FitSugar

Pep-Rally for Brains Over Brawn? Academic Trading Cards!

CitizenSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:15:10 PDT

Blah, blah, sports, blah. Not a popular sentiment, I realize - I mean they're fun to watch and all (I hear) but I'd rather know the names of the leaders of Zimbabwe than whether the World Series has happened yet. I just get concerned over the culture of idolizing athletes - because when has a touchdown ever cured cancer?

That's why I'm particularly excited over Penn State's new line of academic trading cards. Just like baseball cards (or the media heroes cards), the glossy collectables tout the top faculty members. According to the university president, "We have many great faculty, and they are surely worthy of the accolades our society often lavishes on athletes, coaches, and celebrities in the entertainment world." Hear, hear!

To take a peek at what they look like and whose featured,

I mean, imagine if this girl was a excited about Glaciologist Richard Alley and his work, as listed on his card: "He unlocked the SECRET of the Greenland ice core." Take that to the free-throw line! The cards are sadly not for sale, but maybe even better they're being given away at football tail-gate parties. What more perfect place to nudge university fans into remembering that the school is well rounded and says the president, of "the important work being done by our leading scholars." No word on whether the cards come packaged with gum though. . .

Source

Soups On Weight Loss

FitSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 14:30:00 PDT

Good news for soup lovers...

A new study out of Penn State has found that when served a low calorie soup (made of chicken broth, broccoli, potato, cauliflower, carrots and butter) and entree, diners consumed 20 percent fewer calories compared to when they did not have soup.

If you're thinking, "I've got to get my hands on that soup recipe." Don't worry because the researchers say that you just need to stick to broth-based soups that are about 100 to 150 calories per serving. This way you get an extra course at your meal, while eating fewer total calories. Good news too, because my favorite lentil tomato soup is broth based.

Why You Should Go For the Cheap Wine

Emily Co — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:05:10 PST

Most of us like to think we're wine connoisseurs and that our taste buds are ultrasensitive to the nuances of wine. And there's a common perception that the more expensive the wine is, the better it tastes. Actually, a recent study by Penn State and Brock University researchers found that most people can't tell the difference between the $10 box wine vs. the fine wine from a fancy vineyard.

Penn State researcher John Hayes tells NPR that after evaluating hundreds of wine drinkers, they found that the wine experts, which include writers and winemakers, were 40 percent more sensitive to the bitter taste and have a more "acute sense of taste."

So if you're thinking of buying some wine to bring over to a friend's place or to enjoy on your own, just reach for the cheaper option. You guys probably can't tell the difference anyway.

Have You Ever Tweeted Something You Regretted Later?

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:15:17 PST

Twitter can be a dangerous tool, allowing you to tweet before you think. Or in Ashton Kutcher's case, tweet before you know all the facts. According to his Twitter account, Ashton Kutcher is taking a break from Twitter and handing over his feed to his Katalyst Media team in response to the firestorm that erupted last night after he tweeted his outrage against the firing of Penn State coach Joe Paterno. Ashton says he only saw the headline as he passed a TV and tweeted before digging for more info, but after learning more about the story later - that Paterno is being accused of covering up an alleged sex abuse scandal - he deleted his tweets and apologized to his following.

While not all of us have over eight million followers to answer to, when you tweet without thinking (or Googling), 140 characters can easily be taken out of context or be incorrect altogether. Have you ever tweeted something you regretted later? How did you handle it?

Lil Links: Should More People Be Fired For Standing Idly by at Penn State?

LilSugar — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:32:50 PST

Only a coward doesn't do something to stop a rape - The Stir
Dad's depression may rub off on kids - Health
Sarah Jessica Parker sees her husband in a new way - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Ricki Lake releases more Business of Being Born - Celebrity Baby Blog
A guide to your childbirth choices - FitPregnancy
How to get back on track from daylight savings time - Parenting
The best gear for baby - The Bump
Should breastfeeding be banned in the courtroom? - Momformation
Elmo for grownups: a story moms and dads will appreciate – Cool Mom Picks

Link Time - Signs You're Headed to Marital Bliss

TresSugar — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:30:19 PST

How to make sure you and your partner are compatible before tying the knot - YourTango
Hot dudes with mustaches - theBERRY
Lessons to learn from the Penn State tragedy - GOOD
Should grown men really have a man cave? - AskMen
How not to ruin friendships with Facebook - Huffington Post
What to do when you see your ex over Thanksgiving break - College Candy
13 celebs who have worn hands as "bras" - TheFrisky
Tips for winning over his mother at Thanksgiving - Em & Lo
Edward and Bella's sweetest onscreen moments - BuzzSugar

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Try Planking and Hugging It Out!

Mackenzie Wagoner — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:56:12 PST

Penn Badgley and Zoe Kravitz Keep Coy About Their Romance at His Margin Call Debut

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:49:40 PDT

Penn Badgley and Zoe Kravitz turned out last night for the NYC premiere of his Margin Call. Zoe and Penn were spotted kissing in the Big Apple earlier this month, and the PDA confirmed months of speculation that they're together following her relationship with Michael Fassbender. Nonetheless, Zoe and Penn declined to pair up for photos on the red carpet. Instead, the actors posed solo, and Penn also teamed up with the film's other handsome male stars, including Zachary Quinto, Paul Bettany, and Simon Baker, for some pictures. Penn talked about Margin Call, in which he plays a Wall Street banker and said the experience was transformative for him as both an actor and person. He said, "For me, this was a watershed experience as an actor, as a creative person, as a spiritual person, as an emotional person - just, everything about it was really wonderful." Demi Moore also stepped out for the debut last night. The star, who also has a role in the movie, was wearing her wedding ring and a wide smile despite the recent rumors about the state of her marriage to Ashton Kutcher.

Savvy Tip: Save Money by Hand Washing Your Clothes

Savvy Community — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:00:49 PDT

This How Do You Save post comes from SwissMelis who is studying abroad in Switzerland. In order to deal with the unexpectedly high cost of living, she decided to start hand washing her clothes. So far, she finds it to be a really effective and simple saving trick! Read on for tips on how to do it yourself.

Hello my frugal friends,

As an American studying in Geneva, Switzerland, I am struggling to survive. The sticker shock I experienced here was worse than any city I've ever travelled to. ie. ONE school book costs more than an entire class at Penn State. Not kidding. So what does that have to say about the cost of rent, food and leisure? . . . let's not even talk about it.

One thing that I've turned to in order to cut down the cost of living is hand washing anything I can. This includes undies, bras, shirts and workout clothes. (I leave jeans, sheets and towels to the expert . . . the machine)

Its really, really easy! I use my sink and fill it up with warm water, add the detergent and clothes and let the garments soak for about five minutes. I massage the clothes around a bit, rub out any stains, and voila! Hang dry.

The other option is to take your clothes into the shower with you. Squirt some shampoo on your head and while you're at it, add some to your clothes because shampoo works just as well! This is great for multitaskers!

Not only is this WAY better for the lifespan of my clothes, but its free! (besides the cost of detergent) It also fills my room with nice fresh smells.

To read about or spill similar savvy revelations, post in my How Do You Save group.

What to Rent: New DVDs This Week

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Black Swan

Natalie Portman stars as Nina Sayers, an uptight ballerina who gets cast as the lead in a production of Swan Lake. When she encounters a rival dancer (Mila Kunis) who possesses the sexuality that she lacks, Nina's emotional state unravels. Director Darren Aronofsky's thriller is a beautifully artistic albeit disturbing effort, but Portman is the star of the show. She swept award season - an Oscar included - and the film is worth renting for her performance alone. DVD bonus features include a making-of featurette and a look at the costume and production design for the film.

88%

Tangled

Mandy Moore and Chuck's Zachary Levi put their voices to song in this fresh, fun spin on the story of Rapunzel. The Disney film tells the classic tale of the girl who let down her hair, except this time, Rapunzel (Moore) is more of a headstrong heroine than a damsel in distress. When she meets Flynn Ryder (Levi), a rebel on the run, the two bust Rapunzel out of her tower and form a friendship. Though it may be intended for the little ones, Tangled charms all ages with its sweetness. DVD extras include a retrospective montage featuring Disney's 50 animated films, deleted scenes, and a making-of featurette.

90%

See one more new release when you

Fair Game

Naomi Watts and Sean Penn star in the true story of "Plamegate," when the government supposedly leaked CIA operative Valerie Plame (Watts)'s cover after her husband Joe Wilson (Sean Penn) wrote an op-ed piece against the Bush administration (check out the trailer again here). Even though some critics weren't sold on the thriller, Naomi Watts turns in a powerful performance as the lead. The bonus material includes a commentary with the real-life Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson.

79%