FitSugar

Soothe Your Tummy With Reed's Ginger Candy

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:30:00 -0700

There are certain things I try to keep in my purse just in case - tissues, Advil, tampons, peppermint gum, an emergency $20 bill, and Reed's Ginger Candy.

Not only are Reed's Ginger Candy great for calming an upset tummy, they also soothe a sore throat, and really satisfy my craving for something chewy.

The recipe actually comes from Indonesia and it contains real ginger root, so this chewy treat has a bit of a bite to it. I love to pop one in my mouth after going out to eat, since sometimes restaurant food doesn't always agree with me.

Reed's Ginger Candy is made with a little sugar, so it also curbs my sweet tooth - once I have the taste of ginger in my mouth, I lose my craving for dessert. One delicious piece contains 25 calories, 0g of fat, and 3g of sugar. This just might be the healthiest candy I've ever eaten, and I wouldn't even call it candy since it's more like medicine. When I've got an upset tummy, I chew on Reed's.

Fit's Tips: Reed's also makes Ginger Brew, so if your tummy's feeling really bad, sipping down these gingerly bubbles always makes me feel better.

The Ginger People

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 16:20:00 -0800

The Ginger People are passionate about nature's most versatile and vibrant flavor, you guessed it - Ginger. They have created many wonderful products using this powerful fiery taste.

Suffering from a cold? Drink some Ginger Soother. It's made with Chinese yellow ginger, honey, and lemon for instant relief. Ginger is said to soothe the throat and stomach, warm the internal organs, and ease nausea and ailments from colds to headaches.

They've also got Ginger candy. It's great to chew a piece if you have an upset stomach or feel a cold coming on.

And for the lover in your life...For only $7.00, send them Ginger Sweeties. They're heart-shaped crystallized baby ginger. Used as an aphrodisiac for centuries, ginger was first mentioned in the Kama Sutra for its ability to heighten sexual desires. Ooooh, nothing wrong with that.

Ginger is also a powerful antioxidant, good at relieving menstrual cramps, morning sickness, indigestion, heartburn, motion sickness, and inflammation.

Fit's Tips: Add a piece of crystallized ginger to a cup of hot tea or cocoa to add a tangy zip and to consume all the great qualities ginger has to offer.

Tummy Troubles? Could Be Gluten

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 11:15:00 -0800

Gluten is in everything. From bread, to pasta, to cookies, to crackers, and even soy sauce - it's hard to get away from it.

Gluten is the protein in wheat, rye, oats, and barley. Some people are born with a genetic disorder called Celiac disease (CD), and eating anything with gluten in it can cause major bodily problems.

The thing about CD is that you won't necessarily have symptoms starting at birth. It can be triggered by emotional events, like going away to college, or physical changes like pregnancy or puberty.

Well, whatever sets it off, there is no cure. In order to avoid knife stabbing stomach cramps and other tummy troubles (use your imagination on this one), a person with CD has to steer clear of anything containing those offensive glutinous grains.

If you think you might have CD, talk to your doctor about getting screened for the condition.

Fit's Tips: If you or someone you know is looking for great info on CD, I learned so much from this book. The author's down-to-earth attitude and sense of humor make an otherwise traumatic disease, much easier to live with.

Twists For Your Thanksgiving Tummy

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 13:33:06 -0800

After a big meal, it's great to plop yourself right down on the couch and let yourself digest. But here's a gentle twist you can do to ease your digestion and keep your tummy happy.

1. Start seated in Hero pose, sitting on your heels.

2. Bend your right knee and plant your foot on the ground beside your left knee. Pull your left foot in towards your right hip. If that hurts your knee, just straighten out your leg.

3. Press your left elbow against the outside edge of your right knee, lengthening your spine, and opening through your chest. Hold here for 5 deep breaths then do the other side.

Yoga poses help increase blood flow and stimulate the intestinal action known as peristalsis so digestion is more efficient. Yoga also helps to calm you which relaxes your digestive tract and helps pass things along, which makes you feel a lot better. Then you'll have more room for extra dessert.

Fit Gift: Tummy Tuck Jeans

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 03:30:00 -0800

Still looking for that perfect gift for your older sister who always talks about getting a tummy tuck, but hates the idea of going under the knife? Or do you want a pair of skinny jeans that are not themselves skinny, but that actually make you look skinny?

Enter Tummy Tuck Jeans ($118-$148) by NYDJ (Not Your Daughter's Jeans). Tummy Tuck Jeans claim to flatten the tummy, contour the hips, lift the booty, slim the body and allow the wearer to go one size smaller. NYDJ created the Tummy Tuck Jeans for fashion forward women who are actually shaped liked real women, not models. They come in sizes 2 to 24, including petites. Sounds too good to be true, I know, but many women swear by these things. Buy them on Nordstrom.com.

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DVD Review: 10 Minute Solution Quick Tummy Toners

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0800

I have rarely met a 10 Minute Solution video I didn't like. Lately I can't get enough of Pilates Perfect Body, but I decided to mix up my routine with 10 Minute Solution Quick Tummy Toners. The video promises five 10-minute workouts that all focus on slimming your waist and strengthening your core. Rather than sticking strictly to Pilates or yoga, the video uses both, in addition to a cardio segment.

I expected (and hoped) that a 50-minute ab workout would leave my core muscles pleasantly sore - so I could really feel it working. But in this sense, I was disappointed. I wasn't really sore the next day at all, but I wanted to be. While I enjoyed the workout and found it easy to follow, I felt like it should have worked my abs harder. The yoga abs portion was compelling and would be tough for beginners, but it wasn't as focused on tummy toning as I would have liked. I also really liked the cardio interlude - it was tough but fun - but it lacked core concentration.

Though the segments stressed the idea of whittling away the waist, that idea seemed more symbolic than strenuous. While I'll keep this DVD on hand to mix up my routine, I'm going to keep looking for the ultimate ab workout.

Travel Without the Tummy Troubles

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Hooray for the holidays! Traveling for the holidays - not so much. Get ready for traffic, waiting in lines, flight delays, and possibly constipation. For some people, switching time zones or being away from home always upsets their digestive system. Here are some ways to keep things moving while you're on the move and ways to keep your tummy at ease.

Pack your own snacks, and include high fiber foods such as whole grain crackers, cereal, granola bars, dried fruit, pears and apples, and nuts. Avoid bananas and dairy products since these foods can block you up.
Thirsty? Opt for straight up water, and drink lots of it. Staying hydrated will help your body keep its natural flow.
Medicine may be necessary. Pack some Pepto in case you have heartburn or diarrhea. If you're bloated and haven't gone to the bathroom for over 24 hours, pop some Citrucel caplets. They add bulk to your food to help you go, without causing gas.

What else can help tame your tummy? To find out read more.

Once you reach your destination, definitely splurge on the sweets and eggnog, but don't stuff yourself silly. If your system isn't used to all the sugar, fats, and alcohol, it can really affect your stomach.
Load up on the fresh veggies before and during dinner. They'll fill you up so you eat less food, which will help prevent that bloated feeling. Plus the fiber will help you stay regular.
If your stomach is uneasy after eating, sip on peppermint tea or eat a ginger candy.
Get exercise daily while on your trip. Pack some fitness gear in your suitcase, go for a walk, hit the gym at your hotel, or ski with the fam. Exercise is a wonderful way to prevent constipation.

Source

Speak Up: What's Your Trouble Area?

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0800

Carrie Underwood boldly shared in Us Weekly that her trouble area is her tummy. She said, "It may take me the rest of my life, but if I'm 80 and I have abs, I'll be happy."

Now it's your turn to share which part of your body you work the hardest to tone up, shrink down, and sculpt. Tell me, what's your trouble area?

Jennifer Garner Doesn't Like Her Belly Either

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0800

Not liking the shape you're in or the shape of your body these days. Well you are not alone.

Here's what Jennifer Garner recently told Elle about the state of her body:

"My trainer just shakes her head and says, 'This is a disaster.' I am as physically unfit as I've probably been in my whole life. It's such a horror in front of the mirror without any clothes on...." (She lifts her sweater and squeezes her tummy) You still have that little bit of extra skin, know what I mean? But still, it's enough for people to think that you're knocked up. No, everyone calm down. Nobody's pregnant."

Her daughter just turned one, and I know that the first year of mothering is hard. But I think she should make a New Year's Resolution to occasionally put herself and fitness first. If you're making the same resolution or any resolution, join my Declare IT: Fit's New Year's Resolution Group. I would love to hear what you are up to.

Source

Just Released: Three Fitness Video Games For the Wii

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:00:47 -0700

Confession: I love playing video games - I especially love them on the Wii because I get to move, jump, and shake myself into a tizzy. Three fitness games were released for the Wii this last week and even though it's not like doing the real deal outside, the games are a fun way to burn calories and whip your bod into shape.

Nintendo Wii Fit Plus ($20) Wii Fit Plus is Nintendo's follow-up to the popular Wii Fit. There are new exercises, balance board games, and strength and yoga activities, as well as targeted exercise routines for things like reducing tummy fat and toning your figure. A great improvement is the addition of a calorie counter - after you complete each exercise the game tells you how many calories you've burned.

To hear about the other two games, continue reading.