Your Happiness: Are You Best Friend-less?

Do you have a best friend? No, not your boyfriend or your sister (though these are great stand ins!). I'm talking about the woman (or man) in your life--the friend--whom you have bestowed the hallowed title of "best friend." More thoughts on BFFs and our happiness after the jump ...

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I have an army of fabulous, supportive and wonderful female friends, but I don't consider any of them "best." Truth is, I'm a little gun shy about best friends after a horrible best friend blowup several years ago (and "blowup" is actually an understatement). But I can't help but wonder--especially when I hear people talking about "my best friend" this, or "my best friend" that--if I'm missing out. (And this photo slideshow of Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox-Arquette's long-running friendship doesn't help!)

Would You Ever Consider Permanent Birth Control Like This Celeb?

We've talked here about whether kids are in your future, whether motherhood = happiness, and the "lies" women tell each other about pregnancy and motherhood (check out the heated discussion in the comments section!). But what about birth control? Condoms and pills aside--would you ever consider permanent birth control, as in no going back? Find out which celeb is ruling out more babies--forever...

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Former Bachelorette star Trista Sutter--married to cutie-pie Ryan--has a 20-month-old son and recently delivered a baby girl. She tells US Magazine that she's done having children and will soon have a permanent birth control procedure to seal the deal.

Which Do You Prefer: Chocolate or Vanilla?

It's the age-old question: When it comes to flavor, are you a chocolate or a vanilla gal? As much as I love chocolate, and I really do, I tend to lean toward vanilla (check out this recipe for "hot vanilla"). Guess which flavor America prefers after the jump...

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According to one recent survey (don't click this link unless you're full--the cookies you'll see in the photo will make you get up out of your seat and head to a bakery), Americans overwhelmingly go for chocolate. (Here's a story I wrote a few years ago about how--exactly--to make sure the chocolate you choose is the healthy kind...yep, not all qualifies as healthful. And, be sure to read this Glamour article about chocolate dos and don'ts.

What Color Describes Your Mood Right Now? Here's What It Says About You

Before you click through to read this post, I want you to pick a color that describes how you feel right now. Are you thinking of a color? OK, here's what scientists say it could mean about your health and happiness ...

Green with jealousy. "Seeing red" because you're angry. Color has long been associated with mood. But now a new study published in the journal MBC Medical Research Methodology adds a little more to the topic.

Of the respondents in the study, those who were happiest chose the color yellow--bright yellow--to describe their moods. (Hello sunshine!) Those who were depressed and anxious more often chose dark blue or gray. Important to note: "A light blue is not associated with a poor mood, but a dark blue is," said the lead researcher. "The shade of color is more important than the color itself." (Interesting, huh?)

Tone Your Tummy With This Ballet Move

Do you want a toned tummy? Who doesn't, right? These abs of mine have survived two pregnancies and an awful muscle tear at a fitness boot camp last summer. Time for some tummy love! Here's an awesome little (ballet!) move you can do at your desk (or near your desk) whenever you think about it to strengthen your abs ...

WomansDay.com recently featured a piece on various moves to tone your belly, and I took note! My dears, 2010 is the year I plan to get my stomach back. Let me be clear, I have plenty of love and gratitude for this belly of mine, which gave me two beautiful children. No complaints there! But, would I be glad to get these abs back to the mostly fit and toned place they were at pre-kids? Oh yeah.

Human Anatomy – Bladder

After urine is formed in the kidney, it goes down to the urinary bladder for storage. This organ lets you control when and where you want to urinate.

Voluntary muscles line the bladder, which is located at the rear of the pelvic bone. The bladder muscles can expand to hold as much as 600 mL of urine. Emptied of urine, the bladder looks like a pear-shaped sac.

Whenever you urinate, the bladder’s muscles undergo a contraction, opening a pair of valves or sphincters for the urine to flow out. Urine then gushes down the urethra, which excretes the liquid out of the body.

Bladder conditions and diseases

Human Anatomy – Liver

One of the most vital human organs, the liver is essential for filtering the blood from the digestive system before relaying it to the body. The liver is also designed to metabolize medicines and detoxify chemicals. Furthermore, it forms proteins essential for blood clots, among others.

It is situated on the right side of the abdomen, protected by the ribcage. Brown to red in appearance, the liver is heavy, all 3 pounds of which are divided into the left and right lobes.

Under the liver are other important organs like the pancreas and intestines. The latter receive bile produced in the liver.