Soraya Mathias Blog

Popular retail drugstore puts condoms behind the counter.

By: Taren Vaughan

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past couple of years, it is quite obvious that we are in a recession. And during times like these, the level of thievery is at an all time high. From car systems, and even random grocery store items, people are taking advantage of their “five finger discounts" left and right. But are they becoming so desperate that they have resorted to stealing condoms from their local pharmacies? Anytime a drugstore takes it upon themselves to put merchandise behind the counter it’s probably due to a number of thieves in the vicinity. However, this retail chain location stashed away the latex for a different reason.

As most of us know, condoms are normally kept out on the sales floor for anybody to get it them. And unlike Plan B, you do not have to show identification to buy them. But that has changed now for a CVS store based out of Tennessee. The store just recently started keeping their supply of condoms behind the counter, out of reach from all customers. Now here’s the thing, some of us, even at the age of full fledged adulthood, do not like everyone seeing that we are buying condoms. So can you imagine how a young teenager would feel having to ask a sales associate to pull them a box from the back? What makes matters worse is that this particular CVS is located near a college campus, the one group of people that need to have condoms well within their reach.

With all the STDs being passed around out here, why in God’s name would CVS lock up condoms?

In the world of the sexually active, there are already numerous excuses as to why people don’t use condoms. “I don’t like the way they feel” or “I didn’t have any on me” are some of the many excuses that are given. Now the reason behind not using a condom can be blamed on the local drugstore making it too hard to get them. Why would you give people yet another excuse for not wearing them?

Having condoms on display in the drugstore is not a way of saying “Okay kids, go out and have all the sex that you want to”. That’s not the case at all. Making condoms accessible to young teenagers is not persuading them to have sex. It is merely providing them with the protection that they need if they do choose to go that route. Out of all honesty, the age at which the American youth is becoming sexually active decreases year by year. And we must remember that condoms are available, free of charge at local health departments and campus health centers. So if it’s “negative influence” that CVS is concerned with, I guess they are not the only ones at fault when it comes to that. But I feel like CVS is steering away from the real message here and that is that condoms are there to protect us. At the end of the day, if young consumers can’t get their condoms from CVS, I’m sure they can find them at other stores. Thanks CVS. You have officially added to the problem. All I can say is that I hope this doesn’t start a lasting trend with other retail pharmacies.

Try This:
Screwdriver (8 oz)
130 calories
13 g carbs

Say No To That:
Margarita (8 oz)

500 calories

32 g carbs

A screwdriver may not be as fabulous as your beloved margarita. But it won’t be sending you to the gym quite as fast.

Late Night Snacks

Even after having three full course meals, some of us are still left starving. A midnight snack will definitely hit the spot. Which one should we go for?

Try This:

Sun Chips (15 chips/1 oz)
140 calories
6 g fat
120 mg sodiumSay No To That:

Yes, popcorn can be a very light snack that is normally not too harmful. But when drenched in cheese and butter, it takes away from its healthy appeal.

Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth

I don’t know about you but I have to admit it. Sweets are my weakness. Especially during that time of the month, most of us stay craving something sugary to get us through the day. Before you dig into your favorite tub of ice cream, you may want to check the label first.

Try This:
Edy’s Slow Churned Rich & Creamy Black Cherry Vanilla Swirl Yogurt (1/2 cup)
100 calories
3 g fat
13 g sugar

Say No To That:
Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Fudge Ice Cream (1/2 cup)
290 calories
18 g fat
24 g sugar

Not only is Haagen-Dazs expensive as all get out, these flavorful treats are loaded with sugar and fat. I have personally tried Edy’s Slow Churned ice cream and yogurt. Don’t let the numbers fool you. It is just as good as the regular stuff.

Family Affairs

Family gatherings, especially cookouts, are occasions where we have a tendency to go buck wild at the dinner table. So many choices lie before your eyes. You often have a hard time choosing what to eat. Before you jump head first into your aunt’s famous macaroni casserole, peep some of the items that you may not want to OD on:

Studies prove that position of belly button enhances athletic ability for different sports.

By: Taren Vaughan

It is blatantly obvious that when it comes to sports, some people have the upper hand. Having more muscle mass and height can determine how well an athlete performs. Sometimes even gender differences can determine how athletically capable one is. But did you ever think that your belly button could make you run farther or swim faster? As hard as it is to believe, the type of belly button that you have can have a huge impact on your athletic performance.

Now before you let your mind wonder too far, it’s not exactly about what type of belly button that you have. But it is more so about how it is positioned on your body.

According to a study that was published in the International Journal of Design and Nature and Ecodynamics, researchers found that where a person’s navel lies can determine how good of a swimmer or runner they have the potential to be. Duke University professor Andre Bejan noted why there is such a significant difference between West African runners and European runners:

“It so happens that in the architecture of the human body of West African-origin runners, the center of gravity is significantly higher than in runners of European origin,” which puts them at an advantage in sprints on the track.”

This stat deems to be fairly accurate. We all know which race tends to dominate when it comes to track and field events. For decades, both Africans and African Americans have surpassed runners of other races, winning gold medals and doing so at record-beating times. So there is not much of a secret there. Bejan also went on to discuss the differences in swimmers:

“The swimmer who makes the bigger wave is the faster swimmer, and a longer torso makes a bigger wave. Europeans have a three-percent longer torso than West Africans, which gives them a 1.5-percent speed advantage in the pool,”

Who would have thought that such a small part of your body can refine your breast stroke?

Of course maintaining a healthy body weight and working out on a routine basis can increase an athlete’s physical drive. But if your body is composed in certain way, there is only so much that it will allow you to do.

Source

IUDs are just as safe and effective as birth control pills

By: Taren Vaughan

Researchers have continuously come up with multiple ways for women to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Out of all the contraceptive methods out on the market, birth control pills are highly favored amongst the others. They have been said to be not only effective in preventing pregnancy. But birth control pills have also been said to be relatively safe, with the exception of a small few. Although this is true, there are other contraceptive methods that are just as harmless.

Intrauterine devices, also known as IUDs, are forms of birth control that have been around for many years now. Similar to the vaginal ring, IUDs are actually inserted into a woman’s uterus, preventing conception. Even though the device is small in size, it has caused great fear amongst women and even doctors over the years.

According to the National Survey of Family Growth, 1 percent of U.S. girls ages 15-19used IUDs for birth control from 2006 to 2008, compared to the 15.2 percent that used birth-control pills. Sounds like teenage girls were not too pressed to test out the IUDs. As the age group expanded, the usage percentage for IUDs did climb to 3.4 percent for women ages 15-44 for the same time period. But the percentage still remained small.

Why are IUDs not used as often as other birth control methods?

Author Sophia Yen, MPH, stated her opinion as to why the devices were a last resort for the majority of women:

“The IUD has an undeserved bad reputation both in the public and among physicians. There’s the myth that they’re not appropriate for women who haven’t yet given birth, and the myth that they increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.”

Circulated myths can be a lead cause as to why women are not fond of using IUDs for pregnancy prevention. But I believe that some women are just opposed to using devices altogether. Having to physically stick any kind of contraption into your vagina or any other organ in your body can be rather overwhelming for some women. Even as adults, some of us still suffer from “tampon phobia”, feeling like they will fall out or be extremely uncomfortable.

But contraceptive methods like IUDs and vaginal rings come in handy for women who tend to be forgetful. Remembering to take a tablet at the same time every day is not a simple task for some of us. So using a device like an IUD should definitely be considered. And for those who are trying to keep some extra money in your pockets, IUDs may be something that you want to look into. Dropping $15, $20 or sometimes even $60 a month for birth control pills can set you back financially. So why not get something that is just as effective and saves you a boat load of cash?

The thought of having something sitting in your uterus other than a baby may frighten some females, especially those of younger age groups. And that is very understandable. But researchers have confirmed that IUDs are nothing to be afraid of.

Source

Adding fish oil to your diet could lower your chances of developing breast cancer.

By: Amanda Anderson