As I await a visit from the solar panel guy this week, I’m doing more layering than the Cake Boss. I even wore two pairs of socks last night under my Uggs, along with leg warmers on my hands. My PG&E bill ran into the hundreds this month and it burns me to think about paying that much for energy since I’m keeping the heat turned off most of the time.
Perhaps I’m like Sarah Silverman’s Nana: I’m not cold, just dying. I look around my drafty nest and see that my daughters are weathering the chilly environs in tank tops and going barefoot on the hardwood floors. Clearly, their circulation is better than mine. My husband, too, never seems to be cold. He grew up in Berkeley and acclimated to the tundra a half century ago. Ever since he added insulation to the doors, he never needs extra layers.
My dog has fleece, a blankie for lounging, as well as an extra coat of winter fur to keep cozy. Guess it’s down to my old tabby cat, Audrey (who is starting to resemble Grizabella) and me, the two creatures in the old cottage bungalow forever seeking the light. While she remains curled up in her round brown cat bed by the fireplace, I go looking for cheap heat – which is a cheap thrill when you are as cold as me.
Here are some tricks to warm those lovely bones during this stormy, low budget winter:
1. The Hot Water Bottle
The delivery of the soothing rubber canteen is the one act of chivalry still alive in my home. My husband fills the red rubber bottle with hot water from the tea kettle and then screws on the top very tight, and places it beside me on the sofa or bed. It is less wasteful than an electric blanket or heating pad. I used one the other night to relieve muscle ache in my lower back, and fell asleep feeling toasty. The warmth can last up to eight hours if the water is hot enough. They are easy to come by, too, from the old hottie to new handmade versions. For tips on use, visit this site.
2. You Are What You Heat: Diet Can Adjust Body Temperature
Sure, wholesome organic veggie soups and peppery chilies served piping hot will help warm your innards, but did you know other foods can help raise your body temp? According to All Foods Natural, a variety of surprising snacks do the trick, including a handful of peanuts, almonds, and seeds like sesame and pumpkin. Spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger and pepper are body warmers (i.e. swirl those cinnamon sticks in your tea). It’s probably no surprise garlic and onions boost your furnace while lowering cholesterol and fruits and veggies eaten daily in the winter warm the body by aiding the immune system and circulation. Which foods should you avoid in the winter? White foods, cold drinks, alcohol, processed crunchy things, cucumbers and large amounts of butter. Darn.
3. Cover Those Extremities
Heads, fingers and toes: Covering them outdoors works and so goes it for the indoors, too. A warm woolen scarf or organic cotton turtleneck and socks can be worn with your lounging gear, including your pajamas. And our ancestors weren’t so crazy when they wore caps to bed. I draw the line at donning a beanie and hand warmers after the dinner hour (my family thinks I’m eccentric enough), but keeping the toes warm is big. Even if kids complain they are hot, you should insist they cover up a bit around the house.
4. Quick and Dirty Window Fix
If that cold air is seeping in through small cracks in your window trim and frame, you can seal it with a piece of cloth or even duct tape. I find tape comes in handy for many household jobs. Associated Content even recommends patching cracks in the panes with either insulation board or heavy cardboard to prevent air leaks. Of course, it helps the most if you already have good attic insulation and have taken other measures to stop leaks.
5. Furnace and Filter Maintenance
If you must run your heat daily during the winter to keep the teeth from chattering, good old fashioned cleaning of furnaces and heating units and replacing filters each year can help your systems run more effectively while saving you money on your heating bills. It is suggested you check your filter once a month, because if it is clogged, it can’t do its job.
Images: Daryl Mitchell, TV Lesson; Montana.edu; Allfoodsnatural; Athleta; Tapemanblue