Link Roundup - Sunday February 2, 2014

Baby, it's cold outside! Most of the US is experiencing a cold snap. Tempers are running high, everyone is stuck inside. So what are you gonna do about it? You're gonna check out these DELICIOUS news stories from the past week. Scroll past the Gil Elvgren penguin pinup girl to start reading. It's worth it!  ~Caitlin

Experts are up in arms over the petition started by a teen to include a plus size Disney princess. I think it's a fabulous article. Read more here in an Examiner article by Kathryn Darden  and more on this and plus size mannequins and their effect on realistic body image in an article by Marcey Cruz at Plus Model Magazine, here.

Skinny middle class white girl goes to Yoga class. Skinny middle class white girl notices overweight black girl in class and makes assumptions about her based on skin color and weight. Read the original article here and the rebuttal here at Black Girl's Guide to Weight Loss by Erika Nicole Kendall. Bravo, Erika.

Facebook user uploads a video of a fat chick dancing (and rocking out). She captions it with derisive words, but this girl has some moves and is worth watching. It makes me want to dance again. Check out the video here. 

In XOJane's "It Happened to Me" feature, Bree Davis details what it's like to be friends with an Internet troll. Read more here. 

Maternity wear is hard to find. Plus size maternity wear that doesn't look like a potato sack is almost impossible to find. Sally over at Already Pretty suggests some awesome plus size maternity wear options that are stylish and look super comfy. See her picks here. 

Speaking of style and fashion: Meet Jillian Mercado. She's a model for Diesel and she has muscular dystrophy. This girl just might be my new hero. Read her story here, at Refinery29. 

Jilly over at Refashionista.net shows us how to make a Johnny Was designer tunic look-alike - for less than $5. See her inspiration and the refashion here, on Wannabe Wednesday at the Refashionista blog.

Agence France-Presse over at Rappler raps on a study that shows sex and pregnancy are poorly understood by women in the US. Read the article here.  And keep an eye out on I Feel Delicious as we aim to change that - sex and sexuality are fun! And an important part of your health and wellness.

Fox News reports that being shorter may lead to feelings of inferiority. I'm not sure how I feel about this, as someone who's only a hair over 5 foot 3 inches. Read the article here.  Maybe Napoleon just had low self-esteem?

The Telegraph posted an article here, on how two women could change the face and future of South Africa. Strong women in global politics - we like that.

Aziza al Habsi reports on the aspiriations of women in the Middle East. Read her article here, at the Oman Observer. 

Pope Francis is up to causing trouble again. This time, he said publicly that women should have a larger role in the Catholic Church. Read more here at Time. He's silent on the subject of ordaining women priests, though. So we can only guess what he's up to now. Go Frankie, Go!

Matthew Tucker reports on the work of Sean Scheidt, where burlesque performers are shown in costume and then in their everyday wear. Breaking down the idea that burlesque performers are all tramps, whores or worse, this piece on Buzzfeed is a must see. 

Got a news-worthy link? A blog post you want to share? Let us know. Post in the comments below or get ahold of us on our Facebook Page. We want to see your work and hear your opinions!

Weekly Link Roundup - January 12, 2014

By Caitlin Seida

This week we take on nudity - and why it's okay if an actress is okay with it - violence against women in Africa and the middle east, why Katie Couric really should do more research, women in the tech industry, comic book characters and their race and gender identity and more. Paula Deen can rejoice - butter is in, and it's okay! Also, a tear-jerking video of two elephants reunited after 20 years and a rage-inducing rant from the star of "Call the Midwife." This week has been a busy one in the blog-o-sphere, and we're here to catch you up. 

Entertainment and Tech

Lena Dunham and Judd Apatow talk about why Dunham's character on the TV Show Girls is always naked - responding to a rather poorly worded question from a reporter. Refinery29 has the scoop. 

Love it or hate it, Amanda Hess's piece "Why Women Aren't Welcome on the Internet" has been setting the 'net ablaze this week. Agree or disagree with her stance, she provides a totally new look at online harassment. 

Is anyone really surprised that women have more social media presence than men? This report over at The National Association of Realtors confirms what anyone who has ever used Pinterest already knows: Social media is dominated by women. 

Poornima Vijayashanker over at CNN Money explains why the lack of women tech founders is about more than just a lack of knowledge. Read her piece "Stop Telling Women They Just Know How to Code." 

Afghani women are turning to the Internet to hide from threats and violence. Read Gopal Bantam's hard-hitting piece over at Bloomberg Politics.  The 'net is a global community, and we need to recognize that. 

Laverne Cox, the media's favorite transwoman as of late, tells Katie Couric to shove it - with dignity and grace - with regards to invasive and insensitive questions about trans people. Read the whole scoop on Salon.com. I think I'm in love. Laverne, will you be my BFF? 

Health, Sports and Wellness

Caitlin Constantine tackles the women and pull ups issue that the US Military brought up this week. It's about more than just biology. Read her take over at the Huffington Post. She brings up some pretty valid points. 

SB Nation reports on an annual Alaskan tradition. Every year the Talkeenta Bachelor Society auctions off - well, themselves - to raise money for women and children in crisis. Read the coverage of the "Wilderness Woman Competition" here for an odd look at the (only slightly ironic and kind of fun) competition. 

UFC's Matt Brown has proven himself kind of a dick by insisting that women MMA fighters should keep on fighting - only if they're topless. Read all about this guy putting his foot in his mouth over at MMA Mania.  Anyone want my ten foot pole? Because I'm not touching this one. 

We all know there's an income gap between men and women but the gap is closed in at least one area. The world's top ranked tennis players pull in the same income as men. Read more over at The Herald Sun. 

Butter consumption is at a 40 year high, and that might not be a bad thing, health-wise. This piece over at Women's Health explains why.  I can't believe it's not....oh you know. 

Imani Grandi at RH Reality Check isn't just mad - she's pissed and she explains why in her article "Feticide Laws Advance 'Personhood', Punish Pregnant Women."  Totally worth a read for anyone concerned about women's reproductive rights.

Women's perspectives of healthy genetalia and what's "normal" (not that there's any such thing) "may be" influenced by exposure to modified images. Read more in a report over at Science Daily.  And if you need a reality check, go look at the variation of women's genetalia over at the Large Labia Project (obviously Not Safe for Work.)

Culture And Media

Willa Paskin takes on the "likeable woman" archetype in Slate's piece "What's so Bad About Likable Women?"  Read for the importance of unlikable women characters. 

Smithsonian Mag released a piece on the women who mapped the universe - and got absolutely NO credit for it. Read here.  Astronomy never felt so powerful.

Over at Reason.com, Shihka Dalmia reports on the rise in female gun ownership in India. 

Call the Press! Call the Midwife Star Judy Parfitt paints herself as kind of a twat, calling women who opt for plastic surgery "pathetic."  I'm not sure I'll be watching anymore - what I do with my body (natural, artificial, cosmetic or medically necessary) is my own damn business and I don't take kindly to anyone judging me for it.

The Foreign Policy Blog offers up an interesting chart, comparing what researchers found was "appropriate apparel" for women Muslims. The verdict? Cover your hair, not your face.  The chart - and article - are worth viewing. It's interesting to see this cultural preference and how it varies from place to place, and also how it falls in line with conservative Christian and Jewish mandates for women to cover their hair. 

Listen to "Never Again" with Betty Makoni - this week she takes on the African Genocide of women on Nehanda Radio. $10 can buy a bus ticket out to  save the life of someone looking to escape the violence. So why are we wasting funds on campaigns that just aren't working? 

Fatherless children? It's all women's faults, according to Wall Street Journal writer James Taranto. Read his ridiculous piece here, along with the snarky commentary that makes me fall in love with op-ed writer Amanda Marcotte.  Forget working outside the home and the Pill - we're here to birth babies and stay shackled to the stove! Maybe then our boys would grow into strong, worthwhile men. Ahem.

Buzzfeed can be snarky, critical and downright trashy, but writer Tabir Ahkter hits the nail on the head in "13 Reasons Why Not Fitting In As a Kid Makes You An Awesome Adult." Where my weirdos at?

NPR's thought provoking piece on artist Orion Martin asks the question "Who Gets to Be a Superhero?" Examining race and gender identity in comics, this piece is a must click for all comic book fans.

Fashion and Image

Stylelist outlines this winter's Must Have!!!!! accessories. Gimme those boots, please!

Speaking of boots to die for, Sally over at Already Pretty gives us plenty of eyecandy in her Ode to Clarks Shoes. 

This week's Reader Refash over at Jilly's Refashionista blog comes from Trish, She turns two thrift store coats into a stylish trench for a fraction of the cost. With a bit of steampunk edge to it, this coat NEEDS to be seen by the public!

J's Everyday Fashion Blog calls out to those of us who can't walk two feet in heels by featuring wedges. I love wedges. And so does J's. 

Just for Smiles

Parents, this one is for you. Today.com reports on an exhausted new mom's take on "expert" sleep advice. Anyone who's ever had to share their life with a tiny human will be snorting with laughter.

Dogster.com's Lauren Zimmer reports on how her dog used his "cone of shame" as a tool during recovery after surgery. Hilarious!

Not a dog person? Catster's Lauren Bailey gives us a chuckle with her list "5 Ways My Cats Completely Own Me."

David Letterman Smooches Amy Poehler - and her reaction is awesome. Check out the video over at CNN.com.

Over on wimp.com, there's an adorable video of two elephants being reunited after 20 years.  Shades of "Christian the Lion" but without the carnivorous aspect.

Mental Floss features 13 words of the year from other countries. It almost makes me want to nagelprotest the US's declaration of "Selfie" as the word of 2013. 

Sunday Roundup: This Week In the Blog-o-Sphere

By Caitlin Seida 

Did you miss what was going on this week in the world of the blog? Here's a roundup of some of our favorite stories from the past week. Topics range from delicious things to eat, reasons you should pick out a new frock at a consignment shop and the awesomeness that is Alyssa Milano. Give these stories a glance and enjoy!

Health, Fitness and Food

The Texas A&M University Extension Office brings us a little motivation in keeping our New Year's Resolutions with Walk Across Texas - 7 Reasons to Love Exercise.

Maria and Josh over at Two Peas and Their Pod bring us 31 Healthy Recipes to Start 2014 Right. The cranberry orange roasted Brussels sprouts make me want to get creative in the kitchen.

If you're sick of being healthy, head over to Purl Bee and make use of their glittering torrone recipe.  I can just taste the sticky sweet honey now.

Jen at EPBOT gives us some much needed counsel in her post "5 Ways to Help Your Loved One Through a Panic Attack." 

Fashion, Beauty and Self Image

Zachary Valenti shows us that body image issues don't just affect women - he bravely shares his story of coming to terms with his body over at Salon.com in "Man Boobs and My Decade of Shame"

Sally at Already Pretty brings us a rundown of consignment shopping vs. thrift shopping. If you've ever wondered which is a better bet for which clothing items, this post is a must read.

Ms. Misantropia brings us some fun fashion trends for spring 2014. I'm enjoying the embroidery

The Lancashire Evening Post brings us a story of 12 real military wives of all shapes and sizes channeling their inner pinup vamps for a spicy calendar to benefit a chairty supporting current and former military personnel and their families.

The Cyberbullying Research Center lets us know what we, collectively, have learned about cyberbullying in 2013.

Feminism

Versha Sharma and Hanna Sender point out what we already know over at Vocativ - Hollywood Movies with Strong Female Leads Make More Money!

Rebecca Fernandez and The Women Take Over offer a look inside the brain of the media powerhouse Jezebel in an interview with founder Anna Holmes.

Liz over at Hello Ladies offers up a list of inspiring moments for women that happened in 2013.

Things That'll Make You Smile

Mashable brings us the story of a really neat dad who packs AWESOME notes with his kids' lunches. You can follow his adventures over at And I'm the Dad. 

Liz Acosta of Dogster brings us to tears with the story of Grammy Faith, a puppy mill dog who was kept in a rabbit cage for 12 years and is finally free.

And here's the story of a rockin' grandma who hand knits character from The Hobbit in intricate detail. If your New Year's Resolution was to be more crafty, here's your kick in the ass.

And if you need a smile, Alyssa Milano holds her own against radio host and "comedian" Jay Mohr after he calls her fat. Keep it classy, Alyssa and show 'em how it's done!
Update: Jay Mohr has apologized and with humor, grace and aplomb, Alyssa accepts. Read her response at the LA Times for a chuckle!

Do you have a neat link, blog post or interesting story to share? Let us know in the comments below or visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ifeeldelicious. Share the love, ladies!

Celebrate National Soup Month: 5 Delicious Soup Recipes

By Caitlin Seida

Did you know January is National Soup Month? I didn't, but it definitely makes sense. One of the coldest months of the year here in the northern hemisphere, January is chilly enough to bring me to my knees and beg for my mama (or at least more sweaters!). Soup is one of those things that just hits the spot after a long day of trudging through the snow, fighting off biting winds or - if you prefer - lounging on the couch under a pile of blankets.

Why not try out one of these stellar soup recipes to celebrate the month and make your taste buds happy?

Italian Wedding Soup

Photo by Liz at ThinkLiz

My family is Sicilian and this soup has been a staple of our winter diets for as long as I can remember. In fact, it's one of the few things my mom cooks, so it's extra special to me (my father usually does most of the cooking in the household!). I usually omit the scrambled egg, although it does lend a little extra protein to this already hearty powerhouse of liquid nutrition.

Check out the recipe by Liz over at ThinkLiz. 

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Photo by Yammie at Yammie's Noshery

I'm not going to lie - broccoli and cheese are two of my favorite foods. Combining them into one soup-er (see what I did there?) meal makes me happier than a pig in mud. It's not healthy - not even remotely, unless you count the fact that broccoli is a wonder vegetable, but this thick and creamy soup hits the spot on a cold winter's day.

Check out the recipe for this tasty Panera Bread version over at Yammie's Noshery. 

Vegetable Soup

Photo by Dawnelle at Will There Be Food There?

One of the best things about soup is that it's adaptable. If you have potatoes and no onions? No problem. Throw 'em in. If you've got leftover squash, zucchini and an eggplant? You've got a soup waiting to be cooked. Vegetable soup is a great way to pack your macro- and micro-nutrients into one hot, healthy meal.

Check out this simple recipe from Dawnelle over at Will There Be Food There?

Vegan Lentil and Butternut Squash Soup

Photo from the Ethical Deal Blog

Can't leave our vegan friends hanging, now can we? As I move toward a more plant-based diet, I'm finding myself eating a lot more soup. This quick and easy soup - almost thick enough to be a stew - is soothing on the throat. Perfect if you've got a bout of winter illness nipping at your heels. The thyme lends a little bit of pep to the otherwise earthy flavor of this recipe and may protect your respiratory system.

Check out this recipe by registered holistic nutritionist Genevieve Blanchet over at the Ethical Deal Blog.

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Copycat 

Photo by Reeni at Cinnamon, Spice and Everything Nice

Am I the only one who could eat Olive Garden's chicken gnocchi soup by the gallon? Seriously - they have to be putting unicorn hair and fairy farts into this stuff. But no - it's addictive. The little potato pastas (gnocchi) are delicious and melt on your tongue. The creamy soup base is thick enough to make this soup an entire meal in and of itself and the chicken lends a nice, meaty flavor to the dish. I won't even make any pretense that this dish is healthy, but it's great for a January treat.

Check out this super simple Olive Garden copycat recipe by Reeni Pisano over at Cinnamon, Spice And Everything Nice.

She gets bonus "easy prep" points for using refrigerated gnocchi, though there's something to be said for making your own - if you're so inclined, a basic gnocchi recipe can be found here at 101 Cookbooks.  Note that I said "basic" and not "easy" - gnocchi making is NOT for the faint of heart! 

What's your favorite type of soup? Do you have a recipe to share with us? Let us know in the comments below! 

Eight Tips for Sneaking In Exercise When You Really Don’t Have the Time

By Caitlin Seida

I've heard tales of rare and mythical creatures who love to exercise and have seemingly unlimited time to get it done during the day. I don't think I've ever met one, but I'm sure they do exist. I, personally, am not one of them.

So what's a girl to do when she's busy but needs to stay in shape? Sneaks in exercise in bursts. Five minutes here, ten minutes there, a couple minutes before bed - it all adds up and you can build up to the recommended 30 to 60 minutes a day of exercise you should be getting, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Photo Copyright Jessica Lucia, Used Under Creative Commons License

So how do you do it? Here's some ideas:

1. Do Squats While Brushing Your Teeth
Proper tooth brushing techniques take about two minutes and you should be doing it at least twice a day. That's four minutes of time where you're staring into your bathroom mirror and making goofy faces at yourself. Use those two minute chunks of time to get in as many squat repetitions as is safely possible. Squats are resistance exercises that use your own body weight to work your quadricep and hamstring muscles. Strengthening them can help protect your knees - a great benefit!
Here's a video demonstrating proper squat techniques:



2. Work Your Arms While Doing Laundry Laundry - we've all got to do it and I don't think anyone likes it. You have to lift the laundry into the basket, lift the basket and carry it to your laundry area, lift the clothes into the machine, wait for a while and then transfer them from the machine to the dryer. That in and of itself is a lot of work, right? Use the weight from the laundry (wet laundry is heavier than dry) to do some quick reps to trick yourself into giving your arm muscles a workout.

Exercise your arms and shoulders by using the laundry basket in place of a barbell - a seated shoulder press, as demonstrated here, allows you to sit while you contemplate which detergent to use. You can also use the laundry basket to do a standing barbell curl, as demonstrated here. 

3. Practice Your Ballet Barre Technique While Doing The Dishes 
I'm a big fan of ballet exercises - they help build long, lean muscles, improve flexibility and core stability and they improve your balance big time. Doing the dishes can take a long time - sneak in some releves, rond de jambes, tendus and plies while you're scrubbing.





4. Create a Cardio Housework Blast
Vacuum, mop the floor, scrub the bathtub, clean the toilet - but do it all at a pace that gets your heart pumping. Dance while you do it - nobody's watching. Get your heart rate elevated and keep it that way by working at a break neck speed - as a bonus, your housework will get done quicker, too.

Copyright Jason Jones, Used Under Creative Commons License

Copyright Gabrielle Marks, Used Under Creative Commons License

5. Make Multiple Trips
Gotta go upstairs to get your laptop, phone and MP3 player? Make a separate trip for each item. Even if you live in a one story house, walk each item to its intended room individually. Sure, it takes a little extra time but every extra step you take counts towards your goal. Baby steps will get you there just as surely as leaps and bounds.

Copyright THOR. Used Under Creative Commons License

6. Park farther away from the door
Everybody wants that prime parking spot right in front of work or the store - pass it up and let someone else have an easy day. Instead, opt to park farther away and walk to your destination. Again - it all adds up to your goal.

Copyright Vick the Viking. Used Under a Creative Commons License.

7. Take the Stairs
Yeah, everybody knows this piece of advice and nobody likes to hear it, but it bears repeating. Ignore the elevator, ignore the escalator, leave your space age jetpack at home. Take the stairs. It'll get your heart pumping and count toward your daily fitness goal. The more you take the stairs, the easier it gets - eventually you'll stop huffing and puffing when you reach the top. I promise!



8. Play.
Remember when you were a kid and your mom sent you out of the house for the afternoon? Everything was a playground - the entire world was new and exciting and there were opportunities to play wherever you looked. Let your inner child out for a bit and just go play. Climb trees, rake leaves and jump in the pile, dig holes in the dirt, roll down hills - a little bit of play is good for your body AND your mind

Copyright Walt Stoneburner. Used Under Creative Commons License

How do you sneak exercise into your daily routine? Leave us a comment and let us know. 

Caitlin Seida has been writing since 2006, with her work appearing on various websites including Livestrong.com, TypeF.com, Salon.com, Dogster.com and The Daily Puppy. A Jill-of-All-Trades, she splits her workday as a writer, humane society advocate and on-call vet tech. What little free time she has goes into pinup modeling, advocating for self-acceptance, knitting and trying to maintain her haunted house (really!). You can find her on Facebook, on Twitter, and of course here on I Feel Delicious!