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Amanda Peet: So in Love

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:17 -0800

Amanda Peet is undoubtedly feeling great. She's starring in the number one film in the country, and in the December issue of Self the actress shares that nothing brings her more joy than hanging at home with her hubby and baby girl. In fact, the actress credits her husband, screenwriter David Benioff, as being her healthiest habit. Oh, true love!

The 37-year-old actress is not without her envies, though - she wants "boobs, a gentle six-pack, and a perky butt." And when it comes down to it, she secretly wishes for a bod like Gisele Bündchen's or Jennifer Aniston's. Outside of a little admiration, especially since Peet strives to live a life full of balance and a lot of laughs.

To hear Peet's take on health, read more.

Amanda is a big fan of moderation:

"To me, staying healthy means doing everything in moderation. Eat a lot of greens, but in moderation. Exercise, but in moderation. Drink wine, but in moderation. Sleep as much as you can. And have people around you who are very funny."

At the end of the day it all comes back to love for Peet, who says that her 2-year-old daughter is the reason why she stays healthy.

"I do feel like it's important for her to have me be as healthy as I can be. So, you know, I don't want her to have horrible eating habits. I don't want her to never exercise. But obviously I'd much rather have her play a sport than have a gym membership before she's 20. I mean there are kids in LA who go to the gym and they have a trainer. I'm like, Play a sport!"

Check out more shots of the hot mama and visit lilsugar to read more about Amanda on mothering. Also, see lots more photos, quotes on Self.com.

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7 Steps to a Healthier Sandwich

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:04 -0800

Whether it's the recession or our increasing need for simplicity, sandwiches are having a moment. They're one of my favorite easy lunches and very healthy if you make them right. But it's important not to get stuck in an unhealthy or unimaginative sandwich rut.

Some healthy-sandwich strategies are obvious: avoid fried foods and super-oily sauces, opt for whole-grain bread instead of sliced white. But that's only the beginning. For my seven tips on making sandwiches that are both delicious and nutritious, read more.

Open it up! An open-faced sandwich made with one slice of wheat bread instead of two can save around 70 calories.
Go green. In place of empty iceberg lettuce, opt for iron-rich greens like spinach or romaine. Try pressing a cup of raw spinach into a hot panini.
Load up on veggies. Sneaking veggies into sandwiches is a great way to get your five a day. Think beyond tomatoes and add everything from roasted beets to cucumbers to carrots.
And don't forget fruit! Similarly, you can increase your fruit intake through your sandwiches. I suggest sliced apples and cheese or figs and nut butter.
Hold the mayo. I'm sure you know this, but here's a reminder: mustard is a much better choice. One ounce of yellow mustard has just 19 calories and one gram of fat, while the same amount of mayo packs 210 calories and 21 grams of fat.
Speaking of mayo, try swapping it out for nonfat yogurt to make a healthier tuna or chicken salad.
Don't say cheese. Rather than eliminating the creamy texture of cheese, replace it with sliced avocado. One ounce has just 45 calories and loads of healthy fat.

Grade Your Hikes

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

I love hiking in the Fall because of the beautiful scenery and perfect weather - the crisp air never leaves me too hot or too cold. On the weekends I often go on all-day or multi-day hikes in Yosemite valley or the Lake Tahoe region. Some of my friends equate hiking with a leisurely stroll through the woods, but anyone who hikes regularly knows this isn't always the case. Whether it's steep, rocky, or exposed terrain, a hiking trail can be quite difficult.

One way I prepare for an all-day hike is by researching the difficulty of the trail I'm walking. I'll use guidebooks and the Internet as resources, as well as the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). The YDS is a three-part classification system that rates the difficulty of walks, hikes, and rock climbs based on categories of terrain, length, and level of danger. Not all routes are graded in each category - generally speaking, rock climbs are the only routes that use all three grading systems of the YDS.

To learn how hikes are classified, read more.

Classifying a route's terrain is what's most applicable to hiking trails, especially longer, more intense hikes such as the John Muir trail or Half Dome hike. Here's a general breakdown of the different terrain class types found in the YDS:

Class 1: Walking on a relatively flat trail with little chance of injury. Many backpackers compare a class 1 route to walking on a sidewalk.
Class 2: A simple trail that might have a slight incline. You may have to use your hands to balance while scrambling up rocks.
Class 3: You'll definitely need to use your hands and feet to find balance along parts of the trail while scrambling up rocks. There may be exposed terrain during the hike, though a fall should not prove fatal.
Class 4: This hike will involve climbing up steep terrain, and even though the route will have some natural protection, a fall could prove fatal.
Class 5+: Reserved for rock and aid climbing. Protection and gear recommended for these climbs as a fall will prove fatal.

Keep in mind that the YDS is a somewhat subjective grading system and there can definitely be some overlap and debate over a class assignment. I continue to use it as a guide because I can search for harder or easier trails depending on my mood that day. I'm also finding that more and more backpackers are using the YDS lingo when describing a trail to one another.

You can also keep a journal with details of your favorite trails and try rating them for yourself. If you do assign a class rating to a trail, the class assignment should reflect the hardest part of the hike. (For example, if you went on a hike that was mainly class 1 but had a few elements of a class 3 route, classify the hike as a class 3 route.)

Tell me, what class of hikes do you usually stick to?

Holiday Healthy Punch: Mulled Wine

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:30:54 -0800

I hosted a jack-o'-lantern carving party at my house this weekend and needed to come up with a nice cocktail for my guests. During the holiday season I love warm and spicy drinks like eggnog and hot buttered rum but they're filled with tons of sugar or fat. A nice alternative is making a big batch of mulled wine. It's served warm and uses all the spices associated with the holidays, but has zero fat and contains the heart healthy benefits of red wine. It's a great cocktail for parties because it's really easy to make ahead of time.

Keep coming back to Fit throughout the holiday season because we'll be giving you all sorts of healthy recipes to enjoy this year.

To check out the recipe, read more.

Mulled Wine
original recipe

To make this recipe you will need an empty tea satchel for the spices. As an alternative, whole spices can be substituted for the ground spices. If using whole spices, tie them together in a cheesecloth or use a stainless steel tea infuser.

Ingredients

1.5 liter bottle of dry red wine
Zest from 1 lemon
Zest from 1 orange
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon cloves
1/2 tablespoon ginger
1/2 tablespoon nutmeg
Honey, agave nectar, or apple juice to taste
Orange slices or cinnamon sticks for garnish

Directions

Pour wine into large saucepan and cook over low heat.
Add lemon and orange zest to the wine.
Place the spices into an empty tea satchel. Put the satchel into the saucepan and brew the mixture for 30 minutes.
Add sweetener of your choice to taste.
Pour the wine through a strainer and serve in heatproof glasses. Garnish each glass with a sliced orange or cinnamon stick.

Serves 10-12.

Print recipe with images | without images

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Please share your trimmed down, revamped, and low cal recipes in the Healthy Recipe group. I am always looking for new eats to try.

Reality Check: Victoria Beckham Now Works Out Daily

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:05:32 -0800

When Victoria Beckham came out as a gym addict earlier this year, people were more than a bit incredulous. Well Posh's fitness routine is once again in the news. It seems she didn't feel her old regimen of running eight miles six times a week was enough to prepare her body for her recent Emporio Armani ads with hubby soccer-stud David, so she implemented daily workouts. The 35-year old said, "I wanted to look at those pictures in 20 years' time and say 'Wow, look - after three kids - I didn't look bad.'" Mrs. Beckham didn't want to rely on retouching either.

One would think posing in gorgeous undergarments would give a gal a boost of confidence, but friends close to the former Spice Girl revealed that their gal pal's "not the most confident of girls." Sources close to Victoria told Us Magazine that she has had three breast surgeries, two enhancements followed by a reduction done earlier this year. Considering her fame and hot hubbie, does her lack of self-confidence surprise you?

Cold Water Works Just as Well

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:47:13 -0700

Germs are everywhere. Swine flu, regular flu, our homes, the gym - there's no escaping the little buggers. One of the best ways to protect yourself is still the easiest: wash those hands! If you're like me, you probably believe that the hotter the water, the better. Not so, says a recent study.

Conducted by scientists with the Joint Bank Group/Fund Health Services Department, the study looked at the bacteria levels of participants after they washed their hands in different water temperatures. The results showed no difference in levels between participants who washed their hands in hot water versus those who washed in cold. The scientists went on to say that tepid water is a better choice for hand washing because it's gentler on the skin and it's better for the environment.

I think it'll take me a little while to adjust to this change - something about washing my hands in hot water just feels safer. When you do wash up, though, make sure you always use soap and lather up for at least 30 seconds.

Is Pickle Juice the New Sport Drink?

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:01 -0700

I feel bad throwing out pickle brine, but I never know what to do with it when I eat the last pickle. My friend saves the juice for her Bloody Mary mix but I'm not a big fan of the brunchy cocktail. But apparently pickle brine has another use - as a sports drink!

You lose electrolytes whenever you have an intense workout or sweat intensely. Even though it sounds weird that pickle juice makes a good electrolyte replacement, it totally makes sense when you consider how much salt is in the juice. Sodium is an essential component in helping the body retain fluids, which is extremely important for long workouts, marathons, or any other endurance activity. Not having enough fluids in your muscles can result in some serious cramping and dehydration.

It's definitely an acquired taste, but if you feel like you want a natural alternative to Gatorade, try adding some pickle juice to water, or make some pickle juice popsicles. I might give it a shot the next time I'm out on a major bike ride or an all-day climb in hot weather.

Source: Flickr User nonelvis

Gear Review: Radiance Jacket by Mountain Hardwear

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:33 -0700

If you are looking forward to Winter but not the cold that accompanies it, Mountain Hardwear has constructed a jacket for you. The Radiance Jacket ($230) is pre-wired for the Ardica Moshi Power System ($145).

When fully charged, the battery powered energy pack will keep you warm for a little over eight and a half hours when set on the low setting and three hours when set for high. The heater fits into an internal pocket in the back of the jacket that sits between your scapula with extra heating coils in the front just above the pockets. Simply pressing the black button on the top of the jacket turns on the heater. The contrast between the lightweight jacket and the stiff battery is quite noticeable though. Known for their lightweight yet warm jackets (I ski in an older version of the company's Flip Jacket), the power system makes the jacket heavy.

I sat in my cold house (why houses in Northern California aren't well insulated is beyond me) and cranked the jacket to the high setting and was quite toasty. I was sweating in minutes. I have no doubt it would keep me warm on the slopes or sitting at a snowy football game, I am not sure I want to pay $375 to stay warm. Think of all the hot chocolate you could buy, even overpriced ski lodge cocoa, with that kind of dough.

If you're an electronics junkie, the jacket will charge them. To learn how read more.

The left pocket of the jacket houses a USB cable, they come with a variety of adapters making it useful for charging your iPhone, iPod, camera, or BlackBerry. The Ardica System takes more than a few hours to fully charge, but it can fully charge your phone multiple times once it's charged.

I think the concept of a warming jacket that helps you stay wired (or at least charged) is cool, but I am not completely sold on the technology. While the jacket is cute and streamlined - it would fit well under a shell to keep for added wind and water protection - but if it is so cold that I need a heater to keep me warm riding up a mountain, I might just opt for a lodge day. What about you? What do you think of the Radiance Jacket?

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Healthy Ways to Liven Up Your Oatmeal

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:19 -0700

Now that cooler temps are moving in, there's nothing like warming yourself up with a bowl of hot oatmeal. Full of whole grain fiber, this breakfast will keep you satisfied all morning. Buying plain oats is healthier than buying packets that are already sweetened, and less expensive too, but that doesn't mean you have to go without flavor.

Add these delicious morsels to your half-cup serving of oatmeal.

One small banana (diced), two tablespoons vanilla yogurt, and one tablespoon walnuts.
Half a diced pear, one tablespoon pumpkin seeds, and one tablespoon of GoLean Crunch cereal or granola.
Half a diced apple, two chopped dates, 10 chopped almonds, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

For other tasty ideas, keep reading

Soap vs. Hand Sanitizer

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:50:13 -0700

It's a germy world out there, and keeping those germs off your hands is considered the best way to fight catching a cold or flu this season. We recently learned that washing your hands with cold water is just as effective as hot. We also know that anti-bacterial soaps are no more effective than regular soaps. But what about hand sanitizers? Here's a quick sketch of how soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizer compare.

Hand washing is recommended by the CDC over hand sanitizer, but if no sink is available hand sanitizer is considered second best. When hand washing, it is recommended that you work the soap into a full lather and wash for 20 seconds, which can seem like an awfully long time to scrub at the sink - many people don't wash for the recommended time. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills most most types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in a few seconds, with the recommended rubbing time being 15 seconds. In terms of time, hand sanitizer kills more bacteria in less time.

To see how soap trumps sanitizer, read more.

But here's the rub (pun intended): although hand sanitizers have been shown to reduce gastrointestinal illnesses when used in households and reduce student absences when used in school, they do not kill norovirus, which can cause acute gastroenteritis, or E. coli. Nor does hand sanitizer remove feces, blood, or dirt. This means old-fashioned hand washing is best in restrooms and kitchens, but after a sneeze, a quick wipe-down with hand sanitizer will work.

Look for hand sanitizer with 60 percent ethanol (aka ethyl alcohol) like Purell or Web MD-recommended EO Lavender Hand Sanitizer. Do you keep hand sanitizer in your purse?