Hey everyone! January has arrived, and I’m feeling a strong “nesting” vibe. Isn’t it odd how society pushes the “new year, new you” narrative, expecting us to leap into action during the coldest time of the year? This just doesn’t align with our natural rhythms. We evolved to sync with the sun and, like nature, we’re essentially meant to be “hibernating” now. So, if you’re not feeling that burst of “get stuff done” energy—don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s tough to stay motivated in winter, but I promise, once spring arrives, that energy will come naturally. For now, just take small, manageable steps toward your goals.

With that in mind, here are the little things I’ve been enjoying during my winter “hibernation”.

1. Microwave Pancake Bowls

My afternoon snacks have become a bit trickier lately, now that I’m avoiding gluten and dairy. It’s been somewhat challenging to meet my protein needs, but I’m not letting it stress me out. This dairy and gluten-free phase is all about resetting my gut and skin, and it seems to be paying off. Instead of my usual yogurt bowls, I’ve switched to microwave pancake bowls. They’re super easy and adaptable.

Here’s how I whip mine up (though you can find many variations online):

• 1/4 cup oat flour
• 1 egg
• 1 scoop of protein powder (I prefer vegan or beef isolate)
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• Water (add until you reach a pancake batter consistency)
• Optional add-ins: vanilla, chocolate chips, blueberries, cinnamon, etc.

Mix, then microwave for 2.5 to 3 minutes until the center is set. Top it off with your favorites and enjoy!

2. Simple Mills Baking Mixes

This isn’t exactly a new discovery, as I’ve been a fan of Simple Mills for quite some time, but a new appreciation of sorts. Transitioning back to a dairy-free and gluten-free diet meant I needed to revisit all my snack options, and I’ve been reminded just how great their muffin and cake mixes are. I like to amp up the nutrition by adding a couple of scoops of bone broth protein to the mix, and the results are consistently great. Also, I can’t forget to mention their sea salt crackers—they make the perfect crunchy topping for all the soups and stews I’ve been making this season.

3. Regular Sunday Morning Sitter

I talk about this quite a bit on social media, but it’s worth mentioning again. Last Sunday, Mike and I completed our first half marathon together, a feat we couldn’t have achieved without our regular weekend babysitter. For about two years now, we’ve been allocating our sitter budget to Sunday morning activities where we do something active (usually running), followed by a coffee date or lunch. This routine has been incredibly beneficial for our marriage, far surpassing the usual fancy dinner or bar outing. Often, it feels like the only date options are to eat food that doesn’t benefit me and to drink, which is why this change has been so refreshing for us. If you can fit something like this into your budget, even if it’s just for 1-2 hours, I highly recommend it.

4. Leftover Veggies in Weekday Breakfasts

Okay, here’s another random tip, but it’s been a game-changer for me lately. I’ve started making extra veggies during our weeknight meals to add to my morning egg or egg-white scramble. I’m really focused on increasing my fiber and veggie intake, and this has been such an easy way to sneak more in. There’s not much to it—I simply cook double or half a batch extra when I’m roasting or sautéing veggies each weeknight. The next day, I just chop, heat, and scramble them into my eggs. So simple and so good!

5. Sweater Jackets

The way I’ve embraced sweater jackets this winter is on another level of obsession. Austin doesn’t usually get too cold—except, apparently, when I sign up for a half marathon—making sweater jackets the perfect choice for most days. I’ve collected at least five different ones, but my favorite is surprisingly the most inexpensive option from Amazon. I love it so much that I have it in both camel and dark green. I just throw it on over whatever I’m wearing, and instantly, it pulls my entire outfit together. If there’s one thing I can influence you with from this post, let it be the magic of a good sweater jacket.

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And that wraps up this month’s edition of “The Little Things”. I hope you found something useful, whether it’s a new way to sneak in more veggies or the perfect sweater jacket for those not-so-cold days. I’ll see you again next month!