PopSugar

What's Better: Wood or Plastic Cutting Boards?

YumSugar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:11:56 -0800

I use mostly wooden cutting boards, though I do own a plastic one that's looking pretty rough. After noticing several discolored grooves on the plastic last week, I started wondering if and when I should get rid of old boards. I was also curious about whether plastic or wooden cutting boards are safer, so I decided to do a little research.

It turns out that there's not much difference between plastic and wooden boards when it comes to food safety; it's really a matter of preference. According to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, nonporous surfaces like plastic are easier to clean, but as long as you clean them, both wood and plastic are safe. Just be sure to always use a clean board, especially if you use one to cut raw meat. For tips on when to get rid of cutting boards, and how to clean them, read more.

Wooden and plastic boards both wear out over time, and you should toss your cutting boards once they start to look very worn out or have grooves that are discolored or hard to clean. I guess that means it's time to say good-bye to my plastic cutting board.

Here are a few tips on cleaning cutting boards.

After each use, wash your cutting board with soap and hot water.
If you have a plastic cutting board, run it through the dishwasher for further disinfecting.
For deeper cleaning, wash wooden or plastic cutting boards with a solution of three tablespoons of bleach and one quart of water.

Source

What's With All the Different Kinds of Oats?

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:00:31 -0700

Need a little extra fiber and protein? Then reach for some oats. You can make oatmeal, use them to make cookies, add them to smoothies to thicken them up, or grind them to make flour. There are a few different kinds of oats, so how do you know which to choose? Check out the chart below.

	Steel cut oats	Old-fashioned oats	Quick oats
Description	Also called Irish or Scotch oats, these are cut, not rolled. They look like chopped up rice, take the longest to cook, and have a slightly chewy consistency.	Sometimes called rolled oats, these look like flat little ovals. When processing these oats, the kernels are steamed first, and then rolled to flatten them. They take longer to cook than quick oats, but are quicker than steel cut oats.	Also called instant oats, these oats are pre-cooked, dried, and then rolled. They cook in a few minutes when added to hot water, and have a mushy texture.

Want to know how they compare nutritionally? Then keep reading

Off to Market Recap: Wood Cutting Board

partysugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:00:25 -0700

While I was writing about my common kitchen mistake - I'm prone to burning plastic cutting boards! - I realized the best way to avoid burning any more would be to invest in wooden cutting boards and I asked you to help me find them. You looked for different sized, wooden cutting boards that are thick and durable. You bookmarked the boards in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Wood Cutting Board. I like the pale color of these bamboo cutting boards that jopperma discovered. They are lightweight and environmentally friendly. Check out the wood cutting boards below and let me know which one is your favorite!

To learn more about the bookmarking feature please read geeksugar's explanation.

Off to Market: Wood Cutting Board

partysugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:00:36 -0700

While I was writing about my common kitchen mistake - I'm prone to burning plastic cutting boards! - I realized the best way to avoid burning more would be to invest in wooden cutting boards. Can you help me find some? Look for different sized, wooden cutting boards that are thick and durable. Bookmark the boards in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Wood Cutting Board. I look forward to checking out collection!

To learn more about the bookmarking feature please read geeksugar's explanation.
Don't know where to start searching? Check out a list of my favorite online stores when you, read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Kitchen Cleanliness: Disinfect Your Cutting Boards

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:30:00 -0800

I think we need to talk about the germ-infested cutting boards in your kitchen. All those cracks and crevices are housing millions of bacteria that could make you very sick.

Glass cutting boards are the most sanitary because they're the easiest to keep clean. You can even pop them in the dishwasher which is good news when it comes to ditching germs. Too bad they ruin your knife edges and make you crazy with their annoyingly loud chopping sound.

Wooden boards are easy on your knife and your ears, but tend to crack and get deep grooves so they are impossible to clean thoroughly.

You can always spring for bamboo cutting boards, which my friend YumSugar highly recommends since they're stronger than regular wood, but more expensive. Let Rachael Ray show you how to get stains off those boards using salt.

Whatever material you choose to chop on, they should be immediately washed after each use in hot soapy water and disinfect often. Want to know how? Then read more

About once a week (or more often if you get really grossed out), dilute 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 quart water.

You can also use a vinegar solution - mix 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water.

Flood the surface with whichever solution you choose for several minutes.

Rinse with water and allow to dry completely.

And another thing - If a cutting board becomes deeply carved or scratched up - replace it.

Fabworthy: Tobi Exclusive Paper Cut Cut Tee Benefitting Breast Cancer Awareness

FabSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:00:22 -0700

One of the winners of Tobi's Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirt contest is Courtney Chu, a children's fashion and accessory designer. Her design, the Tobi Exclusive Paper Cut Cut Tee ($49), was inspired by the duality of light and shadow. It is one of the prettiest breast cancer tees out there right now. Courtney took pink ribbons and overlapped them to create abstract angles. The Loomstate t-shirt is made of organic cotton, so you can be cute and eco-friendly.

Ten percent of all sales will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Congrats on your win, Courtney!

Style Glossary: Bias Cut

FabSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:30:22 -0700

Bias Cut

A garment is said to be cut on the bias when the fabric's warp and weft threads are at 45 degrees to its major seam lines; essentially, the diagonal cut of a fabric. This technique utilizes a greater stretch in the bias, thereby causing it to accentuate body lines and curves and drape softly. Non-woven fabrics such as felt do not have a bias. Bias-cut garments were made popular by French designer Madeleine Vionnet in the '20s and '30s.

To see some cute bias-cut items, read more.

Berry Plaid Dress - $168.00	Bias Cut Draped V-Neck - $135.00
Casey Cardigan - $59.00	Ralph Lauren Minnie Silk Bias Skirt - $139.00
Tissue sparkling rose tee - $42.50	Bias-cut polka dot tank dress - $64.00
Tissue silk-trim cardigan - $39.50	Self Esteem® Bias-Cut Plaid Hoodie - $34.00
Lucky Brand Jeans Sleeveless Braided-Strap Ikat-Print Dress - $89.00

Product Review: HerCut, Made Just For Your Haircut

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:01:31 -0700

In an attempt to offer a new twist in the haircare market, HerCut, a line of products tailored to the form and shape of your actual haircut, launches online today. Earlier, most of you said you'd at least give it a try, but as expected, there were some rumblings about whether or not these products could actually work, as they eschew something rather important when it comes to your hairstyle - its texture.

HerCut offers five styling "Catalysts" ($22 each) that pump out a cream on one side and a gel on the other, to complement the foundation of the haircut (think multichambered toothpaste dispensers). Those haircut foundations are the Bob, the Blunt, the Shag, Long Layers, and the Pixie. The product lineup also includes three different types of paraben- and sulfate-free shampoos ($19 each) and conditioners ($19).

To see more images and find out what I thought about the products, just keep reading.

Cool Idea: A Cut Paper-Inspired Wall Mural

CasaSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:00:51 -0700

Not all of us have the artistic skills of talented muralists like Mint and Serf, but that doesn't mean we can't create one-of-a-kind artwork for our homes. Even inspired, "knock-off" art is unique when it comes to painting a mural on your wall. This pink and orange flower used in this mural came from the Authentic Chinese Cut-Paper Designs book (it's actually sitting on the bedside table). To enlarge the image, it was first drawn freehand in chalk on the wall, and then the lines were filled in with paint. It's beautiful, right? Maybe you have some art books on a shelf to inspire a mural in your home.

Source: Flickr User MissLPS

Do You Decorate With Cut Orchids?

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:00:02 -0700

When it comes to floral arrangements, i rarely think about buying cut orchids. My potted orchids usually last for months (and I've been lucky enough to have one blooming continuously for 16 months!). Still, the blooms are absolutely gorgeous, and I can see the appeal of cut orchids.

Source: Photo by Andrew Grinton