Perhaps you're one of those individuals who doesn't find the idea of push-ups, lunges or crunches all that exciting, and therefore going to the gym sounds like a jail sentence. If you live in or near an area currently buried under three feet of snow and are looking for a great outdoor activity that will provide you with aerobic benefits as well as providing a high-intensity workout for major muscle groups, consider giving the age-old sport of snowshoeing a try.

No, it's not just something fur traders and trappers did centuries ago. You may be picturing the old-school wooden snowshoes of yore, however today's snowshoes are designed to be lighter with aluminum frames.

Interesting Facts 
☆ Snowshoeing burns 45 per cent more calories than walking or running

☆ In 2006, approximately 500 American schools - located mostly in the Northeast - introduced snowshoe programs as part of physical education curriculum in an effort to combat the problem of obesity in school children.

☆ Snow cushions the foot's impact making snowshoeing gentler on the feet than walking or running.

☆ The snow also buffers the earth against the impact of winter hikers or campers which leads to less erosion of trails.

☆ An adult weighing 155 pounds can burn approximately 563 calories per hour while snowshoeing.

☆ To provide a workout for your upper body including arms, shoulders and back muscles, consider using ski poles. And keep in mind, the risk of injury in snowshoeing shouldn't be any greater than the potential of hurting yourself while skiing. Just a warning, apparently it can leave your calves sore for days (which indicates that you've indeed exercised one of the aforementioned muscle groups).

Equipment needed
You'll want to dress in warm layers including thermal underwear and windproof and water-repellent pants and jackets so that you won't ever find yourself too hot or too cold. You'll also need typical winter gear including gloves, a hat and good waterproof winter boots. Poles are an optional accessory that can aid in walking.

You've probably already guessed that you will need snowshoes as well. Snowshoes fit around nearly any type of boot and come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made using lightweight aluminum and durable plastic. Many outfitters offer the option to rent snowshoes for those who want to give it a try before sinking money into their own pair. When deciding which type of snowshoes to rent or buy, you'll need to consider the type of environment you'll be using them in and the type of activity you will be using them for. Mountain Equipment Co-op has a guide that can assist you in choosing the right type of snowshoes.

» Winter Trails

Ask any avid skier, and they'll tell you nothing beats the rush of rushing down a powdery slope with a cool wind blowing in your face. It's also a great cardiovascular activity and allows you to take advantage of the great outdoors. And it must be great: the oldest skis ever discovered are thought to be approximately 5,000 years old. Originally it was used as a method of transportation, but has evolved into the leisure activity we are accustomed to today.

The common types of skiing
Cross-country - The earliest form of the activity would have been cross-country skiing, a part of what is now known as the Nordic skiing family. Cross-country style is similar to hiking, though and can be done on a prepared trail or in more remote areas, such as the woods. Cross-country is considered one of the most challenging endurance sports, as it requires movement that uses every major muscle group in the body.

Downhill (alpine) - One of the primary differences between downhill and cross-country skiing is the way the ski is attached to the foot. In cross-country, the toe of the boot is the only portion of the foot attached to the ski, so that skiers have the ability to climb, descend and traverse. In downhill skiing, the entire foot is attached to the ski and restricts the skier to only downhill terrain.

...read the rest...

Remember the thrill as a child of heading outdoors on a wintry day to take on your favorite activity? It's time to start thinking along those lines once again as you look for ways to get active this winter. If you think of going outdoors as a chore, you probably won't do it and reap the benefits of fresh air and natural light. Instead try to recapture some of the enthusiasm you had for outdoor activity when you were younger with one of these activities that will get you moving and hopefully having some fun in the process. If it helps, gather up the kiddies and take them along for the ride!

Ice skating
All you need to go ice skating is a pair of skates, which you can buy (used!) or rent, warm clothing and frozen water. Many communities have outdoor rinks during the colder months. Likewise, you can take advantage of a frozen pond or lake in your area, however also remember safety precautions. The area should be approved by community officials for use and safety signs and rules should always be followed. You should also use your own judgment even when a frozen body of water is approved for skating. If the weather has been warm or you observe any cracks in the ice, avoid it.

Tobogganing
All you need for this traditional winter activity (in places that have snow, that is) is a hill, warm clothing, and of course, a toboggan. You should also seriously consider protective gear such as a helmet. Unfortunately whizzing down a slippery hill with bumps or trees can lead to injury, so be sure to take the necessary precautions.

Despite the fact that half of tobogganing involves riding down a hill on a sled, it's actually a good source of cardiovascular activity because every single time you want to ride down, you have to carry that toboggan back up the hill. If you want an even better cardiovascular workout, walk to the hill and pull your kids behind you on their toboggan. If you need a tobaggon that can hold both adults and children, check out Re's Arrowhead Little Chief Toboggan.

Build a snowman 
On Tuesday, Leafy Green talked about whey building a snowman is so Eco-friendly and even included some of the fun Calvin (of Calving and Hobbes) had building his own snowmen. Not only is building one an Eco-friendly activity, it's also one you can do in your backyard, which means you don't even have to fire up the car to enjoy it.

Make snow cones
Alright, so this won't really get you active, but consider it a treat for all of the energy you used participating in one of the aforementioned activities. Forget about the freezer versions with their shaved ice when you have a whole yard full of fresh snow. Find some fresh, untouched snow, fill a cup or bowl and drizzle some fruit juice concentrate on top. Voilà! A treat you and the kids can enjoy with the main ingredient provided by Mother Nature herself.

» REI

Eggs have an unfair reputation attributed to their high cholesterol, however beyond their more well-known good properties (hello iron, zinc and vitamin E), scientists also discovered expectant (animal) mothers who consumed cholin (an essential nutrient found in eggs) had babies with a better memory and high brain function than those who did not. Evidence shows cholin is directly related to brain development. It doesn't appear to be a short-term benefit either; the increased mental activity was still detectable into adulthood.

Don't be quick to dismiss eggs if you're a male and/or not pregnant: the antioxidants lutein and zeanxanthin (say that quickly five times in a row) found in egg yolks are credited with protecthing eyes from ultraviolet rays and reducing the risk of eye disorderds, including cataracts (by 20 per cent) and macular degeneration (by up to 40 per cent). Though vegetables like broccoli and spinach also contain the antioxidants, the body absorbs them more effectively when the source is provided by eggs.

Poach, boil or scramble your eggs as opposed to frying them and avoid loading on the high-fat cheese. Good eyesight and increased mental capacity won't do you much good if you die young from a clogged artery, now will it?

» FPOCQ

Those who just can't wait until spring to hit their local pond, lake or stream, and who live in a climate temperatures cold enough to freeze these types of water, should give ice fishing a try at least once.

Similar to the regular type of fishing one does in warmer conditions, ice fishing involves using lines and hooks to catch fish. The main difference between the two is that ice fishing generally takes place on a frozen surface, as opposed to a boat or a dock, and therefore an opening to access the water below must be available.

Ice fishing is popular in colder countries such as Canada, Sweden, Finland and Norway, as well as in certain states within the U.s. including Alaska, Minnesota, Michigan, New England and New York.

Equipment
Ice fishing is one of those activities that requires some specific equipment specially designed for the sport.

Ice shanty - A small shelter that keeps the cold and wind at bay. They usually accommodate two individuals and are six feet by six feet in size

Ice auger or chisel - Both are used to cut a hole in the ice, however the chisel is generally used on thinner ice early in the season.

Skimmer - As new ice begins to form, this is used to remove it and also to remove slush created from cutting the hole.

Gaff hook - This large, heavy book is used to assist in pulling slippery fish through the hole in the ice.

Tackle Box - A good tackle box containing hooks, rods and lures, among other items, will help prepare you for almost any type of fish to come your way.

Heater or stove - It can get pretty cold out there on the ice and having a source of heat, especially for the hands, is recommended.

Compass - It may not seem that large from shore, but once in the middle of a big lake, it's easy to become disoriented and lose a sense of direction. This is even worse if a winter storm should hit, so a compass to help keep pointed in the right direction (figuratively and literally) is recommended.

Safety First
Ice should be four inches in thickness at the bare minimum before would-be fishermen venture onto it. If using a snowmobile as transportation, follow the trails that have already been created and always keep an eye out for water or pre-existing holes. A general rule-of-thumb followed by ice fishers is, ""Thick and blue, tried and true. Thin and crispy, way too risky."

Be sure to familiarize yourself with any guidelines or regulations for the area you will be fishing, as well as check conditions ahead of time to ensure no warning advisories have been issued.

Keep it Green
If you don't plan to keep fish or if you accidentally catch a prohibited fish for the area you are fishing in, practice the "catch and release" method . This will prevent the fish population from depleting unnecessarily. Lakes require larger fish to help keep the population balanced, as these fish have typically managed to survive the early years when many die, so even if you catch a real prize, take you picture with it, then consider letting it return home.

» Wikipedia

Whether you're simply looking for good, solid protein to incorporate with your me or thinking of taking our suggestion to go ice fishing this winter, remember that not all fish are created equal as Environmental Defense demonstrates. Before you head to the lake or to your kitchen, make sure you review their list of sea creatures that are the best and worst (and somewhere in between) for the environment. 

Eco-Best
Anchovies - only a small amount of the world's population of anchovies end up being consumed by humans as a food. Most are used in fish oil for animal feeds, as well as in dietary supplements and fertilizers. They reproduce quickly and in the event you worry we're cutting them short of a long, prosperous life, have no fear - they have a very short life span anyway.

Mussels - Mussels strain biological matter from water, keeping it cleaner, and most are farm-raised on ropes hung in the ocean, which causes minimal environmental damage.

Salmon, wild (Alaska) - These salmon are fairly well-managed fish stocks in the United States and are not high in the contaminants found in other varieties of the fish. Their population is a healthier one, and the methods to catch the fish are environmentally safe.

Eco-OK
Clams (wild) - Most of these clams you would purchase at in the supermarket or at a fish market are brought in from wild fisheries and farms, which typically have little environmental impact so long as hydraulic wedges (which can cause damage to the ocean) floor are not used.

Shrimp (U.S. wild) - Policies are in place to ensure that other ocean creatures are not harmed in the catching of the shrimp. Devices are required that free other fish and sea turtles from shrimp nets.

Lobster (American/Maine) - The pots used to catch lobsters are not harmful to the ocean floor, however they occasionally endanger the North American right whales, and the state of the health of lobster populations in the U.S. is relatively unknown

Eco-Worst
Chilean Sea Bass - The popularity of this fish that can be sold at high prices has inspired illegal fishing and significantly declined the species population. The lines used to catch the fish will often snag albatrosses (which are endangered), as well as other sea birds. If you make the decision to buy this fish, ensure it is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as being farmed sustainably.

Orange Roughy - These fish have a long life span and do not age quickly and its popularity has also decreased the population. Most countries do not have regulated procedures for catching or selling the product.

Salmon (farmed/Atlantic) - The habitat of these fish often contaminate surrounding water with chemicals and other pollutants due to being packed so densely together. The fish frequently escape and breed with or spread parasites to other wild fish.

Many of the fish on the worst list also contain warnings of high mercury or PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) levels.

The above are only samplings of the lists. You can visit the Environmental Defense website to view the entire top 10 in each category to learn which fish are given the green thumbs up and which you are best to avoid. When you click on a particular type of fish, you'll also see a list of the related fish that are ranked in the three categories. The site even provides recipes and eating/buying guides for several of the "good" fish.

» Environmental Defense