Cozy Magic￨Comfort & Self-Love

What comes to mind when you hear the word cozy? Wooly socks? Soft blankets? Roaring fireplace? Have you ever considered that coziness might actually run deeper than candles and cocoa? In this episode, we’ll look at coziness as a means of self-discovery and self-love. We’ll explore how identifying your specific brand of cozy, can actually deepen your practice and bring greater levels of contentment and pleasure to your days. As you listen to the rain pouring down, grab a hot drink and ponder how to infuse more coziness into your life.

What am I reading?

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki and Jesse Kirkwood (translator)
Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World by Isabel Gillies

What’s playing on repeat?
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2

What’s for dinner? 

Classic Minestrone Soup
Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
¾ cup carrots, diced
2 sticks celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons tomato paste
5 cups vegetable broth
15 oz. crushed tomatoes
14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
15 oz. red kidney beans, drained
15 oz. can cannellini beans, drained
1 ½ cups zucchini, diced. About 8 oz.
1 cup green beans, fresh or frozen
3/4 cup ditalini pasta, see notes
Salt/pepper
Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp mustard powder
1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celeryand soften for 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic, tomato paste, and seasonings. Cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the broth, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
• Add the red/white beans, zucchini, and green beans.
• Simmer gently, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes. After simmering, taste and season with salt/pepper if desired.
• Meanwhile, boil water for the pasta. Once a boil is reached, stir in ½ tbsp. salt. Add the pasta and cook to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and transfer to serving bowls.
• Ladle the soup over the pasta and serve with Parmesan cheese. 
  
  

https://pin.it/3Hj7ei9uF

Snickerdoodle Cobbler

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
• 1 1/2 cups hot water

Topping:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread melted butter in a 9×13 baking pan.
• Whisk milk, vanilla, and sugar in a large bowl. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; whisk until just combined.
• Spoon batter over butter, careful not to mix. Sprinkle brown sugar over batter.
• Gently pour hot water over the batter and sugar.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and mostly set.
• Mix topping sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over hot cobbler.
• Let cool slightly before serving.