FitSugar

Fit Tip: Soak Your Hair Before a Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:00 PDT

When I head out into the hot weather to work out, I discovered an easy trick for staying cool. It works so well that I do it before heading out for a run, bike ride, or hike. I simply stand over the sink and drench my hair with water. When it's completely soaked and dripping, I wrap it in a bun. As I run, the breeze on my wet head keeps me cool. It is quite a pleasant sensation. Try it the next time you head out in the heat.

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Stay Cool on the Run: Hydrate Your Head

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:15:06 PDT

Strong sun and heat can make outdoor runs more challenging, and a big concern is the risk of heat exhaustion. To stay cool while running on a hot day, make sure to hydrate your head. Sound silly? Keep reading for this fail-proof tip.

Before heading outside, head to the bathroom and soak your hair by sticking your head under the faucet. Squeeze out some of the excess water, but leave it pretty wet, and then wrap your hair into a bun. If you have supershort hair, soak your head and a bandana, and wrap the wet cloth around your head. As you run, the cool breeze on your wet head will not only feel refreshing, but it will also help prevent overheating. On really hot days, carry a water bottle and periodically pour some water on top of your head to rewet your hair.

Tips For Springtime Running in the Rain

Kristen Hawley — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 21:06:20 PDT

Spring has sprung and that means moving off the treadmill and into the great outdoors. But since Spring often equals rain showers, an outdoor run could be nearly thwarted by weather. Don't be afraid of the rain - with a few simple adjustments to your normal routine you'll be on your way to a great run, elements and all.

Do not wear cotton. While comfortable, cotton shirts, shorts, socks, basically cotton anything soaks up water quickly, becoming heavy and generally uncomfortable. Stick to wicking materials, and finish your outfit with a waterproof top layer. Check out our Spring running must-haves for wicking gear and rain jackets.
Wear high(er) socks. Speaking of socks, since running in the rain can cause blisters, choose a pair of (non-cotton) socks that reach above your sneakers. I'm not prone to blisters, but one rainy run with too-short socks had me limping to the finish.

Check out the rest of the tips after the break.

5 Tips For Happier Hair Now

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:40:00 PDT

In life, there are very few quick fixes, and even less so with hair, which can be notoriously prone to damage and breakage. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to get your hair looking and feeling better right away. Check out five easy solutions below.

In Season: Stinging Nettles

Sara Yoo — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 05:19:04 PDT

Stinging nettle: the name might lead you to believe that this plant is (1) dangerous to touch and (2) a weed. And you would be right. But despite its name and repellent nature, stinging nettles are also edible and delicious and becoming increasingly popular among foraging chefs, thanks to its abundance in the wild. Now in season, nettles could be the perfect addition to your Spring kitchen endeavors. Want to learn more about this prickly plant? Just read on.

The stinging nettle is abundant in North America, Europe, and Asia but can also be found in parts of Africa with moist soil.
The plant gets its name from the tiny, prickly hairs on the leaves and stems that detach from the plant when it's touched and inject a painful chemical concoction.
Stinging nettles have a long medicinal history with uses ranging from arthritis to rheumatism relief to dandruff prevention.
With a flavor likened by some to spinach or broccoli, nettle has become a popular Spring vegetable. Fresh and dried leaves can be steeped in tea that supposedly fights off seasonal allergy symptoms.
Look for stinging nettle at your local farmers market. Many home chefs forage for the weed, but it's important to pick the leaves before the plant begins to flower. Eating mature stinging nettle can cause urinary tract irritation and damage.
The plant is rich in vitamins A, C, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium and high in protein for a leafy green vegetable.
The stinging hairs on the plant can be removed by soaking the leaves in water, drying, or cooking.

If you manage to track down a bag of stinging nettles, get ready for a treat! Here are a few of the many uses for this culinary weed:

Process blanched leaves with pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, and olive oil for delicious stinging nettle pesto.
Top a Neopolitan-style pizza with pancetta and stinging nettles. Crack an egg in the center a few minutes before it's done.
Replace spinach or asparagus with stinging nettle in a Spring frittata or quiche.
Puree into a savory stinging nettle soup.

Photos: Susannah Chen

21 Disposable Products You Can Reuse

Wise Bread — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:00:39 PDT

Even when the product is supposedly "disposable," you can always reuse it. Wise Bread shares awesome ways to reuse these 21 disposable products.

It’s said that we live in a disposable society. But the word "disposable" is a misnomer. Disposable is considered throwaway, something you use once and dump, regardless of the life that may be left in it. As a frugal shopper with a concern for the state of our environment, I think that just won’t do.

I often reuse many so-called “onetime-use” items, and I asked friends, family, and colleagues to tell me which disposable items they squeeze more life from. Here’s my list, including some of the surprising ideas I was given.

RELATED: 25 Things to Throw Out Today

1. Butter Wrappers

If you’re like most people, you unwrap your butter, pop the stick into your handy holder, and throw the wrapper away. But wait a second - instead of trashing the wrappers, keep them in a sandwich bag. The next time you need to grease a baking tray or dish, you’ve got something all ready to go.

Read on for more.

Avoid the 5 Worst Spring Break Beauty Blunders

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:00:06 PDT

The season for weeklong beach vacations, overseas plane rides, and cross-country treks is here. Celebrating Spring break can take a toll on your skin and hair, whether you are laying out in your backyard or partying in Bora Bora. So, beware of these basic beauty mistakes that can ruin your vacation. To get tips to sidestep these classic beach slipups read more.

5 Simple Ways to Dry Nail Polish Faster

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:42:00 PDT

There's nothing more annoying than spending half an hour getting your nails just right only to have them ruined the minute you put your hand into your purse or need to itch that place behind your ear. Luckily, there are lots of ways to speed up what can otherwise seem infernally long drying times. To check out our easy fixes, keep reading.

Sunburns and Dust Take Rodarte Down Under

Annie Tomlin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:32:53 PST

Rodarte's Fall 2012 collection was inspired by Australia, with a smattering of Victoriana to boot. Designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy referenced the Outback in their clothing, and the windblown hair and sun-soaked faces suggested an afternoon in a dust storm. Backstage, the scene was bustling; here, a few snaps from the other side of the runway.

Photo: NARS

The Quickest, Easiest Way to Combat Frizz

Jaime Richards — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 PST

Frizzed-out hair can be a result of a variety of things: humidity, dry weather, and too-hot styling tools, just to name a few. And while there are countless products on the market to keep frizz at bay, there's a quick and easy way to help stop the problem in its tracks: say no to regular towels and say yes to turban-style towels instead. To discover a few reasons you'll love them, read on.