Tips for Staying Clean and Calm

TIPS FOR STAYING CLEAN AND CALM

Hello My Friends,  I sent a version of this post out to my email list last night, so if you have already received it, I apologize for the duplication. But, if you haven’t, I thought I would post it here as well.

Each day is bringing us more news about the Corona virus and trying to sift through the information and disinformation out there can be alarming and scary. What I do have control over is how I go about my daily life during this time. I’ve made a little list for you of some of the things that I am doing to keep clean and calm.

TIPS YOU MIGHT FIND HANDY

• Wash Hands: I’m washing for 20 seconds more often and first thing when I return home from the outside world. This is just good hygiene. I carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my car, too.
• No Face Touching: Well, this is much harder than I thought it would be. I truly can’t believe how often I touch it, but I’m touching less and being mindful of when I do. Maybe we should be wearing the big cones that our dogs and cats wear!
• Remove Shoes: After I return home I take them off just inside the door so as not to track in possible germs that have hitch-hiked a ride from where someone has spit on the street or some other place. I know, I know. It’s kinda gross but you may not have thought about that one, and you won’t track in as much dirt and dust either.
• Shop Locally: My local restaurants and stores are hurting so to support them, I am eating out occasionally and shopping locally. If you don’t feel you want to go out, buy gift certificates to use later. View this as a form of tithing to keep local economy afloat.
• No TP? I washed plenty of diapers when my kids were little, so if you did too, this tip will be familiar to you…and probably a lot easier than some of those diapers we had to wash back before our babes were potty trained! Just rip up some older flour sack towels or clean rags and put them in a basket near the potty. Place a covered bucket nearby to put the used and soiled cloths. Before washing, soak the soiled wipes in the bucket, and then wash separately in hot water.
• What’s to Eat? As for food, I live in a part of the country where the next big earthquake is overdue and we have been advised to have food and water on hand. I have a 25-pound bag of black beans and a big bag of rice to dip into, but I have cans of black beans, too. When I was a starving college student, I learned to be very creative with rice and beans and I still love them. I updated some of the recipes I cooked back then and they found their way into Home Cooking, too. One of my favorites is Easy Cheesy Rice and Beanies.
• Food Banks: The food bank may become more important for some of our brothers and sisters if their source of income has dried up. When I called my local food bank recently to ask if they preferred cases of food or money, they immediately said money. They can buy at a wholesale rate so my dollars will go further than what I can buy for them. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to your food bank.
• 4-Legged Friends: Remember to donate to the animal shelter in your community so our four-legged friends awaiting their forever homes can be fed, too.
• Be a Good Friend: If you know someone who is feeling frightened, anxious, and alone, commit to communicating with them daily by phone, text, or email. Share updates about your day; what you are cooking and baking; books you are reading; music you are listening to; and words of encouragement to let them know that you are there for them.
• Keep Busy: I pulled out some craft and sewing supplies and am making potholders. I’m also weeding the garden and getting the soil ready for spring planting.
• Baking Therapy: I’m engaging in baking therapy, too. It’s a great comfort to me. Leaving little gifts for neighbors and friends is a great way to pay it forward.
• Stay Active: Take walks or find an online exercise program. I’ve been enjoying this free yoga series on YouTube.
• And as your mom would say, eat your fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s sleep.

WIN A COPY OF ART OF THE PIE

There’s a giveaway going on over on my Instagram account. If you would like a chance to win a copy of Art of the Pie: A Practical Guide to Homemade Crusts Fillings and Life, head on over there. You must enter by midnight on March 15 and be in the US to win. You’ll find all the details at the Instagram link here.

A SPECIAL PI DAY ANNOUNCEMENT IS COMING!

And finally, next week on PI Day March 14 I’ll be making a special announcement so please stand by!

Easy Cheesy Rice and Beanies (Photo: Andrew Scrivani)