Mimmi Kotka: Midsummer Greetings!
Jun 20, 2024
June brings endless daylight and lush greenery, and we are currently enjoying the most beautiful part of the Scandinavian summer up north!
This weekend, we celebrate Midsummer in Scandinavia—a festive holiday and an ode to the summer solstice. The traditions vary between countries but always involve being outside, singing, games, and traditional foods and drinks. To an outsider, it might look a bit strange as we Swedes dance around a flower-clad pole, singing with flowers in our hair. But hey, it is Midsummer—what can I say? No matter the weather or the number of mosquitoes, you can bet we will be outside until late into the night, celebrating and enjoying typical Midsummer foods like pickled herring, baby potatoes, and strawberries.
So, this is what we will be up to this weekend here at the Moonvalley Team, while getting some nice summer training in too, of course. I am currently in Chamonix (I brought pickled herring from Sweden though) and mostly doing shorter runs and a lot of cross-training on my bike due to a long-standing knee injury. I am grateful for the mileage I can do and to have biking to keep me in shape. It allows me to spend endless hours roaming the land - this is the season for long adventures outside!
Ida is in the US preparing for her main running goal of the year, the Western States Endurance Run. It is one of the most iconic 100-mile ultra races in the world, and we are all keeping our fingers crossed for Ida! She has proven to be in great shape this spring, finishing second at another iconic ultra race, Transvulcania, on the Canary Island of La Palma.
Emelie is home in Moonvalley, Norway, with her family. She had the honor of representing Sweden in the European Trail Championships this spring, and now she is looking to do some additional trail races during the summer. Let’s see which ones she decides on!
I leave you with a super easy, but luxurious breakfast (or snack) that is a spin on our traditional Swedish Midsummer dessert, strawberry and cream layer cake. I did not put any amounts in- you choose!
Midsummer Breakfast Parfait:
- Fresh or frozen strawberries (depending on if they are in season or not)
- Dairy or non-dairy yogurt (soy, almond, coconut, etc.)
- Vanilla powder
- Granola
- Agave or maple syrup
Mix the yogurt with a dash of vanilla powder and cut the strawberries into smaller pieces. Layer the yogurt, strawberries, and granola in a jar or glass, finishing off with a drizzle of agave or maple syrup.
Enjoy your summer (outside)!
- Mimmi
