FitSugar

Don't Suffer the Dryness: How to Choose a Humidifier

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:30:00 PST

Now that it's getting chilly outside, many of us are cranking up the heat to stay cozy. While it's pleasantly warm, all that heat can be drying, and you may to wake up with a sore throat, stuffy nose, and congested sinuses. A humidifier can help alleviate those symptoms by putting moisture back into the air, and running one can also help you breathe easier if you have a cold.

So how do you choose one? It all depends on what kind of moisture you want in the air: cool or warm. Want to see how these two kinds of humidifiers compare? Then

read more Here's how cool vs. warm humidifiers compare:

	Warm	Cool
Basic info	Warm air humidifiers use a heating element to warm the water. The hot moisture that is released into the air can burn your skin if you come into contact with the steam.	Cool air humidifiers do not heat the water, so there is no risk for burns, making them a great choice if you have kids (or mischievous pets).
Types	Vaporizers - The water is boiled and sent out as steam. Boiling kills any mold or bacteria that might be hanging out in the water. These are really easy to use, easy to find, and cheap to buy. Warm Mist - Similar to the vaporizer, the water is heated to make it evaporate, but most units cool the mist before it's sent out into the air to reduce the risk of burns.	Evaporative - Transmits moisture into the air invisibly by using a fan to blow air through a moistened absorbent material, such as a belt, wick, or filter. The noise from the fan can be a disadvantage for some, but others prefer the gentle hum and even say that it helps them sleep. Impeller or cool mist - This is the kind that's shown above. It produces a cool mist by means of a high-speed rotating disk. This is quieter than a fan. Ultrasonic - Creates a cool mist by means of ultrasonic sound vibrations, which create water droplets that get released into the air in a cool fog. They are very efficient and make hardly any sound.

Fit's Tips: If you use a humidifier while you sleep, be sure to open your shades or blinds to let light in when you wake up. Dark, warm, and moist places are breeding grounds for mold, mildew, fungus, and bacteria, and you don't want to breathe that in. Change the water on a daily basis, and make sure to thoroughly clean your humidifier and replace filters often. Source

Cool Vaporizers Are Not Hot, But They Are Cool

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 03:30:00 PST

Unfortunately, we are right in the middle of cold season and at this point, we're desperately looking for anything that will help ease a nasty cold.

Increasing the air moisture is a common way to help you (or your child) feel better when congested -- The added moisture in the air can relieve symptoms such as sore throat and congestion. A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier is preferred over a warm mist one because of the risk of your child (or someone else's child) getting accidentally burned by the outflow of hot steam.

The problem is that a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier gets dirty faster because the heat (in a hot vaporizer) kills mold and germs gathering in the vaporizer. To avoid this, clean your cool mist vaporizer frequently (at least once a week) to deter growth of bacteria and other pathogens.

Fit's Tip: I like Vicks Natural Mist Humidifier ($32.84) because it is quiet and has a wicking filter with built-in bactericide, which helps ward off germs. Buy one on Walmart.com.

Gas Prices Are Up! What You Can Do to Save

Emily Co — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:20:33 PST

Unrest in the Middle East and the closing of American refineries have gas prices going up, up, and away for US consumers. Analysts are predicting that the prices may continue to rise.

But don't worry, there are a number of methods to save on refueling your car. Here are some tips:

Spend to Save: Look for deals around you that will help you save on your gas. For example, you can choose to frequent wholesale stores like Costco, which will give you a little bit of cash back on Costco gas. If you're a real gas guzzler, check out this full list of gas rebate cards on CreditCards.com.
Don't Top It Off: Topping off your gas may result in a higher gas bill, because you might be paying for gas that goes back into the station's tanks after your gas tank is full, says the Environmental Protection Agency. You can also ruin your car's vapor recovery system if there is no room for the gas to expand in your tank.
Smooth Trip: Starting and stopping excessively can shorten the life of your engine, transmission, brakes, and tires. Go easy on your braking and accelerating. Remember to also turn off your engine if you know you'll be waiting for a long while. Staying put without moving means you're getting 0 miles per gallon.

For more gas-saving tips, read on.

6 Unique Ways to Fend Off Illnesses and Avoid Medical Bills

Emily Co — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:57:16 PST

There are very few things that are worse than getting sick. Not only will you have pricey medical bills to pay, but you may also have to skip out on work. Fortunately, you can employ plenty of preventative methods to avoid falling ill. We've heard the usual "eat right and exercise" advice, so here are a couple of tactics that you may not have heard of:

Immune boosters in a pill: Although you've heard of the usual immune boosters like vegetables and fruits, there are a couple of holistic cures you might want to try. There's New Chapter's LifeShield Immunity ($20), which is a supplement made out of a combination of mycelium, fruiting bodies, spores, and extracellular compounds from tonic mushrooms.
Take ginseng with your vaccine: When you get a flu vaccine, try taking some ginseng with it so you'll bounce back from the effects of the vaccine. There was a study done in which only 13 percent of the group of participants who took ginseng with flu vaccinations caught colds vs. 37 percent of the placebo group.
Trick yourself psychologically: Don't discount old wives' remedies! Even if you don't have any scientific proof, perhaps the cures have some sort of psychological effect that results in physical effects. For example, a cure for cough that works for me is rubbing vapor rub over my feet and wearing socks at night. Another scientifically disproved treatment is Airborne, which somehow always fends off a cold when I feel one coming on.

Read on for more tips.

Winter Running Woe: Burning Lungs

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:22:30 PST

Temps across the country are plummeting, but a little cold (or even snow) won't keep die-hard runners indoors. Layering up with wicking clothes is the key to staying warm and dry while sweating it out, but what about breathing in that frigid air? It's not only painful to inhale, but since the air is often dry, it causes your airways to narrow, making it harder to breathe.

If running in the cold makes your lungs burn or causes you to cough, try this simple solution: wear a moisture-wicking neck warmer, like this Smartwool Neck Gaiter ($25), over your mouth. It'll not only keep cool air off your neck, but the gaiter also traps the natural water vapor you exhale, making the air you inhale moist and a bit warmer, which is easier on your lungs. A regular scarf could also work, but who wants to wrestle with slowly unraveling loose ends, especially on a windy day? Another benefit is that a neck warmer can be lowered below your chin or easily slipped off, bunched up, and stored in your pocket after you warm up, while a scarf is much too bulky.

When temps dip really low, you'll probably prefer a balaclava that covers your nose, mouth, ears, and head. It may look a little scary, but at least you'll be warm and comfortable. Plus it's a great option whether you breathe through your nose or mouth, although you might find breathing through your nose may ease the burning in your lungs - just bring along tissues in case your nose runs.

Keep reading to find out other ways to relieve your burning lungs.

4 Toxic Foods That Should Never Cross Your Lips

Prevention — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:37:36 PST

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

Is your food loaded with toxins and chemicals? Here, simple swaps to protect yourself
By Anne Underwood

Clean eating means choosing fruits, vegetables, and meats that are raised, grown, and sold with minimal processing.

Often they're organic, and rarely (if ever) should they contain additives. But in some cases, the methods of today's food producers are neither clean nor sustainable. The result is damage to our health, the environment, or both. So we decided to take a fresh look at food through the eyes of the people who spend their lives uncovering what's safe - or not - to eat. We asked them a simple question: "What foods do you avoid?" Their answers don't necessarily make up a "banned foods" list. But reaching for the suggested alternatives might bring you better health - and peace of mind.

The Best Packaged Foods to Shop For

1. Canned Tomatoes

Fredrick Vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A, gives us the scoop:

The problem: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people's body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. "You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that's a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young," says vom Saal. "I won't go near canned tomatoes."

The solution: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Trader Joe's and Pomi.

Budget tip: If your recipe allows, substitute bottled pasta sauce for canned tomatoes. Look for pasta sauces with low sodium and few added ingredients, or you may have to adjust the recipe.

Low-Sodium Alternative Dinner Options

Keep reading to three more foods to avoid.

Neil deGrasse Tyson's Cosmic Twitter Tutorials

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:30:58 PDT

To many Americans Neil deGrasse Tyson is the face of astrophysics and space science. As host of StarTalk Radio, host of NOVA scienceNOW, director of New York's Hayden Planetarium, and frequent guest to shows like The Colbert Report and the Daily Show, he is a top proponent of space travel and making science relevant to all age groups.

We'll get to know Neil even better when he stars as the host of a modern, updated version of Cosmos, the science show previously hosted by Carl Sagan. The show won't be hitting the airwaves until 2013, so in the meantime we'll turn to Neil's Twitter feed for daily space and science lessons. Here are our favorite recent "tweetorials" from the astrophysicist.

On the future - "In 5-billion yrs the Sun will expand & engulf our orbit as the charred ember that was once Earth vaporizes. Have a nice day."
On cheese - "How many Calories would a Moon made of cheese be, you ask? A made-of-manchego Moon = 285 septillion Calories."
On celestial wonders - "When do NorthernLights peak, you ask? The Sun's activity drives it during an 11yr cycle: Mid 2013 (Not 2012!)"
On Doctor Who - "Dr. Who geeks only: Am I last to learn that "DoctorWho" letters rearrange to "Torchwood" - their Alien-tech research center?"
On celebrating the planets - "Jul 12, 2011: Happy 1st B'day to Neptune. Discovered in 1846, today marks 1 full orbit since the Sept 24th night it was found."
On America's favorite past time - "Just an FYI: It takes twice as much energy to throw a baseball 100mph than it does to throw one at 70mph. DoThePhysics."

Gym Bags For Different Workout Occasions

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:10:39 PDT

Whether you are a runner, dancer, or swimmer, you need a bag that you can depend on. If you need a pouch for your shoes, area for wet clothes, or something with comfy straps, no problem. Here are five cool bags that we've found that will store your items perfectly for your workout of choice. Let us know what's your favorite bag.

Keep reading to see which bag works best for your sport.

Choosing a Humidifier: Warm or Cool Mist?

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:00:32 PST

Jack Frost is nipping at many of us with his chilly temps, and we're fighting back by turning up the heat. It keeps us warm, but completely dries out the air we breathe, so we end up with dry skin, chapped lips, a sore throat, dry cough, or congested sinuses. You can get relief by running a humidifier, which will add moisture back into the air. Many people use them while they sleep - the gentle whirring sound can be so relaxing.

When buying a humidifier, you'll be presented with two different types - warm mist and cool mist. To choose which one would be best for you, decide what type of air is easier for you to breathe. If you inhale well in a sauna, then a warm mist might be best. If you have allergies or asthma, opt for a cool mist humidifier instead.

How they work and are maintained may also be a factor, so to learn more about the difference between the two, keep reading.

How to Prevent Bad Breath

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:00:24 PDT

We've all been embarrassed by occasional bouts of bad breath after eating a roasted garlic pizza or a sandwich piled with onions. If you're dealing with bad breath all the time, though, it can be mortifying. So here are some tips to keep your mouth smelling fresh.

Quit cigarettes if you're a smoker.
Get your teeth checked out by your dentist. Cavities and gum disease can cause bad breath.
Brush and floss during the day, every time you eat. When food particles hang out in your mouth, bacteria collects and emits stinky hydrogen sulfur vapors. So keep a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in your purse at all times to use after coffee breaks, lunch, and snacks.
Drink more water. It'll help keep the bacteria in your mouth to a minimum.
Don't mask your bad breath with sugary mints. They'll freshen your breath briefly, but the sugar will only cause more stinky plaque to build up. If you can't brush, go for sugarless gum instead since chewing increases saliva production, which is your best weapon against bad breath.

What else can help prevent bad breath? To find out,