This is the journal no one asked for, but the one I would personally love. I am a sucker for recommendations especially when it means supporting people in our community. We’ve had so many new faces, both to the studio but also to Winona, that I thought it would be fun to compile a list of my personal favorites from where I get my oil changed to where I get a facial. I really really really like knowing where my money is going. As a fellow small business owner, I can attest that spending your money locally matters more than you know. It’s November, which means we’re thinking about shopping. Every single one of these recs support people in and around Winona.
beauty + wellness
muddy// Okay, first things first, I would always go to Muddy Waters. I wholeheartedly believe yoga is the best thing we can do for optimal living — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Our teachers care so much and put a crazy amount of heart and time into their instruction. We have classes where you will sweat your butt off and classes where you can walk into a candlelit room and take the deepest breath you’ve taken in what feels like ages ages. Do a 30 for 30 and try them all out. Find out what you like. Haven’t been back in a while? Trust me, I get it. You’re always always welcome (mean it!).
spa// River Valley Wellness. Sauna + salt = a recipe for joy. I have a special connection to this place, but if you haven’t gone back and forth from the sauna to the cold plunge are you even living? Here’s the ultimate ritual: Book a traditional sauna, get good and hot, do 1-2 minutes in the cold plunge (first time majorly sucks, but 2nd and 3rd time are better), then book yourself a salt session while you read a good book or take a nap.
massage// I’ve been going to Sunshine at Starseeds Rising for years and years and years. She has a gift that I can’t ever put words to and not sure I ever want to. All I know is I go to her and leave feeling so much lighter. If I need a deep tissue massage, I’ll call Julie at Tranquil Massage. Did you know Muddy instructors, Abby and Erin, are also both massage therapists? Abby just opened her practice - book here! And, Erin will be moving her practice from Rochester to Winona at the start of the new year - book here!! CAN’T WAIT TO GO TO BOTH OF THEM.
acupuncture// I have a package at Winona Community Acupuncture, and admittedly need to get in there because I just love and believe in acupuncture so much. Lauren is great and acu-naps are the best.
facial// I had the best facial, maybe ever, at Luxe with Zoei It was 90 minutes of pure bliss. Booked the next one immediately.
hair// Cassie at Luxe has done my hair since I was in college. I remember when she came to my house during Covid for an appointment and told me she was opening her own salon. Now look at it! It really is as the name says: Luxe, and w ho doesn’t need a bit of that in their lives. For my girls, we walk next door to my neighbor, Jess. I will go to her for color and a cut too. Some people I know and love also go to Bianca at Nostallja… and they have amazing hair.
therapy// I remember when I first went to therapy and was so terrified that someone was going to see me. Thank God the stigma has dissolved around the fact that we’re all just trying to figure out this human thing the best we can. We have some amazing therapists in this town. If I were you, I would look into Gray Matters Therapy. Amy D is a gift to literally everyone. Jamie at August Integrative Therapy has been a literal angel for me over the years. At Nurturing Connections, Jorden is not only a Muddy instructor but an absolute ray of light. Ask for Sarah at Counseling Associates because just being in her presence is enough to calm me the f down. Aly is a dear friend, brain nerd, and one of the realest people I know. Her practice is Sana Vita, and I would trust her with my life.
gym// I’ve been working out with Matt at Northern Pine Fitness at least once a week for a couple of years now. I think you can build a lot of strength at Muddy, but for actual strength training, he’s your guy. My goal is to be able to do one unassisted pull-up. He interviewed me for his podcast earlier in the year, take a listen.
chiro + osteo// I personally don’t go to the chiropractor, but these are people I know and would want to support: Katherine at Great River Chiropractic, Kristin at Infinity, Joe at Coron Chiropractic, or Sam and Kyle at Foundations. Sasha at Stonehouse Osteopathy is in the same building as Muddy and people rave about her. I need to set up an appointment with her for myofascial and lymphatic work!
food + drink
coffee// I get coffee at Blooming Grounds every Thursday morning. Here’s what we all order: I get a medium roast with cream (boring I know), Andrea and Steph get the bees knees extra hot, Aly gets a miel, and Loren gets a dark roast. We’re creatures of habit.
matcha + gf bread// Blue Heron makes the best matcha and their lattes always come with beautiful art that makes me want to take a picture of it every time. They also have the very best gluten free bread in town. I toast it with a lot of butter. If you call ahead of time, they’ll have a loaf for you.
farmers market// Every Saturday on the levee during the warmer months. Sourdough (duh!) from Castlerock or The Hurry Back (Kris’ cinnamon sourdough is amazing).
fries// I love french fries, like a lot, and the elote fries from Heirloom Bistro are so dang good.
noodles + curry// Norvary’s vermicelli salad and their curry is so freaking good. If I’m feeling sick or it’s deep winter, I get the pho and put a ton of hot sauce in it.
pizza// Muddled Thyme has always been such a cool vibe. I love their mushroom pizza on a GF crust. They were also one of the first places to have multiple NA options on their menu, which I really appreciate. Suncrest Gardens is the best place to be on a weekend in the summer. East or West… Rocco’s is best, and it’s owned by the greatest family. Sammy’s is also great, and they have a GF crust, but we usually ask for 1/2 the sauce.
odds + ends
Okay, this next list are things that make me feel like a grown up and weirdly accomplished once I cross them off my list.
photographer// Hands down, Chelsea from Sage River Studios is the best in the biz. I use her for our family pics, and she’s captured our family at sunrise by the river and sunset by the ocean. I hire her for all my business needs including: headshots, branding, drone footage, capturing the essence of retreat, and more! Shawn also uses her for his real estate business.
pet food (dog, cat, goat, chicken, any animal!)// Please please go to Winona Feed Seed & More. I go in there and feel like I’m really taking care of my animals. They carry Taste of the Wild, which is what we use for Nelly and Nona. Anything you need for chickens and goats, they have it. In the spring, get your baby chicks here too!
donations// Nothing feels better than dropping off donations. If you have clothes, please donate them to Winona Volunteer Services’ Clothes Shop. The money raised stays in our community and supports so many important programs.
oil change// I have become an Ace Auto loyalist now. Sometimes I’ll still go to Dahl because they have a good coffee machine and popcorn, but I really trust the guys at Ace.
teacher gifts// Green Thumb Artistry has a rack of small plants that are the best way to say, “Hi, thank you for all the things you do.”
florist// Flowers on Broadway. I just tell Sherry my budget and let her go to work. Never disappointed.
shipping// Can we all just take a moment for Pac n Mail? Literally the best customer service ever. I actually look forward to going there. I drop my packages, tell them to charge my account, and have an invoice in my email later that day.
alterations// SSI Gift and Alterations is kind of tucked away over on the East end, but I’ve taken everything here from my wedding dress to a coat that my dog chewed the sleeve off and had her turn it into a vest.
real estate// I’m biased (like really biased, so take it or leave it), but Shawny B really cares, is honest, takes such good care of his clients, and is just a good person. He will make selling or buying a breeze.
one last thing
If you made it this far, you now know way too much about my errands. But here’s why I wrote it all down: every name on this list is a person. Someone who remembers your order, asks about your kids, and is quietly holding their breath at the end of every month like the rest of us small business owners. When you spend your money with them, it stays here. It becomes a kid’s dance lessons, a new hire, a storefront with the lights on.
So this season, before you add to cart, see if someone down the street has it first.
And since Muddy Waters is one of those small businesses: our Small Business Saturday sale runs November 28–30. Here’s what we’ve got.
memberships// Sign up for any membership (THE UNLIMITED, THE EIGHT, or THE FIVE) and pay nothing until January 1st. That’s $60 to $108 in savings, depending on which one you pick. Memberships are auto-pay with a 3-month minimum.
mega! packs// Are you more of a package person? If you buy 10 packs, this is the sale for you. 25 classes for $300 ($75 off), 50 classes for $550 ($100 off) or 100 classes for $1,000 ($300 off). Limit two per person, good for a full year.
special drops throughout the weekend!// Keep an eye on your socials and inbox.
Now tell me your favorites. What did I miss?
