Red Lentil Soup (click for recipe)
The Coronavirus advancement feels like it happened in the blink of an eye. We were so optimistic in thinking that travel bans would be enough to stop the spread. So faithful that we would be able to go about our daily lives.
If you told me 2 weeks ago my best friend and cousin’s weddings, and subsequently our trip to the US, would have been canceled, I would have thought you were nuts. Chicago, where my family lives, is on lockdown. Everyday, the news changes. In Dubai, the number of Coronavirus cases have been relatively low. Still, precautions are being taken. Travel is halted, the majority are working from home, and the rest of the country is imminently closed for business.
As a food blogger/photographer who mainly relies on a home office and self-motivation, I didn’t have to make too many adjustments to my physical space. Of course, I’m more conscious of time spent outside of the house and cleanliness. The days of freely coming and going are behind us (at least for now). Here are some steps we took to prepare during this monumental time in our history:
Fattet Hummus (click for recipe)
Stock up on pantry items and longer-lasting produce. Stocking up, but not hoarding, is key. Fear and scarcity affect are real. When we feel a lack of something, we tend to overcompensate. Don’t fall victim to this, and only grab what you will need and use over the next week or two. For now, supermarkets are staying open, so there’s no need to grab a 3-month supply of flour and pasta. In fact, if you do, you’re likely taking away items for the elderly, who really shouldn’t be moving about. Be mindful. (You can see my post about all the Pantry Essentials You Need for Syrian Cooking here).
Set up a comfortable workspace. We’ve had a desk, monitor and keyboard for awhile. When my husband started working from home, he noticed that the internet connection was too weak for his video conferences, so he bought an ethernet cable, ran it through the living room, elegantly clung it to the wall and connected it where our desk currently in the second bedroom. He also bought a laptop stand via Amazon so that it sits at a comfortable height. Do what you have to do to love your workspace at home, because it might be that way for the foreseeable future.
Meal plan, if you haven’t started already. Since I’m spending less time out of the house, I can no longer spontaneously grab a bite if I get hungry. With your partner and kids around, you likely have people knocking on the fridge door multiple times a day. It’s always a great idea to batch-cook beans or roast chicken, so you always have a building block to whip up a quick salad or sandwich.
Purchase a yoga mat, or whatever else you need to get moving at home. If you’re like me, exercise keeps you sane. After a couple days without building a sweat, anxiety and a foggy brain start to set in. Gyms being closed could be a huge hinderance, but thankfully there’s a ton of content online for workout ideas. My gym also started a YouTube channel, which is quite convenient. We also ordered a bunch of stuff off qooah.ae.
Purchase any at-home grooming kits you need. Even though we aren’t really socializing, it feels good to keep up with regular self-maintenance. As I look down at my hands typing, I’m realizing I really should do something about my nails. In the UAE, I purchased Acorelle waxing strips here and here. In the US, you can get the same product here.
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My Mom’s Hummus (click for recipe)
What adjustments have you made to make yourself successfully homebound? Any tips you have to keep your mental and physical health in check? I’d love to hear them in the comments!
Hang in there, and I’ll catch you soon!