Body Image / Guest Posts / Guest Posts / Lifestyle / Veganism / Women and Gender

Guest Post: Loving Animals, Loving Myself: How Veganism is Changing My Self-Image

Written by Erin Plante. Originally published at Eat Plants and Run. Reprinted with permission. Sleepovers with my step-sister B. were the best.  When she came over, the whole house and yard became full of imagination and play.  The living room turned into a swamp full of alligators, as we scrambled from couch to loveseat or … Continue reading »

Films / Women and Gender

Rooney Mara’s Captivating Portrayal In ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ Proves Lisbeth Salander Still a Feminist Icon

Lisbeth Salander consumes my thoughts. I’ve spent the last year and a half reading, writing, analyzing, debating and discussing the punk hacker. As a huge fan of the books and the original Swedish films, I was NOT excited to see The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Hollywood remake. Plagued by sexist marketing that seemed to … Continue reading »

Recipes / Veganism

Meat-Free Monday Recipe: Vegan Bourguignon Over Mashed Potatoes

I loved Julie and Julia, both the book and the movie. Author Julie Powell found salvation in her year of blogging and cooking her way through Julia Child’s infamous French cookbook. Her bitingly snarky voice made me laugh. She inspired me to pursue my own passion for writing and cooking. Laden with meat, butter and … Continue reading »

Body Image / Books / Women and Gender

The Weight of Words: ‘How Much Do You Weigh?’ Project Opens Door to Discuss Body Image & Taboo of Weight Shame

“Have you lost weight?” “You look so skinny!” “These jeans make my ass look fat.” These are some of the things we as women say to one another…and to ourselves. Our discourse may revolve around weight but we don’t share how much we weigh. Declaring your weight can be a radical act. Exposing and exploring … Continue reading »

Films / Women and Gender

Why I’m Not Excited to See Hollywood’s ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’

Studio execs worry if women will go see Hollywood’s remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Some speculate it’s because of the graphic trailer or the holiday release. I’ll be seeing it tonight. But count me in as one of the women who’s NOT excited to watch. I absolutely loved the three books by Stieg … Continue reading »

Films / Women and Gender

Before Premiere of ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ Remake, Revisit the Original Film & Lisbeth Salander’s Badassery

If you’ve read my film reviews, you might know by obsession with Lisbeth Salander. Having read all the books and seen the original Swedish films, I adore the strong female protagonist. An introverted and brilliant researcher and hacker, she aids journalist Mikael Blomkvist in trying to solve a 40-year murder mystery in The Girl With … Continue reading »

Films / Women and Gender

A Fine Frenzy: With an Outspoken Anti-Heroine and a Feminist Lens, ‘Young Adult’ Is My Favorite Film of the Year

Cross-posted at Bitch Flicks. We so often see men in films as wayward fuck-ups. Ben Stiller in Greenberg, Zach Braff in Garden State, Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets all fill this role. Selfish asshats who do the wrong thing, lack ambition, or screw someone over for their own selfish needs. And yet … Continue reading »

TV / Women and Gender

Saying No to Babyville: ‘How I Met Your Mother’ One of the Few TV Shows to Explore a Childfree Life for Women

For those who haven’t seen the last 2 episodes of HIMYM, be warned. There be SPOILERS ahead! I was ready. Poised to be pissed. For the first half of last week’s How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM), my BF Jeff told me I sat on the couch, scowling perpetually. In the previous episode “The Rebound … Continue reading »

Films / Women and Gender

Animated Children’s Films Series at Bitch Flicks: Despite an Intelligent Heroine, Beauty Obsession, Sexism & Stockholm Syndrome Taint Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Originally published at Bitch Flicks as part of their Animated Children’s Films Series. An intelligent, strong-willed, female protagonist. Who reads books. And seeks adventure. With a heroine like Belle, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, must be a feminist-minded film. Right?? At first, I thought so too. But appearances can be deceiving… Hailed by critics as … Continue reading »