Have you ever noticed how beautiful vegetables can be? Of course, our tastes are varied and changeable, but the selection does not stand still, surprising us every year and delighting us with something very beautiful and no less tasty. Vegetables familiar from childhood can change beyond recognition. Here and watermelon radish, and unusual carrots, and even cabbage can become a fashionable curiosity of the festive table. I propose to plunge into the colorful vegetable world together.

We are used to boring yellow corn, but it turns out that corn can be really beautiful! American farmer Carl Barnes recently developed a new variety of corn called Glass Gem. The grains in these cobs are translucent and resemble gemstones in all colors of the rainbow. Such beauty and cooking is a pity! Although when cooked, it does not lose color and is quite edible.

He began selection, most likely, from the more familiar varieties of Indian colored corn, which is gradually conquering the plots of our gardeners.

And that, in turn, came from Hopi black corn, named after the tribe of Indians who cultivated this variety.
Her cobs can be red, blue, purple, almost black. This color gives it the presence in the fruits of a large amount of the amthiocdant enzyme. And her taste is also amazing: sweetish, with a hint of walnut. It also contains almost 30% more protein than regular corn. Depending on the variety, Hopi can be very small or have large cobs. Interestingly, during the years of the USSR, this outlandish corn could also be found in our fields. Now we don’t grow it industrially, but no one bothers to plant such corn in our country house!

pumpkins

Of course, pumpkins in their variety are one of the most beautiful and unusual vegetables. Different sizes, colors and shapes, edible and not very, they retain their decorative effect even when dry.

American little pumpkins Wee-Bee look very cute. The size of a fist and is very loved abroad for the holiday of Halloween. But their taste is not inferior to their attractive appearance.

This is truly an amazing hybrid. When looking at this vegetable, mysterious flying objects or futuristic creations come to mind. But the breeders just wanted to cross cauliflower and broccoli. As a result, such a famously twisted fractal vegetable came out. This cabbage not only looks impressive, but also contains many useful trace elements.

The prickly artichoke has wonderful, unusual fruits. They look like a delicate flower. Its taste is compared with a walnut. A real table decoration and a wonderful delicacy!

colorful cauliflower

The shape of this vegetable has remained familiar, but the color has undergone strong changes. Purple and yellow varieties of cauliflower have been bred. Familiar dishes will become elegant and fashionable with such an ingredient. And it will look great in the garden too.
Cauliflower contains a sufficient amount of vitamin C, and the purple variety is also rich in anthocyanin, which helps our vessels avoid blood clots and improves heart function.

The size and shape is like an average radish, and in the context - a natural watermelon! Or a radish inside out. Raspberry pulp and white-green skin can confuse the uninitiated. Its bitter taste becomes sweeter closer to the center, but this does not affect the crunch! Very much appreciated by carving masters. Such a vegetable can decorate any festive dish.

Zucchini "Gold Rush"

Somehow a gardener grew a zucchini, but not easy, but golden ... And this is not a fairy tale. In our market, this zucchini is an infrequent guest, but it is gaining popularity among gardeners. Many people like its yellow-golden color, but pests did not like it.

What kind of watermelons you will not meet in the summer on the shelves! Look, the Japanese thought of growing square watermelons in general, round ones did not please them. Not only the shape of the watermelon familiar from childhood is changing, but also its color! For example, how do you like a yellow, sunny watermelon? Agree, such a treat is more like decoration. The taste of this watermelon is the most familiar, watermelon.

colored carrots

Do not think that you know everything about carrots, they can also surprise you. It turns out that carrots can be white, and bright yellow, and brown, and almost black.

In the context, the carrot can also have different colors. Decorate the table!

Having this vegetable on the table, it is absolutely not necessary to come up with mysterious dishes for the holiday, any salad made from such potatoes will give the dish a unique flavor. Paired with purple cauliflower, purple corn, purple carrots, and purple onions, you can make a very purple salad.

black tomato

Among tomatoes, you can also find a "dark horse". The Israelis recently introduced a new variety of truly black tomatoes Black Galaxy. This gothic tomato is very sweet in taste. Such tomatoes feel great in our beds.

If yellow, orange and red vegetables are repainted in fashionable purple, then this beet, in defiance of them, brightened and became a “blonde”. At the same time, the real, beetroot taste was preserved. It is very convenient to add it to those dishes that should retain their color, and not turn into a uniform beetroot.

striped beets

But this "candy" variety of beets with clearly defined concentric circles of red and white is perfect for decorating a dish.

Asparagus itself is unique in its properties. And its appearance resembles rather bouquets with unblown flowers. And how beautiful her purple heads are against a green background. Asparagus is not only a delicacy, but also a wonderful decoration for any table.

When ripe, the fruits of this pepper become a deep brown, chocolate color. The name and appearance correspond to the sweetish taste of this pepper.

I hope you enjoyed our mini-tour of unusual vegetables. Share your impressions and photos!

Skiing was especially popular in the second half of the 20th century. Today, many have forgotten about it, and undeservedly, because walking or skiing is an excellent option for physical activity that allows you to keep yourself in excellent physical shape and improve your health during the snowy season.

From our article you will learn about the benefits of this sport, what effects it has on the human body, as well as the types of skiing and whether it is worth teaching children to ski.

Benefits of skiing

Skiing is one of the most beneficial types of aerobic exercise. They have a wide variety of positive effects on the human body:

1. The simplest effect is a good mood. Ski slopes, as a rule, take place in picturesque places, which means that the athlete has a wonderful opportunity, in addition to the main occupation, to admire the beauty of nature, he gets aesthetic pleasure, which will certainly affect his mood. In the process of driving, the body intensively produces hormones of joy - endorphins. This helps fight depression.
2. Hardening effect. The environmental conditions during a ski trip are constantly changing: snow, wind, frosty air - every skier faces these natural factors. The body learns to respond correctly to weather changes, which means that its resistance to adverse external factors increases.
3. Blood flow and respiration are activated. In the process of skiing, as with any other types of movements, the heart contracts more often, blood circulates faster through the vessels, which expand at the same time. Breathing becomes more frequent and deeper, which means that the blood is better saturated with oxygen and delivers it to all organs and tissues of the body. Signs of oxygen starvation disappear, metabolic processes are accelerated, metabolic products (the so-called slags) are actively excreted from the body.
4. All of the above processes - both environmental conditions, and the activation of blood circulation, respiration, metabolism - certainly have an impact on the immune system, significantly strengthening it. A person involved in skiing is less likely to catch any infections, and if he does get sick, he is not seriously ill, without complications and recovers quickly.
5. The blood supply to the kidneys also improves. They begin to work more intensively, removing excess fluid and toxic metabolic products from the body.
6. In the process of skiing, almost all muscle groups are involved. In this case, the maximum load falls on the muscles of the lower extremities - the thighs and lower legs, the muscles of the press and back, as well as the upper extremities, work a little less actively. Such a load on the muscles leads to an increase in their tone. They take on an attractive shape, become stronger. The endurance of the athlete increases. Please note: different types of skiing affect different muscle groups; if you need to tidy up your hips, use a skate course, and for problematic buttocks, skate in the classic way.
7. For those who want to lose weight, skiing is also a great option. Depending on the pace of the walk and the type of technique, the body burns from 500 to 1200 kilocalories per hour of training. This is even more than when running or swimming.
8. Skis are also useful for the musculoskeletal system, as they allow you to strengthen it. In particular, this applies to the knee joints: while skiing, a person does not make sharp, but soft, smooth movements. This is the best load on the joint - it does not injure it, but on the contrary - it stimulates the production of joint fluid, improves the functioning of the joint as a whole.

Techniques (types) of skiing

First of all, it should be said that, depending on the pace of the walk, walking and skiing are distinguished. The latter, of course, is a load of a higher level, however, it is preferable for beginner skiers who are just learning this sport to start with walking.

It is also important to mention that there are 2 types of skis - cross-country and mountain. Each of them can use different styles of riding.

So, in cross-country skiing, there are 2 skiing techniques - the classic move and the skating move.

The classic move is characterized by riding simultaneously on two skis located in parallel. It can be used both on a special track - a ski track, and outside it - on rough terrain. This style of riding is often quite difficult for a novice athlete, but this is only a matter of experience - as you acquire the appropriate skills, the problem disappears.

Skating on skis is technically similar to that on skates. The athlete leans alternately on one or the other ski, pushing off the snow surface with its inner side. This style of skiing requires a special, well-rolled, fairly wide track, and from the athlete - maximum coordination of movements of the upper and lower extremities. It allows the athlete to gain a higher speed compared to the classic move. This type of move is a rather high load on the rider's body, so it should be used by people who do not suffer from serious diseases of the respiratory and (especially!) cardiovascular systems.

There are more styles in downhill skiing than in cross country skiing:

1. Tourist style. This is a whole complex of classes, foreseen in advance by its organizers. It includes relaxation in a specialized resort and skiing under the guidance of an instructor.
2. Sporty style. Includes easy slalom, giant slalom and downhill. This is a competitive style, the essence of which is to overcome a certain track without technical errors and in the minimum possible time. For him, separate slopes are equipped with flags arranged in a certain order, which the athlete should go around according to a given principle.
3. Freeride. Translated from English, it literally means "free ride". It implies skiing outside specially equipped slopes and tracks. Suitable exclusively for professionals and for lovers of extreme sports.
4. Freestyle. Literally means "free style". It provides not just driving on the track, but riding on hillocks, also in combination with ski jumping. Included in the program of the Winter Olympic Games. Includes disciplines such as:
   • ski acrobatics (athletes during skiing perform very complex acrobatic jumps from a special springboard);
   • mogul (descent along a hilly slope (hillocks - moguls) and ski jumping);
   • ski-cross (passage of a specially prepared ski slope with obstacles - springboards, turns - for speed);
   • halfpipe (downhill skiing, during which the athlete is in a special design - a halfpipe, which looks like half a pipe);
   • slopestyle (from slope - slope and style - style; a series of acrobatic stunts on special devices - pyramids, springboards, railings and others, located one after another along the entire route);
   • new school (a new kind of freestyle using special twintip skis - with curved heels that allow the athlete to land after jumping backwards; the style combines snowboarding and mogul techniques with acrobatic stunts).

Of course, freestyle is an activity exclusively for professional skiers. Beginners should choose a simpler style.

Previously, freestyle also included the so-called ski ballet, the second name of which is figure skiing. Now this style of skating is gradually being forgotten.

Skiing and age

Skiing is useful for children and adults.

Many readers are probably interested in at what age skis can be offered to a child. Experts believe that healthy, normally developing children can start riding as early as 2-2.5 years. Of course, at first, the dosage regimen should be observed - the duration of a ski trip for such kids should not exceed 10-15 minutes, for children 4-5 years old - 20-30 minutes, for preschoolers - 30-40 minutes. As the child masters the skills of riding, as his muscles adapt to the new type of load, the duration of the walk can be gradually increased.

You can attend organized skiing classes (ski section) from 6-7 years old. The maximum age for starting classes is 13-14 years old. Of course, this applies only to those children who want to connect their future with skiing - to become a professional athlete in this area. For those who simply seek to improve their health and develop endurance, there are no age restrictions - if the doctor allows, even people over 80 can go skiing.

Preparing for skiing

If you are new to skiing, it will be more than difficult for you to immediately get on skis and overcome a long distance on them. That is why it is very desirable to increase the level of your physical activity even before the start of the snow season: daily vigorous physical exercises with an emphasis on breathing, running in place and special exercises for skiers. You should also walk more, striving to overcome at least 1 time in 5-7 days in one such walk about 5-7 km. The total duration of both exercises and walks should not be less than 40 minutes.

In addition, it is very important to get the "go-ahead" for skiing from your doctor and research the area where you plan to ski (special attention should be paid to the availability of mobile communications in it, so that in case of any unpleasant situation you can get through to where need and ask for help).

Equipment

First of all, you need to choose the right skis. Yes, yes, there are several types of them - amateur, mountain, walking, universal, professional, and so on. They differ in the material from which they are made, width, length and other parameters. The most important thing is that the skis are in size - not small and not large. Their length is needed so that your outstretched hand reaches the edges of a vertically placed ski with your fingers. The sticks should be just above your armpits. Sticks should be chosen strong, elastic and light. The sliding surface of the skis is flat, smooth, without knots. Fastenings - ideally with a steel bracket - this is reliable. If this is your first time buying skis, it's best to seek professional help.

The clothes and shoes you plan to wear should be suitable for the weather conditions and your resistance to them. If you are planning long walks, take into account possible temperature changes and other changes in the weather and consider these moments in the selection of clothes. Shoes should be waterproof, comfortable, spacious - containing several pairs of warm socks. The ideal boot has a uniform fit, flexible soles and detachable cuffs. After purchase, soak them with drying oil or fish oil (to reduce the risk of getting wet), and also rub with laundry soap. Do this procedure 2-3 times a day for 2 days, and the leather of the boots will become waterproof and elastic.

• Please read the rules of conduct on the ski slopes carefully before starting your lessons.
• Wash your feet thoroughly and apply a layer of petroleum jelly to areas subject to shoe friction, and only then put on socks and ski boots.
• Lubricate skis with a special ointment before use (depending on the air temperature outside).
• Take a thermos of hot tea with you - if you get cold, it will help you warm up faster.
• Prepare a backpack, put in it things that may be useful to you on the road (including a thermos).
• Monitor your condition carefully. If you experience symptoms of hypothermia (feeling cold, tingling of the skin of exposed areas of the body) or overheating (feeling hot, dizzy, and so on), stop and warm up or, on the contrary, take off an extra layer of clothing.
• If you want to keep fit, go skiing for 40-60 minutes once every 3 days, that is, 2-3 times a week. If you need to lose weight, you will have to train more often - preferably every other day.

Cross-country skiing is a great way to develop endurance, improve health and preserve beauty and youth for a long time.

Skiing in the Altai region, and especially in Barnaul, is gaining more and more popularity. Thousands of people go to the Health Track every weekend. Often they make mistakes, due to which skating turns from a recreational walk into a painful process. Boris Glumov, president of the Federation of Ski Racing of the Altai Territory, director of the Champion store, told how to avoid mistakes and get not only benefit, but also pleasure from skiing.

Oleg Bogdanov, site

How to dress?

Walks and ski training are held in the open air on the snow, mainly at sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, to feel comfortable, you need to dress properly. When preparing for a ski trip in the forest, you need to follow a few rules.

1. The suit should not be a ski suit, it is too thick and warm for ski trips. It will immediately be hot and uncomfortable. At the same time, the suit should not be too cold. Need for a ski trip dress for the weather and take into account the speed of your movement: the more intense the load and the higher the speed you choose for yourself, the lighter the clothes should be.

2. For those who are serious about skiing, there are a large number of special suits. Their cost starts from 3 thousand rubles. The most popular of them are from the so-called windstopper fabric, which already contains the necessary three layers. In addition, it is lightweight, durable and warm. Due to this, a person feels quite comfortable.

3. If you do not have a special suit, the main thing when preparing for a ski trip is follow the rules: there must be a windproof fabric on top, inside are pants and a jacket on fleece, under them thermal underwear. If it's cold outside, you can additionally wear a vest. A light windproof jacket on a synthetic winterizer is also suitable.

4. You need to put on your head sports cap. It is more convenient and comfortable than, say, a hat with earflaps. Hats are very light, there are insulated - you need to choose according to the weather.

5. In recent years, ski sports are very popular. bandanas-pipes, which cover the throat, can also protect the face from the wind; in uncomfortable weather, it can be pulled over a hat. They cost from 200 rubles.

6. Mittens or gloves- also an important part of the skier's wardrobe. In sports stores you can buy special ski gloves, but their cost is quite high - it starts from 1 thousand rubles.

7. Modern ski boots are quite warm, they have a special material inside that allows the boots to keep warm, so you do not need to wear two socks. Also no need to wear wool socks. There should be an air layer between the foot and the shoes to keep warm, the shoes should not compress the foot, otherwise the blood circulation will be worse, which means the feet will freeze faster.

Boris Glumov,
President of the Ski Racing Federation of the Altai Territory:

Skiing takes place in the fresh air, which we always miss. When skiing, all muscle groups are involved: legs, arms, the entire upper shoulder girdle. In terms of health, skiing is much more comfortable than many other sports, such as running, where the load on the joints is much higher. Many of those who are not healthy enough to run ski easily. They give a more gentle load on the motor apparatus.

"Classic" or "horse"?

When choosing between classic or skating, there are several features to consider.

According to Boris Glumov, there is no big difference between the "skate" and the "classic". And in that, and in another form there is a reliance on one leg, rolling, work of hands. In Russia, skating is much more popular than the classic one, while in Europe it is the other way around.

Skating appeared only in the 80s. Now its popularity is due to the improved quality of inventory. The “skate” allows you to develop high speeds, but the “classic” is healthier, it is a more natural move, with such skating the body does not turn around its axis.

AT skating apply slip ointment- these are paraffins, powders, powders, emulsions. They are applied to the entire surface of the skis, then the paraffin is carefully removed. (It is not paraffin that helps to roll, but the microlayer that is created between the skis and the snow surface.) In order to do this at home, you need special equipment: a machine tool, an iron, several brushes and a supply of paraffin - all this will cost about 15 thousand rubles. You can process skis both in shops and in special services. This treatment is enough for several walks. It costs about 300 rubles.

At classical course use holding ointment. Such an ointment prevents slipping and prevents the skis from rolling back. To properly smear skis with it, you need to step back 15–30 cm from the toe of the boot and smear the skis to the “heel”. For beginners, there are plastic skis with special notches that prevent rolling back.

How to choose skis?

When choosing skis, you need to focus on your weight and height. The parameters for which skis are suitable are indicated on the label. It is also important what style you ride.

For the classic move

• Skis for the "classics" should be 25-35 cm taller than the skier (pictured). Previously, this value was measured by the arm extended upwards. Now it is believed that skis should be slightly shorter than this indicator. If you take skis shorter, then it will be more convenient to turn, if longer, then they will roll better. But the maximum ski length is 207 cm.
• The ski in the block part has a deflection, which, when repulsed, should straighten out and come into contact with the snow. Therefore, in the "classic" you need to be more subtle in choosing skis.
• Sticks for the classic move should be shoulder-length.

For skating

• Skis for skating should be 15–20 cm taller. The longest skis for skating are 197 cm.
• In the "skate" skis should be a little stiffer.
• Sticks for such skis should be longer - up to the nose.
• Boots for skating are higher than for classic. They must fix the leg during movement.

What to take?

For a long walk, more than 10 km, it is advisable to take with you hot tea with sugar, biscuits. You can put them in a backpack or a special bag that is worn on the belt.

Now marathons are becoming popular. For such long distances, it is recommended to take with you second hat. To raise the tone at a distance, you can dissolve ascorbic acid with glucose, have a bite of salty lard with bread. This will immediately help to improve the condition and add energy.

What weather to ride?

The air temperature is considered comfortable for skiing. up to -20 degrees. Temperatures below this value are no longer so comfortable for walking, besides, skis go worse. Skis glide best in a little frost- from 5 to 12 degrees below zero. Very good glide occurs after a thaw, the skis are carried very quickly, but stability deteriorates. Glide can change with the weather every 15-30 minutes.

The most comfortable time for skiing - Spring. During the thaw, the snow begins to melt first of all in the city. In the forest, it lasts much longer. In Norway, Sweden, Finland, they mostly ride just in such weather.