FitSugar

Relax With Republic of Tea's Decaffeinated Rooibos Line

partysugar — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:15:14 PST

Tea has been an incredibly trendy ingredient for the past two years. Recently, I was bombarded by so many different types of new tea products that I was quite overwhelmed. So much so that I avoided the enormous amount of tea booths at the Fancy Foods Show.

Until one - the Republic of Tea's Be Well Red Tea line - caught my eye. With names like "get happy," "get some zzz's," and "get relaxed" the collection of South African rooibos teas are each specified to change a certain aspect of your life. They're caffeine free and naturally healthful. They come in brightly colored, tin canisters. I enjoy their unpretentious packaging, clean herbal flavor, and soothing qualities.

Do you drink decaffeinated tea? Have you tried Republic of Tea?

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Rooibos – Red, Red Tea

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:30:00 PST

Always on the lookout for a new cup of tea to enjoy, I have recently taken to drinking a cup of rooibos, pronounced Roy-boss, after dinner. Also known as red tea or bush tea, rooibos hails from South Africa and is not really a "tea," but an herbal tisane. High in antioxidants this tisane is a great dessert substitute. It is caffeine free so it won't keep you up past your bedtime, and it is naturally sweet so you don't have to add extra calories in the form of some sweetener like sugar or honey.

The number of health claims is a little overwhelming. It is said to:

Ease irritability, headaches, nervous tension and insomnia.
Act as an anti-spasmodic agent, to relieve stomach cramps and colic in infants.
Can be used to treat hay fever, asthma and eczema.
Slow the aging process when placed directly on the skin.
Boost the immune system.

Unfortunately, the scientific studies of rooibos are limited and the few studies completed do not support the myriad of health claims. Rooibos is, however, high in many essential minerals, like: copper, iron, potassium, calcium, fluoride, zinc, and magnesium. It is also high in alpha-hydroxy, which is why it works on the skin topically.

I drink it for the taste and if it boosts my immune system that would be a great bonus. Numi Mellow Red Rooibos is my favorite because it is organic and fair trade. Do you like rooibos? Tell me in the comments section below.

Source

Fit Finding: Tea - Green, Black, White, Red or Herbal

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 14:00:00 PST

Tea, ya know I love a good "cuppa." I am wondering if you do too? Earlier I told you about the free samples from Yogi tea, but I know there are so many teas out there that I have yet to try. So let's go Fit Finding for some tea. Any kinds of tea, be it green, black, white, red, herbal - I am interested in all kinds.

Be sure to "tag: your finds with the phrase "tea to try."

If the term "Fit Find" is new to you, please read and watch geeksugar's excellent explanation of our bookmarking system.

Link Time: Cindy Crawford Knows How to Rock One Sexy Leather Dress

Marisa Tom — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:14:23 PDT

Cindy Crawford knows how to rock one sexy leather dress - Stylelist
What to pack for a long, sunny Summer weekend - Olivia Palermo
Does The Great Gatsby accurately depict 1920s style? - HuffPost Style
Jenna Lyons on J.Crew before Mickey Drexler: the company was "vanilla" - Fashionista
The Real World celebrates 20 years of reality, fashion, and more - The Daily Beast
Thoughts on Britney Spears's bright pink minidress? - Red Carpet Fashion Awards
This bag lunch benefit sounds like our cup of tea - Style.com
Celebs go for dark and dramatic this Spring - The Fashion Spot
Scott Schuman and Garance Doré on fashion show lurkers and more - Styleite
Michelle Obama and Beyoncé continue their love affair - The Cut

Oscar de la Renta Resort 2013 Takes Us on a Luxe Ladylike Picnic - See the Complete Collection Here

Marisa Tom — Tue, 22 May 2012 07:43:10 PDT

Oscar de la Renta's Resort 2013 collection offered up a plethora of plush, picnic-ready looks for sunny days ahead. And while you may have pastoral images of lazy lawn spreads and fruit-filled wicker baskets in mind, this country-chic girl wears her gingham prints in luxe satins and silks. The iconic designer presented a cool mix of traditionally sleek looks - black-and-white short suits, apple red tea party frocks, and bright peplum tops - along with quirkier pieces, like a silk and sequined baseball t-shirt paired up with a decadent gingham ball skirt. If the more daytime-friendly wares don't inspire dreams of frolicking in a manicured meadow, then de la Renta's signature frothy gowns will certainly transport you to an evening under the stars in the French Riviera. Above all, this is an ultrafresh lineup with classic and cool-girl appeal. To see every Resort '13 look, just keep clicking.

Staying Vegan on the Big Day: Wedding Menu Options

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:15:45 PDT

Even though wedding meals typically include bacon-wrapped scallops, filet mignon, and wedding cake smothered in buttercream frosting, you can still enjoy a delicious vegan menu if you, your partner, or your guests follow this animal-free diet. A little creative planning is all it takes, and since many venues, caterers, and bakers are being asked more about vegan options, chances are your venders will be able to accommodate your needs. When planning your own wedding, here are some tasty ideas for your vegan meal.

Cold Hors d'Oeuvres

Crispy sweet-potato pancakes topped with apple cinnamon chutney
Mini shot glasses of roasted red pepper hummus with carrot and celery sticks
Dates filled with soy cheese and wrapped in crispy portobello strips

Warm Hors d'Oeuvres

Tomato oregano risotto cakes topped with dairy-free pesto
Roasted veggie skewers with cardamom ginger dressing for dipping
Falafel balls with tzatziki sauce

Salads

Baby spinach with golden beets, candied walnuts, and raspberry vinaigrette
Mixed greens with ripe pears, edamame, sunflower seeds, and an avocado ginger dressing
Cucumber, tomato, and basil salad with cubes of baked tofu and balsamic vinaigrette

See vegan options for the main course, dessert, and brunch course after the break!

Trendy Ingredient: Hibiscus Flower

Camilla Salem — Mon, 07 May 2012 05:30:00 PDT

Drinks that use hibiscus have been around for quite a while, but more and more I'm noticing the brightly colored, beautiful flower being used in cooking (hibiscus loaf cake, anyone?). But what's the scoop on this trendy floral ingredient? Find out when you keep reading.

Defeat Poison Ivy With Tea Tree Oil

FitSugar — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:40:56 PDT

You went for a gorgeous two-hour hike in the woods, brought back some great photos and uh-oh - you also brought back some poison ivy. When you accidentally brush up against this plant, the uroshiol oil rubs onto your skin, and can instantly create redness, raised bumps, blisters, and an insatiable itch. First and foremost, get out of the clothes you were wearing on the hike and wash the oil off your skin using soap and cold water (warm water opens your pores) to prevent the rash from spreading.

Unfortunately, now you're left with an itchy, bubbly rash. Topical creams like Calamine lotion and hydro-cortizone can keep the itchiness at bay, but when it comes to poison ivy, the quicker it heals, the better. Reach for the remedy, pure tea tree oil. It's all natural, not that expensive, and easy to find at most health food stores. Thoroughly wash and dry the affected areas. Sprinkle a few drops of the tea tree oil directly on the rash and use a Q-tip or cotton ball to spread it around. Apply a few times a day, and you should see the blisters disappearing and the rash clearing up.

Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antifungal, and drying properties, which is why it's so effective against the dreaded poison ivy. This natural remedy can also be used to treat acne, minor cuts and scrapes, athlete's foot, and yeast infections so it's great to keep a bottle in your medicine cabinet.

Source: Flickr User frotzed2

4 Steps to Wedding-Perfect Skin

Jaime Richards — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:51:00 PDT

Whether your nuptials are impending or you have a big event coming up, there's nary a person who doesn't long to show off clear, radiant skin. "Preparing for your wedding day can feel like training for a marathon (or getting ready for a photo shoot) - hours of effort for just a few hours in the spotlight," says Suki Kramer, president and founder of Suki skin care. "But as any bride (or marathoner, or model) would attest, preparation is the key to any successful day, and every minute is worth it."

Well, check another box off on your wedding to-do list, then; Kramer is sharing her four-step skin care routine, which can begin several months out before the big day. Just keep reading for all the details.

Secrets to Saving on Your 7 Favorite Indulgences

Emily Co — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:25:48 PDT

We all have our weaknesses, and yours may be a Starbucks addiction or even an avid book reading habit. Although we advocate saving, we're also a big fan of being able to indulge on occasion. After all, if you keep denying yourself, it might be counterintuitive because you may end up buying on impulse. Here are some ways you can still enjoy your favorite purchases, yet save at the same time:

Starbucks: Sign up for a Starbucks card and you can accumulate rewards such as free drinks. Once you buy five drinks, you get free syrup or soy milk and free refills on brewed coffee, iced coffee, or iced tea. You'll also get a free tall drink if you buy a bag of coffee beans. Once you buy over 30 drinks, you get a free drink for every 15 drinks you buy. As a card holder, you'll also get a free drink of your choice on your birthday.

Frugal secret: You can make your own Starbucks drinks in your own home. Check out Squawkfox's recipe for a homemade Starbucks Frappuccino that costs only 32 cents to make. Don't forget to also check out YumSugar's Starbucks-inspired pumpkin spice latte recipe.
Books: If you got a thing for books, there's always the library of course. But for those who just love permanent additions to their budding book collection, you can consider joining book clubs like Barnes & Nobles, which sends regular discounts and coupons to your inbox. You can also get really cheap indie ebooks for free or for 99 cents on Amazon. Some of the books are actually really good, but check out the reviews before buying if you don't want to waste your time on a dud.
Frugal secret: Shhh, don't let anyone know, but you can get free books from authors, even the acclaimed and famous ones, if you try this trick. A lot of times, you can even get the book ahead of its release. All you have to do is start building up a nice repertoire of really solid and detailed book reviews on Amazon or Good Reads, the social network for book recommendations. If your Amazon reviews are good, people will start voting on them, which may qualify you for Amazon's Vine program, an exclusive club that "invites the most trusted reviewers on Amazon to post opinions about new and prerelease items." And if you're a popular Good Reads reviewer, authors will start reaching out to you to review their books.
Yoga: You can save on yoga classes by subscribing to daily deal sites and keeping an eye out for discounts at your local yoga studio. Lululemon also offers free yoga classes, so you might want to check out your local shop. A lot of studios have free or donation-based classes on occasion, so you might want to check with them, too.
Frugal secret: Become a yoga teacher to get access to free classes. You don't have to worry about teaching taking up too much of your time because I have friends who teach only once or twice a week and still get the perks of a full-time teacher, such as being able to attend classes for free. You can also offer to trade services (writing, graphic design, admin, or whatever skill you can provide) with the studio in exchange for free classes.

Read on for more.