Cozy Season, Cozy Rituals: Embrace Fall With These Cozy Routines and Practices

It’s November, which means *drumroll please* it's Cozy Season! Summer was fun, but we're definitely leaning into the soup, thick socks, and crisp air of it all.

It might seem like a small thing, but paying attention to where we feel shifts with changing seasons, internally and externally, is a powerful way to connect with our bodies, our intuition, and the natural world. We are nature, and the seasons always remind us of this.

To celebrate the Summer-to-Fall transition, we’ve come up with a grounding, nurturing, and- maybe most importantly- fun list of cozy rituals to embrace this time of year. Keep reading (ideally with a mug of your favorite warm beverage) to hopefully get inspired. 

  1. Slip into a warm bath, as often as you can and would like to. If you’re looking to elevate your experience, consider adding a bath milk, salt, or a few drops of your favorite body oil into the mix.
  2. Early fall mornings are a perfect opportunity to journal. Slow down, make some space for yourself, and put whatever you’re thinking and feeling on paper.
  3. Treat yourself to a body massage, or massage the body of someone you love, with or without oil. Colder weather can be tough for skin and muscles, and this healing- not to mention sensual- practice helps you connect to yourself and/or your partner. 
  4. Burn some incense or light some candles. Aromatherapy is real, plus they add a warm, calming ambiance to any space.
  5. Put. Cinnamon. In. Everything.
  6. Re-read your favorite book or nestle into the couch to watch a fall-vibes film, maybe while rocking a clay mask. When it comes to movies, Practical Magic, When Harry Met Sally, and The Fantastic Mr. Fox are some faves.
  7. Delight in your senses. Pay attention to the way that soft clothes feel on your skin. Notice the way that cold wind bites your cheeks and how a hot chocolate or tea feels in your hands and belly on a chilly day. Maybe write it all down. It’s the little things.
  8. Try making some bone broth (which is amazing for your skin, among other things). Keep reading for a recipe we love, courtesy of our founder Erin’s husband himself.

Yuri’s Chicken Stock:

My two secret ingredients for wellness are rosemary and cloves, which are good for boosting your immune system and keeping a healthy gut. Great for cooking and sipping, alike!


You will need:

  • 1 whole chicken carcass, roasted and fully cooked -2-3lb bird - bones, scraps, and skin (any excess meat that is still attached to the bones are fine)
  • 2 large red or white onions, quartered
  • 2 large carrots, cut in large chunks
  • 4 stalks of celery cut in chunks  
  • 4 sprigs Rosemary 
  • 1 bunch Parsley with stems  
  • 2 tbsp black peppercorns 
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce 
  • 1 tbsp Worstechier 
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 2 tbsp salt and more to taste 
  • 6-8 quarts of water (depending on the size of your pot) 

Use the carcass of a roast chicken, pull off as much of the meat as possible. Use roasted gizzards, neck, heart and or liver. Add the chicken contents and vegetables to a large pot. Fill the pot with 6-8 quarts of water, making sure to cover everything, but leaving a few inches at the top of the pot. Combine the rest of the ingredients and bring everything to a hard boil for 10-15 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until liquid is rich in taste and flavor.

Note: Liquid will evaporate so expect to lose 2-3 quarts in the cooking process. Season with more salt to taste about half way through. Chill the stock as quickly as possible after the cooking process. Strain the contents of the pot with a fine mesh strainer and cool in an ice bath before refrigerating or freezing. I do not skim my stock of the tallow, or fat. When chilled, the fat separates and you will see an inch on top. Use everything, just bring to a boil before serving. The fat will re-incorporate, which adds flavor and is really good for you. 


Pro tip: Fill an ice tray with stock and use the cubes for sauces or deglazing. 

 

Cheers to all things cozy, and let us know what your favorite fall/winter rituals are!