FitSugar

Diet Tip: Good Things Don't Always Come in Small Packages

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:00:00 PDT

If you've been buying junk food in small packages in an effort to lose a few, you may be missing the mark.

Two new studies have found that people actually may consume more calories when the portions and packages are smaller. The idea is if there were a king-size candy bar sitting in front of you, most of us would pass on it. However, if there were a few mini candy bars, then most of us would indulge because they're smaller and we're programmed to believe that's better for us. I know that I, for one, am totally guilty of this. Sometimes I'll buy the fun-size bags of mini candies with good intentions of only eating one, and then I'll end up eating far more than one because they're so small.

I'm not saying don't indulge every once in a while, but just beware that even though the package is smaller, the contents are still the same.

Source

A Love Advice Columnist Has a Major Crush (on Her Home!)

Elka Karl — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:07:16 PST

Advice columnists are used to answering questions - though usually not about themselves. Today, love advice columnist Wendy Atterberry of Dear Wendy is revealing her crushes and love for all things home-related. Wendy lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, Drew, their baby boy, Jackson, and their two cats, Simone and Miles (who make a cameo in the photos here). Keep reading to see what Wendy has to say about why she's majorly crushing on her home.

What she most loves about her home:

It's a tie for my favorite spot in my home between my bedroom (and specifically, my bed), and my "china cabinet" wall. My husband, Drew, and I painted all the walls in our place, inspired by the colors of the beach, so I love the shades of green in both spots. We have a king-size bed, which feels like a luxury, and I love Sunday mornings when all five of us - Drew, our new baby Jackson, our two cats, Miles and Simone, and I - all pile in the bed and read books, nap, and talk. Drew and I love to travel, so above our bed we framed postcards of all the places we've traveled together in the nearly six years we've known one another. The china cabinet in my other favorite spot of the apartment belonged to my great-great-grandparents and I just love it. It's filled with lots of glassware for entertaining, which is something we enjoy doing. Everything else in that spot is a second-hand buy, found at garage sales or thrift stores, with the exception of the gray wool blanket on the bench, which I found somewhere online.

What others love most about her home:

Probably our "bar," which is usually pretty well-stocked thanks to generous friends who bring bottles of stuff whenever we have get-togethers. People also comment that our place is "cozy," which could also be a euphemism for "small," but here in New York where most places are tiny, I like to think it's a genuine compliment.

What she'd love to add to her home:

Luckily, we already have most everything I'd want in a home - a walk-in closet, a big bathtub, a dishwasher, central air, and a washer and dryer. We even have a large balcony, which is pretty awesome in the warmer seasons. But if I could wave a magic wand and make this truly my dream home, I'd add one more bedroom (and maybe an elevator!); our second bedroom - now our baby's room - is awfully small and one day we'll outgrow this place, which will be sad. More realistically, I'd love to change the light fixture in the dining area, which is pretty ugly. We're renters, so it doesn't make sense to put any more money into the place, but if we owned, that would be the first - and maybe only thing - I'd change. Oh, and more original artwork. Oh, and a hammock! If only money were no object . . .

Need love advice? Head over to Dear Wendy for articles, advice, and much more!

Linguine With Sea Urchin and Caviar

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:01:25 PST

Sea urchin is often a polarizing ingredient. Yoo Eatz encourages us to muster some courage and embrace this culinary adventure in the form of pasta.

What's so gross about sea urchin? Even some of the most adventurous eaters I know will make the most horrific faces when the topic comes up.

I asked my husband about this - he generally recoils when I suggest that we share a pair of nigiri at the sushi bar - and he offered that it's a textural thing. Some people say it resembles phlegm (or worse), and I heard one person characterize the briny bits as "little orange tongues" (although, let's face it: the truth of what uni is may actually be harder to stomach!). But a lot of these same people will tell me that the flavor doesn't bother them; in fact, they find it quite pleasant.

For more, plus a recipe, keep reading!

Weight Loss Rules You're Allowed to Break

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:58:49 PST

If you love to eat, losing weight can seem so structured, you immediately get frustrated and grab the first decadent food you can find. Even though there are some very specific guidelines that can help you reach your goal faster, there's no one-size-fits-all weight-loss plan for everyone. Here are five rules you can bend and still drop pounds from the scale.

No Cheesecake, Wine, or French Fries
While dessert, alcohol, and fried foods tend to be high in calories, just because you want to lose weight doesn't mean you have to live without the foods you adore. Actually, denying yourself the bites you crave can backfire, causing you to feel deprived, resulting in bingeing. You can't eat these foods all the time, but it's perfectly healthy to enjoy a few spoonfuls of ice cream or a small glass of chardonnay every once in a while. Just limit your portion sizes and only indulge about once a week.

Salad, Every Day
Salads aren't for everyone, and the dissatisfied feeling you get afterward could cause you to head to the nearest pizza joint. Plus salad toppings can really add up. When a bowl of greens is covered in candied walnuts, cheese, dried cranberries, avocado, and creamy dressing, a seemingly healthy salad can run higher in calories than a burger. If you're not into a bowl of raw veggies, choose other low-calorie meals that incorporate veggies such as sandwiches, broth-based soups, grilled veggies, and whole-grain salads. You have to enjoy the foods you're eating in order to stick with a healthy meal plan.

Keep reading to find out three more diet rules you can break and still lose weight.

Will an Agency for "Normal Sized" Models Actually Work?

Fashionista — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:58:40 PST

We're excited to bring you the best fashion finds, shopping stories, and style news from one of our favorite sites, Fashionista. Today, they're taking a closer look at the great model debate.

I'm 5'5" and a size 6, with a not-insignificant ass. I don't see many models out there who look like me. In fact, very few women-no matter what their sizes-probably see themselves reflected in the ads we're bombarded with every single day. There seem to be two distinct types of models-the traditional beanpole "straight size" fashion model, and the zaftig hourglass on the plus-size end of the spectrum.

When these two worlds collide, as they did recently in a controversial editorial that appeared in the online publication, PLUS Model Magazine (wherein a plus-size and straight size model were shown naked and embracing), one gets a sense of how emotionally charged this issue can be. Women on both sides of the scale's needle feel attacked for being too big or too small. But what about those who fall somewhere in between?

Click over to Fashionista for the rest of the story.

Killer App: Mushrooms Stuffed With Artichoke and Spinach Dip

Lauren Hendrickson — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:37:29 PST

I'm always on the hunt for those perfect bite-size appetizers that are suitable for just about any party, even this weekend's Super Bowl. These button mushrooms stuffed with artichoke and spinach dip are just that; they only require a small cocktail napkin and are best served warm, but are even satisfying at room temperature. The earthy mushrooms are filled with a creamy vegetable mixture and topped with crunchy panko crumbs - a perfect bite.

The task of preparing the mushrooms can be a little tedious, as you'll want to remove the gills, or the undersides of the mushroom caps, since they retain most of the water; removing them will ensure you won't have a soggy bite. With the right tools (either a small paring knife or a tiny melon baller), removing the gills is fairly easy.

Keep reading for even more tips and this killer app recipe.

5 Wooden Play Tables For Some Old-School Fun

Kate Stahl — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:34:16 PST

If you haven't added a play table to your toy collection, we highly recommend it! A combo of activities means extra playtime for kids of all ages, and when you invest in a slightly more expensive, but doubly sturdy wooden table, even cruisers can join in on the fun, as the table gives new standers support while they explore. Just be sure to supervise, as small pieces have a way of making their way into tiny mouths (I removed any choking hazards for my lil one). Play tables come in all shapes and sizes, but we picked five of our favorites, all sure to become heirlooms.

RX For Shin Splints: Ice Massage

Susi May — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:39:21 PST

Shin splints are the bane of many new runners. The tight calves that accompany mileage increases can spell pain for the lower leg. If running causes any discomfort, take time off to allow your shin splints to heal. But you need not sit idle on the sidelines while you recuperate: ice massages help, too. A serious runner, my Equinox trainer reminded me of the healing combo of ice and massage to decrease the inflammation around the tibia (anatomy speak for shin), caused by this overuse injury. The technique is simple, but first you need to make the ultimate tool: the icing cup!

Make Your Own Icing Cup
Used in gyms and physical therapy clinics, an icing cup protects your fingers from freezing and provides a perfectly sized contact point for massaging troubled spots. Take six Dixie cups, fill them with water, and freeze. When it comes time to ice, peel back the paper and begin the massage.

The Massage
Starting by your foot, place your icing cup on the outside of your shin, on the tibialis anterior muscle. Making long strokes toward your knee, massage the muscle with an amount of pressure that feels good. Mix up your massage strokes and try small circular patterns, once again starting at the ankle and working up toward the knee. After five minutes of massaging, finish your 20-minute icing cycle with 15 minutes of static icing by placing an ice pack (or frozen peas or corn) on your shin. Aim to massage and ice twice a day.

If you're not up for an ice massage, you can always show your shins some foam roller love. Do keep stretching your calf muscles, and once the pain diminishes try these easy exercises to strengthen the tibialis anterior.

Organize Your Life: 6 Ways to Tame Your Kitchen Drawers

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:38:53 PST

The New Year means it's time to start organizing the areas of your life you've neglected, including out-of-sight (but awfully cluttered) kitchen drawers.

Are you guilty of buying more than one measuring spoon set, just to avoid hopelessly digging around your disorganized drawers? Has your junk drawer reached capacity? Speed up your search time and make your kitchen drawers safer and neater with our quick tips. Better organization cuts down on cleanup time for the whole family - and you won't drive yourself crazy searching for the liquid measuring cup ever again.

Click here to check out our drawer-organizing tips.

3 Ways to Beat Fat Cravings

Leta Shy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:08:56 PST

Fat makes food taste good, but as we know, too much of this good thing is decidedly bad. A new study has even found that some people may be wired genetically to crave a higher amount of fatty foods than those who lack the fat-craving gene variation.

Whether or not you're wired to crave fat, being more conscious of how much you are consuming can help you reduce those cravings. Take control of your taste buds with these three ways to beat fat cravings.

Make a "Do Not Order" list: I love this tip from Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien: never order your favorite unhealthy food when dining out. Even when you have the best intentions, you risk overindulging by finishing an entire restaurant-sized order of fries or heaping pile of buttery mashed potatoes. Save those fatty can't-stop-eating-it treats for your next home-cooked meal; you'll be able to make substitutions and tweak the recipe to make it healthier, and practice portion control.

Read on for more tips for beating your fat cravings.