Despite my, at times, over inflated ego, I recognize I still have a lot to learn.
Patience, humility, better listening skills to name just a few, although I didn’t come here today to discuss my shortcomings. We have years to get into that stuff, or better yet, I should probably consult a therapist. Surely they’re more qualified to handle my neurosis than the world wide web.
Either way, I want to share some fascinating, probably only to me, tidbits of information I gleaned over the past week or so. To be clear, these are nowhere near Pearls of Wisdom. Rather, they’re things I found informative, intriguing, surprising, or in some cases, all three rolled into one; the trinity of shockdom.
1) I’m always amazed by how ridiculously frigid or scalding hot the water is on the rare occasion I step directly into the shower spray without a little temperature test first.
(source)
2) Then I’m shocked by how loud I can actually scream. By the way, if you cry out in the shower and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? “A very good question,” I say, “for minds more elevated than my own.”
3) Swass, as defined by the Urban Dictionary is “a non gender-specific term used to describe the sweat found in and around a person’s ass crack.” Yep, I was stunned by this intel and now I’m sharing it with all of you. You’re welcome.
(source)
4) I wonder if Swoobs is a thing too? Maybe Nike could work it into their next logo somehow. Just Boob It.
5) A cat getting comfortable in your lap sends a signal to your bladder, presenting itself in a sudden and overwhelming urge to pee. Not gonna lie, I made this one up, but I feel like there’s truth to it.
6) Flourless chocolate brownies taste more like fudge than brownies. I’m ok with that.
7) The majority of the time, when people voice their complaints, they don’t want constructive feedback. Instead, they usually want someone to listen, and maybe even empathize a bit.
8) The Simpsons do exist. We can all rest easy now.
9) Unless you’re a professional athlete, more than five hours a week of intense activity falls into the over training category.*
10) Low carb diets can be harmful long-term to your gut flora, which is why I brought an entire loaf of Marathon Multigrain Bread to work this week, alongside a stick of butter. Second breakfast just got a whole lot sexier, for me and my stomach.
Thanks for letting me Think Out Loud today, Ms. Amanda. It is much appreciated, and I’m sure my readers agree, we are all the wiser for it. Let us go forth and spread the Swass knowledge.
Enlighten me. Please share a tidbit of information you recently discovered which set your world a kilter and your wheels a turning.
Juli @1000lovelythings says
January 28, 2015 at 8:14 AM2) Do we talk biology, physics or philosophy?
4) Swoobs definitely is a thing. Now that’s a question for Aristotle!
6) Me, too!
7) And sometimes they also just want someone to bitch with 😉
Last week I read that the word Avocado originally is Aztec and means testicle! Making Guacamole will never be the same again 😉
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Meghan says
January 28, 2015 at 6:37 PMThis means I have testicles in my fridge at this very moment. Mind officially blown.
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Abby says
January 28, 2015 at 8:44 AMThe cat picture made my morning.
I love your exercise philosophy, but unfortunately, it will probably fall on many deaf ears.
I would love to have boobs to complain about boob sweat.
I have more in common with a paper clip than people who don’t enjoy carbs.
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Meghan says
January 28, 2015 at 6:40 PMYou asked for more cat pictures and I delivered. 🙂
I figure if I can get just one ear, then I’m happy because it’ll make a difference for someone. Perhaps it’s foolish, but I gotta try. 🙂
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Christina @ The Athletarian says
January 28, 2015 at 8:50 AMI’m sorry, but all I saw in this post was bread and brownies…
My tidbit: jumping cacti DO exist and they hurt like a b*tch.
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Meghan says
January 28, 2015 at 6:40 PMThen you missed out on sweaty ass (swass) which is a big deal, although given brownies were involved, I understand.
Note to self: steer clear of jumping cacti.
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AJ @ NutriFitMama says
January 28, 2015 at 9:24 AMThose brownies look so good…fudgey or not 🙂 I recently discovered that McDonald’s has coffee for the Keurig- I actually love McDonald’s coffee 😉
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Meghan says
January 28, 2015 at 6:42 PMInteresting, I’ve heard before McDonald’s has great coffee. As good as they might be, I just can’t give them my money though. Bunch of bastards, but I have no opinion on that topic (cough, cough). 🙂
You do you though. No judgment from me.
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Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
January 28, 2015 at 9:26 AMSwass reminds me of things like sharts and shiggles… nooooot exactly what I want to be thinking about at 7:30 AM on a Wednesday morning 😛 And you know I’m all up on gut flora matters. That’s actually what I’ve been learning about in school lately, and I might take your advice and write a post about it soon because I don’t think enough people look to the long term when going on really restrictive diets… only to run into trouble later and wish they could go back and change things.
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Meghan says
January 28, 2015 at 6:44 PMYes please. I think you should do a post on this topic. The crappy stuff or restrictive measures people take now can really damage their systems long term, and it generally doesn’t result in permanent weight loss either. It ain’t worth it.
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Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
January 28, 2015 at 9:41 AMYou kidding me with those brownies! GAH! The first line of your post is me in a nutshell really. And the first paragraph 🙂 I recently learned that the direction of the wind refers to the origin and not the direction it blows to. Good thing I just run and don’t sail boats or anything 🙂
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Meghan says
January 28, 2015 at 6:45 PMI had no idea about the wind thing. Fascinating. Guess I’m not a boater either. 🙂
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Chris says
January 28, 2015 at 9:51 AMHahaha swass. I’m glad you shared that with me prior to this post, that way I didn’t have to laugh out loud at my desk here at work. Those brownies tho… goodness!
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Meghan says
January 28, 2015 at 6:46 PMI’m still mystified and pleasantly pleased over this swass business. Who knew? Oh wait, all of us now.
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Suzy says
January 28, 2015 at 11:32 AMI may not be qualified to argue with Jillian, but I can tell you that if I didn’t run long distance (pushing me over the 5 hours/week “limit”) then I’d be heavily medicated. So far my body is able to handle that kind of mileage/training so I’m just going to go with it while it’s working for me. <3 the kitty pic. So cute. And I'll have to tell my 14 year old about swass. He's always freaking out about getting butt crack sweat.
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Meghan says
January 28, 2015 at 6:53 PMI can understand that. Often times, I use exercise as a form of therapy. To play devil’s advocate though, maybe there are other healthy methods you can employ to keep you sane without taxing your body. Guided imagery and meditation have both been helpful for me. With that being said, I’m no MD, RD, or have any initials after my name, so you probably shouldn’t listen to a word I say. 🙂
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Suzy says
January 28, 2015 at 9:09 PMYou’re a wise and discerning woman! I’ll admit that you’re right–my running can get out of balance. I feel it. But sometimes myy life just feels so overwhelming and chaotic that putting one foot in front of the other is the only thing I can think of to do in that moment. It’s my primal, white-knuckling way of riding the shit out. Thanks for your devil’s advocate advice, and please… ANYtime. Feel free. I need a good spanking.
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Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says
January 28, 2015 at 11:58 AMSwass! Ok I am totally grossed out by this but also quite elated at the discovery of a new word…
My husband informed me yesterday that bananas are members of the berry family – as are avocados and pumpkin. Still don’t quite understand but not really phased enough to go and Google it!
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Meghan says
January 28, 2015 at 6:54 PMBananas are berries. I’m fascinated by this. Thanks for sharing.
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Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
January 28, 2015 at 6:38 PMI want those brownies in my face like yesterday. Actually, any form of fattening chocolate or dessert will do. It’s that time of month, ya feel me?
Recently I learned that cabbages have this weird property where they regrow in your fridge so it’s as if you never even used any of it. Or so it feels like. I swear I’ve had this one in my fridge for weeks despite using it in everything!
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Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
January 28, 2015 at 6:40 PMEdit: I don’t like the term fattening (I’d say “curvening” is a much better word). I actually meant to say something more along the lines of “fat filled”.
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Meghan says
January 28, 2015 at 6:55 PMSometimes we just crave fatty foods. I know I do, and usually for the same reason you do. 🙂
Cabbages do go on forever. I had one that lasted two months, easy. 🙂
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Khushboo says
January 28, 2015 at 11:42 PMI don’t care what those chocolate “squares” are…I want them in my mouth now!! Thank you for the burst of enlightenment with this post. So I recently “discovered” that if a baby is born on a flight, she/he has the option to take on the nationality of the airline…random but interesting tidbit for you :)!
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Meghan says
January 29, 2015 at 7:05 AMThe baby can take the nationality of the airline??!! That’s wild. I love it. I am officially enlightened.
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Lucie@FitSwissChick says
January 29, 2015 at 3:18 AMSwoobs, oh yes. Considering I have boobs from which I would generously give away a piece in order to make my life LIGHTER, I absolutely swoobing daily.
Did you know that if you would shave a tiger he still has stripes on his skin? No joke. And the hair of Icebears are hollow in order to transfer the heat through to their skin. That’s why they don’t freeze in their icy surroundment.
I know. Impressing.
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Meghan says
January 29, 2015 at 7:06 AMThat’s pretty cool about the tigers.
I have swoob too and I would never give them away. It’s my swoob dammit and worth every salty drop. 😉
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Arman @ thebigmansworld says
January 29, 2015 at 3:46 AMhahaha. Swoobs. You need to trademark that my dear.
Also those brownies….I think it’s criminal for you NOT to share the recipe. You deserve swass for life if you don’t. And I love the real life Simpsons. thanks for sharing. And also thanks for sharing the bread and butter… While I’m paleo this week.
Meghan says
January 29, 2015 at 7:07 AMWait, can you eat bread and butter while Paleo? I told you I don’t know what’s all involved in this Paleo business other than a lot of bacon. 🙂
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Pat says
January 29, 2015 at 6:06 AMSooooo much truth to the cat on lap and urge to pee thing. Happens all the time. Just ask my cat!
Meghan says
January 29, 2015 at 7:07 AMYep, every time!
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Jessica says
January 29, 2015 at 9:24 AMI MAYYY have cheered on the carb comment. I LOVE ALL THE CARBS!
Thank you for teaching me about Swass. Key learning of the day.
My morning lesson? Have a jar of cashews is maybe not the wisest snack.
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Meghan says
January 29, 2015 at 6:35 PMCarbs are like manna from heaven.
Cashews are delicious too, although I suspect a whole jar would give me a stomach. Ha.
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Emma @ em-poweredwellness says
January 29, 2015 at 1:58 PMThere is nothing I love more than marginally useful information. One I recently heard: a recent study showed that putting up a picture of your food on Instagram makes you enjoy it more/think it tastes better. Which must mean food bloggers must enjoy really good tasting meals all the time
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Meghan says
January 29, 2015 at 6:40 PMI think I need to take and post a picture of tonight’s dinner then. 🙂
Love the info.
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Brittany says
January 29, 2015 at 9:30 PMI’m stuck on the fact that embarrassing is spelled wrong in that polar bear photo. It legit bothered me…I need a life. When my lady boulders were bigger I’d get swoobs alllaaa the time, now I just get them when I workout..so I still kinda get them allaa the time? Swass…or swamp ass is also a regular occurrence. Hmmm…is this why I’m single? HAHA. DEAR LORD those fudge/brownie/whatever they are I need them.
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Meghan says
January 31, 2015 at 9:51 AMI know, although it makes me feel a little bit better since embarrassing is one of those words I always spell wrong. At least I’m not alone.
You are swassy swooby mess and I love it. #sweatybitchesrock
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Miss Polkadot says
January 30, 2015 at 6:45 PMJust FYI: I happen to know a good friend working at Nike so I could possibly let your Swoob idea slip the next time we chat 😉 .
Also, I learned that you seem to find odd satisfaction in taunting others with pictures of more-fudge-than-anything baked goods and not share recipes. Now I need either the latter for those brownies or half a dozen shipped to my doorstep ASAP. It was my birthday after all, for heaven’s sake.
P.S.: I can’t get over the spelling mistake in that cartoon. #wordnerdforeverandforalways
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Meghan says
January 31, 2015 at 9:54 AMI threw the misspelling in there to taunt the perfectionist in you. 🙂
I’ll have to dig out where I found that recipe, although in the meantime, I’ve been making these a lot and they are divine: http://www.runningwithspoons.com/2014/12/12/flourless-double-chocolate-brownies/
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Miss Polkadot says
January 31, 2015 at 12:33 PMYou’re cruel, that’s all. Grammar mistakes hurt my eyes and ears.
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Meghan says
February 1, 2015 at 4:10 PMI have been known to be a click naughty. 🙂
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Sarah Pie says
January 31, 2015 at 10:58 PMI’m wondering if I can work swass and swoobs into my therapy lessons this week… either way it’s now my personal goal to drop them into everyday conversation.
I’ve wanted so badly to like Jillian’s Podcast but something about her rubs me the wrong way, I do think that that is very sound advice however!
Meghan says
February 1, 2015 at 4:12 PMThe Hubby doesn’t like her Podcasts either so you’re in good company. He thinks she talks about herself too much. He’s right, but I still love them.
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danielle says
February 2, 2015 at 11:08 AMof course i’m late to comment because i wanted to start off by reading all the golden nugget posts that i missed so here i am. don’t want to miss a thing!
this post is heart warming for me… kitty cat eyes that smize make me happy.
swass, that makes me happy, too. i want to say ‘i got some swass!’ and see if anyone gets it. it’s just a damn tempting word to use, thank you for sharing this one.
here’s something that happened today: i learned that i am way too good at hiding my keys…. i hid them on purpose before we went out of town because we had contractors around the house doing reno work. yeah, so i hid my keys of course. and then forgot where i hid them. we’re carpooling today, and then as we were on the road, i remembered where the damn keys are. they are in the tampax drawer… duh. doh!
nothing like a good 30 minutes of shear panick to kick start your day back at the grind…. but hey it gave me some SWASS!!!!! hahahahaha you’re rockin my world lady, rockin my world. yeahhhhhh
danielle says
February 2, 2015 at 11:11 AMcrap i forgot to also mention that i am a podcast fan AND a fan of J’s podcast… wow. i never admit that one openly ever. i really dig her and her neurotic ways. she’s a cool woman in my book, which makes you cooler. i’d like to share a beverage with her and see which one of us can hold our breath longer. i put my money on myself but it’d be a fun game.
Meghan says
February 2, 2015 at 6:05 PMI cannot hold my breath for more than a handful of seconds. Bad lungs, I can only assume from too many years of smoking. I would however love to share a drink with Jillian. She can even bring Heidi.
The cat is smizing. I didn’t even realize it until you said it. Genius!
Welcome back. I missed you.
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