Warmer in a Minnesota Winter
I wrote in an earlier post about my plans to embrace winter last year. It has been my intention for several years, but Covid-19 gave me the nudge I needed as my usual winter activities (travel to warm places, the Opera, restaurants) have been interrupted. Last winter delivered amazing rime ice, beautiful snowfalls and sunsets, and a polar vortex that plunged our temperatures to minus 20 Fahrenheit (with minus 40 wind chills). Our winter adventures included hiking, ice fishing, dinner in an igloo, snow tubing, and winter photography. While our activities were a lot of fun, what I learned is that dressing for the weather, hygge, and self-care are the keys to enjoying winter and our crazy Minnesota weather. Here is how I embraced winter.
Dressing for the Weather
Everyone who knows me knows that staying warm is a challenge. I pack a fleece jacket on tropical vacations and comfortably wear jeans in 90 degree weather. It has taken me a while to discover what works for me. This is not intended to be a ‘go out and buy new things’ manual, but rather a guide on how to pick items that meet the stay warm in winter challenge.
Socks
Smartwool Hiking Heavy Crew Socks These are my favorite to wear with winter boots or around the house. They hug my feet perfectly and stay in place when hiking. A blend of merino wool and nylon keep feet warm and dry without feeling itchy.
United by Blue’s Ultimate Bison Sock On days I can’t warm up or when I get home from a winter activity I throw on a pair of these socks. They work better than slippers and always make my weekend at a cabin packing list.
Mittens
Any Carhartt insulated mitten will keep you warm and dry.
Boots
Most people can get by with one pair of good winter boots. My husband and I both have a pair of Kamik boots. They consistently rank well and are reasonably priced. Choose a boot that has at least 200 grams of insulation, is tall enough to keep the snow out, has a rubber outsole to keep your foot dry, but is flexible enough to comfortably walk up hill.
Sorel Joan of Arctic I love these boots, but they are a little stiff for some winter activities (hilly hikes, snow tubing, snowshoeing). They are great for running errands or commuting during a snowstorm, and walking around the neighborhood.
I have been researching winter boots for several years and these boots keep coming up as the warmest and longest lasting boot. This year I finally decided to splurge and they arrived before the polar vortex did. They are so warm and are perfect for times when you are standing on snow and ice (Winter Carnivals, ice bars, etc.). This is a purchase I will never regret.
Bottoms
A combination of fleece lined leggings with a pair of water repellent lined pants over them keeps me warm in most weather. The key to this combination is making sure that your fleece lined leggings have a slippery exterior. That keeps the snow pants from sticking which makes layering a lot more comfortable.
Eddie Bauer Fleece Lined Pants
Eddie Bauer Parka
My husband (then boyfriend) bought me my first Eddie Bauer parka when I was in college. He hated that I was always cold and did not appreciate my tendency to choose fashion over function. It definitely kept me warm, but I felt like I was in a scene from A Christmas Story. I would jokingly flap my arms declaring “I can’t get up.” Technology has come a long way since then, but that parka has lasted a long time. It now spends winters in the trunk of my CRV as a part of my winter emergency kit.
I like my winter jackets to temperature rate at -40 or lower. While there are other brands out there that do this, Eddie Bauer consistently delivers on quality and they go on great sales. Watch from a week or so before Thanksgiving until February when they are often 50%-60% off the regular price. Ideally, I like to have a winter coat one size up for layering and my regular size for single layers underneath. These are my current favorites.
Sun Valley Frost Down Parka (regular size)
Superior Stadium Coat (a size up for layering)
My husband has the Men’s Superior Stadium Parka for colder weather and a lightweight down jacket by Patagonia for more moderate winter weather. He doesn’t easily get cold.
Hygge Hydrotherapy
So much has been written about the health benefits of saunas and steam. If you have access, a weekly hydrotherapy session is a great way to destress and warm up. When I don’t have access to them, I use these two easy methods to gain some of the benefits. One is an at home steam facial. The other is soaking my feet in a dish pan of hot water with Epsom salts. I kind of feel like I am 90 years old, but it warms me up no matter the weather.
Soups and Chilis
Although I am not a Campbell’s soup fan, I am a fan of the commercials. They capture that feeling of warming up from the inside perfectly. We make bone broths and soups throughout fall and winter, but when we are in a hurry, Liar’s Soup is one of our favorite recipes. We first discovered the recipe in an issue of Real Simple.
• 1/2 clove garlic
• 1 24 ounce jar Rao’s Marinara Sauce ; (it must be Rao’s)
• 1 16 ounce can of no salt added white beans ; drained and rinsed
• 1 cup low sodium chicken stock or vegetable broth
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• salt and pepper
• 2 Tablespoons mild olive oil
• dash Red pepper flakes ; (Optional)
(Blend first 6 ingredients until smooth, heat, drizzle with olive oil, and serve with a warm baguette)
Self-Care
Nose Oil and Neti Pot
What winter needs is more conversations about mucous. Seriously! Low humidity leads to dry nasal passages which leads to headaches and illnesses such as colds and sinusitus. Although nasal hydration may sound counterintuitive, it clears the nasal passages of debris. I use distilled water at about 90 degrees. I follow it up with a nose oil which is like lotion for your nasal passages. Since I started doing this, I have made it through winter without major colds or any sinus infections.
Warm Beverages
Staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as it is in the summer. Our body’s thirst response is lower in the winter so we need to be more mindful about staying hydrated. It is a lot easier and more enjoyable when you stock up on your favorite beverages. I start the day with a cup of coffee, but then switch to herbal and black tea the rest of the day. A hot toddy is the perfect après snow beverage. Don’t trust any recipe that suggests using a bottom shelf whiskey. While you don’t want to use your best whiskey in a hot toddy, you want to enjoy the flavors. I keep it simple with Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, purified hot water, and a bit of honey.
Exfoliate and Moisturize
Although lizards are cute, no one wants to look or feel like one. Moisturizers don’t work on dead skin so exfoliating is the key to avoiding dry, cracked skin. During the winter I incorporate a Sunday at home spa day. Homemade exfoliants work just as well as store bought, but I find I am more consistent if I have the products in my bathroom. Make sure exfoliants are gentle and that moisturizers feature shea butter rather than alcohol. My favorite products include: Mary Kay Fragrance-Free Satin Hands Pampering Set, Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Polish, The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter, Babor Enzyme Cleanser, Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Recovery Mask, and Voya Softly Does It Hydrating Body Lotion.
While I am looking forward to my next tropical vacation, I am also very much looking forward to more Minnesota winters. I took snowmobile training right as the snow was melting so I already have a new adventure planned for this winter. I also have a puppy (Samoyed) who will love winter and keep me accountable to my goal of continuing to embrace the weather.