Irish potato candy By Cassie (Cassado) Irish potato candy began as a way to help people remember and honor the Irish potato famine (1845-1852). It is estimated that one million people lost their lives during the famine due to starvation or other diseases. There is no documented history on Irish potato candy, but it is said that any information has been spread through word of mouth for generations. It is thought that Irish immigrants on the east coast of the United States began making them...

What is the age of consent, and what does it mean for you and your partner? By Bex (Eclectic.) Defining the Age of Consent The age of consent is defined as the age at which a person's consent to sexual intercourse is valid in the eyes of the law. This separates them from being a minor because they are now officially an adult who can consent to sex in his or her own right. When an adult has sex with a minor—even if the minor has consented to having sex—it is called statutory...

Narcissistic abuse By Cassie (Cassado) Narcissistic abuse is most commonly a type of emotional abuse. However, narcissists can also use physical and sexual abuse to manipulate their victims. Emotional abuse is characterized as behaviors that can create an emotional trauma for the victims. Narcissistic abuse is when a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder harms other people with their severe narcissistic traits. This article is going to explain the two main types of narcissists...

Enjoying Valentine's Day when you're single By Cassie (Cassado) and Haley (Halcyon) Valentine's Day is a highly anticipated day for some, but the complete opposite for others. Many single people struggle with conflicting feelings on Valentine's Day, but they are not alone in their struggles. Luckily, there are many things you can do to help combat the negative feelings you experience around Valentine's Day. Create a plan for the day. Time flies if you're having fun, and ...

Valentine's Day gift ideas By Cassie (Cassado) and Nicole (eumoirous) Valentine's Day is about showing your love for the important people in your life. While love is shown all year around, Valentine's Day is a day dedicated to spending time with your friends, family, or partner. You don't have to be in a relationship to join the fun and celebrate! It can be hard to choose what you want to give as gifts sometimes. Here are some crafty do-it-yourself gift ideas. List the reasons...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) By Chantal (Atropos) My personal experience with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly known as IBS, has been a very difficult learning process. When you are diagnosed by the specializing doctor (a gastroenterologist) a lot of questions are asked and answered. Some struggles most find when learning that they have IBS include diet, exercise, and therapy. People newly diagnosed with IBS might feel anger, fear, hopelessness, and confusion. What is...

How to insert tampons By Cassie (Cassado) Tampons can be described as cotton plugs that are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual flow before it leaves the body. Learning how to use tampons can be a stressful experience. There are so many different brands and levels of absorbency to choose from, and putting them in can seem daunting. Choosing tampons There are a lot of brands to choose from, and different colors stand for different things. Generally, purple tampons...

Hooking up safely By Nicole (eumoirous) Hooking up, commonly known as engaging in sexual activity, has become more common as the stigma of sex has reduced in intensity. Hooking up may seem enticing, however it is important to be safe about it. Since hooking up tends to occur in the heat of the moment, it is important to consider the consequences and to communicate with your partner beforehand. This article aims to present steps to stay safe and healthy, as well as tips on how to prepare...

Living with a narcissist By Anonymous Narcissistic abuse is when someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) uses the traits of their disorder to cause psychological trauma to their victims. Narcissism runs in my family, but I was fortunate enough to not pick up any traits from other people. However, I did endure narcissistic abuse from several people, including one of my parents. My father has Narcissistic Personality Disorder and has had it for as long as I can remember....

Disproving the myths of sexual assault By Jenny (coolkid98) and Cassie (Cassado) Did you know that an estimated 293,000 Americans are sexually assaulted each year? source] More than half of those victims do not report or receive any help for the assault. Sexual crimes are common but they are unfortunately not talked about often enough. Approximately 1.8 million teenagers in the United States have been sexually assaulted and 30% of those victims are relatives of their perpetrator...

Menstruation terminology By Cassie (Cassado) and Nicole (eumoirous) Menstruation is a normal process but can vary and even be abnormal. Knowing the meaning of different terminology for menstrual cycles and their differences can allow one to better understand their body. Most women experience some abnormality with their periods at some point, and so typically it is not something to worry about. However, knowing what is considered abnormal and what the common side effects are can be a ...

Self-harm: the road to recovery By Cassie (Cassado) The road to recovery from self-harm is both a challenging and rewarding one. A lot of people struggle with different aspects, such as finding and sticking to alternatives, reaching out for help, and relapse. Recovery from self-harm is something that you have to want for yourself and yourself only. It can be tempting to recover for other people, but you have to be wanting and willing to do this for yourself. It's a lot of work...

Debunking the myths of anxiety By Jenny (coolkid98) There are many misconceptions about anxiety which can make it hard for people with anxiety to reach out and get support and advice. Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness or unease about something which usually has a uncertain outcome, such as a test or social situation. Myth: Anxiety isn't a real mental illness. Fact: Anxiety is a mental condition and according to statistics from the Mental Health Foundation, anxiety is estimated to...

Debunking the myths of the female body By Dez (Epiphany.) The functioning of the female body can be confusing for a lot of people. There are a lot of myths that seem plausible, but are actually untrue. People may have heard misinformation from family members and friends, or through other sources. It is important to know why certain statements are myths, as well as the truth behind the myths. This article will debunk many of the common myths of the female body. Myth: Women...

Caring for your hermit crab By Cassie (Calico.) Keeping hermit crabs as pets has grown in popularity in recent years. Hermit crabs are often sold at pet stores as well as stores in touristy areas. One of the largest myths about hermit crabs is that they’re easy to care for. Hermit crabs are hardy creatures and they can live a long life if they’re well taken care of. Choosing your hermit crabs Hermit crabs are nocturnal creatures and they might not be awake or active if you choose...