BRRR! IT’S COLD IN HERE! 3 Tips to Stay Warm from Winter to Spring
Winter may be fading, but we’ll still have plenty of cold days before the warm weather returns for good. Here are some tips for staying warm during the last bit of winter. DRESS IN LAYERS. To keep in as much body heat as possible, wear several layers of clothing, but don’t wear more than three layers. Fleece, wool, and cotton retain heat more than other materials. These extra layers make it harder for heat to escape. If you wear more than three layers, you may find yourself feeling chilly because there isn’t enough space between you and the material so that it can help heat your body. USE WOOD-BURNING STOVES. Not only can you cook meals on these stoves, but you can also warm up your entire house. You want to create a consistent fire without burning through a lot of wood. Wood burns best on a bed of ash, so don’t clear out all of it. Although an excessive amount of ash can cause problems, having a moderate amount is preferred. Once you get a good fire going, you should close the air vents on your stove at least halfway to ensure that the fire won’t burn out too quickly.
The quality of your fire depends on the type of wood you’re burning. It’s best to use logs that have been seasoned for at least a year. Oak, birch, ash, and hazel are the best kinds of wood to
burn in your home because they tend to burn slowly and produce fewer sparks.
CLOSE YOUR DOORS, AND COVER YOUR WINDOWS. If there are any rooms that you aren’t using, be sure to close those doors; you don’t need to heat unused rooms. You can also stick towels or blankets underneath your doors to keep the heat in. Since windows can make your home chilly, even if they are closed, consider covering them up with blankets or thermal curtains to help prevent cold air from seeping into your home.
These tips can help you and your family stay warm during the winter. Take this as a great opportunity to enjoy time together in a cozy, warm house!
YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOW
Simple Bok Choy Chicken Soup
WHEN WAS THE FIRST PENNY MADE? America’s first penny was created in 1793 and was called the “large cent.” This coin was too large and difficult to use, but it wasn’t until 1857 that a smaller penny replaced the coin. President Lincoln was placed on the coin in 1909 in honor of his 100th birthday. WHY IS THE NUMBER 4 UNLUCKY? This number is considered unlucky in China because it’s spelled and pronounced similar to “death.” The number 4 is spelled pinyin sì , and the word death is spelled pinyin s . WHY DO PEOPLE WAKE UP A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THEIR ALARM GOES OFF? Waking up can be stressful for your body. So, to prepare your body, it releases a stress hormone called cortisol. This makes your sleep become lighter and lighter until, eventually, you wake up. HOW LONG IS YOUR PET’S SHORT-TERM MEMORY SPAN? For dogs, their short-term memory is about five minutes. A cat’s short-term memory is up to 16 hours.
Is the chill of winter lingering? A hot bowl of this Asian-inspired soup will warm you right up! Our recipe makes 4–5 servings.
INGREDIENTS
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3 cups chicken broth 1 tsp red pepper flakes
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2 tsp sesame oil
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 tsp soy sauce
10 leaves bok choy, thinly sliced 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1. In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. 2. Stir in red pepper flakes, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. 3. Add bok choy leaves and rotisserie chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the bok choy is dark green and tender. 4. Enjoy with slices of your favorite whole-wheat bread! DIRECTIONS
Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com
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