An article in Canada’s National Post summarized weather around the northern hemisphere and concluded that arctic ice is back, heavier than ever in some areas, and China is reeling from its worst winter in a century.

Of course, it doesn’t mean global warming is a non-entity, nor does it mean we’re headed for a mini ice-age. The author, Lorne Gunter, took a swipe at environmentalists this way:

“Ok, so one winter does not a climate make. It would be premature to claim an Ice Age is looming just because we have had one of our most brutal winters in decades.

But if environmentalists and environment reporters can run around shrieking about the manmade destruction of the natural order every time a robin shows up on Geeorgian Bay two weeks early, then it is at least fair game to use this winter’s weather stories to wonder whether the alarmist are being a tad premature.”

The article goes on to claim that winds drive ocean currents northward from the tropics, and that has accounted for much of the recent polar ice melt.

To prove that point, Joellen Russell, assistant professor of biogeochemical dynamics at the University of Arizona here in Tucson, is quoted as saying that current theories about polar ice-melt cooling the oceans and stopping the circulation of warm water to northern latitudes is wrong. Wind patterns determine the flow of warm ocean currents northward. There will be no mini Ice Age as has been predicted.

Then there’s the theory that the sun is entering a period of sunspot inactivity. The last time the sun was inactive for a long period of time, a five-century-long Ice Age gripped the earth, ending in 1850.

A Russian scientist, Oleg Sorokhtin of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, is quoted as saying man made climate change is a “drop in the bucket” compared to what could happen if sunspot inactivity continues. He advised people to “stock up on fur coats.”

Pick your poison, as we used to say. Nature is doing its thing, we’re doing ours, and who’s to know what’s really happening to our planet?

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Best known as THE name in attachment parenting and author of a variety of parenting books, Dr. Sears provides tips for healthy families that often include natural healing and an eco friendly approach.

Since extensive exposure to central heating in homes can severely dry out skin Dr. Sears Tips include:

1. Vaporize the air. Put a vaporizer in your bedroom. Vaporizers have a double health benefit. They not only increase the humidity in the bedroom and help prevent winter skin from drying out, but the steam also acts like a heat source. …The more humid air allows you to turn the central heating down and save fuel costs.
2. Drink more water. Water hydrates the body and the skin…from the inside
3. Moisturize. After bath time moisturize your children’s’ bodies by applying a natural moisturizer like California Baby or Burt’s Bees.
4. Eat more seafood. - Three important nutrients that are high in seafood and nutritious for the skin are vitamin A, omega-3 fats and vitamin D. (This is important since there is less sunshine and therefore less vitamin D in the winter time.) “It is” illnesses, such as dermatitis, are caused by inflammation. Omega 3’s act like anti-inflammatories to help heal and repair the skin. Omega 3’s can be given in supplement form if your children aren’t fond of fish.
5. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The nutrients in fruits and vegetables that give them their bright color, such as red tomatoes and blueberries, provide antioxidants … that slow down the wear and tear in the skin. (Since fruits may be expensive to come by and almost certainly not locally grown Juice Plus supplements, which Dr. Sears also endorses are a great substitute in winter months)

These simple steps will help you save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and stay healthy this winter.

For most of us, the winter solstice will be Dec. 22nd. There are so many ways to approach this pivotal moment in earth’s year: astronomically, historically, agriculturally, religiously/comparative religiously, anthropologically. For example, hundreds of years before Stonehenge, there was Newgrange – a massive structure in Ireland that captures the beam of the rising sun on the winter solstice. And this year, for the first time, you can view this event live via webcast!

Some children may find the astronomy interesting and can learn about cool, new concepts like the Analemma. (Haven’t you ever wondered what that long, figure eight on the globe was for?)

You can link the solstice to ancient cultures and talk about how the cold and dark make us feel and why people might want to celebrate the light returning. You can tie it to movies they may have seen like, Cast Away, Raiders of the Lost Ark, National Treasure and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

For the kid who just can’t hold their horses for Christmas, try enlisting their creativity to design their own sunrise solstice observance. What foods should we eat that day? What should we do to feel warm and cozy on the shortest day of the year? Are their certain stories we should read aloud? Perhaps we should dress in yellow to encourage the days to lengthen again! For the more mathmatically inclined, an engineering project to create their own Stonehenge could easily eat up an entire pre-Christmas afternoon!

Christmas and the winter solstice are forever linked and at this time of year when we so readily say, “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men,” it is comforting to know that there is something that connects humanity over time and distance. Regardless of your religious observances this time of year, you can demonstrate the earth’s unending cycles and our intimate connection to them.

Photo used by permission: Annaliese Moyer www.annaliesemoyer.com

Starting with an army surplus blanket (which are often quite easy to find), the Surplus Blanket Coat simply adds two well-placed sleeves, making this "coat" perfect for relaxing afternoons at home, long car rides, or pleasant mornings on the porch with a cup of tea.