are feeling like a coffee house experience, grab your book and head to Fika (Farm 12's) bakery and cafe.
- If you're ready to move, take a walk around the trails at Fika (right outside in parking lot). Or, if you're more ambitious, do a drop-in class at Prana, 3 minutes from the cottage.
- Get a blissful and relaxing mobile massage at the cottage: https://www.rainiermobilewellness.com/contact or go into a local massage and facial day spa: https://meridianavemassage.com/ or https://www.unlockingthebody.com/
- Get a restorative and nourishing IV drip at PNW Hydration
- Depending on the time, check out The Savory and Sweet Cafe (open 11-3 p.m. Wed - Saturday). Say hello to Karen the owner. She operates a scratch kitchen cafe. They have yummy healthy soups, salads, crepes and desserts (maybe not so healthy! lol)!
- During summer, take in the Farmer's Market 9-2 p.m. at Pioneer Park 10 minutes from the Cottage - so fun, lots of local artisan arts, crafts, food and music and you can watch all the dogs and people!
- If you're feeling like staying in, the leather chair or the cuddle corner on the sofa is the perfect place to be cozy and just chill, watch a movie or binge watch your favorite series or continue your book. (Highly recommend digital detox.)
- End your day dining in or out: see our favorite restaurants list here.
- Completely unwind with another hot tub and aromatherapy.
Day 3 - Experience Awe or Awwwww:
- You can rinse and repeat or mix and match yesterday's ideas and/or adventure out:
- Northwest Trek: reservation required. You can do a drive tour and see free roaming bison, antelope, deer, caribou, goat, moose, big horned sheep and much much more. Then walk through the non free roaming areas and see bears, canines, cats and birds (The owls are so beautiful!)
- Love cats? Get your Purr Fix at Catffeinated to have coffee and snuggle with cats. Reservation required. If reserved in advance, you can do Yoga with cats, Paint around them or just hang out.
- Take a trek with Llamas in an immersive Llama experience at TopStall Farms. I did this at Vashon Island when they had a farm and it was a very cool experience.
- Take a stroll down the Puyallup Riverwalk Trail: See trail guide here. Not recommended for solo travelers.
- Stretch your legs even further and enjoy the awe of Mount Rainier National Park: Tour ideas: https://www.shakaguide.com/article/mount-rainier/seattle-to-mount-rainier
- Just 10 minutes away, tool around Sumner historic downtown which is full of quaint shops. Be sure to get there early enough to give yourself a few hours to shop. The town (besides restaurants) closes at 5 p.m. Directory of Sumner shops here.
- End your day dining in or out: see our favorite restaurants list here.
- Completely unwind with another hot tub, aromatherapy and a gentle stretch routine.
- Turn off your phone, put it in another room and sink into the cuddle corner on the sofa with the fire roaring and escape into your favorite book and drink.
Whether you need to go inward to restore your energy and reset, or you need to reconnect in a community setting, I hope this list of wellness ideas gives you a backdrop to create your perfect restorative wellness weekend! If you have any questions, feel free to write me at happyhammerhomes@gmail.com.
Namaste,
Lisa