Typography Soap: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:42:10 PDT

When soaps in the shape of video-game controllers swept the Internet a few months ago, I wanted to get my hands dirty just so I could make them clean. And now, this Typography Soap ($11) is making me want to get dirty all over again.

It completely exploits my type and font obsession, and the retro-looking 3-D letters have a charm that's not just geeky but utterly cool as well. Also cool? The Crushed Ice scent (incidentally, I have no idea how that smells). But here we have another niche product folks, and besides its brilliance as a gag gift for your favorite graphic designer, would you buy this soap for your home?

How To Type Faster

GeekSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:00:47 PDT

When I was first learning how to use the computer my grandmother would constantly lecture me about the importance of typing fast. It's a skill that most of us take for granted nowadays - primarily because we type so much we don't pay attention to speed and also because computer use and typing is an integral part of most people's early education. Still, many employers ask for your "words per minute" (or "wpm" for short) score when you are looking for a new job. If you're wondering what your score is, take a free typing test. If you're not satisfied with the results, heed the tips below.

Graze over the keys, don't tap. The more force you use, the longer your fingers will rest on each key. To type faster use minimal force.
Focus on typing fast, but don't rush - you'll just make mistakes. You can focus on accuracy by spelling words out while you type.
Keyboard and monitor positioning is key. Your wrist, elbows and keyboard should be on the same horizontal plane and at a 90-degree angle to your upper arms.
The top of your screen should be near eye level. Do not set your monitor too high, or too low. It will cause neck problems.

Want to type faster but hate linear tests? Try a couple games that boost your typing speed.

Exercise Explanation

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 03:30:00 PDT

Working out can be confusing if you're new to it. How long should I stretch? What kinds of cardio can I do besides running? How often should I lift weights?

Here's a basic chart to explain. This is just a general overview, so you can make little changes depending on what your goals and needs are.

Type of Exercise	Kinds	Benefits	How Often
Cardio and Aerobic	Running, Jogging, Biking, Stepper Machine, Brisk Walking, Elliptical Machine, Swimming, Competitive sports like soccer, Classes like Spinning or Cardio Boxing	Improves stamina Benefits your circulatory system including your heart Great for helping to decrease high blood pressure Burns calories and helps you lose weight Helps maintain your weight Reduces your risk of osteoporosis Improves your cholesterol levels	For a healthy body, you should do 30 minutes at least 3 times a week If you're trying to lose weight, than you need to do 30 minutes or more at least 4 or more times a week

There's 2 more. Want to see the rest? Then

Stretching	Calisthenics, Yoga, Tai Chi	Prevents injury Improves flexibility Relaxes the mind Massages the inner organs and aids in digestion Improves balance	Stretch before and after doing cardio If you do yoga or Tai Chi, go at least twice a week
Weights, Strength and Strength Training	Pilates, weight machines, free weights, exercise ball, resistance bands	Reduces your resting blood pressure Tones and defines muscles Strengthens your muscles Prevents injury Increases your metabolism Increases bone mineral density Increases your muscle mass which will increase your calorie burn which in turn reduces body fat	2-4 strength training sessions a week depending on the intensity and length of your session

How to Keep Your Run Pain-Free

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:54:30 PST

Sometimes, you start your run with the best intentions, only to be thwarted by recurring cramps and a headache that zaps all your energy. If you've experienced these nagging annoyances when you run, here are some tips for preventing pain and coping with it when it happens during your workout.

Headache: Often, a pounding headache that comes on during a run is due to inadequate water intake. Your body loses a lot of fluids while you're sweating it out on the treadmill, so before you even begin, make sure that you've had enough water throughout the day. During your run, sip water slowly, about five to 12 ounces every 20 minutes (or sip a sports drink with electrolytes if you are running for more than an hour), but don't drink so much that you feel all of it sloshing around in your stomach - that can lead to cramps or nausea.

More tips for pain-free running after the break.

Kristen Stewart Talks Badass Fairy Tales, Bella Swan, and Her New Leading Man on Snow White Set Visit

Molly Goodson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:01:00 PST

Last October, we were so excited to pay a visit to the set of Snow White and the Huntsman outside London. We got a sneak peek into the amazing world Kristen Stewart and her costars, including Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Charlize Theron, and more, inhabited while shooting the action-packed fairy-tale movie. We have tons to come from our day poking around the remarkable set and learning about everything from the costumes to the fight scenes. While we were there, we even got to see the aftermath of Kristen accidentally actually punching Chris Hemsworth in the face filming a scene. Check out our chat with Kristen and stay tuned for lots from the set:

Is there something you admire about Snow White?

Yes. It’s strange playing a character that you actually could never truly embody. Her spirit affects people. . . I can’t have Snow White’s effect on people. I can’t actually be completely selfless because nobody is. You can only really play a character like that in a fairy tale and play it with an awful load of integrity. She’s very fully formed, but very farfetched-from-the-reality-that-we-live-in type of person. She also is strong in a very different way than you’d expect. Strength, yeah, but also gusto. I mean, she’s strong. She can kick ass. It hurts very much to do so and so it’s not like you’re watching her go take down a kingdom. You’re not watching going, "Yeah! Kill him!" Really it’s more like you’re watching someone having to do something that doesn’t just go against your sensibilities or that you agree with. It’s gutting. It’s physically gutting, literally. A million reasons, but she’s special.

Do you like that she’s not like your prissy fairy tale?

Yeah, because that’s just a very surface, though she is prissy sometimes. That’s the other thing. It takes her the whole movie basically to become who I’m talking about now. I’m really sort of talking in retrospect. It’s strange. It’s a total identity movie. It’s all about not finding yourself, but actually just being OK with who you always have been and not being ashamed of being the only one who sees the light. It’s an enormous burden and she’s so stunted. She was put away when she was 7 years old and your mother and your father were killed basically right in front of you. We’re not doing the version of a fairy tale that wouldn’t deal with all of those things, where you just sort of skim over all those things, and it's like all of these things are actually really important to the characters. She literally bleeds for her land and her people, and that’s just such a cool concept for me because it’s other people caring about people. It’s very simple, but it’s so common. Every day all the time you see people not caring about each other, and this is just about that.

She learns to be a leader or she’s born a leader inside, do you think?

She’s definitely a born leader. I mean, it’s literally pumping through those veins, but it’s been taken from her. She’s been so stolen from.

To read the rest of the interview, including her thoughts on Bella vs. Snow White and what it was like to punch Chris just

read more. Is it helping you get into the character's mindset to wear those cool costumes? Absolutely. If you look down and something doesn’t feel like you would definitely be wearing it, or if you go to grab your knife and it flops around or - basically [Colleen Atwood] thinks about every detail. It’s so wearable. I also have puffy sleeves. Somehow she manages to make puffy sleeves look butch. I was always expecting to personally wind up in a - basically what I’m wearing underneath it, like that little blue dress, which is just thin and wispy. I was really happy that she’s got something heavy on - a bit of armor before she actually finds her own armor. How did you feel the first time you put on the armor? Did you feel more badass? Yeah. That’s the first thing you want to [pound your chest]. Also, my armor doesn’t have a huge top on it. All the guys, unfortunately, they [raise their arms] and they hit themselves in the head. I can run around in mine. Somehow the armor on the men - unless they’re on horseback and they look amazing, but there’s also something kind of dainty about it, too, like pointy toes. It fits a woman’s body better, I feel. I don’t know, the guys running around suddenly look like little toys - slightly feminine little toys. Both Snow White and Bella had traumatizing experiences in the woods - being led out to die or have her heart broken - compare those two experiences? Well, it’s funny. I think [Snow White] genuinely lacks that innate fear of death that we all have. She’s got a serious, fierce survival - not skills, but insights. But she isn’t afraid of anything. What’s harder is to have dreams and hopes that you lived your whole life sort of be just shattered in front of you. So I think probably it’s totally impossible to compare the two. And I know that doesn’t make sense, but I kind of can’t compare. Can you compare the movies in general? Are there similarities at all? Bella and Snow White both come to find that they’re leaders. I mean, that’s definitely a similarity. They’re different. They’re very, very, very, different people. Also, I guess in a very sort of righteous way as well it’s all very like - everyone’s telling them “no” and both of them I guess see the light. Both of them are sort of a little more intuitive and spiritually, for whatever reason, connected and their gut is always sort of dead right. What about working with Chris surprised you? Did you have any preconceptions of him? Before I met him, I was like, "gosh, so charming." You know what I mean? Like he’s so ridiculously, seemingly nice. Movie-star caliber nice. But he really actually just is. But then again, it’s strange working - cause I mean it’s not a secret. It was completely different part before. It was totally like a rethought. So when he came in it was like "Wow! This is f*cking interesting!" I mean, it was like they really elevated it. Chris is an amazing, nice guy and also [has] great instincts and he can roll with everything on set. He’s really relaxed, whereas I’m always like, "oh my god!" I use my anxiety to do this and he’s always sort of like - he’s a good energy for me. I really like working with him. You actually punched Chris filming a scene and gave him a black eye? It’s actually a very confidence building experience. I don’t like punching anyone. So, you know, when you dream and your hand just slides right down their face, it doesn’t do that in real life. It really works. God, that really made me feel horrible, though. I mean, like instantly hot tears and I was like "oops!" We were watching it. It looks - it’ll be in the movie. Favorite fairy tale as a kid? I honestly don’t - somebody asked this the other day. I wasn’t here til the end of fairy tales. I really liked The Jungle Book. I was obsessed with The Jungle Book. Chris said Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. He is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and he was always like humming Enya as we were trudging up the mountain. I was saying basically, "You should make a remake of Lord of the Rings. Why are you doing this? . . . We’re doing Snow White and the Huntsman, Chris!" Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures

Do You Track What You Eat in a Food Journal?

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:53:01 PST

No matter how much you exercise, if you're looking to lose weight, changing your diet should also be a priority. And watching what you eat has become so much easier with the availability of iPhone apps, websites, and fitness monitors that can track exactly how many calories you're consuming every day.

Most food trackers have vast databases that make inputting every single thing you eat relatively simple: just search for the specific brand or type of food and add how much you've had (there are several good sites to choose from; FitSugar editor Michele recommends My Fitness Pal). But while being aware of what exactly you're eating is an important aspect in any weight loss plan, food trackers may not be for everyone. It can be hard for some to remember to log every single thing they eat, or it can even turn all-consuming if tracking your food leads you to obsess over every calorie.

What's your take on food journals - do you track your food?

Do You Track What You Eat in a Food Journal?

Yes, it's an important aspect of a weight-loss routine.

No, food tracking is not for me.

Valentine's Day Lingerie For 10 Types of Couples

Tara Sharp — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:25:25 PST

Tomorrow is the sexiest of holidays for serious and not-so serious couples alike. And whether your V-Day date involves staying at home with a movie or a weekend in wine country, the best way to set the sexy mood with your partner is by donning some hot lingerie. So depending on the type of pair you're in, be it friends with benefits or long-time marrieds, we've got 10 different Valentine's Day lingerie recommendations. Get your sexy inspiration now!

Lela Rose Fall 2012

Hannah Weil — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:41:29 PST

Color-emboldened graphic prints and architectural evening dresses dotted Lela Rose's ladylike Fall collection. Drawing inspiration from Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the looks ranged from daytime dressing in graphic plaid to evening wear with more obvious nods to the movement of Calatrava's work. The first half of the collection unfolded with a '60-inspired palette; rust, gray, and amber hues washed over knits and printed skirts until the line gave way to prettier fare. Rose finished with a finale of sequin embellishment, sculpted details, femme fit-and-flare dresses, and full-length gowns. Read on for the highlights, then click through to see the whole collection.

Trends: Ladylike silhouettes, architectural details, graphic prints.
Colors: Gray, rust, amber, white, black, and silver.
Key Piece: The sheer and embellished evening looks; the creamy white collared sheath.
Accessories: Ankle-strap heels and socks.
Who Would Wear It: Polished ladylike types.

A Basic Primer on Chocolate Types

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:15:19 PST

Although chocolate may seem like a basic ingredient, in reality, it's somewhat complex. From milk content to sweetness to cacao percentage, there's a lot that can vary.

The first thing to understand is the ratio of cacao to sugar. A chocolate that's 60 percent cacao contains 40 percent sugar. The more cacao a chocolate contains, the less sugar it has and the darker it is.

To get a breakdown of the different types of chocolate and how much sugar, cacao, and milk they have, keep reading.

A Doctor Dishes: Which "Superfoods" Are Worth the Cost?

LearnVest — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Most people you speak to these days are trying to stretch every dollar as far as possible - even the ones they spend buying apples and oranges.

Food prices are expected to increase yet again this year, and food manufacturers are making portions smaller without reducing prices. Not surprisingly, a recent Rasmussen poll found that 93 percent of adults report paying more for groceries now than they did a year ago.

So how can we supercharge our grocery dollars and get them to do overtime for us?

Yes, some foods are obviously a better nutritional deal than others (think apples vs. potato chips), but there’s another class of foods that blows the rest of the field away in terms of nutrients and health-protecting qualities: superfoods.

Superfoods can help prevent diabetes and heart disease, repair damage to your body’s cells, and more. But before you go piling them into your cart, know that some superfoods are better nutritional bargains than others. As a doctor and a mom, I’ve sleuthed out which ones are worth the extra cost in terms of their long-term health benefits. Below is the scoop on which ones may help you age better, ward off cancer, and more.

What to Know Before Buying Superfoods

Before we dive into what to buy, there are a few important things to remember about consuming these foods:

Eating foods fresh and in their natural state, especially fruits and vegetables (rather than in pill or powder supplement form), usually allows us to absorb the greatest amount of their nutrients. The way a superfood is processed or cooked can significantly lower its antioxidant content.
If the superfood can’t be eaten fresh, look for easy and appetizing recipes containing it. No matter how “super” a superfood may be, if you don’t know how to cook it, you’ll probably let it go to waste.

Are Superfoods "Good Buys" If I’m Shopping on a Budget?

Read on to find out.