Author: Trisha Leigh

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5 Ways ‘The Golden Girls’ Was Way Ahead of Its Time

If you don’t like The Golden Girls, then I’m sorry, but we can’t be friends. The show is hilarious, poignant, heartfelt, and brilliant – everything and more you could ask from any sitcom (plus, FEMINISM!).

Which is why I maintain that it’s one of the best ever, and I would like to submit these 5 facts to bolster my case.

5. They didn’t need to be married to be complete and happy.

All four ladies were either widowed or divorced, and though they dated regularly, their lives didn’t revolve around the idea that the only way to be happy was to find their way back into a marriage. Instead, the show focused on the ways they took care of themselves and each other, and the lack of focus on romantic relationships was extremely refreshing.

4. The intentional inclusion of homosexuality.

The episode titled “Isn’t It Romantic?” won an Emmy for the way the ladies took in stride the appearance Dorothy’s friend Jean, who was a lesbian.

I mean, they were just totally unruffled by the fact. How novel.

3. The Girls loved themselves without apology.

It remains something of an act of rebellion for women to love themselves and their bodies no matter what society has to say on the matter, but these four ate, talked, laughed, and never bothered wondering what others might think about any of it.

2. The way they addressed a HIV/AIDS scare.

Rose found out that she might have contracted the virus after a blood transfusion and, during the nail-biting, 72-hour wait, panics and thinks God is judging her – to which Blanche has the perfect response.

“AIDS is not a bad person’s disease, Rose. It is not God punishing people for their sins.”

The AIDS crisis was raging, and with it a rising tide of homophobia, so those words would have meant a lot to many people.

1. All of the times they discussed their sex lives without shame or judgment.

The show went against the grain by having older women not only enjoying sex, but talking about it like a totally normal topic between women (which of course it always has been).

 

I think it’s time to pull up some reruns!

Do you love The Golden Girls? Have you seen it? If you don’t agree with me on this, I’d love to hear your arguments in the comments (but we still can’t be friends).

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A Bunch of Men on Twitter Came Unglued at the Mere Mention of a Female Playing ‘The Joker’

Male comic book nerds continue to flip out about gender-flipped heroes (and villains), even though Dr. Who, the Ocean’s cast, and Ghostbusters have all been rebooted with women at the center (and Wonder Woman was, arguably, one of the best superhero movies to come out in recent memory).

Case in point: writer Geraldine DeRuite jokingly suggested reasons why the Joker should be re-cast in the new Batman to be a woman.

Her reasons were pretty hilariously on point, too…unless you’re a man with fragile feelings and stuff.

Because guys. They cannot handle it.

Image Credit: Twitter

At some point @everywhereist started playing misogynist Twitter Bingo and became the hero we all deserve.

Moral? Be careful what funny and insightful thoughts you decide to put out there on Twitter.

The misogynists are waiting….

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A Study Suggests That We Might Be Alone in the Universe After All

Hollywood has loved to imagine what it will be like to discover intelligent alien life one day, as have books and comics, and most other creative mediums for as long as we can remember. Sadly, science is starting to wonder whether or not the chances are actually good that we’re not alone.

According to a new study out of Oxford University’s Future of Humanity Institute, researchers applied existing knowledge of biology, chemistry, and cosmology to the Drake equation, created by astronomer Frank Drake in 1961 in an attempt to calculate the number of intelligent civilizations in our galaxy.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The equation takes into consideration things like the average rate of star formation and the average lifespan of intelligent civilizations, among other things. Using Drake’s model combined with modern astronomy, the researchers at Oxford estimate there’s a 53%-99.6% change we’re alone in the galaxy and a 39%-85% chance we’re the only intelligent life to be found in the entire universe.

They’re also relying on the class Fermi Paradox, which asserts that intelligent extraterrestrial beings exist and that they should have visited earth by now. Since they have not, the conclusion is that they are “probably extremely far away and quite possibly beyond the cosmological horizon and forever unreachable.”

Others, like Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute, are dismissive of the recent claims, mainly because there remains too much unknown about the universe to make any such claims.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

“I could walk outside here in Mountain View, California, and not see too many hippos strolling the streets,” he told Mental Floss, “but it would be incorrect for me to say on that rather limited basis that there’s probably no hippos anywhere. It’s a big conclusion to make on the basis of a local observation.”

Not only is so much of the universe still shrouded in mystery, there’s also the idea that scientists and astronomers here on earth aren’t even looking for the right type of communication. So far, we examine potential radio and light signals, but there’s a chance that alien beings are trying to contact us in ways we haven’t designed yet.

The bottom line is that the truth may still be out there, just waiting for our feeble human science to catch up enough to find it.

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This Infographic Shows Where in the U.S. People Aren’t Getting Enough Exercise

Yes, the United States is a notoriously sedentary country, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some places are lazier than others. There’s plenty of evidence out there to support the idea that Americans spend too much time in their cars and in front of screens, but according to the CDC, physical activity rates can vary significantly from state to state.

The CDC recommends that adults take part in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, plus 2 days a week of weight lifting or calisthenics. Countrywide, only about 23% of people between the ages of 18-64 meet these recommendations.

The infographic below draws on data from 2010-2015 National Health Interview Surveys.

There are a few things to consider, like the fact that broad recommendations don’t take into consideration people who are injured, ill, or disabled. In addition, the survey only asks about leisure time used to exercise, which doesn’t account for people who might meet the requirements with physically demanding jobs or who bike or walk to work on a daily basis.

Still. I think I’m going to go for a walk.

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10 Facts You Might Not Know About Migraines

There’s not much worse than having a terrible headache – except, perhaps, having a terrible headache that won’t go away. It’s not just a headache, either. Migraines are often associated with nausea, dizziness, fatigue, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes temporary blindness.

Sounds pretty awful, right?

If this is news to you, here are 10 more facts you might not have known, either.

#10. They may be hereditary.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Most people find that their migraines run in the family – between 80%-90% of sufferers say that at least one family member also has them. If one parent has migraine headaches, children have a 50% chance of dealing with them, too.

#9. They’re the 3rd most common disease in the world.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

One good reason to learn about migraines is that chances are good that someone in your life suffers – they affect 14.7% of the population, or 1 in every 7 people. That’s 39 million people, just in the US.

#8. Veterans are more likely to suffer.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

After a 12-month deployment in Iraq, one study found that 36% of returning veterans exhibited symptoms. The cause stems often from head or neck trauma sustained during service, and most go away within a few months.

#7.  Women are also more likely to suffer.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Even though women make up 50% of the population, they make up 75% of migraine sufferers worldwide. Due to laboratory research, most medical experts attribute this to the cyclical nature of female hormones.

#6. Research is underfunded.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Last year, the National Institutes of Health invested just $22 million in migraine research – while asthma, breast cancer, and diabetes receive between $286 million and $1.1 billion.

#5. Some people experience “auras” as warning signs.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Even more than nausea, dizziness, and headache arrive, some people (around 25%) experience numbness or tingling in the hands or face, or blotches of light or darkness disrupting their vision. These typically occur anywhere from 10-30 minutes before a migraine develops.

#4. It costs a lot of money annually.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Because migraines are so widespread, they do havea widespread negative societal impact. Workers take time off from jobs – some estimates say up to 113 millionwork days are missed annually, which can add up to $13 billion in costs.

#3. One rare symptom is the loss of limb function.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

It’s called hemiplegic migraine and people who experience it can have weakness, numbness, tingling, or loss or motor function in part or even half of their body. The sensations typically dissipate within 24 hours.

#2. Migraines are linked to depression.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

In the US, up to 40% of migraine sufferers also deal with depression. The risks of anxiety, bipolar disorder, and panic disorder are also elevated for people who get migraines. Researchers are still working out why the link exists, but they suspect the brain chemical serotonin, which is involved in both mental illness and migraines, may play a role.

#1. Kids can get them, too.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

10% of school-aged kids will report migraines and are reported as the third most common reason for children’s emergency room visits. They have similar symptoms, though nausea and stomach pain can often be more pronounced. The good news is that, according to one study, 23% of children will report “outgrowing” their migraines by age 25.

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We’ve Answered the Question of Which Potato Chip Brand Gives You More Chips and Less Air

The ratio of air to bag seems to be growing every time you pop open a new bag of chips and wonder what sort of “family” the family size is supposed to feed, right? If you’re like me and are inclined to rage of things like this, good news – Kitchen Cabinet Kings has done the research and compiled it into a handy-dandy graphic.

Now, you’ll know which brands give you the most chips for the price.

Photo Credit: Kitchen Cabinet Kings

They used the water displacement method to achieve their results, and you can read more about the methodology here, if it’s new to you.

Bottom line? Fritos, Pringles, and Tostitos are consistently the most full of chips and not air, while Cheetos, Ruffles, and Pita Chips are the most likely to induce angry rantings once opened.

Photo Credit: Instagram

At least in my house.

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This Man’s Reaction to a Cat Interrupting His Interview Is Cracking the Internet up

If you have a cat, this video is going to speak to you – after all, no one understands better than cat owners that you have zero control over when and how you pay attention to your cat. They decide and you comply, or the claws and teeth will come out.

And Polish academic Dr. Jerzy Targalski seems like he gets that, too, based on his unsurprised and unruffled response to his ginger cat, Lisio, interrupting a live interview on Poland’s Supreme Court crisis. The cat started out lounging on the table beside him, but soon decides his owner has hogged too much of the spotlight.

Lisio hopped up on Dr. Targalski’s shoulders and paraded back and forth, but the man’s only response was to move the cat’s tail from in front of his eyes and continue speaking. A+ composure, my friend.

Rudy Bouma, who conducted the interview, uploaded it to Twitter and now Dr. Targalski – and Lisio – are internet famous. Just as the cat intended, I’m sure.

Beware the perils of working from home, people!

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These Antique Heirlooms Could Be Slowly Killing Their Owners

In the early 20th century, glow-in-the-dark watches and clocks were popular and commonplace. They were often given as gifts to British and American servicemen, as well. The unique glow was created by painting radium on the dials, a compound which breaks down into radon – a colorless, odorless gas that remains present in the environment. It’s considered safe at certain levels, but a recent study out of the University of Northampton and Kingston University has discovered that the watches and clocks can emit the carcinogenic, radioactive gas at a rate up to 12 times higher than the maximum “safe” level.

Photo Credit: Cenblog

Researchers looked at 30 different specimens as part of an international report on radon exposure, and used radiation detectors to test the samples. They found the watches produced 13,400 becquerels per meter cubed – public health organizations have determined that indoor spaces should aim for no more than 100 becquerels per meter cubed to be safe.

“These results show that the radon emitted from individual watches can potentially pose a serious cancer risk,” one of the researches said in a statement. “This is of concern because, in addition to military watches being particularly prized by collectors, many individual radium-dial watches are kept as mementos by ex-servicemen and their descendants.”

Photo Credit: EPA.gov

There is an established link between radon and lung cancer.

If you or someone in your family has one of these watches, make sure to research and practice proper handling and storage techniques. And if you need more convincing, check out what happened to the poor girls who helped manufacture the things back in the day – it’s not pretty.

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Here’s How You Can Beat Insomnia

Around 15% of the population suffers from insomnia, and 100% of those people can confirm that it totally stinks. The human brain needs a good amount of solid sack time every night to function at capacity, so if you’re someone who struggles to fall (or stay) asleep, check out these tips for giving your insomnia the boot for good.

#5. Try light therapy.

Photo Credit: East News

It’s not a new concept, but research out of the University of Buffalo concludes that light plays a major role in keeping our circadian rhythms in sync. Too much or too little light can affect your sleeping cycle, and some recommend glasses with built-in lamps to pick up the slack.

#4. Drink cherry juice.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Research out of Louisiana State University claims that if you drink cherry juice every morning and night for 2 weeks, your sleep time will increase by up to 90 minutes. Cherries are a natural source of melatonin.

#3. Practice yoga and meditation.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Studies suggest that both yoga and meditation, when practiced regularly over a period of time, can help relieve insomnia and promote better quality sleep.

#2. Check out alternative herbal options.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

What we eat can positively and negatively impact our bodies – for example, you’ll be more likely to get better sleep if you avoid spicy foods late in the day (or better yet, altogether). Other herbs, like valerian, hops, chamomile, and wort are well-known for helping a person drift off to dreamland.

#1. Get comfortable.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Some sleep positions are better than others as far as promoting good sleep, so even if you prefer your stomach or back, sleeping on your left side may increase the length and quality of your sleep. It facilitates lymphatic drainage from your brain, encourages digestion, and supports healthy spleen function.

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7 Life Changing Things to Try This Month

We all get stuck in a rut sometimes, and the hot, heavy days of midsummer are a prime time for choosing to lay around and be lazy instead of challenging ourselves with something new and different. If you choose to do the latter, though, you just might change your life – and these 7 things can help give you a much-needed boost.

#7. Swap your hat or sunglasses for a visor.

Photo Credit: Amazon

I know, a visor? But seriously, consider these pros: it not only keeps the sun off your face (and more), but you won’t get sunglass tan lines, you won’t have to squint, and it may even discourage street harassment, since it hides most of your face.

Seriously, give it a try.

#6. A thought-provoking book.

Photo Credit: Amazon

May I recommend The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, by Priya Parker. It’s a smart, interesting nonfiction that looks at why and how human beings get together, and why most of the time the meetups are uninspiring at best. It gives you practical tips and new ways to think about our gatherings that can really make a difference in the quality of the relationships in your life.

#5. A magical headache cure.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Headaches are the literally worst pain in the neck, and even worse is when you can’t find a way to shake a particularly bad one. Enter the Migrastil Migraine Stick. It includes 3 oil scents -peppermint, spearmint, and lavender – and rolls right on to your forehead, temples, or the back of your neck. People say they get relief in as little as 30 seconds, and if you catch it early enough, their headaches disappear entirely.

#4. A new (boozy) beverage.

Photo Credit: Truly

A drink never made anyone’s month worse, and if you’re over beer, liquor, and sweet cocktails, you’ve got to try alcoholic seltzer. Truly contains only 1g of sugar and 5% alcohol per can, which pretty much makes it the perfect midsummer, poolside drink. They’ve also got tons of delicious flavors to choose from, so dive in!

#3. A bra that transitions from day to night.

Photo Credit: Walmart

You can sleep in this bra from Walmart (if that’s your thing) without skipping a beat, and better yet – it’s super cheap. Game. Changer.

#2. A Potterhead Podcast

Photo Credit: Binge Mode

If you find yourself missing Harry Potter but don’t have time for a tenth (or twentieth) reread, check out Binge Mode, a Spotify podcast with hosts Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion. Each episode does a deep dive into 5 chapters of a book (in order) and then each week ends with an episode recapping the movie version and a bonus episode about a specific topic in the HP universe.

You’re welcome.

#1.  A happy sponge.

Photo Credit: Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Sure, dishes suck, but they suck less with a happy face smiling back at you from the bottom of the sink. Maybe it won’t change your life, per se, but it certainly isn’t going to hurt!

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