LilSugar

In The News: Cleaning Companies Sued Over Ingredient Lists

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 06:15:54 PST

If you've ever stopped to wonder what exactly is in your container of Palmolive soap, you're not alone. Despite a little known New York State Environmental Conservation Law requiring companies to semi-annually report product ingredients and research, big names in the household cleaning world have been biting their tongues about what they've been putting in our household cleaning products. Now, they're facing a lawsuit from environmentalists for withholding information. To hear additional details about this,

read more.
Last September, a coalition of environmental and health activists sent Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, and a few other firms a letter informing them of the need to report the chemical ingredients of their cleaning products and their research on their effects, and all but two - Method and Seventh Generation - refused. Now, Earthjustice, a nonprofit public-interest law firm, is filing suit against the companies on behalf of the Sierra Club, the American Lung Association, and other groups. While some companies provide ingredient lists on their websites, most do not. The two companies that complied have made a name for themselves as purveyors of eco-friendly goods, so it comes as no surprise that they'd oblige. There's really no information to suggest that contents of the other products are harmful, but the withholding of information is suspicious. Would you feel more comfortable if the contents of your household cleaning products were made known to you? Or do you not care?

List-apalooza! Time's 100 Most Influential + Top-Polluted Cities

CitizenSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:30:56 PDT

Boy do I love a list. A who's better than whom, ranked for the world to see. Time magazine's list of 100 most-influential people dropped today - they've got it separated into categories like Leaders and Revolutionaries, and Heroes and Pioneers, lest we get our Mariah Carey confused with our Sheik Mohammed al-Maktoum. The best part is to see who wrote whose blurb - Rob Reiner wrote Hillary's. Here are the first five listed in the leaders category - they oh so fairly included all three presidential candidates. Check out the whole list and see what you think.

Dalai Lama: Not only is he in exile fighting to free his nation from oppression, but he’s also responsible for the religious inspiration of millions. And you thought your job was tough.
Vladimir Putin: Russians love him, some fear him, and his love of country may be the key to reforming a Russian Empire.
Barack Obama: Whatever the outcome of this election, many are arguing that he has changed the face of American politics and reinvigorated the idea of hope.
Hillary Clinton: Like her competitor for the democratic nomination, she too has also changed the face of American politics, launching the idea of true equality into the new century.
John McCain: Whether you see him as a maverick or as a continuation of the current administration, his ability to face some very tough situations has made him a true leader.

What else are we ranking up today? Dirty air in cities. To see the list of smoggy goodness,

Baby Wellness: Time for Flu Shots!

babysugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:30:08 PST

It's that time of year - the dreaded, but necessary flu shots are here. The American Lung Association kicked off their "Faces of Influenza" public awareness campaign emphasizing the importance of getting vaccinated.

One of our favorite celeb moms, Jennifer Garner, joined the efforts along with famous parents, Dean Cain and Joy Behar. Jennifer said,

"Women play an important role in a family. It's our job to take care of those we love, that's why I make sure my family is protected against influenza. Influenza isn't just a cold. It can be much more serious. Chances are you or someone you know should be immunized."

The campaign is aimed at reaching moms, pregnant women, those with chronic illness, children six months to five years of age, and caregivers (which means dads and babysitters, too). Sadly, influenza, along with other complications, kills roughly 36,000 Americans a year.

To find a clinic in your area, go to the American Lung Association website and type in your zip code. The site also allows visitors to schedule reminders for the following year.

Source

8 Small Ways to Lose Big Pounds in 2012

Prevention — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:06:22 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Quadruple your weight loss by making one easy tweak to your routine per week
By Alyssa Shaffer

If your goal is to lose weight and exercise more, forget the deprivation diet and marathon workouts. New research shows that taking baby steps - not giant leaps -is the best way to get lasting results. A study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that participants who made one small, potentially permanent change in their food choices and/or physical activity each week (such as drinking one fewer can of soda or walking five more minutes each day) lost more than twice as much belly fat, two and half more inches off their waistlines, and about four times more weight during a four-month program, compared with those who followed traditional calorie-restriction and physical-activity guidelines.

"When you focus on just a couple of small changes at a time, you begin to ingrain some healthy habits that last for a lifetime, rather than trying an all-or-nothing approach that more often than not fails because it's too hard to follow," says Lesley Lutes, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of psychology at East Carolina University. We've uncovered these simple steps (with proven results) to help you move more, eat less, and look and feel better than ever. Add just one or two a week to your regular routine and you can lose nearly three inches off your waistline and be about 10 pounds lighter come in a few months. Even better: Once these healthy habits become second nature, they'll benefit you for a lifetime.

1. Pick Up a Pen After Every Meal
Mindlessly munching on a bag of chips could result in easily polishing off the whole thing; write down how much you've eaten and you're more likely to practice portion control. Keeping a food log helps control extra calories in two ways: the combination of plain old reality check (I just ate 30 minutes ago!) and awareness that what you're putting in your mouth will soon be recorded for posterity. In a recent study, people who kept a food journal lost twice as much weight as those who didn't. When they combined it with a moderate diet and exercise plan, they lost an average of 13 pounds in 6 months. Journaling also gives you insight on your eating habits, says Lutes. Do you skip meals? Eat the same during the week as on the weekend? Binge when you're feeling stressed? "Knowing your routine helps you figure out what changes are right for you," she adds.

Avoid these 14 "health food" diet disasters.

2. Limit High-Fat Foods to One Per Week
Tag the high-fat/high-calorie foods that are typically your favorites (our top five: cookies, candy, ice cream, potato chips, and fries) and gradually downshift. "If you're eating six of these foods a week, try to go down to five," says Lutes. Each week, drop another until you're at no more than one or two; at the same time, add in a good-for-you choice like baby carrots, sautéed broccoli, oranges, and other fresh fruits and veggies.

Keep reading for more simple tip to help you lose big.

The Truth About the Health Benefits of Tea

Health — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:13:17 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

Tea - does it really fight cancer? Lower cholesterol? We filter the research to find out which health claims actually hold water.
By Kate Lowenstein

The way scientific studies and health gurus alike have touted the perks of tea over the past few years, you'd think the stuff was some kind of all-powerful magical elixir. Improving heart health, reducing cancer risk, warding off dementia and diabetes - there's barely a health benefit that hasn't been credited to tea. It's true that the brew has disease-fighting antioxidants, and, as far as anyone can tell, should be great for us.

"The science is certainly promising," says David L. Katz, MD, director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center. "But the hype goes beyond it and tends to make promises which the science can't yet deliver." (No, tea probably will not cure depression, eliminate allergies, or boost your fertility!) We talked to the experts and weighed the studies to separate the truth from the hype.

Health.com: Drink This Tea to Lose That Belly

Why tea is so hot
First, a definition: When scientists talk about tea, they mean black, green, white, or oolong teas - all of which are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal brews, like chamomile and peppermint, are not technically considered tea; they're infusions of other plants with different nutritional characteristics. If you're not sure what kind you're drinking, check the ingredients for the word "tea."

Keep reading to learn even more about tea.

Proposed Warning Labels on Photoshopped Celeb Photos to Prevent Eating Disorders

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:14:11 PST

Alcohol can lead to liver problems and cigarettes can cause lung cancer, so it's obvious why these products have warning labels. What about Photoshopped images of celebrities and models? Should these come with warning labels, too? Research shows that images portraying "perfect bodies" can have negative effects on body image, leading to anxiety and eating disorders, especially in young women.

Last June, the American Medical Association urged advertisers to work with child and teen health experts to set limits on Photoshopping. In response, two Dartmouth computer science researchers are proposing a new software tool to measure just how much an image of a face or body has been altered, using a scale of one to five to indicate the extent of the changes. Warning labels on images would allow the viewer to know just how extensively a photo has been manipulated.

Child psychologists aren't convinced these labels are the answer, feeling the most effective solution to preventing poor body image or eating disorders lies in the hands of parents. Modeling healthy eating habits and encouraging regular exercise is key, as well as not focusing attention on appearance. What do you think about these warning labels?

Charity Events For Fitness Fans at Any Level

Leta Shy — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:07:12 PDT

With Summer approaching, many of you may be thinking of ways you can join a fitness event to help a charity dear to you. Many events are walks or runs, but if you hate to run or want to challenge yourself even more, a walk or race for charity may not entice you to participate.

Just because you aren't a runner, however, doesn't mean you can't participate in a fitness event in the name of a good cause. Here are some unique options for helping others at every fitness level.

Take the stairs. The American Lung Association's Fight For Air Climb takes over stairs in a skyscraper or stadium so you can climb for a cause. It's a great way to meet new people, it doesn't involve any extra skill (except lots of stamina), and you'll be raising money for lung cancer research.
Drop and give them money. Another common charity cause is Pushups for Charity, where your friends and family donate a set amount for each push-up you can do in one minute. Events are usually organized by a specific charity and include free fitness coaching to help you become even more fit.
Build it. Gain valuable skills and learn how to DIY with Habitat for Humanity, where you can swing a hammer or squat and lift your way to a days-long workout while helping give someone a home.
Hike (and hike, and hike). Love being outdoors and in need of a trip to the UK? Grab three of your friends and sign up for the Oxfam Trailtrekker 100km Team Charity Challenge in June, where you're allowed just 30 hours to hike about 60 miles through hilly terrain in northern England. Money goes to Oxfam, an international organization that aids impoverished countries.
Compete in a triathlon. If you like a challenge, sign up for the Janus Charity Challenge to raise money for a charity of your choice while competing in one of five triathlons in 2011.

Source: Flickr User jimmyharris

DrSugar: So Many Reasons to Quit Smoking

DrSugar — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:30:49 PST

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's schooling us on the benefits of giving up the smokes.

OK readers, today we are going to discuss cigarette smoking and the short and long-term benefits of quitting. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed the placement of graphic images on cigarette packaging in hopes to deter people from smoking. Many of the those who commented on the FitSugar article regarding this recent news story seem to think that the graphic images will most likely not deter people from smoking. However, the health risks associated with cigarette smoking are serious and can be life-shortening and life-threatening. If one does decide to quit smoking, there are many benefits for both the short and long-term. To learn more about the benefits of quitting smoking, keep reading

Cabbage and Your Breasts

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:00:35 PDT

Although cabbage is unfortunately associated with the soup diet bearing its name, this leafy veggie is a nutritional powerhouse, and as it turns out, it fights breast cancer too. The American Association for Cancer Research believes it is the phytonutrient sulforaphane found in cabbage that stimulates cells to kill carcinogens. In a Polish study, women who ate cabbage or fermented cabbage in the form of sauerkraut at least four times a week, if not more, were 74 percent less likely to develop breast cancer. If that is not a strong enough reason to add cabbage to your diet, know that it has been found to protect against lung, stomach, and colon cancers as well. High in vitamins K and C, the mineral magnesium, cabbage even a little bit of omega-3 fatty acids. Be sure to eat some coleslaw this Summer, but look for recipes that go easy on the mayo.

The connection between cabbage and breasts doesn't end there. To learn more continue reading.

Eat Green, Get Healthy

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:45:00 PDT

St. Patty's Day is all about the green and it is just around the corner. That doesn't only have to mean green beer. There are numerous healthy foods that you can add to your diet to not only up the green, but to also up the health as well. Here are just a few:

Avocado: Avocado is a good source of monounsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol, said Dr. Vickie Vaclavik, clinical assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern. Avocados also are good sources of both vitamin E and lutein, a natural antioxidant that may help maintain eye health.
Broccolini: It's packed with the cancer-fighting nutrients isothiocyanates, sulforaphane, and indoles all linked with reducing the risk of breast, prostate, cervical, lung, and other cancers and offers as much vitamin C as orange juice, said Dr. Jo Ann Carson, professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern.
Brussels sprouts: Brussels sprouts are another cruciferous vegetable with cancer-fighting phytochemicals. "They're also high in vitamin C and are a good source of folate, vitamin A, and potassium," said Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

There's more so