FitSugar

Yummy Links: From Guy's New Show to the Top Chef Reunion

partysugar — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:00:46 -0800

Guy Fieri will host Perfect 10, an upcoming game show on NBC. - Grub Street NY
A look at all the food blogs that got book deals in 2009. - Eat Me Daily
More bad news about plastic water bottles. - The Atlantic
Are table manners important when dining abroad? - The Epi-Log
How the food world has changed since 1999. - Chow
What did you think of Gordon Ramsay's live cookalong? - Serious Eats
Learn the easy way to seed a pomegranate. - Food Wishes
Eight observations from the Top Chef Vegas reunion show. - Eater

Thirsty For Change? US Mayors Tap Tap Water, Ban the Bottle

LibertySugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:15:18 -0700

The US Conference of Mayors, meeting in Miami, banned bottled water this week. The cities will no longer use municipal funds to purchase water bottles.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who proposed the resolution along with 17 other big-city mayors, said:

"Cities are sending the wrong message about the quality of public water when we spend taxpayer dollars on water in disposable containers from a private corporation."

But Newsom isn't exactly the first person on the tap-water train. Sixty American mayors have already canceled their hydration contracts, and some places in Canada have also banned the bottle.

Rejecting plastic water bottles is more environmentally and financially sustainable. Millions of bottles a day do not get recycled, and the plastic takes at least 1,000 years to biodegrade.

The American Beverage Association feels betrayed. In a statement, the association reminded those ready to turn on the bottle that private companies come to the rescue during emergencies that compromise public water systems. The statement also notes that plastic bottles are 100 percent recyclable.

Should thirsty city workers be subjected to tap water? First plastic bags, now plastic water bottles, whatever will we do?! Well, here are some great alternatives to the plastic water bottle.

Source

Get in Gear: Pink Ribbon Water Bottle

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to tell you about this Ribbons Within a Ribbon Water Bottle. It's being sold on the Breast Cancer Site Store, and for each bottle purchased, the organization will fund 1 percent of a mammogram for a woman who otherwise couldn't afford one.

The unique design is a multitude of small pink ribbons that make up one big pink ribbon, to symbolize how individuals can join together to make a difference.

This 28 oz. water bottle has a screw-on lid that won't leak, and it has indented textured finger holds for easy gripping. The wide-mouth makes it easy to clean with a sponge, or you can also put it in the dishwasher. When you buy this water bottle ($9.95) from the Breast Cancer Site Store, you can feel good about helping women get screened for breast cancer, and you'll also be helping the environment with this reusable bottle.

Plastic Water Bottles: Really Bad for the Environment

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 11:00:00 -0700

You all know I am all about hydration. I even made a cool little water calculator so you can compute how much water you should be drinking! Now, if you drink a lot of bottled water, I am urging your to take a minute and weigh your convenience against the environmental impact of all that plastic.

Most folks drink their bottled water on the go and there is no convenient way to recycle the plastic bottles. In 2003, about 40 million bottles a day went into the trash, or even more unfortunately became litter. These billions of bottles take up valuable landfill space, leak toxic additives into the groundwater and take a whopping 1,000 years to biodegrade, if ever.

The high price of bottled water is not the water but, in actuality, the cost of the bottling, packaging, shipping, marketing, retailing and transporting it all over the globe. When calculating your carbon footprint, you might want to consider the carbon footprint of the bottled water you drink. Next time you pick up a bottle of Fiji Water, think about the distance the bottle and the water have traveled before it hits your lips.

It is true that tap water is more regulated than bottled water, so you should drink from the tap. Want to read about some alternatives to drinking plastic bottled water? then read more

Filter your tap water with a Brita Water Filter, especially if lead and mercury are your major concerns.
Pour your filtered tap water into a metal SIGG bottle. They are lightweight, durable and dishwasher safe. I love mine!!!
Buy Biota bottled water. The bottle is made from 100% corn (a renewable resources) and it decomposes in a commercial composting situation in 70 - 80 days. It will take longer to break down in a home composting pile, but it breaks down!!!
If you do happen to buy a plastic bottle, just remember to recycle it!!!

More About Plastic Water Bottles

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I don't know about you, but those warnings about the BPA in plastic water bottles possibly causing cancer and urinary tract problems really didn't sit well with me. So my old Nalgene is now a lantern, and I now use my Sigg or Klean Kanteen bottle instead. I'm really glad I've made the switch since a new study has linked BPA to even more health risks. This is just a preliminary study, but it shows that the BPA used in plastic water bottles, baby bottles, and the lining of some cans could possibly also cause heart disease and diabetes. This chemical has been used in these types of products for years, but recent studies with animals suggest that it can also affect hormones, fertility, and can cause developmental problems in the brain.

In this recent study, researchers examined results of a survey of 1,455 American adults who gave urine samples in 2003-04. Each person reported what health problems they were experiencing, if any. Of all the samples, 90 percent had detectable BPA in their urine. Those with the most BPA also suffered from heart disease and diabetes. Coincidence? It seems further testing needs to be conducted to see if there really is a connection between BPA use and health issues. I'm still not taking any chances though. What about you?

Source

Did You Buy a BPA-Free Plastic Water Bottle?

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

When news about Nalgene bottles causing cancer broke, I ditched my old plastic bottle and bought a metal one. They're a lot heavier, though, and not the most ideal to take on hikes and walks. I just bought new BPA-free plastic water bottles for my hubby and me.

What about you . . .

Daily Green: Lunch With a Side of Sustainability

OnSugar Blog — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:00:51 -0800

Check out this great eco tip from the OnSugar blog The Green Life.

I pride myself on having made the switch from plastic to reusable water bottles long ago but still find myself shamefully relying on plastic sandwich and snack baggies when packing lunch. Not sure what my options were, I spent a little time shopping around this weekend and found a huge market of sustainable alternatives to plastic. Options range from organic cotton to recycled, but all divert waste from our landfills while saving you money in the long run.

Reusablebags has a great selection with lots of different design choices and prices from $3 to $30+. If you have the time I recommend the DIY approach. The crafty people at CraftyStylish can show you how to make a reusable sandwich in a snap.

For more tips on green living, start following The Green Life or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe we'll post your story here on FitSugar!

Clean Up the "Carbage" Because It Can Drive a Mom Crazy!

LilSugar — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:00:00 -0800

Garbage in the car can make a mom crazy, especially if she spends a portion of her day shuttling the kiddos. Some people chalk it up to having children, but many parents had cluttered vehicles before babies. Whether it's snack wrappers, forgotten toys, or spare clothes, here are five tips to eliminate the moving mess!

One-toy rule. Lil ones love to bring a toy box worth of goodies with them wherever they go, but few kiddos ever get to playing with all their loot, so limit them to one belonging. And make sure they exit the vehicle with it.
Pay the meter, toss the trash. Food cartons, water bottles, and juice boxes can add up - especially when kids need to snack between activities. To prevent backseat buildup, toss the trash each time you park or pay a meter. Turn it into a game for your youngsters by delegating the task to one of them.
Save the paper and plastic. Find a spot in the trunk or glove compartment and start a bag arsenal. Instead of tossing the sacks you get at the drug or grocery store, keep a few to use as trash receptacles or in an emergency.
Assigned seating. Most families have one messy kid- the child who has mysteriously sticky hands or empties his sandy sneakers on the car mats - so stick to assigned seats that hold each kid responsible for his or her space.
Weekly wipe down. Keep your vehicle tidy using wet wipes and a hand vac to clean spills and hard to reach crumbs at least once a week and make sure to enlist your children in the routine. When they find out how much time and energy goes into cleaning up soiled messes, they are less likely to make another one!

Do You Need a Charlybox?

PetSugar — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:52 -0800

It's not quite picnic weather in most parts of the country but, even if you're traveling by heated car, would you tote this? It looks like a toolbox with a flattened version of those containers stations sell when you run out of gas. Not that it's ever happened to me . . . on the way to get North's shots. But I digress.

The two-sided Charlybox has a section with indented bowls for kibble and water while the other half holds two-liters of bonus liquid. It boasts to be virtually indestructible and looks the part, too. Would you use this or make do with a plastic baggie and a bottle instead?

Gear Review: Clear2Go Water Bottle With Filter

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:56 -0800

I've been carrying a reusable water bottle with me for years now, filling up on tap water as needed. Well, portable water just got a little cleaner with the Clear2Go water bottle ($16). It's your standard water bottle with a squeeze top made for cycling, but it comes with its very own water filter. The filter adds a little weight to the bottle, but it filters out 99.9 percent of microbial cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia), reduces the chlorine taste of water, and reduces lead and mercury. Using "trickle down technology" developed originally by NASA, one filter, which actually filters the water on the way out of the bottle, lasts for 100 gallons, or 533 refills - keeping an estimated 757 plastic bottles out of landfills. Replacement filters are available in two packs and cost $13.

Lance Armstrong is a fan of these eco and health friendly reusable bottles, and if you become of fan of Clear2Go on Facebook you can enter to win a bike ride with the seven-time winner of the Tour de France. You can purchase your mobile filtration system directly from Clear2Go. They make great holiday gifts and would definitely get you well on your way to filling a loved one's stocking.