FitSugar

Pom Poms for Pomegranates

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:45:00 -0700

I will wholeheartedly become a cheerleader when it comes to pomegranates. Not only does this fruit make a great decorative centerpiece on your table, it is full of tasty little seeds that can add a little zing to many dishes. Although the flavor is considered tart, the pomegranate crosses the line of savory and sweet. Nutritionally speaking, the beautiful garnet colored juicy seeds inside are high in antioxidants that not only protect your blood lipids from the nasty act oxidation; they also help prevent plaque build up on arteries. Pomegranates are also a great source of potassium.

I feel the most timely pomegranate fact is they are in season now. The seeds make a great addition to any fall salad and are tasty scattered over roasted squash. The juice of the fruit makes a fine addition to any cocktail too. Just beware the beautiful juice can stain, not only your hands but your clothes too.

Confused about how to reach those powerful little seeds? Don't worry because my gal Yum can teach you. Just read How to Seed a Pomegranate.

Do you like pomegranates? Tell me your favorite way to eat them in the comment section below.

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Which Drink Has the Fewer Calories?

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 14:00:00 -0800

Between 1 bottle of Sam Adams Winter Ale or 1 Pomegranate Martini, which do you think has the least calories?

The Skinny On: Pomegranate

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:15:00 -0800

Pomegranates are making their way into everything. Pomegranate Martinis to Pomegranate infused Ahi-Tuna. Wondering why?

Well, pomegranate is so good for you and here's why. One pomegranate delivers 40% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement and they are also very rich in antioxidants. Furthermore pomegranates have been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure and aid in the prevention of prostate cancer and osteoarthritis.

You can get pomegranate in many forms like juices, extracts, pills and more. I drink it in a juice form but there are two things to watch out for. First of all it is pretty expensive for a juice but you can shop around and get less expensive brands (even though POM is wonderful); You'll just want to try it before committing to a whole gallon. The other thing is that Pomegranate juice can be pretty potent (and sugary). To counteract this, I typically add 75% water to 25% juice.

Fit's Tip: Some pomegranate extracts are described as 'punicosides', which means "stuff from pomegranates", and it is just a new term invented by a clever marketing team that understands how popular pomegranate is. Instead, look for extracts with 'punicalagins', which are far more reputable antioxidants.

FITSUGAR SNEAK PEEK: Relax Already!

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:57:21 -0800

Hey gang - Get excited because FitSugar is coming soon! See below for a sneak peek:

Jessica Biel spends a lot of time walking her dogs. Maybe she is doing it to relieve some of the stresses of being named Sexiest Woman Alive.

Here are some tips for simple ways to lower your stress to a level that you (and everyone else around you) can handle:

Take Fido for a nice long walk. Your adorable four-legged companion is desperate to spend time with you so go outside to make both of you happier. Besides, Fido makes you smile, that is why you got a dog in the first place, right?
Antioxidants, antioxidants, antioxidants! A big ‘ole glass of pomegranate juice or green tea is not only delicious and de-stressing, but it also detoxifies. What’s better than that?
Get off your butt! Kinetics generate positive energy. If you’re feeling stressed, hop on the treadmill and tune your iPod to motivating music…try Led Zeppelin’s Ramble On to keep you rambling on.
Write in a journal. Get your thoughts out in a personal way. Sometimes it just helps to have your thoughts, worries and stresses out there. Don’t forget to include all your fabulous happenings too!
A quick and easy de-stressor that everyone should have on hand is Bach Rescue Remedy. A few quick drops of this gentle flower essence under the tongue or in a small glass of water will bring anyone’s stress level down. You can use it on your dog, your children, your husband… the options are endless. A bonus is that it’s small enough that I always carry a bottle in my purse.

Want to have Jessica Biel's body but don't know how to get it? Need to learn how to de-stress the healthy way? Itching to discuss whether eating organic is worth it or totally over-hyped? Read about all of this and more on our next site, FitSugar!

FitSugar is coming soon. Sign up to recieve an email notification as soon as we launch!

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Food Review: Luna Berry Pomegranate Cookie

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0700

There are times, mostly in the afternoon, when I just need a cookie. Although I am craving a sweet treat, I often need my 3 p.m. snack to do more than satisfy my taste buds; I either need something to help me make it through until dinner or to fuel an after-office workout. I just tried a Berry Pomegranate Luna Cookie ($1.29) by Lunabar to see if it was up to doing double duty. The chewy cookie contains 9 grams of whole grains - not bad for a cookie. As you can tell from the photo, the cookie is fairly small and easily divided in half, making it easy to eat half prior to working out and the leftover half after.

To see what I thought of the taste and texture, read more.

I liked this cookie, and after eating half before a swim, I shared the second half with my girls and they gave it a thumb's up too. It is not too sweet, and the berry flavor is just strong enough. The chewy consistency works with bits of oats providing texture. The half cookie I ate before working out helped me power through; I feel the second half would quell the post-workout hungries that often arise while making dinner after a session in the pool.

Here are the ingredients and nutritional details.

Serving Size	One cookie (40 g)
Calories	140
Total Fat	2.5 g
Saturated Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	100 mg
Carbs	27 g
Fiber	4 g
Sugar	11 g
Protein	3 g

Ingredients: Organic Rolled Oats, Organic Oat Flour, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Dried Blueberries (Organic Blueberries, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice Syrup, Organic Sunflower Oil), Organic Fig Paste, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice Syrup, Organic Pomegranate Juice Concentrate, Organic Flaxseed Meal, Organic Icing (Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Rice Extract, Organic Vanilla Extract), Organic Goji Berries, Organic Oat Fiber, Organic Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavors, Baking Soda, Citric Acid, Sea Salt.

Luna has fortified its cookies with extra vitamins. One cookie provides 25 percent the recommended daily intake (RDI) of calcium and 50 percent of folate, the B vitamin that helps protect against birth defects. You can find the Luna cookies at Whole Foods and other health food stores. Has anyone tried the other two flavors, Peanut Butter Chocolate and Chocolate Mint? I'm interested to hear how they taste.

Learn to Love: Persimmons

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:01 -0800

Now that berry season is long gone, I'm expanding my breakfast fruit horizons. Celebrate the cold weather with pomegranate seeds in your oatmeal, or slice pears or persimmons and serve them with nut butter on toast or whole-grain waffles.

You probably know how to pick and slice a pear, but persimmons have a steeper learning curve. They're worth learning to love, so read more.

Persimmons come in two varieties: hachiya, which are orange-red and shaped like acorns, and fuyu, which sort of look like yellow-orange tomatoes. The hachiyas are bitter and astringent when they're not ripe, but when ripened, they have a soft, jelly-like texture. Fuyu persimmons are a bit firmer like a pear when ripe and can be sliced up like apples.

This fruit is an excellent source of antioxidants and chock-full of vitamins. One persimmon packs 55 percent of your daily allowance of Vitamin A and 21 percent of your recommended Vitamin C, plus six grams of fiber. In addition to having persimmon for breakfast or a snack, you can slice them up and serve them in a pretty Fall salad.

Have you tried persimmons? Tell me how you like to eat them in the comments.

Stretch Island: The Original Fruit Leather

FitSugar — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Stretch Island Fruit Company are the makers of FruitaBü, but they also make non-organic fruit leathers that come in 12 delicious (and some very unique) flavors. Each fruit leather counts as 1/2 a serving of fruit but without all the juicy mess.

Autumn Apple, Bountiful Blackberry, Abundant Apricot, Mango Sunrise - are just a few of their delicious flavors. They just came out with 3 new ones that are so juicy and delicious. Want to know what they are? Then read more

Strawberry Pomegranate Sunshine, Pineapple Coconut Paradise (this one is my fave!), and Country Cranberry Raspberry - these are so rich with sweet fruity goodness. For me, they're even sweet enough to be considered dessert!

Plus you can feel good that they're made with mostly fruit (98%). Check out the nutritional info below:

Serving Size	1 piece
Calories	45
Total Fat	0g
Saturated Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	0mg
Potassium	20mg
Carbs	11g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	10g
Protein	0g

Look for them at your local health food store, or possibly some hip grocery stores as well. Or you can buy them online at StretchIslandFruit.com for $11.50 for a box of 30.

Fit's Healthy Valentine's Dinner: Arugula-Pomegranate Salad

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0800

A Sugar user recently asked for menu ideas for a romantic, yet healthy Valentine's dinner. A couple of days ago, I shared my recipe for the main dish, but for me dinner is not complete unless there is a salad to accompany the main course. After reading that arugula is considered a savory aphrodisiac, I knew I would make a salad featuring this dark and pungent green.

Also known as rocket, which might be why it is considered a food to get you in the mood, arugula is high in folate, a nutrient important for expectant mothers. I added pomegranate for a little color as well as antioxidants and fiber - a half a pomegranate offers about five grams of fiber. Top it all with a little goat cheese and some bosc pear and your have a lovely and romantic salad, plus you are well on your way to eating your five servings of daily fruits and veggies. To see my salad recipe, dressing and all, just read more.

Arugula-Pomegranate Salad
FitSugar's Kitchen

Ingredients

Salad:
3 large handfuls of arugula (or three cups)
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1 Bosc pear, cored and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons soft goat cheese

Dressing:
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh squeezed orange juice
2 teaspoons olive oil
A splash or two of low sodium soy sauce
Squirt of agave nectar
3 shakes of Tabasco
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Place vinegar and orange juice in a small bowl. Add olive oil, agave nectar, soy sauce, and Tabasco. Salt and pepper to taste. Whisk well.
Dress arugula in a large bowl, then divide evenly onto plates.
Arrange pear slices on mounds of arugula in a flower like formation
Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and goat cheese.
Serve with freshly grated black pepper.

Print recipe with images | without images

Be sure to check out the other dishes I am serving for my healthy Valentine's dinner - spicy scallops and Mediterranean couscous. For more options, PartySugar has created her own Valentine's menu that won't break the scale.

Sheryl Crow Is the Picture of (and on) Health

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:00:53 -0700

When I think of breast cancer survivors, Sheryl Crow is one of the first people to pop into my mind. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with the disease and is now happy to say she's cancer-free. These days, this down-to-earth, single mom is a breast cancer advocate, and in a candid interview with Health magazine, she talks about ways she's taking care of herself to stay healthy. Here's what she said about her diet.

"When I first got diagnosed, I went to this great nutritionist who specializes in disease prevention and well-being, and I still incorporate her tips like eating omega-3s - I eat salmon or other fish at least three times a week. I eat a lot of walnuts, almonds, colorful vegetables, and prunes, which get such a bad rap but are loaded with antioxidants. I also drink pomegranate juice and keep a vat of tomato soup around or some kind of tomato sauce, because it has lycopene. And one big thing I learned was that so much of wellness depends on your body getting rid of waste. So I eat a lot of Fiber One, which has 14 grams of fiber per serving."

Getting your fill of omega-3s, antioxidants like lycopene, and fiber have all been found to help prevent breast cancer, so following Sheryl's advice is a great way to put prevention into your own hands.

To hear what Sheryl said about her exercise plan, read more.

"I try to do something every day that’s sports-related, and I like to be outside. I love riding my bike, and playing tennis, and paddle surfing. I don’t love going to the gym, but I’ll do it if it’s rainy."

Research has shown that vigorous exercise (running, fast jogging, aerobics, bicycling on hills, etc.) can reduce the risk of breast cancer by about 30 percent in normal-weight women, so get moving like Sheryl to help prevent this disease. The singer also tries to rid her life of stress, lets out her emotions rather than bottling them up, and doesn't deny herself one of her favorite guilty pleasures - Lay's potato chips.

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%