Ah, winter. The crisp air, frosty morns, beautiful snowflakes. It feels awesome to bundle up in layers and go out to enjoy. Sit in front of a roaring, warm fire. Cuddle up with loved humans and pets.

What’s not so nice about winter? The bothersome results at times of that dry, cold air. Your lips chap, your skin feels and looks like an alligator, your throat feels scratchy (from illness or just dry air) and/or you just feel tired and un-energetic.

Any of which may send you running to the store to find an OTC answer. And that may only pile on another ill-feeling symptom for you to suffer from. Instead, stand ready with these multi-use, all health items, and reach for those to safely soothe what ails you.

My favorite natural care tips in winter:

Your lips. OMG, when did they go to the Sahara, then return onto your face without you noticing? They are dry, chapped and miserable-feeling. The real fix? Treat them to a dose of honey. Smear on honey (real honey), massage it into your suffering lips, rinse off with cool water. RELIEF! Repeat if you don’t find a big enough difference. Coat them afterward with a truly natural lip balm. My current favorite – Chicken Poop brand! Oh, and a local one made by Blue Beaker, but you’re going to have to come visit my gorgeous area to get that one. Though they are going online so, fingers crossed, you, too, will be able to indulge in their amazing, natural products. If interested, you can find them at: Blue Beaker. Or use coconut oil. Healing and healthy.

Your skin. Yeah, it went to the desert with your lips, didn’t it? See above for one solution. No, not honey, that would be a little messy. (Though, interesting, it might just work if you want to try.) Coconut oil. Natural, safe, effective moisturizer for your skin. If you want it easier to apply, whip air into it with a blender or VitaMix. You also can add vitamin E and your favorite essential oil. Extra bonus: Coat your underarms as well, and skip the chemical deodorants.

More help for your inner and outer body parts: Fish oil and other good fats. Do not fear fat. It’s good for you. The good ones, that is. It will keep you healthy, satisfied and moisturized. Take a fish oil supplement. Eat fatty fish once or twice a week. Enjoy avocados. Add flaxseed and/or chia seed to your food.

Along that same line of thought, you need to continue to hydrate from the inside out. When it’s cold, you don’t tend to reach for a nice, tall, glass of water. But – you still need it. Do what you can to keep drinking plenty of water. I don’t think tea or coffee – or water added to anything else – works the same. You need actual water. Try drinking it less chilled. Still go ahead and add a splash of lemon or orange or whatever. Real food, not fake flavorings.

OW! You wake up to that little rustle of a sore throat. Don’t ignore, and don’t run for the drug store choice. Instead try this: Mix three tablespoons of both lemon juice and apple cider vinegar (the good, brownish, natural stuff, not the white, devoid-of-anything stuff), two tablespoons of honey and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper into 16 ounces of filtered water. Stir well. You can even put it in a travel mug and take it on the go with you. (Not that a nice rest wouldn’t do you good, too.)

If you’re of, ahem, slightly older years, do you remember hearing this from your parents: GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!! Same advice. No, I don’t give a hoot if it’s cold outside. A dose of brisk temps and play does a body good. Get outside. Take a walk. Play in the snow. Admire nature’s gorgeousness. It’s not creative whoo; it’s body restoring. You’ll have more energy and feel tons better when you return indoors. And, no, you are not more likely to get sick if you go out in the cold. In fact, you’re less likely to get sick then. Germs and stress exist inside, not outside.

Above is your road map to survive winter with a grin on your face, health throughout and even soft lips!