FitSugar

Yo!Naturals: Healthy Vending Machines

FitSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 08:45:00 PDT

Wouldn't it be great if you could get your favorite health food from a vending machine? Well, my buddy YumSugar just told me about the San Diego based company YoNaturals, and they are bringing health food to the ultimate icon of snacking convenience - the vending machine.

YoNaturals is on the front line in the battle against junk food vending machine, and I wholeheartedly applaud their efforts. In their Yo!Zone and Yo!Thirsty machines you won't find the junk food staples of your youth. Gone are the fluorescent orange cheddar crackers filled with hydrogenated oil laden peanut butter, in their place you will find Annie's Organic Cheddar Bunnies and Pirate Booty. Instead of candy bars, you can choose from a selection of energy bars, like some of my faves - Luna, Clif and LARABARS. Soda is replaced with organic milk and organic juices. Yippee!!!

Yo!Naturals distribution is growing ever wider and you should be on the look out for their machines in hospitals, hotels, offices and schools - you know large, kind of institutional places. Just the kinds of places where you need a snack and can never find anything healthy to satisfy your hunger.

Dealing With the Descent: Tips For Riding Downhill

Susi May — Tue, 08 May 2012 02:35:31 PDT

While many people love the thrill of biking fast downhill, I am not one of them. I love biking uphill. Call me crazy, but I crave the burn in my lungs and legs. But once you've climbed a hill - and in my neck of the woods, hills can be miles long - you have to get yourself down the other side. Aside from just getting out there and riding, having a few tricks up your sleeve can help. Here are three tips on downhill cycling former pro cyclist Alison Dunlap shared at the Luna Chix summit, a female-focused weekend of training workshops and clinics put on by Luna Bar.

Move to your drops: It might seem counterintuitive, but you have more control over your bike with your hands placed on the drops (the curved, lower part of the traditional road bike handlebar). "Using the drops means you're lower, giving you a lower center of gravity, making you more stable," explains Alison. "Stability is important not only when moving fast, but when taking the twists and turns of a hilly descent." Before riding downhill, practice moving your hands from the top of your handle bars to the drops to build confidence. Also, make sure you can comfortably reach the brakes while in your drops.

Feather your brakes: You never want to hit your brakes hard or abruptly, especially when rolling down a big hill. Use the feathering technique instead: applying the brakes gently and slowly increasing the pressure, then releasing the pressure a bit, and repeating until you have slowed to a speed you feel comfortable with. It's important to apply both brakes simultaneously so you don't fishtail or flip over the handlebars.

Be your own shock absorber: It's natural to tense up when you're nervous, but stiff arms will amplify all the bumps in the road, making you feel even more unstable. Alison recommends "keeping your elbows bent, shoulders soft, and arms generally relaxed as you go down a hill." If you hit a large bump, your upper body will absorb some of the shock, making your descent less jarring.

What do you prefer? Biking uphill or down?

Fit For June: Must Haves

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:47:29 PDT

June is here - can you smell Summer in the air? We can, which is why our must haves this month are sure to inspire you to get up, get out, and go! Whether it's biking, running, or hanging 10, here's what we're using to stay safe and active in the sun this year.

Personalized Gemstone Necklaces Just For Mod Mamas

Kate Stahl — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:12:18 PDT

What better way to commemorate your new addition than a piece of jewelry? But not every mama wants an over-the-top diamond-encrusted push present (OK, not every mama can afford those diamonds) or a supertraditional photo-filled locket. The meaningful necklaces shown above let you display your love for your new babe every day in a subtle, stylish way.

From top, left:

Dogeared Create Necklace ($68 and up; shown horizontally): Add birthstone charms along with letters, numbers, zodiac signs, and more to create a totally custom, personal piece of jewelry.
Erin Gallagher's Gem Bar Mary-Catherine Necklace ($30 and up): Chicago-based designer Erin Gallagher lets you totally customize this necklace, adding birthstones, initials, or zodiac signs to represent the ones you love.
POSH Mommy Birthstone Necklace ($240): Favored by celebs like Brooke Burke and Milla Jovovich, POSH Mommy's creations come in various metals and designs. This gold vermeil necklace comes with two horizontal names, each with a birthstone.
Anna Bee Two-Square Initial Tag Necklace ($105): Two gold-filled square tags with two hand-stamped initials hang on a gold or silver chain, available in three lengths.
Luna & Stella Moon & Stars Birthstone Charm Necklace ($230 as shown): Create your own necklace in matte or polished silver or gold by adding charms with your lil one's birthstone.

If You're Craving Girl Scout Cookies, Try These Instead

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:13:50 PST

It's Girl Scout Cookie time! Noshing on these fund-raising treats seems like an American pastime, but it can be challenging to keep a snack session of these seasonal sweets in check. If you can enjoy your cookies in a reasonable manner, then good for you! But if you're looking for a way to scratch that sugary itch without killing your healthy eating agenda, here are some healthier alternatives.

Do-Si-Dos
Two-cookie serving: 120 calories, five grams of fat, seven grams of sugar

Quick Fix: The Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie is a perfect substitute since it's so filling - I usually only eat half of a bar at a time. One bar contains 220 calories, seven grams of protein, and four grams of fiber. Made out of dried dates, one bar equals one half serving of fruit. There are 18 grams of sugar in this bar, but the sugar content is not added; it naturally occurs in the dates. The other two ingredients in this bar are peanuts and salt.

DIY Fix: Make your own tasty peanut butter treat! Blend a little peanut butter, apple sauce, and raisins for a sweet, satisfying, and nutritious homemade spread. Two tablespoons of this peanut butter raisin spread offers almost five grams of protein and two grams of fiber.

Don't see your fave cookie? Keep on reading!

Ditch the Dairy: Milk-Free Snacks That Pack a Protein Punch

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:29:22 PST

Dairy products aren't the only choices when it comes to high-protein snacks. If you're eating a diet minus milk, or you just want a low-cal snack that's high in protein, check out these 150-calorie snacks that don't contain a drop of dairy.

One serving of spicy roasted chickpeas (one fourth of this recipe: 134 calories, 5.6 grams protein
Twenty-one raw almonds: 146 calories, 5.4 grams protein
Six-ounce container of vanilla O'Soy Yogurt: 150 calories, seven grams protein
One slice whole-wheat bread (100 calories, four grams protein) smeared with half a tablespoon natural peanut butter (53 calories, two grams protein): 153 calories, six grams protein
Two Mini S'mores Luna Bars: 140 calories, eight grams protein

Keep reading for five more dairy-free snack ideas.

Create a Go-To Snack Center in Your Fridge

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:16:10 PST

When in a rush or feeling snacky, you want to grab a nutritious snack that won't break the caloric bank. You might have good-for-you options scattered about your kitchen, tucked away in different cabinets and drawers, but a central location of healthy snacks will make the whole process much easier - especially if you're feeling a dip in your blood sugar.

To make your snacking decision a breeze, create a snack center in your fridge. Prepare appropriate serving sizes in baggies or containers, place them in a plastic bin, and the next time you need a morning or afternoon snack, just grab one. Having portable snacks at your fingertips means that if you need to run out the door, you have a handy snack to take.

If you need some ideas for healthy snacks to include in your snack center, keep reading.

Snack Ideas For Before and After Your Workout

Susi May — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:35:04 PST

Working out on a full stomach is a recipe for disaster. I know after eating too much curry before a 55-minute kettlebell session. But heading into the gym or onto a running trail with an empty belly is no picnic either. In need of some appropriate snacking ideas I tapped my Equinox trainer Lauren for some suggestions on what to eat before and after my workouts. She recommends eating a high-carb snack with a moderate amount of protein that is low in fat. Foods like:

Whole wheat toast with peanut butter
Veggies and hummus
Luna bar
Lowfat yogurt and fresh fruit
Piece of fruit and a handful of nuts
Half an avocado on Ak-Mak (whole wheat cracker)

After your sweat session, Lauren recommends snacking to help your body recover from your workout. Read on to learn what to nosh on!

One Fit Job: Personal Trainer

Susi May — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:14:26 PDT

During hard economic times, desk-bound fitness fanatics often start considering career switches to more active professions, like becoming a personal trainer. The job is considerably more vigorous than sitting in front of a computer day in and day out. To get the skinny on the daily dos of working as a trainer, I spoke with Equinox personal trainer Lauren Fairbanks, 26. She loves her job, colorful sneakers, and simple snacks.

FitSugar: So how long have you been working as a personal trainer?
Lauren Fairbanks: A little over three years, and it took me about nine months to ramp up my business enough to support myself financially.

FS: What form of training does this job require?
LF: Becoming a personal trainer usually requires getting certified by passing an exam created by a nationally recognized organization such as: National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council of Exercise (ACE), among others. I chose to go to a school for personal training called the American Academy of Personal Training (AAPT) in NYC, because I wanted to get the classroom education as well as the hands-on practical experience (rather than just test prep) - so this was a great choice for me. I am certified through AAPT, as well as Equinox's in-house Equinox Fitness Training Institute (EFTI), and carry a bachelor's in Science with a major in Dietetics from Central Michigan University. I also have a certification in TRX, kettlebells, ViPr, and pre/postnatal fitness.

FS: Does your college degree help you now?
LF: Yes, this major absolutely helps me, as nutritional guidance is a huge part of physical fitness.

FS: Were you sporty in college?:
LF: Yes, I ran division I track and cross country all four years of college. I was a middle-distance runner (half mile and mile). I also love playing volleyball and basketball.

Lauren has more to say about her career, so keep on reading.

Off To Market Recap: Commuter's Breakfast

partysugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 11:58:32 PST

A few weeks back, I told you about my poor hard working friend Kathleen. She is amazingly fabulous, but has a super long work day so we don't get to hang out much. She commutes and catches the bus at the way-too-early time of 6:52 am and she doesn't make it home until 7pm! Thats a twelve hour day folks and lots of times Kathleen skips breakfast because she is in a hurry and afraid of missing the bus. She asked me and I asked you(!) to find good ideas for a healthy, rapid commuter's breakfast. Ones that would give her the energy she needs to make it through her hectic days. The breakfast had to be fast and must be transportable. You saved your discoveries in the Yum Market and recipe database with the tag, Commuter's Breakfast. Listen up Kathleen, here's my advice (based on your awesome suggestions) on how to get your day started off right:

Lindakins recommends purchasing a plastic Cereal-on-the-Go container. This is an ingenious idea: a small tupperware that includes a 12-oz cereal bowl, 5.7 oz spill proof milk bowl, complete with a detachable spoon. Kathleen can fill it with the cereal of her choice and lowfat milk and it's so small she is sure to have room in one of her gigantic oversized handbags.

Two more, including a healthy muffin recipe so

Baltimoregal reminded me of a FitSugar approved healthy breakfast option: luna bars! She was even nice enough to list all of the flavors in the order that she favors them. Baltimoregal's fav is the Chocolate Pecan Pie and I bet Kathleen will go loca for the Dulce de Leche bars.

To help Kathleen jump start her new eating-breakfast-everyday lifestyle, I'll whip up a batch of crispet1's scrumptious looking, Hearty Whole-Wheat Muffins. I'll give them to Kathleen in a basket with a little handwritten note. She'll have a week's worth of easy breakfasts without even doing anything. Thanks for sharing your recipe crispet1!

To learn more about bookmarking and saving to the recipe database, please refer to geeksugar's easy-to-understand guide.