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Cold Weather Tip: Warm up Indoors

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0700

I don't know about you but working out in the cold can sometimes be uncomfortable because it makes my muscles extra tight. What helps me is to warm up inside before heading out into the chilly weather.

Before a run or bike ride, I do about 5-10 minutes of light cardio inside. Jogging in place, jumping rope, or going up and down my stairs is just enough activity to loosen up my body and get my blood pumping. When I get outside, it's less of a shock to my system. If you'd rather do your warm-up exercises outside, a hot shower is another great way to loosen up your muscles before a cold weather workout.

Oh, Stormy: 5 Ways to Weather-Proof That Hair

BellaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:00:38 -0700

Ugh. The weather over the last week has been crappy, and my hair has totally rolled over into submission. Welcome to the grossest season, I guess. There are so many great things about this time of year, but the inclement transitional weather isn't one of them. To keep myself from giving up hope, I've decided to rally and find some ways to keep my hair looking good in spite of the gray mess outside. I've put together five solid ideas for keeping things smooth and pretty, whether the humidity's giving you crazy curls or sad, lank locks. To storm-proof your crowning glory, just keep reading

Do You Change Your Fitness Routine During the Fall?

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:00:30 -0700

Fall spells cooler weather and shorter days. As the seasons change, I notice that I change up my fitness routine quite a bit too. I stay indoors more and will opt for the rowing machine over an early morning bike ride.

What's most interesting to me is that I make the effort to wake up extra early to work out in the morning. Something about leaving work in the freezing dark dampens my fitness spirit.

What about you - do the Fall and Winter months affect your fitness routine?

In Season: Sweet Limes

YumSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:50:06 -0800

Although the assortment of produce seems to be more varied when the weather is warmer, I encountered an unusual fruit on a recent trip to the farmers market: the sweet lime. Also referred to as a Palestine sweet lime, the citrus fruit is native to India, where it's used medicinally to allay upset stomachs, nausea, and throat infections. It's still somewhat obscure in America, but the hardy lime, which blooms in Winter and Spring, has long been commercially grown in Vietnam, Egypt, along the Mediterranean coastline, and in states such as California and Florida. To learn how sweet limes get their yellow color, read more.

Generally, limes are picked while they're still green, but they actually turn yellowish in color when completely mature. Likewise, green sweet limes, while unoffensive, have yet to reach their full sweetness. Rather than having a high amount of sugar, the fruit contains less acid than ordinary limes, causing it to taste sweeter. Although the fruit's pale yellow flesh is praised for its mildness and palatability, some have described the fruit's taste as insipid due to its complete lack of tartness.

A few ways to use sweet limes:

Make sweet limeade, or add some to your ice water for a refreshing aroma.
Use the fruit's juice to make sweet lime-flavored granita.
Incorporate the fragrant peel into in a homemade marmalade.
Toss into a Winter fruit salad for an unusual bite.
Tone down your cocktails by using in place of sour limes.

If you've ever encountered sweet limes, how do you enjoy them?

Ultra Rich Skin Relief with Biotherm's Baume Ultra Riche

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:00:39 -0800

I'm sometimes flaky (my skin, that is). Winter can cause peeling patches on my legs so, for the past three weeks, I've been testing a new product for extremely dry skin – Biotherm Baume Ultra Riche.

When squeezing the tube, I was first surprised how thick the cream felt (a dime-sized amount covered my entire leg and foot). It's rich with omega fats – which cut inflammation and irritation – and nourishing shea butter. I can definitely notice a difference in looks and appearance. This body balm lives up to its claim of intensive repairing and nourishment, but, be forewarned, it also includes apricot oil and pulp. This helps skin retain elasticity, clarity, and suppleness with an accompanying fruity aroma. At $23, the lotion's on the pricier side for this economy. But, since a little goes such a long way, I'd say it's worth the investment.

Winter and Carb Cravings

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:02:50 -0800

If you crave carbs during the short days of Winter, you are not alone. There seem to be a couple of physiological factors involved. Since there is less sunlight, due to shorter days, our bodies make less vitamin D (aka the sunshine vitamin). It helps keep your mood nice and sunny since it naturally boosts serotonin levels. Serotonin is the feel-good brain chemical that modulates mood, emotion, and sleep. Carbs provide a serotonin rush, so eating all that bread and pasta is a means of self-medicating with food sources. Exercise also creates serotonin, so don't skimp out on your workouts. You need them during these long nights of Winter to keep your spirits up!

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How-To: Keep a Neat and Clean Winter Entry

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:15:48 -0800

Just because your Winter routine involves boots, mittens, and lots of ice and snow doesn't mean that the front room of your home has to look cluttered and dirty. Check out my tips for keeping it clean and tidy.
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The Cold Weather Fat Craving Connection

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0800

Have you noticed chilly weather seems to turn many of us into something like a bear seeking fat before hibernating all Winter? I know the connection between cold weather and fatty foods isn't true for everyone, but many of you voted on this poll that you do indeed crave the fat when the temperature is low.

According to sports nutritionist Ryan Kohler temperatures below freezing can increase a person’s basic energy needs when compared to the amount of energy it takes to simply "exist" at room temperature, which is between 60 and 70 degrees F. In colder temperatures it takes more energy to keep the core temperature of the body stable. That makes sense, right?

Possibly a stronger factor in fatty-food craving is tradition and association - the mind is a powerful thing when it comes to cravings. After all, the Thanksgiving meal, which really seems to kick off the Winter season, at least mentally, is full of fatty, rich foods. Maybe it is the lack of sunlight combined with the cold that makes us crave comfort foods. Since fat, as an ingredient, tends to make food tastier and thereby more palatable. We associate fatty foods with cold weather.

I was craving fat like crazy, not that I live in a climate where temperatures get anywhere close to, let alone remain, below freezing. To combat my desire for ice cream I made sure to take my fish oil supplement daily and, anecdotally speaking, it totally helped. Do you take a fish oil supplement?

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Three Takes on Indoor Hide-and-Seek

PetSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:30:21 -0800

There's no secret that hide-and-seek's a fun game to play indoors on wintry days for pets and kids alike. When I think of animal-friendly versions, a couple options come to mind – those where treats are hidden and sought out by nosy noses and those where family members are sniffed out . . . if you've got enough space to trick a doggie into playing, that is.

However, North's favorite take of this activity is a combination of all his favorite things – fetching, running, and yummies, of course. To get started, all you need is a toy your furball will want to chase – like a squeaky ball – and a tiny training treat. Get my four steps to fun when you read more.

Throw the toy.
As your pet chases it, run and hide (in my tiny apartment, this usually means next to the bed or in the closet).
When your pup goes to "fetch," call his name until he finds you.
Reward with a treat for letting go of the toy and repeat.

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Have You Ever Chopped Firewood?

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:00:00 -0800

When I was growing up, we used a woodstove for supplemental heat. It provided a cozy spot to gather after dinner, and certainly warmed up the main rooms of the house. However, all of that wood heating meant that I had to chop and stack a lot of logs, too.

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