Welcome to 2021

By: Meghan Prescott

As social distancing protocols continue after the weirdest holiday season of the century so far, many people are struggling with not being able to celebrate with their loved ones around the table. There’s still a lot of uncertainty about when we can get back to normal, hug our people, and have them over for coffee or dinner. It’s especially hard at this time of year when we’re used to gathering. We crave the familiar and nostalgia becomes particularly strong when the twinkle lights go up. I heard people talking about not bothering to decorate since no-one will be coming over to see it anyway, and that’s really sad to me. So, how can we embrace this strange time, build some mental resilience, and not give in to the doldrums or despair? 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 favorite 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. I say put up the decorations, string the twinkle lights, allow the nostalgia to flow, and take comfort in the little things this season. Invite those loved ones in for a night of light and laughter over video chat and appreciate the fact that we even have that option!

Lagom is another practice or philosophy that is maybe lesser known but just as applicable to these days we’re in. 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. With the parties and get-togethers cancelled this year, we can choose to have the perspective of being content with what we do have and can do and find creative ways to take full advantage of it. This will help to put our minds at ease and can really help this season as we are truly grateful for what we have.

So, that’s the mindset that will help us through this season, 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 flavored 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 flavor 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 on the sweets and treats but enjoy to the max what you do indulge in. Savour it but keep it in balance. Our brains are happy when our gut bugs are happy! Have a veggie platter with homemade dips, guac, or hummus prepped and ready so it’s an easy grab to balance out the other treats. Some of my favorites to have on hand during the season are soaked and spiced nuts, clementine’s, grain-free charcuterie boards with lacto-fermented veggies and pickles, and homemade coconut milk peppermint fudge.

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

Ingredients:

1. 3.5 cups bittersweet or stevia sweetened chocolate chips

2. 1 can full fat coconut milk

3. 1 tsp vanilla

4. 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. 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)

I hope you were able to make the best of an unconventional time and had a happy and healthy holiday season. I look forward to what we will achieve together for our health and wellness goals in 2021!

Want to get even healthier? Want help figuring out how to get a little more hyggel and a little more lagomi in your day-to-day life? Want to reset your nutrition to het out of the doldrums? Curious about how health coaching can help you on your journey to optimal health? Let’s talk! 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 people from all over the world individually or in groups so don’t let anything hold you back!