GeekSugar

IT Tech Dice: The Big Secret

GeekSugar — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:00:44 PDT

Wondering why it takes so long for the IT guy to get back to you about your computer emergency? Apparently he's not playing a leisurely game of Halo, he's rolling these dice!

Get these to tease the Nick Burns in your life, or if you're the IT person who tortures people, get the tech Dice and roll them onto your victim's desk when they desperately need your help.

Save Money, Help the Planet With These DIY Healthy Snacks

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:28:48 PDT

Eating healthy isn't always cheap, but it's a must if you want to improve your overall health. If you choose to buy organic or exotic options like dried blueberries - $13 for a small bag! - snacks can quickly eat up your food budget. Find out how to nosh on healthy nibbles and still have money left in your wallet.

Cheese sticks: Instead of buying individually wrapped cheese sticks, save money and avoid plastic packaging by making your own. Buy a block of your favorite cheese for a few bucks- mozzarella and monterey jack work well - and cut the block into long wedges for a grab-and-go snack.
Nut butter: Nut butters are great on toast, crackers, or sliced fruit, but if you buy organic jars, you can spend almost $8. Try this instead: buy huge bags of unsalted raw nuts, pour a cup in the food processor, and make your own. You can even make mixed nut butter with a few of your fave nuts and seeds. Spoon the creamy mixture into a glass container to store in the fridge.

Keep reading for more money-saving snack tips.

Know Your Techniques: Large Dice

Camilla Salem — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:13:58 PST

A large dice is a relatively straightforward knife cut. Measuring at about 3/4-inch on each side, this cut may not seem as complicated as a julienne or a chiffonade, but with the right technique, you can really speed up your prepping process.

This cut's ideal for large vegetables, like tubers. A peeled potato is an easy example.

Cut the potato into 3/4-inch planks.

Keep reading to find out how to finish this simple cut.

6 Spring Picks For Cute Cutting Boards

Lizzie Fuhr — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:02:43 PDT

All of the sunshine has got us feeling some serious spirit - especially in the kitchen! We've already shown off kitchen appliances in happy rainbow hues, but all of the fresh Spring fruits and veggies we'll be slicing and dicing want to get in on the action too. Here are a few colorful, Spring-worthy cutting boards that we're sweet on.

Meatless Monday: The Ultimate Vegetarian Chili

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:15:36 PDT

You've heard how meatless Mondays are good for the planet. Now, look to Cooking in Pajamas for a fast and easy vegan chili recipe.

Meatless Monday is back baby! It never actually went anywhere, I just kept forgetting to blog about it. In my quest to get healthy and lose a few pounds before my 20th anniversary trip in April, I have been testing out a plant based diet. I keep going back and forth on whether I want to include fish in my diet. I am thinking of limiting it to once or twice a month. While I decide, I am loving some of the vegetarian dishes I have made. For lunch yesterday I made a polenta pizza. . .a grilled slice of polenta topped with a slice of heirloom tomato, shredded mozzarella, garlic and basil.

This chili will knock your socks off. Not only is it healthy, it is a flavorful and spicy bowl of vegetables, beans, chiles, spices and wine. You can easily serve this to the die-hard meat eaters in your house, and it will be gobbled up.

This chili is also vegan, which means it contains no dairy products. If you are not into the vegan thing, feel free to top your bowl of chili with sour cream and sharp cheddar. The chili is quite spicy. As you see it has a jalapeño AND a chipotle chili. If you would like a more mild version, use half of the jalapeño with the seeds removed. Try not to cut back on the chipotle because it adds a deep, smoky flavor.

For her unique technique - which involves marinating tofu for extra flavor! - keep reading.

We're Addicted to Amazing Plum Amazins

Camilla Salem — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:15:43 PDT

It's a simple concept, really: diced prunes. And yet, we're completely addicted to Plum Amazins. While we wouldn't call them innovative, we do appreciate the convenience, health benefits, and sweetness that comes with these bite-size treats. This straightforward presentation makes dried plums more accessible and more easily enjoyed. The small, sweet nuggets would be great in anything that would call for raisins or dried cranberries - cereal, baked goods, and even savory dishes like stews and salads. But frankly, we enjoy snacking on a handful of them just as they are, to quell afternoon sweet cravings and to get our daily dose of fiber.

Tell us, would you like to snack on diced up dried plums?

A Reader Recipe: Southwestern Quinoa Salad With Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette

Fit Community — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:06:13 PDT

Get your daily fiber fix with this Southwestern quinoa salad recipe from FitSugar reader For the Love of Fiber. She shared it with us in our Healthy Recipe Group in the Fit Community.

This salad takes quinoa to the next level, and has been known to turn quinoa haters into ambassadors.

Learn how to make this recipe after the break!

A Reader Recipe: Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf

Fit Community — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 01:07:34 PDT

FitSugar reader Dara8182 shared this filling yet light recipe for veggie quinoa pilaf in our Healthy Recipe group.

Do you ever just feel like you need to detox? Easter weekend was very indulgent for me, so I needed to make something seriously healthy and colorful to help get me back on track. The result is this amazing, filling, and flavorful pilaf that has only 170 calories per serving. I'm going to be eating it for lunch and dinner for the next few days!

Read on for the recipe.

Pigging Out on Easter Ham Alternatives

Sara Yoo — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:51:14 PDT

A spiral-cut ham seems right at home as the centerpiece of a hearty Easter meal. Of course, deliciously elegant substitutions exist, but why not have some fun with other kinds of cured or smoked pork? Ham, which comes from the hind thigh of the pig, is a cut revered internationally for its marbled fat content and complex flavors when cured, smoked, or cooked. So while picking up a prepared HoneyBaked ham is a perfectly acceptable option, consider giving these other options a try for some salty Easter goodness on a plate.

For some nontraditional Easter ham ideas, keep reading.

10 Post-Workout Snacks Under 150 Calories

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:40:22 PDT

Just as important as it is to fuel up before you exercise, don't forget to eat a little something once your workout is complete. (Your body needs a combo of protein and carbs to build and repair muscle and quickly recharge lost energy.) Don't go overboard and consume so many calories that it cancels out the ones you burned while sweating it out. Here are some ideas for post-workout snacks, all under 150 calories.

4 oz. lowfat cottage cheese (81 calories) mixed with half a cup of diced fresh pineapple (41 calories): 122 calories
One extra small apple (53 calories) with one tablespoon peanut butter (94 calories): 147 calories
15 baby carrots (53 calories) with two tablespoons of hummus (70 calories): 123 calories
One Horizon organic mozzarella cheese stick (80 calories) and 15 grapes (51 calories): 131 calories
6 oz. container of Peach Chobani Greek yogurt: 140 calories

Keep reading for more