AIR FRYER : Y’all ain’t told me nothing!!! Ok. Maybe some of you have raved about your air fryer and I just wasn’t paying attention, but this little device from heaven has been EVERYTHING! I made the purchase right before the Stay Home order started and I thought, what better time than now to break it out and start using it. Y’ALL!!! I have cooked everything in my air fryer since it made it’s way out of the box. Salmon. Chicken strips. Shrimp. Fries. Broccoli. Bacon. You name it! It’s going in the air fryer. Here’s the one I purchased, but I probably will be on the hunt for one a little bigger soon. All air fryer err’ thang! I’m totally about that life.
HULU : So I’ve been a Netflix girl (really my son uses it more than anyone in the house) so I’ve never thought I needed another movie/show outlet. Besides, I already have Amazon Video through Prime that I don’t hardly use. But when Little Fires Everywhere dropped (I love all things Kerry Washington), I decided to take the plunge. I love it! And they have really good kids selections, so ladybug has some things on her WatchList too.
BUTTER PECAN ICE CREAM : I don’t know if this is a good thing or bad thing, and it’s really more of a re-discovery, but my Lord have I found a little bite of heaven lately. This was my dad’s favorite when I was growing up. And now that I’m thinking about it, I haven’t had real ice cream in a long time (because carbs) aside from an occasional milkshake and fro-yo trips with my ladybug. These little pints from Blue Bell have blessed my soul something serious while I’ve been home. I get the little ones because I’ve psyched myself into thinking that’s better. Or whatever.
HOME WORKOUTS : They aren’t so bad. I have to say that I hated working out at home prior to this! Too many distractions and I found that I don’t push myself as hard. Maybe it’s a mind thing. Over the last year I’ve incorporated more yoga at home, but that’s about all I’ve been able to muster. And I have all of the things: resistance bands, kettlebells, weights, pull up bar. I JUST really like going to the gym. I like group classes because the house wives and soccer moms who live in the gym push me. It’s a few grannies in there that I don’t like to let show me up either. Yeah, I said it. But, thanks to my amazing instructor, Monique (give her a follow on IG to keep up with her class schedule until outside opens back up), #noquarantine15 is a real thing. If you’re an IG follower then you’ve seen me post in my stories so I can hold myself accountable. A few of you have joined me too!!! I’ve also discovered a couple of apps that have helped keep me motivated, CorePower Yoga (30 day free trial) & One Peloton (90 days for free & it’s not just SPIN!) We really can do anything we put our mind to.
ZOOM : Undoubtedly, we all have discovered this for one reason or another. I’m still working daily, so my Zoom experiences have been strictly for fun! I’ve had Martini Monday with my line sisters, Friday night happy hour plus, and kept up my workouts with my fave instructor. I had only used Zoom once prior to the quarantine, so I’ve been very happy with how easy it has been to stay connected with everyone. It’s like being alone together, literally.
JIGSAW PUZZLES : I had totally forgotten how peaceful and therapeutic jigsaw puzzles can be. It makes you slow down and is super relaxing. I found an app (Jigsaw Puzzles) that has allowed me to get my fix virtually without the million pieces that come along with it. I throw on some soothing music and I’ve completed four puzzles thus far. Jigsaw puzzles help to decrease stress and boosts dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation and reward which results in a brightened mood. Doing puzzles also helps improve sleep and exercises memory. Coloring does the same thing. Try it and see. This one will probably stay with me even when outside opens back up again.
I’ve also truly enjoyed being able to virtually attended churches all over the US. Most have gone to streaming online, and I have truly had a wonderful experiences. Easter Sunday, I attended 3 services and each were a blessing. There has also been virtual brunches, virtual education, virtual clubs and DJ battles, the list could go on and on. Not dismissing the seriousness of what’s going on, but the virtual insanity that has been forced upon us has been, dare I say it, pretty cool. And it has made this very weird time much more bearable. And yes, I actually got a little dressed up for virtual church and a virtual brunch I attended last Sunday. Cheers to new discoveries while counting down the days until we can get back to normal.
Skirt : NOLA Boutique (similar in pink) | Graphic Tee : Target (old) | Shoes : Nine West
What have you discovered since being sheltered in place?
I’ve loved virtual church. The best thing about it is the ability to “attend” multiple services at multiple church’s in one day. 🙂
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Yes! I attend at least 2 or 3 every Sunday!! It’s been a blessing in disguise.