Whenever I hang out with my fellow moms, I’m reminded that mom advice is the best. There’s just nothing like it. In January, we had so many incredible DuPage Doubles events where parents and families of twins at all stages could catch up: we laughed over charcuterie at our board party, cheered on knights at Medieval Times, shared French pastries, coffee, and conversations at our new parents' night, and had a fun book club discussion.
In addition to being tons of fun, these moments were packed with amazing mom tips for personal wellness - the kind that are just too good to keep to myself. From self-care rituals that make winter feel a little less blah to genius hacks that help life run a little smoother, I walked away with a list of small-but-mighty favorites that are making my February better.
So, let’s talk about winter wellness. Not the overwhelming, full-reset kind – just some of our club’s favorite little things that help us feel a bit better, inside and out. For convenience, I’ve included some Amazon Affiliate links to our favorite products. When you shop through these links, DuPage Doubles receives a small commission from Amazon at no added cost to you. We use these proceeds to help support our club’s operations.
1. The Self-Care Sunday, Featuring “Everything” Shower
If you haven’t heard of this, it’s a perfect Sunday self-care ritual where you take a shower and do all the things—hair mask, body scrub, exfoliation, the works. It’s the reset button of self-care. Light a candle, put on a playlist, and pretend your bathroom is a spa for 20 minutes. Here are our club’s favorite products to help you do it:
● Avatara Drink Up Facial Masks
● Chapstick with delightful tropical flavors
● Raw Sugar Hair Care Set - especially the hair mask!
● Aveeno Foot and Hand Mask Bundle
● The Ordinary Lightweight Body Lotion
● L’Oreal Double Extend Mascara to look glam every day after your self-care Sunday.
2. Cozy, Nourishing Drinks
Winter in the Midwest calls for something comforting but still fresh. This Warm Pear & Ginger Smoothie is lightly spiced, creamy, and soothing – warming you up without being too heavy. The pear adds natural sweetness, the ginger brings a little zing (and immune support!), and the coconut milk makes it ultra-smooth.
Warm Pear & Ginger Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
● 1 ripe pear, chopped
● 1⁄2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled & minced
● 1⁄2 cup warm coconut milk (or regular milk)
● 1⁄4 cup Greek yogurt (for protein & creaminess)
● 1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
● 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
● 1 tbsp flax or chia seeds (optional, for extra fiber & omega-3s)
Instructions:
- Chop the pear and ginger into small pieces. No need to peel the pear—just remove the core!
- Lightly warm the coconut milk (stovetop or microwave for 30 seconds).
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a mug, sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon, and enjoy while warm!
This smoothie is simple, satisfying, and packed with seasonal ingredients that make winter feel a little less dreary. It’s perfect for a nourishing start to the day, a cozy afternoon pick-me-up, or even a light dessert.
Our club’s kitchen favorites to make it even easier include:
● Cuisinart Kitchen Knife Set perfect for quick and easy chopping, peeling, and coring. Plus, the fun colors make it easy to grab the right knife for the job!
● Swedish Kitchen Cloths are a perfect replacement for paper towels to wipe up any juice spills or sticky fingers.
● Skoy Non-Scratch Dish Scrubber Pads make dishwashing a breeze, and the best part? They don’t trap odors like traditional sponges!
3. A Mid-Winter Refresh for Your Car
If you’re a parent—especially a parent of multiples—you probably spend a lot of time driving people around. Here are our favorite finds that make car time easier and much less messy:
4. A Good Book & Something Just for You
When was the last time you read something just for fun?
- Our DuPage Doubles book club just finished reading One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware - a twisty thriller set on a tropical island where a reality TV competition takes a deadly turn. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in and keeps you guessing until the last page.
- Prefer to listen? Get it on Audible or Amazon Music Unlimited, which now gives you one free Audible book per month at no extra charge.
- Rechargeable Reading Light to help you read just one more chapter even when others are asleep.
- Açaí and blueberry flavored dark chocolate - a must-have for your grown-up snack stash and the perfect treat to complement your reading time!
Winter can feel long, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Whether it’s an “everything” shower, a cozy drink, or a little refresh for your space, these small things can make a big difference.
And if you’ve got a favorite February pick-me-up, share it with us! We’re always looking for more ways to make this season a little more fun, a little more relaxing, and a little less February.
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