To do this week: Three great ways to warm up
We have a craft project so you can make your own bath bomb, we have a list of the best toastiest dishes for outdoor dining in the cold, and, well, we have puppies.
On the to-do list this week: It snowed (a lot). So this week, we have some things to warm you up. We have a craft project so you can make your own bath bomb, we have a list of the toastiest dishes for outdoor dining in the cold, and, well, we have puppies. You’re welcome.
And remember: We’ve collected our best Philly tips all in one place here.
Stay healthy, stay safe, and, as much as possible, it’s still a good idea to stay home.
You deserve this
It’s Super Bowl weekend. Which means that it’s also the Puppy Bowl. Grace Dickinson had the ruff assignment of profiling the six local pooches competing this year. Their names are Hope, Patrick, Ray, Pacific, Muffin, and Eclipse (all pictured, above). This is just one of those things where everybody wins.
On a more serious note, here are the shelters they represent. If you’re looking for a pup, they’re places where you can find your new best friend. Adopt, don’t shop.
Match Dog Rescue is a foster-based rescue that operates out of PetSmart Marlton in Burlington County. To find pets up for adoption, visit matchdogrescue.org/adopt.
Center for Animal Health and Welfare is a nonprofit shelter based out of Easton, Northampton County. To find pets up for adoption, visit healthyanimalcenter.org/adopt.
Providence Animal Center is a Media-based rescue, medical care, treatment, and adoption center. To find pets up for adoption, visit providenceac.org/adopt
» READ MORE: Meet the Philly and N.J. pups competing in this Sunday’s Puppy Bowl XVII
Know this
❄️ Who’s responsible for shoveling snow in Philly? Here are the rules. by Grace Dickinson
🍪 How do you get your Girl Scout cookie fix in a pandemic? by Grace Dickinson
🏈 It’s Super Bowl Sunday. Where can I get the city’s best wings? by Craig LaBan
🛍️ What are some good Black-owned businesses to support for Black History Month?
🥶 How can I keep my pipes from freezing in cold weather? by Bethany Ao
» Ask us a question through Curious Philly: inquirer.com/askus
Do this
Here is one highlight from our weekly events calendar:
🍺 Devil’s Den Girl Scout Cookie and Beer Pairing (Food and drink / virtual) One of the best things about winter is it is decidedly Girl Scout cookie season, and this month, South Philly’s Devil’s Den kicks it up a notch with hand-picked beer pairings, available to go. $25 gets you four beer pairings (which include brews from Ommegang and Victory, among others) and two of each of the following cookies: Toast-yays, Caramel Delites, Thin Mints and Lemonades. Pick-up is available on Feb 6 and 13. ($25, Feb. 6 and 13, facebook.com, add to calendar)
🔎 Find more of this week’s safe events, and we even have a kid-friendly events calendar, too.
Heads up
Don’t share a picture of your vaccination card on Facebook. Or any social media. This advice comes from the Better Business Bureau, who put out a warning because there’s a LOT of pretty personal information on your vaccination card, and posting a pic can leave you vulnerable to scammers.
» READ MORE: Don’t share your COVID-19 vaccination card on social media. Here’s why.
The project: Make a bath bomb
It’s cold out, and last we checked, humans don’t actually hibernate. So here’s a project, from Franklin and Whitman founder Christopher Cieri, that seems pretty February-appropriate: Some fizzy bath bombs for a good self-care soak.
Homemade Bath Bombs (Yields 4 (1/3-cup-sized) bath bombs)
Ingredients
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
2 Tbsp. Epsom salt
3 Tbsp. coconut oil
10 drops essential oil
1 tsp. water or more if necessary
Bath bomb molds or 1/3 cup measuring cup
Directions
In a large bowl combine baking soda, citric acid, and Epsom salt. Stir well.
Put coconut oil in a glass measuring cup or small bowl, and heat in the microwave for 45 to 60 seconds, or until completely melted. Add essential oil.
Slowly add wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Use a spatula to mix the ingredients, and then use your hands to knead everything together. It’s ready when the mixture sticks without falling apart when pressed in your hands, like a slightly damp sand. If it’s too crumbly, add water, 1 tsp. at a time; mixture should be dry but able to hold a shape.
Pack the mixture into molds or into 1/3 cup measuring cup, pressing firmly to secure. Once packed, flip the cup over onto a clean counter, and tap the top of the measuring cup with your fingers to loosen the mold. Let sit for an hour, and then transfer to a rack to dry for about 24 hours.
Use one bath bomb per bath, and enjoy.
» READ MORE: DIY projects to survive winter: Make your own bath bombs, lip balm, and decadent drinking chocolate
Keep warm
So, outdoor dining is ... not easy when it’s cold. Sarah Maiellano rounded up some of the city’s most warming foods on menus right now, from s’mores to soups. Here’s a taste of how restaurants are keeping diners warm:
Order something that sizzles and bubbles: Warmth always exudes from Bella Vista’s Good King Tavern, but the petite French bistro has upped its cozy game with an “Après-Ski” concept centered around raclette: melted cheese and crispy potatoes served hot in cast iron. A few more winter warmers include French onion soup, mulled wine, and hot cocoa spiked with the herbal liqueur Genepy. Good King Tavern, 614 S. 7th St., (215) 625-3700, thegoodkingtavern.com
» READ MORE: What are the best foods to order for outdoor dining when it’s cold?
Bookmark it
We’ve been answering questions about COVID-19 for many months now, questions like When do I replace my face mask?, Can I get the flu and the coronavirus at the same time? and How can I wear a mask and not fog up my glasses?
We break down all the answers to your questions. And we’ve collected all of our stories at inquirer.com/covid-tips