FitSugar

Stamp of Approval: Au Bon Pain

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:00:00 PDT

Look, it's not surprise that I am not the biggest fan of fast food restaurants. However, I do know that sometimes you just have to eat there so I am always on the hunt for healthier fast food joints and Au Bon Pain gets my stamp of approval.

Au Bon Pain provides Nutrition Kiosks, which allow guests to plan their meals before ordering them. You can sort the menu by a specific nutritional requirement (high fiber, high protein, low carb, low fat, low calories, etc.). They also launched Kids Nutrition Kiosk in their suburban and hospital locations. The children's version includes interactive games intended to teach the basics of making healthy meal choices. What's more? They've moved to using preservative-free chicken and they've recently introduced a new product line called Portions - a line of 14 dishes made fresh daily, packaged individually and with 200 or less calories per dish. And to bring it home, all products at Au Bon Pain have zero grams trans fat.

So next time you're going for fast food, you may want to think about stopping at Au Bon Pain. They have made every effort to help you become aware of the healthy choices they offer, all you have to do is choose them.

4 Additions For the Perfect Trail Mix

Leta Shy — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:00:56 PDT

A good trail mix can be the perfect snack; no matter what you're craving, whether it's salty or sweet, a few handfuls can keep you satisfied and full. But there's a right way and a wrong way to make trail mix if you want it to be good for your body. Here are four additions to make your trail mix tasty and healthy.

Chocolate: Eat chocolate - lose weight? That's what some people are saying, now that a new study found that people who eat chocolate regularly (at least twice a week) tend to weigh less than people who don't indulge on a regular basis. It may be because polyphenols in chocolate increase metabolism, or it may just be that people who eat small amounts of chocolate regularly curb cravings so they don't indulge in an unhealthier dessert. Either way, we already know that dark chocolate has other heart-healthy benefits, so add a few pieces to your trail mix if you're craving something sweet.
Superfruit: Add a dash of antioxidants by including dried superfruits in your trail mix. Dried fruit packs a punch when it comes to disease-fighting compounds. Goldenberries, for example, are a good dose of vitamin A, which is crucial for healthy eyes, skin, and teeth and may help improve organ function. Dried goji berries or cranberries are another good option for their health benefits, which include better immune and urinary system functioning and disease-fighting. Make sure to look for varieties containing no added sugar.

Read on for more healthy trail mix additions.

Fuel Up: Highest Sources of Vegan Protein

Anna Monette Roberts — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:25:11 PST

Whether you're dabbling with veganism or just looking for some plant-based proteins to add to your diet, roaming the supermarket aisles for the right protein source can feel overwhelming when you have no idea which products to buy. We've defined four plant-based proteins you should know about, how much protein they contain, and what product brands we seal with a stamp of approval.

Pseudograins

What it is: Pseudograins are actually seeds, even though they cook and have a fluffy, nutty texture like a grain. They are gluten-free and full of protein. Common examples include millet, quinoa, and amaranth.
Nutritional info: One cup of cooked pseudograins has 10 grams of protein on average.
Try this: Try Eden Foods Organic Millet. Rinse the raw millet thoroughly, then dry roast in a saucepan. When toasted and fragrant, pour boiling water over the millet and cook for 30 minutes. This process helps open the millet seeds up, so they have a fluffier texture and richer flavor.

Click here to read more.

The Best Indoor Workout Classes (Because It's Freezing Outside!)

Self — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:35:01 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

There are lots (and I mean, lots) of reasons why my motivation to work out during the Winter plummets - from the snowy commute to freezing cold winds to the cold, dry air that hits my chest with such force that it becomes hard to breathe. (Ahem, there's a reason I sign up for races that are after September - this born-and-raised Floridian prefers to train outdoors during the Summer.)

But it is possible to sculpt, strengthen, and sweat (majorly sweat) without having to be freezing cold during the winter. So when the weather outside is frightful, head indoors for these top full-body workouts that will help ward off Winter weight:

Indoor cycling: Ruth Zukerman, cofounder of NYC's FlyWheel cycling studio, is heating things up indoors with her 45-minute, heart-racing classes. (Self favorite Jillian Michaels is even a recent investor in the company). "I wanted to be part of the most innovative and effective indoor cycling program, and that is FlyWheel. I am thrilled to join the FlyWheel team," Michaels said in a press release. What makes cycling such an effective alternative is that it's taking the fun full-body workout people love indoors, and instead of scenery, you'll stay motivated to challenge yourself thanks to encouraging instructors and a killer playlist. Flywheel has an awesome on-bike technology board that lets you compete against other riders in the class. Plus if you're looking to shape up before hitting the slopes, "indoor cycling is great preparation for all Winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding. I know from personal experience that when I hit the slopes I don't tire out easily or suffer from the kind of après-ski muscle pain that most people do, and it's because of indoor cycling," Zukerman says.

Try this move: If you're riding an exercise bike at home or the gym, try some interval training. One thing we often do at Flywheel is a "Sprint Chorus," meaning we increase our RPMs to a sprint during the song's chorus and then revert to a cadence on the beat of the music as the chorus ends.

More best indoor workouts after the break.

Is the HCG Diet Safe?

Leta Shy — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:37:42 PST

Have you been convinced by the constant barrage of HCG diet testimonials? The diet has recently become the talk of the Internet, even though it was developed over 60 years ago.

The HCG diet claims this: HCG (or human chorionic gonadotropin), a hormone found in pregnant women, is supposedly responsible for releasing stored fat to feed the baby in utero. By restricting your caloric intake while injecting the hormone or taking HCG drops daily (typically for 23 days, but many people stay on the diet until they reach their desired weight), the hormone encourages your body to release its fat stores to keep you nourished - leading to weight loss that can be as high as a pound a day. Sounds good, but is it safe? We spoke with Adam Bornstein, editorial director of LIVESTRONG.com, to learn more about the diet and its safety.

Does It Work?
Judging by the amount of success stories seen on TV or on the Internet, the answer is yes. Many users have said that the HCG diet is not only effective, but sustainable. Guests on a recent Dr. Oz show, for example, said that they lost as much as 50 pounds on the HCG diet. Dr. Oz's guests also explained that the diet was only difficult for the first few days, after which the pounds melted away without the users ever feeling hungry.

Experts, however, aren't so ready to give the diet a stamp of approval. For one, there are no studies addressing whether there are long-term side effects in using the pregnancy hormone, and there are no studies that illustrate if the hormone actually helps your body burn stored fat. "There's no research that can actually back up these claims. It's all hypothetical," Bornstein said. The fact that dieters lose weight quickly can most likely be attributed only the dieter's ability to stick to a strict 500-calorie diet and not the HCG hormone itself.

Read on to learn if going on the HCG diet is safe.

Jessica Simpson Talks Wedding Plans, Weight Gain, and "Styling America" in Lucky

Lauren Turner — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:35:57 PDT

Jessica Simpson was all smiles in a sexy Gryphon New York dress for the cover of Lucky's December issue. She recently announced her pregnancy with a funny Halloween-themed tweet, though at the time of her interview with the magazine Jessica was still keeping the exciting news quiet. Instead, she addressed her "weight gain," talked about her wedding plans with fiancé Eric Johnson, and shared her thoughts on "styling America." Here's more from Jessica in Lucky:

On her weight: "I got so much scrutiny for putting on extra pounds, but I think that the decision not to make myself anorexic was actually great for branding. Because when you’re really, really skinny, not everybody can relate to you. Everybody fluctuates, but I’m open about my weight and I’m still confident. I didn’t cry about it too much."
On meeting Eric and wedding plans: "When I met him I just felt so comfortable with myself and where I was in my life that if he didn’t want to be part of it, he didn’t have to be. I haven’t started shopping for our wedding yet. When I got engaged, everyone thought I would get married immediately, but I have not put a single dress on, and by the time this comes out I will not be married! We’re just enjoying being engaged right now-and that’s honest."
On her brand: "If it has my name on it, I want my stamp of approval to be on it I want to keep my customers coming back. So it’s going to be important to me in these next years to stay focused on the collection. I love that I can dream about paisley, and then two months later, someone’s wearing it. I’m basically styling America."

Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson Talk Baby Plans and Body Image in Marie Claire

Lindsay Miller — Wed, 18 May 2011 12:59:00 PDT

Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson showed off their close bond on the cover of Marie Claire's June issue. The actors play frenemies in Something Borrowed, but they formed a great relationship behind the scenes. Kate, who is expecting her second child this Summer, opened up to the magazine about how pregnancy feels different this time around. Kate Hudson is currently in London with her husband-to-be, Matthew Bellamy, and her son, Ryder, and her dad Kurt Russell recently gave the Muse frontman his stamp of approval, saying he's a "wonderful guy." Ginnifer also has a wedding in her near future and shared her excitement about starting a family with her fiancé, Joey Kern. The costars further discussed Hollywood's beauty standards and staying in shape, with Kate chatting candidly about her struggle to shed her baby weight after Ryder's birth. Here are some highlights:

Kate on how pregnancy is different this time around: "I was so sick the first trimester that every time I tried to read, I couldn't concentrate. So I started brainlessly watching TV in the fetal position on my couch. It was brutal. I only just started getting a bigger appetite. I'm eating, but I like healthy foods in this one."
Ginnifer on her wedding plans: "I'm so ready. I want a life full of little Joeys. I'm only holding off until after my wedding for vanity purposes. I just want to be able to fit into whatever dress I pick out."
Kate on losing weight postbaby: "Let me tell you something. It's an emotional roller coaster, having to lose weight. I gained so much - I was 185 pounds at the end. You actually experience how much energy is stored in that and how much emotion you actually hold in that mass. It is emotional, no matter how determined you are. It takes work to bounce back so quickly."
Ginnifer on her natural figure: "I am genetically predisposed to be a bigger girl than I am. If I didn't live in Hollywood, I would be. I have very real hips and a real Southern woman's ass."
Ginnifer on why she still uses Weight Watchers: "I've never had body issues, and I've never had an eating disorder. Most of the people I know are on the program for health reasons. And yes, some of them are slim women who want to stay slim."

A Clean-Cut Tom Cruise Hops Into a Classic Car on Set

Lindsay Miller — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:10:00 PDT

A newly shorn Tom Cruise wore a white t-shirt and jeans today as he got into character on his new film One Shot in Pittsburgh. The actor, who was filming a driving scene in a red Chevelle, stars in the big-screen adaptation of the book by the same name. Tom plays an ex-Army cop who is sent to investigate a sniper shooting in the heartland and lopped off his previously lengthy locks to ready for the role. Before getting to work on the action film in Pennsylvania, Tom spent several months down south in Florida, where he was playing a musician in Rock of Ages. Tom let his hair go long while he was busy portraying the tattooed singer. His wife, Katie Holmes, gave his edgier look her stamp of approval at the time. Katie and Suri visited Miami several times to catch up with Tom during the shoot, and the family took advantage of his recent break between projects to hang out at their homes in LA and NYC.

Buckingham Palace Drops More Royal Wedding Details

Susannah Chen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:07:07 PDT

With less than two weeks to go, Buckingham Palace is finalizing details on the royal wedding, including what guests will have to eat and drink. The world already knows what kinds of cake Prince William and Kate Middleton will be cutting into - but what about the rest of the menu?

Following the wedding, 600 guests will head to the palace for a reception where they'll feast on 10,000 some odd canapés, including smoked salmon on beet blinis and quail eggs sprinkled with celery salt. Although the bride and groom will have some say, the majority of the menu will be decided upon by the Queen herself.The bubbly will likely come from Bollinger, the official Champagne of the royal family. That includes the French house's top-of-the-line Vielle Vignes Françaises - given the stamp of approval, as the seal reads, "by appointment of the Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Majesty" - as well as, some speculate, the small-production Grand Année 1999 vintage. And in traditional fashion, the groom will probably make the first toast to thank the bride's family.

Boy, do I wish I were one of those lucky 600 - but I don't envy the 21 chefs who'll be toiling away at 10,000 canapés come April 29. What do you think of the royal menu?

Update: Turns out all the Bollinger speculation was incorrect. It's been confirmed that Prince William and Kate are bucking tradition and serving nonvintage Pol Roger at the wedding!

Is Brass Back?

Julia Millay Walsh — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 05:30:00 PDT

Lately, in the interior design world, there've been rumblings that the unthinkable is happening: brass is back. Is it true? Only time will tell. Though I'd never thought I'd see the day, I have been coveting a few brass items as of late. One in particular is this Brass Urchin Accent ($26), which Jamie Meares of Furbish featured on her blog (and is selling in her shop). A little "urchin super model," as she calls it, I can handle, but mirrors framed in a heavy dose of the dated metal or coffee table bases born of a bounty of brass? I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

In an effort to be a trooper of this possibly new old trend, I've rounded up a few brass - not silver- or gold-plated brass but pure, unadulterated brass - items that do get my stamp of approval. Check them out below.