I remember Canadian mornings when my sisters and I would crack 1/2 inch thick ice off our family Volkswagen. Then, we would jump inside and wait at least 10 minutes for the heater to kick out warmth. Northern winters can be brutal and I have survived them my entire life. It wasn’t until recently, however, that I actually fell in love with winter.

Here are my 7 Steps to a Flaweless Winter!

1. Choose it

Rather than hate the inevitable, find what you love about winter and focus on that. Even when the TriBeCa wind is ripping through me as I walk Frith to school I think, “Who needs coffee when I have this invigorating breeze?!” I also love that winter brings: snugly movie nights, roasts, holidays, hot baths, snow, whiskey, red wine, and quiet. I give gratitude for all these things because I know, if I had a year without winter, I would loose some magic in my life.

2. Hydrate & Humidify

Every night I fill the largest glass I own with water and set it by my bedside. I do not allow myself to leave my cozy down-filled covers the next morning until every drop of water is gone. This sets my day up for hydrating and keeps me drinking water all day long. Before this routine began, I would wake up parched, make a pot of coffee and then wonder how it became 3pm and all I had consumed was….coffee. Needless to say, this simple step has changed my life. I feel great, get sick less and have more energy.

Invest in the best humidifiers you can find, keep them clean and use them all the time. I searched for years to find a humidifier that actually humidified, was easy to fill and keep clean. I now have three large Venta Air Washers in my home and I couldn’t be happier.

3. get Sunshine

Walk on the sunny side of the street. In Ottawa, where I was born, it is sunny most every hour of every day. It is also super cold (some days are negative 75 degrees!). The snow doesn’t melt until May which means the sidewalks are not that dirty-gray color and icicles dangle off trees like crystals. Ottawa is a winter wonderland!!! Upstate NY, however, is not. It is gray and slushy and oh-so-hard to endure; despite being warmer than Ottawa. NYC is somewhere in-between and yes, after the holidays, it is also hard to endure. My answer? …I walk on the sunny side of the street. I do this every day.

Vitamin D. A few years ago, at my Dr. physical, I came up deficient in vitamin D, so now I take a supplement all winter long. I am not a nutritionist, but I can tell you I feel happier and I stopped getting every cold my son brought home from school. I believe in vitamin D all winter long.

4. Cook or Immerse Yourself in Any Creative “Work”

Cook: I am an artist and I feel most myself when singing or cooking. When winter comes, it is extra important to express myself. I believe every winter month calls for certain things. These are recipes that get me through each month of cold:

• December: Eggnog

• January: Waffles

• February: Brownies

• March: Stew and Bouillabaisse

• April: Spring Chicken Noodle Soup

5. Connect

Host: It is easy to hibernate when it’s cold. I don’t! Jason & I host at least once per week.

Write Letters: I am not a pro at this, but I understand that writing a letter, instead of an email, makes the people I love, and therefore me, feel joy.

6. Sweat

Baths and/or Tea: Nothing warms me up like a hot bath or a good cup of tea (or Mulled Cider).

Exercise: I love boxing, but really anything that gets my sweat on helps me feel strong. I recently joined “Moms In Balance” and we meet at the very cold, very windy pier in TriBeCa every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I leave feeling like super woman every time.

Steam Room: If you have a gym with a steam room, use it! The humidity and heat can transport you to the tropics in seconds!

Spicy Food: There is something about spicy food that makes me feel like it’s summer, but either way it clears my sinuses. :) Try my Fiery Chicken Chili with an extra kick of chile powder!

7. Get the Gear

Winter Gear: Do not underestimate the power of a great hat & gloves, leg warmers, cozy PJ’s and a killer, long, down winter coat. On the coldest days I use it all and, simply said, I feel invincible. A.k.a. like a superhero!

What’s your winter routine?

Let me know in the comments below!

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