I think you’ll find that the through-line of this post is comfort. Comfort and coziness are what I am really gravitating toward these days. I’m constantly thinking up ways to up my coziness at home, especially since we’ve gone back to springtime levels of precaution and are spending a great deal more time in the house. When I do go outside for my daily walk, it’s been so cold and windy that I’ve been bundling up to the max and sometimes treating myself to a hot coffee to warm up as well. (I’m a total wimp when it comes to the cold).

But honestly, I’ve always loved the whole idea of hygge and embracing comfort and coziness, so this just feels like a great opportunity to really bask in that.

So consider this your comfort + coziness laundry list, with warming foods, gentle cozy movement, and a few comfy extras like music, books, and shows I’ve been loving lately.

Let’s jump in.

Eats

Blueberry Banana Bread

I baked this bread up after noticing that I had a bunch of bananas and a punnet of blueberries that were about to go bad. It was a wonderful idea because it made the perfect breakfast treat, a couple days in a row. I especially love it with some peanut butter and berries on the side.

Vegan Apple Crumb Pie

This pie was so. good. I decided to make it in lieu of my usual go-to apple CRISP to use up some straggler autumn apples, and it was a really good decision. I would say this guy is the love child of traditional apple pie and apple cobbler with a hint of apple crisp there too. I’m actually not a huge fan of traditional apple pie, but with this crumb topping? OUT OF THIS WORLD. It’s especially great with some vanilla ice cream (I’ve been loving oat milk vanilla ice cream lately). Oh and you better bet I had this for breakfast two days in a row. Okay fine, three.

Shrimp Curry with Cauliflower Rice

I think this was my first time having shrimp in….all of 2020. LOL. I love shrimp actually; I just tend to forget about it when brainstorming recipes, so I think I almost exclusively eat it out. However, I was really feeling it, and it felt like a really comforting dish to prepare on a cold autumn day. And it so was! I absolutely loved the flavors here, and though I made it with the cauliflower rice as directed, I think it would also be divine with hearty brown rice.

Outrageously Fluffy Blueberry Pancakes

Love this base pancake recipe. I will say, they’re best when made with butter on the skillet and served right away. Sometimes I warm up my pancakes in the oven if I want them to stay hot while I’m cooking several batches, but with these, that causes them to lose that delightful crispiness on the outside. So good with maple syrup and your fave nut butter.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Confession: I made this quite a few weeks ago and just totally forgot to share. However, I’ve definitely shared it in one of my earlier posts because this was my second time making it. Again, I will say, I know it sounds super weird and kinda gross if you’ve never had it before, but please just trust me on this. You know I wouldn’t lie to you right? This is one of my FAVORITE pasta dishes, and it’s just so comforting. This time I added some spinach on its last legs, but you can really customize it however floats your boat. It’s super versatile that way! Oh and I loved adding some hot sauce on top. *Chef’s kiss.*

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancakes

One of my all-time favorite pancake recipes. I love that they’re made in the blender for ultimate ease and quick prep. Chocolate chips are non-optional. We love these with some creamy almond butter and maple syrup. Mmmmm, now I want them again. See this is the problem with these recap posts. 😉

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup + No Yeast Crusty Bread

And now for the MOST comforting meal of them all! I mean, is there anything more cozy than a big bowl of creamy soup and a hunk of crusty bread to go with it? We happily enjoyed this for three days straight, which for us variety-loving gals is fairly uncommon. Also, this bread is SO EASY and looks and tastes like something straight from a legit bakery. And you don’t have any yeast to baby! It was divine with a slather of Irish butter on the side of the soup, but I also can vouch for it being an awesome vehicle for avocado, smoked salmon, or peanut butter. Ahhh now I’m salivating, and we’re sadly all out of fresh-baked bread.

 

Movement

This 1hr power yoga routine (so good on the arms)

This 30 minute Stir it Up yoga flow + this ultra-cozy 39-minute blanket yoga routine (nice and gentle and felt like a much-needed hug for my body and soul)

This 36-minute hiit and lower body strength routine + this 10 minute Pilates finisher (my legs were…not ok after this)

This 22 minute kickboxing routine + this upper body strength routine (skipped the warm up in the strength video and the cooldown in the kickboxing video for a workout that was around 50 minutes)

This 25 minute hiit for people who get bored easily + this 38 minute heart-opening yoga flow (I don’t often combine hiit and yoga, but it was exactly what my body wanted today)

Currently Loving

Reading

The Big Leap

I just finished this book that’s honestly been on my to-read list for close to two years. When it started to suddenly appear EVERYWHERE I looked (in my Instagram feed, in podcasts I listened to, in conversations I had), I knew it was time for me to get it. It’s a super quick and easy read, so I raced through it, and it’s such a gem. It’s one of those books that sort of keeps sinking in for days after you read it, resulting in sudden moments of epiphany and realization at sporadic moments in the day. I got most out of its insights on relationships, time management, and limiting beliefs. Note: none of the tips in this book are what you might expect from a traditional self-help book that focuses on these topics. Definitely worth a read if you’re a personal development junkie like yours truly.

Watching:

Gilmore Girls

My mom and I recently started rewatching this most comforting and cozy of all TV shows. The last time I watched it, I was just finishing high school and starting college, so it’s a pretty different experience watching it when I’m older than Rory at every part of the show haha. And while I certainly get annoyed by the characters sometimes (not Lorelai though; she’s always my fave), I can’t even tell you how much I look forward to watching this with my mom every single day. We usually watch one episode a day, half over brunch and half over dinner, and it’s been a lovely new tradition. All the warm and fuzzy feelings.

Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions on Disney Plus

This album is one of my favorites ever and like for many people, was a real quarantine soundtrack of mine. I’m so happy they released this to give a little more insight into the music. P.S. I think the only way to watch this is from your bed under the covers with your cozy warm beverage of choice.

Listening to:

Obviously Taylor’s second surprise album of the year, evermore, has been on REPEAT over here. If you’ve been reading for a while, you know I have been a Taylor fan pretty much since I was 11 (remember Love Story and You Belong With Me days?). I really really love the vibe she’s been embracing with these last two albums. I just think there’s something about them that fits perfectly into this year, almost like they wouldn’t have ever been created if not for all the events of 2020. And it just serves as a reminder that there’s usually a lighter side to all the darkness and chaos.

I recently listened through Shawn Mendes’s new album Wonder, and I really love it. It’s basically the feeling of falling in love with someone you can really see forever with, perfectly encapsulated into a musical album. One of my favorite things is when music conveys a certain human feeling so poignantly that you really feel it in every cell of your being, and this album certainly does that. Fave songs are 24 Hours, Look Up at the Stars, Dream, Teach Me How to Love, and Wonder.

Laughing at

SNL is always a source of comfort and laughter for me, and these recent episodes did NOT disappoint.

This Christmas Conversations one was HILARIOUS and I’m sure very relatable for many.

This Michigan Hearing one had me in stitches and reminded me that Kate McKinnon is a national treasure.

And finally…

Jimmy Fallon’s folklore impersonation fallonlore (have I mentioned how much I adore this man?)

Lighting Candles

I’ve been REALLY drawn to candles lately. I’ve always loved them, but particularly this fall/winter season, I’ve been really enjoying lighting a candle each time I am doing yoga, journaling, or just relaxing. I don’t tend to light them when I’m doing any kind of focused work because I think my mind associates them with ultimate relaxation haha.

I got myself this PF Candle Co Amber and Moss candle and this JTC Joshua Blossom candle from The Alchemist Kitchen when I was there a couple months ago, and I love them because they remind me of my boyfriend (who’s way too far away in California).

I also have this Sweet Vanilla Cinnamon candle from Anthropologie that I got at the end of summer, and it’s gotten significantly more use as the weather became colder. I love the whole Boulangerie collection (my all-time faves are Espresso and Oatmeal Cookie). I really like sweeter scents as you can tell, and I love having a little assortment so I can pick whatever candle I’m in the mood for that day. I hope to keep growing my collection this winter because hey, there’s worse things to spend money on, yeah?

 

And that’s a wrap for today’s comfy cozy edition of Joyful Eats, Movement, and Currently Loving! Hope this brought a little joy to your day, and as always, let me know if you check out any of the things I mentioned in this post.

I’ll see you real soon for a pretty deep and vulnerable update post on some things I’ve been shifting around lately. Stay tuned!

Lots of love xx