Every winter I have the same challenge: to keep the spirits alive. But I have learned a few tricks over the years. One of them is to use spices for both scent and taste. Combined with walks in the forest as often as I can, exercise, spending time with loved ones and good food, I am now quite successful. Try the spices! Because these flavorful spices are actually pure medicine for both health and mood. Including the fir tree. It is no coincidence that it is precisely in winter that we pick them. Many of them have been used for millennia to strengthen the immune system, relieve depression, increase blood circulation and prevent various diseases. Fill the spice cabinet (buy high-quality organic spices so that they will help) and spice up the winter!

Some examples:

- Ginger can prevent colds, increase blood flow so you feel warm, and improve digestion.

- Cinnamon is good for blood circulation, which makes you feel both warmer and more energetic. It also curbs sugar cravings.

- Saffron lights us up from within (or so it feels, anyway) and has an uplifting, mood-boosting effect.

- Saffron is also thought to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, which makes us feel happier and more content. I can also mention that saffron has been considered an aphrodisiac (love-inducing agent) for millennia. See the recipe below for a saffron drink!

- You can eat spruce needles and flavor drinks with them. They contain vitamin C, are antibacterial and increase blood circulation, and the smell of spruce is invigorating. Grind dried needles and use them in food (I make both spruce ice cream and spruce pizza) or make a white wine mulled wine with spruce syrup.

- Cardamom is one of my favorites in all contexts: seasoning stews, soups, carrot hummus and morning coffee with cardamom. It is antibacterial (goodbye colds), calming, mood-boosting and good for digestion. It is also an aphrodisiac.

- Cloves are also a serotonin booster, antibacterial and good for the stomach (which may need help during Christmas after all the Christmas food!).

Here are some tips for a warm, spicy apple drink that is far more beneficial and, in my opinion, tastier than the sugary red wine drink that is common:

1 liter of freshly squeezed apple juice 10 allspice grains 10 whole cardamom seeds Calvados – amount according to taste Season with honey Pour the juice into a saucepan. Crush the spices in a mortar and add them to the saucepan as well. Heat but do not let the mixture boil. Add the calvados and season with honey if desired. Serve.

And an irresistible saffron drink: 5 dl water 5 cardamom seeds 3 stalks of fine organic saffron Crush the cardamom pods in a mortar. Bring the water to the boil and add the spices. Let simmer under a lid for a couple of minutes. Turn off the heat. Serve in a cup and season with honey and possibly warm milk.

Lisen Sundgren

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