Happy Wednesday guys! Today I’m thinking about the less popular months (except for the amazingness that is Halloween/Christmas) – compromising winter. I think its really easy once the clocks go back to get sucked into the despressing side of winter and go into hibernation at this time of year. All of a sudden, its dark by 5pm (or 4 on a cloudy day!), making it hard to stay energised, and far too cold – the temptation I have when I get home from work is to crawl into bed to warm up!
So to counteract that, I’m putting some measures in place to make this a prosperous and fun winter! Here are a few of my ideas
Nourishing comfort foods
Winter is THE time for comfort food and I’m already feeling the pull of pies, stews and casseroles. The idea of eating a cold salad for dinner is actually gross to me now – when its cold outside, I just want warm, nourishing food (maybe its my bodies strategy to put on an extra layer of fatsulation for the winter?).
As much as I ADORE cinnamon buns, pancakes and muffins, clearly eating that way all the time won’t leave me energised, so I plan to rely on a healthy mix of porridge for breakfast (bye rice crispies, you just don’t cut it anymore!), soups for lunch and casseroles, veggie chicken pies and sausages and mash for dinner. Here are a few flashes of inspiration.
- Best recipes for Fall by The Teenage Taste
- Best comfort foods for winter by Tree Hugger
- Yummy winter warmer ideas by Country Living
Staying active
Cycling to and from work should help with this, (although I will be heading for the bus at the first sign of sleet, snow or ice!) but I also want to find ways to stay active, both cardiovascally and socially in the evenings, whether that means tidying up the kitchen after dinner rather than slumping on the sofa, making dates to see friends, or jumping around to a workout dvd.
Treats for winter
Winter is THE best time for clothes – layering, coats, scarfs, cardigans, boots – yay! Here are a few of my favourites –
What are your plans for a great winter?
x Kerry
Kat says
November 7, 2012 at 6:18 pmLove the candy cane jumper!
kerrycooks says
November 8, 2012 at 8:28 amMe too!
Lucy Stendall says
November 7, 2012 at 5:08 pmI can just see you in the candy cane jumper, Kerry!
Can you tell me the difference between a casserole and a stew? The words seem interchangeable in this household for any dish that is cooked slowly over a low heat and including root veg, meat (or meat substitute!), stock etc.
kerrycooks says
November 8, 2012 at 8:29 amHmm that’s an excellent question… I think stew would always have meat or meat substitute in a gravy, whereas a casserole is more varied – ie tuna casserole
Susannah Bianchi says
November 7, 2012 at 4:59 pmLove the treats for winter. I’m already feeling that lack of Vit D. It’s very gloomy here in New York with a great deal of rain in the forecast. Me and my Wellies are prepared but my spirits seem low. Like the idea of buying something new and indulging in some type of comfort food like a silo of mashed potatoes. Hmm…or grilled cheese, pasta in cream sauce…chocolate cake also works…like this post a lot Kerry.
kerrycooks says
November 8, 2012 at 8:30 amI saw you have SNOW now! How exciting, enjoy!
Susannah Bianchi says
November 8, 2012 at 12:19 pmYes, but now it looks like a dream we had. They said it would rage all day well, it seems to be sleeping in.
kerrycooks says
November 8, 2012 at 12:43 pmEnjoy going out and crunching around in it for me 🙂
Susannah Bianchi says
November 8, 2012 at 12:58 pmI like the idea of crunching. Making coffee, thinking of you.
bakearama says
November 7, 2012 at 4:12 pmWe have just been talking about Christmas jumpers in the office… as much as I love that candy cane one think I might be heading to Primark where I hear there are some for £7!
kerrycooks says
November 7, 2012 at 4:27 pmlovely! That one does look nice but £50 for something you can only really wear in December is mental! I’ll see you in Primark!
The Teenage Taste says
November 7, 2012 at 12:25 pmThanks for the link-up, Kerry! 🙂
kerrycooks says
November 7, 2012 at 3:04 pmNo probs, great recipes!
Sue says
November 7, 2012 at 9:39 amNice handbag 🙂
kerrycooks says
November 7, 2012 at 9:52 amI know! debating whether to order one in brown…. or red