How to Beat the Winter Blues – Recipe Included! — No Shoes Nutrition | Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant + Coach

Winter Blue Busting

By Meghan Prescott

Who is ready for spring? In Alberta we are currently in the season of “Fools Spring”. We’ve had an extended period of warmer weather that lulls us into thinking winter is almost over. We are in for a shock next week as temperatures are set to plummet again! So, what are some strategies we can employ to enjoy this time of year when all we want to do is hunker down and long for warmer weather? I think the Scandinavian countries have some pretty great cultural philosophies that we could all benefit from. Two words have entered our collective vocabulary in recent years, and I think they are a perfect philosophy to adopt in these times.

Hygge is probably the most well-known of the two. It has gotten a lot of buzz in the past few years. If you haven’t heard about it, the concept is to cozy up, put on those twinkle lights or light some candles, grab your favourite mug of something, a book, and settle into the chilly nights surrounded by comforts and the little things that make us happy. It’s about being intentional to create a warm environment that welcomes peace and rest, allows our minds to calm, and invites us to unwind and destress. We can create comfort in the midst of an uncomfortable time with a little bit of intention

Lagom is another practice or philosophy that is maybe lesser known but just as applicable to this season. It basically means “just enough”. Not too much, not too little, but just enough. This idea has to do with contentment and balance. Contentment is created by a mindset of wanting what you have, not necessarily having what you want. It comes down to choosing to enjoy your life as it is right now, and to be grateful for what you have regardless of the circumstances that are out of your control. That contentment leads to balance, as we can be happy with what we have and don’t constantly feel the need for more. This will help to put our minds at ease and can really help our hearts and minds as we are truly grateful for what we have.

So, that’s the mindset that will help us through this time of year, now how can we use that to fuel our bodies to have the resilience we need to support our minds and emotions?

1. Hygge! Snuggle in with that book or movie, and instead of binging out on sugar-bombs in the evening, get some deliciously flavoured herbal teas or elixirs with healthy fats to satisfy that craving. Pair them with some 85% or higher dark chocolate and your body and brain will thank you! Hygge in the kitchen looks like making warming foods that are deeply satisfying. Soups and stews made with homemade meat stock are a great thing to have on hand and have awesome gut and brain supporting properties. Roasting veggies to bring out their natural sweetness and depth of flavour is satisfying and helps them to retain their nutrients. Eating lots of veggies helps to keep our systems balanced and cleansed.

2. Lagom! Balance and moderation. Don’t go overboard, but enjoy to the max what you do indulge in. Savour it but keep it in balance. Our brains are also happy when our gut bugs are happy! Have a living room picnic with charcuterie and a veggie platter with homemade dips, guac, or hummus, homemade spiced nuts, berries, lacto-fermented veggies and pickles, and homemade coconut milk peppermint fudge. And whatever you do, enjoy it to the full!

Coconut Milk Peppermint Fudge (AKA the easiest fudge in the world!)

Ingredients:

• 3 cups dark chocolate or stevia sweetened chocolate chips

• 1 cup full fat coconut milk

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 5-7 drops food-grade peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

1. In a medium size pot, melt the chocolate and coconut milk together over very low heat

2. When the chocolate is melted and fully incorporated, stir in the vanilla and add the peppermint oil · Transfer the mixture to a parchment paper lined 8 x 8 inch baking dish

3. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm

(you can place in the freezer for an hour to speed up the process)

Do you want to know more? Are you struggling with winter blues and eating your feelings? Would you like some support with meal ideas and weekly meal plans? Let’s chat about how holistic nutrition consulting and health coaching can help you organize your life and make things simpler. We can provide recipes, meal and snack ideas and support changes to transform your health! Schedule an initial complimentary consultation with us today—or pass this offer on to someone you care about! Visit www.noshoesnutrition.com and sign up for a FREE consultation. We work with individuals from all over the world individually or in groups so don’t let anything hold you back!