Oaf's Guide to Hibernation
Winter, it’s cold, it’s dark and sadly (kind of) there’s little to no joy in venturing out into the big wide world. So, on that note, it’s time for a good ‘ol hibernation so you can rest up in time for whenever summer decides to show its face. Whilst you cocoon away, we’ve pulled together the perfect guide so you’ll never have a dull moment whilst hunkering down for the season.
STEP 1
The Silver Screen
We know a thing or two about T.V and Movies because, well, we watch a bloody lot of them. So, we’ve pulled together a few of our very top tier selects that’ll have you forgetting that it feels like the sun’s stopped coming out.
• Alice in Borderland
• Common Side Effects
• The Devil Wears Prada
• Flow
• The Office (US)
• Race Across the World
STEP 2
Tuneage
For when you have a funny five minutes (yes, we all have them), a kitchen disco can really help burn off some steam and help you feel like you're at a festival instead of watching a music video in your home. Pop one of these on and you’ll be ready for the days of muddy fields ahead.
• Lily Allen, West End Girl
• Snõõper, Worldwide
• Julia Wolf, Pressure
• Addison Rae, Addison
• ROSALÍA, LUX (plus, you’ll learn new languages at the same time – win, win)
• K Pop Demon Hunters The Soundtrack
STEP 3
Brain Stimulation
Keeping our brains fresh is important and it can be way more fun than that Sudoku you keep telling yourself is enjoyable. So, here are some of our tried and tested methods to keep your brain ticking when the Baltic winds are blowing.
Journaling/Scrapbooking
Whip out your glue stick and scissors, sift through your bag, magazines, the recycling bin and curate some junk into art. (Bonus points if you tag us in your creations and include a Lazy Oaf label!)
Get Knitting
Head down to your local charity/second-hand store, you’ll be able to pick up affordable yarn and needles. By the end of this winter, you’ll have one, or a few, handmade scarves ready for the next.
Sketch a Day
Grab a notebook or treat yourself to a new one, and fill it up with a sketch a day. Only in pen, mistakes are encouraged - you’ll be in the flow in no time.
Podcasts
Basically tuneage if you don’t like to sing or dance, some of Oaf’s faves are: The Louis Theroux Podcast, Dressed: The History of Fashion and Straight Diva
Good ‘Ol Book
A new read is the perfect way to escape the realities of winter and what better way than a virtual book club. All the fun of reading and chatting without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home! We recommend checking out Sober Girl Society’s and Literature Noir's clubs.
STEP 4
Keeping Yourself Nourished
To get through winter, you need a full belly at all times so those chills don’t get to you. Which means, that kitchen is gonna be in full action so you can make delicious meals and treats all season long. Here’s our go to that’ll get your tummy rumbling.
LEEK AND POTATO SOUP
Ingredients: 1tbsp veg oil, an onion, clove or two of garlic, 8oz of potatoes, 2 leeks, 1.2l of veg stock plus salt and black pepper to taste.
Method
• Oil in a well-sized pot and warm it up
• Peel and cube your potatoes, chop your leeks and onion then chuck ‘em in with your garlic (add as much as your vampuric heart desires, we won’t judge) – stir until all of them start to soften
• Pour in your stock (not got stock? Try an instant veg gravy) and bring that to a boil then turn it down a leave ‘til you veg is all soft.
• Season with salt and pepper to your liking then blend with a hand or standing blender.
• Give it a taste to see if it needs anything (You mix in cream or creme fraîche here if your heart desires) then enjoy with a hunk of bread + butter!
THEN FOR DESSERT...
Chocolate Guinness Cake
The easiest and most delicious cake in the bloody world. Fact.
The winter blue’s, they’re real, but hibernation is a more than acceptable way to get through them. We hope these steps help you to get back to looking after No.1, you, and finding the simplest of activities.
