Saving Marriage, A National Priority

Editor's Note: Being that hitched is based in Southern California and ash is literally falling around us, we want to acknowledge that this post is not intended to diminish the state of emergency that California is in. As such, here's a link to numerous resources, including Red Cross information by county.

Saying that, Roland S. Martin of CNN wrote a column the other day stating that this country has declared everything from drugs, violence, HIV/AIDS, and guns a national priority. He wonders why marriage has not made that list. He was struck with this thought after watching "Why Did I Get Married?" Here's a little bit from his column:

I strongly believe that for too many of us, we've accepted the notion that marriage will be perfect; that we won't endure trials and tribulations. But that isn't true. In fact, where is that ever true than in someone's fantasy life? What's amazing to me is that when faced with difficulty on the job, so many of us will buckle down and work harder to prove ourselves worthy to keep that job. But at home, we'd rather leave, even if that means putting our kids through a divorce.

His column gets you thinking. You can read it in full here.

Hilary Said Saving Marriage Was Right Choice

In a recent interview with Essence magazine, Hilary Clinton said her marriage was worth investing in, but also remarked it isn't a decision for everybody. The 2008 presidential candidate tells the magazine, "I know the truth of my life and of my marriage, my relationship and partnership, my deep abiding friendship with my husband. It's been enormously supportive to me through most of my life. Now obviously we've had challenges as everybody in the world knows. But I never doubted that it was a marriage worth investing in even in the midst of those challenges and I'm really happy that I made that decision." She went on to say, "I think it's so important for women to stand up for the right of women to make a decision that is best for them." A poll released today by the Los Angeles Times and Bloomberg confirms that 30 percent of voters agree that Clinton did the right thing in remaining in her marriage to Bill Clinton "after finding out that he had an external affair." 16 percent said it was the wrong choice and 34% said it was neither right nor wrong.

We would love to know what you think about this. Please visit the hitchedmag.com message board here and join in on the discussion.

Put Some Broccoli On

It was something that you were always told to do. But few, if any, of us did. Researches have discovered that broccoli, among many other great things that vegetables do, can help reduce the redness and inflammation caused by sun damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer. In the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, lead study author Dr. Paul Talalay said the extract of the broccoli sprout boosts the protective systems of the cell to counteract the damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. The extract showed a 37 percent reduction in redness and inflammation caused by UV rays and lasted days after the broccoli extract was washed away. It's suffice to mention the broccoli extract does not act as a sunscreen, which unlike sunscreen, the extract does not absorb UV light, and Talalay stresses that people not replace their sunscreen. Perhaps the two will marry into the ultimate sun protection for you and your spouse's skin.

The Meaning of Flowers

Whether we're celebrating an anniversary or trying to make up, we give flowers to show that we care. But are the flowers you bring home really saying that you care? About.com breaks down an impressive list of flowers and what they mean. Here are just a few examples:

ALSTROMERIA: Wealth, prosperity, fortune.
ARBUTUS: Thee only do I love.
CARNATION: Fascination, distinction, divine love, woman, yes. Also the birthflower for January.
CHRYSANTHEMUM, WHITE: Truth, loyal love.
GLOXINA: Love at first sight.
HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty.
HYACINTH, RED OR PINK: Play.
JASMINE, SPANISH: Sensuality.
PRIMROSE: I can't live without you.
ROSE, BURGUNDY: Beauty within.
SALAL: Zest.
ZINNIA, WHITE: Goodness.

Read the full list here.

Just In Time For Halloween

Like the kids, nearly every adult likes to get dressed up during Halloween. From elaborate costumes to the just plain silly here is a run down of some costumes that may inspire you to get and your honey into the Halloween spirit from costumetribute.com

Wife Doesn't Want to Have Sex

I was cruising around the web the other day and found this article on Today. It's of a husband writing in expressing his frustration because his wife doesn't want to have sex and he's always the initiator. Dr. Gail Saltz was the expert columnist who responded and I think she did a very good job of taking the matter serious. She basically told him that his need for a sex life could drive a huge wedge between the two of them. After reading this, I thought, we can help! Our very own Dr. Trina Read wrote an article that offers tips for couples to initiate sex equally. It's titled aptly enough, "Initiating Sex." I know, we're clever. To read the Today article, click here. To read Dr. Read's article, click here.

Married To A Workaholic

It's one thing to be a hard worker, but it's another thing to be a workaholic. If you're married to a workaholic or if you are a workaholic, Forbes.com has some great tips to help you achieve balance in your marriage. There are two tips they offer that I think are particularly good. First, if your workaholic spouse has a structured work day, be sure to schedule in some relationship time and make them keep their appointment. Another tip they offer is to be sure and keep up with the regular date nights. We couldn't agree more--that's why we offer new date ideas every week in the "sex" section of the website! Check out this week's tips on picking the right Halloween party.

Are you married to a workaholic? Shoot us a note, we'd like to hear your story. Or go onto our message board and share your story with others.

Also, be sure to check out the "10 Ways To Survive A Workaholic Spouse" slideshow in the Forbes.com article.

Chocolate Cravings Explained

You might need a glass of milk to read this post. New research by Nestle (yes, that Nestle) say they may have figured out why some people crave chocolate. It's a gut thing. Or to be specific, it's caused by the type of bacteria inside your stomach. A group of 11 non-chocolate craving men and 11 chocolate loving men were tested. Perhaps the most interesting finding was that the men who ate chocolate had lower levels of LD (bad cholesterol). As if we needed another excuse to each chocolate. Read the full article here.

Husband to Donate Kidney to Wife

In Foster Kentucky, Candy Brown-Flora is about to get a little closer to her husband Steve. Flora suffers from a genetic condition called IgA nephropathy and currently requires dialysis six days a week. She was told that she needed a kidney transplant, but that it could take up to four or five years before she found a match. Her husband Steve, is not a match, but he's close. Flora saw a show on the Discovery channel (see TV is good for you), where they highlighted John Hopkins hospital in Baltimore. They discussed a program where Flora would be able to accept Steve's kidney. The couple, along wih friends and family are currently doing fundraisers to try and handle the medical bills. Read the full article here.

Why Poker Night and Golf Are Good For You

Guys hanging out with their boys is not just good times, but good for the heart--literally. According to a report from Healthiernews.com, a group of Sweedish researchers conducted a 15 year study with the results showing that guys with the greatest amount of social interaction — contact with many friends they saw on a regular basis — were less than half as likely to have heart disease, when all other factors being equal (smoking, weight, job-related stress, etc.). The research also showed that men who showed deep emotional attachment to their friends were only 58% as likely to develop heart disease as their loner counterparts.

So there you go guys, if you need an argument to go golf this weekend, you can tell your wife that you're doing it for your health.