Category: Hygge

Strawberry Pie

The Day After Pi Day

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How are you doing? Are you anxious and worried. Me too.  I thought I would do a post with some of the things that I hope will help me through this uncertain time.

  1. Routines! As a Professional Organizer routines are my life blood.  I felt very ungrounded the last few days, even weeks with all the swirling news and prep anxiety.  Creating routines can help normalize some of what we are all about to go through.  Take some time to think about the things you want to do and how your energy flows through out the day.  Be flexible with yourself until you get into a flow with your new routines.
  2. Move.  Make sure to get exercise.  There are great free Youtube videos, my favorite is Yoga by Adrienne.  My feline Benji’s are always there to take up room on my yoga mat.  I will be upping my step goal from 10K to 12K and plan on at least two walks a day.
  3. Listen to a great podcast.  Today I listened to one of my favorites, Happier with Gretchen Rubin.  Here special bonus really had some great tips for being happier during this time and I plan on sharing my “19 for COVID-19” tomorrow.
  4. Get outside and take a “green break”.  Even though it is still mostly brown and gray here in Chicago (and white last night), the trees are starting to bud and the bulbs are popping up! I can’t wait to see the happy yellow daffodils everywhere.
  5. Use technology to your advantage.  I must admit that I am a luddite often when it comes to technology.  But I plan on using this time to hone my video conferencing skills and facetiming someone daily.
  6. Hygge to the rescue. I have fallen by the wayside of inviting hygge into my everyday.  I have incorporated it into some of my daily routines but reminding myself that I am not watching tv while eating to enjoy my food more and feel cozy will help me to feel like I am taking care of myself.

I am trying to keep most things in my life the same.  I will cook and bake.  I will start to get my garden ready. I will share some great gluten-free and allergy-free foods, and I will work on some of those things that I keep pushing aside.

Yesterday was Pi day and I made Strawberry Pie for dessert.  Simple traditions are sometimes the best things.

 

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My Winter 2019 Hygge Challenge

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Thanksgiving is over and I now have 8 batches of Turkey Carcass Soup in my freezer.  (I actually ran out of freezer safe containers!)

I’m reflecting on my words for 2019.  Comfort. Connection. Confidence.  They all served me well as guides through the year.  I’m using both my Passion Planner and Leone’s Shining Year Planner to finish up this year and start visioning my 2020. I am on the hunt for a word for 2020 and paying attention to the ones that cross my path often. This Words for the year2018 is a good list of words to choose from when deciding on a theme word for the year.  I have done this for a number of years now.  I also have made a vision board the last few years. I have in the past created a vision board on my own, or with an amazing group of friends.  My vision boards have also helped guide me through the year focused on my goals and values.

I have started my “Winter 2019 Hygge Challenge”.  Carving out a few minutes each day to feel comfort in my space.  What I like the most about Hygge is it is the intentional slowing down and savoring the comfort of what you are doing.  Three years ago my word for the year was Zest.  This is what I wanted, the intentionality of action.

I am spending my Hygge moment today with Aldi’s Candy Cane tea.  One of the things I am allergic to is tea  Yes everything fro the tea plant.  This makes warm winter drinks a treasure hunt.  I like plain peppermint tea and drink it often. This mint tea blend with the addition of cinnamon and chicory makes a lovely tea to spend your Hygge moment savoring.

Hygge Challenge
2019 Aldi Candy Cane Tea

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are starting to enjoy some Hygge moments of your own.

Summer Hygge

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It is finally feeling like summer. As I plant more seeds and thin out the rouge dill/fennel/borage/mustard/cilantro I am adding some minutes of self care and hygge to today’s gardening. I’m hygging in the shade with some coffee cake, coffee, beach playlist, and flowers thinned from the garden.

I enjoyed my winter holiday hygge challenge and have been tying to make my breaks a little more special.

There is snow in the forecast…..a great time to make soup!

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We are expected to get a snow storm over the weekend and that means SOUP!

I hope to have both pressure cookers going most of the weekend making Chicken Bone Broth and a vegan version with just herbs and veggies.

Besides shoveling I will enjoy some of my January 2019 Wish List there will be lots of hot chocolate, fires in the fireplace, and a walk in the snow.

I am simplifying my holiday decorations and plan to spend some of this long weekend going through some of the Christmas and Valentines decorations. Today I am dropping off a load of things I have already sorted and decided to donate. Then off to a grocery store or two to pick up the ingredients for the multiple batches of soup.

Enjoy the snow!

Morning Hygge – Dairy-free Coffee

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I’m starting my morning with a hygge moment. I added some Penzys Hot Chocolate to my coffee this morning.

One of my goals for 2018 was to start drinking coffee black. I accomplished this pretty early in the year and it wasn’t too hard for me. I still get a nondairy latte sometimes when I go out for coffee, but at home I always have black coffee.

Hygge moment for this evening.

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I’ve been trying to add a moment of hygge to my day this holiday season. I’m trying to slow down and enjoy the holidays instead of just spin from one thing to the next.

Tonight I have my favorite Cardamom tea in my favorite winter mug. I have a small loaf of orange honey bread to munch on while listening to a Spotify playlist made by a friend.

I am still trying to find my vision word for 2019. My 2018 word was Blossom and I have been reflecting on some of the things on this years vision board.

I had pictures of breakfast food since I wanted to cook special breakfasts for my kids more often. I did make breakfast more this year and would like to do even more breakfasts in 2019.

What would you put on a vision board?

Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Cookies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Tree Nut-Free, Peanut-Free & Nightshade-Free)

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Today is National Brownie Day!  And I may be making Brownies later, but I am finishing up these yummy soft cookies I made the other night.

I usually top them with Candy Cane bits, but they have been hard to find this season.  I could try to break up some candy Canes, but the last time I did that it was not pretty.

I use chocolate chunks in these cookies, but they would be just as good with chips.  The teaspoon of peppermint oil gives it a nice holiday taste.  I have made these at other times of the year and left the peppermint out and they are just as good.

One of my goals for this winter is to add more Hygge to my life.  To slow down and enjoy the holiday season.  To be thankful for my snuggly cats and the warm blankets.  To listen to Christmas music and turn the lights on on my tree whenever I am home.  Some coffee and the soft cookies were a great Hygge addition to today.

Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Cookies

  • Servings: 24 large cookies+
  • Difficulty: easy-moderate
  • Print

Ingredients

IMG_4024
Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Cookies
  • 1 cup Earth Balance Soy-Free sticks
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 2 cups Namaste Flour
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • dash of salt
  • 1-2 cups chocolate chunks or chips
  • optional Candy Cane bits

 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. In the bowl of a mixer cream together butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and peppermint extract
  3. In a separate bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt
  4. Add dry ingredients slowly to running mixer until combined.  The batter will be extremely thick.
  5. Mix in chocolate chunks
  6. Using a medium scoop or a large soup spoon make 2 inch diameter cookie balls and place on silpat lined cookie sheet.  I only had room for about 8 cookies per sheet
  7. IF adding candy cane bits sprinkle them over the top.  You may need to add some pressure to get them to stick.
  8. Bake for 12 minutes
  9. Cool before moving to a rack to cool all the way.  Although we enjoy them hot and melty and often reheat them in the microwave!
  10. Enjoy!

 

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