Love Your Body Monologues- Video Performances 2011

On February 21st, 2011, Jones College Commons was host to the 2011 performance of Love Your Body Monologues. Below we will be adding videos of each of our performers from this year. The Love Your Body Monologues are held as part of the Wellness Center's "Love Your Body Month", a month long program geared towards raising awareness of body image issues on campus and to help students achieve better body image confidence within themselves. 

Issues concerning our bodies are everywhere.  Everyday we are bombarded with images with what we should look like.  We are a culture obsessed with appearance.  Unfortunately, obtaining a certain appearance is associated with success and correlated with certain rights; the right to be respected, right to be loved, right to be noticed, right to wear nice clothing, right to eat what we want.  Sadly, here at Rice we are no different. Body image issues face both females and males alike.  Students at Rice whose thoughts and behaviors about food, eating, self image, and self worth that have become so illogical and so out of control and intense, that they are defined as medical conditions, referred to as eating disorders.

Eating disorders don’t just happen- they happen for a variety of reasons. Contrary to other diseases, such as STDs—we don’t talk about eating disorders.  Love Your Body Monologues are adopted from the same format as the popular performance, Vagina Monologues.  The monologue format allows individuals to share their own personal experiences with body image issues and eating disorders.   Intimate words of Rice students past and present are read by volunteers. Some are sad, some concerning, some offer hope, listen to their words, consider their words, and take some time to love your body. You may find some of these monologues distressing-please note the resources found at the bottom of this page for places to talk about or get help if you or someone you know is suffering from body image issues or an eating disorder.  Please enjoy and share--the more these videos are viewed the more awareness and help can be given to students who suffer.  

"Through reading and listening to these monologues-I felt as though there is something in each one that I could relate to or a feeling that I could identify with.  I feel as though a lot of students at Rice could identify in the same way..." -LYBM 2011 Performer

Rice and Houston Area Body Image and Eating Disorder Resources:

Rice University Wellness Center: 

The Body Project- Evidenced based small group discussion program geared towards challenging the "thin ideal" and raising self-esteem. Open to all students, graduate and undergraduate, groups starting Fall 2011. http://wellness.rice.edu/thebodyproject

Free Nutrition and Wellness Coaching, call 713-348-5194 to make an appointment

Rice Counseling Center: 

Free counseling services, call 713-348-4867

The Healthy Weigh:

Nutrition counseling specializing in eating disorders, also hold free group eating disorder recovery sessions. www.thehealthyweighonline.com, 713-622-6422

Mentor Connect:

Free online global eating disorder mentoring community.  www.mentorconnect-ed.org

National Eating Disorders Association:

nationaleatingdisorders.org, Information and referral hotline: 800-931-2237

Before and after photo-shop. Your favorite celebs revealed.

The month of February is Love Your Body Month here at Rice.  This month the Wellness Center holds events and activities to bring better awareness to body image issues on campus and tries to build self-esteem and enhance ways in which we all can start LOVING our bodies even more. There is no doubt that body image issues occur on all college campuses, but how are we doing here at Rice?  Well according to the 2008 National College Health Assessment survey done taken by your peers, over HALF the population is exercising to lose weight, but about 80% of students fall within healthy to underweight Body Mass Index range.  One can say, “Great, people like to take care of their bodies!”  But where do we draw the line between caring for our bodies because of our health and caring for our bodies because we want to “look” a certain way.  We should all start making our main goal to be the one that says we want our bodies to be the HEALTHIEST they can be and our bodies may start morphing into what we want them to look like from there.  But we shouldn’t fall into traps of trying to compete with unrealistic standards set up by our society’s media.

Hollywood and the fashion, cosmetics and diet industries work hard to make each of us believe that our bodies are unacceptable and need constant improvement. Print ads and television commercials reduce us to body parts, airbrushed and touched up to meet impossible standards. TV shows tell women and teenage girls that cosmetic surgery is good for self-esteem. Is it any wonder that 80% of U.S. women are dissatisfied with their appearance? Ads on TV and in magazines tend to use the most idealized images of women—research has shown that exposure to these ads negatively impacts body image.   Check out the link below to see your favorite celebs before and after photo shop pics.  Then check out the videos, which give insight from one of the nation’s top photo-shoppers, and what he does to make celebs “perfect.” http://messynessychic.com/2010/10/12/the-reality-of-celebrity-photoshop-before-and-after/

Are you struggling to obtain the "perfect body"?  Instead of changing your body, maybe it's time to change your "mind".  The Wellness Center has teamed up with the Rice Counseling Center to bring you the evidenced based body image program "The Body Project."  This class not only helps students discuss and challenge the media's "this ideal"  but also provides a chance to help increase self-esteem and prevent eating disorders.  New programs are starting Fall 2011 and all sessions are now open to all undergraduate and graduate females.  Check out our web page and keep a look out for Fall 2011 dates.

http://wellness.rice.edu/thebodyproject/

Foods that put you in the Mood...and they're good for you too:)

Valentine’s Day is a day when more chocolate is sold than on almost any other holiday.  Is it psychologically seductive (and therefore, an aphrodisiac) or does it truly affect us physiologically?  

Yes and yes! We have Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, to thank for our concept of aphrodisiac foods.  Since ancient times, people have eaten oysters, chocolate, and garlic to name a few foods that supposedly spurred on sexual desire.  Science may tell us why certain foods have been considered more special than others. Any food that stimulates the circulatory system could be considered an aphrodisiac.  And any food that has a shape that is anatomically suggestive might also be effective. Below is a list of foods that are considered aphrodisiacs for one or both of these reasons.  

Read below for some fun insight on why the following foods made the list!

·  Asafetida

Any Indian dried, powedered herb used as a sexual stimulant in Ayurvedic medicine.  The herb has a very strong, garlicy flavor—which for obvious breath enhancing reasons, may negate it’s effect altogether

·  Asparagus

Given it's phallic shape, asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food.  The Vegetarian Society suggests "eating asparagus for three days for the most powerful affect".  Good love maybe, smelly urine definitely.

·  Avocado

The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl which translated means "testicle tree". The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male's testicles. This is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture. Serve in slices with a small amount of Balsamic vinegar and freshly ground pepper.  Don’t even know where to go with this one…

·  Bananas

The banana flower has a marvelous phallic shape and is partially responsible for popularity of the banana as an aphrodisiac food. An Islamic myth tells the tale that after Adam and Eve succumbed to the "Apple" they started covering their "nudity" with banana leaves rather than fig. From a more practical standpoint bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production.  Who said utilizing banana leaves for covering up wasn’t practical..ahem Baker 13?!

·  Basil

Is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind.

·  Chocolate

The Aztecs referred to chocolate "nourishment of the Gods". Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine.  The secret for passion is to combine the two.  I’m thinking the alcohol content may have something to do with this as well…

·  Carrots

Another good reason to eat carrots--believed to be a stimulant to the male. The phallus shaped carrot has been associated with stimulation since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction. High vitamins and beta-carotene. Perhaps a justification for a piece of carrot cake?

·  Coffee

Caffeine is a well-know stimulant but remember, too much and it becomes a depressant.   Serve small amounts of rich dark coffee in special little demitasse cups.   Coffee stimulates both the body and the mind so partake of a little in preparation for an "all-nighter".  

·  Fennel

In the 1930's fennel was found to be a source of natural plant estrogens. Use of fennel as an aphrodisiac dates back to the Egyptian times where it was used as "libido enhancement".

·  Figs

An open fig is thought to emulate the female sex organs and traditionally thought of as sexual stimulant. A man breaking open a fig and eating it in front of his lover is a powerful erotic act. Serve fresh Black Mission figs in a cool bowl of water as it is done in Italy and be sure to eat with your fingers! Just be sure to wash your hands first:)

·  Honey

Many medicines in Egyptian times were based on honey including cures for sterility and impotence. Medieval seducers plied their partners with Mead, a fermented drink made from honey. Lovers on their "Honeymoon" drank mead and it was thought to "sweeten" the marriage.  

·  Liquorice (licorice)

The Chinese have used licorice for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The essence of the Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) plan, glycrrhizin, is 50 time sweeter than sugar. Chewing on bits of licorice root is said to enhance love and lust. It is particularly stimulating to woman. Twizzler anyone?!

·  Mustard

Believed to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire. Prepare a tenderloin roast (filet mignon) for two with a mustard and peppercorn sauce.

·  Nutmeg

Nutmeg was highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. In quantity nutmeg can produce a hallucinogenic effect. A light sprinkling of the spice in a warm pumpkin soup can help spice up your evening. Don't do nutmeg....I mean drugs.

·  Oysters

Oysters were documented as a aphrodisiac food by the Romans in the second century A.D as mentioned in a satire by Juvenal. He described the wanton ways of women after ingesting wine and eating "giant oysters". An additional hypotheses is that the oyster resembles the "female" genitals. In reality oysters are a very nutritious and high in protein.

·  Pine Nuts

Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency and pine nuts are rich in zinc. Pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as Medieval times. Serve pine nut cookies with a dark espresso for a stimulating dessert.

·  Pineapple

Rich in vitamin C and and is used in the homeopathic treatment for impotence. Add a spear to a sweet Rum drink for a tasty prelude to an evening of passion. 

·  Raspberries and Strawberries

Perfect foods for hand feeding your lover. "Both invite love and are described in erotic literature as fruit nipples" Both are high in vitamin C and make a sweet light dessert.

·  Truffles

The Greeks and the Romans considered the rare Truffle to be an aphrodisiac. The musky scent is said to stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch.

·  Vanilla

The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust. According to the Australian Orchid Society, "Old Totonac lore has it that Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican fertility goddess, loved a Totonac youth. Unable to marry him due to her divine nature, she transformed herself into a plant that would provide pleasure and happiness." Fill tall Champagne glasses to the rim and add a vanilla bean for a heady, bubbly treat.

·  Wine

A glass or two of wine can greatly enhance a romantic interlude. Wine relaxes and helps to stimulate our senses. Drinking wine can be an erotic experience. Let your eyes feast on the color of the liquid. Caress the glass, savor the taste on your lips. Do remember that excessive alcohol will make you too drowsy for the after-dinner romance. A moderate amount of wine has been said to "arouse" but much more than that amount with have the reverse affect.

Hope you enjoyed!  Now try cooking up a delicious healthy treat and have a Happy V-day!