Caitlin Moran

Caitlin Moran’s protagonist in her new novel, “How to Build a Girl,” is (as the title implies) a work in progress. But she doesn’t need anyone’s help — especially not when it comes to sex.

Johanna Morrigan’s gluttonous embrace of the world extends to her libido, uncommon in books about 14-year-old girls and not because that impulse isn’t there. And it certainly didn’t wait to be awoken by a man, a criticism Moran has leveled at many of the current entries in the YA genre.

“How to Build a Girl” reclaims the joys of the feminine experience. At the book’s U.S. launch in Brooklyn, Moran discussed what’s wrong with sex for women (of any age) and modern female protagonists.

Another kind of teenage girl

“This book is about many things, but the main thing is that it’s a filthy book — it opens with a wank. Basically, I wanted to write about a horny teenage girl I don’t see often in popular culture, [to] reclaim the word ‘slut.’”

What’s missing by omitting women’s perspective

“In this book [the first in a trilogy], Johanna doesn’t feel confident enough to let a man give her pleasure. She’s never seen a man making a woman come. So she doesn’t even know where that would happen in the sex; she’s worried that if he tries to make her come with his hand that it might take too long, that she’d be known as a hand-wearier.”

The sex you have should be your own

“Girls feel that if you’ve said yes at some point to sex, then you have to see it through, it’s almost like you’ve done some kind of contract and you’ll be seen as a disappointer if you back away. The two most powerful words you’ll learn as a girl are yes — and no.”

How to Build a Girl cover

What really happened in ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’

“I know a lot of people who are in the BDSM community, there are reasons why you’re into that sex, and why it pleases you, why it satisfies you, why that’s what you need. But she clearly doesn’t have the psychological makeup or background. … Basically, she’s smacked repeatedly with a hairbrush in exchange for an iPad and a ride in his helicopter.”

How porn warps women’s view of sex

“This is something I realize that I had done, and as soon as I’d realized it I was horrified, but if you’re a woman, very often, you’re not kinda going, ‘I’m having sex,’ you’re thinking what he’s thinking. You’re going, ‘Wow, I must look really good doing this, he must be really enjoying that.’ And that’s because female sexuality has been mediated through the male gaze. Because of pornography, women are lying there being a porn director in their head, never thinking about what they want to do next.

“That’s why [Johanna] starts off with a wank — the first thing she does, you realize that she is in touch with her own sexuality, that she knows how to please herself.”

Even when things go wrong, maintain perspective

“Almost without exception, all the sex that [Johanna] has is awful. Because if you are sleeping around as a teenage girl, almost all the sex you will have will be awful. … To write a fairly funny, accessible book about the realities of having sex as a teenage girl, you have to realize early on that life divides into two kinds of experience: The first one is awesome experiences, and the second one is terrible experiences that will later make amazing anecdotes.”

Who is a feminist?

“I’ve become sick of being in public areas and meeting young girls who just go, ‘I’m not a feminist.’ And I have to reply to them, ‘OK, I absolutely accept you saying that, that’s absolutely fine. Because:

• I presume that you were not educated equally to boys when you were a child.
• I presume you did not go to university.
• I presume that if you had any type of employment, which would be from the very limited realm of jobs available to you, that you gave it up when you were married; or that you carried on while you were married but you gave your pay packet to your husband.
• I presume that you are the legal property of your husband, that he could have you put in a mental asylum or make you his sex slave, and that your children would belong to him;
• that if you were raped or sexually assaulted, that would not be seen as a crime and you would not see the perpetrator go to jail;
• and that you do not vote

If that’s the life that you’ve lived, great, you’re not a feminist. If that’s not the case, and you’ve lived a life in the opposite way, I have some news for you: You have lived a feminist life in a feminist world, and you are a feminist. And you’ve lived that life because of the people that came forth and did a lot of f—ing heavy work: They marched, they starved, they were force fed, some of them died, they drafted legislation, they kept marching, they didn’t stop until you’ve led the life that you’ve just had that leaves you free to spout ignorant stuff like ‘I’m not a feminist.’

It’s the only time I’m ever rude, that I always end that rant with, ‘If you think you’re not a feminist, bitch, buy a dictionary and look it up.’”

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

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Not all fats are created equal.

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Robin Williams’ suicide showed how mental illness can affect even a seemingly happy person.
Credit: CBS

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to pick just one topic to address during National Mental Illness Awareness Week, which began Sunday. So many recent tragic events have thrust mental illness into the spotlight: the suicide of Robin Williams, the Santa Barbara killing rampage and veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress.

And these are just the stories that make the headlines; there are far more going untold among the nearly one in five American adults who suffer from a mental illness, according to the National Institutes of Health. Many are fighting quiet, private battles — with disorders ranging from moderate depression and anxiety to schizophrenia — to avoid the stigma that persists despite mental health advocates’ efforts to debunk myths, change attitudes and rally support for policy reform.

Those who suffer include people of all ages, from every ethnic, racial and socio-economic background. They include adolescents, entertainers, business executives, bus drivers, engineers, teachers, writers, soccer moms and even psychologists. Because the vast majority of them pose no risk to anyone other than themselves, their struggles aren’t acknowledged. But without proper treatment, these people risk countless smaller, personal tragedies such as losing their jobs, identity, autonomy and relationships, even with those who love them most.

While some are under professional medical care, about 60 percent of adults and almost half of young people between the ages of 8 and 15 with a mental illness received no mental health services in the previous year, either because of shame, not knowing where to go for help or a distrust of mental health professionals. In extreme cases, they may not even know that they’re sick.

But no one has to suffer alone. Here are resources that can help.

National Alliance on Mental Illness 

For every mentally ill individual, there is usually at least one person who worries about them. Some have become self-taught experts in mental health, schooled in the hard knocks of navigating a highly flawed, insurance-dictated mental health system and laws that favor patients’ rights to self-determination. As a friend whose mother is schizophrenic explained, “I am often simultaneously filled with tremendous rage and deep compassion.”

In addition to its advocacy efforts, NAMI provides free weekly support groups and education for individuals living with mental illness and their loved ones. Some affiliates offer “warm lines,” a hotline staffed by people in recovery themselves. Visit NAMI.org for more information on resources and events.

Free depression screenings

National Depression Screening Day is Oct. 9 and dozens of health, education, military and public organizations will offer free screenings, which can be done in person or online. Those who meet the criteria will be referred to local agencies that offer further evaluation and, if needed, treatment options. To find a free screening in your area, visit www.helpyourselfhelpothers.org.

Mental illness by the numbers

From the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health of U.S. adults:

• About 43.7 million U.S. adults 18 or older (18.6 percent) reported suffering from a mental illness; 9.6 million of them (4.1 percent) were struggling with a serious mental illness.
• The rate of adults with mental illness was highest among those aged 26 to 49 (21.2 percent), followed by those aged 18 to 25 (19.6 percent), then by those aged 50 or older (15.8 percent).
• An estimated 9 million adults (3.9 percent) had serious thoughts of suicide within the past year.

Kim Schneiderman’s book, “Step Out of Your Story: Writing Exercises to Reframe and Transform Your Life,” is being published in the spring. Email your questions to askkim@metro.us and check out her website, Novel Perspective.

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Taking a selfie in front of a monument definitely makes you look like a tourist. / Digital Vision

Layering a large lensed Nikon over your Hawaiian shirt is a dead giveaway you’re not from around these parts — but it’s not the only sign you’re a tourist. Even if you think you’re blending in, the locals know better. Priceline.com took a look at what lets everyone know you’re just visiting via a study conducted by Edelman Berland research. The study surveyed travelers as well as locals who’ve lived in a major U.S. city for at least five years, from New York to San Francisco. Here are the highlights of Priceline.com’s first Tourist Report Card.

What to wear

• The biggest tourist giveaway, according to the more than half of locals, is somebody wearing a camera around their neck and taking pictures of everything.
• Locals voted that the ugliest tourist accessory is socks and sandals (42 percent), followed by the fanny pack (21 percent).
• But almost 60 percent of tourists say they try to avoid wearing typical tourist gear.

Eating out

• Ordering local dishes and drinks, according to 65 percent of tourists, is one of the top ways they try to blend in with the culture.
• The majority of tourists prefer eating at local restaurants — where there are few tourists.
• But 54 percent of tourists admit to eating at chain franchises.

Getting around 

• One in four tourists prefers to use a pocket foldout map when traveling and about three in seven still use a printout map from an Internet source like Mapquest.
• More than half of tourists equate blending in successfully with learning to navigate public transportation.
• About 63 percent of tourists have asked a local for directions.

Sex 

• More one in three single tourists say they would love to have a fling with a local while on vacation.
• Nearly one in five would put those thoughts into action, actually trying to find a one-night hook-up.
• More than one in three tourists have become smitten over a foreigner with an accent.

Locals in major U.S. cities, including Chicago, weighed in on what makes you stand out as a tourist. / Getty Images

Top 5 ways to blend in a new city

1. Order local dishes and drinks.

2. Travel by public transportation.

3. Avoid tourist gear, such as fanny packs, water bottle holsters and local city T-shirts. 

4. Learn and use local phrases and expressions.

5. Befriend 
the locals.

Top 3 tourist cliches

• 63% ask a local for directions.

• 54% eat at a chain franchise.

• 49% stop in the middle of the street to take a picture.

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“Frozen” won’t thaw any hearts by displacing a classic Epcot ride.
Credit: Getty Images

In case the constant renditions of “Let It Go” didn’t drive you to drink since the release of “Frozen” last November, the latest news out of Disney just might.

A new ride based on the most successful Disney movie ever is coming to Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park — and displacing Maelstrom, the boat ride through a forest inhabited by trolls and marked by gentle plummets in a Viking-style boat at the Norway pavilion. The attraction sailed its last voyage on Sunday.

But not all things go out of style — and perhaps they’ll make Disney reconsider tearing down the next attraction. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride closed in the Magic Kingdom in 1997 and was replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. But as of 2012, Disney was mulling a movie about the eponymous amphibian. And just this year, Disney reopened a redesigned Fantasyland with a heavy focus on Snow White, including the new thrill ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Whether you agree with the march of progress or will raise a toast to the dearly departed tonight, one Disney fan made a valid point to The Orlando Sentinel:

“I know that change has to happen and that ‘Frozen’ is a very successful franchise, but the World Showcase was made to spotlight cultures from around the world and history and how different people lived.”

Farewell, Maelstrom. You weren’t spectacular, but a boat ride in the dark is great scary fun as a kid and the best spot to make out in the whole park for adults.

The post Here’s another reason to hate ‘Frozen’ appeared first on Metro.us.

This may not be your library, but close your eyes and smell a book, and the smell can transport you there.
Credit: Getty Images

Among the addictive pleasures of a new book that e-readers have not managed to replicate is that heady whiff that comes with cracking one open. However, as with the smell of new cars, it’s down to things you probably shouldn’t spend too much time sniffing.

Compound Interest, a blog run a U.K. chemistry teacher that explores the day-to-day chemical reactions going on around us, has detailed  the compounds that add up to that comforting smell of adventure and excitement.

The blog has an infographic detailing the various chemicals, but the basic elements are “the paper itself (and the chemicals used in its manufacture), the inks used to print the book, and the adhesives used in the book-binding process.”

As for old book smells, the answer is more straightforward. A compound called lignin that gives wood its strength, which is removed from modern books, causes older paper to yellow because of oxidation, which causes the lignin to break down and, in turn, the cellulose molecules it’s holding together, according to Compound Interest. These reactions can produce chemicals that smell sweet or even floral, with hints of vanilla and almonds.

Elsewhere in the world of smells, while Smell-o-Vision technology may be a way off, at least one company is raising money to develop and market a device that lets the person at the other end of the phone smell the New York pizzeria you’re standing next to.

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

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Court 16 is a kids-only tennis club.

As any tennis pro will attest, it’s never too early to start working on your serve, and kids ages 3-11 now have a state-of-the-art facility to hone their skills in Brooklyn.

Court 16 (526 Baltic Street) was developed by an international network of youth tennis experts and industry veterans for children to learn the fundamentals of the game in a right-size environment. Their indoor courts are made for child athletes, and the program will focus on promoting confidence, self-esteem and sportsmanship.

Training will be tailored by age, with group and private classes and tennis conditioning on five USTA-sanctioned kid-size courts (yes, there is seating for parents to look on proudly).

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Take a Barrecamp class for a good cause at Xtend Barre Workout’s Brooklyn Heights studio.
Credit: Xtend Barre

Xtend Barre Workout is holding two special classes at its Brooklyn Heights location (147 Remsen St.) as part of its nationwide Plie for Pink campaign.

Two special donation “Barrecamp” classes will be held Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. and Oct. 19 at 12:30 p.m., with the proceeds going to benefit the Young Survival Coalition. WTRMLN WTR will provide free beverages, and there will be prizes offered during both sessions.

The recommended donation for each class is $25-$30. Pink tutus are encouraged, and the studio will be selling special edition pink socks.

The post Exercise to support young women with breast cancer at Plie for Pink appeared first on Metro.us.

Rory and Lorelei Gilmore have an aspirational relationship, according to psychoanalyst Dr. Jennifer Kunst.
Credit: The CW

Was it a nice weekend outside? “Gilmore Girls” fans wouldn’t know, as they likely spent the weekend in front of Netflix, watching the mother-daughter dramedy that reminded us to call our moms just a little more often.

Lorelei and Rory Gilmore have the kind of mother-daughter relationship that many wish they could have, but the show did omit a crucial element, according to psychoanalyst Dr. Jennifer Kunst.

“One of the cool things about ‘Gilmore Girls’ that draws people in is that they’re so bonded to each other,” she says. But “they don’t deal too much with what ordinary mothers and children have to deal with, which is the other side of that: being separate.”

With 20 years of experience, Kunst says parent-related complaints are the second most common from patients at her practice, which she addresses in her new book, “Wisdom from the Couch.” We asked her how realistic “Gilmore Girls” was and what makes relationships with our parents difficult.

Why did the show resonate with so many people?

There was a mix of real-life struggle, and people really trying to improve themselves and providing each other support in doing so. And the other thing is the relationship that Lorelei and Rory have with each other — it’s an ideal, it’s what we all wish we could have and is probably not actually possible in real life, but there is something beautiful about it that is an aspiration, in a way.

Should moms and daughters be friends? 

When you’ve got little ones in particular, friendship is a component of the relationship, but there is so much discipline and learning involved that friendship can’t be, in a healthy way at least, at the center. But when we grow up and we have lives of our own, then we can return to that relationship with our mother, still mother-daughter but the growing and the discipline that mom needs to help us with has been established and friendship can take a more central role.

Why are relationships with parents complicated? 

We have a sense of [our parents] that starts when we’re babies thinking that they are bigger than life, they are all powerful. We adore them, we fear them, and that makes our relationship particularly with mom and dad so powerful. Because it’s not only based in reality — it’s based in our fantasy, what we imagine them to be and what we can’t imagine them to be.

What makes a good parent? 

I call it either loving discipline or disciplined love: There is a balance between those positive, affectionate, close-bonded feelings and the ability to be firm or to step back and let the child become their own person, which can be very difficult for moms to do. The challenge for children is to be able to depend on their parents for help and guidance.

Lorelei couldn’t lean on her mom. Can that affect a person? 

If you don’t have a mother who believes in you, it’s a real blow in self-confidence. There are lots of ways that can show itself in life, whether it’s not having very good relationships, promiscuity, drug abuse, depression, all the many avenues that we can take to cope with the feeling that we’re not lovable.

What effect does being a young mom have?

Lorelei is still growing up herself, and you can see in that relationship — this is fairly common in real life — that there’s a lot of pressure on the child to mother the parent, if the parent is young and also doesn’t have parents that they can turn to.

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

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Christina Applegate underwent a double mastectomy.
Credit: Getty Images

Angelina Jolie underwent preventive surgery to avoid developing breast cancer and decided to go public with her decision. But she didn’t have to fight cancer while in the public eye, unlike these celebrities. Most of them later decided to use their fame to raise awareness.

Anastasia

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time earlier this year and am currently in the final stages of recovery after undergoing a double mastectomy,” the singer announced in a statement last year. Anastasia was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, at the age of 35. “Early detection has saved my life twice,” she explained. “I will continue to battle and lend my voice in any way I can.”

Cynthia Nixon

The “Sex and the City” star, who played Miranda Hobbes, discovered she had a tumor in her right breast during a routine mammogram. She first decided to keep the news private but feared that the paparazzi might spot her at the hospital. “I felt scared,” she said on “Good Morning America” in 2008, 18 months after she was diagnosed and treated with a lumpectomy and radiation. After she recovered, she became an official ambassador for a breast cancer organization.

Kylie Minogue

In 2008, speaking to Ellen DeGeneres, the Australian singer revealed that before she started a treatment to cure her breast cancer (a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation), she was first given a misdiagnosis. “Just because someone is in a white coat using big medical instruments, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re right,” she told the talk show host. She later added that the mistake didn’t negatively impact her view of doctors and nurses, saying, “I have great respect for the medical profession.”

Christina Applegate

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 at the age of 36, Christina Applegate first got a lumpectomy.  But when she learned she had the same mutation (BRCA-1) as Angelina Jolie, and after witnessing her mother’s repeated breast cancer diagnoses, she underwent a double mastectomy. Her personal experience led her to launch her own charity, Right Action for Women, which provides aid to individuals who are at an increased risk of breast cancer but can’t afford to get mammograms.

Sheryl Crow

Although the American singer had no family history of breast cancer and had dedicated herself to fitness and a healthy lifestyle, that didn’t prevent her from being diagnosed in 2006 at age 44. “I am a walking advertisement for early detection,” she observed later that year, after suspicious calcifications in both of her breasts were detected on a routine mammogram. Instead of going on a scheduled tour, Crow had surgery, followed by radiation, and got some extra help from acupuncture and herbal teas.

Giuliana Rancic

In 2011, before receiving IVF treatment for infertility, the E! News host got a mammogram showing she had early stage breast cancer. She decided to get a double mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery. In 2013, she launched the Fab-U-Wish initiative with the Pink Agenda organization, the goal of which is to help women undergoing treatment for breast cancer feel “fabulous” by getting what she calls “the full Hollywood treatment,” with fashion and beauty makeovers.

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There’s no reason to save all the Halloween festivities for October 31 – festive happenings are going on all throughout October in New York City. Here, we round up some of the fun things you won’t want to miss.

Carl Schurz Park Conservatory Harvest Festival

Walk around the pumpkin patch with your kids at the Carl Schurz Park Conservatory harvest festival.
Credit: Getty Images

On October 11, take your kids to the Upper East Side for a day of hayrides across a pumpkin patch and a concert. The best part is the whole thing is free. It’s taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Carl Schurz Park Conservatory. Click here for more info.

Bat Exhibit

Learning about bats will make them less creepy, at least a little.
Credit: Getty Images

A mix of creepy and cool, Central Park will be showcasing its collection of bats. Take your kids to learn about these nocturnal creatures for a presentation taking place October 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Belvedere Castle in Central Park. It’s free and you just may leave learning a thing or too yourself.

R. L. Stine Book Signing 

A scary story reading from R. L. Stine is worth your kids’ missing nap-time for.
Credit: Getty Images

Famed “Goosebumps” series author R.L. Stine will be hosting a free signing for kids (and OK, adult fans too) October 18 at 2 p.m. at the Scholastic store in Soho. Bring your favorite old copies or one of his newer books like, “Zombie Halloween,” and get into the spirit of the holiday with a scary reading.

The Count’s Halloween Party at Sesame Place

Cookie Monster, Ernie, Elmo and the whole gang will be at the Count’s Halloween party.
Credit: Provided

Up to taking a day trip? Just 90 minutes away, Sesame Place is throwing a big party honoring the Count on October 25 and 26. A menu of  fall foods and treats will be served and the rest of the Sesame Street characters will be singing and dancing. Costumes are encouraged! Book tickets online at sesameplace.com.

Empire State Building Light-And-Music Show

The Empire State Building wows every year with its Halloween light show.
Credit: Provided

Don’t get too busy trick-or-treating that you forget to look up: the Empire State Building is putting on a special light show October 31. The exact time is yet to be announced, but a Halloween-themed LED show will be going on, which will be synchronized to the music playing on iHeartMedia radio stations, like Z100. If you miss the show, gather the kids around the computer later to watch it on thhe Empire State Building’s YouTube channel.

Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmLaurence

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Welcome to the weekend, fellow members of the lower middle class.

If you couldn’t tell by the sudden appearance of all the lightweight jackets and everything being pumpkin flavored, fall is in full swing. Since you’re now on the border of being broke due to all the pumpkin spice lattes you’ve been sipping we’ve got a list of kinda free things for you to occupy yourself with this weekend. Check it out:

Saturday

My Dog Loves Central Park

Image Credit: Central Park Conservancy

Hosted by Central Park Paws, a program that is a part of the Central Park Conservancy, this event should be fun for you and your four-legged friend. Among the promised events and attractions is a photo booth for you and your pup, plenty of treats and goodies, mini doggie makeovers and much more. Find out more information here.

Where: Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park
When: October 11, 2014 11am – 3pm
Price: Free Admission

Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival

Image Credit: Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation

The theme of this year’s annual Fall for Arts Festival is “A Multicultural Renaissance,” which is aimed at “celebrating Roosevelt Island’s diversity and invoking the magic and artistic sensibilities of medieval times.” Come watch local muralists paint on large six feet by eight feet canvases, while also watching live musical performances and enjoying the view of Manhattan from the island. Learn more here.

Where: Southpoint Park & the lawn south of 531 Main Street, Roosevelt Island
When: October 11th, 11 AM – 4 PM
Price: Free Admission

Harlem Harvest Festival

Image Credit: Harlem Park to Park

If you’re looking for fun uptown this weekend than look no further than the Harlem Harvest Festival. Organizers promise an artisanal food fair, a cook off, live music and more! Learn more about this family friendly event here.

Where: A. Philip Randolph Square
When: October 11, 2014 11am – 4pm
Price: Free Admission

Bats at Belvedere: Organization for Bat Conservation

Image Credit: Central Park Conservancy

Spend some time this weekend hanging around with some bats in a castle. Learn all about the bats that call Central Park home in the iconic Belvedere Castle! Join them rain or shine and learn more about the event here.

Where: Central Park
When: October 11, 2014, 6pm -7:30pm
Price: Free Admission

Sunday Hispanic day parade

Image Credit: NY Hispanic Day Parade

Who doesn’t love a parade? This event promises to feature a variety of talent from a variety of Latin American countries and cultures. This very well could be one of the last parades you can go to in nice weather. Get more information here.

Where: 44th. Street on Fifth Ave to 77th
When: 11:00am – 5pm
Price: Free to watch

Morbid Anatomy Museum’s Halloween and Day of the Dead Flea Market

Image Credit: Museum of Morbid Anatomy

Hey weirdos, we’ve got the perfect place for you to be this weekend. Indulge your morbid interests at this year’s Halloween and Day of the Dead Flea Market hosted by the Morbid Anatomy Museum. If you’re looking for the perfect piece of taxidermy or other curious finds then this is the place for you. Go ahead and check it out (we know you’re curious).

Where: The Morbid Anatomy Museum, 424A 3rd Avenue Brooklyn NY
When: Sunday, October 12th 12pm – 6pm
Price: Free Admission

New York Comic Con After Party 4+ Walking Dead Screening

Image Credit: Radio Star Karaoke

So you couldn’t get into the actual comic con. We understand. Its tough. So why not get a taste of what you missed by joining in one of the many after parties. What can you expect? There will probably be some awesome cosplay, video games, karaoke, a screening of the walking dead and giveaways! Let your inner nerd out and learn more about this event here.

Where: Radio Star Karaoke. 3 West 35th Street between 6th and 5th avenue
When: Oct 12, 2014 5pm – 2am
Price: Free Admission

Like what you read? Follow Matt Lee on Twitter: @MattLee2669

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That ice cream will do as much good for your mood in your belly as on the floor.
Credit: Getty Images

Put down that pint of ice cream, don’t order that tub of fried chicken, and skip that impulse candy bar purchase at the register. Whatever you eat when feeling sad, it’s not working.

“Individuals may be giving comfort food ‘credit’ for mood effects that would have occurred even in the absence of the comfort food,” concluded a study published in the journal Health Psychology.

“The Myth of Comfort Food” study out of the University of Minnesota found that comfort foods do lead to “significant improvements” in mood — just not any more than other foods, or no food at all.

After filling out a questionnaire about their favorite ways to eat their feelings, study subjects watched sad movies in two separate lab sessions. At the end of one session, they were offered their favorite comfort food; at the other, they were either given a neutral food
or nothing. Researchers then measured any short-term mood changes.

Their conclusion: “Although people believe that comfort foods provide them with mood benefits, comfort foods do not provide comfort beyond that of other foods (or no food).”

Though believing in the effectiveness of a therapy can have a major impact on its outcome, even those participants who believed that self-medicating with food would help were left no better off.

Magical treat

“Harry Potter” fans won’t be surprised to learn that there was one exception to the comfort food myth: Chocolate, whether given to
participants before or after the sad films, made them feel better.

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

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Captain America is, well, not the average American.
Credit: Zade Rosenthal

According to an estimate from RealSelf, the online community for cosmetic surgery, the average man would need 11 procedures adding up to $76,950 to get the modern superhero look, from the strong chin to bulging quads:

Forehead/hairline contouring: $6,000
Filler in the cheeks: $950
Chin implant: $4,050
Deltoid implants: $8,000
Bicep/tricep implants: $16,000
Pec implants: $8,200
Forearm implants: $5,000
Abdominal etching: $5,900
Quad implants: $8,000
Calf implants: $7,100
Butt implants: $7,750

Total: $76,950

The post How much does a superhero body cost? appeared first on Metro.us.

Bee pollen is eaten only by the queen bee, so you know it’s good.
Credit: Getty Images

No time for 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day? These superfood powders might be the convenient and nutritious way to supplement your diet.

Elle Macpherson The Super Elixir

This is the hybrid of the super green powder world. For a start, The Super Elixir’s got model credentials – Elle Macpherson, no less – while the science bit comes from disease prevention expert Dr. Simone Laubscher. It contains 45 ingredients, which outdoes most top restaurant dishes, and supports 11 systems, including digestion, hormonal, nervous, circulatory and integumentary (hair, skin and nails). So if you’ve ever wondered how Macpherson’s appearance belies her 50 years, it might just be worth giving this super food a go. www.welleco.com

Spirulina

It smells vile – like algae or fish food at best – and tastes of seaweed, which isn’t an appealing combination, but it is good for you. It’s a superfood juggernaut with 60-70 percent complete protein (higher than beef, chicken and soybeans) and includes other healthy components such as vitamin B12 and chlorophyll. It’s the Goody Two-shoes of the powder world that is easily digestible, protects the immune system, aids in mineral absorption and reduces cholesterol. But here’s some food for thought: All this goodness still doesn’t change its taste and flavor. www.nuts.com

James Duigan Body Brilliance Powder

Personal trainer James Duigan’s powder has more ingredients than a Twinkie. It really has got a bit of everything: banana fruit powder, wheat grass, alfalfa grass, nettle leaf, broccoli sprouts, organic yam. The contents read like a witch’s shopping list. To get the most out of this feel-good dust – crammed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and probiotics – mix with water, milk (any variety) or into a smoothie. www.bodyism.com

Bee pollen

There’s been a lot of buzz about bee pollen since Victoria Beckham announced that she was a fan earlier this year. It’s no surprise that the mother of four and fashion designer is happy to hum its praises, considering bee pollen’s reputation as an energy enhancer, skin soother and immune booster. To get in on the celebrity craze, a spoonful of the stuff is best served with a piece of fruit at breakfast time. www.vitaminshoppe.com

Maca powder

Known as Peruvian ginseng, maca powder is a strong all-arounder: It’s proved to increase libido and endurance as well as help rebalance hormones. Maca is also recommended for menstrual issues and for menopausal women, as it can alleviate cramps, hot flashes and mood swings. Experts believe the powder works as a mood mediator, with anecdotal evidence that it can help those suffering from stress, anxiety and depression. www.nuts.com

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Modern audiences are looking for more from their superheroes
than in the 1960s, as the Batmans of Adam West, left, and
Christian Bale show.
Credit: Getty Images

Between the uber-sculpted uniform of today’s Batman to the bona fide god Thor having his own franchise, pressure is ramping up on Hollywood’s leading men to look capable of the feats their characters perform.

But while action stars talk up their grueling training and special diets, there may well be another kind of body-shaping professional whose work will go unacknowledged, says Dr. Brent Moelleken.

The Beverly Hills plastic surgeon took part in “Superhero Bodies,” a new documentary by RealSelf, the online community for elective surgery, about how the demands of modern superhero roles are pushing actors to their physical limits — and the effect that’s having on American men. The number of cosmetic procedures being performed on men has risen 273 percent in the last 16 years, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, with liposuction and ab-sculpting being the most common in 2013.

“The trend toward being ultra-fit is more so there than ever,” he says. “It used to be a man could get by with a pot belly and graying sideburns and look distinguished. But now that’s not enough — in order to make it in Hollywood, you have to be cut. That really mirrors what’s going on in society.”

We asked Moelleken about where reality ends and fantasy begins.

How real is what’s onscreen? 

“Celebrities are a fantasy. And the fantasy is not just one individual; it’s a company. These celebrities are companies, they have a whole entourage around them that depend on maintaining that image. Celebrities generally won’t admit to anything, and I think it is to continue this mystique of what it is to be a celebrity.”

When does plastic surgery come into the picture?

“As people enter their 30s and definitely their 40s, and with 100 percent certainty their 50s, people have to get work done to continue to look youthful and vibrant and natural. It’s inevitable. … To be in that A level, the superhero level, you really need to be on your best game. But once people hit 35, your best game may not be enough — and that’s where plastic surgery comes in.” 

Be realistic in your expectations.

“Sometimes people come in with that preconception, but then you talk to them and you tell them, ‘Gosh, no, that’s really not how it works.’ We can improve on what you have, but we can’t make you into Hugh Jackman if you’re not already close to Hugh Jackman to begin with.”

For some stars, steroids and human growth hormone can also enter the picture. 

“They’re willing to do anything to succeed, and that’s an important lesson for people who are aspiring to have bodies like the superheroes: There may be a price to pay for that, in degeneration of your health, kidney problems, hip problems. Long-term steroid use is very hard on you.”

What’s driving ordinary men to get plastic surgery?

While the men seeking plastic surgery in Moelleken’s office tend to be the older partner in a relationship and want to look the right age, more commonly the answer is found at work: “Almost every job has a sales component to it. You have to sell something: You sell yourself if you’re a politician or a company president, if you’re an idea man or a film producer. You walk into a room and people are assessing you – and usually the people at the table assessing you are in their 30s now. They’re the ones who have worked as interns, worked their way up and now suddenly they’re in positions of leadership. And if you walk into the room looking old and irrelevant, you’re not gonna get that job.”

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

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When the invitation to Utah’s Red Mountain Resort arrived in June, I was on a crammed subway train in the depth of summer — the furthest possible place from relaxation.

But arriving at the wellbeing-focused resort, which sits on a lava field at the foot of the eponymous red peaks, is not unlike stepping onto an arena stage. It’s inspiring; you want to rise to the occasion. I would find a way to relax.

The best seat at Red Mountain Resort.
Credit: Eva Kis/Metro

Day 1: Doing nothing

With that promise, I left my phone in airplane mode and sought zen in nothingness. With no buildings towering over the Martian landscape, it was perfectly possible to imagine that civilization was happening somewhere far away (in reality, the resort is a few minutes’ drive from the nearest town). With total silence, the din in one’s own head can be sorted — I recommend the quiet back patio of the onsite Canyon Breeze restaurant, where no one will rush you from a table. Or read that book you never found the time for back home poolside.

Result: Abandoning my routine — and phone — was too easy. I relaxed, but it’s not sustainable.

Echo Canyon is a National Geographic-worthy hike in Zion National Park.
Credit: Eva Kis/Metro

Day 2: Doing everything

Much of our stress is self-imposed, so I reasoned that keeping my body busy would quiet everything else. The resort’s daily activity schedule is enough to make you feel like you’d run a mile just reading it, from a billy goat-suited endurance hike to kayaking and even a burlesque workshop. My morning walk through the lava field was followed by a spectacular five-hour hike in Zion National Park, first up to Echo Canyon and then down to the Emerald Pools. The resort-arranged hikes are led by a pair of guides to keep pace with all hikers, with a to-go lunch packed by the kitchen staff.

At night, we strapped on headlamps to spelunk Snow Canyon’s lava tubes. Though rocky and pitch black, the tunnels are used by local teenagers, who cover themselves in fluorescent paint and turn off their lamps to play the most treacherous version of Hide and Seek ever.

Result: Between the steep drops and rocky terrain, I definitely wasn’t thinking about anything but my next step all day. Though there is a heady feeling of accomplishment at the end of each activity, it has an edge of anxiety for all the real and metaphorical mountains left to climb.

Canyon View Yoga is among the activities offered at Red Mountain Resort.
Credit: Ellen Barone

Day 3: Moderation

Does relaxation happen when we stop pushing ourselves and focus on nurturing instead? To that end, I started the day with bacon, which sits alongside the chia bowls in keeping with the resort’s ethos about not depriving its guests (the restaurant has a full bar, as well as pressed juices). The Gentle Yoga class eased the tightness from the hike, while Full Body Melt worked out the knots in the legs and back using a foam roller. Book a Melting Honey Hot Stone Treatment at Sagestone Salon & Spa around sunset and arrive early to enjoy the view from a lounge chair in front of the panoramic windows with your cucumber water (or coffee, no judgment). End the day meditating on top of your feather-soft bed to the gently chiming theme looping on the TV menu, which should prompt a Pavlovian response to relax by Day 3.

Result: Though a harder workout and non-bacon foods are necessary, an easy (but not lazy) day seems to be the key to zen.

Make a friend on a Pound Puppy Hike

Red Mountain Resort has partnered with the Ivins City Animal Shelter for a Pound Puppy Hike. Resort guests can take a friendly shelter dog on a guided 3- to 4-mile hike through St. George Valley and Padre Canyon. And if you find yourself unwilling to say goodbye to your companion, adoption is encouraged — they’ve arranged about 50 so far!

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

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Fatty fish like salmon are back on the menu.
Credit: Getty Images

Disgraced for decades, fat’s reputation is being redeemed one study at a time. Last week, a study published by the University of Illinois highlighted the healing power of oleate, a fatty acid found in olive oil, to reverse heart failure.

But the heart isn’t the only organ benefiting from oleate’s superpower. “Fats are important for hormone production, vitamin D synthesis, organ protection and nerve and brain health,” explains Dr. Joshi, the London-based nutritionist who counts the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow among his clients.

Make sure you get vital fats by including these five foods in your diet.

1. Fatty fish

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish, particularly fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines at least twice a week. This meat is rich in high-quality proteins and omega-3 fatty acids, which have proved to be excellent for the brain and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

2. Nut butters

Here’s some good news: Peanut butter doesn’t have to be bad for you. Joshi suggests introducing some natural nut butter into your diet, such as those made with peanuts or almonds. Go for the raw organic version that’s unsalted and unsweetened to get the good fatty acids without all the other junk added to many brands.

3. Eggs

Common misconceptions about cholesterol have led many people to eat fewer eggs. While they do contain a lot of cholesterol, for most people only a small amount will pass into the bloodstream. On the plus side, one egg contains 6 grams of protein and healthy unsaturated fat, in addition to memory-boosting choline and zeaxanthin, which can help prevent vision loss. The Harvard Heart Letter says eating one egg a day is fine — just watch your saturated and trans fat intake.

4. Avocado

The green fruit is indeed full of fat, but the monounsaturated, heart-healthy kind that lowers bad cholesterol, with half of the total fat provided in the form of oleic acid, which is the same fatty acid praised in olive oil. It’s a good source of vitamins A, B-complex, C, E and K and rich in minerals such as phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese. The trendy way to eat it is on your morning toast.

5. Seeds

Flaxseed, sesame, pumpkin, poppy and pine nuts are full of healthy nutrients and are really easy to add to your meals. The protein will keep you fuller for longer, and you’ll also be getting a good portion of omega-3s (as well as vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, manganese and fiber).

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It’s common for patients who undergo bariatric surgery to gain back the weight they lose.
Credit: Getty Images

Bariatric surgery can be a lifesaving procedure for severely obese people. But even when done for health reasons, the incidence of regaining weight remains high — unless the patient also undergoes cosmetic surgery, a new study has found.

The Henry Ford Health System in Detroit followed 94 patients who had undergone bariatric surgery, which includes various procedures that restrict how much food the stomach can hold, at its facilities between 2003 and 2013. 

Of those patients, 47 opted to also undergo body recontouring, which removes excess skin and tissue from the face, breasts, stomach, upper arms, thighs or buttocks, following their surgery.

These patients were able to maintain “significantly greater” weight loss, with an average decrease in Body Mass Index of 18.24 over two-and-a-half years, compared to 12.45 for those who did not have further surgery, lead author Dr. Donna Tepper said in a statement.

“We are encouraged by the idea that improved body image can translate into better long-term maintenance of a healthier weight,” she said.

Follow Eva Kis on Twitter @thisiskis or email eva.kis@metro.us. 

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Your child could land a role alongside the Grinch.
Credit: Getty Images

Your child could win the role of a lifetime! Thursday, October 23, a “Who” look-a-like contest is being held at Madison Square Garden and casting directors for “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” are looking for a child to be a “Who” during a special performance of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The event is open for kids ages 6 to 10 and the performance will take place in December. Not only will your child have the opportunity to be in a big production, Cindy Lou and the Grinch will be at the event for them to meet. The winner will also get their name in lights on the Madison Square Garden marquee and four VIP tickets to the show.

It’s all taking place Thursday, October 23 at Madison Square Garden in Chase Square at 11 a.m. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register your child ahead of time at www.theateratmsg.com.

Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmLaurence

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