FitSugar

How Often Do You Bring Lunch to Work?

SavvySugar — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:45:49 PDT

I admit, I don't often bring my lunch to work, but I'm looking to change that. I know I'll be able to eat healthier and save money if I start packing my meals more often. What about you - how many times a week do you bring lunch to work?

Chain Restaurants: Nutritional Info on Menus

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:30:00 PST

At popular chain restaurants like Ruby Tuesday's and Uno's Chicago Grill, 2,000 calorie menu items are normal. Order yourself some pizza skins to start and you'll be consuming 2,050 calories, 48g of saturated fat, and 3,140 mg of sodium. You're only supposed to have 2,300 mg of sodium a day. I'll take my check now, please!!!

Some menu items, we know are not exactly healthy for us, but because the nutritional information is not listed, we have no idea just exactly how bad they are.

Starting in the summer, many chain restaurants that operate in NYC will be required to list calories on the menu. I'd like to know what you think about that - take my poll on the matter and voice your opinion.

CSPI (the Center for Science in the Public Interest) believes it is about time for Congress to pass Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) legislation. Labeling menus will encourage people to order healthier items when dining out. The idea being this will help combat obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diet related heart disease.

When nutritional labeling on food products was introduced, it revolutionized the way people shopped for groceries. Nutritional labeling at chain restaurants will help diners make informed decisions when eating out.

5 One-Pot Meals to Make This Week

Camilla Salem — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:21:16 PST

One of the main stresses in my life happens to be doing the dishes. Cooking a delicious, homemade meal is great and all, but the war zone of dirty dishes that emerges from that can be totally disheartening. That's why I like to turn to one-pot meals that minimize the mess. Here are five delicious recipes that only require one dish.

Power Up With These Protein-Packed Vegetarian Meals

Michele Foley — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:06:47 PST

Just because you skip out on the meat, doesn't mean you have to skip out on the protein. Here are five filling and delicious meals that utilize different sources of vegetarian protein. Each one of them makes a perfect entrée for those days when you want to go meat-free!

Woo Your Valentine With "Engagement Chicken"

Nancy Einhart — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:30:15 PST

Could a chicken take your relationship to the next level? This legendary recipe for "engagement chicken" has led to hundreds of marriage proposals. Even if you're not looking to get hitched, it makes a perfectly easy and comforting meal to serve on Valentine's Day. Watch our video to learn its storied history and how to make this simple yet seductive recipe.

Eat Cake For Breakfast and Lose Weight, Study Says

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:21:52 PST

If your insatiable sweet tooth is preventing you from losing weight, findings from a recent study may be just the thing to help you slim down. Researchers found those who ate a large breakfast that included something sweet lost weight and were able to keep off more pounds than those who ate a small breakfast.

A group of 193 obese adults (not a huge study) were split into two groups. One ate a large, 600-calorie breakfast that included a sweet item such as a cookie, cake, or doughnut. The other group ate a 300-calorie breakfast with no dessert. Both groups ate the same amount of calories daily: 1,600 for men and 1,400 for women.

Keep reading to find out more details about cake and weight loss.

5 Aphrodisiacs to Set the Mood Right Tonight

Susannah Chen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:09:21 PST

If it's really true that 70 percent of women and men expect to get hot and heavy tonight, then dinner should have one mission: to make the two of you swoon. We've offered the lowdown on healthy foods that'll stimulate sex drives - but what foods do chefs put on the menu to help you get in the mood?

To find out, we turned to David Bazirgan, who's no stranger to sexy meals. As the executive chef at San Francisco's Fifth Floor Restaurant, he helps to set the standard for the city's relaxed fine dining atmosphere. To check out some of the ingredients that he elects to use on his Valentine's Day menus - and to hear what he calls the most "underrated" aphrodisiac, read more.

Link Time: Make Chocolate Ganache Truffles

Susannah Chen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:08:55 PST

Learn how to make basic chocolate ganache truffles at home - Vegetarian Times
Top 100 dishes from around the world - Foodspotting
Do aphrodisiac foods really work? - The Kitchn
Brace: Mission Chinese Food is coming to Manhattan - Grub Street NY
Why gluten-free pasta's worth trying, regardless of your diet - Food Republic
Must make: Korean-Chinese spicy noodle soup - The Daily Meal
5 free iPhone apps to help you impress your date - GeekSugar

Spanish Fiesta: Crema Catalana

Lauren Hendrickson — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:14:42 PST

Ever since my trip to Barcelona, I love to travel back down memory lane by making the dessert I discovered on my travels, crema catalana. Many of us have had crème brûlée, that famous French dessert that Amélie loved to crack with a spoon, and this Spanish caramelized custard will surely give you the same satisfaction. The Spanish recipe is lighter, since the custard is milk-based, unlike the French version that uses cream.

Traditionally, the Spanish add a bit of lemon zest to the custard, but grapefruit, lime, or orange zest would be a great addition. The recipe is not complicated, but pay close attention once you have added the eggs because too much heat can result in curdling.

To caramelize the top, you don't need a fancy torch; just stop by the local hardware store for a propane torch, which will surely save you a couple bucks. Or skip the torch altogether and just use the broiler in your oven.

Sweeten up your next meal and keep reading for the recipe.

Coming in Hot: It's National Hot Breakfast Month

YumSugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:03:08 PST

Did you know that February is National Hot Breakfast Month? It can be tough to get out of bed when it's cold outside, so stay cozy in cool temperatures by cooking up a steamy meal first thing in the morning. For fresh recipe ideas, check out these 10 hot breakfast dishes to give your chilly days a sizzling start.