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SNOWSHOES – THE ULTIMATE WINTER ADVENTURE

What’s the fastest-growing winter sport?  Snowboarding?  Think again.  Think snowshoeing.  Yes, those clumsy-looking ‘tennis-rackets-on-the-feet’ are the hottest thing this side of an Aspen hot tub.  And why not?  Snowshoes are a way to appreciate the quiet solitude of winter’s beauty away from the crowds, enjoy a healthy aerobic workout (with little chance of injury), and all for a pittance (well, a pittance compared to other winter sports).

A Little History (Actually, a Lot of History)

Snowshoes, originally called “shoe skis,” began around 4000 B.C. in central Asia and they came to North America with the Asians who migrated across the Bering Strait land bridge.  The Athabascans of Alaska used sinew hide and wood to form the shoes, which became a staple of winter travel in pre-Industrial North America.  The shoes were very popular with French trappers, and even figured prominently in the French and Indian War (i.e. the “Second Battle of the Snowshoes,” which apparently was more important than the “First” such battle).

While wood, sinew and leather have been replaced by rubber, aluminum and plastic, the basic design of the snowshoe hasn’t really changed much in six thousand years.  Man has yet to find a more effective way to move in deep snow, far from the groomed trails, where skiers and even snowmobiles can’t go.   And while snowshoes have a very practical history, it is their recreational aspect that is fueling their new popularity.  Snowshoe “trails” have become very popular in the Rockies.  Yet the ultimate appeal of snowshoes is their ability to take you to places you couldn’t otherwise go to enjoy bird watching, camping, ice fishing and the like.  Want the ultimate skiing experience on the holy grail of unspoiled powder away from the lift-ticket crowds?  Snowshoes will take you there.

As Easy as Walking – Almost

Learning to snowshoe is easy, although you’re likely to feel awkward at first.  You will need to walk with a wider stride — but not too wide.  The most common mistake of beginners is to exaggerate the stride and that will mean sore hamstrings the next morning.

Essentially there are three kinds of snowshoes.   “Bear Paw” designs are more round/oval and are designed for heavily wooded forests.  “Yukon” designs are longer, have upturned toes and long tails, and are for deep snow in open country.  The “Beavertail” is a hybrid of the two, with a tail, but rounder and shorter than the “Yukon.”

Common sizes for snowshoes are 25-, 30- and 36-inch lengths (although children’s sizes are smaller).  The taller (and heavier) you are, the bigger the snowshoe should be.   You can get a workable pair of snowshoes for less than $100, but you can pay up to $300 for high end designs that are more durable and have a host of comfort features.

Snowshoe kits are very popular.  They include a bag, poles and a tote bag to store the shoes when you’re off enjoying all the wonders of winter that the shoes took you to in the first place.

Snowshoeing — the very “latest” in winter sports.  Even if it’s been around for six thousand years.

-Ski Bum

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Managing Your Stress Levels

[Written by Peter Nielsen].

Stress levels have shot up  with 44 percent of people reporting that their level of stress has increased over the past five years. Finances, work and family concerns are considered leading causes of this rise, causing a wide range of health issues, from obesity and fatigue to indigestion and headaches.  

Diet choices and fitness have been proven to have a huge effect on stress levels. Whether by providing a sense of well-being or increasing hormone level in the body that fight stress, working out and eating well provide you with tools to manage your response to the hurdles we face each day.  We can’t always avoid stress factors, but we can prevent stress from taking over our lives. Diet and exercise are the first big step!

Diet tips for a stressful day.

·         Carb up. Carbohydrates produce serotonin, the chemical that controls the brains stress-management system that makes us feel calm and in control. Go for whole grains, start off the morning with a bowl of oatmeal!

·         Eat your salmon.  Fatty fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.  The omega-3 acids in fatty fish have also been found to ease depression by improving neve cell communication. Other fish rich if omega3 fatty acids include tuna, sardines, halibut, herring, mackerel, and lake trout.

·         Go nuts! Nuts are an excellent source of B vitamins and healthy fatty acids which play an important role in a healthy diet and can help to reduce stress. Pistachios in particular have been found to have a role aid in reducing stress levels.

·         Take your C. Studies have found that high levels of vitamin C help ease stress levels.  Start by eating citrus fruits — oranges, grapefruits, and strawberries.

·         Relax with a cup of tea.  Drinking warm tea, particularly herbal teas like ginger or chamomile, have a soothing effect.

·         Don’t forget warm milk!  Warm milk has been used for generations as a sleeping aid. Rich in calcium and vitamin D, it helps to muscles relax and calm the mind.

·         Have a chocolate treat!  Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, and can lower the level of stress hormones. And it’s an wonderful indulgence!  Indulgence is a key word here, don’t overdo it!

Exercise increases your overall health, improves sense of well-being, and offers also has some serious support for stress control. It works in some very specific ways:

·         Work-outs increase the production of the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, endorphins. Each  exercise session results in up to 90 to 120 minutes of ‘relaxation response’ afterwards.

·         Physical activity improves blood flow to your brain, supporting brain health and improving your response to stressful situations.

·         Exercise improves your self-image and improves your mood, can increase self-confidence and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. 

Use diet and exercise to control your stress, not cause your stress! You’ll be healthier and happier. 

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