We’ve been experiencing a bit of a cold snap here in Ottawa lately. No surprise really. It IS winter after all.

I’ve always believed that in order to survive winter you have to get out and enjoy winter. That means zipping up, getting out, and doing something… anything really! There’s so much to do in Ottawa; skating, sledding, skiing, snowshoeing. My family has taken up cross-country skiing on most weekends, and it feels pretty good to get out there.

Part of getting outside eventually means coming inside (er, obviously) and more often than not we find ourselves needing a hot beverage to warm us up from the inside.

My favourite is hot vanilla.  Start with super-heated milk. Nuke it in the microwave for a couple of minutes and then add 1/2 teaspoon of a really good-quality vanilla extract. It’s a very satisfying without being too sweet. I started drinking this when I was pregnant and I’ve never stopped.

My children’s favourite is, of course, hot chocolate. Sometimes we use this recipe, but most of the time we make it a quicker way. Combine 1 1/2 teaspoons of cocoa with an equal amount of sugar and milk to make a paste. Warm 1 cup of milk and then slowly add to the chocolate paste, stirring as you go. Add a splash of vanilla at the end, or marshmallows, or if you’re feeling celebratory, whipped cream and chocolate shavings. It’s fantastic. What I like best about homemade hot chocolate is that I have total control over what goes into it. (I use Fair Trade cocoa too!)

Another family favourite of ours is hot apple cider. There’s something really satisfying about a good hot cider. You can find it at the grocery store in the produce section. Just pour it into a mug, microwave until hot, and toss in a cinnamon stick. It’s heavenly.

What is your family drinking during the cold season?