FitSugar

Partner Yoga Pose: Forward Flying

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:00:00 PDT

Soothing partner yoga poses such as Dog Hero, Massage Table, and Double Gate are great for connecting with someone or for a good stretch, but sometimes I'm in the mood for something a little more fun and challenging. You've probably done this flying move with your 2-year-old niece, but it's not just for kids. The reason it's so great when you're older is because the person on the top can utilize the force of gravity to feel deeper stretches, and the person on the bottom experiences an amazing lower-back release from the weight of his or her partner.

To find out how to fly with a partner

Got Two Left Feet? Let Zumba Help You Find the Beat

Self — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:12:19 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

If you're anything like me, Zumba has always held a certain allure, but the very idea of dancing in front of a roomful of people sounds about as appealing as doing my taxes or making a spur-of-the-moment appointment at the DMV. I'm not just painfully shy about busting a move but hopelessly uncoordinated in the booty-shaking department.

So after years of avoiding Zumba for fear of embarrassing myself, I decided it was time to stop being a wallflower and start working up a sweat. "I used to be a very shy person but I have learned that everything in life is about attitude," says Gisella Ferreira, a Zumba instructor at the Brasil Brasil Cultural Center in Los Angeles. "Having a positive attitude makes all the difference, so go with an open mind and let yourself enjoy the party!"

As for doing the actual dance steps, Ferreira is quick to point out that literally anybody can follow along with a little practice. "I see new Zumba students every day that have never danced in their lives and are able to dance through the whole class," she says. "Zumba is a world dance fitness party. It's easy to do, effective, and totally exhilarating." If that's not enough motivation, Ferreira says Zumba burns between 500 and 800 calories per class and targets "glutes, thighs, calves, abdominals, core, pectorals, biceps, and triceps."

Ready to get this party started? Add this five-move sequence to your regular workout routine four days a week and, before you know it, you'll be dancing in the streets. Read on for the workout.

Flying With a Cold? Survival Tips While in the Air

Heather Dale — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:59:20 PST

I started the New Year with a cold that has knocked me right off my feet. I was fine staying home for the midnight countdown, but what I'm not looking forward to is having to board a plane with this bad bug - traveling when you're sick is the worst! If you need to fly and are suffering from a cold, here are some survival tips to help alleviate the annoying symptoms associated with being sick.

Sore throat: Before you get to the airport, gargle with warm salt water using 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Once you get to the airport, sip on hot tea or warm water sweetened with honey, which can help soothe an irritated throat. While on the plane, drink plenty of liquids and come prepared with hard candies or throat lozenges, which can be very soothing since they increase saliva production and help keep the throat moist.

Keep reading for more tips.

Geoffrey Zakarian on Winning The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs

Susannah Chen — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:50:31 PST

Those of you who've tuned into the Food Network at all in recent days might have heard that the last season of The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs has just wrapped, and a new champion has emerged victorious out of the star-studded (and highly competitive) lineup.

That would be Geoffrey Zakarian, guest judge of Food Network's Chopped and chef and owner of The National and The Lambs Club in New York City and Tudor House in Miami.

I had a chance to catch up with the chef over the phone, where he revealed his thoughts on why he won, how he hopes to set himself apart from the others on Iron Chef America, and what he always makes for the holidays.

YumSugar: You had a very serious expression on your face when the final outcome was revealed. What was your first thought when they announced you as the winner?
Geoffrey Zakarian: Well, they actually didn't call my name, which was sort of confusing, because whenever anyone got kicked off, they would actually say, "You will not be the next Iron Chef." But I was stunned, shocked, and relieved; there was a real sense of accomplishment.

Zakarian on his toughest Next Iron Chef moments, and his upcoming Kitchen Stadium challenges, after the jump.

Diane Kruger Turns Heads in Her Bright Pink Pants

Allie Merriam — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:05:11 PST

Diane Kruger went bold in pink pants Saturday for a visit to the Gelson's supermarket in Hollywood. She paired the bright piece with a simple button-down, looking chic while browsing for coffee and snacks. Diane's hanging out in LA with boyfriend Joshua Jackson, who recently got an early Christmas present in the form of a new role - Joshua will star in the thriller Inescapable opposite Marisa Tomei. Diane, meanwhile, has two releases to look forward to in 2012. Her French-language movie Farewell, My Queen will hit theaters along with the comedy Fly Me to the Moon. Diane and Joshua took a break from the filmmaking for their annual Thanksgiving vacation. Diane Kruger wore a bikini last month while down in Cabo with her boyfriend.

How the American Airlines Bankruptcy Will Affect You

Emily Co — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:56:27 PST

There's always a feeling of confusion when a major retailer goes bust, but what we really want to know is what it means for us and how we'll be affected. American Airlines announced it was filing for bankruptcy this morning, which leaves loyal customers wondering what's going to happen to their miles and if it's going to be harder to book a flight with them. Here's a quick roundup of burning questions you might have:

Will American Airlines go out of business and stop flying?

When a company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it doesn't mean it's going to close shop and disappear. It just means the airline gets time off from creditors to do some financial reorganization. Chapter 7 bankruptcy, on the other hand, would mean that business would close. American Airlines has not filed for that, and there seems to be no plans to do so. Airlines such as Delta, Continental, and United have all filed for bankruptcy and are now stronger for it after taking the time needed during the bankruptcy period to put their books in order.

Can I still use my miles?

Yes, the airline says that the frequent flier program will not be affected, and you'll be able to redeem and use your miles. In the past, airlines that have gone bust, such as Pan Am and Eastern, transferred miles to the airlines that purchased some of their assets.

What's going to happen to my flight?

You don't have to worry about the tickets you currently hold, according to Rick Seaney, the CEO of FareCompare, a company that helps customers find air travel deals online. “Tickets won’t be an issue because of the kind of bankruptcy they’re filing,” Rick tells Time. The airline has also said it will continue to honor tickets and reservations.

Read on to learn how you should manage your miles.

Rachel Zoe Spends Quality Time With Skyler as She Waits For Breaking Dawn's Big Release

Lauren Turner — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:41:10 PST

Rachel Zoe and her 8-month-old son Skyler took a stylish stroll around Beverly Hills yesterday. Rachel wore her signature wide leg pants while baby Skyler rocked a printed hat and miniature driving moccasins. It was Skyler's latest fashionable outing following a busy weekend. He was one of many celebrity children to attend Nicole Richie's Winter Wonderland event on Saturday after also being treated to lunch at Le Pain Quotidien with parents Rachel and Rodger Berman Friday.

Rachel took a break from Skyler to talk about her other love, Twilight, recently. She passed our How Well Do You Know Twilight quiz with flying colors and also admitted to almost naming her son Cullen, after the vampire family in the series. Rachel shared that she'll probably be watching Breaking Dawn Part 1 in the theaters and that she's looking forward to seeing the birthing scene on the big screen. She doesn't have to wait much longer since the movie comes out tomorrow, and the whole cast was in LA Monday for the Breaking Dawn Part 1 premiere in LA.

DIY: Cloth Napkins With a Binding Edge

Elka Karl — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 08:00:48 PDT

Feeling crafty this weekend? Interested in adding some DIY elegance to your Thanksgiving table? Then you're in luck! I wanted to share this napkin tutorial I created a few years ago. These napkins are pretty easy to sew, even for beginner seamstresses. Impress your guests this holiday season with handmade napkins.
Over the weekend, I made a slightly more complicated version of our DIY napkins, riffing on a pattern I adapted from The Purl Bee. My sewing style is a little more fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants when it comes to more straight-forward sewing projects. For instance, I didn't pin anything on the project. While this is fine if you're used to working with fabric, I would recommend pinning for this project if you're not comfortable with more "free form" sewing. This is definitely a pretty project though, and one that will get lots of oohs and ahs at your next dinner party. These directions make 12 napkins.

Keep reading for the DIY directions and a photo tutorial for this cloth napkin DIY.

Trend of the Times: Paying to Get Your Dream Job

Emily Co — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:54:22 PDT

Most people would do whatever it takes to snag the ultimate dream job, but usually a line is drawn when money comes into the equation. Job hunting can cost a pretty penny - some examples include spending a few hundred flying across the country for an interview, or even investing $3,000 in an online campaign like David Epstein did in order to catch the attention of his dream company, Google.

I started thinking about how much people would really pay for their dream job when I read about money expert Ramit Sethi's new one-on-one dream job elite program. It sounds great to have a notable industry expert as your personal career coach, but when I read more details about the premium program, I was surprised about the $12,000 price tag. Now, I have no doubt that people are going to pay the price to have Ramit as their personal coach, but it surely will be too pricey for others. But of course, the drawbacks of all these investments include not getting the job you want despite all the money you put forward.

Paying money to get your dream job is not for everyone, and you should only do it if you meet these three factors:

You are willing to take the risk. If you're entrepreneurial at heart, you know that good things often come with a lot of risk. As long as you can separate your emotions from the potential of a failed investment, paying to get a job might be for you. The issue with those averse to risk is that sometimes failures might bring them down to the point where it affects their productivity.
You are not drowning in debt. Of course, you need to make sure your finances are in order before you have the liberty of paying for your dream job. If you have a healthy amount of savings and are free of debt obligations, you're in a better position to pay for your future job.
You are stuck in a rut. There are plenty of free ways to go about getting your dream job such as stepping up on networking, fixing up your LinkedIn, and freelancing or volunteering. You can always have your friends stand in as career coaches. Many people love dishing out career advice and hooking up their friends, so it never hurts to ask. If you have exhausted all options, you can start thinking about whether you should consider paying for a job.

Still, if there's a will, there's a way. Something tells me that if you're creative and network-savvy enough, you'll be able to score that dream job without paying for it.

Your Feather Hair Extensions Are Making Fly Fishermen Sad

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:47:21 PDT

When a huge new trend like feather hair extensions arrives, few people stop to consider where those feathers are actually coming from. Turns out, our trendy hair accessories are leaving the nation's fly fishermen without the fly ties they need. I spoke with Keith Westra of Leland Flyfishing Outfitters to get the scoop. See what I found out about the toll fashion is taking on trouts' least favorite pastime when you read more.