It's a brand new year and many of us have set brand new resolutions. Getting out and exercising more could be at the top of many people's list for 2007. While New Years gym-goers are sure to renew those ancient memberships, others may set their sights on taking regular jogs around their neighborhood or park. But the weather is still cold so running outside is something that requires a certain degree of safety.

A humorous take on runner's safety in the cold is best exemplified by Doctor Melvin Hershkowitz. In a funny third-person tone, he wrote an autobiographical account of how taking a jog in freezing temperatures rendered the man's genital glans "frigid, red, and anesthetic to light touch." Don't worry, he recovered.

But the moral of the story stands: boxers won't protect you all by themselves. Another concern the author tackles is frozen lungs. Interestingly enough, this is nothing more than a common myth as many doctors assure the only way this symptom can occur is if the runner is dead. Although the cold, dry atmosphere can induce "runner's asthma," our bodies are well-adapted and warm the air going into the lungs. So is running in the cold dangerous? Only if you don't bundle up properly (or don breezy underwear).

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Starting today, Whole Foods is selling wind. Yes, much like common phone cards and gifts cards, wind power is now available hanging next to the gum and candy bars in convenient $5 and $15 "Wind Power Cards." Whole Foods is one of the first to sell wind power credits in this way and are timing this effort with their big news of going 100% wind powered.

So how do these "Wind Power Cards" work? Unfortunately, most people don't have the option to power their homes with renewable sources like wind. But you can still offset the electricity you need to use everyday -- basically your purchase of wind power credits promises that a wind farm will replace equivalent energy on the national power grid in your name. There are also resources online, available when you activate your card, where you can learn more about renewable energy and access other neat features.

It sounds like a great way to support renewable energy and reduce the need for traditional power, but unfortunately it won't yet help cut down your personal electric bill.

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