FitSugar

I Need Your Help . . . My Pooch Won't Stop Scratching!

PetSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:30:49 PDT

Thanks so much for helping out – and sharing stories – about those lonely puppies (and kitties). Next up, do you think we can work together to help rushka313 with her aptly-named pooch, Bella? Seems this pretty lass is very scratchy – see the details and share your advice when you

That Little Itch Could Be . . .

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 02:00:00 PST

The relationship between itches and scratching just got a little more complicated. A new study on scratching (yes, scientists study actions as seemingly banal as scratching) revealed that the act of scratching actually reduces activity in the brain region associated with negative emotions and unpleasant memories. This could be why scratching that itch feels so good.

The sensation of an itch is rather physiologically complicated, as is the scratch that relieves it. An itch involves not just the skin but the spinal cord and brain, too. While scratching an itch is a reflex response (the action removes irritants), there is a lot of neurological activity happening to help you to hit the right spot. When you do hit the right spot, it feels great. The researchers were actually interested in why scratching inhibits or alleviates the itching sensation. It looks like they are one step closer to figuring out why the itch got scratched.

My question to you is, do you feel a little itchy after reading this post?

Source

Love Your Laptop: 8 Tips For Keeping it Healthy and Happy

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:23:02 PST

Valentine's Day doesn't just have to be about giving affection to your significant other. It can be about showing your appreciation for the people and things that make your life awesome. Take your laptop, for example. Your window to the vast Internet, your laptop works really hard for you without asking much in return. Give your laptop a little TLC this Valentine's Day with these tips that will keep it happy and healthy all year long.

Clean it up - Giving your laptop (or desktop) a thorough cleaning is essential to extending its life. Back up any data you may already have stored (on an external hard drive or a portable flash drive), organize your desktop icons, empty your computer's trash on a regular basis, and clear out any programs you don't use. This will help free up space and keep you on the fast track to productivity.
Practice proper shutdown habits - Shutting down all open programs and putting your laptop to sleep instead of just closing the lid will help your computer stay cool and safe while in transport. But if you've had your laptop in a cold environment, let it warm up to room temps slowly before turning it on. This will keep condensation and dew at bay, which can ruin your computer's sensitive guts.
Protect your investment - If you're going to be lugging a laptop around, make sure it's protected in a padded case!

See the rest of my tips after the jump.

Low-Cal (to No-Cal) Ways to Satisfy Your Chocolate Cravings

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:03:41 PST

It's the time of year when chocolate is everywhere. They say you are what you ~~wear~~ eat, so I must be bittersweet. While I believe a little dark chocolate here and there is good for the soul and your health (here are some surprising health benefits of the chocolate), some chocolate cravings run deep. Here are seven ways to scratch your chocolate itch without piling on the calories and literally wearing your chocolate.

Grammy Awards: Nicki Minaj Wears a Red Versace Robe

FabSugar — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:37:40 PST

At this point, provocative ensembles have become the singer's norm, but when Nicki Minaj showed up to tonight's awards in a cascading red cape and a costumed pope in tow, we have to admit she made our jaws drop. Minaj's fiery red Versace robe, complete with a beaded silhouette and matching red gloves, may just be the artist's most dramatic outfit yet. Equal parts Red Riding Hood and religious-chic (??!), her outfit has left us scratching our heads about what statement Minaj is making. Now we've got to know, what do you think?

Vote on all of our Grammy Awards polls here!

How To: Get Your iPad Ready For Resale

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:48:28 PST

If the rumors are true, the iPad 3 should be announced in March. If you're ready to upgrade from your first-gen iPad or iPad 2, now's the time to start thinking about selling. But before you post a listing on Craigslist or eBay, get all your ducks in a row first. Here's a few tips on how to prep your gadget for resale, and get top dollar for your efforts.

Back up your data and do a clean sweep - First thing's first - make sure you connect your iPad to iTunes and back up all of your data. You'll be able to sync it with your new iPad after you bring it home. And just like a computer, before you sell your old tablet, you'll want to wipe it clean of any sensitive information, apps, and contact lists. Erasing all of your content and settings (go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) is great, but go ahead and perform a full restore in iTunes as well.
Polish the exterior - Cleaning your old iPad is kind of like cleaning your LCD monitor - you don't want to use any harsh chemicals or, even more damaging, water. Using a tried-and-tested cleaner like iKlear ($30) will ensure you won't damage your iPad's sensitive bits. Use the included microfiber cloth (or one of your own) and shine that baby up.

To see the rest of my list, including tips on how to get your gadget sold quickly online, just keep reading.

Glee-ful Highlights From Episode "Michael"

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:04:31 PST

When I heard that Glee was performing a Michael Jackson tribute, I basically starting moonwalking across the floor, but the episode didn't quite live up to my expectations. I definitely appreciated the effort, and there were absolutely some standout performances, but I would have loved more Jackson 5 or old-school Michael disco tunes.

With so many songs crammed in, there's very little in the way of plot here. Basically, the entire episode is about the rivalry between the New Directions and the Warblers, and Sebastian emerges as the show's new villain when he hits Blaine with a jacked-up slushie. Oh, and Rachel finally gives Finn an answer to his proposal! Ready to break it all down? Just

Sweets For Your Geek: < 3 Cookies

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:12:51 PST

Valentine's Day is synonymous with pink hearts and sweet treats, but rather than picking up some store bought nibbles (don't be lazy), geek things up a bit by baking up a batch of these "less than three" heart cookies. Good news for those geeks who are skittish in the kitchen: these treats aren't a pain to make and can be crafted with minimal effort.

Grab a package of ready-made sugar cookie dough, a heart cookie cutter, some strawberry frosting, and you're ready to roll. Instead of cutting the dough into slices, roll it out to about a quarter-inch thick. Then grab your cookie cutter and get to work on that dough.

The fun doesn't stop there though. Once you have your heart shape, slice them in half and trim the middles, creating a "less than" symbol and "three" shape. Boom - you're basically done. Now just bake 'em, frost 'em, and give them to your favorite geek for a sweet Valentine's Day treat. Of course, if you wanted to go all in and make your cookies from scratch, YumSugar has an excellent sugar cookie recipe for you to try.

Keep Your iPhone Lenses in Check With the Lens Wallet

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:33:22 PST

If the iPhone 4 is the most popular camera in the world (and it is), then why treat your mobile lenses any different than your DSLRs? Keep your magnetic fish-eye, macro, and telephoto lenses and iPhone tripods safe and scratch-free with this chic iPhone Lens Wallet ($15).

There's a place for everything, and everything stays put in its place, thanks to a magnetic strip and pockets plus an animal-friendly leather strap to keep things nice and secure inside the canvas and felt wallet. Even better - if you don't have any of these amazing iPhone lenses yet, you can get four (fish-eye, macro, and 2X and 8X telescopic lenses) plus the wallet for just $80. That's a deal if I ever saw one.

Ready to snap some pics? Check out a few of our iPhoneography tips and tricks.

4 Lazy Moves That Boost Your Health

Prevention — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:05:16 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

You don’t have to go on a deprivation diet or spend hours exercising to ward off disease and be your healthiest self! Instead, try these supersimple tips
By the editors of Prevention

Staying healthy can feel like so much, well, work (think: logging hours at the gym and whipping up nutritious meals from scratch). However, there are plenty of small moves that you can make in your everyday life that will have big health benefits. We’ve rounded up 15 practically zero-effort ways to fight disease, whittle your waist, lower stress, and more. Bonus: many of these good-for-you moves feel good, too. So say sayonara to the old adage “no pain, no gain” and try these tips today.

Lazy Move No. 1: Protect Your Ticker by Snoozing
Need a good excuse to grab your comfiest set of pajamas and hit the sack? Skimping on shut-eye may do more than make you cranky or unproductive - it also boosts your risk of a heart attack. According to one Norwegian study, people who reported that they did not wake up feeling refreshed in the morning had a 27 percent higher risk of a heart attack, those who had trouble staying asleep almost every night in the last month had a 30 percent higher risk, and those who had trouble falling asleep almost every night in the last month had odds that jumped to 45 percent.

Twenty Ways to Sleep Better Every Night

Some researchers speculate that insomnia might trigger your body to release more of the stress hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol have been linked with high blood pressure and diabetes, which are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Plus when you’re exhausted, you may be more likely to make unhealthy choices that up your heart disease risk, such as skipping your workout or reaching for fatty or sugary snacks for a quick energy fix.

Keep reading for three more lazy ways to improve your health.