FitSugar

Got Seasonal Allergies? Eat the Local Honey

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 17:15:00 PDT

Honey is all the buzz. Not only does it taste like summer, but it has some amazing qualities that help your body.

It's antimicrobial because of its high sugar content, so it's great for treating cuts and burns to prevent scarring. You can keep a jar in your medicine cabinet for years - it's slightly acidic, so it never goes bad.

I've also heard that honey can be used to treat seasonal allergy symptoms. In order to understand why, you need to know how honey is made.

Honey bees (the female worker bees) travel from flower to flower, drinking nectar, and storing it in sacs in their little bee bodies. Then they buzz back to their hive and use their "honey stomachs" to regurgitate and ingest the nectar a number of times until it is partially digested. They then store the nectar in the honeycombs, fanning it with their wings to evaporate the water, and turning it into the thick sweet honey we know and love.

The reason it may help with seasonal allergies, is because honey contains a bit of pollen from the plants. So if you eat the sweet treat that is made by bees in your area, the honey will often act as an immune booster, reducing your allergy symptoms to the local flowering plants. It's a good idea to take 2-3 spoonfuls each day for several months prior to pollen season.

Fit's Tips: Eating local honey works for some people, and may not for others. It's a folk remedy, with no scientific research to back it up, but if you suffer from seasonal allergies, it's worth a try. If it doesn't help with your sniffles and sneezing, well at least you're getting vitamins B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Honey also contains antioxidants and vitamin C. All that and it tastes good too!

Source

5 Date Ideas to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

Tara Sharp — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:49:01 PST

Christmas will be here before we know it. So it's time to seriously get into the holiday mood! Cooler temps mean more opportunities to cozy up with your honey, be it a new guy, boyfriend, or hubby. To take advantage of the snuggly weather and get prepared for feasts and singing carols, I've come up with five holiday date ideas. Try some of these out for valuable one-on-one time during the holiday season craziness.

Get into the giving mood by volunteering together at a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or other cause you both care about. It's easy to get swept up with vacations and holiday parties as the month progresses, but this way you get a head start remembering what these seasons are really about. And helping others will bring the two of you closer together.
Snuggle up by the fire with a warm beverage and watch some of your favorite holiday movies together. Nothing gets me in the mood for Christmas like Elf.
If you're hosting any holiday dinner parties, start planning your menu with your significant other and do a trial run together. With a warm oven and a glass of wine, the kitchen can be a cozy, romantic place to be for a date night in.
Take a lazy weekend stroll with a cup of cocoa or cider down a local city street and window shop together. Find an area that's dressed up for the holidays and give each other not-so-subtle hints on what's on your wish lists. Maybe end the date ice skating at a downtown rink?
If you're a couple on a budget and still want to make your abode festive for the coming months, turn on some holiday tunes and get to crafting with some DIY decorating projects.

Do you have any more date ideas to add?

How to Have an Old-Fashioned, Fun, and Frugal Christmas

LearnVest — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:15:49 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Ray-Bans aren't the only piece of the past worth revisiting.

There are also old-school photos, discreetly boozy drinks and Judy Garland. Let's go ahead and combine all three: It's Retro Christmas.

This year, we're planning to enjoy what we call "Retro Christmas": A return to holidays past, when the season was about togetherness rather than excess gifts, affection rather than perfection.

Although scaling down our celebrations means spending less money, that's not the point.

We’ve put together our plan for making this year special . . . and focused on elegance, simplicity and genuine holiday spirit. In the end, our goal is to spend time with the people we care about. Of course, while we call this "Retro Christmas," you can adjust most of our tips for whatever winter holidays you celebrate (except maybe for our advice on ornamenting your tree).

Here's to Christmas in sepia!

Gift as a Group

To make gift-giving as meaningful as possible, concentrate on quality rather than quantity. So, instead of buying something just because you need to get a gift, get one that you know will be cherished, even if that means going in with a group of family or friends.

One easy aid is Share a Gift, a website that allows people to make donations toward a communal gift. It uses PayPal and organizes money better than the usual cash collection.

Read on for more tips for a retro Christmas.

Keri Russell Shows Her Growing Baby Bump While on a Cheerios Run!

Allie Merriam — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:27:38 PDT

A pregnant Keri Russell stepped out of her Brooklyn home this morning to pick up Honey Nut Cheerios at a local deli. She's about six months along with her second child with husband Shane Deary, and soon their oldest, River, will become a big brother! The cereal may have been for Keri, her husband, or their son, but she has revealed in the past that her favorite craving lately has been for whoopie pie cookies. Keri's baby bump hasn't slowed her down from enjoying NYC. She and her husband were seen last month showing PDA while watching the US Open in Queens. Keri's also lined up another role, besides mother of two. She will star in Austenland, a film produced by Twilight's Stephenie Meyers about a Jane Austen fan who tries to find the perfect gentleman for herself.

Let's Dish: What Are Your Favorite Panini Fillings?

Susannah Chen — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:55:39 PDT

After getting into a regular routine of packing lunch, it's easy to wind up pressed for fresh and creative sandwich ideas. Kitchen Goddess member Fuzzles writes in:

The really hot UPS drive delivered my spanking-new panini press today! I broke it in for dinner tonight (the press, not the hot UPS guy), filling the sandwich with layers of paper-thin tavern ham slices from the deli, aged white cheddar, and thin slices of local HoneyCrisp apples. Now I'm asking for your favorite fillings for inspiration. Let the panini marathon begin!

It doesn't get much more delicious than cheddar and crispy, tangy apple slices, but if I were to recommend an en fuego panini combination, I'd suggest manchego, quince paste, and jamón serrano for some Spanish flair or, if I were feeling really bling, chunks of lobster, watercress, and fontina cheese. What goes into your favorite panini?

Source: Flickr User stevendepolo

Happy Hour: Midas Touch

Susannah Chen — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:24:59 PDT

The balmier the weekends get, the more I reach for a beer over cocktails or wine. So I've been clearing out the beer aisles at the local Whole Foods, going by no methodology other than what sounds delicious and looks appetizing - and I've yet to encounter a brewski that disappoints.

My latest fixation is Midas Touch, a year-round specialty from craft brewing pioneer Sam Calagione of Dogfish. I was drawn to its unique ingredients - barley, honey, white muscat grapes, and saffron - but also discovered its uniquely storied history.

Dogfish's Midas Touch recipe is based off of chemical analysis of residues found in clay vessels belonging to King Midas and dating back to the eighth century BC. At the time of its release, it was the oldest fermented beverage in the world. If what King Midas was drinking tasted anything like what I've been sipping, then he had it pretty good. The liquid is half aromatic wine, half beer, with a nice honey nose and a lingering finish, thanks to the addition of the floral and fruity muscat grapes. A glass makes me feel like ancient royalty, too. What's your craft beer of the moment?

10 Edible Wedding Favor Ideas

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:10:19 PDT

The days of the useless tchotchke wedding favor are over. Modern brides are opting to give guests something they can enjoy and in many cases, something they can eat! If you've got plenty of time, consider giving a homemade treat. Cookies, truffles, chocolate-covered nuts, and savory crackers are delicious options. However, busy brides can offer an edible gift that's personal, but not homemade. Here are 10 scrumptious ideas.

Honey. A small jar of local artisan honey will last a long time. Guests can use it (and remember your wedding) weeks after the ceremony.
Spice rub. Do you and your husband-to-be love barbecue? Select a favorite spice rub and make your own labels. It's a great favor for Summer weddings because guests can use it immediately.
Pickles. Pickled vegetables, like jalapeños or carrots, are also great options.

Keep reading for the rest of my suggestions!

At Your Next Dinner, Serve This Modern Cheese Platter

Susannah Chen — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:30:00 PDT

Cheese is one of those party-ready pantry items that I always have on hand; nothing's easier (or classier) than putting together a last-minute spread for a dinner party with crackers, nuts, and dried fruit.

I didn't think anything could improve the old standby of the cheese platter, but I was proven wrong when I came across this elegant arrangement of late-Summer figs and cantaloupe, blue cheese slices, and slivered almonds, all drizzled with honey.

Part fruit salad, part cheese course, this dish highlights the best of the season without doing too much with each ingredient. Be sure to source the best items you can; I opted for green Kadota figs, local lavender honey, and a creamy Wisconsin blue. Keep reading for the recipe.

What to Do For Memorial Day If You're . . .

Tara Sharp — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:48:15 PDT

Take a deep breath; what's that smell? Why, it smells like Summer is around the corner! OK, so here in San Francisco it was raining and cold this week, but let's just pretend that we're heading into bikini season. Monday is Memorial Day, after all, and the three-day weekend ushers in the sunny season with BBQs, beach trips, and friend-filled festivities. If you don't have plans yet, here are some ideas for enjoying your day off whether you're single, paired up, or just looking to spend time with your besties.

In a Relationship: Get out of a date night rut this weekend and go on a mini road trip. Memorial Day is about remembering, so take a trip down memory lane, literally. You could go to somewhere that's significant to the two of you, be it a bed and breakfast, a favorite antique shop, or a hole-in-the-wall diner. Even if you just make it a day trip or stay one night somewhere, it's a great way to recharge your batteries.
Single and Looking: Plan a backyard, park, or rooftop BBQ with your friends and have everyone bring an eligible bachelor they aren't interested in to mix and mingle with. The pressure will be off since there's a big group of people and plenty of beer to loosen up the crowd. And since your friends brought fellas they know, there's less chance the guys are crazy stalkers.
Hanging With the Girls: Swap cosmos for beer and miniskirts for caps for a girls' day at the ballpark. Grab your gals and head to a baseball game, hotdogs and garlic fries required. And it's OK if you're not the sportiest group of ladies; it's really about enjoying the outdoors, catching up with friends, and ogling the players. Make a day of it by tailgating before the game, and maybe you'll even meet some cute b-ball fans to meet up with afterward.
Married and Need a Date Night: If you want to take advantage of the weather but still dress up for a special date night, find a restaurant that has an outdoor patio for enjoying the warm evening. Bonus if the eatery has a romantic ambiance complete with candlelit tables and twinkle lights. Even better if it sits alongside a creek or the ocean! Savor a late-night meal and a bottle of wine under the stars on Sunday night, so you can sleep in and relax on Monday with your honey.
Having Out-of-Town Friends Over: If you're anything like me, you keep meaning to do all the tourist-y things your city has to offer but just never make it happen. Having friends visit from out of town is the best motivation for crossing off your tourist to-dos. Research ahead of time some of the best attractions and little-known factoids about your 'hood. Then spend the weekend acting as a tour guide for your buddies while you check out historical monuments, museums, restaurants featured in movies, and other local hot spots.

What are you doing this holiday weekend?

Photo by Flory Photo via Forget Me Knot Weddings

Allergies and Exercise: Prevent, Avoid, and Relieve Those Sniffles

FitSugar — Fri, 20 May 2011 09:06:10 PDT

The chorus of sneezes and sniffles says it loud and clear: allergy season has arrived. But while warmer weather makes us want to lace up our shoes and hightail it outside, if you suffer from seasonal allergies doing so may make you miserable and unable to finish your workout. Here are some tips for preventing, avoiding, or relieving allergies during your exercise routine.

Prevent: Before exercising outdoors, you can do a few things to help make constant sneezy and itchy eyes a distant memory. While allergy medication may be the best option for many, you can also try these easy natural remedies, like changing out of your exercise clothes as soon as you get home or eating a tablespoon of local honey in order to alleviate and prevent allergy symptoms from returning.
Avoid: An indoor workout may be best when pollen levels are highest. Also, finding out what you're exactly allergic to will help you decide when it's OK to go for a run outside, but in general you may want to avoid morning workouts, since pollen levels peak from 5 a.m until around noon.
Relieve: Feeling congested from your seasonal allergies? Break a sweat (inside). Warming up your body, whether through a hot yoga or intense cardio, helps clear out your sinuses and decreases congestion.