How to Avoid Freezing Your Ass Off in Mid-Winter

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Buy a crock pot and a pretty thermos. Have warm things to eat—soup, stew, hot cereal, —on hand on hand at all times. My personal favorite? Sweet potato coconut, or Thai tom yum soup. Spicy food!

Likewise, drink a ton of tea. Forget about tea bags; instead, bring a reusable container to a health-foods store and get some loose tea to use with a tea ball—green thinking, oh yes! Make sure to get local honey or brown sugar. Drink with pinkies out…natch. [If you're the drinking sort (which I'm not these days, but I appreciate anyone who appreciates a decent sip), give yourself a nip of brandy or whiskey in your tea.]

Take on a ridiculous hat habit. Everyone seems to have a fur trapper hat. Find yourself a hat that takes on even more ridiculous dimensions. I’ve set up an eBay alert so I get a ping whenever a faux/vintage fur hats like this come up for auction.

My American Apparel high socks? Love ‘em. I have five pairs and wear them under everything. [An old boyfriend of mine borrowed a pair and loved them so much that he kept them after we broke up.] Apparently now you can buy them in a three-pack, too. [If you're crafty, you might have some success knitting tall socks like this. I'm certainly attempting!]

Seal off your windows with plastic insulation and wooly curtains. Make up for the lack of daylight by buying some natural-light lightbulbs for the daytime and burning soy candles at night.

Dig out all those afghans and quilts that some well-meaning relative made you a long time ago, and put them to good use. My Aunt Karen, an ardent crocheter, knitter, and quilter, made me an entire wardrobe of throws, comforters, and cozy things [fact: one quilt on my bed is made of cut-up pieces of clothing I wore when I was a kid. How's that for nostalgia?]. This winter, we’ve got them piled up everywhere—in the sewing room, on the couch, the end of my bed—and I’m almost constantly wearing one draped around my shoulders. Snuggies? Psssh! Who needs ‘em?

For some extra kick, line your sheets with an electric blanket. My dad and stepmum gave me one for Christmas, and it’s been an utter lifesaver every night.

Take a warm bath every day. Spend the time rereading your old favorite books.

Get into an exercise habit. Every damn women’s magazein is up to its sucked-in waist in bullshit about “Get your summer body ready!” Ignore all that. Instead, hit the gym in hopes of increasing your circulation, boosting your endorphins and working up a sweat.

Related posts:

1. Amanda Lee’s Winter Travel Essentials