Gender Bias Entertainment

I recently read an article in Cosmo magazine implying the only time females should watch the Superbowl is for the half time show. I was actually quite astonished this coming from a highly respected female magazine. Sure it isn't every girls big dream to sit down and watch a Superbowl game but why should it be limited to the male species alone?

On the flip side I even heard negative comments about how females shouldn't even preform during half time at a Superbowl game because its a "man's sport". What exactly defines a "mans sport" anyways? I know many respectable adult males that do not enjoy the game of football. That is not my place to judge how "manly" this makes them.

I realize we have certain stereotypes and gender roles that are usually followed in today's society. As a female I sure wouldn't want several guys twice or three times my size chasing me down a football field..  it would be physically impossible for me to tackle most of them. However I do enjoy watching a good game of football and seeing a good football performance as an individual.

So where do people get across drawing a line between what is female/male entertainment only? Should ladies now be banned from action movies and males banned from romantic "chick flicks" (even though I'm sure some would not mind)?

Now, I'm not saying men should go around painting their nails bright pink and women should start learning to urinate standing up (unless that's your thing, best of luck). I'm stating that just because an individual enjoys something that is not the norm for that gender it shouldn't be a judgement. So where do we draw the ten yard line between what is acceptable female/male entertainment?

Change Your Attitude, Change Your Life

 

Don't just get a job; Build a career

Don't just make a living; Make a life

Don't just have a relationship; Fall in love

Don't just talk to someone; Build a connection

Don't just give advice; Inspire Someone

Don't just eat; Enjoy a meal

Don't just write a book; Tell a story

Don't just make a schedule; Pursue a goal

Don't just judge; Understand

Don't just read; Gain knowledge

Don't just go to school; Become Educated

Don't just travel; Experience a new place

Don't just hang out with someone; Enjoy Someones Company

Don't just live; Experience Life

 

 

 

 

Game on Salsa

Looking for a easy yummy Recipe for Playoffs or Superbowl? Enjoy!! From my book "Good Cooking for Bad Girls".

Game On Salsa

Everyone will be your biggest fan when you serve this!

 

What you will need:

·         1 16 oz Mexican queso dip

·         1 10 oz can of rotel well drained

·         1 lb ground beef

·         1/3 cup fresh chopped cilantro

·         Pepper to taste

What you will do:

1.       Brown Ground Beef with cilantro. Drain

2.       Microwave queso dip in 30 sec intervals stirring until liquidity.

3.       Combine ground beef, queso dip, and drained rotel in large bowl.

4.       Season to taste and serve with tortilla chips.

Cheating tips:

·         Use different types of rotel to add flavor. Some rotel are mild, spicy or include different spices.

·         In a hurry? Use a jar of queso dip therefore there is no melting the cheese dip required.

 

Find this and more recipes in "Good Cooking For Bad Girls" by Tori Bradley, available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble online, Omega bookstore

Mutual Facebook Page.. YES OR NO?

I think its wonderful when you find someone who truly enhances your life and you fall head over heels in love with. That feeling of knowing you have found someone who you want in your life forever and have such a wonderful connection with is what most of us are striving for. We all want to be loved and appreciated and have someone to build a wonderful life with.

Now logically I have to say that I am absolutely blown away with the new concept of mutual facebook pages. Where has the individuality gone? Now you are no longer your own person but just a part of someone else? This may offend many and I truly congratulate you for your success. Success is different for many people and by all means, if changing your relationship status and becoming a "whole" by being with someone else is your equivalent of success, then be my guest. I am no better than anyone else and do not claim to be... My ideas of success may be very different than others and I do not choose to live by others standards.

"Why wouldn't you want to have a mutual page together with the love of your life and no matter what storm you will weather it together?" I ask myself. Look at society, we as women have become so socialized to believe that marriage is a must and sign of success. A huge celebration is thrown in honor of a bride; who must get the most elaborate dress, the most sparkling expensive ring and brag to all her friends of how she has finally settled down with the man of her dreams and this will be the happiest day of her life. It appears as showing off a trophy that you finally convinced one of the better male species to commit to your desires to live happily ever after.

So what happens when the honey moon stay wears off? When bills come in, reality sets in and the gloss comes off the finish? Is happily ever after really having him taking over your bathroom in the morning (because of last night’s taco bell) when you need to prep for work? Does happily ever after consist of doing their dirty laundry with a smile after working all day and putting a gourmet dinner on the table? Sometimes you take the good with the bad, sure I can accept that.

However this idealistic idea of romance somehow fizzles with time. Sure you will enjoy their company and the person will still bring butterflies to your stomach (in good and bad ways) and give you that happiness you desire with someone. There will be times when you will disagree. This happens with anyone. It can occur in daily life with friends, family, lovers, etc. What happens when that occurs? You have now invested all your energy into one person and have no one to vent to.

So you go on your facebook page to vent or get advice and NOPE- sorry you have one page together. The instant you email a friend to tell them your predicament you have just stirred up a whole new problem. Consider if something tragic happens and gosh forbid things don't work out (of course you already know it will) then what do you do? You have lost your independence and are solely dependent on someone to complete you... How will you go on?

I feel like as a couple you should both have something to bring to the table. The idea of a relationship should be to enhance each other’s life, not own it. When all is said and done, you are your own person with your own ideas and values. Sure your mate may share many of these but there may be some variations of disagreements along the way. I tell you as an individual... Do not lose yourself along the way.

 

Critics

As a writer I have discovered there are a lot of critics in the world. I don't think anyone really wants to be criticized. Sure we all want to hear "Wow that was perfect! Good job!". However it does not always seem to work out that way. Sometimes we roll our eyes and ignore the criticism completely or we over analzye it to the point we feel we are unworthy.

I have realized there is a fine line between criticism and judgement. Criticism stems from someone looking at your work (or whatever it is your doing) and making an announcement of how it could be done better. Judging is someone elses (sometimes bias) opinion of how things should be done.

As individuals we have to choose what criticism to accept and consider. We are all only human and we all make mistakes. If we listen to the criticism, and consider it as something that would help we are opening ourselves up for improvement. However if we disregard every opinion we have closed our minds to any improvements that could benefit us.

Knowing the difference between criticism and judgement can be difficult  at times to distinguish. However if someone is saying "that is wrong" or "that is bad" its usually judgement that should be disregarded. Ignore the negative comments and disrespect. However if someone is telling you "what to do to improve" its probley worth putting some consideration in.

In the long run we know what works best for us. Don't dwell on the negative but look forward to each positive improvement to make yourself the best YOU!

Be Perfectly You

After the New Year  many of us have made New Year Resolutions. Often we reflect back on the past to see what we did wrong or could have done better. This year you may have decided to do several things to better your life. So many of us resolve to do certain things to make us live a healthier and happier life. It is great to set the goals and really pursue them every day.

However not only do we set our goals but we look at standards society has set. Now more than ever it seems the pressure is on for us to start succeeding at our goals. Now much of the marketing we see is targeted to keeping your new years resolutions on track. We see all this advertising convincing us to join the gym, eat healthier, go back to school, get rid of bad habits, etc. Now we have packed all this into our daily lives on top of everything else going on.

This can become overwhelming and you almost want to throw in the towel at some point. We get so caught up in trying to be perfect.

"Strive for excellence, not perfection. Being excellent is being true to who you are, being your best. Perfection is fitting another ideal."

There is no reason to fit someone else's idea of perfection. It is up to you to be the perfect YOU. Find out what makes you excellent and how you want to achieve that. Each small step you take towards your goal will eventually lead you to that goal. Each journey you take starts with one small step not a leap towards the finish line. Therefore pursue your goals patiently and do not expect to be anything but the perfect version of yourself.

Be your Sexy Self!

Ladies,we all like to look our best. Its has been said that when you look good you feel good. However we all have our days where we may not want to put on 3 inch stilettos and spend 2 hours doing our hair and makeup just to run to the store. I love getting all dressed up and enjoying myself but there are days when I feel very sexy in yoga pants and a tank top... or sweater depending on the season.

I think the sexiest thing a woman can do for herself is have confidence! Insecurity is not pretty! We all have our moments of insecurity but when you are happy with yourself it will shine through.

I recently had a friend that made a very judgemental comment about a ladies attire. We all have different fashion sense and that's what makes everyone unique. It is not my place to judge a person on their fashion sense even if it is much different than my own.

So rock whatever it is that makes you feel uniquely sexy!!

"Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember - the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you." ~Zig Ziglar