Hello, readers!
My hope is that you are healthy, at home and in full social distancing mode. For those who are sick, taking care of ill loved ones or facing other struggles due to the current outbreak – you’re in our thoughts and prayers.
During these tough times, connecting with others can be a key to sanity. For this reason, I’m excited to bring you The Latest Happenings: April Edition. Here’s what’s going on in our social distancing world…
Staying Connected
Like many of you, we’re taking full advantage of technology to stay connected to family and friends. We “get together” for family happy hours on Google Hangouts and I was able to e-attend book club last week via video chat! Our birth-prep classes are even done remotely now. Being able to bring multiple people together from all over the place is a life-saver after going days without leaving our home. If you’re not video-chatting daily.. I recommend it! If you can do it outside – BONUS! ?
At Home Workouts
Obviously there’s no going to the gym. However – that doesn’t mean there can’t be a good workout. ? Hubby and I both have bike trainers (like this -> CycleOps Magneto Trainer
*) so we can easily prop up our road-bikes and go for a “ride” in the living room or garage. ??? Also – Peloton offers TONS of workout videos that are easy to do at home. This not only includes cycling, but walking, cardio, yoga, strength, cross training, etc. The subscription is $12.99/month. I great alternative while the gym is closed!
Side note – Lexie and Jeff are fans of OrangeTheory. While the studios are closed, OrangeTheory is posting free workout videos on YouTube. Check them out!
New Products
We’re completely avoiding the grocery, so recipe testing and development has stalled. ? However – this has given us the opportunity to spend some time looking into plant-based products that you – our readers – might love. Some of our favorites have been JOI and Splendid Spoon.
JOI is a shelf-stable nutbase for making plant-based milk alternative. PERFECT for when you’re avoiding the grocery. I have a few jars in the pantry, meaning no need to buy plant-based milk for months!
Splendid Spoon delivers plant-based meals to your door. Simply heat and eat! We received our delivery the next day, and especially enjoyed their bowls. After cooking every meal at home for a few weeks, it was great to have a break and enjoy someone else’s creation!
Good Reads, Puzzling & Home Videos
Lots of time at home offers a great opportunity to do things that I might typically tell myself I don’t have time for. I just finished reading The Tuscan Child (great read!) and am now on to The Gift of Forgiveness. Have you come across any good reads? Please share!
Also – we’ve got a 1,000 piece puzzle spread across the living room floor. I’m glad Kyle ordered this early, it sounds like puzzles are a hot commodity! While we enjoy simply putting together a puzzle while relaxing and chatting – Lexie and Jeff have apparently been getting two puzzles and racing to see who finishes first. This sounds stressful.. but to each their own. ?
Finally – home videos from my childhood have been another way we’ve kept ourselves entertained. I definitely recommend digging up videos from your baby, toddler and teenage years if you want a good laugh! ???
Spring is on the Way!
One thing is for sure here in Indiana – Spring is in the air! ?? It’s finally starting to warm up and our plants are coming alive! While I always look forward to this time of year, I don’t think it’s ever been more anticipated! Warmer weather means time outdoors, things to do in the yard and garden time! If you’re on the verge of warmer weather, get outside and soak up that vitamin D ??? (while social distancing, of course).
✌️
– Natalie
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