STAYCATIONS VOLUME I : Food and Culture
While many of us are grieving our Easter hols [hashtag first world problems], there are ways we can get imaginative and create the best quarantine-imposed, stay-cation ever! Here are a few "trips" you can take from the comfort (and safety) of your own home, with an exotic twist.
THE FOODIE TOUR :
Take a delicious culinary trip around the globe! Let your paltry cupboard ingredients take you to an inventive land of tasty delights! Pick a country that you think will fire up those taste buds and whisk you away to one of your favorite holiday spots.
Central America : Enjoy the subtropical flavors of central America. Recreate gallo pinto (delicately spiced red beans and rice), savory tacos, and the satisfyingly unique flavor of cooked plantains. For the full meal, have it with scrambled eggs for breakfast or a char grill whole fish for dinner. Central American food is simple and satisfying with all of your complex proteins and carbs you need without much effort.
Brazil : Did you miss Carnival this year? Have you always wanted to experience the bright and beautiful culture that is Brazil? Get a taste of the culture through these favorite chewy snacks called pao de queijo (Portuguese for 'cheese bread'). Made with cassava flour, eggs, and cheese, these tasty cheese balls don't last long; and have the added benefit of being gluten free! Munch on these while watching a recording of a rugby match or the dystopian film "Brazil" (Not because it has anything to do with Brazil, but if you want to watch a fun dystopian cult movie).
Greece : Take a trip to the mediterranean and feel the benefits of the well balanced flavors of fresh veggies, healthy fats, and perfectly cooked proteins. One of our favorites to bring together because we always have various types of beans, rice, fresh vegetables, and Greek yoghurt to bend to our will. If you have parsley in the garden, tabouli is a perfect refresher on a sunny day.
Thailand : Experience the fresh, coconut-y flavors of the tropical beach paradise of Thailand! As long as your cupboard is stocked with coconut milk tins, you have coriander (aka 'cilantro') in your herb garden, and rice and veggies in the kitchen, you can make a tropical delight. Curries and soups are quick to whip up, and really hit the spot on chillier spring days. Thai food offers a light option by using the coconut milk instead of heavy dairy, and many dishes can be made fully vegan. For healthy, quick, and tasty, Thai food can't be beat!
Taiwan : Try one of the most popular drinks east Asia has to offer; boba tea! These extra large tapioca pearls only take about 5 minutes to make, and combined with your favorite tea of choice, it's a delectable midday treat. Our favorite at-home flavour is matcha milk tea, with just a small hint of brown sugar. If you haven't saved up "smoothie" straws at home, you can always use a spoon, but there is something so satisfying about hoovering up those tapioca pearls with your reusable straw! For an authentic Taiwanese cafe feel, make sure to play some connect 4 with a friend while drinking.
THE CULTURE TOUR :
Are you a card-carrying member of all of the art galleries in your city? Was your night at the opera put on hold? Are you grieving because you had been waiting YEARS to see Hamilton and now it's been cancelled after you FINALLY got reasonably priced tickets? No need to worry, we can give you a few ideas of how we kept our culture on while being secluded.
Music : Many opera houses and concert halls around the world are offering free online past performances to view from the comfort of your own home. No opera glasses needed here, you've got a free front row seat! Even broadway is in the sharing mood and offering free streaming of some of your favorite musicals. But screen time isn't the only option. If you are really missing the avant garde scene, you can rely on the goofy one in the household to meet your musical needs!
Strange exercise combinations : Are you from a big city and really missing your unique exercise combinations? Had you already paid for a whole month of goat yoga or underwater cycling that you now cannot avail of? Well good news, you can mix seemingly unrelated exercises together from the comfort of your own home. Have you animals? I present to you chicken yoga, dog yoga or stick insect meditation (they're quite delicate, so yoga isn't appropriate for these little guys) in our house; adjust based on the animals you have. You could do naked cooking, or contortion gardening. The possibilities are endless, and are based on your needs and (literally) anything that may be lying around the house!
Get dressed up : Just because you can't really go out right now doesn't mean you can't still look amazing! Whip out your favorite outfit, light a candle and have a nice romantic night at home with yourself or partner and some classical music. Strut your stuff down the runway of your home, or walk the red carpet (or whatever color you have available) to an amazing night.
I hope this has been helpful to whet your stay-cation appetite for now! Stay tuned for tomorrow's STAYCATION PART II post to hear more inventive ideas of how to get away from it all from the comfort of your own home.
THE FOODIE TOUR :
Take a delicious culinary trip around the globe! Let your paltry cupboard ingredients take you to an inventive land of tasty delights! Pick a country that you think will fire up those taste buds and whisk you away to one of your favorite holiday spots.
Central America : Enjoy the subtropical flavors of central America. Recreate gallo pinto (delicately spiced red beans and rice), savory tacos, and the satisfyingly unique flavor of cooked plantains. For the full meal, have it with scrambled eggs for breakfast or a char grill whole fish for dinner. Central American food is simple and satisfying with all of your complex proteins and carbs you need without much effort.
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| Home made corn tortillas with sauteed sweet potatoes and guacamole with a side of refried beans and plantains |
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| Outside a restaurant in Costa Rica, with plantains and onions hanging in front. |
Brazil : Did you miss Carnival this year? Have you always wanted to experience the bright and beautiful culture that is Brazil? Get a taste of the culture through these favorite chewy snacks called pao de queijo (Portuguese for 'cheese bread'). Made with cassava flour, eggs, and cheese, these tasty cheese balls don't last long; and have the added benefit of being gluten free! Munch on these while watching a recording of a rugby match or the dystopian film "Brazil" (Not because it has anything to do with Brazil, but if you want to watch a fun dystopian cult movie).
 |
| Pao de queijo made at home. |
Greece : Take a trip to the mediterranean and feel the benefits of the well balanced flavors of fresh veggies, healthy fats, and perfectly cooked proteins. One of our favorites to bring together because we always have various types of beans, rice, fresh vegetables, and Greek yoghurt to bend to our will. If you have parsley in the garden, tabouli is a perfect refresher on a sunny day.
Fresh salad, dolmas, sauteed lemon/tahini chickpeas, babaganoush, and greek yogurt. Neva approved.
 |
| Coconut lime cabbage soup with chickpeas; topped with cilantro & rice |
Taiwan : Try one of the most popular drinks east Asia has to offer; boba tea! These extra large tapioca pearls only take about 5 minutes to make, and combined with your favorite tea of choice, it's a delectable midday treat. Our favorite at-home flavour is matcha milk tea, with just a small hint of brown sugar. If you haven't saved up "smoothie" straws at home, you can always use a spoon, but there is something so satisfying about hoovering up those tapioca pearls with your reusable straw! For an authentic Taiwanese cafe feel, make sure to play some connect 4 with a friend while drinking.
THE CULTURE TOUR :
Are you a card-carrying member of all of the art galleries in your city? Was your night at the opera put on hold? Are you grieving because you had been waiting YEARS to see Hamilton and now it's been cancelled after you FINALLY got reasonably priced tickets? No need to worry, we can give you a few ideas of how we kept our culture on while being secluded.
Music : Many opera houses and concert halls around the world are offering free online past performances to view from the comfort of your own home. No opera glasses needed here, you've got a free front row seat! Even broadway is in the sharing mood and offering free streaming of some of your favorite musicals. But screen time isn't the only option. If you are really missing the avant garde scene, you can rely on the goofy one in the household to meet your musical needs!
Get dressed up : Just because you can't really go out right now doesn't mean you can't still look amazing! Whip out your favorite outfit, light a candle and have a nice romantic night at home with yourself or partner and some classical music. Strut your stuff down the runway of your home, or walk the red carpet (or whatever color you have available) to an amazing night.
Art at home : Your news feed is probably inundated with all kinds of new hobbies to pick up from sewing to singing, so go ahead and pick one! Think about the supplies you have laying around, and get creative at what you can use. Now, you're not likely going to be able to glaze and kiln fire some pottery, but you can definitely brush up on your painting skills (pun intended), draw, crochet or the like. I've been working on water color because it seems so chaotic and I like that, and I have another project in mind to sew a chicken harness...Nevermind what that's for. You can also hang out with a couple of goofball friends of mine, John Bramblitt and Jacqui Serie, who are an incredibly talented couple who have a huge presence on social media and are sharing lots of free art with their audience right now. They have live feeds where you can join in with some wine and painting. Art is always more fun with friends, so if you're alone or with friends, John and Jacqui are happy to have you along for some (socially distanced) group pandemic painting therapy.
I hope this has been helpful to whet your stay-cation appetite for now! Stay tuned for tomorrow's STAYCATION PART II post to hear more inventive ideas of how to get away from it all from the comfort of your own home.
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