Sunday 12th April 2020 – Day Twenty
Good morning – Happy Sunday!
Thank you to all those members who have already completed the survey. Your comments, suggestions and ideas are very much needed by all of us here at Dragon Hall, so please take the time (no more than a few minutes) to complete.
I would also like to highlight that this is a team effort. Amber, Genia and Leah are making between 70 – 100 calls each week. Checking in on members, making sure that they have enough shopping, medication and offer a friendly ear if they need to talk.
The last seven days have seen a shift in terms of how we are supporting our members, and more and more are requiring practical support. I would like to thank the volunteers who have given up their time to help out – including Bek, Lisa and Hana, all of whom have been amazing!
Lastly thank you for all your links, videos, recipes, healthy tips – please keep them coming!
What can I share with you today? – FOOD / SHOPPING
From John: Government rolls out emergency food parcels for vulnerable people. The UK government has said that a total of 1.5 million people in England who are classed as being most vulnerable to coronavirus should receive a letter outlining the steps they need to take to protect themselves. These measures are known as ‘shielding’. The food parcels are designed to help those who are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable and who have been told to stay at home and avoid face-to-face contact for 12 weeks.
If you haven’t already been contacted with advice and have a condition that makes you clinically vulnerable to coronavirus, you can register at Gov.uk. You’ll need your NHS number to do so.
From Chris: Vegan Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
2/3 cup (about 3 ounces) raw cashews, soaked in water for at least 2 hours (and up to 8), drained
1/2 cup cooked cannellini, great white northern, or navy beans
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 tablespoons white miso
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 small clove garlic, crushed
1 dash cayenne pepper
1/2 cup water
12 ounces elbow pasta or mini shells (whole wheat, gluten-free, and regular pasta are all fine)
1 cup cooked green vegetables, such as chopped broccoli or cauliflower florets, blanched peas or chopped asparagus spears, or steamed spinach (optional)
Salt, to taste
Directions – Place the cashews, beans, lemon juice, paprika, turmeric, miso, nutritional yeast, garlic, cayenne, and water into a blender or a food processor and blend/process until totally smooth. Set the sauce aside. Bring a pot of salted water to boil and add the pasta. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, till it’s to your liking. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the sauce and fold everything together gently, until the pasta dish is creamy and evenly coated. Adjust seasoning to taste. You may not need to use all of the sauce: If you have some leftover, use it as a dip or as dressing for a grain bowl.
ART & CULTURE – From Chris: While you may not be able to visit the Palaces and Galleries in person, there are still plenty of ways to engage with the Royal Collection and the fascinating stories behind it.
Follow this link to view the range of fun, educational and creative activities to keep the whole family entertained during the Easter weekend.
From Phil: The ticketmaster’s guide to streaming the best theatre at home
Here’s how to get your theatre fix while social distancing. Here’s how to get your theatre fix while social distancing. With a number of established institutions offering online alternatives, stars of the stage turning to social media, and streaming services filled with a variety of options, here’s their guide to streaming the best theatre directly into your home.
From Theresa: Royal Albert Hall Presents: Royal Albert Home. Artists present exclusive sessions from their homes to yours. Royal Albert Hall will be taking its concerts straight to the living rooms of musicians for a new digital initiative called #RoyalAlbertHome.
Tonight at 7:30pm Tenor and musical theatre star Alfie Boe will deliver an exclusive session from his home as part of the Royal Albert Home series. One of the best-loved performers in British music, Alfie has performed at the Royal Albert Hall on numerous occasions, first as part of the BBC Proms season in 2001 and most recently alongside Danielle De Niese in a celebration of songs of the stage in October 2019.
HEALTH – From Marcos (reminder) Marcos Viliotti is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Meditation on Tuesdays and Chair Yoga on Thursdays
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30
COMMUNICATION – A number of you have requested a tutorial with regards to using ZOOM
There are a number of videos on YouTube; here are my favourites, link 1, link 2
If you need any help in setting up, please let me know and either Amber or myself can go through it with you, step by step
Lastly, Janet has recorded another recital for you; Caliban, The Tempest, Act 3 Sc 2
Lines 146-155:
Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices
That, if I then had waked after long sleep,
Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming,
The clouds methought would open and show riches
Ready to drop upon me that, when I waked,
I cried to dream again.
Today Amber is on duty – her number is 07715580216, and you can contact me ANY TIME on 07759 646507 in case of an emergency
Please do complete our online survey:
Be safe
John