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Asthma Pod: Why This 'Pod' Craze Has Gone Too Far

GeekSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:01:33 PDT

We already knew the "i" craze had passed the point of no return, but it looks like "pod" mania may be gaining speed in the race.

Yesterday I learned about the Apod, or Asthma Pod, which is a colorful plastic case that clips around your standard asthma inhaler. They cost about $20 (or £10 because it's a British company) and come in 7 colors. So why am I so bent out of shape? For the most part the devices are cute, brightly hued plastic that will hopefully make asthmatic children everywhere feel better about their illness, however, the name alone makes me worry and wonder about the day the "pod" epidemic will end.

From the Laserpod, "pod" Hotels to EnergyPods for midday napping, there really is no logic to the over usage of the word "pod," which sprang to popularity with the lionization of the iPod. Will three out of five plastic items that are shaped like a bean or iPod be labeled "i-something" or "pod" from here until eternity? Will we wake up one morning and find out "pods" are suddenly as uncool as Walkmans? Most importantly, when will it end?

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Annatto: It's in My Food, But What is it?

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:13:00 PST

Since I am a major health nut, I always read labels before I buy food. I often see the ingredient Annatto listed on packages, so what is it?

It's a natural food coloring made from the ground up seed pods of - surprise, surprise - the annatto tree, which grows in Central and South America. It is also called the Achiote tree. After this tree flowers, it produces hairy pods that turn blackish-brown when ripe.

Annatto adds color to cheese, butter, margarine, rice, smoked fish, and microwave popcorn. It is often used as a substitute for the expensive herb saffron.

It also has antioxidants. I guess that doesn't really matter since you only ingest a small amount, but hey, it's better than nothing.

Well now I feel much better knowing Annatto really is an all natural food coloring. Much better than Red 40.

What Foods Did You Despise as a Child but Grow to Love as an Adult?

Lauren Hendrickson — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:15:24 PDT

Every child has a food that's an absolute no. It varies by kid; my niece loves everything from asparagus to calamari to brussels sprouts, but she'll turn her nose up at mushrooms every time, no matter how they're prepared.

When I was growing up, I was a pretty adventurous eater, but I despised frozen peas - so much that I made up an elaborate story about them being my doll's favorite thing on the entire planet and got away with passing along my helping to her whenever the vegetable was served at dinner. For most of my life, I continued my disdain of peas of all kinds: frozen, canned, and fresh. Then one Spring, I popped open one of those English pea pods at the farmers market and fell in love. Now, whenever this time of year rolls around, I can't wait to shell fresh peas.

I'm curious to know your stories: what foods did you hate as a kid that you've since learned to love?

Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

5 Ways to Outfit Your iPods For Outdoor Workouts

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 03:06:37 PDT

Attention gym rats: chugging it out on the treadmill every day may be good for your weekly mileage goals, but taking your workout outdoors will bust you out of plateaus and clear your mind of the Winter blues. If like me, you need some tunes to help you through a sweat session, grab your iPod and one of these cases to keep you going in the great outdoors.

Guess the Price Tag!

GeekSugar — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:57:35 PDT

Turning your iPod Nano into a wristwatch is nothing new, but ZShock is taking things to new heights with the diamond-encrusted LunaTik iPod Nano case. BGR recently ordered its own custom creation (which can include different metals, colors, and diamonds) and says each wristwatch takes about a month to craft. That should give you some time to save up the dough to pay for it. Can you guess how much this custom job costs?

Take the Quiz

Geek We Love: The MPMan With a Plan

Anna Monette Roberts — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:11:03 PDT

The MPMan was short-lived, but the first MP3 player mass-marketed in the US paved the way for the portable media player revolution. Now that we've gotten to know Kane Kramer, who developed the first MP3 player, and Nathan Schulhof, who created a precursor to iPod and iTunes, it's time to take a look at the history surrounding the MPMan.

Korean electronics company Saehan created and distributed the player in 1998. Michael Robertson, CEO of MP3.com, imported the MPMan into the US and sold it on the MP3.com website. Around the same time, Eiger Labs also imported the player and rebranded it (pictured).

The MPMan came in two versions: the MPMan F10 ($299), which held 32 megabytes, or 35 minutes of music; and the MPMan F20 ($459), which held 64 megabytes, or 90 minutes of music. The player was palm-sized and featured a small LED screen on the front, with the headphone jack and control buttons on top of the device.

Read more about the MPMan after the break.

8 Portable Speakers to Keep You Jamming All Summer Long

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:48:13 PDT

Beach days, picnics, and camping trips: these outdoor Summer activities aren't the same without your favorite upbeat tunes buzzing in the background. That's where these eight portable speakers come in. Whether you are looking for something waterproof and inexpensive or want powerful, high-quality sound, there's a portable speaker for every outdoor need. Some contain audio jacks that you can easily plug into your iPhone, iPod, or other MP3 player, while others require a device with built-in Bluetooth (like the iPhone).

A Reader Shares Why She Loves Running in the Rain

Fit Community — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:05:25 PDT

Don't let the elements stop you! OnSugar blogger egilbride shares her thoughts on why she loves running in the rain in her blog, Ready to Run.

Today I went for a run . . . in the rain. I know most people HATE running in the rain, but sometimes I prefer it to running on a sunny day. Take my Rock n Roll Half-Marathon (did I mention it was my first half-marathon EVER?!) that I ran last August. I may sound a little extreme when I say this, but it was literally like a monsoon. And I loved every minute of it! If I had been running in 90-degree weather in the city in August, I'm not sure I would have finished. But running a half-marathon in the rain was . . . refreshing. Other than causing me to wait in line for the porta-potty a couple of times, the constant downpour didn't have much of an adverse effect on me.

Then today, I went for a run . . . and it was amazing. I left my cell phone at home (see my last post reviewing my armband), which meant no GPS and no way to track my time, other than by using my iPod nano, which was set for the wrong time. It was just me, the road, and the rain. And what did I accomplish? A lot! Since I didn't have my phone telling me when I hit each mile and what my time was, I wasn't as worried about speeding up my pace at every mile to hit my goal time. But instead, I reached another "goal," which was to run my entire "course" - which includes running around my ENTIRE hilly block, including one the size of Grendall - twice! And I felt great! It may seem like a small feat to some, but that 2.62 miles (it's just a guess) was the best accomplishment I've made since I started running again! Here's to more victories to come in the future!

Do you like running in the rain? Share your own thoughts on outdoor running below. Start your own OnSugar blog and we might feature your posts on our homepage.

Hot Wrist Straps to Hold Your iPod Nano

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:30:42 PDT

In case you missed it, your new iPod Nano isn't just good for running and playing music - it can also double as a totally chic wristwatch. The iPod Nano watch trend may be cooling off, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy one of these eight awesome designs that will keep you moving and grooving. Check them all out here!

Jessica Simpson to Design Maternity Collection For Destination Maternity

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 14 May 2012 07:23:39 PDT

Well that didn't take long! Just two weeks after giving birth to her first baby girl, Maxwell Drew, Jessica Simpson is welcoming another new addition - a maternity clothing collection to be sold exclusively at Destination Maternity. As predicted, the Jessica Simpson Collection - an extension of her already massive fashion house that's known for creating affordable, current styles - will reflect the Fashion Star judge's decidedly '70s pregnancy style, including plenty of denim, leggings, flowing maxis, and vintage print tops. We're sure there will be a smattering of leopard and snakeskin prints thrown in the mix, too, judging by her fashion choices during her own pregnancy! Pieces from the collection - which will also include blazers, knits, and formfitting jersey knit dresses, will range from $36 to $70 and will hit store racks this Fall.

Jessica joins the likes of Nicole Richie and Heidi Klum, who both created limited collections for the maternity clothing giant in the past, and Rosie Pope, whose Summer capsule collection will enter A Pea in the Pod stores this June.