Learn how to prepare your vehicle for winter and keep your family safe with these 6 simple tips. Free printables and an emergency vehicle kit checklist are included to help keep you organized.

This year has been one of the coldest, snowiest winters that I can remember {and we’re not even a month in!}. Usually we’ll get a day or two of snow per year and a few odd cold spells, but it doesn’t stick around for long.  The snow started this year, however, at the beginning of December and still hasn’t left!

How To Prepare Your Car for Winter Driving

Winter weather can be hard on your car, so it’s important to do some basic steps to protect your vehicle and ensure that it’s prepared for those winter conditions. Follow this checklist below to get your care in tip-top winter shape! {NOTE: Always check your owner’s manual for any specific details about your car’s components.}

Start with a Winter Maintenance

Schedule a seasonal maintenance check on your vehicle to keep on top of any minor repairs that may be needed. Make sure your battery, brakes, lights, cooling and heating systems, electrical systems, and belts and hoses are all in good working order.  Since the colder weather can cause your vehicle’s oil to thicken, change the oil just prior to the winter months to help keep the oil flowing easily through your engine. To keep track of all of your repairs and maintenance work, print off this maintenance log and keep it in your vehicle or family binder.

DOWNLOAD THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE LOG HERE {KILOMETERS}
DOWNLOAD THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE LOG HERE {MILES}

Check Your Tires

When the weather starts to turn, it’s time to check those tires! Make sure that you have the appropriate tires on your car to meet the winter driving conditions in your region, and check the tire’s tread indicator to ensure that they’ll last through the season.  All-season tires {or 3 season tires} are designed for weather conditions above 7 degrees celsius {or 45 degrees fahrenheit}.  If you have temperatures below that, you will need all-weather or winter tires installed.  Remember to check your tire pressure regularly {and don’t forget about the spare tire!}.  Tire pressure tends to go down with colder temperates making your tires more susceptible to damage.

Do Regular Fluid Checks

Make sure your windshield wiper fluid and anti-freeze is topped up.  You may also wish to carry an extra supply in your trunk.

Keep your Windshield and Windows Clear

Make sure that you clear any snow and ice from all windows, lights, and mirrors, as well as the hood and the roof of your vehicle, before driving.  This will allow for clear visibility and will ensure that a big pile of snow doesn’t go flying off your car while you’re driving!  If your area is prone to heavy snow and ice, change your wipers to winter blades.  These are heavier and can help clear any snow and ice from your windshield easier. If you’re battling the cold weather you might also want to read this post on how to create this simple DIY car de-icer.

Give Your Car Some T.L.C.

Ice, salt, and slush can wreak havoc on your car.  To help avoid rusting, wash and apply a fresh coat of wax to your vehicle prior to the winter season.  Your car should also be washed regularly throughout the winter {especially the underbelly} to help protect your car against the winter elements and to keep your windshields, mirrors, and lights clean for optimum visibility.

Keep a Winter Emergency Kit in Your Car

It’s always a good idea to keep a basic emergency kit in your car at all times, but there are some additional items that you should add for the colder months.  You can purchase pre-made car emergency kits or gather the supplies on your own.  Use the list below and evaluate what you need for your area and driving conditions.  You can also find a free printable checklist to keep in your car or add to your family binder.

What should a car emergency kit include?

• water {ideally a 3 day supply}
• calorie dense, non-perishable food such as energy bars, nuts, etc.
• blankets or a sleeping bag {a light, heat reflective blanket is ideal}
• wind-up flashlight or a flashlight {ideally waterproof} with extra batteries
• standard first aid kit with seatbelt cutter
• whistle
• fire extinguisher
• jumper cables
• duct tape
• tow rope
• tire gauge
• reflective warning triangles and reflective vest
• matches or lighter and a candle and small tin can {this will help to provide some warmth when you cannot run the car}
• small pocket knife

Additional items that you may want to add for winter driving {depending on your area’s weather conditions}:

• small {or foldable} shovel
• ice scraper
• 2 bags of sand, salt, non-clumping kitty litter, or other traction aid
• extra blankets and extra clothing {hat, socks, mittens, etc.}
• winter chains
• hand warmers

DOWNLOAD THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE KIT CHECKLIST HERE

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Stay healthy this fall and winter with these simple tips to help prevent colds and flus.  A little prevention and some healthy lifestyle choices go a long way!

This post is brought to you by partnership with Jamieson and TheCo. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

The early fall is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love the crisp air, the beautiful fall colors, and all of those delicious pumpkin recipes!  Unfortunately, it’s also the return of cold and flu season.  No one likes battling a cold or flu and it’s extra hard watching your little ones go through this.  Luckily, there are a number of simple steps that you can take to help prevent those colds from invading your household this season.

How to Prevent Colds and Flu

While we can’t completely eliminate the risk of colds and flus, there are a number of ways that we can decrease our risk of catching one of those nasty bugs.  Here are some simple tips to help you prevent getting sick and boost your immune system this cold and flu season…

Wash your hands.

It may sound simple, but washing your hands is one of the best {and easiest!} things you can do to prevent colds and flu. It’s amazing how many germs your hands come in contact with each day, so be sure to wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Wash for at least 20 seconds and be sure to get both side of your hands as well as between your fingers and your finger nails. If you don’t have access to water, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer {look for over 60% alcohol} will reduce some of the germs.

Make sleep a priority.

Ideally, you should be aiming to consistently get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.  I know it can be hard to get this in sometimes {I’m looking at you Netflix!}, but getting a good night’s sleep needs to be priority.  Not only does sleep help to decrease stress, improve mood, and help our body recover from the day, but it also helps to improve our immune systems.  Research has shown that getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night and can actually quadruple your chance of getting a cold.  And if you start to feel run down or a little cold coming on, sleep is even MORE important to keep those symptoms at bay. So set those timers for bedtime each night and check out these tips to improve your sleep.

Take Jamieson Cold Fighter

Jamieson Cold Fighter contains four proven natural cold fighters – Echinacea, zinc, vitamin C and ginger – to give your immune system a boost and fight off colds and flu. Cold Fighter chewable tastes great, soothes a scratchy throat, and only needs to be taken once per day {my favorite part!}   It also comes in both a soft gel and chewable form – which is good for us since my husband STILL can’t swallow a pill! Be sure to keep some Jamieson Cold Fighter on hand so you can take it as soon as you start to feel run down or notice those early cold symptoms such as a scratchy throat or runny nose.

Follow a healthy diet.

Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables can help to make your immune system stronger.  Top immune-boosting foods include those high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, green cruciferous vegetables and red peppers. For extra immune support, consider adding some extra garlic to your meals (it also has antibacterial/antiviral properties. I find that the best way to get all of these easily in my daily diet is to whip up a daily smoothie. This green berry smoothie is a favorite of mine and contains a ton of nutrients to help boost immune function.  Smoothies are also a great way to hide some of those healthier ingredients that your kids might not want to eat!

Get enough vitamin D.

Since the body’s primary source of vitamin D is produced through the skin with direct exposure to sunlight, you’ll need to find other sources to supplement this vitamin with through late fall and the winter months.  Decreased vitamin D can lead to poor bone health, cardiovascular problems and a lowered immune system. Although you can get some vitamin D through fatty fish {salmon, tuna, herring, etc.}, egg yolks, mushrooms, and vitamin D fortified foods, it can be very difficult to get enough through diet alone.  Choosing to add Jamieson Vitamin D supplements will ensure that you’re getting your full daily dose and will help keep your immune system up and running!

Keep a clean house.

Your house definitely doesn’t have to be spotless, but putting in a little extra cleaning time – especially after someone has been sick in your household – can make a big difference!  Look for items that are touched frequently that you might not think to clean regularly such as door handles, light switches, remotes, keyboards, etc. You might also want to keep some cleaning supplies on hand for the workplace too! You can find a full list of things to clean after the flu {or other illnesses} HERE.

Head to the gym.

Getting exercise in the dark of winter can sometimes be a challenge, but create a plan to get in your exercise each day and stick with it.  Even light exercise can have a huge positive health impact.  Not only does exercise help with reducing stress and increasing cardiovascular health, but it also accelerates the circulation of disease-fighting white blood cells to help the body fight the common cold.

Drink up.

Be sure to get enough water {ideally at least 8 glasses per day} to keep your body hydrated. Dehydration can actually make it easier for those viruses to get into your system and promote infection. Green tea is another great drink choice as it contains antioxidants to help reduce inflammation and help your body fight infections.  As an added benefit, it can also assist with lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Take Time for Yourself.

This one always seems to be hard for a lot of people, but it’s so important to take a little time for yourself each day. Being constantly on the run will eventually wear you down and can have a negative impact on your immune function. If you want to take care of your family, the best place to start is to take care of yourself. Schedule some relaxation time into your day just like any other item on your to-do list.  Even just 15-20 minutes to soak in the bath, curl up with a favorite book, or sit and relax can make a big difference on your stress levels and mental health.  If you’re not sure where to start check out these 30 self-care ideas and how to incorporate them into your daily routine.

So what about you?  Do you have any tips that you swear by to prevent colds and flu or minimize their symptoms?  I’d love to hear your secrets!  For more information on Jamieson Cold Fighter or the Jamieson Essentials, visit their website or Facebook page.

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 This winter has been the coldest and snowiest winter that I can ever remember.  Being on the west coast, we’re not really used to extreme winter weather around here. This past week, we were hit with another crazy winter storm and have been digging our way out of the 2-3 feet of snow ever since.  To top things off, we had a wicked freezing rain storm last night that has left everything covered in ice.

It’s definitely been a bit of a different experience!  While the snow can be a huge pain in terms of getting around, we’ve been trying to enjoy the beauty of it and taking full advantage of being snowed in.  It’s been the perfect time for me to embrace hygge, take a few extra moments for myself, and read a few of the books that I’ve been hoping to get to.

Of course, my least favorite part of winter storms is the clean-up.  Just keeping the pathway and driveway shovelled has been a big chore.  I’m not looking forward to tackling the rest of the yard once everything starts to melt.  Today though, was all about getting the cars cleared off – we really need to get some groceries!

Just a little bit of ice to get through.

DIY Car De-Icer

This simple DIY car de-icer works like magic to quickly remove ice build-up from car windows, doors, and locks.

Ingredients

• rubbing alcohol
• water
• spray bottle

Directions

• Mix 2 parts rubbing alcohol with 1 part water.
• Add to a spray bottle and spray liberally over the window.  With regular ice, this pretty much melts the ice away all on its own. Our ice was over 1 cm thick so I did have to use a scraper to chip it away a bit – but still MUCH easier!  Turn the windshield wipers on or use a microfiber cloth to remove excess water.  This can also be used to unfreeze doors or locks, so be sure to keep lots of rubbing alcohol on hand during those cold winter months!

Hopefully, this will help those of you out that are also experiencing the cold this year.  For those of you enjoying warmer weather, please send some sunshine my way! XO

For more winter car care tips, free printables, and ideas for an emergency car care kit, check out this post.

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Welcome February!  I think January was a rough month for us all, so I’m hoping that February will bring the love.  Since it also happens to be the first Wednesday of the month, it’s time for another 10 Minute Decorating post with some of my favorite bloggers.  This month we’re talking all about bring some warmth and coziness to your home with simple winter decor ideas.

Winter has never been my favorite time of year.  In fact, I’m usually counting down the days until spring as soon as Christmas is over.  This year, however, I found a little book that’s inspired me to embrace winter.  To take some time for rest, and reflection, and family.  To take some time to just unplug.

Honestly, with all of the turmoil going on in the world these days, a little time to focus on gratitude and happiness is needed more than ever.  Hygge {pronounced Hoo-gah} is all about enjoying the simple things in life, savoring each experience, and being with the ones we love.  It’s about creating a sense of home and safety where we can just let our guard down and be ourselves.  Sounds pretty good right about now, eh?

How to add hygge to your home.

Adding some hygge to your life doesn’t have to be hard.  In fact, the simpler everything is, the better!  Here are nine easy ways to add some hygge to your home.

Unplug.

There is SO much information that we come across each day that it can often get overwhelming.  It’s hard to know who to trust, which sources are reliable, and what the actual facts are.  I read that the information that is now generated in TWO DAYS is equivalent to the information available from the start of time until 2003.  No wonder our heads are spinning!

Unplugging is not about sticking our heads in the sand and not being informed about the world around us.  It’s about taking a little time each day {or even a whole day if you can swing it!}, to just be present in the moment and enjoy the ones that you are with.  To bring hygge into your home, turn off the televisions, leave the cell phones at the door, and take some time to slow down and embrace the simple things in life.

Light Candles and Create Soft Lighting

Create a calm and cozy environment in your home with softer lighting and some flickering candles.  Use up those old candles and don’t leave them for decoration only! Take some of those twinkle lights from Christmas and place them around your home.  It’s amazing how relaxing this can be!  Put a candle on while you’re cooking, reading in bed, or taking a bath.  It only takes a few seconds, but it really makes everyday tasks seem so much more luxurious.

I also love the battery operated mini lights that come with an automatic shut-off {I got mine from Michaels and Home Sense}.  Every 24 hours they will automatically come on and stay lit for 4 hours.

Cuddle Up with Cozy Blankets and Pillows

I’m always cold during the winter so I’m usually not too far away from a cozy blanket. I have them stocked all over the house! There’s just something about all of the different textures that they bring and how they instantly warm up a room.  Faux furs, chunky knits, soft wool – I’ll take them all!

Snuggle up on the sofa with a favorite blanket {or two!}, or create a special little space for you to sprawl out in.  Fill it with your largest, fluffiest pillows and spend some time cuddling and talking about the day with your partner or kiddos.  Again, mix up different materials and textures for a soft and cozy feel.

Fill your Home with Your Favorite Books

I love reading, but it’s definitely one of those activities that I never seem to have time for.  This winter pull out some of your favorite books {or those books that you still have yet to read!} and put them on display.  Place them on your shelves or stack a few on your coffee or side table. The more you visually see your books, the more likely you are to take some time to actually read them.  Turn the television off and cozy up with a book in your favorite comfy spot or snuggle in bed with your kids sharing a classic children’s story together. Keep a book or two beside your own bed to wind down in the evening.  For an extra hygge factor, make sure you have your fluffy blankets and some candles burning.

Set up a Hot Beverage Station

There’s nothing better than a tasty, warm drink to take away the winter cold!  Create a simple hot beverage station in your home with your family’s favorite drinks.  Tea, coffee, hot cider, hot chocolate – anything warm and indulgent! Not only does it create a pretty display, but it also makes it much easier for family and friends to grab a mug and relax.  We’re big hot cocoa drinkers around here so I have this hot chocolate bar set up in our kitchen.  I’ll get a few different toppings each week when I’m grocery shopping to change it up a bit and the kids love creating their own concoctions.

You’ll also want to make sure you have an awesome mug to drink it from.  Some mugs just fit so nicely in your hand!

Bring the Outside In

Add elements from nature such as leaves, twigs, or greenery to warm up your space.  Fill a small bowl with nuts or place some branches in a simple white vase.  Choose items that you love or have special meaning to you.  You could even try collecting some items while out on a nature walk!

Indulge in Sweet Treats

I think that this may be my favorite thing about the hygge way of life.  Cakes, pastries, homemade baking, and chocolate {of course!} are all part of of hygge.  It’s about being kind to yourself, taking a little break from the health food, and savoring each bite.  How can you argue with that?

Create a Hygge Basket

Have a basket ready with some blankets, pillows, a lighter for your candles, and a couple of your favorite books.  It looks pretty and makes it easy to tote all of your hygge essentials anywhere in your home!

Share it with Family and Friends

Perhaps the most important thing about hygge is who we share it with.  While it is always nice to have some time completely to ourselves, staying connected with family and friends is probably the best way to make it through the winter.  Enjoy each others company without all of the distractions of the outside world.  Spreading the love starts from home, so take some time to nurture yourself and your loved ones this season.

Share the love this February!  xo

More Home Decor Ideas

If you love home decor and easy DIY projects, check out these posts…

How to Choose the Perfect Furniture Layout

Easy DIY Planked Wall Tutorial

8 Steps to an Organized Kitchen

The post How to Add Hygge to Your Home appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

I’ve been embracing the art of hygge this winter and there’s no better way to do that than with a nice, big mug of hot chocolate.  I don’t drink coffee, so hot chocolate is kind of my beverage of choice during the colder months, and it’s lots of fun experimenting with all of the different hot chocolate recipes!

If you’ve been around here for a while, you may remember my seasonal hot chocolate bars that I usually put out in our dining room.  This Christmas I ended up keeping it in the kitchen and I decided to stay with it for Valentine’s Day.  I’m not sure if it’s a good thing as I definitely drink more of it when it’s right in front of me!

I like mixing things up when it comes to what I add to my hot chocolate, so for Valentine’s Day I have some cinnamon hearts and Hershey’s kisses.  There’s also a big bag of marshmallows in the container behind the bottles {and, of course, whipping cream in the fridge!}.  You can put out whatever toppings you would like – just gather some bottles, mason jars or bowls {if it won’t be left out} to display them in.

For the hot chocolate labels, I just cut out circles from this free printable  {I also made a marshmallow label in case you prefer that} and then mounted them onto some colored scrapbooking paper.  The labels were then attached with a hole punch and some baker’s twine.

Just add a few Valentine’s Day touches such as this XO Valentine’s Day printable and you’re good to go! You can find the free Valentine’s Day printable HERE along with some other Valentine’s Day design options as well.

Valentine’s Day Hot Chocolate Bar Recipes

There are so many yummy flavor combinations for hot chocolate – it’s kind of fun to come up with some new ones!  If you need a little jumpstart though, here are some delicious hot chocolate recipes to get you started…

Red Velvet Hot Chocolate from Tidy Mom.

Decadent Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate from Sally’s Baking Addiction.

Nutella Hot Chocolate from Cafe Delites.

Skinny Samoa Hot Chocolate from Lemon Tree Dwelling.

Crockpot Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from A Night Owl.

Homemade White Hot Chocolate from Celebrating Sweets.

Slow Cooker Mexican Hot Chocolate from Little Spice Jar.

S’mores Hot Chocolate from Minimalist Baker

Slow Cooker Almond Joy Hot Chocolate from Melanie Makes.

Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Creme de la Crumb.

Hot Chocolate Floats from Sugar Hero.

If you need a little extra indulgence and are looking for some adult only hot chocolate recipes, you can give these ones a try…

Kahlua Hot Chocolate from Damn Delicious.

Adult Hot Chocolate with Vodka Whipping Cream from Will Cook for Smiles.

Bailey’s Peppermint Hot Chocolate from 3 Yummy Tummies.

And for those of you that live in warmer climates and still want to enjoy the delicious taste of hot chocolate, you can try this frozen hot chocolate.  It’s one of my favorites!

Now all you need to do is choose your recipe, grab a cozy blanket, and curl up on the sofa with your mug of hot chocolate!

For more Valentine’s Day ideas, check out these posts…

Valentine’s Day Hot Chocolate Bar Printables

Valentine’s Day Decor Ideas

Free Valentine’s Day Printables

The post Hot Chocolate Recipes and Valentine’s Day Hot Chocolate Bar appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

 Hello! Lindi here from Love Create Celebrate and I’m so excited to be back at Clean and Scentsible sharing my Fleecy Soft Winter Trees with everyone!

Not only do these trees look adorable, they are also super soft and only take 5 minutes to make!

Don’t you just LOVE a project that takes no time at all, but still looks amazing?!

MATERIALS

• Silky Fleece
• Styrofoam Tree
• Glue Gun
• Silver Rhinestones
• Fabric Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS

To complete this project, you start by lining one edge of the silky fleece with the styrofoam, and hot gluing it in place. Then you simply roll the styrofoam treealong the fleece until the styrofoam is completely covered. Glue it in place where the seams meet. Using your fabric scissors, cut the excess fleece off from the side and the bottom of the foam tree. Word of warning: you will end up with a lot of little silky strands all over your workspace! The vacuum may be your friend after assembling this

Finally, grab some tiny silver rhinestones (I bought mine at the dollar store!) and decorate your tree as desired. I randomly placed them, just to add a tiny bit of glamour to these soft trees.

Five minutes and you’re done. Beautiful Fleecy Soft Winter Trees that can stay up long after the Christmas decorations are put away.

If you’d like a close look at my classic White and Blue Winter Vignette, be sure to stop by Love Create Celebrate today! I’m also sharing the FREE Winter Subway Art Printable {from the photos} there too

For more Holiday inspiration, visit me at Love Create Celebrate. I’d LOVE to see you there! Or you can follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook!

Thanks for having me here today Jenn!

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The cooler weather has arrived and it is time to cozy up with all of those delicious fall and winter comfort foods!  I have teamed up with some of my talented blogging friends to bring you some of our favorite fall recipes, so don’t forget to check out the links to all of their yummy posts at the end of the post!  I’ll start first though with my cheesy vegetable chowder…

I’ve always really loved soups, but I hardly ever make them because the kids are usually less than impressed.  I decided to try something a little thicker this time around though, and am happy to say that this vegetable chowder was a big hit for all involved!

The base of the soup is vegetarian since my husband doesn’t eat meat, but it also tastes great with a little bacon crumbled in there too!

This soup also tastes great re-heated – I always love having left overs for lunch the next day.

For more yummy comfort food ideas, don’t forget to check out these recipes…

Alabama Pot Roast / Pumpkin Spice Pancakes / Alfredo Pasta Bake
Apple Cake / Cheesey Vegetable Chowder / Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip
Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings / Butterscotch Brownies / French Onion Soup
Apple Pie French Toast / Beef Pot Roast / Apple Crisp

Bon Appetit!

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The cooler weather is starting to hit and I love snuggling up with a warm drink and a cozy blanket at night while I am reading a book or watching television.  It always seems like such a luxury to have some time to myself!  If you are like me you will love this slow cooker spiced cranberry apple hot punch.  It’s perfect for parties or just those quiet evenings with your book!

This lightly spiced hot punch reminds me of the holidays and is a tasty blend of sweet and tart – my favorite fall drink.  It is made in the slow cooker so you if you are having a party, just leave it on warm so your guests can have a hot drink whenever they choose!

I hope you enjoy!  Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

The post Spiced Cranberry Apple Hot Punch appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

Last year I made up this little
I purchased this side table for our dining room in the spring from Home Sense.  The top actually lifts right off for a serving tray so it works perfectly for the hot cocoa bar!

The chalkboard sign is just an inexpensive wood disc from Michaels that I spray painted with chalkboard paint.  I used the same design as last year since the chalk pen wouldn’t actually erase and I didn’t feel like pulling out the chalkboard paint again!   You can download a copy of the tags
The mugs are also new – a great, inexpensive find from Superstore and perfect for a night of hot cocoa and Christmas movie watching! 


So grab a mug and let’s have some hot cocoa together!  Do you take all of the fixings?

If you want to make a gift version, check out my
I shared this post at Stone Gable, 30 Handmade Days, Liz Marie Blog, Tidy Mom, Design Dining and Diapers, 52 Mantels, Live Laugh Rowe, Under the Table and Dreaming, Craft-O-Maniac, Uncommon, I Should be Mopping the Floor and Lil Luna.

The post Updated Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Bar appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

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