GET OUTSIDE WITHOUT THE COLD Warm Up With an Outdoor Fire
Is it too cold to spend time outside? Nonsense! While we wait for spring, there’s no better way to get some fresh air than around a warm fire with friends and family. Whether you build a bonfire or purchase an outdoor firepit, a cozy fire is great fun day or night, and you can do plenty of activities to keep you busy. Get started with some campfire classics — roasting marshmallows and cooking hot dogs! Placing food on a skewer and holding it over a fire is a fun activity for everyone, and kids will love the opportunity to prepare their own “meal” — with proper adult supervision, of course. Campfire grill racks will help you make slightly fancier food options. One of the best fire pastimes is taking the time to chat. Invite over folks you haven’t seen in a while and catch up! A fire is also an opportunity to put the phone away and connect on a deeper level. Consider bringing some interesting prompts along, like “What is your favorite childhood memory?” or “What was your worst vacation experience?” They’ll get everyone talking and forgetting all about the cold.
kids around, make sure the stories are age-appropriate.) Everyone can make up their own stories, retell tales they heard long ago, or do some research online
beforehand. Find out who is the best storyteller — and the biggest scaredy-cat.
Many typical “indoor” activities can also be brought outside. For example, get out
some cards or a board game. Music will also liven up the atmosphere. You can even start a dance party if you keep a safe distance from the flames. Those looking for solo time can also read a book, sketch, or journal. No matter what activity you choose, an outdoor fire will allow you to enjoy the fresh air and get some vitamin D (if during the daytime) without excessive shivering. It might even turn into a favorite cold-weather activity.
Your fire is also the perfect opportunity to tell scary stories. Get a flashlight, head out at night, and do your best to frighten each other! (If you’ve got
CHAI-SPICE BUTTERNUT SQUASH SMOOTHIE
YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOW
WHEN WAS THE FIRST WEBSITE CREATED? British scientist Tim Berners-Lee helped create the first website, Info.Cern.ch. The website was for CERN, a European organization for nuclear research. WHEN DID THE WORD “DUDE” ORIGINATE? In the 1800s, the term was used to make fun of men who kept up with the latest fashion trends. Then, it was known to describe people in the city who were clueless. We now know the term to be a casual and laid-back word to describe a man or woman. IS THE TONGUE A MUSCLE OR AN ORGAN? Tongues are covered with moist, pink tissue called mucosa, and tiny bumps called papillae. While tongues are considered organs, they are muscular organs. WHY DO CATS RUB THEIR HEADS AGAINST YOU OR OTHER OBJECTS? Felines have scent glands on each side of their head and other parts of their body. They use these glands to mark their territories. So, when a cat rubs on you or other objects, they are claiming it as theirs.
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
INGREDIENTS
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1 ripe banana, frozen 1 cup cubed butternut squash, cooked and frozen 1/4 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt 1 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk
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1 tbsp almond, cashew, or pecan butter (do not use peanut butter, the flavor is overpowering)
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1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp cardamom 1/8 tsp ground ginger
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1/8 tsp allspice
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large, high-powered blender, add all ingredients and blend on high for 1–2 minutes or until all ingredients are well combined. Add more milk if necessary to thin and blend again. 2. Serve and enjoy!
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