How to eat well (and gently) at this time of year.
Hello friends,
This time of year can feel like a lot.
The days are short. The calendar is full. There’s pressure to do more, cook more, give more—often when our bodies are quietly asking for rest, warmth, and simplicity.
Here on Lucky Dog Farm, winter is a season of easing up. The animals move slower (except the dogs. They never slow down.). We spend more time checking water, spreading hay, making sure everyone’s comfortable. We take our cues from them. And it’s a good reminder for all of us.
If you’re trying to eat well right now—without overthinking it—here are a few gentle thoughts from the farm.
Warm food is nourishing food. This is not the season for cold salads and “shoulds.” This is the season for soups, stews, braises, and slow meals that fill the house with good smells.
A pot of broth on the stove. A roast in the oven. Leftovers that taste even better the next day. These foods aren’t fancy, but they do real work—keeping you warm, satisfied, and steady.
Simple meals count. You don’t need elaborate recipes to eat well. Some of the best meals are the simplest:
Ground lamb sautéed with onions and whatever vegetables you have
Lucky Dog Farm merguez roasted with winter squash
Eggs for dinner with a side of greens
Real food doesn’t have to be complicated to be deeply nourishing.
Use your freezer like a gift to your future self. If you’ve stocked your freezer from our farm, this is when it shines. Having good food on hand means fewer last-minute decisions and less stress on busy days.
Think of your freezer as quiet support—ready when you need it.
Eat enough. This one matters more than we often admit. Cold weather, busy days, and emotional energy all increase what our bodies need. Eating enough protein and fat helps keep blood sugar steady, moods calmer, and energy more reliable.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about care.
Let food be comforting. Food is allowed to be grounding. It’s allowed to bring pleasure. It’s allowed to be part of how you take care of yourself and the people you love.
That’s how we think about food here—raised with intention, cooked simply, shared generously.
As always, thank you for trusting Lucky Dog Farm to be part of your table. We don’t take that lightly. Every purchase, every meal you make, every kind word you send—it all matters more than you know.
Take good care of yourselves. Winter is long, but it’s also beautiful when we move through it gently. Happy solstice!
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Farmer Judith, Lucky Dog Farm