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How To: Pack

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:00:23 -0800

Packing is never fun. It's especially un-fun when you're in a rush, anxious to get to your vacation spot, and when, God forbid, you have nothing to wear. So, I thought I'd share a few of my simple tips that allow you to pack more ensembles into your suitcase, and spare them from treacherous wrinkles. Although these tricks of the trade will certainly aid you on your next sojourn, they also apply to packing boxes for moving, shipping, storing, etc.

To learn how pack like sardines, read more

Lay heavy items (shoes, books, toiletries, etc.) down first.
Slip small trinkets (sunglasses, hair brush, etc.) inside your shoes, or any hollow items to use up space.
Roll up your apparel and textiles and arrange them around the heavy items. This is the tightest way to pack them, and will minimize creases in your clothes. Fold your stiffer clothes.
Lay the waist of your pants at one of edge of the suitcase, letting the hems hang outside the suitcase. Lay the next pair of pants with its waist on the opposite edge, also letting the hems hang outside the suitcase. Continue alternating with all of your pants. Then, fold the legs of your pants all at once back into the suitcase, from the left and right sides.
Lay plastic wrap on top of your clothes, or in between each layer of clothing. This will prevent items from wrinkling in transit because they will slide against the wrap, not allowing them to stand still long enough to crease.
Wrap your breakables in bubble wrap or in soft clothing in the middle of your bag, buffered by other clothing.
Place your necessities, or the things you'll need first, on top, such as pajamas and a toothbrush if you're arriving at night.
Zip and voilà!

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Get in Gear: Kelty Day Pack

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Hiking is one of those outdoor sports that's great for late summer and early fall, when warm weather begins to cool. When you go for a hike, it's a great idea to go with someone who has trekked the trail or mountain you're planning to hike. You need some durable hiking boots and some wicking socks to go with them.

You're also going to need a comfortable pack to hold your water and gear. Check out this Kelty Range Daypack. Like the name suggests, this pack has a whole range of uses. There's a roomy, padded main compartment that features an interior sleeve that can be used to carry a hydration reservoir (like one from Platypus), a journal or laptop.

Want to hear more? Then read more

There's also a pocket for your iPod or MP3 player with an exit hole for your headphone cords, if you like to hike and listen to tunes. There's also a front zippered pocket you can use to hold your cellphone, camera, snacks, a long sleeve shirt, a lightweight raincoat, a first-aid kit, or whatever. You can also use the 2 mesh side pockets to hold stuff for easy access.

If you're carrying a heavy load, there's a removable waistbelt and adjustable sternum strap to cinch the pack to your body for added comfort and stability. I know when I'm hiking up a mountain, I get really hot, and this pack features air-mesh padded shoulder straps and a padded no-sweat backpanel with venting channels to help keep your back dry.

You can order this versatile Kelty Day Pack from REI.com for $70. It comes in denim/navy (as shown) and caramel/brown. It's the perfect size for any day outing.

I Forgot to Take my Birth Control Pill, What Should I Do?

DearSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

One of the complaints I hear from women about the Pill is that they have a hard time remembering to take it everyday. So what happens if you forget?

Being even 12 hours late taking your birth control pill could increase your chances of getting pregnant. If you miss any of the first 21 pills in your pack, you need to use a backup method of birth control (condoms) until you have taken 7 consecutive days of pills.

If you miss 1 pill, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next pill at the regular time.
If you realize when taking your pill that you skipped 1, take the pill you skipped AND the new 1 together. It's okay to take 2 pills at once.
If you miss 2 pills, take 2 pills each day for the next two days, and then go back to 1 pill each day at your usual time. You could get pregnant if you have unprotected sex for the next 7 days, so make sure to use a backup method.
If you forgot to take 1 pill during the 3rd week of your pill pack, finish the pills for that week, skip the last week (inactive pills) and begin a new pack. Understand that you probably won't have another period until the 4th week of this new pill pack. Use a backup method of birth control until you have taken 7 consecutive days of pills.

What if you forgot 3 or more pills in a row? To find out read more

If you forget 3 or more pills, call your doctor for advice. They may suggest to take one pill daily until Sunday and then start a new pack, or to discard the rest of the pill pack and start over with a new pack that same day. Be sure to use a back up method of birth control method each time you have sex because you are no longer protected against pregnancy. After you've had 7 days of pills, then you are protected against pregnancy.

Dear's Advice: It's always a good idea to talk to your doctor if you have any questions. If you think there could be a chance that you are pregnant (and you don't want to be), Emergency Contraception (Plan B) is always an option. It is available in many pharmacies over the counter without a prescription if you're over 18. Something that I have always found to be effective is to set the alarm on your cell phone or outlook calendar to remind you!

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Backpacking: The Essentials

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:15:00 -0700

If you love to camp, you'll love backpacking. Basically instead of packing all your stuff in your car and driving to your campsite, and enjoying nature with people all around you, you pack all your gear into a backpack and hike to a remote and way more private location. No neighboring campers playing acoustic versions of their favorite Metallica tunes until the wee hours of the morning.

I would start off slowly and just do an overnight trip. There is a lot less food and water to pack if you are only going for an overnight. I tell you though, chances are high you are going to love it and start planning longer and longer trips. Serious backpackers go for weeks at a time.

Before heading out, it's a good idea to get a book on the basics of backpacking like Backpacking: One Step at a Time ($18.05). It'll give you life-saving tips on how to enjoy yourself in the wilderness, and how to have the least impact on the environment.

Having good gear is essential and you'll need lightweight hiking boots (sneakers are not sturdy enough when you're carrying extra weight on your back), and a good sized backpack. Since you're carrying all your stuff, you want to carry only what you NEED, and you want to get lightweight versions of everything. You'll need a lightweight tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. You'll also need enough food for your trip as well as layers of clothes - warm stuff because it can get cold at night.

Want to see what I pack? Then read more

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What to Pack for a Day Hike

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:01:18 -0700

I love to get an early start in the morning when I am planning an all day hike up and down a mountain. The air is cooler in the morning and there are less people on the trail. Since I plan to be out for at least 4 hours, maybe even 8 hours if I am feeling really ambitious, I need more than just water in my day pack.

I made this widget - it's a list of day hike essentials. Check it out.

You can create your own Fit List and then Build Your Own Widget to share on TeamSugar.

Fit's Tips: I always pack my lunch and snacks in a plastic grocery bag and when I'm done, I use the bag for my trash and any I find on the trail.

Get In Gear: Mountainsmith Dart

FitSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 10:15:00 -0700

I am so psyched for the warm weather so I can go trail running and hiking. What's a girl to do when she gets thirsty though? I hate carrying a huge pack just so I can have my water bottle, but now I don't need to. Check out the Mountainsmith Dart.

It's a lumbar back, so it fits snug against your lower back, but it's lightweight (3 oz), so it won't cause any strain. The waistband is adjustable, and there's also a little zippered pouch so you can keep your LARABARs, cell phone and digital camera safe and sound.

The best part is that it comes with a 20 oz water bottle, and it's tilted sideways for easy removal. Not only that, but Blush Pink is just one of the colors you can choose since the Dart also comes in Cobalt, Evergreen, Green Mist, Lime, Lotus Blue, Powder Blue, and Rio Red. Buy it through the Rock Creek website for $15.95.

Get in Gear: The Sugar Pack

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:00:00 -0800

If you are into doing anything outdoors, you've got to have a Camelbak. It's an easy way to make sure you've always got your water with you.

Sometimes when you're out for the day, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or whatever, it's annoying to have to stop all the time to get your water bottle out of your backpack.

Using the Camelbak keeps your water much more accessible so you are apt to drink as much water as you need.

It's a pack that has a reservoir pouch that holds the water. And there's a little tube that goes from there all the way up to your shoulder. To get the water out, you bite down on the end and suck - it's like a big straw - it's so easy.

But won't my water freeze? Nope. Camelbak makes insulated packs like this one so your water is protected from the cold. It's called the Sugar pack. You know I love that!!!

For $70, it holds 70 oz of water and has extra storage space for important things like snacks, a camera, your cell phone, and extra layers. What a brilliant idea.

Know Your Ingredients: Solid Pack Pumpkin

YumSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:00:10 -0800

Recently, a co-worker came to me with a number of questions about canned, solid pack pumpkin: Is it sweetened? Does it have spices in it? What is it used for?

Well, Alexis - and anyone else curious to know - here's the answer you've been waiting for. Solid pack pumpkin is exactly that: just pumpkin, and nothing else (despite the misleading pumpkin pie that is often on the label). It's sometimes called pumpkin purée or "100% pure pumpkin" to distinguish it from the similarly named canned pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices.

Although you can make it yourself, buying solid pack pumpkin - which is free of preservatives - saves you the effort of seeding, roasting, scooping, and blending pumpkin flesh until smooth. The purée can be used as a time-saving measure when making pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin soup.

Have you ever bought solid pack pumpkin? What did you use it for?

Get in Gear: Trail Tracker Sport Pack

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:30:00 -0700

I'll be the first to admit that I am not a fan of fanny packs. However sometimes when exercising, I find them acceptable. Still not fashionable, but acceptable. Wearing one while dancing around at Disneyland, totally unacceptable.

As far as fanny packs go, this Sportline Trail Tracker Sport Pack ($20) is as functional and sporty as they come. Not only does it have an over-sized media pocket with integrated music port and internal iPod holder, but it also has a built in pedometer. What's more? It's reflective so ~~everyone will know you're wearing a fanny pack~~ cars will see you during your evening and early morning runs.

Would You Stash Your Cell In A Fanny Pack?

GeekSugar — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 07:58:18 -0700

It's not bringing sexy/back, it's bringing the fanny pack back! American Apparel has just come out with a new line of nylon cordura fanny packs, which are a very close throwback to the amazing cell phone, marker and chalk holder my high school English teacher used to wear. And only because they are from American Apparel and available in cool colors like amethyst, dusty rose and peacock am I giving them any attention whatsoever. For only $14, they might just be the perfect solution to that camera/iPod case you've been searching for...if you happen to be in the market for a fanny pack. According to Styledash "these bags are slightly better than the fanny packs you might remember from 1988." Hey if Courteney Cox can get away with wearing an ugly cell phone clip, anything is possible!