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.

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.

5 Easy Ways to Eat More Fruit

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:57:13 PST

Luscious, juicy, sweet-as-candy fruit is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It's full of vitamins, fiber to keep you full, water to keep you hydrated, and the natural sugars make it a healthier alternative to sugary treats. You should aim to eat three to six servings of fruit each day, but if that seems like a lot, here are some ways to sneak fruit into your diet.

Add fruit slices to sandwiches. Sliced pear, apple, and watermelon add a unique texture and unexpected flavor to run-of-the-mill sammies.
Mix pureed fruit into plain yogurt. When comparing six-ounce containers of Greek yogurt, plain offers 18 grams of protein for 100 calories, and strawberry is 140 calories with 14 grams of protein. Instead of buying the premade flavors, make your own by adding pureed fruit to plain yogurt. You'll save money, avoid added sugars, and be able to customize the flavor to wow your taste buds with distinct combos like blackberry peach or strawberry pear.
Add fruit to baked goods. We've all made banana bread, but that's not the only fruit-based treat you can whip up. Lower the fat in just about any recipe by replacing oil with applesauce, or get creative with muffin recipes by adding diced strawberries, or mix bits of dried apricots into cookie dough.
Cut up fruit and store it in the fridge. It takes effort to wash and cut fruit, enough to make you reach for something easier (and less healthy) instead. Make fruit as accessible as a bag of chips by storing cut up fruit in containers in the fridge.
Eat fruit for dessert. Save calories and skip the refined sugars by enjoying nature's dessert. Here are ways to make fruit even more decadent and enticing - the almond butter and granola filled dates are one of my faves.

Know Your Techniques: Brunoise

Camilla Salem — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:37:59 PST

Don't be scared off by the fancy name of this cut; it's actually quite simple. If you followed along with our lesson on how to julienne vegetables, then you already know most of the steps to achieve this fine dice. A brunoise is classified as a tiny cube, measuring 1/8 of an inch on each side. Luckily for us, a julienne leaves us with sticks that are 1/8 inch by 1/8 inch by 2 1/2 to 3 inches. What happens next is easy as pie.

Get your julienned vegetables together.

Organize them together, a few at a time, evenly. Using your knuckles as a guide, cut 1/8-inch cubes from the sticks. Repeat this until you have the desired amount.

It's really that easy! Do you have any recipes you want to try that call for a brunoise?

Reader Recipe: Healthy Layered Greek Yogurt Dip

Fit Community — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:06:13 PST

Super Bowl snacks don't need to be unhealthy! Take this recipe for a Greek yogurt layered dip from FitSugar reader NicoleCulver. She posted it in our Healthy Recipe community group. Don't forget to post your own recipes in the community; they may wind up here on our homepage!

Mini-Layered Dip

Small clear cups
3 avocados, mashed with a touch of salt and pepper
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed well
1 can refried beans
shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese
0% plain Chobani Greek yogurt

Layer the ingredients in the cup as desired. Enjoy with chips or with a fork!

For more information on this dip check out Making Good Choices!

A Reader Recipe: Vegetarian Ancho Chili

Fit Community — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:07:10 PST

Here's a healthy chili recipe from FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle - it's a perfect dish for Super Bowl Sunday, which she posted in our Healthy Recipe community group.

As you start to think about your menu for the Super Bowl, consider this vegetarian ancho chili. The ancho chiles add a nice smokiness without being too hot, though you could certainly dial up the heat by adding a few more. For each chili you add, make sure to incorporate one additional cup of vegetable stock to the pot. And don’t forget the good-for-you garnishes. The addition of some crunchy bell peppers, creamy avocado, juicy corn kernels, and scallions really made this chili come together for me.

Learn more about the recipe after the break!

Warm Up With a Healthier Bowl of Oatmeal

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:13:41 PST

In celebration of National Oatmeal Month (I know, I had no idea January was devoted to this whole grain either!), here are some tips on how to whip up a healthy bowl of this whole grain.

To increase the fiber and protein: Choose rolled oats over quick oats. They'll take slightly longer to cook, but a half-cup serving offers five grams of fiber and seven grams of protein - the quick oats only offer four grams of fiber and five grams of protein.

To increase the protein: After your oats have cooked, stir in a tablespoon of almond butter, peanut butter, or half a cup of plain Greek yogurt.

To increase the fiber: Cut up some dried apricots, throw in some fresh or frozen berries, or toss in some diced fresh pear or mango. Chia seeds are also bursting with fiber - one tablespoon has over five grams.

To get your fill of omega-3s: Sprinkle on one tablespoon of ground flaxseed. It offers 1.6 grams of omega-3s (1.1 is the recommended amount per day).

To decrease the amount of sugar: Instead of adding maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey to your bowl, sweeten your breakfast with unsweetened applesauce, mashed banana, or pureed strawberries.

Source: Flickr User norwichnuts

A Reader Recipe: Pomegranate Wild Rice Pilaf

Fit Community — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:33:31 PST

This recipe for wild rice pilaf from FitSugar reader Dara8182 gets an antioxidant boost from pomegranate seeds. Dara8182 posted the wild rice recipe in our Healthy Recipe community group.

I don't need to tell you that pomegranates are incredibly healthy and filled with all kinds of amazing vitamins and minerals. This dish is supersimple. Just toss wild rice with pomegranate seeds, chopped pistachios, and a bit of red onion, and you have a tangy and flavorful side dish that is filled with cholesterol-lowering fiber and cancer-fighting antioxidants. Tossing the toppings with the hot rice slightly cooks the onion. Such a tangy and easy side dish. Try it tonight!

Learn more about the recipe after the break!

Top It Off: Unexpected Soup Garnishes

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:43:40 PST

This month, we're celebrating all things soup. While there's nothing more I crave than a giant pot of yummy homemade soup, sometimes during the work week, the timing is just not there. And after a long day of work, there's nothing easier than putting up some canned soup on the stove.

In order to make it feel like a more elevated supper, over the years, I've gotten pretty crafty with the garnishes and toppings I've tried on my favorite soups. Take a chance and stray away from the typical shredded cheese and crumbled crackers. Mix things up tonight with these more unexpected soup garnishes that you probably have on hand already! For some ideas sure to bring a new sense of life to a seemingly bland weeknight meal, read more.

Creamy Swiss Chard Soup With Vegetables

Fit Community — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:09:17 PST

Creamy wintry soup can have a lot of calories, but reader JuicyNoelle slashes the fat by using cauliflower puree instead of cream in her recipe for Swiss chard soup, which she posted in our Healthy Recipe group.

I love thick and creamy vegetable soups. But I don’t always love the calories. So this week I decided to substitute heavy cream with a smooth cauliflower puree instead. If you are looking for a healthy lunch or dinner meal, give this simple soup a try.

Get the recipe after the break.