Your Cozy Winter Guide: Things to Buy, Cook, and Read
Quinn's cozy oatmeal, 2023.
Your Cozy Winter Guide: Things to Buy, Cook, and Read
This is a fun list of things that enhance my coziness in the winter. From body oil to books to my signature oatmeal recipe, I’m excited to share some of my favorite creature comforts with you. Although I have to say—you can't buy a hot bath or a snuggle in bed. The best coziness is always free.
Cozy Items
Eye relief
I have dry eyes that are prone to infection in winter. My friend recommended this moist-heat eye mask and I love it. It relaxes me during my morning meditation and puts me right to sleep at night. I also love it after crying or being on the screen too long. It's hilariously ugly though…here’s a much cuter one.
Soft pants
I live in these Vuori joggers. (Really, I wear them every single day.) They're soft as heck, great quality, and nice enough to leave the house to run errands. Vuori is also an ethical company and sends clothes in sustainable packaging. (They aren't cheap, so make sure to get the 20% off for your first purchase.)
Lavender stick
When I have neck and head tension (always), I like to slather this lavender and menthol headache soother stick on my tense muscles. The scent is divine and calming, and it really helps.
Naughty crafting
Doing something simple and repetitive with my hands is really effective for easing my anxiety. I love to nestle under a blanket with soft music playing and work on a cross-stitch. These subversive cross-stitch patterns are hilarious and raunchy. I always have one going, and I love to give them as gifts.
Huggable clothes
The only thing better than wearing a cashmere sweater is hugging my husband when he’s wearing a cashmere sweater. His arms are the coziest and calmest place. (Also, I heard someone talking about the bliss of cashmere socks recently, and I want in on that luxury!)
Tension ease
This year I discovered arnica oil for tense muscles. It really, really soothes me. I keep it on my desk and rub a dab onto my neck or shoulders periodically. (Do you sense a theme here?) Arnica is scent-free, which is sometimes nice. I get mine locally, and it's just arnica + olive oil. Here’s a similar version.
Magic treat
This fancy almond butter is for special occasions. It has undertones of vanilla and drizzles so well onto toast or oatmeal. My friends and I always buy this for our retreats, and the verdict is unanimous: it's to-die-for.
Lip heaven
My lips are SO dry right now! My current favorite lip balm is this honey butter one from Farmacy (such a clever name). I got it as a gift, and now nothing else will do.
Hot buns
I think I share this with you every winter, but I'm obsessed. This heating pad is soft, has 6 heat settings, and is my #1 home office companion. My body shivers a lot, so putting this on my feet or lap immediately calms me down.
Scented mist
I have a little desktop humidifier that diffuses essential oils. I adore it. It lifts my mood and helps with dryness. Lavender and eucalyptus are very relaxing scents. I also like mixing tree scents in the winter, like pine, cedar, and spruce. The diffuser I own isn't very well-made, so here are a few better options.
Divine oil
Lastly, here’s a splurgey luxury. I got this body oil several years ago after getting hooked on a free sample. I’ve had the same bottle forever and only use it for special occasions (when I’m REALLY stressed). The smell is subtle and heavenly, and I can feel my body melting into softness as soon as it touches my skin.
Cozy Meals
Cozy breakfast:
Oatmeal with granolaI don't want to brag, but I’m an oatmeal connoisseur. I eat it everyday, even when I travel. And though I add other fresh fruits in the summer, this is my standard recipe. On the stovetop on low heat, very slowly simmer 1/4 or 1/3 cup of Bob’s Red Mill steel cut oats with water and salt. For the last couple minutes, throw in a handful of fresh blueberries so they'll warm up and burst on your tongue. After cooking, I fold in a tablespoon of ground flax seed and sprinkle granola on top. If you want the full Quinn special, make the granola from scratch. Here’s the recipe I use religiously, which came from my friend Rachel’s partner’s dad, Tim (I've never even met this granola genius), with a few changes by me.
Cozy tea:
Tulsi winter teaThis is a spicy, warming, comforting tea that I drink constantly in the winter. It contains the magical herb tulsi (stress-relieving and immune-supporting), ginger (warming and excellent for digestion), cinnamon (antibacterial and circulation-increasing), and black pepper (great for the belly).
Cozy lunch:
Homemade tomato soup and grilled cheeseMy husband is on a mission to make the best tomato soup—he’s tried dozens of batches (lucky me), and this is the best recipe. For richness, he adds half a stick of butter instead of cream. And his secret extra ingredient is this spice mix from Penzey’s. Pair it with grilled cheese sandwiches cut in long fingers for dipping (we go with a good quality seeded bread that’s well-buttered and paired with muenster cheese).
Cozy snack:
Cornbread with cardamom gheeMy friend is an incredible kitchen witch, and she makes ghee (clarified butter) from scratch with cardamom, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and rose petals. It's HEAVEN. The combo of her magical ghee on homemade cornbread is my absolute favorite cozy winter snack. Goddess Ghee makes a similar version, and I’m a huge fan of Trader Joe’s gluten-free cornbread mix.
Cozy dinner:
Cheesy cavatappi pastaThis cheesy one-pot pasta is one of my current faves. It’s just so damn gooey and comforting. It's also fun to make because it doesn't require boiling or straining. It has zucchini in it which is almost negligable but adds a nice twist. I like using the cavatappi pasta shape (so fun) and prefer fontina over gouda.
Cozy Books
Here are three wonderful books to help you remember that resting and coziness are your divine right. Hell yeah!
Needy: How to Advocate for Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty by Mara Glatzel
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May