Chicago goes through a sort of metamorphosis as winter takes a firm grip over the city, bringing cold weather and incredibly short days. But don’t feel bad making runs to the local convenience store in sweatpants and slippers — during the coldest winter days, it takes a lot of motivation and sheer willpower just to leave the house. When not hibernating, Chicago residents can be seen digging their vehicles out from snow drifts and ice, meeting up at corner bars, or even jumping into a frozen Lake Michigan.

A home should be a destination to recharge after a chaotic day of work, commuting, running errands or transporting kids around. It should serve as a retreat to help you feel nurtured and relaxed — not stressed from unfinished chores and to-do lists. Cultivating a calming space is the first step in creating an at-home haven that will help you recharge after the fast-paced holiday season.

You know when you see someone jogging and it’s less than 20 degrees outside and you think: “that man must be insane?”

Then you think how much fun it would be to bundle up, lace up a pair of skates and hit the ice — yeah, not so crazy anymore is it?

Once you get moving, do a few laps around the rink, maybe fall a couple (or five) times and your body starts heating up, you realize just how great playing and exercising in the cold really is.

Get those skates, grab the kids or call some friends, and hit one of these great outdoor ice skating rinks in and around Chicago.

Winter is on its way and one of the most important things you can do when you set out to winterize your home is increase your energy efficiency.

While it’s easy to add warmth to your interiors as the seasons change, lowering your heating bill is a little more complicated.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some quick tips on how you can save money on your heating bill and be prepared for the winter months ahead.