FitSugar

6 Kitchen Gadgets to Help Weight Loss

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:50:00 -0700

If you're trying to lose some extra pounds you accumulated over the Winter, here are some essential kitchen items that can encourage healthy eating habits and put you on the road to a slimmer, healthier you.

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Is Your Kitchen Making You Fat?

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Your environment, from the sidewalks (or lack of sidewalks) outside your home, to your kitchen set up, can impact your lifestyle. Yep, environment can promote or detract from healthy living. The folks over at Shop Smart magazine have a few suggestion in their upcoming May issue to ensure that your kitchen is not making you fat. To read highlights just start the slideshow.

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Household Hot Spots: Where Does the Bacteria Lurk?

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Just when you thought you were safe, WebMD is here to tell you that your house may be germier than you think. Plus all those bacterial hot spots might not be where you would expect them to be.

According to a new study performed by The Hygiene Council, the common household toilet bowl is home to the most bacteria per square inch. Not surprising is the fact that the Hygiene Council is funded by Reckitt Benckiser, the company that makes Lysol. I find that almost as interesting as the fact that the area around the bathtub drain contains more bacteria than the bathroom floor.

Interested in seeing all the rankings? Then read more

1. Toilet bowl: 3.2 million bacteria/square inch
2. Kitchen drain: 567,845 bacteria/square inch
3. Sponge or counter-wiping cloth: 134,630 bacteria/square inch
4. Bathtub, near drain: 119,468 bacteria/square inch
5. Kitchen sink, near drain: 17,964 bacteria/square inch
6. Kitchen faucet handle: 13,227 bacteria/square inch
7. Bathroom faucet handle: 6,267 bacteria/square inch
8. Bathroom sink, near drain: 2,733 bacteria/square inch
9. Pet food dish, inside rim: 2,110 bacteria/square inch
10. Kitchen floor, in front of sink: 830 bacteria/square inch
11. Toilet floor, in front of toilet: 764 bacteria/square inch
12. Kitchen counter top: 488 bacteria/square inch
13. Bathroom counter top: 452 bacteria/square inch
14. Garbage bin: 411 bacteria/square inch
15. Dish towel: 408 bacteria/square inch
16. Toy: 345 bacteria/square inch
17. Kitchen tabletop: 344 bacteria/square inch
18. Home office phone or refrigerator door: 319 bacteria/square inch
19. Toilet seat: 295 bacteria/square inch
20. Bathroom light switch: 217 bacteria/square inch
21. Microwave buttons: 214 bacteria/square inch
22. Kitchen chopping board: 194 bacteria/square inch
23. Child-training potty: 191 bacteria/square inch
24. Infant changing mat and infant high chair: 190 bacteria/square inch
25. Kitchen phone: 133 bacteria/square inch
26. Bathroom door's inside handle: 121 bacteria/square inch
27. Toilet's flush handle: 83 bacteria/square inch
28. TV remote control: 70 bacteria/square inch
29. Home office computer keyboard: 64 bacteria/square inch
30. Home office computer mouse: 50 bacteria/square inch

Now that I have turned you into a germ-a-phobe, I just want to remind you that the CDC recommends washing hand thoroughly for 15 seconds with soap.

Source

Nuke 'Em: Microwave the Bacteria Away

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 12:15:00 -0800

Is that sponge looking (and smelling) a little suspicious? Nuke it!

New research from the University of Florida has found that microwave ovens can be used to quickly kill harmful bacteria and viruses on kitchen sponges and plastic scrubbers. In fact only two minutes in the microwave destroyed most of the bacteria and other bugs that can cause food poisoning and other illnesses.

If you're like me and you usually pop your sponges in the dishwasher, you may want to rethink that since it is not as effective as putting them in the microwave oven.

How'd they find this out? Well the researchers soaked sponges and scrubbing pads in raw wastewater that included fecal bacteria, viruses, protozoan parasites and bacterial spores (so gross). Then they put them in a microwave -- Two minutes on full power killed (or inactivated) more than 99% of all the germs. Want to be absolutely sure the germs are gone for good? Go for four minutes, which will totally inactivate certain bacterial spores. Looks like sugar user Marci is a bit ahead of her times since she's been nuking her sponges for a while

Fit's Tip: Don't have a microwave? Sponges are relatively cheap, so it's best to start with a fresh one every other week.

Germs at Your Fingertips

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:12:47 -0800

It is party season and did you know your kitchen sponge is the hostess of the most-est. Yep, the average kitchen sponge can play host to upwards of 7 billion bacteria. Yikes!

Most of the bacteria comes from surprise - food left on dirty dishes, especially raw foods like meat, poultry and veggies.

Sponges that were tested after 3 weeks of use were found to contain fecal bacteria. That's because some people go to the bathroom and don't wash their hands. Gross. Or people use the same sponge to scrub behind the toilet that they use to wash their dishes. That's beyond gross.

Want to know what you can do to make your sponge a less hospitable home for bacteria? read more

Clean the sponge with soap and hot water after using it.
Get rid of any visible food left on the sponge.
Wring out the sponge as much as you can to get any extra water out. Store it in a place where it can dry out.
Keep it away from the cutting board. You don't want the sponge you use to clean your dishes coming in contact with any juices from raw meats. Reach for a paper towel and some disinfectant instead.
Some sponges today are designed to resist germs. Look for a sponge that says "resists bacterial odors" on the label.

Fit's Tips: If your sponge stinks - that means bacteria's growing. But just because it doesn't smell bad, doesn't mean bacteria isn't growing. A good rule of thumb? Replace your kitchen sponge once a week.

Gifts Every Healthy Cook Wants

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:59 -0800

If you give the cook in your life more reason to get into the kitchen, chances are you'll be rewarded with a delicious meal. Here are our picks for what we think will make healthy cooks even happier come gift time.

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Gadgets to Inspire Healthy Eating

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:50:56 -0800

Healthy eating is the foundation of healthy living. If you don't fuel your body with nutritious foods, everyday activities and exercise can both feel like a challenge. Here are some gadgets to make eating the good stuff easier and more exciting.

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Amy's Kitchen: Bowl Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Who doesn't need a quick meal every once in a while? For that reason, I always keep a few of these bowls in the freezer from Amy's Kitchen. Many of them are vegan or lactose free, some are gluten free or soy free, and some are light in sodium. They're made with whole grains and vegetables and are full of flavor.

To see how they compare nutritionally read more.

1 bowl	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Protein (g)
Baked Ziti	300	12	590	62	6	9
Brown Rice & Vegetables	260	9	550	36	5	9
Brown Rice, Black-Eyed Peas & Veggies	290	11	580	38	8	11
Country Cheddar	400	19	690	41	4	15
Mexican Casserole	470	16	780	70	7	11
Pesto Tortellini	430	19	640	45	3	20
Ravioli	380	12	680	55	4	14
Santa Fe Enchilada	350	11	780	47	9	16
Teriyaki	290	4.5	780	52	4	10
Tortilla Casserole & Black Beans	390	18	780	41	7	17
Light in Sodium - Brown Rice & Veggie	260	9	270	36	5	9
Light in Sodium - Mexican Casserole	370	16	390	48	7	12

Kitchen Gadgets For Health Nuts

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0700

For those of you who spend many hours in the kitchen preparing healthy meals and snacks, here are six gadgets that could make your life a little easier. Not only will they save you time, but some will also prevent your produce from spoiling, which will save you some dough.

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Shake and Bake: The Kitchen Workout

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:00:00 -0800

We all cook, right? Well chances are high you’re going to be in the kitchen on Thanksgiving for hours and there are ways to pepper your kitchen time with a few strengthening exercises. Here are some moves to try between chopping potatoes, onions and herbs.

Reverse Lunges: Place your hands on the counter and step backward coming into a deep lunge so both knees are at, but not beyond, a 90 degree angle. It's so convenient that the counter just happens to be right in front of you to help with balancing. Do: 8 on each side, twice
Heel Raises: Once again using the counter for balance, just rise up onto your toes to work your calves. Lower your heel and repeat. Do: 12 reps, twice
Counter push-ups: Place your hands on the counter and walk your feet away from the counter until your shoulders are even with your hands. In this position bend and straighten your elbows. Do: 15 reps, twice
Pendulum kicks: Using the counter to help maintain your balance raise your right leg to the side as high as you can keeping the movement in your hips joint and not your back. Bring that leg down and lift the other leg. Keep alternating legs. Do: 12 sets, twice.
Dishwasher squats: Take care of your back and work your legs and glutes while you load your dirty dishes and unload your clean ones. This really is a back saver!
Kitchen sink stretch: Whenever you need a break during your cooking marathon, go over to the sink and stretch your lats, shoulders and back.