The weather has significantly dropped over the last week, and much of the past weekend was in the teens and twenties. As the weather continues to remain well below freezing and the ice and snow of winter are likely around the corner, many of us will be spending our time inside with the heater on or by the fire. The colder it gets and the more snow and ice cover the roads, we will likely find ourselves not wanting to go out unless we have to for work, emergencies, or errands that must be done. Part of staying in means not wanting to go out to get fast food or pick-up, and that means staying in and making dinner. Some foods taste better in the winter, and now is the time to begin warming up with some warm food and delicious meals.

Chili

Credit: bhofack2
Credit: bhofack2
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The most obvious food to eat when it is cold outside is chili. It is hot, it warms up the body, and it tastes delicious next to a fire watching it snow. Throw on some Fritos and cheese, or whatever you prefer on or in your chili, and warm up with a bowl or two this winter. It is easy to make and can sit in the crockpot as well, so you don't have to worry about coming home and making dinner after work.

Hot Soup

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Credit: rez-art
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If you need a break from chili, then go with a more liquid substance with a warm bowl of soup. Tomato, chicken noodle, veggie, or perhaps you before something else, but there is a wide variety to choose from. You can eat a different type of soup every day of the week before you repeat and it will warm your body in the same way that chili does.

Grilled Cheese

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Credit: adlifemarketing
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When having that hot bowl of tomato soup, make sure to add a grilled cheese or two to dip into it and add a little extra flavor to your meal. Grilled cheeses are good year around, but something about eating them in the winter with soup seems right. They are quick and easy to make and most people enjoy them. Dip them into some soup and you will be enjoying life and your stomach will thank you.

Ham

Credit: bhofack2
Credit: bhofack2
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For some reason, ham seems like winter meat. For those that love ham, it doesn't matter what time of the year it is, but for some reason, it seems to sound more appealing in the colder months. Rarely do you see somebody having a ham in July or August, but it is common in November and December. There are multiple ways to make it, but one my family enjoys is a good ole ham and noodle casserole. It gives it a little more substance and flavor, but there is nothing wrong with just a honey-glazed ham and some sides either.

Peppermint Ice Cream

Cloverleaf Creamery - Google Maps
Cloverleaf Creamery - Google Maps
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While the previous entries on this list were to warm up your body, this one is more about the season. Peppermint ice cream is one of the best creations there is, but many places only sell it around Christmas time. It is for this reason that most think of the holiday season and cold weather when they eat this specific type of ice cream. Grab a bowl, turn on a Christmas movie, and enjoy some delicious goodness by the fire with your peppermint ice cream. If you are looking to have the best kind, go to Cloverleaf in Buhl or in Twin Falls. They label theirs as Winter Wonderland, for those that didn't know.

Hot Chocolate

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Credit: bhofack2
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Not everything has to be food on this list, as hot chocolate is a must for the winter months. After being outside for a long period or if you are at an outdoor event, there is nothing better than a hot cup of hot chocolate. Use it to warm up or enjoy it after you have come inside as the warmth of the drink makes your body feel fuzzy all over. No drink screams winter like hot chocolate. If you need a little extra flavor, throw in some marshmallows and perhaps top it off with some whipped cream.

Mashed Potatoes

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Credit: bhofack2
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When it comes to foods that you can eat year round but taste better in winter, mashed potatoes are the poster child. They can be eaten in the summer, fall, or spring, but something about a nice warm serving of mashed potatoes when it is cold outside warms the soul. They are the perfect side dish with many holiday meals and winter dinners, but the warmth and texture going into your stomach feel better when it is cold outside.

Eggnog

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Credit: Courtney
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You either love it or you hate it, there is no in-between. Eggnog can typically only be purchased around the holidays and is a drink that many crave and can't wait to have after Thanksgiving has passed. It won't warm up your body, but it will make you happy and crave more if you fall on the side of eggnog lover. If you don't enjoy it and find it disgusting, that is ok, it means more for us that enjoy it.

Fudge

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Credit: DreamBigPhotos
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As others on this list do as well, fudge can be enjoyed any time of year, but receiving a tin of fudge for Christmas makes it always taste a tad sweeter. Many mountain towns across the state of Idaho, and the entire country for that matter, sell fudge, and there is a reason it is sold in cold, mountain locations. Eating a block of sweet fudge in summer may lead to a tummy ache, but eating it in the winter, leads to pure joy. Hopefully, you know somebody that makes good fudge and they send you some to last you through the cold of winter.

Cookies

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Credit: Antonio_Diaz
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Cookies are delicious and there is a wide variety to enjoy. Nobody needs a specific season to eat cookies, but everybody seems to have that one cookie that they crave and have to have at Christmas time. Making holiday cookies and receiving them is one of the best parts of the holidays, plus it warms up the kitchen and the home with the oven on. Decorating, eating, giving, and receiving, cookies in the winter are a must, especially when stuck inside for months.

Tamales

Credit: Marcos Elihu Castillo Ramirez
Credit: Marcos Elihu Castillo Ramirez
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As the weather gets colder, the more delicious a tamale gets. Something about enjoying a warm tamale at an outdoor event or having some warm ones in the house after being outside always makes the body a little happier. It doesn't matter if it is chicken, beef, pork, or another type of meat, tamales in the wintertime are a must to get through the cold times. They may take a little time to make, but in the process of making them, you won't be thinking about how cold it is outside. 

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There is much food to eat this winter, and these are just some that for some reason taste better around the holidays and the colder months of the year. Every family has their traditions of food they like to eat at Christmas and during snow days. No matter what you enjoy eating, make sure to eat plenty, and know it is ok to fatten up a little during the long winter. You may need the extra pounds to stay warm this season. Get in the kitchen, start cooking or baking, and enjoy some delicious meals and treats for these long cold months that are coming. 

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