A Better Day: TV shows, Deliveries UNDER500, Home makeover

Each weekday, our editors are sharing their quick tips, workouts, recipes, and observations to help us make the most of our time at home. We hope it makes your day a little bit brighter. #stayhome

Let’s start with some good news…

Having a pet at home is a sure-fire way to lift the spirits, and the good news is that the number of people fostering and adopting dogs and cats in the UAE is on the rise. “This is the perfect time to bring a new pet into your home, as you’ll have lots of time to bond with them,” says Carol Ann Geldenhuys, founder of Kittysnip Cats & Kittens Adoption, which is seeing a 60-70% hike in enquiries. “We can’t arrange home visits at the moment due to the movement restrictions, so people are tentatively adopting by viewing the videos and chatting to the foster owners.” Simply take a look at the furry friends at @kittysnip_uae (or call them on 058 538 7150). We hope you find the purrfect match.

Do this for a healthy body

This 30-minute Tabata Workout by Raneir Pollard for PopSugar will burn some serious calories. This fitness pro is also a comedian, so get set to giggle your way through the routine.

Do this for a healthy mind

Namaste. We love this eight-minute introduction to Sun Salutation A by Sjana Elise, which brings you up to speed with the movements and breath sequences that form the basic flow of many yoga practices.

Delicious deliveries to your door

If we order dinner from UNDER500, does that mean we can snack all day and not have to worry? It’s worth a try, so we are ordering a social distancing combo of a Roasted Root Veg Wrap (366 cals) and Sweet Potato Wedges (233 cals) for tonight’s guilt-free feast.

What to watch

Currently, the number most watched show in the UAE, Money Heist on Netflix is a Spanish crime drama that follows a group of thieves led by The Professor, as they aim to pull off the biggest heist in history. Gripping stuff.

What to listen to

Feel uplifted and inspired as Oprah chats to experts, world leaders and global superstars as part of her Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations – it’ll challenge you review your own life and goals, pronto.

Home help

If staying in has you dreaming of a home makeover, a selection of our favorite interior designers are now offering online consultations to help you plan your next great renovation, including the super talented Kadambari Uppal of Home Diva Design Services (@home_diva). Also in on the act is IKEA, whose new online home planning and interior design service means you can get a one-on-one consultation from your sofa for just Dhs250. Book an appointment online.

Isolators we love

While staying in your living room can be a slippery slope to mind-numbing boredom, this man has found a way to go on a skiing holiday at home. Watch as Philipp Klein Herrero takes ice-olation to a whole new level of creativity.

Join the party

What: Sesame Street Podcast

When: You can listen at any time. New episodes every Monday.
Why: Keep the kids entertained as they sing songs with their favourite Muppet friends Elmo, Abby, Cookie Monster and Grover. Bert and Ernie will also teach them about friendship, sharing and patience. Remember patience?

Cook like a pro

There’s no taste quite so satisfying as the first bite of a freshly baked, gooey, chocolate chip cookie. Better still, the all-American kind, which has yet to be beaten. That’s why we’ve gone all the way to New England for this recipe, which comes from Donna Yuen, Executive Pastry Chef at Ocean House, an iconic New England seaside resort that dates to 1868. Donna has perfected the art of the moreish chocolate chip cookie, and reckons these ones are the perfect pick-me-up for right now. We don’t disagree.

You will need:
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup of sugar
• 1 cup or 2 sticks butter (unsalted; softened)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp coffee extract
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks

How to make it:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C
2. Cream the light brown sugar and sugar in a small mixer with the paddle attachment
3. Add the softened butter and mix to form a grainy paste
4. Add the eggs and coffee extract, mixing until just blended. Do not overmix.
5. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until just combined
6. Drop cookies with a scoop onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper
7. Slightly flatten each scoop of dough and bake for 8 minutes, rotating halfway through. Enjoy!

And lastly…things we’d never thought we’d miss #1

Remember when you could cough without thinking you’ve definitely got COVID-19? Simpler times. That’s the type of trivial thing we’re missing while in isolation, and each day we’ll reminisce of such things. Today we’re actually missing the heart-stopping thrill of looking in your rear-view mirror and seeing a Nissan Patrol three inches from your bumper, lights flashing, pedal to the metal, no regard for the fact that the only way you can move out of their way is by crashing into the car next to you. Sure gets your heart rate higher than any HIT home workout. Please feel free to share your own frivolous yearnings via editor@hotmedia.me

For your home interiors, advice and inspiration in the UAE visit https://blivinguae.com/