Back in the 1950s, Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby sang Gone Fishin', a duet about - you guessed it - their love for a leisurely day spent fishing. They aren't the only ones; millions of people all over the world participate in the activity in some form, whether it's a career or simply for sport or pleasure. It's actually estimated there more people fish than play football on a global scale, which isn't surprising since the risk of grievous bodily harm is much more minimal when you're sitting in a boat rather than being tackled or run down by an defensive line. An additional bonus of choosing fishing as a summer activity is that you don't necessarily have to travel far to do it, unlike say, playing in the ocean, which may not be feasible for those who live far away.

There are a few ways to make your fishing trip a little more environmentally-friendly, so you can have your salmon and eat it too (or not...)

Skip the motor
Canoeing may one alternative to firing up a motorized boat, but the same goes for fishing: if your favorite spot is in the middle of a lake, grab a paddle and start rowing. As it turns out, kayak fishing is growing in popularity, so if you enjoy both activities enough, buying a kayak will serve a dual purpose. Alternatively you can avoid the entire boat conundrum altogether by sitting on the dock of a lake or standing at the river's edge if you aren't particular about where you fish.

Keep it legal
We've discussed the harmful effects of overfishing in the past. Several fish species are dwindling and lakes are being emptied because of the widespread problem, so make sure you know the rules and possession limits of the spot you've chosen and follow them. The general rule of thumb is also 'don't catch more than you can eat.' If you or someone you know won't be eating the fish, limit yourself to two or follow the catch and release method. Speaking of which...

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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.

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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

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

While most people go into hibernation mode during winter, wanting nothing more than to curl up around a fire with hot coco, there are those of us who start going slightly delirious at the thought of being caged in for the next few months. However, unless you’re in the Arctic, there’s no reason why you have to induce self imprisonment during the season.  With a mix of both creative and practical thinking, you can have just as much of a ball during winter as you have during summers by bringing the outdoors in. 

And even though we’re penny pinching these days, we can still have a fabulous get together – and with the slightest bit of effort and inventive spirit, we can host a splendid evening boasts of eco-chic brilliance. When thinking of winter, my first thoughts escape straight to a “Winter Wonderland” theme and with a slight obsession for eco-friendly entertaining, I’ve been able to source some charming ideas.

One of the great things about winter is that you can get really creative and free-spirited with the décor. (During what other season would you get away with bringing trees indoors and the decking them with magpie-envying pieces?) When you think of “wonderland”, think odd, magical and strange. Think Alice in Wonderland meets the Snow Queen, where everything is just slightly off the wall, creative and wonderfully mad – with a rich frosty touch. 

Setting the Scene

Ambiance is everything. This is especially true if you’re going to host an evening of kaleidoscopic proportion.  Think white candles, silver accents, pops of color, reflective surfaces– just about anything that would catch the eye.  The great thing about the holiday season is that just about anything goes and the best way to get this is to pay attention to details. Make sure you include lots of accents and clusters of décor pieces. 

A quick inexpensive and recyclable option is to top your cake platters with old Christmas tree ornaments. This ensures that you’re using them not just around the holidays, but in a clever festive way that actually gives you the thrill of holiday decorating without sacrificing a tree for it.  You can use either tiered cupcake platters or single level ones. Standard cake platters are also great to use as a base for nesting pillars of candles among pine cones and branches from your yard.

Not forgetting our Winter Wonderland theme which embraces creativity, start by breaking convention and bringing in a tree earlier in the year – then turn it upside down.  The idea has been popular for a few years now, and it’s both gorgeous and eco-friendly since these trees are of the faux variety.

Another simple idea that heats up the evening was discovered in Sunset Magazine, which suggested that “vases of varying heights [can] contain conifer sprigs in an inch of water.” White votive candles behind each jar adds a mesmerizing glow.  This is a much more sustainable décor idea than flowers, since branches can be found in most yards and can last up to a month in an inch of fresh water. The idea makes even more sense when the taken the scarcity of naturally available flowers during the winter, and the high cost of store-bought stems.

The Feast No matter how much time and energy you’ve invested in creating a lush atmosphere, there’s one key element that always wins out – and that’s taste! Your party doesn’t have to have a five course meal but it does have to have rich savory foods perfectly paired with a winter setting.

For a beer bottle budget, try either a cheese and bread fondue party and for dessert take the evening outdoors. Set your patio or deck with a couple patio heaters about a half hour before you expect guest to step outdoors – this way by the time you enjoy the next half of your evening, you’re in a nice toasty niche. 

Next, have your guests collect twigs from around the yard and bring them back to serve as marshmallow skewers. Pair that with organic chocolate and your classic cup of hot chocolate, and you’re set for the evening. 

“Eco Winter Wonderland” is written by Shireen Qudosi and brought to you by http://www.air-n-water.com/

Images in order of appearance: The White Company, Sunset Magazine, Flickr User Lisa23366, Martha Stewart Living

» Heater Home

All work and no play can quickly and easily turn someone into an over-stressed, uptight bundle of nerves (and this is speaking from personal experience!). Everybody needs some down time and hopefully you've found a few things you enjoy doing during those periods. There are multiple reasons to have hobbies: they can help you get much-needed exercise, and can help enhance your creativity and build confidence.

If you're looking for small ways to reduce your environmental impact while having your fun, see our list of suggestions below.

Reading
Green: Buy your books secondhand and trade them in at a local shop or on a website like Swaptree.com.
Greener: Save some paper and read your books electronically on Google Books. Alternatively get a library card (and use it) or if you have the extra cash, invest in Amazon's Kindle wireless reading device.

Golf
Green: Use biodegradable tees and balls, which you can find at ecogolf.com.
Greener: Forego the golf cart during your round and walk the course; you'll get some good exercise too!

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