Winter means a lot of different things to different people. For some it means burrowing in like a bear, for others it means hitting the slopes, and for many it just means higher utility bills and more dark hours in the day. I take comfort in the changing seasons; they all have their pros and cons as far as I’m concerned. So in the interest of working with Old Man Winter, here are some recommendations for staying warm and dry and happier than the average bear.
At home
Don’t feel guilty about heating your home, but do take action to save money on the utilities. One of the best ways to save on the heat is to install a digital programmable thermostat (you can turn the dial down too). Once set, the digital thermostat will regulate the indoor temperature of a given room, based on usage. If you’re gone all day, no need to keep the heat up high, especially during the day when the sun is on the clock.
Winter means spending a lot more time inside, it’s when I find myself catching up on the TV and movies that I’ve missed throughout the year. I think it’s a myth that we get sick in the winter because of the cold, I think it has more to do with our indoor air quality and all that recycled, reheated air. That means it’s especially important to keep the house clean with the best green cleaning products. Green cleaners kill the same germs as the harsh chemicals without the harsh chemicals — kind of a no-brainer by now.
Of course you could go ahead and winterize your home but that might not be practical for renters and the clinically lazy among us. While it’s not just a winter concern, many people are replacing their bulky inefficient hot water tanks with an instant, tankless water heater.
Heading out
If you’re going to brave the winter wonderland, do it in style with the best green outerwear for men and the warmest women’s eco fashions. Whether you’re heading into town to pick up microwavable popcorn or hanging out in the ski lodge, quality winter footwear makes everything more enjoyable and less of a chore. Crunching snow under boots is the adult version of hitting things with a stick, unless you’re still hitting things with sticks (we don’t judge, but your neighbors might). Speaking of winter sports, check out Arbor’s green snowboards — great ride, great artwork, and an inherent respect for the mountains and trees we love to fly by at dangerous speeds.
More Personally
I won’t ask you, personally, but if you’re subject to dry skin, dandruff, or the need to maintain a holiday tan, you’ll want to shop the best organic lotions (think elbows, heels, and hands), natural dandruff shampoos, and natural fake tanner.
Winter can be as harsh on your head as it is on your hands, so when you get out of dodge keep one of these eco bags in tow.
