FitSugar

Fit For November: FitSugar Must Haves

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:30:00 PST

For me, November marks the beginning of the holiday season. I love Thanksgiving, but admit I find all the celebrating of the season a little stressful. Even as the month turns darker and cooler, I have it helpful to focus on my health. Check out my must haves to help you stay healthy and happy this month.

Source

Win $100 Whole Foods Gift Card!

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:45:00 PST

This giveaway is over and the winners will be announced shortly. Thank you to all who participated.

I'm definitely getting an organic turkey for Thanksgiving. If you're going organic for Thanksgiving too, I want to help you with the tab. Just in time to shop for your T-day meal, I am giving away five Whole Foods gift cards worth $100 each! Unfortunately, the cards are only redeemable in the US and Canada, but you can check out the Whole Foods Market online store locator to find a store near you.

To enter to win one of the five Whole Foods gift cards, all you have to do is log in and take the quiz below. (By the way, your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just simply by taking the quiz once you are logged in.) You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to take the quiz. So if you're not already a member, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Also, this part is important: YOU MUST BE LOGGED IN TO TEAMSUGAR FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT.

Interested in more details? Click here for the official rules.

The contest will end on Friday, Nov. 16, at 12:00 p.m. PST, and then I'll randomly select five winners from among the quiz-takers. Make sure to log in and take the quiz before then, and don't forget to e-mail this to all your friends and family so they can have a chance at it too!

Take the Quiz

Fit for November: Must Haves

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:30:00 PDT

November is here! The month of my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving! I love celebrating the harvest with seasonal foods. Ahhh...but there is so much more to this month than just one seriously food-centered holiday.

To see why I consider these items fit for November just

Top of my list for the month is an organic turkey for T-day. I am truly thankful that I can find a turkey that is antibiotic and hormone-free that was fed organic grains and no animal by-products. Free range turkeys are usually more muscular, less fatty, and take a bit longer to cook. You can order an organic turkey online from Local Harvest, and Whole Foods carries a wide variety and sizes of organic birds.
Do you participate in the tradition of a touch football game on Thanksgiving day? If so you better get out and practice your throw, and this Spiral Tech football ($20) from Nike is perfect for the job. Made of composite leather, it can handle any weather. Plus it is sized just a bit smaller, so smaller hands have an easier time handling this ball. Get your spiral throw down before the big game.
Hiking is one of my favorite pastimes. and I find Fall the best season for it. I find it best to wear a versatile jacket, and this Super Guide Jacket ($165) by Patagonia is a workhorse. Considered a soft shell jacket, it not only sheds snow and light rain, but it allows for unencumbered movement. The fabric breathes too, so you won't overheat! It's great for running and biking too.
Dental health is always on my mind; I try to avoid dental work other than my cleanings. I am loving this Flexcare ($180) by Sonicare. Not only is the toothbrush designed to remove plaque, but it also comes with a UV sanitizer that removes pesky bacteria and viruses from the bristles. You can find it at Target.
Since the days are shorter and colder, I think a gym membership is a must have. Since the prime workout times before and after work are dark now, moving your workout inside is a great idea. Plus the change of environment, the large amounts of equipment, and all the classes could just be the Fall fitness jump start you are looking for. Check out these tips for choosing a gym.

Sarah Jessica Parker Gets Into the Winter Groove at UNICEF's Ball

Allie Merriam — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:10:17 PST

Sarah Jessica Parker seemed to take the snow theme to heart last night when she attended UNICEF's Snowflake ball in a pouffy Louis Vuitton number. She attended the gala at Cipriani 42nd Street with other stars like Zoe Kravitz, Uma Thurman, Adrien Brody, and Mark Ruffalo. Zoe made the rounds inside while decked out in a Chanel ensemble that had feathery details just like SJP's.

Sarah Jessica and her family are home in the Big Apple again after spending Thanksgiving with Matthew's sister in New Jersey. SJP and Matthew attended a mass at Morristown's St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where his sister is a pastor. Their son, James Wilkie, had a lesson on the organ, then over 20 members of their extended family sat down to enjoy a 27-pound turkey!

How to Cut 500 Calories From Your Day

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:21:13 PST

In order to lose a pound in seven days, you need to cut out or burn 3,500 calories in a week. That's 500 fewer calories a day. If you just can't squeeze in a workout, here's how you can cut those calories out of your diet, a little bit at a time.

*This is not a full day's meal plan, but rather examples of where you can cut calories in your daily diet.

Breakfast

Choose vanilla Greek yogurt (120 calories) instead of blueberry-flavored (140 calories): save 20 calories
Top yogurt with 15 sliced grapes (51 calories) instead of adding a quarter cup Craisins (104 calories): save 53 calories

Breakfast calories saved: 73

Continue reading to find out how to cut the rest of your calories from lunch, dinner, and dessert.

Black Friday Sales You Should Know About

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:00:50 PST

Calling all lovers of great deals and design! This year, I've rounded up Black Friday sales that will surely shake you out of your turkey comatose. So, get a head start on organizing your wish list shopping day by browsing these upcoming sales.

20x200

Enjoy savings on Thanksgiving and the day after! The Thanksgiving sale will offer a 20 percent discount on sports-themed prints (certain prints excluded). On November 25, save 20% on black color-category prints (certain prints excluded).

Velocity Art & Design

On November 25, shop 20 percent off all in stock items at the Velocity Art & Design store at 251 Yale Ave North in Seattle, WA. For cyber shoppers, enjoy 20 percent off all Offi products November 17-30: 15 percent off on Roh and Hiya lines until November 30; 15 percent off all Herman Miller products November 23 to December 13.

One Kings Lane

Beginning on November 25, One Kings Lane shoppers can partake in a special “Treasure Hunt” for elephant illustrations that will randomly appear throughout the website. Shoppers that find the elephant can enter to win one of several amazing prizes, including One Kings Lane E-Gift Cards and luxurious cashmere throws. The grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 One Kings Lane shopping spree and a virtual design consultation with One Kings Lane cofounder, Susan Feldman, focusing on one room in their home.

styleVISA

On November 25, get a head start on StyleVisa.com's November 28 sale by following the shop on Twitter for an exclusive 15 percent discount code. Shop early before the official sale kicks off on Monday and enjoy free shipping on all orders of $100 or more.

CB2

Donate 7 non-perishable food items in store for the CB2 Can Do Food Drive and receive 15% off. Cyber shoppers can donate $10 to Share Our Strength, save 15%, and get free shipping! Sale runs from Nov 10 – Nov 28 and applies to all items except FLOR™ tiles, the Geneva Sound System, pro-ject turntable and Grado sr80i Headphones.

Cost Plus World Market

On November 25, buy one, get one free for all games, toys, and tabletop frames
Get 50% off of all faux fur throws

Y Living

November 23-December 12 save 15% on Herman Miller, Magis and Mattiazzi.
November 25-December 12 save 15% on all Humanscale
November 25-December 9 save 15% on all Loll accessories
November 21-December 15 save 20% on all Cerno Lighting (will ship in time for the holidays)
Now through December 31 save 15% on select Artemide lights

Hive Modern

November 23-December 12 save 15% and get free shipping on all orders

Greenhouse Design Studio

November 25 save 20% on gift orders and receive free gift wrap

Chewing the Cud

November 25-28 save 30% off site-wide

Z Gallerie

November 23-28 save 20% off accessories (excluding sale items) and 10-15% off furniture. If you have a store nearby, the first 5 customers to check in at any of the fifty five store locations via foursquare will receive a $25 gift card for free!

Source

3 Throat-Soothing Herbal Teas

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:51:09 PDT

If you find yourself suffering from a scratchy, sore throat, take comfort in the herbs astragalus, licorice root, and elm bark, which have a soothing effect on throat and respiratory issues. While the medical properties of these herbs have not undergone extensive scientific research, they have been brewed as healing teas for centuries and are mainstays in the alternative medicine community. Their natural sweetness, earthy scent, and slippery texture are pleasant, soothing, and worth trying out when colds strike.

Astragalus

What is it: Dr. Weil recommends taking astragalus, a sweet-tasting Chinese root which has immune boosting properties and helps soothe sore throats and bronchial infection.
Where to try it: Astragalus Immunity Tea ($6)
What scientists think: While the root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, no detailed, Western clinical trials have been done to prove or dispute its benefits for throat and respiratory issues. (Studies have shown astragalus to be helpful in reducing symptoms related to seasonal allergies.) Astragalus is also traditionally taken with ginseng, angelica, and licorice.

See more throat-soothing teas.

5 Airlines That Offer Healthy Food Fare

Heather Dale — Thu, 05 May 2011 11:52:08 PDT

When you are purchasing a flight, do you have a favorite airline that you always book with? Or do you just go for the best deal? And what makes you have an airline preference - the service, the extra leg room, or maybe it's the amazing snacks and meals? For me, if the airline has awesome service, great in-flight entertainment, and other perks, it tends to have delicious food as well.

Last year, the Diet Detective conducted an Airline Food Survey, which rated how healthy the food is aboard the top US airlines. After examining the economy class menus of several airlines' domestic flights and taking into consideration the Diet Detective's results - not to mention some of my own personal biases - here are the top five airlines that I think are serving up the healthiest snacks and meals.

Jennifer Garner Takes Care of Business While Ben Affleck Turns Down Great Gatsby Role

Katie Henry — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:41:26 PDT

Jennifer Garner raced around Beverly Hills yesterday in a hurry to get to her next stop. She later made a quick change and slipped on a sexy dress to mingle with Scarlett Johansson and Amy Adams at last night's Coach shopping event. The stars were out to indulge in some retail therapy while supporting the Children's Defense Fund, a philanthropic organization with which Jen's long been affiliated. Jen's coming off a big weekend of parties and family dinners in honor of her 39th birthday, though she may have less time to spend with her hot husband ahead. He's stepping behind the camera again to direct Argo, which reportedly revolves around the 1979 Iran hostage crisis and may send Ben abroad for a few months as he was recently in Turkey scouting locations. Unfortunately, it also means Ben Affleck has pulled out of Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby remake in which he was tapped to play Tom Buchanan opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan.

Dietitians Dish: How to Feed Your Skin

Guest Writer — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 02:26:10 PDT

The following post was written by the registered dietitians of C & J Nutrition, Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh. We turned to them for their expert advice to answer a FitSugar reader's question on the relationship between diet and skin care.

Hi,
I need some help with my skin and breakouts. Are there any foods you recommend avoiding to decrease acne? Any foods you recommend to improve the quality of my skin overall? Thanks!
- Edible Skin Tricks?

Research is really varied as to how diet may affect acne. You’ll often hear people cite dairy as a cause of acne, but again, research really hasn’t been able to back this up solidly. If you think a specific food might be triggering breakouts, keep a food journal to see if there’s a correlation. According to some researchers, spiked insulin levels from eating too many refined carbs. Sugary, processed foods can cause inflammation in the body (including skin cells) that leads to premature aging and wrinkles. Make sure to choose whole grains and whole grain products, beans, fruit for your carb choices most often.

In general, for the healthiest-looking skin we recommend:

Not smoking and avoiding spending time around smoke and do wear sunscreen/hats when spending time outside.
Eat foods rich in antioxidants – they destroy free radicals – research says vitamin C, E, A (beta carotene), and selenium nourish and protect skin, which can help keep it looking better for longer! (P.S. Retin-A, Renova are high potency vitamin A creams.) Here's more on those vitamins.