I Drink Pond Scum: The Kerfuffle About Kefir Grains (Probiotics 101)

Tell me how you really feel, kids… Horror-stricken and wide eyed, my four little ones spent an hour last night staring through their grubby fingers at the TV — the only noise the ocassional “Oh GROSS.” At one point my second son groaned, “Please let me go mom! I can’t watch this show; I’m going …

What Makes Someone Sexy, Exactly? [My music video debut]

Glamour magazine showed a group of men these two images – Cabanel’s original “The Birth of Venus” on the left and artist Anna Giordano’s “photoshopped” version on the right – and asked them which one they found sexier. The vast majority picked the one on the left. They didn’t survey women but I’m guessing the …

Quickie Update: Jeans, Lactose Intolerance, Cheerleaders (Plus: Your most embarrassing moments)

One last summer evening at the beach… I don’t normally post on Saturdays but I’ve had such an eventful weekend (more on that Monday)! I wanted to give you a quick update on some of the things we’ve been talking about on here that I didn’t think warranted their own post. Read if you’re interested, …

The Great Metabolism Race: How Fast is Yours? And Does it Even Matter? [Research]

“Jumpstart YOUR metabolism with a wheaties breakfast!” Eating cereal boosts your metabolism! It must be true – it’s right there on the box! PS> Where is their mother?! I’m doing everything right and it’s not working! If you have ever thought the aforementioned – usually cried in paroxysms of grief after an unfortunate run-in with …

Paul Ryan Fakes a Race Time: Have you ever exaggerated an athletic accomplishment? [I have]

Running a sub-3 hour marathon is an impressive feat. It qualifies you for Boston (in any category). It puts you in the same hour slot as the world record holders. It’s the kind of time that makes you a serious contender in any race. As if completing a marathon isn’t enough cred for bragging rights, …

What’s Your “Birthmark”? [Learning to love what we can’t change]

Man I miss Gary Larson! Pink rainbow panties over her diaper and a huge hair flower: That’s what passes for a swimsuit (or “smimsmoop”) for Jelly Bean and watching her frolic in the end-of-summer 93-degree weather it seemed perfectly appropriate. Diaper and undies – who says you can’t have it both ways? In an attempt …

My Top 5 Reasons To Be Fit: What’s Yours? [Plus 7 foods that do weird things to your body]

All pictures used with permission from Reasons to be Fit Finish this sentence: “I choose to be fit because…” For me, my “reason to be fit” started as a way to deal with my past as a sexual assault victim. After a protracted court case and my ex-boyfriend was convicted and finally sent to prison, …