FitSugar

Elegant Solar Powered Totes From Noon Solar

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:00:06 PST

Back in June I introduced you to the Solar Powered Beach Bag, which happened to be one of the few solar bags on the market at that time. Five months later I bring to you the fashionable Noon Solar totes, which teamsugar's boyfriend couldn't help but share with me. The black leather Cortland Tote shown here features a solar panel on one side so you can face it inwards or outwards, two interior zipper pockets, and one exterior zipper pocket. In order for it to work its charging magic, the included battery box needs to be connected to the solar panel cable located inside the bag. The bag will take about six to eight hours of strong sun to completely charge and if full, the battery box will keep its charge for a few days if not used. Noon Solar bags are completely water and weather proof, so you won't get zapped if the panel gets rained on. The Cortland comes in black or chocolate (shown above) and costs $383. If you scroll down you can also see the Willow which is similar to the Cortland except it has a suede exterior, comes in chocolate and steel, and costs $274. Considering the solar beach bag costs $250, I suggest spending the extra money to have one you can actually use away from the beach. And not only are they pretty to look at, but Noon Solar creates bags that are made with materials that can either biodegradable naturally or be reclaimed and re-used for generations to come.

View 5 Photos ›

Fit Tip: Pick a Time to Work Out and Stick to It

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:30:00 PDT

I know we all have crazy schedules. One day we have to stay late at work for a meeting. The next day a workout time is usurped by an appointment for a haircut. Then we have a lunch meeting with some clients. Of course those all are very important activities that need to get done, but you can't just keep skipping your workout because of them.

Whether or not you're trying to lose weight, exercise should be a part of your weekly schedule. One thing that works for me is scheduling my workouts at the same time, three to five times a week. Noon is the perfect time for me because I have an hour off for lunch and can eat at my desk afterwards. Maybe 7 a.m. works well for you because you never have early meetings. Or maybe your workout may have to wait until after work at 6 p.m., or even later until after you put your kids to bed.

You need to pick a time that you can easily stick to. A time that can't be overtaken easily by something else. This half hour to an hour time slot is just as important as your other appointments you may have. So be sure to schedule your workouts during times you are always free.

Fit's Tips: If you are going to exercise during work, talk to your co-workers and boss about your "workout appointments." It's common courtesy to make sure it's OK with them, and it'll also let them know that you aren't available at that time.

Source

3 Ways Snacks Can Help You Lose Weight

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:09:19 PST

You might think snack time is just for preschoolers, but everyone can benefit from eating a few bites between meals. Aside from filling nutritional holes in your diet, snacking can also help you on your road to weight loss. If the numbers on the scale are on your mind, here are three ways snacking can help you lose weight.

Snacks Keep Blood Sugar Levels Steady
If you've ever gone too long between meals and have gotten a headache, the shakes, and a loss of concentration, then you've felt firsthand what it's like to have low blood sugar. Snacking between meals keeps blood sugar levels steady, which can help prevent you from grabbing the first (unhealthy) thing you can get your hands on and overindulging.

Fiber Fills You Up
Choosing snacks that are full of water and belly-filling fiber will help keep you full longer, so you actually eat less in the long run. Fruits, veggies, and whole-grain breads are great options, and if you need more ideas, here are 10 high-fiber snacks under 150 calories.

No More Overeating
You eat lunch around noon and dinner isn't until 6 p.m. or later. No wonder you hit the dinner table feeling so ravenous that you stuff yourself silly. Now if you enjoyed a pear with some almonds around 3 p.m., you'd avoid that famished feeling and have the patience to prepare a healthy, sensibly sized meal. It works the other way, too. If you're eating a meal and you know you'll be enjoying a snack in two hours or so, you won't feel the need to overeat at mealtime.

How to Build the Perfect Workout Routine

Leta Shy — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:06:06 PST

If you're starting an exercise routine in the New Year, it can be hard to know exactly how to begin. And all those gym rats determinedly working out can be intimidating when you don't know what you're doing. But having a plan when you start exercising can be a major help when it comes to sticking with it. Here are a few things you need to know to build the perfect workout routine.

How much time it takes: Whether you're exercising to stay healthy, to lose weight, or just to feel good, you should at least figure out how much you should be exercising so you can set a goal. Most guidelines recommend, for example, getting at least an hour of rigorous exercise a day five times per week if you want to lose weight. Read more about how much exercise you need if you want to lose weight, maintain weight, or just stay healthy.

The cardio/strength training ratio: A complete workout routine includes strength training as well as cardio. Building muscle helps you both speed up your metabolism as well as keep you strong, while you need regular cardio workouts for both blasting pounds and maintaining heart health. If your current workout is cardio-heavy, make sure you devote at least 20 to 30 minutes to strength training twice a week. To help muscles rest and repair, alternate your strength training days with cardio so you're not doing two strength sessions in a row.

Sweet Southern Treat: Pecan and Honey Whiskey Bundt Cake

Anna Monette Roberts — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:49:13 PST

My relatives live in Mississippi, so it's tradition for my immediate family to gather there every Christmas. Mississippi is famous for its Southern hospitality, and it's common for family friends to drop by unexpectedly and leave incredible, homemade confections. This particular bundt cake was left by the next-door neighbor, and despite our small family's size, we have managed to gobble it up in only two days. Super moist yellow cake with butterscotch flavor, crunchy toasted pecans, and lip-smacking honey whiskey come together for a warming Southern bundt cake that you can enjoy morning, noon, and night. Lucky for you, I snagged the recipe so you can enjoy this divine delight in your own kitchen.

See recipe.

Travel Tips For the Upcoming Holiday Weekend

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:45:22 PST

Traveling this holiday? Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday this year, which makes one big mess at the airport. If you can't take a car or a train, be sure to check out these packing and travel tips to make your life easier while booking flights, getting through security checkpoints, and beyond.

Booking Flights

TripIt - Once signed up for the free service, forward travel confirmation emails to TripIt, which will automatically create a master itinerary of an upcoming trip accessible through the web or a mobile device. The itineraries even include the tidbits we seem to forget like weather updates, local maps, and directions.
Google Flight Search - Book that plane ticket before prices rise any further! Google's flight search engine incorporates travel basics like price point, maximum number of connections, and preferred airline with an easy-to-use interface.
Hotel Tonight - If there are too many relatives in one house, scan the last-minute hotel deals at Hotel Tonight for a chic getaway at a discounted price. Every day three hotels in a city reveal their discounted rates starting at noon, and you then have until 2 a.m. to book the deal and take advantage of a peaceful room.
My TSA - Can homemade fruit cakes go through security? How early should you show up to the airport for a flight on the eve of Thanksgiving? Answer the pressing travel questions that could otherwise cause delays or stress by adding the TSA's free iOS app to your device. The app's airport security line estimator may become the most crucial feature on your phone when planning your airport arrival.
HearPlanet ($3) - Take the time to discover the cultural side of your holiday destination. This interactive app highlights attractions in over 300,000 locations and uses geolocation features so that you don't miss any of the nearby fun, plus it's a great excuse to get out of the house and move around in fresh air.
GasBuddy - Hitting the open road instead of the air? Use the free GasBuddy app to locate the cheapest fuel on the interstate. Show your fellow travelers some love and share the low-price gas station you discover within the app.

Gadget Essentials

iPad or Tablet - If you have the luxury of spending upwards of $500 on a tablet, it's probably the only gadget you'll need to tote during travel season since it can hold your ebooks, surf the Internet, and keep you connected.
eReader - If you're sans tablet, pack up your favorite ereader. Whether it's the latest Kindle or the new Nook Simple Touch, you can read the entire Game of Thrones series without all the paper weight.
Compact laptop - Though the MacBook Air is arguably the most popular lightweight laptop out there, there's plenty of compact PCs and ultrabooks to choose from as well.
Chargers - If you're toting all these gadgets, you're going to (obviously) need some chargers to keep things juiced. Thankfully, many airlines are offering charging stations in the terminal and even seat-side outlets on board, so you can stay 100 percent charged throughout your trip.
Headphones - Keep the roar of 35,000 feet at bay with some nice sound-isolating headphones. If you're going over-the-ear, consider Skullcandy Aviators ($149), which offer great sound and deep bass and are even comfy for those geeks who wear glasses.

Get more tips on how to pack your bag and save some dough after the break.

Put a Stop to Smudged Eyeliner With This Quick Tip

BellaSugar — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:00:28 PST

Raise your hand if you wear pencil eyeliner. Now raise your hand if you hate the smudges you get around your eyes from it. Yes, we feel your pain, too. Pencil eyeliner can define your eyes and give them a sexy, smoldering look, but it can also come at the price of getting raccoon eyes sometime around noon. Luckily, there's a little trick that will help solve the smudging. Watch the video now to find out more.

5 Products to Help Work-at-Home Moms Actually Work at Home

Natasha Dantzig — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:16:31 PST

Work it, girl! Working from home can sound like an ideal setup for a mom; until one actually attempts to say, write an article, or make an important call with an attention-craving toddler trying to destroy any expensive electronics that are getting between him and the park. Working from home has its challenges, but the pros are pretty amazing. The following products will help mama get her work done, and keep her sanity.

A good to-do list is essential for today's multitasking mamas. Remember the Milk ($25) is a top-rated option thanks to its ease of use, and accessibility from multiple devices.
What mom doesn't need an extra hand? Being able to have a (brief) phone conversation while throwing a tennis ball back and forth with an energetic toddler might not be the least stressful option, but at least with a device like the Hands-Free VTech Phone ($100), it is possible to do both.
Most agree that when choosing a work-from-home schedule, it's best to have distinct times for work and times for play. Great goal, but sometimes that one last email can't wait for naptime or the babysitter. A stand-up desk, like this adjustable height Safco model ($237) is not only great for the back, but it will keep curious lil hands at a safe distance from expensive laptops.
Don't underestimate the power of the humble Crock-Pot ($44). The ability to throw dinner fixin's in at noon and not think about it again until 5 p.m. is a major time-saver.
The less paper, the better when it comes to staying organized. Swap Post-its and random scraps of paper for Dry Erase Boards ($44) to keep track of lists and notes.

What's your best tip for working at home with kids?

Vacations: The Best Time to Try New Fitness Classes

Heather Dale — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:11:50 PST

Some may leave their gym shorts and running shoes at home when they jet off for a vacation, but FitSugar readers make it a point to sneak fitness into their schedules while traveling. And I commend you for doing so, because when you've got a mai tai in one hand and a gripping novel in the other, it can take a lot of willpower to head to the gym.

Working out while on vacation can actually be an exhilarating and rewarding experience - especially if you try a new class. Here's why trips afar are the best time to switch up your fitness routine

Where to Find the Best Black Friday Beauty Deals

Jaime Richards — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:10:38 PST

Get ready for some serious sales because Black Friday is upon us, the official kickoff to holiday shopping season. So whether you'll be heading out at 3:00 a.m. for some doorbusting action or snuggled up with your laptop scoping out the deals, there's something here for everyone. To see some amazing deals, just keep reading.