FitSugar

Cooking Tonight? See How Fats Measure Up

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:00:09 PDT

I know that olive oil is one of the healthiest fats you can eat, but sometimes that flavor just isn't right for the dish I'm preparing. I keep an array of different types of fats in my kitchen, so let's see how they compare nutritionally.

To see if Earth Balance is really healthier than butter

Food Review: Earth Balance Cream Cheese Spread

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:00:00 PST

When it comes to buttering my bread or baking, I'm a huge fan of Earth Balance natural margarine. It's cholesterol free, low in saturated fat, and dairy free. I just discovered that Earth Balance makes Cream Cheese. Yes it's made with milk, so it's not some vegan alternative, but it's made with rBST-free milk and it's supposed to be a healthier version of mainstream cream cheese.

To see how the two types of cream cheeses compare

Margarine War: Earth Balance vs. Smart Balance

FitSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:00:00 PDT

As if the war between butter and margarine weren't enough to think about, now I have to choose between kinds of margarine. Have you ever wondered what the difference is between these two? They're both organic, dairy free, and made without hydrogenated oils, but what else sets them apart besides their names?

To find out,

Coconut Cream Cake - The Lesser Evil

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 10:15:00 PDT

I am definitely of two minds when it comes to baking "lite" desserts. While I am all for dessert it better be worth it. Plus, I fear that if a dessert is "lite" I just might think I can over indulge. With all that in mind, I took on the task of "cleaning up" the Coconut Cream Cake posted by PartySugar. I must say the cake tasted great. My husband loved it. I served it to guests and they too were complimentary (or maybe just being polite - who knows!!!)

While my cake did not quite look like the cake pictured (I just made a two layer cake), the frosting was lumpier since it contained pecan pieces, it didn't photograph well. I need to work on my food styling skills.

I hope you try the recipe and if you do I would love to hear about your results. To see the recipe just

Coconut Cream Cake - The Lesser Evil
adapted from Emeril Lagasse

1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter substitute, softened (I used Earth Balance)
1/2 cup canola oil
3 egg yolks
5 large eggs whites
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup ground pecans
1 cup low fat buttermilk
2 cups shredded coconut
One 8-ounce package low fat or non-fat cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 pounds confectioners’ sugar (about 6 cups), sifted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons low fat milk
1 cup pecan pieces

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease and flour 2 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, cream the granulated sugar, agave nectar with 1/4 pound (1 stick) of the butter.
With the mixer running, add the oil in a steady stream. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift the flour and baking soda together into a medium-size mixing bowl. Add the ground pecans and mix. Alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the batter, mixing well.
Fold in 1 cup of the coconut.
With the electric mixer, in another large mixing bowl (wash and dry the beaters well first), beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then fold them into the cake batter.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake until the center springs back when touched, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on wire racks. After the cakes have cooled, invert them onto sheets of parchment paper. Set aside.
With an electric mixer, in another large mixing bowl (wash and dry those beaters), cream the remaining 1/4 pound (1 stick) butter with the cream cheese.
Add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing after each addition.
Add the vanilla and milk and mix well. Fold in the pecans.
Spread a thin layer of the frosting on top of each cake layer. Place the layers of cake on top of each other and ice the sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
Sprinkle the top of the cake with the remaining 1 cup coconut.

Notes: Although I used a butter substitute, it is still as fattening as butter just better for you in terms of cholesterol and saturated fat. It still contains lots of sugar (6 cups of powdered sugar in the frosting alone), as well as eggs. So while this might be better for you than the original version, it still has a considerable caloric load. It is made with coconut how could it not. It is still tasty though.

Here's a link to the original recipe from PartySugar.

with images

without images

Earth Balance: A Natural Margarine

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 02:30:00 PDT

Who doesn't love the taste of melted butter on a freshly baked muffin? Although that creamy taste is unforgettable, we all know that butter isn't exactly healthy for us because it contains artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol.

Margarine is in no way a better option because most of them are made with hydrogenated oils that are high in trans fat. Why are trans fats so bad? They actually raise the bad cholesterol in our bodies and lower the good cholesterol.

I've got a better choice. Have you ever tried Earth Balance? It comes in a tub like other butter alternatives, but it contains no trans-fat whatsoever. It's not made with hydrogenated oils, but rather is a blend of natural vegetable oils including canola and olive.

Ok, so it's healthier for you, but does it taste good? Yes!! It really does. It has a light buttery flavor, that melts just like butter on warm bread. Plus Earth Balance is dairy-free, so it's a great alternative if you are lactose intolerant. You can use it in place of butter when spreading, cooking, or even baking.

Fit's Tips: Look for it in the dairy section next to the butter and margarine. Most health food stores carry it, and I've also been happy to see it on the shelves of mainstream grocery stores.

Sweat It Out For Healthy Hair

Zelana Montminy — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:26:36 PST

You might think that sweating it out can be harmful to your hair, but you should start thinking of your workout as part of your beauty routine. Most of us know that eating a well-balanced diet helps make for a healthy mane. But it hadn't occurred to me that hair could also reap beauty benefits from working out until celebrity stylist, educator, and fitness buff Natasha Sunshine introduced me to the idea. She's built her career on holistic hair care after witnessing the benefits first hand. Natasha shared five ways that getting your sweat on helps add shine to your hair.

Turn Up Intensity
Natasha reminded me that intense cardio is a great way to rid the body of toxins. This has a direct impact on your sebum, an oily, conditioning substance secreted by skin glands that helps prevent hair from drying out. Natasha says that the release of toxins "directly contributes to purer, healthier and an even more conditioning sebum."

Get Drenched
In addition to intense cardio and other sweat promoting workouts, Natasha advises clients to take a steam or sauna once a week as a "fantastic tool in releasing excess contaminants in the body to maintain a healthy sebum."

Learn more ways your hair benefits from your gym time, after the break.

Lil Gift Guide: Great Gifts For 4-Year-Olds!

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:33:43 PST

By 4 years old, tots know what they like, and they're already forming their own wish lists for the holidays. Chances are that many of the items on that list are the hottest toys of the season - including the LeapFrog LeapPad and the VTech InnoTab, Lalaloopsy, and Hot Wheels Wall Tracks. If mama's looking for a few new ideas, we've got her covered. Check out our favorite finds for these preschoolers!

The Orb Factory's StoryCraft The Frog Prince ($20) allows for creative storytelling, as tots add shapes and jewels to a 10-page story book about the Frog Prince fairy tale. LeapFrog keeps expanding its popular Tag reading system to do more than just teach tots to read. The LeapFrog Solar System Adventure Pack ($14) uses the Tag stylus to teach lil ones about the solar system - exploring planets and educating tots about life beyond Earth. Exercise doesn't feel like a chore with Diggin's Wobble Deck ($45), which plays music and games while tots try to balance on the board. Mini American Idol fans will love First Act's Voice Rockrz Mic ($25) that not only changes the singer's voice, but provides drumrolls and applause. Kids will rule the neighborhood with Fisher Price's Power Wheels Stinger XT ($250), a motorized car with room for two.

T-Day Tips For the Lactose Intolerant

Heather Dale — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:42:52 PST

Turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, pumpkin pie, oh my! Thanksgiving is not only a time to give thanks and surround yourself with loved ones, but it's also the annual holiday most known for its savory signature dishes. For some, this means gorging on yams, biscuits, and casseroles, but for others the day means worrying about food sensitivities and allergies that can be triggered by basic ingredients in a number of dishes. If you're lactose intolerant, Thanksgiving dinner can be overwhelming since so many delicious food items contain milk and dairy products. Here are some simple tips for surviving Thanksgiving and still indulging like everyone else if you are lactose intolerant.

6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Yoga Mat

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:57:25 PDT

When I started practicing yoga over 10 years ago, I couldn't wait to own my first yoga mat. I impulsively bought a pretty purple one, based on color alone. Not the best move, as it began disintegrating after a few weeks. What a waste of $35. Like any fitness gear, it pays to do a little research and to know some tips from well-seasoned yogis. Here are things I wish I knew before buying my first yoga mat.

Not All Mats Are Created Equal
Just as there are many types of yoga, there are even more varieties of yoga mats. Some are lightweight for traveling, some are eco-friendly, and some are designed for classes where you don't sweat much. Choose a mat based on the type of yoga you're doing and the amount you perspire. Avoid mats made for other types of exercise like physical therapy or Pilates, as they can be too squishy or slippery.

If You Want It to Last, Spend the Dough
There are plenty of mats that costs $20 or less, but you get what you pay for in the yoga mat world. Typically found at huge stores like Target or Walmart, less-expensive mats not only wear down after a few months, but they're typically made with chemically-smelling plastics like PVC, which aren't good for the Earth or your body. Pricier mats like the Manduka Black Mat cost ~~a small fortune~~ over $90, but you're paying for a durable mat made to last a lifetime (or two). In the long run, you actually save money.

Keep reading for more tips on buying your first yoga mat.

Healthy Substitutions For Baking

Susi May — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 03:11:09 PDT

Baking is a great way to beat the chilly weather that comes with the change of seasons. Weekends are a great time to make sweet things with my sweet things - my girls love baking too. When making treats, I do try to make substitutes with healthy ingredients when I think I will not be sacrificing the texture and flavor too much.

I found some substitutions at the American Heart Association, and I think they're great. Definitely worth giving a try if you are trying to reduce your intake of saturated fat, the kind which can increase your LDL cholesterol.

Feel like trying to bake a little healthier? Keep reading for substitution ideas

Type of Fat	Serving Size	Calories	Fat (g)	Sat. Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)
Canola oil	1 tbsp.	124	14	1	0
Corn oil	1 tbsp.	120	14	2	0
Olive oil	1 tbsp.	119	13.5	1.9	0
Peanut oil	1 tbsp.	119	13.5	2.3	0
Safflower oil	1 tbsp.	120	13.6	.8	0
Sesame oil	1 tbsp.	120	13.6	1.9	0
Sunflower oil	1 tbsp.	120	13.6	1.8	0
Vegetable oil	1 tbsp.	124	14	.9	0
Butter, salted	1 tbsp.	102	11.5	7.3	31
Margarine, salted	1 tbsp.	101	11.4	2	0
Earth Balance	1 tbsp.	100	11	3.5	0
Smart Balance	1 tbsp.	80	9	2.5	0
Pam	1 second spray	7	.7	0	0


Serving Size	1 tbsp	1 tbsp	1 tbsp
Calories	100	80	102
Total Fat	11g	9g	11.5g
Saturated Fat	3.5g	2.5g	7.3g
Cholesterol	0mg	0mg	31mg
Sodium	120mg	100mg	82mg
Carbs	0g	0g	0g
Fiber	0g	0g	0g
Sugar	0g	0g	0g
Protein	0g	0g	.1g