Winter Warm-up Depending on which part of Beautiful British Columbia you’re spending this winter in, there may be enough snow afoot to ski the slopes. You might be able to ride up the gondola to view stunning vistas of fresh powder-capped peaks and glide down stunning terrain whilst taking in mountain fresh air. Or, it might be raining and you might need to don your rubber galoshes and bundle up in your waterproof coat. This is B.C. after all and they don’t call it ‘The Wet Coast’ for nothing. Whatever the weather outside, winter is no excuse for staying inside. Hibernation is for bears. We all need to stay healthy, whatever the season, so throw on your outerwear and go play outside! Here’s a little thought that might nudge you outdoors: Winter workouts burn calories. There’s something about crisp winter air that makes exercise feel so much more effective than it does in the summer. Maybe it’s the chill that we feel deep down in our lungs while we work up a winter sweat, or maybe it’s the fact that we’re carrying all the weight of our winter wardrobe around. Whatever the reason, the numbers don’t lie: your body will thank you for moving around in the cool crisp weather. You can burn 216 calories in just a half-hour of snowshoeing and it is the perfect activity for kids and klutzes. You don’t need lessons to walk on the snow, and if you fall, the snow is soft enough that nobody gets hurt. Young and old alike will benefit from this activity as exploring the great outdoors on webbed feet is fun for all ages. Children seem to naturally gravitate toward snow and will really enjoy a family outing like tobogganing. Just look around your city to find a nearby hill that’s been buried by a recent snowfall and your day is planned. There’s no need to let the kids know that it’s good for them, but the adults in your group may be interested to know that roughly 452 calories fall to the wayside while enjoying an hour’s tobogganing fun. If you’re looking to add a bit of speed to your workout, try strapping on a pair of cross-country skis for a half-hour and burn an additional 374 calories. Feeling the wind race past your earmuffs will take your mind right off of the fact that you are actually exercising and you’ll feel refreshed and revived at the end of it all. Or, try out one of our province’s most popular winter pastimes and shave 574 calories an hour off your diet by downhill skiing. This is a great activity to make a day out of, because cafés and restaurants are conveniently located right there on the mountain at many of B.C.’s renowned ski resorts. If it’s not cold enough where you live to indulge in these snow-swept activities, don’t let that keep you from enjoying some healthy winter fun – just strap on a pair of skates and burn up to 300 calories for every half hour that you’re on the ice at an indoor rink. There are 186 ice rinks in B.C. – find your closest one at www.arenamaps.com. While no actual statistics have ever been gathered on the health benefits of a good old-fashioned snowball fight, you can rest assured that it’s one of the best things that you can do for your spirit. Enhance your activity by providing refreshments for all involved – a thermos full of hot chocolate should do the trick to keep everyone warm enough for the next battle. Be sure to take it easy on beverages of the alcoholic kind during your outdoor play, as alcohol will lower one’s perception of cool and you wouldn’t want the day to end up in a case of frostbite. While laughing it up outside is unquestionably the best way to spend a winter’s day, the biggest reward is coming inside from the cold. You don’t need a fireplace to set the scene for an Après-ski type of gathering – all you need are a few good friends and some ambient lighting. Carrying forward the theme of the day’s activities, you can decorate your home with custom-made ice luminaries that are beautiful and easy to make. Just fill a plastic or metal container with water and float a twigs, dried leaves or cranberries inside. Then put a smaller container into the larger one, weighing down the container so that it acts as a mold for your candle holder. Leave it outside (or in the freezer) overnight and then use warm water to loosen the containers. When you’re ready to start your party, light tealights inside your homemade ice luminaries and you’ll be bringing the winter glow inside. Now all that’s left is to make sure that everyone is settled in with a good winter’s drink.
Peller Estates Proprietors Reserve Merlot (4L) +617670 $38.99 Frangelico +169441 $28.99 Lemon Hart Rum +497206 $22.19 Oban 14 yr. Scotch +243824 $89.95 Southern Comfort +105601 $23.95 Wild Turkey Kentucky Bourbon +198184 $29.19 Martell VSOP Cognac +65623 $80.19 Walker’s Peppermint Schnapps +31690 $20.19 |
