"Cold! If the thermometer had been an inch longer we'd have frozen to death"
~Mark Twain
It's white outside. The snow has fallen and the temperate has dropped. In case you are not from these parts here is a little run down of our winters;
The city of Edmonton is among the Canadian cities with cold winters Edmonton. Its average daily temperatures range from a low of −10.4 °C (13.3 °F) in January. The lowest overall temperature ever recorded in Edmonton was −49.4 °C (−56.9 °F), on January 19 and 21, 1886. On January 26, 1972, the temperature was recorded at −48.3 °C (−54.9 °F) and at -61 with the wind chill, making it the lowest temperature including the wind chill ever recorded in Edmonton.
This will be our 7th winter in Edmonton and I still love the pure white snow and the breathtaking blue skies. Keeping warm, happy and well is essential and here are my top tips on how to do just that;
Beat the winter snooze!
If its dark when you get up and dark when you get home it can be pretty hard to feel motivated to do anything in the winter months! Lack of sunlight can have a serious impact on your mood and health so get outdoors in natural daylight as much as possible. The one thing I love more than anything about moving from the UK to Alberta is the amazing blue skies we get even when its -40 outside. Wrap up warm and get outside!
Eat to stay healthy!
When it's cold outside, it can be tempting to fill up on unhealthy comfort food (I also get this urge in summer, spring and fall!!) However, it's important to ensure you still have a healthy and colorful diet with lots of fruit and vegetables. My vegetable garden maybe totally covered in snow right now but I still try and pack in as many fruit and veggies into my families diet as I can. Mandarin oranges are our current favorite! There is a great selection of fabulous produce available all year round at the Old Strathcona Farmers Market and Downtown City Market.
Think before you drink!
You are more likely to get a cold in the winter months, so make sure your immune system is in tip-top condition.
Milk and dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt are a great sources of, protein, vitamins A, B12 and calcium, which helps keep our bones strong. This winter season I am also adding an immune boosting tea to my daily routine! Tetley Super Fruits IMMUNE Peach & Orange with Vitamin C is a super delicious peach and orange infusion with vitamin C which is the perfect blend for when you need it most. Vitamin C also helps support your immune system.
Drink Gin!
You may think I have gone crazy, maybe I have, but hear me out! Juniper berries are an incredibly healthy fruit that contain a multitude of medicinal benefits. These super berries are also the main ingredient in gin, who knew! Used for centuries as an topical antiseptic, juniper berries can also help fight off coughs and lung congestion. The oils contained in juniper berries agitate bronchial passages and expel mucus. Stay healthy, drink gin!! (FYI: This is not actual medical advice)
Get outside!
Don't use the cold winter months as an excuse to stay inside. Instead, get out with the whole family and check out some of the amazing activities where you live. We are super lucky to live in Edmonton, also know as the winter city! Check out this amazing list of festivals and events. We love visiting Elk Island National Park and cooking breakfast on a fire-pit. Just don't forget the hot chocolate and marshmallows.
I also beat the winter blues and make myself feel better with a Whisky Hot Toddy. I will be sharing my husbands recipe for Hot Toddy on the blog soon. He makes the best Hot Toddy's!
So stay warm, eat well, drink smart and love the winter!
I was sent some Tetley Super Fruits Immune Boosting Tea to try for free. I didn't get paid to say nice things. I am English, so drinking tea is part of my heritage along with drinking gin of course.
