Tips for Staying Warm this Winter!

Listening to: Postal Service on Pandora Radio
Watching: My kitty cat sleep next to the heater
Drinking: Tension Tamer Tea
Eating: My tongue

As every single Oregonian knows right now, IT'S COLD! With high temperatures of 30 degrees it seems to be the main thing everyone is focused on and complaining about this December. Not the economy, not finals week, but the cold air that bites at every piece of exposed flesh with razor-sharp accuracy. So what do we humans do? We cope... How? Well read on my friends, read on.

Kylie's 15 Tips for Surviving a Cold Winter

1). A major issue with winter is the fact that it dries out your skin. This may not seem very important but when your skin is moisturized and exfoliated(dead skin is removed) it becomes much more flexible and less likely to crack in the freezing temperatures. However if the idea of putting lotion on after a shower is enough to make you cringe here is a suggestion: mix regular ol' cooking oil with 5 or 6 tablespoons of sugar and rub it all over yourself in the shower. This will exfoliate AND moisturize and you can do it all with hot water to keep you warm.

2). Another moisturizing tip, keep chapstick on you constantly! You will thank me later.

3). If you are like me and have several ear piercings, or if you like earrings in general. Try to take them out before going outside. If you leave them in a mere 15 minutes outside will start to become excrutiating.

4). The parts of our bodies that lose the most heat include: feet, head/ears, neck and hands. Try to bundle up all of these body parts if you will be outside for ten minutes or more. Big, cushy boots(cheap ones are at Wal-Mart for only $15), scarves, hats, and ear-warmers are all a good idea. Gloves help too!

5). Most people prefer something hot to drink when it's cold out and will end up spending quite a bit on sugary, high-fattening drinks from local and popular coffee shops. I try to limit myself to one or two cups and then switch over to tea. It's much better for you and you can still find comfort in the hot cup clutched in your hand. Another thing I like to do is put a bisque or puree-type soup(ex: tomato) in a coffee cup. Mmmm!

6). Take your vitamins! It's the time of year for catching colds so try to protect yourself before it gets you!

7). As far as your home goes you can save money with electric blankets, window coverings, and portable heaters.

8). Winter weather is a great reason to snuggle under a blankie with someone!

9). Long Johns should be your outfit staple!

10). When it's too cold to drink a beer make some hot-buttered rum or Mother's Milk.
Mother's Milk is milk and white chocolate chips heated up with Vanilla Vodka and marshies on top. So yummy!


Hott Chocolate and Vodka by =2SadEyes on deviantART

11). TAKE THE BUS!! Unless you have my father's Ford F350 to travel in there is no need to chance sliding on icy roads. Plus busses are pre-heated and free for students!

12). If you have Comcast turn that Yule Log screensaver on! Even though it's not emmitting any heat just having a fire on your TV makes it feel warmer. Mind over matter people.

13). Keep your pets indoors people! I know they have fur but they would much rather be snoozing on your lap than curled up in a gutter, don't chance it.



14). Make sure you read your apartment's tips on keeping your pipes safe. Ex: disconnect all hoses from spigots, leave facets dripping slightly, etc.

15). Slippers and robes folks, slippers and robes. I bet those snuggies don't look like such a bad idea now huh?

If you have any suggestions or corrections to make please comment! Hope everyone is having a fabulous winter!

~Kylie
We still need to decorate our tree...

Jason bought us a beautiful Noble Fir yesterday! It ended up being bigger than we intended:)