YumSugar

Casa Verde: Quaker Oats Fuel This School

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 06:15:22 -0700

I love to see America's universities taking a lead in environmental awareness and sustainability, so I was thrilled to hear about the University of Iowa's biomass project. For the past few years, the university has worked with a local Quaker Oats plant to replace the burning of coal with the burning of oat hulls, which are a waste product from the Quaker Oats factory.

About 60 tons of discarded oat hulls from Quaker Oats are delivered daily to the UI power plant, and this organic material is burned with coal to produce energy for the school. The oat hulls fuel 15 percent of the school’s total energy, generating nearly nine million kilowatt-hours of biomass power annually. This is equal to the amount of energy needed to power 900 average American homes annually.

Thanks to the use of the oat hulls, the university has reduced its emissions by seven percent already, equalling a reduction of 70,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year and 30,000 tons of coal per year, which isn't burned. Ferman Milster, associate utility director, says that the decision to move to oat hulls was easy. “I immediately recognized that burning biomass material has a very positive environmental impact and I saw an opportunity to reduce the University’s purchased-energy costs. Plus, the money we pay for that fuel material stays in Iowa."

You can watch a video documenting the project, as well as the University of Iowa's other green measures, when you read more.

Source

Wake Up and Smell the Oatmeal!

YumSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:13:31 -0800

There are some pretty fun alarm clocks out there, but this weekend the internet was abuzz over a different kind of alarm clock. According to Scotland's Daily Record, Quaker Oats is testing a bedside alarm in the UK. Now you'll be able to wake up to a warm bowl of porridge or oatmeal each and every morning.

The device, which is called The Porridgemaid, contains a thermos to keep the milk cold overnight. However, once the alarm goes off, the thermos is heated up and in three minutes you've got yourself a bowl of breakfast. In our ever increasingly fast-paced lifestyles, I suppose every minute counts. However, I could see myself reaching for the snooze button and putting my hand right into a bowl of porridge. It also reminds me of the episode of The Office where Michael cooks his foot, and we all know that that was a completely bad idea. What do you think!?

Source

Enter the Dark Chocolate Cherry Experience Sweepstakes!

YumSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:20:19 -0700

Granola bars are going gourmet - but also guilt-free. Our friends at Quaker Snack Bars have created Quaker Chewy 90 Calorie Bars in two yummy new flavors: Dark Chocolate Cherry and Strawberry Vanilla. Made from Quaker Oats, these granola bars have indulgent and rich flavors, but they are low fat and just 90 calories, so it's a snack you can feel good about.

To celebrate that goodness, enter Quaker's Dark Chocolate Cherry Experience Sweepstakes! From now until May 30, you can enter to win your Dream Bag: a cherry-red designer handbag filled with luxury cosmetics, an iPod Nano and Quaker Chewy Products. No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 to enter; read the official rules here.

Thanks to Quaker Snack Bars for sponsoring this post.

Enter the Dark Chocolate Cherry Experience Sweepstakes!

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:15:00 -0700

I like the taste of granola bars, but they can be packed with calories. Thankfully, our friends at Quaker Snack Bars have created Quaker Chewy 90 Calorie Bars in two yummy new flavors: Dark Chocolate Cherry Flavor and Strawberry Vanilla Flavor. Made from Quaker Oats, these granola bars have indulgent and rich flavors, but they are low fat and just 90 calories, so it's a snack you can feel good about.

Thanks to Quaker Snack Bars for sponsoring this post.

Top Chef Quiz: All-Star Showdown

partysugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:15:19 -0800

Last night's Top Chef was an interesting episode. The chefs cooked with Quaker Oats, Padma dressed up like a football referee, and contestants from seasons past made an appearance. Were you watching? Did you pay attention to all of the delicious details? Find out now when you take my quiz!

Source

Take the quiz

Top Chef Recap 5.10: Super Bowl Chef Showdown

partysugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:30:40 -0800

The outcome of last night's Top Chef surprised me: I was certain another cheftestant was going to go home. Did you catch the competition? Quaker Oats was the obvious sponsor of the quick fire challenge and the chef, Scott Conant, of New York City's Scarpetta acted as guest judge. What did you think of the Super Bowl themed episode? To discuss in more detail (warning: spoilers ahead), read more.

What did you think of the anti-climatic quickfire challenge? Were you surprised Stefan won the quickfire?
Is this season so boring that Bravo had to bring back old cheftestants?
Are the all-stars really stars? (I only remember the season 4 cheftestants)
How could Jamie not know what to make for San Francisco? She is representing SF!
Were you as happy as I was to see Andrew and Spike?
Carla: crazy or cool?
I was confused by the crowd judging. Did they get to taste the food?
When Carla said, "a 20 minute gumbo? It's going to be a little bit daunting." All I could think about was Rachael Ray. She could definitely make a good gumbo in a mere 20 minutes.
Does warm ceviche sound appetizing to you?
Were the judges right to send home Jeff?

Source

Lil Links: Mom Was Right, Wash Hands to Keep Germs Away

LilSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:00:03 -0800

Mom was right, wash hands to keep germs away - Heath
Kate Winslet's hubby, Sam Mendes says fatherhood set him free - Celebrity Baby Blog
Kingston plays with the paps - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Capture the moment photo contest! - Fit Pregnancy
Hello Barack Obama, goodbye abstinence - Parent Dish
Are you a Facebook fan? - Momversation
Nice guy award: Quaker Oats - Alpha Mom
No escape mittens - CafeMom

Recall Alert: Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0800

Yep, another recall folks, and this time it isn't beef! Surprised? It's innocent old pancake and waffle mix from Aunt Jemima, which is made by the Quaker Oats Company. Why? Potential salmonella contamination, from raw or uncooked ingredients. Thankfully, no illnesses have been reported yet.

They're recalling a small quantity of: Original, Original Complete, and Buttermilk Complete products. The recalled mixes were sold in two and five-pound boxes, with best-before dates of Feb. 8, 2009 through Feb. 16, 2009 stamped on the top. I'm not sure how many of you use Aunt Jemima pancake and waffle mix, but if you have some, check your box. If it has these dates, bring it back to the store you bought it at for a full refund. If you are missing pancakes, you can always try to make your own whole-wheat pancakes.

These food recalls are just so unnerving. Do you guys feel the same way, or do you shrug off food recalls because there are so many of them?

Cures for an Empty Stomach

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Now you know why it is important not to let yourself get super hungry, you need some hints how to avoid running on empty. Well, Women's Health has compiled of list of ways to effectively quiet the rumble of your empty belly without adding to the all around girth of your belly.

Here are the top ten suggestions:

Pack a packet: Instant oatmeal beats out All Bran and Muesli for fullness factor. We love Quaker's Weight Control Maple and Brown Sugar -- it tastes heavenly and has more fiber, protein, and whole grains than the regular variety. (Me? I am more of an Irish Steel Cut Oats gal.)
Find berry treasure: Raspberries are one of the most fiber-filled fruits, packing 8 grams into a cupful -- a whopping 32 percent of your RDA. Add some to your cereal or yogurt.
Can the juice: Whole fruit has a higher fiber content and makes you feel fuller than fruit juices, even those with pulp.
Make a dinner date: A study found that women eat less than usual on dates (men tend to eat a lot more).
But don't eat by candlelight: Dim light can trigger binge eating.
Better yet, make it a blind date: It's worth a try -- dine blindfolded and you'll eat 22 percent less food without missing it. Just watch out for the salad fork.
Bulk up: Soluble fiber expands in your GI tract to make you feel full, so get your 25-gram RDA. That's a packet of oatmeal, two slices of whole-wheat bread, and 1 cup each of broccoli, edamame, and raw carrots.
Ignore diet labels: One study found that after eating full-fat muffins, subjects were less hungry and ate less over the next 24 hours than after eating a fat-free version.
Hold your breath: Just smelling a fresh-baked cupcake in the break room can induce the insulin secretion that makes you think you're hungry. Sight activates the appetite snowball too, so avert your eyes.
Down a multivitamin: Research suggests that your body may compensate for a lack of nutrients by increasing your appetite so you'll eat more.

Women's Health has a suggestion for almost every situation! Plus there are forty more tips! Read them all in Get Your Fill. It's a belly full of information.

Source

Fiber Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 08:30:00 -0800

A new UK study shows that women who eat a diet high in fiber significantly reduce their risk for breast cancer by up to 50%. WOW.

According to the study, pre-menopausal women need to eat 30 grams of fiber daily to reap the benefits. One serving of Quaker Old Fashioned Oats contains 4 grams of fiber. So eating oatmeal is not enough, but it's always a great way to start off your fiber day.

Sadly, the average American only eats about 15 grams of fiber daily. Switching to whole wheat bread and eating 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day should do the trick. Beans and legumes are another great way to add fiber to your diet. Or you can always supplement with high fiber products like Metamucil.

The researchers feel their study "further highlights the importance of eating a healthy diet for reducing the risk of cancer."

I eat some whole wheat toast to that.