FitSugar

Foods That Keep You Feeling Full

Leta Shy — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:35:31 PST

If December indulgences have led to weight-loss New Year's resolutions, finding the right foods to help you combat cravings is probably high on your to-do list. Eating well-balanced meals and healthy snacks are both important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But whether it's because you find yourself mindlessly snacking or because your meals aren't keeping you as full as you'd like, sometimes you need something to keep you from rummaging through the pantry. Here are five appetite-suppressing foods that keep you feeling full!

Apple Cider Vinegar Fires Up the Cylinders

Michele Bell — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:00:48 PDT

Did you know that more than 50 percent of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee a day? That statistic may not be too surprising if you're one of them. While the dark drink certainly has its benefits, there are other ways to get a boost of energy - and I'm not talking 'bout sodas.

The next time you need a jolt of energy, try sipping on apple cider vinegar. The tart liquid is known to boost one's immunity and help with digestive issues, but it's also credited for adding some pep to one's step. A couple of tablespoons of the golden liquid mixed with a full glass of water can make the difference between a productive energy driven day and an afternoon snooze fest doozy. Before you run to the pantry to make yourself the concoction, heed these two tips: Drink it with a straw to protect your pearly whites and if you're prone to heartburn, you might want to try adding some baking soda to the mix.

Reality Check: What's the Deal With Fergie's Vinegar Shots?

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:30:00 PDT

In a recent Glamour interview, Fergie Ferg revealed that one of her diet tricks is shots of organic apple cider, unfiltered. She said:

"Two tablespoons. For some reason I've noticed a difference on my stomach. I just trusted [my trainer] on this one. I'm sharing. I'm all about sharing secrets."

Does anyone else smell a magic bullet? Now, I have read that drinking apple cider vinegar (ACV) can help with many ailments, but never weight loss, so I decided to do a little investigation. To see what I found out just

Basically what I found out is that there is very little evidence in the ACV for weight loss category, with little scientific backing whatsoever. WebMD does speculate that white vinegar (and perhaps other types) might help people feel full, but this was the results of a test on only 12 people. Remembering a quote I love from Dr. Andrew Weil about ACV, I decided to see what his expert opinion is on the whole matter. He said:

"There is absolutely no scientific evidence showing that apple cider vinegar can aid in weight loss or that it contains any magic ingredients that help you to shed pounds. Back in the 1970s when this diet took its place among the many weight loss fads and scams, proponents claimed that somehow a combination of apple cider, kelp, vitamin B-6, and lecithin fooled the body's metabolism into burning fat faster than it would normally.

These days the claims are far less elaborate - supposedly, all you need to do to lose weight is to take one, two, or three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar before every meal, starting with one teaspoon and then working up to two or three. I understand that taking more than three teaspoons isn't supposed to lead to better results. The only dieting advice you get with this 'diet' is to eat moderate portions at meals, avoid snacking, and wait for the apple cider vinegar to reduce your hunger and food cravings."

So there you have it. If you're looking to lose weight, I know it seems easy to say, "Fergie looks great and all she does is take two tablespoons of ACV," but I'm willing to bet my left arm that she works out and eats right and did not get that body from ACV. The formula for weight loss, once again, is healthy eating and daily exercise.

Source

Home Remedy: Sore Muscles

FitSugar — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:00:00 PST

I had a rather strenuous week at the gym and now my arm muscles are so sore, I can hardly type.

I've scoured the web for a natural remedy (there's only so much Advil a girl can take) and I've come across something from health.com that looks doable so I'm actually going to try it tonight (full disclosure later).

The remedy: Saturate a cloth with apple cider vinegar and wrap it around the muscle for 20 minutes; the pain should disappear within a few hours. Reapply every three to four hours for continued relief until the pain is gone for good.
Why it works: Apple cider vinegar is a muscle reliever; it helps to draw lactic acid (the stuff that causes soreness) out of your muscles after exercise.

My only issue is the smell. Apple cider vinegar sure is potent stuff, so my soaking will happen in the shower. I'm curious if any of you guys have tried something like this? If so, share it below.

Source

5 Things: Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 04:00:00 PST

Apple cider vinegar, though it smells pretty nasty, is quite rich in minerals, vitamins and other healthy substances. It contains vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin, A, vitamin P, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6. It also has a lot of beneficial minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, copper, phosphorus, silicon, chlorine and fluorine.

Because of all that, it has many amazing uses. Here are a few:

1. Ingesting it (1 tsp added to a glass of water) can help with asthma, as well as applying pads soaked in it to the inside of your wrists.

2. Soaking a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and placing it on a wart with medical tape can help get rid of that wart quickly and naturally.

3. It can also be used to prevent and cure yeast infections - Some woman douche with it, and others add apple cider vinegar to a warm bath.

4. When you feel a cold coming on, taking apple cider vinegar can re-balance the acid level of your body helping you fight the cold.

5. Constipated? The pectin in apple cider vinegar contains fiber to help move things along.

Tampons and Yogurt: Perfect Together?

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:20:00 PST

If you feel a little weird about putting chemicals on your privates to deal with yeast infections, check out these home remedies (some are a little wild):

Douche with apple cider vinegar: Mix 1 tablespoon vinegar with a quart of water.
Tea tree oil suppositories: You can buy them at health food stores. Just insert one at bedtime (make sure to wear a pantyliner). They are supposed to be quite cooling.
Use PLAIN yogurt (no flavors or fruit - just PLAIN) that contains active cultures. Dip a tampon into the yogurt and insert it inside you. Leave it in for an hour or so. It's cool and soothing, and gets the "good" bacteria right where you need it. Do it once or twice a day, until the situation resolves itself.
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with 8 ounces of lukewarm water and drink it (not a good idea for those with weak stomachs). It tastes disgusting, but supposedly works like a charm.
Take cranberry extract or cranberry blueberry extract pills - they are a great preventative measure and contain antioxidants for your overall health.
Bring a squeeze bottle of honey in the bathroom with you. Sit over the toilet and pour a liberal amount into your hand. Spread it all over the infected area and sit there for at least 5 minutes (or as long as you can). The bad bacteria cannot survive due to the "good" bacteria found in the honey. Take a nice bath to wash off the honey.

Let me know if you've got any more home remedies, or tried any of the above remedies. I'd love to hear about them.

Silicones, Sulfates, Alcohol: Does Your Hair Need Rehab?

Jessica Cruel — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:58:00 PDT

Alcohol. Sulfates. Silicones. Is it time for your hair to go into chemical rehab? Each of these common ingredients has a purpose, but they can also be overused, causing the hair to act out. Get educated on what's in your hair products and figure out a few simple solutions for better strands when you continue reading.

A Makeover For Your Grocery List

LilSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:17:02 PDT

If your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy, you know both cooking at home and dining out can quickly become a challenge. Since healthy eating begins at home, and eating at home begins at the grocery store, we turned to Amie Valpone of The Healthy Apple for some advice on how to stock your pantry for success, whether you're dealing with food allergies or just want to take a cleaner approach to your family's diet. See how Amie, a nutritionist who specializes in clean eating, fills up her own grocery cart, and how you can transform your own to accommodate your family's dietary needs.

"Cleaning" Up Your Grocery List

Essential Condiments

Extra-virgin olive oil
Flaxseed oil
Grape seed oil
Champagne vinegar
Apple cider vinegar
Balsamic vinegar
Organic Dijon mustard
Organic coarse, seeded mustard
San-J wheat-free tamari soy sauce
Amy's Organic salsa
Sun-dried tomatoes
Hummus (try Tribe, Wild Garden, Sabra, or Cedar's)
Hot sauce (try Cholula or Sriracha)
Miso (white, barley, and red)
Organic lemon juice

Continue reading for what to buy in the gluten-free, dairy-free, and freezer departments.

9 Ways Vodka Can Help You Save Money

Emily Co — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:22:38 PDT

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you're not going to save by drinking vodka! However, the liquor actually has a couple of household uses that will come in handy. Not to mention, you won't be splashing unnecessary money on products and you'll be doing the environment some good because it's less toxic. Invest in a bottle of cheap vodka to stretch your dollar in these ways:

Clean Your Clothes: First, do a spot test on the piece of clothing just to be on the safe side. If the material stays in the same condition, spray vodka on the outfit. It'll keep your clothes fresh in between laundry loads and kill any lingering odors. The liquor is also a good stain remover, so dab some on stubborn stains before throwing your clothes into the washer.
Get Rid of Mold: Spray it on the mold in your bathroom, and after letting it soak in for a good while, wipe it clean. The alcohol will kill the mold.
Air Freshener: Make a one part vodka and three parts water solution and pour it into a spray bottle. Start spraying away to get rid of any odor in the room.
Prevent Flowers From Wilting: Add a few drops of vodka into your flower vase to preserve your lovely bouquet. Vodka lengthens the life of the blooms because it inhibits ethylene production, which is what helps the plant mature, according to the Scientific American.
Repel Insects: Use vodka as an ingredient for a bug repellent. DIYlife.com recommends to mix it with apple cider vinegar and drops of citronella or eucalyptus essential oil. Spray it on yourself or areas you don't want bugs to come crawling, such as your patio furniture.
Polish and Shine: Take a piece of cloth, wet it with vodka, and clean your eyeglasses with it. Alternatively, you can also mix it with some water, then spray the liquid on windows and mirrors to make them shine. So long, Windex!
Glue Remover: Remove the sticky residue left from peeling the label off jars by rubbing the leftover glue with a soft cloth soaked in vodka. You can also use this to dissolve the sticky residue that Band-Aids leave on your skin.
Preserve Razor Blades: After shaving, leave your blades in vodka for a while to disinfect and prevent them from rusting.
Treat Dandruff: Mix one cup vodka with two teaspoons crushed rosemary, then strain the mixture through a coffee cup filter and let it sit for two days before applying it to your head and letting the solution dry.

Remember, getting an inexpensive brand is key - you don't want to shill out big bucks and waste money on something you'll be wiping your windows with!

Source: Flickr User Darwin Bell

Wake Up! Pre-Workout Beverages to Boost Your Energy

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:39:43 PDT

Whether they're working out first thing in the morning or after work, many people may feel a little drowsy and sluggish. Rather than heading to the gym with only one eye open, prepare by drinking one of these energy-boosting beverages to help you feel more focused, energized, and ready to push your body to do more.

Coffee or Green Tea
Caffeine increases your endurance because it changes how your body uses fat. Caffeine helps your body convert fat into readily accessible energy, so you can work out for longer. As an added bonus, studies have also shown that caffeine consumption helps reduce postworkout DOMS.

Green Juice
Rich in natural sugars, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, a homemade green juice is a glass full of easily absorbable nutrients, especially iron, which can combat your sleepy slump. And because green juice recipes are high in carbs but low in fiber, it helps give the body energy while also being easy to digest. Perfect if you need something on the way into the gym.

Apple Cider Vinegar
If you are a fan of kombucha, then you'll love the tart flavor of apple cider vinegar, which is rich in minerals, vitamins, and beneficial acids. For an energy booster sans caffeine, mix a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water and drink prior to a workout. Look for raw and unfiltered varieties to get the most nutrients possible. A small study also links apple cider vinegar to improved weight loss.

Preworkout Sports Beverages
Gatorade, Vega Sport, and Biosteel High Performance offer sports drinks that are developed specifically for before workouts. Each drink is formulated with ingredients to help stimulate and energize the body. We recommend these drinks for more intense or longer workouts.