Self-care is important, which is why Christine and I have brought you our favorite ways to navigate the challenges of quarantine.
Yes, we are back with Part II and, yes, I got out of my pajamas. I hope everyone was inspired by last week’s post to go purchase a puzzle or read a new book! In this week’s post, Christine and I explore fun and interesting ways to stay active during this time when we are working from home, overwhelmed by the job search, or binging on Netflix. Mental, physical, and emotional health are so important, which is why we have shared some helpful tips to shake the off those quarantine blues using an infusion of endorphins. Before it gets too cold outside, make sure to prioritize that difficult venture from your comfy bed to your front door and get outside! Your body will thank you. Trust me, you’ll sleep better I promise. (Stay tuned for next week’s post on maintaining a healthy soul, our last of this three part series)
Body
Christine
Take free virtual fitness classes to keep your body moving. I kept a pretty boring workout routine prior to quarantine but it’s been fun to switch it up and have someone else motivating me to stay fit.
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- Chrissy Stanley – LOVE the Barre and Abs classes! You will work up a sweat in 5 min (free on YouTube)
- Bar Method Online – So many classes to try, ranging from 15 to 60 minutes in length. (14-day free trial)
- Pure Barre GO – Kaitlyn is my favorite instructor! (7-day free trial)
- Peloton Online Classes – I am obsessed with Kristin McGee’s yoga classes, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. (30-day free trial)
Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Take a 10-minute break in between work calls to stretch your legs on a short walk, or go on a longer walk with family/friends after dinner- preferably with ice cream as your end destination ;). Make running fun by setting distance goals- 5K, 5 miles, half marathon, etc. You can even sign up for a virtual race with friends as accountability partners for training. Pull that bike out of the garage and find a nice neighborhood or scenic path to explore. Go on a social distancing hike with a picnic lunch.
Ursula
Like Christine, I have taken advantage of this newfound time to take a break during the day to go on long walks, bike rides, and runs. I find that going outside for an hour a day can really refresh my mind and provide a boost in my day. Although, I have found online workouts a bit intimidating, I have fell in love with 30 Day Ab. With this app, consistency is definitely key, but it only requires about 10-15 minutes per day- sometimes even less if you are feeling extra motivated- and I have seen pretty incredible results. I have also found that incorporating fun outdoor activities like badminton, which my family was obsessed with at one point, volleyball, and swimming can alleviate stress, promote some family bonding, and provide an equal amount of exercise to an online class or strict workout.
Christine
Since many of us are eating out less than we normally would, this is a great opportunity to try out some new recipes (both healthy and indulgent because everyone needs a treat now and then).
- Cooked themed meals to keep things fun – Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, Fish House Friday, Sunday Sundaes.
- Try going gluten free for 10 days and see how you feel. I try to eat GF at least 5 consecutive days each week, and I feel so much better. Ambitious Kitchen has a ton of delicious GF dessert recipes, like this Damn Good Peanut Butter Banana Cake!
- Cook with seasonal ingredients. Go to the grocery store, look at what’s fresh, and let that inspire you. I recently picked up some fresh Maine blueberries and made this Grilled Chicken Blueberry Feta Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing for a light and easy dinner.
Ursula
I have always loved cooking, however, over the course of quarantine I have felt less inspired to create in the kitchen. That being said, instead of trying new recipes out, I have stuck to making some of my tried and true favorites, which has helped me focus on being creative and productive.
Christine’s Favorite Food Blogs
- Half Baked Harvest
- Skinnytaste
- Ambitious Kitchen
- The Defined Dish
- Damn Delicious
- Two Peas and Their Pod
- Chelsea’s Messy Apron
- How Sweet Eats
- Sally’s Baking Addiction
- Cooking Light
Ursula’s Favorite Quarantine Recipes
Falafel- Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Perfect Pancakes
- Grilled Caesar Salad
- Chicken Gyros
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Zucchini Fritters
- Basil Pesto
- Best Chocolate Chip Cookies You’ll Ever Eat
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Christine has shared a recipe of her own!
Christine’s Smoked Salmon Poached Egg Ciabatta Toast with Everything Bagel Spice Recipe
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 2 ciabatta rolls
- 4 oz (1/2 cup) mascarpone cheese
- 1 tsp dried dill (or to taste) + for topping
- zest of 1 lemon
- juice of ½ lemon
- Tomato
- Red onion
- Everything bagel spice
- 4 oz. smoked salmon
- 4 eggs
- 2 T. white vinegar
Instructions
- Stir together mascarpone cheese, dill, lemon zest, and lemon juice
- Cut 4 slices of tomato
- Cut 2 slices of red onion
- Put each egg in a small bowl of water horizontally
- Cut ciabatta rolls in half
- Toast rolls under broiler for 3 minutes
- Bring two pots of water to soft boil
- Add 1 T. white vinegar to each pot
- Slowly pour two eggs into the center of each pot and cook for 3 minutes
- While the eggs are cooking, spread mascarpone cheese on rolls
- Add 1 slice of tomato to each roll half
- Add 1 oz smoked salmon to each roll half
- Add red onion to taste
- Lift eggs out of pots using slotted spoon and put on top of rolls
- Add everything bagel spice and dill to taste
- Enjoy!
Ursula D. 