FitSugar

The State of Eating Veggies in the US

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:35:55 PDT

When it comes to eating enough veggies and fruits, Americans are failing miserably. The CDC estimates that only 14 percent of adults and fewer than 10 percent of teenagers in the US eat three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit on a daily basis.

And you know, five servings of fruit and veggies is the minimum suggestion. Many health advocates believe we should be eating nine servings of produce daily. The percentages above represent the national average; in some states only nine percent of the adults eat enough produce. The CDC published this first state-by-state report to help us all understand how far off the mark we are when it comes to nutrition.

Here's the CDC list, ranking states from lowest to highest percentage of folks meeting the recommended servings of fruit and veggies.

1. Mississippi: 8.8%

2. Oklahoma and South Carolina: 9.3%

3. Alabama: 9.8%

4. South Dakota: 10.1%

5. West Virginia: 10.3%

Didn't see your state in the bottom five? Then keep on reading.

How Many Servings of Fruits and Veggies Do You Eat Daily?

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:00:00 PDT

On the heels of the good news that cancer deaths are down comes America's grade on health - a C-minus. It may be a passing grade, but just barely.

Although we all know eating well and exercising regularly are key to good health, as a nation we are seriously slacking. One surprising statistic was that smoking rates had barely budged in 18 years. I find this shocking because quitting smoking is the best thing a person can do for their health. Fitness-wise, as a nation we are exercising less and eating worse. Only 26 percent of the participants from the rather large pool used for the poll ate five or more servings of fruit and veggies daily. I found that number rather disheartening.

I am curious about you all and if you are in the minority, part of the 26 percent, who eat an average five servings of fruits and veggies daily.

Source

To Refrigerate or Not: That is The Question

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Maybe you're on a quest to get your five fruits and vegetables in a day, but the darn things go bad before you even get a chance to enjoy them. What gives?

According to VegetarianTimes.com, some fruits emit ethylene, an odorless, colorless gas that speeds ripening and can lead to the premature decay of nearby ethylene-sensitive vegetables. So the first trick to keeping produce fresh is to separate produce that emits ethylene from produce that's sensitive to it and know which to refrigerate and which not to refrigerate.

REFRIGERATE these gas releasers
Apples
Apricots
Cantaloupe
Figs
Honeydew

What shouldn't you refrigerate and what shouldn't be kept in contact with others? Then

DON'T REFRIGERATE these gas releasers
Avocados
Bananas, unripe
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Tomatoes

KEEP THESE AWAY from all gas releasers
Bananas, ripe
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Lettuce and other leafy greens
Parsley
Peas
Peppers
Squash
Sweet potatoes
Watermelon

Source

How Many Times Do You Eat Fruit & Veggies in a Day?

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:45:00 PDT

Recent reports are showing that while most of us know the benefits of eating enough fruits and vegetables in a day, we aren't actually eating them. In fact only 32.6 percent of adults are eating fruit two or more times per day, and only 27.2 percent are eating vegetables three or more times a day. The recommended amount is currently at least five (fruits or veggies, or both) a day.

So I am curious about you guys -- How many times do you eat fruits & veggies in a day?

Men in Black 3: A Return to (Alien Life) Form

Becky Kirsch — Sat, 26 May 2012 10:29:01 PDT

I saw the original Men in Black movie so long ago that my memories of the film might as well have been zapped with a neuralyzer (that's the memory-erasing device the guys use in the movie, for those of you who are also having trouble recalling the original). What I did retain is that the film was funny, fresh, and silly and that it didn't hold up very well for the 2002 sequel. With that in mind, I had low expectations for Men in Black 3, but the newest installment is just as much fun as the original, and it actually benefits from the 15-year time lapse.

The script for the film is one of its biggest assets and truly sets Men in Black 3 apart from its predecessors. The aliens are still alive and ickier than ever now that they're in 3D, but the story is more focused on the friendship between J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) and how it has evolved over the years. We learn early on that K has been keeping a secret from J all these years, and the mystery drives a wedge between the partners. Meanwhile, a treacherous alien named Boris the Animal (played to hilarious perfection by Flight of the Conchords's Jemaine Clement) breaks out of maximum-security prison and goes back in time to get revenge on K, who arrested him back in the '60s. The day that K had Boris locked up is the key to K's secret, so J heads on a mission back in time to save K and learn the truth.

To see why Men in Black 3 is so much fun, just

Will Smith hasn't been in a movie since 2008's Seven Pounds, and I didn't realize I missed him until I found myself giggling all the way through Men in Black 3. His shtick is still the same (he's one-liners still consistent of dialogue like "Where did you come from? Planet damn?"), but you can't help but love Agent J as he bumbles through the '60s, desperately trying to sell his story to people who don't recognize him - or believe him. You can tell that Smith feels completely comfortable in the role, and in the signature suit, which still looks perfect on him, as he hasn't aged a day.

Tommy Lee Jones is ever the reliable curmudgeon, but the film mines extra laughs when J travels to the '60s and meets a much younger version of his partner, played by Josh Brolin. Brolin looks enough like Jones to pass for him, but it's really his studied delivery and mannerisms that sell the performance. We also get some insight into how K has evolved over the years (he's always had a penchant for cowboy music, but he also used to be a bit of a dreamer), giving the film an extra layer to the enjoyable banter between J and K.

I'm not usually one to gush about 3D, but the special effects really come to life in Men in Black 3 in a way they never did in the first two movies. Not only do the aliens look creepier than ever, but the cartoonish feel of the film is taken to the next level with the 3D aspect, especially with the time-travel thrill-ride element. Much like with the 3D movies from my youth, I found myself shrinking in my seat just to avoid being too close to the alien goo, blood, breath, and beyond. Combined with the welcome return of Will Smith, you've got yourself a fun, mindless blockbuster.

Photos courtesy of Sony

Beauty Must-Reads From the BellaSugar Community

Jessica Cruel — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:32:00 PDT

5 things you need to know about SPF - Beauty Starlet
5 gorgeous cheek and lip stains in this year's hottest hue - Blaq Vixen Beauty
Chill out with this DIY cucumber toner - Beautiful Basics
Haute hair accessories for your Memorial Day cookout - At First Blush
View this step-by-step winged eyeliner how-to - Shine, Shimmer, & Sparkle

4 Stylish Outfits to Try Over the Long Memorial Day Weekend!

Allison McNamara — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:11:02 PDT

Memorial Day is coming up this weekend, so that means fun-filled days of sun, barbecuing, and the beach! Accordingly, we've styled up some great outfits to keep you chic all weekend long. For a classic, clean look, try out a crisp LWD, and if you're in the mood to test out Spring's Hawaiian-print trend, then we have the perfect bikini for you. You can also elevate your weekend attire with a maxi dress and structured white blazer. Let us know which Memorial Day outfits you like best! On Allison McNamara: Madewell top.

You're Invited – Announcing Our Wedding Pinterest Contest!

TresSugar — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:50:16 PDT

You can come to TrèsSugar for firsthand planning advice, etiquette tips, gorgeous new wedding trends, and much, much more to make your big day beautiful and authentic. Now it's your turn to inspire us! Build out your "Wedding Day Inspiration" Pinterest board and show us what you envision for your big day, from the decor details to the dress. We will then select our favorite board and give one lucky winner the opportunity to take the romantic getaway she's been dreaming of. You won't need to wait for the honeymoon to have a vacation!

To Enter:
1. Follow TrèsSugar on Pinterest
2. Create a Pinterest Board titled "Wedding Day Inspiration"
3. Build out your board with inspiration pinned from TresSugar.com (minimum 15 pins, please)
4. Hashtag each of your pins with #Treswedding
5. Leave a comment on our contest announcement pin on Pinterest with a link to your "Wedding Day Inspiration" board!

Be sure to enter by June 30. We're excited to see your vision of the big day! Check out the official rules here. And see our featured weddings and ultimate wedding guide for ideas to pin!

If you don't have a Pinterest account yet, get an invitation here.

9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash When Money Is Tight

Wise Bread — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:51:58 PDT

I'm sure everyone can do with a little more cash in their wallets. Here are some great suggestions by Wise Bread for you to make extra money.

Even though I'm self-employed full-time, I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to make more money.

Earlier this year, I wrote a Wise Bread post on websites that can help you earn extra cash. More recently, I came across a blog post on Zaarly titled, "10 Ways to Make Money Without a Job." After reviewing the latter post, I thought it was time to revisit the topic and let you in on a few more ways to get paid.

The ideas that Zaarly presents are perfect for the unemployed or those who just want to pad their pockets a little more. In addition, there are moonlighting jobs that I do that I thought you should know about. Thus, if you're without a steady paycheck or you just want to build up a rainy-day stash, here are some of your options.

1. Offer Experiences to Strangers

I recently learned about a new site called Vayable, which allows people with specialized knowledge and talents, local info, and time on their hands to create experiences that others can purchase. It's basically a touring and activity company without the company. Anyone can join the site and set up an experience. For instance, the Kan Brothers offer motorcycle tours of San Francisco - which include helmet rental, a drink at a local hot spot, and a city map - for two to four people at $75 per person. In New York City, Kim G. is offering a personalized painting lesson for groups of two to six for a flat rate of $300; the experience includes acrylic paints; canvas board and supplies; studio space; wine, cheese, and crackers; and Kim’s undivided attention. Consider this tip if you're interested in joining Vayable: Browse the site to see what other people in your area are offering. By creating a unique experience that no one else has established, you have a better chance of getting booked.

Read on for more.

5 Steps to Your Best Blowout Ever

Allure — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:05:00 PDT

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

It's not every day you get a lesson in blowouts from Alli Webb, founder of the Drybar blowout bars. Rule number one: If you've gotten your blowouts down to 10 minutes, you're doing something wrong. (Sorry!) Webb gave me the rundown on the other most common styling mistakes - and how to get the ultimate results. Get her advice when you read more.