FitSugar

Get in Gear: The Sugar Pack

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:00:00 PST

If you are into doing anything outdoors, you've got to have a Camelbak. It's an easy way to make sure you've always got your water with you.

Sometimes when you're out for the day, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or whatever, it's annoying to have to stop all the time to get your water bottle out of your backpack.

Using the Camelbak keeps your water much more accessible so you are apt to drink as much water as you need.

It's a pack that has a reservoir pouch that holds the water. And there's a little tube that goes from there all the way up to your shoulder. To get the water out, you bite down on the end and suck - it's like a big straw - it's so easy.

But won't my water freeze? Nope. Camelbak makes insulated packs like this one so your water is protected from the cold. It's called the Sugar pack. You know I love that!!!

For $70, it holds 70 oz of water and has extra storage space for important things like snacks, a camera, your cell phone, and extra layers. What a brilliant idea.

5 Strange Ways Chocolate Keeps You Healthy

Prevention — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:02:26 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

This sweet treat may also boost brainpower, help you relax, and more!
By Mara Betsch, Prevention

Show your heart some love this Valentine’s Day by nibbling a few chocolates - and making them a regular treat throughout the year. A recent study found that those consuming the highest levels of chocolate had a 37 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29 percent reduction in stroke compared to those with lower chocolate intakes.

Though experts are quick to clarify that we should stick to moderate consumption of high-calorie chocolates, it’s hard to deny the cold, hard facts that chocolate can be a healthy addition to our diets.

Seven Surprising Ways to Sharpen Your Mind

Hundreds of studies have shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants that promote heart health and may prevent many cardiovascular-related conditions, but we’ve dug up five more surprising health benefits. Read on for five new ways to justify your chocolate craving.

1. Chocolate May Help You With Math
Flavonols, compounds in chocolate with antioxidantlike properties, are thought to improve circulation, including blood flow to the brain. A 2009 study asked participants to count backward in groups of three from a number between 800 and 999. After drinking hot cocoa filled with flavonols, the participants were able to do calculations more quickly and accurately and were less likely to feel tired or mentally drained.

Learn a four more things chocolate can do for you after the break.

A Reader Recipe: Vegan Protein Pumpkin Bars

Fit Community — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:12:14 PST

FitSugar reader eatingbirdfood came up with a vegan protein bar that's great for an afternoon or postworkout snack. She posted the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

These bars are perfect for an on-the-go midafternoon snack. They're packed with protein, not sugar.

Learn how to make this vegan treat after the break!

A Reader Recipe: Chunky Cherry-Chocolate Granola Bites

Fit Community — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:28:09 PST

FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle came up with this special cookie for Valentine's Day; she posted the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

Tied with a festive pink ribbon and a little love, I’m hoping these cookies will be perfect for Valentine's Day. The whole-grain oats, nuts, and cherries in these cookies add heartiness, while the melted dark-chocolate chunks deliver bursts of richness. The chia seeds pack a nutty punch, and they are rich in fiber and omega-3s, too - perfect for supporting vibrant hair and skin during these cold weeks of February.

Learn more about the recipe after the break!

A Doctor Dishes: Which "Superfoods" Are Worth the Cost?

LearnVest — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Most people you speak to these days are trying to stretch every dollar as far as possible - even the ones they spend buying apples and oranges.

Food prices are expected to increase yet again this year, and food manufacturers are making portions smaller without reducing prices. Not surprisingly, a recent Rasmussen poll found that 93 percent of adults report paying more for groceries now than they did a year ago.

So how can we supercharge our grocery dollars and get them to do overtime for us?

Yes, some foods are obviously a better nutritional deal than others (think apples vs. potato chips), but there’s another class of foods that blows the rest of the field away in terms of nutrients and health-protecting qualities: superfoods.

Superfoods can help prevent diabetes and heart disease, repair damage to your body’s cells, and more. But before you go piling them into your cart, know that some superfoods are better nutritional bargains than others. As a doctor and a mom, I’ve sleuthed out which ones are worth the extra cost in terms of their long-term health benefits. Below is the scoop on which ones may help you age better, ward off cancer, and more.

What to Know Before Buying Superfoods

Before we dive into what to buy, there are a few important things to remember about consuming these foods:

Eating foods fresh and in their natural state, especially fruits and vegetables (rather than in pill or powder supplement form), usually allows us to absorb the greatest amount of their nutrients. The way a superfood is processed or cooked can significantly lower its antioxidant content.
If the superfood can’t be eaten fresh, look for easy and appetizing recipes containing it. No matter how “super” a superfood may be, if you don’t know how to cook it, you’ll probably let it go to waste.

Are Superfoods "Good Buys" If I’m Shopping on a Budget?

Read on to find out.

Feel-Full Quick Tricks

Health — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:49:40 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Health.com

It's not just what you eat that can make you more satisfied - it's how you eat, too. Try these tips to feel fuller longer.

H2O some more
Drink two eight-ounce glasses (16 ounces total) of water before each meal. It will fill up your stomach and trim up to 60 calories per meal.

Health.com: Which Foods Burn the Most Fat?

Flavor of the day
Use vinegar (or vinaigrette) and cinnamon for flavor whenever possible. These two ingredients can help regulate blood sugars after meals and help you feel full longer after eating, according to a study from the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, in Zurich, Switzerland.

Keep reading for quick feel-full tricks.

4 Bright, On-Trend Makeup Shades to Try Right Now

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:02:08 PST

We're seeing neon colors dominate the fashion world, but these bright, bold shades aren't limited to clothing. Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman (who has also been guest blogging on BellaSugar) recently shared his advice on how to work vivid hues into your makeup routine. But he has a few more things to add: his top favorite shades for getting the look are listed below.

Colored mascara: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Royal Blue ($4). "Apply after your usual mascara, but just to tips," Brett advises. "It's perfect for lunch with friends. In the light, your lashes will get a flash of color."
Liquid liner: Wet 'n Wild Mega Liner in Turquoise ($3). "Do you makeup as per usual, and add just the thinnest line along the top of the lashes," Brett explains. "When you blink or look down it's a beautiful surprise!"
Gloss: Estée Lauder Lip Gelee in Electric Violet ($20). "Everyone looks amazing in this shade," says Brett. "It's packed with pigment but in a very sheer, wearable formula. Pair it with an all-cream outfit to give it a little edge."
Nail polish: OPI in Fly ($9). "If you want to try it without a full commitment," Brett says of this polish from OPI's Nicki Minaj collection, "do it on your toes and see what feedback you get."

Video: Has Gossip Girl Finally Been Revealed?

Karli Bulnes — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:27:47 PST

The 100th episode of Gossip Girl packed in plenty of surprises, but none more shocking than the potential reveal of Gossip Girl herself. Find out who might be behind the site in PopSugar Rush.

Hey ShopStylists, Show Us Your Fashion Week Mood Boards!

FabSugar — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:30:13 PST

ShopStylist styleisthat captures the essence of a front-row fashionista's ensemble at the Alexander Wang runway show. This got us thinking - we know our ShopStyle community is jam-packed with gorgeous mood boards, stylish creativity, and top-notch fashion pieces to draw inspiration from, so it's time to show off those artful Fashion Week stylebooks we know you're capable of whipping up. All you have to do is pull your look together, submit your board here, and make sure to include "Fashion Week" in the title. We may just feature you on FabSugar - happy stylebooking!

Skinny Denim by Topshop
Boots by Acne

Diane von Furstenberg Jane rabbit box jacket - $765.00	Chanel Vintage Classic 2.55 bag - Sold Out
Acne Black Cypress Ankle Boot With Side Buckle - $750.75	MOTO Black Supersoft Skinny Leigh Jean - $76.00
House of Harlow Arrowhead Pave Necklace - Sold Out	Nixon The Spur Watch, 42mm - $300.00

4 Lazy Moves That Boost Your Health

Prevention — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:05:16 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

You don’t have to go on a deprivation diet or spend hours exercising to ward off disease and be your healthiest self! Instead, try these supersimple tips
By the editors of Prevention

Staying healthy can feel like so much, well, work (think: logging hours at the gym and whipping up nutritious meals from scratch). However, there are plenty of small moves that you can make in your everyday life that will have big health benefits. We’ve rounded up 15 practically zero-effort ways to fight disease, whittle your waist, lower stress, and more. Bonus: many of these good-for-you moves feel good, too. So say sayonara to the old adage “no pain, no gain” and try these tips today.

Lazy Move No. 1: Protect Your Ticker by Snoozing
Need a good excuse to grab your comfiest set of pajamas and hit the sack? Skimping on shut-eye may do more than make you cranky or unproductive - it also boosts your risk of a heart attack. According to one Norwegian study, people who reported that they did not wake up feeling refreshed in the morning had a 27 percent higher risk of a heart attack, those who had trouble staying asleep almost every night in the last month had a 30 percent higher risk, and those who had trouble falling asleep almost every night in the last month had odds that jumped to 45 percent.

Twenty Ways to Sleep Better Every Night

Some researchers speculate that insomnia might trigger your body to release more of the stress hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol have been linked with high blood pressure and diabetes, which are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Plus when you’re exhausted, you may be more likely to make unhealthy choices that up your heart disease risk, such as skipping your workout or reaching for fatty or sugary snacks for a quick energy fix.

Keep reading for three more lazy ways to improve your health.