YumSugar

Happy Hour: Paloma

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:20:42 PDT

If you're a fan of the margarita, then you've got to try the paloma. Mexico's most popular tequila drink, the paloma traditionally consists of tequila and grapefruit soda. It's served on the rocks with a lime wedge garnish. The recipe here is an upscale take on the classic version. Instead of grapefruit soda, it's made with fresh grapefruit juice, club soda, and simple syrup. The resulting cocktail is wonderful, and I couldn't help but wonder why I had never had one before! It's tart, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. Read on for the recipe to this addictive beverage.

5 Natural Scents to Energize You

Heather Dale — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:15:10 PDT

When Spring arrives, the air is instantly filled with the smell of sweet blooming flowers. That smell alone motivates me to get outside and enjoy the nice weather. How do scents influence your mood and feelings? Does the smell of lavender relax you while the smell of eucalyptus promotes alertness? If you need some assistance getting your Spring training started (don't forget about cleaning your closet!), have a peek at five of the following natural scents that will boost your energy levels.

Savory Sight: Blood Orange and Avocado Salad

Yum Community — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:39:17 PST

If you've found this season's salads to be a bit lacking, take inspiration from this wintry mix that lauren recently prepared.I love trying out new salad combinations; this one is grapefruit, blood orange, avocado, arugula with a homemade basil dijon mustard vinaigrette.

Have a favorite version of greens? Share it with the rest of us by uploading it into the YumSugar Community's food photography group, Savory Sights.

In Season: Grapefruit

Katie Sweeney — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 03:05:32 PST

While most citrus - lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits - are available year round, Winter is when it's at its peak. With their vibrant pink flesh and tart refreshing flavor, now is the time to enjoy the subtropical grapefruit. The grapefruit, which is a hybrid citrus born of the pomelo and sweet orange, was first discovered in Barbados in the 18th century. Today, the US is the largest producer of grapefruit with orchards in Florida, Texas, California, and Arizona. The most popular kind of grapefruit is the Ruby Red, a pink variety with a deep red flesh. For more info on grapefruit, including how to select them at the store and what to make with them, keep reading.

A Reader Recipe: Warm Grapefruit With Cinnamon

Fit Community — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:10:20 PST

Just in time for National Grapefruit Month is this recipe from FitSugar reader actorsdiet. She posted it in the Healthy Recipe community group.

Broiled Grapefruit
The Actor's Diet Food Blog

Get fancy with your breakfast!

Ingredients

Grapefruit
Cinnamon

Directions

Cut grapefruit in half, section with a knife. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Broil for 3-4 minutes in the toaster oven.

See more pics and easy recipe ideas on theactorsdiet.com!

Print recipe with images | without images

Got a similarly delicious recipe? Head on over to the Healthy Recipe community group and share one of your own.

Fit For February: Must Haves

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:30:36 PST

It's February and we have red, pink, and hearts on the brain. Whether you're loving your sweetie for Valentine's Day or giving yourself a healthy makeover in honor of American Heart Month, we've got you covered in our February Must Haves.

Fit For December: Must Haves

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 04:30:41 PST

Even though it's officially gift giving season, you might have your eyes on a few treats for yourself. The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it surely isn't the healthiest. If a new piece of gear or a shiny new gadget will help keep you motivated through the month of December, I say that's a small price to pay for health. Here are my picks to keep you warm, healthy, and stress-free during this hectic, holiday-filled month.

Summer of Salads: Grilled Peach Salad With Grapefruit

partysugar — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:00:46 PDT

This Summer, I've been all about mastering certain cooking techniques. First I tried out several variations of pasta with pesto. Then, I practiced my pie dough-making skills. Now I'm perfecting my grilled peach salad.

I made it in July, but wasn't totally satisfied with the outcome. The peaches were too ripe and instead of softly caramelizing them, the grill made them mushy. For my second try, I used this recipe. There's no cheese, instead the peach's sweet flavor is balanced by tart grapefruit.

The quick vinaigrette is a simple mixture of oil and grapefruit juice that lightly coats each of the green leaves. This grilled peach salad is less complicated than the first, but sometimes the most basic things taste better. I served it alongside a decadent pesto lasagna. To give this recipe a whirl, keep reading.

Learn to Love: Pink Grapefruit

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:00:15 PST

In my mind, nothing beats the tang of a pink grapefruit in the morning. Considered a classic diet food, it has been much abused by the weight loss industry - remember the Grapefruit Diet? This is no reason to ignore this healthy citrus fruit. Learn why you should learn to love grapefruit of the pink variety.

Both varieties of grapefruit are low in calories. A serving of the pink fruit contains only 65 calories and two grams of fiber. Grapefruit is also high in vitamin C, offering 48 milligrams in one serving. Plus it is in season now.
Not only does pink grapefruit contain the hard-to-come-by antioxidant lycopene, the citrus fruit also contains a broad range of other antioxidants. Lycopene might have anti-tumor properties and is a powerful enemy of free radicals, which cause cell damage, so it's definitely a micronutrient you want to include in your diet.
Research found that eating half a grapefruit before every meal can lead to greater weight loss in dieters. While I might not be able to eat the fruit before every meal, eating some before breakfast seems highly doable. Not only that, but the scent of grapefruit oil has been found to reduce the appetite. Researchers speculate the oil's smell has an effect on liver enzymes, which help nix cravings and spur weight loss.
Grapefruit is not just for breakfast anymore. Add sections of the fruit to salads, like this jerk-grilled chicken with arugula salad. It pairs nicely with avocado too.The tangy fruit also makes for a great dessert in a grapefruit sabayon gratin.

Love it or hate it, tell me how you feel about pink grapefruit in the comment section below.

Come Party With Me: Cookie Swap - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:00:22 PST

At a cookie swap, it's a good idea to have an assortment of refreshments, especially if hosting the party in the afternoon. Some people will want alcohol and others will not. Set out pots of coffee and tea and a pitcher of sparkling water with cranberries. Fill a bucket with ice and place individual cartons of milk inside. Pour sparkling wine and offer one signature cocktail. Avoid serving a libation that's too sweet; instead opt for a tart-refreshing concoction like a grapefruit sparkler. This drink is basically a mimosa with grapefruit juice. To get the easy recipe,