FitSugar

Got Milk? The Facts About Raw vs. Pasteurized

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:32:22 PDT

Raw milk and cookies, anyone? Dairy is a major component to most tots' diets, and in the US, almost all dairy products are only available in pasteurized form, as regulated by the FDA. Yet, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and numerous other health organizations are unanimous in their position that raw milk should not be consumed, a movement supporting the fresh, cold drink is gaining momentum, and the demand has increased over the past several years.

Take our quiz about the great milk debate, and let us know: do you allow your kids to consume unpasteurized products?

Take the Quiz

Would You Drink Raw Milk?

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:43:33 PDT

While there are many proponents of raw milk, there are even more folks against it. Recently a family vacationing at a working farm ran into complications from drinking raw milk (they're going to be okay, but had contracted a bacterial food poisoning because of it). Raw milk sales are actually prohibited in many countries as well as 25 states and DC.

California is one of the states that allows it and I was able to pick up this jug at Whole Foods. The flavor is much richer and strong, I would even consider it somewhat "grassy" tasting, as if you could tell what the cow had fed on. It's nothing like store-bought milk - especially the lower fat versions. It's wonderfully smooth and, for lack of a better word, milky tasting.

So tell me, would you drink raw milk? Or do the health concerns worry you?

A Week In Review: FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PDT

In case you missed it, here's what we've been talking about...

Cow Face: A funny name for a great yoga move.

Are you a fan of Blizzards? Then check out this Dairy Queen nutritional breakdown so you can make smarter choices.

Before you raid the medicine cabinet, try chewing gum to relieve heartburn.

I want your opinion on if paychecks should be docked for high BMIs or not.

You can use your fitness ball for yoga too -- Check out this great video to see how to use the ball for your backbend.

Gwen Stefani wants to be more fit but less neurotic.

There was a lot in the news about coffee recently so check out this coffee round up.

Celebrities do their fare share of running too. Take my celeb marathoners quiz.

Men and woman do everything differently, even dieting.

Running at night? Check out these tips for nighttime running.

Nutritional labels on booze a good idea? What about drinking raw milk?

Learn more about circut training and if it's right for you.

Maybe it's time to stop using your baby as an excuse not to workout.

An oldie but a goodie: Here is Jessica Biel's workout.

Raw Milk: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:10:00 PDT

There have been reports circulating about the latest health trend to hit the streets (literally) that is actually illegal in 15 states: Raw milk consumption. Yes, I'm talking unpasteurized, unhomogenized, raw milk straight from the cow. Honestly it makes me cringe to even think about it but apparently people love the stuff for two reasons. For one, they like the richer taste. Also, for nutritional reasons. Some feel that pasteurization (process of heating and quickly cooling milk) destroys beneficial bacteria, proteins and enzymes while killing pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella and listeria.

I'm curious what you guys think, are you feeling this raw milk craze or will you be sticking to your pasteurized dairy for now?

Source

A Reader Recipe: Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Fit Community — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:27:50 PST

If you've got a cookie craving, you're in luck: FitSugar readers Pure2raw recently shared this gluten-free chocolate chip cookie cake with us in our Healthy Recipe group.

Everyone loves cookie cake, right? We have a chocolate chip cookie cake that is not only gluten-free but egg- and dairy-free, too. It is full of flavor with a great soft, cakelike texture. Plus the three-ingredient coconut frosting is too good not to try.

Get the recipe after the break!

A Reader Recipe: Chunky Cherry-Chocolate Granola Bites

Fit Community — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:28:09 PST

FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle came up with this special cookie for Valentine's Day; she posted the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

Tied with a festive pink ribbon and a little love, I’m hoping these cookies will be perfect for Valentine's Day. The whole-grain oats, nuts, and cherries in these cookies add heartiness, while the melted dark-chocolate chunks deliver bursts of richness. The chia seeds pack a nutty punch, and they are rich in fiber and omega-3s, too - perfect for supporting vibrant hair and skin during these cold weeks of February.

Learn more about the recipe after the break!

Ditch the Dairy: Milk-Free Snacks That Pack a Protein Punch

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:29:22 PST

Dairy products aren't the only choices when it comes to high-protein snacks. If you're eating a diet minus milk, or you just want a low-cal snack that's high in protein, check out these 150-calorie snacks that don't contain a drop of dairy.

One serving of spicy roasted chickpeas (one fourth of this recipe: 134 calories, 5.6 grams protein
Twenty-one raw almonds: 146 calories, 5.4 grams protein
Six-ounce container of vanilla O'Soy Yogurt: 150 calories, seven grams protein
One slice whole-wheat bread (100 calories, four grams protein) smeared with half a tablespoon natural peanut butter (53 calories, two grams protein): 153 calories, six grams protein
Two Mini S'mores Luna Bars: 140 calories, eight grams protein

Keep reading for five more dairy-free snack ideas.

4 Pointers For Perfecting That Holiday Cheese Platter

Susannah Chen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:39:53 PST

Pulling together a cheese platter for your next holiday soiree seems like an übereasy task - and it should be, if you know the few basic fundamentals of cheese pairing.

Take a few tips from Cathy Strange, cheese buyer from Whole Foods Market, before you stock up your party pantry, and you'll be sure to have a cheese plate that's as dynamic as your Christmas party conversation.

Your platter's only as solid as your cheese is delicious. "If you pick up mass-produced cheese that's more focused on low price than quality, that will be reflected in the tasting process," Strange says. If you're on a budget, she recommends chatting with your local cheese monger instead and asking to see what they're excited about this holiday season given the budget you have in mind.

Keep reading for a few more basic cheese pairing bytes.

Don't Lick the Spoon! Holiday Baking Tips to Prevent Illness

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:38:56 PST

It's holiday baking time! But before you whip up all those fruitcakes and homemade Christmas cookies, keep these tips in mind to prevent the stomachache of food-borne illness and the headache of chemicals in foods.

Don't Lick the Spoon
Spritz cookies with a side of salmonella? Sounds like the worst holiday ever. Prevent a horrible bout of food poisoning this season by resisting the gooey, sugary raw cookie dough. One in 10,000 eggs may be contaminated with salmonella inside the egg shell, so it's just not worth the health risk. The same goes for ready-to-bake dough purchased at the grocery store. Recent news linked the 2009 E. coli outbreak to consuming prepackaged cookie dough, reinforcing the importance of baking batter to kill unwanted pathogens.

Keep reading to find out two more tips to stay healthy while baking this holiday season.

Dairy-Free and Sugar-Free Mint Chocolate Chip Shake

Anna Monette Roberts — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:59:25 PST

Cacao nibs and fresh mint leaves are blended together with nondairy vanilla ice cream to create a healthy twist to a classic favorite. This shake doesn't contain dairy and sugar (if you pick sugar-free ice cream like coconut-milk-based So Delicious), yet it's creamy and subtly sweet with a little bit of crunch from the raw cacao nibs. This shake makes a delicious dessert, or you can blend in a scoop of your favorite plant-based protein powder to make a great recovery snack after working out.

See the recipe.