FitSugar

Not a Puzzle to Me: Jigsaw Health Bars

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:00:00 PST

If you have been reading FitSugar, then you already know that I am a bit of a health/protein bar fanatic. I wouldn't say I am picky, but bars are so hit and miss when it comes to taste and it's just too hard to tell from the packaging. Energy bars can be tasteless -- Apparently it's just not easy making a quick, healthy bar taste good.

Jigsaw ($2.97/bar) goes beyond that as they believe you shouldn’t be satisfied with health bars tasting just “good". Well after twenty-two versions, they think they've got it perfect... all the nutrients you need, none of the sugar found in other bars (they are sweetened with sugar alcohol) and a delicious taste. I am even more impressed with their 100% full-refund satisfaction guarantee, which shows that they stand behind their product.

Tested by me and my picky (and sensitive to texture) taste buds, I can honestly tell you the bars are good and I'll even go as far to say that the coconut almond bar is downright tasty.

What's more? Jigsaw Bars Contain No Gluten, Lactose, Soy Protein, or Casein but they do contain Meg-3 (omega-3 essential fatty acids sourced from fish) and OptiNutrin (immune-enhancing glyconutrients from mushrooms). All good to hear.

You can buy them directly from the Jigsaw site. Guess what else? Since FitSugar readers are so special, Jigsaw would like to offer you all $5.00 off your first purchase online! Just enter the code FitSugar at checkout! Enjoy!

Olympic Pros Shawn Johnson, Natalie Coughlin, and Mia Hamm Share Their Healthy Snack Ideas

Leta Shy — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:25:59 PDT

Being an Olympic veteran means three things: you're a world-class athlete, you're used to hectic schedules, and you know how to travel smart. So who better to ask about how to stay healthy while being on the go than a few famous Olympic athletes? Whether you're snacking at home or need something to grab and go, here are recommendations from veteran Olympians Natalie Coughlin, Mia Hamm, and Shawn Johnson.

When traveling: It's all about "making sure you plan ahead and bring stuff with you, whether it's trail mix or an [energy] bar," soccer star Mia tells us. Gymnast Shawn recommends KIND bars because they are all natural and come in "fun flavors such as almond and coconut and apple cinnamon and pecan. They're surprisingly good," she tells ESPNw. Swimmer Natalie loves making her own energy bars - get her dried plum energy bar recipe here.

At home or work: Natalie is more than just a decorated Olympic swimmer; she's also an avid home cook and gardener. Natalie shared with YumSugar one of her favorite healthy snacks for Spring: "I love just having a really good baguette with good, high-quality butter (just a tiny bit of butter) and fresh sliced radishes with salt on top," she recommends. Shawn is all about snacking on veggies as well: she pairs peppers with hummus for a crunchy, filling snack.

Read on for more snack ideas from these famous Olympians!

How to Splurge This Weekend Without Gaining a Pound

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:49:28 PDT

For many who have stuck to their healthy ways all week long, the weekend is a time to loosen up the reigns a little, ignore weight-loss rules, and indulge in some high-calorie Cinco de Mayo goodness. If you're not careful though, an entire weekend of living it up could make you gain the pounds you've worked so hard to keep off all week. Here are some ways to splurge a little this weekend and not feel guilty on Monday morning.

Sip on this: If you're starting the Cinco de Mayo festivities a little early tonight, pass on the margaritas made with premade sugary mix and go for a glass made with real lime juice and a splash of simple syrup to save calories (opt for no salt on the rim). Or you can skip the margarita altogether and whip up a batch of this low-cal sangria-inspired cocktail made with heart-healthy red wine, unfiltered cranberry juice, and fresh strawberry puree.
Skip this calorie-loaded app: Ordering an enormous plate of nachos topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese, seasoned ground beef, and avocado means devouring a huge amount of calories before your entrée even arrives. Start with a small taco salad instead made with fresh greens, peppers, tomatoes, corn, black beans, a few crushed tortilla chips, and sprinkled with an avocado vinaigrette.

Keep reading for more calorie-saving tips.

13 Health Gimmicks You Can Stop Wasting Money On

Business Insider — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:15:21 PDT

Consumers have a tendency of falling for the next big health gimmick. Save your money on health duds with these Business Insider tips.

No matter how many times we're told otherwise, Americans' obsession with get-healthy-quick schemes will likely never die. Too bad most of these fads aren't worth their weight in salt - or your hard-earned dollars. We've put together a list of some of the worst budget-sucking health trends that still persist today.

Coconut Water

Coconut water may be nature's version of Gatorade but some brands have already caught fire for over-hyping its nutrient content. Vita Coco agreed to settle a $10 million class action lawsuit over an independent study that showed the drinks didn't pack near as many electrolytes as advertisements implied. Some coconut waters are also loaded with added sugar, which will do nothing to help your waistline.

Alternative: Pick up your own young green coconuts on the cheap from an Asian produce market. Just crack them open with a cleaver and pop in a straw.

"All-Natural" Foods

30 percent of Americans bought more natural foods in 2011, according to a Rodale study. But what are we really paying more for? There's no clear cut regulation on what makes food "natural," which means just about any company can slap that label on its packages, add a fancy green theme and jack up the price.

Says Andrew Schrage of MoneyCrashers: "Before buying any food that is touted as being 'all natural,' take a look at the ingredient list before you check out. Keep in mind that butter and salt are indeed natural ingredients. So stocking up on natural foods may not achieve anything other than increasing your grocery bill."

Read on for more.

Don't Pass These Over: Almond and Coconut Macaroons

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:02:46 PDT

Passover is coming up, and macaroons are the perfect treat to whip up for your own dinner or to bring along as a guest. This recipe results in a tasty cookie that's easy to make, is fairly low in sugar, and contains a decent amount of protein and fiber.

Macaroons are traditionally made solely with shredded coconut, but these contain chopped almonds as well for an interesting and additively crunchy texture. The only problem is these almond and coconut macaroons are so hard to resist, you'll have trouble stopping at just one.

Continue reading to see this simple recipe and to find out how many calories are in one macaroon.

Adventures in Ingredients: Aloe Vera

Camilla Salem — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:42:59 PDT

For weeks, I'd been eying these spiky succulent leaves at Berkeley Bowl. I always knew that aloe vera came from this common plant, but never thought I would actually need or want the opportunity to work with it myself. And then there's the whole issue of cooking with it and how to harvest it. It's popular in coconut water these days, but other than that, ingesting it is somewhat uncommon. But those who regularly eat or drink this strange succulent rave about its supposed health benefits, from healing acne to curing cancer.

I did a quick scan of the Internet on how to cut and prepare fresh aloe vera right from the leaf. I found several recipes for smoothies featuring fresh aloe vera pieces and one that served it poached with lime juice. A smoothie sounded more appetizing. Honestly, I got a little bit nervous when I found out that the dark red sap that apparently seeps out should not be ingested or it will cause unpleasant digestive issues. Still, I went for it.

Filleting this piece of aloe vera was a strange experience: I was on the lookout for that dark red sap, though I didn't ever encounter it. The aloe vera gel looked sticky and mucous, not delicious (or even edible). I'd read in a few places that aloe vera on its own is kind of bitter, so of course, I immediately cut off a piece and took a bite. It tasted like nothing, but I did notice a strange sensation in my mouth and my tongue went a little numb. To find out what I did with the fresh fillet of aloe vera, keep reading.

Get Creative With Your Cup of Coffee

Camilla Salem — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 06:40:29 PDT

Your morning cup of coffee may be sacred, but every once in a while, it's good to shake things up and get creative. Cream and sugar are always going to be there for you, so why not try something new? Spice up your coffee (or spike it up) with interesting additions and mix-ins.

Try adding spices to the coffee grounds before brewing. Cinnamon and nutmeg are common additions. If you're looking for a more intense experience, sprinkle a little bit of cayenne pepper in the grounds to give your coffee a spicy kick.
Add a cardamom pod to your hot pot of coffee to give it a distinct flavor, as is often done with Turkish coffee. Alternatively, you can use ground cardamom in the grounds as suggested above.
Use different milks. Cream is always going to be there, but you may be surprised by how almond milk and coconut milk can transform a cup of joe.
Those fancy syrups aren't just for baristas. You can play around with flavoring in your home-brewed coffee by adding a few drops of your favorite syrup.
Whipped cream isn't exclusive to hot chocolate. In fact, I actually prefer it on coffee. It acts as the cream and the sugar, yet it's so much more fun!
Have fun mixing your favorite liqueurs into your coffee. Try Baileys, Amaretto, Frangelico, Godiva, rum, brandy . . . The list goes on and on!

How do you take your coffee?

A Reader Recipe: Gluten-, Dairy-, and Sugar-Free Strawberry Muffins

Fit Community — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:59:42 PDT

FitSugar reader Gluten-Free Dom recently shared her vegan, gluten-free strawberry muffins - an adapted recipe from the BabyCakes Bakery cookbook - in our Healthy Recipe group.

Learn how to make these gluten-free treats after the break!

A Reader Recipe: Grain-Free Kitchen Sink Cookies

Fit Community — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:59:41 PDT

Reader AllieNic's Kitchen Sink cookies are chock-full of good-for-you ingredients. She shared her recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

Grain-Free Kitchen Sink Cookies (adapted from Une Vie Saine)

Read on for more.

Healthy Recipe: Coconut Macaroons for Passover or Anytime

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:30:00 PDT

Passover begins this weekend and that means macaroon time. If you're looking for a more traditional recipe than the recipe I posted last year for Almond Macaroons, then check out this recipe. This recipe is a bit more traditional since these macaroons are made with shredded coconut, sliced almonds, and egg whites. Plus they're cholesterol free (yes, coconut is cholesterol free). Shredded coconut and sliced almonds add a little fiber to these cookies, which we all could use.

To check out the recipe, just

Coconut Almond Macaroons for Passover or Anytime
From my Gram

These macaroons are a cinch to make and taste out of this world.

Ingredients

2 egg whites
2 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup Sucanat (or turbinado sugar)
Pinch of salt
1 tsp almond extract (omit if observing Passover)
Sliced almonds (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Separate the egg whites and place them in a bowl.
Pour in all the other ingredients into bowl with egg whites and mix them well. They should look like this.
Lightly grease two cookie sheets with a little Canola oil.
Drop spoonfuls onto the cookie sheet, about an inch or two apart. If you want to add some almonds, sprinkle them in the middle of each cookie and gently press them in.
Bake until light brown, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Allow them to cool on the pan for at least five minutes before removing with a spatula (if you try to remove them right out of the oven, they'll break apart).
Store uneaten cookies in a sealed container and they'll stay fresh for up to three days. This recipe makes about 24 cookies.

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