FitSugar

Speak Up: Are You Surprised by the Sweet Surprise Ads?

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:00:00 PDT

The Corn Refiners Association is fighting back. They are sick and tired of their favorite ingredient high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) being maligned by the liberal press. They have hired a PR agent and an ad team to teach you that HFCS is not only good for you, it is natural as well. The first time I saw this ad, my jaw dropped to the floor. This over simplification of this very processed sweetener was quite a shock to me.

I guess you can tell how I feel about these ads, but what about you. Tell me, are you surprised by these ads? Do they confuse you? Anger you? Entertain you? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

If you want to see the Sweet Surprise print ad and another TV commercial, then just

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.

Michelle Williams's Gorgeous BAFTA Dress Is . . . H&M!

Marisa Tom — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:00:00 PST

The art of a well-executed surprise never goes unappreciated, and this one is too good not to admire. Case in point: Michelle Williams stunned at the BAFTA awards in a bespoke black-and-ivory H&M gown. Believe it. At first glance we assumed the consummately chic actress had opted for Chanel or Prada, but it looks like we've been treated to something totally new and unexpected. She complemented her strapless, boutonniere-adorned gown with a quirky faux Arthur Miller novel-cum-Olympia Le-Tan clutch and a statement collar necklace. Good news for anyone that can't get enough of this dress: a gold top ($40) and black skirt ($30) inspired by her gown will be available in select H&M stores in April, as part of the launch of the brand's exclusive Conscious collection. While we wait to get out hands on Michelle's sweet, simple evening ensemble, the real question remains - would you have ever guessed that this two-toned number was a custom H&M creation?

L.A.M.B. Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:38:20 PST

Inspired by the "1960s rogue girl with a Japanese street sensibility," Gwen Stefani chose to show off her latest L.A.M.B designs against a collage of black-and-white New York City street snaps and closeup shots of girls getting their eye makeup done, all while Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Were Made For Walkin'" boomed overhead. Each look seemed to reflect a moment in Gwen's iconic style evolution. Case in point: her "Hey Baby" houndstooth print made a serious comeback, landing on everything from sporty totes to bomber jackets; her "Sweet Escape" moto-edged attire popped up in zippered jacquard jackets; and those Clueless-worthy platforms? That's just a classic Gwen staple. While the outerwear was athletic and tough, the attention to feminine details was also spot on. Look to the Peter Pan collars, sexy Morgenthal Frederics cat-eye glasses, impeccably pleated circle skirts, and sheer knee-high nylons for proof of Gwen's girlier side. No matter how you spin it, this is an ultra-wearable lineup of '90s-cool gear with a hint of retro and a pop of graphic-print modernity.

Trends: Houndstooth print, pleated skirts, sportswear-inspired outerwear, and Peter Pan collars.
Colors: A dark, cool palette - red, black, gray, and ecru - with surprise pops of neon yellow.
Key Piece: The gray pleated circle skirt paired with a sweet collared top makes a sexy take on schoolgirl classics.
Accessories: Sporty tote bags, cat-eye secretary glasses, knee-high nylons, and '90s-style chunky platforms.
Who Would Wear It: The girl with a sportier fierce edge when it comes to dress, like Rihanna.

Still Looking For Valentine's Day Ideas? Try These Sweet Ideas From Martha Stewart!

LilSugar — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:46:04 PST

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Darcy Miller, celebrations expert and editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings. With Valentine's Day upon us, Darcy shares some original - and sweet! - crafts she and her three girls put together for the holiday.

With three little girls - Pipa, Ella, and Daisy - who adore all things hearts and sweets, Valentine's Day is always a huge holiday in my house. In fact, I start collecting pink and red materials in early January to prepare. It's the perfect time to surprise loved ones with custom handmade gifts that show how much you care. I always like to involve the girls, and this was a great way to spend time together. Here are some of the sweet DIY gifts we'll be sending with love to family and friends this year.

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "All You Need Is Love"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:27:29 PST

It's Valentine's Day in Seattle, which means the doctors are scrambling to get their romantic plans together on this week's episode of Grey's Anatomy. Callie plans a special surprise for skeptical Arizona, while Mark tries to get out of babysitting duty so he can take Julia out on a date. Derek and Meredith, on the other hand, just need to find somewhere to go for a little, uh, "alone time."

On the other end of the spectrum, Lexie is having a "woe is me" moment as she pines for Mark, and Jackson and Karev are also left dateless. No one's in hotter water than Owen is, though: he and Cristina contemplate some big questions about the future of their relationship, and Teddy has some choice words for him when Owen tries to rekindle their friendship. Ready to break it all down? Just

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.

NurturMe's Caroline Freedman: An Easy Way to Get Lil Ones to Eat Their Fruits and Veggies!

Kate Stahl — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:02:14 PST

As a soon-to-be first-time mom, a pregnant Caroline Freedman was obsessed with all things baby (sound familiar?), including what she would eventually feed her new lil one once she advanced past breast milk and bottles. "I was shocked at how little innovation there had been since I was a baby. It was still Gerber jarred foods," says Austin, TX-based Freedman, now mom to a 3-year-old and a 4-month-old. "Considering how parents are eating a lot differently now, it seemed so out of sync."

Freedman, along with her business partner Lauren McCullough (a former culinary arts teacher) decided to do something about the discrepancy. The result: NurturMe, the first certified organic, all-natural, gluten-free baby food made from quick-dried fruits and veggies. If a dehydrated baby food isn't inventive enough - each pouch is light as a feather and makes about 2.5 ounces of baby food when mixed with water, breast milk, or formula - NurturMe has yet another selling point: it's also an easy way to sneak fruits and veggies into older tots' meals. Keep reading for more from our interview with Freedman.

Color Theory: Soften Your Spring Wardrobe With Lilac Hues

Marisa Tom — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:38 PST

Pastel hues are a regular favorite of Spring wardrobes, but this particular shade of light purple is soft enough to emphasize a sweet, feminine sensibility and cool enough to balance edgier add-ons for a surprise twist. We've been enamored with all things lilac-infused since spotting it float down the runways of 3.1 Phillip Lim, Adam, Boy and Girl by Band of Outsiders, Jenni Kayne, and more. From lacy, boudoir-ready shorts to structured blazers, this color translates effortlessly into a variety of shapes and styles. While a pop of lilac may seem more cotton-candy friendly than downtown chic at first glance, we're here to prove that color theory wrong. It's sweet, sexy, demure, and dynamic all in one go. Click through to see how these street style setters show off new ways to flaunt this purple palette, then shop your favorite pieces.

Potty Party: A Stylish Celebration of a Lil One's Big Milestone

Kate Stahl — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:03:08 PST

Potty parties might not be standard for most mamas, but after seeing the adorable pastel and chevron celebration created by Creative Juice's Mindy Starr, you might just be inspired to change that.

Starr celebrated her daughter's potty training by throwing a stylish fete, inviting other recent potty users and their "trainers" (aka moms) and creating diaper-themed games, a sweet dessert table, and some clever printables, which are now available for purchase through Etsy. While this party is undoubtedly over the top, Starr credits it as one of the reasons her potty training was a success - and with cupcakes, cookie pops, a cake, and candy potty favors as an incentive, we're not surprised!

Source: Creative Juice