FitSugar

Know your A, B, Cs: Riboflavin

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:00:00 PST

How many times have you seen Riboflavin listed as an ingredient and thought "another food additive." Well it is not. Riboflavin is the scientific name for vitamin B2.

Like other B vitamins, Riboflavin aids in the production of metabolizing food by converting carbs into sugar which is burned to produce energy. B2 joins forces with the other B vitamins to break down fats and protein. It also promotes healthy skin, hair and nails and general good health.

Riboflavin is also used as food coloring because of its bright yellow-orange hue. It is the culprit for turning your pee that intense yellow if you take a multi-vitamin, which you should consider since the body does not store riboflavin.

Spinach and asparagus are both high in B2s as are milk, cheese, almonds, yeast and liver – does any one out there eat liver anymore? I am truly curious.

Wondering how much of Riboflavin you need - the RDA for adult women is 1.2 mg and a cup of spinach contains about 25% of your daily need. Worried that you are not getting enough of it? Signs of deficiency include cracked and red lips, inflammation of the lining of mouth and tongue, mouth ulcers, cracks at the corners of the mouth, and bloodshot or itchy eyes.

Announcing the 2012 Grammy Award Winners

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:20:23 PST

The mood of the Grammy Awards was a bit somber this year in the wake of Whitney Houston's shocking death, but the show went on, and the statues were all handed out to the winners. Adele owned the night, picking up multiple awards, including those for record of the year, album of the year, and song of the year.

Plenty of other folks received Grammys too, including Kanye West, The Foo Fighters, and Taylor Swift, so to see the full list of winners, just keep reading.

Welcome to DistrictSugar and Win a Trip to The Hunger Games Premiere!

Molly Goodson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:36:30 PST

To celebrate the most anticipated movie release of the season, we're so excited to introduce DistrictSugar, your destination for all things Hunger Games. We've lined up interviews with the cast, exclusive looks at the amazing fashion and beauty from the film, and tons of behind-the-scenes details of the making of The Hunger Games. Check out a preview of the specials to come starting Feb. 20, and enter to win a trip to The Hunger Games premiere below.

Enter to win a trip to The Hunger Games world premiere at the Nokia Theatre in LA below! One lucky fan will win a trip for two to California to attend the red-carpet premiere of The Hunger Games. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Enter to Win a Trip to The Hunger Games Premiere!

L.A.M.B. Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:38:20 PST

Inspired by the "1960s rogue girl with a Japanese street sensibility," Gwen Stefani chose to show off her latest L.A.M.B designs against a collage of black-and-white New York City street snaps and closeup shots of girls getting their eye makeup done, all while Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Were Made For Walkin'" boomed overhead. Each look seemed to reflect a moment in Gwen's iconic style evolution. Case in point: her "Hey Baby" houndstooth print made a serious comeback, landing on everything from sporty totes to bomber jackets; her "Sweet Escape" moto-edged attire popped up in zippered jacquard jackets; and those Clueless-worthy platforms? That's just a classic Gwen staple. While the outerwear was athletic and tough, the attention to feminine details was also spot on. Look to the Peter Pan collars, sexy Morgenthal Frederics cat-eye glasses, impeccably pleated circle skirts, and sheer knee-high nylons for proof of Gwen's girlier side. No matter how you spin it, this is an ultra-wearable lineup of '90s-cool gear with a hint of retro and a pop of graphic-print modernity.

Trends: Houndstooth print, pleated skirts, sportswear-inspired outerwear, and Peter Pan collars.
Colors: A dark, cool palette - red, black, gray, and ecru - with surprise pops of neon yellow.
Key Piece: The gray pleated circle skirt paired with a sweet collared top makes a sexy take on schoolgirl classics.
Accessories: Sporty tote bags, cat-eye secretary glasses, knee-high nylons, and '90s-style chunky platforms.
Who Would Wear It: The girl with a sportier fierce edge when it comes to dress, like Rihanna.

Toast to Valentine's Day With a Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail

Michele Foley — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:50:49 PST

Fruits and veggies can be slim pickings during the Winter, but not when it comes to blood oranges. Since the crimson color of the fruit's flesh makes it a perfect pairing for Valentine's Day, putting it in a celebratory cocktail makes total sense. It's full of nutritional goodness, too: blood oranges are a great source of vitamin C, and also contains a good amount of vitamin B1 and folic acid. If you're not a drinker, substitute the champagne for soda water in this recipe.

Check out this citrus twist on the champagne cocktail when you

"We Had Drunk Sex and I Feel Awful"

Tres Community — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I had been "seeing" this guy for about three months, when it appeared to me that he really wasn't that interested in me anymore. He would always say that I worry too much but eventually admitted that "He didn't want to be in a serious relationship, but enjoyed my company and still wanted to be friends." I stupidly agreed b/c I really liked him.

Through the time we had been seeing each other, we fooled around but never actually slept together. I had told him that I didn't want to have sex unless we were committed and since he couldn't commit, we didn't let it get that far. Well...being the idiot that I am, I decided to hang out with him one weekend and go out to have drinks. He invited me to stay the night since he didn't want me driving home intoxicated, and I agreed. The deal was we'd sleep in different rooms.

Long story short . . . I drank wayyyy too much. I didn't even realize I was so drunk until the morning. I had blacked out, and woke up to find that we had sex. I apparently came on to him, very aggressively and wouldn't take no for an answer. He told me he resisted a couple of times and told me things weren't like that anymore, but I kept pushing. He also said that I was acting completely out of character and that I usually freak out about things like that, but that I was all for it. So he agreed to it.

I don't remember any of it.

Needless to say, he says he had a great time and doesn't regret it and asked that I don't regret it either. I agreed, but told him afterward that being just friends sucks for me. He says he knows, but it's all he can give me.

I feel sooooo embarrassed and ashamed for doing this. I tried so hard not to sleep with him and I suddenly get drunk one night and am all for it!? He tried contacting me a couple of days ago, but I didn't respond. Idk if I should speak to him again. I'm hurt that I let myself get into this situation and also that he agreed to sex when he knew I was acting differently. I know it takes two to tango, but I never wanted it to be this way. Now I just feel hurt, and awkward. He says everything is cool and he's not upset about it, but I feel terrible. I don't like casual sex like that . . . especially with him. I feel cheap.

What do I do? Just move on, ignore him, and forget about the whole thing or talk to him about it? Being just friends is too hard, especially when this just happened. I really like the guy, I just can't believe I let it get that far, especially when I knew he didn't want anything more than friends.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

A Doctor Dishes: Which "Superfoods" Are Worth the Cost?

LearnVest — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

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

Most people you speak to these days are trying to stretch every dollar as far as possible - even the ones they spend buying apples and oranges.

Food prices are expected to increase yet again this year, and food manufacturers are making portions smaller without reducing prices. Not surprisingly, a recent Rasmussen poll found that 93 percent of adults report paying more for groceries now than they did a year ago.

So how can we supercharge our grocery dollars and get them to do overtime for us?

Yes, some foods are obviously a better nutritional deal than others (think apples vs. potato chips), but there’s another class of foods that blows the rest of the field away in terms of nutrients and health-protecting qualities: superfoods.

Superfoods can help prevent diabetes and heart disease, repair damage to your body’s cells, and more. But before you go piling them into your cart, know that some superfoods are better nutritional bargains than others. As a doctor and a mom, I’ve sleuthed out which ones are worth the extra cost in terms of their long-term health benefits. Below is the scoop on which ones may help you age better, ward off cancer, and more.

What to Know Before Buying Superfoods

Before we dive into what to buy, there are a few important things to remember about consuming these foods:

Eating foods fresh and in their natural state, especially fruits and vegetables (rather than in pill or powder supplement form), usually allows us to absorb the greatest amount of their nutrients. The way a superfood is processed or cooked can significantly lower its antioxidant content.
If the superfood can’t be eaten fresh, look for easy and appetizing recipes containing it. No matter how “super” a superfood may be, if you don’t know how to cook it, you’ll probably let it go to waste.

Are Superfoods "Good Buys" If I’m Shopping on a Budget?

Read on to find out.

I Love Your ShopStyle: Erdem Florals

FabSugar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:00:25 PST

ShopStylist nia b created an Erdem-centric look that's both Fashion Week savvy and totally wearable after the fact. The bright floral silk top can be tucked into a black nipped-waist and pleated miniskirt. To keep the attention of the vibrant graphic print, accessorize with classic gold and black accents. A gilded cuff, sweet circle earrings, a compact clutch, and peep-toe pumps will round out this stylish outfit perfectly. Now, it's time to hail a cab and head to Lincoln Center for a day's worth of Fall '12 runway shows.

Don't forget to style up your own Fashion Week-worthy ensemble - just submit here and include "Fashion Week" in the title. We may just feature you on FabSugar!

Mid-length Skirts by Lanvin
Platforms by Christian Louboutin

Lanvin High-waisted stretch-crepe pleated mini skirt - Sold Out	Erdem Arleen printed silk top - $795.00
Christian Louboutin Banana Suede Platform Pump - Sold Out	Bottega Veneta Intrecciato leather knot clutch - $2,320.00
Oscar de la Renta 24-karat gold-plated bracelet - $345.00	Yves Saint Laurent Gold-plated starfish ring - Sold Out
Mallarino Guadalupe 24-karat gold-vermeil earrings - $350.00

Best in Show: the 2012 Golden Collar Award Nominees

Nancy Einhart — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:02:08 PST

Welcome to the dog days of award season. Hot on the heels of Martin Scorsese's successful write-in campaign for Blackie, the canine star of Hugo, here's a look at the rest of the pooches vying for an honor from the first-ever Golden Collar Awards.

Handed out by Dog News Daily, the Golden Collar Awards will take place on Feb. 13 at the dog-friendly Hotel Palomar in LA. Who are you rooting for? Check out the full list of nominees.

Winter Running Woe: Numb Toes

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:02:06 PST

If you'd rather skip a run than hit the treadmill, then there's no doubt you're continuing with your outdoor runs even through this brisk and snowy Winter weather. That doesn't mean you're not dealing with some discomfort along the way. I've given you some tips on how to beat burning lungs, but if it's your feet that are bothering you, here are some ways to avoid numb toes.

First, consider your socks. You can't get away with wearing the same thin, ankle-length wicking socks you sported in the warmer months. Splurge on some thicker knee-highs; socks made of wool will keep your feet warm and dry. Be sure your socks aren't too tight as that can cut off circulation (go up a size to be sure). You can also try compression socks to improve circulation in your feet and legs.

If you're already wearing thicker socks, you'll probably want to go up half a size in your sneaks to accommodate the extra fabric. If you don't, the snug fit of your shoe might be the sole cause of your tingling feeling. Choose sneakers designed for colder, wetter weather (think waterproof Gore-tex) to protect your toes from the snow. Tie your shoes slightly looser because as you warm up, your feet will swell, and too-tight laces can cause that annoying numb sensation.

Continue reading for more tips on avoiding numb feet.