Beat the Freeze

We lose most heat through our extremities - head, hands and feet; remember people wore night caps before central heating.  Layers of clothes are a good idea - they should be loose and not constricting: circulation is all.  If after violent exercise (shovelling snow) you get hot, remove the odd layer rather than perspire and make it damp.  In the UK damp is our enemy and makes us really feel the cold so keeping dry is important.

Since MTL had chemo he is very prone to cold hands and feet so I was interestd to learn that stamping one's feet - as you see people doing at bus stops - and clapping ones hands, is a no no; one should shake hands and feet to get the blood flowing.  By the same token tight gloves and socks are bad and should be replaced by loose mitts and socks.
Your loose layers of clothes are more beneficial if they are natural fabrics and fleeeces.

Hot food and drink is vital- plenty of carbs - soup , stews and porrridge all help to warm the cockles.  Remember to stock up with essentials as soon as you hear the risk of a white- out.  With the help of tins and the freezer one can sit out a snowy siege comfortably..

When relaxing after all the snow shovelling put your feet up (its warmer off the ground and remember the adage - never stand when you can sit- never sit when you can lie) and cover yourself with a rug.  You know those lovely crocheted throws many of you have ?  This is when they come into their own.

I expect many of you know all this but if you have any more tips to beat the freeze please share them.