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It's Hats On, Pants Off For Jennifer Aniston in Harper's

Molly — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:36:44 -0700

Jennifer Aniston forgot her pants for the October cover shoot of Australian Harper's Bazaar. She doesn't need more than a simple black top and hat to accentuate her amazing body and big smile. Inside, she stuck to her usual interview topics like her romantic history and strong stable of girl friends, but she also joked about her successful career and what she would be doing if not acting. Here are highlights:

On love: "I think it’s important to have closure in any relationship that ends - from a romantic relationship to a friendship. You should always have a sense of clarity at the end and know why it began and why it ended. You need that in your life to move cleanly into your next phase. I’m still a romantic. I still believe in love."
On being lucky in her career: "I don’t know. I’ve never sat and plotted out how I was going to become successful or famous. I just really wanted to work - to do good work - ever since I was at the High School of Performing Arts [in New York]. My Russian acting coach told me I was a disgrace to the Moscow Theatre. So I was determined to prove him wrong and do good work. I’ve never had my eye on a prize. I really wanted to enjoy the passage of time. Before Friends and the success of that I have a graveyard of sitcoms that, thank god, you don’t know about. I was happy to get a job every year, whether it went on or not."

To read what Jennifer has to say about her possible alternate career, good female friends and more just read more.

On women doing too much: "Oh yeah. I think that’s because it’s just instinctual as a woman to be the caretaker of your home. Women complain that men don’t do enough, but it’s your own fault. You train your man to do nothing. You can’t blame someone for not knowing what his or her job should be if you don’t ask for it right off the bat."
On lasting relationships: "I think it’s laziness. I really do. I think a good relationship is about collaboration. That’s the way to go in a relationship. I think you just need to talk to each other. Say what you need. Say what you want. That way it’s not threatening. You just need to say, ‘This is important to me.’ Don’t expect your mate to read your mind."
On what she would be doing if not acting: "Sure, I always thought it would be fun to own a restaurant. My family is Greek, and many of them own restaurants and coffee shops, and I make a great baklava with my grandmother’s recipe."
On her friendships: "I have great support and great friends. My close friends are important to me, so I make time for them. I’ve always wanted good friendships and they have supported me, through good times and bad. It’s [also] good to have something creative, a creative outlet. I loved having work to go to."

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Intersex

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:49:12 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Intersex is a group of conditions where there is a discrepancy between the external genitals and the internal genitals (the testes and ovaries).

The older term for this condition, hermaphroditism, came from joining the names of a Greek god and goddess, Hermes and Aphrodite. Hermes was a god of male sexuality (among other things) and Aphrodite a goddess of female sexuality, love, and beauty.

Although the older terms are still included in this article for reference, they have been replaced by most experts (and patients and families) because they are misleading, confusing, and insensitive. Increasingly this group of conditions is being called disorders of sex development (DSDs).

Alternative Names

Disorders of sex development; DSDs; Pseudohermaphroditism; Hermaphroditism; Hermaphrodite

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Intersex can be divided into four categories:

46, XX Intersex
46, XY Intersex
True Gonadal Intersex
Complex or Undetermined Intersex

Each one is discussed in more detail below. Note: In many kids the cause of intersex may remain undetermined, even with modern diagnostic techniques.

46, XX Intersex. The person has the chromosomes of a woman, the ovaries of a woman, but external (outside) genitals that appear male. This usually is the result of a female fetus having been exposed to excess male hormones before birth. The labia ("lips" or folds of skin of the external female genitals) fuse, and the clitoris enlarges to appear like a penis. Usually this person has a normal uterus and Fallopian tubes. This condition is also called 46, XX with virilization. It used to be called female pseudohermaphroditism. There are several possible causes:

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (the most common cause).
Male hormones (such as testosterone) taken or encountered by the mother during pregnancy.
Male hormone-producing tumors in the mother. These are most often ovarian tumors. Mothers who have children with 46, XX intersex should be checked unless there is another clear cause.
Aromatase deficiency. This one may not be noticeable until puberty. Aromatase is an enzyme that normally converts male hormones to female hormones. Too much aromatase activity can lead to excess estrogen (female hormone); too little to 46, XX intersex. At puberty these XX children, who had been raised as girls, may begin to take on male characteristics.

46, XY Intersex. The person has the chromosomes of a man, but the external genitals are incompletely formed, ambiguous, or clearly female. Internally, testes may be normal, malformed, or absent. This condition is also called 46, XY with undervirilization. It used to be called male pseudohermaphroditism. Forming normal male external genitals depends on the appropriate balance between male and female hormones; therefore, enough requires the adequate production and function of male hormones. 46, XY intersex has many possible causes:

Problems with the testes. The testes normally produce male hormones. If the testes do not form properly, it will lead to undervirilization. There are a number of possible causes for this, including XY pure gonadal dysgenesis.
Problems with testosterone formation. Testosterone is formed through a series of steps where each requires a different enzyme. Deficiencies in any of these enzymes can result in inadequate testosterone and produce a different syndrome of 46, XY intersex. Different types of congenital adrenal hyperplasia can fall in this category.
Problems with using testosterone. Some people have normal testes, make adequate amounts of testosterone, but still have 46, XY intersex.
- 5-alpha-reductase deficiency. People with 5-alpha-reductase deficiency lack the enzyme needed to convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). There are at least 5 different types of 5-alpha-reductase deficiency. Some of the babies have normal male genitalia, some have normal female genitalia, and many have something in between. Most change to external male genitalia around the time of puberty.
- Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). This is the most common cause of 46, XY intersex. Here the hormones are all normal, but the receptors to male hormones don't function properly. There are over 150 different defects that have been identified so far, and each causes a different type of AIS. AIS has also been called testicular feminization.

True Gonadal Intersex. Here the person must have both ovarian and testicular tissue. This might be in the same gonad (an ovotestis), or the person might have one ovary and one testis. The person may have XX chromosomes, XY chromosomes, or both. The external genitals may be ambiguous or may appear to be female or male. This condition used to be called true hermaphroditism. In most people with true gonadal intersex, the underlying cause is unknown, although in some animal studies it has been linked to exposure to common agricultural pesticides.

Complex or Undetermined Intersex. Many chromosome configurations other than simple 46, XX or 46, XY can result in disorders of sex development. These include 45, XO (only one X chromosome), and 47, XXY, 47, XXX -- both cases have an extra sex chromosome, either an X or a Y.

Symptoms

The symptoms associated with intersex will depend on the underlying cause, but may include:

Ambiguous genitalia at birth
Micropenis
Clitoromegaly (an enlarged clitoris)
Partial labial fusion
Apparently undescended testes (which may turn out to be ovaries) in boys
Labial or inguinal (groin) masses -- which may turn out to be testes -- in girls
Hypospadias (the opening of the penis is somewhere other than at the tip; in females, the urethra [urine canal] opens into the vagina)
Otherwise unusual appearing genitalia at birth
Electrolyte abnormalities
Delayed or absent puberty
Unexpected changes at puberty

Signs and tests

Chromosome analysis
Hormone levels (for example, testosterone level)
Hormone stimulation tests
Electrolyte tests
Specific molecular testing
Endoscopic examination (to verify the absence or presence of a vagina or cervix)
Ultrasound or MRI to evaluate whether internal sex organs are present (for example, a uterus)

Treatment

Ideally, a team of health care professionals with expertise in intersex should work together to understand and treat the child with intersex -- and to understand, counsel, and support the entire family.

Parents should understand controversies and changes in treating intersex in recent years. In the past, the prevailing opinion was that it was generally best to assign a gender as quickly as possible, often based on the external genitals rather than the chromosomal gender, and to instruct the parents to have no ambiguity in their minds as to the gender of the child. Prompt surgery was often recommended. Ovarian or testicular tissue from the other gender would be removed. In general, it was considered easier to reconstruct female genitalia than functioning male genitalia, so if the "correct" choice was not clear, the child was often assigned to be a girl.

More recently, the opinion of many experts has shifted. Greater respect for the complexities of female sexual functioning has led them to conclude that suboptimal female genitalia may not be inherently better than suboptimal male genitalia, even if the reconstruction is "easier." In addition, other factors may be more important in gender satisfaction than functioning external genitals. Chromosomal, neural, hormonal, psychological, and behavioral factors can all influence gender identity.

Many experts now urge delaying definitive surgery for as long as healthy, and ideally involving the child in the gender decision.

Clearly, intersex is a complex issue, and its treatment has short- and long-term consequences. The best answer will depend on many factors, including the specific cause of the intersex. It is best to take the time to understand the issues before rushing into a decision. An intersex support group may help acquaint families with the latest research, and may provide a community of other families, children, and adult individuals who have faced the same issues.

Support Groups

Support groups are very important for families dealing with intersex.

Different support groups may differ in their thoughts regarding this very sensitive topic. Look for one that supports your thoughts and feelings on the topic.

The following organizations provide further information:

American Association for Klinefelter Syndrome Information and Support -- www.aaksis.org
CARES Foundation -- www.caresfoundation.org
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Education and Support Network -- www.congenitaladrenalhyperplasia.org
Hypospadias and Epispadias Association -- www.heainfo.org
Intersex Society of North America -- www.isna.org
Turner Syndrome Society of the US -- www.turner-syndrome-us.org

Expectations (prognosis)

Please see information on the individual conditions. The prognosis depends on the specific cause of intersex. With understanding, support, and appropriate treatment, overall outlook is excellent.

Calling your health care provider

If you notice that your child has unusual genitalia or sexual development, discuss this with your health care provider.

Review Date: 10/15/2007

Reviewed By: Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford UniversitySchool of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief MedicalOfficer, A.D.A.M., Inc. Also reviewed by Deirdre O’Reilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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David Beckham's Suspicious Package: Stuffed or Au Naturale?

GiggleSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:00:00 -0700

I hesitated for a moment before writing up this poll. (Yes, even I can blush!) But I figured, if dudes feel totally free examining every inch of a woman's body, what's stopping me? Nothin'. For the record, I don't care if it's all real. David Beckham is a Greek God in my eyes, codpiece or no. (I mean look at those abs!) But the Daily Mail has posted the following side-by-side of Becks at the beach and in his Armani ad, and something doesn't add up. They suspect "airbrushers have pumped up his lunchbox." Well, what do you think? Is David Beckham's suspicious package stuffed or au naturale?

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Picture It: The Polytheistic Kalash Tribe of Pakistan

CitizenSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 03:00:13 -0700

When I ran across these jaw-droppingly striking pictures, I couldn't believe I'd never heard of the Kalash Tribe - and I wanted to rectify that immediately. The tribe lives nestled in the North-Western Province of Pakistan. Protected by the Hindu Kush mountain range lives this culture of people Muslims call Kafirs or “infidels”.

Among the region known as Kafiristan lies the town of Brir, considered one of the last remaining settlements of the Kalash - or “wearers of black." Its inhabitants consider themselves the direct descendants of Alexander the Great. The 3,500 souls are the last enclave of pagan tribespeople.

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Incredibly, the Kalash have not changed much over the centuries. They make their own wine, elevate animals to religious status and believe in mountaintop fairies. To find out more about the tribe, read more.

Their gods, like those of the ancient Greeks, are split up into male and female deities and they claim they once belonged to highly literate culture until their books were burned by barbarian tribes. Shown in these pictures celebrating their annual Spring festival, the Kalash still maintain a fertility rite where a teenage boy is sent alone into the surrounding woods for a year and when he returns is treated to a feast and the mating rites to as many of the Kalash women he chooses.

They struggle to preserve their identity from encroaching Islamic rule, deforestation, and entrepreneurs who take advantage of their simple natures - as well as the assault of the Justin Timberlake/cell phone/jeans avalanche of the modern world. Here's to hoping they resist - I'm so taken with the fact that real diversity still exists in our ever-shrinking world.

Have you heard of the Kalash? Have you ever seen such beautiful pictures? Is it possible to maintain an untouched culture in our modern age?

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It's Raining Men! Make Me a Supermodel's Hot Boys

FabSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:00:22 -0800

It's currently Men's Fashion Week in Europe, so I've got hunky male models on my brain. Further satiating my appetite are the sizzling male contestants on Bravo's show Make Me a Supermodel. Even if you've merely glanced at the tube while the show was on, you know that the aspiring male models have so much more potential than their female counterparts. Some of them even put host Tyson Beckford to shame.

These boys are going places; they have the bodies of Greek gods and faces that are unearthly. Three in particular stand out for me: Perry (left), Frankie (center), and Casey (right). Not only are they easy on the eyes, but they pose and pout as if it's been their job since exiting the womb. And have you seen them work the catwalk? I say, somebody give them contracts (and my number) ASAP! Check out more jaw-dropping model portfolios here.

Photos courtesy of Bravo

A Dessert Fit For The Gods (And 2007): Ambrosia

partysugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:55:55 -0700

In Greek mythology, ambrosia is considered the food of the gods. In modern society, ambrosia is a fruity dessert that I vaguely remember from my childhood Christmases. For some reason I've been thinking about ambrosia lately and wondered why, like the fruitcake, did it get exiled as a dessert? Like fashion, there are trends in food, and I say it's time to bring back the fruit salad-like ambrosia. The 1980s version was full of marshmallows, pineapple, whipping cream, and coconut and I say we make it a little more 2007 (translation: healthier) by letting the flavor of the fresh fruit dominate the dessert. Take a peak at the recipe and read more

Ambrosia
From Cooking Light magazine

3 oranges
2 ruby red or pink grapefruit
2 cups strawberry halves
2 kiwifruit, peeled and cut into wedges
1/4 cup flaked sweetened coconut
1/4 cup dark rum
3 tablespoons brown sugar

Peel and section oranges and grapefruit over a bowl; squeeze membranes to extract juice. Add sections to bowl; discard membranes.
Stir in strawberries and remaining ingredients. Cover and chill.
Serves 18 (serving size: 1/4 cup).

NUTRITION PER SERVING: CALORIES 50(11% from fat); FAT 0.6g (sat 0.4g,mono 0.1g,poly 0.1g); PROTEIN 0.6g; CHOLESTEROL 0.0mg; CALCIUM 18mg; SODIUM 4mg; FIBER 1.9g; IRON 0.2mg; CARBOHYDRATE 8.9g

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