BuzzSugar

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:34:20 PDT

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. Here are today's selections:

My heroes: The Gym Class Heroes' new album is a little less edgy than previous LPs (sounds like they've started to enter Black Eyed Peas territory) but I'm still digging it. Probably not worth downloading the whole thing but their duet with Estelle, "Guilty as Charged" is great and I love that Busta Rhymes shows up on "Peace Sign/Index Down"!

Just a little bit country: Well, J Simp's first country album has arrived and the reviews are lukewarm. Idolator has a helpful round-up of reviews but even the Houston Chronicle described it as "mostly generic Nashville flavor." From what I've heard so far I wouldn't say it's bad, just not great. The song "Remember That" contains some powerful vocals and it's clear her heart and soul are in it when she belts the lyrics to "Might As Well Be Making Love." It's mostly when she has some Dixie Chick-like girl power oomph behind her lyrics that she's at her best, and has me (more or less) sold on her country transformation.

Two more good ones up next so

Reflections on being in a band: The new Okervill River album is pretty great. So I downloaded the whole thing. I adore the gritty, crooning vocals of Will Sheff and am enjoying the diversity of these new songs. For example, "Singer Songwriter" sounds like a great traditional rock song, whereas "Pop Lie" sounds very new wave complete with claps. I've talked about "Lost Coastlines" before, but it's worth a reminder to download it because it's so good (it's one of my jogging songs!).

Cocktail party: I read that this new Calexico album was meant as a "travelogue about a Los Angeles scribe on a road trip during the recent Writers Guild strike" which is neato, but it's so pretty and atmospheric I keep thinking this is exactly what I'd put on in the background of a dinner party. The Latin flavor in "Inspiracion" is quirky and fun and "House of Valparaiso" is gorgeous.

BuzzSugar's Must Haves for September

BuzzSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:45:53 PDT

All right, September is here! Let the good times roll! I know that sounds awfully cheery given the end of Summer, but from an entertainment perspective, this time of year is exciting. For my must haves this month I chose a book that intrigues me, several albums coming out from some of my favorite artists, a bunch of TV shows that will be out on DVD, and one of the most anticipated movies of the year that's soon to be yours to own! Ready for Fall? Just hit "Start."

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Shawn Johnson Talks Weight Loss and Learning to Love Her Body

espnW — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:05:26 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson is blogging for espnW throughout her training for the Olympics in London this summer. Follow hers other Olympic hopefuls' journeys on espnW.com.

Four years ago, I was standing on an Olympic podium, wearing a gold medal, and still thinking to myself how I could have been better. It had nothing to do with my performance - it was all how I looked. Back then, I always felt like I could have been a few pounds lighter. But the irony is, when I look back at the pictures, I look unhealthy and too thin. It's easy to get into a trap as an elite athlete, because you're made to feel that you're never perfect, that you can always be better. That's how you improve in your sport, but it's also tough because you aren't satisfied with yourself ever - it's second nature not to be. I'd always think, "Just get a little stronger, a little lighter," until it was completely ingrained in my mind.

Shawn Johnson takes us inside training camp

It's easy for people to blame gymnastics for this mentality, but I feel like the sport has improved a lot. The horror stories we heard from generations ago (think Joan Ryan's infamous book Little Girls in Pretty Boxes), you don't hear at all anymore. But I do believe it can improve further and that good nutrition could be a key to all of this, if it were only taught at a young age. Many gymnasts go into the elite level at 13 or so, and a 13-year-old isn't going to go to the library to read some book on nutrition! She needs to be given the right information on how to eat well. Otherwise, it's not until she's out of the sport that she realizes the damage she's done to her body by not eating enough over the past 20 years.

Shawn Johnson in the driver's seat

I see all the success we have as a country where the gymnasts aren't 100 percent healthy, and I imagine how amazing we could be if we were doing it in the healthiest way possible. I don't think it's a failure on anybody's part; the education just isn't there right now, and it's just not thought about in our sport. My parents have told me since I was little, "You're given your body for a reason. It's OK to be different. Being unique is a good thing." But I always struggled to believe it. I'm stocky, muscular and short, and I wanted to be thin and flexible so bad! My mom would say, "You're not made that way, and you're not going to become that, so you have to learn to accept and love the body you're in." Well, some people are born with that appreciation, and some people have to work really hard to get there. Put me in that second camp.

Read on for more on what Shawn Johnson has to say about body confidence and how she feels in her gymnastics leotard.

Yogini Kristin McGee Dishes on Bethenny Frankel's Fave Pose and Getting Ready For Beach Season

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:36:21 PDT

I was lucky enough to take a class taught by Manhattan-based yoga teacher Kristin McGee right here in San Francisco! Although one busy lady, Kristin traveled across the country to teach Vinyasa Vibes (a new offering at The Sports Club/LA), a flow-based, powerful yoga sequence enhanced by music. The most musical part of the practice? During Savasana, the class culminated in a live sax solo by Grammy-nominated musician Dave Koz. After class, Kristin and I chatted about her yoga journey, getting ready for bikini season, and what it's like working with one of her famous clients, Bethenny Frankel.

FitSugar: Some of the moves in Vinyasa Vibes are Ashtanga-influenced. Is that what your yoga teacher training background was in?
Kristin McGee: My original background was really eclectic because I started in the early '90s. I started taking [yoga] at NYU; some of my very early teachers were Jivamukti teachers who did study Ashtanga. Then I did study with Richard Freedman for a while, who is pure Ashtanga, and Cyndi Lee at OM Yoga. I wanted to get deeper into Iyengar classes and get into the alignment and the detail. Now in my practice I want to get more into Pranayama, more of the breathing, and maybe take some more Kundalini classes. I just feel like it constantly evolves.

FS: The Vinyasa Vibes class has live music during final relaxation. Can you elaborate on the experience of live music and yoga combined?
KM: In yoga practice, it’s a very intimate, immediate place. It's almost like live theater or live music where it brings you right into the moment. Music is a universal language, just like our breath is a universal breath. I think the second we're in this surrounding, in this environment with that live music and the intimacy of a live class, it brings it all together in one beautiful experience.

FS: You’ve collaborated with Bethenny Frankel on some projects. What's her favorite pose?
KM: Bethenny’s all-time favorite pose is Straddle Forward Bend because she says it feels like the weight of the world is falling off of her shoulders. Someone like Bethenny Frankel has a million things going on, and I don’t know how she does it! But I think you also noticed it in the practice tonight. Right when we finally got to that Straddle Forward Hang, it was kind of just like, "Ugh! Such a release!" You feel like you could stay there for quite a while.

Keep reading for Kristin's favorite snack before class and how to get your body ready for Summer.

What We're Sweet On: The Gloss That Looks Good on Everyone

Jaime Richards — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:32:00 PDT

Some lip glosses are so waxy, your lips feel as if they're suffocating, while others are so shiny, they practically blind the person standing next to you. Such is not the case with Intelligent Nutrients' Lip Delivery Antioxidant Gloss in Pink Hibiscus ($24). Free of synthetic waxes and oils (and fragrance and colorants), the subtly tinted gloss lends just a hint of sheen to the lips. And the touch-of-pink hue is the perfect shade to reach for when you want a more minimalistic makeup look - or when you want low-key lips to complement an intensely heavy smoky eye.

Certified organic, Lip Delivery is loaded with antioxidant-rich cranberries, purple corn, and blueberries. Beeswax, carnauba wax, and cocoa butter ingredients moisturize, while shea butter lends a bit of natural protection from the sun's UV rays. A built-in brush makes application all the more smooth, but perhaps the biggest treat is its sweet and tart flavor, a blend of caramel, vanilla, raspberry, agave, and coconut. You'll keep going back to this smooth operator again and again.

Say Goodbye to the Bloat With These Healthy Asparagus Recipes

Michele Foley — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:19:20 PDT

If you're getting in shape for a big event like a wedding, or want to look your best for bikini season, what you eat makes all the difference. Besides helping with weight loss, the right foods can also minimize bloating. Here's where asparagus comes in: this Spring veggie encourages colon health and also stimulates the growth of probiotics in the body. From breakfast to dinner, help give your digestive system a little support with these healthy asparagus recipes.

Spring Veggie Frittata
Start your morning off with a asparagus-filled frittata. What's great is that you can make this recipe on a Sunday and portion it out to enjoy over the course of the week. Omit the cheese to keep the recipe flat-belly-friendly.

Marinated Mushroom and Asparagus Salad
Vegan and gluten-free, this salad puts you in asparagus heaven. Earthy enough to stand up on its own, it's also great when paired with tofu, fish, or chicken.

See what's for dinner after the break!

Revenge and Happy Endings Get Shuffled Around in ABC's New Fall Schedule

Shannon Vestal — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:10:08 PDT

ABC has announced its brand spankin' new Fall schedule, and there are a few big things to take note of. Obviously the network's new series are built in, but a few returning series have new spots in the lineup, like Revenge, which is shifting to Desperate Housewives' vacated Sunday night slot. Happy Endings and Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 are moving to Tuesdays, giving a new comedy the Modern Family lead-in on Wednesday nights. Check out ABC's new Fall schedule and rev up your DVRs after the break.

"I'm Afraid of Turning Into My Mom"

Tres Community — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:05:17 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

Someone please help me. I have some family issues. Let me start off with my mom. I love my mom, but I can't stand the way she is. Her thoughts are very old fashioned. Let me give some examples. She said I can't move out until I'm married (which is totally not going to happen, I plan to move out when I'm 25 married or not). She doesn't let me or my brother go to clubs because according to her people put drugs in your drinks and start fights with you (I know both of these two things happen but I mean come on I know better) so once my brother went and she practically disowned him for like a week.

She shows me off everywhere saying that I could do this and that and that. She is very judgmental of other people, and when I don't agree with her she gets mad. She could find any excuse to fight with us, if a fly passes by she could pick a fight about it. Her facial expression is always tired, sad, angry. I'm tired of it, I love her but I can't stand her ways. I'm scared that I'm going to end up being like her. I know I could choose the way I live my life, but monkey see monkey do. I'm already starting to notice some things that I do that she does. But then again she's practically all I have in the country we live in.

I do have a brother and a stepfather but my stepfather prefers to be with his family and my brother prefers to be with his girlfriend's family. So I'm left alone with her, since I don't have a boyfriend or that many friends and I feel bad if I leave her alone.

Speaking of my brother I'm so disappointed in him because today we came back from a little gathering his girlfriend's family had. And oh my, he was so loving and social at the gathering and everybody loved him and knew him. Then I think of the times he's home and he's so different it's like he prefers to be with that other family. He doesn't like the way my mom is either. When he's home he is so distant from us and is out practically the whole day everyday with the girlfriend. He gets mad/irritated when we talk to him. But no when he's over with her family or just his girlfriend he's a completely different person and my stepdad does the same thing when his with his family.

So I'm left with my mom and her negative attitude, and I don't want to be like her I'm trying to see things I do the same as her and change them but ughhh it's all genetics and habitual behavior that it's practically now natural to act the way she does. I'm just so sad at this whole situation. I love spending time with my mom and love her to death and I'm thankful of everything she's done for us both, but her negative attitude, prohibitions and old fashioned thinking make me have resentment towards her. Then my brother, I have never seen him act so loving with us or any body of our family when they come to visit. Please help me on both situations. Thanks. Oh, by the way I'm 21 and he's 23.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Anna Kendrick and Chace Crawford Talk Baby Wrangling and "Creepy" Infants

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 15 May 2012 02:11:51 PDT

Anna Kendrick and Chace Crawford easily have one of the most heartbreaking story lines in What to Expect When You're Expecting, but the pair brought plenty of laughs to our recent chat during a press day for the project. The duo plays competing food-truck chefs in the film who end up in a serious - and seriously unplanned - relationship. Anna admitted she put a lot of elbow grease into prepping for the role but said she later discovered her effort was mostly wasted once the cameras were rolling. Chace also dished on the potentially romantic meal he's an ace at whipping up in the kitchen. We also talked about the dozens of babies crawling around the set and the "creepy" stand-in dolls they used in place of real infants. Check out our interview and catch What to Expect When You're Expecting when it hits theaters on May 18!

5 Ways to Beautify While You Sleep

Jessica Cruel — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:28:00 PDT

Sometimes there isn't enough time in the day to do all the steps in your beauty routine - cleansing, exfoliating, toning, masking, moisturizing, (whew). So why not maximize your schedule and let the products do all the heavy lifting while you snooze? Just add these simple steps and products to your nighttime regimen, and you can wake up one step closer to a more polished look. Discover which overnight treatments are so easy you can do them with your eyes closed when you keep reading