The 5 Discontinued Things We Want Back

Companies sure can be tricky. It seems they’re constantly coming up with new products, shoving them in our face with aggressive advertising, and then discontinuing them just as we start to like them. You just know it’s only days before the KFC Double Down becomes a relic of the past. Here are the top five items that we want back NOW!

5. Crispy M&M’s (1999-2005)

In 1999, Mars Inc. released Crispy M&M’s, a slightly larger version of the milk chocolate M&M that featured a crispy rice center. This glorified rice treat featured in a blue bag (similar to the tropical Skittles pouch), had catchy advertisements and an arousing crunch to its bite. Unfortunately they were discontinued in North America in 2005. It seemed that Mars Inc. was confident in their next big treat they had up their sleeve; a limited edition Snickers Dark. Now however delicious this dark chocolate bar may be, it did not warrant the obsolescence of the unique Crispy M&M. They are now only available in some parts of Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia (along with Chihuahua Reese’s, and Cat Meat Twix).

There is however, a petition you can sign in an attempt to sway Mars Inc. to bring this treat back. (click here to sign the petition).

4. SEGA Dreamcast (1998-2002)

The Dreamcast, although not necessarily a gaff by Sega, was too far ahead of its time upon its release in 1998. The system offered a built-in modem that allowed online play, something other consoles at the time did not offer, as well as an almost limitless games catalogue (688 titles in total). The Dreamcast was part of the sixth generation of video game consoles and was deemed by many as the next big thing, just ahead of its contemporaries Sony Playstation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Microsoft’s Xbox.

In the end Sega just couldn’t compete with Sony and Microsoft’s almost limitless budgets, and they announced the discontinuation of the Dreamcast console in 2002. It was a 50/50 gamble for Sega and in the end it’s probably for the best as Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft have created some of the most advanced gaming experiences every seen.  (If you miss Dreamcast, here are a bunch of emulators)

3. The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien (June 2009-Jan. 2010)

It was supposed be the changing of the guard for the highly regarded Tonight Show franchise, but ended up turning into one of the worst and most highly publicized mistakes in NBC‘s history. The story starts out like an urban legend; with executives telling Leno (the popular talk show host) they were giving the show to Conan (Coco) when his contract expired with the Late Night franchise. The result was Leno’s resolution against his own will. But in a domino effect he landed on his feet with the Jay Leno Show (or so they thought). This resolution was meant to keep both comedians happy and allow Jimmy Fallon to take over at Late Night, resulting in a 1-2-3 punch for NBC’s late night. In reality Conan’s rating’s fell as Leno’s own show faltered. NBC’s solution: they announced that they had reached a $45 million buyout of Conan’s contract, which would end his brief (7 month) tenure as the Tonight Show’s host.

When compared to Leno, Conan got the short end of the stick. Leno had 16 years to prove his worth, where Conan had only months to grab the rains and take charge of the coveted TV spot. Don’t worry, ol’ Coco has 32 million reasons to keep smilin’.

2. Snapple Sodas (1983-1986)

Ah “Tru Root Beer”, we hardly knew thee. Even before the success of Snapple Ice Teas the company had a popular line of Snapple Sodas and Seltzer’s that were discontinued despite huge consumer popularity.  The flavor offerings were unique and delicious Cherry Lime Rickey, Creme D’Vanilla, Diet Lemon Lime, French Cherry, Ginger Ale, Jamaican Ginger Beer, Kiwi Peach, Kiwi Strawberry, Passion Supreme, Peach Melba, Raspberry Royal, Strawberry, and Tru Root Beer.  Additionally the line was marked by being clear – totally clean of artificial colorings.  Rumor has it that the family that owned the company was pressed for warehouse space, and combined with Snapple distributors being turned away from getting additional shelf space in stores, the line was canceled.  The natural flavors and no artificial colors was easily a decade before its time — and the exotic flavor options trumped D.I.N.K. drink Jones Soda by well over two decades.

1. HD DVD (2006-2008)

In a time when high-definition viewing was becoming incredibly popular, Toshiba released its HD DVD format to the world’s media market in 2006. What followed was a hilarious and expensive withdrawal of the format in 2008, only three years after its initial release. Sparking the initial downfall of HD DVD was the fact that many major film studios began picking only one format to support and steaming from previous favor, Warner Bros was one of the first studios to pull their support of HD DVD in favor of Blu-Ray‘s. This sparked further confusion among consumers who continued to see their favorite movie titles released on the little blue discs (Blue Ray) and not on the little red disc’s (HD DVD). Feeling the pressure to choose, most outlet stores, lead by Wal-Mart and Best Buy phased out the little red discs in favor of…..that’s right Blu-Ray‘s.

At its end, Toshiba had sold nearly 1 million HD DVD consoles, and people where spending $50 for limited release titles.  That’s 1 million unhappy customers that weren’t seeing their return, and many still haven’t. Toshiba’s High Def gamble cost the company roughly $986 million dollars, or to sound even more dramatic 100 BILLION yen!

I’m looking ahead to many happy years with VHS, Betamax, DVD, HD DVD, Blu-Ray’s.

5 Foolproof Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and there’s no reason that you should spend it eating nothing but stale cereal and questionably old milk. Learn how to cook a few breakfast basics and you’ll be sure to impress your stomach, as well as your friends. And maybe you’ll even be able to convince that special someone to spend the day in bed with you.

The Omlette: for when you want to impress the in-laws

Omelettes are often left on the sidelines of breakfast, or lifted to the proverbial pedastool that is called brunch. They have been and will continue to be viewed as a difficult way to cook eggs. But this doesn’t have to be anymore. Jame Oliver goes through the steps to making the perfect omlette, and if you can make the perfect omelette, you can impress anyone.

Bacon and Eggs – for a long weekend when you want to be as lazy as possible

Nothing is easier to make than bacon and eggs. You cook the eggs and then the bacon, putting the two on a plate and garnish with toast.

Cinnamon Buns - for a Sunday brunch when you want to impress people

This gooey treat has been around for ages and is perfect on a Sunday afternoon when you really have nothing else better to do than spend the morning cooking.

The Best Fruit Salad - for when you’re trying to impress a new girl

You’re a month into a relationship and everything is going well; she doesn’t snore or hog the covers, but she’s just not that into breakfast. Try a fruit salad, paired with a coffee, it’s filling yet light enough so you can get back to what you actually want to be doing on a Saturday morning.

The “Real” Breakfast Sandwich - for when you’re craving fast food

Forget going to McDonalds for their gut-cruncing breakfast sandwiches. You’ll be better off in the long run, and there is nothing complicated when it comes to making your own.

How To Get Tan Using Drugstore Products

We’re almost done with summer some people are still struggling to pull off a golden glow. You can blame it on your complexion, blame it on not wanting to get skin cancer, or blame it on the fact that you’re naturally albino, but none of those are excuses to stay pale during the hottest months of the year. We’re not suggesting jumping in the tanning bed or baking on the beach, but rather  slathering on some of the best tanning lotions around.

For fair skin: Jergens Natural Glow - One-application self tanners tend to streak on people with fair skin. Jergens Natural Glow is perfect for use after a shower and can give you a gradual and noticeable tan over the course of a week, because how many of us get that perfect tan in the 12 hours we are away from the office? The price is right at just $4.

As a carry on: TanTowel Self-Tanning Towelettes- These individually wrapped towlettes are perfect for your over night bag, or the glove box of your car. Just rip open and wipe on for an instant tan.

For even application: Clinique Self-Tanning Body Mist-  This mist doesn’t require a greasy rub down, and helps in an even application, so you can avoid those ”orange palms” (a dead giveaway to the use of self tanners) and the white, un-touched back, some people tan their face while using a tanner cream.  The mist sets in about 10 minutes, allowing you to dress, while the tan itself begins to appear in just under two hours.

For SPF protection:  Neutrogena Build A Tan with SPF 15- Perfect for that day at the beach, when you shed your suit and realize your whiter than a ghost. It gives you a healthy looking base tan, while still providing you with SPF protection. Neutrogena has been one of the leading body care specialists for six decades, and their continued research in self tanners and sun exposure can leave you, the consumer, confident in the product you buy, and the price you end up paying.

Going green:  Most Natural Aveda Sun Source- This tanner is packed with moisturizing botanicals like aloe, avocado and jojoba oil, and gives you a sun-kissed color — with zero chemicals. You can feel confident protecting your skin using some of the most powerful and widely used plants on the planet.

The Great Toothpaste Debate

People have been trying to freshen their breath since the very first time some caveman tried to hook up with the cavegirl-next-door after munching on raw garlic.  But a lot has changed since than and today there are hundreds of independent and corporate owned toothpaste manufactures  trying to convince you to buy their product. Here are the 6 toothpaste brands you should try before making your final decision on which one is best for your teeth. Now, if only they would invent a toothpaste that flossed for you…

Crest with Scope- $3

Crest Whitening turned their popular toothpaste into a bestseller by adding antibacterial Scope to one of its toothpaste lines. For those of you with sensitive teeth or gums, it’s an effective way to get the power of scope in a 30 second brush.

Colgate Total – $3

Approved by the FDA and the American Dental Association, Colgate Total was the first toothpaste to include triclosan, an agent proven to fight gum disease. Total is not for everyday use — it’s moderately abrasive and can sometimes irritate sensitive mouths because of the ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

Arm and Hammer (Advance White-Baking Soda)- $4

Many home remedies for teeth whitening and cleaning include baking soda and peroxide because, well, it’s natural — the most natural thing you can put on your teeth. In fact, dentists recommend if you hate toothpaste, put nothing else on your teeth besides a little baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. The fewer the chemicals, the better it is for your teeth.

Sensodyne Pro-Namel- $5

For people who are prone to canker sores or sensitive teeth, Sensodyne’s Pro-Namel is the less abrasive version of Colgate Total, with the ability to reharden and protect the tooth’s enamel (through higher uptakes of flouride and pH levels).

Tom’s of Maine- $5

…Or go natural. The difference between organic toothpaste’s and traditional abrasive toothpaste’s like the stuff you probably brushed on this morning? To remove plaque, and keep your teeth white, traditional toothpaste rely on abrasives to remove the grime (which also remove tooth enamel). Organic options typically include ingredients like sage, fennel, chamomile or Echinacea and essential oils like peppermint or thyme (thymol). Although organic toothpaste’s are not as strong as classics such as Crest and Colgate, they do a fine job of cleaning the teeth using ingredients made not by man, but by Mother Nature.

7 Times You Should Always Pay Full Price

Saving money and and being cheap is awesome. How else are you going to save enough money to buy the quality porn that you want? But there are a few times in a man’s life when he has to shell out real cash if he wants to get good quality services and products.

1. A Lap Dance - Anything less than full price means “your” girl is either packin some gear downstairs or is in serious need of a wet nap. The best girls charge top dollar and that’s what you should be paying.

2. Surgery - You hear horror stories of the wrong limbs of patients being removed, an incorrect diagnosis, or tools and bandages being sewn up inside patients bodies. Now imagine the stories you’d hear about unlicensed or incapable doctors…Surgery is not like buying a car, no haggling, just pony up the dough and be grateful you live in America.

3. Tailoring- The difference between a rented suit, one off the rack and a suit professionally tailored is the way it looks on you. The best option is to go old school and have the entire suit built around you. However, if you still want more bang for your buck, buy off the rack at a store like H&M and get it professionally tailored, key word here is professionally. Try Ally Bespoke Tailors in New York, top dollar for top quality work or hit up the web for the nearest and highest ranking tailor in your area.

4. Watches - You can buy a watch in the price range of $50-100, but is that the right option? When purchasing a watch consider that the price you pay once, say $300-500 will determine how long you have that watch, and if you buy Swiss, the watch could last a lifetime with proper care. Companies like Citizen and Hamilton are trusted and true, but nothing beats a Swiss made watch. The tiny movements in a Swiss watch are actually tiny synthetic jewels (rubies) used to help reduce friction in the back of the watch. The higher the jewel count the better (21-27 jewels).

5. Sports Tickets - Don’t get caught buying cheap nose bleed tickets, or even worse from a scalper. You put yourself at risk of being swindled and really, how cool do you look walking, both hands in your pockets, toward a shady character in a trench coat. Save yourself the trouble and stick with Ticketmaster.

6. Legal Fees/Advice – Lawyers argue as a profession, even if you wanted to get a discount on this one good luck, their fees are what they are. But good news, next time you’re looking at 1-2 years for tax evasion, that good lawyer your paying top dollar for could get you six months probation and a slap on the wrist (too bad nobody told Mr. Snipes).

7. Sushi – “Cheap raw fish” is not something you hope to see on a sign hoisted above a restaurants front door, nor would you even consider entering said restaurant. If you like sushi, you’ll pay the asking price, but for new comers to this delicacy, anything less than full price means there’s something “fishy” about the joint, no pun intended (OK it was intended).

How to Smell Good in the Summer Heat

Yes it’s getting hot, muggy, and disgusting out — but that doesn’t mean you need to smell bad. In fact it means you need to smell good. Andy Warhol once stated that “Well-groomed people are the real beauties. It doesn’t matter what they’re wearing or how much their jewelry costs or how much their clothes cost or how perfect their makeup is: if they’re not clean, they’re not beautiful.” It’s true, you can be dressed to the nines but if you smell bad,  you’re instantly unattractive. We’ve put our nose to the test to find the right deodorant to help you smell great and get you the right attention you deserve.

Axe Dry Sharp Focus – I remember going through my grandparent’s toiletries that were neatly set out on the bathroom counter. It was so manly to have Old Spice aftershave, the bottle and the smell were comforting. It sounds weird now to say you’re comforted by the smell of your grandfather’s aftershave, but it was so distinguished. That smell is locked into new Axe Dry Sharp Focus, it’s the old, made new again.

DKNY Be Delicious Men – Actually smells better as a deodorant than a scent. There’s about rolling on an apple scent under my arms as opposed to spraying it on my body that makes it manly. It’s definitely the most scent oriented deodorant of the four, but it holds its own in sweat protection, especially when you get that unexpected call from your boss.

Adidas Ice Dive – The German sporting giant has transcended its brand into odor protection, and why not, it’s developed by athletes for athletes. Curiously masculine, Ice Dive has the scent to back up its hardware. It’s weird to think what ice would smell like (considering water is odorless), but Adidas has nailed it square on the head (if ice had a scent, this would be it). It’s strong enough for athletes and used by executives.

Mitchum Solid Men – It always seems that Mitchum deodorant products (by Revlon) are always mentioned at the top of people’s list as their favorite deodorants. They’re known for their proven strength in fighting odor and sweat — rather than their original scent. This middle-aged brand has, and continues to be, trusted by millions. If you find yourself going through two undershirts a day, or sweating in November, then try switching to this trusted extra-strength brand.

5 Steps To Fix Your Face

Most men’s magazines suggest a 3-4 day workout routine or the kind of suit to wear to be an attractive man. And yes they do work (and are part of the get up) in helping you to be appealing, but the basic, and most important factor in being clean, attractive and confident, starts with a clean and well managed mug.  Andy Warhol said it best, “ Well-groomed people are the real beauties. It doesn’t matter what their wearing, or how much their jewelry costs or how much their clothes cost or how perfect their makeup is: if they’re not clean, they’re not beautiful.”

Lets work on getting you that “new” face, then we can work on getting you that six pack:

1. Wash Your Face: This doesn’t mean just splashing some water on your face in the morning. You should be using an effective facial scrub that will get rid of dry skin and clear up clogged pours (that result in red bumps and pimples). For sensitive skin, we recommended, St.Ives Timeless Daily Microdermabrasion — it removes dry skin without using grains (which tear skin), and it’s under $10 bucks.

2. Trim Nose/Ear Hair: So you’re not fifty five, but your nose still looks like a clogged sink pipe. No biggie. Every man’s body hair is different. You now have two options, pluck or trim: the painless one being the ladder, and also the easiest when you’ve got a lot hair protruding from the shadows of your nose (and ears). The Remington NE-3 Precision Wet/Dry trimmer is the best bang for your buck, at only $12.99.

3. Shave: When defining your face, nothing is easier to do than shave — and most men have to do it on a daily basis. The biggest fault for men when shaving is using a dull blade. Sure they’re a bit pricey, but it’s your throat in the end. If you don’t want that clean cut look, that’s fine, (Clooney seems to be doing just fine with his scruff), but you should be trimming your facial hair if you expect to keep it. Remember wild neck hair makes you look unkempt.

4. Moisturize: The sun is a killer, it dries and damages skin…yet it’s something we can’t live without. You need to lock in your skin’s moisture and for that you need a good facial cream to apply daily. Remember , choose a lotion that is water or glycerin-based, not alcohol-based because it dries your skin. Aveeno makes an awesome facial moisturizer, and yes it’s under 10 bucks.

5. Care for your Lips: Burt’s Bees is an organic lip balm I swear by and if you’re outside at any point in the day, you need to protect your lips (one of the most sensitive parts on your face). In the end, if you want those lips women want to kiss, it’s essential to use a lip balm with an SPF.

Fight Acne The Manly Way

Acne is the most common skin disorder seen by doctors, and chances are you’ve had at least one pimple in your life. But why does acne occur? Why do all the face wash commercials feature girls? And more importantly, why does it still happen to grown men? (40% of adults still suffer from acne). There’s no reason for you to suffer from acne when there are so many great products out there for men.

First things first…how does acne even happen?

Acne is caused when excess oil and dead skin cells combine to plug the skins pores, thereafter, bacteria forms behind the pore and causes inflammation and swelling (red dots). Since birth and until the day you die your skin will always shed dead skin cells. That mixed with your current diet and daily activities (working out, sports etc.) means your skin could still look like a raw piece of meat at 30, rather than the well-defined and post- pubescent face that you desire.

Second things second…What’s a good long term solution?

Considering you aren’t a teenager anymore, you shouldn’t fight acne using those teenage treatments and wipes that burn your skin before soothing the irritated pores. Welcome to the 21^st Century acne and say hello to Proactiv skin solution, the alcohol (and burn-free) solution. It’s a great long term solution for chronic acne.

Chances are you’ve seen Jessica Simpson, among other celebrities, speaking out about how ugly and desperate they are when they “break out” ( 1-2 little pimples is hardly a travesty to most ordinary people) and that Proactiv has saved their careers. Well it actually works, using a 3 part system Proactiv: renews, revitalizes and repairs your skin. I use it, and so to do my siblings, hell if it can make Jasper from Twilight look human again (1:17 of the clip), it can solve that acne problem you’ve been suffering from.

Finally…what’s an almost instant fix?

So now you’re thinking sure Proactiv is great, but what I can use in the short term that will cure individual pimples right now. Well vitamin A is reported to improve acne dramatically, yes hallelujah we’ve found a cure. While it may not actually cure it, it’s used perfectly as a quick home remedy: Simply grind up orange peels into a paste mixing with water, than apply the paste to the pimple and surrounding skin.

Not so much into natural remedies? You could also invest in a good acne spot treatment cure that contains salicylic acid. It dries up the pimple and helps to remove redness so that your face looks almost presentable.

5 Ways to Treat Excessive Sweating

A drenched shirt is a symbol of a great workout, a token for being a witness to a wet t-shirt contest, or in most cases,  a reminder of just how hot it’s getting outside. Shorts and sandals are a practical option as temperatures reach record highs this month. With such revealing clothes however, come the visible signs of sweating: wetness under your arms, peeling from your leg,  sweat soaked boxers, clammy hands, and rubber feet (that annoying sound of your feet rubbing against your sandals).

It’s these five most common regions that give us the most trouble and  therefore require the most attention when it comes to battling excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis (super excessive sweating). Simply follow these five tips to a more enjoyable summer and a better, less moist you.

Underarms:

Mitchum brand deodorant is tried and tested and its ancient slogan “So effective you can skip a day” sums up just how well it works in protecting men (I don’t recommend you skip a day however). For maximum protection and effective treatment of hyperhidrosis, try Odaban antiperspirant, it’s the next best thing to not sweating at all.

Feet:

There are two ways in treating foot sweat/odor that stand out from all the rest; both of which are natural in form and in cost effectiveness.

The first method, the sage tea soak contains very high levels of Tannic Acid,  which is a natural astringent. Simply add 4 or 5 tea bags into a large basin of hot water and let steep until full dissolved. Then soak your feet for 25 minutes. The second method, the vinegar foot bath is even easier. Add 1/2 a cup of vinegar to a basin of warm water and let your feet soak for 20-25 minutes.

Palms:

As well as being effective in treating sweaty feet, the sage tea solution works well in treating excessive sweating of the palms since both your feet and hands have the eccrine type sweat gland.

Groin:

Jock Itch is a common irritation involving the groin, sweat and friction (hint: you don’t have to be a jock to get the itch). It’s relatively easy to prevent, simply by using Gold Bond Medicated Powder on the groin before going out. If irritation does occurs apply a generous amount of Clotrimazole Topical Cream  along with the powder (you’ll be out of hot water in 24-48 hours).

Legs:

For the sweating of the legs, try Gold Bond Extra Strength Medicated Powder, it will absorb any excess moisture on the skin, and treat those nasty red pimples that seem to flare up every hot summer afternoon, or after an intense work out. Also try wearing Under Armour gear during a workout or hike, It’s moisture-wicking fabric helps prevent red spots and build up (which reduces smell).

6 Tips For A Better Shave

Old school salesmen used to say, “There’s two thing you do everyday – Shave and Sell – and if you don’t do both, you’re a bum.” We’d like to think we’re not bums, but let’s face it, most mornings you feel like simply not shaving, and yes when you were fifteen and sixteen you could get away with skipping every other morning, but not today, not when our generation is next in line to inherent the businesses from our forefathers. These six tips wont necessarily make you a better business man, but they’ll at least give you the appearance of one.

6. Avoid razors with multiple blades: This is the first time where more is not necessarily better.  A razor takes microscopic layers of skin off with the facial hair, so the more blades you use, the more irritated your skin can become. Essentially it becomes like shaving your face three or four times. If you don’t like shaving, then why shave two or three more times than necessary?

5. Tons of lather, need not: It’s a myth that using more lather decreases your chance of razor burn. Razor burn is a result of a lousy razor or improper technique, not your shaving cream. The best creams contain aloe vera (that soothes the skin), and should be applied a minute or two before actually shaving.

4. Shave with the grain: Shaving down in the same direction of the hair will result in less pull, and help you avoid cutting your facial hair to short. Shaving with the grain is another way to minimize skin irritation. Be cautious, facial hair growth is different for every man.

3. Exfoliate: Using a simple face scrub or mask before shaving can help open your skins pours and loosen any dirt or dry skin from your face. You can buy over the counter creams containing Vitamin A that will help with many skin problems, making it easier to get a clean shave without further irritation.

2. Shave in the shower, or just after you shower: Avoid shaving before you shower. Shaving over a dry face irritates the skin more and leaves you feeling raw. When you cut through tough hair, it often causes the hair to be pulled from its follicles, increasing the risk of ingrown hairs and razor burn.  The warm water of a shower opens your pours and makes the hairs softer, making it easier to cut through without irritating the skin. If you can’t shave after the shower, wash your face with hot water for several minutes before applying the shaving cream.

1. After shave: A man can follow all five of the previous steps and still manage to leave the house looking like he ironed his face. This is a result of applying the wrong after shave.
Avoid post-shaving formulas that contain alcohol and plant extracts like menthol. Macaulay Culkin had it right in Home Alone, that really stings.

Just because some after shaves are bad doesn’t warrant you from skipping this important and final step. Pick an after shave that will moisturize the skin, not dry it out. An alum block (antiseptic) is used by barbers at the end of their hot towel shave so you know it works.

Cleanliness and good grooming are a matter of male pride, and buying the right shaving products to help doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Many shopping malls have incorporated “shaving stores” and any good pharmacy will have a section for men’s grooming products. Be cautious with what you buy, it’s your face at stake.
If you have an afternoon free, treat yourself to a hot towel shave and visit your local barber shop. They carry on the tradition of the “Man’s Saturday Afternoon” any afternoon.

5 Easy Meals Any Guy Can Make

Every guy knows what he likes when it comes to grub, but not every guy knows how to put it on the table. Whether you’re trying to impress a girl or you’re trying to feed yourself something that doesn’t have to be microwave-heated, here are five, easy, foolproof meals that will make any guy feel like a professional chef.

Pesto Pasta: It’s idiot proof, seriously. Right down to scooping the pesto out of the jar and mixing it in to the boiled noodles. Serve it up with Italian bread and a salad and it’s even good enough to serve to her parents.

What You’ll Need:

Pasta (1.5 cups per person)

Pesto sauce (Bellino makes the best Pesto sauce I’ve ever had. It’s packed with real cheese and olive oil… it hits the spot every time)

Optional: grilled chicken or cooked shrimp or tofu or any other protein/vegetable

Parmesan cheese to garnish.

How to Make It

1. Heat a pot of water on the stove.

2. Put in the pasta once the water is boiling.

3. Mix the cooked pasta with the pesto and your protein of choice

4. Top with the parm

Chili: Of course you like it, it’s real old. -  comfort food. And when it’s made from scratch it can be as spicy or as mild as you’d like, so you don’t have to run to the bathroom when you start tearing up.

What You’ll Need:

1-2 pounds of steak, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1-28 ounce can of diced tomatoes

1-20 ounce can of red kidney beans

½ table spoon of Worcestershire sauce

1 table spoon chili powder

AND the secret ingredient…1 jar of salsa

How to make it:

1. Heat a little bit of olive oil in  a pan and throw in the onions. Push them around with a spatula until they look cooked (almost translucent). That’s called sauteeing.

2. Once the onions are done, throw on the ground beef, and cook it in the pan until it starts browning.

3. Add the meat, the onions, and rest of the ingredients into a crock pot and set on low for 5 hours.

Greek Salad: Instead of opening up a bag of frozen fries to go with those frozen chicken fingers or that over-cooked hamburger, why not have your greens. This Greek salad can be a side to anything, and can also score you serious brownie points this summer when asked to bring something to a pot luck or BBQ.

What You’ll Need:

3-4 tomatoes, diced

½ red onion

1 cucumber

1 green pepper

1 jar kalamata olives

feta cheese (preferred amount)

Dressing:

4 tablespoons olive oil

1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 clove garlic, minced

½ teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt

How to make it:

1. Mix all the ingredients together for the dressing early in the day and let it sit.

2. Put all the ingredients together for the salad and toss it with the dressing.

Macaroni & Cheese: Forget that box of Mac N’ Cheese and go with something mom would make, you may just avoid that embarrassing neon yellow Kraft smile.

What You’ll Need:

1 8oz. Package of macaroni

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 cup grated havarti cheese

1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons butter

2 cups of milk

2/3 cups soft bread crumbs (to hold it together).

How to make it:

1. Preheat the oven to 350

2. Cook the pasta on the stove.

3. While the pasta is cooking, combine the milk, butter, flour, cheese, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring until everything is melted.

4. When the pasta is finished, mix it up with the cheese mixture, and put it in the pan.

5. Top the pasta with bread crumbs and stick it in the stove.

6. Cook until the top is golden brown.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, than layer the ingredients starting with the macaroni. Layer until ingredients are gone.

Pancake Breakfast: Jamie Oliver once stated that pancakes were the easiest way to impress the harshest of food critics. They are simply inviting, fluffy and you can add almost anything to them.

What You’ll Need:

1 cup self rising flour

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup milk

1 egg

*You can add any fruit (or chocolate) to the mix.

How to make it:

1. Mix all the ingredients together.

2. Use a spoon to pour 3 inch (doesn’t have to be exact) circles of batter on the pan.

3. Flip the pancake when it starts bubbling.

5 Women’s Products That Every Guy Should Use

You watch your girlfriend, wife, or mistress as she stands at the bathroom mirror removing her makeup, truly surrounded by an army of beauty products. She has, in her haste, even taken over your small corner of the bathroom counter. Before you try to defend your territory, no matter how small it may be, let me tell you these products are not all bad. Would you believe me if I told you that many of those products she uses can and should be used by men? Yes, it does seem crazy.  It’s like saying the winning lottery numbers are actually printed on that tiny piece of paper inside your fortune cookie.  Dove and Neutrogena have both launched men’s lines and it won’t be long before every guy has their own counter full of products.

As a competitive man, it’s important to keep ahead of the pack, especially when it comes to looking good. So think of those products you see everyday, taking over your counter space, as potential winning lottery numbers, just sitting there waiting to be picked. Here are the next winning numbers:

1. Bikini Zone- Women use it after they shave “down there,” but you should be using it after your morning routine to combat against razor burn and irritation (which occurs when the skin is chafed during shaving).  Bikini Zone contains an analgesic that soothes pain and irritation, while also speeding along new skin cells to replace the scraped ones. Finally, Bikini Zone is a must have, because it only dries out the razor burn and not your healthy skin (unlike products with high alcohol content like Old Spice).

2. Dermalogica Intensive Eye Gel - You have just pulled your second all-nighter in a row to finish that mid-term paper or you just got back from a weekend of binge drinking and have to be ready for work Monday or your significant other has kept you up for several nights just to “talk”. Pick any of these scenarios and you have a problem — you look like crap. Enter eye gel, all natural solution that you apply to the skin under your eyes, giving you a look that says “I got a solid eight hours of sleep last night.” Essentially the gel tightens the skin, giving your eyes (the focal point of your face) a refreshed look, whether or not your mind and body are anywhere near awake.  This is a great product to keep hidden in your desk at work or in the glove compartment of your car.

3. Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask-  Men have been getting pampered years before brands began marketing beauty products to just women. So, in Mel Gibson like fashion, I stood in front of the bathroom mirror applying the mysterious conditioning mask to my face (with the guidance of my girlfriend).  After it had hardened, I rinsed off the insanely expensive clay mask.  Why does it cost so much? The mask contains Burdock extract, which cleanses the skin’s pores and draws out any rooted impurities. Truth be told, after the mask, my skin felt great for the rest of the week. No one has to know you use it.

4. Vaseline Coco Butter Body Oil- This is not a product you take to the “Y” or even on a weekend trip to your friends cottage. It should have a permanent spot on the edge of your bathtub, or next to your Barry White record(s). While I was tight-lipped about using this product at first, the embarrassment virtually disappeared when I figured no person (man or woman) should have dry skin if they can help it. Vaseline offers that ability to lock in the skins moisture after a shower since showers strip natural protective oils from the skin. Although it smelled as though I was applying a fresh-baked chocolate cake to my body, the odor disappeared as soon as the lotion had soaked into my skin. Essentially the oil protected my skin like a body of armor (I was let down when I found out my skin was no stronger than before),  but the compliments I got around the office about my skin’s newfound luster helped boost my confidence.

5. PedEgg- You can’t get away with wearing flip-flops or sandals just yet, but spring is fast approaching. I have thought about ditching my shoes for the freedom of flip-flops on several occasions already, yet after months of cold weather and long socks I found the bottoms of my heels were ultimately layered in dry, dead skin. For years I had just let nature do its business and the dry skin on my heels disappeared after several showers and some continuous exposure to fresh air. Last summer, as my heels ached after another full day of wearing steel-toe work boots,a friend of mine told me about PedEgg,  (essentially a cheese grater for your feet), and how well it worked for her  She was no liar, the egg-shaped grater worked like a charm, and the dry skin was collected in the bottom half of the egg for easy disposal.

How To Manscape Your Brows (and 15 Epic Unibrow Pics)

Hair care is one of the most common and oldest forms of body grooming known to man, but it shouldn’t be limited to your head and face. In most cases men forget to take care of the second most important focal point of the face (beside your smile), the brow. Women may not instantly notice your brow line after its waxed and groomed, but they’ll certainly notice the two (or even worse, one) deformed bushes over your eyes, if you don’t care.

Therefore the real question for a man is not whether you should tame your brow, but whether to pluck? Shave? Or wax?

Considering eyebrow care is  unfamiliar to most men, lets compare it to something every man is familiar with, so for all intents and purposes, we’ll look at eyebrow care like that of lawn care:

• Plucking your eyebrows is like trimming the edges of your lawn and around trees, it’s for finesse, not the big picture. I mean you’re not going to use a trimmer on your entire lawn.
• Shaving your eyebrows is like cutting your grass with a push mower, it’s great, straightforward but the results just don’t last long enough.
• Now when it comes to waxing, well that’s like spraying your lawn for weeds (minus the poison part). It’s effective, lasts long and is easy to do with the help of the right professional.

Waxing is definitely the best choice for most men, but if you’re not comfortable heading to the spa for that wax, many barber shops are perfectly equipped to help manage your brow. If you feel the need to stay at home and save a few bucks, here’s how to wax your eyebrows from the comfort of your own bathroom:

Step 1- Prep

Make sure the eyebrows are clean, and brushed (a small toothbrush works). Then apply a little witch hazel or Vaseline to the eyebrow to prevent irritation and bruising of the skin underneath.

Step 2- Wax

You can purchase waxing kits at any drugstore at any price (do not use Nair). Once you have warmed the wax (as directed on the kit’s box), apply a thin layer of wax to the hair you wish to remove. Than cover with a removal strip and wait a few moments for the wax to harden.

Step 3- Pull

Pull the removal strip in the opposite direction of hair growth .

Step 4- Clean Up

Inspect the area and pluck any remaining hairs. After you admire the new you in the mirror, apply a bit of moisturizer to sooth the red area.

You’re Done!

*If you’ve gone ahead and waxed without following these instructions don’t fret, Sharpie makes a wide variety of pens and markers for every touch of job.

7 Steps To Getting a Perfect Head of Hair

Washing your hair is just one of several tasks you take on before you even grab a cup of coffee in the morning, that and piss, shower, and shave. But for effective washing, it’s important to consider what you treat your hair with and how many times a week you put that into effect. Here’s the COED guide to become a hair model.

Is your hair dry, oily or normal?

Pick a shampoo that will either lock in moisture, or cut grease from your hair and scalp. Not all shampoos are the same. After several uses, you’ll be able to tell what shampoo is right for you.

Is your scalp sensitive or flaky?

Make sure you pick a shampoo that complements your scalp. Head & Shoulders works for all hair types and it contains pyrithione zinc, which helps in fortifying your hair, and in soothing your scalp (and dermatitis). If your shampoo contains perfume, your more likely to feel the irritation, and you could end up covered in a ring of white flakes from all the scratching.

Do you color your hair?

Be cautious when picking a shampoo if you color your hair. Pantene and Garnier are all reputable brands with a proven track record with color-protecting shampoos. If you’re not careful everyone may end up knowing those “sun kissed” tips of yours are actually enhanced.

How many times should I wash it?

Over-washing will strip your hair of its natural oils (sebum), leaving your hair noticeably dry. It’s safe to wash your hair once every 2-3 days (depending on length). But be sure to rinse your hair with water on your off days.

How much shampoo do I use?

Don’t over use on the product. For short hair, stick with a palm size amount (no bigger than a quarter), and leave it on for over 2 minutes. For shoulder length hair and longer, go with double the amount and leave it on your head for 5 minutes or longer.

Do I use a Conditioner?

It’s not necessary, unless you wash your hair daily (due to your job, work-out routine etc).

How do I deal with hair in other places?

That’s a huge question that can best be answered with a beginner’s guide to manscapping.