FitSugar

Tips For Beating Bad Breath

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 02:30:00 PDT

Nothing is worse than having bad breath. Unless you're talking to someone who has bad breath, because that can be pretty bad too! Unfortunately you can not really do anything about someone else's bad breath, but you can do something about your own. MSNBC gives us these five food ideas to help combat bad breath:

Chew on this. Move over parsley, there are some new halitosis-fighting herbs in town. “Coriander, spearmint, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary and cardamom are all good for fighting bad breath,” says Dr. Christine Gerbstadt, who has lectured on oral health. You can chew on fresh herbs or make tonics by steeping them in hot water (as a tea). These herbs make an excellent digestive as well-doubling the benefits of ending a meal this way.

There's four more ideas, so

Get some active culture. No, not a Broadway play, but yogurt. A recent study found that a serving of yogurt each day reduces the level of odor-causing hydrogen sulfide in the mouth. Apparently it also cuts back on bacteria in the mouth-plaque and gum disease were reduced in the study’s yogurt eaters as well. Plus, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends getting enough vitamin D from yogurt, cheese and milk if you’re worried about halitosis because this vitamin creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. Be sure to get the kind of yogurt with active cultures-not overly processed or sugar-added varieties.
Crunchy types. Apples, carrots, celery-basically any fiber-rich fruit or vegetable is your friend when it comes to fighting halitosis. “Inside your mouth, plaque build-up causes odors,” explains Cynthia Sass, ADA spokeswoman and registered dietician. “Eating foods that increase saliva production keep the mouth moist-and rinsed out. Also, many carbs and proteins can get stuck in your teeth-even healthy foods like whole grain cereal or chicken breast.” So follow a meal with a Granny Smith (feel the saliva kick in at the mention of it?) to cleanse the mouth.
Masking techniques. Sugarless gum shouldn’t replace brushing your teeth after a meal, but in a pinch it can freshen breath (masking odors) and is another way to increase saliva production to rinse away plaque and bacteria. Mints can mask as well, but only briefly-and go for sugarless. Sugar creates plaque, and no one wants a mint that makes breath worse.
High C’s. Eating berries, citrus fruits, melons and other vitamin C-rich foods create an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. A diet rich in vitamin C is also is important for preventing gum disease and gingivitis-both major causes of halitosis. Get your C in foods, not supplements, which can cause gastrointestinal upset in some, according to Sass, and exacerbate bad breath.

Source

Tazo Tea for the Soul

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 02:00:00 PST

Have you heard of Tazo Tea? They're a unique tea company offering delicious tea from all over the world. The name Tazo actually means "river of life," and "fresh." It's a great name considering that Tazo teas are invigorating, satisfying, and all around good for the soul.

You can get black tea in flavors like Vanilla, Earl Grey, Citron, Darjeeling, and they even make a decaffeinated Chai tea.
Tazo also makes delicious green teas. You can get Green Ginger, Lotus, and Zen teas that combines green tea with the taste of spearmint, lemongrass, and a hint of lemon zest. I love the one named Om, which is a combination of green and black teas.

Since I have a sweet tooth, I love their herbal infusion teas. Flavors such as Sweet Cinnamon Spice, Wild Sweet Orange, and Tazo Honeybush are wonderful on a cold day.

Fit's Tips: I always keep Tazo's Calm tea in the house when I need to relax with the soothing taste of chamomile. Tazo's Refresh is great for a tummy ache with its mix of peppermint and spearmint. In the summer time, I love to make iced tea out of Tazo's Passion tea. It's a light red tea with a delicate hint of hibiscus flowers.

Peek Inside Alice + Olivia's Spring '12 Garden Party Lookbook

Marisa Tom — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:39:39 PST

Alice + Olivia's Spring '12 collection is an ultra-feminine mix of flowy separates and expertly draped dresses - and we can't help but think we've happened upon a whimsical Alice in Wonderland garden tea party. We're particularly taken with the shimmery metallic minis, long pastel-hued frocks, and wide leg printed pants for all our future warm weather outings. The line sticks to Spring's go-to light color palette: silvers, whites, minty greens, pale blues, canary yellows, and girlie pink tones. And it presents our favorite ladylike silhouettes, including the peplum pop, drop-waist details, and super-sexy sheer cutouts. Read below for our must-have items, then click through to see the Spring collection in full.

Every girl should have a LWD like this one. Its flirty mashup of sheer, lace, and fringe combines sweet dressing elements into one subtly sexy look.
We're loving the overflow of pastels and this sweet spearmint maxi is no exception. Let these Spring-specific shades speak for themselves - a simple cinch, nude wedges, and a romantic updo are all you need to complement Alice + Olivia's designs.
You can never go wrong with a gorgeous print. Whether it's animal-inspired or floral-heavy, these seasonless patterns can easily translate into fun layering pieces for those outfit drama days.

What We're Sweet On: Natural Perfumes to Fall in Love With

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:05:00 PST

Lush has a passel of exclusive new scents that are only available online. If you're a fan of Karma or any of the brand's Gorilla Perfumes, though, you shouldn't let the being Internet-only factor discourage you from trying them, because they're pretty super. In short, here's why two of the scents, Love and Cocktail ($40 each), are worth your time.

Love, the warmer and spicier of the two, opens with an aroma of Red Hots cinnamon candies, then dies down to smell exactly like those red wax lips you can get around Halloween. Cocktail, on the other hand, starts off smelling like Teaberry gum (or sweet spearmint, if you're not familiar with the aforementioned old-timey treat). Then it gets a little oakmoss-like underneath, making the whole concoction redolent of the underside of a Christmas tree.

They're both really lovely, seasonal scents that will put you in the holiday spirit without overpowering your senses. Plus, for fragrances with such nice development, they're reasonably priced. They're also out at the perfect time, so you can switch from your regular scent to something a little cozier and more festive.

Happy Hour: Ginger, Mint, and Pomegranate Vodka Cocktail

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:45:55 PDT

Spicy ginger, cool mint, and tart pomegranate combine for a perfect Winter cocktail that is especially festive for upcoming holiday parties.

The ginger and spearmint simple syrup is so easy to make, yet the flavor combination will totally wow your party guests. Topping the drink with sparkling water adds just enough fizz to complete the zing factor.

See cocktail recipe.

Morning Sickness Relief: 5 Helpful Products For Mama-to-Be

LilSugar — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:15:41 PDT

Feeling a bit queasy? Many expectant mamas experience agonizing morning sickness during pregnancy - and those who escaped it the first time may not be so lucky the second time around. If you've been praying to the porcelain god day in and day out, these five helpful products may be able to provide you with some much-needed relief.

Happy Mama Spray ($14): Just spray and inhale! This spray claims to be "virtual bliss in a bottle" as it's made with pure essential oils - including lime and ginger - and flower essences for pregnancy nausea, on-edge new mamas, and even toddler meltdowns.
Mommy's Bliss Morning Sickness Comfort ($14): Drink it down! If nausea is keeping you in bed all day, perhaps it's time to supplement. Check out this natural herbal supplement used to ease the nausea associated with pregnancy - it's available at most major pharmacies in case you need relief now.
Morning Wellness Tea ($13 for 16 tea bags): Tea time! Eating may be the last thing on your mind, but you may able to curb that nausea with a nice cup of tea - blended with ginger root, spearmint, peppermint, chamomile and lemon balm with a twist of orange peel for flavor.
PSI Bands ($16 for 2): A helpful accessory! These aren't just pretty wristbands - they're acupressure bands that provide relief from nausea due to morning sickness and motion sickness too! You can even choose from five designs and patterns to match your outfit or your mood.
Preggie Pops ($4): Have a lolli! A special formulation of essential oils and aromatherapy delivered in the form of a delicious lollipop - these pops are highly recommended among expectant mamas.

Happy Hour: Mojito

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:47:11 PDT

There's no drink more refreshing than the classic mojito. It's light, fizzy, tart, and herbaceous. The mojito was originally created in Cuba and was made with yerba buena, a type of spearmint. These days, variations and different flavors of the mojito can be found all over the world.

The ingredients are simple - rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water, and mint - but the resulting cocktail is absolutely sublime. The recipe featured here calls for light rum, but all I had was dark, so I used that instead; the mojito was still wonderful! Keep reading to kickstart your weekend with a tall cool glass of this popular beverage.

Happy Hour: 2010 Lyrarakis Dafni

Susannah Chen — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:40:45 PDT

Not familiar with Greek wines? Here's a remarkable wine to start with: 2010 Lyrarakis Dafni. This bottle by Lyrarakis is made entirely from a rare Cretan grape called Dafni that, just a few decades ago, was on the brink of extinction.

The varietal is named after the word daphne, which refers to the laurel plant that's prized for its bay leaves, and for good reason. A first sniff reveals layers of complex botanical flavors, ranging widely from juniper to eucalyptus, spearmint, and - dare I say? - laurel leaves. This bouquet's followed by a rich, long-lasting finish with a nice amount of acidity.

For less than $15 retail, it's hard to believe a wine can leave such an indelible impression. If you're looking for a white that tastes unlike anything you've experienced, this is it. Which whites are among the most memorable that you've ever had?

Third Trimester Tea: Alyssa Milano's Brewing It, Should You?

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 07:31:26 PDT

Old wives tales abound during pregnancy, but one in particular is causing some mamas-to-be to do a double-take. Yesterday Alyssa Milano tweeted a photo of the inside of her refrigerator with the caption, "Apparently, last night, in the mind of a very pregnant woman . . . milk in the kitchen cabinet and olive oil in the refrigerator made sense. Whatever. Don't judge me." While many mama's experience pregnancy brain, what caught the attention of her followers was a glass pitcher filled with something called "3rd Trimester Tea."

So what is 3rd Trimester Tea ($6)? A blend of herbs that are supposed to help prepare the mom-to-be's uterus, breasts, and body for labor. Among the ingredients in Earth Mama Angel Baby's organic version are:

Red raspberry leaf: an herb that strengthens and tones the uterus, it is believed to help prevent false labor.
Stinging nettle leaf: an iron-rich herb to provide strength.
Spearmint: used to help relax, spearmint can also relieve headaches and fatigue.
Chamomile flower: a digestive aid, chamomile is also thought to soothe cramping associated with Braxton Hicks contractions.
Rose hip: teas featuring rose hip have been used to strengthen the body's resistance to infection.

So is it right for you? That's between expectant moms and their doctors, but if the benefits are to be believed then it sounds like it couldn't hurt!

Source: Twitter User Alyssa_Milano

How to Prevent Bad Breath

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:00:24 PDT

We've all been embarrassed by occasional bouts of bad breath after eating a roasted garlic pizza or a sandwich piled with onions. If you're dealing with bad breath all the time, though, it can be mortifying. So here are some tips to keep your mouth smelling fresh.

Quit cigarettes if you're a smoker.
Get your teeth checked out by your dentist. Cavities and gum disease can cause bad breath.
Brush and floss during the day, every time you eat. When food particles hang out in your mouth, bacteria collects and emits stinky hydrogen sulfur vapors. So keep a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in your purse at all times to use after coffee breaks, lunch, and snacks.
Drink more water. It'll help keep the bacteria in your mouth to a minimum.
Don't mask your bad breath with sugary mints. They'll freshen your breath briefly, but the sugar will only cause more stinky plaque to build up. If you can't brush, go for sugarless gum instead since chewing increases saliva production, which is your best weapon against bad breath.

What else can help prevent bad breath? To find out,