Viking Magazine - September 2017 - 16

Outdoor Pursuits - Seeking
solace in nature is at the heart
of Nordic hygge.
Everything that is compelling and vital about
the Nordic countries, be it our food culture,
great design, architecture, arguably even
our social democratic traditions, is in some
way grounded in a deep respect for nature.
Rather than fi ght the long, dark winters,
we've learned how to embrace the cold, how
to prepare for it and how to fi nd joy in being
indoors when it's miserable outside.
To be Nordic is by defi nition to be both
a keen observer and participant in nature.
We're people who throughout history have
developed strategies to cope with the stark
contrasts of short, ecstatic summers and
long, harsh winters. While our loves of
great cakes, twinkling votives and beautiful
interiors is part of that, our love of friluftsliv,
is as important a factor. Nordics yearn for
getting away from it all, seeking solace in
nature, preferably in a cabin far away. What
is distinctly Nordic
is the freedom to
roam in nature at
anytime of year.
Nature calms
you and allows
you to refl ect on
the very essence
of what living
is about. If your
thoughts are
clouded by anxiety,
fear and stress,
then a getaway to a
green wood, a walk
by the sea or gentle
hike up a mountain
does more to lift
the spirits than any
expensive handbag
or latest must-have
gadget.
Another key
aspect of the
16 VIKING SEPTEMBER 2017
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Nordic love of nature is to never let bad
weather get in the way of venturing outdoors.
Except, of course when there's a serious
weather warning. While we're famous for
our long, dark winters, those outside of the
Nordic region are often surprised to hear that
midsummer is celebrated with as much gusto
as Christmas. Brief though Nordic summers
may be, they are enchanting, and we need the
winter months to fully appreciate summer's
spectacular fecundity.
We Nordics are really in our element when
outdoors. But, more importantly, for us, to
be active at all times of the year is to be alive.
As Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen
once suggested, " It is better to go skiing and
think of God, than go to church and think of
sport. " Pondering the bigger picture of life
is best done while doing something active
in nature. If you have a choice, opting for
friluftsliv over a workout in the gym is a
good start in your quest for Nordic hygge.
" Nature calms you
and allows you to
reflect on the very
essence of what
living is about. "
-Signe Johansen
Kinship &
Openness -
Kindness is
key.
A life of hygge
requires kindness:
to ourselves in
the everyday
acts that bring
contentedness
and pleasure, and
kindness to others
in spirit of kinship
and conviviality.
People across
Nordic countries
value cooperation
over isolation.
The willingness
to look beyond
our own borders,
to see the world
outside as
somewhere to
Nordic Winter
Salad
Kale is a great winter green.
Roasted squash or sweet
potato adds heartiness, and
pomegranates add a little
razzmatazz to this super
simple dish. Serves 4 as a
side dish, 2 as a main dish.
Ingredients
1 butternut squash or
2 sweet potatoes
Olive oil
S alt and freshly ground
black pepper
1 bunch of variegated or
plain kale, washed and
fi nely chopped
Z est and juice of 1 large
unwaxed lemon
S eeds of 1 pomegranate
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Chop the squash or sweet
potatoes into bite-sized
chunks. Put them on a
baking sheet, drizzle with
olive oil, season with salt
and pepper and roast in the
oven for about 30 minutes
until tender. Once cooked,
remove from the oven and
set aside.
Place the kale, lemon
zest and juice and some
olive oil in a bowl and
massage together so that
the leaves soften. Then add
some pomegranate seeds.
Toss together, cover and set
aside until ready to serve.
Mix the salad with the
roasted butternut squash
and serve alongside some
roasted fi sh, chicken or
meat of your choice.
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Viking Magazine - September 2017

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