If you’re buying anything, what is it?
Alex: Constantly stocking and restocking my pantry. My essentials are hemp, chia, bee pollen, sun warrior vegan protein powder, frozen pineapple, pumpkin seeds, almond butter, bananas.
Melisa: Mostly food. And breathable, comfortable clothing items like biker shorts from Gil Rodriguez.
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What’s one new thing you started doing big or small since this all happened? (Like a new skill/a hobby or even habit).
Alex: I stopped doing a lot of things, but haven't started anything new other than drinking a lot more wine than I used to.
Melisa: Writing every morning and reading a few pages of my book every morning.
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Tell me about your evening routine! And your morning one too!
Alex: I try to run most mornings before work. Ideally getting four or five miles in. At night, Melisa cooks, I clean.
Melisa: In the evening I cook with a glass of wine and then we eat together. Alex cleans and I just hang out with him! We run our dog out for the last time and then head to bed and watch a show in bed (!) or read.
In the morning I wake up, a few days I'll medidate in the morning but always after coffee. Write a few pages, read a few pages, listen to Upfirst on NPR and then do some movement.
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What’s one way big or small that you’ve been helping others?
Alex: I work for rag & bone, and we recently launched masks with proceeds going to City Harvest. Every 5 dollars donated helps feed a hot meal to 18 New Yorkers in need.
Melisa: I have been donating to food banks in NYC as well as sending donations to my local businesses and animal shelters. It's easy to feel helpless when you just click to donate money. Change can start small in your community so I try to offer any help to neighbors for runs and also drop some baked goods.
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Do you know of any good charities or causes people could donate to?
Alex: The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund is a great cause. Also ActBlue.
Melisa: Yes: @serviceworkerscoalition, @foodbank4nyc, @lunchonme, @hitlivingfoundation, @aspca, @nyacc
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What keeps you sane?
Alex: Running
Melisa: Nature and animals. My pup Scout. If I feel tight with thought and worry I have to stop and hug him.
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What one thing can’t you wait to do?
Alex: Order a martini. Take an international flight. Swim in the ocean. Have dinner at June Wine Bar or Cafe Altro Paradiso.
Melisa: So hard to cut down to one. I guess seeing my family comes first- I wish I could sail with them this summer...
And I just want to dance in a club with a lot of people.
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Who has been the most interesting/unexpected person you’ve spoken with since this started?
Alex: I talk to my dog Scout pretty much all day.
Melisa: I have made new friends through this time online! It's quite funny how I have eased into just sharing more online and just connected to beautiful people. When you do what naturally brings you joy, you end up with the ones you are meant to be connected with.
Also, my Aunt Nilgun in Turkey- we see each other about 2x a year and when I'm in NYC we speak on special occasions and occasionally on the phone. But we have been connecting weekly and it has been great. She is everything to me as I did not grow up with grandparents.
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What’s one thing you’re grateful for?
Alex: Health, family, outdoors, my dog scout who is my best friend.
Melisa: Health and always health. Health of my family and my loved ones. And Nature and Sunshine. AND Animals.
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Anything else to share?
Thank you Dana <3
