Hygge tips to get through winter

by Olivia Cartwright,



Hating winter is kind of like hating your job. Since we spend most of our lives in the cold and rain living in Britain, if you don’t like it, change it (or at least change your perspective). Winter gets a bad rep but it is inevitable, it comes around every year and if you're not careful we find ourselves wishing way half our lives.

Now Nordics and Scandinavians seem to be considered to be aspirational in every way. Our idealised impression of them is that they are all 6 feet tall, with long, blonde glossy hair in their gorgeous minimalist homes and sitting by roaring log fires. Whether it's their interiors, style or food you are coveting everyone wants a little Scandi in their lives at the moment. But their climate is certainly less desirable. So what is their secret to getting through the long, dark winters with a bit of positivity? The answer is HYGGE (pronounced hoo-ga).

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of years, you will of heard the term HYGGE - whether it was pronounced correctly is less of a cert! It is the Danish word that cannot quite be translated to English but it loosely means all things cosy and is the best way to make winter significantly more pleasurable!

Here are our top HYGGE tips to see you all the way through to spring and actually really enjoy it

1. Nesting
Make your home your winter sanctuary, think candles, blankets, dim lighting, a log fire if you’ve got one.  This is your safe space and it needs to be a pleasure to be in.

2. Comfort
Invest in some seriously great loungewear that you actually look forward to getting into.  This is all about actively taking pleasure in relaxation not feeling guilty for it.

3. Mindful indulgence
Cooking is the perfect winter activity, its warming and social and it makes you feel happy. We would highly recommend our cookies to be shared with friends

4. Don’t isolate yourself
Invite friends over, go for a winter walk, have long dinners and drink hot chocolate together. Winter always temporarily stints our social life but communication and interaction are more important than ever to beat the winter blues. Togetherness is key.

5. Be present
Put down your phone, get off Instagram and avoid Netflix in bed all day. Try reading a book, doing a board game with your family, have long baths! Being present makes such a difference rather than frittering your days away online.


In short, winter is so only bad because we've been doing it wrong, so make like the Danes, get your HYGGE on and enjoy the winter season. Try these tips and let us know how you get on!


Cleansing with the Seasons

by Olivia Cartwright, , link
 
We always recommend a cleanse with the change of the seasons. It’s a great opportunity to hit the reset button, “wipe your slate clean” and forge better habits in the new season to come. Cleansing now is the perfect juncture as the body prepares for the winter. It’s a time of rest, energy conservation and turning inward. Take this time for you, slow it down and ease into the cleansing process. 

Summer is always inevitably a season of indulgence, with sundowners, holidays and bbq’s every weekend. It’s safe to say all ideas of routine go out the window. Now is your chance to get back on track and get a head start before New Year. Our bodies are designed to work in rhythm with nature. As the leaves fall and animals begin to hibernate so should we. Enjoy the opportunity to embrace stillness and rest.

Schedule your cleanse carefully and really take the time to enjoy the process. Book a massage, go for long walks, sign up for a hatha yoga class, run yourself an epsom salt bath. There a plenty of ways to distract yourself and take it slow, any excuse for a little guilt free Netflix! 

Top tip! Enjoy GBBO but don’t participate...maybe Strictly would be better for you!!!

Our Favourite Cookie Recipe

by Olivia Cartwright, , link

 

As the weather cools and we are spending more time at home, spending more time in the kitchen too. Now we love a healthy treat as much as the next person but even with the best intentions in the world often the recipes let us down. 

In a nationwide clinical study consisting of our friends and family these cookies have been voted the best in the world!

Almond Butter Cookie Recipe:

- 1 cup all natural creamy or chunky almond butter (use your favourite brand)

- 1 cup desiccated coconut 

- 1/3 cup maple syrup

- 1 egg

- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

- 1 bar dark chocolate bar chopped

- sea salt to top

 Preheat oven to 175 degrees. Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. No need to refrigerate, roll into balls and flatten into cookie shapes. Sprinkle with a little sea salt

Bake for 10 mins

Let us know how you get on, we love hearing your feedback. We guarantee these cookies will bake your day!



Established London 2009
100% Organic Cold-Pressed
Delivered across the UK