10 Free Ways to Stay Warm When Your Home is Cold

Hello, Dear!  

You're safely tucked into your dorm in Florida and won't need this letter immediately. But unfortunately, as fuel prices rise, the temperature at which we can maintain our home falls. So today, I'm sharing my top free (or nearly free) ways to stay toasty when the house is cool. 

One: Heat the person, not the space!

Change your mindset from heating the room to keeping you and your people warm to save a lot of money.  The rest of the ideas in this letter focus on this concept.

Two: Wear a base layer from shower to shower.

While you are still warm from a bath or shower, slip into a set of Thermaskins or just leggings and a  t-shirt if you don't have a base layer set.  This layer should be thin and breathable! Fun tip: Hardcore outdoor enthusiasts wear ladies' nylons as their base layer.  Wear this layer until your next shower or bath to keep a warm layer next to your skin between clothing changes.

Three: Wear long sweaters/sweatshirts.

Heat is generated in your hips, which creates a warm airflow up to your torso, arms, and neck. On frigid days, a hooded sweatshirt dress over your skirt or pants will keep you toasty.  A longer sweater or sweatshirt also keeps your lower back covered when you bend at the waist.  

Four: Avoid tight waistbands and pants.

Wearing tight waistbands or snug pants chokes the airflow for the heat produced in your hip area.

Five: Keep your neck warm.

The heat flowing up your back escapes out the neck opening of your shirt, creating a draft.  If the day is especially cool, wear a turtleneck, a hoodie, or a scarf to keep the warm air circulating around your body.

Six: Wear shoes.

While socks are usually recommended for cold weather, I prefer shoes to insulate my feet from cold hardwood floors.  If you typically kick off your shoes before entering the house, have a dedicated clean pair just for house use.

Seven: Use microwave rice packs.

Technically this isn't free, but most people already have a bag of rice and mismatched socks at home. Put a cup of dry rice into a small clean sock, secure with a rubber band or tie it shut with string using a secure knot.  Microwave for a minute or two, and voila, a delightfully warm pack to pop in your pocket. A hot rice pack provides both additional body heat and a way to quickly warm your hands. WARNING:  Rice will burn/catch fire if microwaved for too long.  

Eight: Eat hot meals.

A soft-boiled egg and toast fingers or a bowl of oatmeal will warm you from the inside out.  Ditto soup or a quick stir fry for lunch. Kiddos always think pancakes or mac and cheese are a treat.

Nine: Drink hot water/tea

I've mentioned before that my grandmother drank hot water almost constantly during the winter. I prefer to drink herbal tea or hot water with lemon.  Either way, wrapping your hands around a warm mug and sipping something hot is a great way to warm up and hydrate.

Ten: Use blankets and snuggle up when sitting.

Sitting drops your average body temperature a little on a good day. However, sitting to read or work on a project can be miserable if your home is already uncomfortably cool.  Keep a supply of soft blankets in a storage ottoman or basket near seating areas.  The extra layer helps retain valuable body heat. Partner with another family member to warm up even more.

Keeping a sweet, sunny spirit when you're cold can be a battle.  I hope these tips help you bless your family and keep them warm. 

 

Love, 

Momma

P.S.  If you have any ideas for staying warm you'd like to add for Lissy, drop them in the comments below!

How to Fast: 5 Fasts to Help you Maintain Physical and Mental Health.

Dear Lissy, 

Ah, Sweet Thing!  You are only a few weeks away from your Freshman year of college.  Time has flown. 

I suspect you'll remember me fasting when you're thinking back on your childhood.  I fasted often for both medical and prayer purposes.  At some point, you may decide to try it yourself.  I want to be able to help you enjoy the benefits of this lifestyle while avoiding the mental and physical pitfalls.

This letter isn't medical advice.  You need a doctor* to give you the green light and support you in your fasting goals.  

Summary: I have chosen a fasting lifestyle. Short fasts are a regular part of my personal fitness. I do not fast longer than 5 days unless a serious medical condition known to respond to fasting is present.

• I fast  12 hours daily when I am on plan.  
• I incorporate a 24 - 36 hour fast twice a week for prayer or weight maintenance. 
• I fast 48 hours to help alleviate seasonal depression or during times of emotional distress.
• A couple of times a year I fast for 72 hours to return to a clean eating plan.  
• On the rare occasion I have a more serious medical issue, I will fast longer using the "hopscotch" method.  If I fast longer than 5 days, I experience hair loss and immense hunger/cravings during refeeding.

1. The weight normalizing fast:  Fasting between meals and 12 hours overnight.

Fasting between meals and at least 12 hours overnight yields dozens of medical benefits, including higher HGH levels, reduced inflammation, and more energy.  This simple diet was how most people ate prior to 1970.  For me, stopping all food (and drink!) at 6:30 pm means that I will get a full night's sleep with no digestive issues or need to make a bathroom run.  Sleep is a vital part of hormone balance. Eating within an hour of waking is also vital for hormone balance.  I used to try longer "intermittent fasting", but found a daily routine of 16 - 18 hour fasts was counterproductive.

2. The weight loss fast: 24 - 36 hours twice a week.

If you've put on more than a few pounds, consider fasting at least 24 hours twice a week until your weight is within your goal range.  The popular 5:2 fast can be used from supper of one night to supper of the next so you don't miss a meal with your family, or if you are experiencing insulin resistance, the full 36 hours. This fast should not be used when pregnant or during the monthly cycle.

Fasts 3-5 should only be taken with the approval of your own MD or DC who knows both your medications and lab numbers.

3.The Mood/Chemo Fast: 48 Hours 

Day 2 of a fast is unrelenting fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps for me.  I rarely recommend fasting for only 2 days.  If you endure the misery of day 2, keep going! 

• Keto tonic -- a can of seltzer, a Tablespoon of ACV, and a dash of NoSalt over ice--will alleviate a lot of the headache and muscle aches from "Keto flu" as your body transitions from sugar to fat stores.
• A 48-hour fast is a powerful fast hormonally. Dopamine receptors are reset, HGH increases exponentially, and the body releases a flood of antioxidants.  The result is a new ability to "feel" joy and a sense of deep well-being. If you face a time of intense emotional distress or seasonal depression, this is a great alternative to comfort foods.
• I've never had chemotherapy, but the 48-hour fast before chemo is the current protocol to reduce side effects.  I think I would probably try the 36-hour fast first and then bump up to 48 hours if 36 hours was not effective.

4. The Healing Fast: 72 hours

Once or twice a year, I fast for 3 full days to give my immune system a boost or clear a chronic condition (sinus infection, for example).  After day 2, I normally feel light and energized.  My energy goes through the roof.  When I first began a fasting lifestyle, I would go without eating for weeks.  Unfortunately, after 3 days, refeeding becomes a serious issue for me.  I also experience hair loss about 3-6 months after a fast longer than 3 days.

• Plan for Keto tonic (see Fast #3) at mealtimes on days 2 and 3, otherwise, drink plenty of water.
• I avoid both coffee and tea.  I find they exacerbate the hunger pangs without providing any real benefit.
• I often have difficulty sleeping between day 2 & 3.
• Your first meal after this fast should be a cup of chicken or beef broth followed by a low-carb vegetable meal (prebiotics).  Drinking kombucha will also help you new healthy gut microbiome flourish.
• I generally eat very low carbs and protein for the day or two after a long fast.  This serves two purposes:  I won't binge on low-carb/low protein foods, and my digestive system has time to wake back up. Incorporate only gentler proteins like eggs or fish.

5. The Hopscotch Fast: 7-40 days, alternate fasting days with keto days.

If you need to fast longer for deep healing, you can cheat the system a little bit by interspersing a day or more of eating full Keto in between 3-5 fasting days.  Without carbs, your body will quickly and painlessly drop back into fasting mode.  I use this fast once in a while if my blood cholesterol or blood sugar numbers on a lab report are not where I want them to be.  If I am following Fasts 1-4 above faithfully, I don't need this fast.

What to Expect...

Day 1:  Mental difficulties skipping meals, waves of hunger that pass in 10-20 minutes.

Day 2-3:  Hunger in waves, headache, fatigue, body aches, nasal discharge depending on the quality of the previous diet.  Symptoms generally fade throughout Day 3. Keto tonic is a game-changer.

Day 3-5:  Hunger has passed. High energy, clear thinking, good mood.  Coated tongue and bad breath are common.

Sleep:  I generally sleep more during Day 1 & 2, but fewer hours after Day 3.

Exercise:  Current research is split on whether or not vigorous exercise is healthy during a fast.  I choose to do short powerwalks a couple of times a day when fasting. I nap a lot during Day 2.

Fasting tolerance:  The more I fast, the easier each fast becomes.  Much like working out, the body "learns" fasting.

Refeeding: For fasts up to 72 hours, I generally have no trouble refeeding if I keep my carbs AND proteins low.  I choose eggs and baked fish as my protein for the first day.  Once carbs are reintroduced, I notice a strong return of hunger signals.

Weight Loss: Excess fluid/swelling is one of the reasons I fast.  I lose about 3% of my body weight during the first 24-36 hours of a fast. Some of that water returns when carbs are added back to the diet. For fasts 24 hours or longer, fat loss is equal to about 1/2 pound a day. For me, fasting longer than 12 hours supports the body chemistry/hormones for weight loss and maintenance, but is not a good way to lose weight permanently. 

The fasting lifestyle has allowed me to reverse or prevent a number of medical problems through my 30s and 40s. As I enter my change of life, my primary focus is on keeping hormones balanced.  I also find that nothing promotes mental health as quickly as a fast followed by a healthy diet and exercise.  I hope that you will at least consider these fasts to manage your own health and mental well-being as you enter adulthood.

Hungry for a Hug, 

Momma

*If you are interested in adopting a fasting lifestyle, find a chiropractor you trust to support you.  The chiropractic community has been leading the research and practice of fasting for several decades.  

5 Reasons We Choose To Vaccinate

Dear Lissy,

Spring is in the air once again!  We've had a long, cold winter, and we're ready to be out and about.  You're just recovering from your first round of pneumonia and an aggressive antibiotic regimen.  While you've been down, another burst of measles has spread a couple of states away, and the vaccination debate has resurfaced.  I want to share our philosophy with you here for when you have to make that choice for the grands.

1.  We wanted you protected from diseases that could kill or maim you for life.  Meet some of the diseases that present a real and present danger here.

2. We wanted you to be able to attend camps, college, and serve the Lord overseas (missions, armed forces, medical teams, etc.)  Every one of those future paths requires vaccination.  Exemptions are becoming increasingly rare.

3.We wanted to protect the very young, aged, and infirm that are in our family and church.  See #9 on the list from the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases.

4.  We believe that a vaccinated population prevents the viral outbreak of fatal disease, and we are responsible for being a part of our community's health.  The University of Oxford gives a short and excellent explanation here.

5. We understand the science and statistics behind vaccination.  The CDC does an excellent job of presenting the science behind vaccination here and the statistics from the NCBI are here (Skip to the conclusion).

If you have those in your church and community groups who refuse or are hesitant about vaccines, this article can help you talk to them in a loving way about the subject, but ultimately vaccination is still the parent's choice.

In a future letter I'll cover some of our other medical philosophical choices (psychoactive drugs, antibiotics, herbs/oils, vaccinations for STD, etc)

 Love you!
 Momma

Experience the Magic with eShakti's NEW FX Feature!

Dear Lissy,

Guess what, guess what, guess what?!?!  You know how much you love to choose and customize eShakti dresses?  Now you can instantly SEE the custom design changes you choose appear right on the model when we order dresses on EShakti FX!  Hooray!

And...wait for it...they still have pockets.  It just doesn't get any better than that, does it?

Instantly see if your changes work well together.

Modesty issues show up so you can SEE the difference!

I guess we should probably explain our excitement for those who read along with my letters to my daughter, Lissy.  eShakti just added a new feature that works like magic with their FX line of dresses, and asked us to pop over to their website to check it out. 

We were both surprised to find out with the new eShakti FX line we could see the changes on the model in real time as we clicked to alter necklines, sleeve lengths, and hemlines.

We've both wanted this feature for years.   Changing one element on a dress affects the overall proportions of the whole garment.  The ability to play with the various features and adjust the proportions so they all look good together is a welcome upgrade.  And fun!

Here's one of the enchanting dresses we played with, the "Ombre Star Print Georgette Pleated Empire Dress".

Original design by eShakti.  As cute as this looks on the model, the neck and sleeve styles will not work with our face shape or large upper arms.

We tried adding a scoop neck, but didn't like the look. Moving on...

A high square neck keeps closer to the original design, but flatters our faces and builds.

We still need to make a decision about the sleeves.  We decided we liked the look of 3/4 sleeves the best.  The "elbow length" ended right at the waist, which visually increased the size of the bust/upper arm area.  Both bracelet and long length were full at the cuff, which is not a look either of us liked with this dress.

For our figures and taste, this sleeve length works well.  I think we're done.

The hem has choices of Knee length (top of the knee), Below the Knee (shown), and Mid-Calf (as designed).  All three are good lengths for this style of garment, but Above the Knee is going to give us modesty issues walking and sitting, while mid-calf is a terrible choice visually with our proportions.  We'll choose Below the Knee.  Boom, done.  And we can see just what our finished garment will look like BEFORE we put down our hard earned dollars.

If you haven't been over to eShakti lately, click over and see all the changes they've made.  Take a few minutes to pick out a dress and play with it on FX.  Their new zapelle line has a more sophisticated, modern look, while the Wayward Fancies line offers up interesting fabrics and free-spirited styles like the one we played with here.  The classic eShakti fit and flare dresses are still there, too.

Need a special occasion dress?  Find beautiful, inexpensive bridesmaid's, mother's, or party dresses that can be custom cut for a perfect fit on your big day.  Dresses only take 2-3 weeks to arrive after ordering, too.

Want to add a little magic to someone's Christmas?  Send them a gift card so they can design their own eShakti original.  eShakti carries a full line of tops, jackets, skirts, and pants in addition to their dresses.  Once you create an account on eShakti, the gift card option is at the bottom of the screen.

eShakti has been a tremendous resource for us as Lissy has transformed into a young lady.  We hope you'll enjoy shopping there as much as we do.

Love you, Sunshine!

Momma

P.S.  As affiliates, we get a small percentage of every garment ordered through the links in this post.  The dollars fund Lissy's education (and occasionally her wardrobe!) without costing you anything extra.  Thank you for helping our family in this way.