FitSugar

Get in Gear: Kelty Dog Pack for Hiking

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:45:00 PDT

Spring weather makes me want to go for a long hike with the entire family, and that means our dog, Bonnie, comes along, too. It's important to pack water, snacks, and extra layers for everyone, but since my daughters are young, they get tired carrying anything for too long. So I've been thinking about putting Bonnie to work. Check out this Kelty Chuck Wagon Dog Pack (medium, $50).

I so want this pack, since I have other packs (you know the ones for humans) made by Kelty and love them. They're well made, not too expensive, and really durable. This pack is great for dogs weighing 35 to 65 pounds, with a girth of 22 to 35 inches. The zippered compartments allow Bonnie to help carry the stuff we need, and she can even carry food and water for herself. I love that it's bright red, so we'll be able to see her easily in the woods. Depending on the size of your pooch, they also make this pack in small ($45) and large ($55).

Cannes Minireview: Killing Them Softly

Molly Goodson — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:21:14 PDT

Brad Pitt's gritty new project, Killing Them Softly (formerly titled Cogan's Trade, and based on a book of the same name), made its debut to the press at the Cannes Film Festival this morning. Considering the early hour of the screening and just how violent and drug-fueled it is as a film, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it overall. Pitt is at his best playing the ruthless assassin, and James Gandolfini can, of course, carry a mob movie.

Who's behind it? Like Sapphires and Lawless, it's another The Weinstein Company film here at the festival. Writer-director Andrew Dominik brings together an excellent cast of men to tell his story, including Ray Liotta in addition to Pitt and Gandolfini. With that much testosterone on screen, there's not much room for the ladies. In fact, there's barely a female to be seen in the film at all. At the center, there are two bumbling thieves, played by Scoot McNairy and Ben Mendelsohn, who shine in their own deeply messed-up ways - often seen sweating and using drugs. Pitt, who we have seen playing a ruthless assassin before, does it again, this time with slicked-back hair and a cigarette dangling from his mouth as he explains his preferred method of murder - "killing them softly," rather than listening to them plead.
What's it about? On paper, it's about a heist at a mob poker game gone wrong, but as both the director and Pitt spoke at the film's press conference after the screening, it's a much larger commentary on America's capitalist society. It's set in New Orleans against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis and election, with actual speeches from Barack Obama and Sarah Palin sprinkled throughout. As for the actual heist at stake, Frankie and Russell (McNairy and Mendelsohn) rob a poker game that was previously hit up as part of a scam put on by its own owner, Andrew (Liotta). Pitt's character, Jackie Cogan, is brought in by the larger mob bosses to assassinate the men. Wires are quickly crossed and it can be hard to tell who is working for whom, but with the crazy visuals and hilarious, sometimes unsettling, one-liners, it is a riveting watch. I, for one, was particularly amused by the scenes about Russell running a racket by stealing purebred dogs.
More important even than the story, however, is the feel of the film. It takes place and was shot in New Orleans, a city which Pitt is clearly comfortable in. It's not quite a love letter to the city - or to anything for that matter - like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but it still has that uniquely gritty and stylized New Orleans feel.

To read what I thought of the film at Cannes, just

What did I think? The performances, especially by Gandolfini, could start award-season buzz, depending on how and when Killing Them Softly is released stateside. While the film is not for the faint of heart, it's a thought-provoking watch. The humor and political commentary keep it from being a straightforward mob movie, therefore setting it apart from being the same story we've seen 100 times before. Plus, Pitt's swagger, Gandolfini's monologue expertise, and a pack of dogs are welcome at any movie for me. Watch out for the last line, though, it will stick with you.

Photo courtesy of The Weinstein Company

Easy Ways to Get More From Your Food Budget

LearnVest — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:15:48 PDT

Go the extra mile with your food budget with these tips from LearnVest.

For years, many people - my husband, mom, sister and even my son - told me to stop wasting so much food.

Throwing away half a piece of chicken here or a handful of grapes there never seemed like such a big deal to me. If I was full or no longer in the mood for that particular food, then I had no problem tossing it.

That is, until I experienced a bad case of sticker shock during a recent trip to the supermarket. The cost of bread, eggs, fish - basically everything I was purchasing - had increased. And, according to the USDA, we can expect prices to rise even higher this year.

As I forked over my money and left with only a handful of bags, I realized just how important it is for me to pay more attention to what I spend on food . . . and to confront how much of it I shove down the garbage disposal.

Unfortunately, I'm not the only one with wasteful ways. In 2010, 33 million tons of food was thrown away, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Obviously, wasted food means wasted money, but figuring out how to make your grocery budget go further can be a challenge.

To keep more food in your fridge (and more money in your pocket), try these expert tips.

1. Ward Against Freezer Burn

Those large bags or packages of frozen veggies or meat come in handy when you have a large family, but "each time you open a bag of frozen food, air gets in and will cause freezer burn within two to three weeks," says consumer saving expert Andrea Woroch. Freezer burn will dry out the meat and make it less tasty. Woroch suggests going small.

Read on for more.

Dog, Meet Baby: The All-Important First Introduction

Lisa Horten — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:04:33 PDT

You've done everything you can to prep your pup for that major life event on the horizon. Now all that's left is to play your role as mediator during the crucial first meeting of your beloved canine child and your newborn. A baby who's just a few days old is unlikely to have any reaction to his new four-legged sibling, but the dog? That's another story. To ensure that the first introduction goes as smoothly as possible, follow these easy guidelines from the one and only dog whisperer, Cesar Millan.

Get Rid of Excess Energy: Take your dog on a long walk to use up energy before bringing him or her in to meet the new baby. Before returning to the house, wait at the doorstep for a minute, and make sure the dog's mood is calm and submissive.
Scent-sational: Give your pup a minute to sniff around. He'll instantly recognize the new scent in the house, and if you've introduced an item of the baby's beforehand, then the dog will already be accustomed to it.
It's Go Time: When the actual introduction occurs, Mom or Dad should be holding the baby. It's important that the parents' state be calm yet assertive. Allow the dog to sniff the baby, becoming familiar with him or her from a distance.
Earn Their Trust: During the first meeting, keeping a respectful distance between the dog and newborn is important. Gradually, however, the dog can be allowed closer and closer to the baby. Using this method establishes the baby as another "pack leader" to your pup.
Then What? As the baby becomes more active and interested in his or her surroundings, it's crucial that all interactions be supervised by a parent. Just as the dog needs to maintain a respectful distance from the baby, it's equally imperative that the baby know not to bother the dog, pull on its tail, poke its eyes, and the like. But do your best to make sure that your dog still receives plenty of attention and affection. Try to maintain the daily routine of walks, praise, and regular feeding times. This will ensure that your dog feels secure as part of the newly expanded family.

Source: Hanna Mac

Happy National Pet Day! 13 Ways to Save Bucks on Fido

Emily Co — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:47:58 PDT

The cost of raising a dog is extremely high. In fact, if you look at rates to fly with your dog on airplanes, it's sometimes almost equivalent to what we humans are paying for a plane ticket. And it all adds up - you end up spending a never-ending amount of cash on toys, crates, flea medication, checkups, and the list goes on. However, many think the high costs of raising a dog are totally worth it. To reduce the costs of what you think is a necessary expense, here are some tips on saving money on your new dog:

Adopt a Doggie: If you're not too picky about the breeds, getting your dog from a shelter is cheaper than spending over a thousand for a purebred puppy from a breeder. Further, many of the pets have already been vaccinated and spayed or neutered, which will definitely save you money in vet bills.
Pick a Responsible Breeder: If you have your heart set on a pooch from a breeder, make sure you do your homework lest you end up with a sick dog from a puppy mill. Do research online to see what qualities a responsible breeder has, and go take a look at the dog and inspect the environment it's being raised in. Ask for references from sources like the breeder's vet, ask to see the dog's parents (if they are around) and quiz her on how she raises her dogs. Here are more questions to ask a prospective breeder.
Costco For Pets or Buy Online: Check to see if there is a warehouse superstore for pet supplies in your area. For example, Pet Club in the Bay Area gives great discounts if you buy in bulk - great for buying items in bulk such as urine pads, cleaning solvent, and poop bags. Another option is to see if you can find better deals online - Four Paws wee wee pads are available on Amazon at a 55 percent discount, so be sure to look around online for great bargains.
Neuter or Spay at the ASPCA: Spaying or neutering your dog can be extremely pricey. Check out your local ASPCA for cheaper prices on the surgery. To compare prices, I called a local vet that quoted me a hefty $800 for a small breed puppy, while the ASPCA in San Francisco quoted me $225. However, after asking around, my friend told me about an even better deal at another ASPCA, located a little further away in Oakland, CA, which charged $100 to spay/neuter. Be sure to check out the prices of the different clinics, even if they are under the same organization. The local Humane Society clinics were even cheaper so you might want to check out their prices as well. Lesson to learn: always shop around for pet health services.
Housebreak Your Dog: If you train your dog to "go" outside of your house, you don't have to waste money buying expensive pee pads and you'll be using less cleaning solvent for the messes that accidentally spill from the pad to the floor.

For more tips to saving on Fido, read after the jump.

The 5 Most Creative Ways to Share Baby News

LilSugar — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:51:36 PDT

We love a beautiful printed birth announcement as much as anyone. But with iPhones and Flip cams making it so much easier for anyone to become an at-home documentary maker, it's hard to resist the urge to take your baby news into the digital age. Here, we share five of the best hi-tech baby announcements that we've seen to date. Enjoy - and welcome, lil ones!

Isabella Jane: This proud dad documented the action-packed journey to the hospital that he and his wife made in the midst of an NYC snowstorm last Winter to deliver baby Isabella:

Keep reading for more birth announcement inspiration!

Why Pink Slime Is About More Than Burgers

Shape — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 04:22:19 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Yes, pink slime is gross. No one wants to think about anything being in their burger except actual meat. But the huge controversy may be about more than just pink slime.

The biggest concern with pink slime is that we're buying (or eating) a product and we don't exactly know what it's made of, says Prescott Frost, a champion of sustainable agriculture and a rancher and producer of organic, 100 percent grass-fed beef.

"I’d have to say that the controversy over pink slime is a reaction to corporate farming, and the reaction is a natural one to our concerns about corporate farming and big agriculture," Frost says. "Every day we become more and more aware of their effects on our daily lives, whether it is the food we eat, the environment we live in, or the way we treat our animals."

Find out how to avoid pink slime in red meat after the break!

3 Snacking Habits to Break Now

Prevention — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:08:19 PDT

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

These noshing habits could be the reason your scale is stalled
By Karen Ansel, RD, Prevention

We do it in the car, on the train, in front of the TV, on the phone, and even in bed. For too many of us, snacking has become so automatic that our brains barely register the hand-to-mouth motion. And it's not as if we're all reaching for diet-friendly apples: A 2010 study from the University of North Carolina found that most of us eat nearly 600 calories a day-roughly a third of our food-in snacks rather than meals.

"The business plan of the modern food company has been to put their foods on every street corner, making it socially acceptable to eat 24-7," says David Kessler, MD, former commissioner of the FDA and the author of The End of Overeating (Rodale, 2009).

6 Ways to Stop Overeating

The result has been a nutritional disaster. In their natural state, whole foods may be high in fat or sugar, but they're rarely high in both. Today we have man-made snack foods with a tantalizing combination of fat and sugar rolled into one. "Foods have become so 'hyperpalatable' that they're now capable of hijacking our brains the same way that nicotine and alcohol do," says Ashley Gearhardt, the lead author of a Yale University study on food addiction.

Keep reading to learn how to fix your snacking habits.

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!

Get Smart About Soy

Health — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:48:14 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

There are so many ways to get this good-for-you protein into your daily diet. Here's how to do it - and why you absolutely should.

By Sally Kuzemchak, RD

If you bypass tofu at salad bars, skip the meatless dishes at Chinese restaurants, and avoid edamame when you're out for sushi, well, it's time to give soy-based foods a second look. "Whole soy foods are a great substitute for meat," says Christine Gerbstadt, MD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Their healthy protein content makes them a good option even if you're not one of the growing number of people going "flexitarian" or opting to eat less meat.

Here's your guide to making this legume a regular and great-tasting part of your diet.

Soy 101
All soy products are made from soybeans, mostly grown here in the United States. You can buy whole soybeans dried or canned, or in the produce section or freezer aisle as edamame, the common name for soybeans picked before they're fully mature. (Edamame can be purchased either in pods or shelled.)

Health.com: The 10 best foods for your heart

Beyond whole beans, soy takes on a number of different guises. Roasted soybeans are sold as soy nuts or ground into soy nut butter. Soybeans can be soaked in water, cooked, and filtered to make soy milk and soy yogurt. Adding a coagulant to soy milk curdles it, producing tofu, which ranges in texture from "silken" (very soft) to "extra firm," depending on how much liquid is removed.

Soybeans can also be fermented into a paste called miso (the base for miso soup) or a cake or patty called tempeh, which is often used in place of meat in sandwiches or grilled and eaten on its own. Finally, soy can be found in many packaged foods - such as frozen meatless burgers, cereals, and energy bars - often in the form of "soy protein isolate," meaning it's mostly the protein from soybeans you're getting.

Keep reading for more on soy.