Just like that, winter is here! To make up for the lack of sun, the snow shovelling and the winter blues, here are my activity and nutrition tips to keep you warm throughout the cold winter months.
1. Adopt habits that warm your body and soul
For instance, I like to change up my self-care routine in the winter. Every season has its own unique energy and flavour, so it makes sense to use different approaches to maintain a sense of balance. To start, I like to eat seasonally. I tend to gravitate toward nutrient -rich foods like broccoli, fennel, cranberries, pumpkin, sweet potato and garlic, and I eat plenty of spicy soups, such as curried lentil soup. In terms of exercise, I get back into hot yoga and do breathing exercises to ignite my inner fire (kundalini). I also enjoy taking hot baths with salt and magnesium.
2. Keep your winter recipes in one place
Summer is my favourite season for cooking detoxifying and nutritious meals. By contrast, during the winter, morning smoothies, fresh salads and juice cleanses seem less appealing. However, it is precisely during these months that we should be giving our immune systems a boost with nutrient-dense foods. Don’t worry: it’s still possible to eat well! My tip is to create a file with recipes for all my favourite nourishing and comforting foods. That way, if I ever need inspiration, my recipes are always within reach. These include herbal teas, oatmeal with berries and carrot and ginger soup.
3. Enjoy the sun while you still can
Of course, you should enjoy it in moderation and use your good judgment. Although the days are shorter, it’s still warm enough to get outside and soak up some vitamin D. One 20-minute walk per day is better than nothing! Enjoying the sun before winter sets in can help strengthen our immune system. Of course, it’s even better to combine sun exposure with a vitamin D3 supplement (I cover this in another article).
4. Make vegetable broth ahead of time
I like to take vegetable scraps such as onion, carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato peels and herbs and turn them into vegetable broth. I make a big batch, freeze it, and I’m all set! This broth can be used in various recipes for added flavour and nutrients. I cook rice and quinoa in it, add it to soups, and mix it with fresh ginger to fight off winter colds. Not only does it make meal prep much faster, it’s incredibly nutritious!
Audrey Sckoropad
