Who says that the cold weather means you stay indoors?

There is no reason why the winter can’t be a fun time for family just like the summer. Here are 7 ideas for having fun in the winter air.

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1. Go sledding.

• The big hill could be in your back yard or somewhere else in the neighborhood. Grab the sleds and head for the top. Sledding is one thing that adults can do and still feel like a kid. Everyone loves the feeling of their heart in their throat as they go speeding off towards the bottom of the hill. Hardware stores sell out of sleds so get yours early.

2. Have a snowball fight.

• But, don’t just hide behind a tree. Take the time to build a snow fort. The family can divide into teams and each take an hour or two to construct the snow place of safety. Once the forts are finished and the flags are flying, let the snow fly!

3. Make snow angels.

• Wear a warm coat, gloves, and hat before attempting this wonderful winter artwork. Find a clear clean place in the snow and allow yourself to fall backwards. The snow will break your fall. Once you’re down there start flapping those arms and legs.

4. That walkway isn’t going to get clean all by itself.

• Each person can take a shovel or a bucket and work together to get it cleared. Why pay someone else to do it when the family can get some physical activity together? Afterwards, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa together and warm up.

5. Try a new sport.

• The winter brings a new set of exercises to enjoy. Take up snowboarding, skiing, or ice skating. The point is not to become an expert but to have fun with your family.

6. Catch a snowflake on your tongue.

• This is an activity that has to wait until the snow is actually falling but when you live far up north that could be an everyday occurrence. Stand out on the front lawn and throw your head back. After catching a few, take a break. No one wants to get a sore throat. Besides, the neighbors will wonder what is going on when they see everyone sticking their tongue out.

7. Build a snowman.

• By this time, you’ve tried everything else so a snowman is the last best thing to do in the snow. It’ll take everyone’s help to roll a really big base and lift the other body parts on top of each other. A sturdy snowman will take longer to melt in the sun.

Don’t sit in the house longing for warmer weather. Get out and enjoy the possibilities of the winter season—together.

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4 Healthy Ideas for Winter Breakfasts...

Why is it that we eat more food in the winter? Maybe we decide that it’s okay to have a little more girth to keep us warm. Bears do it so why can’t we? Unfortunately, eating more and moving less doesn’t equal a healthy lifestyle.

Stay warm this winter with a few healthy breakfast items on the menu. We can eat and feel full without ruining our diet and adding to our waistline. We’ve worked hard to maintain or lose weight when the weather was warm. We don’t want to ruin it all during the winter chill.

1. Oatmeal – Oatmeal has changed from the pasty gray stuff that was served to us as kids. Now, oatmeal comes in instant flavors like strawberries and cream, maple and brown sugar, and cinnamon and apples. The oats provide soluble and insoluble fiber. Fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar so we don’t overeat during the day. The slow release of energy by our body keeps us going at a steady pace. Oatmeal can be made with water or milk. Using skim milk provides vitamin D as well as fiber.

2. Fruit filled breads – We are always in a hurry. This may mean leaving behind a warm breakfast but not a nutritious one. The same mix recipes that can be used for muffins can be used to make sweet breads like banana nut, cranberry-raisin, and blueberry bread. Fresh or dried fruits can be used in the bread. In combination with other whole grains, the bread is a healthy winter breakfast that can be fixed and eaten fast.

3. Eggs, cheese, and sausage – A good breakfast is a mixture of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Eggs provide protein and some fat. Cheese provides the same. It is okay to use low fat cheeses. Fat free cheese doesn’t melt as well. Turkey sausage or bacon provides protein and that meat we so often crave. Weekend mornings are a perfect time for family to enjoy a hearty, healthy warm breakfast.

4. Unsweetened cereals – Cereal is still a part of a balanced breakfast. This doesn’t change in the winter time. Try a cereal that gets its sweetness from cinnamon or honey. It is better for you and fortified with vitamins and minerals we need every day. Supplement that bowl of cereal with a glass of orange juice or coffee and a slice of wheat toast for a quick and healthy breakfast before work or school.

During the winter, we naturally eat more food because we crave carbohydrates. It is the hibernation instinct in our bodies. To keep from looking oversized in the spring, continuing to watch what we eat in winter is essential. Try these breakfast alternatives to do just that.

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