FitSugar

Starbucks: Make Morning Good Again?

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT

You all know that I feel breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it looks like Starbucks agrees. The coffee chain is revamping its breakfast menu to bring you healthier fare. The decision to do so is twofold: a little trickle down health from the top of the coffee chain (Starbucks' CEO was told to lose weight, and changing to a healthier breakfast helped him do so), and the hope that healthier breakfast options will bring consumers back to the ailing company.

The new menu will debut on Sept. 3, and according to USA Today, here's what you can order to start your day off on a healthy foot:

Apple Bran Muffin: Made with whole-wheat flour, oats, wheat bran, apples, cherries, and honey.
Cost: $1.75
Calories: 330
Multi-Grain Roll: Made with seven seeds and grains, served with a side of almond butter or strawberry preserves.
Cost: $1.60
Calories: 280 calories
Chewy Fruit & Nut Bar: This energy bar is made with oats, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and honey.
Cost: $1.75
Calories: 250

There are a few more healthy menu items, so

Power Protein Plate: This healthy smorgasbord consists of a hard-boiled egg, a small whole-wheat bagel, a 70-calorie pack of peanut butter, a cheddar cheese wedge, apple slices, and grapes.
Cost: $4.95
Calories: 330
Baked Berry Stella: A whole-grain pastry featuring seasonal fruits.
Cost: $1.75
Calories: 280
Oatmeal: This whole-grain oatmeal will be served hot in a cardboard to-go bowl. The oatmeal comes with three "mix-ins" - dried fruit, nuts, or brown sugar.
Cost: $2.45
Calories: 140 with no toppings, 390 with all three toppings

The tag line for these healthy breakfast options is "Make morning good again." Just remember, there will be other not so healthy options, like the 490 calorie Apple Fritter that you will have to pass on by. I, for one, am happy to see another popular food chain adding more healthy options to menu. How about you?

Source

Boulder, CO: A Food Mecca in the Rockies

Susannah Chen — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:12:12 PDT

Recently, I found myself with the prospect of being in Boulder, CO, for a long weekend. It was an opportunity that I seized faster than a dog would take leftovers. Aside from being home to the University of Colorado's flagship college campus, Boulder's also known for its food-centric, health-focused, and highly educated population - last year, it was even named America's Foodiest Town by Bon Appétit. I traveled with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty, curious to find out if this town at the foot of the mountains lived up to all its hype. Read on to see where my stomach led me in Boulder.

The Best Way to Welcome New Parents (and Baby) Home From the Hospital

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:21:22 PDT

"When I had my baby, after 50 hours of unbelievable labor, I came home to a kitchen that was not quite through a remodel and a pretty empty fridge," said Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan, founding editor of The Kitchn. "After that, I swore that from then on I would always cook for my friends when they had babies, and that is how my famous Taco Box evolved."

We thought Sara Kate's New Baby Taco Box concept was such a clever (and actually useful) way to welcome home a new family, we were thrilled when she agreed to let us share it with you. Here's what's inside:

The Crate: Sara Kate's version is made from a wine crate, which she says you can ask a wine shop or local restaurant for (they'll most likely be happy to unload a few). She blocked out the words "Taco Box" in masking tape, spray-painted the whole thing, and let it dry.
The Flowers: Even if mom got plenty of flowers at the hospital, fresh blooms are always welcome (and especially nice when you know that the new family's likely to be cooped up inside for the better part of the first few weeks).
The Tacos: Shredded chicken, pork, or beef can be divvied up into freezer bags and used immediately, or frozen for later. Stash tortillas in another Ziploc bag, along with store-bought or homemade guacamole, salsa, rice, and whatever other accompaniments you please.
The Booze: New parents are likely to have lots of friends and family visiting, so a six-pack of beer or a bottle of their favorite wine is likely to be a welcome treat.

Other Fun New Baby Box Ideas
Tacos not your thing? No worries. The concept is easily adaptable to whatever you think the new parents would enjoy most. A few more ideas . . .

Breakfast in a Box: Include pancake or waffle mix, good maple syrup, fresh fruit, a bag of a favorite coffee or tea, milk, and juice.
Easy Italian: Go traditional with a homemade lasagna or baked ziti (these are also great because they can easily be popped into the freezer), or pick up the foundations - a box of good pasta, a jar of sauce, a loaf of Italian bread, and pair with salad ingredients, something sweet, and if it suits you, a bottle of wine.
Mediterranean Mezze: Hummus, pita chips, good olives, and grape leaves are perfect for a family who prefers to graze than to sit down to a big meal. Also a good option if you know that they'll have a lot of family in and out.
Souper Soups: Soup freezes easily, can feed a crowd, and is likely to last for several meals. Make a double portion of a favorite kind, and divvy it up into multiple plastic containers so that they can enjoy some now, and freeze some for later. Be sure to include some good crackers or bread and salad fixings as well.
Chef For a Day (or Night): If it's a really, really good friend (the kind who won't be too polite to tell you that she's exhausted and it's time to go home), offer to come over and cook dinner (let her make menu suggestions) one afternoon or early evening. So long as she's feeling OK, she'll appreciate the company, and it'll give you time to visit with the new parents and baby. Just don't leave any dirty dishes!

Source: Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan for The Kitchn

Foodie Friday Link Time: Green Up Your Breakfast Sammie

Susi May — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:47:13 PDT

Green up your breakfast: kale and avocado morning sammie - Healthy Happy Life
More than a snack food, here are five ways to prepare edamame - Vegetarian Times
Food myths: don't be duped by diet half-truths - HuffPost Healthy Living
Broccoli and raisins together? You betcha - Eating Bird Food
Give your St. Patty's Day menu a healthy upgrade with these recipes - Shape
Healthify your Irish soda bread with two tweaks to the traditional recipe - Daily Spark
Munch on! Healthy snacks to satisfy common cravings - Real Simple

The Best Outdoor Weekend Activities For Kids

LilSugar — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 05:36:12 PST

Is it beginning to feel a lot like Spring where you live? If so, chances are, you and your kids are ready to cure your cabin fever and get outside this weekend.

Encourage Budding Entrepreneurs: Little ones love to feel in control, and giving them their own business opportunity for the day is a great way to teach basic math, social, and even marketing skills. Start a classic lemonade stand, or on a chilly afternoon, try hot chocolate instead. If they're kitchen-savvy, cupcakes or muffins will add an extra "production" element to the plan, and are likely to solicit lots of compliments from the neighbors!
Head Out on a High-Tech Treasure Hunt: Heard of geocaching? The hot, new treasure-hunting trend is a great way for families to embark upon an adventure together. All you need is a GPS device (GPS-enabled mobile phones count), and to sign up for a free membership on geocaching.com. Identify your coordinates on the website, and your GPS will guide you toward your treasure - more than 1 million geocaches are hidden around the world! Even supermodel Cindy Crawford is a fan, as she recently posted about the activity on her Facebook page.
Play Tourist in Your Own Town: Traveling tends out to bring the planner in all of us, but on a typical weekend at home, more often than not, we're guilty of getting stuck in the same old routine. Take advantage of a beautiful day by discovering something new. Whether it requires simply walking out your front door or driving 30 minutes, make sure that everyone in the family learns something from your mini adventure that they didn't know before.
Plan a Picnic: Get the most out of an old-fashioned picnic by including kids in the planning process. Let them help decide on a menu – be it breakfast/brunch food, sandwiches, a healthy snack, or a sweet treat - and pack their own backpacks with games and toys.
Bundle Up and Head to the Beach: It may not quite be bathing-suit season, but kids still love the excitement of going to the beach. If you're lucky enough to live within driving distance, make sure everyone's bundled up and go for a family walk by the sea. If it's windy out, bring a kite - Spring days are often ideal for high-flying fun.
Photo Safari: Encourage your little shutterbugs to get snapping by creating a list of "photo missions," and accompanying them on a photo safari. Include things you're apt to see around your neighborhood - a red door, a mom with a double stroller, a white dog . . . get creative!

Yummy Links: From Irish Breakfasts to Austin's Restaurants

YumSugar — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:20:29 PST

Serve an Irish breakfast this weekend. - Chow
Giant whoopie pie pan: love it or hate it? - Baking Bites
A table at Top Chef's restaurant wars is up for bid in a charity auction. - Eater
Make pasta e broccoli for dinner tonight. - Serious Eats
Michael Voltaggio and Ludo Lefebvre prove they've paid their dues as chefs. - Daily Dish
Where to eat bone marrow in San Francisco. - Grub Street SF
Inside the making of an ice cream cookbook. - The Feast SF
Food bloggers: learn how to use Google recipes to your advantage. - Huffington Post Food
If you're heading to SXSW, here are Austin's top eateries. - ZagatBuzz

Dunkin' Donuts Is Banking on All-Day Sandwiches

Susannah Chen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:15:17 PST

Looks like Starbucks and McDonald's aren't the only two chains who want a piece of breakfast between bread: starting this week, Dunkin' Donuts introduces two new sandwich offerings, to be offered at DD locations throughout the day - including breakfast, of course.

The new sandwiches will "be familiar, but with a twist," said Stan Frankenthaler, Dunkin' Brands' executive chef and head of product innovation. The Ham & Cheese Bakery Sandwich contains Black Forest ham, white cheddar, and a creamy dijon mustard sauce; Turkey, Cheddar, & Bacon is made with turkey, white cheddar, bacon, and ancho chipotle sauce. Both are made to order on a croissant, bagel, or the new baked-fresh-daily French roll.

The announcement of these all-day sandwiches arrives just as Taco Bell rolls out its First Meal menu of breakfast items. Still, Dunkin' is quick to explain what differentiates the brand's ham and bacon sandwiches from similar breakfast sandwich offerings already on the market. "We think our bakery leadership is a real differentiator in our brand," Frankenthaler told us. "Our guests already know us and love us for our fresh bagels (we're the number one retailer of bagels in the United States) and croissants."

Providing all-day options is "extremely important for Dunkin’ Donuts," he added. "Breakfast sandwiches are popular with our guests, and they like the flexibility to enjoy them throughout the day."

With first Taco Bell and now Dunkin' Donuts taking the mornings to another level, it's clear that the fast-food AM wars won't be letting up anytime soon. Will you try a new sandwich from Dunkin' Donuts?

Source

5 Unbelievably Bad Fast-Food Breakfasts

Prevention — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:06:39 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

By Molly Raisch, Prevention

Mom always said, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” And she was right. Morning meals are essential to revving your metabolism and kick-starting your calorie burn, but indulging in a fat- and calorie-laden breakfast from your favorite fast-food chain could easily send you into sugar shock and pack on the pounds. Research shows that people who ate a big morning meal consumed an extra 400 calories per day, setting themselves up for muffin tops and pancake bottoms. Here are six breakfast drive-through disasters and their Prevention-approved healthier, make-at-home options.

Fifty Simple Strategies to Lose 10 Pounds

Starbucks® Zucchini-Walnut Muffin
Muffins are calorie sinkholes - they pack in the calories but somehow still leave your stomach grumbling. This muffin from Starbucks® seems healthy enough, boasting both zucchini and walnuts, but don’t be fooled by its veggie-based name. This morning baked good has close to 500 calories and 28 grams of fat.

Try Instead: Zucchini-Raisin Muffin
These scrumptious zucchini muffins are half the calories and nearly a third of the fat as their coffeehouse counterparts. Tricks of the trade: Load up your bread batter with tons of zucchini shreds and add raisins for a touch of natural sweetness.

Ten Breakfasts For Glowing Skin

McDonald’s Big Breakfast® With Hotcakes
When your breakfast comes off a fast-food menu and has the word “big” in it, your waistline is headed in the same direction. This hearty breakfast has scrambled eggs, sausage, a buttermilk biscuit, hash browns, and two hotcakes piled onto a plate, making it no surprise that one order accounts for over half your day’s calories and over 55 grams of fat. The worst part? This lumberjack breakfast is sky-high in sodium: 2,150 milligrams.

Try Instead: Pancakes With Berries and Cinnamon
Satisfy your hotcake cravings with these light and fluffy low-cal flapjacks. The secret to cutting fat and calories without losing any buttery flavor: bake them in the oven. Top with berries and cinnamon, and you’ve got a mouthwatering, guilt-free pancake breakfast the whole family will love.

Keep reading for more healthy breakfast swaps after the break.

Subway Hopes to Wake Up Breakfast Sales

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:15:48 PDT

Yet another chain is vying for a piece of the pie in the ongoing fast food breakfast wars. Next month, Subway will roll out a breakfast menu, with a focus on low-fat egg and cheese sandwiches.

Options will include a Western egg and cheese; black forest ham, egg, and cheese; double bacon, egg, and cheese; and steak, egg, and cheese, all made with cage-free eggs.

Patrons will be able to customize whether they want egg whites or regular eggs, light whole-wheat English muffins, flatbread, or the chain's signature hoagie bread; and condiments or vegetables available in all other Subway sandwiches.

The breakfast offerings, which are priced from $1.75 for a basic English muffin melt to $6 for a foot-long breakfast sandwich, seem to reflect a trend toward personalized morning food and drinks. Do the new Subway breakfast items seem like something you'd order?

Source

Foodie Friday Link Time: Better-For-You Gingerbread Recipe

Susi May — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:37:26 PST

Recipe makeover: Gingerbread! How to make it healthier - Health
Don't get manipulated at the market! How to navigate the grocery aisles - Prevention
Healthiest menu items from 2011 - Daily Spark
Plate up these superfoods of December - Huff Po
Add sweet potatoes to your cinnamon rolls for tasty results - Vegetarian Times
Quinoa for breakfast? You betcha! - Self