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Friday, January 9, 2026
Vol. 86, No. 2
Chamber VP to share strategies for sustainable wellness BY RIKKI MASSAND
At the Holiday Lighting Spectacular in Syosset on December 21st, "Wellness Unicorn and Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce Vice President Tami Racaniello (left) greeted friends and colleagues; American Community Bank's Senior Branch Manager and VP Dante Bucci, Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Andrew Monteleone (who represents Syosset) and Chamber Membership chairman Alan I. Goldberg (right).
Legislator to host tax grievance workshops Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) is partnering with the Nassau County Assessment Review Commission (ARC) to host two free online community assessment griev-
ance workshops to help homeowners challenge the assessed value of their property. During these workshops, taxpayers who disagree with their assessment See page 6
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Tami Racaniello, known as the “Wellness Unicorn,” runs a comprehensive wellness and nutrition consulting business of the same name. She recently shared insights on maintaining wellness and healthy eating goals in 2026, noting that this is the time of year when many health-focused commitments are made— only to be abandoned weeks later. In her public-facing role, Racaniello serves as vice president of the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce and chairperson of the annual Syosset Street Fair, held each September. As clients look ahead to the new year, Racaniello’s expertise emphasizes building a foundation and structure that creates lasting results over the long term, rather than simply “sticking with” a New Year’s resolution. “On the first of the year people will say they will lose 10 pounds and they will go to the gym every day, but they need to define the WHY in figuring this out. If they can’t ascertain that, they can talk to a coach or nutrition planner. Coming up with a plan and a strong WHY, and then making it fit into your life so it’s sustainable are the keys – with those in place you are not going to fail,” Racaniello said. Another strategy for a stronger, healthier new year involves evaluating physical conditions and lifestyle habits that may need to “course correct,” whether that means adjusting activity levels or assessing the body’s ability to absorb nutrients through digestion. Racaniello has spent 22 years in nutrition consulting, and during the pandemic she transitioned to presenting the Wellness Unicorn brand under her longtime parent company, It’s Time to Get Fit. Racaniello has earned 20 certifications in wellness and nutrition. She cautions that quick-fix diets and intense exercise
plans often fall apart after a few weeks. “The idea is not to go on a program that seems to work and a person loses weight, but then ultimately they put that back on. And weight is one part of being healthy as changes in lifestyle, moving more and having a clean diet to take in nutrients is key. People have to ensure that when they eat foods high in nutrients their body is absorbing them and digesting them properly, and they would have to investigate any inflammation or gut issues that prevent them from doing that,” she noted. Through the Wellness Unicorn, Racaniello also runs an online vitamin and supplement store—but she does not encourage clients to shop freely without guidance. As part of her consultations, she reviews the supplements clients are already taking. Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are filled with posts promoting trending foods and supplements, but Racaniello stressed that there is no universal solution. What works depends entirely on the individual. “People need someone to help check for redundant vitamin intakes – Vitamin D is usually a supplement by itself and it’s also in your multivitamin. The same thing happens with calcium and people don’t actually look closely at their intake, and they don’t see the whole picture. I will evaluate the combos with the medications they may be on, and whether they should take supplements during the day or at night, and with or without food, and also if they should take some in combination to get the maximum benefits. But people just have no idea and if they do not know the answers to all those questions, they shouldn’t be taking a supplement at all. I never say what will be good for someone until I know their blood profile and I get to know them,” See page 6
BHS real estate course opens doors PAGE 3 Free concerts at local libraries in Jan. PAGE 4