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You Asked: How Do We Even the Playing Field?

DearSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

My boyfriend and I have been together for more than six months and although we are from drastically different backgrounds, we love each other very much. The problem we face stems from the fact that in our previous relationships, we were each the one who wore the pants and we were both the dominant ones. He is loud, outspoken, highly opinionated, and sometimes very arrogant - I am exactly the same way.

He expects me to be the perfect domesticated woman - cook, clean, and listen to every word he says without a complaint. I have tried to give in and meet him halfway by doing things I have never done before (like cooking and cleaning up after him), and I have toned down my attitude by listening more, but he does not feel the need to compromise as well. His responses always end with "because I am the man and you are the woman," and it infuriates me to be treated this way. If I anger him or say something wrong, he will retaliate by hurting me 10 times as much as I may have hurt him. All this is just to try and tame me or break me to become the woman he wants me to be. I know deep down this relationship has potential - we push each other to be the best we can be, we think alike, we are each other's best friend, and the sex is fantastic - but without any help from him, I'm starting to lose faith. How do I make him understand that this has to be a two-way effort? - Making an Effort Emma

To see DearSugar's answer, read more.

Dear Making an Effort Emma,

When two people with the same stubborn personality date, it's not uncommon for them to butt heads, but unfortunately this situation sounds a bit more extreme. Since he wants you to be a domesticated woman, something tells me that's what his mom was for his father, but he needs to understand that's not the role all women play. It's also pretty clear that he has a volatile temper, but the foundation of a good relationship is based on love and respect, not who can hurt each other more.

Since you say this relationship has potential, I think it's great that you're trying to meet him halfway, but if he's not willing to do the same, you might be running uphill for the duration of this relationship. His chauvinistic attitude will most likely not change, so instead of trying to be someone you're not, try talking to him and letting him know that you're not willing to sacrifice your beliefs. You need to stand up for yourself, Emma, and as scary as it might be to potentially lose your boyfriend, if he's not willing to accept you for you are, I think you'll be better off if you go your separate ways. You deserve to be with someone who's not afraid to let the woman wear the pants every once in a while!

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Get in Gear: A Camping Stove is a MUST!

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Just because you are "roughing it" in the woods with your tent and sleeping bag does NOT mean you must be stuck eating only trail mix. Having a camping stove is a necessity when campground camping. I definitely wouldn't truck this stove around while backpacking, but if you're driving to your campsite, you can pack whatever you want.

This Coleman 2-Burner Propane Stove has double burners so you can boil your pasta and sauté veggies at the same time. One 16.4 oz cylinder or fuel will last over an hour with both burners on high, so you'll have plenty of time to make a fabulous meal.

Want to hear more about it? Then read more

Worried about wind blowing dirt into your food or blowing out your flame? This stove comes with two folding WindBlock™ shields. You can also flip these shields down so they act as shelves to hold cooking utensils and spices.

It's easy to clean and comes with a durable metal case to protect your stove. And the best part is that it's fairly inexpensive - you can order one from Rei.com for only $46.00. That's quite a deal considering eating healthy on your camping trip is so important.

Fit's Tips: Looking for some ideas on what to cook on your Coleman Stove? Just think about what you like to make on your regular stove and do some slight adjustments. You can cook just about anything, as long as it doesn't take too long. Save time by prepping meals ahead of time. Pre-cut veggies and pre-measure ingredients, and then store your food in a cooler. Then when you're ready to eat, cooking a healthy meal will be a cinch.

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Get Physical: Winter Camping

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:17:03 -0800

If you love the outdoors and have someone who loves it equally as much, why not plan an overnight excursion? I know it's February, and it's cold out, but winter camping is a huge sport. What's so great about it? No bugs!

If you plan ahead and pack the right gear, you'll beat the cold and have a ton of fun. Here's what you'll need:

Waterproof Tent and a tarp to lay underneath it
Warm mummy style sleeping bags for each of you, preferably made of down like this one from The North Face
Always use a sleeping pad under your sleeping bag so you're not resting on the cold earth
Warm clothing - pack wool base layers to help keep you warm, extra pairs of wool socks, a warm hat and mittens, a waterproof coat and pants, and waterproof boots.
Enough water for the both of you. Keep your water bottles from freezing by placing them in a wool sock or insulated bottle cover.

Want to see what else you need? Then read more

A camera to hold onto the memories
Cell phones just in case
A pocket knife
Plenty of snacks and food to cook. Remember to bring pots, plates, can opener, and utensils - everything you'll need in order to eat. Canned foods or one pot meals work best. My favorite camping meal is macaroni and cheese.
Waterproof matches or a lighter and plenty of firewood to start a campfire. (You may as well pack some marshmallows to toast as well)
Bring snowshoes or cross-country skis to use during the day
If you're hiking to your camp site, pack all your stuff in a comfortable back pack or pull it along in a sled.

Fit's Tips: Very important: Make sure you plan your trip and tell family and friends exactly when and where you're going. It's a scary reality that something could happen, so this way, people will know where to look for you.

What kind of eater are you?

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 09:15:00 -0800

What kind of "eater" are you? Want to find out? Then take this quiz. Knowing how you eat can influence what you eat so you can make sure you're getting your RDA's of fiber, vitamins, calcium and Omega 3s.

You are

generally chewing on something - chips or gum.

always picking up food on the go and take out is your BFF.

into planning menus and sit down dinners.

Last night, for dinner you

picked up a burger or a burrito on your way home from work.

roasted a chicken a la Julia Childs with 1 stick of butter.

ate some nuts right after work, some cheese and crackers later, then you made some pasta while watching Top Chef.

You prefer to eat

3 square meals a day.

on and off throughout the day, chewing helps you think.

meals that someone else has prepared.

Your prized kitchen tool is

a can opener.

my juicer, my kitchen aid, my cuisinart - I can't decide. I love them all!!!!

chip clip - keep those snacks fresh.

When you see some bananas on the counter you think

that's the main ingredient in banana bread - i will make some when they get ripe enough.

great!!!! just peel and eat.

I'll eat half and leave the rest for later.

Date / Food / Cook?!

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 02:43:34 -0800

Well, I've been dating this guy for about three months now and invited him over for food and games next week. My cooking abilities max out at hot dogs, mac n cheese and chocolate cake. Any easy dinner recipes that I can whip up?

Gifts Every Healthy Cook Wants

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:59 -0800

If you give the cook in your life more reason to get into the kitchen, chances are you'll be rewarded with a delicious meal. Here are our picks for what we think will make healthy cooks even happier come gift time.

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Food Network Aims to Entertain With 2010 Lineup

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:30:20 -0800

Looks like Food Network's switching gears to focus less on cooking expertise and more on entertainment. On the roster for 2010: more Brian Boitano, and a new show, Worst Cooks in America.

Worst Cooks in America, which premieres Sunday, Jan. 3, features 12 "hopeless cooks" who are divided into two teams, one under the tutelage of network vet Anne Burrell and the other led by Arizona chef Beau MacMillan.

The show's premise: bad cooks undergo a five-week "culinary boot camp" where they will learn kitchen techniques from Burrell and MacMillan that they must apply in weekly elimination challenges.

After the contestants have been narrowed down to two, they will compete for a grand prize of $25,000 in a final challenge that has them preparing a three-course meal for a panel of food critics who think the dishes have been prepared by chefs Anne and Beau.

For even more entertainment, Brian Boitano fans should also stay tuned for the return of the Olympic medalist, who's back with a second season of the screwball show What Would Brian Boitano Make? in March. Will you tune in to watch either of these shows - or are they too far a departure from the classic cooking shows that once dominated Food Network?

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Have You Injured Yourself Cooking?

partysugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:09 -0800

Last Wednesday while chopping shallots with my shiny new knife, I cut my thumb. Badly. I was really lucky I didn't slice the tip of my thumb off. While this isn't the first time I've hurt myself in the kitchen (I have a scar on my arm from an oven burn), this was by far my most extreme accident. From hot oil to slippery knives, there's plenty of danger in cooking, so do tell: have you hurt yourself in the kitchen?

Have You Started Cooking For Thanksgiving Yet?

partysugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:50:42 -0800

Cooked Leafy Green Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:31 -0700

In the Summer months, I crave cool, crispy raw salad greens, but when cooler temps roll in, I'm all about cooked greens. I often sauté them in a little olive oil with garlic, and they're flavorful, low in calories, and full of vitamins and nutrients. If you've ever wondered just how nutritious they are, I made a little chart so you can find out.

To see the breakdown, read more.

1 cup cooked	Calories	Fiber (g)	Vitamin A (IU)	Iron (mg)	Potassium (mg)	Folate (mcg)
Your RDI (just to compare)	around 2,000	25-30	2,333	18	4,200	400
Spinach	41	4	18,867	6.4	839	263
Mustard spinach	29	4	14,761	1.4	513	131
Kale	36	3	17,709	1.2	296	16.9
Swiss chard	35	4	10,717	4	961	15.7
Broccoli raab (1 bunch cooked)	144	12	19,812	5.5	1,499	310
Escarole	95	5.8	1,843	1.4	530	172
Mustard greens	22.4	3	2,100	1.08	301	108
Turnip greens	33	5.7	4,199	1.3	333	196
Watercress	15	2	2,823	.36	449	8

Not sure how to use cooked greens? Try indian spiced chard or simple sautéed escarole, and this is how I like to prepare kale. If you have a tasty way to cook greens, please share it in the Healthy Recipe group.

Source: Flickr User PetroleumJelliffe