FitSugar

Corn Oil vs. Canola Oil

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:30:00 PST

Since Hanukkah is coming up on Dec. 4, I thought it'd be a great idea to chat about oil. When you look on a shelf at the store, there are many kinds of oil to choose from, and I always thought that canola and corn oil were the same thing. I was way off.

Corn oil is made from the germ of corn. Canola oil is actually produced from rapeseed oil and was originally made in Canada. The word canola comes from "Canadian Oil, Low Acid." Some people think that canola oil is unhealthy because rapeseed oil contains high amounts of erucic acid, which is know to have harmful effects. Don't worry though, canola oil is now made from a new plant that is similar to the rapeseed plant, but has a much lower erucic acid content.

So how do they compare nutritionally? To see the chart

	Corn oil	Canola oil
Serving Size	1 Tbsp	1 Tbsp
Calories	120	120
Total Fat	14g	14g
Saturated Fat	2g	1g
Polyunsaturated Fat	8g	4g
Monounsaturated Fat	4g	9g
Sodium	0g	0g
Fiber	0g	0g
Sugars	0g	0g
Protein	0g	0g

As you can see, canola oil is so great because like olive oil, it's low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat. This kind of fat is good to consume because it can actually lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and maintain HDL (good) cholesterol. Another thing, corn oil contains more polyunsaturated fat than canola oil. This type of fat has also been shown to reduce levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, but too much can lower your HDL (good) cholesterol.

Fit's Tips: Canola oil is a great choice when it comes to baking and sautéing, because it has a high burn point, meaning it doesn't start smoking until it reaches 238°Celsius. Just for reference, olive oil's burn point is 190°Celsius.

Game of Thrones "The Ghost of Harrenhal": What We're Still Talking About

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:15:27 PDT

There's a major game-changer on this week's Game of Thrones, as the many kings of Westeros continue to prepare for the next battle. Melisandre's recent birth has some major consequences and even Bran becomes part of rallying the troops. Things also take an interesting turn for Arya, and Catelyn makes an unexpected alliance.

Despite one major plot point, this episode isn't my favorite; it seems like we may have hit a bit of a midseason lull, but we're getting set up for a lot of impending action. To recap the moments that did make an impression, just

Did Renly just get killed by the rubber man from American Horror Story? After Ned's death, I know I should be prepared for anything when it comes to this show, but I was still shocked to see Renly Baratheon meet his maker so quickly. I was all ready for a big brother-on-brother showdown between him and Stannis, but Melisandre's creepy black death monster takes on the form of a shadowy man and stabs him within the first few minutes of the episode. Something about the moment just felt sort of anticlimactic to me, but maybe it's because I didn't think I'd have to deal with deadly smoke monsters after Lost ended.
Arya learns the power of three. Arya - I mean Arry - I mean Arya - is in a bit of a pickle right now, what with Tywin Lannister breathing down her neck and asking her hard-hitting questions and all. However, she does fall into a place of power with Jaqen H'ghar, the prisoner whom she rescued a few episodes back. Now that he's back in civilization, he's ready to repay his debt, and to the third power. Arya basically gets to name three people she wants dead and Jaqen promises to make it happen. Her first victim is the "tickler," the local torturer around town. Now the question is: who will she choose next?
Dany gets a decent proposal. Dany's only been in Quarth for a few days, but she's already freshly scrubbed, braided, and back to her khaleesi self. She's ready to move forward with her plans to take the iron throne, too, though we'll have to wait and see at what cost. Xaro Xhoan Daxos wastes no time making her an offer to help her with her goal, if she's willing to marry him. It seems like a legitimate power move to me, though Jorah feels differently about the situation. Is Dany ready to move on from her sun and stars, or will she be unwilling to share the power?
Catelyn and Brienne combine their girl power. Catelyn's been a bit of a wayward sheep this season, doing her best to make peace between the Baratheons, bring her girls home, and keep Robb at bay. She hasn't been able to make much of a difference just yet, and she ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time when Renly is attacked. Brienne is also part of the situation, and it doesn't take long before all of Westeros is linking their names with Renly's death. I was happy to see them make an alliance, since these are two of the most loyal and true characters on the show, so it's a bond we can actually believe in. Something tells me it won't be long before Cat may require Brienne's protection.

What'd you think of this week's episode? Are you looking forward to seeing Jon take on some responsibilities as ranger? Who do you think is next on Arya's list?

Photo courtesy of HBO

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: "Tea Leaves"

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:32:43 PDT

On this week's episode of Mad Men, Betty's back - and in an, um, "big" way. Thanks to January Jones's real-life pregnancy, Mrs. Francis has packed on a few pounds after what appears to be more than one afternoon spent on the couch with a box of Bugles. Things take a dramatic turn when Betty's mother-in-law advises a trip to the doctor, and he finds a tumor in her throat.

As Betty contemplates her mortality, Don and Harry take a little work offsite to a Rolling Stones concert in the name of Heinz. Back in the office, Peggy adds a new copywriter to Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and the tension between Roger and Pete continues to build. It's a relatively slow episode ("Zou Bisou Bisou" is a tough act to follow), but let's break down the biggest moments when you

Scary situation: Betty's clearly a bit bored in her life as Mrs. Francis, and as her mother-in-law points out, Betty is starting to let herself go. She heads to the doc in hope of scoring some diet pills, but he finds a tumor instead. Betty begins contemplating what will happen to her kids if she has cancer, and starts having nightmares to go along with it. Ultimately, the tumor is benign, but the scare doesn't shake Betty into reevaluating her life: it only makes her help herself to more ice cream.
Wise beyond her years. Betty's not the only one who's initially shaken up by her tumor: Don is also starting to panic. He's suddenly caring and introspective (perhaps because he recently lost Anna to cancer), but he's also pushing Megan away. When bikini-clad Megan is hurt that he wants to blow off their trip to Fire Island because he's upset about Betty, he tells her that she's 26 and basically insinuates that she's too young to understand. Megan handles the situation nicely, reminding Don that she's old enough to handle death and even manages to convince Don to come along on the trip. Yet another case of Megan proving that Don's temperament doesn't scare her.
Let's spend the night together: Don and Harry head backstage at a Rolling Stones concert in hope of scoring the band for the new Heinz campaign. They basically redefine "fish out of water" standing in their suits and ties among teenage girls smoking joints. Harry gets an in with a groupie, which leaves Don fraternizing with a young fan - and for the first time, Don actually seems fatherly instead of trying to hit on her. It's all for naught though: Harry ends up signing a band called The Trade Winds thinking he got the Stones. Whoops!
Tension in the ranks: Even with his new office, Pete and Roger are still butting heads around SCDP. Pete concedes the Mohawk account to Roger, much to Roger's pleasure - only to essentially take it back at the end of the episode. As he pops a bottle of champagne, Pete announces that Roger will be dealing with the day-to-day, but he'll still be the one in charge. Roger is obviously disgruntled about this and laments to Don that he's starting to feel like he's being shoved out the door at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. This relationship seems like a ticking time bomb, but what will prompt the big blowout?
New guy: With Mohawk airlines back on the client list for SCDP, Roger demands that Peggy find a new copywriter. Enter Michael Ginsberg, whom Stan dismisses as too qualified (he warns Peggy of hiring someone who might be her boss someday), and Roger likes because of his Jewish background. Peggy is immediately turned off when he thinks she's a secretary, and is concerned how Don will feel about his off-putting remarks. As it turns out, Don's completely fine with Ginsberg, and he gets a job. There's just one late-breaking twist: despite Michael's claim that he has no family, friends, or ties of any kind, we learn at the end of the episode that he lives (and cares for) his father. Wonder how this one will affect his promise to live in the office 24/7.

I was happy to see Betty back on the show, but I'm not sure where they'll take her character throughout the season. Plus, it felt like more Betty meant less Joan, and I definitely missed Joannie this week. How'd you feel about the episode?

Photo courtesy of AMC

The Only Cooking Oils You'll Ever Need

Camilla Salem — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:30:13 PDT

A small investment in a variety of oils will go a long way in your efficient and organized kitchen. I'll admit to being guilty of trying to use olive oil for most of my cooking, but the truth is, having the proper oils on hand is essential to versatile home cooking.

Keeping your pantry properly stocked will help you cook your favorite recipes and explore new cuisines more seamlessly. Here are the only four types of oil you'll ever need.

Oil for high-heat cooking: Keep neutral flavored oils, like canola and peanut, on hand for high-heat cooking, like frying. Canola oil is also essential in many baked goods.
Oil for medium-heat cooking: Olive oil (not extra-virgin) is a great option for everyday medium-heat cooking, such as sautéing. It imparts great flavor into the food but has a high enough smoke point to make it an effective cooking oil. Olive oil can also be used in baked goods.
Finishing oil: Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil to finish dishes and give a burst of fruity flavor. This is also best used in salad dressings.
Exotic oil: If you like to cook meals from various cuisines around the world, it's handy to have a variety of unusual oils in your pantry. Walnut, sesame, hazelnut, and pumpkinseed oils are all unique and contribute strong flavors to dishes.

What oils do you keep in your pantry?

Know Your Techniques: Searing

Laura Marie Given — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:15:06 PDT

Anyone who loves a juicy, delicious meat dish should learn how to sear properly. Commonly believed to "seal in juices" - that's a myth - the process does create a tasty contrast: a flavorful crust and a tender interior. Whether it's used with grilling, roasting, or sautéing, the searing technique improves both flavor and appearance. Not quite sure how it works? Follow these steps to refine your searing strategy:

Pick the right pan. You need a flat, heavy pan that will both retain heat and allow it to be evenly distributed. Plan on using a grill? Make sure you're comfortable with it - you'll be dealing with high, direct heat - and stick to the hot spots for best results.
Prep the meat. Water creates a steaming effect, so it's smart to dry the meat with a paper towel before you begin, then add seasoning to create the flavorful crust. If you're working with a marinade, let it drip from the meat so it's not too saturated.
Pour in oil. Set the pan over high heat and add a thin coat of oil to the bottom. It's best to use oils with a higher smoke point, like vegetable oil, rather than olive oil or butter. When the oil starts to ripple and smoke just slightly, it's time to add the meat.
Be patient. First, be sure that the meat isn't crowded and keep a few inches between pieces. Next, leave it alone. Let the meat sit for a few minutes and once it's browned, use a spatula or tongs to flip it over. If the pan is dry, avoid burning the meat by adding more oil, then allow three to four minutes for the second side to brown, too.
Continue cooking. Depending on the thickness of the cut, chances are the meat will be brown on the outside and nearly raw on the inside. Roast it in the oven or let it simmer on the stove until it's cooked through to your taste.
Remove and wait. Cooking times will vary, but once it's finished, allow the meat to sit for five minutes or so to let the juices redistribute throughout the meat.

Note that some of these steps will vary if you plan to cook on a grill, in which case you'll need to close the lid and trap in heat. Still, the results should be the same: a browned, flavorful crust with a juicy interior.

Do you have any searing tips? Share them in the comments!

"I'm Stuck Between Two Guys"

Tres Community — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:05:00 PDT

This week's confession comes from our anonymous Confession Booth group in the TrèsSugar Community. Weigh in with your advice below.

I'm fickle, I always have been. I have a boyfriend who is very nice to me, fixes things in my house, treats me well and is very devoted. He is not as social as I am, though, and we don't have very much in common. I tend to go out by myself a lot, or with friends, because I like to be around people while he would rather sit at home, though I've always made it a point to invite him.

I decided to quit smoking and started hanging around a place for ex-smokers as a support group, where I met this guy who works there. He shares all of my interests, we have a ridiculous amount of things in common, share a lot of the same beliefs and values and we never seem to run out of things to talk about. It's gotten to the point where I'll spend entire afternoons just hanging around and we're going out to dinner tonight with the two other guys who work there. We like all of the same things and he's very social and very comfortable to be around, very easy to talk to and I feel like he understands me better than the person I live with.

I feel completely dishonest because I can't bring myself to tell him that I'm living with someone and I'm hiding this friendship from the guy I'm with because I know there's more to it than a friendship. I don't want to act on impulse, but I really feel like I've met my match here, I just don't know what I'm supposed to do. I care about my boyfriend, he's a great guy, I do love him, but I can't help feeling like this guy might be exactly what I'm looking for in a partner.

There's lots of cool stuff going on in our community - join it, check it out, share your posts or advice in the great groups, and maybe we'll feature it here on TrèsSugar!

What's the Difference Between Corned Beef and Pastrami?

Susannah Chen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:15:24 PDT

After I made corned beef this past week, I realized that I knew absolutely nothing about it, other than the fact that it's absolutely delicious. What, exactly, makes it different from that other deli favorite, pastrami? Corned beef and pastrami are both beef cuts that have been cured and cooked. But that's where the similarity ends. Although brisket is commonly used for both, corned beef can also be made from lean round, while pastrami can also come from navel (plate) and round. Corned beef is first soaked in a salt water brine with pickling spices, then boiled.

The process for pastrami varies widely, but in general, the meat is first cured with a spice rub or soaked in brine. From that point, it's encrusted in peppercorns, then smoked. The beef may be hot-smoked all the way through; if not, it is then steamed or simmered. Were you aware of the difference between the two? Which do you ask for on a reuben?

Got a burning question? Join the Burning Question group in the YumSugar Community! It's your place to post the most pressing questions about the culinary world.

Source: Flickr User Marshall Astor

Killer App: Smoked Mozzarella Spread

Susannah Chen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:58:47 PST

I've always chalked up my rare party planning to the fact that I get stressed easily trying to please a large group of people all at once. But since I've discovered an increasing number of easy killer apps, I've begun to second-guess myself.

Case in point: this smoked mozzarella spread. It's meatless, mind-bogglingly easy, doesn't require cooking, and only calls for four ingredients. And with its smoked and sun-dried elements, this dip and spread appeals to both the brainy as well as the brawny.

With an appetizer like this one, I've got no excuse to, say, not throw a Super Bowl shindig. Get your easy app on when you read more.

Dr. Ornish on the Power of Love, Chocolate, and Snacking

Lauren Turner — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:59:25 PST

We had a chance to chat with Dr. Dean Ornish, founder and president of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, over the weekend at the Sundance Film Festival. He's a featured health expert in the new documentary, Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare, which examines the current state of our health care system and provides hopeful solutions based on lifestyle and dietary changes. A big proponent of chronic disease prevention through healthy habits, Dr. Ornish offered up some sound advice and simple changes we can all make to improve our health - chocolate included!

FitSugar: What do you think is the most simple, overlooked thing people can do for their health?
Dr. Ornish: Love more. What you eat, how you respond to stress, how much you exercise, whether or not you smoke, how much love and support you have. But of all those, probably the love and support. Study after study has shown that people who are lonely and depressed are 10 times for likely to die or get sick. You're more likely to smoke and abuse yourself if you're lonely and depressed. It's not enough to just work at a behavioral level and give people information; you have to work at a deeper level.

FS: Everyone has days where they don't want to exercise, how do you motivate yourself on those days?
DO: If I really don't want to, I don't, and then I'll do more the next day. What matters is your overall way of eating and living. So if you don't do something one day, do a little more the next. If I don't have time to meditate for an hour, I'll do it for a minute. It's not all or nothing at any age, and it's really up to you.

FS: People like to stick with their daily habits; how do you get individuals to change their behavior towards healthier choices?
DO: It's about helping people connect the dots between what they do and how they feel, and giving them the tools. Fear is not a sustainable motivator. You can scare people into changing for a few weeks, but not for very long. When you make changes, most people find that they feel so much better so quickly, it reframes the reason for changing from fear of dying to joy of living, and that's what makes it sustainable. Also, to realize that it's not all or nothing. Instead of saying this is good food and this is bad food, and don't ever eat meat, be a vegetarian - I never tell people that. I used to a long time ago and then I realized I was actually not only not helping people, but making it worse. It turns people off because even more than being healthy, people want to be free, so when you tell people what to do they stop listening. If you eat meat five times a day, eat it three times a day or have a meatless Monday and see how you feel. If you don't exercise one day, do a little more the next. Then you start to feel better and then it comes out of your own experience, not because some doctor or some book told you.

To find out Dr. Ornish's surprising favorite indulgence and his take on snacking just read more.

Why New Yorkers Live Longer Than the Rest of the US

Heather Dale — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:49:18 PST

Well here's a new year's shocker for you - The Annual Summary of Vital Statistics has just announced that New York City has surpassed national figures with its all-time high life expectancy of 80.6 years. That's right, New Yorkers are living longer than ever before, and not only that, but they are living, on average, two years longer than the rest of the country. "By investing in health care and continuing to encourage more New Yorkers to take charge of their own health, we've experienced dramatic improvements in life expectancy," says Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Here are the secrets behind New York City residents' longevity.