We can’t travel right now and given all the uncertainty, I’m not sure when my next trip will be. So rather than rubbing salt in the wound or planning around hypotheticals, instead I'm including some games, podcasts, virtual activities, books, as well as some stuff for kids, that may help transport you out of the mundane. I’m sure you’ve already gotten lots of recommendations but perhaps I can help you discover something new!
Games
Monopoly Deal - I know what you're thinking: “Omg, have you played Monopoly as an adult?! It’s so boring!" I hear you. But Monopoly Deal istotally different. It’s a fast-paced, strategic, card-game version and it's super addictive. Just trust me. You can find it on Amazon for $8.
Houseparty - This app allows you to play games like Heads Up, Trivia, etc., virtually with your friends. It alerts you when your friends are online so you can connect and catch up on a whim.
Podcasts
If you and I have ever spoken about podcasts, then you know I'm a huge fan of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. His realness and ability to be raw, introspective nature, and desire to learn/grow aligns with what I look for in a podcast. Below are some of my favorite episodes:
- It’s a good time to start or practice good habits and to incorporate them into our new routine. This episode of Armchair Expert was a great introduction to BJ Fogg’s book Tiny Habits.
- Organizational psychologist, Adam Grant, has his own podcast with TED called WorkLife which I've just started listening to following this episode of Armchair because he's awesome. He explores topics related to creating a better work life and is just an interesting guy with a ton of knowledge.
Virtual Activities
- Virtual tour of the Louvre
- Virtual Stroll through the Met - The Met’s 360 Virtual
- Tour of the Museum of Natural History
- Harvard and Yale are both offering free classes
Books
- If you haven't ever read the Harry Potter books, stop reading this email immediately and buy them NOW! I was lucky to have read these just a few years ago without ever having seen the movies first. Although the movies are well done, they just cannot compare even minimally to the spectacular and magical world that J.K. Rowling has created in her books. These got me back into reading & I could do nothing else while engrossed in them.
- If you have only watched Big Little Lies but haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. Though, it may be hard to get into a book or enjoy it to the same extent when you already know the outcome. Liane Moriarty is a fantastic writer and I love a number of her other books as well (though BLL was the first I read and still my favorite). I love her writing style - a perfect balance of dark and light - and way of story-telling through rotating points of view, sometimes the POV of strangers/outsiders that are not characters within the story itself. I really liked What Alice Forgot. If you have siblings, you’ll also probably enjoy Three Wishes. Although to varying degrees, I have liked all 5 books of hers that I've read so far.
- If you watched Mindhunter and like profiling shows like Criminal Minds, then I would suggest checking out this entertaining, easy-to-read thriller about an FBI profiler: A Killer's Mind by Mike Omer.
- Verity by Colleen Hoover. This book is so incredibly dark and twisted. It completely messes with your head and I could not put it down.
For Kids
- As long as schools are out, Audible is hosting a free selection of hundreds of titles for kids of all ages. Go to stories.audible.com.
- Scholastic has started a 'Learn at Home' series. Each day, Scholastic will add four different learning experience videos to their website for different grade levels. Click here for the Scholastic 'Learn at Home' projects.
- Khan Academy: Created by experts, Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace. They tackle math, grammar, computer programming, science, history, economics, SATs, and more for K-12 through early college, and it's all free! They have also partnered with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art, MIT, and The California Academy of Sciences to offer specialized content.
- Sworkit, an at home fitness program and app is now offering kid-friendly workouts to help your kids stay active while at home. Ranging from warmups and strength to agility and flexibility, these videos might help keep your child engaged and occupied so you can have a short break!
Wine of the Month
Wines to Pair with your Netflix Binge (by Genre)
Need an excuse to have some wine? Probably not, given the current situation (or ever). But just in case: wine promotes the release of dopamine and serotonin in our brain, as all pleasurable activities do. By raising dopamine levels, wine can make us feel good, which I think we all need right now. But before moving on to that second bottle, remember that drinking too much can alter other brain chemicals that
determine feelings of depression. Definitely not something we want to amplify at the moment. So try (keyword here is TRY) to practice some restraint and keep it modest!
Now on to the pairings:
- Comedy - Bichi Pet Mex - This unfiltered, biodynamic Pét-Nat (“pétillant naturel”) sparkling rose is quirky and will be a great complement to your favorite comedy, especially when you see the bottle. It also comes from a vineyard comprised of a mystery grape variety that remains unidentified. So you could drink it with a mystery or true crime as well!
- Mystery - 2010 Bonny Doon Contra - this is described as an “Old-Vine Field Blend.” A blend of what exactly though, we don’t know, the bottle doesn’t mention what grape varietals are used. I just like that it shares a name with one of my favorite Nintendo games, which I would love to be playing right about now! [Up up down down left right left right B A Start]
- Romance - Pick up a Petit Sirah (perhaps Michael David Earthquake Petite Sirah, shout out to Lodi, my hometown!). This wine varietal is dark and full bodied with notes of blackberry, chocolate, and some pepper and spice. Some say that red wine also releases or provides the same effect as oxytocin - the "love hormone.”
- Drama - You may not have heard of Petit Verdot. It’s a red grape that was traditionally used as a minor blending grape in Bordeaux wines. However, as it has spread to warmer climates, winemakers have realized that Petit Verdot can make intensely bold, fruity yet floral, red wines that can easily stand on their own.
- Documentary - Open up a Pinot Noir. This is a serious wine that is highly regarded and known for being a difficult grape to grow - much as documentaries can be difficult to make.
