December 2007 Newsletter

Winter Wellness Tips

1. Go for a walk even when the weather is really cold, your body has to work overtime to get warm and you may burn up to 50% more calories than you would on the same walk in summer! But remember, go a little slower until you get warm and keep up the hydration.

2. Instead of picking up a cup of hot chocolate to keep yourself warm, try a herbal beverage.

3. The cold air and indoor heaters can dry out your skin. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water each day and use moisturizers throughout winter.

4. Buy some indoor plants to soften up the dry atmosphere caused through heating. Indoor plants give off moisture and oxygen and the colours will brighten up a dull day outside.

5. Caught a cold or flu? If the infection is above the neck (nose, throat) you could be OK to complete a low intensity workout. However, if you have symptoms that are worse than an average cold (chest congestion, muscle aches), exercise will only make you worse and delay your recovery. Rest is the best medicine.

6. Feel like sitting on the couch with a video and snacking on a cold, wet day? Reach for a protein bar or packet of soy nuts instead of high energy, high fat snacks.

Avoid DRY Winter Skin
1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Moisturizer will fill in gaps and cracks, restoring elasticity and giving your skin a smooth, supple appearance. Although you don’t need to head to a fancy cosmetics counter, you might want to switch to a cream or an ointment instead of a lotion. These thicker products contain more oil and protect your skin longer than thinner lotions which contain more water. Check the ingredients list for helpful ingredients such as glycerin, petrolatum, lanolin, wheat germ oil, jojoba, mineral oil, or safflower seed oil.

2. Don’t forget the sunscreen
Remember, the winter sun can give you sunburn, especially if you’re out on the bright ski slopes. Lather on a moisturizer with SPF 30. Unlike sunscreens, these creams usually wash off in water, but you probably won’t need the waterproof protection unless you go for a dip in an outdoor Jacuzzi.

3. Wear gloves religiously
Your hands will thank you. If they’re still dry from the cold winter air, try this for a night: Apply a thin layer of a petroleum jelly like Vaseline to your hands, and wear thin cotton gloves to bed. (If your feet are dry, slather on the Vaseline and put on an old pair of socks.)

4. Wash wisely
Water strips the oil from your skin, so wash sparingly during the winter months.
Use mild soap-free cleansers, which don’t dry your skin as much. Avalon, Jason, Dove Essential Nutrients, L'Oreal, Olay, and Aveeno all make good ones.
Wash your face only at night to remove makeup and grime. There’s no need for a morning cleansing. If you need that splash in the morning to wake up, put some lightweight moisturizer on damp hands and rinse off with warm water.
When you wash your face, use a warm water wash and a cool rinse. A cool rinse constricts the blood vessels and calms the skin to retain the moisturizer in your cleanser.
Get in and get out of the shower as quickly as possible. And apply moisturizer within three minutes of washing to seal in moisture.

What is Organic food?
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. It is produced without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers, bio-engineering, or ionizing radiation. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, eliminate the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture.
Are organic foods more nutritious?
Organic foods of all kinds have nutritional characteristics similar to their conventionally produced counterparts. Essentially the same amount of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber in a glass of organic milk is found in a glass of milk produced non-organically. Although studies have indicated that organically grown crops have higher nutrient content more often than conventionally grown crops, it is not clear whether this could have a long-term effect on human health. Some people who prefer organic food believe that it is more nutritious.



Remember to sign up for our TRAIN THE TRAINER fundraiser.
Bidding ends December 18th at NOON.
Train your trainer on December 20th at 2pm.
All proceeds go toward the Cassandra Voss memorial scholarship fund.



Tip of the Day:
Change your temperature. The ideal setting for ZZZs is a cool, dark room.
If you're having trouble sleeping, try removing a layer of clothing or lowering the thermostat.