Results tagged “gross” from The official blog of Vat19.com

I'm pretty sure this stoneware egg separator is an oldie-but-goodie. I've seen it around, and some people seem to love it. I guess those people have stronger stomachs than I do.

See, raw eggs gross me out enough as it is. They're slick and slimy and just yucky. So the last image I want to see before I start eating is some goofy-looking dude with an absurd case of the snots. Yeah, hock a loogie right on my plate there. Yum, that's how I like it. Not.

I'm sure those who love gross-out humor will think this is a riot, though. But if you're like me and are looking for unique kitchen gadgets with a lower "ick" factor, check out Vat19.com.

Those with weak stomachs, look away! Well, I guess it's too late. You've already seen the toilet-shaped mug that looks like it has, well, you-know in it.

This is one of those things that completely grosses me out, and yet I can't stop looking at it. I mean, it's kind of funny, but in a really cheap gag gift kind of way. And in this case, I mean "gag" literally. Just too gross for me.

It grosses me out almost as much as that stomach-churning "coffee" scene from the second Austin Powers movie. If you don't know what I'm talking about, consider yourself lucky.

Poof drops are supposed to be proactive (put some drops in the toilet first) rather than reactive (spraying air freshener afterward). Apparently these drops form a thin film on the toilet water's surface which contains the odors. A Japanese mint fragrance is released and 98% of odors are eliminated. Maybe these drops are amazing and will become a staple in bathrooms around the world. Or maybe they are a $15 rip off.

Bathroom air fresheners and odor neutralizers aren't anything new, but Poof has a bottle shape and size that you normally don't associate with air freshener. If you're carrying this bottle someone might ask "Hey, can I borrow your contact lens solution?" and you'll have to be all "Oh, sorry, those aren't eye drops, those are poo drops." I just don't see people carrying this around in their pocket.

Seriously folks, what is the deal with the bacon phenomenon? There's bacon wallets, bacon socks, bacon bubble gum, bacon bandages, gummy bacon. There's even a bacon AK-47 out there somewhere. Why?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for quirky stuff and fun gag gifts. And these Bacon-Flavored Jelly Beans would probably be a funny gift for the bacon-lover in your life. But then I read one of the consumer comments:

"...these taste nothing like bacon. More like ashtray and refried beans."

Gross. That's just gross.

You know what's not gross, but is instead a quirky and fun gag gift that in fact tastes delicious? Vat19's Giant Gummy Bear on a Stick, that's what.

There are plenty of products out there that are a play on words. Some of them work and come off as clever and cute, such as Monkey Key Covers. Others don't work, such as the Tooth Toothpick Holder.

How gross. I don't want to be reminded with a blatant visual that people are going to be using these toothpicks to dig out little food remnants from the crevices of their teeth. However, if you are into this kind of thing, you're in luck because there are also Tooth Piks, which are food picks that are shaped like a tooth. Mmmm, classy.

For some cool, non-gross gifts, check out our store - Vat19.com.

It's a running joke with my friends - I am the most likely to be grossed out by foreign things in my food, so inevitably I am always the one to find them. Fortunately, the worst things I've come across are bugs and hair, but that's enough to make me lose my appetite and greatly lessen my faith in the good hygiene of my fellow Americans. Now, if I ever found any of the following nasty things in my food, I would do one of three things, if not all in succession: scream, throw up, and scour my mouth for hours with a toothbrush and Listerine.

Here's hoping we never find things this gross in our good ol' American fast food...

5. Would you like fries with your Band-Aid?
In 2005, a student at the University of Illinois purchased a bag of French fries from the McDonalds in the Illini Union Food Court only to discover a used bandage buried within them. I said a used bandage. She complained and they prepared her a fresh meal, this time putting on gloves. Would've been nice if they had done that the first time.

4. $5 buys you a sub...and a knife!
In 2008 a Queens man went to Subway and purchased a foot-long cold cut sub. After a few bites, he noticed something tasted strange. He felt something hard on the bottom of the bread, so he turned it over and saw a 7-inch knife baked inside the bread. The sharp edge of the knife was facing upward and extended up into the sandwich, so he could have easily bitten down on it had he continued eating. The knife was apparently completely filthy, and the man became violently ill, most likely from food poisoning...and complete disgust.

3. Love those mice from Popeyes
In 2003, a Baltimore man munching on his three-piece chicken meal from Popeyes bit down on something furry. A mouse. Somehow, the rodent had been battered and fried along with one of his pieces of chicken. That particular restaurant had been shut down twice in the past two years for mouse infestation and unsanitary conditions, though, so I guess he shouldn't have been that surprised. I kid, I kid!

2. It's important to practice safe clam chowder preparation
A California woman dining at seafood restaurant McCormick & Schmick's was dissatisfied with her clam chowder, so she sent it back to the kitchen to be reheated. When it was returned, she took a bite and bit down on something rubbery. Thinking it was calamari or shrimp, she spit it into her napkin only to discover that it was a rolled-up condom. She immediately fled to the bathroom and threw up. She then sued them citing emotional distress. The case was settled the day before going to trial.

1. It's probably a delicacy in some countries
I'm pretty sure everyone has heard this one. A woman in Virginia sat down to a fried chicken dinner with her family and amongst the wings came upon a fried chicken head. We're talking the whole head - eyes, beak, little wobbly thing on top, and a few feathers. The manager at the McDonalds offered a free meal - which she rightly refused - and asked that she bring the chicken head back so they could send it to the supplier. Instead, she took it to the local news so it could be televised for all the world to see (photo above).

Bonus! This is not fast-food related, but it is the inspiration for this blog post. Recently an Atlanta woman snacking on her peanut M&Ms encountered one with a particularly hard center. She spit it out and found what a local biology professor has identified as a vertebra from a small mammal. When she called Mars, the candy manufacturer, they told her it was probably a peanut twig, but they are investigating. Goodtimes!

Long ago, I wrote a post about fast food and chain restaurant menu items that had insanely high calorie counts. I don't even know how many calories any of the things seen on This is Why Your'e Fat contain or how many grams of fat, but there's no way these numbers wouldn't be ridiculously high. Some of the stuff is so sickeningly greasy looking and loaded with meat that it makes my stomach hurt just looking at the photos.

There's a reason why an alarming percentage of people are so fat! Just look around in public places and see what people are eating and how much of it. Some of these fat food items are actually popular and not just enjoyed by people who could care less about calorie consumption, health, or body image. I've seen deep fried Twinkies and deep fried Oreos at various festivals before. Twinkies already make most people think of gluttonous couch potatoes, so why not up the ante and deep fry them!

There are some foods that were undoubtedly created just to be gross and weird, such as the Sandwich Cake, Meat Ship (yes, a ship made of meat), and the McNuggetini. All very gross and fatty. However, there are some things on This is Why You're Fat that I would actually eat. OK, maybe not eat an entire serving of, but definitely be willing to try.

Deep Fried Moon Pie on a Stick

Moon Pies are pretty old school, but I like them. I suppose the deep frying, stick, and powdered sugar give the ol' Moon Pie a new edge. I feel like somewhere in the world someone has attempted to deep fry every food in existence.

Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks

Who doesn't love mozzarella sticks? They are a classic American appetizer and they're delicious. I'm not the hugest fan of bacon, but I think these might taste OK. Besides, bacon is trendy so I'll need to learn to deal with it. I'd forgo the marinara sauce with these though.

The 60-Pound Rice Krispie Treat

I love Rice Krispie Treats, especially those big ones you can get at bakeries and sandwich places. This one is beyond huge! I regret that my friends and I did not attempt this when we were in school. I almost put a giant Kit Kat on the list instead. If you want to learn how to make your own super-sized Kit Kat, check this out. It's awesome.

Yes, ladies, I know most of us, if not all, have heard the rumor that mascara is made from bat poo. I've read articles that confirm the rumor and articles that dispel it and yet, still unsure, I continue to coat my eyelashes with what might actually be bat excrement. But believe it or not, bat poop may not be the most disgusting ingredient in your beauty arsenal. Let's have a look, shall we?

Disgusting Ingredient #5: The Cochineal Beetle

Cute, isn't it? Now imagine crushing the heck out of it, gathering all the lovely red juice that oozes out, and putting it all over your lips. That is essentially what you are probably doing when coating your lips with your favorite red lipstick. The cochineal beetle is the source of carmine, a red dye often used in lipsticks and some eyeshadows. And actually, you might even find this in your strawberry yogurt or that yummy raspberry popsicle you're about to bite into, as carmine is used as food dye as well. Mmm, cochineal beetles.

Disgusting Ingredient #4: Placenta

I don't know about you, but I was hoping that the last time I'd be covered in placenta would be, you know, my birth and all. But apparently placenta is used in some skin care products with claims that it promotes tissue growth and diminishes wrinkles. Solid proof of these claims seems to be MIA, though. So, use products with placenta at your own risk, if you can stomach it.

Disgusting Ingredient #3: Bull Semen

Yeah, I read that twice too. I'll admit you probably won't find this in any woman's beauty bag, but there is a salon in Europe that offers a 45-minute hair treatment that involves a mixture of bull semen and katira plant root extract being massaged gently into the hair. Why? To boost shine, of course! Am I the only one picturing Cameron Diaz in "There's Something About Mary"? I didn't think so...

Disgusting Ingredient #2: Ambergris, aka Whale Barf

Got a signature scent? You may have a nauseous whale to thank for it. Ambergris, the byproduct of digestion from whales (or puke, in layman's terms), is often used to "fix" the scent of a perfume. But don't freak out just yet, because due to the high cost of the natural substance, synthetic versions are used more often than the real thing.

And the # 1 Most Disgusting Ingredient: Cow Dung

Believe it or not, cow dung, the same stuff that attracts flies and repels anyone with a halfway decent sense of smell, is actually used to create a fragrance - vanilla fragrance, that is. Apparently the soft scent of vanilla can be extracted from cow poo when it is heated up under high pressure. Yeah. Heated cow dung smells like vanilla. I'll believe it when I ... no, just forget it.

So there you have it, the top five most disgusting ingredients that may very well be lurking in your beauty bag. That old fashioned practice of just pinching your cheeks for a little color doesn't sound so stupid now, does it?

On a recent peruse around the Internet, I came across something I thought I'd never in my life see: A Fart Pad. Or if you want to be PC about it, Subtle Butt: Disposable Gas Neutralizer. It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. According to its seller, it "effectively filters the odor caused by flatulence; Simply stick it in the right place and you're ready for a chili cook-off".

Do I think it's ridiculous? Yes! Do I know someone(s) who could use one (or thousands)? Yes, again! Just within my immediate family, I can count two gentlemen who can clear a room with just one blow. Seriously, I'm talking barf-inducing kind of gas.

Another man, who goes by the name Jose Cruz, may also have a necessity for some Subtle Butt. If this young lad had only inserted one of these bad boys in his trousers before going out for a night of drinking, maybe he wouldn't be facing an additional charge along with his DUI.

Hear the story yourself:

Fart Pads. Who woulda thunk it? But then again, who would have thought you could get charged with BATTERY for farting?

Officer Fart-Face (what he might of said): "How dare you break wind before me?"
Jose Cruz (what he should have said): "Excuse me, Officer. But whoever smelt it, dealt it!"

Right?!

Given the importance of appearances in modern society, I can understand why people might go to great lengths to maximize their looks for as long as possible. At the same time, some people take it just a little bit too far.

Lately, women in New York have been spending over $200 for bird poop facials at the Shizuka New York Salon. Apparently, the guanine in the feces helps to even out skin tone, remove impurities, and unclog pores. While the nightingale droppings they use are sterilized and powdered, I won't be joining their waitlist any time soon.

On the other hand, if you'd like to have a bird poop facial but can't afford the $216/session fee, you can purchase your own bird droppings for a mere $17.99 here.

I have to wonder, though - Do other types of birds have guanine in their feces, too? If so, I'm going to start harvesting my parrots' poop and open my own salon.

I have seen my fair share of crazy piercings and strategically placed tattoos, but this is a whole new level of body modification. The Eyeball Piercing.

Have you ever loved an animal so much that you wanted to be able to hug it all the time? Well, how about wear it....all the time? I stumbled across this book

This book actually teaches you how to collect your dog's fur and spin it into a yarn-like material suitable for knitting. But don't worry, if you don't like the color of your pet's fur, there's a chapter all about dying the fur to your desired color. It also explains how to take care of the clothing once you are done knitting. I wonder if a Golden retriever is hand-wash only?

If you like this idea, there is a site that shows you just how to spin your own yarn. Just make sure to complete step 1 thoroughly. "Clean the entire amount of dog hair again with a mild liquid detergent or dog shampoo and lay it out to dry." You don't want any fleas to get mixed in there!

However, for those of you who are not into the whole create-your-own-yarn fad, you can have it made for you! VIP Fibers is a company that will spin the hair into 100% animal hair yarn! Simply save all your dog's hair and send it in. Somehow this whole idea freaks me out a bit. I love my pets and all, but I'm not about to go wear his shedded dead hair. Ew. I guess it's really no different though than wearing wool sweaters. Apparently Chow chow fur sweaters can go for upwards of $600.

Now for all you cat-lovers out there, fret not. You can make clothing from cat hair as well. Suzanne Owen, a woman from Lakewood, Colorado made her own cat hair cardigan sweater. How lovely is this?

I just have one thing to say. When my cat gets wet, he smells bad, so watch out for them rainstorms!

If you're reading this from a job you're not totally in love with, here's a dose of optimism for you. No matter how bad your job may be, it's probably more pleasant than if you were hired to test the effectiveness one of the following products:

Odor Eaters...




Parachutes...




Insect Repellent...




Athletic Supporters...




Flame Retardant Apparel...




Suppositories...

So one night I'm sitting on the couch watching TV and I see a commercial for the Ped Egg. I'd never heard of it and it looked like a cheap piece of plastic junk, so I continued watching to see what this thing was about. Most infomercials are good for a laugh. Not with the Ped Egg; this is no laughing matter.

The Ped Egg is pretty much an egg-shaped cheese grater for the bottom of your feet. It scrapes off all of the dry skin and wears down calluses. The foot shavings are collected inside of the Ped Egg. The commercial shows people rubbing it back and forth across the bottoms of their nasty feet. This is undeniably gross.

But the Peg Egg commercial does not stop there. Then, without warning, the Peg Egg is opened up and a mound of nasty foot dust shavings is dumped into a trashcan. Sick. The quantity of foot dust is atrocious. It will make you want to throw up. I've watched it several times and I still get the chills.

Go ahead and watch the video clip from the Home Shopping Network. (The Ped Egg people have taken down the actual commercial from You Tube.) Let's see if you are as appalled as I was.

How is it physically possible to shave off that much crap from the bottom of just two feet? Who has feet that are this disgusting? Is there a point at which you have to quit the scraping or else your feet will bleed? Will I ever be able to look at white sandy beaches the same? Do pranksters who have cokehead friends switch out baggies of cocaine with the foot shavings from a Ped Egg?

Several people have posted positive reviews about the Ped Egg on their blogs. So, if you or a loved one has janky feet, go ahead and order a Ped Egg or two. Maybe you could see how much foot dust you can accumulate in one foot shaving session and get yourself an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Everybody knows that person. That strange, broken individual who can’t stand sweets - not even his own birthday cake. Meatcakes were practically invented for that person.

Instead of using sprinkles and chocolate and sugar (all the things that make real cakes so delicious), Meatcakes are an abomination – frosted imposters filled with ground beef or turkey. Take a look at this Halloween concoction and ask yourself, “What kind of sick person would do this?”

Unless you're a total hermit, you will eventually be faced with a friend or co-worker who is suffering from an embarrassing problem. Depending on your relationship with the person, it may be difficult to broach the subject. We've come up with a complete guide for identifying, assessing, and dealing with the majority of embarrassing situations that you might encounter.

Step One: Problem Identification & Assessment:

Most people are embarrassed easily, but what might be embarrassing to one person may be just a typical day for another (body odor comes to mind). For that reason, we’ve come up with a pretty standard list of “issues”, along with a general scale of how embarrassing most people consider them.

1. Minor Inconveniences – Toilet paper on shoe, tag sticking out, hair out of place
2. Unpleasant – Bra strap showing, visible panty line (the VPL), deodorant marks on clothing, food on shirt
3. Cringeworthy – Food in teeth, food on face, too much perfume or cologne, “nose goblins”, LOTS of food on shirt
4. Nothing a Sick Day or Two Can’t Cure – Crack “issues”, Body Odor, Zipper Undone
5. Worth Getting a New Job, Address, and Identity – Zipper undone while going commando, curious “stains” (diet pills, anyone?)

Before taking action, you’ll want to consider a few things. First, how embarrassing is the problem? What are the consequences of NOT telling the person? Will they walk into a huge meeting with unmentionable body parts on display? Is he or she out for the evening, approaching members of the opposite sex with a grill full of spinach?

Beyond that, think about what the person in question could do to fix the problem. If the answer is “nothing”, you may want to just let it go. There’s no sense in ruining someone’s day over something they can’t change.

Finally, look out for yourself. Will the person be mad if you mention the problem? If you don’t mention it, will they know that you knew and be angry with you?

Obviously, shouting, “Hey Ignatius, didn’t anybody ever tell you that crack kills?” across your office isn’t the most delicate way to handle an embarrassing situation. If your target isn’t already alone, try to figure out a way to get them alone, or at the very least, whisper. Remember, we are trying to minimize embarrassment here, not make everyone in the general area aware of the problem.

If you’re dealing with a member of the opposite sex, take a moment to decide whether or not you’re the right person to inform them of the issue. It’s very different for a man to point out a woman’s visible panty line than for a female to do so. If nothing else, it lets that person know that you were glancing in that general area, which may not be the best message to send. We recommend that you hand the job off to someone more appropriate if it deals with a problem above the knees and below the shoulders.

When you let the target know about the problem, try to be helpful. Say things like, “I just thought you’d rather know,” “Here’s a tissue,” or “I’ll stand in front and block while you zip/adjust/etc.” If you do everything tastefully and with sensitivity, you could find yourself with a long-time ally.

Of course, if you’re dealing with unfastened zippers and/or “crack issues”, we wholeheartedly endorse the use of the Airzooka Air Cannon. We’re mean like that.