Lately I’ve been amusing myself by searching “current temperature in Chicago (or Minneapolis, or Madison)” off and on.
Amusing to me, maybe. If the Polar Vortex made it 30 below zero outside my own window I wouldn’t be laughing at all.
That’s especially true this week, when the worst cold (as in “rhinovirus”) in living memory knocked me off my pins. Since Sunday evening I’ve mostly felt like homemade shit and, despite the relatively mild outdoor temperatures (low 30s) I’ve frequently had trouble staying warm.
That’s why I feel qualified to offer some tips on remaining at least moderately comfortable if you’re living through a cold snap (or even just a cold).
Hot cereal
Oatmeal is my go-to grain. Didn’t feel like eating but I was getting a bit shaky, so I made a decent-sized batch of horse’s food and put it in the fridge. Over the next few days I heated up a few spoons’ worth at a time.
The theory was simple: If everything tastes like nothing, why not have oatmeal for lunch and/or dinner?
Incidentally, this was frugal oatmeal: thick-cut rolled oats from the health-food section for 68 cents a pound. The stuff invariably goes on sale near the beginning of the school year, so keep an eye out if your local supermarket has a bulk foods section. This year I was still in Phoenix, but DF was looking out for me. He bought 30 pounds of oats and stored them in big jars in the basement.
Start the day out with a hot breakfast, or make it for a midday or bedtime snack. It’s really good. Oh, and adding a few chocolate chips to the oatmeal makes it extra-enticing. I’m told.
Hot soup
Or stew, or chili. In my case, I have been working on a giant can of store-brand chicken noodle soup bought for 89 cents from the dented-can bin on “senior day,” which meant an additional 10 percent off. Even though nothing has tasted great this week, the warmth is still soothing.
We usually make our own soup, and it never tastes better than when it’s cold outside. Whether your preferred potage is split-pea or minestrone or beef stew – and whether you make it yourself or reconstitute someone else’s – you’ll find it very satisfying during a cold spell.
This is especially true if you start it in a slow cooker and come home to the aroma of a hearty one-pot meal. Or try one of those “instant pot” contraptions; I’ve never used one but have heard good reports. (They’re good when there isn’t a Polar Vortex, too.)
Layers of clothing
Cannot overdo the layers. Right now I’m wearing fleece sweatpants, wool socks, a T-shirt and a heavy robe.
If I had to go to a doctor I’d add some long-handles; I have both cotton and polypropylene, top and bottom. Long underwear makes a huge difference. I bought the cotton stuff from Amazon using gift cards I got for free from the Swagbucks rewards program. The polypro long johns I got at a thrift store (and yes, they looked unworn and yes, I washed them anyway).
Layers. Use them.
Heated throw
Sitting under it right now. This lovely invention is basically a short electric blanket with three settings and an automatic shut-off. You can choose how warm you want to be (“high” is my setting of choice right now) and wear it either as a cape or as a lap-and-legs covering. Ours cost about $30 at Costco, and was bought long before the Polar Vortex. DF just thought it would be nice.
One of my nephews tried the throw during a visit and fell in love. He had exactly $30 in spending money saved up, and prevailed on his mom to take him shopping. Now he flips it on shortly before bed and drifts off to dreamland in luxurious warmth. It’s an odd thing for a tweenager to want, but B always did march to his own beat. (Hint: He wears what some people consider “girl” clothing pretty much exclusively.)
Rice socks
Despite taking very hot baths the last few nights, I’d get into bed and shiver. DF has been heating up two rice socks, putting one around my neck and the other at my feet. The shakes go away almost instantly as those two little heat sinks emit lovely, steady warmth.
The rice sock, aka the frugal heating pad, is as easy to make as it sounds: Fill a tube sock or cloth bag with (uncooked) rice and tie or sew shut. Heat in the microwave. Go to bed warm.
Magnifying the effects of the rice socks are…
Flannel sheets
I got these shortly after Christmas last year, in the clearance section at Target, and what a deal that was:
- The sheets were marked down to $13.98, and
- I had $10 worth of Target scrip thanks to the Coke Rewards program.
We used them from late December until probably the end of April last year, and brought them out again in September. Despite the low price they’ve held up quite well: no pilling, no fading.
And my oh my, are they soft. They hold the heat from the rice socks quite nicely, too. While the Coke Rewards program has changed noticeably (lots fewer outright-free items), I have to say these sheets are one of the best things I’ve ever gotten as a result from that program.
All the post-holiday linens have likely been remaindered. But you can get flannel sheets as cheaply as $30 per set, or maybe more if you find a great sale. (Pro tip: If you have an out-of-date coupon for Bed Bath & Beyond, know that the store apparently accepts expired Qs.)
Hot drinks
The steam from a fragrant tea – to say nothing of the comforting feeling of wrapping your hands around a warm mug – can be ultra-cheering. It might even be therapeuticDepending on your knowledge of herbs, it might even be therapeutic.
Try making a pot of your favorite brew and adding milk or sweetener (or not), and pouring it into a good Thermos or insulated carafe. That way you don’t have to keep leaving the lovely heated throw to get up and refill the mug, or to reheat liquid too quickly gone cold.
Hot baths
As mentioned earlier, those ultra-hot soaks increase the core temperature (I was at 100.5 the other night when I got out). They have also provided some relief from the general malaise that accompanied whatever cold virus I contracted.
Generally I enjoy hot baths with ice-cold drinks. This past week, however, I just lay there and soaked. That’s probably because I’d been hydrating so relentlessly all day; since Sunday I’ve gone through a couple of gallons of tea, half a pitcher of guava-strawberry juice and who knows how much water. Your mileage may vary.
Some years back I read that ginger baths were a great way to forestall or improve a cold. Ideally that would mean fresh ginger, grated into a tub full of hot water. All I had was ground ginger so I gave it a try. The author of the article warned that I might feel “a slight tingle around the genital area.” Sadly, I did not.
Readers: Are you in the polar vortex? If so, what are you doing differently either to keep warm or to protect your property?
Related reading:
Oven and burners are on to prevent kitchen and basement pipes from freezing. I think I need more fluids. We have been eating homemade chicken noodle soup and have beef barley in the fridge. 5 days of zinc to get rid of the cold and Constant Comment tea.
We are getting it on the east coast, but not as bad in a mid Atlantic state. I just love your articles and read every one. I am so sorry you got a major bug. People think we are crazy (live in a high COL area with those that think money grows on trees), but we use a wood stove. We got it locally from someone that came front NJ and thought he would use it and did not. It was used only twice and I got the price down to $400. for a hearthstone made with soapstone and enamel. Not only is it pretty, it keeps our little house so warm. Hubby bought this small fan to sit on top that uses no electricity. The heat from the stove makes the little fan work and work it does. It moves warm air throughout the house so well. We also have a dryer diverter that we use in winter to use the heat from the dryer to warm the house. I would like to add that an electric blanket or electric mattress pad (dual controls a must) are very inexpensive to use and you can easily move the thermostat down by 10 degrees at night. I am going to buy my brother one of those body blankets. He watches a lot of football in the winter and is always looking to reduce his bills. Sitting in one chair, he could lower his thermostat. Thanks for the great advice as always.
That was a heck of a deal on the stove. I agree that wood heat is marvelous. It’s so solid, vs. forced-air or radiator heat.
Thanks for your kind words, and for reading my site.
I am about to move into wool socks exclusively! We have the fabulous new furnace but our insulation is barely there, and I refuse to run it when it’s just me and the dogs – simply cannot justify that amount of expense. Mainly I huddle in sweatshirts and run the little space heater on low to keep feeling in my legs but I’m awfully tempted to spring for a full body suit of Sherpa.
So sorry you seem to have caught the rhinovirus all the kids were sporting here, and oh so generously shared with us adults. It’s like they don’t even care that they need us alive to keep them alive.
“Sadly, I did not.” You have me laughing out loud over here!
I have done the rice socks before but cannot get over the smell. For some reason it does not sit right with me.
I hope you are feeling better soon! Take care Donna.
Years ago, DH bought a heated mattress pad for our bed. Best gift ever. I put a regular mattress pad over it so I couldn’t feel the wires. And yes, Bed, Bath & Beyond does accept expired Q’s, no problem. Get well soon!
We also used a heated mattress pad when it got cold. We’d turn it on about 15 minutes before going to bed, then turn it off when we went to bed. It eliminated the ‘go to bed and shiver’ experience, and our body heat and a lot of blankets kept the bed warm.
You could probably just use your electric throw to pre-heat your bed and avoid buying something new.
I’m in the Polar Vortex area – just south of Cleveland. Yesterday, -6, today, -8. I work at a college and thankfully classes were closed both days and since I’m not essential staff, I get to stay home too. I’m also nursing a cold, so it’s probably best that I’m not in the office, possibly infecting (and alienating) my coworkers. Yesterday, after taking hubby to work (nearby) so he didn’t have to park & walk in the cold, I came back and snuggled on the couch with my kitties. It was heaven! Until I realized I hadn’t eaten breakfast and I had to pee! Thankfully, the 13 lb-er realized the same thing and offered some much-needed relief. For the rest of the day I mostly just stayed under blankets and listened to the furnace kick on way too often! Today’s plan? Much of the same. 🙂
Stay down! And think of the cats as extra blankets, or maybe as rice socks with personalities.
Oh boy, I am visiting Minneapolis from a non-Polar Vortex state. -29 yesterday morning (before wind chill) and -23 right now. And woke up with a raging cold this morning. Boo hoo! Staying warm in front of a gas fireplace with a fluffy throw on my lap and my hosts are keeping the whole house very warm thank goodness! Also have plenty of extra blankets in the guest room. We’ve had beef stew and chicken pot pies and spaghetti for dinner the past three days. I have not set foot outdoors. It is supposed to ease up starting today and be in the 30’s this weekend.
Getting sick while traveling is pretty grim. I hope you get better soon. Keep the blankets tucked in and keep tucking in the hearty grub.
Once it warms up, you should have great fun exploring Minneapolis.
Wind chills down to -37F this AM. Broken water main in town. https://www.radioresultsnetwork.com/2019/01/31/restrictions-lifted-after-escanaba-water-main-break/?fbclid=IwAR2k8vsdj-FhsgwgCogIKki-eMI-GZiPoOzsMbkFJkq59cfqS7uMozEX8bI
Poor municipal guys. Schools and college closed the last 2 days.
I always felt bad for the guys who had to use steam machines to thaw the ground enough to dig down and repair the broken water mains. Surrounded by steam and in cold temps….Brrrr.
All of those options sound great to me, but I’ve always been wimpy when it comes to cold weather. We seldom experience serious cold in this part of country. If it gets below 50 degrees, we think it’s BAD. ;o)
I’m sorry you’ve been so sick, good thing you’ve got DF to take care of you. Get well soon.
In central NJ it hasn’t been too bad, only down to 0 degrees. The windchill makes if feel worse. Today it warmed up to almost 20 degrees so its cold but not so bad.
I love oatmeal too and I splurged on the purchase of a Zojorushi Rice cooker that does Porridge (aka Oatmeal). You put in the oats and water, program it to cook porridge, and there is fresh cooked oatmeal in the morning. I love adding blueberries or cinnamon and honey.
Get better soon. Colds are so debilitating for way too many days.
That sounds both delicious and healthy. Stay warm!
Been hunkering down here in northern Wisconsin with fireplace going non-stop. I’m a warm weather person but crazy me moved north years ago! I hope you get over the cold soon.
Stay toasty.
Sending warm thoughts from er a not-cold, but very expensive place. I’m feeling tremendously lucky right now. Hope you’re better soon.
Sorry, auto correct removed needed punctuation, even though I corrected it before submitting. Grrrr.
Please use caution, – but I really mean just don’t use, – the heated throw. A dear friend of mine had an electric blanket and was dozing off.The phone rang and she got up to answer it. When she went back to bed a few minutes later, the electric blanket had already started a fire.
Yikes! That sounds like a product defect, or possibly a wire that had gotten rubbed bare. I’ll be careful.
Oh my, the ginger in the bath tub. I threw my head back and roared.
Happy to amuse. 😉
Great ideas. My favorite, of course, is the HOT BATH. I take one every night in the winter. It’s a great destresser too. 🙂