Welcome to week 10 of The Winter Project!
(What is The Winter Project?)



Our theme for The Winter Project for this month is: Winter play

Are you familiar with the concept of “flow”? Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a psychology professor and expert on the psychology of happiness and creativity, has written much on the subject and defines "flow" as being fulling immersed in a pleasurable activity with energized focus (hear him talk about it here). In this state you are enjoying what you are doing and thinking of nothing else- you may even be unaware of time passing or what is happening around you. Spending time in play can help to balance feelings of being overwhelmed or too busy in other areas of life.


Challenge for week 10: Brainstorm a list of your favorite leisure activities, ways to play, or things that give you energy. Try to spend time doing at least one of those things this week. Notice how you feel during and after- did you lose track of time? Are you a bit more happy or content?

Winter play ideas:

I made granola today for us to have for breakfast this week and got a few requests for the recipe. This is less of a recipe and more of a formula. In other words, feel free to add or take out ingredients to your liking!


Whole Grain Granola With Dried Cherries and Cacao Nibs
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
1/2 cup uncooked amaranth
1/2 cup sliced almonds or pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup pecans
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 cup cacao nibs
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon honey (or more syrup to make vegan)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons almond butter
1/2 cup apple juice or cider
1/2 cup dried cherries

 

1. Preheat oven to 290º F (143º C). Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl (oats through cacao nibs) and mix well. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, honey, vanilla, almond butter, and apple juice. Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.
3. Spread granola onto two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes, stir, then bake for another 15-20 minutes or until it has begun to brown. Let cool then add the dried cherries. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.