Author Archives:

Red In The Face: Is Surgery The Answer To Blushing?

We blush when we’re embarrassed, but many of us become embarrassed when we blush. It’s a catch-22 that some people are so affected by, they are now opting for surgery to prevent blushing altogether. Called Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy, the surgery was previously used to prevent excess sweating, but surgeons in the UK have discovered that it’s also effective for treating uncontrollable blushing. I’ve always viewed blushing as “adorable” and nothing more, and wasn’t aware just how irksome it can be to some people. But I say, unless you’re bleeding or dying, there’s no need for this kind of surgery. More »

Blisstree’s Guide To Good Eats in France

French women don’t get fat, or so they say, but we all know that French cuisine is actually rather rich. Marie Antoinette didn’t say “Let them eat cake” for nothing. All that butter, wine, cream, baguettes, and lest we forget, their cheeses. Sacré bleu, le fromage! J’adore le fromage! France is a popular summer destination, and with the many decadent temptations on the French menus, it can be especially difficult to keep our waistlines on the prix fixe side, rather than à la carte. Luckily we’ve found many indulgent yet healthy dishes that are actually French cuisine mainstays, so you won’t guillotine your head counting calories. Zut alors, to the Seine! More »

Where’s The Beef? Reasons Why We Gave Up Vegetarianism For Good

We know why many Blisstree readers give up meat and go veg, but after a while of smooching sprouts, loving leeks, and kissing kiwis, many vegetarians can hear their body’s crying out for that zesty tang of animal flesh. Some say fish is the “gateway drug” that gets them back to beef, others say they had certifiable conditions that required a meaty solution. Here’s what Blisstree readers had to say about their choice to give up vegetarianism, and beef things up a bit. More »

Two Girls, One Burger: Is A Poop Burger The Solution To Food Shortages?

I’ve heard of “shit-eating grins” before, but this new food item might cause shit-eating chagrins instead. A scientist has developed a “meat substitute” burger which he claims can alleviate food shortages around the world. It involves reusing and recycling! It’s sustainable and made from unlimited resources! It’s even high in protein! One problem: It’s shit. No, not the taste, I mean it’s actually made of feces. More »

Fresh Moves: Delivering Organic Fruit And Veg To The People

Some great news out of Chicago this week: The city, which has suffered from “food deserts” (where citizens have to travel more than mile to get fresh fruit and veg), is now championing an initiative for more Fresh Moves buses, which are essentially grocery stores on wheels. Revamped school buses loaded with fresh produce, all locally sourced and organic, have popped up in Chicago, bringing back the charm of grocery delivery boys (just like back in the day, before supermarkets became the rage), but most importantly, are providing nutrients to a nutrient-starving constituency. More »

Afternoon Links: Homemade Mustard Recipes To Spice Things Up

-Strike out for deep water with this guide for the standing paddler. (Well and Good NYC)

-Chatroulette: teaching celebrities like Jason Sudeikis how to wank. (The Frisky)

-Why walking is always a good way to exercise. (Fit Sugar)

-Don’t touch that yogurt! Yoplait in an eating disorder scandal. (That’s Fit)

-Cut the mustard at home with your homemade mustard! (Organic Authority)

-Women are better investors than men, research says. Take that, Bernie Madoff! (My Daily)

–Olive oil protects your health in major ways, says research. (Vitamin G)

–Check out this guide for tips on how to get pretty summer feet. (ThirdAge)

–Win a $100 gift card to LOFT, just click here to find out how. (Betty Confidential)

–If you’ve lost that spark, here’s how to reclaim sexual desire in relationships. (YourTango)

–Amy Smart is moving in with her fiance, and selling off her old digs. (Shelterpop)

(Photo: Thinkstock)

Fitspiration: Katie Spotz Is Biking Across America And Wants Your Tweets

Katie Spotz is one tough cookie. First she rowed all by her lonesome across the Atlantic, and now she’s cycling across America, from California to Maryland, with the goal of completing it nonstop in a week. She’s doing the race for charity, and you can help out without even needing to reach into your purse. Katie will be tweeting along her journey, and for every supportive tweet you send her way, Levi’s will donate $1 to Ride4Water, which seeks to provide clean drinking water to developing countries. You can follow Katie’s live updates from the road, and even track her progress via GPS. After she’s done her seven days and 3000 miles, I can say without a doubt, her bum is going to officially hate her. (Invest in a comfy bike seat, ladies. Your tush with thank you.) Watch her incredible mission in this video below: More »

Crimes of Passion: Why Men Say “I Love You” For The Wrong Reasons

Recently, figures were released suggesting that men are more likely to say “I love you” first in a relationship than women, which was surprising, as it is traditionally thought that women raise the topic first. However now we know why, and it seems the motives behind the emotion are less than romantic. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that men were saying those three little words earlier for — you guessed it — sex. For knockin’ boots. The horizontal mambo. The beast with two backs. That’s right ladies, he’s not swept up in your glory, he just wants to get in your glory box. More »

Lessons For Our Younger Selves: Relationship Advice We Wish We Knew

As we get older, there are many life lessons that we learn, and most of the time, it’s the hard way. I normally have a “no regrets” attitude, because all of the mistakes I have made have taught me something, and made the person I am today. (And I like myself!) However, if I knew when I was young what I know now, I might have dealt with things slightly differently. Or perhaps I would have been better equipped to handle when the fit hit the shan. Maybe we can’t go back and fix the past, but that doesn’t mean we can’t impart a little wisdom. If you could be Yoda for a day, and say something to your younger self, what would it be? More »

What We're Reading:

Lube Job: HIV-Preventing Gels That Can Make You Feel Really, Really Good

South Africa has the highest infection rate of HIV in the world, and so it makes sense that it is also at the forefront of research to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. Researchers there have green-lighted a two year trial of a new microbicide gel which helps prevent the spread of HIV during sexual intercourse. Vaginal microbicides, when used before and after sex, help reduce the chances of HIV infection by 39%, but now tests done at Pretoria University have found a rather appealing byproduct of this new microbicide: It increases sexual pleasure. Braingasm! More »

Fitspiration: Losing A Limb Hasn’t Stopped Colin Edwards From Running Across Britain

Excuses, excuses, we all use them when we don’t prioritize fitness into our daily schedule. I’m too tired, my feet hurt, I have no energy, I don’t like jumping… We know these aren’t valid excuses for not breaking a sweat, but we hinge on them anyway. Sounds like we all need a collective kick in our butts. The next time you begin to whine and don’t feel like hitting the pavement, I invite you to take a page out of Colin Edwards‘ book. He is running 630 miles across Britain for charity. Oh, and did I mention that this Ironman only has one leg? Our excuses just don’t seem to stack up in comparison. Hang your head in shame! More »

Afternoon Links: Cow’s Milk Made To Taste Like Breast Milk

-Fruits you can trust to keep your sugar levels in check. (Well and Good NYC)

-Turn a restaurant into a breastaurant. Hasn’t Hooters done enough damage? (The Frisky)

-No fuss wardrobes that sop up the sweat. (Fit Sugar)

-Cow’s milk made to taste like breast milk: I’d rather have breast milk, thanks. (That’s Fit)

-Lighten your bowl of pasta with these six tips. (Organic Authority)

-New study ranks the world’s worst places for women. (My Daily)

–Did you know that Montel Williams opened a medical marijuana dispensary? (Vitamin G)

–The dos and don’ts of a great date. (ThirdAge)

–Patti Davis posing nude at 58 years old. (Betty Confidential)

–Will the total lunar eclipse mess with your relationship? (YourTango)

–Cleaning up after your pet doesn’t have to be complicated. (Shelterpop)

(Photo: Thinkstock)

Snooze Button: How To Get Your ZZZ’s During Your Partner’s Snore-fest

Ah, men. Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em, right? Well it also seems we can’t get a good night’s sleep with them either. A survey conducted by the British Lung Foundation found that 41% of women cite their male partners’ snoring as the main reason they are kept up at night, resulting in sleep deprivation. According to the figures, this translates to a third of all women losing an average of three weeks’ sleep every year. I usually enjoy being kept up at night by my man, but this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind (wink wink). Luckily, there are ways to still get your shut-eye and save your relationship, without shaming him to the couch. More »

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, But It Doesn’t Have To Be

Life is hard. It’s supposed to be. If we didn’t suffer we wouldn’t learn a thing. And we’re resilient, we humans. When you lose your job, have your wallet stolen, or trip and fracture your wrist, there is a tendency to deal with it, make the best, and move on. However, when it comes to the eventual demise of your romantic relationship (and let’s face it, all relationships end, in one way or another) it can be especially difficult because you are wounded in a place the pickpocket or the nasty boss couldn’t get to: your heart. You’re allowed to be hurt, angry, sad, and even a little bitter. Those emotions are okay, and they’re natural. What you do with those emotions, however, should be dealt with delicately, because the goal is to heal and move on, not stand still in the past. More »

Click for more posts