Sit comfortably, you’re the host of a Soup Challenge and it’s gonna be so much fun.

If you’ve missed our October Blog Post, at the beginning of each month, I’m sharing with you ideas inspired by the theme of the month from The Little Book of Hygge written by Meik Wiking. If you’re not familiar with the book, you can read my review right HERE or go to the sidebar and buy your own copy on Amazon.

This month is all about SOUPS and let me tell you, I LOVE soups… No one can beat my Mum’s butternut soup, and I would eat it all day long… (Don’t worry Miso soup, I still love you too).

When I was living in Montreal, I was stunned to see so many people eating soups all year long. It’s like a habit, an appetizer for the rest of the meal. It’s very common to enter a coffee shop/small restaurant and get a bowl of soup.

After 5 years in North America, I brought this habit back in my luggage, and I’ve tried a couple of recipes so far.

In case you’re wondering why it’s Hygge to eat soup…

Of course, soup can be a very healthy meal packed with veggies, broth and if you add one slice of bread, it can be a full meal in just 5 minutes.

No need to say that our body needs an enormous amount of liquid and you stay away from heavy cream and others unusual flavours, you’ll have a win-win situation: a yummy moment & a healthy treat for your body.

It takes time to choose, peel, cut the veggies and it’s such a good way to slow down when you feel out of breathing. We all have a busy schedule, and we need some hyggelig moments to relax and enjoy the moment. One veggie at a time…

I found that it’s also a nice moment to be alone and just think… Ok, quiet personalities do this very easily, but I’m sure that you can turn the veggies preparation time into something meaningful with your kids or your neighbours…. just an impromptu discussion around a recipe

When I was in Montreal, it was even an excuse to plan a party. My friends brought some veggies, and we spent the evening to cut them in tiny cubes, cook them, and we were trying to find what veggies would be a good fit with this other veggie… Not all our tries were a big success, but it was a lot of fun each time.

You can even use the soup month to try, (re)discover unknown veggies, old veggies, seasonal veggies… depending on your diet needs of course.

Last but not least, I have a unique soup mug and each time I use it, I know it’s time for some comfort food… which leads me to smile like a little girl in just a snap. It’s easy, simple and it’s hygge…

Don’t freak out, cooking soup is everything but boring… especially if you host one of our Hygge Soup Challenge

No Idea Whatsoever About What Hygge Is?

Therefore, you’ve got no clue about this Danish way of life and, maybe, you’ve never even heard about that Danish word.

No need to hyperventilate. nor to worry. I got your back. 😉

👉🏻 However, if you’re already a Hygge fan, just skip this part and enjoy today’s blog post.

Still with me?

Ok.. awesome. Time to have fun.

What’s Hygge?

Let’s try to clarify the word first.

💕 It’s a feeling you can’t buy of safety, warmth, peace, calm, contentment, and everything in between. 💕

It’s a whole guide to craft a cosiness-based way of life for you AND your family based on:

🌟 cosiness,

🌟togetherness,

🌟 and uniqueness,

To me, Hygge is like a roadmap to enjoy simple pleasure, slow down, unplug, and becoming unapologetically yourself.

Want to learn more about it?

1/ Read the reviews I made at  How The Hygge Book helps me to love my own quirks

2/ Request a special invitation for #TheHyggeLounge at https://www.thehyggeplanner.com/newsletter

3/ Buy Meik Weiking’s book by clicking here (Where you’re buying from this link Amazon will give a percentage to WWF on your behalf. I don’t earn a penny nor a compensation by any means) 

How do you pronounce it?

That’s certainly something you’d like to wrap your head around (at least at some point).

Yet, truth is, no one cares how you pronounce it as long as you can experience it day in and day out.

👉🏻 In short, it’s commonly admitted to be [HOO-GA].

Keep it simple and don’t over complicate the process. If you don’t get it the first time, no big deal.

Is there a Hygge lifestyle?

YES!! and without the shadow of a doubt.

Likewise, Hygge is more than just a list of things to do & NOT a decor.

🌷 quiet/ introvert? chances are you’re already living a cosiness-based lifestyle (Hygge) without even knowing it. You can model what you’re already good at enjoying that cosy, comfy, and homey feelings 24/7.

🌷 Newbie? and you’d love to implement that simple, decluttered, down to earth, ecofriendly, and comfy way of living for your family, that’s doable.

In short, it’s WHY I created this entire site: to provide you the tools, the resources, and the inspiration to turn your life into a cosiness-based living without adding stress. (Get a weekly dose of cosiness-based pep talk, join #TheHyggeLounge HERE)

🌟 It’s one thing to know what to do… However, it’s a whole new rodeo to apply or to follow through day in and day out. 

Where does Hygge come from?

Denmark (but the word itself comes for Norway). At some point, in history, Norway and Denmark were one kingdom only.

For the records:

– the first mention of Hygge is circa 1840 (which means Hygge is everything but a fad trends)

– Denmark is ranking on the top 3 of the happiest countries in the world every single year!

– the tax level in Denmark is one of the highest in the world. Yet, the citizens ARE full of happiness.

—> Who doesn’t want to model what the happiest people in the world are doing to be happy, content, and joyful day in and day out?  I swear I do (so does my Great Grand Mother in her journals)

Is this only a decor for Fall & Winter?

This is a common myth I MUST bust once and for all. Danish people don’t stop living 6 months of the year. They enjoy and practice Hygge ALL YEAR LONG.

As a result, they just adapt what they do. It’s easier to build a snowman in winter and it’s easier to hang out outside in the middle of Summer.

In other words, Hygge (cosiness-based lifestyle) works not only Fall & Winter but also in Spring and Summer.

Want a decor?  Ask a professional to set up a stage… But, you won’t get better in a snap because you own a fireplace and tonnes of fairy lights.

To sum up, if beating anxiety or winter blues was that simple, everyone would be happy and you wouldn‘t need a medication to avoid anxiety.

(Under medication? NEVER EVER stop without a professional help. Asking for help should be your #1 priority. No shame nor guilt to seek for a better health, or a better mental clarity)

Why would you spend $$$ to revamp your living room to look like a country living magazine cover? Want to show off on Instagram?

Having a cosiness-based lifestyle is NOT a popularity contest. No mandatory list of items to buy.

The fact is, Hygge happens in a Moroccan house, a contemporary penthouse, a cottage close to the sea, a tiny house, a small apartment that looks like a boudoir, or a fancy super modern house.

Eh… you’re done with the introduction.

Want to dive deeper?

– request your invitation for #TheHyggeLounge: visit this link

– support our work on Ko-Fi (your $3 donation helps us to reach our goals) Go to the show room

– check our workbook to craft a cosiness-based way of life for your family in 7 days Save your copy NOW

– download our 108 Done for You ideas to practice Hygge as a family (when there’s no free time for brainstorm) HERE

Step 1: Choose your soup challenge “Theme.”

Option 1: Every Guest comes with a homemade soup to share with every other guest

Option 2: Every Guest comes with a homemade soup to share with every other guest, BUT you have imposed one seasonal veggie to see how creative your guests are

BONUS POINT >> If you’ve chosen one of those two options, you can challenge your guests to find what’s ingredients are inside and/or rate each soup creation. The winner is the one with the highest rate.

I’ve created a ready to use a cheat sheet to host your soup challenge, you can get it for FREE by clicking HERE

Option 3: You buy veggies & everyone comes early to peel, cut, cook & season the soup. While it’s cooking, you can have fun playing cards or savor bruschettas made with fresh bread, cheese, tomatoes, chutney…

BONUS POINT >> You have homemade bread (the smell is incredible), or you have crunchy fresh bread from your favourite bakery.

Step 2: Set up a date and a time

Find an evening with plenty of free time after (if it lasts longer that thought everyone can recover easily)

No one wants to be rushed by an urgent meeting, a long travel time or an impromptu thing that may happen. Yes, life happens even in the realm of Hygge. (& even if you’re planning the sweetest soup challenge ever)

Step 3: Invite 2 or 3 friends

• Ask them early about the contest
• Explain to them how it will work
• Be ready to support them if they’ve got question

Step 4: Set up the atmosphere

• Think about natural textures: cotton/ wool/ linen/ or everything that reminds you cosy
• Say hello to rustic bowls: yes, even if there are some cracks… even if they are not perfect or fancy or expensive. My most favourite bowl comes from my granddad, it’s small and awfully yellow and cracked but it’s my go-to bowl (just because it comes from someone I deeply care)
• Think about indoor picnic: add a blanket on your rugs, eat with your fingers, add some dips…
• Be creative about your music playlist

Step 5: Have fun hosting your hygge soup contest

Keep in mind you don’t have to be perfect but think:

– cosy,

– fun,

– entertaining

–  & comforting

At the end of the “contest”, you can even choose a winner and give away a very hyggelig trophy as I show you just below. Keep it rustic and funny, it’s the best way to keep memories and build bonds with your loved ones.

It’s time to wrap up our Soup Challenge Plan!

In this post, I shared my tips to become a Soup Master and host the cosiest soup contest ever.

Now, it’s time for you to play with the idea and to gather your close friends around a bowl of soup to celebrate our monthly theme.

PS: Post your Hygge soup challenge on social media using #TheHyggeLounge to get featured

You’ve enjoyed our last Coffee Talk? You can share it with your friends on social media, pin the images or subscribe to our waiting list to get exclusive access and a chance to receive more freebies all year long.

See you on our next Coffee Talk! Until then, keep it hygge!

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