winter

Weight Loss

4 Reasons You're Gaining Weight This Winter

When the weather cools, the pounds have a tendency to pack on.

When the weather cools, the pounds have a tendency to pack on. If you're tired of falling victim to Winter weight gain, then it might be time to lose these seasonal habits, which may be affecting your weight more than you realize.

Skipping workouts: Hibernating seems like the right thing to do when it's cold outside, but heading to the gym shouldn't be a habit you break. If you find yourself heading straight to the couch after work, then pack your gym bag the night before and bring it into the office. Without the temptation of cozy clothes and a pile of blankets in plain sight, you'll have no excuse not to hit the gym. For those who can't seem to make an evening workout stick because it's getting darker sooner, waking up earlier in the morning or squeezing in a lunchtime workout may help you stay on track.

Not enough fresh produce: Depending on where you live, finding fresh produce during the Winter may be a bit of a struggle, which can make comfort-food indulgences more likely. If you're lucky enough to live in an area with a farmers market, don't stop going during the Winter months. Think beyond carrots and potatoes; these lesser-known root veggies might spark some kitchen inspiration. If all else fails, don't be afraid to head to your grocer's freezer for frozen vegetables. In some cases, frozen foods may be more nutritious than the same fresh veggies.

Keep reading for two more reasons you might be gaining weight this Winter.

Food and Fun

A Magical Winter Wonderland First Birthday Party

"Even though we live in Los Angeles, and it's not technically freezing over here, I still loved the idea of making a Winter wonderland-themed first birthday party for Ariella, our little Winter baby," says Emily Klaparda, mom of two and the creative mind behind Emily K Paperie.

"Even though we live in Los Angeles, and it's not technically freezing over here, I still loved the idea of making a Winter wonderland-themed first birthday party for Ariella, our little Winter baby," says Emily Klaparda, mom of two and the creative mind behind Emily K Paperie. "I didn't want to re-create those typical Winter parties with penguins, polar bears, and igloos. Instead, I had the idea in my head for a rustic, shabby-chic party that had the Winter feel, but was a bit more girlie and sophisticated — just like our little girl!"

With gorgeous and cozy details including Manzanita branch centerpieces, glittery snowflakes, a sweet hot cocoa bar, and lots of sparkly silver and pink trees, this party makes us wish it was Winter all year round (minus the freezing temperatures, of course).

Source: Emily K Paperie

New Year

26 Jaw-Dropping Recipes We Made This January

This past month we've been working on our culinary resolutions, which have included eating a little cleaner, cooking basics to make at home, and indulging in some comforting classics.

This past month we've been working on our culinary resolutions, which have included eating a little cleaner, cooking basics to make at home, and indulging in some comforting classics. From green juice to limoncello Champagne cocktails, buttermilk pancakes to truffle mac and cheese, take a look at all the jaw-dropping recipes we made this January.

digital culture

The 5 Best Forecasting Apps For Winter Weather Prep

Today's forecast? App-y. Weather apps are a dime a dozen — in fact, one comes standard with all phones!

Today's forecast? App-y. Weather apps are a dime a dozen — in fact, one comes standard with all phones! But we've sifted through the muck and found mobile iOS apps that'll tell you what you need to know and when you need to know it as quickly as possible. And they've got beautiful interfaces, too.

From highly detailed weather reports to truly minimalist forecasts, we've got the right download for your iOS device. Whether you're planning for a trip or just the day ahead, here are five of the best weather apps to keep you on top of the latest meteorological conditions.

  • Today Weather ($2) — This app is our favorite, with tons of info to satisfy weather geeks and an elegant, easy-to-use interface. View a highs/lows weekly forecast (pictured in upper right), a detailed hour-by-hour daily report with sunset times, or a dashboard with multiple locations. The app also pulls severe weather reports from national weather agencies.
  • Dark Sky ($4) — Rain, rain, go away! Dark Sky specializes in precipitation and creates custom forecasts based on precise location and gives minute-to-minute predictions. The latest update added push notifications that send an alert if you're in the path of a storm.
  • Solar: Weather ($2) — In the beauty department, the app beats the rest. It uses an ombré background (pictured in top left) to show that day's weather and temperature. But the best part about Solar is the integrated gestures: pinch to view multiple locations, and swipe up or down to see one- or three-day forecasts.

There's more meteorological goodness after the break.

Fitness

Suit Up For These 4 Dark Night Workouts

Running and biking around town can be more of a challenge once the sun goes down, and the darkness is an easy excuse to forfeit a workout.

Running and biking around town can be more of a challenge once the sun goes down, and the darkness is an easy excuse to forfeit a workout. There are plenty of other ways to exercise, though, so put a few in your back pocket for those especially cold Winter nights. From restorative yoga to a workout that will still get you outside, here are four reasons to get your sweat on in the dark.

candlelight yoga

Candlelit yoga: Since most candlelit yoga classes focus on restorative poses, it's a prime de-stresser after work ends. These classes are usually only available at night, so there's no amount of darkness to talk you out of going. The soothing classes are a more relaxing form of the practice that are meant to give you peace and a blissful state of mind. Think of them as the chamomile tea of yoga.

Rooftop jump rope: If you have a backyard or access to an enclosed roof, embrace the fresh air, which will help cool you off as you jump rope outdoors. Not only can you forget about low ceilings and breakables in the open air, but it can also make you jump for longer as you try to heat your body up!

Boxing: Since boxing is done in the gym anyway, why not take advantage of the dark nights and punch a bag indoors? This power workout can help alleviate all your stress from the day so that you go to bed feeling light and a little tired just in time to hit the pillow. Try a regular boxing class or turbo kickboxing at your gym, where you can vibe off of a large group's energy.

DVD workout: You don't even leave your living room to try one of our home workout videos. Just roll out a mat or towel and get your workout clothes on as if you're going to the gym, so that you don't feel the need to hold back. For a simple layout, try this no-excuse workout — and no equipment is necessary!

budget tips

3 Simple Winter Savings Tips

The weather outside is still frightful, and unfortunately, the calendar is no longer filled with homey holiday parties that keep you indoors and outside of stores.
Winter Saving Tips

The weather outside is still frightful, and unfortunately, the calendar is no longer filled with homey holiday parties that keep you indoors and outside of stores. The simplest way to prioritize saving is to automate it, but there are plenty of other ways to maximize your saving potential rain or shine. Try these simple tips to keep your budget on track and bills manageable.

beauty tips

3 Gentle Ways to Help Decongest Clogged Winter Pores

When the weather gets chilly and windy, skin gets dry, flaky, and easily irritated.

When the weather gets chilly and windy, skin gets dry, flaky, and easily irritated. No surprise, then, that clogged pores pose a major problem. In warmer weather, using acid or a drying agent like benzoyl peroxide is the easy solution, but when skin is already sensitized, both often just end up inflaming things further. Don't worry, though. There are plenty of gentle ways to keep pores clear. To see three of the easiest fixes, just keep reading.

Cooking Basics

From Apples to Zucchini: Your Seasonal Produce Guide

Here at YumSugar HQ, we like to eat seasonally, but with the vast abundance of fruits and vegetables available, it can be a little tricky to keep track of what's available when.

Here at YumSugar HQ, we like to eat seasonally, but with the vast abundance of fruits and vegetables available, it can be a little tricky to keep track of what's available when. While one could always just take a stroll through the market to find out what's in season, we'll be turning to this comprehensive glossary in order to plan our menus ahead of time.

nostalgia

We're Melting Over Retro Pics of Bundled-Up Sundance Stars

Squeeze into your thermals and get those mittens ready, the Sundance Film Festival kicks off in Park City, UT, on Jan.

Squeeze into your thermals and get those mittens ready, the Sundance Film Festival kicks off in Park City, UT, on Jan. 17. Sure, we're always inspired by the fest's noteworthy films and stylish leading ladies, but nothing keeps us warm down to our toes like the hot actors at Sundance. Big-time actors and indie stars alike have been braving the low temps at the snowy film fest for years. And while some pull off the Winter wear with sexy ease, some actors have worn questionable cold-weather looks over the years. Check out Sundance's finest all bundled up and weigh in: are these actors making you hot or have they left you cold?