FitSugar

BellaSugar's Gift Guide: The Mommy-To-Be

BellaSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:00:25 PST

Welcome to the first post of my 2007 Holiday Gift Guide! Every weekday, I'll share a new set of ideas for gifts for your mom, dad, sib, boss, pals, special guy in your life and just about anyone else gift-worthy this season.

To kick off the guide, and to support our dear friend LilSugar, let's celebrate the mommies-to-be. Here are three great ideas for pregnant women who are carrying around those little ones. Since two of my best friends are about to become mommies, this was a lot of fun to put together!

My favorite item of the group is this Wonder-Full Balm from Mama Mio ($25). It's great for itchy and flaky belly skin, and it works quickly to relieve dryness and discomfort. If that's not something you think she'd like, there's also this Mustela Stretch Marks Double Action Cream ($34.49), which will help strengthen skin's elasticity around the belly, breasts abdomen, hips, and thighs to help reduce stretch marks during pregnancy.

Lastly, I love this Henna Vegetable Hair Dye ($1.99) for ladies who prefer to err on the side of caution and steer clear of chemical substances during their first trimester. While hair dying chemicals aren't highly toxic, vegetable dyes are all-natural, safe alternatives. Put it in a basket with some hair accessories, and you've got a great gift.

Got a few great ideas of your own? If so, I encourage you to please share them in a comment below!

Mustela Double Action Stretch Mark Cream ($34.99)

Lustrous Henna Pure Henna ($1.99)

Mama Mio Wonder-Full Balm ($25)

Fit Gift Guide: Mommy-to-Be

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 03:30:00 PST

The gift giving holidays are just around the corner and to spare you some of the last minute shopping stress the Sugar sites are creating ever helpful gift guides.

Now, if you happen to be looking for a gift for a mommy-to-be, I have three suggestions for you. Here are three great ways to help a new mommy out by encouraging health and fitness, which we all know can be tough with a newborn in the winter months. Walking is one of the best ways to entertain a new baby (or get it to sleep) and for a new mom to get some exercise. She can take care of her back with the Ergo Carrier or she can track her miles strolled with the Strollometer. Plus as the baby gets ready to eat solids, it is so satisfying and easy to make your own baby food, and the book 100 Baby Purées leads the way!

ERGObaby Carrier ($92)

Strollometer Stroller Speedometer/Odometer ($40)

Top 100 Baby Purees ($15)

If you are looking for more baby advice, check out lilSugar – Mommy's little helper.

What's the Best Sound of Your Day?

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:03:32 PST

A baby's gurgle? Your child's voice? For Brad Pitt, the answer is the sound of his children sleeping - and he's not talking about the quiet he hears when his kids are finally asleep, but the sounds of their rhythmic breathing. While appearing on Inside the Actors Studio, the father of six took part in the Proust Questionnaire, telling James Lipton that hearing his kids' overnight breathing is the best sound in the world. When the audience of acting students gave a collective sigh at his answer, Pitt responded that they'd understand when they became parents.

Do you agree? What's the best sound of your day?

The Vampire Diaries "Dangerous Liaisons": The Good, The Bad, and The Bloody

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:52:08 PST

The original vampire family hosts a ball on this week's episode of The Vampire Diaries, and the whole town puts on their finest formal wear for the event of the supernatural season. Elena has two dates to the event, but it's her date to meet the original witch that gives us insight into what's in store for Klaus and his siblings.

Speaking of Klaus, we get some developments between him and Caroline that are sweet and promising (even if she's a bit cautious to date him because of his cruelty in the past and general bloodlust). There's also a hot hookup that I didn't see coming, so there's lots to talk about this week. To get to the good, the bad, and the bloody, just keep reading.

Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.

Mommy's Lil Helper: The Best Ways to Store Legos

LilSugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:16:10 PST

A favorite toy for generations, Legos are great for encouraging creativity, developing fine motor skills and problem-solving skills. What's not so great about them: the clean-up. Hundreds of little pieces scattered across the playroom floor can be a huge hassle . . . unless of course, you use one of these smart storage solutions. Check out our five favorite solutions for storing the building bricks!

Source: Flickr user bdesham

Mommy's 5 Life-Saving Diaper Bag Essentials

Nicole Abbott — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:19:34 PST

If you're one of those mamas that's always on the go, then your diaper bag is for more than just baby. Space in the bag may be at a premium, but mama needs to stake her claim to at least one corner for herself. For a stress-free outing with baby, make sure to pack these five life-saving items for mommy next time you hit the streets with your lil one.

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "If/Then"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:20:41 PST

Last year we had the Grey's Anatomy musical episode, and this season it's the alternate-reality episode. That's right: as Meredith ponders on the veracity of the phrase "meant to be," we get to see what could have been - or in this case, what was always destined to be. Though this is a filler episode if I ever saw one, it's still pretty fun to see the characters go down different paths (well, except for Jackson, who pretty much stays the same).

What we're treated to is a preppy-pink Meredith, a geeky Karev, and an even edgier Yang just to name a few. There are also plenty of shout-outs to characters from past seasons, like Izzie, George, and Burke. Ready to break down all of the differences? Just

Link Time - Mother's Day Gifts Inspired by Mommie Dearest

TresSugar — Thu, 05 May 2011 15:50:00 PDT

Mommie Dearest-inspired Mother's Day gift guide - The Frisky
Now you can make out with your long-distance BF via the computer! - Nerve
How to have a great one-night stand - College Candy
A victim of relationship violence tells her story - Glamour
Sex survey finds Americans know more than they think - YourTango
Post-sex etiquette lessons - Em & Lo
What are menstrual cups, and are they for you? - The Hairpin
Tips for having a healthy bachelorette party - FitSugar

In The Mommy Diet, Alison Sweeney Offers Fitness Tips For Every Level

Leta Shy — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:51:25 PDT

Between the encouragement among the contestants and the life-changing before-and-after shots that flash on the screen, there's a reason why The Biggest Loser gets your emotions going. The show is a positive, supportive look at the struggles people face with diet and exercise.

The new book by the show's host Alison Sweeney, The Mommy Diet ($14), is no different - it's chock-full of support and encouragement. The easy read is divided into stages of motherhood, from prepregnancy (such as foods to eat when you are trying to get pregnant) to the life of a busy mom. The actress weighs in on different aspects of pregnancy and postpregnancy body and mind, including fitness, diet, fashion, and romance tips.

Of course, exercise is a big part of her month-by-month plans, and Alison offers useful tips even if you aren't a new mom. If you're looking for advice on how to ramp up or kick-start a workout routine, you may find this book helpful. The actress recommends the old standards - making sure you are active every day, switching out high-fat diets for natural, whole foods, and elimination diets - to help start any regimen, and also offers exercises (fully explained and with some illustrations) and sample meal plans for people at every level of fitness.

But even if you are an old pro, the working mom and fitness fanatic has a few maintenance tips for you as well. Check out a few of her tips after the break!