FitSugar

Do You Wear Glasses or Contacts?

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I have worn reading glasses since my freshman year of high school but was still shocked to learn that 81 percent of Americans wear corrective lenses of some sort.

I guess being the window to the soul requires some outside support. Keeping tabs on the health of your vision is important. So I want to know . . .

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5 Things: Contact Lens Wearers Should Know

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:30:00 -0700

When I got my first pair of glasses in fourth grade, they were fun for a while, but I soon learned that glasses were pretty annoying. When you get sweaty, they slide off your face. In the winter, the lenses fog up every time you come inside.

When I reached junior high, my dad welcomed me to the wonderful world of contact lenses and I've never turned back.

Here are some things every contact lens wearer should know:

Always wash your hands before inserting or removing your lenses. Your hands are covered with germs, and touching your eye with germy fingers is a great way to get yourself a nasty cold or other illness.
If you suffer from allergies, wearing contacts can make your symptoms worse since allergens can stick to the lenses. Wear glasses if your symptoms are really bad, and if you can't part from your contacts (I don't blame you), be sure to clean them thoroughly or replace disposable lenses more often.

Want to hear the other tips? Then read more

Keep eye drops in your purse or desk at all times, especially if you work at a computer. Not only are dry lenses uncomfortable and difficult to see out of, but they could potentially scratch your eye. Use those drops as often as you need. Look for drops containing antihistamines that may help if you have watery or itchy eyes caused by allergies.
Only wear your lenses as long as they are directed to. Lenses meant to be worn for only two to four weeks should not be worn for two months. Dirt and protein deposits accumulate on the lenses and can cause irritation, eye infections, or damage your eyes.
Most importantly, give your eyes a rest from contacts. I know it's difficult to break the habit if you wear them every waking moment everyday, but your eyes need a chance to breathe. Choose lenses that are highly breathable, such as Acuvue Oasys, and wear your glasses a few hours a day instead, so oxygen can reach your corneas.

Fit's Tips: There are new mascaras out there for that are great for contact lens wearers. I'm a fan of Kiss Me, and my friend Bella just turned me onto Fiberwig Mascara. These mascaras coat each individual lash with little water-resistant tubes, so they won't run, flake, clump, or smudge (even if you cry or rub your eyes). The little tubes slide off your lashes with a combo of warm water and gentle pressure. I'm a huge fan.

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5 Reasons to Stop After One Glass of Wine

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

When drinking red wine, I enjoy my glass knowing I am reaping some health benefits with each sip. As with everything, moderation is key, and drinking more than one glass a day can tip the balance and be detrimental to your health. Here are five reasons to stop after having just one glass of wine.

One glass of wine a day can reduce you risk of having a heart attack, but two glasses of wine a day increases your chance for developing breast cancer.
One glass of wine a day can increase bone strength, but two or more glasses daily can weaken bones. This decrease in bone density can put you at risk for developing osteoporosis.
One glass of red wine a day may help you stay thin, but two or more glasses a day may raise the fats found in your blood.

To see my final two reasons, read more.

Drinking wine in moderation may help improve your ability to create and maintain memories, but two or more glasses, especially when coupled with tobacco use, can hasten the onset of Alzheimer's.
Drinking one glass of wine a day can lower your chances of having a stroke, but drinking more can raise your chances of having one.

If you use the health benefits of wine to justify or rationalize having a glass, stick to the one 4-oz. glass. Moderation is key when it comes to drinking alcohol. A little bit does the trick, but a little more than that can be risky.

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Another Reason to Stop After One Glass: Weight Gain

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:00:27 -0700

You all know I am big fan of moderation, especially when it comes to vices like chocolate or red wine. While alcohol might be the new exercise motivator, another health study was recently published seemingly to remind us all to be moderate when it comes to beer, wine, and booze. The UK study found that binge drinking leads to weight gain. And not just all over weight gain, but it increases belly fat, which is known to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease.

Binge drinking is defined as drinking five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting and doing so has measurable health consequences - women who tend to binge drink were found to have waists four inches larger than those who did not. The study found that drinking one drink a day for five days didn't have the same effect of increasing abdominal fat as binge drinking. The study was unable to determine how long one would have to regularly binge drink to create the weight gain. Regardless, add this one to your lists of reasons to stop after one glass.

Give the Gift of Sight

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:15:00 -0800

Being able to see properly is an important part of health. Unfortunately not everyone can afford to buy themselves proper glasses. Just like used clothes or sneakers, you can donate your used glasses. LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears, Target, Sunglass Hut, and BJ's Optical all donate used glasses to Give the Gift of Sight, a program that gives glasses to underprivileged people in North America and developing countries. All you have to do is drop your old glasses off at one of the locations and the program collects, cleans, repairs, and catalogs them into a computer system so they'll be properly donated to someone who'll be very happy to be able to see them.

For more information, check out GivetheGiftofSight.com.

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Quiz: The Juicy Truth

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:30:52 -0800

With juice labels touting their healthy benefits, it's easy to believe we're doing our bodies good with a glass of fruit juice. But just this week, Dr. Jennifer Ashton caught my attention when she stopped by the CBS Early Show to clear up some juicy health myths. Take the quiz and see how juice stacks up to your other beverage choices.

Take the quiz

Watered Down: Benefits of Eight Glasses a Day?

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0700

I drink lots of water daily and the new report on the health benefits of water being oversold will probably not sway me to stop sipping it hourly. The study found that there really are no health benefits to drinking the often recommended eight glasses of water a day; there is no evidence to the lack of benefits either. Interestingly enough, the researchers could not pin point the origin of the recommendation to drinking 64 ounces of water a day. It seems to be a benign urban health myth.

Here is a short list of things drinking eight glasses of water will not do for you:

It does not help remove toxins from the kidneys.
It doesn't help improve skin tone.
It doesn't ward of headaches.
It will no improve organ function.
Lastly, water doesn't necessarily lead to weight loss. Since water contains no calories, it is more of a weight loss strategy for keeping your mouth busy than for filling you up. Sometimes the body mistakes hunger and thirst cues, so drinking adequate water can help stave off this bodily confusion.

The take home message – drink when you are thirsty. Everyone's need for water differs. If you exercise and sweat you will need to replenish your lost fluids and if you live in a dry, hot climate you will need more water as well. Listen to your body!

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Rosemary Pear Sparkler

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:30:06 -0800

Choosing champagne or sparkling wine to celebrate the holiday season is a nice low-calorie alternative to spirits or beer, but when I'm craving a cocktail, a plain glass of Prosecco doesn't always do the trick.

If you're looking for a nice cocktail to enjoy this holiday season, try my refreshing rosemary pear sparkler. It makes a great aperitif, and the flavors of pear and rosemary really tie together the feelings of Fall.

Check out the recipe when you read more.

Rosemary Pear Sparkler
original recipe

Depending on how many servings you need, make as little or as much of the rosemary-pear mixture as you like. Just keep the ratio of water, pear juice, and agave nectar consistent. The mixture also tastes great in soda water or lemonade.

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup agave nectar
1 cup pear juice
1 bunch fresh rosemary
2 pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
Prosecco

Directions

Stir together water, agave nectar, four rosemary sprigs, and pear juice in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and let stand for 30 minutes or until liquid has a distinct rosemary flavor.
Strain rosemary from liquid.
Pour liquid into a jar with pears and store in refrigerator overnight (and up to a week).
Add one and a half tablespoons of the rosemary-pear mixture to a champagne glass and top off with chilled Prosecco.
Garnish each glass with a pear slice from the mixture and a sprig of fresh rosemary.

Print recipe with images | without images

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Does the Holiday Season Stress You Out or Make You Happy?

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:47:57 -0800

I am hosting Thanksgiving this year, and while I am truly excited to have a house full of family and friends I am already a little stressed. The things causing me grief are minor (do I have enough wine glasses and bedding, etc.) but they are starting to stack up. I could really work myself up into a tizzy if I allow my lack of preparation for Christmas to enter into my mental mix. Combine the facts that stress weakens the immune system and it is cold and flu season, I am working hard to manage my holiday stress. So tell me . . .

Campbell's Chicken Noodle BPA-Leaching Soup

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:00:23 -0800

It's uncertain how risky bisphenol A (BPA) is to humans, but I figure better safe than sorry. I threw out my potentially risky water bottles and containers but now a new study from Consumer Reports says there's BPA in my canned goods, too. Metal cans are often lined with plastic that contains BPA to protect the food.

The magazine tested 19 canned food products, finding levels of BPA in each product, including cans labeled "BPA free." The biggest culprits were Progresso Vegetable Soup, Campbell's Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup, and Annie's Home Grown Organic Cheesy Ravioli. Though the FDA has said in the past that BPA is safe in food contact materials, it's now revisiting the issue to see if BPA exposure limits should be revised.

If you are concerned about the effects of BPA, try limiting or cutting out canned goods from your diet. Also, look for foods packaged in glass, paper, or freezer bags.