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

read more. 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.

From the Fit Community: A Cheesy Vegan Quinoa Casserole

Fit Community — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:04:21 PST

FitSugar readers pure2raw share a "cheesy" quinoa casserole recipe that's actually vegan as well as gluten, soy, and dairy-free. They posted the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

Prep time: 15-20 minutes
Bake time: 30 minutes, oven preheated to 325°
Serves: varies, but bakes in a 3-quart (9×13) glass baking dish

Ingredients (Part One)

2 cups quinoa
4 cups water
2 cups chopped raw yellow squash
2 cups steamed cauliflower
2 handfuls arugula (or spinach)

Directions for quinoa

To cook quinoa, bring 4 cups water to a boil.
Then add in 2 cups dry quinoa and bring back to boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or till water is gone.

Read on for the rest of the recipe (including ingredients for the "cheesy" sauce).

10 Ingredients to Liven Up Your Salad Dressings

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:15:13 PDT

The sky is the limit when it comes to making homemade salad dressings, yet most people still toss their greens in something store-bought or a simple mix of olive oil and balsamic. Adding a few simple ingredients can totally transform the flavor of your salads, many of which are kitchen staples.

Fresh or dried herbs: Quickly chop herbs like parsley, mint, thyme, dill, tarragon, cilantro, basil, or chives, and whisk them into your dressing at the last minute. Dried herbs have more concentrated flavor, so use a third of the amount you would for fresh herbs.
Flavored oils: Thee are tons of specialty oils available like walnut, pistachio, pumpkin, peanut, sesame, even smoked olive oil. Even blending just a tablespoon of a flavored oil with a neutral tasting oil like canola will add roasted, nutty accents to your dressing.

See eight more ways to liven up your salad dressings.

A Reader Recipe: Three Bean and Feta Salad

Fit Community — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:14:30 PDT

Have a backyard barbecue coming up? FitSugar reader TinaFFF has a Mexican-inspired salad recipe, which she posted in our Healthy Recipe group.

Looking for a way to lighten things up and brighten up the flavors at my get togethers, I re-created a three bean salad I once fell in love with at a party. Filled with protein and bursting with flavor, this three bean and feta salad makes a wonderful side dish to add to any group gathering. Or, have it as a meal at home - pump it up with added vegetables, pasta, quinoa, or protein.

Learn how to make this recipe after the break!

5 Ways Vodka Can Help You Save Money

Emily Co — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:10:29 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 the 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.
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 repellant. 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 to 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 the shine. So long Windex!

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

Source: Flickr User Darwin Bell