Things I’m Loving Right Now • Winter 2025 Edition

Books

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

This book was the first book to give me the heebie jeebies since The Whisper Man. The backdrop of the snowy Rocky Mountains was the perfect setting for a winter read too. I avoided this book at night but I read it curled up by the fire on particularly cold days and it was perfect. Creepy, but perfect.

The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte

Okay, this book was a weird one in that I didn’t particularly love the author’s style of writing, but I did think her message was a good and valuable. The premise of her book was that before we set goals/intentions, we should figure out how we want to feel first. After we figure out these core desired feelings, then we can set habits/intentions/goals that support these feelings. The first half of the book was the “philosophy” (I skipped over some of it when she just filled the pages with various feelings), the second half is the workbook where you sit down and do the work. Putting things into practice, I have to admit that I see the usefulness/impact of it all.

Podcast

ETPHD Podcast

I could, and probably will, write a whole blog post on this podcast. It’s just so good. It marries healthy habits and healthy eating with solid mental health and body appreciation. Bonus: the hosts have lovely voices!

food

Chocolate Cake

I have been really enjoying recipes from Half Baked Harvest lately. The biggest hit this past January was a chocolate cake from her book Super Simple. I found a similar recipe on her blog though!

Green Smoothies

I started of the year feeling a little bleh after a few too many indulgences over the holidays. So I spent a couple weeks sneaking in green smoothies. I felt better in no time. Here’s an example of one I like.

Chicken and White Bean Enchiladas

I love a good enchilada recipe, and I have several. This one is one of my favorites that includes beans. While I love enchiladas any time of year, I find them particularly enjoyable in the winter.

Movement

Cosmic Kids Yoga

So after reading The Desire Map, I determined that one of my core desired feelings was “active”. So how could I fit in active to my life right now? Especially as a mom, I don’t have oodles of time in my day to myself so things that involve the family are always going to be best. So me and my boys started up this little practice. Right now they’re loving it and I actually get a solid little stretch out of it, along with quality time with my boys! Win-win-win.

Yoga with Adriene

I really wanted to bring Yoga back into my life but it was hard to squeeze into my schedule along with strength training. So thank you, Yoga with Adriene for making videos less than 15, even 10 minutes. Sometimes I use it stretch, other times to wind down the day, and other times to start the day. She makes it so easy to squeeze in a little yoga session!

crochet

Sunrise Coaster by TL Yarncrafts

I made these cute little guys for this year’s Galentine’s Day part. It’s a quick little pattern that’s perfect for leftover yarn. She also has an entire YouTube video to take you through it every step of the way. I love TL Yarncrafts and she has some of the best teaching videos for crochet out there.

Valentine Heart Garland by Darling Be Brave

I’m hosting a cozy Galentine’s Party this year and this heart garland has been so fun and quick to whip up for the big day.