FitSugar

Science Backs Up the Neti Pot

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

I am firm believer in fighting my seasonal allergies with a neti pot. Rinsing with it the daily, which once seemed super hippie to me, flushes the irritating pollen away. Formally known as "nasal irrigation," neti pots have become an increasingly popular alternative for coping with seasonal allergies. That is because the neti pot works.

Unlike decongestants, which can lead to "rebound" congestion, using a neti pot does not irritate the nasal passages or dry them out. Plus, decongestants lead to dryness all over and disrupt the natural lubrication system of your lady business. A couple of studies found using a saline solution for nasal irrigation not only decreased allergy symptoms but also decreased the need for steroid nasal sprays. Plus, neti pots are inexpensive when compared to prescription nasal sprays. Three cheers for the neti pot! What I want to know now is, do you neti?

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5 Things About Asparagus

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Spring has sprung, and with it come delicious vegetables that cost less in-season. Asparagus is one of these farm-stand deals that's versatile and nutritious - I like to roast or steam it as a dinner side, cut it up for salads, and use it for crudités platter. Learn more about the green spears sold in bundles by checking out these five things.

Edible asparagus comes in three colors: green, white (milder flavor), and purple (fruitier flavor). Take advantage of the variety for a gorgeous medley.
The vegetable is an excellent source for several nutrients, including but not limited to vitamins K, C, A, folate, and potassium.
Because it contains high levels of folate (the naturally occurring folic acid), asparagus promotes a healthy cardiovascular system. Just one serving provides nearly 66 percent of the daily recommended intake of folate.

To see two more things about asparagus, read more.

As a natural diuretic, asparagus has been consumed for inflammation-related issues such as menstrual bloating and arthritis.
Eating asparagus causes funny smelling urine for some people, which is a harmless effect of the body digesting the vegetable's sulfur compound.

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Worst Cities for Allergies This Spring

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:45:00 -0700

As I have spent the past few days sneezing with watery eyes and an itchy throat, I would have sworn my home town was the worst place in the world for allergies but the folks at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) identified “the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies” in the Spring and Fall seasons.

The rankings are based on pollen scores (airborne grass/tree/weed pollen and mold spores), number of allergy medications used per patient, as well as number of allergy specialists per patient. Think your city must fall on the list? Here are the top 25 worst allergy offenders:

Lexington, Ky.
Greensboro, N.C.
Johnson City, Tenn.
Augusta, Ga.
Jackson, Miss.

There are 20 more so read more.

Knoxville, Tenn.
Birmingham, Ala.
New Orleans, La.
Little Rock, Ark.
San Diego, Calif.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Mobile, Ala.
South Bend, Ind.
Omaha, Neb.
Stockton, Calif.
McAllen, Texas
Greenville, S.C.
Nashville, Tenn.
Tulsa, Okla.
Harrisburg, Pa.
Louisville, Ky.
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Charlotte, N.C.
Tampa, Fla.
Philadelphia, Pa.

Don't see your hometown? Here's the full list.

Most Fattening Foods of Spring

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Winter is the most well known culprit for high calorie menu items, but Spring can definitely give it a run for its money. WebMD compiled a list of the top ten most fattening foods of Spring and your favorite Spring fare may be on the list. So check it out and remember, everything in moderation.

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5 Ways to Spring Into Family Activities

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:45:00 -0700

If you're like me and always looking for new ways to get active this Spring, think about doing it as a family. Getting moving this Spring does not mean more time in the gym, in fact, it's quite the opposite. Children are like sponges and if they see you valuing TV time over times when you're physically active, they could adopt the same values. So here's a few ideas for getting the whole family moving:

If your child can still ride in a stroller, go for a lot of nice long walks. Or, invest in a jogging stroller, so you can jog while pushing.
If your child is able to bike or scooter, have them ride while you jog alongside. You'll both be getting great exercise and enjoying the Spring weather.
Plan regular after-dinner family walks. My sister and her family go on a walk almost every night and then they have dessert if anyone is still craving it.
Utilize the weekends to fly kites, ride bikes, play kickball or softball, toss around a frisbee, play fetch with the dog - basically anything that gets all of you out of the house and moving around.
Find another family to plan physical outings with. When I was growing up, my family always played putt-putt golf one Saturday a month with another family during the Spring and Summer. Not only did it get us off the couch, but we got to engage in a little friendly competition, which I still love to this day.

What ways do you find to get active with your family? I know I am always looking for suggestions, so I'd love to hear yours.

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More Motivating: The New Year or Spring?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:30:00 -0700

The start of a new year is typically the time that most of us pin as a motivation time to get fit and healthy. I understand the concept behind starting anew and fresh in the new year, but the most motivating time for me is Spring (when most people lose steam). However, the longer, sunnier days do the trick for me. Not to mention knowing that bikini season is just around the corner. So what about you? Are you more motivated at the start of a new year or at the start of Spring?

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5 Things: Tennis Form Fundamentals

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:30:00 -0700

With Spring almost here and the days getting longer, I can't wait to hit the courts for some after-work tennis action. Tennis is definitely one of those sports (like golf) that you can play for years and still learn new things every time you take a lesson. In fact, veteran tennis players continue to take lessons to maximize their games and perfect their form.

I've already given you some tips for novices, but even experts can use reminders from time to time about some of the basic fundamentals of tennis form. To see my five tennis essentials, read more

Sometimes tennis pros can sound like broken records repeating these tips, but no matter how many times I play, I still need to be reminded!

Get your racquet back. Repeat this to yourself like a mantra every time you take a shot. It makes you pause and get ready before hitting, and it will put more power behind your shot.
Set yourself. Even if you're running to get a shot, put the brakes on and stop before hitting the ball. It's easier to be accurate and maintain your form when you're not swinging mid-run.
Get down. When hitting a basic ground stroke (a forehand or backhand), lower your body by squatting just slightly in order to get under the ball and stay down through the shot. Since you swing low to high, this will ensure you're not hitting the ball wildly upward.
Keep your eye on the ball. It sounds like common sense, but often we forget to keep our eyes on the ball when hitting volleys and serves. Remember, it's just as important to look up at the ball when tossing for a serve.
Follow through. This may be the single most important way to ensure the ball goes where you want it to go - that is, in bounds, not out! Meet the ball in front of your body, then make a full swing around. On a forehand, this means catching the racquet in your other hand; with backhands, you should end up with the racquet over your shoulder.

Got some more tennis essentials to share? Tell me in the comments!

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What's Your Favorite Season?

FitSugar — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Season come and seasons go, and some of them we wait for with much anticipation. Summer is really just around the corner - solstice is on the 21st. Do you look forward to a certain season for season specific activities?

Maybe you love spring because the wind means it is time to fly a kite. Or maybe for the asparagus and fresh green peas.

Summer might be your favorite because you love the hot weather so you can swim, sail, and eat fresh berries while relaxing on the beach.

Do you love autumn best because you love watching the leaves change color? It's great to go for a walk, hike, or run because the cooler air keeps you from overheating.

Or is winter your thing because there are so many fun sports to do like ski, snowboard, ice skate, or snowshoe? The surf also rocks in winter.

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Spring Biking Tips: Mudguard

FitSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Spring time can be a wet time. So when you're biking, nothing is more annoying than having mud splash up onto your butt and back (especially if you're biking to work).

You could pack a change of clothes, but why not stop the problem where it starts? Since you can't stop the rain from falling, you've got to stop the mud from splashing. Do your clothes a favor and get a mudguard.

This one is called the Flinger Portable Rear Mudguard. What's so great about it? For one thing, it's cheap ($12.99), and can be easily attached and detached. Once you take it off, it can retract (like a pirate's telescope) to a compact size, and placed in the convenient little storage bag that comes with it. So after you get to where you're going, you can stick it in your backpack.

Another great thing is that it's got reflective trim on it. You really can't have enough of that stuff when you're a biker.

Spring Running Tip: Prevent Blisters

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Running or jogging can be tough on your tootsies - especially if you run outside. Here are some tips to keep your feet happy:

Make sure your shoes fit properly - not too tight and not too loose. Different brands and styles cater to wide/narrow feet and high/low arches. There should be about 1/2 inch between your longest toe and the tip of your shoe. Make sure you can wiggle your toes freely, and your heel shouldn't slip when you walk.

Go to a sneaker store that has a treadmill so you can try them before you buy them. No treadmill in the store? - then run around inside. You'll feel a little silly, but when you go for that first run in your new shoes, you'll be glad you tried them out.
Keep your feet as dry as possible. Avoid running in puddles and if you like to pour water over your head on a hot day, try leaning over so it doesn't drip into your shoes.
Get yourself a few pairs of wicking socks (not cotton) - these will pull moisture away from your skin when your feet sweat. They also make blister-proof socks. Check out these made by Thorlo.
To prevent blisters, sprinkle talcum or foot powder on your bare feet before putting on your socks.

Want to know what else you can do to prevent blisters? Then read more

Another blister prevention method is to spray antiperspirant on your bare feet.
If a certain part of your foot is prone to getting blisters, tape it up with sport tape, or use mole skin.
To help prevent and heal blisters, check out Blister Block - it's like thick, rubbery, extra skin that you can apply anywhere. It cushions and protects your feet, especially on long runs.

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