Ok, so when I was 15 we each got from dad this crazy "Extreme Survival" book about what roots to eat and how to get water in a desert, how to dig a whole to sleep in minus 50 and how to skin an animal with sticks and stones only, you get the picture, living on no food for weeks, etc.

Of course I shrugged it off, being young and beautiful, hahah, everything was daisies and kind souls. That book was terifying and a total downer.

Back home it is -30, I hope everyone is ok. The frosts are nasty, and it makes me think of survival again.

What do you do to keep warm and sane? Little personal strategies? Or none? Recipes? Clothes tips? Onion clothes don't really do it for me, I don't like layering too much, feeling like a snowman. Do you move more or less when it is so cold?

+ + +

Usually it works good to wear a 100% wool inner layer in such cold weather as I know from my kids.. Should try it myself soon too..

Wool is really nice. And leather. Acrylic anything sucks.

Anyways, hot drinks are good, we used to get "bear milk", even as kids. Milk, honey and a tiny bit of rhum.

Knitting in winter makes me feel warmer. It's odd, but it keeps my spirit warm.

Layers! Currently, t-shirt, cardigan, fleece + insulated waterproof jacket, wooly hat + hoody, layered hoodies keep the noggin' very warm.

there's always this method to stay warm (about 40sec in):



BTW, I think "deep heat" is a british product, it's a muscle rub.

I currently have the fire going and am sitting here in combat shorts and a t-shirt.

I will be popping out later........thats when the long-johns shall come out.

So if you see a sexy guy in Coop dressed like he is going skiing......say hello.


cheers
SC

I can't move in layers.

Makes me feel and walk like a penguin. But I have a tshirt and a giant sheep coat today Russian style and it's nont really cutting it, either.

T'shirt normally = cotton.
tell the old man to loose the purse strings and get you some nice warm merino.

light, warm , easy to move, no wool itch
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=36710-0-993

#1 Protect yourself from wind. That means a windbreaker or similar.
#2 Your head is a major factor in loss of body heat. Wear a warm woolen or fleece hat (fur is best but not politically correct).
#3 Protect your ears and your neck = wear a scarf
#4 Layers of air between your body and the windbreaker keep you warm. Wear woolen clothes or fleece to achieve this.
#5 Keep dry. If you're likely to get wet or damp (eg during exercise), don't wear cotton shirts on your skin. Thermal underwear is better. Wet cotton on skin = "cloth of death"
#6 If there is a cold breeze, and one of your windows is exposed to it, consider closing the shutters at night.
#7 In your house, try to eliminate draughts (although this is more of a UK than a Swiss problem generally). Make or buy draught excluders for doors or windows
#8 NO ALCOHOL TO KEEP WARM. Alcohol will dilute the capillaries, mainly of the face and the neck (where loss of body heat is greatest to start with) and you will get colder even faster. Drink other hot beverages instead.

sensible and certainly very realistic.. but I do like my advice better.

One of these keeps me toasty through the worst

I've got a lovely feather and down coat, better than a jacket, keeps my bum warm!

Mud's attire today: t-shirt, short sleeve work shirt (from Landi, awesome styling ), a light wool liner from an old jacket, and a corduroy blazer. 40 minute walk and A-OK. Under the t-shirt I do have some patented insulation based on an old Czech recipe of hops and malt though .

somewhere there is a poor goose walking around naked because of you.

OOOh, didn't know there are tshirts in merino, how nice. I got some super fine Kookai wool knits I love but merino is nicer. Plus Kookai is so grim colors.

Tom Tulpe, excellent points! I always thought cotton would be the thing to wear, but I am cold in it. I got some wool tights, even H&M sells great ones, but today, doh, I didn't put them on. I am scared to leave the building now, gota march a few kms.

Somebody said fire place? J'adore. Why are there so few fire places here?

FCBarca, what brand is that?

Should I make borsch for dina? That's back home cocooning soup. Just have to persuade the little one to start liking the beets.

Is there a hot version of borsch?... all I've evah had was cold

Cold borsch, lazy cookin'! Normally, one always eats it hot hot. And with sour cream on top, or double cream.

I live away form extreme cold weather. Can't stand it.... It says Canadian on my passport but I am sure it is a fake.

Adding a base layer of wool is an extremely effective way of staying warm. Go to the nearest shop selling hiking equipment (e.g. Bachli Bergsport) and buy a set of merino wool long trousers and long-shirt.

Seriously if you don't own a set of those you are missing out. This is the first thing I put on when going hiking or <insert activity>, I own three sets and I'm wearing them all out. Plus they don't stink as easily as cotton so optimal for situations where you're wearing the same clothes for a few days.

in EXTREME weather situations I recommend onsies...
http://www.jumpinjammerz.com/

or


EDIT.. no that is not me.. neither one !