FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

All-Natural Cookie Love

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:45:00 -0700

Nestle's refrigerated cookie dough is an brilliant idea, and it's tempting to buy because they make it so easy to make "homemade cookies" in a flash. If you peek at the ingredients though, you'll find the dreaded partially hydrogenated oil. So what's a cookie lover in a rush to do? Check out Cookie Love. It's a family-owned cookie company that sells all-natural frozen cookie dough.

The cookie dough contains only ingredients you would use to bake the cookies yourself. This way you can get that fresh out-of-the-oven taste, without all the work. If you don't have the time to bake them, you can also order premade cookies.

I baked up a batch of the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies. Want to see what they look like and check out the nutritional info? Then

Girl Scout Cookie Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0700

It's that time of the year again. They're posted on nearly every street corner, and with more stands than there are Starbucks these sweet temptations are unavoidable. Yes, I'm talking about Girl Scout Cookie season.

I am not going to tell you to avoid them, since I've got a box of Thin Mints chilling in my freezer as we speak, but just be aware of the choices you make with this breakdown and practice moderation and self control. In case you didn't know, there are two bakers that make the cookies, ABC and Little Brownie, so I've added all variations from both bakers.

To see the full breakdown then

Chocobillys Seem Healthy, But Are They?

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:30:00 -0800

Instead of my usual Terra Blue Chips, I decided to go for the Chocobillys Cookies while on a Jet Blue flight a few weeks ago. They seemed like a sort of healthy treat (well, I mean, cookies can only be so healthy, right?). On the package it says "Cookies with a Cause" and "made with 70% organic ingredients" and "no trans fats, GMOs or other funky stuff."

Well that last statement is interesting because I guess everyone has a different definition of what "funky" is. The very first ingredient on these cookies is "organic enriched unbleached wheat flour." Enriched means that already healthy wheat flour was refined and stripped of its nutrients, and then manufacturers add some of the lost nutrients back in to make it slightly good for you. "Enriched" sounds nutritious, but it's really a scam. So if you ask me, enriched flour is pretty "funky."

The Immaculate Baking Company, the maker of these cookies, has a goal to make "top-quality baked goods...to celebrate the creativity of folk art, and to somehow give back." I think it's great that they set up the Soul Food Fund to nurture creativity, sponsor art workshops, and raise money for charities that support art in communities. That's all great, but why not use whole wheat flour instead of enriched?

Here's the deal. Just because a product states that it's organic doesn't necessarily mean that it's good for you. Remember those Kettle Pita Chips were organic too. So be on the look out, read nutrition labels, and don't be fooled by food that sounds or looks healthy.

Diet Tip: Enjoy Your Favorite Foods

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:45:00 -0700

There are many reasons that DIET is known as a four letter word. One of them being most people try to give up their favorite food completely. But that is a bad idea, if you deny yourself your favorite indulgence over and over again, you are likely to binge on that food and go overboard. Instead of depriving yourself of your favorite food, figure out how to create some boundaries.

Here are a few ideas:

Cookies - don't buy a package of Chips Ahoy cookies, buy ONE fresh baked one from your local bakery. The quality of the fresh baked cookie is bound to be better than mass produced cookies that have been sitting on the grocery shelf for who knows how long.
Pizza - pick up ONE slice of pizza instead of ordering an entire pie. Sit down and really savor that slice of pizza and don't be embarrassed to soak up the grease with a napkin.
Candy - visit the bulk section of the grocery store and only buy a small portion of your favorite candy. Three malt balls will satisfy your craving and do a lot less damage than a bag of Whoppers.
Remember if the box of cookies, the entire pizza, or the Snickers is not in your house, you cannot eat them.

Newman-O's: Like Oreos, but Healthier

FitSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Who didn't fall in love with Oreos as a kid? They are a symbol of childhood foods, along with Wonder Bread. Unfortunately, they are just a memory for me now; I waved bye-bye to all that unhealthy food of my childhood.

Now, that is not to say I still don't get a hankering for an Oreo, but lucky for me (and you if you like an edible version of memory lane to satisfy your sweet tooth) there are Newman-O's, a healthier alternative.

While a cookie is still a cookie and not the most optimal food on the planet, these Newman-O's are slightly better for you and they taste just like Oreos. I think I actually prefer the Newman-O creamy center since it doesn't taste fake like Oreos do. Maybe because Oreos are made with high fructose corn syrup and artificial vanilla. Newman-O's are made with organic sugar and contain no partially hydrogenated oils or trans fat. Oreos have a little disclaimer on their website that says if a product has less than .5g of trans fat, they can write "0g trans fat" on their label. How misleading is that?

Another great thing about Newman-O's is that they're made with organic unbleached flour. Oreos are made with enriched wheat flour. You know what that means? It's highly processed, stripped of its nutrients, and then some of the nutrients are added back in, just so they can say it's "enriched." I frown upon their sneaky ways.

Oreos may be less expensive than Newmnan-O's, but they're also made with cheaper, less-nourishing ingredients. Want to see how they compare nutritionally? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Bake Some Cookies

FitSugar — Sat, 19 May 2007 03:30:00 -0700

In the summertime, my mom would never bake anything. She said it was hot enough outside, and she didn't need a hot oven adding to it.

Now that I'm a mom, I see her point, so before it becomes full-on summer weather out there, why not bake some cookies? You can always freeze some to eat on those super hot days.

I learned this recipe for Cranberry and Walnut Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from my mom, and it's always a hit with my girls, and when we go to parties and BBQs. Plus, since I recently told you how good walnuts and cranberries are for women, this is a delicious way to get your share. Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Want to see the recipe? Then

Newman's Own Organics

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 10:15:00 -0700

What doesn't Newman's Own Organics make? I swear, every time I go to the grocery store, I see a new product. Of course I have to try it because everything they make is so darn delicious.

Not only are these products organic, benefiting you and the environment, but Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation donate all profits and royalties, after taxes, to educational and charitable purposes. They have donated over $200 million to thousands of charities worldwide since l982.

So let's get to the food. There is a special place in my stomach for their Bavarian pretzels. I love they're Salt and Pepper Pretzels too. They're baked, not fried, so they make a great snack, especially dunked in hummus. Plus they make Spelt Pretzels that are really high in fiber.

I also love their Ginger O's. They remind me of the Oreos I used to devour as a kid, but they're made with ginger cookies instead of chocolate. Not only that, they contain no hydrogenated oils, trans fat, or cholesterol. Not into this flavor? They make other flavors like Chocolate filled with chocolate creme, and Hint O' Mint.

Speaking of chocolate, I love theirs. They make bars of Sweet Dark, Butter Toffee Crunch, and Milk Chocolate with Crisp Rice which are all delicious. They also make a line of chocolate cups filled with peanut butter, caramel, and mint.

Newman's Own Organics also makes popcorn, coffee, dried fruit, Alphabet cookies, Fig Newmans (cute little pun, huh?), fresh produce and even pet food.

As you can see, they make just about everything. If you haven't tried any of their wonderful organic products yet, you simply must. I'm a HUGE fan. I do want to point out though, that even though these products are organic they are still snacks and they still have lots of calories, so enjoy them in moderation (just like you would do with Oreos).

What Is Your Crazy PMS Craving?

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 09:22:37 -0800

Aunt Flo. Monthly Visitor. My friend Ruby. Moon Cycle. Whatever you call your period, PMS seems to go by no other name. It does, however, come with some serious food cravings and I am curious to know - What is your crazy PMS craving?

What Is Your Crazy PMS Craving?

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate

Macaroni and Cheese - I need comfort food

Ice cream!!! - any flavor will do

Fried Chicken - extra crispy

Potato Chips - salt and grease the perfect combination

Oreos, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Ginersnaps - Cookies of all varieties

Other - tell me below

Applesauce for oil?

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 02:00:00 -0800

I love to make home made cookies. It's really one of my favorite things. For some time I was using applesauce in place of the oil in an effort to cut the fat, but the cookies just never tasted (or felt) the same -- and I just reverted back to the original recipe. But now I have recently learned that I was just doing it all wrong.

So, if you want to cut the fat, but still want tasty baked goods, then try these tips:

Use unsweetened applesauce.
Only replace half of the fat, not all of it.
Drain the applesauce for 5 to 10 minutes in a colander. If your colander has big holes, line it with paper towels.
You may want to try reducing the sugar content by a tad, since applesauce is naturally sweet.