FitSugar

Soothe Your Tummy With Reed's Ginger Candy

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:30:00 PDT

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 PST

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 PST

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 PST

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.

Get Beyoncé's Uber-Flattering Dresses!

FabSugar — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:07:49 PST

If you are like us, your jaw may have dropped when you saw Beyoncé's ultra-beautiful postbaby figure in not just one - but two amazing concert looks. For the past two nights Beyoncé's glam looks at hubby Jay-Z's Carnegie Hall concerts have left us thinking: "Gosh those are the most flattering dresses and I NEED them in my life." Well, need no more as you can buy both of her gorgeous dresses right now. Her red Alice by Alice Temperley is perfect for hiding a tummy and creating curves and ideal for a romantic night out; while her stunning Monique Lhuillier would make an unforgettable addition to our cocktail dress repertoire. Just take note: the Alice by Alice Temperley dress may be your most affordable option, but the sparkly Monique Lhuillier cocktail dress is certainly worth a look - or at least a longing stare.

To shop her looks, just keep reading.

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.

Would You Have a Postbaby Boob Job?

Kate Stahl — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:36:53 PST

When I had my C-section, my mom (who had two of her own) told me her only regret after having my brother was that she didn't request a tummy tuck after delivery, a somewhat shocking statement from my totally low-key, nonvain mother. Of course, back then, I was still operating under the illusion that my body would snap back to its prepregnancy state within a few months and my formally flat abs would return with little to no effort. Now, nine and a half months later, I'm still holding on to seven pounds of baby weight. Despite working out three to four times a week, I'm sporting stretch marks that, for some reason, only affected my left side, and I'm still trying to embrace my other pregnancy parting gifts: back fat, wider hips, and flattened chest - one side effect I totally didn't expect!

Considering I've always been very small-chested, I didn't think pregnancy and breastfeeding would take too big of a toll, but going from an A cup to a C+, then back again, has not been pretty, and suddenly, I'm thinking a boob job might not be a bad idea. Are you on the same page as me? Would you consider a postbaby breast lift or implants? Weigh in below!

How to Get Rihanna's Rock-Hard Abs

Shape — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:32:58 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Rihanna is one hot singing sensation. Having recently been named the best-selling digital artist of all time - thanks to a whopping 47.5 million downloads of her hits - the sexy songstress is also a top contender for album of the year at this year’s Grammy Awards.

But not only does the Barbadian beauty know how to rock a stage, she also rocks a bikini, too! No stranger to showin’ off some skin, getting that taut and tight tummy definitely takes work.

The Top 10 Best-Dressed Stars at the Golden Globes

That’s where inspirational fitness expert extraordinaire Ary Nuñez comes in; she’s been training the artist hard for almost four years. “We focus on the core muscles and we do a ton of repetitions,” Nuñez says.

See Rihanna's ab workout after the break.

Nibbles Noms Noodles

Sara Yoo — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:14:30 PST

Nom, nom, nom. His name might be Nibbles, but we think that may be a misnomer, given the gusto with which this pup slurps his noodles. It brings to mind a certain romantic Disney duo and a delicious plate of spaghetti and meatballs, but Nibbles (or Nom-bles, as we think he should be called) may just outshine his cartoon predecessors!

While we give the cuteness factor a perfect 10, pups who'd like their own pasta dinners should note that some of the ingredients in tomato sauce (onions, tomatoes, oils, etc.) can upset a poochy tummy, so it's best to stick to plain, cooked noodles (and perhaps an ear scratch to make up for the lack of condiments).

To see the original spaghetti slurpers, keep reading.

Quick Waist-Slimmers: No Spanx Needed!

Self — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:27:07 PDT

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

Instead of reaching for shapewear when your sexy new date night dress doesn't fit, try a few of these tummy toning tips from celebrity trainer and fitness advisor for USANA Health Sciences, Kathy Kaehler.

Drink Plenty of H2O: Skip the soda and the wine. Opt for water, water, and more water instead. Drinking water flushes the system and helps flatten out your mid-section.
Tone Up: A fantastic exercise to do on a daily basis is the plank. Hold it for at least one minute or build up to that. It works the core muscles from top to bottom and inside out. A super strong core keeps that belly pulled in and tight.
Limit the Gassy Foods: When you want to slim down that belly to fit into clothes for a big night out, keep the veggies at bay hours before you dress. That will limit the gas and reduce the bloat.
Kick up the Cardio: Walk, walk, walk! I have all my clients, including Julia Roberts, walk. Whether you are outside or on a treadmill, walking is a great way to trim up the body, keep you at your ideal weight, and, because you use most of your muscles, add more lean body weight (which burns more calories and helps you stay lean!).

Keep reading to find out what exercise you should be doing to tone your core!