What's Up with Mother Nature?

This winter seems to be an unending snowstorm. Currently this winter is ranked the third highest snowfall in Chicago’s history (since 1884), with 59.6” (as of February 5). While the children have never built snowmen so big, and are enjoying the snowball fights, the piles of snow are getting to the height of the stop signs.

Unfortunately, if we take the groundhog seriously, it is not letting up anytime soon. Six more weeks of winter, he says. And, our forecasters agree with him.

Add to this that our salt supply is running out, and especially here in Lake Forest, where the city is rationing it—and not salting in many places—claiming they are plowing more often. Now, maybe it’s just been my experience, but I haven’t seen the bottom of the roads recently. With salt prices escalating due to increasing demand and supply dwindling, our Chicago suburb seems to be headed towards bobsleds and snowshoes.

Our regular road salt also is the most effective when it is above 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and it has been below that a lot lately with our Polar Vortex. There are other salts that work below that temperature, however. Other states have used alternative sources to help keep the roads clean, such as sand. More inventive uses include cheese brine (in dear, old Wisconsin), molasses, Ecotraction, and garlic salt. (Learn more here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/road-salt-alternatives-include-cheese-brine-molasses-1.2468744)

As we wonder where the future of keeping our roads clear is going, we also need to remember that these grey days can have an impact on our own health as well. Mild Seasonal Affective Disorder affects approximately 10-20% of Americans. SAD can be tricky to identify, as symptoms can be as mild as feeling “down” or drained to more serious symptoms like depression. Watch this video with Dr. Allison Benthal, to learn more: http://y2u.be/pGejo5YhEvk.