FitSugar

Noteworthy Nibbles - June 2-9, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:00:13 PDT

Whether you're in Brattleboro, VT, or Ponca City, OK, you've got the pick of the crop when it comes to food events this weekend. I know there are Spam and strawberry festivals, but I'm new to the world of rhubarb and horseradish celebrations. What will you be attending? Let us know what you're up to below!

New York, NY: Wine & Spirits Magazine's Top of the List - June 2
Orlando, FL: Slow Food Potluck Dinner - June 2
Palm Springs, CA: Palm Springs Restaurant Week - June 2-19
Las Vegas, NV: Taste of the Nation Las Vegas - June 4
New York, NY: James Beard Key West Seafood Celebration - June 4
Brattleboro, VT: The Great Vermont Grilled Cheese Cook-off - June 5
St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Brewers Festival - June 5-6
Snowmass, CO: Snowmass Chili Pepper & Brew Fest - June 5-6
Lincolnton, NC: Hog Happenin' - June 5-6
Aledo, IL: Rhubarb Fest - June 5-6
Fort Harrod, KY: Fort Harrod Beef Festival - June 5-7
Newport, RI: Great Chowder Cook-Off - June 6
San Francisco, CA: Spring Breakfast at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market - June 6

To see the rest,

Ponca City, OK: Ponca City Herb Festival - June 6
Eugene, OR: Sasquatch Brew Fest - June 6
Ashland, VA: Ashland Strawberry Faire - June 6
Menomonee Falls, WI: World of Beer Festival - June 6
National Harbor, MD: Food & Wine Festival at National Harbor - June 6-7
Chicago, IL: Chicago Botanical Garden Wine Festival - June 6-7
Collinsville, IL: International Horseradish Festival - June 6-7
Camarillo, CA: Casa Pacifica Angels Wine & Food Festival - June 7
Amherst, MA: Taste of the Nation Pioneer Valley - June 8
Ithaca, NY: Taste of the Nation Ithaca - June 9

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Become a Spice Girl, For Your Health

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 09:00:00 PDT

Me, I like it hot. You name it, I'll sprinkle a little hot sauce on it. I just like the taste (and the heat) but adding spice to your food can curb hunger, strengthen muscles, boost your brainpower and improve mood.

Here's why:

Staying slender: A study in the British Journal of Nutrition found that when women added 2 teaspoons of dried red pepper on their food, they consumed fewer calories and fat in later meals. Give your diet a light start; splash hot sauce on your morning omelet.
Becoming stronger: The curcumin that turns turmeric yellow also helps reduce inflammation and aids muscle repair after heavy exercise, researchers at the University of South Carolina at Columbia say. Enjoy the Indian spice for a few days before a big workout (try stirring it in a cup of lowfat cottage cheese and sliced fruit) to speed recovery.
Keeping sharp: Curcumin also sweeps out plaque deposits in your brain, which may help stave off Alzheimer’s disease, research from the University of California at Los Angeles suggests. For a savory meal, dust curry spices over rice and beans.
Getting happy: Capsaicin (the compound that gives chiles their kick) triggers pain receptors in the mouth, in turn signaling your brain to release feel-good endorphins, according to scientists at the State University of New York at Buffalo. That chemical surge not only helps dull the pepper’s bite, but it also betters your mood. Next time you need a quick lift, toss red pepper flakes or some diced chile peppers into your salad or bowl of chilled soup. Now that’s cool!

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What Makes Chili Chili?

Sara Yoo — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:15:25 PDT

Recently, reader Blanca123 raised some interesting questions when responding to our recipe for President Obama's chili:

"Kindly explain why you call this pitifully flavored 'meat one-pot' a chili . . . Where's the heat? No cayenne, red pepper flakes or even hot sauce, much less real fresh chiles? Turmeric? Why?"

She sure got us thinking about what are the intrinsic elements of a true pot of chili. At its most basic level, the slow-simmered one-pot dish contains meat, tomatoes, and some form of heat (chiles, chili powder, hot sauce, etc.), but as most fierce chili chefs will tell you, the secret's in the sauce: everyone has his or her own magical blend.

Traditional Texas-style chili is also known as chili con carne: a blend of meat, tomatoes, and chiles, but strictly free of one ingredient. As devout Texas chili adherents like to say, "If you know beans about chili, you know chili ain't got no beans." Chili beans (that is, chili con carne with beans) is also a perfectly acceptable dish, but don't omit that key second word. However, whether in the Lone Star State or elsewhere, beans often show up in chili recipes and were used historically when meat was expensive or scarce.

So we want to hear from you: beans or no beans? Does it need to be three-alarm heat or can it still be parked at the station? Can it still carry the lofty title when made with white beans? What makes chili . . . well, chili?

Back on Track: Map Out the Week's Healthy Dinner Menu

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:45:06 PDT

After getting home from a busy day of work, especially if I hit the gym, the same question always pops into mind - what to make for dinner? Without a plan in mind, it's easy to fall back on boxed mac and cheese or Chinese takeout, which aren't the healthiest options. To prevent scrambling to whip together a not-so-healthy meal, take time to map out your dinner menu for the week. Knowing which dishes you're making will also make you more efficient in the grocery store. Here's a sample menu (complete with a grocery list) that you can follow to ensure your weekdays always end in a nutritious meal.

Monday: Salad With Grilled Chicken and Fresh Strawberries

What you'll need:

Chicken
Fresh spinach
Carrots
Cucumber
Green peppers
Broccoli
Strawberries (feel free to add other fresh or dried fruits)
Avocado
Goat cheese (optional)
Your favorite dressing

Continue reading for the rest of the week's healthy menu and grocery list.

Accent Your Cinco de Mayo Outfit With Cool Statement Earrings - 50 Pairs Under $50!

Marisa Tom — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:00:00 PDT

Looking to make Cinco de Mayo a little more sartorially festive? Forgo the traditional red, white, and green combos and let your earrings do the talking. One well-executed accent can make all the difference in your outfit, holiday or not, and we're going to make the impending accessory hunt a bit easier on you . . . and your wallet. We've rounded up 50 pairs of Mexican-inspired - think supercool calaveras, Aztec prints, colorful beading, and cheeky chili peppers) earrings - all priced under $50 to add that extra boost of fun to your Saturday ensemble. Whether you style a bold fringe hoop with a loose-fitted t-shirt and skinny jeans or mix it up with gold tribal pendant earrings and a printed Spring frock, these pieces are sure to inject that extra Cinco de Mayo flair without going overboard on the themed-dressing front. Click through to see our editors' picks and shop your favorite pairs.

The Very Best of May's New Nail Polishes

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 02 May 2012 06:03:00 PDT

What do burnout pastels, sultry sheers, and ultrabrights all have in common? They're hot polish trends for May, a time when soft Spring shades and Summer's fun colors get together to render some truly lovely combinations. This month, the selection varies from polishes that resemble (very pretty) lizard scales, cupcake sprinkles, red chili peppers, and more. They're a can't-miss crop of colors, so check them out now.

Source: Flickr User Dan Queiroz

Marcela Valladolid's Party Guide This Cinco de Mayo

Susannah Chen — Tue, 01 May 2012 05:30:49 PDT

With our favorite Mexican-themed holiday on the horizon, it's impossible to spend our time thinking about anything other than what we'll be serving come Saturday. Will there be tacos, tortas, or both? Which south-of-the-border beer should we buy?

For more Cinco de Mayo advice, we enlisted the help of Marcela Valladolid, host of Food Network's Mexican Made Easy. Chef Marcela, who also stays busy as a cookbook author and a spokesperson for Kahlúa, took the time to offer her tips for party planning, her thoughts on up-and-coming Mexican dishes, and the one stereotype about her cuisine that she'd love to dispel.

To see it all, keep reading.

Meatless Monday: The Ultimate Vegetarian Chili

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:15:36 PDT

You've heard how meatless Mondays are good for the planet. Now, look to Cooking in Pajamas for a fast and easy vegan chili recipe.

Meatless Monday is back baby! It never actually went anywhere, I just kept forgetting to blog about it. In my quest to get healthy and lose a few pounds before my 20th anniversary trip in April, I have been testing out a plant based diet. I keep going back and forth on whether I want to include fish in my diet. I am thinking of limiting it to once or twice a month. While I decide, I am loving some of the vegetarian dishes I have made. For lunch yesterday I made a polenta pizza. . .a grilled slice of polenta topped with a slice of heirloom tomato, shredded mozzarella, garlic and basil.

This chili will knock your socks off. Not only is it healthy, it is a flavorful and spicy bowl of vegetables, beans, chiles, spices and wine. You can easily serve this to the die-hard meat eaters in your house, and it will be gobbled up.

This chili is also vegan, which means it contains no dairy products. If you are not into the vegan thing, feel free to top your bowl of chili with sour cream and sharp cheddar. The chili is quite spicy. As you see it has a jalapeño AND a chipotle chili. If you would like a more mild version, use half of the jalapeño with the seeds removed. Try not to cut back on the chipotle because it adds a deep, smoky flavor.

For her unique technique - which involves marinating tofu for extra flavor! - keep reading.

A Reader Recipe: Southwestern Quinoa Salad With Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette

Fit Community — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:06:13 PDT

Get your daily fiber fix with this Southwestern quinoa salad recipe from FitSugar reader For the Love of Fiber. She shared it with us in our Healthy Recipe Group in the Fit Community.

This salad takes quinoa to the next level, and has been known to turn quinoa haters into ambassadors.

Learn how to make this recipe after the break!

Khloé Kardashian Shares Her Thoughts on Kim and Kanye

Lauren Turner — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:39:01 PDT

See what Khloé has to say about Kim and Kanye - People
Even Clint Eastwood is getting a reality show - Lainey Gossip
Tallulah Willis shares what Demi Moore taught her about body image - HuffPost Entertainment
Usher wants his fans to know he's alive and well - TooFab
Petra Nemcova calls off her engagement - Us Weekly
Natalie Portman and other stars who've cut off their hair for a role - The Daily Beast
First look at Uma Thurman in Smash - Hollywood Reporter
What happened to Megan Fox's huge back tattoo? - BuzzFeed
Anderson Cooper loses it on air . . . again - The Insider
Maggie Grace shares her five favorite films - Rotten Tomatoes
Brad Pitt and other hot guys on motorcycles - Wonderwall
Red Hot Chili Peppers show their support for the Obama campaign - Lifeline Live
Is Prince Harry dating singer Mollie King? - Zap2It
See Rooney Mara's new look - Celebitchy
How to channel Amy Poehler's Parks and Recreation character - The Frisky