We hope you’ve been enjoying our seasonal Flora Supplement Calendar and associated posts throughout the year. We’ve arrived at our final installment of these seasonal posts for 2020 with winter on our doorsteps. This the time for slowing down, reflecting on the year behind us, going into hibernation-mode, of ‘hygge’ (a Danish and Norwegian word describing the mood and feeling of comfort, coziness and conviviality that many try to cultivate in the winter months of the northern hemisphere), of warming, comfort foods and of wellness and supporting our immune health.
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do outdoors. We’re blessed with all sorts of climates and terrain in North America. If you’re lucky enough to live near mountains, winter is the perfect time to take advantage and hit the slopes for some downhill skiing, or explore the chill, calm quiet of freshly snow blanketed forests on cross country skis or snowshoes. If you’re in the Southwest USA, winter means milder temperatures perfect for long, contemplative desert hikes.
Getting in some physical activity in the day makes evenings relaxing indoors with a good book or movie that much more rewarding and enjoyable. A hot soak in the tub with candles and Epsom salts, going inwards with a long, relaxing yoga session and cooking up comfort foods like curries, stew or casseroles are just a few ideas to help round out your day and keep your spirits uplifted. Many winter holiday traditions involve lighting up our homes with festive decorations as a reminder that the sunlight and warmer temperatures and a renewal of nature and life will return. Fireplaces, candles, Christmas tree lights and light therapy lamps are just a few examples. There is light at the end of this tunnel that 2020 has been.
Speaking of sunlight, plants and herbs are amazing examples of living things that literally turn sunlight into matter and growth. This time of year we turn to our herbal allies like elderberry and acerola to support our immune health as well as warming spices like ginger, turmeric and cinnamon to encourage good digestive health and circulation. Add these together with tangy apple cider vinegar and you have an amazing beverage perfect for the winter months in the form of our Flora Apple Cider Vinegar Wellness Tonics. If you are feeling adventurous, our resident Holistic Nutritionist has cooked up a recipe using these drinks to make a festive fruitcake.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our 2020 Supplement Calendar ideas and feel inspired to try something new. Thank you for reading and we hope you’ll stay with us for 2021 – we have an amazing year planned full of surprises, so stay tuned!
Robert Dadd is a Master Herbalist (Dominion Herbal College) with a BA in Communications from Simon Fraser University. His areas of research include adaptogens, probiotics, and essential fatty acids. He is currently the Product Information Supervisor for Flora Manufacturing and Distributing.
