Breaded Lemon Chicken | Simple By Cindy

If you ask my husband, winter lasts forever. I keep telling him that winter lasts only three, maybe four months. For the most part, in the past years, there has not been much snow, and even though I do not like the cold weather, it reminds me that summer is on its way.

Getting through the winter months can be very difficult for some people. The shortened daylight hours and the cold can alter our mood significantly. The bright sun on a warm summer day only has positive effects on the way we feel. As winter forges ahead, we can use it to try to get in tune with our feelings. The holiday season is one reason to put aside the blues and, in spite of the cold, come together for a celebration. But for many of us, winter months look bleak. Here are some tips on how to feel more positive during the cold, winter months.

Exercise: Stop groaning. It really does help. If you are a runner, it is hard to run when the temperature drops significantly. Invest in good quality gear, or try classes for yoga, pilates, boxing, or indoor cycling. One of the upsides of having to quarantine is that many classes are online these days– there is no shortage of options for you.

Revamp your look: Buy some new sweaters, pants, and scarves. Better yet, how about a new hairstyle that is easy to manage? Try some new clothing styles and see if you like enough to put into your wardrobe repertoire. Buy yourself a new luxury item and put it to good use.

Moisturize: The cold can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving it dry and itchy. Find a good moisturizer and use it regularly so your skin stays saturated and soft. Bonus: You’ll look radiant on those Zoom meetings.

Catch Up on Your Sleep: The long, dark hours of winter makes it easy to sleep, so you should take advantage and catch up on lost sleep. We all know how great we feel after a good night’s sleep.

Try some winter sports: For the athletes among us, the fun doesn’t have to stop when the warm weather does. Try skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or dog sledding. Ice skating, hiking, or just taking a walk around your neighborhood are also wonderful ways to get outside and get active.

Embrace the Danish Art of Hygge. Simply put, Hygge, (pronounced hoo-gah), means coziness, and creating a warm environment with people you love. You can practice the art of hygge by lighting some candles, wearing wooly socks, and cooking a nice meal. Other ways to practice hygge might include taking a long walk or hike during the winter when the sun is out and you can really benefit from it. Play board games with your friends, or read a book under a warm blanket with your kids. No matter how you choose to do it, adding hygge to your life can help you get more happiness out of your winter.

If you decide to cook a warm, comforting dinner, then this is the recipe for you. As you know, I am a huge lemon lover, so I just had to try this. The chicken is lightly breaded and sautéed with salt, butter, and lemon zest, giving it a silky coating with a little tang. The basil, thyme, and garlic are the savory here, along with the white wine, which gives this dish added flavor. The tomatoes are the star of this dish, with tiny bursts of goodness in every bite. You also get a little kick and heat from the crushed red pepper flakes. Top it off with some Parmesan cheese and this main dish is perfection, any time of the year.

This recipe is courtesy of Super Simple, by Tieghan Gerard and will serve 4 people seated for an intimate winter supper.

Ingredients for Breaded Lemon Chicken:

1-1/2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons salted butter
1/2 lemon, sliced
3 cups cherry tomatoes
4 garlic cloves, smashed
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
Crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup dry white wine (such as pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc)
1 large handful fresh basil leaves, roughly torn