A Better Day: The Tiny Little Quiz of the Lockdown with Jim Carr, 5-minute meditation, and Bake Along

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…

Front-liners in the transport industry in Dubai, who are working hard to keep the city moving, have been given free meals in support of their efforts. Over 500 three-course meals have been delivered to taxi captains by Sweetheart Kitchen through their collaboration with Hala (Dubai Taxi), helping to fuel them through these challenging times.

Do this for a healthy body

Insta fitness star Kayla Itsines is offering a free seven-day trial of her popular Sweat app. You’ll get access to all the programmes and content that’s available to regular subscribers so you can workout alongside some of the top female personal trainers around.

Do this for a healthy mind

Draw your attention to your breath and slow it right down with this five-minute meditation. A simple way to get out of your head and into the present moment.

Delicious deliveries to your door

Get iftar delivered to your door with L’ETO’s specially-curated boxes, which contain a yummy mix of international and Arabic cuisine, including two starters, a soup, salad, and one main course. Plus, you can top it off with your favourite L’ETO cake (we’re ordering the Saffron Milk Cake). Available throughout Ramadan for delivery, take-away and dine-in. Order from 2pm until 10pm for next day delivery. WhatsApp +971 434 522 11 or visit www.letocaffe.ae.

What to watch

If, like us, you’re using your extra time to tick those all-time classic movies off your list, join us as we continue work our way through Empire magazine’s Greatest Movies of All Time. In 48th place is Silence of the Lambs (1991). This psychological horror will certainly make you forget what’s going on in the world at the moment. The multi-Oscar-winning film stars Jodie Foster as FBI agent Clarice Starling, who desperately needs the help of serial killer Hannibal Lecter.

What to listen to

The deaths of rappers Tupac and Biggie back in 1992 still divides opinion to this day. Season three of the Slow Burn podcasts focuses on the context around the crimes to help you fully understand what was happening in the lead-up to the murders. It’s a compelling listen.

Home help

If you’re stepping up your home workouts, get your hands on the MAKI Gym Portable Home Gym with Online Fitness Programs, Dhs1,284, from Saffron Souk, which has 20 multifunctional pieces of kit along with a number of tutorials to follow, from body conditioning to high-intensity workouts. Plus, it all packs away into a tidy roll.

Isolators we love

Rather than waiting for your weekly Zoom party, comedian Jimmy Carr is running a daily quiz series on YouTube to help people pass the time. The Tiny Little Quiz of the Lockdown is certainly a show that doesn’t care that it is 6pm and you are still in your pajamas.

Join the party

If you’ve got the baking bug, why not join the global Bake Along Live community cooking up a storm with real time classes via Zoom? Time and days vary, so check out the schedule for live events via their Instagram page.

Cook like a pro

The team at SHA Wellness Clinic believe that keeping yourself healthy is more important than ever in this current climate. From their list of go-to recipes is this healthy take on an indulgent comfort food classic – the humble apple crumble.

Ingredients: 
a. Two cups whole flour
b. Cup cornmeal
c. Teaspoon salt
d. Cup warm coconut oil
e. Cup rice syrup
f. Teaspoon baking powder
g. One cup roasted chopped nuts
h. Four cups of apples
i. One cup apple juice, a pinch of sea salt, 1 teaspoon maple syrup

Method: 
1. Preheat the oven to 250°
2. Place the fruit in an ovenproof dish then add the apple juice, the pinch of salt and tablespoon of maple syrup
3. In a bowl, mix together the flour, the baking powder, the nuts and the sea salt
4. In another smaller bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil with the rice syrup until completely combined and then pour into the flour and nuts mixture
5. Crumble the dough over the fruit
6. Cover and allow to cook for 20 minutes
7. Uncover and allow the top to golden for 5 minutes

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/