With all the recent news being taken up with a fair amount of negativity around the Co-Vid 19 virus, we thought it was time to change things up a bit and focus on some of the good to come out of this current crisis. If social isolation and social / physical distancing have left you with some time to spare, consider these Co-Vid 19 Boredom Busters!
What to do if boredom gets the better of you!
The reality of our current worldwide pandemic situation is that those of us 50+ are at a higher risk than the general public. It means we should all be making sure that we adhere to the rules of social distancing and while difficult, make sure we are spending time with people in new and unique ways instead of actually getting together. We hope that you have taken this opportunity to sign up to our new Amintro Connects Facebook group – an excellent online tool that will help you meet new folks, stay connected in a virtual way and where you will find great posts providing timely and relevant information. What else can you do while you’re “stuck” at home? Here are some great suggestions:
You’re not “Stuck” you’re “Safe!”
- First of all, banish the word “stuck” and replace it with “safe” at home. This will go a long way to helping with your mental health if you can think of what you are doing as important to your overall health and safety. This is true of course, not only for yourself but for your family members too. No one wants to put the health of family or friends at risk, any more than you would your own!
Shop Online
- Take advantage of this time to learn ways to make your life easier, not just over the short term but for the future too. It’s wonderful that many stores across North America are offering “Senior Safe Shopping” hours early in the morning and we are grateful. But the reality is – you can shop online for just about everything these days – including groceries! Use this safe time at home to get more familiar with online shopping if you are not already using this practice.
- You can place a grocery order and then have it delivered right to your door. Many services are free with a minimum order or a minimal charge might apply.
- You might also choose to order online then pick up your groceries, at least allowing you to leave the house. The store staff will bring it right to your car and load it up for you!
- Finally, consider taking advantage of all the good folks out there right now offering to help and place your order online then have someone pick it up and deliver. Leaving things outside your door will still keep you safe at home!
There’s more…….
- Read! No time like the present to get caught up on all those books you have laying around. Spring is sometimes a tad depressing with all that rain anyway so why not hunker down and stick your nose in a good book – or two!
- Indulge in your guilty pleasure! We’re talking about TV folks. (What the heck did you think we were talking about?) No time like now to catch up on some of those TV series your friends have been recommending to you or maybe even look up an old classic, a favourite from the past and watch it again.
- Puzzles and Games. If you’re in “isolation” with a loved one, play a game or two. Teach yourself a new card game like Cribbage, Euchre or Bridge. If you’re alone, puzzles are a great way to keep the brain focussed and no need for a partner. If you don’t have a puzzle around the house, order one online and challenge yourself by tracking your time – how long will it take you to complete?
- Bake! We have all said it – “I’d love to bake more but there’s just no time.” Well, guess what folks? It looks like for the foreseeable future we have nothing but time so put it to good use! Dig out those recipe books, old family favourites or yes, go online (again!) and look up easy, simple recipes that don’t use a lot of ingredients or take a lot of time. Perhaps you might even consider getting adventurous and tackle something that is a bit more challenging. If you don’t want to eat all the wonderful treats you’re making, freeze them for later distribution to family and friends or leave a treat outside your neighbours front door. We’ve included a couple of sure-fire simple recipes with today’s blog – just a few ingredients – and a minimal investment of time. No one will know you didn’t fuss! (Scones and Shortbread)
These are just a few tips to keep you going for now. Make sure you check in for what’s new and current on our Facebook group and remember – as much as we are posting about social media, make sure you practice safe social media distancing too. That is, don’t check the news too often and when you do, make sure it is credible news sources you are getting your information from. A pandemic is no time to panic because of information overload or information that is not 100% accurate. Finally, we’ll add this: If you’re concerned about all that baking you plan on doing and the lack of outdoor physical exercise, stay tuned for our next blog on fitness tips you can do right in the comfort of your own living space! That’s it for CoVid Boredom Busters, talk soon!
In Keeping with our unintentional Staying Safe “S” theme, here are two simple recipes for Scones and Shortbread!
SCONES
3 Cups of Flour
1/2 Cup of White Sugar
5 tbsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
3/4 Cups Butter
1 Egg – Beaten
1 Cup Milk
*Preheat the Oven to 400 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients. Cut in the butter. In separate bowl whisk together egg and milk. Make a well in dry ingredients and slowly fold in wet. Turn out on to floured surface and knead/roll out. Cut into wedges or circles depending on preference and bake for 15 minutes.
*The great thing about this recipe is you can adapt it by adding any ingredient! We’ve added strawberries and iced them, added cheese and chives for a more savoury biscuit, dark chocolate and raspberry or white chocolate and raspberry. They are all great!
SHORTBREAD
*These shortbread differ a little from the truly traditional “Scottish” biscuit you might be more familiar with. These are literally “melt in your mouth” delicious!
1 lb Butter
1/2 Cup Corn Starch
1 Cup Icing Sugar
3 Cups Flour
*Cream together butter, corn starch and icing sugar until they look like whipped cream. Gradually add flour until slightly stiff. Roll into small balls or drop by scoop on to a baking sheet. Press down with a fork for pattern and to lightly flatten. Bake at 320 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden on bottom.
