December 1, 2020 by

healthy coleslaw with greek yogurt

Cool and use an emulation blander to make it into a smooth syrup… Since the COVID-19 outbreak, we have all had to adapt to the many changes made throughout the country needed to stay safe. For more details about cookies … Lyle's Golden Syrup 325G. Try Princes Strawberries in syrup, perfect for use in cakes and desserts. Results for “strawberry syrup” Showing 1-4 of 4 items Filter by: Filter by New (0) Filter by Special Offers (0) 1 Category Filter by Tins, Cans & Packets (8) 2 Brands Filter by Princes (3) Filter by Delmonte (1) … Spread the mixture over the base and bake for 25-30 minutes. Strawberries are also popular in the Philippines, where they are used to make a strawberry syrup which is used in the popular snack food taho. Aug 5, 2020 - Explore Asda's board "Asda | Drinks and Cocktails", followed by 13158 people on Pinterest. Instruction for use: to prepare drinks, as an addition to tea and dishes (omelets, pancakes, semolina), desserts (ice cream, puddings), drinks and beer. They are much better!!!! 7. The Strawberry Museum in Namur is proof of their importance in Belgian culture, featuring everything strawberry-flavoured including classics such as their range of jams, alongside more unusual fare like strawberry beer. Strawberry juice= 18%. Bring back to a boil, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar into the syrup. Strawberry plants are perennial and once planted will bear fruit for years, propagating themselves by sending out runners. Write a review and let shoppers know what you think of this product. You can pick up tipples that taste like strawberry laces, … Asda has given our sweet shop favourites a grown up twist. Other Information Full Product Name: Grenadine Syrup Storage: Keep refrigerated after opening. 2 x 500ml syrup bottles. You can also use honey of that’s what you have. In Mexico, strawberries and cream, or Fresas con crema, is one of the nations favourite dishes and can be found at ice cream parlours across the country and even frozen in portions at supermarkets. ingredients pictured with the product you are purchasing are not included. While we have taken care in preparing this summary and believe it is accurate, it is not a substitute Maple syrup: To naturally sweeten the mousse. Protect from sunlight. Carne asada is a dish of grilled and sliced beef, usually skirt steak, sirloin steak, tenderloin steak, or rib steak. Read our privacy policy for more about … 2. This website is published by Immediate Media Company Limited under licence from BBC … Let the syrup … By continuing to use this site you are consenting to the use of cookies. Slimming World Speedy Strawberry Trifle Hartley’s Strawberry Sugar Free Jelly = 1.5 syns Strawberries = FREE Squirty Cream 30% Less … Shop The classic, fruity flavour is perfectly captured in Monin Strawberry Syrup. In France, strawberries are thought to embody romance so they are often included in wedding breakfasts and fed to newlyweds in the form of a sweet, creamy strawberry soup. Description Ingredients: Strawberry Flavoured Jam (50%) [Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Strawberries, Sugar, Citric Acid, Gelling Agent (Pectins), Flavouring, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrates), Colour (Anthocyanins), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate)], Fortified Wheat Flour [Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin (B3), Thiamin (B1)], Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Glucose Syrup… shopping experience on the website. Oct 22, 2020 - Free 2-day shipping. Did you know that us Brits drink 95 … Find out more. If you Best before 36 months after production … Monin Strawberry Syrup is just one of a delicious range of flavours, used by coffee shops such as Costa Coffee and enjoyed across the country and further afield. Add the cream and 50ml of Monin strawberry syrup to a whipped cream dispenser, and screw on the top Put the cream charger into the charger holder with the thin end facing outward, and screw the charger holder onto the dispenser. 6. The bottles come in a 70cl Glass Bottle, and a 1l Plastic bottle variation which is ideal for bars, cafes and coffee shops, but can also be used at home. ASDA Strawberry Trifle 600g £1.80 ASDA Mega Chocolate Party Cake Serves 16 Each £5.88 Cadbury 5 Chocolate Mini Rolls 5pk £1.92 KitKat 2 Finger Milk Chocolate Biscuit Bars 14X20g £2.76 KitKat 2 … Add 2 cups of sugar to the strawberry liquid. Add them to a list or view the best cocktails made with the Strawberry Syrup cocktail ingredient 4. Please be mindful of this when purchasing as all orders placed are subject to our T&Cs, including N2O Cream Chargers which are a restricted product. is therefore unable to accept liability for any incorrect information. Although for many, the strawberry is a quintessentially British flavour, there are many other countries that associate strawberries with some of their most beloved traditions. Shake the dispenser for a few seconds, flip it upside down, and add a generous swirl of whipped cream to the top of each cheesecake bar before serving. Shop online at ASDA Groceries Home Shopping. Any orders over 240 (8g) N2O Cream Chargers are restricted to Trades Only, this includes purchasing multiple quantities of smaller sized packs. This page serves as a summary for information purposes only, and are designed to enhance your Preheat the oven to 170Â° and line a 20cm square tin with baking parchment or tin foil, greased with butter or oil. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The popularity of strawberries around the world has seen the annual production of the fruit increase to more than 9 million tonnes and, with 41% of the market, China is currently the leading producer and exporter of strawberries for the international market. Preparation: add 9 parts of water to 1 part of syrup. Why not use our award-winning tablet and smartphone app? By 1625, Sir Francis Bacon had joined the legions of strawberry-lovers, although it was the leaves he was interested in, describing their scent as an excellent, cordial smell. in any way whatsoever without Shop Limited's prior consent, nor without due acknowledgement. Discard the zest from the syrup. Strawberry flavour no added sugar milkshake mix with sweeteners By browsing this site you accept cookies used to improve and personalise our services and marketing, and for social activity. Back then, they were delivered via the railway network which had revolutionised the transportation system and today they are still picked at 4am each morning and then delivered fresh to the stadium by 11am, with more than 140,000 servings consumed every year. Whip the cream until it holds its shape, but take care not to over-beat, then whisk in the rose water. Carne … Lyle's Golden Syrup 325G. The combination of silken tofu, sago pearls and the sweet strawberry syrup are a popular one which is sold all over the country. Check out our boards packed with recipes, great products and inspiration. Once opened, store at temperature 4-25°C in a sealed bottle. Find out more. James I was also a fan of the fruit and the 15th century saw the strawberry become a popularly procured element of royal banquets where hosts used them to demonstrate their wealth among the guests - strawberries were much sought-after, both for their sweet flavour and their relative scarcity. 1. Monin Strawberry Syrup is just one of a delicious range of flavours, used by coffee shops such as Costa Coffee and enjoyed across the country and further afield. ASDA Strawberry Split Yoghurt (134 calories), Treat Daily Goals. In a small saucepan combine sugar, water and strawberries. I had to cook it for about half an hour and then used cornstarch to thicken (1-2 tsp cornstarch in a 2 tablespoons of cold water, mixed well, then added to the simmering syrup … note that the picture images show only our serving suggestions of how to prepare your food - all table accessories and additional items and/or [1] It is usually cooked with a marinade and some searing to impart a charred flavor. Roman literature mentions the use of strawberries and at the time it was believed that they could cure everything from sore throats, fevers and fainting to depression and kidney stones. Bake the base for 5-8 minutes or until it has started to darken slightly, then leave aside to cool. Morrisons Ltd, No glucose-fructose syrup, sweetened with sugar, No preservatives and colourants, Vitamin C added, Pasteurized. Great recipe for SW Speedy Strawberry Trifle(2 syns). Despite their name, strawberries are not true berries like blueberries or even grapes, because the botanical definition of a berry requires the seeds to be on the inside of the fruit. Buy Hershey's, Strawberry Syrup, 22 Oz at Walmart.com Asda Mobile Over 1000 RollBacks Entertainment new releases Shopping safely with Asda Our latest guidance on COVID-19 for shopping with Asda. Please note we cannot allow collection of your order from this address. You should note that products and their ingredients are subject to change. Takes the bitterness off the yogurt. Asda – 15.71k followers, 5.71k following, 3968 Pins | Welcome to the Asda page on Pinterest. From livening up even the most virtuous breakfast cereals to adding a dash of something sweet and special to a cup of coffee, a splash of Monin strawberry syrup is the perfect way to give your taste-buds a treat. Once the strawberry liquid has been strained, discard the solid berries. The same great prices as in store, delivered to your door with free click and collect! Thank you for your understanding. This 3-ingredient Strawberry Simple Syrup is incredibly easy to make, and will elevate any homemade drink or cocktail. Cream chargers. The bottles come in a 70cl Glass Bottle, and a 1l Plastic bottle variation which is ideal for bars, cafes and coffee shops, but can also be used at home. Due to COVID-19 we are current expirencing a higher volume of orders, please be aware this may delay our response time. You should also Charles V, King of France, had more than a thousand strawberry plants in his garden and by the 15th century, monks were incorporating wild strawberries into their illuminated manuscripts. Classikool 6 x 1 Litre Bottles of Professional Slush Syrup: Blue Raspberry, Red Strawberry, Yellow Lime, Red Cherry, Purple Grape & Pink Bubblegum Regular price £29 99 £29.99 Classikool 2 x 1 Ltr Slushie Slush Puppy Syrup… Our latest guidance on COVID-19 for shopping with Asda. Whipped cream dispenser Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Open 10am - 6:30pm Monday to Friday - Please note due to COVID-19 our phones lines are currently not available. Protein: 9.3g: Carbs: 70g: Fat: 5.7g: Proportion of total calories contributed … Slush Puppie Slushie Syrup Set. There is no rival for homemade strawberry sauce. Sugar, water, concentrated strawberry juice, natural flavouring, acid= citric acid, colour= E163. Add orange, cranberry and blackberry tastes. Please see our Product Safety Page for more information regarding restricted products. We regularly develop our site to make it simpler and better. The classic combination of strawberries and cream makes a welcome addition to a variety of dishes and adding a splash of Monin strawberry syrup to a whipped cream dispenser is a really easy way to get the classic flavour combination in seconds. Turn crushed ice into a delicious and refreshing soft drink. This recipe is a delicious twist on a traditional flavour pairing and is the perfect way to make strawberries and cream into a truly decadent dish. The taste of strawberries compliments a variety of different flavours and works with every meal. Vanilla extract: Pure is preferable over imitation Pinch of salt: Salt really helps to bring out the … The bottles come in a 70cl Glass Bottle, and … Strawberry Fields Of Flavor Monin Strawberry Syrup brings a touch of classic sweetness to … Just a drizzle as a little goes a long way . MONIN Premium Strawberry Syrup 700 ml 4.7 out of 5 stars 821 £9.49 £ 9. All the cocktails you can make with the ingredient Strawberry Syrup. Read our … Pour into the chilled container and freeze for 30mins. This fruity syrup works perfectly in a whole range of drinks … Please! Bring to a boil and stir well until the sugar is dissolved. It was the French who first began cultivating the wild woodland strawberries that were so sought-after and growing them in their gardens to provide them with a reliable harvest as early as the 14th century. Strawberry is one of the most popular and versatile flavours in the MONIN range, and truly is the quintessential taste of summer. groceries Squirted on pancakes, stirred into a hot chocolate or used to top a bowl of fresh fruit, there are so many ways to enjoy this classic pairing, but this recipe is something a little different. Mix with 38 | 100ml Pimm’s No.1 or Asda Summer Punch and the strawberry puree. Sugar, Water, Strawberry Juice made from Concentrated Strawberry Juice (4.5%), Concentrate of Black Carrot, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid, Enriching Substance: Vitamin C, Aroma, We use cookies to make this site work, tailor your experience and improve your journey. 3. Where this description contains a link to another party's website for Concentrated Strawberry flavoured drink By browsing this site you accept cookies used to improve and personalise our services and marketing, and for social activity. Strawberry Syrup cocktails. COVID-19 is still impacting every avenue of our lives, therefore our safety initiatives are altered and updated in line with the Government guidance to ensure Asda … 241+ N2O Cream Chargers - Available for Trades Only. You must be at least 18 years of age to use this website. Asda is launching three fancy gins this summer, starting with the Extra Special Strawberry Laces Gin, which they say is the perfect balance of sweet and sour. It may not be reproduced This website uses cookies. We do offer N2O cream chargers & cream whippers at wholesale. This strawberry sauce is completely wonderful over ice cream, … Yummy, fruity, Strawberry flavour with the creamy, delicious taste of Baileys Ideal served over ice, in an indulgent cocktail or over ice cream A delcious combination of Baileys Original Irish Cream, Fresh … Lowicz Strawberry Syrup 400ml (2)Leave a review £1.50 37.5p per 100ml Add to trolley Add to trolley Advertised products Offer Kellogg's All-Bran Bran Flakes 750g 750g £2.90 38.7p per 100g Buy 2 for £5 … Wimbledon served strawberries and cream back in 1877 at their first ever tennis tournament. See more ideas about cocktails, asda recipes, recipes. You will required to fill out forms so we can check your reason for wholesale and before we are able to discuss prices. Consume within 30 days. further information on the product, please note that Shop has no control over and no liability for the contents of that website. Find out more Pharmacy Home Insurance Asda Mobile … I like to use it in this Strawberry Iced Tea, in homemade Lemonade, and … Add the sugar to the cream cheese and beat together until smooth, then stir in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract and mix thoroughly. Buy Slush Puppie syrups at B&M. Put the digestive biscuits into a food processor and blend until they are smooth crumbs, then combine with the butter and sugar and press into the base on the tin. This data is supplied for personal use only. © 2020 All rights reserved. Good basic strawberry syrup. do require precise ingredient information you should consult the manufacturer, whose contact details will appear on the packaging or label. Orders over 600 cream chargers we deem as a wholesale quantity. The supermarket is selling gin that tastes just like nostalgic confectionary. I use this on natural yogurt for breakfast. It has just 3 ingredients and this is the easiest strawberry sauce recipe. Some of our most treasured traditions centre around strawberries: tennis at Wimbledon wouldnt be the same without the combination of strawberries and cream, but there are plenty of other traditions worldwide which involve these sumptuous berries. Its easy to see why who wouldnt feel better with a bowl of freshly picked strawberries to soothe their ailments? Let it cool for at least half an hour, then cut into squares. 8 cl of strawberry juice Shake and pour in a tumbler glass. 5. A strawberry has an outer skin covered in seeds, each of which is considered its own fruit as far as botanists are concerned, and. There is something so quintessentially English about strawberries that its hard to believe that the sweet, fragrant fruits we enjoy so much were first bred in Brittany in France. Drizzle with strawberry syrup and top with a fresh strawberry. The Tudors and the Stuarts were huge fans of the Alpine strawberry which grew wild in the hedgerows and in woodlands. for your reading the product packaging and label prior to use. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to make sure you can always use our site. Our Strawberry Syrup bottles their celebrated sweetness for your favorite cocktails, mocktails, sodas and teas. Retailers can also order pallets once your wholesale application has been approved which will allow you to purchase higher volume such as 8 cases (quarter pallet), 16 cases (half pallet) or 32 cases which is a full pallet. Monin Strawberry Syrup 70cl In stock £5.63 Single More options Monin Gingerbread Syrup 1ltr In stock From £8.46 More options Monin Cocktail Syrup Gift Set OUT OF STOCK £6.24 OUT OF STOCK Monin Vanilla Syrup … 49 £10.89 £10.89 Get it Tomorrow, Dec 9 Arrives before Christmas Other options New from £7.12 Taylerson's Gin & Cocktail Syrup …

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Can this blessed ‘Corona’ situation possibly have an upside?

As a Life Coach, Steve feels a strong urge to help people not only to cope with this spell of uncertainty, but “hopefully to emerge from it stronger than we were before this crisis started; when, unfortunately, we took so much for granted. Like many similar global calamities before it, including world wars and pandemics, this virus-spread will change the world because mankind will make new discoveries and adapt new practices,” he tells me.

To make his points clearly, he starts by expressing a few basic – important – presuppositions, or concepts, about Life. Anyone who has ever attended his workshops, or talks, or even follows him on Facebook may find these familiar, even if somewhat controversial.

Why change? I ask. Change, he says, will always happen, whether we like it or not, whether we want it or not, and whether we’re ready for it or not. In fact, “change” is perhaps the only certainty we have during our lifetime.

When change happens externally—in our environment—we get affected too. Sometimes we are affected directly, at other times indirectly. Sometimes we are affected a lot, at other times, not.

“Since everything in life is connected, anything that happens anywhere in the world will affect everything else, even if perhaps in the minutest way, but a chain of events will have been precipitated. This is known as Cause and Effect. So, always expecting change is a good start. Accepting that certain events are inevitable because there is more in life that is out of our control than there is that’s within our personal power is another essential step. The past is what it is. The present is more within our control. Consequently, being able to expect, accept and even embrace change—whatever its form or outcome—is one of the most important life-skills anyone can have. The opening lines of the “Serenity Prayer” express this perfectly:

So, we have to accept that things go wrong, change our lives, shatter our dreams more often than not. Where do we go from here? His answer: “When things go wrong, what is ‘actually’ happening is that these events would not be going as we had planned or as we would have liked them to go. Here is a harsh truth: In the bigger picture, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way for things to go. This may sound strange, perhaps even objectionable, but in Nature everything happens out of necessity, not for the advantage of anything or anyone. Birth and Death are normal, ongoing events that are equally necessary and interconnected. Our false sense of ‘self-importance’ as a species makes us (humans) believe that whatever happens in the Universe is ‘about us,’ when we are merely a miniscule particle in the vastness of the ‘Big Picture’. Nothing is about us! We are simply minor components of an infinite whole. Of course, some things will change because of our actions— such as ‘climate change’ for example—but it’s not so much because we are in charge of anything. It is rather because we are participants in an ecological environment where every action can prompt a reaction.”

He then quotes Khalil Gibran from his monumental work The Prophet to illustrate our place in the scheme of existence. “When he is asked to speak to the fold about children, the prophet Almustafa says,

Life’s longing for itself. We need the humility to admit that we humans are incidental rather than instrumental to Life. Events will unfold as they must—one way or another—and we can either stress ourselves because we wanted them to unfold differently, or do our best to adopt and flow, surviving in the process as best we can.

Because we are complex living beings, we may not be able to control our emotional responses to our surroundings, but we can often adjust our reactions; hence our conscious thoughts about them and, as a result, we change our feelings.”

We know that we are different from one another and therefore we inevitably react differently to circumstances. Says Steve: “Yes, our personalities have been layered over the years from a mix of different experiences, to say the least, so no two persons are identical. Our behaviour, therefore, will be different as will be our response to the current situation. For some it will be more stressful than for others.”

“Stress,” he says, is an emotional response. “It varies between individuals. Those who generally do not seek external factors to energize themselves, also known as “introverts,” may find it easier to be indoors for prolonged periods, engaging themselves and remaining calm in their own or in limited company. They are used to it. Those who generally need a lot of interaction with other people in order to keep themselves fully charged, also known as “extroverts,” will probably react to the need for isolation with more stress and might struggle to keep calm and engaged while at home alone or in very limited company. They are not used to it.”

Then there are the anxious amongst us. What about them? “Those who are prone to “high anxiety,” meanwhile, need to be kept in our focus. They may need to be reminded that this is a temporary state of affairs. It is a storm and all storms eventually subside. This, too, shall pass! But we all need to be responsible and patient, appreciating the shelter and safety of our homes. My heart bleeds most for the lonely and the homeless. I wish we could all afford them more solidarity during this winter of dull global health.” Anxiety is a natural response that is intended to protect us, he comments: “Do not be surprised if you feel more anxious or worried than usual, especially at times like these. We humans are hard-wired to notice even the first signs of danger and our brain immediately goes into overdrive to keep our bodies safe. The snag is that this “stress response” that we experience as anxiety, as essential as it is for our survival, may be too much for some people to handle in certain circumstances. Our brain does not know when the bad news is fake or exaggerated, so it produces the same response as when we are faced with real danger.”

What can one do to reduce stress? “Use rationale to reason with yourself, as much as possible, to lessen your “imagination” of what might go wrong. Since anxiety results from ‘physiological’ responses in the body, it helps to focus on your breathing to help your brain slow down and calm the rest of your body, releasing better-feeling hormones. If these measures aren’t enough, seek help, but be aware that you are not alone. There is always help for anyone ready to help himself.”

Everyone seems to think that after this trying time our lives are going to change – some say radically, others in small ways. So, what does he read in his crystal ball about this? “These new circumstances are forcing us to change our ways of working, our daily habits and our attitude towards life. How lasting these changes will be remains to be seen. Some of us have had to adapt to working from home. Most of us have limited our movement outside the house to an absolute minimum. Some are in strict quarantine. At the moment, we are not buying clothes or gadgets, except perhaps online. Streets are quiet and entertainment outside the home is on hold. For the most part, we became more conscious about the need to economize on our consumption, realising that we need to keep our homes stocked perhaps for longer periods than originally thought. Hopefully, waste may also be greatly reduced as a result of our predicament.”

Steve continues and says that we seem to be returning to the Past in some ways. “This includes a renewed awareness in the need for public hygiene. During the Second World War, the British Ministry of Health issued posters with the catchy phrase, Coughs and Sneezes spread Diseases. This education was particularly important since people would often be huddled in bomb-shelters for extended periods. Evidently, this is still a good axiom for us to keep in mind too, now that we face such difficult times. The pendulum seems to be swinging toward the other extreme. Thanks to our greatly reduced transport by motor vehicles and an extensive suspension in air travel and tourism, even Mother Earth is having a break from our incessant fuming and polluting.”

We know only too well that the threats facing us are not small. They are economic as well as health- and wellbeing-related. “Let us not underestimate how this can affect us and others in our country, to what extent and for how much longer. What is lacking, perhaps, is a sense of urgency amongst many whose habitual irresponsible nature compels them to abuse their freedom, breaking rules and increasing the risk for others. That said, let us not exonerate ourselves from doing our part.”

Steve emphasises that everyone is connected. While some of us are more prone to certain consequences, no one is exempted. He gives a few examples: “Some people may be more financially stable than others yet have much more at stake economically in these perilous times. Some have the security of a pension but are more at risk healthwise. Some of us have relatives living abroad and may be worried, while others may have elderly parents whom they cannot visit So we are all pretty much in this together. Especially in times like these, it would be very unwise for us to compare ourselves to others. We simply need to do our bit and count our blessings.”

He points out that we all depend on other people to get through this difficult time. “But soon enough we may be looking back and perhaps we’ll have difficulty remembering the detail of this bleak reality, because we shall have won the war against the darn virus and moved on.”

But this is not the first threat to humanity’s survival, and it won’t be the last. “Dire situations tend to bring changes and progress too. Action and reaction often go hand in hand. World War II brought a huge leap in air travel, a dramatic development in other means of transport and advances in communication. Previous epidemics forced nations to improve health services and caused advances in medicine. There is always an upside, even in this crisis … whether or not we are able to see it yet. For one thing, petty differences seem to fade in the background and, so much that we believed was important before the crisis has been overshadowed.”

What qualities do we need to get through this bleak episode as quickly as possible? “The first is discipline. Without discipline there will be chaos. With discipline there will be progress. The second is patience. I remember having an MRI scan a few years ago. I am rather claustrophobic so my tendency would be to panic but knowing that it would be over soon and because I was kept occupied (by the earphone music provided to me) it seemed like a short dream that was over before I knew it.” The third requisite is to have a plan. He explains: “Your emotional wellbeing depends on making the most of your time at home. Prepare lists of activities you need to get done. This could be the time you’ve always dreamed of to (finally) sort out those drawers, or mend stuff, or spend time enjoying your pastimes. Be prepared. Make contact with friends without getting together physically. Share ideas and resources with others.” He emphasises that we need support for one another. “Let us find ways to stay connected, to reach out – especially to those who find it hard to be indoors for too long or who suffer from depression, and not assume they should be the ones reaching out to us if they need help. If you can think of anyone, especially of the elder generation or who suffers from unpleasant emotional conditions, use the phone or any online means to make contact regularly.”

He emphasises that we also have to be aware of what he calls ecology, meaning that we are in the same boat. “Actually, we are much like the crew of a submarine, where anything you do affects the rest of us, and vice versa. Let us exercise respect and selflessness, as opposed to panic buying, breaking quarantine, scaremongering or anything that affects society negatively. A truly civilized society should not require laws to keep its members in check, but alas we are not all civilized enough in our behaviour.” He cautions us about using words because without realizing we may be affecting others negatively instead of spreading calm and hope. “Avoid words that are loaded with drama. Catastrophizing, exaggerating and over-thinking are ways of creating anxiety. Without letting our guard down, let us share kind words and respectful humour. Let us consider how we speak to ourselves and to others.”

What lessons can we learn from this? “There is so much more that we ‘cannot’ control than there is that we can. What we ‘can’ control involves what relates to us, especially our words, our thoughts, our actions and our reactions. Assume responsibility for your actions and for your wellbeing. Avoid blaming others unnecessarily. Accept that the situation is the way it is and we need to make the most of it while it lasts. .As the old song goes, “I can’t stop the rain by complaining.” But I can avoid getting wet (feeling depressed or bored) by taking steps to remain dry (to do what I can to avoid hardship for myself and others).”

How can this awful situation possibly affect us in a positive way? Is there a proverbial ‘silver lining’ here? Steve is ever the optimist. “More than one, actually. Recapping some of the points made earlier, we have the following: Because of the fear of dying this situation has spiked religiousness in a lot of people, although this may have been spurred by the wrong motives in some because to turn to one’s God only when one is afraid points to a devotion of convenience. In my books “Gratitude is the only form of prayer,” so I prefer being grateful for all that is working in my life, rather than praying for protection, prompted by fear of a present threat. On the plus side, this made many people reflect and not take their life for granted.”

He points out that we have seen an increase in solidarity and even witnessed support being offered to complete strangers. “We experienced extraordinary human kindness in sharp contrast with the selfishness demonstrated by those whose actions jeopardized the stability of the nation.”

Another silver lining? “There is the fear of running out of rations. While fear may be irrational and ill-founded, in recent weeks we found ourselves curbing waste. A need to reduce and control our consumption makes us more human than machine. Such a situation also makes us realise what truly matters in life. Many people may have needed this jolt in order to realize that needs and wants are not the same thing and that you cannot eat possessions.”

Those of us who weren’t aware that security is a myth soon realised it. “Seeing how such a misfortune – that was out of our control to begin with – could reach us in a flash from the other side of the globe and how it forced us to close shops, cancel events and stay at home – risking our livelihood in some cases – may bring us to our senses before we pass judgement on socially emarginated people. Losing one’s job is enough to render a person homeless from being unable to pay rent. Let us refrain from labelling homeless people as addicts or lazy. Our own security is a fragile as the leaves on a tree. On a personal note, my life and career were going splendidly a few years ago, or so it seemed on the surface but in a flash – in just one moment – my whole world crumbled. It felt like my success story was cut short and coupled with a horror movie so there I was, in total disbelief, having to start over in my mid-fifties. My safety (“luck” if you will) lay in the fact that I did not have to pay rent and we had a second income, but I learned at that moment that security is a myth.”

Another silver lining is the practice and importance of washing our hands as a vital necessity. “Let us hope this practice stays with us for a couple of generations.” Then the need to cover our mouths. Steve comes up with some interesting facts: “The University of Bristol’s 2019 research indicates that “the airborne transmission of diseases, including the common cold, influenza and tuberculosis, is something that affects everyone with an average sneeze or cough sending around 100,000 contagious germs into the air at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.” We should all be very aware of this, rather than casual about public hygiene.”

He reminds us that this is a unique occasion to have time to ourselves. “Rather than struggling with it why not actively think of ways to interact with friends remotely and look up online or other resources related to their interests. If you are working from home, don’t become sloppy. Keep yourself in top form.

This is an opportune time to interact with your family, discuss topics of mutual interests, watch movies together, or do other activities… together. We must not forget that we are in this together.”

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