FitSugar

Watch Out For: Ticks

FitSugar — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Exercising in the woods is perfect in the Summer because the challenging terrain offers you a tough workout, but the trees provide shade to prevent overheating. When on the trail you need not only to watch out for poison ivy, but be on the lookout for ticks as well. These little buggers are small, but their bites have the ability to transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, Lyme disease, and other tick-borne illnesses. Blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), lone star ticks, and American dog ticks are all on the list of things you don't want touching your body.

To prevent ticks from landing on you and attaching to your skin, wear long sleeves, pants, and tall socks that cover your shins. Lighter colored clothing will make it easier to spot these dark bugs so you can flick them off. If it's too hot for all those clothes, then spray yourself with bug repellent. Also avoid walking in tall grassy areas. Be especially cautious in May, June, and July when ticks are most active. After an excursion in an area that's known for ticks, check yourself or have someone else check your skin - don't forget your armpits, scalp, and groin.

To find out what you should do if you see a tick stuck to your body

Remove the tick from your skin by using tweezers. Don't smother the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, and don't use a hot match. You want to avoid crushing the tick to ensure that the disease-causing bacterium stays inside the tick's body. Pull the tick out and if the mouthparts are still in your skin, pull those out too. Wash the area with soapy warm water. If a tick has latched on to you and it's been less than 24 hours, your risk of contracting a disease is fairly low. Monitor the bitten area as well as your overall symptoms over the next few weeks, just to be sure.

Is it just me, or does anyone else get itchy just looking at the images of ticks?

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Watch Out For: Poison Ivy

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:30:00 PDT

Unknowingly tromping through a patch of poison ivy can turn a pleasurable hike or run in the woods into a nightmare. If you touch the plant or something that has touched it (like your dog), then the oils can get on your skin and cause a nasty, itchy, blistery rash that lasts for up to three weeks.

If you know you've gotten into some poison ivy, you want to rinse with cold water within an hour of exposure. A hot shower is the worst idea because it will open your pores and let the oils in. If you wash the oils off immediately, hopefully you'll avoid a rash altogether. If you do develop the rash, don't pop the blisters. The liquid inside won't cause the rash to spread, but you could get an infection. Use a topical anti-itch cream to relieve your symptoms and speed up the healing process.

If you learned the rule, "Leaves of three, let it be," you can throw that out the window. While poison ivy does grow in clusters of three leaves, it can also grow up to nine leaves in a group. To hear what else you should you watch out for and see some photos of this treacherous plant

This plant needs light to grow, so often you'll find it lurking on the edge of woods, roads, parking lots, and fields.
Poison ivy generally grows in a cluster of low weed-like plants, but it can also be a vine that climbs up trees.
Many plants look like poison ivy, but you'll know it's something to avoid if the base of the leaves are slightly wide. Also, the edges of the leaves have tiny "teeth."
The leaves aren't always green. They are reddish in the spring, green in the summer, and yellow or orange in the fall.
The berries are typically white.

Check out these photos from the poison-ivy.org website, so you know exactly which plants to avoid and which are harmless.

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DIY: Transform an Old Bracelet With Thread!

Allison McNamara — Sun, 27 May 2012 09:34:38 PDT

Today's DIY is simple, easy, and will instantly transform any old wooden bangle in your jewelry box - we're showing you how to make thread-wrapped bracelets! All you need is a wooden bracelet, a hot glue gun, and some colorful thread. You can go for a tribal feel with greens and browns, nautical with blue and red, or try out our take on Spring's pastel trend with light airy hues. Watch on to see how to make your own thread-wrapped bangle. On Allison McNamara: Rebecca Taylor Dress, Low Luv x Erin Wasson ring.

Moonrise Kingdom: A Retro Delight

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:00:00 PDT

Everything about Moonrise Kingdom is unmistakably Wes Anderson: the hazy cinematography, the clever dialogue, and even the use of the director's favorite actors. Indeed, Anderson isn't leaving his comfort zone as a filmmaker, but Moonrise Kingdom is still a pleasure to watch. Set in 1965, the movie tells the story of Sam and Suzy (newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward), preteen pen pals who conspire to run away together. As they set up camp all over an island off the coast of New England, they're being pursued by Sam's scout troop (led by camp counselor Edward Norton), Suzy's parents (Bill Murray and Frances McDormand), and different authorities (Bruce Willis and Tilda Swinton). Sam and Suzy's experience with young love is sweet and complicated, and made all the more dreamy through Anderson's lens.

The elements might be familiar, but Anderson proves why he's such an admired director with a film like this. It's surprisingly romantic, but there's also a real threat to Sam and Suzy in the wild. Their compelling journey paired with the optical treat of Anderson's style makes Moonrise Kingdom a must-watch for fans of the distinctive director. To find out what else I liked about the film, just keep reading.

Inversion Issues: How to Remedy Common Shoulderstand Complaints

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:14:27 PDT

You're loving your yoga class from Half Moon to Pigeon Pose, but as soon as you get to Shoulderstand, you're less than psyched. Although a basic - challenging, but basic - pose, Shoulderstand can put you at risk of strain and injury when done incorrectly. Turn this pose into your favorite by checking out these common complaints and ways to remedy them.

"I Can't Breathe"
If you're well endowed or carry extra weight in your belly, then gravity causes added pressure on the lungs and throat, making it tough to take in a deep breath. A supportive bra and fitted top can help, but if you still have trouble breathing, then changing how you do the pose will make a huge improvement. Instead of stacking your pelvis and feet directly over your shoulders, hinge at your hips slightly, pressing them away from your face so your feet extend slightly behind your head.

Still can't breathe? Try the Legs Up the Wall variation; rest your lower back on your mat or, to give your hips a little lift, rest your lower back on a folded-up blanket or flat bolster.

Continue reading to learn how to alleviate neck pain and feelings of imbalance while in Shoulderstand.

New Trailer For The Watch: See the Aliens!

Maggie Pehanick — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:21:51 PDT

The latest preview for The Watch is here, and while the first trailer for the suburban alien-fighting comedy gave us a good look at the bromance between Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill, Vince Vaughn, and Richard Ayoade, it was lacking in plot. Now we get a look at not only the characters, but also a little bit more of the story, and we even get a peek at one of the aliens. I mean, it's dead (kind of) but it's still pretty exciting.

This trailer definitely isn't as crass as the first red-band one, but I don't think its lack of crudeness takes away from the dynamic between the characters. Now we know the origin of the sweet neighborhood watch jackets ("It's like the Chinese symbol for shut up and dance!") and the group's skilled interrogation techniques. Plus we still get to see some exploding cow. The movie hits theaters July 27, but you can check out the new trailer after the jump.

Insanity's Shaun T's Last-Minute Diet and Exercise Tips

Leta Shy — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:34:46 PDT

Shaun T, the personal trainer who's motivated millions with his at-home workouts, knows how to get people in shape in a short amount of time. After all, his Insanity workout program promises incredible results in just 60 days of sweating and jumping in front of your TV.

With Summer a mere few weeks away, we spoke with Shaun about how to get in shape for anything - whether it's a beach holiday, wedding, or event - when you've only got a little time. Find out his recommendations below!

Watch your drink calories: "Don't drink your calories. That's the number one rule of thumb: not to drink your calories. It will eliminate so many calories in your body. Everybody knows that sugar that's not burnt off eventually turns into fat," says Shaun, who's also holding live workouts nationwide to promote his partnership with Powerade Zero. Shaun recommends portion control and cutting the amount of sugars and carbs in your diet in half, but "still ensure you have enough energy during the day," he says.

Kick it up a notch: "If you're a person who works out at the gym, try to take [fewer] breaks," Shaun recommends. "If you're a weight lifter, while you're not doing weights, try to do some different cardio exercise in between to try to ramp up the calorie burn."

Keep reading for more of Shaun T's last-minute diet and exercise advice!

Britney Spears Rolls Into Austin For Her First Day of X Factor Auditions

Katie Henry — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:12:46 PDT

Austin rolled out a Texas-sized welcome for X Factor judges Britney Spears, Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, and L.A. Reid today. The foursome were all smiles upon their arrival and looked ready to get down to business on their first day of taping. The group of judges is back together after meeting up last week for the official unveiling of the new X Factor judging panel.

When the cameras weren't rolling, Britney had fiancé Jason Trawick by her side, but in the studio she took her seat between Simon and Demi. It looks like Brit and Simon are getting off on a playful foot since she tweeted "Simon better watch out" and joked that they were "still waiting on Simon Cowell of course" when she arrived at the event. Taping continues in Texas tomorrow before production moves on to Kansas City, San Francisco, and Providence next month.

Inspiring Words From the Women of The Conversation

Tara Block — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:45:35 PDT

If you're not watching The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet, you're missing out! What other TV show would have Jane Fonda and Miley Cyrus talking openly about sex? On the Lifetime show - which airs tonight - British TV personality and photographer Amanda de Cadenet sits down with a variety of celebrity women in all walks of life to discuss the things we all care and talk about: sex, relationships, motherhood, body image, and depression, to name a few. Each week, ladies like Gwyneth Paltrow and Diane von Furstenberg inspire with their words of wisdom, and you can't help but feel the girl power love by the end of the episode. We've gathered some of our favorite quotes from the women so far; check them out now and read our interview with Amanda for a behind-the-scenes look at the show.

9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash When Money Is Tight

Wise Bread — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:51:58 PDT

I'm sure everyone can do with a little more cash in their wallets. Here are some great suggestions by Wise Bread for you to make extra money.

Even though I'm self-employed full-time, I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to make more money.

Earlier this year, I wrote a Wise Bread post on websites that can help you earn extra cash. More recently, I came across a blog post on Zaarly titled, "10 Ways to Make Money Without a Job." After reviewing the latter post, I thought it was time to revisit the topic and let you in on a few more ways to get paid.

The ideas that Zaarly presents are perfect for the unemployed or those who just want to pad their pockets a little more. In addition, there are moonlighting jobs that I do that I thought you should know about. Thus, if you're without a steady paycheck or you just want to build up a rainy-day stash, here are some of your options.

1. Offer Experiences to Strangers

I recently learned about a new site called Vayable, which allows people with specialized knowledge and talents, local info, and time on their hands to create experiences that others can purchase. It's basically a touring and activity company without the company. Anyone can join the site and set up an experience. For instance, the Kan Brothers offer motorcycle tours of San Francisco - which include helmet rental, a drink at a local hot spot, and a city map - for two to four people at $75 per person. In New York City, Kim G. is offering a personalized painting lesson for groups of two to six for a flat rate of $300; the experience includes acrylic paints; canvas board and supplies; studio space; wine, cheese, and crackers; and Kim’s undivided attention. Consider this tip if you're interested in joining Vayable: Browse the site to see what other people in your area are offering. By creating a unique experience that no one else has established, you have a better chance of getting booked.

Read on for more.