Content provided by the Health & Wellness Team at GBS Benefits
From the Dietitian’s Desk
With Becca Rick, MS, RD
We’ve arrived at the time of year when colder weather settles in, daylight is shorter, and comfort is found in hot stews, steaming beverages, and a more relaxed pace to enjoy the company of loved ones.
In Scandinavia, winter’s frigid grip can seem overbearing. However, folks up north have found ways to cope by taking pleasure in little moments, such as enjoying hot cocoa by the fire or a warm blanket tucked over cold toes. Scandinavians practice the tradition hygge, which in essence describes the concept of living mindfully in the present and finding comfort, joy, and beauty in immediate surroundings. Hygge is a quality of coziness that can impart feelings of contentment and wellbeing.
What better way to be present and find comfort than through sharing food? Cooking with family and loved ones can help bring your mind into focus after a busy week. Mindfully scanning the recipe or chopping the next ingredient can bring about stories from years past as new memories are shared around the table. Practicing the art of hygge doesn’t represent laziness, but rather an intent to find pleasure in balance and moderation with a welcoming of a different season.
Risgrynsgröt is a traditional Swedish rice pudding made from humble ingredients like rice, custard, cinnamon, and vanilla. This recipe for Swedish rice pudding (https://cheesecurdinparadise.com/swedish-rice-pudding/) offers a perfect opportunity to practice hygge after a chilly winters’ walk, adding pleasure when shared with others.
