FitSugar

Noboarding: I Say Yes to the No, bindings that is

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 12:30:00 PST

If you are a surfer in your heart and soul, nothing can compare to the freedom of gliding over ocean waves, with nothing but a board between you.

But in the winter, your only option is to snowboard, but the feeling of being locked into bindings that are attached to a board, isn't much like surfing at all. Until now.

Check out the noboard. No bindings. Nothing but you and your board. In order to stay on, you hold onto a rope that's attached to your board, which has a heavy duty, thermal-set, elastomeric pad. This just means that it's specifically designed to have outstanding grip and it's able to handle cold temperatures.

Noboarding allows you to use your body more freely, which obviously makes it much more difficult than regular snowboarding. Which was why it was created in the first place by the late and great Gregg Todd.

You can check out the Noboard short film (Yes to the No) coming to a town near you - the Banff Film Festival World Tour features this and other stunning short films on mountain themes that are like nothing you've ever seen.

Want to see a some photos and a video of noboarding? Then

View 4 Photos ›

DIY: Learn How to Make This Quirky Clothespin Chandelier

Stylelist Home — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:00:20 PDT

We're happy to present a post from one of our favorite sites, Stylelist Home.

Ordinary clothespins become the basis for a stand-out chandelier with this Craft Of The Day. This light fixture, made entirely of clothespins, is a quirky, fun way to add oomph and texture to any room. We think it's a great accent to a living room or bedroom, but it would obviously be fitting in a laundry room too! Keep reading for the how to.

What You'll Need:

Light Kit (like this cord set from Ikea)
Ceiling Canopy (of your choice)
Wire Fencing (Simliar products available at Lowes)
White Gloss Spray Paint
22-gauge craft store wire
Gloves
Metal Snips (such as these metal snips from Grainger.com)
Eight bags of medium sized clothes pins
Three heavy-duty ceiling hooks

Keep reading to learn how to make this clothespin chandelier.

Put a Bird on It! 5 Basic Dishes Made Better With an Egg

Lizzie Fuhr — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:00:39 PDT

If you're not familiar with the Portlandia skit "Put a Bird on It!", it's time to get watching - and I'll say "you're welcome!" in advance. While you may not be branding bird silhouettes onto pieces of toast, I've found my own foodie spin on how to put a bird on it this Spring. In honor of National Egg Month, here are five everyday dishes that are taken to the next level with the addition of a tasty egg.

Pasta. Pasta and eggs may seem like a strange combination, but it shouldn't. While lots of pasta carbonara dishes bring an egg to the table, fried or poached eggs paired with a plate of simple pasta makes for a great go-to dish when you're in a bind for time or you'd like to keep things a little more budget-conscious.
Oatmeal. If you're always reaching for an oatmeal recipe that's sweet, put a twist on your morning routine and opt for an oatmeal recipe that's on the savory side: Asian-inspired savory oatmeal topped off with an over-easy egg.
Salads. Simple mixed greens get a welcome makeover when topped off with a poached egg or two. Just make sure to keep things light in the dressing department; you don't want too many flavors competing on your plate!

Keep reading for two more easy ways to put a bird on it.

The Vampire Diaries "Do Not Go Gentle": The Good, The Bad, and The Bloody

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:35:08 PDT

It's time for the Decades Dance on this week's episode of The Vampire Diaries, and while there's a different theme ('20s) from years past, there's just as much danger at this year's dance. Esther is on the rampage and trying to make Alaric into a vampire super-killer, but there's more intrigue on the romantic side of things when Elena decides to take Stefan as her date.

There's a bit of romance for lots of characters, but everyone is too focused on Alaric's fate to figure out their relationship status. There's lots to discuss, including the twist at the end, so let's get to the good, the bad, and the bloody after the jump.

What in the World Is Maltodextrin?

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:34:23 PDT

If you're obsessed with reading labels, then you've probably come across the ingredient maltodextrin. Sounds like some type of sugar, but is it safe to eat? It'll settle your mind to know that this common additive is an easily digestible carbohydrate made from rice, corn, or potato starch (celiacs beware - it can also be derived from barley or wheat). It's made by cooking down the starch, and then acid and/or enzymes break the starch down even further.

Maltodextrin is a white powder often used in processed foods as a thickener or a filler since it's fairly inexpensive, as well as in pharmaceuticals as a binding agent. You'll find it in canned fruits, snacks, cereal, desserts, instant pudding, sauces, and salad dressings. Since it contains fewer calories than sugar, it's also found in sugar substitutes, such as Splenda or Equal.

Maltodextrin is usually used in such small amounts that it doesn't have a significant impact in terms of the amount of protein, fat, carbohydrate, or fiber it adds to foods. Although maltodextrin is processed and it's not the healthiest thing to put in our bodies, at least we know it's made from real food, not some nasty chemicals.

4 Tips For a Stronger Triangle Pose

Lizzie Fuhr — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:34:56 PDT

If you're feeling tight in the hips or side body, Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana) should be your go-to pose. It's part of the primary series in ashtanga, and I always relish the moment when I know it's coming up in the sequence: it's perfect for giving much-needed love to muscle groups that tend to get overlooked. If you want to take this pose to the next level in your practice, here are four helpful tips to make your Triangle even stronger.

Start it off right: To set up the pose in proper alignment, I like to take a few strong, deep breaths in Warrior 2 before heading into a full expression of Trikonasana. From Warrior 2, straighten your front leg - with a tiny microbend in your knee for stability, if you need it - and start pulling your torso forward, toward your front foot. Keep your arms in the traditional Warrior 2 stance as you reach forward until you feel a solid stretch.
Plant your feet: Setting a strong foundation is essential in any standing pose for balance, but your Triangle will reap the benefits if your feet are planted firmly on the ground. Once you get into the initial shape, stabilize yourself by spreading your toes wide and trying to plant all four corners of your feet on the ground. Engage your quads and make sure you're equally spreading the weight between your front and back foot.

Keep reading for two more tips for a better Triangle Pose.

Drinking Red Wine May Help Keep You Slim, Study Says

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:42:41 PDT

Great news for everyone out there who loves a big, bold red! A recent study shows that a compound found in red wine may block fat cell formation. Just another example of how wine is beneficial to your health!

As reported by the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a team out of Purdue University, piceatannol is the name of the compound you should get acquainted with. Kee-Hong Kim, an assistant professor of food science, found that the piceatannol compound actually binds itself to insulin receptors and blocks the insulin's ability to control cell cycles. By blocking these pathways, immature fat cells are unable to evolve and mature. Piceatannol could help delay the formation of mature fat cells, or even stop the formation completely. While the ongoing study is in its early stages, the findings could lead towards a method to help control fat growth in humans.

While we love a good glass of vino as much as the next girl, luckily drinking is not the only way to ingest the compound. It's also found in some of our favorite fruits like red grapes, passion fruit, and blueberries. What do you think of this study? Will you grab an extra glass of wine tonight to celebrate?

The Vampire Diaries "The Murder of One": The Good, The Bad, and The Bloody

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:33:18 PDT

Excuse me while I try to contain my excitement, but Klaus is back, you guys! After his glaring absence caused me to enjoy The Vampire Diaries far less than usual, my favorite villain is back this week. He's trying to unlink the spell that means death to him and all his siblings, and Stefan, Elena, Damon, and everyone else are trying to kill him (yes, still) before he succeeds.

As usual, Team Kill the Originals are thwarted by the old vampires, and Damon spends much of the episode being tortured with his pecs getting some much-needed air. And amid all the action, Stefan and Elena have a very important conversation about where her heart lies. Ready to get down to the good, the bad, and the bloody? Let's do it.

Online Dating Sites Cracking Down on Sexual Predators

Tara Block — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:30:05 PDT

For those of you looking for a fresh dating start this Spring, online dating may be a great way to get out there and meet someone new. And thankfully, it may have got a lot safer to try out Internet matchmaking. Three major online dating companies - Match.com, eHarmony, and Spark Networks - have signed a statement agreeing to screen for sexual predators, give their members online dating safety advice, and simplify the way members report abuse on their sites. Match had already started screening for registered sex offenders last year after a woman filed a lawsuit for being sexually assaulted by someone she met on the site. Even though this new statement isn't binding and doesn't carry any penalties if the sites don't enforce the policies, it's meant to encourage other sites to take online dating safety seriously.

Will these new efforts make you feel more comfortable with online dating? And check out these tips on online dating safety and red flags to watch out for:

5 Tips on Cooking Healthy For One

Lizzie Fuhr — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:31:32 PDT

After YumSugar reader Dreamalittledream asked for some advice on cooking healthy for one, we got to thinking. It's definitely easier to stay committed to healthy cooking when you've got people to share it with - or a few mouths to feed! - but cooking for yourself need not be a lonely or trying experience. In need of some inspiration? Look no further. We've got you covered with five helpful tips:

Get that pantry stocked with good stuff. While your pantry can hold plenty of chips, cookies, and candy, it's time to make space for the new kids in town. Say good-bye to just sugar and white flour, and make new friends with ancient grains, dried beans, and delicious nuts. If you keep a solid assortment of these things you like, you'll never be in a bind for healthful and delicious choices.
Leftovers can be your friend, not your foe. I too know the hardships of looking at old leftovers in my fridge and doing my best to make them look delicious. Instead of just heating them up, think outside the box! If you have half of a chicken sandwich on bread or salad that's too soggy for your taste, heat up the chicken with some rice and vegetables. I typically make a big pot of soup at the beginning of the week that I enjoy all week long.

Want to learn more? Just keep reading.