Not Getting Enough? Any?
10 Surprising Sex Busters
- 10 Surprising Sex Busters
From 'He's Just Not Up for It Anymore' by Bob Berkowitz, PhD, and SusanYager-Berkowitz
It's estimated that more than 20 million marriages in the U.S. are essentially sexless. That is, sex fewer than 10 times per year. The most common sexual problem? Lack of desire. Find out why some people are saying no to sex and what you can do about it. - 10 Surprising Sex Busters
1: Sex. Yawn.
The most common reason couples are uncoupling is 'unadventurous' sex. That can mean anything from saying no to role play to refusing to leave the lights on. You don't have to memorize the Kama Sutra. What's missing from most marriages is enthusiasm and novelty. - 10 Surprising Sex Busters
2: Online Pornography
Some people consider porn to be harmless supplemental sex. Problem is, though, it can turn into 'virtual infidelity,' where the porn-distracted spouse subverts his desire into fantasies and prevents the couple from an emotionally complete relationship. Talk it out. - 10 Surprising Sex Busters
3: The Kids
Sometimes passion slips after the kids. Far more serious is when he can no longer sees his wife as sexual -- or she herself feels that way. It's never going to be what it was in the first years. Enjoy the partner you have today. - 10 Surprising Sex Busters
4: Erectile Dysfunction
Studies chart a decline in male sexual functioning after age 40. What happens? Stress, anxiety, and depression, not to mention vascular disease, high cholesterol and diabetes. Viagra and Cialis may work on blood flow, but the real solution lies in stimulating his libido. - 10 Surprising Sex Busters
5: Weight Gain
Your weight affects your sexuality -- not to mention your partner's waistline's impact on yours. Modest weight gain won't dull the fire, but it's a different story if you or your spouse have packed on 30 or more pounds. The good news: Dropping 12 percent of your body weight over two years boosts sexual desire. - 10 Surprising Sex Busters
6: Your Boudoir
Too many couples have an open door policy for the master bedroom -- and it's the glow of the TV, rather than candles, that calm them after a busy day. Set up privacy rules and keep distractions such as clutter and computers to a minimum. Enhance the intimacy of your bedroom with soft lighting, art, and music. The marriage bed should be all about lovemaking -- and sleep. - 10 Surprising Sex Busters
7: Silent Seething
Almost nothing does a better job of killing intimacy than rage. Withholding touch, warmth, and sex becomes a punishment. Oftentimes, this is because the husband or wife views sex as one of the few things within his or hercontrol. The only way to eliminate hostility is to talk about the root of the anger. Consider marriage counselling. - 10 Surprising Sex Busters
8: Maybe He's Gay?
It's understandable that a woman might suspect her asexual or passionless man isn't interested in her because he prefers men. In some ways, a 'Brokeback Marriage' can be a greater relief than if he was cheating with another woman. However, only about four percent of the male population is gay. Best to broach this subject outside the bedroom in a non-judgemental way. - 10 Surprising Sex Busters
9: Alcohol, Drugs
Alcohol and certain drugs can make some people feel more comfortable with all things sex. But too much is sloppy -- and rarely leads to great passion. Heavy drinking can lead to ED, and drug abuse can also discourage an erection (and a partner). Poor lifestyle choices and other psychological issues are best dealt with by a mental health professional.
How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
- How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
From 'How to Eat Like a Hot Chick' by Jodi Lipper and Cerina Vincent
We are so excited to share our Hot Chicks tricks with you! We know that you're already hot and that you have the potential to be and feel even hotter. And we promise that when you start eating like a Hot Chick, you will be loving life and having ahotter heyday than you ever thought you could. Start by reading this list of messed up foods you should avoid. - How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
1: Maple Syrup
It comes from a tree, but one tablespoon has over 100 calories and you probably use six times that per pancake. That's 600 calories just in syrup! Always use the real stuff -- not because it has fewer calories, but it tastes more intense and tree-like, and you'll probably end up using less. Pour one or two tablespoonfuls onto the side of your plate, stare in horror at how small a portion that is, and learn how to dip. - How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
2: Chex Mix
This stuff is delicious. But think about it -- why, under normal circumstances, would a handful of cereal, a few pretzels, and a bunch of crusty old bread chunks be so tasty? We'll tell you why: because it's coated with a stick of butter and a giant heap of salt. A tiny handful has about 150 calories and half of those are from fat. Gross. If you really want to eat a stick of butter, make like Carrie and go get a delicious cupcake or something, but don't eat it on your cereal. - How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
3: Eggplant
We know that many of you think you're being smart when you order an eggplant parmesan sub at your local pizza place. It's a vegetable, so it's gotta be good for you, right? Not so fast, girls. Once it's breaded, fried, and slathered with cheese, eggplant ceases to be a vegetable at all. It is now a giant sponge whose sole mission is to soak up as much grease, oil, and lard as possible and deliver it directly into your cute little bod. - How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
4: Honey
Like maple syrup, honey is all natural, and many health-conscious ladies pour buckets of it into their tea on a daily basis (except for you super-vegans who feel bad about stealing from the poor little bumble bees). Well, we don't give a crap about bees, but we do care about you, and we want you to know that honey has about 64 calories per tablespoon! A few squirts out of that giant plastic bear and your herbal tea is now equal in calories to a can of Coke. Not what you had in mind, is it? - How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
5: Ketchup
Okay, ketchup isn't that bad for you. It's only got about 15 to 25 calories per tablespoon, which is relatively low. However, you should know that the commercial brands contain mostly sugar, or else it would taste like that terrible tomato paste, wouldn't it? Just be careful about how much of this stuff you use. A few blobs on a veggie burger is fine, but a whole cup of it with a plate of french fries is just gonna add to your problems. - How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
6: Tortillas
See our Mexican restaurant section [in 'How to Eat Like a Hot Chick'] for more on this, but for now suffice it to say that a giant flour tortilla can add upward of 200 calories to your burrito or even that healthy wrap. That wouldn't be such a big problem if these things had even the tiniest bit of taste! But tortillasare as bland as can be. You might as well try sucking down two cups of flour for a similar effect. Our solution is to perform a simple surgery on any food that comes to us wrapped. We eat the innards first and then eat the tortilla last and only if we'restill hungry. And when we see that giant unrolled thing on our plate, we're usually not. - How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
7: Mayo
You probably know that this stuff is bad for you, but you most likely don't know exactly how bad it is! Mayonnaise actually has 90 calories per tablespoon! That is equal to eating another entire apple for every knifeful that you spread on ... whatever you spread it on. Plus, mayo is just gross egg-yolky nonsense, so you should probably stay away from it even in small quantities. - How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
8: Rice Cakes
Wait a minute! Rice cakes are diet food, aren't they? Well, yes, but they're also a giant waste of your time. They have about 50 calories each, but they do not fill you up at all, unless of course you eat the whole bag. But if you're gonna go and eat the whole bag, you might as well eat some real food, right?! And please don't try to convince us that you actually like rice cakes, because we simply won't believe you. - How to Eat Like a Hot Chick
9: Bubble Teas
This trend seems to be fading, thank goodness, but we still have to mention it. First of all, it is not hot to suck down slimy, gelatinous tapioca balls in your beverage! But putting that aside, these drinks are even worse for you than those frappéd coffee concoctions. They usually have between 325 and 450 calories each, which is like adding another meal to your day. We say, save the $5 they ridiculously charge you for these things and eat some gummy bears or even pudding for dessert if you're into this jelly crap.
Smart Diet Swaps
- Smart Diet Swaps
Smart Diet Swaps
Hidden calories and fat can sneak into the meals of even the most diet-conscious. Here we show you nine creative ways to shave calories and fat from your favorite foods. - Smart Diet Swaps
Soup Savvy
Abandon heavy, cream-based soups -- they can saddle you with 240 calories per cup. Stick with broth-based varieties, at roughly 150 calories a cup, and thicken them up by cracking a small egg into the soup while it's heating and swirl it throughout the pot. The egg makes the soup smooth and offers healthy protein while adding only 60 calories. You'll save about 30 calories, and about whopping 15 grams of fat per serving over the creamy soups. - Smart Diet Swaps
Squash Calories
Spaghetti can cost you 200 calories per cup -- and that's before you top it with sauce. For pasta lovers, spaghetti squash is a vibrant alternative. When cooked, the squash flesh becomes thread-like,resembling spaghetti. At only 75 calories per cup and no fat, it makes for a healthy and tasty stand-in.
Image Credit: Jupiter Images - Smart Diet Swaps
Slimmer Cocoa
A store-bought hot cocoa mix made with low-fat milk can add up to 250 calories per cup. Shave off about 115 calories, and some unwanted sugar, with this flavorful hot milk beverage: Heat 8 ounces of low-fat or non-fat milk with a cinnamon stick. Pour it into your mug and stir in one tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. - Smart Diet Swaps
Tuna with a Twist
It's easy to overdo it with mayo in tuna salad. At 103 calories per tablespoon, you could easily add 300-plus calories to your dish. A lighter, tangy alternative to mayo? Toss canned tuna packed in water with lemon juice, onion, and capers and save yourself upwards of 100 calories. For an extra peppery flavor, add chopped watercress. - Smart Diet Swaps
It's a Wrap
Put a new spin on the sandwich by doing away with the bread. Even two slices of the most dietetic versions can add 70 calories per slice. Place sandwich ingredients in buttery-soft bibb lettuce or the long leaves of romaine and wrap them up for a crunchier and much lighter meal. - Smart Diet Swaps
Hold the Mayo
If bread is a must for a sandwich, skip the fatty mayo and use lower-in-calories pickles or relish to moisten it. If it's a sandwich with cheese, use only one slice, then skip thecondiment altogether and heat the sandwich in the toaster oven to melt the cheese. It adds the moisture that the condiments would. Both tricks can save up to 40 calories per sandwich, and will spare you the 11 grams of fat per tablespoon of mayo. - Smart Diet Swaps
Better Beef
Reduce your fat content and boost fiber by swapping cooked, ground lentils for some of the ground beef in a recipe. Ounce for ounce, lentils and ground beef have a similar calorie count. But 3.5 ounces of ground beef racks up 20grams of fat, while the same amount of lentils carries only 0.8. - Smart Diet Swaps
Muffin Tips
Lighten up dense morning muffins. Trade whole wheat flour for half of the white flour in the recipe, and use unsweetened applesauce or pureed bananas for up to half of the oil. Both swaps can save you as much as 500 calories. - Smart Diet Swaps
Salad Toppers
Take full advantage of the health benefits of your light salad by avoiding toppings like bacon bits and croutons. Crowning the dish with chopped red onion and herb mixtures like cilantro and mint, or dill and flat-leaf parsleywill save you from the 60 calories or more the traditional toppings would normally add.
