FitSugar

Guess Who Said It?

FitSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Which well-known chef said this?

"My parents were into macrobiotic cooking - vegetarian, nondairy, whole grains, no red meat. I started cooking when I was 10 because I just couldn't eat that stuff."

How Would You Spend $1000 on Your Health???

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

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Today is your lucky day. Someone just walked up and handed you $1000 - the catch though is that you have to spend it on your health. So I want to know...

Bethenny Frankel: Natural Chef to the Stars

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 04:00:00 -0700

What do Paris Hilton, Alicia Silverstone and Mariska Hargitay (from TV's Law & Order) all have in common? The answer would be Bethenny Frankel a natural food chef of the stars.

Bethenny believes that a person's diet is like a "bank account." You want to eat a balanced diet, but you don't want to restrict yourself either. It's fine to try a bit of everything. It's when you eat all of everything that can get you into trouble. She healthily believes in moderation.

After watching this video clip, you will know that Bethenny is into healthy bodies and chocolate, but she doesn't have a great opinion of the ultra slim size zero body.

Celebrity Video, Bethenny Frankel Talks Lindsay And Nicole - Awesome video clips here

Want to know some healthy tips from celebs like Paris Hilton, Randy Jackson, and Alicia Silverstone? Then read more

Healthy Tip #1: Don't eat everything on your plate.

Paris and Nicky Hilton try to be as healthy as possible (Bethenny has known them since they were kids). What keeps them so slim is this little trick: they never finish all the food on their plate. Some would say this is wasteful, but overeating is a big problem with people. We often eat more food just because it's in front of us.

Healthy Tip #2: Load Up on Veggies.

Mariska Hargitay loves Mediterranean foods with lots of flavor. Vegetables offer a variety of different tastes and textures, and can be easily flavored with fresh herbs and spices. Veggies are just so healthy for you, you really can't go wrong with them.

Healthy Tip #3: Use Fresh Ingredients for Flavor.

Randy Jackson went through gastric bypass surgery in 2003. He dropped over 100 pounds, and had to change his eating habits to keep up with his new body. He's a huge fan of southern foods, so he uses fresh spices and ingredients to give those foods the flavor he craves.

Healthy Tip #4: Simply Substitute.

The Hogans are an all-American family, loving the types of food you get at fast food joints. In order to eat the high-fat foods they loved, Bethenny would just substitute healthier ingredients. She'd use olive oil instead of butter, and low-sugar maple syrup in place of real sugar. Your taste buds won't notice the difference much, but your body will.

Healthy Tip #5: Don't Be Afraid to Experiment.

Alicia Silverstone is a committed vegan, believing whole-heartedly in not consuming any animal products. When you don't eat meat, dairy products, or eggs, you've got to get a little creative in your meal-making. Alicia wasn't afraid to experiment with new ingredients like tofu, tempeh, and seitan to make mock-foods such as veggie "chicken" burgers.

Lessons From the White House Chef

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:07 -0800

Part of Michelle Obama's master plan to reform eating habits in this country includes the directive of a young chef named Sam Kass. Kass has been the Obamas' personal chef for several years now, and when the Obamas packed up and moved to the White House, he did too.

Kass, 29, plays more than cook at his current post: he is the first White House chef to have an actual desk in the East Wing and works alongside the rest of Ms. Obama's policy team with the title of "food initiative coordinator," meaning he's given the daunting task of getting the entire country to eat better.

To hear how Kass is trying to making the country healthier, read more.

How does one man do that in a country where the golden arches rule? In the latest editions of People and the Chicago Sun Times, Kass shares that moving past the obstacles won't be easy but "it's an unbelievable opportunity" that he couldn't turn his back on. In the last year, the chef has gotten closer to his goal by helping plant a garden on the White House lawn and educating children about the benefits of healthy eating. He's also discussing legislation with the Agriculture Department that would reform school lunch on a national level.

When it comes to feeding the first family, Kass and White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford serve up classic fare like burgers and tacos, but make healthy food swaps and use lean beef and low-sugar ketchup instead. As for dessert, it's a special treat served only on the weekends, and that order comes directly from Michelle herself.

Inspired by the Slow Food movement, Kass looks to the White House garden to inspire his menu, pushing forth the idea of eating local and by season. Right now, he's got his eyes on a bevy of sweet potato dishes and fresh salads, which should come in handy for the Obamas' first state dinner later this month.

Speak Up: Would You Hire a Personal Chef?

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:00:00 -0700

We all know that celebrities (and folks with a little extra dough laying around) have personal chefs, and while it seems like such a luxury, it turns out that more and more folks are ditching their cleaning services for a private chef. At $15 to $25 a head, it's really no more than going out to eat, and most personal chefs will tailor to your own food and diet preferences. You don't have to worry about cooking, or always having the pantry stocked, which means you'll have more time to get things done, like say, exercise.

I don't know: I would feel totally outrageous saying I have a personal chef, but house cleaning services can be just as costly, and many people have their homes cleaned without stressing about it. Plus, how nice would it be to have a healthy meal planned out for you?

What do you guys think: Would you forgo something in your life to have a personal chef? I may even forgo my gym membership for a personal chef; I mean, I can always run outside, but it's hard coming up with healthy meals night after night. Do you think it's ridiculous for any Tom, Dick or Harry to get a personal chef? Speak up and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Padma Cooks at Home to Stay Fit

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0800

Thanks to a full season of Top Chef's indulgent cuisine, the reality hostess admits she's likely to go up a couple dress sizes during filming. Still, Padma Lakshmi doesn't let the extra pounds take a toll on her healthy fitness perspective, and shares with Glamour how a positive attitude and a realistic take on eating help her shed the weight.

For one, Padma reveals that when Top Chef contestants aren't whipping up something decadent for her to taste, she's likely to be cooking something healthy at home. Padma knows that cooking in her own kitchen can be a healthy way to control her caloric intake, and while takeout can seem a more convenient alternative, Padma reminds us that, "it can actually take longer to order delivery or go pick up takeout than it does to cook." In addition, the foodie loves the physicality of cooking, noting that "[instead] of watching TV, waiting for your food to come, you’re actually moving [when you cook]. My aunt had the best arms in the world, and she never stepped inside a gym.”

Check out Glamour to get the rest of Padma's realistic weight loss and healthy eating tips.

Personal Trainer or Personal Chef?

FitSugar — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

Celebrities make loads of dough, and keeping up their svelte appearance is part of their job. To help them stay slim and toned, most stars can afford to have live-in chefs prepare healthy meals for them all day, everyday. They can also afford to hire full-time personal trainers who coach them (in their home gyms, I'm sure) and give them advice on how to get the bodies they want. Most of us don't have that luxury, but if you could choose one, which would you rather have?

Personal Chef or Personal Trainer?

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Most of us plan and cook our own meals and when it comes to working out, we pretty much train ourselves. Celebrities are lucky because they have live-in chefs who prepare healthy meals for them all day, everyday. They also have personal trainers who work with them (in their home gyms, I'm sure) for a couple hours each day, giving them motivation and advice on how to get the body they want.

What if you could choose one, which would you rather have?

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Chef Workout: Quad Stretch

FitSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:30:00 -0700

While spending time in the kitchen, why not take a break in between stirring your sautéed veggies and washing dishes? I love stretching in the kitchen and here's a move that will target your upper thighs and shoulders.

To learn how to do this stretch read more.

Stand facing the counter and place your left hand on the surface to help you stay balanced.
Put all your weight in your left leg and bend your right knee, bringing your foot behind you. Hold onto the front of your right foot with your right hand, pulling the sole of your foot into your buns. Make sure your elbow is pointing behind you in order to feel the stretch in the front of your shoulder.
Stay there for at least 30 seconds.
If you want to feel this stretch in your left hamstring as well, then lean your torso forward slightly, keeping your left leg straight and hold for another 30 seconds.
Then release your right leg and switch sides.

Chef Workout: Balancing Hip Opener

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

In between chopping veggies and doing the dishes, it's nice to take a break and stretch while in the kitchen. After doing the Counter Shoulder Stretch, give this hip opener a try. If you hold it for a while, you'll also be working your glutes and quads.

To learn how to do this read more.

Stand with your left side next to the counter, about a foot away. Place your left hand on the surface to help you stay balanced.
Lift your right foot off the floor and bend your right knee. Use your right hand to gently pull your right knee open to the side. Try to keep your left leg and torso straight. Pull your right knee back as far as you can and gaze to the left. Stay there for at least 30 seconds, or hold longer to feel this in your right quad and bum.
When you're done, slowly release your right foot back to the floor. Turn your body around so your right side is next to the counter and repeat this exercise with your left knee.