You often hear North Carolinians boast that here we enjoy all four seasons. Sunny and 78 degrees are wonderful, but in 365 days, you might need a change. So, as we roll through our winter months, let’s agree to make the most of every season, even those with frigid air, shortened days and, yes, snow!
How can you do that? Well. You have choices. You can curl up with a good book and a fire and get some long awaited rest. That is a good thing! You can also break out the crock-pot and grandma’s recipe for beef stew. Also good! But, some of my favorite snow-related activities will really set this season apart, take you back a few years, and even help you stay fit while you are having fun. Fitness experts say, “If you want to stay fit naturally, stay young!” Here are a few ways to do just that.
Sledding: A great form of exercise incorporating both cardiovascular and strength work with a huge calorie burn – over 500 in an hour! If you like to work to the point of muscle soreness, this one is for you!
Snowman Building: Another terrific way to work those legs also to express your creative talents. Squatting, rolling snowballs and lifting them is hard work – hard enough to burn around 300 calories in an hour!
Snowball Fights: Not my favorite, but my ninja daughter’s, so I have to play…not just play, but build a snow fort and all! Still, I am burning upwards of 300 calories an hour!
Snow Cream: This is just for fun! Traditional recipes can be high in sugar, so I’ve included a recipe for a healthier version.
So, we cannot control the weather, but we can control what we do with it. I hope this will help you to make the most of snow days!
Healthy Snow Cream
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- ½ gallon of snow
- 1 cup milk or almond milk
- 1/2 cup of Truvia Baking Blend
Mash the banana in a metal or glass bowl, add the remaining ingredients, stir, and enjoy!
