♫ Baby it’s cold outside.♫
Jiminy Cricket. It is really freaking cold outside. I also know I’m not alone since half of North America has been hit by an arctic blast.
In light of the frigid temperatures, I thought it’d be wise to share some Cold Weather Tips, along with my Monday eats. Yep you read that right; in additional to passing out sage advice, I’m also linking up to What I Ate Wednesday, sponsored by the lovely Jenn over at Peas & Crayons. It’s been far too long since I joined her foodie party, while simultaneous doling out advice I’m not even remotely qualified to give, which would never be a deterrent; not for me anyway.
Let’s begin.
- Whatever you do, don’t start your day with an ice-cold smoothie. In fact, I highly recommend foregoing this icy concoction, unless you plan on drinking it in the shower, in which case, carry on.
Bottom to Top: Orange Juice, Ice, Banana, Spinach, Pineapple, Cantaloupe and Strawberries.
- If by chance someone leaves a present on your desk, consisting of homemade Blackberry Oatmeal Scones, don’t immediately devour them, all while muttering my precious and casting feverish looks over your shoulder. Instead warm those suckers up, sit back, relax and enjoy your tasty treats.
Confession: I ate one of these in the morning (the one in the back) and the second one in the afternoon. They are remarkably very filling.
- Don’t say asinine cold weather phrases like “It’s colder than a witch’s tit out there.” “That okay, we’re the breast of friends.” Actually go ahead and make those comments. They’re bound to get a laugh, and if not, you need to broaden your social circle.
A handful of Love Grown granola shared by a coworker while working on a project together.
- Eat something warm for lunch; preferable a big bowl of soup or warm mug of Vegetarian Chili; anything to take away the bone chilling and mind numbing cold.
Homemade Apple Pie Granola, plain Greek yogurt and fresh raspberries.
- Don’t sing songs like, “I’m chilly willy the Penguin. I’m frozen through and through. My nose is red. My tail is cold. Ha, Hee, Hachoo.” (See Hubby, this is a real song. You owe me, and I plan to collect this weekend.) It turns out, people whether they are warm or cold, will find this little ditty irritating. Obviously, there’s no accounting for taste.
Roasted Cauliflower with a Blue Cheese Vinaigrette, Berbere Spiced Red Lentils and Garlic Bread.
- Despite the cold, do get out of the house from time to time. We don’t want any Jack Torrance like episodes from The Shining to occur. Being cooped up all day isn’t good for anyone, even us introverts. When you do choose to leave the house, make sure to wear multiple layers, especially if it means more than one hat.
- Oh and one last thing. If for some reason you get stuck outside naked as a jay bird (those guys have all the fun), start running. Apparently it increases your internal body temperature long enough to keep you alive, although I can’t say it prevents frost bite or shrinkage.
There you have it. Now go forth and embrace the cold. Or use common sense and don’t do anything I did, except the two hat thing.
How cold is it in your city? What have you been doing to stay warm? Are there any super important tips I missed? Do tell.
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
January 8, 2014 at 7:31 AMTip #next–if you happen to have adorable wiener dogs, do get them snazzy coats to cover the brisket area while leaving the business end of things free. Because the coats really work, and when you return home from the polar vortex, cheeks feeling like they’ve been planed with a . . . well, one of those things that scrapes wood or cheese off of slabs of wood or cheese . . . . hell, where was I? Right, when you get back home from the walk the wiener dogs are warm and toasty at their cores.
The Practical dog? This is his weather. He’s been out frolicking the Dance of His People, which irritates Vincent the Fun Sucker to no end. No accounting for dogs.
I’m with you on everything but the granola, which sadly I am out of because my spouse’s daily oatmeal habit has been cutting into my available oat stash. So instead of granola as a bedtime snack I’ve been eating Candy Cane Joe Joes. It’s on you, babe. Good thing I’m hitting the commissary after work today to restock.
Have a lovely day!
Meghan says
January 9, 2014 at 7:00 AMI didn’t realize Vincent is a Fun Sucker. We should never put him next to Oscar, who is all about Fun, especially at others expense.
I love that the Candy Cane Joe Joes are on me. You better get to that commissary fast. I was supposed to hit up the grocery store last night after work (and the night before that and the night before that) so I could restock as well. It hasn’t happened yet, although there’s always tonight. 🙂
Yamir says
January 8, 2014 at 7:44 AMOh god I have no idea how cold that is. I live in PR, people come here during this time to head for the Beach.
Cute hats!!!
Meghan says
January 9, 2014 at 7:01 AMNow there’s a great idea. I was in PR a few years ago and really loved it. Especially the weather.
Marina @ Lazy for Diet says
January 8, 2014 at 8:40 AMI from Russia therefore I have no problems with cold 😉 Though I prefer summer to all seasons. You gave pieces of good advice. I can advise only one – STAY AT HOME! I earned frostbite once, and it was absolutely gloomy
Meghan says
January 9, 2014 at 7:03 AMI don’t even want to imagine actually having frostbite. Eeek! I hope you are fully recovered now.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.
Laura@fitfreshnfunny says
January 8, 2014 at 10:16 AMYou look like a really cold chef in that hat, I dig it! My approach is to go outside for whatever stupid errand I have to run in far too few layers for human life to function at that temperature, run like a crazy person to the mailbox or whatever, come inside and scream “I’ll never be warm again” and dive under the heated blanket, forcing my husband to do whatever task I was secretly trying to avoid anyway. Works like a charm, and will totally teach him to leave the recycling tub at the curb.
Meghan says
January 9, 2014 at 7:04 AMInsert maniacal laugh here.
Now that is a great plan! You are talented.
Brittany says
January 8, 2014 at 10:40 AMOhh I love the multiple hat look!! It totally looks like one giant, warm hat! It’s cold in my area…but no where near the east coast. It’s like 35-40F in Washington..I shouldn’t even complain..but it’s very biting and 40 here is way different than when it was 40 in AZ. Your smoothie is gorgeous…I want to lay in bed with it.
Meghan says
January 9, 2014 at 7:05 AMYou are welcome to my smoothies anytime. Perhaps you should take it to a sun patch and lay there, although whatever you decided to do with your smoothie is your business. 😉
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear says
January 8, 2014 at 12:21 PMSO cold lately. Nashtyyy. Also you look adorbs in that hat. And thanks for the running tip if I get locked out completely nakee 😉
Meghan says
January 11, 2014 at 10:12 AMBut of course. You’re going to remember that one for life.
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed says
January 8, 2014 at 1:57 PMBitch please, that song is a JINGLE. You went to elementary school in Ohio, did they not offer this delicious orange beverage type drink?
Meghan says
January 11, 2014 at 10:14 AMIt’s a jingle! Dammit, well it worked because it’s stuck in my head. Don’t tell my man.
I actually grew up in Buffalo and went to a Catholic grade school before they had hot lunches, although we did get pizza every Friday so I don’t know about this delicious orange beverage drink although I always had a fetish (yes eight year olds have fetishes) for orange pop. I think it was the cats pajamas probably because I was only allowed to drink it on special occasions.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
January 8, 2014 at 3:46 PM😆 You do give out some amazing advice — I never would have thought of the two hat thing…
It hit -30F here over the weekend, and I’ll admit that I refused to go outside. Like flat-out said HELL NO. Walk outside in that kind of weather and your eyelids stick together when you blink. No thanks. Thankfully it’s now warmed up, and we’re currently sitting at a balmy 18.
And my tip would be, if you plan on eating frozen fruit by the bagful, do do by the fireplace so that you don’t spend the next hour shivering and wondering what the hell you were thinking…
Meghan says
January 11, 2014 at 10:17 AMI knew whatever temperature I was looking at, yours was going to be significantly colder. I probably wouldn’t have left the house either because I like my eyelids. It’s actually 48 here today, and I have the back door open a crack so the cats cat run in and out and also to get some fresh air up in this place. I suspect if I hadn’t experienced negative nine earlier this week, my house would still be shut up tighter than a drum. 48 is now considered a hot spell.
Sarah Pie says
January 8, 2014 at 7:31 PMWhat on earth would people be doing outside naked!?! The two hat thing is much more my style in the weather 🙂 loving the granola and roasted veggies!
Meghan says
January 11, 2014 at 10:17 AMIt happens sometimes….not to me necessarily but they came up with that factoid for a reason. Plus, now you’ll never forget it! 🙂
Ellie@Fit for the soul says
January 8, 2014 at 8:52 PMGoodness gracious! Your food looks too delicious! (Errmmm I promise I wasn’t trying to rhyme there, haha) And you are too funny, girl! 😀
You’re…going to hate me for this one, but I live in So Cal where the sun shines almost everyday! But I always say it all balances itself out because California gets earthquakes, and I think that makes up for mind numbing cold weather?!
Meghan says
January 11, 2014 at 10:19 AMHooray for someone else who gets my dry and often inappropriate sense of humor.
I’m not hating on the warm weather people. In fact, if anything I feel bad since you guys choose to live in a place where it stays fairly warm all year round and you’re still getting hit. Living in Cleveland, I kind of ask for this weather. Oh well, I get to make snowmen and chug hot chocolate like it’s going out of style. 🙂
Julie says
January 9, 2014 at 12:42 AMIt’s not cold here. I mean, I’m still cold, but it’s not like what cold is elsewhere.
I once tried all the Love Grown flavors and I can’t have any… because I eat them all.
I’m a big fan of those blackberry scones – almost look like thumbprint cookies with giant pieces of fruit!
Meghan says
January 11, 2014 at 10:21 AMThey do look like thumbprint cookies. They were really good and very filling. They had staying power those scones.
I usually make my own granola so this was good to try. It gives me a basis for comparing.
Eating 4 Balance says
January 9, 2014 at 12:09 PMFor some reason I just really crave cold food in cold weather. Well, I eat plenty of hot food too (hello soup!) but I’ve been munching on frozen blueberries lately despite the sub zero temps.
Isn’t that windchill just crazy? I was looking at our thermostat on Monday when my dad asked me what it was outside. I said 8. But then I looked again and noticed a (-) sign all the way to the far left. ?? I didn’t even know that was there. And of course there is a huge difference between -8 and 8. Like, a whole frostbitten butt cheek. (Did you weather people warn about frostbite too? They literally said “Don’t go outside.” No laughing. Nothing.).
I’ve never thought to double up on hats before but that sounds super smart. Even fashionable maybe. Have I ever told you that with your short hair, flawless skin, and pretty earrings you look like some gorgeous, chic socialite? Especially all dolled up in your holiday pictures.
Stay Warm! 🙂
Meghan says
January 11, 2014 at 10:23 AMI doubled up on my hats, my socks and my gloves. They say you lose all your heat from those three places, so I thought it’d be a good idea. Plus I had to go outside so I could get to work. No rest for the wicked. 😉
You are a great big sweetheart, and your compliment just made my day. I’m like Paris Hilton but better. Plus I could totally kick her skinny little @ss. Oops, did I just say that?!
I hope you’re enjoying the last of your break and living it up Madison style, which probably means you’re hanging in the kitchen, but have the perfect movie picked out for tonight. Am I right? That actually sounds like the perfect day to me. 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
January 11, 2014 at 4:15 AMCan I say I am honestly sort of jealous of your hat collection? I am on the hunt for the elusive Russian cossack hat.
Off topic, but I’m so glad to see the Love Grown package there- I know your a fan of making your own granola but I HAD to send you some Australian granola which is pretty decent- and no nasties! 😉
Roasted cauliflower…you know my thoughts on this. If only the damn vegetable didn’t suffer so much shrinkage.
Meghan says
January 11, 2014 at 10:26 AMCome to Cleveland. We have lots of hats to choose from or send me a picture of what you’re looking for. If I see it, I’ll nab it (or really pay for it since I don’t want to be arrested for petty larceny).
I can’t wait to try the Australian granola. I always really like to try things when I also make them myself. Its great for tips and for comparison purposes. I also thought my Orange Cranberry granola was better than the Love Grown granola (shhh, don’t tell).
I had that cauliflower two nights in a row. I’ve decided if you buy a big enough one to start, the shrinkage doesn’t matter!!
elise says
January 12, 2014 at 11:31 AMThose scones look SO tasty! I’ve never tried making my own….I’ve always been reluctant about how the consistency would turn out. I’ve had some really dry scones in the past and always worried mine would turn out that way. But those look amazing!!
Meghan says
January 12, 2014 at 4:23 PMThese are good and pretty much the opposite of dry. I wish I could take credit for them, but they were a lovely gift from bosses wife. Perks of the job. 🙂
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
January 15, 2014 at 6:54 AMDamn girl, major props to you for the smoothies! While I’ve been shaking my head at myself for the last few weeks, basically living off cereal, yogurt bowls, and my most recent snack plates of “anything from the crisper drawer spread out and covered in mustard” (one of the main reasons my WIAW posts have trailed off), I still can’t even stand the THOUGHT of making a smoothie! I mean seriously, it makes my bones hurt!
At least you warmed yourself up with those lentils…which now you have me craving…at 6am! ha!
Meghan says
January 15, 2014 at 11:11 AMI can’t explain it but I crave the smoothies come cold weather. Actually come to think of it, it’s probably because I’m getting less fruit and greens in my diet because it’s no longer in season. Hmm, that makes sense now.
Those lentils were crazy hot; like my lips were burning, and I liked it. I’m thinking you should NOT use the Berebere spice. You should probably give it to Laura the next time you see her. As hot as it is, she’ll love it.