Sunrise Energy

Fast breakfast!  Rainbow Light's Chocolate Protein Energizer to go.

This time of year we have to get up extra early to add in time to shovel the car out or simply take the extra time needed to get from here to there.  This can throw a monkey wrench into our morning exercise routine.  Really researchers say getting in your workout early minimizes the risk of skipping it altogether.

Oregon Scientific's Semi Pro Weather Station

Some of us just aren't early risers but there is a way to get around that by re-setting your internal clock.  This may take a few weeks to accomplish but you can simply go to bed an hour earlier to wake up an hour earlier.  Simply do your same bedtime routine an hour before you usually do.  Set your alarm to wake you up gently at your new time.

Actually, I'm able to accomplish two goals at once.  I have a weather station like the one pictured that I can program to turn on at a certain time.  The light wakes me gradually and I'm able to see the current weather conditions and broadcast for the day.  I'm able to get up and quickly dress properly for the temperature and weather.

Getting yourself into a new rhythm for the season takes time but daily exposure to sunlight can help stave off the "winter blues" and vitamin D deficiencies.  Exercise improves your mood and can offer a lot of cross training benefits you don't get from your usual workout.  Try something new like snowshoeing or add "chains" to your regular athletic shoes for more traction on early morning snow and ice such as the Kahtoola MICROspikes shown here below.  Just remember you'll need sunblock due to the reflection of the sun off the snow.  Need some fresh ideas to spice up your same old, same old exercise time?  Check out the newly re-launched X-Treme X-Training blog for great tips on exercising under winter weather conditions.

Get a Grip with Kahtoolah MICROspikes!

Snowbound!

Ahhhhhhhhhh! Snowshoeing for fitness!  Snowshoes by Tubbs, down jacket by Moonstone

Right about this time and after the fourth snowstorm of the season, something called cabin fever begins to set in.  Guess what?  MORE snow is in the forecast even for places like Georgia who seldom if ever get it.  So much for "global warming"!  My snowshoes, mini-skis and sleds get stored in our utility building at the end of each season so rest assured I intend to retrieve them before the next blizzard hits.

Moonstone Lucid Down Jacket

So how do you keep active in the winter months when the weather outside is well, frightful?  Keep a positive attitude and an open mind.  There are a lot of things you can do in the snow that are exciting and will help you stay fit.  Tip: Engage a close friend or family member for maximum fun!

Sledding - Remember those super fast Flexible Flyers?  Well even if you don't have one of those antiques, (the company still make them actually), you can use an inflated inner tube to coast down the hill.

Tubbs Women's Snowshoes

Snowshoeing - Snowshoes have come a long way since the Klondike Gold Rush days.  Now Tubbs Snowshoes are made in all sizes to specially fit women and children.  Snowshoeing can be done nearly anywhere: un-groomed trails, open fields and even up hills.  It is a great workout and gets you out at the same time which will boost your heart rate and spirits!

Snow Skating - This is a cross between skiing and ice skating.  They are sometimes called mini-skis and were featured in a James Bond movie that had 007 flying down the hill in these wearing a tux.  Sled Dogs Snowskates are perfect for when you want to get the feeling of skiing without having to use the lifts.  They work best on groomed ski trails but their shortness makes them great for less than perfect terrains too.  Snowskating is VERY liberating!  You can pretty much pull off all of those sweet snowboarding jumps with these.  They are a very easy way to enjoy the snow without poles.  Just wear your regular goggles, ski jacket and snowboarding pants and you're set!  Want more snow-fun ideas?  Visit X-Treme X-Training for gear, tips and action videos!

Shake it Up for 2011!

YES!!! 2011 is YOUR year to take charge! Reduce stress, tone up and have WAY more energy for living the life. Best Picks Magazine's "Shake the Weight" Music Video will inspire you with healthy exercise and eating tips! Check out these reads: The Secret of Staying Young & The New Woman's Herbal & Nutritional Guide via Kindle or Amazon. More tips and shake recipes here:
Shake the Weight Program

Protect Your Skin from Winter

Your hands and feet are often cold during the winter because of a loss of moisture and its protective barrier. Just like broken shingles on a roof, dry, cracked skin allows the escape of heat from within.

Dry, flaky skin is more often seen in the winter due to decreased humidity in the outside air and indoors due to central heating. To help combat indoor dryness, you can purchase an Air-O-Swiss Digital Warm & Cold Ultrasonic Humidifier. These are quiet and disperse an ultra fine mist into the air for quick dispersion. The AOS 7144 shown here can heat the water so it exits at a comfortable 104 F without lowering the room temperature. Air-O-Swiss humidifiers come with a filter cartridge to keep the water clean, pure and mineral free thus eliminating the "white powder" problem associated with other humidification units.

I needn't mention the importance of applying body lotion after a shower but for frequently washed areas such as your hands, you'll need something with more staying power. Pro-Tech-Skin by Atsko, (the makers of Sno-Seal), is a beeswax based product for extreme weather exposure. Going skiing? Apply Pro-Tech-Skin before putting on ski boots and gloves. Your feet and hands will be MUCH warmer through out the day! This product does an amazing job of softening rough, dry hands, and feet, keeping them moist and pliable. Has a delicious honey fragrance from the beeswax but is very creamy to apply. Be sure to check out Atsko's Sno-Seal water-proofing product for your snow boots, ice skates and gloves. This product will also help to keep your feet and hands warm 'n dry!

Shake the Weight Program!

Come on, 2011 is YOUR year to Shake the Weight! Yes, we've all put on a few extra pounds from those holiday parties and treats. Plus who had time to hit the gym? Start the year off right with our week's worth of delicious shakes guaranteed to kick it up a notch. Build lean muscle and lose fat with a Rainbow Light Shake - a - Day!

You'll have a delicious shake for breakfast or lunch as a ONE meal substitute. You won't get bored because you'll find a lot of variety to be had with Vanilla, Acai Berry Blast and Chocolate Protein Energizers! Our recipes incorporate enzyme rich fruits, vegetables and nutritional supplements to add flavor, fiber and satisfaction to your shake-meal. Here's the first up with a few optional ingredient ideas.


Rainbow Light shakes mix easily with milk, water or juice. Rice based, they give you a whopping 15 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving. Start your day with one of these shakes and see how much more energy you'll have through lunch....without being hungry!

Here is the rich Chocolate Protein Energizer with a teaspoon of Chocolate Ovaltine and a half scoop of IVL's All Day Energy Greens added to low fat milk and crushed ice. These extra nutritional supplements are optional as the Protein Energizers are complete on their own. However, if you've over-indulged a bit, these extras can help with detoxification and energy levels. I used a shaker cup for this so it was super fast and blended completely. You don't need a blender with these Rainbow Light Shakes unless you want to add fresh pureed fruit. This is my "After New Year's Eve Party" detox mix so after all that champagne, I'm in no mood to hear the whirl of a blender. Here you go:

Rich Chocolate Protein Energizer Shake Recipe

1 scoop Rainbow Light Chocolate Protein Energizer

1 tsp Chocolate Ovaltine

1/2 scoop All Day Energy Greens

8 ozs Low Fat Milk, (Almond or Rice Milk is also good)

4 ozs Crushed Ice

Throw everything into an IVL Shaker Cup which contains a mesh strainer and shake vigorously. Pour and drink! This is an easy no-blender recipe to get you rolling PLUS it's absolutely scrumptious.

Check out some more yummy options for serving up these delicious fat trimming shakes and exercising in the cold at the X-Training BLOG's SHAKE OFF WINTER WEIGHT article. Cheers!