It’s no secret: We’re suckers for a good pun. And we spotted several on Instagram that will make you want to immediately tag anyone you’d be comfortable cuddling with—they’re just too funny.
Go ahead, donut be shy. Share the love and send these to your valentine(s) ASAP.
@mariesaba
@studiodiy
@shopbando
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@talkingfood
@queeniescards
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If you’re the type of person who lets the dirty dishes pile up in the sink (so pretty much all of us), you’ll want to hear about the findings of this new study. Clutter in our kitchens may lead us to eat more. In the study, women waited next to an assortment of healthy and unhealthy snacks in a messy or clean kitchen. Women who waited in the messy one ate more overall, and they were two times more likely to eat cookies than those in the tidy space.
The study was small (98 participants) and included only women, but its findings fall in line with existing research that shows people tend to eat more in stressful environments. A little food for thought before you think about skipping the dishes tonight.
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The phrases “the mentally ill” and “people with mental illness” sound very similar, but new research found we have very different reactions when we hear them. In the study, people who read passages with the term “the mentally ill” were more likely to believe that individuals with such a diagnosis should be controlled and isolated than those who read the same scenarios with the term “people with mental illness.” The results were the same when researchers tested college students, older adults, and even counselors (yes, the ones who regularly treat people for mental health issues!).
Making the small linguistic change—from what a person is to what a person struggles with—can impact our reactions and how people with mental illness feel. After all, if you broke your leg you wouldn’t want to be called a broken-leg person, right?
(h/t The Science of Us)
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Only a few years ago, mason jars were pretty much strictly for canning. Now, most likely thanks to social media, they’re as trendy as green juice and coconut oil. Sure, they can house wedding centerpieces and tiki torches, but even better: They make portable, portion-control meals a cinch—some don’t even need a second of cooking! Plus, hello food porn! Who knew salads looked even more appetizing stacked?
But don’t worry if you don’t feel like you #nailedit on the presentation. Taste buds know that it’s what inside that counts, and these recipes are sure to please.
Breakfast
Photo: Cupcakes and Kale Chips
1. Blueberry and Grilled Peach Quinoa Parfait
This beaut calls for grilled peaches to up the sweet ante, though fresh work just as well in a time-crunch. Layered with nutty quinoa, creamy Greek yogurt, crunchy pecans, and soft blueberries and drizzled with maple syrup, it’s a symphony of text…
You don’t have to rely on pre-made mixes for rich, fudgy brownies. It’s time to think outside the Betty Crocker box.
These healthier recipes yield those same results for a treat that can satisfy gluten-free, vegan, or simply mindful eaters harboring intense chocoholic tendencies.
But don’t just take our word for it—see (and taste!) for yourself with these 13 better-for-you brownie recipes.
Photo credit: The Big Man's World
1. 3-Ingredient Flourless Brownies
A brownie made from just three everyday ingredients, zero butter or oil, and free of added sugar? It seems almost too good to be true. This is one of those better-for-you and extremely easy recipes that, with one look, will make you want to sprint immediately to your kitchen to make it.
<img src="http://greatist.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_main/public/2-running…
If you’ve picked up in a women’s magazine in last decade, chances are you’ve come across a story that promises to give you the secret to get rid of “cottage cheese thighs.” While we think cottage cheese should only be used to describe dairy, not your body, cellulite is a very real (and natural!) thing.
As this video from Fusion explains, as we get older, fat tends to build up in the fibers that connect our skin and muscles. When those fibers get stretched out, the fat pushes up against the skin and we get a bulges of cellulite (usually around the hips, thighs, stomach, and butt). There’s no scientific evidence to back any of the miracle cures you’ve heard about, from creams to supplements. But there are a few things—avoiding super tight clothing (that may restrict your blood flow) and eating a diet rich in fruits, veggies, and fiber to maintain weight—that can help.
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Any woman can relate, and any man within eyeshot has probably witnessed the following scenario: A woman suffering from mind-numbing cramps, hobbling over to the closest female coworker’s desk for pharmaceutical relief, and bonding over their synced cycles. If women spend enough time around female friends or coworkers, they’re bound to get on the same schedule, right? Greatist examines the science behind the sync.
Sync Up or Sex Up—The Need-to-Know
In 1971 a study speculated that regular contact with other women could affect menstrual cycles. Researchers found social interaction was key to matched cycles, and close friends and women who were in contact for a substantial portion of every day (say, hanging out or working together) were more likely to sync up than women who merely lived in proximity to each other (e.g., on the same floor of a dorm).1
Follow-up studies suggested pheromones were responsible and that “menstrual synchrony” (the technical term for syncing) might be just the tip of the iceberg: It’s possible periods and ovulation could be socially regulated throughout a woman’s lifespan, from puberty to pregnancy and everywhere in between.2
But while many researchers uphold the syncing theory, there’s also back…
Women don’t go around complaining about blue balls like men do. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen to them. As this hilarious Stuff Mom Never Told You video explains, women can also experience the uncomfortable pain after prolonged horniness. But maybe we should call it blue vulva instead of blue balls (you’re welcome for that image).
Epididymal hypertension (translation: blue balls) happens when fluid and blood builds up in the testicles and genitals. Blood swells down there for ladies too—it just happens in their vulva, uterus, or ovaries. The good news is both blue balls and blue vulva won’t harm your health or ability to have sex (another reason why you should never pressure your partner for more!). If you’re looking to relieve the pain, masturbation, waiting it out, or using a hot or cold compress can help.
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Whether you’re a newbie or advanced marathoner, you’ve probably learned that injuries come with the territory. Scientists have blamed everything from running too much to being overweight to having bad form.
On that last point—bad form—the thinking has been: Land on the balls of your feet first, rather than your heels. But a new study says you can be a heel striker and still avoid injuries. The key is how hard you strike the ground. The runners who never got hurt during this two-year study were the ones who landed the lightest.
To soften your step, think about landing softly, increase the number of steps you take, or try landing closer to your mid-foot (if you have a history of running injuries), says Dr. Irene Davis, the study’s lead author.
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JustWatch
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. We could make a reservation at some swanky restaurant, but those romantic dinners never live up to the hype—every place is crowded, and we know the waiter is giving us side-eye because he’s not thrilled to be serving dozens of lovebirds. So we’ve decided to kick it at home this year. Now the big question is: What are we going to watch?
With thousands of shows available at the click of a button, you’d think there’d be a simple answer, but alas, the paradox of choice. We have an idea of what we’d like to watch, but can’t remember if we saw it on Amazon Prime, Netflix, or an ad on the subway. What about a quick trailer? Looks like we’re heading over to YouTube. And what did the critics have to say? Time to open another tab for Rotten Tomatoes. This search has us feeling like an FBI agent, and it’s getting stressful.
Thankfully we found JustWatch, a one-stop shop website for finding anything and everything you want to stream. You can look for a specific show or search by genre, release date, or rating to find options from dozens of streaming services. Once you settle on a movie or TV show, the free tool tells you which services have it (and if you’ll have…