Winter is here, not a phrase we say in South Texas to often, but it’s about to get really cold here. I think the winter month’s have shifted because February seems to get colder and colder every year since I’ve lived here. Being from Michigan, I get cold, I actually love the cold, and staying warm was taught at a very young age. Here are my 10 ways to stay warm in the winter cold, trust me, these really work.
I’m not a doctor or a professional health anything, but these are things that have always helped me stay warm during those cold winter days.
Bake Your Favorite Treat
The minute the temperatures start to drop, I start baking. Cookies, breads, and muffins for breakfast. Not only do you get a yummy treat to eat, but running the stove for an hour will heat up the house. Be sure to turn the stove off when you are done and open the door, you’ll get that extra boost of heat.
Exercise To Stay Warm And Fit
So you have the chills and can’t get warm? Do some exercises, jumping jacks, or push-ups, or if you have a bike or treadmill, hop on for a couple of minutes. You don’t want to get sweaty, you just want to bump up that metabolism to warm up your body. You could also layer up and go for a walk outside, it may be cold, but if it’s not storming, enjoy a brisk walk or jog. Be sure to take water with you, it’s easy to get dehydrated in the cold.
Make Your Favorite Soup
My favorite soup, well stew, growing up was my grandma’s beef and noodles. It was fun to make and really yummy to eat. Now my favorite soup to eat to warm up is taco soup. This is a quick recipe and the spicier you make it, the warmer it will make you.
Easy Taco Soup
Items Needed
- 1 lb Ground Sirloin
- Pkg Taco Seasoning
- Ranch Dressing Mix
- 1 Can Diced Tomatoes
- 15 oz Can Tomato Sauce
- 1 Can Pinto Beans In Chili Sauce
- 2 Cans Water
- 1 Can Kidney Beans In Chili Sauce
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Tortilla Chips
- Sour Cream
Directions
- Fry up the ground sirloin in a large pot until brown.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, ranch dip mix.
- Stir until combined.
- Add 2 cans of water.
- Slowly mix in both beans.
- Bring to boil.
- Simmer for 25 minutes.
- I like to add a few crushed tortilla chips and some cheese to the bottom of my bowl.
- Add chips and cheese to the top of your bowl of taco soup.
- You can add a little sour cream if you would like.
Related – Best Insta Pot Beef Stew
Play Outside
You read that right. Playing outside will speed up your metabolism and warm you up. Just be sure you don’t over exert yourself to much and start sweating, you don’t want to get the chills. My favorite thing to do outside in the winter when I lived in Michigan was to go snow skiing or sledding. I may have twirled around on ice skate a few times too. A couple years ago I went snow shoeing with some friends and that was a great way to stay warm in the cold snow.
Have A Cup Of Hot Tea Or Coffee
Drinking coffee is a no brainer for me, but it is also a great way to warm up. Make your favorite latte and enjoy how quickly it will warm you up, you could even add a little Irish Cream or your favorite whiskey for a yummy adult beverage. Hot tea is a great way to warm up your body. I purchased this hot water machine, and it is great for creating a quick cup of hot tea.
Put On Socks And A Hat
I have never been a fan of socks, I think I only own like 3 pair, if that. But when it is frigid cold out, putting socks on is a great way to keep that body heat in. It’s been proven that you lose most of your body heat through your feet and head, so put a hat on too. Slippers are a great way to keep the feet warm too. I have become a slipper hoarder, they are my favorite thing to wear, and I may own around 20 pair.
Keep Your Heater At A Reasonable Temperature
In these cold temperatures your heater may run a lot. If you keep it at a reasonable temperature like 75, it should be able to keep the house pretty warm all the time. Space heaters are great too, just be very careful with them, and make sure they aren’t close to anything that can catch on fire. Which brings up another point, check those fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and make sure they are in good working order.
Take A Hot Bath
There’s nothing better then soaking in a hot bath to relax. This is definitely in the 10 ways to stay warm in the winter cold. Well, it can also warm up your body temperature and keep you warm for a while. Be sure to put on some warm pj’s after or a robe so you can keep that body heat inside.
Have A Hot Toddy Or Your Favorite Cocktail (Adults Only)
We learned to carry a small bottle of schnapps in our gloveboxes up north. If you were ever stranded on the side of the road, a sip or two of that schnapps would warm you up right away. My favorite cocktail to drink when I need to warm up is hot apple cider with some Texas Ranger Whiskey. The kids would even love a cup of hot apple cider, minus the whiskey of course.
Grab A Big Blanket And A Good Movie
If all else fails, grab a thick blanket, hop on the couch, and pop in a great movie. This is one of the best of the 10 ways to stay warm in the winter cold. Sometimes cuddling on the couch with your loved one or your favorite fur-baby is all you need to stay warm during these cold winter days.