6 In Randoms

Flourishing in Winter

Please note that I did write this a week and a half ago, so yes, we now have snow.


Winter is knocking on the door right now. So far we have not been graced with any snow at our house, but it is coming. Our son, J, even had a full out meltdown the other day when he got up because there wasn’t any snow yet (his birthday is in December, so he gets a little excited about the first snowfall). My sister was rejoicing because they did have snow yesterday. Normally I would feel the same way, but I am seeing how the days with less light are starting to work against Living 31:27. The fewer hours of light, the fewer hours I want to do anything. Staying in bed at 5:30am is so much more appealing than putting on my running shoes and hitting the pavement when it is pitch black and freezing out. At night, I would rather be curled up with a book and a cup of tea than folding laundry or paying bills. So, how am I going to pull myself out of this before it starts?

Some things I will try this year include:

For Managing Myself:

  • Make workout dates with friends and my husband. I try my best to never cancel on someone.

>> If  I’m going outside: Set out very warm outdoor clothes the night before and put at my bedside. If desperate I can change under the covers.

  • Find warm and comfy clothes that I can work around the house in.
  • Rejoice in wearing colorful scarves.

For Managing the Meals:

  • Make a lot of soup. It will keep me warm while minimizing winter calorie loading.
  • Make crockpot meals. These warm up the whole kitchen and take minimal work.

For Managing time with the Men:

  • Find fun outdoor activities for the family while it is light out.
  • Have board games at the ready for the days when we just don’t want to go out.

For Managing the Mess:

  • Use the indoor time for reorganizing inside the house. This will give more time to play outside in the sunshine in the summer.
  • Start the kettle for tea and then do a quick 15 minute tidy-up.

I’m getting warm thoughts already!

 Some people have told me that they will be curling up by the fireplace, drinking coffee or red wine, snuggling with their kids, and if all else fails going on warm vacations!

What do you do to flourish in the winter? How do you keep up your motivation when it is just dragging?

 

November 14, 2011
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  • Jamie Banks
    November 15, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    love this blog! For soup, try Quinoa, the super protein! Add carrots, celery, peppers, onions, tomatoes and chicken broth. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/quinoa-vegetable-soup/detail.aspx
    (I leave out the cabbage) For a heartier soup, I make borscht. (beet soup) I have a huge soup pot that was a gift from my coworkers when I went from Edmonton Public schools to the Government of Canada, I have made Italian Wedding soup, Potatoe Soup, Chicken Soup, Broccoli Soup, Cream of Cauliflower, and tons more. If you find a good recipe, let me know!

    • Lisa
      November 16, 2011 at 7:54 am

      Jamie, Thanks for the suggestion on the quinoa soup. I have some sitting in my pantry just waiting to be used. I think my usual soups are along the same lines as yours – chicken noodle, etc. And thanks for the comment about the blog.

  • Angela
    November 15, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    <3 the scarves!
    I'm on for a workout date!
    A

  • Rachelle
    November 16, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    I have a yummy bean soup recipe and one for butternut squash soup that I love!

    • Lisa
      November 16, 2011 at 10:25 pm

      Rachelle, if you don’t mind sharing the recipes I would love to get them from you. You can email them to me at lisa@living3127.com. Even if you don’t have them typed out, just take a picture with your camera on your phone and then send. Only if you get a chance.

  • Gayle Jervis
    November 17, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Good “warm” ideas to cope with our cold winters and to even enjoy this season. However, sitting outside in Palm Springs is pretty effective also!