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The final Stefon sketch from Saturday Night Live.
The Stefon bit was one of my favorites. I’m gonna miss him
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Me for the past three days!
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Paleo Banana Bread
After starting the paleo diet, I started craving the exact foods I wasn’t allowed to eat. This is my first...
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Apologies for the terrible image quality - I’m lacking scanner access at the minute so I had to take these photos on my phone
I was...
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Extended Standing Leg Stretch Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
One of the biggest myths about...
NBA’s Jason Collins comes out as first openly gay male athlete in pro sports. And by that, we mean actively playing of course.
Big day for all athletes: gay, straight, male, female or otherwise identified (or not).
Tipping point. :)
In a monumentous decision, a federal judge has ordered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove longstanding age and point of sale restrictions that prevent women from easy access to emergency contraception. The FDA has 30 days to comply. It’s about damn time.
As it stands, emergency contraceptives are only available to women 17 and older without a prescription; younger teenagers need a prescription from a doctor. But even older women can have a hard time getting their hands on the morning after pill, since it’s only for sale at health clinics and pharmacies — and because some pharmacists take it upon themselves to (very illegally) play moral police.
I’ve been seeing more and more of these ads on my dashboard, and I think it’s despicable. Using thinspo marketing (and taking advantage of people who are suffering or on the verge of suffering from eating disorders) is shameful, wrong and morally reprehensible.
If you see an image similar to the one above with the link “need to lose weight” (or something similar), please remove it, delete it, unfollow, and whatever you do, don’t click.
How NOT To Help Someone With An Eating Disorder
Excerpt via Blisstree
Fat Loss Factor isn’t all that different from other online diet plans: It’s unclear how it works until you buy, their advertising all seems shady, and it’s incredibly difficult to find legit reviews about their weight loss methods. But they’re distinguishing themselves by targeting a demographic that others don’t dare: Anorexic teens, via the pro ana community on Tumblr.
The strategy sounds almost too horrific to be true, but the posts–which have been put up under several stock tumblr accounts–are undeniably meant to provoke the anorexic teen girls and women who belong to pro ana communities. In the example below (which links out to FatLossFactor.com), the post is not only visually triggering; it’s actually tagged with popular terms used by the pro ana community on tumblr, including “pro ana,” “thinspo,” “thinspiration,” and “eating disorder.”
WARNING: Content may be triggering for those with eating disorders or body image problems. Read more: http://www.blisstree.com/2013/01/08/food/fat-loss-factor-pro-ana-ads/#ixzz2HafDVy9c
So, so sad. But I’m not surprised. (Maybe that’s even sadder?)
Every day I receive messages from young girls who want to be healthy, but the underlying tone is always wanting to ‘fit in’. A fear of being ‘fat’. Many resort to unhealthy practices to attain a body they consider ideal, even if they never end up acheiving (or simply can’t acheive) that body.
Would you trade years of your life for a smaller waistline? If so, the work you need to do is above your neck… not below it.
You cannot hate your body healthy: healthy is a place you get to with love. :)
Body love books: Good Girls Don’t Get Fat: How Weight Obsession Is Messing Up Our Girls and How We Can Help Them Thrive Despite It
“In one of the more interesting polls I’ve seen, more than three-fourths of the 231 dieters surveyed said that they would take a pill that would guarantee they would achieve or maintain their desired weight even if it would lower their life expectancy. On average, they were willing to give up 5.7 years. Moreover, 91% said that they would not take a pill that would lengthen their life by five years if it guaranteed that they would also remain overweight. This was a small sample, but it is consistent with other research. For instance, a book published just last year showed that the desire to fit in or be “normal” — rather than improving health — is the primary motivation for many people who undergo weight-loss surgery.
These findings may seem puzzling, but they are not so surprising when you consider weight-loss attempts for what they really are: efforts to protect against weight-based discrimination. The fact is, fear and loathing of fat are real, and American attitudes about fat may be more dangerous to public health than obesity itself.What should be done about weight-based discrimination?
The answer is to call for increasing tolerance and appreciation of diverse body types. This year, before embarking on yet another diet, ask yourself why you want to lose weight. If it is to improve your health, perhaps you should focus on health-enhancing behaviors that are more directly linked to health: pledge, for example, to get more sleep, eat more fruits and vegetables, get regular physical activity, or spend more time with friends.
But if you are trying to change your body to shield against discrimination and stigma, consider making a different kind of New Year’s resolution: to stand up to intolerance and bigotry in all its various forms, whether racism, sexism or fatphobia.”
Connecticut Shooting: Sandy Hook Elementary Teacher Kaitlin Roig Protected Her Students
“So I said to them… I need you to know that I love you very much and that it is going to be ok….I wanted them to know someone loved them, and I wanted that to be one of the last things they heard, not the gunfire in the hallway.”
Children all around the world are getting hugged a little tighter and more often since yesterday. Hug ‘em harder. Tell them you love them.
Excerpt from “And Then I Drove To Their Schools“…
“Mom. Why are you here?”
I just needed to hug you. I just needed you to know that I love you, that I’m so proud of you, that I’m so lucky that you’re in my life and I love you hard.
“Mom, are you crying?”
Yes. Sorry.
“Mom. I have to work. I’m at school.”
I know, schoolwork is very important. Just let me hug you for another second… Okay, go work. I’ll see you after school.
I’ll see him after school. And I can’t stop weeping for those parents who won’t.”
via Lerner Farrington: Writer, Columnist, Social Media Consultant
(via halesyeah)
“Whether it is an elementary school in Newtown, or a shopping mall in Oregon, or a temple in Wisconsin, or a movie theater in Aurora, or a street corner in Chicago, these neighborhoods are our neighborhoods and these children are our children.” - the President of the USA
Utterly heartbreaking. Those babies will be in my thoughts tonight. xo
(via caramelicedlatte)
My stomach is turned. My heart breaks for them.
20 babies… I have no words.
About time!
The thing is, we CAN. We’ve already proved it. And it’s not as though men OR women are required to do an unrealistic amount (considering physical fitness and training is mandatory to begin with): a perfect score is 8, women are required to do 3.
I’m not a fan of the current standards in place (outdated, in my opinion), but this is a GOOD step. Raise the bar, and people will meet it.
I will say I was kinda shocked by the negative reaction to this. Among the negative comments, some voiced concern it would discourage women from enlisting. I beg to differ: I think it’ll encourage them to start doing freaking pullups! And they can. It’s hard, but not impossible. (P.S - I hope the NY Times is paying attention).
The new standards go into effect in 2014.
“All female Marines will be required to perform pull-ups as part of their physical fitness tests by 2014, the Marine Corps announce Tuesday.The new requirement replaces the current system of a flexed arm hang.The changes in the Female Physical Fitness Test (PFT) will take place over two phases. A transition period will take begin on January 1, 2013 to allow female Marines and commanders to adjust to the new requirement.
By the beginning of 2014, the flexed arm hang will still be part of the initial testing for female Marine recruits and other candidates, but they will be required to perform pull-ups in order to graduate.
According to the new physical requirements, a perfect score will be eight pull-ups. Women will have to perform at least three.”
Sam Gordon, Girl Football Player, Stars In AWESOME Highlight Reel
Get it girl!
via HuffPo
A highlight reel of a peewee football player has become an Internet sensation, showcasing the impressive speed and versatility of Utah youngster Sam Gordon — a girl playing in an all-boys tackle football league.
While female football players tend to be relegated to the kicker position, Sam made waves on the field with her physicality and fearless nature. The video, posted by the girl’s father, Brent, displays the girl’s talent for bursting through coverage, breaking tackles and making tackles of her own. Most notably, however, is the section in which Sam shows that she can take a hard hit — just like the boys.
Sam finished the 2012 season with a stat line that would make any parent proud. According to the video, she scored 35 touchdowns on 232 carries, totaling 1,911 yards and averaging 8.2 yards per carry. She also added 65 tackles, for good measure.
Smart move. :)
Multiple outlets are reporting—on Twitter—that Sunday’s New York City Marathon has been cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy complications. With many people questioning whether a marathon was a wise use of resources in a time of relative scarcity, this was probably a good decision by the mayor’s office.
—Cord
New York is getting itself ready for a big event, and we’re not talking about recovery efforts.
Despite criticism from many, including runners, officials and residents, the marathon is going on as scheduled.
Personally, I think this is wrong. There, I said it. It’s just bad and unfortunate timing. My heart goes out to the runners who’ve been training all year and deserve their moment. But a MUCH bigger chunk is with those living without power, food or their homes. People who’ve just lost everything. People who’ve just lost people they love. I’m all for ‘onwards & upwards’… but it’s too soon.
My “practical” bottom line is the use of PRECIOUS resources (police, generators) that are REALLY needed elsewhere. I mean, really? There are people without power, and generators are being used to warm pre-race tents as we speak.
I hope that New Yorkers who feel slighted choose NOT to take it out on the runners who’ll be there (most have been training for this for a LONG time - sucky situation for them to be in, and none of them could have predicted this). Many runners have chosen not to attend, but those who still may don’t deserve to be heckled (it IS New York afterall. Not sure it can be avoided). However, I think it’s very appropriate to question/critique the people who made the decision to keep the event going.
Thoughts? (It’s okay if you disagree)
Wow.
Are you ready to have your hurrication crapped on, New Yorkers?
The subways, which are now full of the most disgusting rat crap and rusty scissors water you could possibly imagine, won’t likely be fully restored to pre-Sandy conditions for weeks. Maybe months. And possibly years.
