Foods To Thaw You Out

 The temps around the country have been monumnetally cold. Some areas like New england have even reached minus numbers. Wit this brings hypothermia and frostbite. Don;t panic with these. There are foods that hedlp for a  good thaw.]

What is hypothermia and is it connected to frostbite? Hypothermia is a condition that happens during very cold temps although it could even happen in forty degree Farenheit weather. it starts when a person becomes wet either from sweat, rain, sleet or snow.A person can become confused and exhausted with uncoordinated hand movements and slurred speech. Frostbite can happen with it.This is where body parts freeze due  to frigid temps and the  affected areas turn red. The skin could also change color from a healthy pink to a whitihs or gteyish yellow. There is also a firmness to the flesh as well. If both are extreme then head to your local hospital's ER where both can be treated right away. If it's relatively mild then the first thing to do is remove the person's wet clothes and then get them warm. frostbite victims should not be walking. DO NOT place the person by a fireplace, radiator, heat lamp or stove for warming. Heating pads are out too. They cause more harm than good. Also do not rub or massage frostbitten areas either. Again this can cause more problems. Wrap the person in a dryer warmed beach towel or blanket.

What about a warming drink. Alcohol is an absolute taboo!!! It could even cause hypothermia surpringly. What happens is that it may temporarily provide a feeling of heat and warmth thanks to explanding blood vessel. That feeling passes quickly when blood vessles constrict back to their normal size. Do have a big cup of hot cocoa on the ready. This will not only warm the affected person but also ptovide a much needed dose of sugar.It's also a comfort food which will be welcomed too. You can also try sweetened  decaf hot teas and coffees. If they're hungry then a cup of hot soup is necessary. It's easy to open up a can and microwave it.  What about just plain water? You could boil it and have the person drink it like any other hot drink.If they're hungry then break out the chocolate.It's an energy rich food that raises body temps as well as providing a burst of energy There are foods to eat during these wintry times to stave off hypothermia too. Eat more bananas, whether plain or as dessert with chocolate syrup. As bad as it's supposed to be for you a little red meat is good ofr these frosty times. Have a steak or hamburger every now and then. Sweet potatoes and butternut squash also raise body temps too. Think of them mashed or cut into wedges and air fried for a tasty side or snack. 

Frosty times bring about serious problems. Mild cases of hypothermia and frostbite can be treated with a good hot cup. Also eat temperature raising foods too. Keep yourself and your bisy warm and toasty when those arctic  temp aarive.

A Hot Cup On A Cold Night

 The weather around most of the country is frigid. The nights are even worse. We have to stay in anyway. Why not do it with a good hot cup a sweet treat and a good book. It's a perfect way to while away a blizzard or nor' easter. let it snow. You'll be inside, cozy and warm, a steaming mug by your side, with something sweet to nibble on.

As far as drinks, a nice herbal tea is the perfect cup for right now. There are a lot out there right now. What's the best to drink? Celestial Seasonings has the widest array of choices. One of their most popular is the Sleepytime which has a mix of soothing chamomile, spearmint and lemongrass. If you want something fruitier, then brew up a cup of their wild berry zinger or their new watermelon mint (it seems like an odd combo but it actually works.) Another choice is any Earl Grey tea . This pairs great with any sweet, from a simple pound cake to brownies. Twinings is the second tea company that has so many choices. You can try their black and green teas for your evening warm up or their many herbal teas. They have such interesting combinations as grapefruit and basil along with butter mint. Of course there's coffee too, now very popular thanks to the Keurig coffee maker. Remember to always drink decaf otherwise you'll still be wide awake at midnight and beyond. What's the best decaf? Trader Joe's in house brand tops many lists. It's flavorful and rich, the perfect cup on a frosty night. Another good brand is Volcanica which has coffees from around the world. You could easily buy their Jamaica blend or their Cameroonian one.

Sometimes the perfect drink on a frosty night is the most traditional. This is where hot cocoa comes in. You can easily buy the already mixed kind or make it yourself. One of the more popular is Swiss Miss which comes with or without marshmallows. It's a fun, sweet cup that's warming from head to toe. Land O' Lakes, usually know for their butter, also has ventured into hot chocolate. They have a huge amount of choices, from cinnamon and chocolate to raspberry and chocolate. There's even a white chocolate mix for something entirely different. Yet nothing beats the flavor of an old fashioned made hot cocoa. It starts with a really good hot cocoa powder. Droste is one of the best for this. It produces a rich, Parisian like hot cocoa that's full bodied and layered in taste. You could also use Ghiradelli's or Hershey's too. Add a quarter of a teaspoon of milk to moisten the powder into a paste and then cook the milk over a medium heat. DO not let it boil or it will produce a skin you'll have to skim off. Stir and sweeten to taste. You can  sub in almond, soy, cashew, or oat milk if you want a vegan or healthier version. A splash of mint  or hazelnut  flavoring can also be added. Toss a marshmallow or two or a dollop of whipped cream with grated dark chocolate for a lusher drink. 

This is the perfect weather for a cup of something hot. Make a steaming cup of tea, coffee or hot cocoa. Grab a plate of cookies and settle in. It's time to get cozy!

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A Warm Relaxing Drink

Modern life can be so stressful.  There's running here and there along with daily problems and chores.It makes relaxing almost impossible. Thank heavens there is a nice hot cup of something to help soothe frazzled nerves and overactive minds. It can have a shot of booze or just  be something as plain as steamed milk. Either way they can help melt away all the problems of the day.

Some people  reach for a hot toddy for comfort. This is a classic that is a great comfort on a cold rainy night.(or right at home in any ski lodge).A hot toddy is basically whiskey mixed with warm  or hot milk. Sugar or honey along with cloves,  lemon or cinnamon are also added for taste. The ratio of alcohol to milk can depend on the person.If; it's been a bad day , then add more whiskey , if not , half a shot glass can do it. Hot buttered rum is another classic , perfect for a winter's night. It;'s only rum with the addition of hot but not  boiling water. A pat of plain or cinnamon spiced butter is added along with a cinnamon stick. Again how strong it's made is up to the individual.

For those who want just a simple cup of something hot, think about herbal teas. Chamomile tea is not only soothing it's good for an upset stomach.Another tea to try peppermint. Even its' aroma is decidedly comforting comforting .Teas can also come in a variety of combos too with different herbs and flowers mixed in. An alternative is a decaf  flavored coffee . Just  remember don't pour in any sugary creamers otherwise this could lead to sleeplessness. The most classic drink is hot milk. Warm up a cup of milk. Some add vanilla and nutmeg  along with just the tiniest bit of  sugar to amp up the taste. Just keeping it plain actually is the best bet.


A hot drink is the best way to end a busy day.Curl up with any  mug or cup of something warm and tasty right before going to bed. Try something with a kick or not to soothe those frazzled nerves.

Coffee Times

Yesterday'. New York Times Dining section was devoted to coffee. there were tow good articles written by Oliver Strand and regular , Kim Severson. the first lists almost all of Manhattans; coffee house. while the second about the quest for a good decaf. They're both fascinating articles especially to the coffee holics out there and those tea drinkers, like myself who like a walk on the bean side.

Oliver Strand's article is a guide to some of the city's best places. It;s not just Manhattan but also Brooklyn and Queens. he also rates them and mentions other pluses. such as good pastries or a relaxing atmosphere. Some are well known like the Gimme Coffee chain or the Stumphouse Coffee Roasters. Some are tiny little cafes that barely sits a party of five. It is also a good guide for those looking for homemad e muffins ro sticky buns . Each coffee house not only has it's liquid specialties but also their baked ones as well.

Kim Severson article is a bit more involved. She describes the quest for the perfect decaf. This is usually hard because the stuff sometimes has a chemical taste and it's like drinking dishwater mixed with cleaning fluid. The reason for this is that the caffeine is washed out with a rinse of methylene chloride I t does leave other compounds intact that contribute to the flavor. Luckily this method is becoming more and more sophisticated . Decaf coffee is becoming just as rich tasting and full bodied as its caffeinated cousin. There is also a new method called mountain water process, where green coffee beans are soaked in hot wate r and discarded. The remaining brew is sent through a carbon filter to remove the caffeine. The oils and flavors ar e left intact

There' nothing like a good cup of coffee whether decaf or caf, especially in a bustling city like New York. This is the place where you can see a million things happening as you slowly sip and enjoy a rich cup of the brew. It's may be a busy city but there's always time for a latte.