THE ROOT 9: 30.2

Wool and the Cutest Sheep in the World

I always knew one of the things New Zealand was known for was wool, but I didn’t realize just how deep that was until we were driving through the countryside and saw sheep. Everywhere. Like, sheep as far as the eye could see. It felt like they outnumbered people ten to one, and I’m not even sure that’s an exaggeration.

Dylan, in true honeymoon MVP fashion, had done some digging and booked us a visit to Rose Creek Farm. He knew I was really excited by how cute the sheep were after mentioning that I wanted to become best friends with them maybe every 5 minutes of our trip. Rose Creek Farm is family-run and they imported Valais Blacknose Sheep embryos from the UK and started breeding them in New Zealand. These sheep are known as “the cutest sheep in the world,” and honestly, the title is well-earned.

While we were there, we got a crash course in wool. I had no idea there was such a range between coarse and fine wool, or that different breeds produced such distinct textures. The Valais Sheep have super coarse wool, which is used for things like carpets. Meanwhile, Merino Sheep produce that buttery soft wool you see in high-end sweaters and base layers.

What made the experience so special wasn’t just the sheep… It was the fact that we weren’t feeding animals behind a fence that felt like a petting zoo. We were walking through a working farm, learning from people who genuinely love what they do. You could feel their passion in every story they told, every explanation they gave.

I left with a new appreciation for wool, farming, and the quiet joy of learning something unexpected. I can’t end this without leaving you some pictures, hopefully these make you smile.

In-Flight Edition

Ok, don’t roll your eyes at me…but I really struggle with the lack of mobility on flights. Especially the long ones. I get more restless as the hours tick by, and my body starts to feel like it’s been folded into origami. So when I boarded our flight home from New Zealand and saw a “Wellness” tab next to “Flight Info,” I was stoked.

New Zealand Air had an entire section dedicated to wellness on board. It wasn’t revolutionary, but it was thoughtful. Breathing exercises, gentle stretches, hydration reminders. The kind of stuff that feels small but adds up. And it made me realize something I kept noticing throughout our time in Australia and New Zealand: the ethos of wellness is baked into everyday life there. Not just in the food or the fitness culture, but in the way people talk about rest, movement, and mental clarity.

This little in-flight moment felt like a microcosm of that. It reminded me that wellness doesn’t have to be a big production. It can be a quiet nudge, a subtle shift, a reminder to move your ankles or take a deep breath. It’s not about transforming your life in one go. It’s about integrating care into the spaces we often overlook…like the cramped seat of a plane at cruising altitude.

I know it’s easy to dismiss these things as fluff, but I think they matter. They signal a shift in how we think about wellbeing. Not as a checklist, but as a way of being. And if that starts with a stretch reminder at 35,000 feet, I’m here for it.

Here is the version of their wellness tips, published online for reference.

I can’t write this week’s obsessions without giving a shoutout to one of the most indulgent treats I had in New Zealand. It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I have a sweet tooth, and The Remarkable Sweet Shop absolutely delivered. They had free fudge tastings, which felt like a personal invitation to go wild. I made Dylan go with me three separate times and yes, we left space in our luggage to bring back six boxes. Some were for colleagues. One was for us. No regrets.

My favorite was the Malteser Fudge. It was rich and chocolatey with that perfect crunch from the malt balls. Dylan, who always leans fruity when it comes to dessert, was obsessed with the Lemon Meringue Fudge.

If you need an excuse to ship yourself an international treat, consider this your sign. I love when something so simple can bring so much joy. This was one of those moments.