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Rosemary Pear Sparkler

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:30:06 -0800

Choosing champagne or sparkling wine to celebrate the holiday season is a nice low-calorie alternative to spirits or beer, but when I'm craving a cocktail, a plain glass of Prosecco doesn't always do the trick.

If you're looking for a nice cocktail to enjoy this holiday season, try my refreshing rosemary pear sparkler. It makes a great aperitif, and the flavors of pear and rosemary really tie together the feelings of Fall.

Check out the recipe when you read more.

Rosemary Pear Sparkler
original recipe

Depending on how many servings you need, make as little or as much of the rosemary-pear mixture as you like. Just keep the ratio of water, pear juice, and agave nectar consistent. The mixture also tastes great in soda water or lemonade.

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup agave nectar
1 cup pear juice
1 bunch fresh rosemary
2 pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
Prosecco

Directions

Stir together water, agave nectar, four rosemary sprigs, and pear juice in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and let stand for 30 minutes or until liquid has a distinct rosemary flavor.
Strain rosemary from liquid.
Pour liquid into a jar with pears and store in refrigerator overnight (and up to a week).
Add one and a half tablespoons of the rosemary-pear mixture to a champagne glass and top off with chilled Prosecco.
Garnish each glass with a pear slice from the mixture and a sprig of fresh rosemary.

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Guess the Calories: Summertime Happy Hour Drinks

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:00:29 -0700

If cocktails, beer, and wine have become a regular part of your Summer routine, take this quiz to brush up on your knowledge of their calorie counts. While some drinks are refreshing, they also may contain more calories than you imagined. You might just be surprised.

Question 1 of 4

Which cocktail contains over 200 calories per serving?

Vitamin Water Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:00:00 -0700

While on the road, you may hit up a convenience store and find yourself staring at the rows and rows of Vitamin Water. Although they may contain more calories and sugar than regular water, they also contain vitamins and minerals. So check out this breakdown to see what each flavor offers your body.

The numbers are based on one 8-ounce serving. Keep in mind that there are 2.5 servings per 20-ounce container.

Drink	Calories	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)	Vitamins and Minerals
Power-C: Dragonfruit	50	13	13	Vitamin B3 20%, Vitamin B5 20%, Vitamin B6 20%, Vitamin B12 20%, Vitamin C 100%, Chromium 10%, Zinc 10%, Taurine 16 mg
Defense: Raspberry Apple	50	13	13	Vitamin C 60%, Vitamin B3 10%, Vitamin B6 10%, Vitamin B12 10%, Vitamin B5 10%, Zinc 10%

There are tons more flavors so read more.

Drink	Calories	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)	Vitamins and Minerals
Focus: Kiwi Strawberry	40	9	8	Vitamin A 25%, Vitamin B3 25%, Vitamin B5 25%, Vitamin B6 25%, Vitamin B12 25%, Vitamin C 100%, Vitamin E 25%, Ginkgo biloba 10 mg, Gotu kola 10 mg, Siberian ginseng 10 mg
Balance: Cran Grapefruit	50	13	12	Vitamin A 10%, Vitamin B3 10%, Vitamin B5 10%, Vitamin B6 10%, Vitamin B12 10%, Vitamin C 40%, Vitamin E 10%, Selenium 2%, Calcium less than 2%, Zinc 10%
Endurance: Peach Mango	50	13	13	Vitamin A 10%, Vitamin B3 10%, Vitamin B5 10%, Vitamin B6 10%, Vitamin B12 10%, Vitamin C 60%, Vitamin E 10%, Astragalus 10 mg, Siberian ginseng 10 mg
Essential: Orange Orange	50	9	13	Vitamin A 50%, Vitamin B3 25%, Vitamin B5 25%, Vitamin B6 25%, Vitamin B12 25%, Vitamin C 25%, Vitamin E 25%, Calcium 2%, Iron 5%, Potassium 5%, Selenium 5%, Zinc 25%
Energy: Tropical Citrus	50	13	13	Vitamin B3 20%, Vitamin B5 20%, Vitamin B6 20%, Vitamin B12 20%, Vitamin C 40%, Guarana 10 mg, Natural Caffeine 20 mg
Rescue: Green Tea	40	9	8	Vitamin B3 25%, Vitamin B5 25%, Vitamin B6 25%, Vitamin B12 25%, Vitamin C 100%, Rosemary 8 mg, Chamomile 8 mg, Hibiscus 8 mg, Lavender 8 mg, Rose hips 8 mg
Multi-V: Lemonade	50	13	13	Vitamin A 25%, Vitamin C 100%, Vitamin E 25%, Vitamin B3 25%, Vitamin B6 25%, Vitamin B12 25%, Vitamin B5 25%, Calcium 10%, Folic Acid 25%, Magnesium 10%, Zinc 25%.
Formula 50: Grape	50	13	13	Vitamin C: 20%, Vitamin E: 20%, Vitamin B3 20%, Vitamin B6 20%, Folic acid 20%, Vitamin B12 20%, Vitamin B5 20%
Revive: Fruit Punch	50	13	13	Vitamin B3 20%, Vitamin B5 20%, Vitamin B6 20%, Vitamin B12 20%, Vitamin C 40%, Potassium: 140 mg
XXX: Acai Blueberry Pomegranate	50	13	13	Vitamin C: 100%, Vitamin B3: 10%, Vitamin B6: 10% ,Vitamin B12: 10%, Vitamin B5: 10%
Charge: Lemon Lime	50	13	13	Vitamin C: 40%, Vitamin B3: 20%, Vitamin B6: 20%, Vitamin B12: 20%, Vitamin B5: 20%, Potassium: 60 mg
Vital-T: Lemon Tea	50	13	13	Vitamin C: 60%, Vitamin E: 20%, Vitamin B3: 10%, Vitamin B6: 10% ,Vitamin B12: 10%, Vitamin B5: 10%

Summer Beverage Breakdown: Alcoholic Edition

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:00:16 -0700

When it's sunny and warm and you're craving a crisp, cold beverage, sometimes an iced coffee or fresh-squeezed tangerine juice just doesn't satisfy your thirst. Sometimes, you're in the mood for something with a little kick.

To see a breakdown of your favorite Summer alcoholic beverages keep reading

Summer Beverage Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Summer heat just screams fruity and cold beverages. Not only do they help you stay hydrated and cool, but with all the seasonal fruits being harvested, it's a great way to drink in the taste of Summer. Whether you prefer iced tea or fresh squeezed tangerine juice, if you're curious to know how some popular Summer beverages stack up nutritionally, then read more.

Drink	Calories	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)	Protein (g)
8 oz. iced coffee with cream and sugar	61	10	10.1	8.6	.5
8 oz. iced coffee with skim milk and sugar	41	13	10.7	9.6	1
8 oz. sweetened iced tea	71	5	18	18	0
8 oz. unsweetened iced tea	0	0	0	0	0
8 oz. lemonade	120	15	30	28	0
8 oz. limeade	120	15	31	28	0
8 oz. tangerine juice	98	2	23	22.5	1.1
8 oz. orange juice	107	2	24.7	20	1.7
8 oz. apple juice	110	10	27	27	0
8 oz. grapefruit juice	90	5	20	16	2
8 oz. cranberry juice (sweetened)	130	35	33	33	0
8 oz. white grape juice	160	20	39	37	0

Getty

Warm Up With This Hot-Beverage Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0800

I was so surprised to hear about the East Coast getting so much snow in March, so I thought some of you might need a little warming up with a steamy cup of something delicious. Check out the nutritional breakdown for some favorites hot drinks when you read more.

Drink	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Carbs(g)	Sugar (g)	Protein (g)
8 oz. hot chocolate, no whipped cream	130	1.3	25	20.5	8
6 oz. Swiss Miss hot chocolate, with marshmallows, 2% milk	210	6	33	28	7
6 oz. Swiss Miss hot chocolate, with marshmallows, water	120	2	23	19	1
8 oz. hot chocolate, with whipped cream	183	6.1	26.4	21.3	8.1
8.1 oz. hot apple cider	120	0	29	26	0
8.1 oz. peppermint tea	0	0	0	0	0
8 oz. coffee with cream and sugar	97	4.9	12.2	9.7	.8
8 oz. coffee with skim milk	20	0	3.2	.8	1.6
8.1 oz. chai tea latte	104	0	22.4	21.2	3.6
8 oz. hot chocolate with 1 oz. Peppermint Schnapps, no whipped cream	213	1.3	32.4	27.8	8
8 oz. hot toddy	152	0	6.3	6.3	0
8 oz. hot mulled mine	208	0	9	5.5	0

Source

Which Beverage Contains More Calories?

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:30:00 -0800

Watching your caloric intake is a great way to lose weight, but we often forget - or don't realize - just how many calories are packed into the beverages we drink. Let's test your liquid calorie smarts with this quiz.

Question 1 of 5

Which caffeinated beverage contains more calories?

Which Would You Choose: Beverage Edition

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

You can keep yourself hydrated with just about any liquid, but I find I drink plain old water more than any other beverage. It may be a zero calorie drink, but it doesn't really offer much nutritionally or taste wise either. That's why including other beverages in your diet is a good idea; they provide vitamins, calcium, antioxidants, and something we all feel we sometimes need - caffeine. To see how some common drinks compare nutritionally, take this quiz.

Source

Take the quiz

What's Your Advice For Kicking the Soda Habit?

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I recently got a question from one reader that I thought you guys would have some great suggestions for. Here's her question:

"My doc told me I have to cut calories out of my diet to lose weight. He said the best way would be to stop drinking soda, but I love soda. I have at least three cans a day. Has anyone had to kick the habit? What are some soda alternatives you turned to?"
-Soda Sarah

I just went cold turkey when I stopped drinking soda (yes, I used to drink my fair share), so that's always an option, but I know it's easier said than done. What low-calorie, healthy drinks do you guys drink in place of soda? Help a fellow user out and share your advice below.

Source

Dunkin' Donuts Cold Beverage Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700

So you stopped off at Dunkin' Donuts for a coffee, but it's so hot out that you're in the mood for something cooler. Check out the chart below to see how their cold specialty drinks compare. You may be surprised at how many calories, sodium, and sugar they contain.

Drink	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Cholesterol (g)	Sodium (mg)	Sugar (g)	Protein (g)
16 oz. Iced Coffee with cream and sugar	120	6	20	75	12	2
16 oz. Iced Coffee with skim milk and sugar	70	0	0	75	12	2
16 oz. Berry Berry Iced Coffee	120	6	20	75	12	2
16 oz. Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee	160	5	20	95	22	3
16 oz. Turbo Ice	120	7	20	25	13	1
16 oz. Vanilla Iced Latte Lite	80	0	0	110	0	7
16 oz. Tropicana Orange Coolatta	370	0	0	50	87	1
16 oz. Strawberry Fruit Coolatta	290	0	0	30	65	0

To see the rest read more

Drink	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Cholesterol (g)	Sodium (mg)	Sugar (g)	Protein (g)
16 oz. Lemonade Coolatta	240	0	0	35	56	0
16 oz. Vanilla Bean Coolatta	500	17	0	95	82	1
16 oz. Cherry Lime SoBe Coolatta	250	0	0	65	60	0
16 oz. Coffee Coolatta with 2% milk	190	2	10	80	40	4
16 oz. Coffee Coolatta with cream	350	22	75	65	35	3
16 oz. Coffee Coolatta with 3.5% milk	210	4	15	80	40	4
16 oz. Coffee Coolatta with skim milk	170	0	0	80	40	4
16 oz. Iced Latte with sugar	170	7	25	110	21	6
16 oz. Iced Caramel Swirl Latte	240	7	25	150	36	8
16 oz. Iced Mocha Swirl Latte	240	8	25	125	36	7
16 oz. Caramel Creme Iced Latte	260	9	20	125	40	8
16 oz. Mocha Almond Iced Latte	290	10	20	115	45	8
16 oz. Strawberry Banana Smoothie	350	2	10	125	66	7
24 oz. Strawberry Banana Smoothie	550	4	10	180	103	10