Sam's Weekly Quarantine Digest #7: April 22, 2020

Hi all,

Apologies for the delay this week, but hopefully the *sweet* theme of this week's digest will make up for it!  This week's issue is chock full of delicious options to revamp your quarantine diet.  Both Disney and the royal pastry chefs disclosed their secret recipes this week, and I'm passing them along to you.  And in case you missed the One World: Together at Home concert last weekend, it's definitely worth it!  Stay healthy, and stay positive - we've got this!

Best,

Sam

Food

Recipes

• Three-ingredient cookies (three different varieties) that you can probably make from what you have in stock right now
• Disney Parks' secret recipes, including their Churro Bites, Dole Whip, and plant-based Cookie Fries.  There are also a bunch of older recipes here, including cookies & cream bread pudding (which I'm probably making tomorrow) and a bunch of cocktails.  I'll be honest, I haven't been to a Disney park since I was two years old, but these recipes are making me wonder if I've been missing out!
• In honor of Queen Elizabeth II's birthday, the royal pastry chefs have released the recipe for her favorite chocolate cupcakes - check out the royal Instagram account for details.
• Family Meals is bringing you recipes from some of your favorite local restaurants, illustrated by local artists.  A feast for your eyes and your tummy!

Need Some Help?

• Cooking with Nonnas is a popular tourist attraction outside Rome - what could be better than learning how to make homemade pasta from an Italian grandma?  And as the rest of the world has gone digital, so have the nonnas!  You can take various pasta classes (and other dishes) with the nonnas online (don't miss the 25% discount in the pop-up).  I'm signed up for the pasta class with Nonna Nerina this Saturday at 2pm!
• Check out these options for cooking classes and these for baking.

Where to Find Supplies

• The Filling Station, one of my favorite shops in the city, is having a 35% off sale to do their part of make it easy and fun to cook at home.  I highly recommend the Rosemary Salt - I add it to almost everything I make (it's even great in breakfast foods like matzoh brei!).  I have their Tuscan Herb Olive Oil on its way to experiment with, and their blueberry- and cherry-infused balsamic vinegars make a mean glaze for a pork dish (and a great topping for vanilla ice cream, too).
• Having trouble getting a FreshDirect or Amazon Fresh slot?  Check out these alternative grocery delivery options - I tested a few (without placing an order), and they all appeared to have delivery options for me within the next week or two.  Baldor in particular had a really impressive selection of fresh meats, seafood, and produce, as well as artisanal breads and cheeses.

Entertainment & Exercise

• The New York City Ballet will be offering a virtual spring season, with new pieces available for streaming every Tuesday and Friday at 8pm and will be available for 72 hours - catch them on the NYCB website or follow them on Facebook or YouTube.
• Several of the NYCB dancers are also offering online dance classes, including Ballet Essentials (a 45-minute class every Monday and Thursday at 6pm) and Wednesdays with Wendy (a series of ballet-inspired movement classes taught by NCYB Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, every Wednesday at 5pm).
• Radio.garden allows you to listen to any radio station across the world.  Been learning Italian on Duolingo?  (I have.)  Tune in to an Italian station to hone your comprehension skills!  Curious what other countries are telling people about the current situation?  Find out first-hand!  KHNS in Haines, AK is highly recommended - I've listened to it many a night while visiting my in-laws!
• Random tip: Need a confidence boost?  Save those emails you get when you've knocked something out of the park and someone tells you how great you are.  Stick them in a separate folder, and when you're having a tough day and need a little pick-me-up, open up your "Brag Box" and get a reminder that you're awesome.
• In the mood for a singalong?  How about leaning out your window and singing with dozens of other New Yorkers?  Earlier tonight was Lean On Me, as a reminder from the late, great Bill Withers that we're in this together.  Check out New York Sings Along on Facebook for details on next week's song selection.
• Ever imagine yourself as one of the legendary Rockettes?  The famous dancers are going live on Instagram every Tuesday and Thursday to teach their choreography and workouts.  Virtual kick line, anyone?
• Bored of the view from your window?  Explore The Hidden World of the National Parks, brought to you by Google and the National Park Service, featuring ranger-guided tours of many of our national parks.

For Kids

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art is now offering storytime on Thursdays at 12pm, adding to the many organiziations offering similar events (including 92Y and the NYPL - see previous digests).
• Deep Space Sparkle is a website with tons of art project ideas for your kids.  You can sort by age (5-11), by theme (animals, spring, fairytales, and many more), or by technique (based on what supplies you have around).
• The Bronx Zoo has set up a bunch of webcams, and you can visit the zoo online between 10am and 4pm to check in on the animals.
• The New York City Ballet has launched Ballet Breaks, a six-week series of lively Saturday morning movement activities designed for children ages 3 to 8.  Each 20-minute Ballet Break workshop will be taught by a NYCB dancer and will include a warm-up and choreography inspired by some of the NCYB's most beloved ballets.  These classes will stream every Saturday at 11am starting on April 25th.