Physical, Not Social Distancing
“Hope is the thing with the feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all.” Emily Dickinson
This spring we are all challenged to maintain connections, normalcy, jobs and security as we face the threats that the Corona virus presents us with: personally, physically, financially and emotionally. As the major holidays of Easter and Passover approach, my creativity and resourcefulness, like yours, are being tested. How will we all connect with our loved ones, celebrate holidays and honor traditions, while still adhering to guidelines and keeping safe? The reports and pictures from around the world and here at home can be heartbreaking and difficult to process.
And yet, our greatest adversaries, I believe, are apathy and defeatism.
Now more than ever, it is imperative to reach out and connect, share hopes, fears and needs. Loneliness, isolation and detachment lead to emotional and physical fragility that can be very harmful. As I acutely experience the physical distance from my kids, family and friends, I am very thankful that technology offers many solutions and platforms.
I can video chat with my son in San Francisco, create a Zoom meeting with him, my daughter in Seattle and us in Minneapolis, use WhatsApp to communicate internationally for free with my family in Israel, my childhood friend in London and my other friend in Berlin. We have also used Zoom to participate and host “Happy Hour” with friends, sharing a drink, an appetizer, along with concerns, hope and humor in front of our computer screens.
Also, this is a great opportunity to pick up a few cooking skills and learn how to feed yourself better and healthier. If you always wanted to master homemade macaroni and cheese, thick comforting stew or crusty fragrant bread, now is your time! Chefs are offering free cooking and baking classes, some are even live! Online publications publish meal plans, skill classes and inspiration for all. Make Ina Garten’s Cosmo and share a laugh as you dig in and nurture your dormant inner cook! (Below are some suggestions)
Just remember that keeping busy, productive and creative will feed and nurture you in profound ways, until we all meet again on the other side of this pandemic.
“We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
Connect:
Cook:
Skills: The Kitchn
What to Cook This Week: NY Times
Baking: King Arthur Flour, Zoe Bakes
Chefs: