FitSugar

Best Bites in Flight

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:30:00 -0800

One of the toughest parts about traveling is figuring out what to eat when in the airport and even while on the plane. With airlines not offering much when it comes to food these days, our choices are limited. What's even more limited? Healthy food choices. Luckily the Diet Detective has deciphered through all the food on major airlines in an effort to find the best options in flight.

Here are highlights:

United: Go for either the Rightbite or the Smartpack snack box. The Smartpack is all natural, trans-fat free, and vegetarian friendly, but it has a lot of food and can be high in calories for one person, so you would have to share it.

There's many more so read more

Continental: Both sandwich options are fine; impressive that they offer light mayo.
Jet Blue: If you’re really hungry, try the nuts; they have protein and good fat and will satisfy you. Eat them one at a time.
American: If you really want a snack, or if a meal is not offered, your best bet is the Nut Blend.
US Airways: Ask for the Snack Pack and eat only one-third of the fruit and nut mix (give the rest away or save it) and the chicken salad; skip the fruit bar and the cookies and you’re good to go.
Delta: Go with the peanuts from the snack basket for the most satisfying and nutritious of the snack choices. Among the snack box offerings, the raisins would be the only keeper.
Northwest: All flights offer a choice of Pringles or the Good Sense Snack Mix. Pick the mix - it will be significantly more satisfying and give you more energy.
Southwest: Go for the nuts and skip the pretzels. If you purchase the snack pack, eat the dried fruit and the nuts and skip the crackers and cookies.

So what's to be learned from this? Bring your own food from home, not only will you save dough, but you'll also save yourself from trying to figure out what to eat.

Source

Do You Bring Your Own Food When You Fly?

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Airplane meals were notoriously bad, so I must admit I don't really miss them. Airport food is really only one step up in my book. It can be very difficult to find something decent and healthy to eat when flying, so I usually pack my own food. Plus little treats are so helpful when you need to calm down a panic stricken 2-year-old.

So what about you...

Source

Jet Lag Is a Drag

FitSugar — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 04:45:00 -0800

Flying gets you where you want to go, but sometimes it seems like your body has to catch up to where you are. Because we fly up to almost 500 miles an hour, we can arrive in different time zones after a fairly short flight.

I'm sure you've experienced jet lag before. It totally screws with your body and your mind. Some symptoms include the obvious - daytime drowsiness, foggy mind, irritability, difficulty concentrating, headaches, trouble sleeping, and swelling of your hands and feet.

Your body clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, is programmed for regular cycles of day and night - and this cycle gets totally disturbed. Depending on how many time zones you've crossed, it may take several days to restore the circadian rhythm.

Other factors that can make jet lag worse are the cabin pressure that your body is not used to and stale dry air.

Want to know what you can do to help your body adjust? Then read more

Get plenty of rest before your flight. Pack way before your flight so you can fall asleep without worrying if you forgot something.
Reset your watch to the time zone you'll be traveling to, so you can mentally prepare your body for the new time.
Walk around and do exercises as much as you can to improve your circulation, and hopefully prevent stiffness and swelling.
Stay hydrated - the air in the cabin can be really dry, and make you feel sleepy. Avoid alcohol and caffeine right before and during your flight - they'll dehydrate you.
If you're taking a red-eye, make the cabin as dark as you can so you can try and sleep. Wear eye shades and earplugs to help you tune out. If at all possible avoid taking red-eye flights.
If you can't help but fly during the night, try to sleep as much as you can, and get a window seat if you have the option - that way you avoid any unnecessary drooling on the unsuspecting person sitting next to you.
When you arrive in the morning, try to stay awake, and go to sleep at that time zone's normal bedtime. It'll be tough, but you'll get a better night of sleep than if you took a little afternoon cat nap.
If you are traveling for work, and crossing over time zones, try to schedule your flight so you arrive a day or 2 in advance. That way you'll have time to recuperate and get your body and mind back on track.

Gifts For the Fly Fisherman

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:04 -0800

Here at Sugar, holiday season is already in full swing - you better believe I've been making my list for who's been naughty and nice! To make gift shopping a breeze for you, we'll be offering up a bevy of gift ideas in the coming weeks for all the special fit folk in your life.

If you're like me, you have a man in your life that likes to fish. As a young girl, I always looked forward to weekend fishing trips with my dad, but I've since traded in my reel for a yoga mat and a day on the rocks. My dad is still going strong, though. Here are a few things I'm scoping out for him that may come in handy for the special fisherman in your life, too.

Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die ($16) Beautiful photographs and descriptions of the 50 best fly fishing spots in the world. This book gives the fish fanatic something to dream about, or inspiration for his next trip.
Tie-a-Fly ($22) Bob Henley's fly kits are an easy and inexpensive way to learn how to tie fly patterns. Each kit comes with enough material to tie 12 flies.
Gallatin Lanyard ($39) Every good fisherman needs to have his gear handy, and a lanyard is an easy way to keep the essentials within an arm's reach. It's padded with foam to keep the neck comfortable, and it has an adjustable length of nine to 27 inches.
Embroidered Clearwater Mesh Vest ($57) Even knee-deep in water, you still gotta look good! No fly fisherman is complete without his vest, and this one gets you remembered for the personal embroidered pocket.
Fly of the Month Club ($60-220) For three, six, or 12 months, the Fly of the Month Club will send that special someone premium flies right to their door.

What's The Deal With: Fruit and Fruit Flies

FitSugar — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Oh how I love the fresh fruits and veggies of summer. My counter is full of ripening fruit and it seems that the fruit flies love my produce nearly as much as I do. Let me tell you, I am not too fond of fruit flies and am curious - How do they get in my kitchen?

Here's the deal. Fruit flies lay their eggs on fermenting fruit NOT fresh fruit, so when the eggs hatch, the larvae have yeast to munch on. So if the fruit you bring home has already begun to ripen, it may have eggs on it, and they'll hatch at your house. More often though, contrary to what you may think, fruit flies live outdoors. So if you bought fresh fruit from the store and it's ripening on your counter, chances are the fruit flies got a good whiff and flew into your kitchen from outside.

There are many ways to get rid of them:

Don't leave food on the counter to ripen. If that's not possible, wrap your fresh fruit in sealed ziploc baggies before they ripen so the flies can't smell your fruit as easily.
If you do leave fruit on your counter, eat it before it gets too ripe.
Don't leave dirty dishes around. As soon as you're done eating, wash them immediately. Also be sure to clean your sink thoroughly - fruit flies can live off the scum in the drain.

If you want to see what else you can do to get rid of those little buggers then read more

Keep your trash can clean and take the trash out once a day so you don't have food scraps rotting in your kitchen - trash is a fruit fly's dream come true.
Fruit flies love wine, beer, and soda, so rinse off your bottles and cans before placing them in the recycling bin.
If you have a bad infestation, you can make a fruit fly trap: take a cup or shallow dish and pour something sweet in the bottom like a little wine, juice, or some watered down honey. Or you can use a ripe piece of fruit, like a banana. Then cover it with plastic wrap or a clean drink lid and poke a small hole into the middle of it. The flies are attracted to the sweet smell, so they fly in and can't get out.

Source, Source and Source

Mile High Moves: Flying Tips

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:30:00 -0800

Flying during the holidays means the flights are fully booked and you and your fellow passengers are crammed like sardines, packed very close, too close, into tiny seats with no leg room. Here are a few hints to keep your body happy while stuck in your plane seat.

Straighten your knees often during the flight, sliding your heels on the floor. If you have luggage stowed under the seat in front of you, lengthen your legs as far as you can.
Circle your ankles multiple times in each direction and do this multiple times during the flight.
Place your right ankle on your left knee, with right knee out to the side and bend forward at your hips. This is a stretch for your fanny.
Twist upper body and look at your neighbor and hold for a few seconds, then twist and look at your other neighbor.
Make your booty "wink" by squeezing one butt cheek, letting it relax, then squeezing the other. This promotes circulation and will hopefully keep you entertained for a bit.
Interlace your fingers, reach palms toward the ceiling, straighten your arms and STRETCH. Add little bends to each side if you have the room.

Happy flying.

Flying and Nosebleeds

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:05:00 -0700

After a long day of traveling, mostly by plane, I woke up with a nosebleed. The last time a bloody nose roused me from sleep, I was learning long division. I thought it odd, but the dry air in planes can push an irritated nose over the edge and result in a nosebleed, and the altitude doesn't help the situation either. More of a nuisance than a medical problem, nosebleeds are dramatic but not really painful (at least for me). Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn't tip your head back, but rather lean slightly forward in a seated position while pinching your nose with your thumb and forefinger for five to 10 minutes. Avoid blowing your nose for several hours after the bleeding has stopped to prevent another nosebleed. If you cannot get the bleeding to stop after 20 minutes, seek medical attention. You should also be treated if your bloody nose is the result of an accident.

If you're suffering from allergies, live in dry place, and are flying in the near future, you should keep the interior of your nose moist with a saline nasal spray. No one wants to start a vacation with a nosebleed, especially a Summer one when so many people are wearing white. Tell me have you ever suffered through a nosebleed?

Source

Weekend Well-Being: Go Fly A Kite

FitSugar — Sat, 26 May 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Even though summer solstice is still a few weeks away, since Memorial Day weekend is here I feel summer has officially begun. One of the ways I like to celebrate summer is getting out and flying a kite.

I know it sounds like a bad Charlie Brown moment, but I love going kite flying. It is a great way to spend some time outside, breathe fresh air and get the blood moving. It is an activity that appeals to kids of all ages (sorry, I just had to use that expression). Plus, flying a kite for just 20 minutes burns about 100 calories. Imagine how many you can burn kite flying for an entire afternoon.

Here are a few tips for your kite flying adventure:

Make sure there is some light to moderate wind. Flying a kite with no wind means a lot of running!!!
Find a spot that is free of trees and power lines. Beaches are a great place for kite flying.
To get the kite up, just let out a small length of kite string and, holding the string in your hand, run with the kite behind you until the wind lifts it.

There are many kite styles to choose from (we have a lovely mermaid kite that my 4 year old selected), but you can always make your own. Here are some great instructions for making a basic Diamond Kite.

Partner Yoga Pose: Forward Flying

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Soothing partner yoga poses such as Dog Hero, Massage Table, and Double Gate are great for connecting with someone or for a good stretch, but sometimes I'm in the mood for something a little more fun and challenging. You've probably done this flying move with your 2-year-old niece, but it's not just for kids. The reason it's so great when you're older is because the person on the top can utilize the force of gravity to feel deeper stretches, and the person on the bottom experiences an amazing lower-back release from the weight of his or her partner.

To find out how to fly with a partner read more.

The person on the bottom is called the base and the person on the top is called the flyer. Both men and women are strong enough to be the base and lift their partner (as you can see in the video), so if you're practicing this pose with a guy, make sure you have a chance to lift him up too.
The base begins on his back on the floor with his legs in the air. The flyer stands facing him with her toes close to his bum.
The guy on the bottom bends his knees slightly, and the flyer reaches for his feet and places them right below her hip bones. The base makes sure his heels point in, so his toes can wrap around her hips.
Now they hold hands and as the flyer leans into the base's feet, he straightens his legs, and lifts the flyer into the air. It's very important that the person on top keep her feet below her hips at first until they find their balance.
This is the first step in flying with a partner. If both partners are feeling stable, they can go ahead and try some of the moves demonstrated in the video. It helps to move slowly but if they lose their balance and the person on top falls over, it's totally normal. Doing tricks while flying requires a lot of practice, so it may take many attempts before the flyer is able to soar without falling to the floor.

Partner Yoga: Flying Whale

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:27:32 -0700

If you tried Forward Flying with a partner and loved it, then give this a try. It's a version of backwards flying called Flying Whale. The key is to move slowly to help the person on top stay balanced.

To learn how to do this partner yoga pose, read more.

The person on the bottom is called the base, and the person on the top is called the flyer. In this video, the base happens to be a guy and the flyer is a woman, but both men and women are strong enough to be the base and lift their partner. So if you're practicing this pose with a guy, make sure you have a chance to lift him up too.
The base begins on his back on the floor with his legs in the air. The flyer stands with her heels touching his shoulders. The base holds onto the flyer's ankles and as she arches back, the base shifts his legs forward and gently places his feet on her upper back.
Once the base feels stable, he pushes the flyer's ankles up and lifts her feet off the ground. They stay like this for a few breaths so the flyer can feel the amazing stretch in her spine.
To release, the base can lower the flyer's feet back toward the ground, or he can help her dismount by doing a supported back walkover. He does this by bending his knees so the flyer's hands can lower to the ground. He walks his feet to her bum as she brings her legs in split position. Then he gives her a gentle push to help her kick over.