Stuffed zucchini... So good! I need to make that soon before there's no zucchini to be had.
Alison Bechdel didn't actually name the Bechdel test, it was just a bit in her comic Dykes to Watch Out For that got picked up and turned into a thing. I've read that she's rather befuddled by the momentum around it!
Also re Gap brands, why can Athleta make plus sizes but not in everything? Every summer they send me promo emails about their swim line and every year I hope that they've added plus. Nope. And c'mon, you know everything about me and what size I buy. Do not market to me about products I cannot buy!
And finally, going to a Planned Parenthood fundraising luncheon today and excited to have a second opportunity to wear my linen shirtdress from Universal Standard before it officially becomes not linen weather.
OMG - same frustrating experience here with Athleta! Every year I get hopeful that they’ll have plus sized swim and I open the email only to be disappointed. Athleta, I only ever buy plus sizes from you, for the love of god, stop sending me emails teasing your swim line that doesn’t fit me! Unfortunately, Ive heard online rumors that they’re also phasing out of lot of their other plus sized clothing and those rumors seem to be born out but the lack of selection currently on their site.
I'm so mad and sad about Southwest changing their policy to mirror Alaska's. I don't fly a ton but it's always been on Southwest if at all possible because of their policy, but after the changeover in January I'm going to switch to Alaska, which has better coverage from my home airport anyway.
On the topic of the "Bechdel Test," I personally add a fourth item to the list: do those female characters SURVIVE THE FILM? I don't want to spoil any movies, but let's just say a lot of famous films that pass the Bechdel Test don't end well for the women in question.
I love the idea of an anti-diet media "test"—maybe there are two tiers (like Burnt Toast and Extra Butter) depending on lack of overt anti-fatness/diet talk vs positive fat rep?
Or maybe we need a rating system (how many pats of butter?).
As a side note, I once tried to urge Common Sense Media to include body diversity (and warnings about anti-fat bias) in their ratings and review system for children's media, but their response wasn't terribly satisfying. And it's pretty clear that whoever is reviewing the shows and movies (or maybe it's AI now?) just isn't even aware of these issues.
I would like to mention one book series with a not-straight-size protagonist, where the author seemed to get a grip a few books in that her kickass forensic archeologist main character did not need to be bemoaning her body all the time. It's the Ruth Galloway mystery series by Elly Griffiths. Ruth's size is not entirely clear, hence my phrasing above, but she's definitely not thin, and in the first few books, she's frequently putting herself down for it, which is a bummer because the books are otherwise very good. And then at some point a few books in, she just stopped. Ruth is still not thin, but she doesn't moan about it anymore, maybe b/c she's too busy identifying the ages of dead bodies found in marshes and under building sites, having hot sex with a grumpy police detective, raising her daughter alone and hanging out with her druid friend Cathbad. There are 15 books in the series, and I generally really enjoyed them overall, so it was such a relief when Ruth just stopped fixating on her weight.
I am SO MAD about the Southwest policy change. My partner has relied on it for flying, and this is about to make travel so much harder for them and for our family. Ugh. Just why?!!
A case study of one but GLP-1's can help Type 1 diabetics who have developed insulin resistance. A T1 friend of mine developed insulin resistance after pregnancy and their endocrinologist recommended a low dose of a GLP-1 but insurance won't cover it. They had to go to their primary doctor and say they wanted it for weight loss for it to be covered and they declined the dosage ramp up.
A comment upthread reminded me of the Melissa McCarthy movie SPY, where her bestie is played by Miranda Hart, who I’m not sure if she’s straight sized or not but I doubt it just because she’s so big and tall. She’s fat-ish, at the very least. (And so awesome).
I feel like an attribute of the Fay Fat Test is that fat characters should talk to each other!
Also, I’m all about cutting the collars off my T-shirts. I don’t like the look of a snug neckline. It’s like, why do I have to be encased all the way up to my throat?? The more I can look like Bridget Everett the better!
Corinne said something about Virginia cutting off the collars on her shirts in response to a comment I made on Big Undies and now I get it. As someone with clothing sensitivity around the neck, I endorse this. I kept buying things a size up mostly because I hate that feeling of being choked by my clothing. This could be a solution. I feel like this was also a thing in the early aughts…(as a side note I paused to write this comment and then Corinne said she did this at age 18 😆).
Yes! I just finished the book and was SO appreciative of how Mrs Blossom was written. Was even thinking of coming in here to post about it — and then listened to this episode 😊 Laura Lippman if you’re reading this, well done and thank you!! And I particularly liked how you wrote about your learning journey in the authors note.
I’ve had several events this month and I thought about doing Nuuly like my SIL but ultimately bought a couple dresses on a good sale. We had a celebration of life catered dinner for our cousin’s husband who died followed the next day by my husband’s 25 year HS reunion and it took me forever to pick an outfit. I had a lot of requirements- I wanted a bright fall floral, below know length, v neck. I went in person to shop after Boden failed me!
I enjoyed the reunion, my husband’s best friend of 30 years came with us and I was thinking about how I’ve known both of them for 14 years now.
On the Ozempic for T1D note, my husband’s endocrinologist said the American Diabetes Association said it could help increasing insulin resistance for both type 1 and type 2. His insurance still wouldn’t cover it, but he and his doctor had a discussion about the amount of insulin he takes increasing. His A1C has been great so I assume insurance doesn’t think he needs it.
On the back to school note, our first grade teacher is leaving next week, and I’m interested to see how it goes for all the kids with a brand new teacher. we started 8 weeks ago and I’m feeling on edge about having another transition for my youngest kid. And back to school night is a hard to dress for event, school events are tough! I also only have that one pair of Gap jeans I wear all the time, and I’m at the top of the size range.
Thank you for mentioning ARFID and how hard it is on the mother especially (the criticism, judgment from friends and family, etc.). Because it is such a newer diagnosis as well, it was not well understood and known about when my daughter was little (like your eldest). Meal time with anyone other than my immediate household caused my daughter and I such anxiety and stress. I had to prepare and pack food for her if we knew we were going somewhere where food was being served, and inevitably it led to questions, dirty looks, you name it. My daughter still cannot eat the school lunches, and she has shared she feels self conscious and embarrassed whenever she eats her lunch brought from home. She will hunch down and try to hide behind her lunch bag, and often not eat very much, leaving her extremely hungry when she gets home. The formal diagnosis of Autism a few years ago helped a little bit with family criticism, but it's still an uphill battle, and one that still leaves me feeling like it's me as the mother who failed.
An airline rant: if I’m willing to pay more for an exit row (so I can have more leg room but also potentially help open a door…), why is needing a seatbelt extender an exclusion?! Grr. Fat people can push heavy things (like airplane doors) better than thin people
On the topic of fall and pants. I got a great recommendation from my mom for high waisted wide leg "jeans" from halara. And you know what? They solved my problem of "I want to look nice in jeans for work, but I spend most of my day sitting on the floor playing with children so I hate the way jeans cut into my belly." They are so comfy!
My 9yo who was listening with me on the way to school recommended that if it’s fall and you don’t know what to do, “get a plaid sweater.”
OK this is the advice I need. My 12 year old wore a plaid sweater to school today! With shorts. The kids are brilliant.
Oh my gosh I love that they are somehow on the same wavelength
Stuffed zucchini... So good! I need to make that soon before there's no zucchini to be had.
Alison Bechdel didn't actually name the Bechdel test, it was just a bit in her comic Dykes to Watch Out For that got picked up and turned into a thing. I've read that she's rather befuddled by the momentum around it!
Also re Gap brands, why can Athleta make plus sizes but not in everything? Every summer they send me promo emails about their swim line and every year I hope that they've added plus. Nope. And c'mon, you know everything about me and what size I buy. Do not market to me about products I cannot buy!
And finally, going to a Planned Parenthood fundraising luncheon today and excited to have a second opportunity to wear my linen shirtdress from Universal Standard before it officially becomes not linen weather.
OMG - same frustrating experience here with Athleta! Every year I get hopeful that they’ll have plus sized swim and I open the email only to be disappointed. Athleta, I only ever buy plus sizes from you, for the love of god, stop sending me emails teasing your swim line that doesn’t fit me! Unfortunately, Ive heard online rumors that they’re also phasing out of lot of their other plus sized clothing and those rumors seem to be born out but the lack of selection currently on their site.
I'm so mad and sad about Southwest changing their policy to mirror Alaska's. I don't fly a ton but it's always been on Southwest if at all possible because of their policy, but after the changeover in January I'm going to switch to Alaska, which has better coverage from my home airport anyway.
Do you know if there is an easy way to book the second seat on Alaska? Or do you have to call?
I do think you have to call, which sucks.
On the topic of the "Bechdel Test," I personally add a fourth item to the list: do those female characters SURVIVE THE FILM? I don't want to spoil any movies, but let's just say a lot of famous films that pass the Bechdel Test don't end well for the women in question.
I love the idea of an anti-diet media "test"—maybe there are two tiers (like Burnt Toast and Extra Butter) depending on lack of overt anti-fatness/diet talk vs positive fat rep?
Or maybe we need a rating system (how many pats of butter?).
As a side note, I once tried to urge Common Sense Media to include body diversity (and warnings about anti-fat bias) in their ratings and review system for children's media, but their response wasn't terribly satisfying. And it's pretty clear that whoever is reviewing the shows and movies (or maybe it's AI now?) just isn't even aware of these issues.
I would like to mention one book series with a not-straight-size protagonist, where the author seemed to get a grip a few books in that her kickass forensic archeologist main character did not need to be bemoaning her body all the time. It's the Ruth Galloway mystery series by Elly Griffiths. Ruth's size is not entirely clear, hence my phrasing above, but she's definitely not thin, and in the first few books, she's frequently putting herself down for it, which is a bummer because the books are otherwise very good. And then at some point a few books in, she just stopped. Ruth is still not thin, but she doesn't moan about it anymore, maybe b/c she's too busy identifying the ages of dead bodies found in marshes and under building sites, having hot sex with a grumpy police detective, raising her daughter alone and hanging out with her druid friend Cathbad. There are 15 books in the series, and I generally really enjoyed them overall, so it was such a relief when Ruth just stopped fixating on her weight.
I am SO MAD about the Southwest policy change. My partner has relied on it for flying, and this is about to make travel so much harder for them and for our family. Ugh. Just why?!!
A case study of one but GLP-1's can help Type 1 diabetics who have developed insulin resistance. A T1 friend of mine developed insulin resistance after pregnancy and their endocrinologist recommended a low dose of a GLP-1 but insurance won't cover it. They had to go to their primary doctor and say they wanted it for weight loss for it to be covered and they declined the dosage ramp up.
Insurance and glp-1s are shitty all around.
Omg replying again because I hadn’t finished ep yet, I am seated for the Burnt Undies/Big Toast reality show.
Ahahaha I WISH
Would the show The Residence pass the fat test? Fat main character and no diet talk(unless i missed something).
Ooooh Yes I think so!!! Good reminder... I started that but never finished!
A comment upthread reminded me of the Melissa McCarthy movie SPY, where her bestie is played by Miranda Hart, who I’m not sure if she’s straight sized or not but I doubt it just because she’s so big and tall. She’s fat-ish, at the very least. (And so awesome).
I feel like an attribute of the Fay Fat Test is that fat characters should talk to each other!
Also, I’m all about cutting the collars off my T-shirts. I don’t like the look of a snug neckline. It’s like, why do I have to be encased all the way up to my throat?? The more I can look like Bridget Everett the better!
Corinne said something about Virginia cutting off the collars on her shirts in response to a comment I made on Big Undies and now I get it. As someone with clothing sensitivity around the neck, I endorse this. I kept buying things a size up mostly because I hate that feeling of being choked by my clothing. This could be a solution. I feel like this was also a thing in the early aughts…(as a side note I paused to write this comment and then Corinne said she did this at age 18 😆).
Ahh, you read Murder Takes a Vacation! I'm so glad you liked it. I've recommended it to so many people.
Loved it!! Mrs Blossom forever!
Yes! I just finished the book and was SO appreciative of how Mrs Blossom was written. Was even thinking of coming in here to post about it — and then listened to this episode 😊 Laura Lippman if you’re reading this, well done and thank you!! And I particularly liked how you wrote about your learning journey in the authors note.
I’ve had several events this month and I thought about doing Nuuly like my SIL but ultimately bought a couple dresses on a good sale. We had a celebration of life catered dinner for our cousin’s husband who died followed the next day by my husband’s 25 year HS reunion and it took me forever to pick an outfit. I had a lot of requirements- I wanted a bright fall floral, below know length, v neck. I went in person to shop after Boden failed me!
I enjoyed the reunion, my husband’s best friend of 30 years came with us and I was thinking about how I’ve known both of them for 14 years now.
On the Ozempic for T1D note, my husband’s endocrinologist said the American Diabetes Association said it could help increasing insulin resistance for both type 1 and type 2. His insurance still wouldn’t cover it, but he and his doctor had a discussion about the amount of insulin he takes increasing. His A1C has been great so I assume insurance doesn’t think he needs it.
On the back to school note, our first grade teacher is leaving next week, and I’m interested to see how it goes for all the kids with a brand new teacher. we started 8 weeks ago and I’m feeling on edge about having another transition for my youngest kid. And back to school night is a hard to dress for event, school events are tough! I also only have that one pair of Gap jeans I wear all the time, and I’m at the top of the size range.
Thank you for mentioning ARFID and how hard it is on the mother especially (the criticism, judgment from friends and family, etc.). Because it is such a newer diagnosis as well, it was not well understood and known about when my daughter was little (like your eldest). Meal time with anyone other than my immediate household caused my daughter and I such anxiety and stress. I had to prepare and pack food for her if we knew we were going somewhere where food was being served, and inevitably it led to questions, dirty looks, you name it. My daughter still cannot eat the school lunches, and she has shared she feels self conscious and embarrassed whenever she eats her lunch brought from home. She will hunch down and try to hide behind her lunch bag, and often not eat very much, leaving her extremely hungry when she gets home. The formal diagnosis of Autism a few years ago helped a little bit with family criticism, but it's still an uphill battle, and one that still leaves me feeling like it's me as the mother who failed.
Sending hugs Laina. It’s such a rough road.
An airline rant: if I’m willing to pay more for an exit row (so I can have more leg room but also potentially help open a door…), why is needing a seatbelt extender an exclusion?! Grr. Fat people can push heavy things (like airplane doors) better than thin people
God that is INFURIATING.
On the topic of fall and pants. I got a great recommendation from my mom for high waisted wide leg "jeans" from halara. And you know what? They solved my problem of "I want to look nice in jeans for work, but I spend most of my day sitting on the floor playing with children so I hate the way jeans cut into my belly." They are so comfy!