A Better Day: Burpees for beginners, Iftar sets from Taj Dubai, and Ratatouille recipe from Burj Al Arab’s chef

Each weekday, our editors have shared their quick tips, workouts, and recipes to help us make the most of our time at home. Now that restrictions have been lifted to meet new regulations, this will be the last of our daily emails. We hope they have, in some little way, helped make your days a little bit brighter.

Let’s start with some good news…

The shift to working from home during the pandemic may be having a positive influence on workplaces of the future. The UAE’s office sector will be driven by a greater emphasis on improving collaboration, productivity and employee wellbeing, according to JLL’s Q1 2020 UAE Real Estate Market Performance report. From larger workstations (so we’re not sitting on top of one another), to closed-plan layouts (so long, bull pen!), contactless technologies (think facial recognition lifts) and elbow bumps instead of handshakes – we’re all set to “peel the onion” on  this “blue sky” thinking.

Do this for a healthy body

Show the dreaded burpee brigade what you’re made of by smashing this burpees for beginners tutorial that promises to boost your aerobic capacity, improve strength, increase flexibility in the squat position… while shedding loads of calories.

Do this for a healthy mind

Kids climbing the walls? Try calming the situation down with this mindfulness meditation for kids. The 12-minute video guides children to slow down and focus on their breathing.

Delicious deliveries to your door

Taj Dubai is rolling out two special set iftar menus for Ramadan – one packed with Indo-Emirati delicacies and an Asian menu inspired by the flavours of the Far East. The three-course menus come complete with a selection of dates and cut fruits alongside Laban and water to break the fast. Dhs125, available for delivery from noon during Ramadan via Zomato, Talabat, Deliveroo and The Entertainer online.

What to watch

Crank down the A/C, grab a chunky blanket and snuggle down on the sofa to watch Empire magazine’s 46th best movie of all time, Citizen Kane (1941). A reporter is asked to investigate the dying words of newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane, which gradually reveals his scandalous life. Its never-before-seen style made it a truly groundbreaking movie.

What to listen to

Not reading as many books as you’d planned during this time? The Literary Friction podcast has you covered. Each episode is centered on a theme and various authors discuss their book to get you hooked without even turning a page.

Home help

Ramp up your style credentials for Ramadan, without leaving the house, by shopping the iftar and suhoor outfits available at The Outnet. From statement skirts and trousers to breezy maxi dresses and next-level shirt dresses, it’s the place to go for a beautifully balanced ensemble.

Isolators we love

In a feel-good story that will help you put things in perspectives, NBA star Stephen Curry talks about his ‘Eat.Learn.Play’ foundation that is delivering over one million meals to hungry children in America. Talking on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, the basketball giant also shares the best and worst parts of homeschooling his own kids.

Join the party

Join America’s favorite Bollywood dance party: Jai Ho! Virtual Bollywood Party by Bollywood Dreams Entertainment on 1 May from 8-10pm PDT. Listen in as DJ Prashant pumps out Bollywood and world beat jams via YouTube.

Cook like a pro

To end our series of daily emails on a high, we’ve called on Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, where chef Francky Semblat serves up this vibrant summer dish of ratatouille with sunny side-up egg.

Serves: 2 people
Ingredients: 
a. 4 farm eggs 
b. 3 small eggplant 
c. 1 medium size onion 
d. 40 cherry tomatoes 
e. 3 small zucchinis
f. 1 red bell pepper 
g. 1 yellow bell pepper 
h. 3 cloves of garlic 
i. 4 soup spoons of olive oil 
j. Thyme or basil 
k. Parsley for garnish 
l. Salt and black pepper

Method: 
a. Wash all vegetables 
b. Peel the onion and chop into small dice 
c. Chop the cherry tomatoes eggplant, zucchini and bell peppers into small pieces 
d. Peel garlic cloves and cut into fine slices 
e. Roughly chop the parsley 
f. Heat a pan (medium heat), put one spoon of olive oil in, add the onion and season with salt and pepper, get it soften and colour, stir occasionally 
h. In a separate pan (medium heat), add one spoon of oil and sauté the zucchini, bell pepper, eggplant and garlic, season with salt and pepper 
i. When the vegetables soften, move the sautéed vegetables on top of the onion, add the tomatoes and a few leaves of thyme/basil, continue to simmer for another 20 minutes 
j. Fry the eggs for 3 minutes (or to cooking preference), sunny side up, season with salt and pepper 
k. Share the ratatouille in 4 plates and top with an egg, sprinkle with finely chopped parsley

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/