Soul food for the months ahead
At SPL we are shifting into a quiet season; alike the rest of the Northern Hemisphere we look for ways to stay healthy both mentally and physically as temperatures drop.
Words by Lynsey Burke
Canadians love seasons. The days are becoming shorter, but our mindset remains open to change. As sun hats and sandals get tucked away, we start pulling out sweaters for the glory that is sweater weather.
Instead of mourning the longer, sunshiny days of summer, we at SPL look to the Nordic countries for inspiration on how to embrace this time of year.
Stay cozy and social Nordic-style
Adapting a Nordic mindset during the darker days helps in the stunning setting that is SPL
To take a page from Nordic countries in their winter philosophies and apply that to our outlook can be a great reminder in how mindset can be a choice.
It is referred to as koselig in Norway (which translates to a feeling of comfort), known as hygge in Sweden (the celebration of coziness and comfort and the equality and well-being of everybody). In Finland it’s sisu (stoic determination, hardiness and resilience with an action-oriented mindset) and in Iceland, petta reddast is widely used (an all encompassing term that means it’s all going to work out in the end, and to look positively toward the future).
How do we evoke such a triumphant outlook? Here in Canada, what is our philosophy surrounding the winter solstice? It depends on who you ask.
When the wind is blowing the rain sideways, hunkering down and wearing a scowl perhaps feels like the only way to exist. How can we derive a sense of contentment and fulfillment when darkness falls?
Cozy Fridays
Guests enjoy paddling, beach fires or staying cozy inside the cabin with a warm drink this fall
SPL Executive Director Christine Clarke suggests creating rituals with friends: gather a group of people you’d like to spend some quality time with and bring your favourite toys and gear to SPL for an invigorating getaway. At the Lodge we slow down operations during this time of year, however, six of our cabins remain open and available to guests.
Feasts and celebrations around food and fire align with the season of harvest and turning in. By implementing the Swedish ‘Cozy Friday’ philosophy so you might have a weekly togetherness in the calendar as an antidote to the feeling of loneliness and isolation.
Strengthening your bonds through adventuring
Find your soul food this season at SPL
Each cabin is equipped with snowshoes and our waterfront rentals are available all season long. Guests venture out onto the water to witness honking trumpeter swans that are resting and feeding in flocks, their quiet paddle is accommodated solely by the sounds of nature and the rhythmic splash of your paddle. Roosevelt Elk are often seen in the aptly named Elk Valley where they overwinter.
Perhaps knitting and board games with the wood stove burning is the time away and the thing you’d most look forward to this season. Or maybe it’s beers and bikes. If a plan to hit the trails and get muddy sounds like a friend-trip that provides a dose of Finnish sisu, then pack your bikes for some time logged on nearby trails. Maybe water sports are an all-season hobby, if so, you can bring your kayak and head to the prized Gold River for some white water paddling.
Guests enjoy the wood stoves in our cabins for warm and cozy gatherings
A warm-up in our wood-fire beach sauna with alternating cold plunges in the lake is a fabulous way to renew a humdrum mood.
Fill up the benches in one of our outdoor fire pits with friends and family and turn your gaze skyward. For those who like to turn in early, there is no risk of missing out on stargazing as night falls early. The celestial canopy is spectacular here with no light pollution to dilute the star-lit skies.
No matter your antidote, ensure that you’re practicing self-care and nourishing yourselves with food for the soul this season.
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