With cold weather and snow on their way, many people in Michigan are preparing for another rough winter. Sometimes, we get so caught up in preparing for the worst of this season that we forget to enjoy the best of it. As adults, snow may bring with it a certain degree of extra work and frustration. Snow means shoveling, scraping, and driving on barely salted roads. Gone are the days that the first snow fills us with delight. Although we may have grown out of playing in the snow and building igloos in the yard, we can still enjoy the warm food that is traditional in winter.

Probably the best and easiest to make of these is hot chocolate. This can be added to coffee in the morning and combined with many different flavors from mint and peanut butter to coconut and caramel. It can be made with half and half to create a thicker, creamier drink, or piled high with fluffy marshmallows. If hot chocolate isn’t to your liking, many tea companies make fall and winter flavors such as apple, plum, or hazelnut.

Soups are also extremely comforting and warm, but after a while, classic chicken noodle can get a bit old. Winter may be the time to experiment with different soups. A quick internet search turns up everything from tortilla soup to squash soup, and everything in between. After all, there’s nothing easier than throwing some ingredients in a pot on the stove and having a delicious dinner when it’s finished.If you’re looking for something more substantial, there are also many options for breads and roasts.

Breads and muffins can fill the house with wonderful smells as they bake and are often good for breakfast for a few days afterward. Roasts are generally a good and simple dinner as well. They can be combined with apples or any favorite vegetables; and are usually extremely filling.

Many comforting, warm recipes are just a click away and can go a long way to make
Winter less stressful. They may not bring you back to your childhood, or make you want to frolic
in the snow, but they can warm you up after long hours of shoveling, as well as driving in the snow. There’s nothing better than a warm stomach full of good food.