We’re into the coldest and darkest days of the year, and we start to feel like hibernating. So now is a good time to prepare for the season by making sure we’re stocked up on some winter necessities, so we can hunker down if we need to.
In the kitchen
Some winter supplies:
- Bone broth is possibly the single most important ingredient in your winter kitchen, for warmth, nutrition, and gut healing goodness. Use it as a base for soups and stews, or just enjoy it as a hot drink. If you get a winter lurgy and can’t eat anything, broth will keep you nourished. Have some bone broth in the freezer or fridge, or some bones ready to make your own. A good quality dried broth powder, such as those by Nutra Organics are also a good option and easy to store. For more info, see the broth section in our Good Food on a Budget post.
- Some squashes or root vegetables for sustaining winter soups. Soups will keep for about a week in the fridge, as long as you reheat them well. Anything not used can be frozen in cup sized batches, for quick, nutritious meals when you’re tired or feeling seedy.
- Lentils, split peas and other legumes are also useful for making a stew or soup more hearty, or for a side dish when the wallet is a bit bare.
- Fresh ginger, lemons and good quality NZ honey as a basis for hot drinks. See more on Hot alternatives to tea and coffee and Winter tonics. Choose some additional ingredients that appeal to you. Tip – peel fresh ginger, chop into chunks and keep in the freezer. It will keep for longer and is easier to grate.
Check your first aid cabinet
First have a look at our Boost Your First Aid kit post and make sure you have supplies of everything you might need if there’s a household accident.
Then have a read of our article on Managing Respiratory Symptoms. Stock up on a few basics for the type of illnesses your family is prone to. That might include:
- Essential oils such as eucalyptus or thieves blend
- Immunity boosters such as vitamins C & D, elderberry, echinacea or astragalus
- Throat Lozenges
- Cough syrup
- Chest balm
Other Household Necessities
If possible, make sure you always have at least 2 weeks worth of some basic necessities, in case you can’t get out to the supermarket for a week or two.
Also, if there is some kind of power cut or other emergency:
- Have you got some stored water?
- Have you got food that doesn’t need cooking?
- Have you got some candles?
- How would you keep warm – do you have spare blankets, and hats, gloves and woolly socks for everyone in the household?
Lifestyle
Last winter we wrote two articles with lifestyle tips to help get you through the winter months. Check these out, and think about how to support your own health through movement, sleep, physical and emotional nourishment.
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