The month of January can often evoke many emotions in us. It is seen as a fresh start and we feel invigorated and refreshed after the holidays. This prompts us to start new routines or strive towards new goals. However, we can also be left with a feeling of emptiness after the holidays. Here in the Great Lakes region, January is often our coldest month of the year so we find ourselves seeking refuge from the cold in the cozy indoors. How do we go about making our home feel cozy and ready for the fresh start of the New Year? One amazing way to do this is by invigorating our senses through simmer pots! Below are three amazing simmer pot recipes that you can use to carry on the feeling of cozy in your home through winter and into the months of spring.
Warm and Inviting Recipe
Perfect for hosting or when you want your house to feel extra warm and cozy, this recipe is perfect for those chilly winter nights. With energizing elements (citrus) and clarifying herbs (rosemary), this recipe is sure to evoke a welcoming feeling in your home.
Ingredients:
- 1 orange (sliced)
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
- 1 handful of cranberries
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 cups of water
Directions:
- Add water to saucepan.
- Turn heat on medium/low
- Add remaining ingredients and allow to come to a simmer.
- Turn heat to low and enjoy for a few hours!
Mood Boosting Recipe
The cloves in this recipe are great for supporting your immune system during these cold months when we can be feeling extra congested in the dry winter air. The uplifting effects of the apple, oranges, and cinnamon are sure to help whisk away the winter blues! Give this recipe a try next time you have a cozy night in snuggled up with a good book or watching a movie.
Ingredients:
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 apple (sliced)
- 1 orange (sliced)
- 1 tbsp. vanilla
- 1 tbsp. whole cloves
Directions: (see above recipe)
Spring Welcoming Recipe
As the days begin to become gradually longer and we begin to yearn for the spring days ahead, this recipe is sure to help your home feel like a bright warm spring day. With energizing citrus elements and vitalizing thyme and peppercorn, you can practically feel the sunlight pricking your skin as you relax on a blanket on a warm spring day.
Ingredients:
- 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 lemon sliced
- 1 tsp. peppercorns
Directions: (see above recipe)
I hope these recipes help to kickstart your simmer pot journey in the New Year! In addition to the natural aromatherapy that simmer pots provide, they also are a great way to add humidity into our dry winter homes.
Notes: The great thing about these recipes is that they can often be adjusted to what you have on hand in your home. For instance, apple peel scraps can often be substituted for a whole apple in the recipe above. Happy simmering!
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