Stim-YOU-late While You Isolate

We've survived two weeks with perhaps just another two weeks to go, from the sounds of it.  The numbers, as advised by the fabulous Dr Ashley Bloomfield at 1pm each day (we watch on TV3), are heading in the right direction, and I feel so proud that as a nation we are all - mostly - doing the right thing by staying at home and in our bubbles!  Just 29 new cases today!!

Having said that, I realise that it's not easy to keep up with preparing meals every day without takeaways or Uber Eats to lighten the load.  And perhaps you're crying out for some stimulation other than Tiger King on Netflix .....  If so, read on for some ideas that have been keeping us sated and sane.

I've found the past fortnight refreshing in that I've actually had proper time to plan and prepare nutritious meals, instead of rushing home from the shop and throwing something together.  We've had some lovely dishes from Chelsea Winter (lockdown loaf, big tick), Deliciously Ella, Josh Emmet and this Sunday, we are having a global family competition to make a calorie-laden Nigella chocolate cake. 

From Left to Right: Chelsea Winter's Kumara & Bacon Salad; French Toast & Paneton Cinnamon Swirls; Quesadillas; Avocado (crispy bacon came later) on bagels, Roast Chicken with Roasted Vegetables; Chelsea's Lockdown Loaf with Roasted Capsicum Soup; Apple Crumble; Sausies with Coleslaw and Cauliflower Cheese.

I've been keeping a casual diary over the past couple of weeks.  Not so much about what we did each day, but what happened to get us here, and how the situation is developing.  I've had my children contribute to it as well, we're tracking the numbers and I hope that it will be a useful family record of this extraordinary time in our country's history.  All you need is a notebook and a pen!

If you listen to podcasts while you're walking, check this out.  Black Hands is a journalist Martin van Beynen's investigation into the 1994 Bain family murders.  It's been extremely well researched and is compelling listening.  TVNZ are making a series from this, which will screen later this year.  It's truly amazing.

Also in my podcast library are White Silence, a terrific investigation into the Erebus disaster; Fashion in Focus - a new series released by Showroom 22 that interviews some of New Zealand's biggest names in fashion; 13 Minutes to the Moon on the Apollo 13 near-disaster; and The Imperfects which features Hugh van Cuylenborg (from The Resilience Project) interviewing some well known Australians on their journey and their mental health strategies.

Got some favourite podcasts?  I'd love your recommendations!

This year, I resolved to read a lot more books and had been making good progress before the lockdown ensured that I'd have no excuse!  These titles are all from the Kindle app on my ipad.  They're a combination of serious, light and stimulating reads.  I have particularly loved The Goldfinch, Where the Crawdads Sing and one I think the whole family should read is, The Resilience Project.

Hugh van Cuylenburg is an Australian teacher who spent time in India and noticed that the children from poor backgrounds seemed much happier than the Australian children who had everything.  He spent a lot of time figuring that out, and in the end, believes that Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness are key to a person's happiness and good mental health.  This is a very easy to read book, it's thought-provoking and there's a lot of great ideas to take away.  I loved it.  If you'd like to find out more about The Resilience Project, click here.

Let me know what you're reading and loving!

There's a lot to be said for getting some fresh air every day - we are all trying to exercise early in the morning (we're still doing PE with Joe) and then we head out for a walk.  It refreshes you, gets your heart rate up and we're having some really cool conversations when we're out.  I hope you're all taking advantage of the good weather so far to go for a walk or run - we have lots of teddy bears in our street, and there are quite a lot of coloured-in Easter Eggs starting to appear in windows too!  

I hope you are all doing well in your bubble, and that you are not finding it too stressful.  If you can steal yourself away for even just 30 minutes for a quick walk, or some reading or meditation, then you will be treating yourself with kindness and taking care of yourself x

Lastly, we have made the decision to not to apply for Essential Services status from MBIE.  It means that we will wait for the lockdown period to end before we are able to ship your orders out.  This wasn't an easy decision, but it was the right one as I know in my heart of hearts that our beautiful offerings are nice-to-haves, and not essentials. 

When the lockdown is over, I will be rushing back to the shop - I miss my team, our lovely customers and my beautiful store.  I am grateful to everyone who has placed an online order knowing that it will be another few weeks before we can ship your goodies to you - please keep them coming. 

Continue to take care, stay safe and stay home. 
Happy Easter, much love, Jude x