Winter Remedies

Winter is tough. No sun, cold fingers, the flu, high energy bills...I am such a summer, I-don't-care-if-it's-100-degrees-I'm-happy-as-long-as-it's-not-February sort of person that I've learned I have to take serious precautions to get through these months.

We all feel like this bird.

1. I've been doing this thing where I pretend I'm sort of an alcoholic, or at least have a drinking problem (stay with me here) and whenever I get a little annoyed or tired and come home at the end of a work day and the first thing I think of as I'm unlocking the door could be pouring a big glass of wine....I drink a huge glass of water instead. It's kind of amazing how quickly I start feeling better. I have a big purple plastic cup that I leave by the sink that I swear makes me feel extra hydrated. Don't worry, I swear the only drinking problem I have is not drinking enough water throughout the day.

2. Burt's Bees = great. Right? But even better than the original crack is their Honey Lip Balm. I think I stopped using it for a while because David thought it smelled funny when I'd go to kiss him, but now I say 'screw that noise'  because I found a tube in a coat pocket and started using it again and ohmygoodness, the stuff works. I can honestly see and feel a difference that lasts so much longer than anything else I've been using recently.

3. This sounds funky, but I promise it's awesome - I've been "washing" my face with oil. I mix evoo with almond oil and a touch of jasmine essential oil, rub it all over my face (not missing my eyelids, lashes, lips, and neck) and then I get a washcloth really warm and lay it over my face for a minute before wiping the oil off. No harsh soaps and hot scalding water. My skin feels so soft and looks radiant and toned and I haven't had that feeling of "my skin is so dry I'm going to start crying" yet this season! (Here's the oil cleansing method from SimpleMom.net)

4. Not showering. Ew. But I have my dad's dry, Minnesota winter skin, and in the past I have developed such horribly dry skin that I can't do anything but cry about it while lathering on the lotion. This year I've been practicing not showering and washing my hair every single day, as much as I love that scalding hot, moisture zapping water, and I'm disgusted proud to say that this morning (Sunday) was the first time I showered since Thursday morning. GROSS. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

5. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand lotion. The end. Look no further.

6. Hot Toddies (is that even the plural for toddy?) - bourbon, honey, lemon, Celestial Seasoning's Bengal Spice tea.