By Jessica Padykula
Toronto Expert, about.com
Despite the fact that spring is allegedly around the corner, there’s
no doubt that winter is still here and likely sticking around for
several more weeks. So before you start losing layers and putting your
parka away, know that the temperatures still might dip lower than you
want them to. If, like me, you’re feeling like you can do with a break
from snow, slush and ice, it’s time for a last-of-winter survival guide.
Here are some easy ways to make it through to spring (relatively)
unscathed.
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Shop for spring clothes
OK, so
you might not get to wear them yet but shopping (or even just window
shopping) for new spring gear can help you look ahead to warmer
temperatures. Because let’s face it; we’ve been under thick layers for
months so it’s OK to be craving something different. Even if you don’t
need anything new, hit up your favourite stores and try on a few new,
colourful spring items for a taste of what’s to come and to get yourself
in a spring-ready mood.
Visit Canada Blooms
Another thing you won’t be
doing for a while is gardening but that doesn’t mean you can’t start
thinking about getting your hands dirty. Canada Blooms
runs in Toronto from March 13 to 22 at the Direct Energy Centre and
it’s the largest floral and garden festival in the country. The goal of
the festival is to showcase the best in horticulture in Canada and
features an array of beautifully landscaped displays that will most
definitely help get you in a more spring-like state of mind.
Explore Allan Gardens Conservatory[post_ads_2]
You can also get your plant and flower fix with a visit to Allan Gardens,
which is home to six greenhouses with an area of over 16,000 square
feet. You can pretend you’re in a tropical forest as you wander amongst
the permanent collection of plants from around the world. Palms,
orchids, banana trees, jasmine and other pretty blooms will go a long
way towards getting you out of an end-of-season slump. Admission is free
and hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cozy up with a hot chocolate
On
days where the cold weather just won’t let up and nothing seems to take
your mind off the fear that spring may never come, indulge in a hot
chocolate. Toronto is filled with great spots to get a dose of warm,
chocolaty goodness, including many of the places on this list. Other places to check out include MoRoCo in Yorkville, Clafouti along Queen West and Douce France at Yonge and Eglington, which serves hot chocolate that’s shipped direct from Paris.
Jump on a surfboard – indoors[post_ads_2]
Tone your whole body and feel like you’re on a beach in Costa Rica with a class at Toronto’s Surfset,
a place where you can work out on a surfboard, minus the waves and
potential for sunburn. Exercises are performed on a board that mimics
the sensation of being on the water, which is known to improve core
strength, coordination and stabilization, and build lean muscle mass.
Plus, you get to imagine yourself somewhere balmy while burning
calories.
Get pampered
There’s something
about the winter that seems to drain us, and by this stage in the game
we’re sick of dry skin, minimal sunshine and multiple layers. Get a
boost to get you through the last few weeks of winter with a spa
treatment. Opt for a body scrub to exfoliate your skin from head to toe
or a facial to give your winter complexion its glow back. Choose from
one of the city’s best spas for a much-needed perk-up.
