Ask Bonnie

From bright gold suits to slouchy linen trousers, we’ve got a ton of looks to choose from for Spring/Summer 2007. Some of our favorite fashion trends include:

’70s Style
The 1970s are back again with tailored, tight suits and matching waistcoats—but forget your elephant bells! Trousers are slightly flared in ’70s style for Spring/Summer 2007.

The tailored trend marches on while we revive the hottest ’70s appeal. Some looks bring back the traditional suit shape of the 1970s. Tight, high-waisted trousers are matched with equally slim fitting waistcoats, while designers like Anne Demeulemeester are channeling a little more of the punk ’70s look. Cuffed, dark trousers are slightly cropped and worn with white pirate shirts, and look similar to the cult classic pieces from British designer Vivienne Westwood.

Natural Tones and Fabrics
Fabrics are worn loose and natural for a cool new look.

We saw slouchy natural fabrics parading down the runway at more than a handful of eclectic designers. Number (N)ine had a fantastic example of these natural trends with a suit of highly slouched linen and cowboy boots, paired with beads and a long belt. While a little too daring for the office, it’s a perfect way to stylize a casual linen suit to match 2007 trends. Even more daring was the linen one-piece jumpsuit from Lanvin, which was worn with a boxy blazer.

Full Shapes
Get used to pleated shorts all over again!

If you just got used to your slim fitting separates, you’ll have to become acquainted with wearing baggy shorts again. Pleated ones were found all over the runway for Spring/Summer 2007 in seriously roomy silhouettes. Miu Miu’s were large, white, and cuffed, while Emporio Armani gave us a dressed up version in black, which were worn with ankle boots and a formal jacket. Hot versions are available in preppy pink, traditional khaki, and timeless white.

Shiny Fabrics
Golden glows brighten up 2007’s shirts and suits.

Shirts and trousers have sheen this spring. Alexander McQueen brought us silvery suit jackets with texturized patterns, and jackets are fashioned in coated fabrics including daring pleather-like glossy finishes. Costume National’s suits were handsome examples of the 2007 trends, combining a very luminous gray fabric with a shimmering effect.

Hawaiian-inspired Prints
Surf’s up! We’re feeling beachy next summer.

Tons of surf inspired prints are available for Spring 2007. Bright yellow floral patterns from Louis Vuitton found their way onto comfortable, casual shirts. Loose shorts were festooned with graphic black and white flowers in exaggerated proportions.

Palette
Colors are fun next season, from electric blue to school bus yellow. Jil Sander’s traditionally shaped polo shirts were lively in tangerine, while Versace used the same orange on zip-up sweat shirts and casual wear. Prada’s slick overcoat continues the trend with a bright solid orange in a daring pleather.

Wear Yours
• Tropical prints can be a summer staple, especially if you spend a lot of time near the beach.
• Approach the ’70s trend carefully. Incorporate one or two pieces into your overall look, such as the high waisted trouser in a luxurious fabric.
• Adhere to a budget by getting a few bright and punchy basics. Solid colors will match with everything and will keep you looking current without breaking the bank.

WASHINGTON - The typical Chinese restaurant menu is a sea of nutritional no-nos, a consumer group has found. A plate of General Tso’s chicken, for example, is loaded with about 40 percent more sodium and more than half the calories an average adult needs for an entire day.
The battered, fried chicken dish with vegetables has 1,300 calories, 3,200 milligrams of sodium and 11 grams of saturated fat.

That’s before the rice (200 calories a cup). And after the egg rolls (200 calories and 400 milligrams of sodium).

“I don’t want to put all the blame on Chinese food,” said Bonnie Liebman, nutrition director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which did a report released Tuesday.

“Across the board, American restaurants need to cut back on calories and salt, and in the meantime, people should think of each meal as not one, but two, and bring home half for tomorrow,” Liebman said.

The average adult needs around 2,000 calories a day and 2,300 milligrams of salt, which is about one teaspoon of salt, according to government guidelines.

In some ways, Liebman said, Italian and Mexican restaurants are worse for your health, because their food is higher in saturated fat, which can increase the risk of heart disease.

While Chinese restaurant food is bad for your waistline and blood pressure — sodium contributes to hypertension — it does offer vegetable-rich dishes and the kind of fat that’s not bad for the heart.

However — and this is a big however — the veggies aren’t off the hook. A plate of stir-fried greens has 900 calories and 2,200 milligrams of sodium. And eggplant in garlic sauce has 1,000 calories and 2,000 milligrams of sodium.

“We were shocked. We assumed the vegetables were all low in calories,” Liebman said.

Also surprising were some appetizers: An order of six steamed pork dumplings has 500 calories, and there’s not much difference, about 10 calories per dumpling, if they’re pan-fried.

The group found that not much has changed since it examined Chinese food 15 years ago. That’s not all bad, Liebman said.

“We were glad not to find anything different,” she said. “Some restaurant food has gotten a lot worse. Companies seem to pile on. Instead of just cheesecake, you get coconut chocolate chip cheesecake with a layer of chocolate cake, and lasagna with meatballs.”

The group says there is no safe harbor from sodium on the Chinese restaurant menu, but it offers several tips for making a meal healthier:

_Look for dishes that feature vegetables instead of meat or noodles. Ask for extra broccoli, snow peas or other veggies.

_Steer clear of deep-fried meat, seafood or tofu. Order it stir-fried or braised.

_Hold the sauce, and eat with a fork or chopsticks to leave more sauce behind.

_Avoid salt, which means steering clear of the duck sauce, hot mustard, hoisin sauce and soy sauce.

_Share your meal or take half home for later.

_Ask for brown rice instead of white rice.

source: Libby Quaid, AP Food and Farm Writer