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Weekend Well-Being: Literally "Run" an Errand

FitSugar — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

This weekend, I urge you to take advantage of the cooling temperatures when you take care of your weekend business and literally run an errand.

Need to return books to the library? Put them in a backpack and run there. Imagine how easy the run home will be with no books loading you down. Need to drop off some dry cleaning? Run your clothes to your cleaners. I have learned from experience that it is easier to run to the cleaners with dirty clothes than to run home with clean, pressed shirts. If running is not your thing, try walking your errands or even biking them. Just get physical, burn some calories, cross items off your to do list, and lessen your carbon footprint. Another thing about "running" errands, no need to look for parking!

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Weekend Well-Being: Make a Nalgene Bottle Lantern

FitSugar — Sat, 10 May 2008 02:00:00 -0700

The news about the Nalgene bottle and other shatter proof polycarbonate plastics being dangerous for human health hit me a little hard. I've had my Nalgene bottle for years and taken it on many hikes, road trips, and picnics. Lucky for me, I found a way to reincorporate my Nalgene back into my outdoor life.

The company Sol Light has come to the rescue, saving my old water bottle from spending an eternity in a landfill by turning it into a lantern. The LightCap 200 - Solar Powered Light ($20) fits onto any standard water bottle with a two inch wide mouth and turns the bottle into a light source. To make this an even greener experience, the LED light is powered by solar power, so no batteries are required. You can get a light cap directly from here.

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Weekend Well-Being: Go Through Your Medicine Cabinet

FitSugar — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0700

This new Spring weather is so refreshing that I felt inspired to go outside yesterday and do some yard work. While I was raking up dead grass and leaves, I inhaled something and had a crazy allergy attack. My eyes were itchy and I was sneezing like crazy. So I went to take some over the counter Claritin. Since I hadn't used it for over a year, I glanced at the box and realized it had expired in Nov 2007. I popped the pill anyway, since my doctor told me that meds can still be effective up to a year after they expire, and I made a mental note to pick up some more.

Then I wondered what else was lurking in my medicine cabinet. An hour later, I had filled my bathroom garbage with tons of expired crap.

So this weekend, if you're bored, go through your medicine cabinet and your extensive supply of products and. . .

Get rid of expired over-the-counter medications like old bottles of Advil and Pepto Bismol.
Chuck all old vitamins or prescriptions like the ones you used two years ago when you had your wisdom teeth pulled.
Check your condoms too.
Throw out any makeup that's over three months old.
Ditch anything that's questionable or that you haven't used in the past year.

Fit's Tips: Make a list of all the new supplies you'll need to buy, and if you know you don't use it much, try not to buy the "Mega-size" bottle of it. If you run out, you can always buy more.

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Weekend Well-Being: Start Your Spring Cleaning Early

FitSugar — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Now that we set the clocks ahead, and the snow is beginning to melt, why not get started on your Spring cleaning a little early this year? Dust and dirt can build up in hidden areas, and breathing that isn't good for your health. Not only will you feel a sense of calmness because your home will be clean, de-cluttered, and organized, but cleaning can burn 200-300 calories per hour (depending how intensely you move).

Here are some Spring cleaning ideas. You don't have to do them all, but you'll feel much better if you can get to at least one.

Open the windows and get some fresh air pumping through your home. It'll be good for your lungs to replace that stale dry air with a fresh breeze.
Vacuum under the beds and other furniture. Dust loves to collect in dark areas that see little traffic, so if it's been a while, you might find entire dust bunny colonies.
Dust and get rid of cob-webs. Doesn't it just amaze you how much of a dusty build-up can crop-up on your shelves, on top of the fridge, on your ceiling, on your TV screen, and behind doors? If you have allergies to dust like me, I like to use a wet washcloth or sponge so dust doesn't fly around.

Want to see some other ideas? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Use Earth Hour to Chill Out

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0700

The World Wildlife Fund is concerned about climate change, and to make a statement about human energy consumption they have created Earth Hour. To join them in their statement they ask that you turn off your lights for an hour Saturday, March 29. They invite "everyone throughout North America and around the world to turn off the lights for an hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time) – whether at home or at work, with friends and family or solo, in a big city or a small town."

Why not go one step further and turn off all electronics and just chill out for an hour. No TV. No computer. No cell phone. Just some candles and some conversation. See what it's like to just unplug for an entire hour. After 60 minutes of chilling out you might not need a disco nap before you head out for your wild Saturday night.

Are you planning on participating? Tell me in the comment section below.

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Bake It: Whole Wheat Banana Bread

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Rotten bananas plus rainy (or snowy depending on your location) weather equals baking. This whole wheat banana bread is tasty and the streusel type topping makes it slightly fancy. I think substituting buttermilk for butter is a great idea. The texture of the bread reminds me of the beer bread my mom made when I was a kid. This banana bread is very moist and a little heavy, but it certainly makes a tasty snack.

To see the recipe just

Weekend Well-Being: Make Your Own Granola

FitSugar — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Granola is one of my favorite breakfast foods. I must admit, I munch on it for an afternoon snack, too. Add a little fruit and a little yogurt to the granola and you've got yourself a well-balanced meal or snack.

Granola, however, is often made with lots of oil and sweeteners. I have taken the matter into my own hands and made some of my own. This recipe uses frozen apple-juice concentrate, which decreases the amount of sugar and oil needed to make tasty, crunchy granola. Plus, the recipe contains wheat germ, my new favorite super food.

This is a great Winter recipe because the stove is on for almost an hour. So turn off your heat, turn on your oven, and make your own granola.

To check out the recipe just

Weekend Well-Being: Stuffed Red Peppers

FitSugar — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:00:00 -0700

The other night, I had the hankering for stuffed red peppers, but since I had left my grocery list at home on the kitchen table I made it home missing many key ingredients for the recipe I had planned to make. Not to be thwarted, I decided to follow my own recipe and make it up as I cooked. Lucky for me the final product turned out to be quite tasty. So tasty, that I am going to share it with you.

Creating your own stuffing is pretty simple too. Basically you need some kind of carb, some herbs, some veggies and something to make it all stick together - like eggs or cheese. There are so many different variations on stuffed veggies. You can use different spice combinations and change up the cheese and end up with a totally different taste sensation.

To see what I used and check out my recipe just

Weekend Well-Being: Make Your Own Ginger Ale

FitSugar — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 02:30:00 -0700

If I am going to indulge in a soda, I usually choose some form of ginger ale. So you know I was excited when I found this recipe for making my own ginger brew. This recipe makes a tasty, mild and quite refreshing drink, perfect for sipping in the afternoon shade. Plus, ginger is a great antidote for motion sickness and promotes digestion as well.

Interested in seeing the recipe? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Make Your Own Garden Tortilla Pizza

FitSugar — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Hooray for the weekend! Not only do I love having two days off to spend with my family, but Saturdays are farmer's market days. I love strolling past all the baskets of crisp greens, brightly colored veggies, and the bunches of aromatic herbs. Our market even has fresh homemade cheeses, which of course taste so much better than what I buy at the store.

I'm always trying to figure out exciting ways to use all the yummy veggies I bring home. I can only make so many fresh salads and grilled veggies, ya know? So here's an idea - tortilla pizzas. All you need to buy are some whole wheat tortillas, and you can use them as a vehicle for all the tasty farmer's market produce.

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Want to know how I make them? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Go Berry Picking

FitSugar — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Did you know that June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month? So, on this last day of June, I propose an outing to go berry picking. You don't have to limit yourselves to just berries, many different types of farms and orchards invite folks to come and harvest their own fruits and veggies.

If you get really into harvesting berries, green beans or apricots it can be workout. All the bending and picking burns a lot more calories than say laying out in the sun. Does anyone really do that anymore? Back to berries, an 130 pound woman will burn 118 calories in an hour picking berries with moderate effort.

Here's a great website to help you find a farm: Pick Your Own. It has listings by state and you should surely be able to find a farm that wants you to help them harvest their produce.

When you get home, you can make a tasty fruit salad or just eat the fruit plain. It will be so fresh and ripe, making it ever more delicious. Yum has some berry tasty recipes for you try. Sorry, I couldn't resist!!!

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Weekend Well-Being: Strain Your Own Yogurt

FitSugar — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Yogurt is a great ingredient when you are cooking light. You can use it to substitute sour cream, butter and cream cheese. The problem is that regular yogurt is fairly runny since it contains so much water. To make it a better consistency for cooking and baking you need to strain it. It is easy - it just takes some time.

First off you are going to need:

Yogurt, I prefer to use low fat yogurt over non-fat because the non fat can get a little chalky in its consistency.
A piece of cheesecloth, if you have no cheesecloth you can use a thick paper towel.
A strainer or sieve
A big bowl and space for it in your refrigerator

What you do:

Place the sieve in a bowl.
Line the sieve or fine strainer with cheesecloth / paper towel.
Put the yogurt on top of the cheesecloth.
Lightly salt the yogurt and gently stir - this helps pull the water out of the yogurt.
Place bowl in your refrigerator and wait.

It takes just about an hour for 20% of the water to strain out of the yogurt. This texture is great in salads - from tuna salad as a mayo substitute or fruit salad since the consistency is similar to whipped cream.

Let is strain for several hours and the yogurt will decrease in volume by half and this consistency is great for dips and as a base for marinades.

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Weekend Well-Being: Make Sun Tea

FitSugar — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 02:00:00 -0700

The weekend for me is a relaxing time to spend with my family, doing little special things we don't usually have time for during our busy week. This weekend, now that the sun is shining, I'm going to harness the power to make something special - I'm making Sun Tea.

We all know the health benefits of tea, so here is an easy way to brew a simple cup of tea.

What you'll need:

a glass pitcher or jar
lid, plastic wrap or paper towel to cover the pitcher
water
tea bags herbal, black or green (my favorite one to use is made by Tazo called Passion)
a safe sunny spot where the pitcher wont' be knocked over
ice cubes
slices of lemon wedges (these are optional, but so good in iced tea)

Want to know what to do? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Make Your Own Eye Pillows

FitSugar — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Using an eye pillow is a great way to encourage relaxation. When you place one over your eyes, the darkness, gentle pressure, and calming aroma of herbs will help you drift into tranquility. It can also help to quiet your mind if you're stressed, relieve pain from a headache or sinus pressure, or help you fall asleep.

Eye pillows can run you between $10 and $20, so if you make your own, you'll have an original eye pillow full of your personal choice of herbs, for much less money. All you need to do is take a trip to a fabric store and a shop that sells dried herbs in bulk.

Here's what you'll need:

fabric, something soft and luxurious

flax seed
dried roses
dried chamomile
dried peppermint
dried lavender
sewing machine or thread and needle
straight pins
bowl
measuring cup and tablespoon

Want to know what to do? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Go Fly A Kite

FitSugar — Sat, 26 May 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Even though summer solstice is still a few weeks away, since Memorial Day weekend is here I feel summer has officially begun. One of the ways I like to celebrate summer is getting out and flying a kite.

I know it sounds like a bad Charlie Brown moment, but I love going kite flying. It is a great way to spend some time outside, breathe fresh air and get the blood moving. It is an activity that appeals to kids of all ages (sorry, I just had to use that expression). Plus, flying a kite for just 20 minutes burns about 100 calories. Imagine how many you can burn kite flying for an entire afternoon.

Here are a few tips for your kite flying adventure:

Make sure there is some light to moderate wind. Flying a kite with no wind means a lot of running!!!
Find a spot that is free of trees and power lines. Beaches are a great place for kite flying.
To get the kite up, just let out a small length of kite string and, holding the string in your hand, run with the kite behind you until the wind lifts it.

There are many kite styles to choose from (we have a lovely mermaid kite that my 4 year old selected), but you can always make your own. Here are some great instructions for making a basic Diamond Kite.

Weekend Well-Being: Bake Some Cookies

FitSugar — Sat, 19 May 2007 03:30:00 -0700

In the summertime, my mom would never bake anything. She said it was hot enough outside, and she didn't need a hot oven adding to it.

Now that I'm a mom, I see her point, so before it becomes full-on summer weather out there, why not bake some cookies? You can always freeze some to eat on those super hot days.

I learned this recipe for Cranberry and Walnut Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from my mom, and it's always a hit with my girls, and when we go to parties and BBQs. Plus, since I recently told you how good walnuts and cranberries are for women, this is a delicious way to get your share. Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Want to see the recipe? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Make Your Own Guacamole

FitSugar — Sat, 05 May 2007 03:30:00 -0700

We all know how much you love avocados - their creamy texture is like no other, and they're also extremely healthy for you. Plus it's Cinco de Mayo, so why not pick up some of those gems and make some homemade guacamole?

Many of the pre-made guacamoles you find at stores don't even contain actual avocados, like the one made by Kraft. So when you make it yourself, you know exactly what's in it.

Here's my favorite guacamole recipe. Since I'm not a huge fan of raw onions, I use cucumber instead. It adds a nice cool crunch, but without the strong tang of an onion. Let me know what you think or if you have other recipes you adore.

Homemade Guacamole

What you'll need:

3 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
1 tomato, diced
1/2 cucumber, peeled and diced
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tbsp lime or lemon juice
salt and pepper

What you do:

Mash the avocado in a bowl with a fork.
Fold in all the other ingredients and mix well.
Add the salt and pepper to taste and that's it!

Print recipe with images | without images

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Weekend Well-Being: Whole Wheat Pancakes

FitSugar — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Breakfast on the weekends is generally a much more relaxed affair around my house. I generally try to cook something, and lately all my girls request are pancakes. Since these have become the staple of my weekend breakfast, I found a recipe I liked (from Martha Stewart, kitchen maven) and adapted it a bit to make it a bit more healthy.

If you dig pancakes, then get cookin' and

Weekend Well-Being: Start Your Garden Now

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I love gardening. Playing in the dirt is relaxing for me and growing stuff to eat is a big bonus. Growing your own herbs and veggies is a sure fire way to know how they have been grown and that they are pesticide free. Plus they are going to be very fresh when you eat them. Now is the time to give your garden a head start, even if you can't get to the soil yet. You can start your garden inside.

Here are some tips for starting your garden:

Get your seeds. You can use seeds that you saved from last year's veggies or go to the store and pick some up. Don't forget the herbs and flowers too.
Make sure you have some little containers where you can grow your seeds. If you're using old ones from last year, just make sure you clean them out thoroughly to get rid of any diseases that could kill your new seedlings. If you use plastic ones like old yogurt containers, make sure you poke a couple of holes in the bottom for drainage. I like to use biodegradable peat pot containers that you can plant directly in the ground. Make sure you have some trays to put them in too.
Pick up some potting soil and some lush compost.

Want to see the rest? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Make Your Own Pizza

FitSugar — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Making your own pizza is one of the most satisfying things a person can do. A lot of time, effort, and love goes into a homemade pizza, and it tastes like nothing else.

Now I don't mean buying a ready-made crust like Boboli - I mean making the pizza dough. Once you know how, it's really quite easy, and healthier too. It'll take some time to let the dough rise, so that's why making pizza is great for the weekend.

Want to see my recipe for Homemade Pizza? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Bake Something Healthy

FitSugar — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 09:00:00 -0700

I care a lot about what I put into my body, but I still crave sweet treats. The cookies, cakes, pies, and muffins you buy at the store can be loaded with fat and sugar. Most of them are made with white flour and refined sugars, which offer you no nutritional value whatsoever.

I love to bake my own treats, but never have time during my busy week. Plus for me, baking is a time I can relax, and have fun with my girls (it gives my husband a chance to hit the gym or watch sports). Plus it's a chance to teach them about healthy eating, and also learn some math skills like measuring.

I love to bake a big batch of something on Sunday so I can enjoy it for a few days that week. I can have it for breakfast, a late afternoon snack, or pack it in my kids' lunch (the girls love that).

Want to see one of my favorite recipes? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Spring Cleaning Head-Start

FitSugar — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 07:00:00 -0700

Now that we set the clocks ahead, and the snow is beginning to melt, why not get started on your Spring cleaning a little early this year? The weekend is a great time because most people aren't working and have a few hours they can devote to it.

Not only will you feel a sense of calmness because your home will be clean, de-cluttered and organized, but cleaning can burn 200-300 calories per hour (depending how intensely you clean).

Here are some Spring cleaning ideas. You don't have to do them all, but you'll feel much better if you could get to at least one.

Open the windows and get some fresh air pumping through your home. It'll be good for your lungs to replace that stale dry air with a fresh breeze.
Vacuum under the beds and other furniture. Dust loves to collect in dark areas that see little traffic, so if it has been a while, you might find entire dust bunny colonies.
Dust and get rid of cob-webs. Doesn't it just amaze you how much of a dusty build-up can crop-up on your shelves, on top of the fridge, on your ceiling, on your TV screen, and behind doors? If you have allergies to dust like me, I like to use a wet washcloth or sponge - that way you can re-use it till you get everything dust-free, and it allows less dust to fly around like when you sweep.

Want to see some other ideas? Then

Weekend Well-Being: Get a Pedicure

FitSugar — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Winter is a beautiful time of year, filled with days on the mountain, nights sipping hot cocoa, and snuggling in front of a good movie.

Unfortunately, winter and feet don't really get along too well. You're always cramming your toes into boots that don't let your feet breathe. I hate how my feet feel so constricted - my feet are always cold, so they're usually hidden away in socks.

The heat you crank up to battle the frigid air totally dries out your skin, and the soles of your feet are left hard and cracked. I hate the way they feel so dry, and it's embarrassing when I go to a Pilates or yoga class, where your feet are bare.

So, why not treat yourself to a pedicure? They'll lovingly clean and massage your tootsies, leaving you feeling relaxed and calm. And you can say goodbye to rough heels, because they'll get rid of the dead skins cells, leaving your skin soft and moisturized. Your feet will feel more fresh and alive, and they'll look good too.

In the winter, you don't want to ruin your pedicure by shoving your toes back into your boots. Check out these Bootie Pies - they're boots made especially for pedicured toes. They're warmer than flip-flops, so you can protect your feet from the cold without smudging your polish.

Weekend Well-Being: After A Spicy Dinner

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 02:03:00 -0800

I work all week, I take care of the kids so when the Friday night rolls around, I secure a babysitter (it's a competitive field out there). Then, I call some friends and we head to out to eat. Usually we choose some spicy, ethnic joint.

Sometimes after eating different cuisines or rich food, my stomach might rebel from overly adventurous tastes. Chinese food for some reason always leaves me with an upset stomach. Don't even get me started on Ethiopian food - the spices can be a curse. Not that these things keep from eating my favorite ethnic dishes.

When I get home from dinner, I head straight for the fridge and grab my favorite belly ache remedy - a bottle of Reed's Ginger Brew. I always keep a 4-pack on hand for various tummy emergencies. It's a new kind of night cap, if you will.

My favorite is Reed's Original - the taste is crisp, light, and refreshing - and it's made with 17 grams of fresh ginger root. YUM!!!!

Need a little more ginger power? There's also Reed's Extra Ginger Brew made with a whopping 25 grams of fresh ginger - definitely necessary on certain nights (Mexican?).

I sit on the couch, slowly sipping my bubbly Ginger Brew, and I tell you, it settles my stomach like a charm. Then I can move on from babying my belly and start planning the rest of my weekend.