Staying positive during isolation

2020 has not started as anyone expected. Businesses have been forced to close, overseas trips have been postponed, events cancelled and everyday life has changed.

VanillaFood is lucky enough to continue to trade… under strict guidelines. The team has been working in two isolated teams; working week on week off. As with every restaurant and cafe, only operating as a takeaway venue and maintaining a clean and sanitised space for quick customer interaction.

The challenges that the VF team face are the same ones faced by other small businesses in Noosa, across Australia and around the world.

Nilla put it as,

“we are one community and we will face these challenges together.”

At home it’s important to create an enjoyable space where you can have ‘you time’ away from any work, phone calls or unwanted interruptions. You may not be getting as much exercise as you normally would- gyms are closed, pilates classes have been cancelled or your morning walk with friends has been disrupted. Yoga on the verandah with virtual guidance from a screen or a jog around the block is still possible. Create a routine that suits you. 

It is also important to stay inspired. Continue to do the things you love doing. You might need to modify your usual routine- instead of sitting at a cafe for a few hours catching up with mates, have a cup of tea at home and phone a friend or 2. 

Read books, try painting or sketching, gardening and read blogs or follow a like minded you-tube channel.

Start your day in a positive way: an early morning wake up or a sleep in if you prefer and if practical a quick swim or surf to enjoy the morning sunshine. It is the perfect temperature at this time of year on the Sunshine Coast. Get your day started with a nourishing breakfast, oatmeal is the perfect autumn breaky (and is now available at both VanillaFood cafes as a take away breakfast).

Nilla has shared the recipe for an easy dinner (a favourite in her home), a nourishing warm soup to end a day at home: 

AFRICAN TOMATO SOUP

INGREDIENTS:

3 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic clove, finely chopped

2 hot chillies, chopped

1 knob ginger, chopped

1 red pepper, finely chopped

1 carrot, sliced

1 sweet potato, cubed and roasted 

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon coriander

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 tin cannellini beans

1 tin (400g) peeled and chopped tomatoes

500ml vegetable stock

1 tsp tomato paste

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Little honey (or agave)

1 bunch coriander, roughly chopped

Coriander Pesto- available to purchase at VF at Belmondos

Fresh herbs and lemon, to garnish

METHOD:

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onions over medium heat until softened. Add the garlic, ginger, chillies, red pepper, carrots and spices and sauté for a few minutes. Add the tomatoes, vegetable stock, sweet potato, sweetener and tomato paste. Season well. Simmer until you’re happy with the softness of the carrots and peppers. Stir through fresh coriander just before serving.

Top with coriander pesto, fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon.

Share your favourite soup recipe with Nilla @vanillafood.

Some of the VF team has shared what they have been up to whilst practicing social distancing and in isolation (when they aren't busy preparing delicious takeaways for you). 

Zara Hayward:

I’ve been doing a lot of things that I normally don’t have the time for. Cooking, gardening, cleaning and lots of sewing! I love sewing and have always made bits and pieces. I’ve made a few hats during iso and I’m selling them on Instagram @hatsbyzara. You don’t realise how much you miss friends and family until you can’t physically see them, so I have been calling them heaps… on zoom! I try not to stress about things too much and just enjoy the little things to stay motivated. We are so lucky here in Noosa.

Raymond Offler:

Keeping busy in the garden has kept my family happy, we enjoy growing our own vegetables and herbs. We’ve also been doing yoga together every day. 

Donna Robinson:

I have been painting interiors, sowing vegetables and flower seeds for the garden. My New Zealand family have just discovered the love for messenger video chat… so that’s been fun- seeing what they are all up to over there. From talking to family, friends and customers I think there is a strong feeling of slowing down, re-assessing and a return to simple things. I’m loving board games and eating meals together as a family. Life has slowed down for so many with no after school activities, working from home and reduced travel. It’s an interesting time that has undertones of regeneration and renewal.

Emma Tomkins:

I’m overseas, unsure whether to come home or wait it out in South Africa. It’s been very strange, I’ve never spent so much time indoors or away from the coast. I have been keeping up with @thehappybroadcast, they post positive news and thoughts from around the world (we have given nature some well earned time off from usual human impact). I’m enjoying the sunshine- it’s starting to get pretty cold here but I try to lay out in the sun every day for 20 minutes or so. There’s been some pretty epic sunsets too (and there’s so much on Netflix that I would have never discovered haha).

Tremayne McCarthy:

I have been painting on canvases and loving it. As well as jamming and putting new tunes together. I also love cooking at home, some VanillaFood recipes and creating new ones too.

Morgan Dwyer:

For me, I've been singing a lot. Not every day, but when I feel like a pick-me-up it never fails to lift my mood. I've also been enjoying the chance to wake up naturally without an alarm and have a slow morning at home (definitely out of the ordinary as is for anyone working in the cafe scene). I guess taking the pressure off myself and letting myself enjoy time at home during this weird time has been how I've stayed positive.

Shiva Paudel:

I have really tried to focus on bonding with my boys- they have so much energy. I’ve been taking boxes home from work to get the boys back to basics, building cubby houses and painting them, just using their imagination. We’ve also enjoyed riding our bikes together as well.

The team hopes an insight into their current day to day lives has given you some motivation and inspiration in staying positive during the pandemic.

Stay happy and healthy.

Love the VF team.

(both VF cafes are currently open for takeaway with reduced trading hours, call ahead to get the most up to date information.)

(some covid-19 restrictions have eased since this post was written, assess the situation in your local area.)