Embracing Winter
Skiing with the fam at Mount Cranmore circa 1986
I know this may not be a popular opinion, but I truly love winter. As a child, we used to go skiing with my mother’s (Irish) side of the family. All of my aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents would be together in a big ski house that everyone pitched in to rent. People slept on all 4 floors wherever they could find a spot. As people arrived on Friday nights someone would light a fire in the enormous fireplace, which was adorned with an actual moose head. Everyone would sit around the fire, someone would hang a big Irish flag from the second floor balcony and there would be Irish music playing. The next day, we would all ski and I would drink Orangina and eat potato skins to my hearts content.
Several years later, my parents bought a place on Mount Cranmore so we could ski every weekend. We would invite friends and family to come and created a tradition of playing Nerf ping pong on the dining room table and a local card game called 45’s. On Saturdays and Sundays my father would make a big pot of stew or chili in the morning and leave it on the stove all day. My friends and I would be free to ski and return home when we got hungry to eat some lunch and then head back out to the trails again. We would go all day without seeing our parents, who were out skiing with their friends, and I loved this freedom. We would all gather and go out for dinner or order take out and then head back out for night skiing, which was my favorite.
My love for winter has endured. This year, my focus is more internal, restorative and simple. With the New Year I cleared a lot of my physical space to make space for the new. I have been supporting and strengthening my spiritual practice as well as my physical body. I am finding that when I prioritize these two aspects I am able to experience more balance, which is a big deal for me.
Here are some of the things that are helping me enjoy this winter:
Evlo Fitness - This app is really working for my fitness routine. I use it for the mat based weight training. There are options for a 3, 4 or 5 day per week schedule. Substitutions, add ons and a schedule that is backed by science. It has a pilates feel and the music is very soothing. The program was created by 3 Doctors of Physical Therapy and they prioritize alignment, support and efficient movement that creates results. My back felt better in the first week and I love that I don’t have to worry about what muscle groups to work on different days. They are also around my age, which many of you reading are too. They are currently running a special to get the month of January for free.
Life Pro Waver Vibration Plate - I bought this on Black Friday this year and I do not regret it. I use this plate about 4 days per week after workouts and on rest days. It soothes my nervous system, helps my muscles recover from workouts and clears out my lymph.
Infrared Sauna - After the vibration plate, I like to get into the sauna for at least 20 minutes. I am more sensitive to the cold than I used to be. While I am in there I will listen to relaxing music or meditate. I am lucky to have access to a sauna this year. In prior years I have used the Higher Dose sauna blanket. For the locals…I know there are vibration plate and saunas available at Wild Tribe Wellness in Merrimac, MA and also at Buddhaful Souls Yoga Studio in Rowley, MA.
Reading - I go through spurts with reading where I become obsessed with a topic or subject matter and I can’t get enough. Usually it is history related. Right now I am enjoying reading about mystical Catholic saints. I like to read actual books, preferably before bed, and I like to mark them up with notes and highlighter. Reading before bed after a hot shower calms my nervous system. I did need to invest in some readers this year, which has made reading easier. I also swear by this chargeable reading light I got from Amazon. I use it before bed on the soft light setting.
New York Times Games - Every morning I sit quietly and complete these brain teasers. As the weeks have progressed I notice my mind shifting for the better…it’s a mental workout. I look forward to this daily routine.
Cooking - I love to search for and try new recipes. I found Yarin Leoni’s Instagram account @breadbakebeyond and I want to make pretty much every recipe he posts. I made the capers latkes for New Years this year and they were delicious. I also like to save NYT recipes for later.
Pinterest - I love using Pinterest to set intentions, put outfits together and envision how I would like my life to look. Each year I make a private virtual vision board for the upcoming year. I’m always adding to my style board and saving recipes and home decor ideas. Follow me here and I can follow you back!
The Canopy humidifier with Thieves essential oil to help ward off respiratory illnesses, make my room smell great and lull me to sleep with soft light and white noise. The essential oil stones need to be ordered separately.
I hope this list gives you some ideas that will help you enjoy being cozy this winter. Send me your recommendations here!
