OMG it is so cold, SINGLE DIGIT temperatures here and across most of the country, if not negative temperatures!!
I'm going to make a huge reveal here- one of the things that inspired this blog was reading an article at appeared in Elle magazine, where the writer was really conflicted about wearing a fur coat that her grandmother gave her back in the 80's. Eschewing fur is one of the easiest "no brainier" decisions for me, and whenever I see someone else wearing fur, I think how brutal that person looks. It's basically draping corpses around your body, and that's just too morbid for me (I don't like skull motif attire, or any of that kind of thing either). If you want something warm and soft to snuggle with, adopt a cat or a dog! Don't skin some poor creature that lived its entire life in a horrible cage (and PS, did you know that some FUR SOLD IN STORES IS MADE OUT OF DOGS?).
Anyway, I read this article and on one hand, I was like, 'Ugh! Fur! How incredibly sad!" and on the other hand I heard a message loud and clear that I have identified with for most of my entire adult life: "I'M COLD." For me, a big part of the animal rights movement is about compassion, and I'm trying to also be compassionate to my fellow humans. So when I hear about this woman struggling to stay warm, like I used to, I just wanted to help her! Because the truth is, you don't have to wear animal bits to stay warm, and people just need to know about all the amazing warm (and cute and comfortable) things. I don't even buy down or woolen items anymore, because I have found all these great alternatives.
So when I read this article when it first came out, I wanted to write the author a very kind letter (I'm sure she's getting enough attack mail) helping her overcome the core problem that she has- she just wants to stay warm and doesn't know how!
Here are my tips and picks for ways to stay warm, even in a POLAR VORTEX!
1) Make sure you're healthy. Get your circulation checked out, find out if you're anemic, make sure your thyroid levels are where they should be, and everything else a doctor can do to help you figure out why you're always cold. Sensitivity to cold can definitely be a symptom of many things. I was diagnosed with anemia (and this is as an omnivore) a few years ago, and since then I take an iron supplement (accompanied by a vitamin C tablet, which is supposed to help it absorb better). My pick for iron supplement is NatureMade, because some of the other brands I tried coated their tablets in blue/green/black dye (I think to discourage kids from thinking it is candy). I don't have kids in my home, and the tablets were staining my tongue and teeth! These tablets are small, easy to swallow, and don't stain my mouth.
3) THIS COAT! In the past, I've worn down coats and mourned the birds that died to make the filling. I would look like a giant puffy marshmallow blob, the weight of the coat would make my shoulders hurt and my body tired, little feathery bits would eventually appear floating around me, and at the end of the day, I still wasn't warm. Then I found this amazing coat that now makes me feel invincible: Arc'teryx Women's Sylva Parka
.I have this coat in the this color (on mine the zipper color matches), which is a beautiful greyish purple that people compliment me on all the time! Seriously, random people tell me they love my coat! The coat is slim and flattering, and I actually have a defined waist when I wear it. I bought it online and when it arrived, I didn't think the package could possibly contain my coat because it was so small and light. But it was and I've been wearing it ever since. My friend who lives in Cleaveland (currently 20 deg F) bought one because she liked mine so much, and I myself bought an extra one for myself (both of ours are in "Royale" purple) just because I never want to be without this coat. My friend texted me to say, "got the coat and love it! I can't believe it's soooooooo light! Thx xxoo," then again later "loving the coat!"
This coat makes me feel invincible! Some of the features that make it extra warm are the cuffs, which adjust and can seal really tight, the really nice fitted hood, which I wear up often, the length, and the "Windstopper" fabric, and of course whatever miracle synthetic insulation they put inside.
Synthetic insulation is better than down because:
- It retains its insulating properties even when wet
- No feathery bits that escape and fly around and stick to things
- No allergy inducing feathery bits
- Easier to wash, dry, and maintain
- No birds suffered (do a google search if you want to see the horrible things that happen). I generally like the brand Patagonia, but the fact that they feel obligated to make statements like, "Patagonia Traceable Down Is Verified Non-Live-Plucked, Non-Force-Fed" makes me say "Yikes!" about the whole down industry. Kind of like blood diamonds vs being in the same market as "conflict-free diamonds." I prefer to just steer clear of that whole mess.
4) Insulate your extremities: As a great complement to the coat above, I also love the following: Easy Spirit Knotme wedge boots (synthetic, not leather and ON SALE as I write this!) and EMS Women's Hyland Fleece Convertible Mittens. I have a previous season version of these boots (same minus the buckle) and they are SO COMFORTABLE (they come in wide sizes too!), they are light, hold up really well in the rain. I wear a pedometer sometimes so I'm not exaggerating when I say easily walk 5 miles in these boots on a daily basis, and my feet feel great. The mittens are wonderful, they are surprisingly warm (warmer than some ski gloves I wearing before) and so convenient how they fingers can be uncovered for phone calls, zippers, digging around in my bag, etc. I'm a big fan of hats too, but don't have one that I am obsessed with like all my other stuff, so let me know if you have a fave cruelty-free style in the comments! 
5) Drink Tea! Hot tea is warming, obviously, but there are certain varieties that I find especially warming. Here are my favorites, all caffeine-free: Yogi Egyptian licorice, Mu 16
, Ginger, and Chamomile. Sometimes I just put a dash of cinnamon or a squeeze of fresh lemon in hot water and drink that. Yum! Sometimes I just drink hot water! Ahhh! One thing I do avoid when it comes to tea in winter is mint tea- it makes me feel cold. 
6) Snuggle! My darling chihuahua loves to be zipped inside my hoodie while I'm wearing it, be on my lap, or under the covers with me. She's the perfect little hot water bottle and we sleep curled up together every night. My husband lets me put my cold feet on him too (somehow he's always hot) even though they can feel like ice daggers. He is also really good about putting his arms around me and lending me his sweater/coat/socks/whatever. Wannabegans gotta stick together to stay warm!
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