Most women curse their periods, but put up with it because, well, we don't really have any other choice. Plus, it enables us to experience the magical gift of motherhood. Often I feel we should all get medals of honor for dealing with the cramps, crying spells, and other delights that accompany "that time of the month." Some women have it much worse though, and are faced with heavy bleeding that lasts more than 10 days. Birth control pills can offer some relief, but will not stop menstruation entirely. Not to mention, there are the side effects that go along with taking hormones.

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world and it occurs when the fluid pressure inside the eyes gradually rises until it damages the optic nerve.

Filed under: East Coast, Gin, Raves & Reviews, New Products, America, Celebrations, New Year's, Winter, Cocktail Hour

Filed under: Poultry, Foodie Flicks

Filed under: Wine, Beer, Champagne, Comfort Food, Spirits, New Year's

Personally, I can only take one season a year of the reality weight-loss show The Biggest Loser. The two-hour shows, which could certainly be condensed to 60 minutes, and the extreme weight loss coupled with intense competition from last season left me feeling more burned out than inspired. However, weight-loss reality shows have proved lucrative for many networks and Lifetime is premiering a new series about five best friends as they work to alter their shapes from "fat" to "fit."

Filed under: Restaurants, On the Blogs, America

Filed under: Television/Film, Celebrities

Filed under: Newspapers, On the Blogs, Food News

Filed under: Beer, New Year's

Filed under: Books, Champagne, Southern States

Filed under: East Coast, Newspapers, Stores & Shopping, New Products, America, Tequila, Mexico

It is the new year and I have decided to try some new things one being new ways to workout. My most recent experiment was a TRX class. TRX is a suspension training program designed to work every large muscle group. The training center offers three different hour-long classes: Body Blast, Basic Training, and Power Stretch. I took an early morning Basic Training class and left with my upper body already aching.

On Age of Autism today,John Erb has a very good post on the role of glutamate in vaccines, and in food in the form of MSG, and autism. Specifically the rapid brain growth seen in children like my Chandler and his big beautiful giant head. Everyone in the vaccine debate needs to read it, along with the information Carol Hoernlein has posted on MSGTruth.org.

I left this in the comments section:

Filed under: Wine, West Coast, America, Europe, France, Wine of the Week

Filed under: Feast Your Eyes

Filed under: Vegetables, Recipes, Barbecuing, Southern States, America, Guilty Pleasures

Filed under: Breakfast, On the Blogs, America

Guacamole lovers, beware: The crystal ball isn't looking so bright for avocados.

Hot weather at the peak of avocado-growing season last June means this Spring California farmers expect to have the smallest avocado crop in the last 10 to 20 years. Americans buy almost 1 billion pounds of avocados annually, and this number is increasing.

Filed under: Snacks, Recipes, Candy