A Better Day: 10,000 squats in 30 days, freebies from Du, and Baked pappardelle recipe

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…

Caregivers working on the front line in the fight against COVID-19 in Dubai have been given a sweet morale boost by Pierre Marcolini Middle East. The chocolatier recently made a special delivery of the fine chocolates to staff at Medcare Hospital in Dubai, in keeping with the company’s international efforts to offer its chocolates, delicacies and pastries to hospitals in support of the efforts of healthcare staff during the crisis.

Do this for a healthy body

Joanna Soh is challenging us to do 10,000 squats in 30 days. If you’re up for the challenge, check out her YouTube video. You can snap and share pictures as proof of your progress.

Do this for a healthy mind

A slow and peaceful way to begin your day, this short guided meditation video by Yoga with Adriene will help to calm your mind.

Delicious deliveries to your door

Little Erth by Nabz&G is a great find on Deliveroo for Asian-inspired vegetarian dishes. They also offer vegan and pescatarian meal plans @eatcleanme so we can stop cooking altogether – hooray!

What to watch

If you’re a fan of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s multiple-Emmy-winning TV series Fleabag, then you can now watch the filmed theater production that inspired it on Amazon Prime Video (until 23 April). What’s more, all proceeds go to charities helping communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

What to listen to

Dolly Parton’s America has been a smash hit with listeners who can’t get enough of the living legend. Each session allows listeners to get up-close-and-personal with Dolly and her life. And if you weren’t a fan before the show, you will be after it.

Home help

Staying at home just got a little more entertaining thanks to Du, which is offering all new and existing customers a host of freebies, including an Internet speed upgrade, Internet calling with Voico UAE, movies on demand and Amazon Prime membership in its #WeGotYou campaign.

Isolators we love

British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow is making the most of his skills while confined to the home by teaming up with musical stars such as Brian May, Tony Hadley and Katherine Jenkins for his #thecroonersessions. The duets are recorded over video call and posted on his official Instagram page for the masses to warble along to.

Join the party

Get wrapped up in the power of music thanks to the Grammy Museum, which is releasing conversations with musicians and industry professionals from the archives through its Museum at Home sessions, released on various days through in April.

Cook like a pro

Baked pappardelle
A simple pasta dish based on a freshly-made tomato sauce never fails to hit the spot. This one – baked pappardelle with tomato sauce – comes courtesy of Nammos Dubai.

Ingredients
Makes 2 servings

• 500g fresh cherry tomatoes
• 15g chopped garlic
• 5g salt
• ½ tsp paprika
• Sugar to taste
• 250g fresh pappardelle or pasta of your choice

Method:

• In a pan, on low heat, sweat the garlic in some olive oil (do not brown the garlic)
• Chop the cherry tomatoes in half and add to the pan
• Add a pinch of salt and cover the pan
• After 20 mins, remove the lid and the sauce is ready
• Add the salt, paprika and a little sugar to balance the sauce
• Cook the pasta according to the cooking instructions and drain
• Add to the sauce
• You can add burrata, fresh basil leaves and bake in the oven to finish for extra flair.
  

And lastly…things we’d never thought we’d miss #8

Bumping into someone you know in a supermarket aisle and having a chat; then bumping into them again down the next isle. And the next.

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/